davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-06-30
THE STARS AND STRIPES.
Our Glorious Flag the Beautiful SYM
Dol of Love, Unity and
independence.

No more beautiful flag than the "StaI
Spangled Banner" has ever been thrown
to the breeze. 1t is the symbol of love,
unity and independence. 1t represents
a nation united for mutual Joy and Sur
row, for mutual hope and aspiration,
and for mutual safety and protection.
1t matters not how high party spirit
may run, or how bitter political con-
tests may be, beneath the starry flag
all partisan feelings vanish, and upon
the broad platform of patriotism we rec
ognize but one sentiment: The union
now and forever"
The dear old flag! We love and revere
it, and in defense of it's honor we pledge
our lives and fortunes. It has never
been made to trail in the dust, nor will
it ever be, so long as we are true to our
God and faithful to the trust our fore
fathers bequeathed to US.
The dear old flag! We love and revere
it. When travelling in foreign lands, we
see no other flags but of those countries,
when suddenly by some chance oppor-
tunity we catch a glimpse, probably in
the distance, of our flag fiuttering in
the breeze, its rich folds proudly wav-
ing in the sunlight of heaven, what
emotions are stirred within us! What
rapturous delight fills our souls! What
4 longing for home comes over us! To
us there is but one country and one flag
America and the Star Spangled Ban
ner.
"a song for our banner! The watchword
recall
Which gave the republic her station,
United we stand, divided we fall,
1t made and preserved us nation.
The union of lakes, the union of lands,
The union of states none can sever,
The union of hearts, the union of hands,
And the flag of our union forever!'
The quaint old two-story house, with
it's peaked roof, wherein Betsy Ross
made the first flag is still standing in a
comparatively good state of preserva-
ton on the north side of Arch street,
west of Third street, Philadelphia, Pa.
1t was the second house ever built in
Philadelphia, the brick in its walls hav-
ing been brought over in the good ship
Welcome, that brought William Penn
to the shores of the new country.
Betsy Ross lived to the good old age
of 81 years and died January 80, 1896.
Her body lies buried in Mount Moriah
cemetery, where simple headstone
marks her resting place. But no gran
tie or marble shaft, no bronze monu-
ment was ever erected that could so eff
fectually perpetuate the memory of the
dead, as the one that Will perpetuate the
memory of Betsy Ross-the Flag of
Our Union-the Stars and Stripes.
On February 81, 1866, Gen. Benjamin
F. Butler presented to congress the first
genuine American flag. made of Amer
lean materials by American labor, eyer
constructed in this country.
Prior to that time all American gov.
eminent flags had been made of Eng
lish bunting. Since then all our official
flags have been the product exclusive
ly of American material and labor.
There were 26 stars in the flag at that
time.-H. G.. Winfield, in Home Visitor.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-06-30
pITH AND POINT.

Better half a loaf than 1oafng all tAa
dme.-L. A. w. Bulletin.
After mans friends really know him
they very often cease to recognize him.
Chicago Daily News.
Beware of answering personals.
Though, after all, If you're that kind Of
person, possibly it doesn't very much
matter what you do.
You can occasionally meet all kinda
of people; even the man who means II
when he asks you to come and visit
him.-Atchison Globe.
"What are you doing now?" asked
the leading lady. what am doinRYg
echoed the soubrette. ST wish you to
who and not a what Town Topics.
AMatter of Standing.-Wallace-
Americans do not stand by our officials
as we ought to-" Ferry-"Maybe NOT;
but think how willing we are to stand
in with them. Enquirer.
Translation ecessary.-Brown.-
"Isaacs, just as a matter of curiosity,
how would you translate ten thousand
dollars into Hebrew" Isaacs-"Metn
friendt, dot expression vos very goot
Hebrew choost as it is."-Puck.
Mrs. Kelly-"So they stint yure ponr
little Jimmy t tn refarmitery? Such
a good choild, too" Mrs. Grady-"Sure,
and he wor thot, Mrs. Kelly. Everything
thotdarlint liver shtole he'd bring roight
home t his muther."-Tit-Bits.
Mamma-"Johnnie, were you and tie
boys playing war this afternoon" John-
nie-"Yes, ma'am." Mamma-"Who got
licked?" Johnnie-'Spain." Mamma
WHO was Spain?" Johnnie-'No-
body. Wouldn't nobody be Spain; so
we just played it." - Chicago Daily
News.
No Foolish Obstinacy. - InquiriDg
Stranger-''Did you ever think what
you would do if that rope should break
or your foot slip when you are cleaning
the outside of those windows on the
seventeenth fioor?" Window Cleaner
eyes, sir; I'd go out of the business en-
tirely. Think I'm a fool?"-Chicag0
Tribune.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-06-30
THE NATIONS CURRENCY.
traction and the Present Time
From $50 Per Capita to $S.

The great fundamental law of finance,
which is and has been recognized by all
political economists of eminence in
every age and nation, is that the cur.
rency of a nation, the lifeblood of COM
merce, when contracted, causes gen
eral prices of all commodities and of all
property other than bonds to fall, and
on the other hand, to rise by currency
expansion. This law is as immutable
as the law of gravity.
We inquire, therefore, has the cur.
rency of the United States been con.
tracted.
1t has been contracted to less than
one-tenth of it's former volume, al.
though falsified treasury reports and
a subsidized press in the interests Of
money lenders assert the contrary.
In 1865, the period of our greatest
prosperity, as shown by Gen. A. J. War
ner, we had $50 per capita, or its equiv
alent in legal tender currency, which
was reduced to eight dollars three
years ago, and POW is estimated in a
recent speech of w. C. Jones at less
than five dollars.
In 1865 labor was fully employed, in
demand, and insufficient for require
ments. immigration was encouraged,
and every industry was stimulated to the
greatest extent. The producers of
wealth had the means of purchasing
not only the necessaries of life, but also
comforts and Injuries.
And although production was at a
maximum, the great prosperity of the
people enable them to purchase and
consume all that was produced. The
cry of overproduction was unheard.
Now factories are idle because labor
has become pauperized, and undercon-
sumption instead of overproduction ex-
presses the existing conditional.
Haupt, in Chicago Dispatch.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-06-30

The wind, as Johnnie's senses were
being stolen by the sandman, was in
creasing, and there was a distinct smell
of rain in the air. The boy opened his
eyes and looked out of the window.
The wind seemed to be blowing the lit
tie fy-away sailboat of moon over the
green sky at a dashing rate. Johnnie
thought the moon was a boat am not
making him thinl: so-and as he closed
his eyes he wished he were in the boat
and wondered if he should be able to
hold the sheet of the golden sail in such
a gale. and then he fell fast asleep.
1t seemed to him that he had been
sailing for some time when there was
stopping of az things, and he awoke
with a start. 1t was at that solemn
hour just before dawn. Johnnie crept
to the window to see if there was now
a promise of fair day. The storm had
ceased, but it must have been a furious
one, for the firm little bridge that Mr.
Duckworth had built over the river
few steps from the house was broken.
Johnnie could plainly see the wreck in
the clear night. just then he heard a
sound, a sound as big as sigh. way,
way off. 1t was the Canadian express
whistling for a switch at the junction.
The boy waited at the window to see it
60 by. Suddenly a thought flashed into
his mind and his heart stopped beating.
He slipped into his clothes in twink
ling and stole quickly downstairs and
quietly out of the door, then scuttled
over the plain to the place where the
little river fell over the crest of slight
hill and then dashed under the railroad
bridge. AS Johnnie thought might be
the case. the bridge was as much of
wreck as the little one was. The rails
were twisted and lay like jackstraws
among the jumbled wood. Johnnie
heard the distant sigh again, and his
heart beat wildly. What could he do?
In a few minutes the express would
come Suddenly he thought of the red
light under his pillow. Taking a full
breath, he ran home. He heard the
sigh again, but no nearer. 1T hasn't
started! 1t hasn't started" he thought.
There's still time, still time!" In
minute he was again in his room, and
had the light and some matches in his
hand. 1t seemed ages to him. He
heard the faint sound again, but nearer
this time. "Oh, it's started! God help
mel" he gasped, as he fled out into the
thinning darkness again. He did not go
to the bridge, as you may suppose, but
ran at full speed up the track toward
the sound, for well he knew that the
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-06-30

1t had to be imported" johnnie
asked a good and tried friend of his on
the freight train bound for New York TO
get il for him. During the next week
Johnnie's Imagination worked so hard
that he seemed to think his friend would
return standing, like the Goddess of
Liberty, on the freight car, holding
aloft a whole sunset and sunrise of
light. Silly Johnnie was 50 carried
away by his fancy that he received a
real shock when, on the day before the
Fourth, Jim tossed him only a small
package as the train slowly passed his
house, calling out gayly: Open your
mouth and catch your light"
Johnnie ran indoors in a state of great
excitement and showed his treasure to
his'mother. who rejoiced with him in his
happiness.
That night, just after he had blown
out his candle, johnnie was looking out
of his window trying 10 decide whether
the morrow would be fine or not. There
was something in the air he did not
like. and he saw that storm was com
ing. The moon was shining, but there
was a certain stiffness in the warm
wind. The little river was running more
swiftly than usual.
However, Johnnie could not feel that
the Fourth would be unpleasant and
he began to think what he should do
with his red light, and the splendid IDEA
came to him 10 build small raft and
set the light on il, and then send 1t
floating down the river. In fancy he
could see it going its course, shining
brirhtIv and lighting up the trees on
the opposite bank. And how surprised
the little fish would be to find the river
turninr red! lie wished he could see
tbe fishes with their mouths wide open
staring at his light-the little fish who
,1idp't know anything a bout the Fourth.
Johnnie did not need 10 be so patroniz-
ing in his feeling toward the fishes, for
he himself cid not know much more
about the Fourth than that people
always shot off firecrackers on that
5.v lie was glad he had not gotten a
green light, for it wouldn't make much
contrast with the night, which is dark
,rreen. Then, as the water looks green
anyway to the fishes Git must, for II
looks so TO people on land), why, they
wouldn't be much surprised to see the
river simply tightening would
think il was morning. But think of the
exquisite shock to each fishy heart to
he awakened by a burst of rubiness
overhead! Johnnie's head was sinking
lower and lower on the window sill and
his thoughts were getting very fam
tastic. as you see. Rousing himself. he
slipped into his little bed and then put
his hand up under the cool pillow to
red light! Think of it-he
had taken it to bed with him!
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-06-30

A man who looked the picture OF
melancholy and physical discomfort
was sitting on the front step of store
which had been closed in honor of In
dependence day. Every time patriotic
explosion occurred he gave a nervous
jump.
"What's the matter?" said his friend.
Aren't you going to join in the festiv.
ities?"
mo. I don't like gunpowder."
"But isn't there anything that you'd
enjoy? This is a holiday, you know,
and a little innocent diversion is only
appropriate"
Eyes, there's one form of sport that
would suit me first-class."
''What is that?"
I'D like to go somewhere and throw
Observation-Disclosures Star,
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-06-30

express couldn't stop short of half a
mile at the least. On, on he sped. At
last the right distance was reached.
And now the whistle sounded clear,
some way down round the bend. John
ME put the light in the middle of the
track and struck a match on the rail,
but the rail was wet from the rain and
the match fickered and went out.
Nearer and nearer came the thunder
and shrill sounds. Johnnie gasped and
struck another match on the case of
the red light. This time he was success
full. He touched the match to the pow
der. There was a sputter. then another
sputter, and then a big flare of red
just as the headlight of the locomotive
rounded the curve.
Waving wildly, Johnnie sprang back
from the track. To his joy he heard
the air brakes scraPe and the steam
escaping. The great train passed on,
but at Il lessened rate of speed. After
it our young hero ran peII-mell. He
saw the sparks belching out of the
engines chimney, and saw that the
train had stopped near his home.
When he came up to it, he found the
men walking about with lanterns, and
asking what was the matter. Imagine
their amazement when a small boy of
ten explained all to them. Think of
the cheers that rang out in the gray
air! and of how the question, put by
one conductor: whats the matter
with Johnnie Duckworth?" was an
swered with a roar: HE'S all right"
Mrs. Duckworth was awakened by the
snortiug locomotive, and heard the
cheers, in which she seemed to dis
tinguish her sons name. Johnnie saw
first light in his mothers room, and di-
rectly there was light in the parlor and
the front door opened. lie called feeb-
ly, "Mother!" for the terrible nervous
strain he had been under was beginning
to tell upon him. Some of the men heard
his little cry, and gently raised him
on their shoulders and carried him to
her, cheering and cheering again. Many
of the men passengers went along with
them. They mounted the steps, and
then in a short word or two told what
had happened, for their little. rescuer
needed care. mir. Duckworth over
again" had tainted. Several of the men
stayed with the anxious mother, and
the others went away and stood at a
distance waiting to hear news of the
boy. Soon tidings were brought that
he was all right, and then another long
cheer rent the air. Johnnie heard ii
and smiled at his mother, who was
hugging him and crying and laughing
at the same instant.
The section gang was summoned and
the bridge repaired in two or three
hourA
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-06-30

why she didn't come off the nlain and
live among them, more coZy like"
where the trees grew, but both she and
oonnnle felt it duty to stay where
they could watch the long sweep of
railway track. Johnnie's interest in
everything concerning the trains con-
unued and grew, and the BOYS in the
nelghborhood used to laugh and call
them his big pets.
johnnie was serious boy, and his
fathers death made him more so. He
old not seem to care to play with other
boys very much. His mother used to
urge him to do so, saying that he was
getting too old-fashioned, yet dreading
all the time that he would follow her
aoVlce, for he was very companionable.
johnnie was old-fashioned; but boy
would have been very old-fashioned
indeed not to want to celebrate the
Fourth of July royalty. For this special
Fourth that l am going to tell you
about, Mrs. Duckworth had promised
her son dozen packages of little fire
crackers and five packages of great big
ones; but Johnnie, although he did no.
say anything, was not satisfied. What
he wanted was a colored light, and he
wanted it fervently and persstently.
The year before one of the rich farmers
celebrated the Fourth by a display of
fireworks in the evening, the like of
which Johnnie had never seen. The
farmer had imported them from far New
York. There were rockets and Roman
candles and scintillating wheels, such
as the little village way up in the north
of the state had never had on the coun-
ter ofits one store. And, wonder of won
ders! there were great lights, green and
red, that lit up acres and acres of the
farm, and even Illuminated Johnnie's
and his mothers faces as they sat on the
little piazza of their home watching the
asked in the village what the great
lights were, and was told that they were
called Grecian lights. Immediately the
desire TO possess so much glow seized
Johnnie, and he resolved to have one
himself the next year. His longing was
so deep that somehow he could not tell
anyone about il, not even his good
mother. His secret had a charm for
him. In the following spring he was
still as enthusiastic, and he began to
hoard the occasional pennies he made
by one and another little service to the
village folk. By the last week in June
he had saved IS cents, and was ready for
his purchase. And now, how TO secure
the glorious brilliancy?
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-06-30
COACHED Ii HUNG CHANG.
The Singular Manner I'm Which the
Chinese Statesman Became In
terested an the Bible.

Ii Hung Chang, or the European, as
this broad-minded Chinaman is called,
has for some time been showing keen
interest in Christianity and the study
of the Bible. Apart from the innate de-
sire that Ii Hung Chang has to possess
all knowledge, this is probably owing
to the skillful efforts of Gilbert Reed,
who. perhaps more than any other mis-
sionary, has used the most successful
diplomacy in securing a hearing with
heathens of high degree.
Gilbert Reed was first sent to China
by Presbyterian board of missions.
When there he recalled the weIl-known
motto of the Romans, when in Rome,
do as the Romans do" and became in
fact a thorough Chinaman. He rented
a house in the circle that is occupied
by the high mandarins about The court
and furnished it in true Chinese style.
He adopted their dress and customs and
grew a very respectable queue. Gu
riosity was soon aroused about him and
the desire was bred to know more about
this estimable man. In the adoption
of their ceremonious politeness he par.
ticularly delighted them and became
a favorite guest at state fetes and ban
quets. He did not force his opinions
upon them, but stated them clearly
when they were sought after. Except
ing the emperor, he was received by
every high Chinaman about the court.
For he argues that it is to this class
Christianity must first be preached in
China. y
In this way he became acquainted
with Ii Hung Chang, who delighted to
ask him innumerable questions, the
first request always being to know his
age, that of his father and mother, and
any other celebrated members of the
family; for this is q Chinese form of
acquaintance. Shortly, Ii Hung Chang
became so interested in the handful of
men, as he expressed ii, that sought to
change the well-founded opinions of
millions that he begged Gilbert Reed
to instruct him more fully in the his
tory of the Christians. 1t was at this
time that Gilbert Reed presented him
with the Bible. Since then Ii Hung
Chang has studied the book closely.
His attendants are ordered when ar
ranging his apartments to put away
all else but that book, which is placed
on table by his bedside. he also con-
tributed $4,000 to help carry on the
work that Gilbert Reed has started in
China. AS is we'll known, he is con-
sidered one of the wealthiest men in
the world.
When the news reached Gilbert Reed
of his fathers death in America, he had
his house hung with all the Chinese en-
blems of mourning. He placarded that
his father, a most celebrated and wor-
thy American, had passed away, and
that he must return to assist his coun-
try in its lamentation for his ancestor.
In fact, he followed in detail the GUS
toms of China on these occasions. He
remained in this country long enough
TO settle up his affairs and marry very
charming woman. He has now taken
her back to China with him, where they
will make their permanent home and
continue the gerat work that he is do
inp-Omaha Bee
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-06-30

In it's true nature, money is simply a
right or title to demand some product
or service from some one else. Now,
when a person accepts money in ex-
change for products or services rem
dered, he can neither drink it nor clothe
himself with it; nor is it any species of
economic satisfaction for the service he
has done. He only agrees to accept it
for the service he has rendered because
he believes or has confidence that he
can purchase some satisfaction which
he does want at any time he pl~ases.
Money is therefore. what is termed
credit Mcleod. Theory OF Credit.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-06-30
Almost Talked HIS Life Avnx.

The longest speech on record was
made by Mr.. De Cosmos in the legisla-,
ture of British Columbia when a meas
ure was pending to confiscate the lands
of settlers. He was in a hopeless mi
nority, and the enemy expected 10 rush
the bill through at the end of the ses-
sion 1t was ten o'clock in the morn
ing; at noon the next day, if no ac-
ton were taken, the act of confiscation
would fail. De Cosmos arose, spoke for
&c hours continuously, and then, with
baked lips, bloodshot eyes, AMI almost
dead with fatigue, he won the victory
that nearly cost him his life.-Chicago
rhrnuicle
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-06-30
Conditions Must he Changed.

There must be something wrong with
a system that makes multi-milfic7aire
in Chicago within year, and forces
millions TO indulge in bread riots in dis
tant lands. 1t is world cause. with a
world effect. The 'ause must be identi-
fled and eradicated. There can bn but
one end to such a condition, il tolerated
long enough.-Los Angeles Herald.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-06-30
The Oddities, plan.

The goldites tell us that money can.
not be made by law. Well, it seems
they have done good deal toward
making gold the sole money by law,
and are trying to do more. 1t is very
convenient to have mounted into power
by this ladder of the law, and then
contemptuously to kick it one side, so
that your pursuer cannot ovcrtake you
by the same route.-Illinois State Reg.
ister
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-06-30

Johnnie was well enough to be taken
out on to the piazza to see the express
steam away with everyone leaning out
of the windows or standing on the plat
forms waving and shouting to him and
his mother.
While the repairs were being made
Mrs. Duckworth received gentleman
after gentleman. They made every
kind of grateful offer to the proud
mother, but she refused them all with
quiet dignity, saying that her son had
but done his duty, and he would be
repaid for having done so, a very long
time off, she hoped, when he should
reach the terminus where his father
was already. They appreciated her
feeling, and honored her too much to
insist. Nothing, however, prevented
the president of the road, who was in
formed of Johnnie's bravery, from see
ing that he had a splendid start in the
railroad business he SO much loved, and
in which he has now position such as
Mr.. Duckworth, Sr., had never in his
most hopeful moments dreamed of for
his son.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-06-30
Ancient Preserved Flowers.

Well-preserved flowers discovered a,
Dahsourh. in Egypt, in tombs of thu
times of the Pharoahs, have just been
placed in the Cairo museum. The com.
monest of these were the white or blue
lotus, the red poppy, the leaves and flow.
ers of the pomegranate, of the saffron
and of the crocus.-N. Y. Sun.