davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1896-02-15
Pioneers Meeting.

The eighth annual meeting Of the
Society of Black Hills Pioneers was
held at Deadwood on Saturday, the sth
inst. The following officers were chosen:
President, John Gray, Of Terraville.
Board Of Directors-J. NJ. Brelsford
and J. w. Allen, Of Deadvood; p. A.
Glshurst, Of Lead; B. r. Woods of Cen
trail, and Henry Brasch, of Terry.
Vice Presidents-Julius Deetkin, OF
Lawrence; John Scollard, Of Meade NJ.
NJ. Fuller, of Pennington II. A. Albien,
Of Custer; +. 7. Evans, Of Fall River (;
F. c. Thullen, of Butte Tom Hooper,
of Crook county, Wyoming. and p.
Donegan of Weston county, Wyoming.
Treasurer-D. NJ. Gillette, Dead wood.
Secretary-H. ]. Flynn, of Deadwood.
Marshal-F. X. Smith, OF Deadwood.
Histcrian-John Bell, Of Spearfsh.
The secretary's report showed total
membership of 20s in good standing.
Five deaths are reported since the last
annual meeting, and % new names were
added to the roster of the society.
An amendment to the constitution,
admitting to membership the wives and
daughters Of members was unanimously
adopted.
A banquet followed the adjournment
of the meeting which was highly en-.
joysd, at which a number of the mem
bers delivered eloquent and appropriate
addresses in response to toasts assigne q
them. notable address Of the occs
sion was that of Judge ]. ii. Burns, in
behalf of Mrs. Jack Gray through whose
efforts an elegant banner was obtained
and presented to the society. The mex,
annual meeting will occur at Deadwood
in January, 1897.
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1896-02-15

The republican state convention which
convenes at Huron. March 25. promises
to be largely attended. Accommodations
for over 500 people have already been
engaged. says a Huron special, and appli-
cations for rooms are received every
mail. Several candidates for state of.
fees have engaged parlors for head
quarters and rooms for their friends
Some have secured from 20 to Is rooms,
and not a few are booked for an even
dozen. Many of those hoping to be on
the delegation to st. LOUIS have also
sent in for rooms for themselves and
friends. A committee Of citizens and
hotel men are actively at work arrang-
ing to comfortably accommodate all
who come.
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1896-02-15

The eastern half Of South Dakota
and sold a quarter Of a
million dollars worth Of butter in 1896.
The people Of the western half of the
cattle section-shipped in
thousands Of dollars worth from Ne.
braska for their home consumption
Oh, where is that railroad? We all
want to eat home (state) made butter
Sturgis Advertiser.
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1896-02-15
For Over Fifty Years

An Old and Well-Tried Remedy
Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup has been
used for over fifty years by millions of
mothers for their children while teeth
ing, with perfect success. 1t soothes
the child, softens the gums, allays all
pain, cures wind collie. and is the best
remedy for Diarrhea. Is pleasant to
the taste. Sold by Druggists in every
part of the World. Twenty-Five cents a
bottle. Its value is incalculabe. Be sure
and ask for Mrs. Winslow's Soothing
Syrup, and take no other kind.
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1896-02-15

The Omaha Bee says: "The sultan h
Turkey and the queen Of England mrtk
be getting on friendly terms when thsy
write autograph letters to one another
Both Of the royal correspondents are
however, obliged to employ interpreters
which makes it inconvenient for ex.
pressions Of mutual affection. Why
can't Victoria open up an autograph
correspondence with Grover? Thai
could be kept strictly confidential
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1896-02-15

The first state convention for the
naming Of delegates to the nationa. re-
publican convention at st. Louis will be
held at Huron March 25, and the regular
state republican convention for tho
nomination of state officers will con.
vsne at Aberdeen July 8. Hot Springs
was left out in the cold, but that was no
surprise to any one. Even Hot Springs
itself kLcw there was nothing in the
effort beyond little cheap advertising.
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1896-02-15
Edwin f. Uhl has been appointed

Edwin +. Uhl has been appointedI
the president as ambassador to @
many, position made vacant by \
death Of the late Ambassador Runyc
Mr.. Uhl is a resident Of the state
Michigan, and was, when appoint|
assistant secretary ofstate. His appoio
ment was promptly confirmed \
the senate. w. w. RockhiIl, of Maj
land, succeeds Mr.. Uhl as assistas
secretary of state.
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1896-02-15

The Black Hills counties are entitled
10 66 delegates, ont of total Of 597 for
the state, in the coming republican state
convention as apportioned by the state
central committee at its meeting on the
9Th inst. Lawrence has 90; Penning-
ton, IL Fall River, 0; Custer, s; Meade,
7; Butte, ).
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1896-02-15

ibid you opservs." said a Spearfish
merchant to customer" the handsome
advertisement had painted on the
railing Of the bridge2" "No," replied
the customer, "bat II you will send the
bridge around to the house our whole
family will try to read the announce
ment. Tread the papers, and I havn't
time to 90 around from place to place
aud read the fences" The merchant
looscned up q shower ofdandruff on
his thick skullsd head and sauntered
off,wondering what his customer meant.
-Spearfish Register.
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1896-02-15

]. w. Pierce, Republic, Ia, says: 81
have used One Minute Cough Cure in
my family and for myself. with results
so entirely satisfactory that can hardly
find words to express myself as to its
merit. | will never fail to Recommend
il to others, on every occasion that
presents itself. A. J. Jones Il Cos drug
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1896-02-15

An exchange tells about democrat
living mp in North Dakota, who wross
ca-~4-- ~ ---.v~ruIng the Moaroe
doctrine, as follows: "All the darned
fools around here are talking abou: the
Munroe doctoring. and nobody knows
what it is, and | don't know myself, but
If the government is giving it away,
send me what you can"
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1896-02-15
GIVE US ROOM,

Our be down make for spring line
In order do this will for the
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-16
A GEORGIA ELECTION STORY.
An Itinerant Preacher Had to Much
Faith in Bryan's Election.

One election story is that an itiner-
ant Georgia preacher, who had one
| horse and large family, was so conf
| dent of Bryan's election that he said
to one of the members Of his congre-
CATION:
Il don't bet, an amt a-goin' ter
bet; but If anybody would jest make
believe that they wagered hoss ag'in
that air creeteur o mine that Bryan
| won't be elected, an then keep their
counsel erbout 1t. it would be all right
with me, an I'd jest consider-between
me and him-that my hoss wuz stakes
ag'in his"
'All right. brother" said the mem-
Der. well jest look at it in that light.
an If Mckinley is elected I'll have two
hosses an you none"
1t was "a CO." but the following Sum
day the congregation was amazed to
see the preacher tramping to town,
where he arrived way-wOrn and mud
bespattered, and mounting the plat
form straightway began preaching
about the evils of betting.
Yes" he cried. there are men in
this here congregation so lost ter right
an jestice that they would bet ag'in
the one hoes Of a poor man, take It
from him. an make him walk ter
glory for the balance of his days! II
such q man is in the hearin' of my
voice today, let him tremble! He can't
take that election hoss to heaven with
him. If he could ride 1t plum into the
pearly gates the Angel Gabriel would
holler whoa an while the tremblin'
wretch dismounted he would hear these
words, like the knell o. dooms: 'Whar
did you get that hoss?"
After the sermon and the benedic-
tion someone took the parson by the
arm and led him out into the grove and
handed him a bride (and there was a
horse connected with iD, and said:
Here's yer darned old hoss! Pray
for me on yer way home!'
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-16

sOrdid toll close at hand. He would
travel and enjoy his life. Pity the dia-
mond had not come twenty years be-
fore. AS for the sailor, poor devil. why
didn't he sta! when he vas asked?
The cat. still doing. became aware
of q strong, strange Cdor. In q lazy
fashion it opened one eye, and dis
covered that an old. shriveled up little
man. with q brown face, was standing
by the counter. 1t watched him laZily.
but wariiy. out Of n half-closcd eye, and
then, finding that ne appeared to be
quite harmless. closed it again.
The intruder was not an impatient
type of customer He stood for some
time gazing round him; then thought
struck him. and he approached the eat
and stroked 1t with a mastery hand.
Never, In the course of it's life, had
the animal met with such born
strokcr. Every touch was caress, and
gentle thrum arose from its interior
in response.
Something went wrong with the
siroker. He hurt The cat started up
suddenly and Jumped behind the coun-
ter. The dark gentleman smiled an
evil smile, and, after waiting little
longer. tapped on the counter.
The pawnbroker came from the little
room beyOnd,with the newspaper in his
hand. and his brow darkened as he saw
the customer He was of harsh and
dominant nature, and he foresaw more
distasteful threats.
"Wcll. what do you WANT" he de-
manded. abruptly.
Morning. sir" said the brown man.
In perfect English: fine day"
'"The days well enough" said the
proprietor.
Il wanted little talk with you"
said the other, sUavcly. "A little, quiet
reasonable talk"
You'd better make it short" said
the proprietor. My time is valuable"
The brown man smiled,and raised his
hand with deprecatory gesture.
MANY things are valuable" said he,
but time is the most valuable of ALL
And time to us means life
The proprietor saw a covert threat,
and grew more irritable still.
Get to your business he said.
sharply.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-16


room and went to bed and. despite the
excitement of the evening, was soon
In q loud slunber from which he was
aroused by distant and sustained
knocking.
At first the. noise mingled with his
dreams and helped to form them. He
was down a mine, and grimy workers
with strong picks were knocking dia-
mcnds from the wall-diamOnds so
large that he became Respondent at
the comparative smallness of his own.
Then he awoke suddenly and sat up
with start, rubbing his eyes. The din
was internal to a man who liked to do
q quiet business in an unobtrusive way.
1t was a knocking which he usually as
sooiated with the police. and 1t came
from his side door. With q sense Of
evil strong upon him, the pawnbroker
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-16

The brown man leaned on the coun.
ter and regarded him with a pair Of
fierce, brown eyes which age had not
dimmed.
You are reasonable man." he said,
slowly; good merchant. l can see II,
But sometimes good merchant makes
bad bargain. In that case what does
the good merchant do?"
Go to the DEVIL" said the proprietor,
angrily.
He makes the best of It," continued
the other. calmly, land he Is a lucky
man II he is not too late to repair the
mischief. You are not too late"
The proprietor laughed bolster
ously.
There was sailor once made a bad
bargain" said the brown man, still In
the same even tones. land he died-of
grief"
He grinned at this pleasantly until
his face looked like cracked mask.
IL read In this paper of Il sailor being
killed" said the proprietor, holding 1t
up. Have you ever heard Of the police,
of prison. and of the hangman?"
"All of them" said the other, softly.
II might be able to put the hangman
on the track of the sailors murderer"
continued the proprietor.
The brown man smiled and shook his
head. You are too good merchant"
he said; besides it would be very diff.
cult"
1T would be a pleasure to me-" said
the proprietor.
LET US talk business like men, not
nonsense, like children" said the brown
man. suddenly. "Ycu talk of hangmen.,
l talk Of death. Well, listen. Two,
nights ago you bought a diamond from
sailor for five hundred pounds. I'm
less you give me that diamond back for
the same money / will kill YOU"
"What?" snarled the proprietor
drawing his gaunt figure to it's full
height. You, you understood num-
my?"
II will kill YOU" repeated the brown
man. calmly. II will send death to you
death in horrible shape. will send
a devil, a little artful, teasing devil, to
worry you and kill YOU. In the dark
ness he will come and spring out on
you. You had better give back the dia.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-16

passed out into the street and disap-
peared.
Long after he had gone the pawn
broker and his friend sat with the door
locked and the diamond before them,
eagerly inspecting it.
ITS a great risk" said the pawn
broker. "A stone like that generally
makes some noise"
Anything good is risky" said the
other, somewhat cOntemptuously. You
don't expect to get windfall like that
without any drawback. do you?"
He took the stone in his hand again
and eyed II lovingly. ITS from the
east somewhere" he said quietly. ITS
badly cut. but it's a diamond of dia-
monds. a king of gems
II don't want any trouble with the
police" said the pawnbroker, as he took
it from him.
You are talking now as though you
have just made a small advance on a
stolen Overcoat," said his friend, impa-
tiently. "A risk like that-and you
have done 1T before nOw-is q foolish
one to run; the game Is not worth the
candle. But this-why, it warns ones
blood to look at it,
well, I'll leave it with you. " said the
paWnbroker. If you do well with 1t.
ought not to want to work any more"
The other placed it in an inside pOck-
ct, while the owner watched him anx-
iously
Don't let any accidents happen to you
tonight" he said, nervously. t..
Thanks for your concern" said his
friend. grimacing. II shall probably be
careful for my own sake"
He buttoned up his coat, and, drink
ing glass of hot whisky: went out
whistling. He had just reached the
door when the pawnbroker called him
back.
''1f you like to take cab" he said,
in low Dice. so that the assistant
should not hear. 'I'll pay for It,"
I'll take an omnibus said his friend
smiling quietly. You're getting ex-
travagant. Besides, fancy the humor
of setting next to a pickpOcket with
this on me-" -
He waved a CHEEKY farewell, and the
pawnbroker. watching him from the
door. scOwled 'angrily as he saw his
light hearted friend hail an omnibus
at the corner and beard it. Then he
went back to the shop and his every
day business of making advances on
flatirons and other reliable assets Of
the neighborhOod.
At ten o'clock he closed for the night,
the assistant hurriedly pulled down the
shutters, that his time for recreation
might not be unduly curtailed. He
slept off the premises, and the Dawn-
broker. after his departure. made a
light supper and sat revolving the at
fairs of the day over another of his
black cigars until nearly midnight.
Then, well contented with himself he
went up the bare, dirty stairs to his
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-16

mond, and live. If you give It back, I
promise you your life."
(To Be Continued)
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-16
PART L.

The shop of the pawrbroker stood In
q small thoroughfare branching off the
Commercial Road. In its windows UNI
redeemed pledges of all kinds, from
old time watches to seamen's boots, ap-
pealed to all tastes and requirements.
Bundles of cigars, candidly described
as wonderful" We're marked at alb
surdly low figures, while silver watches
endeavored to excuse the clumsiness
of their make by describing themselves
as "strong workmen's.' The side en-
trance, up narrow alley. was sur
mounted by the usual three brass
balls, and here the Droprietor's clients
were,wont to call. They entered as OPP
timists, smiled confidently upon him,
argued, protested shrilly, and left the
establishment pessimists of most pro-
nounced and virulent type.
None of these things, however, dis
turbeG the pawnbroker. The drunken
client who endeavored to bail out his
Sunday clothes wish tram ticket was
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-16

accommodated with a chair. while the
assistant went to hunt up his friends
and contract for speedy removal; the
old woman who, with view of obtain
ing slighter advance than usual,
poured tale of grievous Woe into his
hardened ears. found herself left to the
same Invaluable assistant, and, realiZ-
ing her failure. would at once become
cheerful and take what was offered.
The prOprietor'S methods of business
were quiet and unoStentatious, and ru-
NOR had ii that he might retire a any
time and live in luxury.
1t was q cold, cheerless afternoon in
late December as the pawnbrolicr. who
had occasional haZy ideas of hygiene,
stood at his door taking the air. II was
an atmosphere laden with SCOT and re-
dolent of many blended odors. but after
the fusty smell of the shop it was al
most health-glving. In the large pub
lie house opposite with its dirty win
dows and faded sign boards, the gas
was already being lit. which would
transform it from its daylight dreari-
ness to resort of light and life.
The paWnlrOker, who was never In
81 hurry to light up his own premises.
many of his clients preferring the ro-
mantle liSht which comes between day
leave the chilly air for the' warmth in
side, when his attention was attracted
by q seaman of sturdy aspect stopping
and looking in at the window. The
paWnlirnker rubbed his hand softly.
There was an air of comfort and pros
perity about this seaman, and the pro-
prietor had many small articles in his
window, utterly useless to the man,
which he would have liked to have sold
him.
The man came from the window.
made as though to pass. and then
paused irresolute before the pawn
broker.
You want a watch?" said the lat
ter genially. Come inside
i don't want no watch" said the
sailor, following him in after a mo-
ment's hesitation.
The pawnbroker went behind his
counter and waited,
Il don't want to buy nothing, and
I don't want to pawn nothing" said
the sailor. what do you think o.
that?"
The proprietor, who objected to
riddles, especially those which seemed
to be against business. eyed him un-
faVorably from beneath his heavy
sandy eyebrows.
we might have little quiet talk to-
gether,' said the seaman. "you an
me; we might do little business to-
Eether,. you an me. In the parlor,
shall we say, over glass o. something
hot?"
The proprietor 1esitated. He was
not adverse to a little business of an
Illicit nature but there rose up vividly
before him the picture of another sal
lor wha had made much the same sort
of proposal, and, after four glasses of
rum. had merely suggested to him that
he should lend him twenty pounds on
the security of an I. o. U. 1t was long
since. but the memory of it still
raIikled.
What sort of business is it?" he in
quired. ,.
Business that's too big for you.
p'raps," said the sailor, with a lordly
air. I'll try bigger place. What's
that lantern-faced swab showing his
ugly mug into the daylight for?"
Get off" said the pawnbroker to the
assistant. who was quietly and unob-
trusively making third. Mind the
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-16
PART III,

Left to himself. the sailor smoked on
contentedly, blandly undisturbed by
the fact that the assistant looked in at
the door occasionally, to see that
things were all right. 1t was quite a
new departure for the proprietor to
leave his Darlor to a stranger, and the
assistant felt a sense of responsibility
SO great that it was positive relief to
him when his master returned, accom-
panied by another man.
This is my friend" said the pro-
prietor, as they entered the parlor and
closed the door. You might let him
see the stone"
The seaman took off his belt again.
and placing it in his hand held it be-
fore the stranger who, making no at
tempt to take it, turned it over with
hts finger and examined it critically.
Are you going to sea again just
YETI" he inquired, softly.
Thursday night" said the seaman.
give hundred is my price: p'raps he
told you. I'm not going to haggle."
Just so, just So" said the other
quietly. It's worth five hundred"
Spoke like a man." said the seaman
warmly.
II like to deal with a man who
knows his own mind" said the stran-
ger; lit saves trouble. But If we buy
thing for us. Keep quiet and don't
touch a drop of liquor until you sail,
and not word to anybody"
you needn't be afraid of the licker,'
said the sailor grimly. Il shan't touch
that for my own sake"
Hes a teetotaller," explained the
pawnbroker.
Hes not" said the seaman. indig-
nantly.
why won't you drink, then?" asked
the other man.
Fancy" said the seaman, dryly, and
closed his mouth.
Without another word the stranger
turned to the pawnbroker, who, taking
a pocketbook fro his coat. counted the
amount i'm potes. These, after the
sailor had examined them in every
possible mGnner, he rolled up and put
in his 9ocket, then without another
word he took out the diamond again
and laid it silently on the table. the
pawnbrOker his fingers trembling with
eagerness. took it UP and examined 1t
delightedly.
you've got it at bargain" said
the seaman. Good night, gentlemen.
| hope. for your sakes, nobodyll know
I've parted with it. Keep your eyes
open, and trust nobody. When you see
black, smell mischief. I'm glad to get
rid of it,
He threw his head back and, expand
ing his chest as though he already
breathed more freely, nodded to both
men, and, walking through the shop.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-16


aside the proffered coin Where did
it come from? Has 1t got history
Not in Europe, II amt" said the
seaman. $50 far as know. you an
me an one other are the only white
men as know of it. That's all I'm go-
in to tell Eou.' i...e,,..,,--... -,...t.
. '.Do you mind waiting while ] go
and fetch a friend of mine to see it,"
inquired the pawnbroker. "'You
needn't be afraid" he added, hastily.
He's a resectable man and as close
as the grave"
I'm not afraid" said the seaman,
quietly. But no larks, mind. I'm not
a nice man to play them on. I'm pref
ty strong, an I've got something else
besides"
He settled himself in the armchair
again, and accepting an other cigar,
watched his host as he took his hat
from the sideboard.
I'll be back as soon as I can,' said
the latter. somewhat anxiously. You
Won't so before l Gomez"
Not me-" said the seaman, bluntly.
when l say thing I stick to it.
don't haggle, and haggle, and" he
paused a moment for a word, land
haggle," he concluded.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-16
"stay here till the morning" said the

other.
The seaman shook his head. II don't
want to miss my ship" said he: but
remember what I've told you. and
mind, they're devils. both of them. and
II You are not very careful the'll have
you. sooner or later. Good night
He buttoned up his coat, and leading
the way to the door, followed by the
proprietor with the candle, opened 1t
noiselessly. and oeered carefully out
right and left. The alley was empty,
Take this" said thep roprietor, prof
fering his pistol.
i've got ono" said the seaman.
Good night"
He strode boldly w the alley, his
footsteps sounding loudly In the silence
of the night. The proprietor watched
him to the corner, and then, closing the
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-16

know 1t. However. good nisflt to you
mate. How much for the tea?''
He put his hand contemptuously in
his trouser pocket, and pulled out some
small change.
Theirs the risk of getting rid of the
stone," said the pawnbroker pushing
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-16

door, secured it with extra care, anu
went back to his bedroom, where he
lay meditating upon the warning which
he had just been given to him until he
fell asleep.