davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-11-27
OUR NATIONAL HOLIDAY.

There are holidays and holidays.
Christmas and New Years are cosmc-
politan-are the property OF no partic-
ular people, but yet are joyously OBJ
served by many. But Thanksgiving is
purely an American holiday, original
in conception and growing from a small
beginning until it has reached the dig
nifty of a national event. Its first cell
ebration was by the Plymouth colony
in 1621-those sturdy pioneers whose
piety was as pronounced as their pluck,
who honored themselves by honorinS
their Deity. The custom soon became
more general, spreading over all the
New England states. After the revo-
luton it gradually extended to the mid
die states and later to the west, grow
ing more slowly in the south. In 1853
the patriotic Lincoln forever estab-
lished it in the list of holidays by pro-
claiming a day of Thanksgiving, his
action being promptly followed by the
individual proclamations of the govern
ors of the states, who named the same
day. Since then. by common consent.
the first announcement of the day is
found in the presidents proclamation.
and the day so named is also named by
the states.
In many ways. says the American
Agriculturist, Thanksgiving is one OF
our most delightful events. 1t comes a [
time when the rigors of winter are not
yet at hand. We have at our disposal
all the varied products of the soil. and
the time for a season of partial rest for
the farmer is at hand. One of its most
delightful features, which has become
quite general, is the gathering together
under the old rooftree of all the scat
tered sons and daughters on this day.
Two, three and sometimes four genera
tions thus meet around the festive and
hospitable table of the old homestead.
and thus fraternal ties are strengthened
and filial piety encouraged.
Another and not less commendable
feature of this holiday is a practical
benevolence which has become very no
table. Poor people. to whom good din
ner is a rarity. are hunted out, and in an
transformations way are helped to prop
arly observe the day, so far as its festive
features are concerned. The sick and
suffering are remembered in various
ways. The homeless are, for the day,
made members of some hospitable
household, where they can join in its
pleasures. Altogether, this is perhaps
its best feature. There is no pleasure
so lasting. none which affords such real
JOY. as that which comes to US from the
knowledge that we have done a real
kindness to some of the suffering chill
dren of earth-in some way alleviated
their sorrows or eased their pains.
Last, but not least, the devotional
spirit which is the impelling motive of
the day, is encouraged and developed,
we learn to be more contented with our
lot, thankful for what we have and
hopeful for the future.
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-11-27
ACAUsEFoRT HANKFULNESs.

Rastus and Polly Ann lived in the
gully below the colouel's mansion, and
the colonel's wood-pile and poultry crop
yere temptations that frequently proved
destructive of the morals of that dark
hued couple.
The depredations of Rastus had
brought upon his head many a threat,
hut the colonel had as yet confined him
self to words, and Rastus continued to
borrow the colonel's wood, and occa-
sionally. juicy chicken, in spite OF the
threatened consequences.
However, the colonel decided once and
for all to put stop to the pilfering and
TO effect the reformation of Rastus he
neatly loaded stout hickory stick
with gunpowder and placed it in the
wood pile. The lesson conveyed by this
innocent piece of wood was apt to be
severe, but was calculated to be ex-
tremely salutary.
On the eve of Thanksgiving day Ras-
tus cautiously surveyed the rear of the
colonels domain, and finding it wrapped
in peaceful solitude, gently distracted
small turkey from the poultry coop.
The turkey had time to utter half a
squawk as Rastus' fingers closed round
its neck, but that was all. 1t never
breathed again. Then Rastus loaded his
arms with wood and FASTENED down
the gully, the ill-gotten spoils in hS
arms.
The next morning the colonel counted
his gobblers and surveyed his wood
pile, and a grim smile twitched the
corners of his usually impassive mouth.
81 low" said Polly Ann, as she put
the turkey in the oven, 81 low we'uns
amt got oberly much to be thankful for,
but 1 suttenly tank de good Lord for
providin' dis yere turk. Widout you had
done cotched him, Rastus. we'uns would
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-11-27

That's you, father" cried his wife,
admiringly, you amt much of hand
to talk, but when you do you say some
thing" The sole reply was a grunt.
"She was over to tn graveyard last
week to see her husbands grave; says
she can't ever hope to get over from the
porehouse, bein' sech a poor walker"
Mr.. Beebee's pipe was done, and he
knocked the ashes out. "She amt goin'
nohow," he said.
Matthew Beebee, you don't say!"
9TH church has labored with her
da'ters; they're goin' to have her week
about. Don't know it herself yet,
though; Jane Rose don't want her till
after Observation-Disclosures goin' to sur
prise her tomorrow"
well, if you wouldn't try the pa
thence of a saint, lettin' me most spoi!
nv Thanksgivin' over it for nothin'.
There comes Mis- Roach, father; you
watch the pies while 1 run out and tell
her. Say, Mis- Roach, ole Mis- Tooker
amt goin' to tn porehouse!" she cried,
breathlessly.
"Tknow she amt her face was very
grave.
"Who told you?"
1.-THE doctor; she died an hour ago"
"An' she never knew she wasn't to
go to the porehouse; never knew Jane
Rose was comm fer her tomorrow"
Not a word of it; last thing she said
was: is the porehouse wagon come
yit?'"
Mrs. Beebee sat down upon the steps,
her apron over her head and wept aloud.
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-11-27
THANKSGIBIN IDA.

"If none were sick and none were sad
What service could we render?
I think if we were always glad,
We scarcely could be tender"
It was "a years ago, on Thanks
giving day 1872, that dainty little
cards announced to the many friends
IN society's world that unto Margaret
and Edward Stanhope a daughter had
been born.
Into the softly lighted, luxurious
room where the mother lay, Edward
Stanhope walked gently. He sat down
beside the bed and held tenderIy the
hand of the wife and mother.
The white-capped, important-lookins
nurse, obeying his gesture, brought
from its lace and downy nest the tiny,
carefully-guarded pink and white NOR
tai and laid it down between them with
much careful patting and adjustment Of
its dainty draperies.
Together the father and mother
gazed fondly at the child; the mother
with the expression that only mother
love and reverent thankfulness can
give to happy woman's face, while the
fathers manly countenance showed
wonder and paternal love just dawn
ing.
As the husband rose to leave the room,
ne kissed his wife tenderly, saying:
we have great cause for thankfulness
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-11-27

anudder stick O. wood in that stove,
you lazy niggah.
Rastus complied. For moment there
was silence. Then came a terrific burst
of sound and the stove was torn into
fragments. Two ids and a piece of pipe
few through the window. An oven
door found egress through the side of
the shanty. A portion of the top of the
stove, and "bilin' kettle" smote Rastus
to the floor, and Polly Ann found her
self on the bed with a stew pan Oh her
head. The turkey was torn to shreds.
Polly Ann recovered first
"You black fool niggah!" she cried,
what for you steal dat turk? Don't
YOU know de debbil's in what's stole :?
You might a. knowed dat turk 'ud ex-
plode!"
For de Lords sake, chile" said Ras-
tus, "does you tink dat was de turk what
explode"
dat it was, shore as I'm niggah,"
said Polly Ann, solemnly.
"Wen, den," said Rastus, rubbing his
head, "aIl 1 got to say is ives got
mighty good reason to be thankful.
Kase if I'd done took one OBJ de great
Zig turks, we'd bin blowed clean into
de kingdom!"
ELLIS PARKER BUTLER
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-11-27

faces. scared, white despairing faces Of
young girls, ashamed of the tiny bun
dies beside them.
But the dusky face of Ida, with its
mournful eyes and patient mouth. was
not easily forgotten.
Her emaciated form lay immovable
upon the cot and a tiny bundle, wrapped
in. a coarse flannel blanket. lay beside
her. When the blanket was pulled
aside, the contents proved to be a small,
wriggling study in mahogany.
That it had been a study to Ida, one
could see by the loving but troubled
glance she gave it..
At first she was reticent and shy, but
after q while the story came out. Ida
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-11-27

AS 1 read the name, Miss Margaret
Stanhope, Ida fumbled feebly for q
stump of lead pencil under her pillow,
and said:
"Jes, put huh name, pointing to the
baby, down on de name kahd fob me.
Call huh ,'Thanksgibin s's
The visitor wrote it and handed back
the card to Ida. who held it fastas she
closed the mothers eyes that had gazed
Iongingly at the little bundle by her
side, "uh studyin' an uh studyin',
hoping and trusting till now she was
ready to Enter into His gates with
Thanksgiving"
JENNY FAIRMAN SMITH
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-11-27

Farmer Oatcake (sternly)-What do
you mean by hanging round my tur-
key roost at this time of night?
Mose-Bress my soul! Am dat yo',
Mr.. Oatcake? I was guardin' de place,
sab; 1 was guardin' it! There's good
many thievin' niggshs around about
Thanksgivin' time-Texas Siftings.
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-11-27

Then down he few with a mighty Mop,
His waffle redly flaming,
And he gobbled on with scarce stop
His lordly rank proclaiming;
But close at hand crept the human form,
Each moment drawing nearer,
And old Mr.. Gobbler grew quite warm
When he saw the creeper clearer.
obble-gobble!
Cried the gobbler grand;
"Gobble-obblel gobble-obble!"
Finest in the land.
Swish! went sharp and cleaning knife
on went his head a-hyingi
And the valiant bird gave up his life
To man a martyr dying.
In state on the farmers board that day
Reposed good Mr.. Gobbler,
And all who Toasted on him did say
There never was turkey nobler.
"Gobble-gobble! obble-obble!'
Now no longer heard;
"Obble-obble gobble-gobble!'
Great Thanksgiving bird
FRANK 3. WEIGH.
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-11-27

Behold the garnered treasures Of the field!
All promises of April are fulfilled;
The earth exhausted with its bounteous
yield,
AS some brown Samson suddenly Ger
wflled.
shorn Of its flowing locks all nerveless
lies
A helpless subject to the low'ring skies.
From distant fields come lowing nerds Of
To lie at ease beside the bursting rick.
Content to know. with reason wond'rous
fine,
II fast or slow the clock OF Nature TICK.
That shelter, food and drink in plenty
wait
To cheer their stay within the farmyard
gate
What though old Winter rouses in the
north,
Who fears him now that Plenty reigns
supremeI
The honest yeomen lead their children
forth
To mingIe voices with the praiseful
stream,
The prayerful rushes and the chanting
wood,
In grand Thanksgiving to the God Of
good
impatient Love, now weary tasks are done,
Trips all as lightly TO the homely tune
As fairies sporting where the brooklets run
= Through rose-trees nodding in the month
OF June.
g. Hope long deferred a sweet fulhllment
, finds,
As grapes give answer to the bending
! vines.
Not rural homes alone to-day are blest,
c The mother welcomes everywhere her
child,
eThe wording stands a sinner self-con-
fessed
And is again to virtue reconciled.
Thanksgiving for the spirit born Of
Thee,
o man Of God in blessed Galilee!
From lowly vale and lofty mountain peak
Still prayer and praise and glad thanks
giving rise;
The strong grow thoughtful Of the poor
and weak,
The dove Of peace from cot to palace
flies,
While strange, sweet music Weakened by
her wings
Thrills every heart till every creature
sings:
The Lord in His temple
Meier ceases forgiving,
Sing praise to Him, praise to Him,
Praise and Thanksgiving.
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-11-27
Gets More Than His Share

81 only wish they'd confine Thanks
giving to one day"
'Well, don't they?"
Not at my house. I'll have to eat
cold, minced, deviled and croquetted
turkey all next weekl"-Chicago Rec
ord.
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-11-27
ThAnksgIYing.

What though we burn wood by the cord
And weather prophets croak2
Soon on the groaning festive board
The turkey. stuffed. will smoke.
Then something TO the poor Wen spare
Who're always with US here
And well forget all grief and care
In sweet Thanksgiving cheer.
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-11-27
As Seen by Him.

The old gobbler looked dreamily away
over the backyard fence.
''Yes-"
"a shudder ran through his frame)-
'they are bringing out al our family
skeletons these days"
A glance at the debris from the din
ner table showed that this was only too
true.-N. Y. World.
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-11-27
What He Had

Richards Observation-Disclosures
giving day. Ell? don't know what I've
got to be thankful for!
Wraggs-Why, you've got a good
home, splendid prospects and big in
come.
Richards (savagely)-Yes, and dys-
pepsia.-N. Y World.
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-11-27

a. had an almighty slim T'anksgivin'
to-day"
"'Deed we would" said Rastus.
deed we would, honey"
ut am mighty small turk, Rastus,"
continued Polly Ann, "but you an me
is thankful fur small favors. Jist shove
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-11-27
THE GONE GOBBLER.

A gobbler perched on a walnut limb
One chill Thanksgiving morning
Awoke the brood in the daylight dim
with gobbled notes Of warning:
He craned his neck and he gazed below
In nervous apprehension.
Where a human being crouching low
Attracted his attention.
"Gobble-obble. .Gobble-obbleF'
In the morning still.
'tObble-gobble, obble-gobble"
Cried he, loud and shrill
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-11-27
The Best of All.

Herbert-I like Thanksgiving dinner
the best of any in the year.
Aunt Jane-How is that?
Herbert-Because it is so good that I
never want the dessert frst.-Truth.
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-11-27
Noyember Sentiment.

In blessings shared with humble lots
The truest joys we trace;
Who gives the freest charity
Gives thanks with fairest grace
kansas City Journal
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-11-27
ID PTTTER
Thanksgiving Menu.

While some will dine on turkey fine,
Their heartfelt thanks expressing,
Alas! a few will have TO do
With crow and chestnut dressing.
N. Y. Press.
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-11-27
ThaukagiVfuR.

All summer long the barnyard heard
The turkeys brag and boast,
And now they're glad that bumptious bird
On all sides gets a roasti
N 7. World
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-11-27

CIara-Going to church Thanksgiv-
ing?
Tilly-No, I amt got nOthin' to be
thankful for.
Clara-Well, you ought TO be thank
full for that--Bay City Chat.
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-11-27

on this day. and always. What
more welcome and precious gift could
have come TO Us than this? God grant
that she may be the cause Of thankful
ness to many as the years go on
And happy Margaret gently pressed
his hand as her eyes turned toward their
baby daughter with love and thankful
ness.
Twenty-four years later this precious
little Thanksgiving bundle had unfoldeu
and become TO the social world Miss
Margaret StanhoPe, a lovely and Iowa
bic, helpful member Of society.
The bell of the Maternity home
Changed sharply a week after Thanks
giving day Of 1895.
A trim matron, in blue seersucker
gown and neat, white apron, answered
the bell. The visitor, showing her d
slip of newspaper and card, asked to
see Ida.
The nurse glanced inquiringly at the
visitor and the card and then read the
slip that said: Housewives who will
take women with infants for general
homework can be supplied by applying
IN the ChiIdren's Aid society"
The matron said there was colored
woman there named Ida, and that she
could be seen.
The maternity ward was clean and
bare except for the long rows Of iron
bedsteads. In these beds lay women
and girls. There were young slips OF
girls, young women, and middle-aged
faces here and there. Faces lined and
scanned with trouble, poverty, hard
xorl1and care. Sad faces, bad faces, bold
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-11-27

eff none were sick and none were sad
What service could we render?
I think if we were always glad,
We scarcely could be tender"
The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1896-05-28
WRONG COURSE.

News was recently sent out from OF
taWa. Illinois. that il q town caucus
the vote between the gold and silver
men was very close Each side tried
to howl the other down but when the
count w&s made the silver men we're
the winners. The gold men, it is said
Immediately left the hall and would
take no other part III the convention,
and a SILVER delegate was elected to the
county convention.
If those gold men had fair showing
in the meeting they did wrong to bolt.
They had no business in the meeting
if they were not going to ABIDE by the
will and vote OF the majority. Neither
gold men nor silver men have right
to 90 into convention and take an ac
tive part unless they arc going to abide
BY the action OF the convention pro-
vldcd all the proceedings are fair and
honest and are done in The olcn before
all
II Is all right for any man or set of
men, he they for eold or Tor silver, or
what not. to do all they can honestly
The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1896-05-28
4 DISCO STiD NORTHERNER

\ day q two alter tie Republican
State Convention that nominated Rus
Ell for Governor, the Fayetteville Oh
server said
y Northern man and Republican
Mr Baker Of Fall River, Mass. N
rived il this city last night with his
eyes opened. Mr. Baker vas sitting in
front of the Lafayette Hotel listening
t. a nGmler OF gei.tlemo.4 discussing
politics lie Sudden arose from his
seat and said 'Gentlemen, ycu are all
strangers to me. but # YOU will allow
ii. want to unburden my mind of an
humble thought | was born and rear
eli in Mas>ach ,lSetts. the hot bed of ab-
clifton, and have been taught to be
lieee all my life that the Republicans
AMI negroes we're badly treated by the
Democrats Of the South in fact that
they were still little better than slaves
Last Friday stopped in Southern
city. the CITY OF Raleigh. for the first
time IN my lie. | heard that there
WAS a Republican State Convention IN
session and | went. charged with SYM
pathy for the oppressed Republicans.
! stood and sazed at that bowling,
seethin9, cursins mob, and but few
moments was sufficient to convince me
that # thi, was isepnblicaniSm III the
South. then God deliver her from it.
BOYS. | am Il southern Democrat in
heart and spirit If not by residences.
The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1896-05-28
WHAT S{ON COSTS

Tut DEMOCRAT advocates straight
fight free from all fusion but welcomes
back into democratic ranks all who viii
come. We are all the while learning
something that putt Is further and
further from the idea 81 fusion.
The Concord Standard says that the
municipal election in Concord cost
yI77 under the now law against I'D
under the old law l. estimates also
that il wiII cost Si93 more to hold the
elections in Cabarrns county under the
new election law this fall than 1t has
heretofore cost under the old law. II
further estimates that 1t Will cost the
STATE oI North Carolina so 900 more
10 hold an election under the new law
than under the old one And Cy.
Thomson recently said that the new
law LaI made i possible for Pou and
Butler To steal a4 much az they please
and carry everything as they want It.
Regardless Of Thompson'- opinion
about it. we believe that no permanent
good can come from mixing with what
We Know to he wrong
The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1896-05-28
Dr.. Spelght for Congress.
correspondence to THE DB4ocRATl
IARBORO. y. C.. Ma,


TARBoRo. \. G., May %, 90.
Two years ago at Rocky Mount, the
name OF Dr. r. II! Npelght. Of Edge
combe, was presented to the con9les-
sional convention, then in session, for
Congress.
DR.. Spei4ht was defeated by Hon. F.
4. Woodard, VINO was the same fall
elected.
At the next Congressional C0nven-
ton this summer the good people Of
Edgecomhe Will again present DR..
Speight'S name, and hope to be able
to get sufficient support from the dlffer-
cnt counties to secure his nomination.
In writing this communication, ! am
endorsed by the Democrats Of this
county, and also authorized by Dr..
Speight's friends to state that MS claims
for the nomination Will be presented to
the convention.
DR.. R. Il. spelght has long been
recognized III this county as one Of our
wlsest leaders III politics
For two terms has he represented
our county in the state Senate. and in
all our public councils, whether they
pertain to politics or county govern
ment, he has always shown himself t.
NJ fo,n n, oJ-SpD-a uoIiC ,,,I. 4o,.; I
The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1896-05-28
Perfect Wis dom

Would give u perfect health Because
men and women are not perfectly wise
they must take medicines 70 keep them
selves perfectly healthy. Pure. rich
blood is the basis OF good health.
Hoods Sarsaparilla is the One True
Blood Purifier. 1t gives good health
because it builds upon the true founda-
tiOm-pure blood.
Hoods Pills are purely vegetable.
perfectly harness, always reliable and
beneficial
The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1896-05-28
DEATH Of DIR r. H. PRITCH A RD

This distinguished Baptist minister
had been suffering some years With
Bright's disease. and recently was strlck-
en- down and left his pastorate at Char
lottc to recuperate at WrlghtsyiIle. He
left there about the first 81 last WeeA
Tor New York where lie thought he
could receive Scientific treatment. He
went to be with his son DR.. W. Il.
Pritchard :: young physician OF dlstlnc-
ton. He was there but a day or two
before the end came. He died Satur-
day and the remains were brought TO
three sons and two daughters and his
devoted wife.
Dr. Pritchsrd was easily one Of the
forcmos: preachers Of the South and
"''' "'''
OF the south by ms prominence III 'He
Southern Baptist Convention. Not on
f. do the GREAT hosts Of Bapti-ts in the
.t,,o oa,,r, ii. da,,b Inf thousands of
Dr.. Pritchald was only 81 years old,
seemingly cut down IN the strong years
of life. He was President Of Wake
i,nr..t co1loco uban thc writer va, i
-, ,1l,.
iiioie uoepis nc i''' 'ii'''i ~ ~''''
press
The Wilmington Messenger of sun
dav amono other things. gave this
TO-, 80 Coo. o,. Iifo
~ = Ch,r
-, 10,
1 -,
3 til
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1913
:,
,
-, o.o
,nca
S,,I,,osta,. o.f E;r-t E,r.i-+ Church Of
pfa,.h J., i>f- ia ,,as+o. ~
F:rst p,nti.+ church - patershr~,
- ~ oa .hon, a.. -, ~ 4,,r
, ,.,,o., 10 , o1o.tod o-4or ~
hi, old p,Ioi.b cboroe ond co,+fr,,od
,,.;, ,,,4i, ts-s I, tb,t xo.r 10
oIoo.oa puo-i.o,t - v,Lo E.ot
The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1896-05-28
BICkIEN'S ARNICA SAINF

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