davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1896-12-25

"Do tell, deacon" replied the widow,
shuddering, 'but don't you think you'll
get chilled if you sit so far from the fire
DO draw up closer and get warm; you've
got quite "A way to go TO town and you
must take care of yourself in such terri
bic weather."
Eyes, ma'am; it be chilly, that's n
fact. l think I'll move up piece to the
fire"
"How kind she isl" the deacon kept
repeating to himself as he edged nearer
toward the blazing logs and at the same
time drew closer to the rocker, where
the widow still sat sewing.
81 saw you at church last Sunday,
Mrs. Martin. The minister preached n
powerful fine sermon, didn't hep" re-
marked the deacon, after another long
interval.
Eyes, deacon; and it did me power
Of good, too"
I'm real glad to hear you say that,
Mrs. Martin" exclaimed the deacon.
His face fairly beamed with delight,
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1896-12-25

sides and across the valley the widow
had the door open and was waiting for
her visitor.
81 just thought I'd stop n minute,
Mrs. Martin, to warm up, for it's power
full cold out this afternoon" said the
deacon, stamping his feet to shake the
snow from his boots before entering.
I'm real glad to see you, deacon;
come right in and sit down by the fire."
In few moments Deacon Harding
had removed his heavy coat and thick
gloves and was comfortably seated on
one side of the broad fireplace, while the
widow was rocking herself gently to
and fro at the other.
AS his good temper increased the dca
con kept looking over at the widow.
What n nice, pleasant little woman she
was, to be sure, and she was pretty, too
there was no mistake about that! He
sat there enjoying his novel sensations
without speaking for long time. Sure
ly there was something the matter with
him this New Years eve. He was usual
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1896-12-25

cept, perhaps, his old housekeeper, who
was deaf and ill-tempered enough to
sour the biggest cask of cider in his cell
lar.
1t was no wonder, then, that as he
reached the Widow Martins cottage he
determined to stop just for chat with
her and TO warm himself before going
to the meeting. That was all. If he
had been told there was anything else
on his mind he would have thought the
suggestion ridiculous. The widow
heard the deacon's blackboard stop-in
fact she had seen him coming up the
road-and there had been hasty glance
over the room, and just peep in the
looking-glass on the mantel to see if
everything was in order, long before
the deacon's voice was heard on the
frosty air and the wheels had ceased to
revolve i'm front of the cottage. BY the
time he had blanketed and covered his
horse and led him TO the shed out of the
cold blasts that swept down the hill
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1896-12-25

~ able to talk about something wher-
ever he was, but now he couldn't say q
word if his life had depended on it,
though he tried desperately several
times to start conversation. And the
widow just sat there, apparently en-
tirely unconscious, with her mind seem
ingly fixed upon some trifie she was
sewing. Did she have an idea of what
was passing in her visitors mind? OF
course not; women are such dear, limo
cent creatures, especially widows. The
deacon grew very restless as the minutes
passed swiftly by and finally, as il the
heat was too great, he got up and moved
away from the fire. Somehow when he
settled down again his chair was much
nearer the widow. but she didn't seem
TO notice the change and kept on sew
ing.
"It's powerful cold to-day, Mrs. Mar
tin. Therell be heavy frost tonight,
reckon" remarked the deacon, finding
his speech at last.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1896-12-25

while if the truth must he told he abso-
lutely chuckled aloud and rubbed his
hands on his knees as if something had
happened with which he was immense
~ delighted. "Do you recall what the
parson preached about?"
II must have been the heat from the
burning logs that caused the widows
cheeks to blush so. She couldn't even
look up from her sewing as she replied:
"Well, come to think of it, deacon, ]
think it was about weddings and such
things. But / amt quite sure, for |
didn't pay much attention, I'm afraid,
10 that part of the discourse.
The chairs were getting very close.
THAT'S il. that's it," cried the deacon,
bringing his hands down upon his
knees with a slap that startled the ca
nary from his perch and set the widows
heart beating furiously That's it.
And don't you remember where ne said
ii wasn't good for man TO live alone
l think he told the truth. don't you?"
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1896-12-25

the town board. The deacon was feel
ing cold and out of sorts generally, and
somehow his ideas had been travelling
for weeks past in direction decidedly
singular for such confirmed bachelor
as he. All he appeared to lead up to one
object and that was the Widow Martin.
The deacon was getting on dangerous
ground, but he didn't seem TO know ii.
He had always said there wasn't wom-
an who could catch him. lie had lived
so long without one that he was not GO
ing to be taken in by any of them at this
time of life. Not he; and he grew sew
eral inches higher every time he Rugged
this consolation to his breast. But this
particular New Years eve he was I'M
accountably lonely and dispirited.
Everybody who was anybody in Con-
way was full of rest and cheer and just
brimful of happiness. The spirit of
the holidays was everywhere, but the
deacon was alone. There was no one to
welcome him. no one to greet him with
"A Happy New Year." at his home, eX
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1896-12-25
4 Woman's Mistake.

a well-dressed woman in search of
Christmas present for her son walked
up and down the aisles Of book store,
closely scanning the titles of the books.
At last she picked up volume and
handed it to the clerk. us this good
book ?" she asked. AN excellent book,
madame" replied the clerk, as he
wrapped it up, and the only copy we
have left" How fortunate | am to
have secured it, then" the delighted
woman exclaimed. my son is just
crazy over the game, and | wanted to
get a good authority on it so that he
could learn to play it properly" The
clerk looked dazed as he handed his
customer the copy of Charles Dickens
Cricket on the Hearth" and she had
been gone some time before it dawned
upon him what a mistake she had made.
No one knows what the boy said.--
Golden Days.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1896-12-25

Conway il was Deacon Harding, the pill
lar of the Methodist church and the
strictest selectman the New Hampshire
village had ever known. lie had never
married, and some folks said he was too
mean. and that all he thought about
was putting up a goodly share of this
worlds goods to his credit in order that
he might make better provision for the
commodities of the next. But, then,
people will talk.
1t was, therefore, a matter of consid-
cradle speculation among his neighbors
when the deacon was seen TO stop &C.
casonally at the Widow Martins cot
tage, and many and varied were the con-
lectures about the outcome. The widow
was plump, rosy checked, and good ma
turcd, and her dear departed having left
her more than two years before she
was. rs she believed herself. fully quail
fed 10 he considered among the eligibles
OF the little world in which she lived.
She had heard (what women does not?)
of her neighbors' talk about her, but
being of that happy disposition which
does not heed the stories Dame Rumor
occasionally circulates, she kept on her
way regardless of all the gossips said.
The widows cottage was an inviting
spot when the snow lay piled up in
great masses in the roadways and on
the mountain sides and the mercury
was away below zero. A bright light
always shone from the windows while
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1896-12-25
A HALLIDAY MocIxery,

He held handsome Russian leather
pocketbook up for the inspection of his
friends.
Beautiful" they exclaimed.
"a mockery," he replied, turning it
upside down and shaking il.
"a most useful present" they per-
sisted.
~ holiday mockery," he repeated.
''Of what use is a fine pocketbook 10 a
man who has gone broke on Christmas
presents for the very girl who gave it
TO him ?''-Chicago Post
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1896-12-25

For II I'm 10 be Santa Claus, and that's or
course expected,
I'm sorry that l cannot claim the note was
misdirected
She wants a great big doll. she says with
waVy, golden tresses,
Some hats to put upon the doll. and lots
of handsome dresses;
A bureau and trundle bed, a set of little
dishes,
A table and a trunk as well, besides some
real gold fishes"
She wants sled. OF course, / learn. and
likewise lots OF candy.
She also adds, quite calmly: "A piano
would be handy"
She wants a watch and lots Of books. and
games as we'll in plenty;
OF minor toys, ii seems to me. she asks
for fully twenty.
She writes that she would like to have
little stove for cooking,
And for necklace, I'm informed, most
anXously she's looking;
She wants a desk that's "all her own
on which to do her writing.
And altogether. | confess, the outlook's
not inviting.
The things that she would like to have, |
find by calculation,
Would cost thousand dollars a the low
est valuation,
And so l say regretfully, with spirits most
detected,
I'm sorry that I cannot claim her note was
Chicago Post.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1896-12-25

9 'I: i: & :: s. s: 4:
Z never was so wide awake in all my life
before,
And mother thinks I'm going to sleep a
dozen hours or more.
want to sit up tonight TO get a little
peep
AT Santa Claus. Why does he come when
boys are all asleep?
j want TO see the reindeer, and I'd really
like TO know
How they can ever stand it to have so far
TO go.
And then ia like to ask hin-for / can't
make 1t out at all
How he scrambles down the chmneys,
when they are all so small,
With his great big bag of picture books
and sugar plums and toys,
when he comes to fill the stockings up for
little girls and boys.
wonder if he'll bring me just what want
IA sled
A lightning patent coaster; and l want it
painted red
How does he know what boys want? He al
ways guesses right
How can no get to everyone in just single
night?
Well. am getting tired here, it will be
fine
To lie awake all night. There! It's strik-
ing nine!
Yes. mother will be sorry in the morning, I
should think
when tell her how haven't slept single
blessed wink.
i shall listen every minute, and when
hear him creep
Very softly down the chimney, when he
thinks were all asleep,
III watch. and then I'll see the fun without
a speck of noise.
Ho! Ho! The jolly fellow cannot always
dodge the boys
Hello! 1 hear jingle. Have the reindeer
come at last?
i must get up and see them, for they prance
away so fast.
4 was just getting sleepy-hey! Time to
dress, you say?
And the breakfast bell is ringing? Hurrah
tits Christmas day!
Sidney Dayre in Golden Days.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1896-12-25
IF 8

sibility be purchased at bargain. Here
is the number of slipper that | wear,
and you might make note of the fact
that my preference in neckties is dark
red, with small black figure, also that l
do not need any suspeHders."
And she thanked him and wrote IL all
down, thereby saving no small share of
future regrets and embarrassments.-
Washington Star.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1896-12-25
PROBABLY A CHICAGO GIRLS.

Chimmy McGovern 49, Great Scott!
Mickey, get on ter dat. wouldn't
want der job of darnin' dat feller's
sock.
Mickey McSwatt-But say, but just
t'ink wot cinch dat sock would be at
Christmas time ter knock ole Sanity
Cluss silly.-N. y. Truth.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1896-12-25

the hickory logs cracked and sputtered
I'm the wide, open fireplace. Everything
about the place was so neat, clean and
wholesome looking that one felt at
home the moment he crossed the thresh-
old. At least that is what Deacon Hard
ing thought on New Years eve as he
came in sight of the coy home of the
widow while on his way to n meeting OF
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1896-12-25
-+aa 0mS Rnlihag Sapplenrss1t. as+-
The chairs touched now The deacon

The chairs touched now. The deacon
was absent from the town meeting that
New Years eve
When the. villagers assembled at
church next ~ they saw little wom-
an sitting bEsde Deacon Harding. Ii
was the Widow Martin. She was welded
to the deacon New Years morning, for
the parson had said it wasn't good for
man to be alone.-B. A. Macdonald, in
Chicago Mail
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1896-12-25
Not NECESSARY.

Dora-Here's some mistletoe for your
Christmas.
Cora-Can you spare it?
Dora-Oh, | don't need tn. Y.
Truth
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1896-12-25
The Day After.

Oh dear, it's so far 10 next Christmas!
Seems long as forever and more.
I've been counting the days over n over.
Three hundred and siXty-four!
That's a dreadful lot 10 be waiting
To hang up your stockings, you see;
But to-morrow-that's somethinc-there'
only three hundred and siXty-three
-IIarper's Young People.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1896-12-25
Timely Precaution.

"Have you thought about doing any
Christmas shopping yet?" asked Mr..
Hunnimune.
mo, dear was the reply. 1T is a
little early Tor such preparations, isn't
it?"
"Myes. But it is well to take time by
the forelock, you know. Have you a
memorandum book handy"
Yes
well, you might jot down these lit
tie points. Here's the brand of cigars
that | prefer. They cannot by any pos
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1896-12-25
Begin Again.

Turn the soiled leaves with one more look.
And drop one more repenting tear:
And then begin in Gods own Book
The story of another year.
Frank w. HUT, in Rams Horn.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1896-12-25

Tommy-How many presents did yer
get?
Neutrality-suspicious.. How many
dyer get?
Tommy-Nineteen But I'll bet yer 7
can make more noise with mine than
yer can with yours.-N. Y. Truth.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1896-12-25
AZ Usual.

Baggs-Well. old man, what did YOU
get in your stocking this morning?
Waggs-My foot.-Brooklyn Life.
Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1896-04-03
Big Fire at Franklin.

Franklin, Ky, April IA disas'
trous fire broke out in the business
portion of this town this morning
and as result four elegant business
houses are now in ashes and much
other damage done.
The losers are as follows:
King & Co.'S drug store and
contents.
Mclaughlin & Phillips grocery
store and contents.
j. o. Browns grocery and stock.
Tom Bookers' saddle and harness
shop.
Judge Milliken's law Office and
library.
Drs. Milliken, Burton, and Doug
las offices, libraries and all the
contents.
Webb's photograph gallery.
The loss and damage by fire is esti-
mated at $4,000, about half covered
by insurance.
Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1896-04-03
Beats a Messenger Boy.

Hazel Green, KY, March 31-MrD
James Lacy, an old gentleman of
prominence and high standing in this
community, receiving by mail last
night copy, sound and apparently
new, of the New York Herald, con-
tanning the assassination and death
of President Abraham Lincoln, dated
April Is, 1865, which was mailed to
him few days after the date it
bears, nearly thirty-one years ago. 1t
was taken from the Office to him by
his third wife, who is now twenty
nine years of age, the paper being
mailed two years before her birth.
Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1896-04-03
WeII-known In This City.

Paducah, KY, April l-One of the
most notable weddings IN the history
of Paducah took place last night at
the residence of Capt. Joe Fowler,
the contracting parties being Mr.. G.
81. Warneker and Miss Clara Given
Fowler, formerly of Lexington,
The Maid of honor was Miss Matte
Fowler; bridesmaids, Miss Rubie
Cobb, Adline Morton, Cherry Mon
ton and Emma Reed; best man, Mr.
VIM. Bornemann. The groom is a
young gentleman of Bremen, but has
been a resident of this country for
several years being engaged in the
tobacco business at GAINESVILLE
Tenn. The best man is also of Bre.
men. After the ceremony the couple
departed for New York, and will tour
Europe before returning home
Among the wedding presents were
$4,000, the gift of the groom's father
in Germany,
Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1896-04-03
Nothing In the Case.

A telegram was received by Chief
Fritz Tuesday from the Town Mar
shall of Sturgis, requesting the arrest
of Elijah Ricketts,, of DeKoven, who
was here on visit to his parents. Mr..
Ricketts, was taken into custody, but
as no officer came for him he was re-
leased. The message failed to state
the charge preferred against the
young man, but from his state
ment to the police there seems to be
little in the case. Mr.. Ricketts, said
he had difficulty with a party at
Sturgis few days ago and struck
him over the head with beer bottle,
but did not damage him seriously.
Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1896-04-03
Circuit Court Cuttings.

Susan B. Winders was granted a
divorce from her husband j. A. Win.
ders and given custody of her nine
year-old daughter Ode.
In the case of DR.. A. Seargent vs.
Mrs. Geo. II, Merritt, demurred, an
appeal was taken by the plaintiff.
r. T. Mcdaniel, R. Y. Pendleton
and Geo. N, johnson were appointed
jury commissioners by Judge
Breathitt's direction,
A motion for a new trial in the
Robt. B, Ford damage case was
overruled and the defendant, the L.
& N. Railroad Co., took an appeal
Same proceedings in the G. S. Veach
railroad case,
Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1896-04-03
Died Suddenly Sunday,

Mr.. A. FL. Armstrong, a prominent
citizen of Todd county, died sudden,
ly of aneurism Sunday afternoon
He ate dinner with his family Sun
day and was in unusually good spir.
its, but on going to his room fell and
died in a few minutes. Mr.. Arm
strong was quite wealthy and had
been a successful tobacco dealer at
Allegree for the past ten years.
Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1896-04-03
A Fatal Mistake.

Trenton, KY, April Ross Dick
inson, young farmer of this place,
and a son of Jack Dickinson, died
yesterday from the effects of an over
dose of morphine, taken through
mistake. Medical aid was summoned
but the doctor arrived too late to
save his life. He had been in failing
health for some time and was taking
medicine. Mr.. Dickinson was about
35 years old, unmarried and owned
considerable property.
Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1896-04-03
Is TlANDES ELIGIBLE7
SERIOUS DOUBT ABOUT HIS RIGHT TO
SERVE.
The Constitution Bearing On the Matter
In The Meantime No Election Has Been
Called.

Frankfort, KY, March 31.-It has
been whispered about here for some
days that were the law and Constitu-
ton literally construed Judge Landes
would have no right to sit on the APP
'pellate Court bench. Some pretty good
lawyers have given opinions to this
effect, and the talk has been sufficient
to cause some of the Judges friends
to look up the matter for their own
satisfaction. The rumor evidently had
its origin in that section of the Con-
stitution which forbids any member
of the Legislature to be appointed to
certain Offices until year after his
term as Representative or Senator ex-
pires.
The section bearing on the case is
Section A of the New Constitution,
which reads as follows:
mo Senator or Representative shall
during the term for which he was
elected, nor for one year thereafter, be
appointed or elected to any civil Office
OF profit in this Commonwealth, which
shall have been created, or the emolu-
ments of which shall have been in
creased during the said term, except
to such offices as may be filed by the
election of the people,"
The "term for which Judge Landes
twas elected" has not yet expired; to
say nothing of the year after expira-
ton having elapsed. A Legislature
(the last one) during the term for
which he was elected did "increase
the emoluments" of the Office to which
he has been appointed by increasing
Appellate Judges salaries from ST.
600 to $1,000 per annum.
Some lawyers say that had the in
crease of the salary taken place at the
second session instead of the first.
during which Judge Landes was
Senator, he would be clearly inelig-
BILE; but, that action having been
taken two years ago. makes it doubt
full.
Judge Landes' friends say the ex-
ception at the end of the section lets
him in all right.
Referring to the alleged doubt as
to Judge Landes' right to a seat on
the Court of Appeals bench suggests
the question of whether an election to
elect Judge Grace's regular successor
is to be held next November or the
November following, Judge Landes
himself thinks that he has right to
hold on by appointment till Noyem-
Der a year. But the recent decision of
Judge Field in the case of Mayor
Todd, of Louisville, seems to be an
indication of what a disinterested
court thinks about the propriety of
holding special election in years
where regular election for the same
Office would be illegal. The Mayor
Todd case soon comes to the Court of
Appeals for further trial and because
of its bearing on his own case Judge
Landes will not likely sit.
In the meantime Gov. Bradley has
not called an election to chooseJudge
Laudes' successor in this Senatorial
district. Acting Gov. Worthington
recalled his order in the matter and
there have been no further steps
taken
Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1896-04-03
Came to Kentucky to Wed.

Mr.. T. B. Hayes and Miss Clara
Alice Trump, young couple from
Stewart county, Tenn, came to this
city and were married by Judge
Breathitt Saturday last. 1t was not
an elopement. The groom is Ken
tuckian and said he preferred having
the knot tied by Kentuckian and in
Kentucky. The marriage occurred in
the County Clerks Office.
Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1896-04-03
Lost His Grip,

Mr.. B. Friend, drummer for the
Golden Novelty Co., OF Chicago, had
his valise snatched from him on the
platform at Guthrie Monday night.
He set it down on the platform and
turned to speak to friend and when
he went to pick up the grip it was
gone. 1t contained valuable samples
and his outfit of clothing.
Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1896-04-03
three Tramps in Trouble.

&l Carter, Chas. White and Chas
Huffman, three tramps, were arrested
in the city yesterday morning on a
charge of vagrancy. They were inn
mediately tried and given ii days
each in the work house.
Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1896-04-03
Ayerdict of aNot Guilty

The jury in the case Of Samuel Du'
vail, charge with the murder, in the
killing of Lewis Butler last summer
near Allegree, returning verdict Of
not guilty, at Elkton Wednesday.
Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1896-04-03
Total. .129
Naoaoaaru m noroip q re Al

Franks already has Daviess and
Sebree has Henderson and Union in
structed. The others counties hold
convention next week. Franks claims
Webster, Hancock and Mclean and
Sebree is apt to get Hopkins.
this makes Christian the battle
ground and whoever carries this coun-
ty will probably be nominated. Both
sides are claiming the county, but the
machinery is for Sebree.
Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1896-04-03
CREAM OF NEWS.
IF 1T is NEW AND TRUE THIS COLUMN
HAS 1T.
Republican Convention-Fire at Franklin
Big Check-Tom Petit Hurt-Tramps-
Grip Grabbed--Grave Charge.
The RepublLcan Convention.

The Republican Congressional
Convention will meet at Madisonville
on the Ii inst to nominate candidate
for Congress. For the first time,
there is a fight for the nomination in
the district. E. G. Sebree and E. T.
Franks are the contending candidates.
The eight counties in the district,
with the Bradley vote as basis, will
be entitled to the following represen-
tation, giving one delegate for each
100 votes and fraction over so:
Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1896-04-03
Tom Petit Crippled.

Col. Thos. S. Petit met with a Sc
rious accident at his farm near
Owensboro one day this week.
In leaping from his spring wagon
be missed his footing and fell, break
ing both bones of the right leg just
below the knee.