davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-09-12
WON AT LAST.
A Brief But Thrilling Romance of West
ern Life.

A Brief But Thrilling Romance of West
ern Life.
They stood by the crest of the hill over.
looking the silent, ceaseless flow ofthe mag
niticent stream beneath whose placid breast
the bones of noble De Soto for centuries
have rested. ''She had cheeks like cher
ries red. He was taller most a head u
The threatening clouds of afternoon had ST
lently stolen away, shepherded by the low
unwilling winds. Fleecy vaporous abysms
Of beauty, like coquettish hands, were
raised, waved before the face of the silvery
moon, then dropped or brushed aside like
dew before rising sun. He stood silent
and forbidding of aspect, while she shrunk
from him as a frightened dove in tn;
presence of ahowling storm. Presently hG
spoke:
"Wlhelmina, we have been in America
for seven years. Like Jacob of old, have
toiled and spun for you and you alone. !
left the Fatherland with your promise of
love and faithfulness imprinted upon my
lips. Your father, your mother, and the
whole village witnessed our plighted troth
upon the green. You babe me goodbye,
and wept upon my bosom. No one was ig-
norant of our love. You have learned the
language and the customs of the new
world. You have labored and saved. !
have accumulated wealth. We ought to
have been married when met you at Cas-
tie Garden, but you refused to be DOVER
less bride. Why do you longer say me nay,
and refuse to name day for our wedding!
Tell me tonight, or yonder river shall en-
tomb me forever"
Like the sough of the winter winds
through the leafiess boughs of the entranced
trees her sobs rended the twilight air. Her
breast heaved like the blllowy crests of
ocean. She gasped:
Darling Fritz, mine own Fritz There is q
yawning chasm between US which you can
not see. Think of me as one unworthy of
your love. Forget me after this night and
write my name among the dead. We shall
never more meet. Give me one last, long.
lingering kiss, as we used to kiss IN the
beautiful Bingen on the Rhine; and then
we must part, never to meet again. can
not speak. Ny lips are sealed. The cause
will be buried with me. We shall never
wed. Kiss me, Fritz, and kiss me good
bye"
His quivering lips give token of the grief
he'd fain conceal, but into his outstretched
arms she falls and lies weeping upon his
breast as he presses her to his heart and
clings lovingly, but with awe, upon her eyes,
cheeks, mouth and neck. He rains down kiss
IS as from Calling gun. They smother, be-
wilder, enthral her. She forgets her sor-
rows and the woeful fate upon her All is
over. She is his, and he is hers. The spell
is broken, as many a spell has been broken
before, by OSCILLATION. The Chicago drummer
who gave her the glass diamonds is in the
consomme. His cake is dough. She did
not elope with Adolphus. He had con-
sented to that last meeting between Will
helmina and Fritz, the baker: and he lost.
Fritz triumphed. Kisses are worth a
royal flush Of promised air castles every
time Happy Fritz Disappointed Adolphus.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-09-12
Gath,s Last Picnic

When George Alfred Townsend bought
his country place on South Mountain, and
built his house upon it, he ruined picnic
ing place which had been used by the PEG
pie of the surrounding country for many
years. Some farmers came to him in the
summer Of 1885 and asked permission to
have private and select picnic on those
grounds. The distinguished journalist
readily gave permission, and the evening
was named. Invitations were sent to about
twenty-five persons, but when it became
known that the affair was to occur, every
laborer, farmland and tough in the victn-
age invited himself. Beer bottles, water
melons, whisky TASKS and other devices
for exhilarant pleasure were carried in
pockets and baskets. There was a terrific
time at that festival It extended into the
small hours of night, and the grounds were
filter for hog-wsilow the next morning
than for the shaded lawn of a retired and
retiring hterateur. The following Sunday
local preacher scored '-Gath' unmerci-
fully from his pulpit, calling him ''wins
bibber, a drunkard and a teacher Of
Bacchanalian revelry." There was no
newspaper published at "Gapland," and
''Gath" was unable to get even with tho
churchman. But he allows no more select
picnics on those grounds
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-09-12

"'What's thatl' asked, and voice from
Heaven answered: Put up your gunl That
deadly thing descending yonder over
Bragg's army is sufficient for them; it's
Jack Turner's thGmbr"
In the general laugh which followed you
could see Turner's wild gesticulatiohs, and
when the merrIment subsidized he blurted
out, thresteningly: Ferris, if you love your
existence, your friends and your country,
don't dare to ever have another vision at
my expenser'
He might have said more, perhaps, but
the boys all joined in such hearty merri-
ment that he touched his cap and turned
on his heel.
Well, we went back to Danville, feeling
that we were the victims Of practical Joke
or some strategic performance perpetrated
by some unknown party.
But how easily il was explained when we
struck Danvillel And when once made
plain weren't we mad again! The Yankee
risibilities came to the seething surface and
every body ground his molars and wished
to get even.
Jack Turner forgot Burt's vision long
enough to swear in four different languages
as fluently as if each had been his mother
tongue, and VOW that ''if the Lord would
just give him the opportunity he'd lick the
whole Bragg army with his ramrod."
You see, this was the way we were
fooled. Rebel General Bragg had been at
Crab Orchard, and wanting to pass his
troops through Danville in order to strike
Louisville, knew that he could not without
trouble while we remained there. 1t was
the custom of the General to carry tele-
graphic instruments with him wherever he
went, and thinking of ruse 20 quietly get
us out of Danville for a season, he stopped
on the road and telegraphed TO US, in Gen
eral Thomas name, the aforesaid dispatch.
So, of course, when we obeyed orders it
left the way completely clear for the John
MES to pass without molestation. While we
were plodding along toward Crab Orchard
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-09-12

coldly; she recognized the covert fling
which sought to bring her former poverty
to her mind.
"Why?" said Mrs. Stanford, eIevatine
her eyebrows with well-affected surprise,
Because she is selfish, cruel woman.n
replied ISABEL, with more heat than she had
SHOWN since she had become Mrs. Falconer.
"and because she has little power which
money gives her she rules her work-wonen
with rod Of iron.n
What, that weak, pretty little womanr,
said Mrs. Stanford, incredulously.
Inc very same" replied Isabel, wrath
fully. Rising from the most abject poverty
nerseii, she has no pity for others who are
poor, and grinds every ounce of work and
humiliation and self-respect out of her girls
that is possible. Ishould like to hear how
Lott1e and Jennie and the other girls are.
but 90 not care to hear of Nine. Arnotn
"Sne was complaining bitterly Of her
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-09-12

the rebel General and his men lay on the
mountain above laughing in their sleeves tc
see the victims of their strategy so obedi.
ent.
Of course, nothing was easier, when the
way was thus clear, than to come down and
march through Danville and go on their
way rejoicing.
Ever after that when any thing disap-
pointed, or some plan prove abortive, we
christened it ''another Crab Orchard fight u
But Burt's vision had come to stay; and
in time, when Turner's wounded pride had
healed, he laughed as heartily as any one
over getting his ''thumb on the enemy"
MANDA L. CROCKER.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-09-12

disorder, crept out from under her pretty
hat in little moist rings upon her forehead,
and she was smiling happily at some sally
of Mr.. Falconer's.
They fingered a moment in the hall after
Tom had taken the horses, and Mrs. Stan
ford had time to brace herself and put on
her most aristocratic air before Isabel, fol-
lowed by her husband, entered the room.
Mrs. Stanford had made no allowances
for the identifying effects Of happiness,
the change which peace and plenty"
coming into a starved. cramped life
can make, and she could scarcely
believe her eyes when she saw her
brothers wife and recognized shat homely
girl'' in the tall, graceful creature, the
once thin face plump and rudy, the eyes,
heavy with overwork and Encouragement,
now bright and sparkling, and she com
mented within herself: 'Goodnessl l
shouldn't have known her"
my dear sisterr' said Mr.. Falconer, TAX
ing Mrs. Stanford's hand in his, ''this is IN
deed surprise, for we expected telegram
before you arrived" Then, with as much
respect as if presenting Duchess he said:
Z" Let me present to you my wife, Mrs. Fal-
coner."
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-09-12
BY MRS. ?. M. Howard.
Copyrighted, 1851
CHAPTER IV.-CoST1SUEp.

CHAPTER IV.-CoNTINUED.
GPurple pansies shall be nv flowers when
1wear this, she said, half in solilOquy, IS
she stood by the glass, while slzillful Mrs.
Gould took out stitch here and there in
the drapery, and looped it more artistically.
seYes, Mrs. Falconer,' she replied, ''there
is a harmony between the sweet pure
flowers and white which all do not recog-
ME; to my mind there is nothing so purely
elegant in dress as white lace, and this
creamy stuff is Of such delicate pattern"
The riding habit came also, and fitted
beautifully. Isabel had a fine form and
carriage, and was capable of great improve
ment under the Transforming touch Of dress,
and the dark navy blue of her habit was
very becoming, as well as the hat, with its
long, dropping feather, which reached
nearly to her shoulder and mingled grace
fully with her curls, which she wore habit
ually now, as Mr.. Falconer liked to see
them.
"a suitable length of time In which to
dress is luxury in ITSELF" said Isabel, as
she stood before her mirror brushing her
hair, end recalled Nine. Arnot's, where the
tired girls were obliged to be on duty at
such an hour, under all circumstances. 81
think, dear madam, if you are expecting to
see me behind your counter again in one
year, or ever again, you are doomed to dis
appointment" and she laughed low, hap
py little laugh, as she pinned back her curls
with silver arrow which Oracle had given
her the day before.
will you ride this morning!" Mrs. Fal-
coner 1t was her husbands voice which
interrupted her laughing soliloquy.
''If you please" she replied; sit is rare
morning"
'Then be ready, and Tom will have the
horses at the door in a half hour" he said,
as he turned to go down.
The pretty chestnut mare arched herneck
coquettishly as her new mistress appeared.
Isabel loved horse dearly, though she had
of late years had little opportunity Of cul-
tivating their acquaintance, but she ad-
mired their dainty thoroughbred ways,
and could tell fine horse almost as readily
as a man.
liam sure we are going to be the best of
friends, pretty Dolly" she said, as she held
lump of sugar in one hand and caressed
her glossy coat with her other. Dolly, thus
propitiated, turned her large liquid eyes
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-09-12

I'm 1866 Henry Irving stood on the
stage Of theater at Liverpool won
dering what he should do in the sum-
mer months, when he would be left
without an engagement or shilling.
A letter was brought to him from Dion
Boucicault, offering him part in a
new play and asking his terms six
pounds week." he wrote, and added
that he hoped the part was a good
one. The apwer was Characteristic:
Dear Sir: The part is 8 good one
The salary Is more than / intended
giving. but I never bargain with an
artist Yours. Dion BoucfeeulA"
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-09-12
BURTS VISION.
How Jack Turner Got His Thumb
on the Enemy.

ACK TURNER was
the story-teller of our
company, a d we
always loved 20 listen
t o his wen-spun
yarDs-equal in the
incredible to any old
tar's Renaissance
"before the mast"
Some people are
born story-tellers,
and some, by dint of
hard struggling, get
up TO that enviable
level. but lack he
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-09-12

AxOregon girl wrote TO Anna Dickinson
once, asking "How to get husbandi" an5
Anna replied: by the halr."
Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1889-11-16
How to Decline a Treat.

For the benefit of every boy who
has any hesitation in saying "No''
when urged by an evil companion to
take cigarette or glass Of beer, we
quote the following from the Home
maker 1t is presumed, however, that
the young people who read this journal
have backbone enough to decline at
once. The conversation was between
two collegians who were discussing a
class dinner.
"Of course" said one, with the con-
sequential touch of selfcomplacency
and patronage "the fellows" call
'fresh, and which only length Of days
can cure, eff A hasn't wit enough to
know when to stop, he'd better be care
full at first Some heads are built
weak"
Careful in what ?" interpolated |.
"Why, drinking of course" said the
first speaker. "a fellow has to take
his seasoning sooner or later. Some
can stand it, some cannot, at least for
a while" He was, as | have intimated,
freshman. His friend bearded
senior, the only son of rich man,
clapped him good-humoredly on the
shoulder
"When | was your age, old fellow,
my father said to me, If had my life
to live over, | would never take a glass
of wine or smoke a cigar | answered,
1T would be foolish not to profit by
what such a sensible man says have
never tasted wine or touched tobacco
and am glad of it-gladder ever day l
live | might have been built with
strong head, and then again, | might
not"
"What do you say when you are
offered a treat ?"
81 say, No, thank you, | never take
it. Generally that settles the matter
quietly"
"And if they poke fun at you ?"
81 let them poke, and stand by to
be ready to put them to bed when their
heads give out
There are-for the comfort of moth
ers be it said-many fellows" strong
enough to maintain this stand, sensible
enough to see that the risks are not
worth taking. 1t is the fool who med
dies with firearms, the coward who
carries loaded revolver.
Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1889-11-16

Some Of the sweetest songs of the
century, some of the richest gems of
literature, some Of the most inspiring
thoughts ever written, are but the
children of sorrow. Out of affiiction's
dark night David sung his immortal
Psalms. Tasso, Dante, Milton, Bun
yam, Cowper, Longfellow, and hundreds
of others, have brought forth from the
dark night Of affiietion and sorrow their
grandest productions.
Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1889-11-16

Little Things Of Life.

Little words, not eloquent speeche
nor sermons, little deeds, not miracle.
nor battles nor one great act nol
mighty martyrdom make up the true
life. The little constant sunbeam, MOI
the lighting; the waters of Sloan
that go softly" on their meek mission
Of refreshment, not "the waters OF
rivers, great and mighty, rushing down
in torrent noise and force, are the true
symbols of a holy life"
The avoidance of little evils, little
sins, little Inconsistencies, little weak
nesses, little follies, little indiscretions
and imprudences, little acts of indol-
ence or INDIGESTION, or slovenliness OF
cowardice, little equivocations or aber-
rations from high integrity, little bits
of worldliness and gayety, little indif-
ferences to the feelings or wishes of
others, little outbreaks of temper and
crossness, or selfishness or vanity; the
avoidance of such little things as these
60 far to make up at least the negative
beauty Of life.
And then attention to little duties of
the day and hour, in public transac-
tons, to private dealings, or family
arrangements, to the little words and
tones, little benevolences or forebear-
ances, or tendernesses, little self-denials,
self-restraints and thoughtfulness, little
plans of quiet kindness and thoughtful
consideration for others punctuality,
and method, and true aim in the or
dering of each day-these are the ac-
tive developments Of holy life, the rich
and divine mosaics of which it is com
posed.
What makes you green hills so
beautiful? Not the outstanding peak
or stately elm, but the bright sward
which clothes its slopes, composed of
innumerable blades of grass 1t is of
small things that a great life is made
up.
Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1889-11-16
THE NEW BABY.
GEORGE W. CABLE.


There came to port last Sunday night,
The queerest little craft,
Without an inch of rigging on;
| looked, and looked, and laughed.
1t seemed so curious that she
Should cross the unknown water,
And moor herself right in my room,
My daughter, o my daughter
She had no manifest but this,
No flag floats DER the water
She's too new for the British Lloyds-
My daughter, o my daughter
Ring out, Wild bells, and tame ones too
Ring out the lovers moon
Ring in the little worsted socks
Ring out the bib and spoon!
Ring out the muse ring in the nurse
Ring in the milk and water!
Away with paper, pen, and ink
My daughter, 0 my daughterl
Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1889-11-16

When you are young grief is tenn
pest which prostrates you; at matured
age it is simply a north wind which
adds wrinkle to your brow and one
more white hair to your head.
Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1889-11-16
Saved by Kindness.

We called him Jim, for | do not
remember his name He had lost all
responsibility, and was common gut
ter drunkard. His family had disowned
him. Occasionally he would get job
at the stables where Dr. Davis kept his
horse. One morning the DIR. laid his
hand ON Jim's shoulders and said:
Jim, / wish you would give up the
drink.
There was something very much like
the culver Of the mans lips as he an
swered;
of | thought you cared | would
but there is great gulf between you
and me-.
"Have | made any gulf, jim ? Think
a moment before you answer"
mo, you haven't"
off you had been a millionaire, could
l have treated you more like gentle
man ?"
"No, you couldn't"
81 do care, jim
"Say it again, won't you p
q do care, JIM" with tender little
emphasis on the "Jim.''
"Dr. Davis, I'll never touch another
drop of liquor as long as | live. Here's
my hand ON it.
This was fifteen years ago; and
"Jim" is to-day the respectable and re.
spected Mr. Saved by kind
word! Will you make an effort this
week to win some one by kindness?
Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1889-11-16

Very much less than we think does
our happiness depend upon what is ex-
ternal in us. If there be no heaven
within, all the externalities Of an out
ward heaven would be insufficient to
produce happiness.
Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1889-11-16

A bridal couple sat on the piazza of
the hotel the other night. They tried
six or seven different chairs before
finally selecting those considered suita-
BILE. 1t was cool and Mr.. Younghus-
band went up stairs to get shawl for
his wife, and putting it on, mussed her
hair, as all awkward men, especially
bridegrooms, do. George" said she,
"ain't it lovely here ?" eyes" said
George, cit is, dear" "That was an
awful mean present your sister gave
me-wasn't it, George?" "Why, no,
| don't think it was, said he trife
angry. eyes it was, tooP exclaimed
Mrs. Younghusband, beginning 10 cry,
"and you know it was. She's a mean,
stingy thing. I'll send back the old
butter dish, so there And you ought
to be ashamed to quarrel with me SO
soon" They went down to the lake in
silence.
Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1889-11-16
Error Of Judgment.

"About fifteen years ago, when | was
in the lightning-rod business in this
state" said Detroit insurance man
the other day as he slowly slipped his
ale, 1--WE got job on farmers big
barn in Nankin township. We had
hard work to get him, as he was an
unbeliever in the virtues of the rods,
but he finally consented and we went
ahead, giving him the most solemn as
surance, of course, that his barn would
be protected beyond question. We had
Just finished work when a thunderstorm
was observed coming up, and he re
marked that it would be good time
to test the rods. We put our team in
the barn, but preferred the house for
our shelter"
"Well, the storm came along and, as
it reached us, there was a flash and a
bang, everybody got a shock and when
we came to look out the barn was on
fire in dozen places. Before we could
get the team and wagon out it was too
late and they burned with the struct-
ure."
"How did you explain it to the far
mer?" was asked.
1--WE didn't explain it at all. He
did the explaining. He got down a
shotgun and explained that if we
didn't get beyond range before he
could count fifty he would open fire.
We got and we never went back to
claim the ironwork on the wagon
Gould the rods have been valu-
less ?"
Certainly not"
"Then how did it happen ?"
81 think it was an error in Judgment
on the part of Providence. | think
the idea was to strike the house and
kill me and my partner !"
Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1889-11-16

There was once man who had an
only son, to whom he gave everything,
When his son grew up, he was unkind
to his father, refused to support him,
and turned him out of his house. The
old man said to his grandson, 60 and
fetch the covering from my bed, that |
may go and sit by the wayslde and
beg" The child burst into tears, ran
for the covering, took it to his father,
and said to him, pray, father, cut it
in two the half of it will be large
enough for grandfather and perhaps
you will want the other half when !
grow up and turn you out Of doors.
The words of the child struck him SC
forcibly that he ran to his father, asked
his forgiveness, and took care of hin
until his death.
Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1889-11-16
Under the Crust.

you'd better ask the doctor for his
bill next time he comes said a poor,
sick minister to his wife, 81 don't
know when we can pay it, I'm sure.
He's made good many visits, but |
hope he won't have to come many
times more"
The old doctor was a grim-looking
person, who said as little as possible,
and spoke in the grufest Of tones but
he had kept his eyes, and was not half
as unfeeling as he appeared.
AT his next visit the minister's wife
followed him out of the sick room, and
timidly preferred her request
"Your bill?" said the doctor, CLAN
cling round the kitchen and then down
at his boots.
Yes, sir" said the woman "Mr
Ames wanted me to ask you for it,
though we can't pay it just now. Well
pay it as soon as"
"Well, here it is" said the doctor.
And he took out his pocket-book and
handed the astonished woman ten
dollar greenback, and was out-of-doors
before she could say thank you.
Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1889-11-16

Brook FARM.-From reminiscent
article by Robert Carter in the No
vember Century we quote the following:
at was delightful gathering of men
and women of superior cultivation,
who led a charming life for a few
years, laboring in its fields and philan-
dering in its pleasant woods. 1t was a
little too much of II picnic for serious
profit, and the young men and maidens
were rather unduly addicted to moon
light wanderings in the pine-grove,
though it is creditable to the sound
moral training Of New England that
little or no harm came of these wan
derings-at least not to the maidens.
So far as the relation Of the sexes is
concerned, the Brook Farmers, in spite
of their free manners, were as pure, |
believe, as any other people
"The enterprise failed pecuniarily,
after seeming for some years to have
succeeded and Brook Farm became the
site of the town poor-house. Haw-
thorne, who lost all his savings in the
enterprise, has sketched it, in some re-
spects faithfully, in his "Blithedale
Romance" | may remark, by the
way, that while he was a member he
was chiefly engaged in taking care OF
the pigs, that being found by expert
ment to be the branch Of farm labor to
which his genius was best adapted"