davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-11-30

gether she gaZed mOtionless into the
fire, whose fitful glow strove family to
tighten the gloom of the dreary day
now drawing rapidly to its close. Who
can fathOm the mystery of a tall, angu
lar woman with red hair? Who can in
terpret the stony silence that wells her
past? Who shall say what tempests of
passion have swept over her when not
a soul was at hand'to incur the weird
horror of their reflex action?
And the storm ragged on.
Amid the uproar of the elements she
became suddenly conscious of loud,
imperious knocking at the door. She
went and opened it and a large, raw
boned, shaggy-haired man with red
whiskers stepped inside.
Shaking the rain from mis- garments,
he inquired:
"Does Mrs. Pancksley live here?"
''She does"
care you Mrs. Pancksley?"
81 am
'How changed! Do you remember" :"
he went on, with a tremor in his voice,
''that on a stormy Thanksgiving day
twelve years ago you sent a little boy
out to kill a speckled hen for dinner?''
Eyes! Hiram. my boy, is it,
''Wait minute. Did you tell him
that if he didn't find that hen and chop
her head off in five minutes you would
skin him alive?"
Perhaps did. But
''He didn't come back, did hep"
SO no! Nov''
"Well, he's come back now.
That will do, mother. Give me a
chance to breathe. Are you glad to
see me?"
so, Hiram! Hiram! TO think that
my long lost son, that I'd given up all
idea of ever seeing again in this world,
has come back to me! It's too good to
be true!''
''It's true, mother" he said. II have
a vaccination mark on my arm and a
scar on my head made by "a broomstick
fifteen years ago to show for it. I'm
the same boy. / have been almost over
the whole world, and, am sorry to
say, mother" he added, with sigh,
''that I've come back without the hen. "
The tall, angular, red-haired woman
resumed her seat in the Andrew Jack
SON rocking-chair, rubbed her nose
thoughtfully, and gazed into the fire.
"Never mind, Hiram," she said, slow
ly. ''The speckled hen is still alive.
You will find her in the chicken-house.
| Go and cut her head off, my son, and
I'll cook her for your Thanksgiving
dinner CHARLES w. TAYLOR.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-11-30
SUM OF ALL HOLIDAYS.
That Is Why Thanksgiving Should Be the
Happiest of All.

That Is Why Thanksgiving Should Be the
Happiest of All.
We~could not ask a more suggestive
title or one which makes sweeter mu-
sic in an Americans ear. This occa-
sion, says the New York Ledger, is diff
ferent from all other national holidays,
since it gathers them all up into one,
and with them unites every mercy of
the dying year, the bounties of it's
harvests, the manifold gifts of white
winged commerce, the preservation of
peace and prosperity, and recognizes
each and every one in gratitude DER
flowing with festivity and mirth.
Thanksgiving! 4 word with which
to conjure happiness into the most dis
NAL and detected spirit. The personal
associations of this festival are, per-
haps, its greatest sources of attraction.
The father and the mother, expecting
John from the city and Mary from the
school, will recall the dear old DAYS
when they, too, came home to roast
apples before the blazing logs, and
watch the ruddy glow glinting across
the polished mahogany, while
-'-Half hidden in quiet nook, serene of look ana
heart,
Talking the old times over, the parents sat
apart.
And what times they were, famous for
corn huskings unknown to this degen-
crate age, for moonlight straw rides
across the glistening snow and hoary
ghost legends of Hessian troopers.
Hence, Thanksgiving comes with redo
lent memories of past joys, blended
into the best and purest moments Of
American life, its homes and its hearts.
Let fair summers robes pale and die,
and the frosted leaves rustic beneath
the tread. What cares Thanksgiving
day for winters stern hera1ds? In fact,
we welcome good November day that
the cold without may form contrast
for the warmth within.
1t would disturb the eternal fitness
of things to eat the time-honored bird
and the national pie in the long, bright
days of leafy June.
No! The wise gobbler may contem-
plate perch upon the crescent of the
moon if he thinks fit, bat he must
needs die, and. f1anked by cranberry
sauce and the constant pumpkin pie,
present himself to our view on the last
Thursday in November, and not day
earlier, please.
Then, as we cluster around the fire
and bid defiance to the elements, let
us remember to make Thanksgiving a
home-day, where all the dear ones will
gather, and eyes look love to eyes
which speak again.
1t must also be happy day to every
body, from grandmother in the corner
to the cat slumbering at her feet. A
day for devout Ssorship, joyous festiv-
ity, kindly deeds, old feuds healed mp,
new friendships made; in short, a glo-
yious. old-fashioned Thanksgiving
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-11-30

did not seem grand enough for such a
distinguished and critical company, so
she borrowed her mothers service,
from the silver soup tureen to the nut
crackers.
This plan was readily feasible, as her
parents took dinner with an elder sis
ter upon that day. No sooner was this
arrangement completed than it seemed
very out of place to let Fanny, the col
ored maid, wait at table with such ac-
companying magnifcence-theyo ought
to have butler. They got one in the
person of Fanny's father, who had come
up from Manassas Junction to spend
the day with his family, and that was
where the trouble began.
He was an eminently respectable old
man, and when he had gotten himself,
ance of his wife, the cook, into an old
dress suit of Mr.. Grimm's, he looked as
if he knew the proper thing to do,
which was far from the case. His wife
had been doubtful from the first. she
kin drive a kerrige jest lovely, Miss
Maria," she said, ssbut he doan know
nuthin' bout waitin.'"
But Fanny can drill him. Miss
Maria had said, airily. as she set out tc
Thanksgiving services in company with
her husband.
Fanny, dressed in new gown and
with a huge white cap on her very
black head, admitted the guests with q
gravity of countenance that would
have befitted servitor of fifty years
Fanny had woeful rll;ses ryiiI.gs. Jupiter
her father, had not proven very APT
pupil. He asked many strange ques
tions after he had insisted that he un
derstood everything. The buffers
pantry was too small to hold then
both or she would have remained by
her parent during the ordeal; but she
stationed herself at the foot of the
dumb waiter to admonish in stage
whispers if necessary.
Jupiter wiped the perspiration from
his brow with red bandanna and car
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-11-30

As for the minister. his kindness of
heart was as proverbial as was his
sense of humor. If he laughed rather
more heartily at his own stories than
was his wont both host and hostess
were thankful to him for diverting
some small degree of attention from
Jupiter's aimless and comical gyrations-
Jupiter. you have not served the
tomatoes said Mrs. Grimm. Mr..
Grimm felt the perspiration start out on
the back of his neck; he was wondering
what new catastrophe was in store.
AS for Jupiter. he smiled blandly. Here
at least was something he could engi-
neer. ''Tomattuses,' he ordered of
Fanny. A great whispering ensued,
then came q pounding on the dumb
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-11-30
WILL. VISSCHER.

They were very young couple: thai
accounted for it largely, and while the
affair was certainly ludicrous it was
not without touch of pathos. They
both declare that they have better
sense now, and that the like, with
them at least, shall never occur again,
so there Can scarcely be any harm in
telling all about it.
When they went to housekeeping in
modest way in fashionable street
in the national capital rents were not
so high as they are now. They had
many friends, some of them very
| wealthy ones, and, as her entire life
had been spent in Washington. she felt
that a change from single to double
| blessedness would not alter things ma
terially.
While the streets and her friends re-
manned unchanged there was certain
| indefnable something that shaped it.
self presently-she could not entertain
as she had been used to in her fathers
| house; neither on such scale. nor
with such lavish hospitality.
| She fretted a little, at first quietly,
| then she confided her woes to her hus-
band, for she told him everything, and
he, good fellow. took it very much to
| heart.
Being a lawyer without any consid-
cradle practice, for he was young
man in his profession, he did not see
his way out of it in that direction. But
| the idea suddenly struck him that he
would try to get some kind of an of
fetal position. They had influential
friends in the political world, and it
| appeared quite clear sailing.
| The plan met with his wife's prompt
| to begin the siege by giving Thanks
giving dinner. Some people might
have thought it wiser to first get the
desired position and then give thanks,
but she looked upon it differently,
from the point of view of the almanac
| as it were.
A presidential candidate had just
been elected and would take his seat
the following March. The minister of
the church they attended was also the
| pastor and intimate friend of his ex-
/ cellency-elect, and it seemed very
| fitting and auspicious that he, together
| with his wife, should be honored
guests. There was, also, certain dis
tant cousin of the successful candidate,
a very pompous old lady with ter
| rible predilection for her neighbor's S
| affairs. whom it was considered wise
to ask, and to entertain her there was
| young Mr.. de Post, who led eotillons
and gossip with equal facility.
While Mrs. Grimm had very pretty
glass and china. in keeping with the
rest of her modest establishment. Il
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-11-30
THAT SPEcKLED HEN.
A Thrilling Account of Mrs. Pancksley'a
Thanksgiving Dinner.

A Thrilling Account of Mrs. Pancksley's
Thanksgiving Dinner.
Time, Thanksgiving day. eighteen
hundred and at's-the-difference.
Place, the sitting-room of a snug lit
tie dwelling in an interior village far
enough from the madding crowd to be
free from gas bills, anarchists and
aldermen.
Fiercely ragged the storm outside.
The wild November blasts howled and
shrieked through the tree-tops, tie
overhanging boughs rasped the side of
the house as if fling notice of an in
tention to take lien on the premises,
and on the rug before the ample fire
place the yellow dog that saved the
household the bother and expense of a
garbage barrel moaned and grumbled
in his sleep as if something he had
eaten lay heavily on his conscience.
In an ample rocking chair of the An
drew Jackson period sat bolt upright
an elderly, Manufactured, silent woman
with iron-rimmed spectacles and red
hair. With her hands clasped over one
knee and her lips drawn tightly to-
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-11-30

waiter that set all the glasses and
crocbery on the pantry shelves to
jingling in unison.
A family alteration was in ener-
getic progress. The guests looked at
each other and the hostess tried to
chatter it down. But no one human
throat was powerful enough for that.
''Send up them tomattuses."
ST tell you they amt none.''
''They is, Miss Maria says they is
81 tell you they amt, you ole black
fool you," the voice was that of the
cook. 81 dun forgot to open 'em, I
dun tell you. If you doan b'lieve me
use your own eyes, you ole country
niggah in Maw's Jawn's pahty close,
a lool1in' like scarecrow in a Gavin
fief. Now lool1!''
The waiter came up with bang.
All was still. Jupiter was doubtless
Cooking" Presently the guests
looked too. He appeared upon the
scene with an unopened can. glowing
with gorgeous label, in either hand.
BEG pawdon, Miss Maria, but that
OLE He got no further. There had
been a swish of skirts on the stairs
Fanny darted across the room, pushed
and turned the key. With an air of
elaborate indifference as though moth
ing had happened to mar the oc-
casion, she removed the plates and
the dinner progressed. From the
depths of the pantry could be heard
the wsiling of Jupiter: ''If | kahn t
wait I'm pow'ful at drivin', an it amt
no erthly use tryin' to appeah what
you amt Ole Miss dun say" There
was peremptory command from below
to ''come down this minnit,' a great
creaking of the waiter and Jupiter
had descended on the vehicle of his
! woe.
Mr.. Grimm looked at his wife and
she in turn looked at him. Between
them extended massive epergne OF
silver weighted with fruit and flowers:
tall candelabras and dainty bon-bon
dishes, strangely out of keeping with
the furniture and the tiny diningroom.
There was look in his eyes that light
ened things. though, and the verge OF
tearfulnesS was baniShed. Later, how
ever, when the guests we're gone and
she had had a good cry in his arms. she
said: John, Jupiter was right. We
have no business trying to appear
what we are not, and whether we get
the position or whether were never a
cent richer, I've that good lesson to be
thankful for to-day and for the rest o1
nv life -
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-11-30
Thauin< Out a Field.

So much trouble has rarely been
taken to prepare athletic grounds for a
match as at Cardiff not long ago. The
occasion was football match for the
championship of England and Wales.
Two hundred hraziers or perforated
fire buckets were set up on the field,
and bonfires were kindled in many
parts of it. the flames being kept going
until the frost was thzwed out OF the
ground Then the field was covered
with straw to retain the heat. and just
before the match began small army
Of usr cleared a6d talked the crovE1
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-11-30
A Tune to BE Dreaded.

"Why do you look so dismal, Father
William" said the young turkey to
the gobbler-
MY son." replied the mature bird,
''I am rejecting on the near approach
of Thanksgiving day, with the certain
ty that many of our number win be
knocked into the middle of necks
tweak."-Judge.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-11-30
APrexlou. rhanksrixtn<.

n FreFIOus IhanksEIFluEs
You can hear Thanksgiyin comm with The jol-
liest kind o. sound.
You can hear the turkey holler for mile or
two around;
For he knows that he Is in II, as he has been in
the past,
An he thinks that every minute is yes' sure 70
be his lasti
You can hear Thanksgivin' comm with rush
an with a roar.
An the knives an forks a. -hummia' pass
the plate for moreI
D. it's jolly every minute, in the north an In the
south
For the turkey-gobbler's In IT, an we're water
In At the mouth
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-11-30

n~MWM*E IA "a occasionalday
{, { = T%MNE> >kEAXi in the year
N III M ~ MrN II at Ia signifi-
cance Sufh-
cient to temper the thoughts of the
rich to your nakedness.
Rejoice. o, we rich, that the spirit of
charity is still alive in your hearts that
ye may enjoy the pleasures of giving
Thanksgiving day is indeed peace
maker. In a few short hours it sweeps
away the barriers that months of pride,
selfishness and cruelty on the one
hand, and improvidence, dissipation,
neglect and want on the other, have
been building between classes. 1t is
one in the long list of holidays that
expands with age because it is one of
the few founded on religion. Secular
holidays come and go with the senti-
ments from which they sprung. But
Sabbath and Christmas and Easter and
Thanksgiving are not of this number.
The history of the religion of people
is the history that lives. Josephus'
scholarly chronicles of the Jews are
read not at all, while the Bible is in
every library and upon almost every
center-table in the land. Homer is read
alike by old and young because the
machinery of Heaven is there. "Plu-
tarch's Lives hold as much fascination
for the readers of to-day as for the an
cient English scholars, because the
gods are in every battle, control every
triumph and bless every festival. The
human mind revels in the ideas awak-
ened by the contemplation of the
spiritual. The meager chronicles of
the American Indians would be stale,
fiat and Improbable but for the in
PRODUCTION of their religious fancies
and beliefs. The Indian never takes
so grand place in the minds eye as
when we see him in religious frenzy
as Pope has painted him:
'LoI the poor Indian, whose untutored mind
Sees God in clouds and hears Him in the wind y
Thanksgiving day has grown far
beyond what it was originally intend
ed to signify or represent because of
this very religious quality From Civ
ing thanks to God for gifts to them
selves, men came to desire to be more
like that merciful Being, and SO in
turn became benefactors. From re-
counting their individual blessings and
offering prayer and praise for their be-
stowal, it was but step to the turn
ing point of charity in themselves.
And SO we may cry TO all upon this Gay
Rejoice! for the lion and the lamb
have lain down together and the peace
of the Saviour's spirit is over all. The
cry of want is heard by ears that be-
fore were deaf to the voice of pleading,
and eyes that saw not misery except it
were afar off are now dimmed with
tears of pity for those about their feet.
Thanksgiving! The word has come to
have glorious meaning. 1t is the
softening Influences of such seasons,
albeit all too brief, that keep intact the
under current, the real harmony of
the world, even though its surface be
always troubled by discord.
CHARLES EUGENE BANKS.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-11-30
IL Any Are Alike,

81 heard little Johnny say that
Thanksgiving day would be here soon, -
said young turkey to its mamma.
''Do turkeys have Thanksgiving days.
map
''Yes, my dear" replied the mamma
turkey. I'VE will hold ours after the
folks at the house have had theirs-if
we live. u udge
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-11-30

Charles-Have you anything to lie
thankful for to-day?
Frederic-Heaps- I've eontrived TO
break of all my engagements to mar
ry.-Chicago News.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-11-30
Where He Uorships.

Bloobumper-l suppose you will re-
pair to your place of worship on
Thanksgiving. day, as the president
recommends in his proclamation.
Spatts-Yes, l expect to eat my din
uer on thasday at'my best girl house
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-11-30

A, turkey stood In Z cranberry swamp
AND sang TIL his throat was sore:
For all day long. ne sang this song:
I'VE shall meet on thar beautiful shore
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-11-30

Mr.. Brady Surveying the scanty re-
past)-'Tis dev'lish little dinner we
hov to be thankful fer this day, Moral
Mrs. Brady-Whist, Moike! Yez do
be fergettin' that we should be tank
full there do be no more here to ate It'll
Puck.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-11-30
Remember the Poor.

.sYes. we should all think of the poor
on Thanksgiving
$50 we should. Did you give any
thing this year?"
.'Oh. yes
s'What?''
..Thanls. .'-Texas Sif.ings.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-11-30

s'pose you know, Virginia dear.
Thanksgiving day is almost here
And now hope you win not think
Bout what you'll have 70 eat and drink,
Because IL isn't right 60 AL.
Tolee selfish. greedy doll
First place, You should be very glad
For al the blessings you have had
Your pleasant home, your kind mamma
And what lucky doll you arei
You know she lets you have your way
About dozen times dayl
She's very, very gen'rous. too,
And always shares q treat with you
And here you should be thankful. dear,
That turkeys are so good this year.
And sweet-potatoes too. OF course.
And lovely crimson cranberry saucel
And squash, and little saucer pies,
They're always such . great surprise,
Ice-cream. and nuts and raisins, tool
Obi I'm so glad am not you,
Because, You see, You dearest sweet
You cannot really, truly eat
And so the thankf'ieSt thing Is this,
You'll never know what fun you missi
Mary Fletcher Stevens In Hsrper's Youas
PeoDle.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-11-30

Hungry Hyslop-Can't you help me
bit, boss? | hain't had nothin' to be
thankful for to-day.
Mr.. Delmonico Savarin (who has
dined too welll-Be thankful that you
haven't an indigestion,-Puck.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-11-30

No Names Mentioned.
She-Isn't it a pity that they don't
have mistletoe on Thanksgiving, as
they do at Christmas?
He-Do you think, Miss Maude, that
it is always-er-ahem-
She-It seems to be for some men.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-11-30
In Great Inck.

..Thanks." ."-Texas Sif.ings.
The National tribune., 1893-11-23

place, strongly backed in sorne cases. In ap-
pointing Bri.ader- Genernls in the las. Is years
the nuaiter has been confined almost entirely
to the infantry ard cavalry, and it has been
SO long since Colonel Of artillery has received
this recognition THAT strong easrt will be
made li il time to secure ihs vacancy for this
arm of the service.
The vindication Of Capt. John @. Eourks, Of
the Sd Cav, Of the saarges preferred ssainss
hi IN for his conduct in the GarZa campaign on
tho Mexican border has been coIDristed by an
order just issnsd by the War Department.,
directing hiz, TO jain his ragiiRest in Texas.
Nov. g. 1884, next, tho President will have
the appoin sneat of Hsjsr- General to succeed
Gon. Howard at New York. Tie following
September, upon tho retirement Of Maj.-Gen.
SGhofiela, he will have another. During bis
ADMIN istratiou there will be more officers OF
high rank retiring from active service than
uHdcr any previens Administration sincs the
war The heads of all DepaT .msnta retire,
which makes vacancies for more appointments
of Erigadiors. The present Adjntaat- General
retires, and two of tho three Majors euerais.
The term of Commodore Ramsay as Chief of
the Navigation Bureau expires the last of tho
month. Commodore Ramsay has not asked to
be reappoiHeed, but as there is no station for
him as sea just now he wond Ike to be recon-
missioued until the retirement of Admiral
Benham. when he will be assigned TO the COM
mand of the home station. There ara several
applicants 10 succeed the Commodore. Com
a,ander Evans is the one most prominently
spoken Of should the President decide not to
reappoint Commodore Ramsay for short time.
The National tribune., 1893-11-23
ER0UT PEOPLE.

New York society turned out last Thursday
TO he present at the marriage OF Miss Elizabeth
Elkins to Edward L. Bruner. Cardinal Glib
bcns performed the ceremony, assisted by Arch
bishop Corrigan.
Senator PETERS wife is described as quiet,
matroniy- blocking woman. who never voted but
once and then gave 1t up as bad job. but thus
far she has not given up as a bad job the
position in Washington TO which her frugal
husband appointed her whom he citIne into the
Senate. Senator Petr.r's wife is his clipping
agent; his daughter. Nellie, is clerk Of his COM
mittee. and bis son, Jake is a Senate messenger.
1t is announced that Representative ByBum,
of Indiana. will retire from Congress at the eud
Of his present term. He will likely engage in
law practice here or ia New York. Mr. Bynum
has occupied a seat OIL the Democratic side OF
the House for several years.
Attorney Geseral 0insy is sturdily-bnilt,
short peckcd, beetle hrewed mar. Of mttldiing
hight, with broad. high forehead. q square
jawcd, fnrcefnl faco adorned By dropping
iron-gray nIustache. aud is diepifed rather
thxn suave OF niaauer. He is IS, and comes of
fighting" Baptist family. Ho is not an
oratas, bat he Speaks with great force sad de-
liberation, and as lawyer ranks with the best
at the Boston bar. He is particularly strong
i'm corporation Law. srd has pocketed many fat
fees in his time foe legal services rendered to
railroad cnuapan ,@s. IL il said that when ap-
pointed Attorney General his practice was
quite worth so, Geo year.