davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1884-03-27
RELIGIOUS DRUMMER.

One Of the travellers for New York
dry goods house recently arrived in an
interior State, to find that one of his
best customers was about to transfer
his custom to Boston firm,
Didn't we always do well by you 20
asked the New Yorker, as he sat down
for an explanation.
"Ye5, | believe so.n
Didn't we ship goods to you prompt
ly ?"
Yes
Ibid we ever press you iu pinch 2"
"No, | can't say that you did"
"We can't understand why you
should leave our house all of sudden,
after buying of us for several years"
You know that | attend church p
"Yes and so do l."
"Do you ? l didn't know that. |
am looked upon as Christian"
"And so am l. l have got the date
of my baptism right here in my note
book"
is that 50 ? Well, our church is in
need Of repairs. We were talking ii O.
vel the other day, when the Boston
drummer was here, and he at once SUBJ
scIibed ten dollars
"Ten dollars Why, ,thot's only two
kegs of nails Put me down for thirty
dollars cash, a new silk hat, and suit
of clothes for the minister"
"Do you mean it 20
"Of course | do /; and if that two
cent Christia from Boston dares to
give another five dollars, III send you
down a 5000 church organ and $500 a
year man to play on it. We are a
house that never makes any great dis
play of gospel hymns and religious
tracts buC when Boston drummer
bluffs, we show our religious hand, and
scoop the pot every time"
And the merchant still continues to
deal with the New York firm.
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1884-03-27

Joe pressed his hand to his forehead
and found it burning hot. He began
to be afraid, he knew not of what, per-
haps Uf his own soul. He felt his mur
derous purpose weakening. He rose
ana walked about the wood aud
thought upon his wrongs. This gave
him new resolve, and he returned to
his hiding place, and crouchcd again.
But again his terror was renewed, ana
the hand which held the knife trem-
bled. The village clock struck ten, and
at every stroke he shuldered.
He heard foot steps on the road.
Nearer, NEARER, came Tie man for whom
he waited. For moment JOe'5 mind
seemed gone. Before his eyes he saw II
great sea of blood. From him fell
great drops of cold sweat. Nearer the
footsteps came. His brain cleared and
he could dimN see the young man 8
form few feet from him. He gazad
through the trees to the sky, and saw
a single star looking down upon him
like the eye Of God. With Il shrek of
fear he flung the knife from him and
fled-from murder.
1t WAS over, and blood WAS not upon
his soul
All that night he lay like one dead
upon the floor of his little shop. The
morning sun, forcing its way through
the dusty window, fell upon him there.
Miserable as the man WAS, it saw 10
better sight than this crushed soul saw
ed from crime.
But some one brighter than the snn-
light entered at the door. 1t WAS Mel
lie. She saw him there upon the floor
and her blue eyes Glled with tears.
She bent over him and touched him
gently.
"Joe dear Joe !" she cllled.
He sprung TO his feet, gazed on her
coldly, and would have fled, but she re-
strained him.
Joe" she said. ~ have hOped-l
have pleaded have prayed have
won. Take me In yonr arms"
Not yet did he understand her, and
she added
''Father has learned to pity you and
me, Joe, and says we may be husband
and wife. Richard Ross has gone for
ever"
So Joe took her in his arms, and all
his repentance and joy burst forth in
flood Of tears.
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1884-03-27
A Thrilling War Story.

Henry J. Savage, one Of The soldiers
home veterans, tells the following
thrilling story Of war incident a:
The oft-mooted question "Was ever
desperately wounded soldier shot
dead, at his own earnest solicitations,
by comrade ?" is answered IN the af-
firmative by your humble servant. 1t
happened as follows Tie writer, a
member of G. company, FmSt Delaware
infantry, was then attached to the
Third brigrade (Weber'S), Third diyis-
ion (French'S) Second corps (Sumnel ~.
After wading Antietam creek, pluug-
ing through plowed fields, stuhbltii-lds
and cornfelds, his regimen, wa Ii ally
located with in plain view Of the enc
my, when the welcome command rang
along the line to load and fire at
will" 1t was then that ouI daily tar
get practice at Fortress Monroe came
into excellent use. as many poor dew
III Dl tue Clhlli lAllBOtiIb lCtl lttNA W no
cost. After firing cleYen rounds The
writer was wounded and ordered to the
rear. While retreatlng in good order,
but making most excellent time, lis
route led him through portion Of The
Irish brigade. Here he saw u sight
that capped the climax Of horror. a
member Of that devoted brigade WAS
aimlessly stumbling around with both
eyes shot out. begging some one. for
the love of God" to pat an ED TO his
misery. A lieutenant C the Fourth
New York was passing by, and, seeirg
the poor fellows condition, and hear
ing his appeal, he halted before him
and asked if he really meant what he
saidl
80, yes, camrade," was the reply,
II cannot possibly live and my agony
is uncomfortable.
Without an other word the officer
drew his pistol, placed it the victims
right ear, turned away his head, and
pulled the trigger. a half wheel, a
conVuisive gasp, and one more unfor-
/ tunate had pissed over to the silent
majority.
"It WAS better thus" said the lieu
tenant, replacing his pistol and turning
toward the writer, ''for the poor fel-
/ low could"
Just then a solid shot took the lieu
tenants head off, and the "Subsequent
proceedings interested him no more. :"
-MiIWduEee Sentinel.
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1884-03-27
An American in Russia.

a reporter recently interviewed Bar.
o. de Wagstaffe, Of Russia, who was
looking into the railroad industries of
Detroit. In the course of the cohyer-
saton the baron was asked:
"What are the facilities for travel TO
all parts Of the empire?'
Besides the railroads, it is by post
roads. We have a most perfect system
of post-roads all oyer the empire"
"To the farthest points?"
Yes sir; from the.Payiiic coast west
ward, and from the northern shore
south. The best way | can illustrate
the perfection OF our system of post
roads and safety Of such travel, is to
tell of a New York gentleman, now
dead-a relative Of the Stuyvesants-
who for his own pleasure started from
the Pacific coast to travel alone over
lana through Asiatic Russia TO Peters
burg He couldn't speak a word of any
language but his own and relied entire
ly on his own intelligence and Il United
States passport to help him on the jour
ney. His passport had the American
spread eagle at its top, while the Rus
sian passports haye the Russian eagle
with the crown above the eagles head
at their tops. At every station the
New York gentleman observed that he
was given the preference over all other
travellers; that he got the best horses
and at once. No matter if other tray
elers had reached the station ahead of
him and in need Of fresh horses he was
provided first. He made the trip safe
Iy, speedily and comfortably, and when
he'reached my home he was most en-
thusiastic in praise Of our roads and
the promptness and courtesy of our
post officials, while he could not speak
in terms too enthusiastic over the re-
Spect they had shown him all through
Russia because of the United States
passport"
"What was the secret of his good
fortune?"
Chiefly out of respect to'The Eagle
and the ignorance of The postmasters
of the nature of the gentleman's busi-
ness, which they concluded to be of an
official character, and so they treated
him as they would a high Russian Off
cial.n
"And how is that?"
"All those In authority in Russia,
when travelling are gwen preference
by n special passport, such as was be-
slowed on the American traveller"
Then 1t is not dangerous to travel
in any part OF Russia?"
Not at all. often travel with my
wife and daughters to my home at the
foot of the Ural mountains. 400 miles by
post-roads after leaving the railroads.
While | generally have revolver with
me, it is usually on the floor in the
straw-under the seat or somewhere-I
don't know where, for l never used it.
That is another result OF our passport
system"
because by the system all dangerous
characters are at once apprehended and
placed under guard, when on the other
hand 10 murder or other crime can. be
committed without almost immediate
detection and punishment"
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1884-03-27
She Saved his Life.

There was a lot of drummers seate d
around the stove
II tell you what it is,' said the St.
Louis commercial traveller, "the boys
can just make all the fun they please
of the Lake City but as for mel shall
ever feel deeply indebted to Chicago. "
"Why so?" asked Bangs,a Chicago
man.
Because a girl from that place saw
ed my life
"When?"
Last summer when | was up on
the lakes Got shipwrecked, you
know
"How was it?'
There was a Chicago belle on
board our boat and she was our saliva
ton. Saved the whole ships company"
Didn't swim ashore with all of
you?"
NO"
How thcn?'
Noble girl! she wore cork-soled
shoes which she lashed together with
the strings and made raft. We all
got aboard and floated safely ashore" "
And then it was so quiet you might
have heard a clap of thunder while the
bartender set out the bottle and glass
nG
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1884-03-27
MARRIED BY SURPRISE.

Old Governor Saltonstall, of COnnec-
ticut was man of some humor as well
as perseverance in effe Getting the end lie
desired. lie resided in New London
and among the many anecdotes told of
him is the following
OF the various sects that had -four
ished for their day and then ceased to
exist, was one known as the ROgerites,
so called from their founder, John or
Tom, or some other Rogers, who set
tied not far from the gOodly town Of
New London. The distinguished tenet
of their sect was their denial of the pro-
priety and the scIipturality of the form
of marriage. 1T is not good for man
to be alone. This they believed, and
also that one wife only should "clcave
to her husband But then this should
be matter OF agreement merely, and
the couple should come together and
live as man and wife, dispensing with
all the forms of marriage covenant.
The old Governor used frequently to
call upon Rogers and talk the matter
oyer with him, and endeavOr to con-
vince him of the improperly of living
with Sarah as he did. But neither ! ohm
nor Sarah would give up the agreement.
1t was a matter Of conscience with
them they were very happy together
as they were of what use then could a
mere form be Suppose they would
thereby escape scandal, were they net
bound "to take up the cross" and live
according to the rules of the religion
they professed The Governors logic
was powerless.,
He was in the neighborhood of John
one day, and, meeting him, accepted
an invitation to dine with him, Con-
yersatiOn, turned AS usual, on the mar
riage subject.
Nov, John, said the Governor, af-
ter long discussion on the point, why
will you not marry Sarah? Have you
not taken her to be your lawful wife?"
"Yes, certainly" replied John "bnt
my conscience will not permit me to
marry her in the form of the worlds
people"
VERY well. But you love her?"
eyes.
"And respect her?"
"Yes."
And cherish her as bone of your
bone and flesh of your flesh?'
Eyes, certainly l do
"And Sarah. You love him, and re-
spect and cherish him?"
Certainly | do"
"Then,'' cried the Governor, rising,
"by the laws of God and the Common :
wealthof Connecticut,I [ pronounce you
to be man and wife!'
The raving and lage of John and
Sarah ware of no avail-the knot was
tied by the highest authority in the
State.
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1884-03-27
THE BLACKS NTH.

Young Joe the Blacksmith was a
sturdy fellow-rather tall, broad shoul-
dered, arms big with muscle, and a
good natured face, we'll worth seeing,
if only for the bath of good humor it
gave you.
EVERYBODY liked him and his forge
was resort for village idlers, who low
ed to watch him strike the shining
sparks from the glowing iron, and lis
ten to his CHEEKY voice-for something
of singer was Joe.
There was an hour in the day, from
three to four in the afternoon, when
Joe wonld have none of them. Why ?
Because the child Nellie, across the
way-a blue. eyed, sunny thing, dearly
loved by the blacksmith-always spent
that hour with him.
AS Joe worked, she was wont to
stand, with hands behind her tack,
watching him in an old fashioned way,
quiet and talkative by turns. Some
times ste asked strange questions that
puzzled him.
"Joe 2" she would commence.
"WelI, cherub ?'
Doesn't The fire burn beautiful,
Joe ?''
eyes, Gear"
''What makes it, Joe 2"
"The wind from the bellows, cher
ub. -
''What makes the wind from the bel
lows dc it. Joe ?''
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1884-03-27
The Flowers Mission.

There was once Il little flower.
Growing where the weeds were tall,
And the bue sky, bending over,
1t could see, and that was all,
Weeds were so thick about it
That they shut the sun away.
But the little flower kept growing,
And upreaching, day by day.
"Iknow I'm meant for something,
Else never would be here,
1t kept saying, DER ard Ger.
To q briar bending near.
Il think you are mistaken
Was the briar'S cold reply;
"Sueh feeble thing aS You are
VIII live day and die.
But the faith of the flower was steadfaSt,
And it turned its face TO God,
Believing ii had a mission
Ab0ye the earth'S green sod.
In the long, sweet days OF summer,
lis little buds burst wide,
And the air with Springtime fragrance
1t made sweet on every side.
Now the weeds that hedged the flower,
Grew close by sick girls room,
And breeze bore through the window
A breath of the flowers perfume.
And "Oh!" she cried, in gladneSs.
II can smell the old home flowers.
Bring me a little blossom,
To cheer the lonely hours
They sought through the garden vainly;
mo flowers are there" they said.
There are, she cried: II smell them!"
And so she would not be misled.
Again they sought in the garden,
And, led by wandering wind,
Deep among the weeds and briarS,
They chanced the flower TO find.
They brought it in and laid it
In the sick girls wasted hand;
And she kissed it. over and over;
But they could not understand
What it was she said to the flower,
OF the old home far away
Or the words SO sweet WithcOmfOrt
The flower IN return did say.
Each morning they brought blossom
To brighten the sick girls room;
And the heart of the humble flower
Was glad, In the tail weeds's gloom.
II knew was meant for. mathing,'
1t said to the far-off sky;
II was sure d q nobIer m iSsiOn
Than Just TO live and to die"
And so, till the summer ended,
1t gave blossom each day,
To tell the homeSIck stranger
OF the old home faraWay.
They whispered TO her of Heaven,
And the angels and it seemed
As they brought her q message
From the lanu OF which she dreamed.
One morn they came to the flower,
And told il she was dead;
Then il gave Its last. sweet blossom;
Then they told it what she said;
at has been sweet.cOmfOrt TO me,
Sick, in stranger land;
That is the message l Sendit:
1t will know and understand.
Then the flower looked up and whispered
To its steadfast friend, the sky,
"Thank God for the mission he gave me!
With happy heart die"
BE sure you were meant for something!
Keep faith in the God above!
And your life may make others happy
With its flowers of human love.
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1884-03-27
THE BLUE BOTTLE FLY.

Buzzing and gay, in the early dawn,
Fresh rom nap on the parlor wall
Out for flight, over garden and lawn,
Fearing no trouble and dreading no t"lI'
Came Il fly
a lively frolicsome, blue.bottle NY
And his feet
And his style
AS complete,
As his brain
Was rcpletr
With the mischief that laughed in his eve!
"What glorious fun I'll have to-day,
When the hahyS asleep and the nurse away
When Rcver lies by the Kitchen door!
IN awake them both and make them roar!
Oh, what larks!"
Cried the rollicking, restless, blue-Ootte ny;
"What cry,
said the fly,
There will be
After me,
When I've done
With my fun!
And he Nickedly winked his wee eye!
''Then I'll go and dance ON grandpaua's head
While he struggles to brush me away;
And In tickle his ear till he'll wish was dead
And over the table at dinner I'll play
Back and forth,
And feast on crumbs from treShiy-oaked PIE :
And I'll sip
From the lip
OF each glass
That may pass
All sweet things
Dinner bringS!'
Quoth this riotouS, blue bottle NY.
But, alas for the plans he had laii!
And alas for the plan just begun!
For this fly soon Int in the grateful shade,
To escape the hot rays of the sun,
And To dream
OF the 81 ghtS that should soon greet his eye;
When, unseen,
From the green
OF limb
Above him,
Down thread,
On his head,
Fell spider,
Who coolly devOured that blue-b0ttle fly.
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1884-03-27

During a conference of clergymen,
the following dialogue was overheard
between two neWsboys: Il say, jim,
what's the meaning of so many minis.
ters being to-gether?' 'Why,' answered
jim ,scornfully, they always meet once
a year to exchange sermons with each
other
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1884-03-27

Scene in a car. Seats all occupied.
Enters a person dressed as lady.
Bright little boy rises and offers his
seat. Lady drops into it with an air
of disdain. Boy : 'Oh I beg your
pardon: did you speak?' Lady: No I
didn't say anything Boy: Oh,excuse
me, I thought you said thank YOU
Lady (in high dudgeon): You may
have your scat Boy(resuming it):
We'll, Ill thank YOU Passengers
convulsed. Lady disappears at next
street crossing
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1884-03-27
NEWSPAPER LAWS.

If subscribers order the discrimination OF
newspapers the publishers may continue TO
send Them until all arrearageS are paid.
IL subscribers refuse or neglect 10 take tf cir
newspapers from the Office to which they are sent
they are held responsible until they have settled
the bills and ordered them discontinued.
II subscribers move to other places without I'm.
forming the publisher, aud the newspapers ar
sent to thc former nlAce. they are RESPONSIBLE.
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1884-03-27

How do you know when cyclone is
coming?' asked a stranger of Western
man. 'Oh, we get wind Of them, was
the reply.
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1884-03-27

There's many a slip 'twix the cup
and the lip but there are many more
slips after the cup has been emptied.
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1884-03-27

De buggy whip can't make up for
light feed in de trough.
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1884-03-27

A Detroit man brought home keg
of whiskey and hid it in closet. His
wife, going there, ran against it in the
dark and slapped it so hard that she cut
her hand on hoop. She was under the
impression that herhusband was trying
to kiss her.
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1884-03-27

The drunkard is the liquor Dealers
rye tanned man.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1884-10-10
She Didn't Take the Ring.

A young lady who moves in very
good society returned from the sea-
shore yesterday in q very indignant
frame of mind. She made q call on q
West Walnut street family and there
met half a dozen girl friends. to whom
she explained the cause of her indig-
nation. II was on the boardwalk
about Z o'clock in the evening"" she
said, land a great horrid man with q
black mustache. said HIM Ipaid no
attention, and what did the brute do
but turn square around and say, I'D
like to kiss you Of course ! paid no
attention, and then he came closer and
said: I'd give this diamond ring for q
kiss ut the same time drawing beau
tiful ring from his finger"
..And did he kiss you and refuse to
give up the ringP" queried the girls in
chorus.
Goodness sakes, nor was the re-
ply. 81 felt so angry and hurt that ]
walked away without saying word.
At any rate the ring was q solitaire,
and you all know that clusters are the
only correct things to wear nowadays"
.'He was beast" said the girls,
land you were perfectly righk"-PAt1-
ddelphia Press.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1884-10-10
The Peoples Question.

The N. Y. Tribune in a recent editor
ial says:
Public journals in great number have
been striving to force the campaign in
to narrow personal issues. But 60
where you will-to the farms on the
border Of Canadian provinces or to the
lowlands OF Louisiana, from the fac
tories of Massachusetts, to the wharves
of San Francisco-the people are talk
ing Of the tariff and their personal in
terests as affected by it. This is the
issue that takes hold of the personal
interests Of nine-tenths of the voters
In every State. 1t touches their wages
and their possibilities OF employment;
their homes and the food for their
wives and children; their dinner-pails
and their bread and butter. If they
cared more for scandal and SANDER
than for their rights and needs, or were
too ignorant OF what their rights and
needs demand, they would vote for
Cleveland. If they want prosperity
for themselves and for all workers they
will vote for Mr.. Blaine. 1t will not be
found possible to evade this issue or to
thrust it back to a secondary place.
The people make it. They make it be-
cause it concerns their greatest inter-
ests. They listen with more or less at
tention to what is said about the per-
sonal qualities and characters of can
didates, and some of them, when the
more vital question is not directly in
volved, are influenced by what they
hear. But the Democratic party at
the last session Of Congress made the
tariff the one vital, all-important issue
of this contest. Nobody can now give
1t any other place. It will control more
votes many times over than any other
issue. 1t will render contemplate the
appeals that come from great importing
cities, and will decide the result OF the
election.
The fact that the Democratic party
does not dare to engage in any discus
sion of this most vital issue-the very
one which 1t deliberately raised on the
opening of the last session of Congress,
to which it sacrificed all other interests
throughout that session and upon
which it then boosted that it would be
victorious in this Presidential cam
paign-has sunk deep into the minds
of the people. There is reason men
see for this anxious avoidance; reason
for the tremendous effort made to dark
en- the air and divert the attention
with infamous scandal; reason for the
dishonest silence Of the Democratic
candidate. The reason is obvious. The
party means free trade, but it does not
dare to sag so, and hopes to steal vic
tory bY false DretenSeS.