davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-04-30

In 1S43 there died, at the age OF So
years, man named John Thompson,
the son of greengrocer in the parish
OF st. Giles, London. He had such an
extraordinary memory for locality that
he bore the nickname of Memory Cor
ner Thompson" Some of his feats of
remembrance are almost incredible. II
he read a newspaper at night he could
repeat any portion of it word for word
next day. He once walked through a
well furnished hotel, and afterwards
wrote out a list of everything he had
seen. In two sittings within twenty
four hours, he drew from memory a
plan OF the parish Of st. James, put
ting in all the streets, squares,
churches, chapels, lanes, courts, mar
kets, stables, and even trees and walls,
with an exact plan Of st. James pal
ace and Carlton House. He could tell
what trade was carried on in any house
in any street, describe the shop and
what was in 1t. In fact, had he lived
two centuries ago, he would have been
deemed uncanny, and been burned at
the stake for a warlock.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-04-30

The big cats name was Daisy, and
the little cat, her daughter, was named
Susan, but the alligator / don't think
ever had a name. The cats were OF a
beautiful tortoise she'll color, with
snowy breasts and paws. The aliisa-
tor was very little, and very ugly, with
nothing remarkable about him except
an astonishingly loud voice, all out OF
proportion to his size, as Susan one day
found out.
The two cats, though alike in color,
were unlike in disposition. Daisy was
very good natured and motherly, while
Susan was cranky. If Daisy lay by the
stove, the alligator, would come out
of his pan and join her, and she was
always ready to welcome him.
Between him and Susan. however,
there was always trouble. She never
lost an opportunity to slip up behind
him, unseen if she could, and tap him
on the back, while he would hiss like
a small steam engine il he saw her
come into the room.
1t was very amusing for the whole
family to watch their performances,
and also a mystery how he could tell
the two cats apart at such distance,
but he never was known to hiss at
Daisy.
That was long time ago, and pref
ty Daisy is now resting under the rose
bed in the garden, while the alligator
is stuffed and occupies place on the
cabinet; but Susan is still alive and
as inquisitive as ever, and when lately
one of the children brought home
large turtle from the brook, and put
him in a pail of water, Susan evident
ly thought that her old enemy had
come back once more.
She would sit down and watch him
awhile, then tap him gently and jump
back, expecting the customary hiss; but
as the turtle took no notice whatever
of her, she soon lost all interest in him.
M. H. w. Carter in Youths Com
panion.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-04-30

a chance remained to save that of my
dear Mabel But the men held me fast,
and, when | was in the boat, began to
pull away from the cave into the
brighter light.
Its no use struggling, mate" one
said. IF you've a spark of reason in
you, you'll see that there's no hope of
saving another life"
They continued to pull doggedly
away, and kept their hands upon me
to prevent me from throwing myself
into the water. Binding tears came
to my eyes and flowed over. l knew
that it was vain to resist, and knew
besides that the few minutes that had
interviewed were fatal minutes, and car
ried death with them to the bright and
beautiful girl who had become my wife,
alas! how many Christmases ago! The
mystery that had parted us would
never now be made clear to me; but If
anything could have comforted me at
that awful period of my life, it was the
belief that still cherished in her faith
and purity. Yet I looked sullenly on
the cruel waters, repining, l do believe,
because miracle did not occur.
Some comfort did come to me after
a while. | had my boy, my darling
son, in my arms. Was it not almost
by miracle that he had been given to
me, after searching for him the wide
world over for seven long years? you
have still something to live for"
voice whispered to me; "be grateful.
then" But I could not put by my
sorrow so easily, and 1t was with min
gled joy and grief that Rugged my boy
closer to me, to keep him warm; for it
was bitterly cold, and a mist had be-
gun to fall, and was thickening every
moment. No sign of life was on the
sea; in the distance we saw the ter
rible coast-line, consisting of straight
rocks Of tremendous height, afford
ing not the remotest chance Of effecting
landing. 1 scarcely remember how
that day passed; was in a stupor, ly-
ing at the bottom of the boat, whisper
ing incoherent endearments into my
little boys ears. That he did not an
swer me did not surprise or hurt me; 1t
pleased me that he should sleep so
calmly during these cold and cherries
hours. To awaken him would have
only aroused him to misery. Toward
evening l became conscious that the
men in the boat were directing strange
gances toward me and my precious
bundle.
Come, mate" said one, put aside
that. We've enough weight in the boat
without carrying the dead"
who did you say is dead?" I asked,
vacantly, not understanding him.
Their significant looks answered me,
and one man placed his hand on my
little boys heart. pushed him aside
fretfully.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-04-30
The Fable of Two DOGS,

A well fed dog, wearing a collar and
blanket, once fell in with a tramp
canine in the park. Dear me-" said
the fat dog, "but you are sight. You
need upholstering badly. Your bones
project through your skin and out into
the ambient atmosphere. Why is this
thus?"
Il am often hungry and am seldom
bountifully fed" said the tramp dog.
land that is the reason my Joints pro-
ject into the future like a reporters
payday"
why do you not attach yourself to
some prosperous family?" said the fat
dog, land thus become sleek and fat,
like me?"
While they were speaking a dog
catcher came into view. The fat dog
soon had wire moose around his neck,
and he was unceremoniOusly thrown
into a wagon where there were other
unfortunate ours. The tramp dog, be-
ing unburdened with flesh, lodged be-
tween the passing bicycles and escaped.
Moral: The fat dogs mistress re-
deemed him from the pound, and that
fact destroys the moral.-Truth.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-04-30
A Rain of Blood,

A singular phenomenon was recent
ly witnessed in Melbourne, the capital
OF the Australian colony of Victoria
which may be not unfairly described as
rain of blood descending upon the
city. An enormous cloud Of reddish
dust, pear shaped, and rising hundreds
of feet in the air, was seen approach
ing from the northwest. A gust OF
wind cleft it in half, and one of the
halves was whirled away, missing the
town. The other half, however, came
straight on, and, when half over the
city, got mixed up in a heavy shower.
In consequence, trees, pavements, win
dows, hats and coats were splashed and
spotted with red, blood-like stuff,
very uncanny to the eye, though moth
ing worse in substance than terra-cotta
colored mud. Huge dust clouds and
binding dust storms are common
enough in Australia. In the far in
terror, heated, dust laden air is some
times whirled or sucked up thousands
OF feet-an extraordinary sight. Moth
ing so delightfully."- medieval and ON
nous as the rain of blood" has, how
ever, been seen in Melbourne for 20
years.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-04-30
A Common Fault.

The following story from Onward il
Illustrates very aptly the foolish and
sinful habit of exaggeration that is so
prevalent just now:
Two young girls, full of the vivacity
and heedlessness of youth. met in a
street car. They greeted each other
with real school girl effusiveness, and
one said to the other:
81 never was so glad to see any one
In my life"
"And I've just been dying to see
youv" was the reply from the brilliant
and blooming girl, who was certainly
in the full flush Of health at that mo-
ment.
How do you do, anyhow"
ooh! I've a perfectly fearful cold"
81 nearly died with one last week."
81 nearly coughed and sneezed my
head Off"
81 know. 1t makes one feel perfect
" wretched. Mamma has a horrible
cold"
"We've been having regular hospi-
tai at our house. Isn't it horribly cold
today?"
Fearful! I thought I should per-
ish before the car came along"
"My feet are exactly like Jumps Of
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-04-30
A Mothers Sympathy.

A little girl once followed the work
men from her fathers estate when they
went home to their dinner, because
she was very fond Of kind old man
who was one of them. When he looked
from his door and saw her sitting on
a log waiting for him, he invited her
to go into the cottage. She looked in,
saw the strange faces around the ia
BILE and hesitated. When he urged her,
she raised her sweet face and in
CURED
as there any mother here?"
Eyes, my dear, there's a mother
here" he answered.
ooh, then I'll go in; for I'm not
afraid if there's mother therer
Her child's experience had told her
she could place confidence in moth
ers sympathy. A home may be small
and mean, but if it is the shrine of a
mothers love it is happier place than
a palace would be without this blessed
presence.-Evangelist.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-04-30

behind M chair,
From the level line of cornfields fair,
The smooth green hedgerows level
bound
Not furlong off-the horizons bound.
And the level lawn where the sun all
day
Burns-"Over the hills and far away"
A little bird sings above my bed,
And know 10 could but lift my head
I would see the sun set, round ana
grand,
Upon level sea and level sand.
While beyond the misty distance gray
Is "Over the hills and far away
I think that little bird will sing
Over a grassy mound, next spring.
Where something that once was me,
yell leave
In the level sunshine, morn ana eVe'
But l shall be gone, past night, past
day,
Over the hills and far away.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-04-30

, "This is my son." I said. "for whom
i've been searching these seven years
past. l have only just found him.
No, am not mad; I am in my right
senses. But this is not the time to tell
you my story. My wife lies there
pointed to the cave. II might have had
her but for you, Let me be, then.
suppose some of you can understand
what fathers love, what a husbands
grief. is in such trial as this"
"But don't you see?" the same man
asked, and many OF them looked at me
with sad eyes. Come, be reasonable.
We are dead beat. You are as strong
as we are. Lend hand to an oar.
Nay, then, If you'll not believe. look for
yourself"
l allowed him to uncover the face OF
my boy, and the truth dawned upon
me.
"Bobw | whispered. Speak to me.
my son.
shook him gently; he made no
movement White and still, he lay in
my arms. I put my ear to his mouth
to his heart; not pulse replied to
me. And then l saw that his limbs
must have been cold and stiff for hours,
and that I had been nursing corpse.
"My boy is dead, mates" I said. with
a strange calmness upon me. Forgive
me- didn't know 1t before, you SEQ,
My poor little Bob!'
They turned their faces from me as !
stopped and kissed Bob's white lips.
Then l cried quietly over him bit, and
laid him at the bottom Of the boat,
covering him with my shirt, which ]
took off for the purpose.
Let me keep him." I pleaded; III
We land, We can bury him ashore"
GAY. ay, mate" they said, softly.
answered them with grateful looks,
and, taking an oar, pulled with the
strength of a giant, drinking the salt
tears which ran down my face.
worked mechanically, and had no
thought for anything but the body OF
my poor little Bob.
Through the long hours Of the night
we pulled, and when the sun rose we
found ourselves in the same dismal
plight. The wind was dead in our
teeth, and the rocks doomed black and
shadowy in the distance. Having
aboard only sufficient provisions for
two days, it behooved us to find a ref
uge soon; and many breath of thank
fulness was drawn when, on the even
ing Of the second day, we discovered a
neck of land where we reckoned we
could put safely ashore. Some part OF
the beach was sand, but yer ytreacher-
Gus, as we presently learned, and some
was rock. We rowed toward the
sandy beach, and one man jumped out
too soon for his life, for he sunk be-
fore our eyes. The quicksands had
swallowed him. With feelings Of awe
we pulled toward the rocks. and after
some difficulty We effected a landing,
saving, too, at the risk Of our lives,
what little provisions we had left. But
in the landing, our boat was dashed to
splinters. And there, rescued from
the sea, we stood upon the rocks in
safety, with my little Bob in my arms,
wrapped in my serge shirt.
Now for fire." said one Of the par
ty; II am perishing with cold. Let US
collect some dry wood"
ITO BE coNrINUED.b
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-04-30
Narrow Esca pes.

Adam Vandever, one Of the original
settlers of Tallulah, Georgia, was a
famous hunter and trapper. The his
torian of Georgia relates several of Mr..
Vandever's hairbreadth escapes, from
which we select the following:
At one time Mr. Vandever was en-
camped on lofty mountain in Union
county. To make an observation Of
his surroundings he climbed upon an
immense boulder which stood upon the
brow of a precipice. Just then he heard
the howl of wolf in the woods below.
He stepped to the far side Of the bould-
er, hoping to get better glimpse Of
the enemy. AS he moved, the great
rock, which CHANGED to be delicately
balanced, began to roll, and an instant
later it was plunging over the preci-
pice. Fortunately an oak tree dropped
over the boulder, and in that moment
of peril the woodsman gave an up
ward leap and grasped one Of the
branches and hung suspended in mid
air while the great stone went crash
ing down the mountain side.
II felt my hair turn white" said the
old gentleman afterward, when real
lied how near I'd come to going along
with that rocking stone. The limb
hung too want over-stout, and when
l swung back from over the cliff and
dropped to the ground felt as weak
as baby.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-04-30

Conndenee the Keynote to Success.
Doubt and unbelief mean destruc-
ton to any business, and a man who
loses confidence in his own affairs
finds failure awaiting him in a short
time" writes Evangelist Moody to his
Bible class in the Ladies' Home Jour-
nal. Uncertainty disqualifies for work
and usefulness in every sphere of life.
1t was uncertainty and doubt that
caused the recent state of depression
in our business interests. Financiers
and economists differed in their views
regarding the political causes of this
feeling of insecurity, but they generally
agreed in directly attributing the re-
verses to the lack of assurance in bust
ness circles. Confidence is essential
to success in every pursuit of life. And
this selfsame truth is no less evident in
spiritual things than it is in
temporal affairs. The only Christian
life that is useful to the Church of God
and to fellowmen is the one which is
assured Of it's own salvation. Dis
trust and unbelief mean sadness and
care to any soul; but joy and rest come
with the certain knowledge of forgive.
ness and favor with God"
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-04-30

fee! I don't believe that they'll ever
be warm again."
Have you seen Mabel Reed late
ly"
Not for ages. It's certainly two
weeks, anyhow, since I saw her. I'm
crazy to see her."
so am !. And it seems like an eter-
nifty since I saw Helen. I'd give the
world to see her. How frightfuIly
slow the car is going: I could go fas.
ter on my hands and knees"
SO could I. I hate to drag along
so. like to 60 like lightning"
And so the conversation ran on each
girl telling what was certainly untrue
every time she spoke
What a reckoning there will be for
those who are thus needless in their
common speech.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-04-30
a Potent Factor.

Il don't know that you will be able
to do much with him." said father to
the principal of school to whom he
had brought his son as a pupil, "he is
so full of mischief!'
Does he tell the truth?" asked the
principal. Can l always rely upon
his word?"
"Oh, yes" said the father, "he is
honest; he will tell the truth. even
when it is against HIMSELF you may
depend upon that"
"Then we can manage him." said
the principal; ''he will make a manly
man." And he did.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-04-30
4 Moral Crisis.

Honesty" said Senator Sorghum.
sis the best policy very frequently"
you have-er-you have tested that
maxim, have your
Yes, sir; l may say that it laid
the foundation for my subsequent ca
reer. The first time I ran for Office
I was approached by an active worker
in practical politics. He asked me
whether / would refuse to run If a
certain course of procedure were
adopted and whether would 60 back
on them in case things should turn
out wrong"
"And then you remembered that
honesty is the best policy?"
Eyes; searched my inner conscious
ness and then, looking him full in tho
eye, told him the truth. I said that
I would not refuse. "-Washington
Star.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-04-30
The Most Novel Railway.

Official approval has just been given
to the most novel railway that has ever
been built A balloon is to be the pro-
polling power used in carrying passen-
gers to and from the top of the Hoch-
stauffen mountain at Bad Reichenhall,
a beautiful watering place in the Aus
trian Alps The scheme is known as
the aerostatic railway, and is the in
vention IF an engineer.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-04-30
Hunting With a Mirror.

A bird suffer in the state Of New
York, it is said, catches his birds, I'M
spoiled by shot or spring, by means
of hand mirror On sighting a de-
sirable subject in a bush or tree, he
directs sunfash upon it, shifting his
aim as the bird shifts, and throwing
the beams as nearly as possible into
it's eyes. The bird gets dazzled and
Supplied, flutters within reach of the
hunters hand and allows itself to be
caught.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-04-30
CHAPTER XVI.

WAS told after
ward that l strug-
gled like a mailman
with those who
were saving me;
and / know it must
have been because
of the thought up
permost in my
mind that l had no
right to consider
my own life while
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-04-30
Too Slow.

"Why do you think that Bunker
doesn't know his business?"
Because it's nearly three years now
since he's had grand annual clear
ance sale. cleveland Leader.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-04-30
FOR BOYS AND GIRLS.
some GOOD STORIES FOR OUR
JUNIOR READERS.
pho Big Cat the Little Cat and tho
Alligator--A Common Fault in Chill
dren-A Mothers Sympathy--A Potent
Factor.
Over the Hills and Far Away.

III L LIZ Oii " ACW
my window by,
'Twixt the level
street and the
level sky,
The level rows of
houses tall,
The long low sun
on the level wall;
And all that the
little bird did say
Was, "Over tho
hills a n d ia r
away"
A little bird sang
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-04-30
Uncle Eben PhilosophIzes.

"Er man kin git hisse'f inter a heap
O. trouble an 'sponsibility," said
Uncle Eben, "by convincin' people dat
he's smahter Gan whut he rely is."-
Washington Star.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-04-30
OUR BUDGET OF FUN
SOME GOOD JOKES. ORIGINAL
AND SELECTED.

WilIle's Lament-The Quintessence OF
Meanness-The Fable OF the Two Dogs
The New Coachman-A Moral Crisis
Done Up.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-04-30
CHAPTER XIV.

he udTh uOuiS
passed like a dis
turbed dream. Cries
and sobs and pray
ers l heard, but in
distinctly,as though
l were in no way
connected with
them; they scarcely
seemed to form
part Of the tragedy
which was then be-
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-04-30

Delicate Hint.
Mr.. Timide-"And what party vera
you inclined to favor during the cam
paign, Miss Wantowed?"
Miss Wantowed (blushing)-"Well,
I think I preferred the pops -
Brooklyn Life.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-04-30

A little bird sang
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-08-02
Mrs. Harry Payne Whitney.

line, has been purchased by Capt. Walker
yesterday. whore she will be- used as a
Dreokwater In front of the captains resi-
dence fronting the beach.
Saturday afternoon the fence at the
foot of Smith street was removed and
there is no trouble now In reaching the
water front.
Tho Naval Reserves Torpedo Company
which has been in camp at Prudence
island during the past week with the
Naval battalion returned Saturday after
noon.
Tho cutter yacht, Serf. owned by Will
liam q. Titcomb, during the squall Satur-
day afternoon had her jib blown from
the stops and badly torn and would havo
been seriously damaged by another yacht
which was coming down on her, hadn't
the skilful handling of the Serf by Its
owner avoided collision.
About $3.50 o'clock last evening a
small boy by tho name Of Willie Rosso
fell from boat he was playing In ana
a bystander who was close by waded into
the water and rescued him.
w. Hayes is taking two weeks out
ing in the sloop yacht Minerva with
Joseph Fletcher and several of other
friends.
young lad by the name of Napoleon
Susie fell from the Naval Reserve pier
on Sunday afternoon and would have
drowned had 1t not been for passing
steam launch which came to his rescue
The National India Rubber Company
has taken IN about twenty five hands TO
work on tho making OF bicycle tires. A
further increase in that help Is expected
soon.