davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-04-22
PRUNING HIS PRODUCTION.
Now the Young Newspaper Man Got a
Few Points on Writing.

Now the Young Newspaper Man Got a
Few Points on Writing.
Il have sent for you, Mr.. Pendallv,"
said the able editor, addressing the
young reporter lately from the City Of
Brotherly Love, says Judge, Ito make
you more fully acquainted with the
methods and practices of metropolitan
journalism than you seem to be at pres
ent. AS result of your assignment
you have turned in the following:
Adjusting his eyeglasses, the editor
read aloud:
The whole wide west was gorgeous
with the glory of the declining sun and
it's golden splendor famed broadly
across the horizon. The outlines of the
giant buildings stood dark and clean
cut against the background Of crimson
and orange. Long trails of smoke
streamed in quaint curves and convul-
sions athwart the sky like'-er-er-is
it tantalized tapeworms'
"No, sir" declared the reporter,
quivering with wounded dignity; 1T
is titanic traceries.'
"Ah, yes. Your chirography is trihe
complicated" returned the editor, and
resumed his reading:
The day wasted slowly away, the
gorgeous spectacle fading reluctantly,
and the band of brightness growing
narrower and more meager. The pale
sky seemed to recede and vanish as
the pail of night settled slowly down.
Darkness, somber and dank, fell. The
sun had set'-now, Mr.. Pendally," pur-
sued the editor, pitilessly, interrupt
ing himself, that is all very pretty,
but what does it mean?"
"Why, sir, IL"
Exactly! I Judge that the gist OF
the whole thing is contained in the last
paragraph that I read, viz: The sun
had set'?"
eyes, sir; but
well, then with no wish to be bru'
tally abrupt, let me ask, why in thun-
der didn't you let it set? Moreover, MT.
Pendally, where is the rest of the
story?"
"The-er-rest, sir?"
Precisely. You recall the nature Of
your assignment, do you not, of when
you seem to have written merely tho
ntroduction-the time of the occurl-
ence? That, by the way, is contrary u
all the ethics of journalism. NO az
count of an event should begin Will
the statement of the time of its hap'
pening; but we will let that pass.
"But IL forgot, sir; l."
$50 imagine. You were so absorpeu
in the concoction of the picturesque
portrayal of the non-essential that you
failed to recall, as they say out west,
where you were at and why you Weio
there.
"Your style may be, and doubtless Is.
acceptable in the comatose settlement
of Ladieshomejournalville, but 1t Is
trife too circumlocutory and lazy
'inthic for New York"
So saying, the able editor ran n's
blue pencil across the production "
the young reporter and handed TO .uU
callow wight a slip of paper upon WILL
he had written two essential WON,
which he had saved from the WRECK -
matter, namely, Last night
take these words, Mr.. Pendall''s
he said, "and add to them the resi- "
he story. Good day. sir"
Dnr
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-04-22

traction to most of the visitors; the
catalogue was usually preserved by
suburban patrons for the purpose Of
frightening birds. Yet the gallery was
not without attractions on a cold day
when the wind cut along from the
Green Park, down Piccadilly, racing
another wind which was speeding mad
ly along Pail Mall with slight start
In advance toward Waterloo Place.
1T does one good" said Mr.. James
Marchant, Ito come to a show like
this. If I ever go out to the Cape
again"
Which you WON'T" said the young
lady.
And I feel wistful-"
NAL du pays" suggested the young
lady.
Exactly. Why, then, shall think
of this hideous collection of pictures,
and I shall feel reconciled to my lot.
The Cape is not all honey, but at any
rate you do get nature there. And ma
ture is always good"
Il suppose these artists think she
can be improved by the introduction OF
little novelty"
Il wouldn't" said Mr.. James March
ant, waving his stick round the gal
lery, II wouldn't give twopence half
penny for the lot of them"
Il don't suppose they would care to
sell them for less"
Mr.. James Marchant laughed good
temperedly, and touched her hand,
which happened to be resting on her
knee. 1t was very pretty hand and
very neatly gloved, and there was good
excuse for him.
"But there is something" he said,
lowering his voice, something in the
gallery, Ella, that I would give every
penny I have in the world to possess"
"A picture?''
"Prettier than any picture
"Statuary?'
Better shaped than any statuary."
"Not disposed of already?"
Il hope not. There is only one diff
culty-I am not sure, if I were to make
an offer now, that it would be ac-
cepted."
How shall you find out?"
He rose and adjusted his frock coat
with the manner of man to whom
for some years frock coats had not
been familiar wear. He was a tall
brown-faced man, with a good deal of
earnestness in his eyes.
II shall ask Mrs. Beckett"
"O" she said. She gasped a little
before she went on. "And you-you
think my stepmother will be-will be
able to advise you in the matter?"
II think she will" They walked
slowly on the thick carpet to the swing
doors. Besides, it's only fair to do
so."
1T seems to me-" she said, rolling
up her catalogue very tightly, rather
an old-fashioned mode of procedure"
There is this excuse in my case.
Mrs. Beckett has an idea, I am afraid,
that I have brought back from the
Cape untold gold. want to make her
understand that when I say I shall
have to work for my living, I really
mean it,
Il am glad,'' she said quietly.
II know that you are, dear. But
suppose parents are different"
"My parent is"
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-04-22

Sir j. Blundell Maple is the good
man who has given 100000 to Lon
don hospital. The growth of this
sort of Naples may we'll be encour-
aged.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-04-22

All we've got to say is that we are
sorry for that Brahmin boy who has
to tote the soul of the late Madam Bla-
vatsky around with him through life.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-04-22
"ReaI Hayanas."

Wallace-Try one of these cigars;
they were Struggled.
Ferry-Really? Puff, puff Snug
gled past the board of health, you
mean.-Cincinnati Enquirer.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-04-22

AS the late lamented mother Of the
Mikado of Japan bossed her sons 500
wives. they are likely to greatly miss
their mother-in-law.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-04-22
AMAN FROM THECAPE

T was an eccentric
picture gallery.
with pictures paint
ed by men who
were young enough
to know better, Of
sprawling ladies In
green, scarlet land
scapes. and blue
angels. The frames
formed in them
selves q grim at
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-04-22
A Irving Part.

What part did you find most u'' ~
cult when you were on the stag, :,
Trying to live up to the salary '0''
my friends l was getting. Sketch
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-04-22
Across. the Border.

Winnipeg. April 1.-THE jams in the
Red river above the city have broken,
letting the ice down With rush. The
river rose very rapidly, but is now sta
1ionary. Emerson is badly flooded;
boats are in the streets and the town
appears like an island in the middle of
a big lake. Sidewalks are floating.
Norris is threatened, the lower parts
being flooded. At st. Agathe there are
two feet Of water in the lowest houses.
Since the breaking Of the jam the river
at these points are rising slower. The
river is now solid twenty miles below
Winnipeg and it is feared this will
cause a jam and flood the city. Some
cellars ON the low streets are flooded.
The authorities have men ready with
dynamite to blow up the jam that
forms. ....>--..>...-:-..-
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-04-22
There is no more crucial test of a
mans piety than to have him chase his
hat in a wind storm.

At last accounts Sam Jones, who says
he is fighting the devil at Atlanta. was
sparring for an opening.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-04-22
ArLoAr Al pHMBINA.
Roth the Red and Pembina Rive
Continue to R1Se. =

Roth the Red and Pembtna Rivers
Continue to Rise.
Pembina, N. D., April 1.-THE Red
and Pembina rivers are two feet higher
than yesterday. The water Is backing
up the coulies and low places and is
rapidly filling some streets with water.
The rise the last eight hours has been
but four inches. 1t still requires foot
of rise to reach the 1898 high water
mark. Several farms along the river
are flooded from water backing up
stream.
Grand Forks = The three big ice
houses Of Vic Chatfee, containing 100
tors of ice were swept away by the
food. The Dobmier brewery lost a
looks as though there would be an ice
famine the coming summer.
The Red river has fallen rapidly in
the last twenty-four hours. All danger
from ice Is now passed. Mayor Dinnie
has received word from Washington
to eXpend $500 in buying rations for
the needy.
Drayton-The rise in the Red river
here has been at etand-still since
noon yesterday. and now shows signs
of receding. 1t has beaten all flood
records here by thirteen inches. The
country along the river, north. south
and east. is covered with water in a
strip from one to twelve miles in
width. This city can stand rise of
over three feet yet before it reaches
the street level, and 10 safe. Flood
sufferers have been flocking here with
their stock for several days, until all
available room in houses and barns is
filled to overlooking. Robert Trotter,
while crossing to his residence on the
East side had his beat struck by
cake of floating ice and was capsized.
He managed to swim to tree top in
the river. from whence he was rescued
Il few hours later. Capt. Dan Buchan-
an narrowly escaped drowning while
making landing from his boat. He
was reasoned with great difficulty
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-12-24
Thrice HaDDy.

He was Il little ragged waif living in
village of southern Kentucky. A stran-
ger to actual comfort it is not to be sup
posed that he WAS very familiar with the
pleasures of life. One Christmas eve he
was standing before shop window with
his lean little face pressed against the
pane. devouring with hungry eyes the
beautiful display within.
There was Il lady in the shop. deeply
engaged in purchasing gifts for her small
nieces and nephews. She saw the waif at
the windOw-ragged, half-clad and with
out doubt half-staryed as we'll
Prudence" said she, in speaking of the
matter afterward, might have suggested
food and clothes. But another idea had
taken possession of me. | determined
then and there that that boy should know
the blessedness of happy childhood for one
Christmas at all events
On the impulse she called him in. Toys,
a wagon, an iron horse with a flying driv-
er madly sounding Il fire alarm, a drum
with gilded sticks. tin horn. a pack of
tirecrackers, things which his poverty
blinded eyes had never before looked upon
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-12-24
Chris tmaS Carols.

Christmas gifts of coal and -four are
in order all this month Philadelphia
Ledger.
That man never lived who had any in
tiuence over his wife the week before
characterization Globe.
Small boys with an eye to the future
are willing to wear stockings many sizes
too big for them.-Philadelph Record.
People with bad habits might ease up
on them Il little before New Years for
the purpose of learning whether it will
pay to swear off.-Cedar Rapids Gazette.
If you want to give man a Christmas
present that will please him give him the
right to act as he pleases about the holi-
day. Nine men out of ten are blackmail-
ed into buying Christmas presents, in one
way or another.-Atchison Globe.
what shall l order for dinner to-day,
love-" asked Eve, as she absently pluck
ed green apple. ''Oh, any old thing"
retorted Adam, YEARLY. ''as long as it
isn't a spare rib. I'm sick of spare ribr'
He savagely swatted rock at garter
snake.-New York Press
Wife, think 1 will surprise you with
the purchase of a watch to wear Christ
mas. Husband-It will be an acceptable
gift, and | shall wear it with pleasure.
Wife-Oh, but the one l shall buy would
be lady's watch, suitable for me to
carry-Boston Budget.
Her father had said it could never be.
They both sat in the parlor-;l,so in tears.
After long searching and desperate eff
fort she found her voice Then. in de-
spairing tones, she cried: "Oh. Charley!
If we must part, let us wait till after
Christmas" Philadelphia North Ameri-
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-12-24

in the light of real possession, were put
into his hands.
There was kind of awe in his solemn,
earnest eyes," said the lady, las though
the Joy of possession had stricken him
dumb.
1T was the day after Christmas that |
came upon him again. hanging about the
streets with that same old look of a beg
gar about him. That is, in all but his
eyes: they. l think. were never quite the
same again. They fairly shone when he
lifted them to my face in recognition.
Good morning, Joe. said |. What have
you done with your toys"
Imagine my surprise when he said, 1
give 'em to Jack Parker, the colored boy,
over yonder to Scruff Town.
"'What" said |. you have given them
all away: All your beautiful toys? He
was silent moment and then his ragged
little face glowed as he replied:
II had 'em: had 'em Il whole day. |
amt got 'em any more, but | had 'em, any
how"
He was the proud possessor of three
pleasures; that of receiving. of giving, ana
the ever blessed pleasure of happy mem
ory.-Youths Companion.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-12-24

joke has not-nOt if the man knows it. He
may have an incOrrigibie passion for neck
ties, but to have his own wife go out and
pay out his own money for Il tie which he
will wear only on dark nights and when
his coat collar is turned up is what he OBJ
JectS to. The trouble being. probably.
that woman buying something for a man
sees 1t merely as it looks on the counters.
While the man sees it in its relation to
himself and to the uses to which it must
be put.
What is needed is Wives Information
bureau, where husbands can leave a list
of the presents they would find accepta-
bic. with details concerning size. color
and weight. The wife would simply have
to join the bureaus subscribers. find her
husbands list, borrow the money from
nm and give him Il happy surprise on
Christmas. This scheme is worth consid-
ering. 1t ought to take great burden off
the ladies minds, anyhow.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-12-24
Christmas Gifts for Men.

1t is a great relief to note that some
philanthropic writer's throughout the
country are engaged in telling what sort
of Christmas gifts men would like. The
writer's are not all successful, and they
reveal frequently the inspiration of wOm-
ans ideas, mans inmate mOdesty and self
effacement precluding him from speaking
for himself.
But somebody should speak for him be-
fore another Christmas has elapsed. 1t
is recorded in the seventh chapter of THE
Autobiography Of Pharaoh t. that the
monarch's wife gave him for a Christmas
present necktie which he could not wear
without inviting instructions in all
Egypt. That's where the Christmas neck
tie joke began, the Christmas cigar joke
following it, when Sir Walter Raleigh
first amazed England by putting tobacco
fumes. The jokes have endured. but the
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-12-24

he to
is
i il
of
o
s
whierObed
something old
in
S
af is own n
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-12-24

day She evolved this idea and laid it on
the family altar at Il discussion we were
having regarding the approaching Christ
mas festivities:
live just thought out the lovel;cst
scheme for 2randpa's enjoyment. You
know that he hasn't seen one of his
brothers for long time. and it's twenty
years since he saw our Uncle Henry
Now. can't We get up great family re-
union as a surprise for grandpa: Uncle
Henry could come here in ii day
He's nearly So" | said
Il know. but he is stronger than most
men OF 40 Uncle Harvey. who is only
-. could come in Il day and night. and
ncc joel could come in ten hours.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-12-24
Puppets Made o. Gingerbread.

The city of Amsterdam claims st. Mich
olas as its patron saint, and during the
first week of December confectioners'
shops throughout the city display one
special delicacy called ''St. Nicholas
cake" of which large quantities are sold
at this season. Men and women"
made of this crisp, brown cake, or gin
gerbread, can be bought in different sizes
and at all prices. These sweet creatures
are often called "sweethearts" (''vrijers"
we say in Dutch. and the girls receive a
man." the boys a woman" L remem-
Der quite we'll what fun it used to be to
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-12-24

was aGIOW. The shades were thrown I'D
high and the soft lace curtains parted
wide. The tree in the great parlor of the
house across the street was larger and it
had cOStiier presents on it than any other
tree i'll the town. And most of the pres
ents were for the little girl in the white
dress and the big pink sash who could be
seen from the street dancing around the
tree. the happieSt. sweetest little maiden
i'll all the world and the light and life and
JOY of the house across the street.
This Christmas time all is dark and
silent and gloomy in the great house
across the street. There are no Christ
mas WIcaihs in the windows. no ray Of
light comes from behind the closely
drawn blinds. 70 childish voice is heard
within the house. There is no bright and
beautiful tee. hut on the spot on which
the tree stood last year there is some
thing white and as beautiful in its silk
and satin and velvet finish AS the skill and
wealth of man can make it. But the sight
Of it brought chill to the hearts of those
who saw it carried into the house on
Christmas eve. and when the eyes of the
mother and father fell upon it their hearts
bled anew.
Inc paSSersbE who saw the bands OF
white fluttering from the knob of the door
of the house across the street went on to
their own humber houses thanking God
that their own little ones were left to
them, no matter how little of wealth or
beauty there might be in their homes.
The poorest house in which there was
the laugh of children was so much less
desoiate than the great mansion across
the street in which the child's laugh was
forever still. 1t added to the melody Of
Paradise that Christmas morning. 1t
rang out clear and sweet across the jas
per sea. 1t bad gone through the Gate
Beautiful and into house not made With
hands eternal in the heavens.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-12-24

think that it would be just lovely to see
those four dear old souls. all over 20. to-
gcther. and to hear them tell tales of their
childhood and bOyho0d.'
After imposing solemn vows of secrecy
on all of us. Nell ran off to her writing
desk TO write letters to grandpaS three
old brothers and to LIS sister Ann. a
week later she met me at the door when
l went home to dinner and said sleefully:
They re all coming. Tom. I've had let
terS to-day from every one of them. And
grandpa said at luncheon that he'd give
good deal TO see the boys as he called
them. He wanted to know if I'd go with
hlm if he went to visit them all in the
spring. l could just hug myself for think
Ing up the whole scheme
Each Of my great upc,es arrived on the
day before Christmas. and grandpa's sur
prise was complete. He showed no signs
OF needing Nell's smelling salts. although
he was visibly affected when his aged
brother Henry arrived and they clasped
hands after a separation of twenty years.
ouve grown old. Hiram" quavered
out Uncle Henry. Seems to me We look
bout as old as | do
On, guess not Henry; guess not"
Sald grandpa, a tri1e stitfiy, for he was
sensitive regarding his age.
Don't he, boys?" said Uncle Henry
appealing to his two white-haired broth
erS. / bet | could fetch We to the ground
hrSt in rassle, that is if We rassed fair.
which We didn't used to do when we was
ati boys together. Why, I'm hanged if
hiram don't part his hair, or what he's
got left Of 1t, in the middle yit. l reckon
n you'd git over that when We came to
havln one foot in the grave and t'other
one no bizness out"
Grandpa flushed and said coldly:
lie combing of ones hair is simply a
matter of individual taste, Henry"
Nell hurried Uncle Henry off to show
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-12-24

/ was Nell who
thought of it first.
But about all Of the
clever ideas in our
family had their ORR
gin in Nells fertile
ina %ination. Brother
Tom often tod her
that she ought to put
Il card in the window
and in the papers Of
t'ering Ideas for
Sale" Neil WAS
grandfath favor
tie and she was very
fCnd of him. One
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-12-24

not speak to each other all day, and to
tell the unvarnished truth there was great
inward rejoicing when our three dear old
uncles departed. Uncle Henry thrust his
head out of the carriage door and screech-
ed out at the last second:
Il did kill that bearv'
"You never! called out grandpa, sharp
ly from the stoop, and they never saw
each other again.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-12-24

Il admit that my dear little scheme
failed" said Nell; when we were alone
together. THE next time | bring four
old gentlemen together for a Christmas
reunion I'll select deaf and dumb men, or
men who haven't quite so much dynamite
and chain lightning and undimmed pugi-
listic vigor in their makeup. | positive
ly believe that Uncle Henry would have
trolnced grandpa if he'd stayed another
day"-TTtica Globe
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-12-24
What She Bought Him.

"No." said Mrs. Cumso to Mrs. Cav
ker: II know we'll enough not to buy
cigars for my husbands Christmas pres
emit" What did you get him?' Il
bought him a razor-found it ON the par
gain counter and got it for ninety-elght
cents. Judge.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-12-24
A Warning.
Rhvmes on the mistletoe

Rhymes on the mistletoe
Are all very well, Y know;
But in mistletOe season
The promptings of reason
Are toward the adagio;
The gallant had better go slow,
For kisses at times Uring woe;
To the doubling young Thomas
May come breach of promise
Ry way of the miStletOei
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-12-24

y ; Il Christmas
the house across
the street from
NINE was the
brightest and gay
est of any in the
block. There were
beautiful Christ
mas wreaths in
every window and
the whole house
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-12-24

n the
its
all
of
of
the
a
is of
and
of nother
Il his the
of in
Of
of
of
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-12-24

hear the servant come in with: IF you
please. ma'am. here is Miss Armies
sweetheart '-and hand gingerbread
man to my mother.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-12-24

I've got to cit a sled fer Ned and buy doll
fer Nan.
And books and toys and lots Of joys fer lit
tie crippled Dan,
Fer he can't go about, you know, like other
boys and run,
And that is why we all must try to help him
have his fun.
And Liza-hOw these girls come up,-she
don't want dolls no more
She 5 got beau-it can't be so.-a-clerkin'
in 4 store:
But after ALL she's bout as tall as was her
mother when
We fell in love-we're in it yet-lots deeper
now than then.
And so year at didn't bring Christmas.
seems to me,
La be about the saddest thing mortal man
could see
Fer who would miss the Christmas bliss be-
cause there's bills to paw?
Ihere may be some but say, by gum! I
ain,t built hathaway
Nixon Waterman.