davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1893-12-17

The next instant an agile spring landed
Raffles on Nahob's back. BY clinging TO
the stout harness he worked his way for
ward. A second spring carried him over
the gap between tho two elephants, and
he was quickly perehcd on Sultan's neck.
Fortunately the mahoot had left the
prod sticking In the harness. with this
Raitles belnbored the unruly brute, and
strove 10 turn him 60 one side. lie
stormed and threatened and called him by
name For n minute OF keen suspense
the Issue trembled In the balance Then.
when the dizzy prccpice was only n few
yards distant Sultan oheyed the prod and
swung to the left into the road. Raffies
waved his hand al BERTHE.
stick tight, lad" he shouted.
But the danger was not yet over, nor
had the elephants recovered from their
fright As madly as ever they dashed
along the rough road at times swinging
periously near TO the outer verge. In
vain Rafflcs coaxed and threatened and
piled the prod.
OF their own accord the brutes took the
turn toward the river. and swept the
heavy gun carriage down the hin at a
frishtful speed. BERTHE had all he could
do TO keep his seat
When the bottom OF the hill was
reached Raffles yainly tried TO turn the
elephants aside. They rushed madly for
ward, and clattered out on the pontoon
bridge which spanned the river In mid
stream the frail structure gave way. and
elephants and gun went through with d
tremendous splash.
A plank struck BERTHE on the head
with such force as TO half stun him. He
houndered helplessly alongside the
struggling elephants, who were submerged
to their necks From this place of peril
he was rescued by Rallies, who caught his
collar and swan with him for shore. The
swift current bore them down some dist
ance, and when Raffles finally landed with
mis- precious charge he was well nigh
exhausted.
a score OF horsemen were quickly on
the spot--among them Colonel Stratford,
who had been witness of the whole af-
looked at Raftles, and that look was a
source of consolation in the gloomy days
that followed.
OF course the review was spout. for It
took the rest OF the day to get the ele-
plants and the gun out Of the river.
That night, and for seven succeeding
nights, Raffles slept in his old cell. Then,
Instead OF appearing before a court mar
tlal he was reprimanded and discharged
He afterwards had a private interview
with the colonel and for a whole year he
was the best behaved soldier In canton
ments.
Then the savages OF the Chataquay hills
revolted. and Raftles went eagerly Off to
war 1t was little bit or a war, but It
was desperate enough for him to earn a
stripes and the Victoria cross
which had been the ambition OF his life.
Raffles attributes his good fortune to
Berthe, and he Is not far wrong
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1893-12-17

seemed nothing 70 Do but stagnate or take
what offered IN the way or recreation.
Inc former was impossible 10 man OF
Toms temperament lie fell among bad
companions. ana became addicted 20
drinking. gambling and host OF minor
evils. His popularity increased nmons
tne men In proportion 20 MS pad record
among the officers.
AT the end Of a year Tom Raules was
considered the worst Ecapceface IN the rex
iment-in all india, some did not seruple
70 say. Half his TINE was spent IN the
suard house or doing extra DUTY. More
than once he tried % reforri, but failed.
Then he became reckless, and took life
on the fatalist theory.
IN three years he served AZ as many
different military stations Then the
heavy hattery-for Tom was a gunner
was transferred 10 i.snore, away up In
the Punjab. There were rumors Of a revolt
among the Black mountain tribes, and
the prospect of active service led Tom TO
make another resolution OF good he
havior At first two things were In bis
favor The cantonmenis were three miles
from the enticing city OF Lahore. and
the approaches thereto were closely
watched
The officer. under whose command the
battery now caine. was Colonel StrHtford,
2 rigid martinez. but withal Just man.
His affections were conferred on his IL
year-old son Bertie, who had recently
come out from ENGLAND. BERTHE was as
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1893-12-17

handsome and piucky lad as one could
wish to see. He did pretty much as he
chose and was idolized by officers and
men alike.
Eertie Immediately struck up an ac-
quaintauee with Tom Rafflea, ana II
speedily ripened to fast friendship. Both
hailed from Norfolkshlre, and they had
many reminiscent chat about sailing
and fshing on the famous "Broads,"
Raffles believed that Bertie was ignor-
ant Of his had reputation. as no allusion
was ever made to the subject. He would
have been speedily undeeelved had he
overheard some OF the lectures that the
lad received from the colonel However,
FOR very shame that his young friend
should learn the truth Raffles behaved
himself admirably for a whole month
The colonel was secretly pleased lie
sometimes allowed BERTHE TO ride on Raj
hes' gun carriage behind the two eie-
plants.
But evil days were coming. BERTHE
went north to Ramal Pindl on VISIT
ana the next day It was reported official
~ that the Black mountain tribes We're
not going 70 fight
This double blow was too much for
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1893-12-17

TO check his descent IL was absolutely
impossible to ascend in direct line, so ne
continually tackled" bearing FIRST to the
right and then far over TO the left. The
smoothness Of the snow some times COM
PEELED such long tacRs that when he had
gone fully a hundred yards, he found him.
| self only few feet above his starting
point Once, to his disgust, he was &C
| tually lower.
From this II will be understood how la
| borious was the task he had set himself
! Few would have pushed on IN the face OF
such difficulties, trying enough to exhaust
| the most athletic Frame But the youth
| had made known his purpose to his par
ents, before leaving home, and he grimly
resolved to reach the top II 1t took him
! the entire day.
And that is precisely the time 1t did
take. 1t was growing dusk when at last
hs reached the crest, so worn out that he
could not have gone dozen yards fur
Their. He had eaten his lunch long before
and felt half famlshed, but he had dis
| covered signs of the movements OF the
fur-bearing animals, and was well pleased,
therefore, with the result Of his day s
work. He had learned what he set out
to learn and was now prepared to return,
But never was Olaf so utterly worn out.
Although little labor was involved in the
arrowy descent, he must keep his wits
about him, so as to act instantly and
surely IN steering clear OF the rev fockS
and trees in his path.
II shall rest a little while" was his con-
clusion, as he squatted down on his skees,
in a much more comfortable posture than
II would seem possible to secure.
He dropped asleep Immediately, and
there is no knowing how long he would
have slept had he not been awakened by
a startling occurrence.
During hts brief sleep the full moon rose
above the far horizon. When he opened
his eyes everything around seemed as
bright as day. The few stunted pines cast
clear cut shadows on the cleaning white
surface, hut in whichever direction he
gazed he could distinguish objects for a
long way.
lie did not need to see far, however
Not six feet Off, and directly before
him, stood ain immense wolf as motlonless
as statue, looking sharply at the do'i-
bied-up figure He had approached so
stealthily that Olaf could not understand
what awoke him. 1t must have been that
subtle sense which often gives us warning
OF the approach Of danger which other
wise would be fatal.
Evidently the gaunt animal was puz-
2led by what he saw. He was not accus-
toned to come upon q man in that posi-
tCn. and was hesltatng before laapinE
at the throat OF the youth. un'il some sort
of explanation should present itself.
Olaf, although startled, was cool and
Quietly passing his right
hand back to lis hip, he drew his re-
voiver ana discharged two chambers at
the motonless wolf, which was so near
that 1t was impossible to miss with n
yolp of mortal pain the brute leaped into
the air, doubled up like jacl5-knife. and
after few convulsive struggles lay still
OF the snow.
And then Olaf made still more alarm
ing discovery. AS he rose to a crouching
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1893-12-17
Jessie May Ash.
RUFUs WAS MlsTAKEN.

ChGppell Hin, Texas. November aS.-
Dear Post: have been reading the little
folks letters in The Weekly Post ana Ike
thcm go much, ny papa takes The Post.
We All Ike y very much Papa tdkeB sew
Post liv5 Va the country four miles
FROM Ghappeil diil ana / 81 10 school to
inc AcDade school We have a good
teacher. Her name is Miss Fannie Styles.
have two brothers ana no sisters, NY
brotheFs are older ban l. II has been
very dry here for four or Ave months nn-
81 the other day. u hlie1 both OF papa.s
tanks, l love 10 80 70 school, but don't
love 10 study geography. We huYe about
twenty girls aad boys that 80 TO our
scnooi- Papa has some Poland china
hogs l think they sre the pretGeat hegg
! oyer saw, Papa has a horse named
Blllie Thar ! ride 20 town sometimes
for Rufus my brother, says you WON'T
Very respectfully Woodio Fife.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1893-12-17
a WONDERFUL BRoTtTpR.

Amphion, Texae, Noven Der 90.s-Dear
Post; AZ today is, Thanksgiving Day, /
VIII write YOU a letter Mamma hAd a
Thanksgiving dinner We ma our
preacher and teacher and our pogtmaater.
MISS 5etiit jackson, with us FOR dinner
~ 10 school and study fourth reader
history. Arithmetic geography. ianguage
ana spelling; ] think a great deal OF our
teacher; have no pots, only sweet
htlle fthtfr. nave y brother without
arms. ! know you viii wonder how he
gets alons nut he gets along an well "a
any 81 u.s. Ne goes 10 school and gets
his Lessons written ana works examples
ana rides well horseback, and does MANY
things that you would hardly believe
WITHOUT seeing II with your own eyes. He
VIII be ~ yNarH old next April am a
hthe gifi II years old. Please print this'
Mamie DeRnuke
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1893-12-17
Tennie HAynIs.
a CHRISTMAS TRIBE COMING.

Houston. Texas. November 2T.--Dear
POST AS / saw my other letter IN prin7.
I thought I would write again l 50 10
school. am in the third grade and
fourth reader
! have a little dog. His name is mig
ger He can cit Up and stand up and
walk
! am little sill 10 years old. attend
the Clemens Memorial Episcopal Sunday
school" We VIII have a Christmas tree
this Christmas. I think we have a real
nice little school, sometimes sixty and
slxty-one and ulue teachers
/ have one brother and q baby sister
Their MINES are Charlie and Mildred.
Ny aunt and uncle came 10 kee us about
month ago from Chicago, They brought
US some souvenirs OF the Worlds Fair.
take music lessons at the convent, I
th.nE / am gotting along very well
III close. Please enroll my name IN the
Childrcn's club. Your friend
Snir1sv C,0rdnn
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1893-12-17
THIS LOVELY LITTLE LETTER.

Ellinger. Texas. November 16-Dear
Post; | have seen that my letter was III
print " the chtldrn's Page which was
very INTERESTING % me IN reading the LETT
Ter; Ike very much to read those letters
Ihls tune ] Will write something about
my school; have TO study arithmetic,
fltin Reader, spelling, geography history
and German. Ike 10 study arithmetic
, very much ! always had my examples,
Ihe teacher sometimes asks rs IN review,
but then ] get a little afraid. In Fifth
Aeader most OF the time I know my les
sons, Dnt IN spelling ! missed six already.
am reviewing IN geography / ought 70
Know u better than / DO, but I cant keep
my geography lessons % well, and in hiss
tory don't know II at all. but am getting
2 little heIier but from now / VIII try 70
Know X better every day We are moving
on from here neat month, which Is only
two weeks yet II II very hard for me 10
leave my school, for ike 10 20 ] learn
many useful things besides my books. 50
with my sehoolmates too, they were AZ
Hasa hli9 ~ me-. ! have about stNty-one
scnoolmates "a school, ] have some nice
fpWpr8--one nice water lily too but one
~ our Cows came IN the yard where 4 had
my nowere nnd she ate my water llly. But
! hope i VIII grow just as nice as 4 was
again; ! VIII take good care Of them. /
VII close Tor this time. Your Httle friend,
ts Mary Erehncr.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1893-12-17
our or SCHOOL,.

SpuFBer, Texas, November Z1.-Dear
Post: / Thought | would write today, as
II mas been 50 long since ! have written
before. We have no school here now,
Mcneil wiIl teach school mere nex. wear
i nave just returned home from my sis
ter's sue lives In Warren, she has two
sweet ntLe boys.
Mamma has d nice turnlp patch. Para
peddles with them
have cousin 13 years old. Her
name IL Meta Collier. She stayed all night
Win me Saturday and Sunday njght. We
hui nice time. Please enroll my name
IN the CLUB.
VIII close, Please print ms little letter
anu excuse bad writing. / VIII close Tor
THIS time. Matte Collier
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1893-12-17

Sheridan, Texas, November 70 Dear
Post; have been reading tho llttle folks
letters N the Weekly Post and have de-
cldea 70 write one also, as / have never
seen any from tabs country. l am lit
tie girl ~ years Old I am going 10
school ~ home his year; last ferm went
70 sehool Ia Palestine, Aiy studies are
physical geosfaphy, grammar. algebra,
eiNil government phyFi1iuEy, United
states history and arithmetic. I have
Two little brothers % so 70 school with
me- and when they don't so my New
fogndiand dog Eoeg with me have a
nice TIME Gus here Ia the country horse
nlek rising ] have only one net and
that IS my baby sister two months oid.
Please enroll my name In the Chiidren's
CLUB. With best wishes 10 The Post AND
IFS dear correspondents your little friend.
Ella Whitley =
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1893-12-17
WITH tits FOLKS

mineg am little boy years old.
was the 2ist OF this month ! can not
ma teis ma son Sa 9nig pIiin ~ aR NJ my nam
nave somc pretty books--a kindergarten
book, Santa Claus book and a book
Is awful funny ] have "A goat and a giE.
hut i think my books are nicer, 1 some
tines take my papas dinner and ] can
TO school because / am 50 little. My little
sisters name Is Audrey ana baby brother
IS named Conrad VIII you please put
their names In. too7 Your lltue friend,
Karl Schoppe.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1893-12-17
"ToM RArFLEe euNNnR..
He Was a Bo,'s Hero After All.
by William Murray Graydon.

ny Nshihn murray Graydou.
For the Sunday Post
When Tom Ranids took the queens
Rhillings ut 81. Georges barracks IN
Trafalgar square, and found himself
duly enlisted Tor india service, he be-
neved that his career was made.
lie pictured the day when he would
return 70 his native Norfolk VILLAGE
wearing an officers uniform ana M
Victoria cross. This was u foolish dream.
but the iwenty-nins years had been spent
entirely IN the country.
Tom WAS genial fellow, with many
good traits ana the blind bravery OF a
Ghaxi fanatic Under different ciroum-
stances an that WAS beat "a him might
have come 10 the front. But he went 20
India IN time Of peace. The Burmese
invasion was recently over and even the
turbulent hin tribes We're quiet There
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1893-12-17
TENN1E,s ORANnMA.

Anderson, Texas November 27.--Dear
Post I have never written to The Post
before and would like to Join the club.
My papa takes The Post, and / think the
letters the little folks write are 50 nice.
| love to go 10 school and am sorry when
Il rains and have 10 stay az home, l
have grandma living In Waco aud
want TO 80 20 see her before long.
Hoping 20 see my letter in print, am.
your little friend,
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1893-12-17
WANTS soMETHING NICE.

Anderson, Texas, December l-Deaf
Post; Ag ] have never written 10 you !
VII try u write today. am a little girl
u years Old. 4 an going % achno and !
study grammar arithmetic, algebra, SPELL
ing and objections from RuBidn and physi-
elogy. Ny teachers name is Mr. J, T.
Johnson Our school has been going on
three months today, ! viii be glad when
Christmas comes. / don't know whit I
want but / want Eonathing nice Your
little friend, Lessie Scott.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1893-12-17
EID5 MON SIDBWALKs-

u u lNlg Wv - In " = fT.it-tsf
Mayors Onlce, city Of h9siT,i- i,
cember H. lS9S-The Clly = q
viii receive sealed proposals y, /, /,
proveuent OF sidewalks as 3. !.
lion duly passed by the CIV u. ~ 4,
the CITY OF Houston on VIZ ~ \. I
December, 1898. said impIQYsll.aat ~. !,
done according TO speelleauv,H, I,
in the CITY engineers once q Y
Of Houston, said sidewalks y r
structed on the following h.ll, =, 4
or portions of streets WEI, w h, n.
sufficient Sidewalks 90 MOI ps'
wit. - c.,,rss n
10 calhoun avenue. .,..,,sps
Bell avenue from Main su''
way. 49,, Main sgls
D Tslsk Avenue from Main ''fF'
street. IN, ,a r.tlF,i
office of the city seV asy x ~
o'clock m. on the sth IN MA HI 4
1Sgi Bids VIII be rees .f...rkil
brick cement, concrete o. -
posais for the work mus = ~,
nc citv secretary ana -
G ~ "Bids for sldeEsh5, =:
,ar.i!-.,,a sy and the I'D ulasa' 4. 4
Streets on which The s i,.ns III y
constructed, specltie!aslin0aaisi ics 4 "
work can be seen at ths V9ssisssz,i;
engineer. Bids must "a "a -
n certified check o. 80 80 III Z
Serve Serves The right 70 rels si,i h, =
b gis'S and d. award the c9o ,5sss, /"
tire work or any PAtb,6WNE -
81 JNO. B. 49,
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1893-12-17
Julia Trultt Bishop.


Anderson, Texas. December 1.-Dear
Post; As 1 have never written 20 you
VIII try 70 write today. / am a little girl
S years old ] am going 70 school
study Third Reader. spelling. arithmetic
ana geography. Ny teachers name ID Miss
Constance Cooper and Bhe 81 a very kind
and nice teacher l hope old Santa CLAUS
VIII bring nee something nice Christmas.
- ] AM little girl ! can not Writa @
long letter Hoping 10 ind this IN print
] win close Tor this time Your nttle
friend, Alice Campbell.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1893-12-17

Lilac. Texas November 2T.--Dear Post:
would write again. ] am little giri ii
gesrs o. agsi ! am going 70 school I
names are Professor ~. p. stewart nnd
Miss Emma Duncans NV daklknutesg
name 10 Maude Curry. Grandma has four
plEeonf l study arithmetic. grammar,
Texas history. geography and spelling we
have four dogs and three cats. i will ha
glad 70 see my letter IN print / will close.
Love 70 The Post Yours truly,
Addio AcQuary.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1893-12-17

Houston, Teas. November H. Dear
Post. Ii Is running today. II has been
some time and since I nave written to
you. We have moved from our old home
Ne are livins foag miles from Houston.
Ike my new home. We have q school
near By. Ike 30 go to school Ny
teachers name is Mlsa Lille. She has
about thirty-seYsn pupils. Rapa IS home
tol'ty. lie will be gone ali next week
gathering cattle ! will close Tor this
time. Truly your friend
Edna Mcdonald.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1893-12-17

NYpTtA3, Texas NOVenher 90--Dear
Post; This Il the first time I have writ
ten, % you, J read me Ghildren's page
and thought tie letters were very nice.
! ara boy 70 years old, I Invent any
pets pat one pet goat, and ts name Il
Mamie am going TO school now /
study geography Language lessons, arith-
metic, spelling aud reading. MY teaehefia
name u Mss Katie Deady. plaase enroll
my name Ia the Children's club. Your
friend, Ernest Jantze.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1893-12-17
TRYING no nr coon.

Anderson. Texas. November 2T.-Dear
Post; am little girl just 3 years old.
sister goes TO school and ! play with my
baby brother feed the chickens and help
mamma. am trying TO be a good little
sirli 50 old Santa Claus Will bring me
Imogen HAyuie.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1893-12-17
bids TOR SIDETV5I-TS-

BIDS FOR SIDEWALKS
Mayors Office, City Of Houa5,
cember II, 1S03,--The City Of Ia,
Will receive sealed proposals III M
proyements of sidewalks as De- 10
ton duly passed by the elty e;,s
the city Of Houston on The Al IL
December, 1893, said improvement
done according to specidcatloal
in the Guy engineers office Gao
or Houston, said sidewalks thai
strucJed on the following nsns sd
or portions OF streets. where RI q
sufficient sidewalks do not nov *
wit:
East side of Main street from Cd
avenue to Rusk avenue.
Fannin street from Congress ava
Rusk avenue.
san JaClntO street from Ccaglta 2
niue to kusR avenue.
Texas avenue from Main sirts' ,
Jacintn street,
Prairie avenue from Main srHiuI
JacintO street.
Preston street from Main srs'i +
oline street.
Sealed proposals win be rsaiis
the office Of the city secretary
O'Clock m. on the Sth day Of IS
1884 Bids will be rece!yea lai
brick. cement, concrete and aspi4..
posals for the work must Be AZ
10 the city secretary and mus
dOrsed "Blis for Sidewalk lr
mcnts," and the bid must pa,
streets on which the sidewalks |,
be constructed. Speclhcatlo4
above work can be seen at ihs "
The city engineer. Bids must z
panied by a certified check q
secure the execution OF the
The city reserves the right 70 ~
and an bids, and to award lls :;
for the entire work or any ls .,l ~ ~,
81 mo. I. BROWNE ll.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1893-12-17

Columbus. Texas September 2f-pear
Post: thought 4 would write YOU. IS
had meyer before We take The Post every
Sunday md like 10 read about the other
hoya' and girls times and | thought i
would write 70 you. 20 to school ana /
am Ia the sixth grade. We have x nice
COW and calf. but can not milk. We md
- good rain and the geese have had q rice
bath ana are going home, This Is ali /
can think of now or have tine 10 write
about Please enroll nay name In fhe
Edmund Daeyers
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1893-12-17
AMI, ApOTVr C,upTeraFAe

Anderson, Texas, December dear
Post: Az found my other letter IN print
] VIII attempt 70 write again. My little
sister and niece are writing TO you. Will
be so glad when Christmas comes, and /
hope old Santa claus viii bring me lots OF
pretty things Ny brother takes The Post
and enjoy reading tho letters very much.
I remain your little friend,
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1893-12-17

san Augustine, Texas. November g.
Dear Post. ] win try 10 write "a letter. /
want % Join the Chiidren's club am a
little SRI 9 years 90 age ! don't 20 to
school 4 have two little sisters and one
brother. have 10 pats only some lit
tie pct chickens, ! WIN not write a long
letter this tLae, AIS tils Is toe FIRST time
! lave Er.tten. Please enroll my name
In your list,
Jcasle Nay Ash.