davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-12-22

The church bells rang merrily, and
the organs deep note peeled forth upon
the night winds; lights streamed from
the windows and through the doors as
they swung to and fro, while softly on
the listening ear stole the sound of
voices singing of peace on earth, good
will toward men,"
But the peace and warmth and glow
had not reached French street, first
chimney. two flights down."
There was a little fre-just enough
to give it the name-but it seemed an
empty title.
The curtain was not drawn-what
need of that? since the frost had
worked so thick a screen that not even
loving star conld peep in with hap
Ply Christmas greeting. Mrs. Hill. with
an old shawl over her shoulders, sat
close to the table, with a dim kerosene
lamp beside her.
She was blue with the cold, and her
fingers were so stiff that the needle
went laboriously through the heavy
seam Her tired eyes filed with tears
now and again, but she dashed them
away-every minute was precious; for
If the coat was not finished tonight,
and taken back-there was a sorry out
look for tomorrow. And the thought
of the empty larder and coalhod nerved
her to frantic efforts at faster work
ing; and when the CLOCK outside told
the hour of eight, it sent colder thrill
through her frame.
Arthur, in spite of the cold. had
pulled off one of his stockings, and was
looking ruefu1ly at large hole in the
toe.
''Looki'' he said, holding it up before
his mother, with a comical expression
ON his little notified face.
so, Arthur, how you do wear your
stockings out! mended them all up
last Saturday night"
But it coined right through again!''
and Arthur glanced from the yawning
stocking toe to his mothers tired face,
then back again to the stocking.
'sDo you s'pose the presents will come
through?"
mo, I am afraid they WON'T" she
said, half bitterly.
But l don't want 'em tor and he
looked up with perplexed expression
at his mother, who was afraid his pres
ents wouldn't come through.
He examined the hole again, taking
It's dimensions by thruSting three
fingers through it and stretching them
apart
Yes, there was no doubt a good
sized toy could squeeze through that
hole.
'Can you mend it, mother?"
80, Arthur, don't ask me to do any
thingr' she answered. fretfu1ly, and
Arthur moved away little; for never
in his life before had he heard his
mother speak like that.
But the next instant she reached out
her arm, and snatched him passionate
ly to her heart
arthur, dear, mother is sorry that
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-12-22

she spoke like that to you," and she
kissed the little cold face, while her
tears-so near the surface-rained over
her own face and his. 81 am tired, but
that is no reason for my speaking
GROSSLY to you; aud mother will mend
the st ockfng before she goes to bed
Arthur put his arms around her neck.
you'll have happy Christmas" he
said, looking up into her face with
beaming eyes; and her tears started
afresh as she looked at his hopeful face
| and thought of the gloomy prospect
81 wish I could make a fire and
| warm you before you go to bed" she
said, rubbing his blue cheeks with her
| cold fingers, land give you something
to eat
Il amt much hungry" he answered,
with brave smile.
''If L finish this coat in time shall
! get something to eat, and l will wake
YOU up and give you some," and kiss
| ing him, she turned back to her work
| and began that weary stitch, stitch.
| Arthur hung up his stocking, and
going back to his mother pulled the
| shawl away a little and kissed her on
the neck-a form of caress which die
| HOU luGcT1eTO Will GHS ACCS1C"chN
with a bright face opened the bed
room door and shut himself in. How
cold it was! for the door had been shut
all day, that what heat there was
might be kept in the kitchen. He
would like to have opened it, for a
ray of light from his mothers din
lamp, but it would make her colder
so he kicked off his shoes. not parting
with very much else, for it was toe
cold to undress, and jumped into bee
and in a few minutes was fast asleep
dreaming. perhaps, of Christmas feast
ings and Santa Claus.
Arthur had not been dreaming long
when low knock startled Mrs Hill.
What could it mean? And she trem
bled a little as she walked to the door
and opened it.
A kind-faced man with merry blue
eyes was standing there; he had very
fat pockets, and sled in one hand anC
a parcel in the other: and Mrs Hi
trembled more than ever, but from
quite another emotion than fear.
Mr.. Morris explained his errand; ant
as he stepped into the room there wa
sound of other footsteps in the LITTLE
entry, but he shut the door and un
loaded his pockets and laid his parcel
down.
my children sent these things t.
Arthur" he said, laughing. as bags o
candy, nuts and raisins came out il
company with jumping jacks" an
. picture books 81 hope Arthur won
, be offended" and he drew little dol
from the depths of one pocket
My children are all girls, and tn
Youngest one looked so disappointe
when 1 suggested that doll was no
, just the thing for boy that I cor
: Guided to bring it along"
Mrs. Hill had hardly spoken; he
leyes required great deal Of attention
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-12-22
THE INTERSTATE LAW.
Another Effort to Make Something Out
Or 1t.

Another Effort to Make Something Out
Or 1t.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 15.-Another turn
was taken at the interstate commerce
law in a bill introduced in the senate
by Mr.. Mcmillan, of Michigan, in which
it is sought to amend the law by maxi
ing it unlawful for any common carrier
subject to the provision of the
existing law to enter into any
contract, agreement, etc, with any
other carrier for the division Of
the freight of the different competing
roads, or to divide between them the
aggregate or net proceeds of the earn
ings, except as provided in the bill.
Each day of the continuance of such
agreement is deemed a separate offense.
Agreements such as are prohibited
above may, however, be made,
provided they are in writing, duly
executed and shall not conflict
with any other provision of the
law. They may become operative
only after having been filed with the
interstate commerce commission and
approved by it After such approval
each party is required to deposit suf-
ficient security to guarantee that the
terms of the agreement will be carried
out The other section of the bill deals
with the claims of the method of con-
yiction and punishment
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-12-22

bag of sweet potatoes: a squash; tur-
nip; two glasses of Jelly, and a turkey.
The little table was loaded; it had
never groaned beneath such a weight
before.
Mrs. Hill hung the holly wreath,
which had lain on the top of the basket,
in the window; then opened the bed
room door.
Arthur she said, softly, bending
over him; but Arthur did not move.
She kissed him on the lips; he puck
cred up his mouth, opened it, and
closed it again, with deep breath, and
was as fast asleep as ever.
arthur, do you want to hear about
| Santa CLAUSE" The sleepy eyes opened
and he rubbed them with his little fists.
''W-h-a-t?''
| 81 thought you would like to hear
about Santa Claus; your presents have
/ come
Arthur was wide awake-as what
boy would not have been-and sprang
out of bed.
Didn't he come quick?" and he stood
in the bedroom door, his eyes still
blinking, locking from the chimney to
the table, and from the table back tc
the chimney, and then up to his
mOCner lace.
She drew him to the stove, and sit
ting down took him on her lap.
81 didn't 'spect SO much!' he eX
claimed, finding his tongue at last
''but amt it jolly-jolly!'' and clappine
his hands together he threw his arms
so tightly around his mothers neck
that he nearly stopped her breath anl
gave her sounding kiss.
| SS1,1o CT f,,11-ors o.
the ho1e,'' and he got down on the floor
and peered up under it. Its all seweG
tight'' Then he pulled down the SLED
and skates, tried on the mittens, wound
the scarf around his neck, scraped ac
quaintance with the candy, and took
tie out of shining apple.
Wordsi words were weak for the ex-
preston of his satisfaction; SO he
danced up and down the room, ant
clapped his hands, and laughed ane
whistled, and finally turned a somer
sault, in the intensity of his joy.
Then he and his mother had thei
Christmas supper in the warm room
with the freight shining through the
cracks of the usually grim old stove
And they talked of this glad evening
for somehow the bitterness of its be
ginning had passed from the mother
| mind, and the old carol which sing
} that might is passed." most fifty ex
pressed the thought of her Thankful
| heart
ST can see a starr Arthur cried, an,
sure enough, the frost had melted
little, and a star was reeping in; oh
more than onei two, thre.-yes, severa
shining down on the poor little home
as they had shone, long years before
: on lonely Juda, and telling again tn
: old yet ever new story of the Christ
chlld's birth, and of love and peace O.
: earth.-Annie ]. Holland. in Household
Monthly.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-12-22

and her lips had an overmastering
tendency to tremb1e; Mr.. Morris, TO
relieve her. looked as little as possible
In her direction.
But finally there was an end to
apples and oranges, toys. strings OF
popcorn and candy, and the rest of his
errand must be accomplished; SO clear
ing his throat, and looking hard at the
ceiling, he said:
my wife thought the incest thing
for the mother would be a ton of coal
and a barrel of -four
Poor Mrs. HilI-poor Mr.. Morris! for
| it was almost as trying for one as the
other; he walked to the window and
examined the frost-work; it was so
| thick and fine that he glanced at the
stove next, and then at the empty wood
| box and scuttle. The table, with it's
| dim light. row of spools and scissors,
| with the unfinished coat in the chair,
told the story plainly.
| Mrs. Hill looked up at last, and tried
| to thank him; and Mr.. Morris SAID how
| happy they had all been in answering
Arthur's letter; and he looked so happy
as he said it, that no one could have
doubted him. Then ne opened the
door and a man set a large basket in
81 shall see you again, Mrs. Hill,
| and L hope you and Arthur viii both
have very merry Christmas. Good
night" and he had gone before Mrs.
| Hill could speak. He went directly to
and basket of wood sent at once, and
did not leave the place until he had
seen them on their way.
MrS Hill xraS still sitting in the oh a ir
where Mr.. Morris had left her when
| the heavy step of the men with the
coal and wood, and their loud knock at
the door, reused her from her reyerie
| The first thing she did after they had
gone was to make a rousing fire. How
it cracked and snapped! and she bent
over the stove and rubbed her stiff
| fingers in the genial warmth. Then
| she took Arthur's stocking, with the
yawning toe, and quickly mended the
big toe and put the toys in. The candy
| bags and strings of popcorn she hung
around it, and piled the apples and
oranges in plate on the shelf above.
and stood the shining new sled beneath,
| with the skates, mittens and wooden
scarf hanging over it.
: What a fine show it made! and how
she longed to catch Arthur out of bed
| to see it! but she wanted the room to
get warmer first; and then there was
the basket to be unpacked.
] She folded away the coat-not fin
ished, but that did not matter now
and smiled brightly as she picked up
her spools and scissors and thought of
the day of rest before her.
There was everything in that basket
at least SO thought Mrs. Hill. Two
pies; loaf of cake; another of bread;
little heart-shaped cakes. sugared in
pink and white; plum pudding; but
J ter: tea; coffee; sugar: cranberries; a
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-12-22
Wreck ola teamshh.

LONDON, Dec. 12.-The British steamer
Dinsberg, Capt Dave. was wrecked OF
Long End, near Harwich, last night
Her rocket signals were responded to
by a Harwich lifeboat When the life
savers reached the scene of the wreck
they found the vessel split in two and
partly embedded in the sand They
were unable to board her until high
tide at daybreak, when they found a
seaman drowned below deck. The
others of the crew were missing and
are supposed to have persisted, as frag-
ments of the boat were found hanging
to the davittS
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-12-22

What do they want with meH
And yet her little friendly note
Declares-thrice underlined
I Unjust not fail Well, veil. won'tt
She's always sweet and kind
Now, leg me see. had not thought
Upon my wardrobe's state:
must tooRSup my evening vest
By Jovel it's rather late
To runmage for satin tie
And fish out gloves to match
Great Scott! my best shirts st the wash.
And this oue needs patch
I'll thread a peedle-if can
q am the man who brags
OF single blessednessD and see
II I can't mend these rags.
This tllresll's too coarse; or else, perhaps,
My needle ID too Slim
The ligAt 10 poor or it may be
My sigh 10 getting dim.
Why Sere mems fingers only made
To drag and thump and jerk
I'm thinking how her little hand
Would get around this work.
And hoe she'd smile ana bite her thread,
And look SO wise and calm,
And-therei I've stabbed my finger through
Oh, Wbat n ass 1 am!
The clock ticks on. must make haste,
Since she desires-alas
For those lost opportunities
Cur thoughtless youth let pass.
But, as she's single still, VINO knows,
Some joys we may retrieve.
Perhaps she'll mend up life for me
before next Christmas eve.
Madeline S. Bridges, in Judge.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-12-22
The Anti Option Bill.

WASHINGTON, Dec 15.-The znti-op-
ton bill was taken up in the senate to-
day and Mr.. George resumed his argu-
ment in support of his own substitute
for it In opening he call I'd att
tention to the fall of four or five
points in the price of cotton at the
New York Cotton exchange yester-
day, and said that that fall was in
the nature of menace because the sem
ate had undertaken to perfor IN great
constitutional duty. He assumed that
senators would treat such threats with
that degree of contempt to which they
were entitled
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-12-22
CROSSED THE BORDER.

Bandits Cross the Rio Grande and Defeat
Mexican Troops, Turning the barracks
AID Returning to Texas
LAREDO, Tex, Dec. IA band of
CARA revolutionists. numbering about
lao men, and headed by CATERING Gar
za's lieutenant, Emtigo Ramon, crossed
from the Texas side OF the river into
Mexico three miles above Inguacia Ia
pata, and We're marching under
arms when encountered by two COM
panies of Mexican cavalry. The Next
can troopers fairly rushed to the attack,
but the bandits stood firm. The fight
ing, which was hand to hand. was fast
and furious The troopers gained no
advantage, but on the contrary lost
ground from the start 1t is probable
that the revolutionists had planned a
surprise, as they were heading toward
the barracks when the cavalry opened
fire and charged upon them
The cavalry was at first repulsed,
then routed, and retreated pellme1,
and in the most disorderly confusion
The revolutionists pursued for a dis
lance keeping up hot fire until the
last of the vanquished foe disappeared.
The victors had by this time come up
to the barracks, where the cavalrymen
had but a short time before left warm
beds to repel an attack. Torches were
quickly brought into requisition and
the buildings were soon in ashes All
of the paraphernalia which fell into
their hands that could not be apprOpri-
ated and carried away was destroyed.
The revolutionists, in full possession
of all they surveyed, retreated in good
order, and recrossed the river into
Texas The greatest excitement pre-
walls throughout the country surround
ing the scene of the battle.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-12-22
One Appropriate Isni Passed

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15.-In the house
to-day ME-. Cobb, OF Missouri, report
ed from the committee on war claims
for reference to the private cal
endar d bill for the relief of the
heirs of Mary Ann Randolph Curtis
Lee, of Virginia, the amount involved
being s21T,OO After several minor
bills had been passed in the morn
ing hour the army appropriation
bill was taken up in committee of the
whole, when Mr.. Anthony, of Texas,
offered an amend ment that no person
pensioned by the government should
be permitted to receive any pay under
the pending act 1t was rejected and
the bill passed
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-12-22

Minister (sternly) - "Ah, Miss
Goode, so 1 find you reading novels.
What kind of stories are they that you
have sunk so low as to read?" Miss
Goode-''Same kind as your daughter
reads She lent them TO me-"
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-12-22
Fire at st. Joseph

ST. JOSEPH, Mo, Dec. l2.-At o'clock
yesterday morning fire broke out in the
third story of the millinery house Of
Loewenberg & Co. The stock was dam
aged about 1000 The fire spread to
the Akhurst-Eberly Arms Co. and Tex
tor Bros grocery, damaging the former
500 and the latter s., 600
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-12-22
six Years For warrea.

WACO, Tex, Dec 12.-Tomny Warren.
the feather weight champion pugilist,
was convicted of murder aud sentenced
to six years in the penitentiary. He
killed negro porter in a saloon white
he was trying to get a shot at another
U2n
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-12-22

Critical Stiggins watching the
Harvard football eleven at practice)-
''They didn't hold on to that V long
enough" Impecunious Jenkins-"l
have made the same mistake myself -
Boston Herald
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-12-22
Freight Cars Ditched.

KANSAS CITY, Mo, Dec IA dis
astrous freight wreck occurred yester-
day morning at 1880 o'clock on the Mis-
souri, Pacific, five miles east of Inde-
pendence- Eleven loaded cars ont of
the nineteen which composed the train
plunged down an embankment Head
Brakeman H R. Og1esbay was crushed
in the wreck and will probably die
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-12-22

RTHUR s e ated
hinse l f up o n
the floor, in a
corner of the
70 ON farthest
from his moth
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-12-22
Double Murderer GuIIIotined.
The New wire tube Gun.

NEW YORK, Dec. 1.-THE first firing
of the Brown segmental tube wire i've
inch gun at Birdsboro, Pa, was made
with the tube only rough-bored- The
result was satisfactory, showing that it
would Withstand a pressure that would
burst any other gun.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-12-22
silver Bullion ON the List

WASHINGTON. Dec 17.-Senator Pow
ers has introduced an amendment
which he proposes to offer to the pend
ing bill defining options and futures.
adding silver bullion to the list OF
articles, the dealer In which must OBJ
tain a license.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-12-22
The OFFICIAL VOTE

Governor Declared By the Board Of
Oonvassers.
Following Is the vote of Kansas for
president and governor given by coun-
ties:
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-12-22
DIRECTORS ARRESTED.
Effective Steps of NJ. Bourgeois to Bring
the Panama Matter to a Crisis.


the Panama Matter to Crisis.
PARIS, Dec. I'm. Charles Anne
Marie de Lesseps, M. Marius Etienne
Fontaine and M. San-Leroy were ar
rested to-day by the direction of the
minister of justice, NJ. Bourgeois, for
their alleged connection with the Pa
mama canal frauds. NJ. Henri Louis
Felix Cottu. for whose arrest an order
was issued, has fled to Vienna.
San Leroy is charged with having &C
copied bride as a member of the
chamber of deputies and the charges
against the officers Of the company are
that they jointly made use of fraudu-
lent imaginary credit; that they dissi-
pated capital intrusted to them for a
specific purpose, and that they swindled
others out of part all of their means
of living on their fortunes.
These offenses come within the reach
of seven articles of the penal code
The penalties to which the heads of the
Panama Canal Co. have made them
selves liable, should the theory of the
prosecution be established, are thus
laid down: "Whosoever by making
use of a false name or quality, or re-
sorting to fraudulent devices to per-
suade another or others of the reality
of imaginary enterprises, or of power
or credit or to give rise to the hope Or
fear of chimerical event or undertake
ing, attempts to obtain money or any
other property or receipts or dis
charges, is liable to one years
imprisonment at least, and five years
at most and a fine of fifty francs to $500
| francs The convict may also be de-
prived of civil rights from the day on
which he leaves the prison for five years
at least and ten years at most, and be,
| moreover, forbidden to vote at legisla-
| tive, municipal or other elections, to
carry arms or to act as guardian"
Double Murderer Guillotined.
PARIS, Dec. 17.-Eugene Crampon,
! the murderer of two men, was guillot-
ined in the Place de Roquette this
morning. Long before daylight the
| crowd began to gather and rude
| jests were banded about. Gend-
armes were on guard. Crampon was
carried from the prison and when he saw
| the guillotine, with terrible Shrek he
| threw himself backwards to the ground,
| where he groveled on the hagstones,
| begging piteously for life. while. the
| crowd jeered him Even when bound
| to the plank he did not cease his strng-
| giles. The next moment. however, the
knife fell and the wretch's head rolled
| into the basket.
Arizona silver belt., 1892-03-12
rHr nutNnAR. ssRHnn.

The re survey of the boundary line between Mexico and ths United States, now going on requires quite an outfit of men and teams in addition to tho porsonel of the commission According to the Fl Paso Times, so far, fifteen vehicles, sighty-three mules, yards and yards of canvas, cooking utsu5ils sud other articles needed on such an sxps- ditjon, have been purchased from q Paso firms, and during the present y9I the commission will not spend less than sIO9,o1o in El Paso, including the salaries spent there by those employed by the commission and money paid for supplies. For the irst &09 miles the commission will make Ei Paso basis for supplies. The commission, with military essorts and civilian employees, numbers no people, with eighteen vehicles, wagons and carts, thirty iya ! puck mules and fifteen saddle horses. aside from the horses of the cavalry escort.
Arizona silver belt., 1892-03-12

A writer in the Boston Herald is en- thusiastic on the question of onlisting Indians in the army. There arc now uowsrds of 500 Indians enlisted, and ,. the twsnty-six organizations are complete there will be 1900 Indian soldiars. This will be possible without any extension of the army limit, and without stopping the recruiting of white and colored soldiers, for the army is now about 2O0O mon short But if Secretary Proctor idea is fully carried ont Congress will increase the army 5000 men, raising the limit to 3O,O0O, and those additional 5000 will be In dians When 5000 Indlan hucks are enlisted in the army of the United States, says the sanguins writer, there will be such an improvement in the race that the Indian question will be- gin to disappear
 The employment of Indians as sol diers IS as yet an experiment which has proven nothing except that the red man is slothful and not amonable to disci- plins of any kind However, if tho government wants to enlist all the able bodied ApAehes and will take !h5m ou' of tho Territory ve will enter no ob, ieetion.
Arizona silver belt., 1892-03-12

Eastern philanthropists, says the Huachuca Sentinel, cannot seem to get it into their heads that the Apache lu- dians are sayagos. They act as though they thought they were little innocent, bright.s eyed, clsan-faeed Sunday school children, with angel wings sproutiug out sll over their shoulders and hocks. simply second editions
 and Ewes iu paraj st aa3ar as cooling shadow of the tree oi ases basa- ing in sunshine perfect paragons of helpless innoceuoy.