davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1893-08-03
FOLLOWED LINGG'S PLAN.
Man Suicides at Chicago by Blowing His
Head Off

CHlCAGo, LIZ, July l|.-lEroQ OF lie,
W. H. Irving, of st. Charles Street,
Winthrop Beach, Mass, committed
suicide some time last night or early
this morning on the lake shore. The
method used was horrible and re-
voting. A partly filled can of
powder by his side and the torn and
mangled face indicated that the suicide
had filled his mouth with powder and
then probably with lighted match had
caused it to explode. A hasty search
OF the body told the remainder. In
the pocket of the coat was found note.
book in which was this information:
My name is w. H. Irving, of Charles
Street, Winthrop Beach, Mass. In case OF
accident or serious illness, notify Mrs. w
II. Irving at the above address.
NOTE TO CRY AUTHORITIES: Do not send
my body home as my wife has no money
to bury it. Don't bury it in pauper's
grave. have been tired of life for the last
two years but have lived for nv baby's
sake. l can no longer live | haveno work
and am out OF money This world is but a
stage and the curtain has rung down upon
one OF its main scenes. w. H. IRVING.
The man was about 40 years old and
we'll dressed.
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-12-22

princely house, and ours decidedly was
not a princely house. Perhaps you
liked it better if you were only one
flight up; but when you were very
tired and your music pupils had played
out of tune and out of time, and had
demanded to learn a piece" when
they could not play the scale of c
without laundering, it somehow
seemed a very, very long way to the
fourth fat left, and the entrance
looked dingy and uninviting, and you
grew to hate the sight of the rows of
brass bells and letter boxes with the
names beneath them. Still 1.-THE
Plantagenet" was not so bad, as low
priced fat houses 60, and if you were
a poor little music teacher, with only
a deaf and very grim old aunt as a
natural protector, there were times
when you were thankful for your tiny
little home.
But this special Christmas felt lone
" and depressed and heartsick. dis
piritedly bought big green wreath
and some princess pine at the corner
grocer's and decked the little parlor.
while Aunt Barbara looked on in ST.
lent contempt Aunt Barbara disap-
proved of ''fxings," considering them
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-12-22

who had remembered me, and l cut the
heavy Irvine recklessly and tore open
the paper in quite a glow of pleasure.
Oh, what great plum cake! And what
hosts of rich country jumbles! L ate
one hungrily as 1 gloatingly piled
them on the box cover. Then there
were rosy apples and a fine roasted
chicken. l sat down like child and
ate bit of him atop of a tumble and
an apple, and then Aunt Barbara came
in just as l was taking out, triumph
antly. layer of fat brown doughnuts.
Just look at what Charlotte has
sent me, Aunt Barbara | cried.
waving my hand over the profusion OF
dainties. For wonder she heard me
the first time, and sat down. deliber-
ately adjusting her spectacles.
Charlotte, eh?" she said in her slow
voice. picking up the wrapping paper
and beginning to fold it mechanically
Its n pity you cut the string. Kate.
Well, if people must take part in this
foolery of Christmas presents, it's a
good thing when they send you some
thing useful, ct least-Charlotte you
say" she went on, stopping to read
the address. Then she took off the
spectacles and looked at me grinly.
Kate Inman, this box is not yours. y
Not miner l said, resentfuliy, 81
should like to know whose, then!
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-12-22

I walked aimlessly to the window and
looked out. l could see over the neigh
boring roofs the Christmas stars, bright
and beautiful in the dark blue heavens.
and tiny crescent of a moon added TIC
the splendor of the sky.
Sharply and piercingly came to my
mind the memory of another Christmas
Eve-''only one little year ago." |
had looked at the same stars, but all,
not alonel Then had come lovers
quarrel. : girlish fit of temper. the III
yielding pride that is the curse of my
disposition, ard SO we had parted.
Since then had been miserable many.
many hours. and had hated myself for
my folly, had longed to lay my tired
head in its old place on that loving
breast, but never had SO bitterly re-
pented myself as tonight, of my final,
decisive farewell in that country lane.
of the untrue words of amer thai told
him had ceased to love him and never
wished to sec him again, with much
more of the same sort.
But it was cndcd-over, told myself
firmly, while the stars suddenly grew
blurred to me. Perhaps he had mar
ried. He went to the far west soon
after. and that was the last had heard.
l tried very hard to despisc myself. l
threw back my head dcfiantly and
assured myself that did not care. but
it was no use. l did care, and / knew
deep in my heart that | should care
forevermore.
But even n sad young woman with a
pronounced case of heartache cannot
stand brooding by 4 window all of
Christmas Eve. Dinner time was near:
and with a sigh slowly turned from
the lovely night and threw off my
coat. 1 was just taking off my hat
when our little bell rang. l touched
the electric button, wondering who it
could possibly be, and presently
heard numbering tread on the stairs
and q rcd-faccd cxpressman deposited
box at my door. He was very cross
and out of breath and demanded q
quarter for bringing it up. knew he
had no right to if. but in mycxcitcment
mcekly produced my thin little purse
and gave it TO him.
Who could have sent me Christmas
box? / am rather short-sighted. and
the writing of the address was rubbed
and indistinct, but 1 immediately
thought of my country cousins. 1t
was good, kind Charlotte, to be sure,
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-12-22

snatched the paper from her hand and
putting on my eyeglasses read: Mr..
r. Johnston"
could only sit in the midst of the
things and gasp. Finally said: Tits
Mrs. Roy's boarder. Don't you know,
she has Mr.. Johnston come to board
with hcr?"
Mrs. Roy lived in the fiat below us.
and remembered her boarder's name
when she mentioned it. because-just
becausc-Rob's name was Johnston.
too. How ! uScd TO tease kiri about
his plebeiar: name.
"WAose boarder?" asked Auct Gar
bara, with her hand at her ear.
"Mrs. Roy's," / shouted. gathering
the edibles together rucfully and bend
ing the chickens fat legs in my effort
to pack him in as he came, and pouring
the doughnuts over him, and feeling
enough of q child to have & good cry.
You see it was ali the Christmas
had. l tied up the box as best l
could and started down the stairs with
it, crimson with modification, to OK
plain my mistake. 1t was very heavy
for me- And had eaten this strange
mans cake, and his apple. and bit of
his chickens breast. No, l never
would confess that!
There was Z good deal of talk and
laughter in Mrs. Roy's apartment.
They were jolly, cheerful people. How
prayed the man might not be there,
too!
knocked at the door of the private
hall, and held the box tightly. in my
embarrassment. Some one opened the
door and the voices were hushed inside.
The box fell on the floor, the dough-
nuts rolled down the hall and do not
know where the rest of the things went.
''RobI' l cried, starting back.
skater that dear old voice said.
And then he had presence of mind
enough to shut the door and come out
into the hall.
l tried vroman-lille to recover myself
and my dignity.
81 opened your parcel by mistake. -
1 explained, with an assumed attempt
at hautcur.
$50 1 Sec" with an amused glance at
the recu1nbcnt chicken and the scat
tered doughnuts.
''And thinking it Was mine" con-
tinued. thinking my cousin had sent
it. because l am short-sighted and did
not make out the address"
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-12-22

And 1 hung my head under the light
of the eyes bent on mine, and then L
felt two strong arms enfold me.
sob, Kate, Kate, have we not had
enough of this? Have we not suffered
enough for miserable little quarrel?
Are you bound to keep it up, darling?'
YES" l said. and chung tighter to
his neck. Whatever the strong-minded
female may say, as sex we are not
consistent, / fear.
Bob" l said, after an indescribable
moment, 81 ate one of your jumbles.'
'You shall have them all"
"And an apple"
Bob's comment was wordless, but
satisfactory.
.'And piece of his breast" 1 added.
gently disengaging one hand and
pointing to the maltreated fowl with
his legs in the air.
THANK God mother neverc0utd write
legiblyr' says Bob, holding me closer
and looking at me as if he would never
have his fill. 'Oh. Kate" he continued,
what Christmas we shall spend to-
gether tomorrow. sweetheart!
And then Mrs. Roy's voice was heard
near the door, and he released my
hands.
The sweet bells were pealing the
glad tidings of great joy to the world
when | went to bed that night. stood
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-12-22
The Spirit of Christmas.

Song-swept across the year its spirit comes
With frost and rhine,
And lays its stores of wealth in happy homes-s
Sweet Christmas time.
Unknown the fleeting hate, the transient frame
OF scorn; but sweet
Like incense burning in the sacred flame,
Its face We meet
So phnnix-like ii comes, we know not how,
But deeply feel
That to its sacredness VIC can but bow
But humbly kneel.
Yc ask me what 1t isl cannot tell
But first il shonc
When on the shepherds light from Heaven fell.
Nor fell alone.
When flashed the light upon them on that
morn,
Down from above,
The blessed Saviour of the world was born:
He brought it-Love.
Ct NJ. Duguay, in Ohio Farmer.
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-12-22
HOLIDAY CHEER.

Beware, young man, lest You spoil
the happy Christmas season by giving
yourself away to your best girl.-N. Y.
Herald.
When the Christmas fires glow brightly,
Let there be no fear;
For there's one thing sure and certain,
Hose OF all lengths will be near.
CHICAGO Inter Ocean.
Mamma christmas eve)-"Why are
you turning your stocking inside out?'
Johnny-'Cause Santa Claus always
puts everything on the inside of my
stocking. and / thought if | had the
inside on .ne outside | might get
more. '-Harper's Bazaar.
do you think Charlie loves me,
mammal" asked the fair young girl,
anxiously. Certainly he does. Haven't
you noticed that he always wears the
gloves you bought him for Christmas
present, though they are two sizes too
large?"-Judge.
Remember. Johnnie, what you real
~ are depends good deal on what
people think of you and expect you to
be-" Eyes, SIR ''Now, you want to
be considered good boy, don't your
''Yes, sir ''Why?'' '"Cause Christmas
is coming. Star.
The principal Christmas problem is
to extract variety of pretty presents
from limited financial area, and the
amount of wearing brain work spent
on the solution would solve the tariff
question if it could all be gathered to-
gether and applied.-Baltimore Ameri-
can.
Ella-Are these slippers for Carl?
Winnie-Yes.
Ella-Why don't you embroider his
initials on them?
Winnie Mercy, it is two whole
weeks until Christmas, and who knows
who I'll be engaged to by that time?-
Inter Ocean.
Christmas should be the home festi-
val because the coming of Christ has
changed altogether the position of
woman and has put in their proper
light the rights of childhood. Hence
forth the wife and mother is the
chief figure in every home, and a little
child is in the midst thereof.-Louis-
vile (Ky.) Home and Farm.
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-12-22
AT THE "CHRISTMAS-TIDE."

IT'S "Christmas-tide" again, and now the bells
Ring out once more the Christ-Child' s wondrous
glory,
And the large heart of this wide world of ours
Grows glad anew while listening to the story.
o time of Christmas, for the Christie Child
namedi
o happy Birthday of the Fathers Son
Thou hath sweet errands for the world to do,
God grant it does them gladly-every one;
And when-thy mission o'er-we turn TO greet
The gift of a New Year to this fair earth,
God sends His grace upon it, that our hearts
To nobler thoughts and efforts may give birth
And may He help US, that we use the "cheer'
OF Christmastide to make glad New Year!
Christian at Work
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-12-22

somehow, to my tired eyes, as
she sat upright by the table knit
ting, in immaculate white cap and
apron. She was such a good woman!
/ knew if had had the smallpox she
would have stayed unflinchingly by my
side and nursed me with conscientious
care. She looked after my bodily well
fare, and 1 have no doubt she loved
me. but of the small coin of everyday
gladness and companionship she had
not share, and she could no more I'M
derstand the hopes and fears and va
carries of a rather imaginative young
woman than could my gray cat Walter.
sleeping peacefully in the corner. and
you would no more, in my place.
have thought of kissing or caressing
Aunt Barbara than refrigerator. She
looked at my tissue-wrapped parcel,
and shifted suspiciously.
Il hope you haven't been buying
flowers, Kate? Do smell roses? The
butcher sent in his bill to-day. 1t was
one dollar and sixty-nine cents too
much. put on my bonnet and went
around there and gave him piece of
my mind. We. will buy of Prodgers
after this. There, believe those pota-
toes are burning!" And she went
hastily out to the kitchen.
laid down my roses listlessly, and.
without taking off my hat and ulster,
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-12-22

to him and taking on his knee one
child at a time has them repeat the
little verse or sing the song prepared
for the occasion. Before good night IS
said the children cluster round the
mother at the piano and join their
voices with her own.
Ion Christmas day there is roast
goose or venison for dinner and plum
pudding for dessert, with big sllces OF
cake made by the bakers only at this
season. These cakes, baked in squares
nearly three feet long, and plentifully
stuffed with raisins, currants and cit
ron. do not resemble the dark fruit
cake of England and America. The
stuffing of the goose is prepared in the
same manner as mince meat and is
quite sweet. Around the rim OF the
dish are placed boiled chestnuts, which
in Germany are served as vegetables"
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-12-22
al OPENED YOUR PARCEL BY MISTAKE"

by the window again, looking out over
the peaceful city under the starlit sky,
and again my eyes were dim with tears
tears of happiness this time.
For Christmas had brought exquisite
hope andgladncss to two hearts at least
in 1.-The Plantagenet.'- Anne Reeve
Aldrich, in Detroit Free Press.
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-12-22

day, when with gifts and
kind words we seek to make
merry the hearts of the
young people. In orthodox
families there is a beautiful
custom of building the era
die in one corner of the
room, where, in moss of diff
ferent colors, are presented
the plains on which the
shepherds watched their
foclIs by night. The little
woody sheep. the dogs, the
wise men from afar are all
represented, and above the
cradle, where the Christ
kind lies, comes down the
light of the wOndrous star in
the east. On Bonded knee
the wise men show their
alteration of the child.
''The building of this moss
cradle and the whole scene
is done by the mother and
father, though sometimes
the children are allowed to
take part. The tree is
usually placed on a large
table covered with a fresh,
white cloth and set in the
middle of the room, and in
the dressing of this only the
parents are present. Then
on Christmas Eve when it is
dark the children are all as
sembled, awaiting in joyous
expectation the sound of the
bell which will be a signal
that the tree is ready. At
last it comes, and with hap
DIV hearts the children enter
as the doors are thrown open.
Beneath the tree heaped on
the table ia little piles are
the useful presents.
1.-THE children form a line
about the tree, the oldest
first, carrying the baby, and
last of all the little one just
walking. At the piano sits
the mother, who strikes a
chord, and the oldest then
goes slowly around the table
to discover which of the gifts
is hers. If she pauses be-
fore the heap intended for
her the music is soft and
slow; then as she gradually
nears it there comes a great
crash of sound and the ex-
citement is intense. This
goes on until each has dis
covered his or her presents.
,x,bar, the father calls them
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-12-22

a wicked waste of money as well as
traps to catch dust.
Then on my way home Christmas
Eve. in fit of reckless extravaganza.
stopped and bought couple of red
roses at florists. How gay Broad
way looked, filed with merry-hearted
passers, happy children hugging Christ
mas parcels to their hearts, and hold
a. oh
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-12-22
All He Wanted.

Papa" said little Jack, Il only want
five things for my Christmas: Choo-
choo cars, choo-choo cars, choo-choo
cars, choo-choo cars and choo-choo
cars."-Judge.
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-12-22

"A Happy New Year, you can make it, my dear
BIZ smiling and doing your best:
Be CHEEKY and true the twelvemonth through,
So snail the New Year be best
Youths Companion.
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-12-22

ing Jlgnu 10 iheif cheery
young mothers hands -
everybody with a box or
package that doubtless con-
tanned a gift for husband.
wife, sweetheart, friend
somebody.
1t was rather hard to re-
feet that in all this great
city there was nobody to re-
member me this holiday sea-
son. and then l smiled, for l
had forgotten that in my
pocket reposed a silk muffier
of a brilliant and impossible
hue, presented by my dullest
pupil, Miss Anabel McGib-
bon, who had toiled three
months over one simple ex-
ercise and still f1atted tri-
umphantly when she should
have sharped.
I turned out of bright
Broadway into a dark side
street, having still several
long blocks to traverse. l
opened the tissue paper eau
tiously that protected my
precious roses from the
frosty night air and took a
deep inhalation to cheer my
tagging spirits. If only
Aunt Barbara were different!
1t would have been SO pleas
ant to plan some little sur
prise for her, but l had tried
it on her birthday and in
Cured her serious displeas-
ure. She thought holiday
keeping nonsense. and pres
ent-making on such occasions
inexcusable folly. However,
l determined to have a little
of the holiday spirit if 1
could, and l bent down and
inserted my key in the big
door at 1.-The Plantagenet's"
entrance, climbed up the
three steep flights of stairs
and sank down breathless in
the little sitting-room.
Aunt Barbara had evident
ly been arranging the furni-
ture. The chairs stood stiff
and prim against the wall.
The bits of bric-a-brac were
placed in straight rows on
the mantel. The books on
the table were at right an
giles to each other. All
was neat, spotless, orderly,
but oh, how unspeakably
! dreary! Aunt Barbara her
self looked like the room
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-12-22
aANs!kyA$
N@< % w.
lH The PlANTAGETsI.

T WAS an inap-
propriate name,
1 always said,
for it was the
no mo Of a
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-12-22
CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY.

How tho Holiday Is Celebrated In the
Fatherland.
Christmas in the Fatherland, with
all its attendant ceremonies and
pretty little customs, is thus graphi-
cally described by Fraulein Kotzen-
burg:
Christmas in Germany is children
The Van Buren press., 1893-06-03
ONE METHOD OF PRUNING.

Upper part small branch, properly pruned.
Lower, wound, one inch In diameter, healed
Z In one season eAeA "
have known of young apple trees being
killed by pruning them close to the
main stem, where three or four limbs
grew out close together. The trees
were nearly girdled and the hot sun
dried up what little live bark was left
between the cuts. have had excellent
success trimming in March. 1t is not
advisable to prune during the spring
flow of sap. consider June the best
month. cut off limbs one inch in di-
ameter last spring which healed en-
way for anyone to decide this matter
is to take two trees of the same size.
trim one as l have directed and the
other by cutting the branches close to
the trunk of the tree and watch results.
During the past forty years I have
planted and cared for thousands of
fruit, forest and evergreen trees sue
cessfully. j have seventeen acres of
forest trees of my own planting grow
ing on my farm and have started tim
Der belts on two other farms since
came to Dakota. From what little ex-
perienceI have had here with apple and
crab trees am satisfied we can raise
the hardy kinds Several Of mine com
menced bearing last year, also currants,
raspberries and gooseberries in abun-
dance.
The Van Buren press., 1893-06-03
LOVES HEAVEN.

0avo you ever looked into eyes whose depths
RIvaled tho mysteries Of heaven's blue,
Til you almost thought you could see the soul
That shone through the orbs Of ethereal hue!
Have you ever clasped the hand OF friend
Whose simple touch, SO graciousiy given,
Made you ask yourself itit could be true
That earth had trespassed some thing from
Heaven! ~
Have you ever heard the sound d voice
Whose music was sweeter than trill OF bird,
And all because. though you knew 1t not
The music Of soul Was the sound you hcaro'
Tho depths OF the eye, tho touch oil tho hand,
The voice, sueges tive Of music above,
These, and all kindred communions OF SOUL
Have another name, and We call 1t love
And what IL loves A dream Of fuihlimenk 81
A promise, token to mortsls given,
A foretaste Of happiness yet to be,
For love is Of God, md love is Aeevens
-,Janettc II. Knox, N. w. chrfsttsa Advo-
cate -
The Van Buren press., 1893-06-03
Tips on Ocean steamers.

A person crossing the ocean in the
first cabin may as well count in addi-
tion to his passage money the follow
ing items independent of cigars and
wine: Chief steward, 81; table steward,
50. so; room steward, $3.50; stewardess,
$3.50; smoking room steward, $3.50;
bathroom steward. &. so: deck steward,
$3.50; boots, sl.25. Incidental stewards
and stewardesses whom one may have
forgotten In the above may be put
down at IS more, making in all about
$40 or s25 in gratuities. OF course this
can be reduced one-half and fellow
not be considered too mean to live, but
to get below $40 would certainly bring
down on his head the contempt of the
whole crew, from captain to the stokers.
Buffalo Commercial,
The Van Buren press., 1893-06-03
Grass for Dairy Cows,

Grass that will produce an excellent
quality of milk and butter must be
good for the production of an excellent
quality of meat, for milk and butter
quickly reflect the character of the feed
and are much more susceptible 10 taint
from improper food. Milk is intended
by nature for the nourishment and
growth of the offspring, and the food
which will produce the best milk must
also produce the best growth of the an
imal. Grass is the natural food for the
production of milk, and it is the natu raj
food for the growth and strength of our
domestic animals. Hence, when we
improve the quantity and quality Of our
grasses for pasturage and hay, we also
necessarily improve the quality of our
animals and the quantity and quality
of the milk and meat we get from them
Rural World.
The Van Buren press., 1893-06-03
The Welcome Guest.

The ''good-dinner woman" is one
who aims to listen well, and avoids the
mistake Of being smart. She must be
endowed with that quality which in its
highest form amounts to genius
namely, tact. This is, probably, the
hardest grace to cultivate in the cata-
logue of virtues, for it embraces all the
others. 1t is really the spirit and the
letter of the golden rule, and it's corner
stone is unselfishness. The popular
woman knows that every human being
is happier to tell good story than
to hear one: 1t belongs to the gen
eral principle of being more blessed
to give than to receive, and the good
dinner woman" has this written as the
first law in her decalogue Chicago
Mail