davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1894-12-20
IN AMSTERDAM.
An Artists Amusing Letter of His Ex-
perlences Ia the Dutch city.

An Artists Amusing Letter of His Ex-
perienees In the Dutch city.
Jules Guerin. the artist, writing to
friend from Laren, Gooiland states:
Il started out with color box and can
vas TO paint the town. On the flrst
bridge was stopped by a policeman.
lie talked gibberish AZ me for time
and as near as ! could discover he
wanted me TO climb off the earth, but
/ talked back at him and think puz-
zled him little. lie let me remain
on the bridge. Afterwards / went on
one Of the old canal boats and made
some sketches looking towards a
bridge and an old tower called the
Tower OF Tears This, think, will
make one Of the best pictures that I
have ever attempted"
Mr.. Guerin has had various expert
ences while on the other side of the
pond this time. While walking
through one OF the slums In Amster-
dam he came near getting robbed, and
had IL not been for his colur box he
claims he certainly would have. and
probably worse might have happened
10 him. lie writes: II was walking
in the Jewish quarter. passed along
unmolested for a way, when came up
10 a group OF men near some sort Of a
passage. One said something to an ,
other Misunderstanding chap. who
stopped me. lie said something /
conld not understand. At any rate he
was ready to put his hand in my
pocket while the other was holding
me from the back. pointed towards
my color box and made an effort,
throwing them OFF, still pointing to
the box-why don't know. They
stood back astonished, and 30 was I,
but quickly moved out OF that neigh
borhood. 1t puzzled me wha. made
them let me go, and the only con-
clusion / could arrive at was that the
color box in my hand gave away my
professions they said TO themselves:
lie is painter; II we rob him we are
In debt. '"-Chicago Tribune.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1894-12-20

"well, whats the matter with your
Don't arrest me, sir, I'll move onP'
ARREST nothingl What's in the
bundle?"
Toms suit, sir"
"And who's Tom2"
"Aly boy, sir and he's sick with
pneumonia and I'm trying to sell his
clothes TO get medicine"
Come Oft never heard OF such a
thingl"
Heres the prescription, sir, and
will you como with me and see for
yourself2"
She led the way and he followed.
When he saw the pinching poverty and
heard her story-when he stood by the
bed and saw how sick poor Tom was,
he smiled grimly and said:
"Then there are high-rollers and
low-rollers. Never knew that before.
Never had All idea that people really
suffered from poverty. So this Is pow
erty, eh?-no money-.no hopes-boy
siclt-rent due-coal out--and you are
trying to sell the boys clothes for
medicinei'
At that moment Tom ceased his
moaning and opened his eyes and saw
the strange man in the room.
81 thought it was n dream, mother. "
what, Tom2"
about the Lord. was walking
the streets and looking all over for
Him, and lie was right here all the
time. Now we'll have the medicine
and good fire and something TO eatl
You said there was a Lord, butt
L"
"What does he mcan?" asked the
high-roller,
"Why, sir, told him that the Lord
might raise up n friend for us. lie was
so i'll and we were so poor that he
doubted II the Lord watched over the
poor"
One by one he counted the bills into
her hand-just three hundred dollars,
and put on his hat TO go.
"Why. sir-but you see-you don't
mean all this for me?'
Get medicine, n doctor, coal, pro-
visions-save Toms life!' he said, as
he went out.
She sat down in n chair, dazel and
wondering II she had not passed from
earth to Heaven. and as he clattered
downstairs and out into the cold and
the night he muttered:
"Old man. you've made beginning,
and now see IL you can't keep it up. -
Detroit Free Press
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1894-12-20
ALL-SAINTS EVE.
Strange Beliefs OF the olden Time Regard.
ing that Night.

II used 10 be the popular belief that
spirits walked abroad that night-al-
though why that night, and the eve
Of midsummer's day, OF all the nights
in the year, only the spirits themselves
might know. 1t was even understood
that they who chanced TO have been
born on that night could actually see
the said spirits. But what was once "a
ceremony of belief in regard TO them
has now become thing Of sport, of
welcome sport in day of sush serious
thought and work and sense of re-
sponsibilty that any excuse for sport
should be laid hold of; so that now its
observances are all jest which young
people play upon themselves, not In
the least believing in the consequences,
only half hoping there may be some
thing in 1t, and saying to themselves
that stranger things have happened.
So they practice matrimonial vaticina-
tion with the roasting nuts, the nut
that leaps away in the heat being "a
lover not to be compelcd--the time
once being known as Nutcrack Night:
and they dip their heads into
tubs OF water TO catch between
tie teeth reluctant apples swim
ming there, and named for
this lover or for that; or all al they
eat an apple before mirror, feeling
creepy as they look over TIE shoulder
In the glass for the face Of sweetheart
or spouse TO be; or they 20 down tho
cellar stairs, with a candle in one hand
and mirror in the other. for the same
expected vision. Or they winnow in
the dark three measures OF nothing,
simply with empty mimicry and win
moving, whereupon the face is toap-
pear; or they pull the dead stalk from
the garden, aud judge by the earth
clinging 10 the roots whether or not
the lover has gold and gear; or they
drop the yolk OF eggs in water, and
take heed of the indications concern
ing lovers trade and tools, be they
pen or be they spade. The singular
things about all these incantations il
that II Is never the departed spirit that
Is invested and desired, but always the
apparition, the wrath, the astral body
to adopt a modern shibbeleth--of the
living. And II October, with its Hal
loween rites, claims the most power OF
seeing spirits of any month in the
year, It is not the enlarged spirits that
It's myths pretend 10 deal with. but
only, for the nonee set free, the spirits
In prison. --lIarper's Bazar.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1894-12-20

from the rccesses Of his brain e short,
striking sentence, he pcnued II quick
ly before II could escape him, and for
FIVE minutes his facile pen slid smooth
ly over the paper
Thcn he needed another idea; again
the pen was poised in the air. Again
he heard the muffled sob. This time
he launched string of unusually pic
turesque oaths and started to investi-
gate.
Yes, there could be no mistaltinQ
that sound. Some one was sobbing
strongly and trying to control himself
Now, under all his rough, gruff exteri-
or old John Dearborn had as warm and
kind heart as ever beat. Guided by the
sound he softly opened the door OF one
81 thc small rooms and stood there
looking in and thinking what a dra-
matte scene IL was.
There sat Briefly in the middle of
the room, his arms stretched out on
the desk before him, his head buried,
and his hand holding the letter. lie
was crying like a baby.
Dearborn stepped in and laid his
hand firmly on Brierly's shoulder
Briefly turned startled, defiant face
up TO Dearborn's and growled out:
"What do you want9"
whats broken you up, old mau?"
said Dearborn.
Nothing" said Briefly, catching his
breath.
You're n liar" said Dearborn, "and
you have got TO tell me what the mat
ter is. Perhaps | can do something for
you"
With that he stepped to the door,
snapped the key, and put it in his
pocket
Then Briefly began to sob again.
Dearborn hummed a tune, whistled
bit, swore under his breath aud wait
ed for Briefly to grow calmer. Final
" he looked up and said with an ef-
fort:
81 have got a letter-from a brother
that's given me the blues. Come up
the hill with me when we get good
night and | will tell YOU
When the men came in at midnight
from lunch Briefly was sitting at his
place as usual and looking over n pa
~ - - htNhAhE bhN VI AAAt
had happened. They glanced inquir-
ingly at him, but they didn't dare to
ask for an explanation.
At $3.50 he said good night. hunted
up Dearborn, who was waiting for
him, said Come" and they started up
the hill.
When the whole story was told long
afterward Dearborn said that during
that walk to Brierlys room neither
spoke a single word TO the other.
When the gas flared up in Brierly's
room, Dearborn saw n small cozy
apartment with desk in the center
and the walls completely lined with
books A cot stood in a little alcove.
Briefly poked mp the fire, handed
Dearborn a pipe, lighted another him
self, and reached into his pocket.
All this time he had not said a word
and Dearborn, with the ready tact
born Of long newspaper experience,
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1894-12-20

ing him away. l never could track
him, and now he's dead. That's oil,
Dearborn"
Dearborn went across the room, laid
his old hand on Brierly's shaggy head,
and said: "My poor boy. understand
you now"
Then he left him and went home.
II was only about week after that
q rumor of an anarchist meeting came
In very late one night Rich looked
around for q reporter, but IL was so
late that they had all gone home.
Tho ION cali" man was out on n
murder, and, with curious desire to
see what Briefly could do, he sent him
to the meeting. The story he wrote
was long the talk of the town.
After that they took him off the
desk and put him on the staff as a
special writer. When there was a big
piece of work to be done demanding
descriptive writing, II was always
Briefly who was sent
The day before New Years a terri
storm broke. IL strewed wrecks
a. ing the coast, and many vessel
pounded her life out on the rocks that
lined the shore for miles like a bar
rier between the land and sea.
"See here, Briefly" said the man
aging editor that night, "thc weather
bureau people say this is going to be
the worst storm we have had for years.
The wind Is on shore, aud it'll make
nasty work for the life-savers. Got
any dinner invitations to.morrow?"
Briefly only shook his head drearily.
WELL" continued the managing ed
itor; then he stopped aud hesitated
while Briefly regarded him steadily.
30, hang IL. Briefly" said the man
aging editor, "I'm sorry have got TO
send you down the coast, and I'm sorry
you haven't a place TO go home and
have good time in We want bang
up story ON IA New Years day with the
life-savers. We want IL for Sunday,
and just lay yourself out on H..
Then he threw his arm over Brier-
ly's shoulder and said, kindly;
"S'e here, Briefly, what can do
for you?"
Nothing, SIR" said Bricrly. 81
shall start at once"
1t was early morning when he
reached the little seaport, and he
started off for the station, on the bit
of a beach that was set among the
rocks like q single jewel in an iron
crown.
The battle with the wind and snow
that Wild New Years morning called
out all his powers Of resistance, and
when he reached the station and told
the man in charge his errand, he was
almost jolly!
He was armed with a permit from
the chief of the service, and the brave.
honest fellows soon made him ut
home. lie had a long chat with the
man in charge, went out in oilskins
and patrolled the beach awhile, then
went back to the warm, comfortable
station and examined all the appara-
tus, taking few notes.
The storm increased in fury steadily
and the wind came off the sea in great
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1894-12-20
A NICE OLD LADY.
wife OF the Grand Old Man Figures as q
Fairy Godmothcr.

! Fairy Godmother.
A pretty story of Mr.. and Mrs. Glad
stones kindness 10 a young woman is
thus reported by n lady correspondent:
The young woman was the daughter
of a music teacher who many years
ago was engaged TO teach Mr. Glad
stones children. This young woman
was anxious to enter the musical pro-
! fcssion. In some way, says the corre-
| spondent, she became known to Mrs.
Gladstone - perhaps through her
daughters, the young girls fellow
pupils-and that lady, after hearing
her sing, showed her recognition of
the ability she displayed in many ways.
especially by inviting her to their
house that others might hear and ad-
mire her also. At last the music mas
J ter proposed giving n concert at which
his best pupils were to perform. OF
course Miss - was among them, and
very much excited she felt at the pros
pect OF making her debut before the
very select audience which was Sc
cured for the performance-Mr. and
Mrs. Gladstone, of course, conspicuous
among its members. She was not
afraid of the ordeal, being modestlv
confident Of her ability to pass it
with credit TO herself and master; but
she was woman, and very young
and rather pretty one, and so IL
damped her anticipations OF coming
triumph to look at her old, shabby
evening dress, the only one she pos
sessed, and think of appearing in IL
before tho brilliant audience among
her well-dressed fellow pupils. In
vain did her mother remind her of the
admiration her superior singing would
excite; she felt that a new evening
gown, smart and pretty, would effect
far more wonderful results than any
effort of her own. and so, in rather a
disconsolate mood she practiced away
and awaited the eventful hour.
One day, to her surprise, she received
an invitation TO dine with the Glad
stones on the evening of the concert,
and to drive with them TO the hall.
Very gladly she accepted It, and
thought how good it was of them to
let her make her debut. as it were, un-
der their wing, besides saving her the
eNpcube OF cdD. 80, tuOuRn Stlll In
rueful contemplation of her toilet, she
felt a little better, and in due time ar
rived at the hospitable door. There
she was shown into a bedroom and
smilingly told that whatever she found
laid out was for her TO use as she saw fit
Surely the days of fairy godmothers
are not over, for on the bed spread out
In dazzling whiteness reposed marvel
OF muslin, ribbon and lace. charm
ing evening gown fresh from the
modiste, and simple and pure as any
sweet girl graduate" might wish to
wear at her first appearance in public.
There was no doubt about II, II was
really for her-this thoughtfully ar
ranged gift of the kind lady, whose
motherly heart had silently under
stood what the feeling Of the girl un-
der such circumstances would be. So,
very happily and gratefully, the pret-
ty gift was donned, and the blushing
recipient hastened down TO join the
family, whose venerated head was
quite as much interested in the little
surprise as anyone else concerned -
Liverpool Echo.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1894-12-20
IT WAS THE BODY OF MAN LAsHED TO A SPAR

I gusts that seemed strong enough to
! shake the little station down.
It grew dark early, and when the
afternoon patrol came in at five O'Clock
night had settled down.
1t NEST have been about ten o'clock
when the steady pound Of the break
ers on the sand was broken by a diff.
/ ferent sound. II was the boom OF a
gun over the water
They shook Briefly out of his doze,
and just then the door burst open and
the beach patrol thrust his head in
and shouted:
Run out the gun and the lines
Something's on the Halfway rock and
shootin' rockets"
Here was Brierly's chance. Hastily
throwing on his oilslIins he started
out with the men.
The snow had stopped falling. II
was bit lighter, and they could see
the silver line OF surf stretching either
way on the beach. Its roar was so
loud they had 10 shout in each others
ears TO be heard.
With unceasing regularity the boom
OF the gun rode in 10 the men. At less
regular intervals a fiery snake wrig-
gled out Of the blackness and died in
mid air.
II was a tough struggle 10 the wa
ter's edge, but at last they planted the
gun and made ready 10 dropa line over
the vessel. Several times they were
unsuccessful, and pulled the line back
again, but finally succeeded.
by this time the gun had ceased its
booming and the fiery snakes wriggled
no longer Briefly had walked along
the beach SO he might look out at
a different angle, and was standing
straining his eyes for a sight OF the
vessel.
He was just starting back when
huge comber came bounding In, bear
ing black object on its crest briefly
saw IL and waited.
On II came, curling. seething, fash
ing and foaming With a last mad
leap the breaker struck the shore, wet
ting Brierly 10 his waist, and laying
at his very feet its burden.
II iras the bOdyof man iaSled 70 spar.
All signs Of life were beaten out of
the body.
Briefly cut the lashings, shouldered
the body and fought his way TO the
station. II was deserted. by the light
OF the lamps he saw the man was
young and that he was breathing
lBrieriy's nrst thought was identifi-
cation. Slipping his hand into the
mans breast pocket he took out lit
tie leather photograph case and
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1894-12-20
said nothing. Finally Briefly handed
him the letter and said: read it"

said nothing Finally Briefly handed
him the letter and said: read il"
This is what Dearborn read:
ben what's the usef It's three years since
you refused to have anything more 20 do with
me, and can't seem TO catch on anywhere.
No matter where I've been since saw you. l
am going TO do really something decisive in my
life now; am going 70 end II.
"Good-by. JOHN"
Dearborn read II through twice,
looked at the postmarlS, blurred by
rain beyond all recognition, looked at
Brierly, and said:
well, old man, who's John?"
my brother" said Briefly.
And then he began TO tell his story.
and he never stopped until he had told
II all, and even then he did not say a
great deal 1t was the shortest, sad
dest history Dearborn had ever listened
10. Here il is:
my father was a rich man once
This is all that is left Of his fine libra
ry. He died poor long ago and my
mother did not outlive him long.
John and were the only children.
John was a little chap when they
died. was twenty-one and ! went TO
work. i had been through Harvard,
and scrimped and pinched and saved
every cent to send him through, but
he did not care anything about such
things. lie was a careless, wild sort
Of fellow, and crazy TO go into the
newspaper business.
81 said no, because / knew that he
would go 10 the devil In II. He started
In uf 81.
sophomore class. He spent all the
money | could rake and scrape.
"When he was dropped from his
class | upbr aided him severely, and In
his careless, insinccre fashion he told
me that he wanted TO go TO work.
II told him that he should go
through and that he should not go to
work, surely not in a newspaper office
'He told me he never would 20
through college.
Then ! pleaded with him not 10 dis
grace the family name, and he prom
ised 10 try again. But he did disgrace
Is not long after lie got into ter
rible scrape and was expelled.
~ couldn't stand that, and when he
came TO Ine with his story / cursed
him. told him / was done with him
forever and in my bitter wrath
meant Il. m
lie was frightened at ffst Then
the Briefly will came 10 his aid. and
lac replied as bitterly that he didn't
need MY help With that he left my
room.
From then until now have never
seen him nor heard from him. ~
knows loved him t-.,-~r
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1894-12-20

and the doctor says it's touch Of
pneumonia"
You owe two months back rent"
he said, as he inspected the poor, old
furniture and wondered IL it would
pay TO attach IT,
Yes, sir, but il you'll only have a
little patience we'll pay you"
Patience won't pay taxes nor make
repairs. I'll give you the day to pack
your traps"
But where will go?"
Beat some other landlord out OF
two months rent"
II haven't a shilling In the house
and there lies my sick boy! Give me a
week, anyhow. IL will be the death OF
Tom 10 be carried out It's too cold in
the room here, but I've only a little
coal and have TO use IL more carefully
than you do gold"
you can talk TO the constables
when they come; I'm sick and tired OF
hearing these yarns"
Before the week is out may find
work. II Tom was well wouldn't say
a word, but don't set us out with him
SO badly OF that the doctor"
Talk 10 the constab blesl" shouted
the man as he turned TO go.
but, sir, II you would only let us
stay another week I'm sure you
wouldn't lose by it, There's such a
thing as the Lord raising up a friend
for the widow and the fatherless Just
as they are ready to give up"
Cant stop-talk TO the constable
two months back rent or out you 60"
That was the way the year opened
for Widow Flint and her boy Tom.
II was hard times all around. Plenty
Of energetic, slSillful mechanics were
out Of work and behind In their rent,
and dealers and manufacturers who
generally had plenty Of work 10 give
out were holding back 10 watch the
business outlook. Tom might have
kept his place at three dollars per
week la the box factory, but the want
OF proper food and clothing had made
him susceptible 10 exposure and
brought him low. There wasn't money
enough in the house 10 get the doe
tors prescription filed at drug store.
and IL was well that the boys fever
blunted his appetite, as loaf OF bread
was the only palatable thing ia the
fonse. Neighborsl Yes, plenty Of
them. There were forty families
under that roof, but most Of them had
little else but bread When poverty ,
begins TO hunger their poverty is self
lsh.
IL makes people selfish 10 herd them !
together Tho sight Of eacl, Others
iestitution blunts all sentiment.
But He's like the mayor. aln't he
never noticing anybody bu9 well-of
Iolks."
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1894-12-20

of your father and high-roller-that
is all. When you come to figure it
down you are a champion fool-noth-
ing less"
He lazily turned over, sat up on the
side of the bed, and continued
Head as big as house and
your stomach full OF vitrloL Nice
chap you are. A decent mule ought
to be ashamed to kick you No
sand-no energy - hardly strength
enough to get into your clothes and
wash up. You and are going to have
n talk after a bit Had no idea where
the boys tucked me away this morn
ing, but guess this is hotel, and III
order up bite 10 eat"
Half an hour later the high-roller
sat down to his cigar, and, as he
smoked, he said:
"What | want TO know Is how much
longer you are going to continue this
sort Of business. You've had six or
seven years OF IL, and it seems TO me
that you ought 10 be through. When
young man gets to that point where
he realizes that he is an ass he's ready
for change. Suppose we swear of?
Suppose we surprise the old folks by
dropping this high-roller business and
living a halfway decent life. Cham
pagne, cards, songs, cigars, and all
that last night till you were drunk as
an old bum. That reminds me. Seems
TO me ! had a streak OF luck. Let's
see!"
lie had money in every pocket
twos, hves and tens. The bills were
crumpled and rolled, but he smoothed
them out on his knee and counted
them over and said:
"A fool for luck! Here's an even
three hundred dollars, and / must
have had luck, just about enough 10
pay for a wine supper, and just about
n hundredth part OF what I've lost at
cards. Well. what are you going TO
do about the other matter-swearinR
on? Strikes you as about the correct
thing. does II? All right Hold up
your right hand and repeat after me.
~, James Forbush being IN my right mlnd
for tho nrst time Ia several years. and fully
realizing that am the biggest idiot In North
America, do hereby anifm and declare that
am no longer a hlgh-roiler on wheels In
other words. pledge myself 10 esohew cards.
drink and other rapid transit matters from
ana after this nrst day OF January ls0-. and n
break my word may / be despised by men
and kicked BY animals.
THAT'S all right. old man-all right
May come hard, but you'll wabble
through. Now. as TO the money. You
don't need H. IL was won at cards,
and there's wine stains on every bill
In being high-roller you've forgotten
all about charity You've been ready
70 Zip dollarIN darky WIN hel9|
yogmrA'rcoa( J Yer a Michel