davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1893-04-07
CHAPTER TX.

The spruce-bushes parted suddenly;
but, instead of disclosing the form of
ferocious bear, nothing more formida-
BILE than the good-humored features of
Joe Whitney, adorned with an ex-
pressive grin, was revealed. There
were traces of recent tears on his
freckled face; yet mirth beamed from
his eve, and it was evident that the re-
cent punishment had not had n very
depressing effect on his animal spirits.
Thought l was a bear, didn't you,
Tadp" he remarked, laughing. And
Tad, too much relieved at the prospect
of companionship to feel very angry,
answered, with feeble smile, that he
,oas kind of startled, and made haste
to change the subject
"Tve got seven trout, but they're aw-
full small" said Tad, producing his
catch, with rather disconsolate air.
Joe started, whistled and then
roared
WHY, you goosie!' he shouted, but
so good-naturedly that it was impos-
sible to be angry with him, those
AIN trout-tney re cnuDS!
Poor Tad felt tremendously morti-
fed, but speedily forgot his mortiti-
cation in real honest admiration of 4
string OF trout-the largest of which
would not weigh quite quarter of Il
pound-that Joe brought out, together
with an alder pole, from the thicket
where he had enacted the bear.
Il dug some bait on the way, and
caught these little fellows coming
along" explained Joe, as he held them
up before his companions admirirg
gaze.
"Oh, scouldnt l like to catch just
one troutr' sighed Tad; and Joe
stoutly assured him not to worry-he'd d
put him up to catching more than one
perhaps half = dozen-before they
returned.
Did it hurt you rery muchP" in.
quired Tad, presently, with delicate
reference to the cause of his cOmpan'
ions detention.
The pasteboard wasn't quite low
down enough" said Joe, mournfully,
and Tad asked no further questions.
Father didn't fog me for just hav-
ing a little fun with you and Miss
Smith" Joe went on after 4 short
pause, but because he said | as good
as lied when l made her think that
you was deaf, and you think that she
was"
Well" returned Tad, hesitatingly,
Il don't know-you didn't mean to say
what wasn't true, any way"
No" said Joe, frankly; Il didn't! !
hate q square up and down lie rs bad
as the next one; but, come to study on
It over, l guess we fellows don't stop to
think long enough, sometimes, and lie
when we don't mean to; anyhow, L do,
and I'm going to try and stop it"
This was quite an admission for Joe,
who was generally very chary of &C
knowlcdglng his faults. But he had
begun to feel strong boyish affection
for his companion, and spoke more
openly to him than he was in the habit
Of doing.
But what made YOU so long getting
hereP" asked Tad. breaking the little
| alslQe that taqqYsa. a.---=-.---@-----
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1893-04-07
Scimitar Sna he.

There is little reptile belonging to
Madagascar known as the scimitar
snake, that is the curling sword. Kun
ming along the back from head to tail
is a blackish, horny substance, which
bends with the convulsions OF the
snakes body as readily as would well
tempered steel spring. and throughout
its entire length it bears an edge as
hard rs flint and IS sharp as razor.
They are not poisonous. but when one
of them springs on a man, which he
likes very well to do, he will soon have
a leg off unless cracked on the pate
Some snake specialists claim that the
presence of this reptile on the island Is
the reason there are no large quadru.
peds there at present, the curling sword
in back ages having taken of legs fast
er than they could be created.
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1893-04-07
TIE STONE STAR.
It Is One of tho Most Curious Products
of the Mineral Kingdom.

It Is One OF tho Most Curious PRODUCTS
of the Mineral Kingdom.
The asterias or star stones are among
the most wonderful productions Of the
mineral kingdom. They are conun-
drums, the star sapphire being gray
ish blue, the star ruby bright red, the
star topaz straw yellow. The star ap-
pearance in the stone is caused, accord
ing to some mineralogists, by q foreign
substance in the gem; others say It is
due to peculiarities of crystalzation.
Whatever it may be, advantage is taken
of it by the lapidary, who cuts the stone
in the shape of dome, beginning at
the center Of the star and making the
points radiate to the circumference.
The stone has six points, and as the
light plays on the surface of the stone
the bright lines of the star change with
the position of the gem, and produce a
singularly beautiful effect.
These stones, says an exchange, are
very valuable, the best specimens be
ing, it is said, worth as much as dia-
monds of the same weight. Burton,
the great Oriental traveller, had q star
sapphire, which he always carried on
his person; and in the heart Of Arabia,
or in the deserts of Africa, the sight of
this wonderful gem always inspired q
respect that was akin to reverence.
The wild Arabs and negroes would gaze
at the stone, then at its possessor, and,
concluding that he had talisman CT
unexampled power, would render him
all possible assistance for fear of In
curing his vengeance.
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1893-04-07
BIG PRAlRiES IN MANITOBA.
One Thousand Miles of Level Lsad Liss
Straight West OF Winnipeg.


IF the horse could stand it," said
well-known resident of Winnipeg, Man.
itoba, to Washington Star reporter,
"a man could leave Winnipeg and ride
one thousand miles west and northwest
over level prairie before he would be
obstructed by the mountains. This
gives an idea of the great territory lying
west of Winnipeg, which. to the eastern
man, seems way out of the world The
soil OF this prairie produces the finest
spring wheat grown anywhere and this
enormous plain I've just mentioned will
in a few years be the greet Rransry of
the world. Eastern people havea misty
idea of Sur expansive territory. We are
just commencing to grow wheat COM
pared to decade hence, though our
crop two years ago was thirty million
bushels. We have but little snow, and
the many years resided in Manitoba
never saw the tops of the bright prairie
grass covered. Cattle fairly roll in fat
and we are becoming great cattle
country. While most Of our settlers
are from across the water, yet the num-
Der from the western states is yearly In
creasing. We have no wild west from
tier scenes. There are no settlers killed
over disputed claims, as has been an
everyday story in the west for years.
Our homestead laws require three
years residence of six months each.
Land may bepreempted, too. Gold has
been discovered in wonderfully rich
quartz deposits rev urrfcs- s-case OF
Winnipeg. and paying mills have just
been erected by Minneapolis capitalists.
predict rush to the Lake of the
Woods district next year. Winnipeg has
thirty-five thousand inhabitants and Is
4 thriving city. Our winters are cold,
but we do not mind them. The atmos-
phere is dry and the days are clear, fresh
and sunny, murky weather being al
most unknown"
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1893-04-07
AusREY'S HISTORIC RIDE.
Eight Miles an Hour on Horseback IL
no Consecutive Hodrs.

Eight Miles Hour ON Horseback Tor
110 Consecutive Hodrs.
The ride of the German officers from
Berlin to Vienna recalls to the WASH
ington Post a much more remarkable
one made by +. X. Aubrey, a native Of
st Louis, No., about thirty-six years
ago, in the far west. He bet five thcl-
sand dollars that he could ride from
Santa Fe, n. NJ, to Independence. Mo.
within five consecutive days. Accordiag
to the terms of the wager he was 81
lowed only such remounts as he could
procure en- route; that Is, he was not 10
arrange for any in advance. As the
country to be traversed was then per-
feet wilderness to within score or two
of miles of the finish the only chance Of
obtaining fresh horses was from some
rowing band of wild Indians he might
encounter, who were as likely to take
Aubrey's scalp as to swap horses with
him. But fortune favored him, and he
did obtain fresh horse at the Gross
ing of the Arkansas and at Council
Grove. and won his bet in four days and
fourteen hours-distance eight hundred
and sixty miles-so that he covered al
average of nearly eight miles An hour
for one hundred and ten consecutive
hours, feat of endurance that seems
truly marvellous.
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1893-04-07

PREPARING FOR THE INTERVIEW.
"Sheve it up under my coat, behind
quick, Tadr' he exclaimed, in an ag
itated whisper, "and then you 60 ahead
to the brook-may be can get off
bime-by. 1t don't hurt much of any,
with this" added Joe, with rather
sicklv smile, as he touched the small of
his back Significantly, "only I've got
to get a new piece of pasteboard-this
is pretty nigh worn out"
care YOU coming, Joseph?n
The voice was Deacon Whitney's,
| and sounded from the wood-shed close
by. Tad fled ignominiously through
| the rear barn door, while Joe reluct-
antly obeyed the direful summons. Not
that Deacon Whitney was unreason-
| ably harsh or stern. Indeed, his wife
said: ..Joe's thrashin's hurt the deacon
dretful sight more'n they did Joe, -
| which was doubtless true. The boy
| knew that his father loved him sim
cerely, and that the whippings We're
not given in anger, but from a sense of
duty, and, though he would willingly
have dispensed with them, Joe never
cherished the slightest feelings ofanger
or resentment, after the first smart had
| passed away.
| Leaving Joe to his impending fate,
| Tad climbed the barn-yard fence, and
with a jubilant feeling of gladness,
which was only shadowed by the oc-
casional thought of his new friend 5
disappointment, made his way down
across the deacon's meadows, to the
| brook.
Tad knew nothing whatever about
trout-fishing, as 4 matter of course.
He had caught founders and cunners
from the piers, like most city boys
but only those. However, he had a
general idea of some of the require
ments for the piscatsrial art. So, with
a very light heart, he followed the
mill brook" as it was called, through
field and an adjoining pasture, till he
came to an alder swamp, where, hav-
inc cut pole, Tad sat himself down to
shape and trim it.
Well. it was indeed lovely morn
ing The sky above him, tlecked win
drifting white clouds, was of the deep
est blue, the air soft and spring-like,
and the peaceful stiffness unbroken
only by the occasional cawing of crows
or scream of a bluejay.
Tad sat drinking in the beauty of the
time and place, softly whistling to him
self as he worked, and thought over the
many strange things that had come in
to his life in one short week, and all
because an absent-minded man had left
his traveling-sachel on the seat in 4
railroad station.
"Why, it just seems as though I'd
been swopped off for somebody else, =
he said, with great sigh Of thankful
ness. And though, as might be eX'
pected Tad Thorne's religious knowl
I;edge was of the vaguest possible order
-
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1893-04-07

why. after father-got through
with me- returned Joe. while a hu-
morous smile began to hover about his
mouth, ''he set me churning, and went
of down town on all errand. Mother.
she was sent for to go over TO Mis-
Emory's, all of a sudden, and. by gra-
cious!' said Joe, rubbing his shoul-
ders, Il thought my arms would just
unhinge out Of the sockets before the
butter came. Well. Nell, she took the
butter down into the cellar kitchen to
work it. and forgot to cmpt' the churn
(as mother always does), and whilst
she was down there" continued Joe,
whose smile had begun to broaden, Il
saw father coming up the walk, so what
does | do but get hold of the churn-
dasher again. Father, he came in.
There, my SOM he says, Il guess
you've been punished enough-you can
90 now,' and then he took the churn-
dasher right out of my hand. If moth
er hasn't got back. or if Nell don't
come upstairs added Joe, with an
irrepressible snicker, Il expect likely
he's churning buttermilk now"
As Tad knew rather less than q Hot
tentot regarding the mysteries of churn-
ing. the point of Joe's little joke was
not perfectly clear to his own mind.
And perhaps, on second thought, Joe
might have remembered that the tacit
deception practiced toward his father
was not exactly in keeping with his pro-
tossed penitence of moment or two
nr.yious. far- Ae-m -made-n no attempt 10
enlighten his companion. but. taking
up his pole, said, rather hastily, that
he guessed they'd better be getting to-
ward home, as it was considerably
past dinncr-time.
About halfway down Mill brook
were the ruins of an old saw-mill.
Here. among the great timbers below
| the dam, the water made deep eddles
and shady nooks, where trout love TO
! lie In the heat of the day.
Throw in there, Tad" said Joe,
pointing to a spot where the dark water
| rushed around the end OF the broken
| iume like mill-race.
Tad secretly thought that any trout
renturesome enough to trust himself in
such swift current would be swept
down stream in twinkling. But he
Dbeyed, and
Good gracious! had sturgeon or
young whale seized his bait! His line
went cutting through the dark waters
and the top of the alder pole bent omi
nously.
Tad knew nothing about playing
trout, and if he had it would have made
no difference, owing to his primitive
fishing tackle, He pulled vigorously
SO did the trout, and ''snapi'' went tn
end of the alder pole, leaving Tad in
mad frenzy of excitement, with three
fourths of the rod in his hands, dane
ing madly on the rocks
Joe was equal to the situation
Dropping his own pole. he made div
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1893-04-07
STORIES OF HISTORIC DOGS.
Four-Fsoted soldiers Which Fought ir
Many Old World WAR.

many Olu W orid wars
A French paper has published roll
of honor of celebrated dogs which have
distinguished themselves in war. This
is not inappropriate, considering that
the dog has been pressed into military
service. For instance. there was Bob,
the mastiff of the Grcnadier guards,
which made the Crimean campaign
with that gallant corps; and also White
paw, ''Patte Blanche" brave French
ally of Bob, that made the same cam
paign with the One Hundred and Six
teenth of the line. and was wounded in
defending the flag. Another, Moustache,
was entered on the strength of his rcgi-
ment as entitled to a grcnadier's ra-
tons. The barber of his company had
orders to clip and comb him once a
week. This gallant animal received q
bayonct trust Mt Marenga and re-
covered flag at Austerlitz. Marshal
Lannes had Moustache decorated with
a medal attached to his neck by red
ribbon. Corps de Garde, u Norvel
among dogs, followed soldier to Ma
rengo. was wounded at Austerlitz and
perished in the retreat from Russia
The Sixth of the guard had military
Ilgastifr lAszl.4ed rtisere, which xxnrc thrcs.
white stripes sewn on his black hair.
We have also to name Pompon, of the
Forty-eighth Bedouins the best sentry
of the baggage train; Loutoute, n Cri-
mean heroine. Mittrailli, killed at
lnkerman by shell; Moffino, that
saved his master in Russia, and was
lost or lost himself, but found his way
going from Moscow to Milan, his first
dwelling place. The most remarkable,
however, was the last, an English har-
rier named Mustapha, which went into
action with his English comrades at
Fontenoy and, we are seriously told,
remained alone by field piece of the
gunner, his master, clapped the match
to the touch-hole of the cannon and
thus killed seventy soldiers" and it is
further added that Mustapha was pre-
sented to King George ii. and rewarded
with pension alimentam.
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1893-04-07
An Old and Big Turtle.

When Mauritius was ceded to Great
Britain, in 1910, there was gigantic
turtle in a court of the artillery bar
racks at Port Louis, which is there still,
although almost blind. 1t weighs, ac-
cording to French observer, $50 kilo-
grammes and measures 2.59 meters
(eight and one-half feet) across the car
apace. Its height from the ground TO
the top of the carapace, when it walks,
is about O.63 meters (about two feet.
1t is believed to be 200 years old at least;
nevertheless it carries two men on its
back with ease
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1893-04-07
In Kentucky.

Youth (eloping with the girl of his
heart)-Judge, we would like you to
Join US.
The Judge-Thanks, ! don't know
who you are: but / never refuse to drink
with a gentleman, be he friend or
stranger. I'll be with you in one min
ute.-Puck.
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1893-04-07
CHAPTER VIII.

CHAPTER VIII.
Who that was ever a boy has forgot
ten. OF viii forget, his first fishing eX-
perienee? No matter whether it was
angling for minnows from the wharf,
with a pin-hook. catching pumpkin
seeds from the mill-pond logs or fol-
lowing up an alder-fringed brook in
pursuit of trout-be viii be sure to re-
member it great deal longer than he
viii the more important episodes of his
later life. And | know one in particular
who will always remember his boyish
debut in the fishing line-I mean Tad
Thorne.
1t was the Saturday morning follow
ing Tad's peculiar Introduction to Miss
Smith, and an unusually mild day for
New England April, which uncertain
month is very apt toseem so much like
March as to resemble a younger
brother.
Joe and Tad were digging bait in
Deacon Whitney's barn-yard; that is,
Joe did the digging while Tad placed
the angle-worms in Il round tin must
ard-box, with a ventilating cover.
"There," said Joe, strengthening UP,
''and now, Tad-you plaguey old tat
tle-taler'
Tad looked up in dire astonish-
ment; but the conclusion of Joe's SEN
tence was evidently not addressed tc
| himself.
1t was churning-day at Deacon Whit
ney's, and Joe's eyes were fixed on the
retreating form of Miss Smiths hired
help who had come over to bespeab
some buttermilk for Miss Smiths pig
Samantha Mason was given to gossip
and Joe's guilty conscience at once
assured him that she had lost no time
in telling the story of his late humorou:
performance to the deacon, Mrs. Whit
ney and his sister Nell.
II guess we'd better be off" re
marked Joe, rather hastily; land, in
stead of going out the front way, wei
take short cut down through the
fields. You've got your lines al
right?"
Tad tapped his pocket slgnlhcantly
and adjusted the tin-box cover while
Joe was putting the shovel back in th'
barn.
Come on, then, Tad said his com
panion, with an uneasy glance at tn,
back kitchen, which Tad did not quit,
understand, and with his words Jo
lodged hastily behind the barn, fol
lowed by Tad: but, alas, he was to-
! latei
From the open Htchen-window cam
the cry, in his sister Nell's voice:
"Fo-seph!-come right into the hous
father wants your
Darn it allr' muttered Joe, with
vindictive kick at the fence-rail; nov
I've got to catch it,
Catch what?" wonderingly askeC
Tad, though with an intuitive suspicion
that Joe was not referring to the pros
pective catch OF trout.
Joe did not reply, but with n gloom,
and vengeful expression, skunk into tn
barn by the small rear door, followed
by his wondering companion. From
behind the corn-crib Joe hastily pulle'
the bottom of an old pasteboard band
| box.
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1893-04-07
PUNISHMENT FOR A KING.
The Little Spanish Ruler Is Laid Across
His Mothers Knee.

The Little Spanish Ruler Is Laid Across
His Mothers Knee.
The king of Spain is more or less
naughty boy, and he does not always
treat his subjects with that gracious
courtesy which is expected from mon
archs in these times. The other day,
says Harper's Young People, when he
was driving with his nurse, the boy
king is said to have put out his tongue
at the world in general, and the resi-
dents of Madrid in particular. The
editor of republican newspaper there
upon proceeded to make political cap
ital out of the event, and drew moral
that kings are not needed in this age.
When the news of the kings behavior
reached Queen Christina through the
newspapers, it is said that she first
lectured her son on his duties and re-
sponsibiihes, and then laying him
across her royal knee administered g
vigorous spanking. This may not be
the touch that makes the whole world
kin, but great many little American
democrats will know hereafter how tt
sympathize with this son of royalty.
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1893-04-07

[Copyrigtted, 1856, by D. LotErop Dc Co., and
Published by SgeeiH Arraagement.I
-, ,nelr approach Miss Smith threw
her sun-bonnet back, and. straighten-
ing up the rake-handle, stood stiffiy
erect. clasping it between her gloved
hands-something like the manner Of
a sentinel with his muskct when not on
active duty-as she stared very hard at
Tad, whose heart was beating furiously.
$50 this is the boy" she said. in an
uncompromising sort of voice-her re-
mark seemingly addressed to herself
''humph.''
This was by no means encouraging,
and Tad's hopes went down below zero
with considerable rapidity. Joe stood
little at one side, with shadowy look
of expectancy on his freckled face.
How old are you, Tad?" suddenly
shrieked Miss Smith, with such uneX-
pected energy that mechanically Tad
clapped his hands to his ears.
"Fourteeu-in my fifteenth year,
shouted Tad, whose face became quite
crimson through the eXertion. So did
Joe's, but from a different cause.
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1893-04-07
The Only Difference.

The people of Wyoming, who permit
women to vote, according to Harper's
Bazaar, are apparently not in sympathy
with the English bachelor of long ago,
who got himself into q controversy on
the subject of women's rights with his
vis-a-vis at dinner. After PRONG and
coming for a few minutes, the lady
asked: 'Candidly, sir, why do you op-
pose giving the franchise to wom-
emp" "You will excuse me for
saying it, madam" he replied, but l
have not sufficient confidence in their
capacity to conduct government af-
fairs" '.But what evidence of woman's
mental inferiority to men can you ad-
vance?" persisted the lady. The bach
elor thought moment, and then an
swered, slowly: "a simple fact is
enough to satisfy my mind, and that is
the frightful way in which they do up
their back hair" He might have added
that until men went around with one
hand holding up u trousers leg, the
sexes were mentally unequal.
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1893-04-07
An Idea.

"The eyes, as the poet said, are the
windows of the SOUL" said the moral
izer.
.'Then I suppose spectacles are the
storm windows of the soul. eh?" put in
the demoralizer.-Puck.
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1893-04-07
WANTED.

Agents to sell our choice and HARDY
Nursery Stock. We have many special
varieties. both in fruits and .ornamental> to
offer, which are controlled only by us. We
Day commission ur salary. " rite us at
once for terms. and secure choice OF terri,
tory.
MAY BROTHERS. Nursery men,
Rochester, n. Y.
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1893-04-07
aItopether ont of place.

Mrs. Brown-Johnnie wishes TO go
| with us, but it wouldn't be right TO
take a child along with a theater
party.
Brown-Of course not, my dear. A
child, you know, should be seen and not
beard-,Judpe.
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1893-04-07
WHY II Was.

Husband-Why do your clothes cost
you a hundred dollars more this year
than they did last? Aren't things
cheaper?
Wife-Yes, dear. that's just 1t There
are so many more bargains.-Judge-
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1893-04-07
Bob's wish.

Bob was shedding "Oh dear" he
sighed, as he pulled his sled up the steep
hill, II wish l owned tame earth
quake to turn this hill upside down
for me whenever wauted it to."-Har-
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1893-04-07

and thousand dollars Was ..well-to-
do; he who had five thousand was well
off; while the owner of ten thousand
dollars was regarded in the light of =
millionaire.
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1893-04-07
SHE WAS MERCENARY'

Miss Coopah-'Lige. now much yo'
dun made dis week whitewashin'p
'Lige-1Fo' de Lawd! yo's de mos
anercinary gal knows, yo' is L beheoe
now yo's marryin' me fo' nah money
Judge.
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1893-04-07
Made Him Feel Small.

"You are not dwarf" said the mu-
scum manager to the applicant. You
are six feet tall"
ST look so; but really l feel very.
very small. I'm a Chicago man, and
I am married to a Boston woman. -
p,,nlr