davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-12-12

back to the house. With the aid OF
chairs and boxes, piled on one another,
she was able to soak the roof thor
oughly, thus saving the house from
burning much longer than she could
otherwise have done. With her puny
strength she succeeded in flooding the
yard, and when the sparks flew upon
the barn she dashed water upon them,
but her strength was nearly gone
Suddenly the flames caught the near.
est redwood on the mountain, and a
shower of sparks fell upon the house
from its writhing, twisting branches
that crackled and hissed and roared. A
few minutes more and it would be too
late
Mrs. McGregor threw the skirt of her
gown over her head and ran for safety
to the porch, where great number OF
cotton-tail rabbits had sought protec,
tion. Tame with fright, they gathered
about her skirts, as with singed hair
hanging in a little wisp she threw
herself at her husbands side and
| prayed.
Hardly half mile to the north, on
the Millbrae road, an express wagon
drawn by two running horses was
rapidly approaching the seething lake
| of fire The driver, a young man,
| leaned forward in his excitement, and
urged the horses on with shouts and
cuts from his long whip as they neared
the valley road, which was here and
there crossed by tongues OF flame,
reaching out in all directions as if seek
ing for food
Another minute and they were OPP
| posite the house. John McGregor
pulled his cap down over his eyes, and
laid the curling whip numerically
about the flanks of the trembling
horses. A torturing second of anxiety
and smothering heat passed over the
| young man-then the noses of the ami
mails touched the side of the house, al
ready burning n dozen places
The inert black heap by his fathers
chair sprung to life.
~ was sartin sure He'd make YOU
come" was all she said, as swiftly and
silently they lifted the old man into
the wagon. Then she threw the quilt
and its contents in at his side.
Now mother!'
jest one minute, john" she re.
Piled gathering the huddled rabbits
into her skirt; then they were off
AS the scorched wagon climbed the
crest of the hill as fast as the jaded
horses could draw it, the brave little
woman laid her head upon her sons
shoulder, and tainted.
IAN jest ter think at my age /
should faint like one o. them real
ladies in novels, after wantin' to all my
life" She would invariably remark to
Miss Anna, when repeating the history
of that nights adventures.
None but the childish husband ever
knew of the pluclxy little woman's
cheerful bravery, and it is not likely
that he can ever tell. l.-RodRcy Mayne,
] in Overland Monthly.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-12-12
A SCOTCH LovER,s SONG.
OHIO.

rVe heard the freckled navis sing It's sang at
close o. day,
while all the woodland echoes rang IN concert
Co the lay;
Ave heard the seraph laverock pour its matin
hymn on high,
I1ks the overnowing fountains of love and
melody;
Sat sweeter is thy gentle voice, soft stealing ON
mine ear,
Fhaa all the tuneful mlnstresy that warblos
through the year.
Trs marked the pearly dew.drap cling upon the
trembling spray,
8edecting like diamond spark the beams Of
opening day;
I've seen the evening star unveil its lamp OF
placid light,
And cheer with silv'ry radiance the ebon fields
Hut brighter is thy lovely eye-that eye serene
ly fair
For love has set its signet in unfading luster
there.
I've looked into the crystal stream that MUIR
murs through the lea,
And thought its clear pellucid breast the type
OF purity;
I've gazed upon the summer sky when not a
cloud was near
10 mar its sweet serenity Of beauty soft and
clear;
Nat purer are the thoughts that dwell within
thy faithful heart,
above the reach of pride and guile, above the
reach OF art"
in vain 1 seek for emblems bright to paint thy
charms so rare;
uu all the garniture Of earth there's nothing
half so fair;
qhe graces in thy person are harmoniously
combined,
And ilka heavenly quality adorns thy heart
and mind;
The peace of soul-that hallowed peace which
only saints may know
Marks thee above earth's common lot, earth S
scenes OF strife and woe.
"A. NJ. Alva, in n. y. Ledger.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-12-12
AN HISTORIC CANNON.
The Old zone Horn" Bone of Contcn-
tIon,

The Old zone Horn" n Bone of Contcn-
The wives and daughters were in
great peril, and the property in danger
of being pillaged and burned. The
British had landed at Elizabeth and
word was sent to Gen. Washington,
who was at Dunellen with about five
hundred regular troops. There were
about five thousand of the British, un-
der the command of Maj.-Gen. Kuyp-
hansen, and they were advancing to-
ward the interior of the country.
With them were a large body of caval-
ry and fifteen pieces of artillery, of
which this famous old lone horn" was
one. One column marched toward
Springfield, another toward Westtield,
passing through Rosclle and Crawford.
Every man in the country was sum
moned TO the support of the homes
that then were thus threatened. One
of the results of the invasion was the
battle of Springfield, in which that
thriving hamlet was completely de-
stroyed.
A detachment of the British attempt
ed to steal from the Presbyterian
church in Westfield the old bell, which
had been cast from contributions of
family silver. In the struggle that
ensued the enemy captured the bell,
but left behind them the old cannon,
one horn of which was broken off in
the contest. In the conflict William
and Asariah Clark, two brothers, We're
captured. They were taken to New
York and confined in the old sugar
house prison.
During the rest of the war the old
cannon was used to alarm the inhab-
itants in times of danger and to cele-
brate victories, taking in fact, the of
fee of the stolen bell. Ever since
then on the Fourth of July the cannon
has doomed forth its note of rejoicing.
Since 1865, however, the cannon has
been stolen several times. In spirit
of mischief the youth of Scotch Plains
first secured it, taking it from the viii
lage green at Westield. Then the
Plainfield boys became envious and Sc
cured it. Then it was taken back to
Westfeld, and again to Scotch Plains
Six years ago the firemen of Engine
Company No. 2 of Plainfield made q
midnight trip to Westfeld From be-
meath a heap OF refuse in a stable yard
they dug it and brought it to Plain
field, where it has been since. 1t is
only brought out on the Fourth, and in
the intervals between the nations holi-
days none but the favored few know
where it is hidden. Several times dele
cations from Westfield have visited
Plainfeld to secure it, but their mis-
sions have been fruitless.
by a premature explosion on the
last Fourth two of the firemen, How
ard Wilson and Patrick McCourt, were
MANNED for life, having their hands
blown off. AS result it is extremely
doubtful whether the city authorities
will allow its use again for cele brating
purposes A movement is on foot to
have the historic piece placed in some
museum where it will be safe from
marauding youth and where there will
be no danger of it's destruction by toe
heavy charges of powder. To do this,
however, will require the consent OF
the eboys, who may not be willing
to part with it.-Philadelphia Inquirer.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-12-12
puNaEnr PARAGRAPHS.

-Querius-"Does Miss Prym believe
everything in her Bible?" Cynicus-
"Yes, except the entry of her birth"--
Epoch.
--"My boy got a good thing last
night" said Smithers. $50 did mine"
returned Hawkins. Mine said"
Exit Smithers. IN. Y. Herald.
-Ethel--"You make me think of the
prospectus of new paper, Mr. Stalate."
Stnlate-"How so?" Ethel--"You seem
20 have come to stay. IN. Y Herald.
Conductor stumbling in the aisle)
--"Are these your feet, sir?" Passen-
ger - "Yes, SIR" Conductor = "You
should have had them checked"
-Visitor-"Ah, what splendid piano
you havel Are you fond of music?"
Weary Householder-"I used to be be-
fore that piano came into the house. y
Boston Transcript
No Targets Left.-Wlfe-"We are
going to disband our sewing society,"
Husband-"Why, what is the trouble?"
Wife--"All the women in the parish
have joined. Yankee Blade.
-Timid Citizen (who has just escaped
from riot)-"Who are you, sirP' Po-
liceman-'I am n member of the police
force. There's my badge" Timid Cit
izen (vociferously) Help! HelpP-
Washington Star.
Sure Enough. h.-Tragedian-"I can't
stand this audience. They are nothing
but pack of fools" Manager-1
guess you are right. / was around in
front and that's what they were saying
to each other. "-BroolSlyn Citizen.
"A man insulted me awhile ago by
offering me $500 for vote" remarked
a New York alderman to friend.
"Well, suppose you pocketed the in
suit" replied the friend.-Smith Gray
& Co.'S Monthly.
-Parkins-"M son is a smart fellow.
He'll be rich man some day" Mar
rowfat-"What does he do?" Parkins
-"He is an ice-man in summer, and in
winter he runs combination business
of plumbing and coal. "--Harper's Ba-
Ear.
Miss Klinlser--"I saw you out rid
ing yesterday with Miss Wealthy" Mr..
Softer (hurriedly)- y)-"Pardon me, Miss
Klinker, you are mistaken. That was
that homely, cross-eyed little shrimp,
Guy Manners" Miss Klinker-"Dear
| me! COulu nave SWORN III WAS YOU
Such striking resemblance. .-Harper's
Bazaar
81 met your friend Dab last night I"
"What do you think of him?" Hon
estly, 1 was disappointed. He is the
flattest funny man ever listened to.
How could you call him "a fellow of in
finite iest?'" 40, you misunderstood
me. 1 said he was fellow of infant
jest Crypt
Time Will Tell.-Figg- Sometimes
the absolute faith my boy has in my
wisdom makes me almost ashamed of
myself" Potts-"You need not worry
1t will average up all right. BY the
time he is twenty he will think you
know nothing at H. Indianapolis
journal.
"A Matter of Location. --Stuffer lat
the end of the Simpkins balD-"Do you
know, can't find my overcoat any
where" mpkins-"Have you looked
in the refreshment room?" Stuffer-
'Why, no. How could it be in there?"
SimplSins - "You haven't been any
where else during the evening, have
you?"-Clothier and Furnisher.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-12-12

part Of the time, as his mind shared in
a measure the disease of his body
The sunny afternoon passed without
event, save for the passing of numerous
teams, which Mrs. McGregor did not
notice, so absorbed was she in her
story. Had she done so she might have
been alarmed, for from the chattering
of Spanish that went on, IL was evident
that whole families were moving. But
there was n thick screen of trees be-
tween the cottage and the road, and
they went by without stopping, proba-
bly, taking u for granted that the old
couple had already taken alarm and
departed.
The sun was nearing the horizon,
when all at once Mrs. McGregor sprang
from the hamm, elk, exclaiming: 'Lor'
me, thet boyd o tter be back; he" but
she never finish ed the sentence. A cry
of horror burst from her lips.
The porch " as strewn with charred
leaves, and back of the house the
smoke was sucking up the valley in
great clouds, until it mingled with the
body of fire in the north, which was
steadily advancing. Judging from a
very hasty survey in that direction, she
came to the conclusion that the fire
had burst out in another canyon, cre'
ating strong wind as it burned. But
it was to the south that she looked
with greatest apprehension. "The
winds full on us" she cried, wringing
her hands in distress. "Dcar me, If
warn't Sech q dreadful novel reader
Where can John be? There amt q
minute ter be lost. / know what III
do first" she added, hurrying to the
barn close by.
She kneeled down among the bales
of hay and loose straw, causing dire
CONSERVATION to an old hen with hel
brood. She prayed aloud, with up
turned eyes and clasped hands. Then
she rose and hurried to the house.
First she walked her husband, eX-
planning to him the situation, and
wheeled him into the front doorway
Then, after tying up the great family
Bible and sundry other treasures in q
patchwork quilt made by her grand.
mother, she placed them near the door
where they could be snatched wher
her son came, for she had entire faitl
that they would be rescued.
Then she looked around to see what
to do first. 1t was useless to think OF
fight, for she could never push her
husbands chair along the uneven road
and besides they might be turned bacl
at any moment by the fire. So turning
up her rusty black skirt she first be
gan firing the underbrush Immediately
about the house, putting it out will
evergreen boughs as soon as it hac
burned the space of few feet This
she repeated again and again, fearing
to burn too much, lest it should get
beyond her control.
Thus she toiled late into the night
clearing pitiably small space, in view
of the threatening furnace of fire
which every moment grew more terri
BILE. The air became almost sitting
the light of the full moon faded into
insignifcance beside the glare of the
flames, which were licking into the
heavens with mighty roar.
Patiently the little woman brought
pail after pail of water from the creel
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-12-12
sinrnlar PLACE Nnmes.

Pennsylvania has twelve towns OF
post offices with very peculiar names
viz. Stumptown, BullslSin, Shintown,
Jugtown, Puclerty, Sin, Sis, Scrub
grass, Hers, Mans Choice, Maidens
Choice, and Bird in Hand.
North Carolina comes in n good sec
ond with Wolfscrape, Snake Bite, Que
whiffis, Gap Civil, and Shoe Heel
Maryland has Shutdown, Pompey
Smash, and Johnny Cake.
Canada has Medicine Hat, Moose Jaw,
and Pollywog.
Ohio has Slick, Rattlesnal1e, and Kill
buck.
Nebraska has Rawhide, Minnesots
a Purgatory, and Wisconsin Topside.
st. Louis Republic.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-12-12

He has gone to his ROOM" answered
the Dragon; "he went early tonight,
he wasn't feeling well, think"
"What is the number of his room?"
mo. 40" and the proprietor rang n
loud, jaugling bell, whereupon one of
the chambermaids appeared. "Show
this gentleman to No. 4O'
The girl preceded Robbins up the
stairs. Once she looked over her shoul-
der, and said in whisper: "Is no
worse?"
al don't know" answered Robbins,
'that's what have come to see."
At No 40 the girl paused ard raped
lightly on the door panel There was
no response. She raped again, this
time louder There was still no re-
.ponse.
"Try the door," said Robbins.
81 am afraid to-" said the girl.
"Why?"
because he said If he were asleep
the door would be locked, and If he
were dead the doo. would be OPEN"
"When did he say that?"
"He said it several times, sir, and
about week ago the last time"
Robbins turned the handle of the
door; it was not locked. A dim light
was in the room, but screen before
the door hid it from sight When he
passed around the screen he saw, upon
the square handicapped arrangement
at the head of the bed, a candle burn
ing, and it's light shone on the dead
face of the Skeleton, which had grim
smile on it's thin lips, while in its
clinched hand was letter addressed
to the proprietor of the hotel.
The Living Skeleton had given more
than the eighty francs to that deserv-
ing charity. Luke Sharp, in Detroit
| Free Press
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-12-12


room. On the table at her side lay
novel, and every once in awhile the
little woman, with sigh, turned
longing glance at it's worn blue cover.
After finishing the scarlet sock she had
been at work upon she bustled to the
door which looked out on the road
winding through the valley from
Pilarcitos canyon in the north to the
coast stage road in the south.
81 declare Tumas," she exclaimed,
adjusting her spectacles as she spoke,
~ do b'lieve the fires comm right
over the range. The smokes pourin'
down thick from the canyon, an it
pears like the brush is burnin' up at
the lake. Lor me, what'l we do if it
comes this way? Like as not We'll
jest roast live"
Her husband, an old man lying in an
invalid's chair, on being thus ad-
dressed made feeble gesture with his
right arm. He was "a hopeless para
lytic, lest waitin' for the las stroke" I"
as his wife was wont to tell to Miss
Anna, the parsons sister, who brought
her jellies and novels now and then.
she exclaimed, divining her husbands
meaning, but he promised to be back
this afternoon fore dark, so it won't
do no good ter fret an worry. He
didn't think the fire was half way dan
gerous, an / alters put big store by
what John says"
After thus declaring her implicit con-
fidence in her sons opinion, she
wheeled her husband out upon the
porch, which extended half way
around the low, rambling cottage.
Here she left him and went out to the
small stable, usually occupied by the
sorrel pony which John had driven to
San Mateo that morning.
John McGregor, their only child,
was likely young man. He had pro-
cured work upon the dam, then in
process of construction at the southern
end of the valley, and in consequences
he was obliged to leave his parents
alone the greater part of the time. In
the hunting season his mother was
able to board sportsmen, thus making
little money to lay by for "rainy
day."
- OiiS vi oSooOh OiASSS
fires are of frequent occurrence, and
are generally attributed to the care.
lessness of hunters, and, although they
often spread many miles, there is rare
ly any difficulty in extinguishing them
once they encroach upon cultivated
land
Mrs. McGregor busted herself next
about the garden, which everywhere
showed signs of true New England
thrift. Her head was protected from
the sun by a brown gingham sun
bonnet, as she picked. the green seeds
of the nasturtiums for pickles, or tieG
up the sweet pea vines, which the chick
ems persisted in scratching down.
In the afternoon, as she washed W
after the noon meal, she looked anx
iously out of the window now ano
| then.
II do hope John IL hurry" she mur
INJURED, as she hung the last dishclotl
on the rail of the sunny back steps
she did say it was onsartin if he't
come back tonight but l guess wheI
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-12-12
SUNLIGHT BEYOND rAE STORM.

Up the mountain side, since morning,
We had plodded all the day;
Saw the frightened chamois bounding
From our sight away, away;
Saw the mighty rocks and bowlder9.
Careless scattered all around,
AS II dashed from giant shoulders
In passion to the ground
Now, oil obstacles surmounted,
on the summit glad we stood,
Where glow OF cleaning glory
Surged upon us like flood.
Oh the sunlight oh, tho sunlight
How 1t shot in quiv'ring bars,
Telling Of the walls OF jasper
And the city DER the stars.
Far below a storm was raging,
And the clouds OF blackest hue
Rolled and tossed in mad confusion,
While the lightning glittered through.
Hidden from us all the valley,
BY tho moving murky screen;
But above, where we we're standing,
All was quiet and serene.
And my heart went out in pity
To the dwellers far below
Hidden from them all the beauty,
Hidden from them all the glow
And wondered il in future,
After We have done with life,
When the mountain is ascendod-
Left below the storm of strife
II we then would look in pity
ON the cloud.hid souls below;
Whisper that sweet rest was DER them,
Bid them bravely upward go.
Ye within the storm-swept valley,
Look beyond the dark'ning skyi
On tho mountain top is sunlight;
Ye shall reach 1t by and by.
Matte Bonner, in Philadelphia Ledger.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-12-12

he sees the smoke over here, he'll jest
come a-fyin'. l don't 'xactly like the
looks on it myself"
Then, after peeping in upon her
snoring husband in the sitting-room,
she shut the front door to keep out the
flies, and seated herself in the frayed
hammock, which on warm afternoons
was her special delight
81 declare" she exclaimed, as she
leaned back and prepared to enjoy to
its fullest extent the novel in her hand,
sits right good o. Miss Anna to fetch
me these novels, do have sech hank
erin arter em. Ma alters did say ]
warn't good fur much when got a
novel Ter read, fur I'd jest go out ter
the orchard and hide till it was fin
ished."
There was nothing unusual in the lit
tie womaT's thus talking to herself.
She had fallen into the habit from the
lonely life she led, for her husband sell
dom, if ever, paid any attention to her
remarks Indeed, it was doubtful
whether he understood them great
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-12-12

Englishman--''o ow his hit you Ha.ner-
ican's ave such harsh voices?"
American Girl--"That's inherited from
ancestors who made themselves hoarse
hurrahing over the events of hundred
odd years ago. Good News.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-12-12
Evidence That Cats Talk.

An Androscoggin county woman will
have it that animals talk to each other.
And this is the anecdote she relates to
prove her theory: She has two cats.
Dot and Dots youngest, named for his
exploring propensities Christopher CO.
lumbus. One morning little bird flew
in at the open window, and falling to
the floor lay painting and dying. Chris
topher Columbus just then appeared in
the doorway. mo, you don't, Chris
topher Columbus exclaimed his mis-
tress, and procuring tiny box she put
the still warm body of the feathered
mite into it and made deep grave
under the apple tree. Christopher fol-
lowed and looked longingly at the box,
and then went away where he was not
seen for some time. Only Christopher
witnessed the burial yet an hour after
going out to look at the grave she
found Dot had dug up the box and
Christopher was about to devour the
dainty mouthful. Now if Christopher
Columbus didn't go to Dot and say:
'Mother, there is little bird buried
under that apple tree; get it for me,
please" how did Dot know there was
bird there?-Lewistown Journal.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-12-12

Two centuries ago the traveller in
Japan, had such been allowed, would
have seen in public places the follow
ing declaration in Chinese characters:
"As long as the sun shall warm the
earth, let no Christian be so bold as to
come to Japan; and let all know that
the king of Spain himself, or the
Christians God, or the Great God of
all, if He violate this command, shall
pay for it with his head"
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-12-12

Mrs. Elizabeth Cryer, mother of DIR.
Matt II. Cryer, of Philadelphia, is be-
lieyed TO have been the first woman to
demand naturalization papers in the
United States. DIR. Cryer shows GER
tificate aated February IA, 1857, which
states that Mrs Cryer had upon that
date declaged her intention of becom-
ing citizen. The paper was made out
at Omaha. Nebraska territory.
Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1891-01-24
Mrs. Ben-Hur's" New Book.

A brilliantly told story of travels in
the lands where "Ben>Hur" lived, by
the wife of the author of "Ben-Hur,"
is entitled "The Repose in, Egypt; An
Orient Medley" Mrs. Wallace writes
with peculiar charm. There is a
happy abandon and winsome cheer
fulness manifest, that gives the narra-
tive a character of its own. The
volume is a handsome one, finely il
lustrated, such a book as commonly
sells for $1.0O to $3.50; but, like other
publications of this house, generally,
the price is nominal-only so cents
plus - cents.if by mail. Descriptive
Catalogue, 1872 pages, of popular and
standard books, may be had free, by
addressing the publisher, JOHN Il.
ALDEN, 500 Pearl ST., New York.