davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-12-23

and he wanted-I forget what he did
want-and neither of you would give
in. Why didn't you have wedding
without singing?"
Never thought of that. The choir
took it real hard, too. after practicing
for four weeks twice week to be ready.
They wanted to please US both and
practiced the piece / wanted on Tues
day evening after the regular choir
meeting and the one Ezra wanted on
Friday. They did offer to sing 'em
both, but we couldn't agree which was
to come first, SO that did no good
And the next time you quarreled
over the way you meant to celebrate
your golden wedding, didn't you? And
now it's about cat!"
Melinda Thompson, it is not. It's
about dog. that's what! Ezra Mason
has gone and bought dog-a hunting
dog-at his time of life! He wanted to
bring it here, too, knowing how afraid
Jason is of dogs. 1 told him fat,
wouldn't have Jason's life made bur-
den to please anybody. Then he said
he'd never speak to me again, and I
said L guessed could talk to myself, if
| got lonesome and wanted to hear the
sound of human voice!"
There goes Ezra now, with the dog
at his heels" remarked the visitor.
He's on the other side of the street
That's how I came to know he and you
had quarreled. He only does that when
| he's mad with you
Mrs. Mott tossed her head defiantly.
The pavement's free" she said. ''Must
you be going?" as Miss Melinda rose.
that strange family that's just moved
| here. The little boys an invalid and
they don't know a soul here yet, so I
| thought maybe they'd like to hear
the news
to them said Mrs. Mott. under her
breath. as her friend walked away.
Jason; here, sir. come back!' For
| the cat had slipped past her and out
| into the street, pretending not to hear
her calls.
Contrary as a man. she remarked,
! closing the door. That's just the way
| Mr.. Mott used to GO out after supper"
The big chair looked very lonesome
| without Ezra's portly presence in it,
and, stopping to beat up the cushion
as she passed, she remarked: I'm sor-
ry now told Melinda Thompson I'd give
| it to the cat, but it's too late now
| he knows it already. Anyhow, he
needn't have said he wished the Lord,
or whoever looks after cats, would
| take Jasoni"
Late that evening passers-by heard
Mrs. Mott calling Jason to come in.
What fuss she does make over that
cat." they said. Wakeful neighbors
also noticed a light burning in her
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-12-23
NEW YEARS IN RUSSIA.

New Years customs in Russia are in
teresting. In the morning the princes
of the imperial family. personages of
the court. functionaries of the capital,
and servants of the palace come in reg
ular order TO present their homagss and
good wishes to the emperor. who kisses
all the members of his family. and all
the high officials three times. according
to the Russian fashion.
The festivities commence on the 21st
of December. and are ended Oh the 9Th
of January. During these two weeks
the young people gather together to
Elay games and to dance. On New
Years day. at breakfast, dinner and
supper, the guests. standing sround
the table. touch glasses, drink the
health of the emperor. and offer good
wishes to each other. a
Masters give presents to their Serv-
ants. but don't give presents to each
other. as they do on Christmas. On
Christmas day. in all the families, the
table is set with profuSion. and hos
pitality is offered to everybody. IN
high society they drink champagne,
while the common people drink brandy.
| At this time. also, they deyote them
selves to augural practices. They
throw melted lead into water. and from,
the figures formed by the suddenly
cooled metal they endeavor to make
horoscopes. The young girls try to
learn whether they viii be married.
and to know something of the face, the
qualities and the fortune of their flu
ture husbands. At midnight they sit
down between two mirrors hy the side
of which two candles are placed. They
look into one mirror and inte the other
! until they can see 10 lights. In this way
some of the girls fancy they see in the
mirror the image of their fiance. and
that gives them hope.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-12-23

and evil, false and true, tempest and
calm, sunshine and shower, night and
day.
it cast down and many raise up; many
destroy and many make alive. Hope
Will it fulfill in some and send utter
despair to others. As in the years that
have passed, so in 1898 will there be
simoons, tornadoes, zephyrs and Gains !;
hail, rain, snow and diffusive, heart
warming sunshine. There shall be
wars, SORROWS, pains. joys, gladnesses,
droughts, floods, plenty and famine.
War shall rage here and there, while
peace will be serene in most places.
Birds shall sing sweetest songs at
matin and eventide, while beasts shall
utter their terrifying cries.
What will the year bring to you, and
you, and you? In the midst of such IN
certainties, who so wise as to be able to
declare his own fate or that of another =?
One having good memory may dilate
of 1897; but no man can predicate of
1898! But he may wish himself well,
and in the same breath he should wish
well to all others.
Aye, and it is time when one may
very properly make introspection with
a view to information. AS a garden,
there is need for roofing out here,
planting there; wedding in this place
and watering in that place. Find out
the sins that are besetting, the vir-
tues that are deficient. Be honest and
let the work be thorough. All that is
good, cherish as the apple of the eye;
what is bad cast off as an old garment
Such an undertaking faithfully done
and conscienti ously adhering to resolu-
tons adopted will have much to do
with regulation of the effects Of the
year before you.
Alas! how many good resolutions are
made at the beginning of every new
year only to be broken after few days,
or weeks. at the most; and so one year
is as another with US. Whatever we
do. the days win go quickly and the
end of it will be here only too soon.
WILLIAM RosSER CoBBE
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-12-23

folding her work. but she answered.
defiantly: Don't know as III tell you -
well, you needn't. then. I know
already. And all I've got to say is. if
you prefer a cat to a husband. why
"You don't know one thing about
husbands, Melinda Thompson; why, you
never had one yourself!"
That's just it; l know what it is to
be without one. There's my taxes.
now
But Mrs. Mott hastily interrupted;
when taxes were the theme. Miss Me-
linda usually spoke loud and long.
You can't begin by giving in to a
husband. Melinda. know that. because
I gave in to Mr.. Mott before we were
married and the only comfort l got out
of him in the IL years we were married
on the doctor to help me. He always
sided with me against Abner."
81 guess he knew which one of you
was going to pay his bill" said her
visitor. thoughtfully. Look here. Lo-
rilla. are you and Ezra going to be mar
ried on New Years day or not?''
I'VE are not" replied Mrs. Mott.
firmly. Then she FASTENED to the door.
lettInS IN huge tortoiSe-SheH cat.
which rubbed itself affectionately
against her gown. purring all the while.
Presently, he jumped up Oh gay
patchwork cushion in a huge arm
chair and fell to washing his face.
And you've given that cat Ezra's
chair" said Miss Melinda. solemnIy.
Melinda Thompson. have! Fur
thermore. it's my Chair. and always has
been. though Ezra has sat in it pretty
constant in the IA years he's been com-
ing to see me-"
Fourteen years. And how many
times has the wedding been put off ?
Lemme see; there was the time YOU
quarreied over the piece the choir was
TO sing at the wedding. You wanted
The Voice That Breathed Ger Eden,
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-12-23
ezra Mason knows what has be-

Ezra Mason knows what has be-
come of Jasoni" she cried, bursting into
tears And to think l had meant to
marry him, in gray satin. on New Years
lay!"
Late that afternoon Melinda Thomp-
son hustled in, her bonnet gracefully
nncircIing one ear.
We'll, Lorilla Mott, have you heard ?"
Heard what?" said Mrs. Mott.
THAT Ezra Mason feeds that dog of
mis- out of the silver sugar basin he
had bought for your wedding present,
and lets him sleep in the silk quilt you
made him for Christmas! What do
ecu think of hhat?'
"Think?' said Mrs. Mott, slowly and
deliberately. why. L think that a
nan who will commit murder will do
anything"
.Murder?" gasped Melinda
Yes, murder! For if Ezra Mason
didn't kill my cat. why doesn't he come
back?"
The strange family with the invalid
boy had received her advances coldly
and Miss MeIinda's time and tongue
were entirely at Mrs. Motifs disposal
BY nightfan every body knew that she
| had accused Ezra Mason of killing hel
cat Later that evening. they also
| knew that Ezra had said he would
never speak to woman or cat again
And this was the Goth of December. ant
the gray satin gown in which Mrs. Mot
was to have been metamorphosed int
Mrs. Mason hung ready in her ward
robe, while the ring, once more ex
changed for a larger one. lay forgotten
in Ezra's pocket.
| 1t was New Years morning and Mrs
| Mott felt forlorn and miserable seatet
| before her untasted breakfast. For tn
first time, she regretted her quarre
| with Ezra.
IF L hadn't quarreled with him he''
never have killed JASON" she sighed
land I'd never have known he'd com
nit murder. Now-come in" sh
fastened to open the door.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-12-23

There stood a shy little girl, and--Mrs.
Mott cried aloud-Jason, alive and in
the fur, was rubbing against her legs
and purring.
He didn't kill him after ALT" she
cried; then, seeing the chiId's amazed
look, she said: Where on earth did
you find him, my dear? Was-was he
much hurt?'
"He wasn't hurt at all, ma'am- He
come to US five days ago; my brothers
sick and we didn't know the cat was
yours-my brother kept him in his
room all the time. The butcher boy
saw him this morning and told us"
81 suppose he tried hard to get away
and come home ?" faltered Mrs. Mott.
Nom. He wanted to stay and had
to carry him part way"
AS the child was going away with
the dollar Mrs. Mott had thrust upon
her, that lady stood on the doorstep
with the door closed to prevent Jason
from following his new friend. She
saw Ezra approaching across the street
and said, bitterly: ITO think 1 quar-
relied with him over an ungrateful
beast that forgot me in five days! Nan
cyl" she called. suddenly.
"Yes'm,' said the child, stopping.
You can have the cat if you want
him. / don't" Then she went into the
house and shut the door.
Five minutes later a tremendous
knock brought her to the door. There
stood Ezra with the now weeping Nan
cy, who held Jason in her arms.
Here's your cat" he said, shortly,
''this child says nice crazy lady gave
him TO her"
ST gave her the cat. Ezra Mason; i
guess can do as like with my own
You gave Jason away?" gasped
Ezra. "Lorilla. the wedding is to be at
seven. amt it?'
.'Ye-es. Ezra. and-and you may
bring your dog
"Hain't got him." snapped Ezra;
imam I bought him from had stolen
him. and"
"a Happy New Year to both OF you."
called Melinda Thompson, passing.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-12-23

dis am New Yeah's day an FUN dis OH
[ amt goin' teh hab no nonsense.
Yeh undahstand? No fool kickin' aftah
dis, Darius!"
Darius Topped one ear knowingly
mo, sahi" said Caesar, dis am de day
when we got teh make good resolutions.
an me an you am a goin' teh do dat
same. yeh heah me?''
The mule glanced at Uncle Caesar
with pensive look, and the old negro
walked around in front of Darius and.
lifting his long black forefnger in the
air, addressed him thus:
Darius. you an me hab been big
sinnahs! Dey amt no doubt bout
dat! You hab kick yeh way mos clean
to de debbil. an been stealth pullets
tell meh souls mos lost, but Use a
gwine teh mex a compact wifi yeh,
Darius. In dis yere New Yeah III agree
not teh comfiscate no chickens eff you'll
agree not teh trow up dem debbil heels
of yourn. Am dat go. Darius?"
Darius looked into the old mans SOL
emn brown eyes, and-nodded! 1t was
compact!
Uncle Caesar climbed laboriously
into his shaky ''kerridge," and tapped
the reins On Darius tough back, and
the couple logged out of the yard and
| down the road.
1t was a crisp, cool morning and
Uncle Caesar felt very happy. He had
| resolved to do right, and the wicked
past faded away in the present ease OF
| conscience.
About two miles down the road to-
ward Gilltown Uncle Caesar suddenly
pulled Darius to walk. Then he pulled
| him up entirely. Darius looked around
| inquiringly. but Uncle Caesar was lost
| in thought. Four fat hens and a roos
ter were scratching by the road. A
| last the old darby shook his head.
| mo, sab. Mistah Satan, yeh cayn't
| tempt Unc' Caesar. I done made
compact, an won't be de one teh breal
ct. Darius don't git no SIGH chance tel
| crow ober mel"
| But he did not drive on.
| In a minute more he had slowly de-
scended from his "kerridge." a straw
lay in the road and grasping this h
cautiously tickled Darius on his lef
| flank. For a moment the air was ful
| 3f heels. Then Uncle Caesar shook hi.
head sadly.
Darius" he said. I'm s'prised a
yeh! Yeh done break our compact
| yeh no count mulei"
Is it necessary to state of what Uncle
Caesars menu consisted that New
| Years day?
| ELLIS PARKER BUTLER.
| An Easy One.
He resolved when the new year came in OF
the cars
/ To hreak off the pracfice Of sr,ol-ip1 III
| CARS;
| The habit expensive away he would wipe
And confine himself down to his favorit,
pipe. Chicago News.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-12-23

house almost all night and once and
again fancied they heard a cry of
Jason, Jasoni'
Early next morning they knew that
Mrs. Mott was almost distracted over
the prolonged absence of her pet. and
offered a reward of one dollar to the
boy who should bring him home-a
most unlikely event. for all boys were
foes to that pampered feline.
Not until the morning of the sec
ond day did Mrs. Mott give up hope.
Then, standing mournfu1ly al the win
dow. she saw Ezra pass on the other
side of the street. followed by his dog.
and an awful thought possessed her.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-12-23
THE COMPACT WITH DARIUS.

Rev. Gideon George Washington
Smiths sermon on the previous Sun
day had evidently made deep impress
sion on Uncle Caesar. and he had been
turning it over in his mind constant
ly. To-day he seemed at length to
have reached a decision for he talked
to his old gray mule in very serious
tone as he attached the harness to the
mules bony frame.
Now, yeh jes' hor still. yeh no count
mule" he said. Il want yeh to know
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-12-23

ment, so she dropped her eyes again
on her work. the embroidering of daises
on bit of linen. Suddenly. she heard
the front door open and. turning her
back. she whipped off her eyeglasses
and slipped them in her pocket. before
turning to greet her visitor. She was
obliged to wear glasses when she read
or sewed. but she would have felt eter-
nally disgraced if anyone had seen her
with them on her nose.
THAT you, Melinda? Walk in and sit
down-why. what's the matter? Any
thing wrong?"
"Humpb! Lorilla Mott, what's this
about you and Ezra?''
Mrs. Motifs hand shook visibly in
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-12-23
No Effort Lost.

Every effort toward reforming
Helps man on to higher things.
BraVely. sins intrenchments storming.
Every fight new courage brings.
Even careless New Years swearing
Leaves an is2press on his life.
Though no character repairing.
Yet it helps him fool his wife.
CHICAGO Record.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-12-23
MOnOt0uE.

Soon comes that New Years exercise,
And, what seems sadly queer.
The faults from which he will swear on
Are the same he named last year. .
WASHINGTON Star
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-12-23
Neu nennrtures

Julia and l hit it off beautifully
about the New Year"
What did you do?"
''She framed al the resolutions she
thought l ought to make, and, did the
same thing for her" = Detroit Free
Press
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-12-23
a Good start.

I've made one New Years resolution
that I'm going to see carried out"
What is it?'
The world has got to treat me bet
ter than it did last year."-Cbicago
Record.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-12-23
His Folly.

Jenkins hear that Barker has
sworn off smoking.
Hogg-Poor devil! He's a mar who
always keeps his word.-N. Y. Truth.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-12-23
A New Years Toast.

Here's to the world. the funny old world
And the days that are happy or blue.
And here's to the future, be what it may,
And here's to the best-that's you
N Y Herald
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-12-23
THE RETURN
OF THE CAT.
BY ELISA ARMS

of petting; they are very
particular about their eat
ing. and it's hard TO keep
them in the house at
night"
AS she was entirely
alone, there was no one
to contradict this some
what extraordinary state
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-12-23

An Easy One.
He resolved when the new year came in on
the cars
To break OF the practice of smoking cI-
garS;
The habit expensive away he would wipe
And confine himself down to his favorite
pipe. Chicago News.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-12-23

Chat wapered as the night wore Oh
Chat fluttered at the moons eclipse
Chen came the first faint strsak$ Of dawn
lind speech rushed eager to their lips,
WblIe down along the eastern shore
Che red sun painted" nsvermore."
ernest nfe6affey.
The Lehi banner. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1891-1917, 1897-04-20
The FaVoTite Home Remedy.

For all diseases caused by arrangement
Of the Liver, Kidneys, and Stomach. e.
Keep It always in the house and you
will save time and Doctors Bills, and
have at hand an, active, harmless and per-
fectly safe purgative, Alternative and tonic
lfyou feel dull, debiltated, have frequent
headache, mouth tastes badly, poor appe-
tite and tongue coated, you are suffering
from torpid liver or biliousness, and SIM
MONS LIVER REGULATOR will cure you.
II you have eaten anything hard to-
digest, or feel heavy after meals or sleep
less at night, dose of SIMMONS LIVER
REGULATOR will relieve you and brin,,
pleasant sleep.
If at any time you feel your system
needs cleansing and regulating without
violent purging, take SIMMONS LIVER
REGULATOR.
j. III. Zeilin & Co, Philadelphia.
The Lehi banner. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1891-1917, 1897-04-20
TURNING TO INDIANS.
We Are Growing More Like tho
Aboriginal American
Foreign Antbropoi0gists Say This IL
Fact. But American students
Enter b Vigorous Pro-
test.

1t is an extraordinary question in
anthropoiogical science which has been
propounded popularity of late. The in
tiuence of environment upon the race
| resident in the United States must in
the course of four centuries produce
| certain marked and undeniable physic
al results. 1t is not generally acknowl-
edged by American anthropolegists
that there is tendency Of reversion
10 The type Indigenous to the soil. But
foreign students of race, with more
perspective, have offered interesting
God for reflection. A writer in the
Chicago Times-Ilerald, commenting on
the assertion of the French authors
that on this continent the American
white man has varied toward the In
dian type offers supporting study
which is curiously fascinating-p
sibly vastly Important
First, the familiar faces of the carl
caturiSts' creation are called in as wit
nesses. The Yankee and the Southron,
large and loose-limbed of these pic
lures are types, even as the stout, full
faced John Bull is type found in an
other environment. Both American
favorites of the cartoonist have high
cheek bones, and usually excellent
straight noses. These witnesses are
not, of course. scientifically admissible.
The faces given us by the caricature-
makers are impressions, not testimony.
Scientific, however, is the study Of
fered of the Pennsylvania German
ahappy, thrifty, frugal people, who have
been subjected 10 American conditions
for nearly two centuries, with very lit
tie interminglng with other races,
much less than the English people in
New England or in Virginia.
1t is true that the peryasiye and be-
quilting Irish have iutermarried some
what with these old Pennsylvania set
tiers, but in the main 1t is a very eX-
elusive, purc-biooded Palatinate stock.
Data have been secured relative 10
large number of school children, and
10 adult males from - to 80 years OF
age, and many copies Of portraits Of
original settlers 1t appear, that stat
ure increases and that o'her importan'
CONGRATULATIONS may be made, tentative
~, OF course. The increase Of finger
reach is marked and the head measures
are Important.
The anthropologiSt places consider
able value upon certain proportions or
The Lehi banner. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1891-1917, 1897-04-20

Guaranteed tobacco habit cure. makes weak
.aen strong, blood pure. 50c IL. ALI druggists
You must be very clever musician
10 be able to "blow your own trumpet"
so as to make the notes agreeable for
others to hear.
1t is odd and sometimes melancholy
to see man trying to make. up his
mind" when he has no material on hand
to work with.
Invitations are out for an ami versary
ball OF the |. o. u. +. to be given by the
Lehi lodge in the Opera House on pext
Monday evening.
A music teacher has offered to take up
voice culture class in Lehi il q large
enough number could be induced to
join, but it seems the requisite mum Der
has not been obtained.
Mr.. Tattersali was in Lehi on Friday
talking over mining matters. He left
the same day for Park City but will re-
turn in about a week and look over some
property in Death canyon.
This school district is more fortunate
than many in the state for already a
number have closed their schools and
others will do so soon but the schools
here will continue until some time in
June
Abe Gud munsen went to Salt Lake
yesterday here he will see the rail-
way companies about his automatic car
coupling. He will find out who the
judges OF this matter are and will
probably arrange to see them soon and
show up the merits OF his device,
Some persons turned Dave Thurman s
horses loose the other night as they
were left tied to wagon in the lot in
the evening but could not be found next
morningr A dilegent search succeeded
in finding them near the head OF Jordan
river