davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-26

John tenderly lifted the infant from its
wrappings and Rugged it to his broad
breast.
"What does it all mean ?' he inquired
as he saw his wife discover a note In the
wraps.
"We'll see," said Betsy, tearing open
the blank envelope.
On half sheet, in pencil, by an un-
skilled feminine hand, was scrawled the
following words:
"John and Betsy Downs. You want a
baby. Here Is one you may have. She
is honestly born, but her widowed mother
is unable to support her and gives her to
you as Christmas gift. May God bless
her and you"
"We'll keep her, won't we ?" inquired
John, joyfully.
''ludeed we willp exclaimed Betsy,
taking the baby from him and rapturously
kissing it.
The clothes and wraps were very coarse
but scrupulously clean, and both de-
clared that IN all their experience they
had never seen more robust and healthy
looking baby.
Baby, on her part, soon made herself
perfectly at home, and after hastily i'm
provised sugar-rag fell asleep In Johns
arms, after gleefully pulling his hair,
while Betsy dextr0usly converted work
DaSket'lnt0 cradle.
My humble pen cannot adequately
describe the joy that filled the hearts of
John and Betsy, who, it Is needless to say,
at once without discussion adopted the
waif as their own.
"If she had been bay" said John, 1--WE
would have named him after me; but as 1t
is she takes your name, wife,"
"Yes," said Betsy, "she shall bear my
name."
Somehow. probably through the serving
woman, who heard the story IN the
morning with bated breath and staring
eyes, the news of the mysterious arrival
soon reached the theatre, and before John
lett for there several OF the attaches called
to express their surprise and offer their
congratulations.
Baby was so seif-possessed and gleeful
that the property man, with the practical
eye of expedlency, suggested that she
should be introduced In the new piece in
the afternoon.
John had not thought OF this, nor Betsy,
in their surprise and joy, but both as
scented to the proposition, and tina: after
noon little BETSY" made her debut on the
stage in ''The Christmas Tree"
That night Betsy bore home a big
bundle OF presents that baby had re-
oeived from the members OF the company,
while in his sturdy arms John carried the
little live treasure asleep from sheer
WEAKNESS.
The most dlligent inquiry failed to as
certain any thing about the antecedents
of the baby, and since that Christmas
night John and Betsy have remained In
undisputed and blissful possession of
her.
Now she IS grown up to be a young lady
OF Is, and the days of the old-time stock
company having been succeeded by
travelling com observation-disclosures the
study, discipline and traditions OF the
theatre-she aud John and Betsy are
members OF a company that presents
sensational drama that requires four
carloads OF scenery to properly present,
she playing the soubrette and John and
Betsy the old man and old woman.
She Is q pretty girl and has been ad-
mirably reared by John and Betsy; but
Johns story OF an actors Christmas
is never told in her hearing and sho does
not know that she is not OF their flesh and
blood, never having known any other
parents.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-26

the chandelier, with uplifted and blinking
glasses, and then there were several
solos, and finally "Auld Lang Syne"again
before separating.
Left alone to themselves, without ex-
actly knowing why, Betsy began to weep
copiously, and John, with big tears roll
ing down his cheeks, tried to cheer her
up by his usual remark: "AlPs well that
ends we'll"
''Oh. but how different everything might
be-" sobbed Betsy.
The door bell jIngled.
John glanced around the room, saying:
somebody's left something" but not
observing any forgotten articles OF wear
ing apparel he rose and walked to the
door, while Betsy controlled her emotions
and dried her eyes.
"Never nina the light" said John,
cropping his way down stairs, 1.-THE open
door gives sufficient light"
Betsy walked out into the hall and
looked over the 5annisters, just discern
ing his form In the hall by aid of the light
from the streeradmitted by the glass over
the door.
Jonn opened the door; no one was to
be seen, but a bundle was ON the upper
step.
"a Christmas box" exclaimed Betsy.
"What is itp she asked, as she saw her
husband pick up the bundles.
BLESSED il / KNOW" answered John,
closing the door and coming up stairs.
As he got into the light of the half open
door he could see movement of the COW
ering OF the bundle and exclaimed: "It's
alive whatever 1t is"
"Oh, give it to me-" exclaimed Betsy,
taking the bundle from him and rush
ing into the room, closely followed by
him.
With eager but firm hands Betsy re-
moved the outer covering OF the mysteri-
Gus bundle, bunglingly assisted by John,
and what do You think they foundf
A baby!
A rosy-faced, chubby-fsted, blue-eyed,
brown-haired baby of about year old.
Baby had been sleeping. but disturbed
by them woke UP and glanced about the
strange place In momentary bewilder.
ment, and then casting its blue eyes on
John put out its little arms in a silent
appeal to be taken up by Him.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-26

AS usual in professional gatherings, the
talk was all of the theatre on these occa-
sions. either reminiscent of the haley on
DAYS OF the past or OF the new pieces to be
produced during the season, II they were
not newcomers who wished To be shown
the pictures and have their histories ex-
plained, which Betsy could do as we'll as
John, VINO generally preferred to remain
by the tables containing the bottles, 10 ne
sure that no one was not supplied. Betsy
iocularly declared that John was AFRAID
they would take drink without him was
the reason why he would not leave the
bottles, and as the departure OF the visi-
tors about midnight generally left him
considerably muddled, there was proba-
bly truth in her assertion. Let IL not be
Thought. however, for ono moment that
John was given TO tipping. for he seldom
drank excepting on these occasions, and
never while on duty. He held that an
actor who "went on" under the influence
of liouor should be treated the same as an
offic r who disgraced his uniform under
the same circumstances. John and Betsy
came to the theatre together In the morn
ing TO attend rehearsals and went home
together after midday; and then they
came to the theatre together IN the even
ing and returned home together for sup
ner and he would remain at home in the
afternoon and read OF write plays or
study. unless required TO return TO the
theatre TO superintend the stage carpen-
ter and scenic artist in preparing Tor the
newt niece. Betsy used TO declare that
Johu's iovial nature would have led him
estrav IL IL had not been tor her compan-
ionship. and the old couple c0ntrived to
he mayer separated for more than few
hours at n stretch. a pretty picture oil
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-26

She. with 3 milk pail on her arm,
Turns aside with her young cheeks glowing
And sees down the lane the slow, dull tread
Or the drove OF COWS that are home ward gos
ing.
s'Bessle,' he sad-at the sound she turned.
Her blue eyes full of CHILDISH Wonder
s'My mother is feeble ana lame and old;
need wife at my farm hsssc yOnder.
"My heart is lonely, my home is trear,
need Your presence ever near me;
viii you be my guardian angel, dear,
Queen OF my household, TO guide and cheer
me?"
ait has pleasant sound" she said
"A household queen, Il guiding spirit,
To warm your heart and cheer your home,
And keep the sunshine ever near it.
But am only simple child,
So my mother says in her daily Gliding;
And what must guardian angel do
When she first begins her woi of guidngw
f'Well, first, dear Bessie, smiling face
Is dearer lar than the rarest beauty;
And my moi her, fretful, lame and old,
VIII require dau ghters loving duty
You will see TO her tlannels, droos and tea,
Aud talk with her of lungs and liver;
Give her your cheerful service dear;
The Lord He loveth cheerful giver,'
"You will see that my breakfast is piping hot
And rub the clothes to snowy wilderness:
Make golden butter and snowy rolls
And polish things to a shining brightness:
VIII darl my stockings and mend my coats
And see that the buttons are sewed on
tightly;
You will keep things cheerful and neat and
sweet,
That homes altar fires may still burn
brightly,
t'You will read me at evening the daily news,
The tedious winter nights beguiing;
AID never forget that the sweetest face
Is a Cheerful face that is always smiling
In short, you'll arrange In q general way
For sort of subjunary heaven;
For home, dear Bessie, say what we NAV
Is the highest sphere to a woman glven.'
The lark sang ont to the bending sky.
The toboiink piped in the nOdding rushes,
And out of the tossing clover blooms
Came the sweet, clear song of the meadow
thrushes; &
And Bessie, listening, paused awhile, 1el
Theu said, with a 81 glance at her nelghbor.
'But, JOhn-do you mean-that Is TO say,
What shall get for all this labor?
"To be nurse, companion and servant girl; ~
To make homes altar fires burn brightly; -,
To wash aud lr0" mi ecrub and cook u
And al ways c che erful neat aud sprighrlya
To give up I'd rty, no ~ and friends
Nay, even tht name of mothers giving,
To do all this ,oI ones b Ard aud clothes;
Why, the life OF @ Il isn't worth llviDg!"
And Bessie gayly went her way
Down through the fields of scented clover:
But never since that sunny day
Has she won glance from her rustic lover
The lark sings out To the bending sky,
The clouds sail on white as ever:
The clovers toss in the summer wind,
But Bessie has lost that chance forever
Jules Miles Dunn,
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-26
Arousing his Ambition.
From the goston 0oHrisr


"The boy 10 all right said the doctor
shut you want TO talk to him and arouse
his am bitioD, promise him that you will
tase him somewhere when he RECEIVERS
sufficiently, enough TO 70 out: talk TO him
about playing tag with the boys; there
are lots OF ways in which you can interest
him."
Then the doctor addressed the boy, who
WAS just recovering from fever. saying:
"Come, Mickey, cheer up. my boy;
wouldn't you like 10 20 and play tag with
your play matesY A faint smile stole
over the boys face but that was all.
"Stop, SIR" said the father; "pll rouse
him. See here, Mickey" he asked, ad-
dressing the boy, "wouldn't yez ike to go
out and trow rock through Chiney-
mans windy ?"
The boy Immediately sat up in bed and
asked for his trousers.
ii thought that 'ud fetch 'im," said the
father, with a proud smile; she's all right,
doctor dear"
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-26
The Luck of Portuguese from FayaI.

NEW BEDFORD, Nov. ID (SpectaL).-A
Portuguese from Fayal bought ticket OF
ne louisiana State Lottery, and after
carrying 1t in his pocket for fourteen
months, gave 1t TO fellow countyman who
has been ia America only few weeks.
The latter investigated, and found that the
ticket had drawn $4,000. The money ar
rived in this city to-day, and the Portu-
Ne1 York 1ribme's Special, Non. 10.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-26

John was the first in attendance, Betsy
passed the day with the mother and father,
until towards tho afternoon the doctor
pronounced the bah, out OF danger. OF
course II was decided at once that the
baby could not be introduced In the play,
and during the afternoon John in vain
looked about the neigh borhood for q sub.
stitute, but one Of the right age could not
be found.
COB, don't worry now" said Betsy,
tdon't worry about this. Tomorrow
morning I'll make a good seerch. and
Pll be bound Pll find nice little baby for
you'll"
"AIl right, wife; all right, wife" John
replied as he busted himself with his share
OF the preparations for the eveninG-the
replen sbing OF the bottles and OF the
tobacco box, white Betsy cut and but.
t.r the bread and assorted the mixed
ca. :, an extra provision on this holiday
Occs sion.
They tried to be cheerful, and so did all
who came To see them; but all continually
thought of the little sick one and the dis
tressed father and mother, and none OF
them ever better acted their respective
parts, for all felt sad and disturbed"
"a baby is a great blessing in home."
said John. ''If our little ones had lived
they would be grown up now. Maybe
they had some children OF their own and
they would have done for me-"
Then the glasses we're filed ana there
was dismal attempt a. jOlllty. Then
John and his companions joined the ladies
in the front room. and for while were
annoyed by the chat OF the young Rirls In
the company.
A message from the bsby'e mother tell
ing OF Improvement and wishing the COM
pliments OF the season was very exhila-
rating. and john mixed a mild punch for
the ladies, witch tue gentlemen could
strengthen 10 suit their tastes.
Aud Lang Synev was sung by the
party. standing under b0ugh aldxed to
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-26
.KouYh ON Oatnrrh

Corrects offensive odors at once. Com
plete cure OF worst chronic cases; also
unequaled as gargle for diphtheria, sore
throat, foul breath. 60c.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-26

though on Itch" cures skin humors,
eruptions, ring worm, letter, salt rheum,
frosted feet, cbilblains, itch, ivy poison,
BARRIERS itch. soc. jars.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-26
SROuRh ON Rata

Clears out rats, mice, reaches, flies, ants,
bedbugs, beetles, insects, skunks, jack
rabbits, sparrows, gophers. 15c. At drug
,xia
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-26
..Eough on Corns.,

Ask for Wells "Rough on OornE."
Quick relief, complete cure. Corns, warta,
bunions. 15c.
The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1886-02-27

The Times DGmocta! says that two
important suits in connection with
post notes issued by the Bank of Ten
nessee in 1861 are attracting much
attention throughout the State. The
bank issued notes aggregating nearly
half q million dollars for the accom-
mediation of business men who wish
ed to use them in New York. The
notes Were recognized as currency by
the State, and when receiver of the
bank was appointed holders brought
suit to compel the State to pay them.
The Supreme Court held that the
post notes were in legal effect the
same as new issues notes, and the
last Legislature authorized the re-
demption of those under the denOmi-
nation of one dollar by the issuance
of certificates payable one-tifth each
year for period of five years, ana
receivable for taxes and other dues to
the State. The last clause of law pro-
| vides that the certificates shall not be
receivable for county or municipal
taxes. Many OF these notes have
| been funded. \ suit has been insti-
tuted to compel the issuance of Ger
titicates to Il number Of holders whose
notes are duplicates, the owners
claiming that the State is liable fol
| the mistake Of the bank. Another
suit has been fled in the United
States Circuit tOIrt by the American
| National Bank. The bank rendered
| T3UUG in note. for county taxes, ana
| the trustee refused to receive them.
Judge Key has granted an injunction
restraining the trustee from issuing
a distress warrant against the bank.
The restraining order issued 10y
Judge Key will oring the question Ol
the validity Of these notes to a direct
issue in the United States Court.
The result OF that action may be an
ticipated by reference to the recent
Supreme Court decision in the Nir-
ginia coupon caseo, in which it Wa,
neld, when a taxpayer rendered cou
pons of the Statr in payment of tAxes
The collector was bound to receive
them, and in case Of his refusal al
attempt to distrujn or compel pay
ment III other funds would be at hi
peril,
The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1886-02-27

The supreme court of Mississippi
recently rendered decision which
may serve as u suggestion in the way
of collecting privilege taxes. The
judgment Of the court is to the effect
that contract made by a merchant
who has to pay privilege tax, and
in reference to q business for the
transaction of which privilege tax
has to be paid, cannot be enforced
unless the privilege tax has been
paid. A Mississippi merchant who
carries insurance hereafter will take
care that his privilege tax is paid,
and that it is large enough to cover
his insurance. Else he will not be
able to collect his insurance money.
The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1886-02-27

at is declared that there is a So
cret, but formidable, lobby at WASH
ington, sustained by foreign land
syndicates, who are opposing all land
bills INTENDED to restrict the occupa-
ton or holding Of public lands by
aliens. There has been ever since
1870 Il steady effort on the part of
European capitalists to get control
of large areas of land in this country,
Anson p. Burlingame and the JAY
Cooke firm were once negotiating for
the immigration of large bodies of
Chinese, and il was affirmed that the
Rothschilds were in the scheme to
control the huge land grant,
The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1886-02-27

The case Of the State versus Law
son Lott, before the Circuit Court of
Montgomery county at Winona, last
Friday, charged with the wrecking of
a train on the Illinois Central Rail
road and the murder of Fl. c. White,
the engineer, about two years ago,
terminated in verdict of not guilty.
Upon the announcement of the ver-
dict the applause of approval of the
masses was so great that the sheriff
was called upon to restore order and
ulliet.
The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1886-02-27

Inc APPEAL enters upon It's IOIlN-
sixth year ripe in the experience Of
the past, and full Of hope for future
for the-whOIe country, but especially
for this and the neighboring States
that shall Surpass the dreams Of the
most sanguine Of the early settlers
All the questions growing out Of sla
very, and which left the North and
the South divided for nearly three
generations, have been settled, and
the States have adjusted themselves
to the new conditions in Il spirit of
unity, peace and concord. There are
| therefore, no ISSUES before the cOun-
| try that are not common tn all the
| people, and that are not Ofh erOuOm-
ical and national character, There
are no questions before the National
Legislature that do not equally affect
| the Interests Of all of the States and
that cannot he discussed from d basis
Of personal welfare 10y the citizens Ot
all OF them. For the future, there
fore Legislation, both National and
| state, il to u" Ot a business character.
and il, for thar reason 10 rVIIr hulug
closer and closer to the individual
citizen. Personal politics is with the
bosses, to be rcItgatcd to the Tu-t,
and civil service reform is t. >trurt
The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1886-02-27
Total for 1SS5. ..... $1,000

"a determined effort IL making by
the dairy interests Of the country t
Get Congress to interfere with the bo-
Gus butter trade. Concurrent res0-
Iutions from various State LegisIa-
lures have been presented asking tol
such legislation. Mr.. Frederick, OF
Iowa, has presented a bill providing
for revenue tax on all manufact-
ured substitutes for butter and cheese,
Similar bills have been introduced
hv other members, but the most com.
prchensivr measure is the one Offered
hy Mr.. Parker, Of New York. 1t IT.
carefully worried 81 H. meet all III"
various mpthods Of detrauding con-
suners. # provides heavy penalty
for selling n genuine butter any inli-
tatiou articles, and levir~ a special
internal revenue tax upon dealers III
such articles.
The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1886-02-27

Joe Burns was hanged at Martins,
burg, W. Va, last week for a name
less assault upon the person Of a
young lady while going from one
neighbor's house to another, i'll tlt
suburbs of the city.
The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1886-02-27

Seventy-fve Mormon converts,
from various States, left Chattanoo-
ga, Tenn, last Friday night for Utah.
More Mormon converts leave Chatta-
nooga than any other city in the Tn
ion, if all the reports published are
The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1886-02-27

John Doyle, Il Hollander, was found
lying in the cutters Of Grand Haven
last Friday night, and was carried tc
comfortable quarters and his wants
administered to, but it is thought i'm
possible for him to recover.
The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1886-02-27

Biloxi, in the Southern part of this
State, is receiving great number OF
Northern visitors, who are settling
there aud where they expect to invest
their capital,
The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1886-02-27

Policeman Bates, of Chattanooga
Tenn, was arrested Saturday for
beating his wife, fined twenty dollars
and discharged from the police force.
Served him right.
The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1886-02-27

Albert Herbert, convicted of the
murder of Henry Everetts, both col
ored, was sentenced at Nashville last
week to be hanged on the second OF
April next.
The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1886-02-27

The sixth annual commencement
of the Memphis Hospital Medical
College was held at the Central Bap-
tist Church Of that city on Friday
evening, the 10Th instant.
The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1886-02-27

treenviile is in i more critical con-
dition than any town or city on the
Mississippi River, as it is liable to be
swept away at any time, so reports
The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1886-02-27

A negro man named Hart and his
wife, living in Vicksburg, were pois-
oned by drinking coffee, last Friday
evening.
The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1886-02-27

A Frenchman by the name of Mar
tin committed suicide at Van Buren,
in the State of Maine, last Saturday.
The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1886-02-27

sstiThe colored people of Galveston,
Texas, did not "talke to' Moody and
Sankey very strongly.
The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1886-02-27

The eminent evangelist, DR.. II. II.
Wells, began a series of meetings in
springfield, Mo-, last Sunday, and is
attracting immense crowds daily to
hear him. The people of Springfield
are manifesting a great deal Of inter-
est IN the meeting, and it is expected
that the Rev. Dr., will DO much good
in that city
The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1886-02-27

The Nicksburg sun has suspended
having made arrangements with the
Post of that city to fulfill its ohIiga-
tions to its subscribers.
The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1886-02-27

Euchre parties are the chief amuse-
ments among the young and old Of
Jackson, Miss.
The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1886-02-27

The youngest performer in the Low
don theatres is an infant eighteen
months old.
The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1886-02-27

Three cutting scrapes occurred in
Memphis last Saturday night.
The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1886-02-27

Birmingham, Ala, is soon to have
a new line of street railway,
The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1886-02-27

Great and alarming sickness pre-
walls among numerous families OF
Reading, Pa, residing along what is
known as Bernhardts Creek, which
runs along tho western outskirts OF
the city, consisting Of a gradual was
ting away of the system. After
thorough investigation the physic-
ians have declared that this Is caused
from the people using water out of
the creek, which runs just past a dyn-
amite factory.
The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1886-02-27

At Chattanooga last Saturday tn"
cooperage works of VIM. Rose were
destroyed by fire. The flames origi-
mated inthe engine room, and rapid
ly spread over the entire buildings.
Thirty-fiye hands were thrown out OF
employment. The factory, it is
thought, will be rebuilt at once. The
amount of loss sustained was about
nine thousand dollars, with only two
thousand dollars insurance.