davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-07-06
ION DUTY"
Needless idea, and tho Practical Appiica
ton His Uncle Made OF 1t.

Needless idea, and tho Practical Appiica.
ton His Uncle Made OF 1t.
Uncle Alex came out on the back piazza
with his newspaper, and was just gong TO
seat himself in one of the arm-chairs when
very large spider weaving its web among
the vines attracted his attention. He went
closer TO look at IL, and presently called TO
Eeddie, who was playing in the yard:
"Neddic, come and see this huge spider"
~ can't come now, Uncle Alex" replied
Neddie, "I'm on duty"
Uncle Alex stopped looking at the spider
and looked at Nedde. He had a paper SOL
der cap on. and carrying his toy gun, was
gravely pacing up and down before his
tent, which was pitched on the grass under
the big cherry tree. VIII Ramsey and two
or three other boys were in the adjoining
meadow galloping around on sticks and
hourishing wooden swords There was
probably battle going on. though the
cows, chewing their cud under the trees,
didn't seem bit frightened.
"What are you doingi" asked Uncle
Alex.
"rm a sentinel keeping guard" said
Neddie.
"Can't you come over here just minute
If watch the tentl'
"No, indeed" answered Ncddie, decided
". "Soldiers mustn't go away second
when they're on duty"
"Well, WELL" said Uncle Alex, seeming
quito amused as he sat down 10 his paper.
Toward the close OF tho afternoon. when
the tent was deserted ana the Boys w-rv
playing something else at the other side OF
the house, Needless mother came out on tho
porch from the kitchen carrying a small
basket. She looked hastily around and
then called: Neddie Neddie where are
youip
Here, mammal" he shouted, bounding
around tho corner Of the house aud up tho
steps.
"A want you 70 go over 10 the store and
get mo two pounds OF sugar and half
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-07-06
THE PANTRY GHOST.
It Could Eat Flo aud Cakc-How 1t Was
Iaid.

II not only "toolI the cake" but every
thing else il could lay IS hands on, in the
way Of cooked dainties Occasionally pork
and cabbage went, but pies disappeared
with fatal regularity. Doughnuts melt.i
away like an untimely feast. The ghost net
only ate the food. but was very particular
to wash the dishes, which was found -
clean as when new
We barred the windows and locked tho
doors, but his ghostship distained any Of
those nero mortal methods Of entering, and
came with persistent regularity.
1t was mystery that mono Of the house
hold could fathom
We were a family Of adults Of the staid,
respectable sort, with (as we supposedly no
skeleton in the closet. Our hired girl had
been with US for years and had no family u
support and no followers to feed. 1t was
not the dog, for we had none; nor the cat, for
she had her own private dishes set for her
every day. Who, then, was the gLost with
the abnormal app.titci
! Hannah declared she heard chains claul5-
ing in the pantry, and we instituted a night
watch, but without avail. Sometimes, in
! decd, toothsome danties were eaten In the
! daytime, when for moment Hannah was
absent or engaged elsewhere.
"Set trap for him." suggested mother.
"Try paris green" said father. II ca1
cot shoot him on sight, as he is not 10 b1
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-07-06

seen; but we might make his food disagree
with him.
There's no trap as would hold ghost,
sure," commented Hannah
ibid you ever hear Of a ghost with such
an appetite"
The next d~y an almond cake was swept
away and not vestigc left.
~ think I'll call in the police" said my
father, angrily. ats some thing human,
/ and we are bound 90 find it,"
The next morning we heard a shout OF
triumph from Hannah.
"The ghost, The ghost! I've got him
Come, quick, if ye p.a2c, or he'll be gettin'
or"
/ We all rushed in haste to The scene OF
action. Sure enough, Hannah was holding
him in a grasp Of iron.
A boy!n we shouted, in chorus.
"Where did you find hint" asked father,
as he relieved Hannah.
I'm the cellar, sure, where he's been
hidin' an Twin on the fat Of the land these
two weeks" said Hannah
"How did you come hcrel' asked. father
In his judicial voice.
Cars" mumblei the boz.
Whom do you belong ton
"Nbody."
"Where did you come 'front.'
~ y OIh.
"But how did you get into the ran,ryr'
"Trap door,
Sure enough There was disused trap
door which led 10 the cellar. We could all
see now how easy it was, after once being
secreted in the cellar, 10 use that.
Well, the ghost was laid, but here was
this dreadful boy on our hands.
We went into council and decided as
whole that boy so ready and willing 10
help himself might be made useful 10
others, and concluded TO give him a chance.
1t was the best investment we evor made.
AS farmboy, house-boy and general facto-
tum "the ghost" is Invaluable. He So.
possesses the abnormal appetite, but regu-
lar meals with much "piecing" between
have saved the pantry from any further
depredations.
Once mother referred to his past. She
asked him how he managed TO leave the
dishes so clean after his ghostly visits.
AID he answered with a smack: Licked
'em."-Nrs. IL. L. Rsyns, ~ Detroit FToe
Press.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-07-06

- dare say II will,n responded the lad,
Is he proceeded 10 moisten it At the mouth
81 tho stoaming teakettlc.
q" And you can have the two cents you
mus save for marbles" suggested Mr..
Brown, thoughtlessly.
That would be cheating" whispered
Dams conscience. 1.-The stamp has already
Zone its duty in carrying one letter"
1t will carry another. It's not marked"
argued Dan.
) " But you know that was a mistake"
urged the monitor within.
THAT was the postmasters fault and not
pinc," was Dams inward reply. at is a
very small thing, and the Government viii
DOT miss it-no, not even know it,"
win you not know IT, and can you AFFORD
10 be dishonest for so small an amounts "
the small voice whispered.
I Dan tremb.cd, for it seemed that some
one had spoken the words right in his ear
Flinging the stamp he had loosened into the
fire, he exclaimed moi l can not afford
10 sell myself so cheap"
"what's wrongl" asked the farmer,
glancing up from his paper. lose the
stamp after all your troubled"
"Worse than that" replied the boy
sheepishly
What, burned your fingers with the
steaml' questioned lis employer
mo-" said Dan, determincdly; II sold
my honor, or came near dong So"
"What DO you mean, boy? The stamp is
oil right II would never have been found
out"
"But I knew it all the time, and two
cents is q small amount to get for your own
eelfrespcct; besides - "
"Besides what" queried the man.
i(,o1 lrnotVS about II and Ifp looks urDou
the heart" answered Dan.
"It's mighty small thing TO worry over,
] am sure,ln replied Mr. Brown. 1.-THE
Post-oflcc would not have been
much poorer, assure you"
at would have been | who would have
been poorer. Had | sold my honor for two
cents, should have made the worst bar
gain / ever did"
And so Dan gained a victory, and he was
never sorry that he had obeyed the voice Of
conscience .-Bclle V. Chisholm, IN s. S. Times.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-07-06
SwindIing aad Rob ling Eyerywh re

SwindIing and Robling Eyerywii re
The late forgery OF the name If
Philadelphia banking firm, winch WAS
represented as Offering TO the govern.
ment 50 600. 600 of 4 per cent bonds
al Il premium OF $ per cent j. an apt
Illustration OF the numerous AN in.
gen Gus devices to which even respect
able men resort in order to swIndle or
rob some portion of the community.
The forger is supposed to be Phil.
adelphia broker. who is engaged In
large stock operations in which he de-
sired to make a profit. either by fair o,
by foul means. The forged names were
accepted ut The Treasury Department
IS "a respOns bic tender. and on Satur.
iar morning il was officially announce
ed that the government had bought
the 80, 0)O, 900 and as consequence
would pa out s. 400. 900 of specie Oh
legal tender. This was so large ar
outflow of boarded money on stugle
10y that it caused II bulge in stocks at
New York AMI Philadelphia. OF course
the forging broker sold out and made
perhaps $40, 900 from crcdulous people
who were thus induced to buy the tenn.
porar.ly upl feed stocks.
Such AL oli1nse committed in st.
Petersburg. would cons On the perpe-
traitor TO long term in Siberia; IN
Paris to long term of Imprisonment;
and in London to n peniteutiary. But
in the United States we fear that il the
broker Is discovered he will be let
alone. as his act : one of those ingen.
ious dew ces in sharp practice and
>wndIng which the Americans regard
lIghtls or with nd Ference.
But man. however rich or respect
able. who commits these CT mes on the
community. should be- hunted down
with even more severity than burglar
or "A highwaNman. because his action
tends TO sap the springs of that cont.
dence which is vital to the healthy
growth and prosperity of a great com-
mere al nation.
1t is not an open but dastardly.
guerrilla-like robbery which no person
can guard against. 49, htiWdukee Ms.
cOHStn
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-07-06
OUR YOUNG FOLKS.
THE ONE IN THE MIDDLE.

Five very plump birds met one pleasant
spring day,
And seated themselves in row on a rail;
The two biggest sat with their backs turned
this way,
And straight as an arrow hung each little
tail.
Then four OF them ne rrily sang: Summers
coming,
And soon we shall hear the brown honey bees
humming,
And see brightest surshine-ohl hey, diddle,
diddle!'
" Except when 1t rains" said the one in the
middle
"And there will be roses, red, yellow and
pink
Sang the four in a chorus once more; and
the Till
VIII give us the sweetest OF water 70 drink.
And grass-seed DO plenty In field and on
And a host of our kindred their way VII DO
winging
Toward our home all tho news OF the sunny
South bringing,
And wen feast them on berries oh! hey,
diddlc, diddle"
Some berries are poison" said the one in the
middle
Then Don't be so cross" said the four,
coaxingly,
AS they looked kindly her, 'for certainly.
dear,
There Is not tho least reason that glum you
should be
When the time tAat we've wished for all
winter is here.
Come, be happy and gay and cease trouble to
borrow,
Take good care OF to-day-hopc the best for
tomorrow
And Join In oug singng-oh! hey, diddle,
diddleln
=" wont, and that's fat" said the one in the
"a ddlc.
-Adrgdret Eytta1e. In VIDE ArGke.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-07-06

pound OF raisins," said his mother, adding
rs she gave him the basket and some money:
snow, don't DO gone long. I'm making
something good for supper, and want these
things as soon as possible"
About ten minutes after Neddic had como
Uncle Alex started to the post-o flce. When
he reached the little brook which had 10 DO
crossed 10 get 10 the village, he saw Neddic
standing on the bridge throwing pebbles IN
the water.
"Hello, Neddiel" he said, ~ thought you
were on duty"
surprise; "were not playing soldier any
more. Mamma sent me OH an errand."
Ibid she send you here 10 throw pebblcl
in the brooks"
No, sir; she sent me 70 the store for
something
~ thought heard her giving you COM
mission which was 10 be executed wIih
promptness and dispatch, and knowing you
10 be soldierly little fellow, who could not
be tempted away from duty u moment,
wondered, rather, 10 see you standin /.
here" and Uncle Alex stroked his whisker5
meditatively and knit his brows as thoUSl
he were trying TO study the matter out.
NeddIe, with a puzzled expression, looG"d
steadily into his unclc's face for mono !
or two, and then, turning toward the VII
lage, was of like a fash
Uncle Alex was standing on the post
Office steps reading letter when he ha--
pened TO see Neddis corning out Of to
grocery store with his basket and va <
rapidly homoward. Some little boys on the
other side of the street also spied him ant,
running over, surrounded him, evideat !
wanting him TO stop with them itt!o
while, but he, though in very good na-
tured way, declined their invitations and
kept on his way He realized that he was
on duty-EdrlU DsU
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-07-06
A Playful Bullet.

Chicago is excited over the death OF
n Pinkerton man named Barrett who
was shot in the back in his own home.
in day light 1t is put down as a case
OF suicide, though how man could
shoot himself in the back is the mys-
terry. The pistol was found down his
trousers leg. is It possible the gun
went off accidentally. IN tho trousers.
that the bullet struck tho floor, bound
eel to the ceiling. then hit the bureau,
went across the room and struck a
coal stove. and went in the mans
back. Ii is more reasonable to believe
that some friend killed Barrett, how
ever. -Ieck's san.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-07-06
LITTLE coy BLUE,
by ECGBNE FIEI.n


The ittlo toy dog Is covered with dust
But sturdy and staunch he stands,
And the little boy soldier Is red with rust
Aud his inusket mods In his hands.
Time was when the little toy dog was new
Aud tie soldier was passing fair
And that was the time when our Little Boy
Blue
Kissed them and put them there
Now don't you 20 TIL come !" he said;
And don't you make anv noisev'
SO ioddling of to his trundle bed
lie dreamt OF the pretty toys.
AMI "a he dreaming mn angel song
Awakened our Little Boy Blue
oh the years are many, the years are long,
But the little toy friends are true.
Ay, faithful 10 Little Boy Blue they stand,
Each In the same old place,
Awaiting the touch OF a tile hand,
Thd smiie OF little face.
Aud they wonder. as waiting these long
years through
In the dust Of that little chair,
What has become OF our Little Boy Blue
Since he kissed them aud put them thcra
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-07-06

A MEDICAL opinion is. that If consump
ton were eradicatSd from cattle, IL would
soon disappear from The human race Five
per cent OF English cattle have tubcrcu-
losis, aud twenty per cent. Of some Jersey
herds Of the United States arc SAID TO b.
affacteL
BAND is best IN wet weather and clay IA
best In dry weather. The man who first
noticed this and put his discovery into prac-
tce by putting sand "a clay and clay On
sand was tho FIRST scientific road member.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-07-06
a Noble Ambition.

Jim.on-My ambition in life, Weatherby
Is 20 be out Of debt | look forward 70 tht
time when l can proudly beat my breast
and say aloud: John Ezekiel Unison owes
no man a nickelln
Weatherby (puflng his cigar)-That's S
noble ambition, old man, AID worthy Of TO
spect
Eyes, indeed, and propose to Oh, By
the way, Wcathor0y, / wish you would lei
mo have two dollars until day after to-mor
morrow q. half-past twelve. h-TeTds SQt.
fu1s
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-07-06

ERE, Dan, is some
thing that may inter
est YOU" said Farm
er Bro w n, a S b G
handed the boy q
bulky letter.
" The postmas u T
missed h is IN ar X
there, sure" said
Dan, glancing at tho
untouched stamp.
=" That will send o
letter TO your mother,
Dan, and not make
you any poorer,
eithcr," answ c r C d
the farmer.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-07-06
Luxuriating in the Shade.

st. Peter Ito applicanD; "Who are
YOU, sir?"
Applicant Confidently: I'm an
American newspaper humor,st"
St Peter (dubiously): "Well.
dunno ,our case VIII have to- be con-
considered In the meant me you car
lie down in The shade of that Chestnut
tree and walt "-E och
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-07-06
Wont Work Both WAYS.

William Gore. who was bitten by q
cattlesnake ut Fort Lee :. week ago. and
has been do~cd with WHISKY ever since.
will lie out of the hospital in few
laws. Moral: You can he bitten by
snakes AMI cured by whisky. but YOU
I'm bee bitten 10y whisky and cured by
makes -NesO hrs S,pl.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-07-06
Not Home Yet.

Mrs Christopher Cross: This Is
pretty time of night for you to come
homel Mr.. Chris Cross: Ssh. m
dearl Ain come home yet. Jes'
called Z shay y needn't sit up r me to-
night Puce.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-07-06
CAN'T AFFORD 1T.

TOW Dan Gained Great Victory by
Obeying tho Voice of His Conscience.
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1888-11-30
A one-Legged Wheelman.

A man without the shadow OF left
leg stood in front of hotel in Lynn,
Mass, the other day, with his right
hand resting on the handle of bicycle,
preparatory to mounting. There was
group OF people watching him, Won
dering whether he could possibly seat
himself, leave alone the ability to ride.
They thought that when he reached
the seat he would topple over, and not
having his left leg to stand on, he
would come down in a heap, with the
machine on top OF him. Fastened upon
the small rear wheel was crutch,
placed upright, which the man grasped
with his left hand, at the same time
holding the guiding handle of the
bicycle in his right. Then he gave a
spring from his one foot, nicely cal
culated to land him on the seat and no
further. He hadn't the bother of
swinging the left leg over the main
wheel, as two-legged men have to do.
The pedal had been arranged for the
down stroke, and when he reached the
seat and his right foot struck the pedal,
off he sailed along the road as fast as
any 'cyclist, and he was soon out of
sight. When he reached home he took
the crutch from the rear wheel and
used it to hobblc around the house
with. N. Y. san.
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1888-11-30
USEFUL AND SUGGESTIVE.


Olive oil saturated with camphor
makes an excellent application for i'm
flammntory swellings, also for rubbing
rheumatic joints.
Clean knives with soft flannel and
bath brick. 1frusty, use wood ashes, rub
bed on with newly cut bit of Irish
potato. This will remove spots when
nothing elso will. ... ..'t.
When putting away tho silver tea
or coffee-pot which is not used every
day, lay little stick across the top un-
dor the cover This will allow fresh
air to get in and prevent mustincss.
-Mony nervous young housckeopors
keep open the oven door to SEQ II tho
oven is right, and their things never
get cooked, because they allow all tho
heat to escape. This is great mis-
take.
Slices Of bread spread with butter
may be laid on top of good custard
and baked in the usual manner. Or
they may be laid in dish alternately
with stewed or preserved fruit, GUS
tard poured over them and baked.
Silk or any thing that has silk in
It, should be washed in water that is
almost cold. 1t may be washed in suds
of nico white soap, but soap must not
be rubbed on; rinse in clear water, al
most cold. Avoid the use of hot irons
to smooth silk.
Fruit Pudding. stale bread,
pour over hot water and soak awhile.
Chop MS for dressing, though not SO
fine, place layer of bread in buttered
tin, then a layer of fruit previously
stewed, having the last layer bread.
Bake half an hour and serve with sugar
and cream or any pudding sauce.
Chestnut gathering is delightful
occupation, and some people obtain so
many chestnuts that the matter of their
preservation is serious question. To
keep cheStnuts from four to six
months, mix each bushel with pint of
salt, shake thoroughly and keep in
dry place, where the temperature is
from 40 to 80 degrees.
-Buckwheat Short Cake.-One and
nan cups vi SWctb llllh, bWO bcuSpOOH-
fuls of baking powder (scan0, one tea
spoonful salt, buckwheat -four enough
to make batter, little thicker than for
griddle cakes. Bake the same as John
ny cake, eat with butter or gravy. Such
cakes are delicious and come in at the
right time before and after season for
griddle cakes.-Albany Journal.
Some cooks will persist in making
tea or coffee quite while before it is
needed on the table, and then let it
simmer away at the back of the stove
while they see to the cooking of the
other materials for the meal. This is
great mistake. When every thing else
is about cooked then is the time to
think of making the tea or coffee, for
they must be fresh in order to taste
good.
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1888-11-30
SPLENDoR FROM WITHIN,
The Only Thing which Makes the Real
and Lasting splendor From without.

| Tho Only Thing Which Makes the Real
| and Lasting Splendor From without.
| Looking on fine faces, we admire
three things-features, color aud ex-
preston. The features, these forms of
brow and nose and chin, are bequests,
coming often from far ancestors; our
colors, too, are in the main bequests,
depending on the quality of tissue and
OF blood the more immediate parents
give it; but oppression is very largely
our own affair. And, even with good
features and the clearest colors, ex-
preston is "thc best part of beauty"
The play of thought and will and feel
ing on the face-of noble thoughts, firm
self-controls, and pure, unselfish, gen.
tie feelings-wo can ourselves secure,
If so we will. Ten years OF habit,
three years, or only one, will affect ex-
preston much. Some one has said
that 'every face ought to be beautiful
at forty and another, that mo Did
person has right to be ugly, be-
cause he has had all his life in which
to grow beautiful" That is to say,
life's opportunities of nobleness, or
even forty years of opportunity, if well
used are enough to make so much beau-
ty within that it can not help coming
through the surface in graceful habits
OF the nerves and muscles. The trans
flguration of pleasant smile, kindly
lightings of the eyes, restful lines of
self-control about the lips, pure shin
ings OF the face as great thoughts kindle
inwardly, these things no parent makes
inevitably ours, and no fitful week or
two of goodness gives them, and no
schooling OF the visage, either, but only
habitual nobleness and graciousness
within; and this ,CiH give them all.
Splendor from Withn! 1t is the only
thing which makes the real and lasting
splendor wRhom. Trust that inevitable
law of self-expression. BE, not seemi
Be 10 seem. Be beautiful, and you will
by and by seem so. Carve the faces
from within, not dress it from without.
Within lies the robing-room, the
sculptors Workshop. For whosoever
would be fairer illumination must be-
gin in the soul--the face catches the
glow only from that side. 1t is the
spirits beauty that makes the best face,
even for the evenings company; and
spirit beauty is the only beauty that
outlasts the work and wear and pain of
life.-LRitU.