davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-12-24

''HE TALK A HEAP O Mr.. ROMAN.
and the holder of Mr.. Blake's unfortu-
nate obligation. All the claims agains.
the property were very soon met, and
then, after seeing the gentlemen depart,
Mr.. Roman FASTENED to the little
kitchen.
go for your mistress, auntie," he
said, land ask her to please bring the
children and come back at once. There
is paper she must read"
When Aunt Nancy delivered this mes.
sage, a few minutes later, to Mrs.
Blake, she was greatly surprised; but,
with the patience born of deep suffer.
ing, she at once called the children to
accompany her, and went home, Won
dering. as she walked along, how she
was to endure the agony of seeing her
home despoiled of it's treasures.
She had dreaded the sight of wagons
and people moving her goods, ana, as
she entered the gate, was astonished to
see no one. Only Rollo, the old dog, lay
basking in the last rays of the setting
sun, and bounded up to meet them.
The children ran ioyfully up the walk,
and at the sight of the rooms, when
they entered, cried gleefully: why,
mamma, may be dere wasn't no nauc-
tion!'
Mrs. Blake gave herself no time to
think, but FASTENED from one room to
another, seeking the lawyers, until she
came to her own room.
How pretty and homelike it still
looked! There was her husbands big
armchair, still drawn up to the table,
Just as she had left it; the family Bible
still lay on it's seat but on it lay some
thing she had not left there, and as she
picked it up she read her own name on
the big envelope. With fingers trem.
bling so she could hardly use them, she
tore it open and read:
my DEAR MRS. BLAKE: When you read the
inclosed letter, written twelve years ago, by
my friend and your husband, think you will
not deny it is my right to give you the inclosed
deeds, etc., securing to you your home. He
gave me mine.
II find Mr. Brown hurried this sale to secure
the lanQ adjacent TO MS COdiWlue. LII IS NcTy
valuable, and in few years will make you
rich.
"And now, my dear friend, to morrow can not
be to you Merry Christmas, but with
brave chez rfulness hope you will make it te
your children not an unhappy one am
very sincerely your friend as was youi
husband friend,
JOHN ROMAN"
"a father to the fatherless, husband
to the widow" Once again the words
fellfrom the lips of the weeping woman,
who for tho second time that day knelt
by the old armchair.
Then clasping her children in he1
arms, she cried:
THANK God with me, my darlings;
we have home once more!'
"And is de nauction clear gone away,
mammal" Roman asked, anxiously.
"All gone, my treasure; every bit
gone, thank God!''
Then said little Roman, carefully
pulling out Susanna Louise from under
his apron, "set down, Pickle. and tum
on, folkses, an les have Chrismus!'-
Anna Pierpont Siviter, in Santa Claus.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-12-24
PITH AND POINT.

No. Indeed, no Pi.-Editor's wife
do you like pie, dear?" Editor
Heavens! No."-Yankee Blade.
Teacher Ito class)-"What is ve-
locity?" Bright Youth Velocity is
what a man puts hot plato down
with"
-Sunday-School Teacher. "Now,
scholars, what do you understand by a
movable feast?'" Pupil-"A picnic. -
America.
Indignant Young Man-''Waiter,
your coatsleeve dipped into this lady's
soup" Obliging Waiter-'Do mem
ton it, sir; it will wash out What
kind of fish, please?"
"A Boston clergyman, in an evident
ly hastily-written adver tisement asks
for "a young man to take charge of a
span of horses of religious turn Of
mind. christian Reporter.
-Rider-'I would like to sell this
horse; he's just eating his head of"
Walker-"Woll, l think chat will i'm.
prove him. brooklyn Life.
The Absent Friend. Jack sn't
Adele an enthusiastic dancer?" Maud
eyes, poor girl; she is getting to an
age when she must be."-Puck.
-"Where's the proprietor?" asked a
man as he entered downtown restau.
rant Hes gone home to dinner. sir, :"
replied waiter. --Harpers Bazaar.
"A Good Word Belle Tin pouH-
Haven't you one good word to say OF
my lover?" Bess-''Yes, indeed, Belle,
dear, he has very pretty name."-
Yankee Blade.
"A Suggestion. What did the editor
say about that last story Of yours, Fred?"
Said it wasn't worth the paper it was
written upon.' ''Why don't you try
poorer paper next time?"-Yankee
Blade.
-"What part do I take?" said Chap
pie. "You are to be the, heroine's
father" replied the stage manager.
What does he do?" HE dies ten years
before the curtain rises on the first act"
New York Herald.
Mamma Ito Little Nellie)-"Would
my little girl like to go out with mamma
and look at the stars?" Little Nellie
"Oh, yes; and want you to show me
the dog-star, mamma-that is if its
muzzled, so it can't bite. Epoch.
Mr. Ticks-"Adam was certainly
in great luck" Miss Wickles-"H
was tbat?" Mr.. Ticks-"Why, when he
got wife he had only to give up rib;
and now it takes all the backbone
has just to think of getting married. -
Boston Courier.
-"Blobson," said the millionaire,
here are twenty begging letters.
Give them all a refusal" YES. sir"
You will note that two-cent stamp is
inclosed in each for an answer Eyes,
SIR" well, answer them all on pos
tails. American SRtioner.
Justification. - what my child!
You danced last night with the Colonel?
And he goes to balls while he yet wears
mourning! What a light man he must
bel" 20 but mamma, really you should
have seen how beautifully sadly he.
aanced"-Fliegende Batter.
Amateur heatricals.-"Andw what's
my part to be?" asked Chollie. "I've
written the part for you and l know
you'll do it we'll. You are to be the
idiot Boy who witnesses the murder,
and doesn't tell until the last act" re-
piled Scribuler.-N. Y. Sun.
Miss ghty-"Here is an account
Of woman OF great intelligence who is
deaf, dumb and blind" Miss Giddy-
docs it mention her address ?" Miss
Flighty-"No; why % Miss Giddy-'I
was thinking what a lovely chapercn
she would make. America.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-12-24
"Romain?" repeated her visitor.

"Romain?" repeated her visitor.
"Yes, sab, Roman; OATS for frien'
OF Massa Toms. Massa not see him
for years, but he talk heap o Mr..
Romain."
THANK God! Tom forgave me-" whis-
pered Mr.. Romain as he left the kitchen
in response to the business-like tones of
the auctioneer that now rang out clear
and cold as he began Offering the parlor
furniture.
Great was the indignation of one spin
ster when the first bid of a tall, hand
some stranger carried the price far be-
You'd the sum she had mentally decided
on, and he secured it without opposition.
Her feelings were soon shared by
most of those present, for a similar
scene took place over almost every
article offered for sale, from Mrs. Blake's
piano to Romans rocking-horse. The
stranger outbid every one, and was soon
sole possessor.
He even became the owner of the farm
and stock, the only active bidder against
him being the representative of Mr..
Brown for the field adjoining his coal
mine.
Mr.. Brown had not expected to meet
with any opposition, and so had set the
limit his representative was to pay at
very moderate figure. This Mr. Roman
instantly outbid, and SO secured the
whole.
AS soon as the auctioneer announced
the close of the sale, Mr. Roman asked
the astonished and disappointed crowd
to please yacate the premises as soon as
possible, as he had bought every thing
for lady who would take possession of
her property that night.
The people filed slowly out, and Mr..
Roman was at last left alone with
lawyer he had brought, the auctioneer
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-12-24

HE GAVE JUMP AND LANDED
Ez felt two tight arms givin' bear.hug
'raOund my neck
Sech time ez we had-sech hollerin'! you
could hear us far an near
I'll never have better-if live till hunderd
year.
Oh neighbors! don't be stingy when it comes
to Christmas day;
Be clus the hull year thro', but then put savin'
thoughts away
Let's have one hearty laughin' time an let the
troubles 60
Fergit your pocket-books an give your hearts a
chance to grow
Florence E. Pratt, in Judge.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-12-24
Christmas stockings.

The cid saying that hanging is too
good for them" is never understood to
apply to the Christmas stockings.
And talking about stockings: stock
ings be hangedr' says the st. Louis
girl, sit is only the Chicago belle who
expects to and a grand piano ip sock. =
st. Louis Magazine,
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-12-24

oaimy as spring! Exquisite, if one had
some one to enjoy it with; but Pm lone
some. Poor Tom! How hoped to see
you again, to tell you that the faultwas
'aine In that quarrel; and you are dead
buried only last week, they tell me-
anu am back in Old Virginia, with
never child or chick to bid me well
come.n
"pood-mornin', Mister Man; will you
please tum to We nauction2"
AS these words fell on his ear, Mr..
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-12-24
A Christmas Recipe.

Take about eight quarts of unseltish-
ness and unauthorized charity; mix
briskly with liberal supply of generos-
ity, kindness and forbearing love.
Simmer gently over slow fire of for.
giveness. goodwill and good-fellowship.
Put in dash of cheerfulness and plen-
teous sprinkling of smiles, and serve
piping hot with your Christmas dinner.
Judge.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-12-24

OF the 365. 900 acres of land in Marin
County, CAL. $780, 600 are owned by ten
men in tracts ranging from $4,000 down
to 1000 acres. There are but 102 land
owners in the county, exclusive Of own
ers of town lots. And still we 60 to the
old world for examples Of land monop-
oly!-vincennes, Ind, News.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-12-24
R0MAIN'S LEGACY.
His Christmas Present to Mrs.
Blake and Her Children.

My two days
until Chris F!
III ow different
this will be from
the one looked
forward to this
year!' though t
Mr.. Roman as
h 9 restlessly
paced the wide
porch OF his
h a n d S o m e
home.
"How pleasant
the air is-as
" a L m q n q
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-12-24
a HEARTY LAUGHIN' TIME.
uov We Tried Not to Keep Christmas,
and How We Failed.

ONEY WIZ skerce
tn at Christmas;
we hadn't a cent
to spare
Fer fool | s h and
wasteful presents
that wasn't to eat
nor wear.
Pa he carkilated an
guess ed it wuz
better so,
But we on'y thought
O. tn shillin's an
not once O little
Joe.
Only ez time KEEP
ere cpl n a n d
Christmas wuz al
~,ne.f haro
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-12-24

begun to wish it wuz over an gone ler ahother
year;
-, coo that pa wuz bothered, he'd sech an
Uneasy way,
49,, no a,wns changed the subtle il the subtle
WIZ Christmas day;
Fer Joe KEEP a-tellin' constant what the otner
boys ud git,
An II made me feel so awful mean haln't got
over it yit;
Fill at last couldn't stand 1t, an the day afore
the day
+ slipped aout awful quiet, an I TUX the keers
away
,v,aar daown to the great big city, jist packed
an gorged with folks.
The hull bilin' of UNI happy an laughin' an
maxim jokes.
leone to noble buildin' with popcorn strung
in strings
An, big tin horns an go,carts an keers an
drums an things.
The Teller wuzn't haughty-proud, but 'ud hunt
an sort an pull;
AM laid out thirty shillin' an my arms wuz
bin full.
When | got back hum in the evenln' the
haouse wuz dark an still,
But the moon wuz a.risin noble over to old Tug
hill.
rpeeked up soft to Joes room an slid the latch
on the door,
When give a jump an my packin's went flynn
to the floor;
Fer there wuz pa a-standin' in front OF painted
sled,
An we heerd boot, an there wuz Joe asquat
tin up in bed.
lie give Jump an landed. an thought my
bones nd brock,
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-12-24

The secret of successful taxation Is to
levy 1t upon few objects that can not
be carried away or hidden, .~Philsiel.
phsa Record,
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-12-24
A Chapter of Beginnings.

Bicycles were first used in France
about 1915.
The first church bells were used in
France about $50.
The wheelbarrow was invented by
Leonardo da Vinci, the painter.
Barrels were first made century or
SO B. c. in the Alpine valleys.
The first telescope was used by Hans
Lippersheim, of Holland, in 1903.
The first railway locomotive was pat
ented by Trevethick, a Welshman, in
1902.
The earliest known coins were issued
by the Greeks in the seventh century
B. C.
The first electric telegraph was con-
structed by Lesage, Of Geneva, In 1774
1t had wire for each letter Of the
alphabet.
The latest trust that has been
formed is for the purpose of securing
all the available elk heads and horns
that can be procured, says the Cathla-
met Gazette. 1t is a well-known fact
that elk are getting steadily scarcer,
and in few years they will be extinct
like the buffalo. Elk horns. when pol.
ished and mounted by skilled taxider-
mist, are very beautiful and make
handsome hall ornaments. The Elk
trust has now parties out in the mount
aims in Eastern Ore gon, securing all the
elk heads that can be procured. The
head Office is in Portland at present,
from where the heads are forwarded to
the East John Wallacky, famous In.
dian hunter OF this place, has been out
this week hunting elk He says he haa
been offered $50 apiece for ell the good
specimen. he esa ast sy th!ss cempsay.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-12-24

PAASNos ANOSHA'S VAAA AOVSA pkASSO
less it either increases supply or de-
creases demand. Now, the taxation of
land values, which is simply the taking
by the State Of part Of the premium
which the land owner can get for the
permission to use land, neither increases
the demand for land nor decreases the
supply of land, and therefore can not in
crease the price which the land owner
can get from the user. Thus it is inn
possible for land owners to throw such
taxation on land users by raising rents.
Other things being unaltered, rents
would be no higher than before, while
the selling price of land, which is de-
termined by net rent, would be much
diminished. Whoever purchased land
outright would have to pay less to the
seller, because he would therefore be
called on to pay more to the State.
But, while the taxation of land values
can not raise rents, it would
especially in a country like
this, where there is SO much
valuable land unused, tend strongly *
lower them. In all our cities ani
through all the country, there is much
land which is not used, or not put to it.
best use, because it is held at higl
prices by men who do not want to O
who can not use it themselves, but VIII,
are holding it in expectation Of profitini
by the increased value which the growtl
Of population will give to 1t il
future. Now, the effect OF tn
taxation OF land values woul
be to compel these men to see
tsaaaM " purchasers Land upon whle
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1890-12-27
u. 8. Court Business.

United States Attorney Sterling ar
rived from Rapid yesterday. and in con-
versation with a reporter gave the fol-
lowing information: A suit has been
instituted by the government and the
papers served against the f. f. & NJ. V.
r. r. for $1,000 damages for 4,334 cords
of yellow pine timber illegally cut by
the railroad from government land near
Sacora, and shipped to Chadron for use
.as.fnel. About the cases against the
Hon,estake company for illegal cutting
of timber, he refused to talk, further
than to say that no doubt civil action
would be brought. He would give no
idea of the amount of damages that would
be sought. There will be great deal
of business before the next grand Jury,
among which is case against Chief
Little, an Indian. for assault with in
tent to kill. fuller mention of which
is made elsew here. Mr.. Sterling said
that very probably there would be some
liquor cases, of what nature he would
not diyulge. Last evening he returned
to Rapid, being driven down to Sturgis
by Deputy U. s. Marshal Matthieson,
who had some warrants to serve at that
place. Mr.. Sterling will probably re-
rrrn to Deadwood today or tomorrow
Pioneerr %.
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1890-12-27
Committee of Inquiry.

Washington, Dec. 22.-In the house
today Mr. Blanchard of Louisiana offer
ed for reference preamble and reso-
lutions calling for the appointment ofa
committee of five to inquire into the
killing of Sitting Bull and the immedi-
ate causes leading thereto. The COM
mittee will also investigate the existing
Indian troubles in the northwest.
The preamble recites that the killing
appears to have been accomplished un-
der circumstances recognized neither
by the laws Of war nor those of peace"
and the resolution directs the commit
tee to investigate whether state OF
war existed which justified his sum-
mary taking off, and il not what justiii-
cation there was for his violent death at
the hands of Indian police in the en-
ploy of the government"
Yes, by all means proceed with the
appointment Of such committee, and
make it the duty of the committee
to determine the names of every man,
white or red, who may be reasonably
held to be in any way responsible for
the killing Of that chief disturber Of a
nations peace, in order that their honor
ed names may be at once placed upon
the list of Uncle Sans life pensioners.
Yes, let the committee proceed at once
upon its duties, that noble deed, nobly
done in noble cause, may not long re-
main unrewarded.
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1890-12-27
u. II. X. of u.

The Tin City Division, Uniform Rank
Of the Knights of Pythias, was instituted
at their hall in this city, by Grand
Master of Exchequer. Z. Ii. West, OF
Hot Springs, on Tuesday evening, the
23rd inst, with twenty-nine members.
The following officers were elected:
Sir knight Captain-F. j. V. Rut-
kowski.
Sir Knight Lieutenant---J. F. Smith.
Sir knight Herald-D. w. McFadden.
Sir knight Recorder-T. V. Garlock.
Sir Knight Treasurer-H. A. Albien.
Sir knight Guards. n. Fitch.
Sir knight Sentinel-Frank Walsh.
The Knights repaired to the Klee-
mann House at 10 o'clock, where an
elegant and most tempting banquet was
spread, and it is needless to say. highly
enjoyed during the hours intermission,
after which they returned 10 their hall
to complete the organization of what we
are informed is the fourth organization
Of this character in the Black Hills, and
the eighth in the state.
The organization starts out under the
most favorable auspices, and compares
favorably with the leading institutions
Of its binds in the west.
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1890-12-27
A RIGHTEOUS VERDICT.

The New York Sun of the 18th inst.
contains full account Of the libel suit
of II. III. Marks, of the London Financial
News, versus, q. w. Butterfeld, Cali
fornia gentleman, whose efforts to float
legitimate mining scheme in London
had been rendered futile by Marks
through the means Of his paper, which
daily persisted in pronouncing it TO be \
fraud. Afterward, as a means of red
ress, Butterfeld wrote, and published
Marks private history, in pamphlet form,
which was the means Of the institution
of legal proceedings against him by
Marks, resulting in verdict in favor Of
the defendant Butterfeld. he having
proven by competent testimony every
allegation thus published. The result
of this suit very clearly demonstrates
the fact, that this man Marks, the man
who so violently assailed the promoters
Of the Harney Peak tin enterprise in
London, as well as all other foreign en-
terprises Of like character that refused
to use his columns as an advertising
medium, is, notwithstanding his high
financial and political standing in the
city of London, one of the most pro-
nounced and unblushing blackmaliers
of histime. The New York Press of the
10Th inst, commenting upon the ex-
posure of Marks, as a result of the suit
above referred to, says:
The exposure of H. II. Marks in Lon
don by his defeat in the libel suit which
he brought against G. w. Butterfeld, an
American, reveals q career in some re-
spects like that of "Jim, the Penman," as
pictured on the stage. Marks has Sc
cured strong social and financial
position in London. He was wealthy
Ia millionaire twice over. He was q
member of the London City Council.
He aspired TO be Member Of Parlia-
ment and arranged to mako the race as
a Tory candidate on the next dissolution
ofthat body. He was ambitious also to
be Lord Mayor Of London and was In y
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1890-12-27
Te be settled for Good.

The following, coming by way of a
late Washington special to the Sioux
City Journal, indicates the probability
of the settlement Of the Indian question
in a manner that will be as permanent
as it will be pleasing to the people Of the
northwest at large:
There appears TO be q general deter
mination to make the present Indian
disturbances in the northwest an occa-
sion to teach the savages lesson which
they won't soon forget. A number Of
propositions have been prepared look
ing towards the disarming of the Indians
and placing them i'll position 10 force
them to keep the peace in the future.
Senator Pettigrew, of South Dakota, will
tomorrow introduce bill making it q
crime to sell, give, trade to or by any
means place firearms or ammunition IN
the hands of Indians on the reservation
or under the control Of agents, unless by
special permission of the secretary of
the interior; also authorizing the presi-
dent to Immediately disarm all Indians
on the reservations or who receive as
sistence from the government. The
penalty for the violation Of the propos-
ed law is to be imprisonment in the
penitentiary for two years or fine OF
$500. Senator Pettigrew says that if the
Indians can't procure arms or ammuni-
ton they will never 60 to war, and he
proposes to strike at the root Of the
trouble.
Senator Manderson introduced he
resolution given in these dispatches last
night proposing an investigation of the
entire Indian question, based upon the
present disturbances in the northwest,
with q view TO disarming the Indians
and transferring them TO the control Of
the war department, and he is confident
that his proposition will be promptly
adopted. Senator Manderson said to-
day that the present troubles should be
taken as a basis for the preparation and
adoption Of a general measure that he
did not believe the disarmament Of the
Indians would be sufficient That they
should be transferred to the care Of the
war department and Indian agents
should be appointed from the army, so
that there would be absolute military
fsSptrol or the Indians everywhere. Ii
iseikely. however, that such measure
as Senrto- Pettigrew proposed will be
speedily adopted pending the investiga-
tion proposed by Senator Manderson.