davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Forrest City times., 1893-10-13
Couldn't Fool Him.

A farmer went into a store in Albany and asked the proprietor if he wanted to buy some fresh butter. The mer- chant told him that he would ask his wife if she needed any, so he stepped to the telephone, called up his wife. and talked to her few seconds through the phone, then turning to the coun- tryman, who was standing with his hands in his pockets, his eyes stretched and his face ,very red, told him that his wife said she did not need any but ter The indignant countryman blurt- ed out:
 Look here, mister, if you didn't want any butter why didn't you say SO! I ain't such a gol durned fool as to think that you've got your wife shut up in that little box"
 And turning he started out, leaving the merchant speechless.-Atlanta Con- stitutiOn
The Forrest City times., 1893-10-13
THE LITTLE CONvALESCENT.

While wishing that his aches and pains were
 dead
 And health would come his way. He tries 10 make his roughly tumbIed bed field of romp and play. Hes weary of the four white nursery walls, And longs once more to be As well as now he's feeling while he mauls The patient cat in glee. With spirits more than wild he overfiows Till all his pain is fled. And head-oyer- heels along the couch he goes Or stands upon his head He rolls upon his blocks and toys until He Is mass of Jumps, But he is oyerjoyed while with will His bulldog round him jumps. His old green bathtub filled unto the brim, He gives the toys drink He gives the painted pasteboard ducks swim Until they melt and sink. Then, like soldier. on his trundle bed, Despite imporings vain, Upon his awful drum of gold and red He thumps with might and main To catch on the rebound his rubber bail The same he throws with vim: If it breaks all the pictures on the wall It's just the same to him He seems much like the Indian medicine man, Who in his mind is sure That direst noise is but the thing that can Effect a certain cure. The only time he still is when he sleeps The moment that he wakes For his tin horn and scarlet drum he leaps And Bedlam quickly makes. Let him discharge the shotgun if he will, T will prove he's mendng quick: Only when he is very good and still
 We're sure he must be sick
 R. K Munkittricll. in Puck
The Forrest City times., 1893-10-13
sREsT CITY, ARK, FRIDAY AFTERNOON OCTOBER 13 1s9s

that no trace of it could be discovered in that direction. The mouth of the cave was so carefully concealed that in hauling wood a few sticks could be thrown off, as if by accident, and car ried down after dark, as were the raw materials for the distillery, and in the same manner the liquor could be taken out in small kegs and carted away.
 Tt looked almost like a shame to de- stroy such piece of ingenuity, but of course we did our duty, although the old man fairly blubbered as he saw his still broken up. his kegs removed, his tubs of mash overturned. and all his ingenious safeguards exposed to the gaze of the world He was sent mp for five years, but he did not serve out his time. The discovery and exposure, to- gether with the enforced habits of prison life, proved the death of him."
The Forrest City times., 1893-10-13
The Vanishing of Spirits.

When one comes to think of it, it is just as strange that a ghost should dis appear as that it should appear. How is it managed? Out of three ghosts which have viewed, none disappeared. all went past or round the corner, and did not know they were ghosts till later circumstances made that theory highly probable, if not precisely capa- ble of exact demonstration. One of them certainly was not anybody, could not have been, but was in dress diff ferent from the dress actually worn at the moment by the living person of whom it was the phantom. If we may sleep suddenly for a minute we may dream in that minute; but how is one to know one was asleep? Some cases of contradictory evidence may have arisen from these queer psychO- logical conditions. A seer may be in for perjury with the best desire to tell the truth.-Andrew Lang. in Long man's Magazine.
The Forrest City times., 1893-10-13
AFTER A MOONSHlNER.
Revenue Officers Experience in
 the Georgia Mountains.
Finding an Illicit Stiii-It Took Clever Man to Devise It and a Clever Officer to Find and De-
 stroy It.

"We were very much puzzled over a certain locality in the Cut Log region of the Blue Ridge mountains" said Revenue Collector Chapman, as he leaned back in his chair and chatted with New York Post correspondent. I've knew very well that whisky was being made in the neigh borhood, but so carefully concealed was the habitat of the moonshiners that we were un- able to obtain any clew to it. There had been a distillery in that neigh bor- hood some ten or a dozen years ago, run by a noted moonshiner-old Reub Davis-but times had become so hot for him that he suddenly decamped, to Texas. It had been so long since his disappearance that people had all most forgotten him.
 ',Still we were puzzled. Our depu- ties could find evidence unimpeachable of the existence of contraband dis tillery by hanging around the little crossroads villages and attending the different gatherings where 'cornjuice' and applejack were plentifnl but all though the base of supplies could be traced almost to the fountain head, the exact place of deposit could never be found. Many and many weary tramp did we take among those rugged noun tains and dark ravines, night and day, in sun and rain, but still we were baffled.
 Finally we decided on making a regular ring hunt for the culprit, and bright and early one morning started out with three of my keenest deputies. determined 10 make a haul before night or else spend the frosty night in the woods I sent two of the men in one direction and set out across the Cut Log ridge with Mcdonald. Reaching point near the summit. caught whiff of the familiar flavor, and halting be- gan to look around for some clew as to its source. Perched away up on the mountain side, overhanging crawling brook that came tumbling down across the road we were travelling, spied shabby-looking cabin which would have appeared uninhabited save for little curl of smoke ascending lazily from the rough rock chimney. Bidding Mcdonald remain with the horses, l climbed the mountain, and approach ing the low doorway 1 accosted an old woman who was looking after her household work.
 ''Everything was as innocent and un- suspicious as if there were not drop of contraband within forty miles of the spot
 May get light for my pipe" l asked.
 .Ya-as; wait mint and I'll fetch you splinter
 q No, don't trouble. I'll just come in and get it myself.
 oh, the house ain't fitten for ye to come into she replied, eying me sus- piciously.
 That's all right, ma'am. I'm used to that sort of thing
 "As I said this stepped in. and. ad- to the fireplace, stopped as if
The Forrest City times., 1893-10-13
A CHEERFUL COMPANION.
The True Grit of . New England Woman
 In the West.

The True Grit of New England Woman
 in the West.
 During recent trip through the Dakotas, writes correspondent, came upon woman who seemed to exemplify what may be termed true grit. It was near noon of hot July day that l rode up to a cabin door to inquire my way. Poverty and yet thrift!' I said to myself as I glanced about. A woman with a child in her arms answered my knock.
 Something in her voice prompted me to say: You're from New England?"
 Yes, but we've come west to grow up with the country" was her cheerful answer
 You like Dakota?"
 "fes, or l shall when we get started" !" she replied. We've been here three years. The first season the frost killed the wheat The next year twas the drought spoilt fifty acres of as fine wheat as I ever looked on Twas hard, for we had to mortgage part of the farm, to keep above board. We've got good crop in this year, but what'll happen we can't tell," she concluded, with smile.
 You keep up . brave heart" re- marked.
 'Oh, that isn't all our i'll luck!" said the woman. Our team horses died this spring. John, my husband, gets a little blue sometimes But I tell him we're we'll off; we've both got our health, and we've roof over our heads If we prosper, we'll be out of debt in year or two"
 You've no doctor very near in case you were sick" was my remark.
 Not within twenty miles; but we never get sick, you see; we're not able to-" she added. lightly.
 You must miss the social privileges of your early life," was my next re- mark.
 We're too busy, I guess, to be lone some," she said; ''and then there's John and the three children. I should be ashamed of myself to be lonesome with them"
 II suppose there may be school and church near?" was my query.
 Twenty miles away; that's the nearest" she said. But I teach the children, and we have services at the house every Sunday. John reads a sermon, and he and I sing and read from the Bible and pray. We like to do 1t; and then it's good for the chil- dren."
 Don't you sometimes wish to return to New England?" asked.
 ''Oh, no" she laughed, we've come here to stay, and we shall stick to Da- kota. Our luck will turn if we hold on. You may hear of us yet among the noted citizens of the state"
 lrode away pondering. With such wife, what may not a man accom- pilsh"' was the burden of my thought. Youths Companion.
The Forrest City times., 1893-10-13

A map does not exhibit a more dis tinct view of the situation and bound aries of every country than it's news does picture of the genius and morals of its inhabitants
The Forrest City times., 1893-10-13

-Customer-''Doy you suppose you can take good picture of me?" Photog- rapher-"I shall have to answer you in the negative, sir."
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-24
FATIIER TIMES.
Trim With Santa Clans

(By James r. Laughton. Richmond. Va.)
There is no record Of the palace of San
Ia Claus ever having been discovered.
Probably, the reason is that il is farther
north than explorers have ever had the
heart to travel What is the sense, any
how, in people climbing icebergs and
pushing through polar seas, when they
can go within "A mile or so Of his palace
on a pleasant ard easy running railroad!
Imagination railroad is the one on which
1 Travelled, last year and an elegant road
il is, too. Furnished with all the latest
conveniences, il is a pleasure to travel on
Al. l stepped off at the station, and, after
walking over snowy fields. and climbing
a few icebergs, : came within sight of
his palace. 1t was a magnificent Btruc-
ture of ice, and elittered IN the last ray
of the setting sun, as If its walls were
studded with diamonds. After passing
through several rooms, j came TO a small
Ter one which / concluded TO be an Office
and pushed open the door Perched upon
a high stool, porting over a huge ledger,
was a little, rotund, iolly-looking fellow
with crisp, curly, white hair and beard.
lie was the most ridiculous creature
ever saw in my life. i stood regarding
him intently few moments, and then ad-
vanced with extended hand: "Well, Faith
er Santa Claus, how goes the world with
your / asked. "Merrily. merrily. as us
ual," he replied, cheerily. wheeling around
on his STOOL nothing ever bothers me,
am always jolly"
Il suppose you are making-ready your
SURPRISES / asked III the course OF our
YES yes. millions OF hearts
will be made happy this night ana the
thought makes me joyful. In "A few hours
will be on my way distributing my pres
ents, and leaving good wishes behind me-"
The old mans eyes sparkied eagerly US
he turned again TO his ponderous volume.
l could see him making a list Of the boys
and girls TO whom he should send his
pre- sents and porting over his ledger as
II his whole heart was in il. Page after
page filled up rapidly with the closely
written lines. Santa Claus was evidently ,
4 rapid worker. 1 spent several hours
rowing around his palace, and a regular
II was. Toys OF all kinds,
books. dolls. and everything calculated 20
make a child happy, was there Santa |
Claus had certainly used great fore !
hought in the manufacture Of his arti- /
les Presently, / came back into the |
,flice. and after waiting a few minutes. ] I
aw Santa Claus shut up his book with /
bang. We'll. I'm all ready TO 90 now, /
o come ahead" he shouted merrily. and |
followed him as fast as | could. The /
eindeer were at the door, and we both |
prang into the weil-laden sled. II was
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-24
A Sad Mistake.

My stocking is dieadfully small;
Twill hold next 10 nothing az all
When Santa Claus brings
His toys and things
A top and a knife and ball.
'Iu hang one in grandpa's line.
ard Santa Will think IL Is mine,
And in they viii go,
From the top TO the toe,
His presents so jolly and fine.
.What a capital joke it will be!
% dear, IL j only could see
How he'll open his eyes,
and stare with surprise
Then hurry and fiji It for me-"
40 night on a keen. frosty breeze,
When moonlight was gliding the trees,
He came in a hush,
with a rattle and rush..
And Tcddy's big stockings he sees.
oNeu well :" said the merry old chap,
TN give him. 1 think. fur cap.
I'd like If 1 can
To suit the old man
While he is enjoying his nap"
Next morning with laughter and shout
The children came tripping about,
All dancing with glee,
Their stockings TO Sc,
With Santa Claus gifts peeping out
THAT monster big stockings for me-
cried Ted with a chuCkle OF gle.
ITS cram fun of toys,
DO look at it, boys
Just wait till i show you-now see!
Tlen Teddy lay back V ith a moan,
And cried with q sob and groan
20 how could be make
Such an awful mistake
1 wish 1 had hung up my own"
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-24
Betsy and Joe.

BEING THE LAMENT OF FARMER ToMPKISs.
I'm sort OF upset in my mind. sir: I'm
KIND OF wrought up in my soul.
I'm filled up with trouble | am. sir: my
heart is the picture Of dole.
I've got weak boy for a son, sir. He's
weak as a Teller can be.
But then. I've daughter who's stronger.
/ think, nor her mother nor me.
And that is the thing that upsets melt
nils me with direst OF woe:
Ny Joe, he had oughter been Betsy. and
Betsy she'd oughter been Joe.
r-SE-
Why, Joe, he amt good for his salt. sir.
He alters gives up to his dreams.
He thinks he's a born Mr. Shakespeare
and spoils good white paper by reams
But Betsy's as sane as the keeper who
looks arter folks what is mad
She's got solid sense has my Betsy, the
solidest ever was had.
l haven't the slightest idee, sir, just how
tho thing came 10 be so,
But Joe he had oughter been Betsy, and
Betsy, she'd oughter been Joe.
THAI gal. she will go to the medder an
toss up the hay like a man:
She'll work in the sun an the shadder as
hard, sir, as ever she can;
But Joe he'll go out there and dawdle At
dawdlin he's really A onel
But that amt the thing for a daughter,
nor that amt the thing for a son.
An that's why l sit here a-sighin', and
that's why my eyes overflow:
My Joe he had oughter been Betsy. and
Betsy she'd oughter been Joe.
i don't mind a-havin' my home, sir. the
home of "A poet al ali.
must say like for 10 listen to verses OF
spring and Of fall
But what / don't like for to see sir an
what sets my bein awhrl
is the poetry writ by a boy. sir, an all
the hay tossed by a girl.
II seems TO me sort Of outrageous, a sort
OF a terrible blow
That Joe. he should oughter been Betsy.
and Betsy should oughter been Joe;
Because / have always told Mandy-my
wife. sir; splendid one, too
That work that was fittin for women
amt fittin' for men kind TO do.
I've sort OF a-twitted the lady on weak
ness O woman and that,
And havin' the thing turned around. sir.
S the thing that's a-knockn' me fat.
An II there's a way I'm creation for
changin' EN- I'd like to know,
Sos Joe could be made into Betsy, and
Betsy be made into Joe.
John Kendrick Bangs, In Harper's Ba-
Ear.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-24
The Mniis.

At the break OF ChristmasDay
Through the frosty starlight ringing,
Faint and sweet and far away,
Comes the sound of children's singing
Chanting. singing,
cease to mourn
For Christ is born,
Peace and JOY to all men bringing"
Careless that the chill wind blow.
Growing stronger, sweeter, clearer,
Noiseless footballs in the snow
Bring the happy voices nearer
Hear them singing
winters drear
But Christ is here,
Joy and gladness with Him bringing.W
Merry Christmas!" hear them say,
As the east is growing lighter,
May the joy Of Christnas-Day
Make your whole year gladder. brighterw
Join their singing
ITO each home
Our Christ has. come,
All love'c treasures with Him bringinS!
Margaret Deland in Book News
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-24

of holly round its neck. Then from the
wonderful tree ,.4ey filled their baskets
again and few to the town, where they
worked so hard all night among the poor
children that Santa Claus kissed Bebette
and said her fir tree was one Of the
best In the world. But he had TO be of.
bidding his merry helpers q very happy
Christmas.
Well, every year the tree grew bigger,
and that was good thing. for the town
grew bigger. and there were more little
mouths TO feed and more toys TO give.
And Bebette grew up. but she always
hat Prince Dot to help her until at last
he carried her off away among the sand
hills and changed her into a Brownie,
so they could fly among the poor to-
gether and never be seen.
This is the story that the wind sang
when 1t hushed the birds 10 sleep one
Christmas evening long ago.
Mail and Express.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-24
Good ST Nicholas.

The genial patron Of the Christmas sea-
son. with whose name children all over
the civilized world are familiar, takes that
name from Nicholas, a Greek bishop,
born at Patura in Lycia and canonized
i'm recognition Of the holiness and purity
Of his life He becam Bishop of Myra,
and died A. ID. Si3
The following is the legend regarding
him which led TO his adoption as the pa
iron saint Of the Christmas time.
a nobleman OF his diocese who was the
possessor Of three beautiful daughters
became impoverished, and in consequence
Of his being unable to give each a dowry,
their matrimonial prospects were very
greatly injured.
The good and benevolent Bishop Nicho-
las learning Of this, resolved 10 aid them,
and waiting until a little past midnight.
he cast through the nobleman's window
three big purses of gold. He supposed he
had not been seen. but owing TO the
brightness Of the moonlight, he was dis
covered.
After his death he seems 10 have been
'egarded as especially presiding over the
welfare Of virgins. in France and Italy a
custom long prevailed among the boarding
pupils at convent Schools OF hanging out
silk stockings the night before the saints
ltdSl With prayer Dy lHelT OWNtIt 10
him for his protection. In the morning
the stockings would be found filled with
good things which the Abbess had placed
in them.
In the great country of Germany the be-
lief in the Krist Kindlefn (whence our
Kris Kringle) or Christ-Child who re-
wards the good children with beautiful
gifts is prevalent throughout. on Christ
massive each family assemblies at dinner.
When this meal is over. the children go
into dark room. In a few minutes the
parents open the door and say-"The
Christ-Child has visited you" and at this
IN come the children TO see the tall
weighted with gifts
The Germans have another tradition
which says that an evil genius. Pelsni-
chol,- nicholas with the biNh)-deposets
switches in the stockings prepared and
hung up for Kris Kringle.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-24
Editors Weekly Letter.

Dear Children :-To-morrow is the low
Gus Christmas-Day TO which you have
been looking with eagerness for weeks
past. Father Times wishes you, one and
all, most merry time. and hopes that the
stockings may be filed with good things
not switches. Tomorrow you will go 10
church, and again listen 10 the sweet
story of the Christ-Child, whose birth
day has, for so many years, been the Oc-
casion for rejoicing The preachers will
recall to you again the poverty and the
simplicity. in which the greatest Of
Christmas gifts came TO us-craded in
the hay-and they will tell again the sweet
message which heralded Him-and the
churches will be full Of music and bright
ness. May you. each and ALL spend a
joyous Christmas, and a useful and hap
py New Yearl
FATHER TIMES
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-24
our Portrait and Prize puzzles.

These puzzles will appear weekly once
a month we will publish at the head or
this column. a picture of the boy or girl
sen6ine 10 this office, the greatest number
Of correct answers 20 the puzzles whlch
have appeared DUR * the month; or We
will give 10 the winner any one OF the
hooks. or articles mentioned below which
may be selected. Any single work by any
Of the following authors: Charles DICK
eus. J. Fenimore Cooper, Charles Read@.
Sir Walter Scott. Bulwer Lytton, Miss
Mulock Louisa NJ. Alcott, +. Marion
Crawford. w. ID. Howells, Jane u. Aus
tin; Vanity Fair" or Henry Esmond'
by w NJ Thackeray; Adam Bede, OF
"Iiui ON IN. Floss" by George Elliot;
prince and Pauper." or "Huckleberry
Finn" by Mark Twain; All Aboard
and Boat Club" by oliver Optic; Lorna
Doone." by r.. ID. Blackmore. Nights
with Uncle Remus," by Joel Chahdier
Harris. "Giovanni and the Others" by
Mrs III. F. Burnett; "Rudder Grange
by Frank r. Stockton; An Humble ho-
nance" by Mary H. wilkins; Next
Door" by Clara Louise Burnham, boys
own Outdoor Book by q. a. hutohih-
son: 10000 Leagues Under the sea, py
Iules Verne. "Alice in Wonderland, ana
..rbrourb the Looking Glass" by Lewis
Carol. Ben Hur." by Lew wallace,
.Tifteen Decisive Battles of the World,
nv T. :. Greasy; North in Mexico, by
Fred A. Ober; "Boyhood In Norway Dy
Hialmar Hiorth Boyesen; or a volume VI
any one o. the standard poets or any one
of the following articles: box OF water
colors containing sixteen superior iloisl
colors tubes of Chinese white ana sepla
and four brushes; set OF ooX-"oou
chessmen: a small stationery steam en-
CINE; league base-bah; louhldi,i 80
or a box containing FIVE quires OIL iIish
linen paper and envelopes 10 match
photographed Enigma.
7 am an anhorism Of Lorgfellow's OF
Sc letters. -. l..
NV 52-Sol9-n-9-37 is a seaport city In
Australia.
Ny 2s-54-14-2-22-5 80 2O-S4-S-2S is an Amer
lean city. the home OF great many iep-
resentative foreigners
Nv 53-lS-4l-7- 80 -46-54-56 is CANADIAN city
NV SPILL -43-25-l-32 is seaport on the
Adriatic Sea.
Nv 49-55-l2- O-JO-l5-22-l4 is State that
viii always be associated with Lin
coin.
Ny 2s-3l-27-23-52 is a city in France on
the Rhone.
NV 25-e-5i-5O-ss-S-5i-u is walled city of
China.
My I4-iO-ls-4-44-i5-49-7-3 is a railroad CEN
ire in northwestern Iowa.
My 5--i7-23-lS-54 is a seaport or northern
Italy.
My Ss-54-3s-4O-l7-35 is the capital OF
one Of the South Atlantic States.
1Iy 2i-9-i2-2-54-lO is Il town just out OF
Boston.
.Iv M-2l-9-4s-5o-i6-22-g- l3-4S is in Massa-
chugerts on the Connecticut River.
g2s-Doubie Diagonal.
X % o
o Y o o
o o o o
o o o
\ o o o \
Crosswords-I. An intcrjection express
ng contempt . one who leads wan
ieIiItg life. 3. Sullen or cross. 4. Last \
point to make In croquet. S. A wild ami
nal like a horse.
The diagonals reac downward give the
names OF two dances much en-