davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1896-05-29

THE OLD MAN ASKED FOR DESK ROOM.
man had come to his office one day and
asked for desk room. He had no
money and was blind. The presump-
ton of the man in thus demanding as
sistance surprised Arthur SO much as
to render him for the moment speech
less, and he looked at the intruder in
blank Amusement. If a blind man can
hypnotic, then Arthur was hypno-
TIED into giving the old man the space
he wanted. There the blind stranger
set up little stock of pencils and sta
tionery, and at the end of month ten
dered a small rental for his stand.
On this morning, when Arthur en-
tered his Office, he saw that the little
stand was gone; and that his blind pro-
te%e, upon whom he had come to rely
rs a friend. was not present. 1t wor-
I'ied him so much that he sent clerk
off 10 the old mans lodging, but he
was not there.
Something has happened to him-hc
has met with an accident" Arthur said,
"aSlously. and he determined to look
up his Whereabouts as soon as pos.
aiIle.
Tie had never mentioned the blind
man to his wife. for it struck him as a
QGiNotc sort of venture at which she
might laugh. Besides. it was business
deal in one w., aud belonged TO the
store, where Arthur left all business
details under lock and key. But this
eHening he was so disturbed by the loss
of the old man that he related the in
cident to Margie, and she suggested
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1896-05-29
TIE HANGIAN'S TREE.
California Oak from Witch Forty

California Oak from Witch Forty
Men Have Doen Suspended.
On level tract of land close to the
side of the old road between Milton and
Copperopolis, in Calaveras county, Cal,
is still standing a venerable oak that
earned for itself in early days the title
of "Hangman's Tree" And it well de-
served the name, Judging by the stories
told by some of the old timers. Not
many men living to-day recollect things
that happened when the old tree was
doing its best to give justice to horse
stealers and murderers who did not
shoot in self-defense," according to the
ideas of the men who sat in judgment.
The late Capt. Weber, of Stockton, was
man who remembered nearly every
hanging that took place on the tree in
the early sos and could tell some grim
tales of frontier justice.
When the tree first sprang into fame
Stockton was known to the miners as
'Iulevlle and the hills around Cop
peropolis were filled with camps that
bore musical names such as Ragtown or
Whisky Chute. The tree was an old
one then, so that it must by this time
have seen nearly century of life.
Just who was the first man hanged
on it is unrecorded, but he committed
his offense in Copperopolis and paid for
it the same day. One trial of the old
tree was enough to convince the hang
man of its merits. 1t was located in a
handy place and its largest limp reached
out over the road as beautifully as
though it had been grown for eXecu-
tions. 1t was a natural gallows and
did its work for large section of coun-
try.
There was no more ceremony attend,
ing an execution on the Hargman's
calt than was gone through with in
other parts of California at about the
same time. The culprit was taken to
the spot in the handiest way. Some
times in a wagon and at others he
was compelled to sustain his balance
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1896-05-29
A FEDERATION OF PEACE.
BY MRS. nj. l.. RAYNE.

You won't forget, Arthur, what you
promised Inc for Decoration day."
"A ride to Woodlawn with the chill
dren? But, Margie, we have no soldier
grave TO decorate"
"Nes, dear, we have. / have adopted
one"
81 don't understand, Margie."
You remember that one lone grave
beyond themonument on the hill slope
NC noticed last year that it had been
overlooked, and found out the reason.
No one knew that it was soldiers
grave, because it was so apart FROM the
rest. ] looked the matter up. The man
was a soldier of the same company to
which my father belcnged-iny father;
who fell fighting for his country when
l was in my cradle! So have his grave
to decorate tomorrow"
"All right, little wife, you shall have
the best box of flowers to be had for
love or money"
Give them for love, Arthur, love of
our dear country, and of those who
fought her battles and left us legacy
Of peace"
What a good commanding general
you would have made, Margie, with
your patriotic spirit"
"Oh, it's easy enough to be patriotic
i'll piping times of peace" answered his
wife, but you and | are old enough
to have heard the echoes of shot and
shell. We imbibed patriotism with our
mothers milk, but with these children
II is different. They knew only the
splendor and glory of war. They are
old enough now to be taughtit its reality.
so that they may not only learn to live
like soldiers, but to die like Them
The two children, a girl of 12 and
boy of IA, listened with interest and
curiosity, for to them war WIS indeed
splendid pageant, in which music,
flags and glittering uniforms made up
grand tableau, and they looked for
ward with great anticipation to Deco
ration day, when they could witness
the ceremony of strewing flowers OH
the graves of the honered dead
Arthur Lyman felt rather small
when he left home after having heard
his wife's Grafton. 1t seemed to him
almost as if he were to blame for be-
ing only five years old at the time of
the war, and not shouldering arms and
going into the battle. But he had no
need to be ashamed of his vocs ton, for
he was a soldier in the bravest sense
of the word-a soldier of peace.
1t is common saying that man is
often his own worst enemy.
Arthur knew what this meant. His
hasty, impetuous disposition was con-
tinually getting him into trouble, and
out again. He had at last found help
by helping others. a whte-haired
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1896-05-29
AFTER MANY YEARS.
by ELISA ARMSTRONG.

1t was mid-artcrnoon of Decoration
day, and the little company which had
been adjoining the graves was scat
tered about the small cemetery.
A tall, gaunt woman, bearing the
marks of old maidcnhood, had pinned
up the skirt of her black dress and
drawn off her shabby gloves. She was
full hands pulling up the weeds. The
headstone was marked private John
Atkins, Company A, --th Illinois; died
April 3, 1862"
The stone was new, though the date
upon it was "a years old. About the
grave was border of yiolets.
I'm glad it's II nice headstone," the
woman said, aloud. She paused, look
ing up, as a black shadow fell across
the grave. A stout, complacent-look-
ing woman in new mourning looked
down upon her.
at makes me feel low" said the wom-
an, I'm cry presently; that'Il do me
good"
Related to him?" asked the other
woman, quickly.
81 was goin' to marry him. I've al.
ways wanted t come here, an last fall
my husband died, so says to my daugi-
ter, 'Marthy, You amt sick, are We ?"
The other woman, turning sickly
white, had risen to her feet. Il nursed
him. she cried, "I-was with him
when he died."
I'm glad to hear it. Nice headstone.
amt It? Did the G.. A. R"
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1896-05-29
Originators and Sole Manufacture

the whole procession, complete in one
very wet and muddy little darby,
moved towards the only grave in the
neighborhood. Unfortunately, just as
the parade reached the grave it fell
headlong in the mud, and it was mass
of mud when horseman dismounted
and picked it up.
1t was the colonel himself, and ne
laughed as he put the muddy process
sion on its feet.
well! well! Abe" he said, what
are You doing way off here in the
mud?"
''Ts a procession" said Abe, 81 Is, an
is goin' to decorate the grabe!"
what grave?" asked the colonel;
there are no graves hereabouts!'
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1896-05-29

Yes, they is" said Abe, "they's ono
in there" and he pointed through the
fence.
You are right" said The colonel,
there is. And will join the process.
sion, my boy"
And the proud, dignifed colonel and
the dirty little negro clambered over
the rail fence side by side and planted
the bandana, and laid the flowers Or
the solitary grave.
And although the little negro
trinned during it all the colonel's eyes
were moist and his hands arranged the
flowers tenderly.
For it was the grave of old Whit
Nancy, the gallant mare that had borne
him through many hard-fought bat
tie.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1896-05-29


Il put it up; earned every cent of
tt"
women always liked him. said the
stout woman, complacently, though
he cared for none of 'em but me-
The other woman fumbed with i
cheap locket hanging about her neck,
pulled it out and displayed tintype of
Il handsome boy.
''Mebby there's sorne mistake" she
faltered, II sent all his things home,
but kept this"
That's him. I've got one myself
somewhere; he sent it t me the week
afore he was shot. Are you married 2"
mo-" her eyes were on the grave at
her feet.
81 had a good husband; he left me
well Off Coin, are YEP"
The other woman moved on, without
word.
Kind O. cracked, I guess" said the
stout woman, looking after her.
at beats all how fond women always
were of John"
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1896-05-29

The lesson of Memorial day is to
keep fresh the memories of our illus
trious dead, to preserve intact what
they fought for and saved, to keep alive
the patriotic spirit, and resolve, in the
immortal words of Abraham Lincoln,
that from these honored dead we take
increased devotion to that cause for
which they gave the last full measure
of devotion-that we here highly re-
solve that these dead shall not have died
in vain-that this nation, under God
shall have new birth of freedom-and
that government of the people, by the
people, for the people, shall not perish
from the EARTH
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1896-05-29
Carriage
depository.
So. Londonderry, Vermont.
III. p. Yearly. Prep.

Ca riages, open buge ;, sur ir>, lam
wagons, harnesses, sinse and double.
work aud driving
Anything in this line you may wat
and at The most reasonable prices Come
and see.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1896-05-29

According to Patent Office statis-
tics, 2,3SS kinds of velocipedes have
been patented within the last twenty
five years.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1896-05-29
Grants Troublesome Soldiers.

Gen. Grant used to tell a story of u
soldier in a certain regiment during
the war who was continually bother
ing him by asking fayors. Grant one
day said to him: Look here; | be-
lieve you are the most troublesome man
in the union army"
The man quickly replied: "Why,
that's funny, sir!"
Funny; how do you make it out
funny?"
Because it is just what the enemy
says about you" - Harper's Round
Table.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1896-05-29
NOT A SICK DAY
For Over Thirty Years!
RESULT OF USING
AYERS PILLS

"Ayer's Cathartic Pills for over thirty
years have kept me in good health,
never having had sick day in all that
time. Before | was twenty | suffered
almost continually-as result of con-
stipation from dyspepsia, headaches,
neuralgia, or boils and other eruptive
diseases, When / became convinced
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1896-05-29

Buckingham's Dye FOR the Whiskers is
the best, handiest, safest, sureSt, clean
est, most economical and satisfactory dye
ever inven ed. 1t is the geutlemen's fay
orite.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1896-05-29

that the hospitals be searched as soon
as Memorial day was over.
The little family went to Woodlawn
the next day, and formed in them
selves an interesting part of the grand
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1896-05-29

"You won't forget, Arthur, what you
promised Inc for Decoration day?"
"a ride to Woodlawn with the chill
dren? But, Margie, we have no soldier
grave TO decorate"
yes, dear, we have. have adopted
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-10-17
PART II.

The doctor was glad to see Mr.. War
nsr, when the latter called few nights
er Timme's tragic ending. "Glad to
see you again." said the old gentleman
az he cordially shook the Doctors hand.
We'll! I see by the papers you have
ha d quite an experience"
INDEED have" said the doctor. IT
na ardly know what to expect next, now
fee."
., ,'Rather an unpleasant feeling. I
o ''Decidedly. The affair gave my Of
ice so much notoriety that I fear it
NAY rival Central park as suicidery,
like to be accommodating. but real
~ wish Timme had SELECTED some other
sssacs ssas in which to make away with him
Mr.. Warner laughed. Don't worry
tahout me, doctor. I've no thought Of at
ss,s sssskins y0u' much less Of killing my
''Thank you. I feel relieved. I was
soipg to say that IL you had I'd like the
shapce to take up some Of my rugs,
s0st to save the wear and tear, as 1t
We're"
49, '.so 1t really all happened In connec-
lion with the old sword, did it," said
Nfr. Warner, nodding toward the wea-
pon which hung on the wall.
''Yes. The Japanese no sooner began
70 scrutinize the characters on the
nandle than he went insane, and after
inearly killing me with the thing, fin
lshed by killing himself"
A, ''Humph! romantic. well. I've found
NE history. and after Your dramatic ex-
perience the sword is doubly interest,"
ihg TO me. must admit my curiosity is
~rousht up to high pitch. 20 instead
e sending It to you. I brought It my.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-10-17

The captains reply came back over
the wire: mo. doctor, he had worked
in the restaurant for several years, but
the proprietor. Mr.. Roberts, knew moth
ing about him beyond that He had
no possessions whatever but the clothes
he wore. But wait-I believe there
was something else. Hold the wire q
minute until look at the blotter."
The doctor repeated to Mr.. Warner
what the police captain had said and
waited impatiently, with the receiver
at hts ear. for the captain to continue.
"Hello!"
IAN right, what is IT." called the doc
tor.
1.-THE record Of the case on the blot
ter says that underneath the Jap's
clothing was a medal suspended from
his neck by cord"
''Yes, what was on it," asked the
doctor eagerly.
"On one side was a queer design-five
snakes rising out Of a flaming fire. On
the opposite face were some Japanese
characters The case semed q clear
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-10-17

might he found. Failing to succeed in
this, the one attempting 1t was to i'm
mediately commit hara-kiri. 1t was by
maIsing this device upon the house or
property that the intended victims
Were indicated. According to custom,
old III Yama's sword fell into the hands
Of the headsman in lieu Of a fee, and
from him I purchased it shortly after
the execution. for an exorbitant price.
"A Japanese never forgets or fails to
keep an oath once taken, and as a num-
Der Of tt Yama's bandit followers es-
capped, and doubtless some of them are
in America, 1 have thought il wise
never to show this sword to Japan
csc, fearing that should by any chance
happen to show it to one Of these des-
perate men the possession Of that fatal
symbol engraven on its handle might
result in dangerous bodily violence to
myself.
"Signed, Edward Davidson"
''Well, who would think that inno-
cetn piece Of bric-a-brac could have
such thrilling history" said Mr.. War
ner, as the doctor finished reading the
narrative.
"That's true" said the doctor; "it is
remarkable. If I had been less impa-
tient and waited until I knew the his
tory before showing it to that JAP it
would have saved me considerable
trouble"
Yes: we cannot always know what
is best for us. I'm very glad, though,
to have heard the tale" replied Mr..
Warner.
80 am l." replied the doctor,
thoughtfully. However,. there's one
point lacking to make the tragic ro-
nance complete"
what is that?"
ITO find out who this unfortunate
Timme really was"
Yes: but how can you do that?"
asked Mr.. Warner.
Il fear not at all. Wait! I have one
possible hope"
The doctor stepped to his telephone
and rang the bell whila Mr.. Warner
waited curiously.
"Hello!"
"Hello! Give me the Fifteenth Pre-.
cinct Station House, 2ss Boulevard, I
think, is the number"
After O. moments delay he contin-
ued: Hello! Is that you, Capt. Peck?
I'm Dr.. ]. L. Smith. I wanted to ask
about that Japanese waiter who com.
mitted suicide in my office last week,
that would give olew a. to who he
was7"
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-10-17

one of suicide, yet in order to investi-
gate it thoroughly the medal was sub
mitted to the Japanese interpreter at
the criminal court building. His re-
port said that the strange design was
probably the emblem of some secret or
der or society to which the man be-
longed. The characters on the reverse
side were letters. he said, which trans.
lated into English would spell I'll
Yama," which was evidently the sui
cide's name"
Col. Davidson's japanese sword
hangs in a conspicuous place on the
wall Of the doctors office. The latter
often repeats it's story to his friends,
yet he never takes the heavy blade into
his hands that shudder does not go
through him at the thought of how
nearly he came to losing his own life
by it's keen edge. And the slender hara-
kiri knife Is always unpleasantly elo--
quent to him Of the tragic end or
"Timmie." the son Of old I'll Yama.
(The end.)
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-10-17

inase mon indade!" she shifted, IAN
phwat wud be wantin' Of a Japihese
mon? Shure an haven't enough to do
wild looking afther the hathen o INV
own country widout huntin' up celis.
chils?"
Il know you have" replied the doc-
tor, laughing. TITS not for YOU bnt
myself I wanted him. thought yo,l
might know where could find oIle,n
"Indade OF do not" said Brideef.
somewhat Modified, cor Japinase win,>
in nather. unless it be Jimmie would DO
ye."
Just the mani" exclaimed the doo-
tor Il wonder did not think Of hiIn
before. Say, Bridget, when you have
filled the lamp, will you go around the
corner and ask Mr.. Roberts IL he Will
let Timme come to my office for a few
minutes?"
''Yis, sir OF will" said Bridget, as She
went out muttering to herself. "a
Japinase mon, indade! Why, If OF ha 4
wan Of thin Old" and words failin q
to rise to the possibilities Of the oeca,
sion. she kicked q hassock that han
pened to be in her path so viciously that
1t rolled under the piano.
The doctor busted himself with Witt
ting for twenty minutes or so, When
there came a soft knock at the door
and In response to his "come in" the
Japanese entered. Tim, or "Tim ME :"
as he was commonly known in the
neighborhood, had been waiter in the
restaurant on the avenue for Sore
years. He had usually served the doc
tor when he took his meals there dur
ing his familys absence in the sun1har.
He was small though muscular ma n,
about fifty years of age and with Bro
nounced Japanese features. He WSs
prompt and obliging, but never Could
be drawn into conversation, and ~ith
all his good qualities there was eone-
thing about the man, or in his fsce.
which made the doctor instinctiveIy
distrust him.
'sWell, Timms. I've Q japanese Sword
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-10-17

the government at Washington, and
carried such letters Of Introduction as
brought me in contact with a large
number Of ladies and gentlemen OF So
cial Importance. / was struck with the
very great interest manifested by Eng-
lish women In the greater freed m Of
American wives: and 1t would seem to
me that the normal woman, when made
acquainted with the facts Of the two
situations, who does not share such in
terest must come under Carlyle's Glass;
ification.
NO ACCOUNTING FOR TASTES.
II confess to feeling not little dis
couraged when l read the following
quotation from your contributor: "Wo-
man has two instincts which go further
toward forming her character than all
Others-the instinct Of submission and
the instinct Of having her own way.
The chances of the former are synony-
even baby ruled with an iron hand Is
n happy baby. But give the baby or
the woman its head, and there Is no
limit to desires and no possibility of
fulfillment.' I had supposed that in our
days about every one had come to rec
ognize that freedom is better than slav-
cry. A considerable agitation has been
going on for the past quarter or a GEN.
tury, making the public aware of the
enormities Of the tight waist. I was
amazed not long since to see one of
London's medical journals soberly un-
dertaking to make out that the COM
pressed waist Is most desirable
achievement and the corset great
boon! To read on July Is. 1896, in large
type, by an American Woman that
there is yet an intelligent woman who
hugs the chains that bind her, gives
me similar start. OF course it Is true
that when the body has been long
enough misplaced and disturbed, the
corset seems like necessity; and, cor
respondingly, when a woinan's mind
has been similarly compressed and dis
torted, that she can prefer slavery to
freedom, the master to u comrade and
companion, and the English usband to
the American"
Perhaps. however, the hest answer to
the american Woman" who appar-
emily Is ardently desirous of securing
an English, husband, is to be found in
the Chronicles divorce court reports of
the curernt week. The story of the
titled husband who slapped his wife's
face upon the wedding journey because
she had not brought with her enough
money from her private fortune, and
several other records of the peculiar
privileges sometimes insisted upon by
English husbands, all help to make rid
tculous the poor creature from Califor-
mia, whose patriotism has disappeared
as completely as her common sense.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-10-17
THE HARA-KIR1. !
By II. WORTHIN0TON PAGE, n. D. !
<
coryrsh. 1906 by Baca.nsc 'aAu.on .udBa 4
HA/>A////%/\/\/>/\%/\/\/\

nere /" said the doctor, taking It down
Iaohn the top of his desk; 'fhere's
sohe writing on it which can't make
OUT peing little rusty in my Japan
ese since left school, So sent for you
to,see If you can translate It for me-"
Cilpmie, with a grin. laid down his
has and took the sword in his hands.
YES, it's Japan sword. sure nough;
vesS good one. too. Belonged to a big
ma officer, guess" said Timme. IN
n.s peculiar cracked-pot voice, exam
,hs the weapon curiously.
=, What do those letters ana design on
tns handle mean?" asked the doctor.
NSe japanese shifted his hands
tch had hitherto covered the inscrip-
tloh on the handle and, stepping over
80 60 the window, looked at the characters
closely in the strong light.
he started visibly as he did so, and
peearne greatly agitated. Muttering a
Sting of unintelligible japanese, he
tusned suddenly toward the doctor
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-10-17

FLOUR. BUTTER. EGGS. ETC.
The r. H. Watts Co., Ltd, 72s ". Lacka
Babcock G.. ]. & Co.. 116 Franklin.