davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-05-23
The Most Expensive Leather.

THE most costly leather in the
world, so far as l know" said a
dealer in fine skins and feathers, sis
known to the trade as piano leather.
American tanners years ago discov-
cred the secret of making Russian
leather, with its peculiarly pungent and
lasting odor; but the secret of tanning
piano leather is known only to family
of tanners in Thuringia Germany.
This leather has but one uses the COW
ering of piano keys. A peculiar thing
about it is that the skins from which it
is tanned are procured almost entirely
in America 1t is particular kind OF
buckskin. The skin of the common
red or Virginia deer will not make the
leather, species of the animal known
as the gray deer, and found only in the
vicinity of the great Northern lakes,
alone furnishing the material. The
German tanners have an agency in De-
troit which collects the skins of this
deer from the Indian and half breed
hunters, who supply the market. The
hunters are paid an average price Of
about 20 cents a pound for the green
skins. When the skins are returned
to this country as piano leather they
cost the piano manufacturer from $15
to SIS pound. The worlds supply
of this invaluable and necessary ma
terial is supplied by the Kretzchmar
family of tanners, who have six estab-
lishments in Germany, the largest and
best at Gera in Thuringia-"-N. 7.
Co.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-05-23
LINCOLN AT GETTYSBURG.
A Short Speech That VIII Outlive Thou
sands of PretentIous Ora ions.

A Short Speech That VIII Outlive Thou
sands of PretentIous Ora ions.
Many great speeches were made in
different parts of the country on April
80, but the short address delivered by
Mr.. Lincoln at Gettysburg more than
twenty-five years ago will probably
outlive them all. 1t was in these
words:
'Fourscore-and-seven years ago our
fathers brought forth upon this CONT
nent new Nation, conceived in liber-
ty and dedicated 10 the proposition
that all men are created equal Now
we are engaged in great civil war.
testing whether that Nation, or any
nation so conceived and so dedicated,
can long endure. We are met on a
great battlefield of that war. We
have come to dedicate and portion off
that field as a final resting-place tor
those who here gave their lives that
that Nation nigh live. 1t is altogether
fitting and proper that we should do
this. But in larger sense we can not
oOoASoIOs VIC SdU HOG COuScCTdG6, we
can not hallow this ground. The
brave men, living and dead. who
struggled here have consecrated it far
above our power to add or detract.
The world will little note, nor long
remember. what we say here; but it
can never forget what they did here
1t is for US, the living. rather to be
dedicated here to the unfinished work
which they who fought here have thus
far so nobly advanced. 1t is rather
for us to be here dedicated to the great
task remaining before us; that from
these honored dead we take increased
devotion to that cause for which they
gave the last full measure of devotion;
that we here highly resolve that these
dead shall not have died in vain; that
this Nation, under God, shall have a
new birth of freedom; and that gov
eminent of the people, by the peo-
pie, and for the people, shall not per-
lsh from the earth"
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-05-23
WITH OUR EXCHANGES.

@All the progress which the
negro has made has been in spite of,
not with the assistance of, the South.
The entire catalogue of crimes has
been exhausted in the attempt to keep
him in ignorance and subsection. -
Philadelphia Inquirer.
m General Clinton B. Fisk. late
candidate for President on the Prohi-
bition ticket, has reached the conclu-
sion that political prohibition is a
stumbling-b block to temperance reform,
and he is again Republican. Gin
cinnati Commercial-Gazette.
B1 Give the Administration a fair
chance and an opportunity to get down
to work, and we shall find that its
policy will give the Republican party
another long lease of power and the
country another period of unparal-
leled prosperity. Y. Press.
BgWe can respect an honest free
trader when we find one, for all
sincere convictions are entitled to re-
spect, but it is hard to have any feel
ing of tolerance for a protectionist in
the Democratic party. The only man.
ly course for protectionists is to 90
with the party of protection.-W Wash
ington Press.
@PensioD-C ommissioner Tanner
is doing an excellent thing in giving
Union priyates and non-commissioned
officers their proper share of the ap-
pointments in his cotrol. The
shoulder-strap boys have had their
innings good while; now let the men
who carried the muskets have a show.
Toledo Blade.
kSSExclusion of colored voters from
or protectionist councils
will not hasten the solution of the
race question. Far otherwise is true.
The memorable economies and the in
evitable industries may be depended
u pom to make great areas of the
South protectionist in sentiment
Chicago Inter Ocean
sHrH the people want only good
let them recommend
only good candidates. They have the
matter largely in their own hands;
and they can not fairly complain If |
bad selections are made when they |
are so willing to affix their names to !
svery petition that is placed before |
them.-St. Louis Globe-Democrat
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-05-23
THE coIoREp WORKER.
How He Is Treated In the sCold Nortl
and the }. Symnafhetfc Sor+y, ~

How He Is Treated In the Cold North -
aud the Sympathetic South"
The Atlanta Constitution tells a
story about meeting in that Office be-
tween an ex-slave and his young
master" in which both shed tears,
and the latter gave the old man a
street-car ticket to ride out to his
home. The Constitution points to this
triumphantly as a proof of the sympa-
thy that exists between whites and
blacks in the South. shall the
negro" it exclaims, "be left to be
dealt with by the sympathetic South,
or shall the unsympathetic North
come in and drive these two to
enmity?"
The Atlanta paper makes itself ri
diculous. 1t is, of course, impossible
that an ex-slave should weep over the
shoulder of Northern master, since
the masters were all of the South; but
IN the North ex-slaves may hold them
selves like men and be treated as
men and equals In indianapolis are
thousands of negroes, self-respecting
and respected, many of them in
dustrious, thrifty and in good circum.
stances, and as a body law-abiding,
peaceful citizens, with all the rights
enjoyed by white men. They have
voice in the local as well as the
National government; they vote as
they choose. and unmolested; their
wages are equal to those of white men
In the same callings. and are not paid,
as in the South. in store orders. TLsit
children have the best of school privi-
leges, and altogether they are so stu
ated as to be unaware of any lack OF
sympathy" No tears are shed over
them, it is true, but they appear not
to miss the briny downpour. On the
whole. it is probable that the colored
citizens Of Indianapolis would be I'M
willing to change places with their
Georgia brethren, Notwithstanding the
Constitution assertion that ''the
negro is not appreciated outside of the
South, and can only be appreciated by
the Southern people," The ''appre-
ciation'' of the Southern variety is
what no negro wants after he has en-.
joyed the independence and freedom
Of the North. indianapolis journal.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-05-23
FARM AND FrRESIDE.

| Using small potatoes for seed NAV
not seriously affect the first crop. but
if kept up will cause the seed to run
| out.
do not use sprouted seed of anv
kind. Potatoes that are kept at too
high temperature will sprout which
Injuries them to certain extent.
The question is, not how little can
, keep the COW going on. but how much
can / induce her to eat and turn into
milk and butter, which is worth more
than the feed.
Give the boy chance to get good
business education by giving him a
piece of ground for his own exclusive
use. the proceeds of it to be used as
his educational fund.-Western Plow-
man.
"A heavy plank dragged over a
lawn-plot will serve to renderit smooth,
thus greatly aiding the lawn-mower
after the grass is up. The lawn grass.
being very short. may be cured and
stored away for the use of poultry in
winter.
When trees or plants are received,
take pains to keep the roots moist An
hour or two's exposure of the roots of
plants to either the sun or the drying
wind, will often seriously impair the
vitality of the plants.
In raising any kind of young stock,
one should remember they are some
what like babes and need warmth
above all, and proper food to do we'll.
Many young bird or animal could be
saved by early attention to their COM
fort and warmth. Cold checks nutri-
ton.
While with many it is not so con-
sidered, yet counting what is used for
the family table. poultry pays as large
profit as any other class of stock kept
upon the farm. There is, too. the ad-
ditional advantage that what is not
marketed at price that will pay a
profit can nearly always be used to
good advantage at home and will add
much to the variety and healthfulness
of the food supply.
-Spiced Beef: Get about three
pounds of beef off the round and boil
until very tender. Then take out of
the water, chop fine and season to
taste. Put in tablespoonful each of
ground cloves, allspice and cinnamon.
Mix well and pack in a square tin.
Take the water it has been boiled in
and let it boil down to about two
thirds of a cupful, salt and pepper a
little and pour over the meat.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-05-23

'oH, LUKE LUXE HAVE YOU CoME?''
was disappearing around bend in the road.
Yes, Lille. did not write you l would
be here this week!'
"fes; but law! the country is so torn to
pieces that l didn't think you would dare
lravel.n
sits growing little dubious, but it
tTould require extraordinary danger to keep
me away"
dis low, tender voice, earnest look, gentle
pressure of the hand. and warm kiss which
brought the hush of crimson to Lilies
check told that they were more than
friends 1t was but short distance from
the gate to the house, yet it is wonderful the
amount Of words they managed to exchange
as they walked to the front door No notice
was taken of Tom, who fingered IN the rear,
an Ethiopian grin on his features.
"Why, goodness sakes, Luke, is that
your asked Mr.. Neff, who had reached the
door as they came TO the porch "W'y, no
I'm was a lookin' fur We here. Why didn't
We stay back n Ohio. whar We wouldp,t q
been right in tn freq
81 got through all safe, Mr.. Neff, and 1
think viii be in no danger. Its been al
most year since was here, and ] prom
ised to come"
''Come in, and set down on the porch.
Here, 1.-The, take Luke's hat.n When she
had taken the frat of the visitor and gone into
the house, and Mr. Neff and the new conner
were seated, the farmer resumed: eyes,
Luke, it's been quite iectle spell since We
war here, and I'm glad We thought enough
o US 10 come. But it'd been safer'n Ohio;
We hain'tsgot as much trouble thar ez we've
got hcre.n
s'No, sir, think not. Though they are
raising armies all the time in Ohio. it's all
for one side; while here you seem divided. ~
"Yes; didn't 'spect when We left us last
summer, boy, that you'd find rs in SIGH a
fix when ye came back Oh, tell We it's
awful-we. don't know one hour what'n
happen nextn
The new conner bowed his head for a mo-
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-05-23
RANGE FOR POULTRY.
How to Keep Fowls of All Kinds In a
Healthy Condition.

How to Keep Fowls of All Kinds In a
Healthy Condition.
1t is desirable, where it is possible.
to give fowls ample range. The care
is reduced to the minimum in such
cases. and the expense of keeping is
much less. But range is not absolutely
indispensable. The number of fowls
which can be kept in health and made
to pay in very limited quarters is much
larger than many, perhaps the most
suppose. But to do this it is necessary
to supply what fowls upon good range
obtain for themselves.
Fowls upon an extensive range OBJ
tain plenty of exercise, by which their
health is promoted. Fowls in narrow
quarters must be induced to take cor
responding amount of exercise if they
are to be kept equally healthy. To do
this various expedients like burying
grain, hanging up articles of food just
within their reach, and a constant
turning up of the soil must be resorted
to. Fowls upon an extended range
obtain variety of food, especially of
green food and insects. Fowls in mar
row quarters must be furnished with a
variety of food, especially of green and
animal food. This is not difficult, but
it is very often neglected.
Fowls upon an extended range OBJ
tain clean ground, good busting places
and the like. The first is obtainable
by constantly stirring the soil, using
disinfectants and the like, and the
second by furnishing a box provided
with road dust, sulphur, and so forth.
In brief, if quarters are kept clean,
varietvof food furnished and exercise
promoted, fowls may be kept in close
confinement and their health will re.
main vigorous. Some of the finest
specimens have been raised in narrow
quarters. But much greater care is
necessary to produce the same results.
1t remains exceedingly desirable, |
where practicable, to furnish a good
range, but there are many men who are |
deferred from keeping fowls simply |
from the mistaken notion that what Is |
desirable is also indispensable. This
notion ought to be removed. because il
is wholly false. 1t is difficult to imag-
inc any man, living out OF the compact
parts of a city, who cannot keep few
fowls if he is willing to take the neces-
sary care. But if a man who has but
limited space desires to keep fowls. ne
should understand that he must supply
the things necessary to health which
fowls having a free range are able to
obtain for themselves World.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-05-23

liens, shall not raise a hand for il. Thu.
is a nigger's and not white mans war.
have half believed it all along, and sIncs
| Fremont has declared the niggers IN HIS
souri, free, know it-''
ssHas he done ita'' asked MIR. Neff.
''Yes, Mr.. Morgan told me so yesterday
he prophesied it six weeks ago, and to-day
the papers are full Of it''
swell, well, well, it do beat all,'' groaned
Mr.. Nef- A dark form glided away from
the corner of the porch, and the sulien eyes
Of Blackhawk might have been seen flash
ing back at the hated white people, as he
stole away from his post of observation.
Luke, astonlshed at Albert's sudden
change, silently resolved to do nothing more
to bring back the unpleasant subject
Aunt Sukey came to announce dinner,
and all repaired to the dining-room. Con-
versatlon easily drifted into more pleasant
channels, and partially the ill-feeling was
dissipated.
That evening as Albert and Luke were
strolling about the place recounting their
boyhood scrapes, the former suddenly said !:
'sHow Ion g will you remain, Luke?"
81 don't know - it's owing to circum-
stances''
Don't be afraid to speak out, Luke; for,
whatever may be our political differences,
am still your friend"
Luke seized his hand in his own and, gaz
ing into his manly face, said:
Il thought our sentiments were the
same"
Yesterday they were, but to-day am on
the Confederate side, fixed and unchanged
ble."
''What did it?''
81 am not at liberty to tell Suffice to say I
am Confederate, and with to-morroW's sun
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-05-23
BY John MusICK.

CHAPTER L
THE CLOUD Is GATHERING.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-05-23

Respectfully inform all who intend
building in Manchester and vicinity
that they are prepared to furnish
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-05-23
CHAPTER II.

| BLACKHAwK-A SOLDIER-THE SURPRISE.
Luke Mason, as already told, had been
rescued when an infant from the river and
| reared as the adopted son of Mr. Neff'S
| brother, who was childIess. The brothers
had lived on adjoining farms until old Seth
Neff's death, which occurred about two
years before the time of which we write.
Luke had grown up with Albert and Lille,
and his love for the latter began when they
were children attending the same district
school Their affection had ripened, and
this year would have witnessed their union
but for the distressing state of the country
When the lovers returned to the house
they found the old farmer still sitting on the
porch, bathed in the moonlight.
wall, Luke, It's time We war gone t. bed, I"
he said, with sigh. The old man still felt
sad from parting with his son, whom he
knew he might never see again. "How long
ar We gwine t. stayl'
Il leave in the morning."
"Why s. soona'
',It's best"
The old man again gave utterance to
groan, and Luke leading Lille to the door,
bade her goodnight and promised to see her
early in the morning. Then he returned 10
Mr.. Neff. and, drawing chair near to his
side, said:
"Mr. Netf, I want those clews to my iden-
tity."
"What yer mean, Lukel"
81 mean the things which were found
about me when I was taken, like Moses,
from the water"
THAR haint nuthin' left but the old wood
en- cradle up N tn attic, which guess yes
seen hundred times, N the old yaller ham
kercher."
Let me have the handkerchief, then; it
viii be some clew. / may by it discover
my parentage- Any way, it shall be pre-
cious relic, with which ! viii never partn
no RI CONTINUED
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-05-23

will be in the field on my way to join Price
, As for myself, your Union sentiments vii
!, never endanger you, but you are sur
|; rounded by hundreds whom l can not con
trol-you are not safe here"
"And YOU advise me to go away?"
81 do'
THANK you, Albert, l will 60"
"Forgye me, Luke, this seems hard,
know; LIT an always your friend" saic
Albert
"You are forgiven, Albert, and I trus
that wherever we meet, be it on the battle
field or when peace shall have spread hel
wings over our country, that we may meet
as friends"
sWe shall.''
clam going In the morning, but I must see
Lille first"
go to the summer house in the garden
and L will send her there
Luke had spent many happy hours in the
bygone years beneath the leafy bowers OF
that summer house. He was on his way
toward it when the giant form of Black
hawk suddenly rose up from some rose
bushes at the side of the path, and the negro
said:
"Massa, wants ter AK We sumfn'"
"What is it, Blackhawkr'
Gam you fob de Union, an sottin US
| free?'
Eyes, Blackhawk; why do you ask me
that!"
cause, massa, rs got a wife N pore
little baby down Souf sum'ars; dey wus
sent down dar great many vars ago, an,
if gets my freedom l kin go an find EN-"
81 hope you may, Blackhawk,' said
Luke, hurrying on. He had known the ne
gro ever since he was child, but had never
heard him mention wife and baby before.
THAT black rascal has a heart after all he
thought.
Reaching the bower, he sat upon the
rustic bench. The moon, with many flick
ering shadow, shone through the leafy COW
ering overhead, and Luke's mind recalled
the many thousand events which had trans
PRED since last he sat there, year ago.
A light footstep fell upon his ear. There
was whispering of soft robes, breath of
perfume, and she was at his side No words
of the vows they had plighted a year ago,
when Luke went off to seek his fortune,
were spoken. He rose silently, took her in
his arms, and they sat down together. He
was first to speak.
''Lillie, your father has told me all, and /
am still an unknown wait. As such can
you accept me!'
''Yes-yes, Luke! have known you all
my life, and what need l care about your
birth"
He clasped her more closely in his arms
and imprinted kiss on her lips. After a.
moment he said:
"Albert is Confederate
"What changed him!" she asked.
'Its a mystery, Lille l am surrounded
by enemies and must leave you at dawn.
But, be my lot what it may, shall ever be
true to my first love-"
She did not answer-perhaps she could
not-but chung to him, while tears trickled
in crystal drops down her pretty cheeks.
For long time they sat there clasped in
each others arms, and what they said and
what they thought must be imagined.
The brother in the meanwhile had saddled
his horse, bid his invalid father adleu and
was already on his way to join company
of recruits for the Confederate army
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-05-23

~With no desire to be extensively
partisan. we remark that it is pleas
ant to begin the second century since
Washington with a Republican Presi-
danA-N 7. Tribune.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-05-23

u L III ye SIduuiu
out thar on the po'ch,
Lille? Come i'm"
"The stage is com.
ing down the hill,
father"
Something between
a groan and a sigh
came from the front
room of the old fash
toned Missouri farm
house. The beauti-
ful girl with peach
Ike cheeks and dark,
sparkling eyes heard
il, and turned TO the
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1889-08-21
Solubility Of Carbonic Acid.

The solubility of carbonic acid in
water is of great Importance in the
chemistry of nature, for this acid,
brought down from the atmosphere
dissolved in rain is able to act chem
ically upon rocks, such as granite,
which contains alkalies-the carbonic
acid slowly disintegrating or crum-
bling down the rock, an effect much
assisted by the mechanical action Of
the expansion of freezing water in the
interstices of the rock. 1t appears
that soils arc thus formed by the slow
degradation of ROCKS, and when these
soils are capable of supporting plants.
the solution of carbonic acid is again
of service, not only as direct food.
BY providing the plant with carbon
through its roots. but as solvent for
certain portions of the mineral food Of
the plant (such as phosphate OF lime)
which pure water could not dissolve,
and which the plant can not take up
except in the dissolved state. Boston
Globe
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1889-08-21
: Place one penny in the box and OBJ
: tain the use Of q hymn-book.

It is quite scientific arrangement
and works easily. When the penny is
placed in the box it acts on a spring
which throws open the slide lid, dis
closing the hymn-book. The penny
drops down secret slit in the lid and
is hidden from view and secured from
removal. It seems almost like re-
Election on the worshippers, for the au-
tomato beauty OF the workmanship is
that the door or lid can not be shut
until the verger himself takes the coin
out, when the hYmn-book is replaced
and the door is fastened. There is
also an indicator inside the box which
shows how many coins have been put
in, so that even the verger has to be
honest
What the future of the s'siot'' and
''slide'' may be, who can tell? Per-
haps when pneumatic tubes become as
popular as telephones, and are at
tached to our houses and stores, shop
ping will be done by developments of
the slot and slide.
drop dollar in the slot and re-
ceive your groceries for the day" may
some day be as common as ice cards.
An English Church has already Or
dered five hundred automatic slide
hymn-book boxes for its free seats.
Who will be the man to s.art a pneu-
matte slot or slide delivery company?
Boston Globe.