davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-12-23

That's an its Tux me weeks q ute
this letter. Goodby- God go with the old
Fiddle and help her tel it strate.
".ABNER HILL"
When the governor turned away from
the window there was a look on his
face that few had ever seen there except
his wife
He lifted the violin carefully from
the floor, tore away its wrappings and
looked at it long and curiously. It was
roughly made of native pine and maple
and vanished with the homemade var
nish Of the mountains, but the strings
gave back the true VOL tone, clear and
ringing.
Bringing his chair closer to the crate,
he placed the instrument in position,
drew the bow, and there ''in the still
OF the evening let her talk TO him."
He was a mountain boy himself, and
as the first soft notes fell on the air,
plaintive and piercing like the cry of
the whippoorwin in early spring, he
felt the youth stir in him and heard
again the far call of the hills.
He saw the log cabin high up against
the side of the mountain, where the
laurel and the sumac grew and the
| ash made bright the scene with its dark
fruit; where the breeze came laden with
the odor of pine from the forest, and
the birds touched the highest notes in
their shrin treble.
He saw the boy with his sturdy limbs,
his bold blue eyes and his waving hair.
barefoot and scantily clad, searching
for the earliest berries in summer and
ha N he al
innocent, happy.
He followed him in the Tong. long
thoughts of a lad across the distant
crest Of the Devils Backbone" and
wove with him mystic dramas amid the
shades of the haunted ravine.
He sat with him at the feet Of the
mountain lass and listened while he
poured the crude poetry of his awak-
sned soul into the sensitive instrument
which alone could interpret the mys-
terry within him.
He stood beside him and watched the
blazing pine knots roar up the cabin
chimney. while the old folks in the cor
ner looked at each other across the boy
with that surreptitious tenderness Of
the eyes which takes place in those
grown gray, and sure of each other, Of
| the more open demonstration.
He saw the whole % years of clean,
humble living; the unaspiring, pastoral
life of the southern mountaineer, COM
panioned of nature; simple, fearless,
brave; scornful of the false, reverent of
the true; tender TO weakness. fierce TO
wrong; and, alas! uncontrolled as the
elements around him; crushing, \ some
mad output of strength, the obstacle in
his way, to stand afterwards in awful
recoiI before the unknown potential
ties of his own organism.
Full and swelling were the strains
that issued from the throat Of the violin
as it told this idyl of the hills; passion
ate harmonies pulsating like tie over
charged heart; long, tender, yearning
notes; sweet. caressing adantes; the
very spirit of love in the guise Of sound.
But now the music changes. -outh's
glad symphony is lost in the wild major
chords of passion. Note dashes against
note like hail against pane. All the
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-12-23

A fashionable concert was being
given at Bath, and the hall was
crammed, when a bevy of fair and noble
ladies unexpectedly arrived. The man
ager ordered bench to be set for their
accommodation in front of the first row
of seats. The occupants of the latter
were not unnaturally displeased, and
vigorously protested, but without eff
feet. From words they came to blows,
and the eclipsed beauties fell tooth and
nail on the intruders. A pitched battle
ensued, at the end of which the field
was thickly strewn with trophies of the
fcbt-fatters of torn laces, ribbons and
tippets, and other female finery- At a
later hour detachments of the COM
5atants were observed readjusting their
attire, and recruiting their strength
in adjoining chemists and pastrycooks'
shops.-Notes and Questions
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-12-23

tha country Whatever differences OF opan-,
ion may exist as 70 this Law, all good sit
liens viii agree that SO long as II Is . law
II should be faithfully and impRrtiglly en-
forced It's perversion by the appointees OF
President Mckinley re the service OF par
dsan greed is q distinct violation not only
OF the pledges Of his party, but also Of his
personal pledges TO the country At pres
ent the law is enforced only when q demo-
crat can thereby be deprived OF official
preferment, and 1t Is evaded or violated as
often as 3 republican can be thereby re-
tanned IN or provided with a public posi-
ton a party which deliberately violates
every day q Law Of the United States Is
dangerous to our peace and safety. and
approaches very nearly to the state OF law
lessness and anarchy which it has some
tunes charged upon lis opponents
Bankruptcy LAW.
1.-THE only measure or generaI importance
which the republican leaders now promise
the country Is the enactment OF bank
ruptcy lava law presumably which VIII
enable creditors TO enforce into bank
ruptcy debtors whose inability TO pay is
due to republican tariff and currency sys-
tems-a fitting sequel to the protective tar
III enacted last summer. The issues to be
passed upon by the country at the congress
sional elections Of 1888 are the same which
were presented in 1896 accentuated and en-
phasized by the record OF the republican
party since its return TO power. Let the
democracy Of Indiana rally their forces.
close up their ranks and march shoulder TO
shoulder in the contest for the principles OF
Jefferson and Jackson and Bryan. Men
who formerly acted with the democratic
party, but who in 1886 Withheld their sup
port, are, in every voting precinct in the
state, back in the ranks They are dis
gusted with the record and policies Of the
republican administration, and are ready
and anxious 10 follow once more the good
old flag of democracy. We welcome them
back. With united and determined efforts
the state can be handsomely redeemed next
year, the election of a democratic United
States senator assured and q largely in
creased democratic representation in the
popular branch of congress returned The
democratic state committee appeals to and
invites every citizen OF Indiana, whatever
his last political affiliations, who believes
in these principles to cooperate earnestly
from this time until the polls close next No
yember in the endeavor to secure their tri-
umph.
The district conventions for the selection
OF members of the state central committee
will be held in the various congressional
districts on Tuesday, January Il, 1898. The
members of the new committee then chosen
will meet at Indianapolis on Tuesday, jan
uary Is. for organization
PARKS NJ. MARTIN,
Chairman Democratic State Committee.
IS l. Wallace.
Secretary.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-12-23
FOR THE GVER OF GIFTS.
And Also for the One Who Receive,
Them.


Don't give gifts because you feel
compelled to do so from a sense of social
obligation. There are other ways to
acknowledge indebtedness than by
making the hottest Of holidays matter
of trade and barter.
Don't forget that it is the inward
spirit that makes the real value of the
offering. Rich gifts wax poor when
giyers prove unkind,' so let Christmas
be in the spirit as well as in the letter.
Don't consider the intrinsic value Of a
gift when you are the recipient. And
when you are the giver let the gift be
costly as thy purse can buy-don't be
skinny!
Don't, on the other hand, give gifts
that you cannot afford. a dainty card,
bunch of vioIets, or pretty calendar
breathes just as much Christmas spirit
as does the most expensive gift that
burdens the giver with Indebtedness.
Don't, even in your innermost self,
speculate as to whether your gift will
bring a return, and above all a return
in monetary value.
Don't, if you have neglected to re-
member a friend. wound her pride bv
sending a New Years gift in exchange
for her Christmas present. The motive
is too apparent.
Don't above all things be guilty of
making a list of articles you desire.
This is a species of polite blackmail!
Don't forget that the chief charm of a
gift is essentially the surprise. Don't,
therefore, barter with a friend as to
reciprocal gifts.
Don't express dissatisfaction with a
gift, no matter how great your disap-
Pointment. Remember that the message
of Christmas is peace on earth.
Don't above all things ask the giver
whether you may exchange her gift.
If you are guilty of such meanness take
no one into your confidence but the
poor exchange cIerk.-Chicago Trib-
une.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-12-23

ing bundle in brown paper, clumslly
tied with a coarse Irvine string, lying on
the floor at his feet
He remembered the clerks having
mentioned q package from the state
prison-this must be it-and pushed
It impatiently to one side; but as he
did so something in the cofin-shaped
outlines made him stoop and tear away
a part of the cover.
He found. to his amazement- a violin,
and appended to it soiled Pencil-writ-
ten note, evidently an appeal OF some
kind
Curiosity conquered fatigue. he had
handled many and various petitions,
but never one in shape like this.
Detachinr the note from its fasten-
inps he crossed the room to the win
dow. and by the waning light Of the
winters day deciphered the following
iIliterate text:
ITO the Gunner: They tel me thet yer
Hart gifts tender to Prisners at chrtsmus
time and you listens to what they has to
say I've ben Hear 20 years Ter KILN man
and I've ben Sorry eyFy day sence done
n vas a hot headed Boy Nv 2 ana the
nan called pap a Liar and sed things agin
man / couldn't roways stand thet ana l
oockeA him down he was a pale sickly
compiected tender foot ana ne never got
mn ain never ment TO XIII him but my
ST. vas heyy and sum mad thing inside Nv
me Sfcked me on they never give me no
sor. nv a Trial but 5es put me IN Hear fer
Ygfs his folks was rich and mine was pore
and couldn't pay no lawyer pap Is gone
bYTnd and nam IS old and they amt got no
ho5v TO look after EN- but Josef JoseeI
y e. r-al theft was Eoin TO marry me. she
Lee her home when they sent me Hear ana
s-enf 70 look after the old Folks sames they
rs bern. ef could git back TO josef
and the old folks and the mountins lde
neyer LII my han agfn no man asen eeptin
twas 70 help him no help me COD
They tel me as how you KIN make r 10
s,a saIk III the Children puts down their
PTsvThgnxs and folders yer. Gunner sends
-ro1r mine along Nv this what made when
w@s a Boy back in the mountins, the
s.1.e1 koted my gal with and played Ter
- nd nap round the nre sunday eVnins-
go ared along with me but she KEEP her
T-oS~a sweet and stiddy yit-
ss-raka her Gunner and set down BY your
,slF IA the still Nv the evnin and let her
kaIk 10 you fer me- amt aIeerd sheLi Ter
- nuthln, the old Home On the side Nv
Sbe raounfin and nam ana pap sno josef
: SsEfin thar and waitin these ~ years fer
Sha Rav they wouldn't let so their holt Nv
re- cuit luvin no matter what he did DO
Ehsll not fergit nuthin- she's too much Ike
thS-, Viumen shell be teIin you about
80. IKE she knows things as wen as do,
$500 cause shes ben lyfn eg1n my Hart SO
go md II she cant tell You nuthin Guv.
ner LET her talk 20 yer VIE It's about
TVI1ar.~n shell tel you mostly. Nimmsn
and sarrer. And Winner II ouAcker1 men
% EndsrStan than tninGA
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-12-23
Toad-LOFe.

Many legends have been connected
with these weird, unsightly little
creatures and their habits and manners
are curiously interesting. The Thu
betans, according to Able Hue, tell of
a toad that dwells in the midst of q
mountain range, and unless he is pro-
pitiated by travellers filings ice and
avalanches down on those who pass in
the valleys. Toads have no teeth and
are disfgured by ugly warts which give
out an acrid but not poisonous juice.
The motions of their tongues in catch
ing unwary insects are as quick as light
ming, and they eat nothing that is not
in motion except their own skins,
which, when they cast off, they roll up
and swallow. The old magicians used
them freely in various ways and Ger
man peasants still have a way of "cruci-
flying" toads which must be caught on
Easter before sunrise; they then bury
them until Whit Sunday and wear the
bones in small bag about the neck
as a charm which makes the possessor
always win in games of chance.-De'
troit Free Press
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-12-23
THE PENSION QUESTION.
How the Republicans VIII Reduce
Expenses.

How the Republicans VIII he0uce
Expenses.
1t is somewhat remarkable that the
efforts now making in the house of con-
gress to reduce pension appropriations
have behind them the republican lead
ers, while the democrats are advocating
iberality in connection with this mat
ter. The republicans have always pro-
.essed great affection for the old sol
1iers, contending ever that, in their
opinion. the country could not do too
much for the brave men who had risked
everything, even their lives, in its
defense. They have maintained, also,
that the democrats have no regard for
the veterans of the war and are not dis
posed to treat them with justice or fair
ness. And now, in congress, the repub-
licans are arraying themselves against
a large appropriation for pensions,
while the democrats are opposing re-
duction.
Probably this is, however, only an
other illustration of the force of neces-
sity, which is additionally superior TO
law and, of course, to rule. The repub-
icans are confronted with condition,
as distinguished from theory. They
are under the necessity of reducing the
expenditures, and they must begin
somewhere. They have begun, logical
IL, at the beginning, for the pension ap-
preparations bills were the first of the
expense measures to be introduced. One
of the features of the treasury condi-
ton is hole in the ground, and the re-
publicans expect the pensioners to con-
tribute, some of them. toward filling it
up. OF course. the democrats are not
seriously concerned, from the party
point Of view. at least, about this hole
in the ground, and it is even possible
that they would prefer to see it stay
where it is and as it is. The republicans
made such a time about the Wilson de-
felt that the democrats naturally find a
good deal of pleasure in watching them
in the enjoyment Of one of their own
making.
AS to the pension matter, there is one
thing that the public will cordially sub
scribe to, and that is that the soldiers
ought to be treated generously by the
government There is no doubt, more
over, that vast deal of the present
outlay for this purpose could be saved
il the favors of the government were
withheld from those who were not en-
titled to pensions. The pension list
ought to be roll of honor.-Bingham-
ton q. W Leader.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-12-23
..,.took Him for a King.

A famous naval architect was the
guest of a prince Of the German i'm
perial family, and, when out walking
with his host, observed that the side of
the path he occupied was smoother and
easier than that upon which the latter
was walking. Thinking it to be only
ordinary politeness, he changed from
the left to the right side. Then he no
ticed that the notables whom they met
saluted the prince with profound re-
spect, but started at him as if they
were very much surprised and won
dered who he was. In short time the
prince said: did you observe that
after you changed to my right side the
people whom we met looked at you in
great surprise odds and Ends.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-12-23
dumb friend as though Coz conadence,

dumb friend as though for confidence,
he whispered, hoarsely:
''Guvner, what did she tell you fer
me? What did my old fiddle tell ycu?"
The governor waited for a moment,
perhaps to steady his voice; then, lay
ing both hands on the shoulders of the
other, his eyes reading with fathers
tenderness the piteous, expectant face,
he said:
'.Abner, she say-the old fiddle says
that you can go back to the noun
tains- And, my man, may God go with
you'll"
The convict stood for a moment like
one struck dumb, q womanish pallor
overspreading his cheek; then, with a
cry which his listener never forgot, he
threw his arms around his iberator and
sobbed like a heartbroken child.
And the governor was not ashamed to
admit that something frightened in his
throat and broke out at his eyes, too
Nora c. Franklin, ID Lippincott's Maya
zine.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-12-23
National Characterization

A German and a Frenchman sat OPP
posite each other at tabled hote in q
certain hotel in Switzerland. "You are
a Frenchman, / suppose?" inquired
the German at the commencement OF
the meal. YES" was the reply, ~but
how do you manage to find that out? p
Because you eat so much bread" said
the German. There was long pause.
When the dinner was over the French
man, in turn, questioned his vis-a-vis-
You are a German. presumed" ITO
be sure; but tell me. pray, how you
made that discovery" Because you
ate so much Of everything" was the
DIR retort.-London Figaro.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-12-23
A ChriHtmnn Trnth.

If you the merriest Christmas would enjoy,
II you the deepest happiness would feel
A genuine joility without alloy.
A happiness continuous and real,
Though paradoxical. I Will agree
It's yet q truth that no one can EafnsaN
The greater Will your own enjoyment be
The more the happiness you give away.
Boston Courier.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-12-23

She does not interest US now,
The woman with q past;
We care not why, nor when nor how
She got herself thus classed-
But in the merry Christmas days,
When all the world is pleasant,
Were looking for, with anxious gaze,
The woman with z present.
Chicago Record
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-12-23

Reed, like Caesar, is ambitious
He has desired to be president for many
years. He is conscious that he was
cheated out of the nomination to which
he was by merit entitled on account OF
the wholesale purchase by money and
promises Of patronage employed by the
political syndicate directed by Mark
Hanna. Mr.. Reed can have. under the
circumstances, no conscientious seru-
ples about throwing distractions in the
pathway of the Mckinley second term
boom. Evidence is already coming to
the surface that the speaker is taking
time by the forelock with one hand and
putting bent pins on the chair wherein
sits the administration with the other.
Kansas City Times.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-12-23
That RenutfruI Star.

Bethlehem's star fingers yet over child
hood. which It dignihes; womanhood, which
il ennobles, and manhood, which it gladdens-
-Chicago Standard.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-12-23

season was a busy and responsible one
with him, for he chose that time TO
investigate thoroughly the criminal fec
ords of the state and pardon such pris-
Dners as good conduct or extenuating
circumstances placed within the pale
Of executive clemency.
If questioned as to his selection of
the holiday season for the exercise of
the benign prerogative" he was wont
TO answer: ''Oh, may be helping to
turn the tide in the soul of some Paul,
and I have a fancy to do IT when peace
and good will are most likely to be at
the food; that is all"
Whether this were all, and it were not
n response to some deeper sentiment
those who knew him best alone could
say.
Tonight, as he looked at the piles Of
mail matter on his desk yet to be dis
posed Of, he pushed back his chair with
9 smothered groan and started TO the
door, moved by a wild impulse to get
outside and turn the key on it all
An obstruction in his path caused him
TO stumble, and he saw curious-look-
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-12-23
The BACHELOR. Socks.

VIII not hang my stocking up
I really can't, consarn 'emi
They wouldn't hold present. ana
II takes too long to darn EN-!
Cleveland Plain DeelaE
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-12-23
The Extent of II.

How touching the practice OF giving,
The pledge OF peace, good viii!
How touching the gift of the wife TO bel
lord,
Hell know when he gets the bill
Detroit Journal
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-12-23
A Way He Had.

John, dear, you are growing handsome
every day" Its a way have, dear, Just
before Christmas. Cleveland Plain Deal
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-12-23
A Good rlrne 40 Rerin.

Fl yew still don't love yewer enermy nov
tew begin dewin' 1o.-N. Z. TxMth
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-12-23

tumult of the mountaiNS, the forest, the
roaring stream when storms rive the
heavens, is sounded IN that mad chro-
matte ascending to its climax.
All of natures after-pennance
breathes in the signing minor Of the
descending scale. Surely that was a
human sob that rang through the room;
q fellow mortal's burst of sympathy.
No, it was just the old fiddle, who
knew things cause she'd been Iyin' so
long ag'in his heart"
And row from out her quivering
strings she sends forth melody so di-
vineIy pure. so UNNECESSARILY sweet, the
coolest ear must open TO greetit.
In 1t are the prayers of mothers, the
tears of wives, the sobs of little chill
dren-au Of unlanguaged pain, all of
unlaDguaged love
1t IS the echo of that song which
beats forever against the throne of God.
in tender, tireless cadence-the united
voices Of many women pleading for the
souls of men.
The violin slips from the governors
hands and his head sinks upon his
breast
The old fiddle has told her story
straight"
When witnesses were found who cor
roborated the statements of the pris-
oner, and Jail wardens certified TO 20
years Of exemplary behavior inside the
prison walls, the governor sent for Alb
ner Hill to be brought to his private
Office.
The day he expected him he placed
the violin in conspicuous position on
the desk.
There was ushered into his pres
ence a tall, angular man with the worn
face and STOPPING shoulders of three
score years; hair scanty. muscles fab
by. eyes dull; nothing TO bespeak youth
but the faint red that crept into his
sunken cheek when the servant an
nounced his name. A single stroke of
sin and its ALTERNATING on the brain
had done the work of twice 20 years.
He stood inside the door with down.
cast eyes and nervous. fluttering hands.
The governor called his name, and
something in the kindly accents gave
him courage to look up.
Something else in the homely, hu-
morous face that 10 man ever looked
into without loving gave him courage
to speak, and his eye caught sight of
the violin.
Reaching . trembling hand cut to his
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-12-23

Somebody says that Mr.. Reed is
not in favor Of Hawaiian annexation.
Ohi-yes-the sugar trust. Well, that
settles it.-AtIanta Constitution.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-12-23

T WAS the close of
a day in the early
part of December.
T b e governor
sat alone in his
private Office. His
clerk had just left
him.
The Christmas
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-12-23

That's al fts TUX me weeks 70 -ste
this letter. Goodby. God 90 with the old
Fiddle and help her tel 1t strate
GARNER HILL"