davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23

guess it would" answered smiling
Julia, who went on to explain the situation.
"And have you got a squash to spare, Mrs.
Carter?"
''Mercy, yes. Our crook-necked skoshes
bore like all possessed this fall : | was tellin
him he'd have to feed some on 'em out to
the critters, or they IL rot on our hands;
but set up to the fire, do; you must be about
froze to death, amt yea" And not waiting
to hear the al wer, the good woman went
off to the panIy, bringing back a skillet
full of cider which she set over the Goals,
and in five minutes Julia and her father
were enjoying lunch of doughnuts, cheese
and mulled cider-no despicabe drink on
this bitter winter day; and when they were
warmed and fed, and their footstone filled
with fresh coal and hot ashes, the great
squash was wrapped in an old potato sack
and slowed away under the buffalo robe
beside the footstone, so it should reach
home safely. That week was busy week
at the parsonage; a box-stove was put up
in the spare chamber, and store of wood
laid up in the adjoining closet; flannel
sheets, homemade; blankets of the old
coarse fashion; heavy cotton comfortables,
were heaped on the bed; Julia's room went
through like series of preparations, for it
was to be given up for Marie, and its owner
was to sleep on lounge moved from her
mothers room into the kitchen; the par
sons house was very small-two rooms up
stairs and two below, with a dining-room
and kitchen in the one-story wing, were all
they had, but until now it had been enough.
Then there was bread to make at the last
moment, for that must be fresh, so Thurs
day, very early, the great oven was fired,
and out of 1t emerged in due time mince
pies. squash pies, cranberry tarts,
loaves of wheat and rye bread with
crisp brown crust and at last a jar of win
ter pears baked with water and molasses
till the jar was half filed with fragrant
syrup, and the pears red, tender and
juicy.
Julia had gathered ground-pine from
place in the woods where the snow had
blown eff, and filled the stiff vases on the
parlor shelf with its graceful sprays and
trails; the beef was suffering in the tin
rooster before the kitchen fire; and in one
corner of the chimney ught-covered pot
sent out odors of chicken pot-pie, for which
Mrs. Huntington had sacrificed three of
her young pullets the table was laid in the
dining-room, and the mother, in her best
black gown with checked apron tied over
it, was alternately sticking fork into the
potatoes in the kettle which hung from the
crane, or into the turnipS that Simmered in
a skillet, while now and then she opened
the oven door and poured cold milk into
the Indian pudding that had baked there
for hours and would only leave its fiery
lodging when the pies had come and gone,
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23

and it was ''puddin time" For Mrs Hunt
ington had modelled her Christmas dinner
after the only feast she knew-that of
Thanksgiving
The parson himself had left just after
breakfast for the railway station at Nal
den; he had borrowed a double sleigh from
neighbor, and filed it with all the shawls
and cloaks the family possessed, beside two
buffalo robes; bundle of straw in the bot
tom Of the sleigh was overlaid with heavy
rag carpet, and footstone and soapstone
kept the parsons feet warm all the way,
and were to be re-heated at the tavern for
the guests comfort. The day was crisp
and still, the thermometer below zero, the
sun dazzling on the crusted snow: but Mr.
Huntington was used to inclement weather
and rather enjoyed his lonely drive and his
meditations by the way. He had just housed
his horses under the tavern shed, and
turned out before them a small bag of oats,
when the whistle of the incoming train
was heard. The station was only few
steps from the tavern, and Parson Hunting
ton was on the platform when the train
came; but only two men and little girl got
off,
''Nobody else for Maldens'' ne asked, anx-
iously, of the conductor.
NO" was the curt reply.
The train stopped to take in water, so
the parson had time to go through both
cars, but Joseph was not there. AS he
stepped off on to the platform he picked up
New York paper that had been dropped
from the window, and while he waited in
he tavern for his horses to finish their
oats, he read it carefully, and soon hunted
out the shipping news. There was brief
item in paragraph on the first page
australasia overdue"-but no further in
teligence III the list of arrivals, and with
anxious disappointment in his heart and
face he drove homeWard alone.
Here's father all alone'' cried out Julia
from the window to her mother, who was
just cutting the bread for dinner.
"All alone?"
yes what can be the matter?"
"Good land, Cephas, what shall we do
with the dinner?" was Mrs. Huntington's
dismayed exclamation, after she received
the parsons explanation.
my dear, know not, unless we follow
the word of Scripture, and call in the sick
and the manned and the halt to this feastn
''Well SO do.''
The parson was taken aback at his wife's
literal acceptance Of his words.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23

''It may be designed that we should,'' he
said, thoughtfully.
"Oh,n exclaimed Julia. GLOW pleased
Granny Pine, and old Sylvy and Uncle
Isr'el Venner and Bi Peters would be to
have dinner like this!''
II will fetch them; it is of the Lord"
said the parson, who w, s one of those obso-
lete persons who believe that Solomon was
right when he said: 1.-THE Lord giveth
wisdom"
So he took up the reins again and went
out into the lanes and hedges for his Christ
mas guests. Granny Pine lived by herself
in little brown house near the church.
md was half supported by neighbors, for
her tiny pension would scarce supply her
with food and fuel, and she was lame Of one
leg and bowed down with rheumatism
Old Sylvy was 'the'' town poor; tall
thin, melancholy, poverty-stricken Great
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23

burst into an hilarious laugh at the mInce
and pumpkin pie which followed; then sud-
denly recOllected that he was "cOmpany,n
and shut his lank jaws with snap, and
settled his sallow visage into solemn grav-
ity. Poor, lonely folk; for once they were
well-fed, with food that was to them an I'M
known luxury; and their worn, old hearts
warmed with cheer and goodwill; and
when, after dinner, the parson read to them
the story of the Wonderful Child born in
the humble manger of Bethlehem, it was
like new song to them, for they had re-
ceived the Gospel that day in its practical
strength and joy, and when Parson Hunt
ington closed the book and looked around
on those cheerful faces, there came into his
heart, even as if a voice had spoken it in his
ear, the word of the Master long known to
him, never before SO pathetically and
peacefully felt:
s'Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of
the least of these, my brethren, ye have
done it unto Me ~
And when night fell, and Granny Pine,
with a mince pie and loaf of rye bread;
Sylvy, with her pocket full of doughnuts and
bowl of pudding; Uncle Isr'el, with va
rious slices of roast beef and pumpkin pie
laid in a tin pail, and Bi, with as much gin
gerbread as his useful hand could grasp,
were packed into the sleigh and driven to
their various homes under the star-spark-
ling canopy of Heaven, the minister's 81
lent thankfulness was even greater than
that of his guests, and he humbled himself
in his heart that he had never so served the
Master before.
But this was not his last service of the
like sort. The days went on and the Aus
tralasia was still delayed. No ship spoke
her OF the cold and lonely ocean; no spar
of her wreck f1oated to any shore; but
never on land or sea was she heard of
again, and the minister's heart was heavy,
for he had but this one tie of kindred out of
his own household, and he mourned deeply,
if silently, for his brother.
All Joseph Huntington's property of
course fell to Cephas 1t was more than
he knew what to do with; but he built
new and beautiful stone church and par
sonage for Oriole, and built himself large
low house where the old one had stood; for
he resigned his pastorate to a younger man
who married Julia and was to him real
son.
But Parson Huntington was not idle: he
led the life of an apostle there among the
green Vermont hills, preaching in lonely
hamlets, visiting the sick and poor and help
ing all who needed help; while every Christ
mas Day, in his long sunny dining room,
built expressly 50 large for such purposes,
and the blind from the highways and
hedges and Toasted them with Christmas
cheer, so that year after year, so long as
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23

ure, kept in the attic of farmers house,
entirely maintained by the town, who paid
John Slocum the lowest living price for her
support. She kept herself quite patiently
to the small room that was warmed, in the
seyerest weather only, By a little box-stove,
and spent her time reading the Bible and
knitting blue yarn stockings. Neighbors
came in to see her sometimes, and in warm
weather she hobbled out to meeting now
and then; she was old, feeble and lonely,
and when the parson saw her dull eyes and
wrinlzled face light up at his invitation, he
wished heartily he had done this thing be-
fore.
Uncle Isr'el Venner had hut of his own
on the outskirts of the village; he was
one-legged old soldier of the Mexican war,
a comrade of Granny Pines dead husband;
he, too had a pension, smaller even than
hers, but he eked it out by doing ''choresn
for the village people; and with hi, lived
Abijah Peters, an unidentified, good-na-
tured fellow with withered arm, so poor and
SO friendless that old Isrel had taken him
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23

amused by the prattle of two or three shall
low-pated girls?
Nevertheless, when five minutes after
ward she found that Will had actually
taken the little sheep-path that led through
the hazel-thicket and into the black jack
woods, she suddenly became quite contrite
indeed.
It's shame to treat the poor fellow
that way!' she said TO herself. And tell
ing the folks in the wagon that she was
going to walk through the woods with
and here she purposely sunk her voice and
turned away her head SO they couldn't
make out the name = she picked up a
basket of roast chickens and sliced bread
designed for the g SURPRISE dinner and al
most ran down into the path that went into
the hazel thicket Four hundred yards
away she saw dark figure for moment
outlined against the purplish gray Of the
hazel thicket. Was he looking at her?
Would he see her and wait:
She looked down for an instant with
self-induced flush of contrition. When she
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23

The girls are waiting. Lena will be so de-
lighted to have you with Them"
"Confound Lena,' said the exasperated
young man, darting look of dislike
amounting to positive aversion in the direc-
ton of the giggling group at the other end
of the room. II shall walk across by my
self,'' he added in an undertone that at the
moment hardly enabled the words to i'm
press themselves upon Lucy's memory in
the tumult of her enjoyment of the new re-
lationship of teacher and pupil. Wasn't
she teaching him good lesson upon the
bad habit of appearing to be interested and
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23

It would take pages to record the salts
faction of this old party at their unexpected
Christmas feast: to tell how Granny Pine
cackled, and old Sylvy smiled; how Uncle
Isr'el smacked his lips over the tender beef,
and sent his plate again and again for more
pudding; or how Bi Peters grinned from
ear to ear at the piece of chicken-pie to
which Mrs Huntington helped him, and
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23

about ye parson, this very mornin' to Mrs.
Carter; it's KILN time here, and / expect a
rib-roast out o. my fat heifer wouldn't come
amiss to We, now, would it!"
''My friend, it is providential. l came
over to seek someth ng of the meat kind,
for my brother Joseph and his folks are
coming next Thursday to see US, and we
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23

want to give them
food to eat as well as
brOtherly love.
"That's so! that's
just so, now; love an
kindness is good, but
they amt good to eat.
The material man, as
you tell about, hes got
to have suthin' nour-
ishun; amt that so?
Well, now I'll send
We over a tenderline
rib-roast, twill hang
an keep a week in
your she'd this
weather; and there's
Marthy, you go in am
see Marthy; she lots
on SEEM the minister
always"
So the parson fol-
lowed Julia into the
kitchen, a long, low
room at the back of
the house, entered
through an open shed
where the churn and
the wash bench and
the tubs stood in cold
weather. A blazing
hickory fire burned
on the wide deep
hearth, and a savory,
fruity smell greeted
the strangers as they
entered.
:" Why, do tell" ex-
claimed Mrs. Carter,
"taint you, is it? Nor
tai flesh ! | was talkin'
to him about Mrs.
Huntin'ton this NOR
MIN, and tellin' how
that I was goin' to
make a mess of mince
up to-day. Now I'd
billed down the cider,
and I'd send her a jar
ont when he drove
over to weekly meet
I'M, and carried the rib
roast he calculated to
let you hev. Would it
come handy. nOW?n
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23

and the surprise will
be complete. You can
walk across with the
girls. They'll enter
tain you. And Tll be
along after awhile"
Lucy went on, quite
gaily and even exu-
berantly, as she saw
the very patent look
of blank disappoint-
ment and half resent
m ent in the young
mans face and man
ner.
" Come on, Will, -
called one of the girls,
in the hoydenish man
ner of the locality.
"We'll take care of
him for you, Loo"
said another rather
pre- tty black-e y ed
girl with some unde-
fined defect about her
m outh w hen sh e
laughed.
Il thought you were
going to walk across
the fields and through
the woods with meg"
he said, in a low voice
and placing himself
before her with a look
that was at once re-
gretful and accusing.
There was the gay
est and bri G b tie S t
spark e in Lucy's
eyes. She did not at
tempt to conceal her
very keen enjoyment
of the relationship of
teacher and pupil. On
the contrary she pa
raded it effectively
too effectively if such
a thing could be.
cpl be there almost
as soon as you," she
said, with an attempt
to look as if this al
rangement was really
a thing beyond h er
control. =" Now 90 on.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23
THE MINISTER'S DINNER.
How It Was Converted Into a.
Christmas Charity.

ii !" said the minister;
then he gave his wife
the letter to read.
co. !" said she, as she
passed it t her augh-
ter, with a look of dis
may at the minister,
who had two extra
wrinkles above his
ewes, and was rub.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23
IN AN OLD NINE.
A Christmas Dinner and a New
Years Wedding.

E may go home by
h i'm S elf" thought
Lucy, putting on her
cloak very d deliberate
ly and affecting not to
look IN a certain di-
rection, and where a
young man was at
that moment talking
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-23

the good man and his kindly wife lived, the
poor folk in and about Oriole solaced them
selves in their want aud loneliness all the
rest of the year with sure and certain ex-
pectation of the minister's Christmas din
ner.
The Livingston enterprise. [volume] (Livingston, Mont.) 1883-1914, 1886-11-27
A Timber Case

The case of the United States vs.. the
Northern Pacific Lumber Manufacturing
company, Oregon, charged with purchas-
ing timber cut On government land was
tried in the United States circuit court OF
; ~naoAnS 1oSr, uul ucnicu niIo"iuS
they were cut on government land. The
only evidence defendant introduced was
to establish this fact, which was all i'm
portant one, as if it were shown that it was
known that the logs were cut on govern
ment land the defendant could be made
to pay the value of the lumber made
from the logs, but if it was not shown
that it was not known that the logs were
stolen, then only the value of the logs
would be exacted There was no proof
to show that the company knew that the
logs were cut on government land. SO the
jury brought in verdict for the United
States in the sum of $1,17O 18.
The Livingston enterprise. [volume] (Livingston, Mont.) 1883-1914, 1886-11-27
Cooke Notes.

EDITOR ENTERPRISE My last COM
munication ended with brief description
of the great Black Warrior mine. From
! there we passed over the Saltwater divide.
On the west of us arose Crown Butte,
whose snowc capped and cloud kissed
summit reaches far into the upper depths
of heavens ethereal blue. On the east of
the pass arises to majestic altitude what is
known as "Chimncy Rocks which is the
extreme north end of Henderson noun
tain. Upon this mountain is located the
Young America mine, the Homestake
mine, the Little Daisy mine, and many
other splendid veins rich in gold, silver,
copper, lead and iron. The Young Amer
lea mine is the property of Frank Esler
& Co., and is developed by 800 foot
tunnel and shows we'll defined vein with
good paying ore from 2 to feet in width
the entire length of tunnel. The Home
o'''iNS AAAAAS 10 tAO PlopCitv VI McSSIS.
Jackson, Mather and others, and was re-
Gently bonded to the Republic company
for 100000. The ore taken from this
mine yields an average OF 500 per ton
throughout the width Of the vein, which
is from 6 to feet wide. Some 400 feet
of tunnels and shafts have been run on
this mine. The Little Daisy mine has
surprised the world by its fabulous rich
ness, many samples of the ore running as
high as $4,000 per ton. This property
belongs to Kearns & Co., is we'll developed
and application was recently made by
capitalists to get bond to purchase it for
the sum of 100000, and the transaction
will probably be consummated within
short time. There are many splendid
mines situate upon this mountain that l
will give you a detailed description of in
my future communications.
Will. ARTHUR d.
The Livingston enterprise. [volume] (Livingston, Mont.) 1883-1914, 1886-11-27
Will. ARTHUR d.
Canadian Ranges.

Fort Mcleod Gazette: Mr.. Murphy,
manager of the Powder River Cattle COM
pany, has employed the greater part of
his time since his arrival in this country
in looking up new ranges, outside of those
most generally known, and his search has
apparently not been IN vain. He informs
us that he has found a country where
there has never been hoof of cattle, and
which will do to bank on The country
in question is along the west side of the
South Saskatchewan to the mouth of Red
There is buffalo. and bunch grass there in
abundance, and Mr.. Murphy is sure, from
this fact and from the appearance of the
country generally, that the snow does not
lie there in the winter. He gives 1t as
his decided opinion that between Mcleod
and the mouth of Red Deer, west of the
Saskatchewan, there is ample winter range
for 100000 head of cattle. The country
is full of lakes, and there is an abundance
Of shelter. Mr.. Murphy says he does not
think cowmen begin to realize the full
extent of the Canadian range country. He
fully agrees with the Gazette, however,
that there is no range country very far
east of Maple creek.
The Livingston enterprise. [volume] (Livingston, Mont.) 1883-1914, 1886-11-27
Another Decision.

Chronicle: Judge McLeary of this
district, held count at Virginia City, and
during nine days completely disposed Of
every case on the docket, with the exccp-
ton of four an accumulation of litiga-
ton of over one year. At this session the
judge delivered written decision in the
case of the Sheriff VS.. County Commits
sioner of Madison county. in favor of the
commissioners. The case is similar to
that disposed of by Judge Pollard in this
county, wherein the sheriff sued for &
higher rate of compensation for the board
ing of prisoners than that allowed by tile
commissioners. Pollard sustained the sher
iff. The case will go to the supreme
court, where it will be watched with in
terest by the various sheriffs Of this ter
ritory.
The Livingston enterprise. [volume] (Livingston, Mont.) 1883-1914, 1886-11-27
"A Close Result in County Politics

Helena Herald An analysis of the
vote for county officers in Montana at the
late election is interesting in the light OF
the large majority the democratic candi-
date for delegate swung in this territory.
Before the election a general opinion pre-
vailed that the political parties in Mon
tana had pretty evenly divided forces. but
since the End Of November very few have
been found to give utterance to this senti-
ment. A glance at the result on county
tickets, which, though not always test
of politics, generally show the plainest
demarcation between party lines, would
seem to indicate that the opinion pre-
valent before election was based upon
substantial grounds.
The following table, compiled from Of
fetal returns. by Col. Wheeler, shows the
number of candidates for county offices
elected by each party at the last election:
The Livingston enterprise. [volume] (Livingston, Mont.) 1883-1914, 1886-11-27
MONTANA NEWS.

Ten inches of snow is eprtel to have
fallen at Glendive on Tuesdg.
S. A. Nixon, of Granite, shot himself
on Tuesday evening with scidal intent,
and It is thought he cannot ,cover.
The horses of c. A. Wustu of Billings,
which were lun off by Indns few days
ago, have all been recovereexcept seven
head.
The Blue Bird Mining ompany of
Butte, has just completed sixty stamp
mill, which is one of the lst complete
and perfect plants in the cotry.
The mining men of But and Helena
have united in a petition tthe United
States treasury department W the loca-
ton of refining works at thelater place.
Finlay Norman, Miles Ny barber,
wanted in Mosher county, fnois, on a
charge of burglary, was aired last Sat
urday by deputy sheriff I'm that state
and taken back.
Miles City cattle men talking OF
purchasing the property of e late Miles
City Dressed Beef company 1t is stated
that they are ready to pay 5000 for the
plant as it stands.
| A depression of the copr market in
New York is reported as aesult of the
resumption of the Anacon works, al
dealers appear to fear the iults of the
resumption of these great vks.
i E. A. Kriedler, of Mil City, Z. c
J Waters, of Billings, and 10 Moffit and
/ r. C. Wallace, of Helena, Re been ap-
, pointed on the staff of G. Fairchild
commander-in-chief of the A. r.
} Dillon T ribune: The c, of William
/, Jones against the Utah q orthern rail
S road company, at Dillon, suited in
verdict of 1925 for Jones. was brough
: to test the liability of the cpany to pa.
) about the value ef cattle trains kill
h and Mr.. Jones is backed the Stock
a growers association.
The Livingston enterprise. [volume] (Livingston, Mont.) 1883-1914, 1886-11-27
Death of Charles Francis Adams.

Hon. Charles Francis Adams, ST., died
at Boston Monday. He was the third son
of John Quincy Adams. The death OF
this once distinguished member of an il
lustrious family will recall to mind the
valuable services that he once rendered
this country as minister to England dur
ing our civil war. He had admirable
qualifications fol the position and it is
doubtful if any one else could have filled
that position as we'll. He was born in
1907, studied law with Webster, was a
brother-in-law of Edward Everett, was
candidate for vice president on the free
soil ticket in 1S4S, served in congress in
1858, and in 1871 was one of the United
States commissioners at the Geneva arbi-
tration.