davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-19

the collar of his coat high above his
ears, and his slouch hat pulled down
over his scowling brow.
It wouldn't do any harm to 60 and
give look at his old home-that
pretty brown cottage in which he and
Nan had lived for four short months.
He had nothing else to do-and he
needed the exercise.
The wind blew stif1y as he crossed
the bridge. On the other side wo-
man was crossing in the opposite di-
rection. She had shawl about her
shoulders and wore white hood. Hey
ser remembered that Nan had worn
white hood on Christmas Eve just q
year ago. The keen air had made her
cheeks rosy, and given sparkle to
her black eyes. People had turned to
look at her on the street, and he had
felt proud of his pretty wife. He had
not dreamed then that in less than
three months from that time he and
Nan would have gone separate ways.
It was only short walk from the
bridge to the heart of Bridge City,
and the little brown cottage Heyser
had bought stood on one of the steep,
unsraded streets. he felt chill sense
of disappointment when he reached it
and saw that it was dark and all the
blinds were closed.
He stood at the little gate and stared
at the cottage for long, long time.
Nan had deserted it, of course, and it
had stood empty all these months. He
ought to have known she wouldn't
stay there alone, and yet-somehow
he had always thought Of her as keep
ing home there, waiting for him to
come back.
He was stiff and chilled when at last
he turned from the gate and went
slowly up the hill, with vague idea
of walking through the village before
returning to L.. Not that he ex-
pected to meet Nan-thst was most un-
likely. In all probability she had left
Bridge City and was following her
trade of dressmsking in some larger
place. .......-
AS he reached the top of the hill he
saw sudden tongue of flame shoot up
from the roof Of an old house which
stood back from the street at some dis
tance from any other. It was the
home of old Mrs. Wisk and her weak
minded daughter, and Heyser. sprang
forward as if electrified, wondering #
anv one were inside.
As he approached the gate he saw
the imbecile girl run out from the
front door, and at the same moment
the flames burst from half a dozen
places in the roof.
els any one in there?" shouted Hey
ser, seizing the girl by the shoulder.
She only whimpered and smiled in
reply, and Heyser released her, and
with one bound was at the door and
had dashed it open.
Before the wide, open hearth was q
wickerwork carriage, and in it, staring
up with bright black eyes, lay baby
perhaps two months of age. Heyser
seized it in a rough but careful grasp
and rushed out-just in time, for the
old roof fell with crash behind him,
sending the sparks flying over him
and his precious charge.
The yard was full of people now
who had come running from every
direction, and as Heyser staggered
forward with his burden he heard q
loud, piercing cry, and a young wo.
man in big shawl and white hood
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-19

carols. These were piouC canticles
designed to replace the ribald songs
of the old heather festivals, and the
custom of children and even grown
people going about from house to
house singing them at the door on
Christmas Eve and being rewarded
with Christmas cheer and Christmas
spending money is maintained in
many parts of England even at the
present day. ..
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-19
PROTECTION FOR DENBY.
The Asiatic Squadron Ordered to
Pekin's Seaport Town.

The State and Navy Department at Wash
inston are apprehensve that the situation
In China is very grave, and have determined
TO mobilize the entire Asiatic squadron at
some point near Tien-Tsin in order that ma
rines may be landed to afford protection 70
American lives and interests near the points
of the threatened outbreaks. Orders were
issued TO Admiral Carpenter, commanding
the station, to gather his feet at Taku, and
there land marines to guard the Legation at
Pskin and the Consulate at Tieu-Tsin and
other cities where large number OF Ameri-
cans reside.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-19
A Victim Already.

Highwayman-"Halt! Your money
or your life"
Victim-"It's no 60, stranger; my
wife's in the same line of business
always at Christmas time, and she's
just finished with me. Chicago Inter
Ocean
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-19
Variety.

''Did Santa Claus bring you any.
thing for Christmas?"
"Yes, SIR" replied Johnny. "He
brought lots of candy"
"Did your father bring you any
th1ng?"
"Yes, sir; he brought the doctor"
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-19
HEYSER'S CHRISTMAS.
BIZ FLORENCE B. HALLowEII.

L was Z O'Clock on
Christmas Eve,
and the streets Of
the busy factory
town of L. were
crowded " IL b
eager, g 1ci te d
shoppers. Sill's
variety store was
like a great bee
hive, and the
clerks were kept
busy wrapping up
dolls, trumpets,
drums, toypistols
and other toys
dear to the heart
of child b 0 d.;
while the buyers
jostled and crowd
ed each other
I l--ll
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-19
As Usual.

'sDid any one remember you on
Christmas Day?" inquired Jhones.
"Oh, yes" responded Smith, show
ing q handsome collection of lately
opened envelopes, "my creditors
did
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-19

Nine. Regnen: florist ofRoostoen,
Holland, is the owner Of giant rose
bush, which had 5000 roses in full
bloom at one time during the past
summer.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-19

TIE Alabama convict farm has not worked
satisfactorily, and 1t is proposed now to re-
turn to the lease system, and hire out the,
coly1cts to mine owners.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-19
A Holiday COnundrum.

The Goose-"What's the difference
between the Easter girl and the
Christmas turkey?"
The Turkey-'1 dunno"
The Goose-"Why, one is dressed
to kill and the other is killed to dress.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-19

scrjption, figs, grapes, oranges, ba7
nanas and the flaming English plum
pudding.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-06-28

The coast of Brazil had become by this time
q regular station. and in 1919 Commodore Perry
was ordered with the Constellation to duty in
that part of the world. The vessel was no;
ready, and he went south in another ship. He
died shortly after arriving at the mouth Of the
Oriuoco, and Morris was sent in the Constella-
tion to the Rio de Ia Plata, and performed the
duty connected with the Government of Buenos
Ayres. The vessel returned to the United
States in May, 1920.
There still necessity for maintaining a
force in the West Indies. The next duty of the
Constellation under Capt. Warrington in
those waters. With the Constellation as his
flagship Warrington gained a great reputation
as a vigilant, active. and jealous officer. :" He
was fully successful" says Fenimore Cooper,
1" in accomplishing the object SO long desired
the freedom Of the seas from the dangerous
presence of these fawiess and inhuman rovers."
After period of tranquility on the seas this
Government was disturbed by the traffic in
human life The business of capturing in
Africa and selling in this country, men, women,
and children. attained such Objectionable pro-
portions, and had so many monstrous features,
that the United States and Great Britain COM
bined 10 stop the nefa-ious operations. During
Nonroe's Administration treaty was formed
with Great Britain by which each Goycrnmen MT
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-06-28
THE FLAG OF LIBERTY.

BY CAPT. JACK CRAWFORD. "THE POET SCOUT"
(Read 10 10000 children at Lincoln Park, Chi
cago, June l6 lS9i)
Young friends. look UP to yonder flag and tell me
if you know
The meaning of that banner bright, with stars and
stripes agIow?
Aud do you each one realize the loyal blood IL
cost.
When Freedoms ship was by the waves of dread
full battle tossed?
Gaze on the starry ePblem with your loyal rever-
ent eyes,
And think of all the bitter tears and m-rending
signs --
Which have baptizedits sacred folds In days when
rife
When tidngs from the bloody field cast clouds DER
many life.
When first sires of olden days for God and
country stood,
They realized that Freedom must be bought with
Hero blood
Yet vnliantiy upon the field they noby took their
stand,
loyal fire in each brave heart, a musket in each
hand.
Long ragged the conflict in those Revolution days
Our struggling country with the fires of battle was
Aud when the storm was over and the sun of Peace
shone fair
That banner waved triumphant in the freedom
tinted air. 1l'f''-
o, how fathers loved that cleaning flag meath
which they stood,
Its stripes seemed embematic of their fallen CON-
radea' blood,
Its gtars n field of brightly flashing in the
sun,
Cleaned forth in glad approval of the battles
fought and won;
And rs those aged warriors were called TO final
rest,
When children at their bedside grouped about hem
To be blessed
The dying patriots told them with their latest
feeble breath.
They must defend that banner from Its foemen to
the deaih.
The good seeds thus empTanted in their youthful
hearts took root
And. growing, bore harvest of most patriotic
fruit,
For when again that banner was by foemen's
hands assailed
They sprung its defense once more with hope
thai never failed.
Time and again its naughty foes were humbled in
the dust.
For strong the arm uplifted to defend that sacred
trust,
And though the earth was wounded oft with many
patriot grave
In triumph after every that flag was seen to
wave.
You've often heard your fathers tell how brothers
raised their hands
To sever, in mistaken hate our Unions sacred
bands.
And how the loyal sons of Revolutionary sires
Sprung forward to that fag's defense amid the
battle fires.
Long did the frightful waves Of war sweep DER the
sunny South,
Your sires and grandsires fought and fell before
the eannon's mouth,
Yet ss y had ever done before our flag in triumph
waved
Above its brave defenders heads, above Union
saved.
In your young hands place it now. sacred,
priceless trust,
o, that its bright folds never humbled in the
dust,
Defend il with your loyal lives when foemen fash
their STEEL
Defend IL with the loyal love your patriot fathers
feel;
1t waves above a country honored every where on
earth,
The glorious land of Liberty, where Freedom first
had birth;
Defend it, so that when you come to lay you down
to die,
You still may see its bright stars flash supreme In
Freedom sky.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-06-28
An Absent-MInded Man.


The following anecdete of an absent-mind-
ed man has lately come to hand, and while
some of you may have heard it before, il
seems to be too good to be passed over en-
tirely.
Among the personal anecdotes told OF
Peter Burrowes, thecelebrated barrister, and
one of Irelands worthless" is the following
remarkable instance of absence of mind:
A friend called upon him one morning in
his dressing-room and found him shaving
with his face to the wall. He asked him
why he chose so strange an attitude. The
answer was, "To look in the glass"
why" said his friend, "there is no glass
there!"
Bless mel" Burrowes observed, al did
not notice that before
Ringing the bell, he called his servant and
questioned him respecting his looking glass.
"Oh, sir" said the servant, the mistress
had it removed six weeks ago."
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-06-28

heard the plans of the English and secretly
advised Stewart, and preparations were made
to receive the enemy. By this intelligence
and the vigilance OF the Americans three
different attempts at night attack were frus-
trated. The enemy maintained strong force
in the waters of the Chesapeake. and the Con-
stellation, which in 1918 was commanded by
Capt. Tarbell remained blockaded until peace
was declared. Despite the superior force the
vessel was never captared nor its officers sur
prsed. On one occasion the enemy was dis
covered landing large force at Crsney Island.
The English were routed and their loss was a
large one.
After the peace with Great Britain, the
American Government turned its attention
once more TO the protection of its national
commerce. Two squadrons were established,
one at hsme, the other abroad. The foreign
division was placed under Decatur, and in
cluded the frgate Constellation, under Capt.
Charles Gordon. Decatur cautiously ap-
preached the coast of Africa. expecting the at
tack of an Algerine squadron which had left
Tangiers only the day before Decatur arrived
there. While in the Mediterranean, off Cape
de Gate, June IL, 1915, Decatur deserted an
Algerine frigate, and gave chase. The Con-
stellation was the first to overtake the fleeing
vessel. and opened distant fire. Decatur de-
sired to personally conduct the engagement,
however. and, ordering the Constellation aside,
brought his own vessel alongside and decided
the combat by close action and series of
terrific broadside discharges. for which the
American ships had become famous
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-06-28

was to maintain r squadron Of at least 80 guns
OH the African csast to suppress the slave trade
This was the first real check which the inpor-
tati0n of slaves had had There was an agree
Dient that each country would arch and capt
ure the slavers OF the other. Most of the shi ps
engaged IN this commerce were American, and
most, strange to say, were from Northern ports.
The Constellation was engaged in the work Of
wiping out this evil. Ii fell 10 the Consteia-
tion TO capture about the last Of these sIavers
under circumstances that interesting and
make the official reports of the occasion read
like one Of Captain Marryats stories.
In August, 1860, Flag Officer Ipman was in
command of the Constellation. One day he
sighted large vessel under full sail His sus-
piclons which had been early aroused by the
appearance of the ship, were not dispersed by
the evident desire of the stranger t. elude the
United States patrol. After spirited chase
which lasted far into the night, the ConsteIa-
tion gained sufficiently on the other vessel to
IRE into her rigging and compel her to lay to.
A cutter was sent from the Constellation under
First Lieut. Fairfax afterward a Rear Admiral.
lie reported the ship TO be the Cora, and that
Capt Campbell, with 720 slaves, was on board.
This meant considerable in a material way, for
on the capture of n SLAYER half the value of the
ship and her outfit was divided among the Off
GERS and men who made the capture. and an
additional sum of S25 for each slave rescued
which amounted in this case to over $50, 900 as
prize money.
Capt. Campbell proved to be a very "nervy"
man, who had only surrendered on the demand
OF his own men. His crew WAS compos I'd OF an
| ugly lot of foreigners. desperate charac ers
who were more pirates than sailors. A young
officer was sent from the Constellation with
seven or eight sailors to take the prize back to
Liberia, with which Government there was an
arrangement for the support for one year of
slaves rescued in this manner. Capt. Campbell
was taken on board the Constellation, which
went on her way, but his crew WAS left to assist
or hinder the operations of the prize crew on
board the Cora.
The young officer from the Constellation had
a hard time of il OF this SLAYER. He spent 80
terrible days and nights in what was nothing
but floating pesthole. Many of the slaves died
and one Of them became murderously crazy and
one day escaped from his chained confinement,
and dashed about the deck with the manacIes
still fastened to his wrists. 1t took all the
crew to overpower him and secure him until
he finally died. Two of the old crew started
mutiny, which fortunately was discovered
and frustrated before they had carried out the
plot to murder the Consultations officer and
men and take the slaves to Cuba. The vessel
encountered numerous squalls aud through the
lack of men narrowly escaped capsizing There
were few instruments on board the Cora and a
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-06-28

large part of the course Was by guesswork. the
compass being in error, and leading the naviga-
tor toward rocky sharel Every one suffered
from the poor food, which had to be irregularly
taken. Sickness was communicated to the
crew, and it looked at one time as Ii the Cora
would never reach port
The only thing that enlivened the voyage
was an encounter with the United States ship
Mohican. The Cora allowed her to chase her
half day, and then surprised the Mohican
officers by showing she had already been taken.
The Cora finally arrived at Moprovia, Liberia,
and after landing the slaves was turned home
ward. The trip acfoss the Atlantic was worse
than the voyage to Liberia. The heavy gales
OF winter were encountered, one man was lost
overheard, the water supply failed, and every
one had to depend on rain water caught in
tarpaulins and the food supply was reduced to
a small ration of beans To make the trip
more discouraging. when the ship was i'll sight
of Long Island fearful storm was encountered
and the Cora driven far to se8ward again.
The Consultations prize, the last of the
African slavers, arrived in Brooklyn in De-
cember. 1860 Campbell had escaped from the
Constellation at st. Paul de Loando through
Masonic friends. He was afterward known in
the theatrical profession as negro minstrel.
and when he died in Washington 10 or Is
years ago. he was a celebrated clown, William
B. Donaldson.
The last duty as feet vessel upon which
the Constellation was engaged was during 1861.
The vessel had completed its important work
against The African slavers, and was once more
detailed to the Mediterranean. The engrossng
duties of the Navy on this side of the water in
that and the five succeeding years drew the
attention OF the commanders from work abroad.
There was no great performance of American
vessels since che SOS in European waters save
the memorable Kearsarge- Alabama fight. The
Constellation, however did some important
work in the interest Of American commerce
among the Mediterranean ports. In 1861 Com
modore III. X. Thatcher was in command of the
vessel, and the official reports of the day state
that the presence Of the Constellation Was pro-
ductive of good results. There was no more
disturbance Of our commerce.
On her return from the Mediterranean the
Constellation was used as practice vessel, and
almost annually took the Cadet Midshipmen,
as they were then called, and later the Naval
Cadets and apprentices on cruises. Most of the
officers of the present Navy have served on
board this old-time battle-shp in one capacity
or another that its name while sacred for
its record, which is that Of part of the first
Navy, is also endeared to most officers for its
personal associations. With the exception of q
short period in 1879. when the Constellation
went to Gibraltar with new crew for the
Trenton and brought the old crew back home,
the vessel has been entirely engaged on prac-
tice cruises.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-06-28

of the maehine-gun had stopped, and an
alarm-bell On the roof was changing out its
call for help
After what seemed an age he heard a
police-whistIe, then:
"HalIoa, there" said gruf voice, "what's
the matter?"
"Burglars-a whole gang of them!" and
he recognized the wsll-known voice of his
trusty mau-servant Higgins. But the
American hautermatic happeratusses that
master fitted up before he went away fright
ened them all off,"
Dir. Goldsmid ventured to call out. "Hig-
gins!" he shouted, but he was short of
breath. The two policemen drew their
slaves and dashed into the shrubbery.
Snap! went besr-trap No. 2.
Hang it," shouted policeman No. 973,
as he rolled over, feeling sure that some de-
vice of the burglars had brought him to the
ground. It was only when he tried to rise
that he found how fast he was held; but he
only said Hang it," little moro fiercely,
and turned on his side to look after his COM
rade.
That comrade was STOPPING over Mr.. Gold
smid, flashing his bulps-eye in his face.
Help me up" said Mr. Goldsmid. "Pm
caught in trap. Call Higgins here. Get
ME out of this, say"
Caught you are" said the policeman,
"snd neatly, by Jove! Mate, there's big
rat-trap got him by the leg"
BLESSED if some Internal machine of the
same kind hasn't got me" said No. 973, i'm
patiently.
By this time Higgins had mustered up
courage to advance into the shrubbery, and
to the policeman's surprise he recognized in
the PROSTATE burglar the master of the
house. With some difficulty the two cap
tives were liberated from the bear-traps, and
Mr. Goldsmid was not to be seen at Hatton
Garden for two days after his adventure.
Mr.. Cyrus Trotter called on him in high
glee the very day he reappeared at his office.
:" / reckon" he said, my fortunes made.
Why, the apparatus fitted splendidly. It's
got into all the papers, and / shall have no
end of orders from your aristoeracy and
gentry"
Well" said Mr.. Goldsmid, "as soon as
The first order comes in you may take all
your fixings' out of my place and give them
to the man who wants them. would sooner
have the burglars any day. don't blame
you, but you nearly killed me at my own
door,
Well" said Mr.. Trotter, solemnly, "one
must never expect much gratitude in this
miserable world. IF you don't like the fix
ings, why, I'll shift them; but don't blame
me the next time you're burgled, that's
Bits
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-06-28
A Wise Scarecrnw.

IHGrper's Young People.
81 say" said the tramp to the seareerow,
"let's swap clothes"
"Not l." said the scarecrow. "Faet is, it
would never d."
"Why nOsT said the tramp.
"Well, the crows, seeing me, are scared.
They think I'll run after 'em But if they
thought 1 was like you they'd know Pd
rather fall asleep. 1 tell you, old man,
crows know thing or two. They judge by
appearances"
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-06-28
Equality.

Washington EUening Star.
"Maria," he said, plaintively, "are you
going to join the wOmans suffrage move
ment?"
81 am" was the resolute reply.
"And make speeches and carry onY"
"Very likely"
"Well, if that's the case, I've got just one
thing to say" and his jaws shut hard.
"What is that?"
"After this you'll have to get up in the
middle of the night and help chase burg
iarsn
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-06-28
Only One Of Them Afraid.

Ithtcd8o RecOrd.I
Pm almost afraid, Miss Squeers," said
the impecunious young man who had taken
her to an after-theater supper for which he
had been boarding money for months. Pm
almost afraid to ask you to eat such meal
as this just before going to bed"
"Oh, never mind" replied Miss Squeers,
smiling pleasantly. " If it dosen't answer
we can easily order some more, you know
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-06-28
Excursion Rates for 4th OF July.

In pursuance Of its usual liberal custom, the
b. 4 %. 3. 3. will sell excursion tickets between
ticket stations on it's lines east of the Ohio
River for ali trains July Sd and 4th, valid Tor
return trip until July 9Th. inclusive, al reduced
rates.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-06-28
Infant Prodigy.
t4nStsers.l

Witherby-My wife keeps scrap-book
now of all the bright things our baby says.
Plankington-Why, is the little fellow
old enough for that?
Witherby-Oh, yes; it's quite wonderful.
He repeats everything / say.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-06-28
In the Tram,

fEIafransfgeant Mustrel
"Beg your pardon, sir, but you seem to be
staring at me in a strange fashion. Do You
see anything about me that is familiar to
your"
"Yes, sir, my umbrella"