davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1894-12-20
lie Isn't Groom.

Having married man for ones
best man possesses the nameless ad.
vantage Of giving a good send-off to
:ue nuptiAls. One who has tried il
knows what TO avoid as well as what
TO do on that trying occasion OF get
ting married." and must prove n moral
support to the always unimportant
bridegroom. by the way, what SLOW
enly manner of speech Is IL to call that
individual the "grooml" Good form.
not to mention slight knowledge
with the language, should preclude 50
gross an error as shortening the com
pound noun and thereby giving il an
entirely different significance. 1t
would be absurd to say: "the bride
and stableman or coachman," aud yet
groom" according to modern ety.
mology, means just about that, and
without the prefix is altogether vul.
gar. Bridegroom is word as old as
the world Stick to it all and do not
be so economical OF space or time as
todrop the "bride" when the chance
comes TO use it.--Boston Herald.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1894-12-20

the absurdity of the situation, and
without more ado, beaming with jollity
and good nature, of he started on his
expedition Of charity.
The weary and homesick travellers in
our immediate vicinity at first stared,
then smiled, then seemed TO awake
from their melancholy reverics to an
interest in something that bid fair to
relieve the monotony of the tiresome
hours of travel.
Seated behind me was n young man,
arrayed in a brand new ready-made
suit of clothes of rather loud pattern,
all the creases of which were pain
fully conspicuous; a young man evil
IDENTIFY from the rural districts, but he
seemed to he on his guard and wore
an expression of dignity and gravity
which he probably deemed in harmony
with his apparel. A faint, indulgent
smile appeared upon his face when
Rube-I call him Rube because that
was the name his friends gave him
presented himself and s. in trade.
"Apples, oranges, peanuts, bananas,
specially selected and shipped from
Florida for this identical train? Buy
some frnits Of the tropics, sir?"
Not to-day, thanks"
"Of course not; knew you wouldn't
fool away money on this stuff. was
just trying 10 be iunny. you know.
Men of the world like you and must
relax little now and then; no olfense,
l hope. l know you society men are
apt to be little stiff with strangers.
But most of you fashionable fellows
are good-hearted, after all. And to-
morrow's Christmas, you know"
"Oh, l understand; that's all right, :"
replied the flattered youth.
ITS pretty gay sort Of life you
fellows lead, reckon. never Was in
society myself, but I've read about II
considerable In Ward McAllister's new
book, Society as Have Found It.
Queer duck, McAllister; 'spose you
know him personally. His book is all
the rage with the Four Hundred, and
something you'd appreciate. I've got
one copy here, and don't mind giving
you the first show for it,"
The young man seemed to be gratified
by these remarks, and did not conceal
the self-conscious expression Of his face
as he took the volume and turned over
the leaves.
what does II cost?" he inquired.
"Well, the price marked ON Il Is fifty
cents, but you know it's the last in the
lot and getting mighty rare. But IN
let you have II for seventy-five cents,
seeing tomorrow Is Christmas"
Wen, the young man bought the
book and probably had his moneys
worth, as he seemed deeply interested
in its contents from that time forward
The volunteer next attacked me, and
had no serious difficulty Of swindling
me out Of twenty-five cents on i've
cent package Of cough-drops. which he
! tdeclared would cure any disorder Of
tho human system in miraculously
short time.
Tho scat In front Of mine was Occur
pied by typical priest Now. newer
saw but two types Of travelling prlosls
-cv German and he other Irieh.
#.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1894-12-20
The Spirit OF Living.

The great family life of America
does not represent opulence. II It
stands for anything it stands for com
fort. but not for plenty. We can all
afford 10 recognize the Christ-lisc
spirit of Christmas, which teaches us
to remember by some loving token
those nearest and dearest TO us. But
only n few can afford 10 follow the
present method of extravagaut and
senseless giving. Generosity is a
synonym the world over for the Amer
lean; but true generosity Is of the
heart and Of the heart alcne. IL one
has been more fortunate than the
other in the requirement OF means,
and the win is present, then, say, by
all means give largely and widely.
But let such giving be measured only
by true feeling and that spirit mani
tested as II can be, so that others, less
fortunate of means. shall not feel that
they are obliged to do what really they
cannot afford to do. II will not harm
us II. In this respect, we go back lit
tie TO the times that are past. No one
then heard all this talk about the
duty of giving at holiday-time. People
gave because IL was pleasure to
give; they liked to give, and they
gave what they could. A Christ
mas present then meant more than 1t
does now, In that its only association
was the day and the spirit of the eiver.
Times were simpler, IL Is true, and
wants were fewer But IL we have
progressed, and presents are possible
to-day which were out Of the reach of
our forefathers, the spirit can at least
remain the same. We need not depart
from principles as we grow. We
should adhere the closer 10 them II
anything. Ladies' Home Journal
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1894-12-20

One look at the suffering child and
Mrs Catherwood's sharp struggle with
herself was ended with tho quick an
Bs = Yes; ask him to come at once ="
Aud now at midnight she was anx-
iously awaitir.s che arrival Of the man
she most dreaded ard dislilsed.
The young physician who stood 80
high in his profession, was the one
who had been too honest and sincere
ever TO fiatter her. lie had resolutely
kept aloof from her, even though she
had once stopped 80 far as 10 try TO
win attention from him.
But she had never forgotten the
quiet scorn of the condemnation he
had once uttered in her hearing Of the
frivolous lives OF society women and
their ill-considered charities which so
often did more harm than good.
She had chosen 10 give a personal
application TO his words, and 70 ignore
him after that whenever they Glanced
TO meet but nevertheless his words
had ranltled In her, and hnl sown the
seeds of discontenta at her cum unsatis-
flying life.
At last he was at her sidA. His quick
glance had instantly takcn In all the
details Of the room; the suffering child,
the beautiful, anxious woman, the lit
tic cast-of garments. Che new ones
still unfolded on a chair, the tiny half
filled stocking, and scattered toys, and
II was not hard for his practised eye
10 read the sweet and pathetic story
that they told.
Together they bent above the little
sufferer, and together they worked
over her, fighting for her life. It was
sharp hand-to-hand struggle with
death that night, but In the gray dawn
of Christmas morning their victory was
won, the child's labored breathing be-
came easier. and as her pitiful suffer
ing ceased she had fallen into n quiet,
refreshing sleep.
"All danger is over now," the doctor
said, and Thank Godr' Mrs. Gather
wood ihurfnured from her heart.
You don't know how feel" she
went on, brokenly. "She only came
TO me last night, but II seems as IL she
had been sent-a Christmas gift-to be
my very own"
DIR. Harmon took Mrs Cathcrwood's
hand in both his own and seemed to
forget 10 let IL go.
"Let mo thank you for tho conf
dence that you have shown in me to-
night" he said. "I misunderstood
you once, and you have judged me
even more hnrshly than judged you;
but you arc q noble woman. 1t is
Christmas morning now" he went on.
'and with that large charity you have
shown towards this little child, will
you not give me the privilege of learn
ing TO know you better, and OF over
coming your dislike TO me-if / camp"
And Mrs. Catherwood answered
"Yes."-Judith Spencer. in n. Y. OBJ:
server.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1894-12-20

at the. salesman were appiaudcd BY the
little coteric Of friends across the nisIol
IL seemed to me that the cunning Rnbo
was purposely laying himself open to
give pointers 70 the priest However
that may be- he managed TO leave his
revercLae poorer by n silver dollar,
but I'm an excellent humor with himself
and oil the world
The industrious salesman had by this
time proceeded beyond the range Of
hearing, but was steadily gaining in
popularity, and as he progressed shouts
of mirth greeted him. Almost every
one entered into the spirit Of the enter
prise, and his stock was considerably
diminished before he had passed out 10
enter the next car, for Il wns tho
smoker, and II he had successfully
BROKEN the ice in our car he was just
the ran to reap a harvest amongst the
democratic and anarchistio smokers.
The original and only train boy was
an interesting sight His dependency
had evaporated. lie no longer put me
In mind of a sick chicken on n rainy
day, unable 70 find comfortable shell
ter; his dependency had taken WINGS
He no longer dropped, but sat erect In
his seat. His dough-colored face took
on q mahogany tint. The dull eyes
were sparkling with n new light. Hope
had given him back his manhood and
courage. lie could appear before his
humble family In the character Of q
protector and provider. He could re-
spond TO the welcome home as every
true man loves TO respond with somo
new comfort for those he loves. He
would come hon. v'.h good tidings for
Christmas; for thu jolly Samaritan had
sold enough in on car TO insure his
hopes.
But here comes Rube, returning from
his labors with an empty basket and
but two volumes of tho disreputablo
literature which forms the bulk Of sup.
ply for the trainboy-"The Mistakes Of
Moses" and Nance" There is a smilo
lurking beneath his mustache--I can
detect II by the dimplcs in each cheek
and there Is sunshine in his eyes,
Six feet Of you, Rube, and every inch
of you mani / would like 60 shalce
hands with you, old fellow, for there Is
big heart humping under your vests
heart in proportion to your great
body. No doubt you are a sinner, Rubo
1--WE are all sinners, for that matter),
but you are a saint ON this Christmas
eve. People disposed to be critical rnay
deplore your lack of dignity and the
cynical may say you have made an ass
of yourself; but that will not trouble
you, old fellow. Your face is aglow
with n brightness brought from heov-
emily places, that ridiculous cap on your
head is a crown of glery 70 yOu, Rube.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1894-12-20
why They Agreed.

DIR. Bowling, OF New York, was
speaking Of the ineompatlbility Of n
union Of church and state in this coun-
try. lie said;
Patrick and Biddy had been long
time married, but did not get along
well together, for. they were almost
continually quareling. II happened,
however, that one day when they were
sitting together opposite the fire, in
came the cat and dog, and lay down
between them aud the FIRE, and also
opposite each other.
Presently Biddy speaks up and says;
Faith, Patrick, isn't II shame we
should be always quarreling9 See the
cat and the dog, how peaceably they
get along"
"och, Blddy, sure and IL isn't fair
comparison at all; just tie them to.
gether aud sec how they'll act"-Mld.
dletown Record,
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1894-12-20

have n turkey sure; and you see, no
biz, no turkey. So I was thinking
about this and them three little stock
ings hanging up on the mantel shelf
and felt kinder blue when sec I'd
have to gil the stockings wild bananas
ont Of my stock, and get along with
pork and beans fer Christmas dinner" 3"
"TIow much did you take In to-day?"
inquiries the Q. I.
"T'rce dollars and fifteen cents, and
! git twenty per cent. out Of IT,"
That leaves you about sixty cents
profit, eh2"
"Jest about"
"And you want n turkey dinner and
little present for Jennie and mother,
and plumber for the kids, ard you've
got sixty cents on hand. Sixty cents
will go good way in peanuts or hair
pins, but Il hasn't much show TO buck
up against n Christmas turkey. Now,
I'll tell you what's the matter with
you. You don't know how 70 sell
goods. In the first place your goods
are no good anyway, and In the sec
ond place you mcander through the
train with that funked-out expression
on your face as though you really
didn't expect to make q sale anyway
That's no way 20 drum up q customer" Z"
"Oh, yes, it's easy enough hidden
me, but nobody could sell nothin' on
this train, says the train boy.
Couldn't, eh2 Well, I'm betting
they could II they only knew how to
work IL. Now, If was in your place
for about fifteen minutes I'd show you
how to sell goods. by Gcorgel I've an
ideal Listen. boys, what's the matter
with me trying IL on? What dye say TO
my taking this here stock and wording
the train for all it's worth?'
go ahead, Rube, and try It." cries
one of the groap.
Eyes, let's have some iun," says an
other.
".You haven't the sand to try" re-
marks a slseptic.
"Try II, Rube, and give the boy a
lift" puts in the third.
"Here goes, then, says the redoubta-
BILE Rube. Here, Jimmie, hand me
your basket, and give me your cap"
With this he snatches the official cap
from the small head Of the news vender
and places It on his own large Uranium.
Nothing could be moro comical than
the effect Of the train boys cap perched
on the zenith altitude of the prema-
turely bald head of the jolly CONNER.
cial traveller, while his own capacious
derby almost settled on the shoulders
of the train boy.
Rube stood up fully six feet in his
shoes, and l should judge would turn
the scale considerably beyond two hun.
dred pounds. All Of which added 10
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1894-12-20

Gust ,ms officer fooling around on the
high mountains, when he might much
better have been drinking black coffee
and cognac In the village down below.
The Spaniards, therefore, express their
disapprobation by dropping the officer
down on the village mile or so
throug the air, thus saving time and
trouble, fer bt the Spanish method he
reaches the village in few seconds,
whereas II would have taken him
hours TO 20 down the zigzag path.
After resting for awhile, and look
ing at the customs officers monument
with great content, clutched my
nlpenstook and proceeded TO toll up
the path toward Syain. IL was lone
some spot On the right hand wall
Of rock rose TO giddy height; on the
left was the deep precipice so useful
In reducing the numerical strength OF
the revenue service; between the rock
and the chasm's edge was e path about
four feet wide.
Away up the path, coming toward
me, saw fantastically-dres youth
with an alpenstocd, which he every
now and then used as a spring-polc
leaping downward at a great rate.
When he saw me he paused for a mo-
ment, and then came on more soberly.
trailing his alpenstock behind him.
As he approached / saw he was about
twelve or fourteen years of age, and
by his costume knew he was Span
ish youth. lie was evidently uneasy,
for, in the mountains as In the dcs-
ert, no man meets friend. lie
glanced furtively and suspiciously at
me, and seemed ready TO bolt should |
show signs of being hostile.
IL was mean thing TO do, but
thought | would frighten him bit
couched my alpenstoclS as IL it were
lance or bayonet, pointing the sharp
steel prod of IL towards him, and with
frown on my brow advanced up the
path. lie first shranlS la by the wall of
rock, them moved cautiously Co the
edge of the precipice, the point of my
pole following him.
Hello, Sam" | said, "whero do you
think you're going?"
Seeirr he was trapped, look Of the
most intense fear came into his face;
his jet back eyes grew large with ter.
ror; the color left his cneelxs, and his
lips were white and firmly closed into
a straight line.
/ had become ashamed of myself,
aud was just going to tell him it was
all right, when, with a suddenness
that found me totally unprepared, he
swung up his alpenstoclS with both
hands, and brought IL down ON my
head.
thank my stars, OF which saw q
thousand at that moment, that he did
not knock me clean through into
China. As IL was, went down in my
tracks like felled OK. lie placed the
point of his alpenstock beside my
PROSTATE body. leaped over me like n
bird and ran down the pass as IL the
devil were after him, which, indeed.
he was not, for | couldn't move for
some seconds. When | gradually got
up on my elbow saw in dazed way
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1894-12-20

Her eyes were still fixed upon him.
seriously, ponderingly; then she
looked down at the child sleeping now
upon her breast. ~ am afraid she
will be claimed" she said, very quiet
ly, "but in any case, Mr.. Whitney,
have made my choice. THANK you for
the honor you have done me, but
gooi nightr
The child soon wakened. and Mrs.
Catherwood. receiving ready sympathy
and help from her kind old companion
friend, fed her wee guest her supper,
and tried to learn her name. But the
little one only laughed aud stretched
out her chubby hands TO the blaze.
Baby" she said. and ''pitty, pity"
as the soft coal flame hared bright.
Then Mrs. Catherwood, with gentle
unaeeustomed hands, gave her a warm
refreshing bath before the fire. and
had just sung her to sleep and laid her
In her own soft bed. when word was
brought that some one was waiting be-
low to see her.
Descending with.a new and almost
nervous dread, Mrs Catherwood found
an officer with woman who had come
for the missing child Not one of her
own, the woman explained, but the
child Of young couple-strangers in
the town, who had lived In the house
with her, and had died within a few
days of one another the month before.
She had taken the child herself then,
because, poor little soull there had
been no one else TO care for her.
LET me keep her." said Mrs. Gather
wood, land win bring her up as II
she were my own
So IL was settled. And then, with u
new sweet feeling Of tenderness in her
heart, Mrs Catherwood left the sleep
Ing little one in her companions care,
and went out, accompanied by her
maid, to buy some little necessary gar
ments and toys for her Christmas
treasure.
She saw no familiar faces among the
throng that crowded tht stofes that
night But dainty Mrs Catherwood
found actual pleasure in mingling for
once with this good-natured strug-
Cling mass of unknown Christmas
shoppers.
IL was late before she reached her
homo, and she was hastily opening her
various packages, and beginning to III
the little stoclSing--the FIRST child's
stocking she had ever nlled-when her
companion summoned her in alarm. The
child had been croupy all the evening,
she said, and was now rapidly grow
ing worse.
The labored breathing aud little
flushed face frightened Mrs. Gather
wood, and late as n was, she sent at
once for her physician. Almost inn
mediately word was brought back TO
her that the ON doetoS had gone away
10 spend Chr'sfmhs, and that Dr. Ilar-
,moa was 10 fn his place In case OF
-. l.ti N neer,eR' alEsd quits
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1894-12-20

to attempt to frighten n child.
The incident took place In the Pyre-
nees. Sooner or later every lover of
mountains drifts into the Pyrenese.
As rule, he is disappointed II he is
familiar with Switzerland or the TyroL
He finds in that range no great masses
OF snow, such as there are among the
Alps; no waterfalls worth looking at;
no lovely lakes and very few good
roads. Nevertheless, the Pyrenees
have beauty of their own that makes
them well worth visiting.
The French are the greatest road
builders in the world, and France has
the best roads in the world, but the
Spaniards are the worst road builders
in the universe, always excepting the
Americans. So IL comes that the
French realize that it is no use for
them TO build a road up their side OF
the Pyrenees IL the Spaniards won't
build road down the other side, and
therefore the chain between France
and Spain Is crossed only by footpaths
except at the Mediterranean end, and
the Bay of Biscay end Along these
paths there are no hotels, and per-
son who wishes TO enjoy the scenery
of the higher Pyrenees must carry his
food on his back, and be prepared to
camp out When You think OF the
magnificent roads that there are be-
tween Switzerland and Italy. and the
excellent hotels to be found every.
where among the Alps, you will uu-
derstand why thousand people go to
Switzerland for every one who goes to
the Pyrenees. The country that wishes
TO sell its scenery to the best advan-
tage must understand the hotel busi-
ness and know how to make good
roads.
Still, every state of things has its
compensations, and II you want to get
far from the busy haunts of men and
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1894-12-20

for her carriage TO como for her.
The orphanage stood upon the out
skirts of the town, and IL was a long
walk from there TO her beautiful home;
and yet she had fingered after the
Christmas tree and the distribution Of
the gifts, while the other patronesses
had buried away to their home
preparations for their own children,
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1894-12-20

from the sound OF the English Ian
guage, go into the center of the Pyr-
enees range. IL is said that the Span.
iards object TO good roads across the
mountains because they would inter
fere with the gentle and laudable art
of smuggling. This, Of course, Is a
vital and tangible reason for not build
ing roads. We must not imagine that
the Spaniards are an unprogressive,
uncivilized people. Far otherwise
while i was tramping over into their
country | came upon rude stone mon.
ument six thousand feet above the sea
on the edge of u fearful cliff, and the
inscription on the stone was to the
effect that this memorial had been put
there because at that spot six Spanish
smugglers had thrown u French GUS
toms officer over the precipice. No one
can say anything against the Spanish
people after generous action like
that. 1t would have been more noble,
perhaps, II one Spaniard had thrown
six customs officers over, still we must
not expect too much In this imperfect
world and should be thankful for
small favors
Spanish smugglers have an advan-
tage over their French fellow-crafts.
men. The Frenchman lisa companions
able sort Of being, and even when he
is customs officer he likes to drink
his absinthe with his fellows. Conse-
quently, the French custom houses are
down In the villages at the foot Of the
mountains. The Spanish custom
houses ON the other hand. are right
up In the mounta ms, generally at the
top OF the pass, or the "rorte," as they
call IL there, within few yards OF the
boundary line between the two coun-
tries Thus IL is that the French
smuggier is nipped in the bud
ns soon as he crosses into
Spanish territory, willie the Span
ish smuggler has six o. eight
miles to 60 through french srritory
before he sights an alieNeNef' Mouse.
lie has wilderness OIL sts
and paths opoy u hIn \.
IN M Fnl
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1894-12-20

You have preached for me an eloquent
sermon, lesion of uses. You have
shown me that sentimental emotion is
Of no value or account. Benevolent
wishes are moral vaporings unless they
find their ultimate in doings. The gifts
you possess you have cheerfully laid on
the altar Of charity, all unconscious of
having done anything for your own
glory, delighting only in the joy you
have bestowed upon your neighbor-a'
Merry Christmas, Rube. and a Happy
New Yearl-Frank Beard, IN Rams
Horn
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1894-12-20

AN convinced
that IL is wrong
to frig hte n
C childre n. We
are apt to make
light of their
fears, forgetting
that, although
the c a u sc Is
known to us to
be trivial, the
terror of n child
may be as real
and as agoniz-
ing as the justi-
fable terror of a
man. / thought
deeply upon this
subject one day
last su IN IN e r,
and / formed a
resolution never