davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-10
The Story Of a Desertioa.

A story is told among naval men Of
how nearly the entire crew of one OF
our big wooden ships deserted nearly
20 years ago. There were about 400 mcr
on board. he vessel had been on
long cruise i'm the south Pacific One
day they put In at the island of Tahiti.
The men forward were sulien anc
ugly They had grievances which they
considered unwarrantable. The plug
tobacco doled out TO them by the pay
master was musty and unsmokabic
Only small quantities of fresh pro-
visions had been served at the ports az
which the vessel had touched. They
also declared that the officers were un-
duly severe. The petty officers were ir
just as bad frame of mind, and sc
were the marines.
The crew wes paid eff the day the
ship dropped anchor. and that night uu-
der cover OF Cerkncss the men hcgar
dropping over the side i'm parties anc
swimming ashore. The deserters in
cluded nearly all tho petty officers anc
good part of the marines.
The commanding officer held con.
ference with his subordinates. but they
could not decide on what To do. The
skipper. with some, OF the wardroom Of
ficers, went ashore. the following morn
ing and found the men walking around
IN an orderly fashion, on good terms
with the natives aud all still speechlcss
and sullen. Those OF them whom the
skipper met he ordered back To- tie ship
None OF the men made any reply. ant
none went back TO the ship. The blue
Jackets remained on the beach at TIA
hiti for more than week. conducting
themselves with perfect ordcrlinsss. brs
very bitter in their talk about the ship
out In the hsrbor.
II looked az " most OF the sailors in
tended 10 settle down at Tahiti and
grow up with the country. and mean
while the ship grew dirtier and d'rti7r
and had general unworked look. tn n
an American merchant living on the ~
land got the bluejackets together art
talked TO them. The blueiackets tolt
him that the officers had n1ade the hir
50 uncomfortable for them that they
had declined to stand IL and that tlls>
had no intention of rciurning ahunu,
The American. who vas "a man of tast
went aboard the ship and had a taii
with the officers, and then h. returned
and talked again With the men. lie was
a pretty good arbitrator. for the met
returned to the man-of-war IN a tcd,
I'm lighter and went To work.
Some of tho old time biuejackcis who
were ashore at Tahiti on that occasion
say that the remainder OF their south
Pacifc cruise was like yachting.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-10

with an expression OF the most abject
terror on his face. No wonder. for right
behind the boys, with his nose poked
through a clump of eIderberry bushes.
big brown bear was calmly surveying
the scene. Joey gave one yell and.
dropping his line. in bound had cross
ed the brook. He ran like the wind,
never stopping TO see whether the bear
was catching up with him. He ran all
the way home and fell frightened and
exhausted into his mothers arms. A
more terrified and contrite little boy it
would have been hard to find.
"Oh. mamma. / played hockey from
school today an went fishin with Dan
ME Powers. an a big brown bear came
out OF the woods an was goin to eat US
up. but we ran, an I'll be good an never
play hockey any more!"
II hope you never will play truant any
more" said Joey's mother. ''and that
you will always remember the lesson
you have learned today. think II you
run over to school after you have eaten
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-10

| and she tremhled with suppressed hap
| piness. She had got what she had been
working for. and for an hour or so she
would be alone with the man she loved
Turner was in for five miles of walk
ing. and not being in love with the girl
he did not enjoy the prospect. He gave
Sallie his arm calamity enough, but for
all that he was not the best of compa-
ny. He was moody. and his conversa-
| tion was dull, but Sallie took no notice
! Of that. The bare idea of being in his
company, OF having her hand on his
arm and walking by his side, was heav-
| en- to her. Her happiness was too great
to be disconnected by trifies.
And she, though an untutored child
Of nature, knew how to make love. She
was in possession of all the little deli
cate arts by which women appeal TO the
hearts OF men. She was wildly gay at
times Then suddenly she would check
herself and turn demurely sad. Then
she would lean heavily on him and
press his arm close to her and seem to
unconsciously surrender herself wholly
to his protection.
Naturally 1t is blissful for man TO
be made the victim OF a woman's love-
making, but il was not so with Turner.
The girls conduct repeIled and disgust
ed him. She was coarse, uneducated,
unrefined and unlovable. and when at
last the, walk was over he drew long
breath of relief. He vowed, too. that
he would never be her beau again but
in this he was mistaken.
Just a week after the spelling school
there was a dance in the neighborhood.
ix.x nd he
cept the invitation. BY refusing he
would have given umbrage to the en-
tire district on Possum Ridge the
schoolteacher was expected TO partici-
pate in all the society functions. from
rooster fight TO a candy pulling.
Turner went to the dance. Salle Per-
kins was there. He met her with a
civil word of greeting. She met him
with a heavenly smile and blush. He
realized her sentiments and turned
away. resolved TO avoid her.
Somehow. though. everybody had be-
come possessed of the idea that Turner
and Sallie were lovers and that their
marriage was only a question OF time.
They treated them as an engaged cou-
pie. They threw them together on ev-
cry possible occasion. made them dance
together. sit together. go into supper to-
gether. All this was pleasant to Sallie
but not exactly to the taste OF Turner.
When the dance was over. sallIe came
10 Turner and slipped her arm into his
She had on her bonnet and wraps. and
he knew what her action meant. With
out waiting to- be asked she had ar
ranged to give him the pleasure OF ac-
compnnying her home. lie saw that he
was trapped. lie had feared that she
would play the spelling school game ON
him again by waiting for him. and he
had intended To defeat her by leaxing
early. but she had Rot the better ~ him
There was nothing for u but that he
must submit Go fate aud the ingenuity
of Sallie Perkins. lie was too much OF
a gentleman Go be rude even under
great provocatlon.
That night Sallle had recourse TO her
little arts of lovcmsking. az before, but
Turner was insenslble 10 II all. she
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-10

She was not pretty--neither was she re-
hned - but she was human. and she
loved Turner was the object upon
which she fixed her affections.
tnhappily for Sallie. Turner's affec-
tons were fixed in another direction.
He had a sweetheart back In the city
where his home was. So Sallie's love
was hopeless. but she did not know It..
One night there was a spelling school
at the schoolhouse. Turner was there,
and so was Sallie. She came with her
father.
When the spelling school was over,
Turner remained until the people were
all gone. Then he came out and was
surprised to find Sallie standing at the
door alone.
What are you waiting for, salIie?'
he asked
She hung her head and answered de-
murcly:
81 am afraid to go home alone"
why, didn't your father come with
you?"
"Yes. sir"
Isn't he going back with your"
No. sir. He's already gone"
Gone and left your"
Yes, sir
That's curious. How did he expect
you To get homer"
II don't know. Maybe he thought I'd
have company"
'Humph! IL seems to me he should
have assured himself Of that before he
went away and left YOU
Il reckon he ought. but he didn't"
She might have told Turner that she
had informed her father that he need
not wait for her, as she would have a
beau home.
II don't know what in the world I
am TO dol" she said In tone of sad
distress. 81 am afraid 10 go all that
way by myself
Perhaps II should call as loud as
can could make your father hear"
"Oh. no. you coulGnt! He's too far
away" yhe replied hastily.
"Humph, Let's see, Yuu will have TO
stay all night with some OF the neigh
bors There's Smiths right down here." I"
"Oh. couldn't think Of doing that
How far is.it Ia your house?"
Two miles"
Turner was silent for little while.
Then he said:
1T won't DO for you 10 go home alone
! shall have TO GO with YOU"
Her heart gave great, joyful bound,
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-10
THE BEAR AND
THE YOUNG TRUANT.

"A lovely day FOR fishin!"
joey slung his books regretfully from
one shoulder TO the other and wished
his mother were not so very particular
about school. How ugly looked the bare
brick schoolhouse just square or two
beyond in the village. His heart sank
within him as he thought of the long
rows of spelling and sums he would
have to go through before he would he
released for the day.
Up on the mountains the early leaves
OF the oaks and the hickories and the
naples were tintine the lower levels
with tender green. while above them
the hemlock and the pine branches
wove darker bands of color. The air
was crisp and exhilarating. and the sun
shone with alluring brightness. For a
healthy little country hoy the tempta-
tion to cut school was a strong one
Still. joey might have risen superior to
temptation had not Dannie Powers
come along at the next corner. carrying
a basket of bait and tackle. some lunch
con and a fishing rod. Dannie was
good deal older than Joey. at least Is.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-10

have To engage COMMODORE fEHsil.
the enemy To leeward. SIR" said tha;
officer. II don't care. tn Wlndward OF
leeward.' Perry exclaimed ysI emently
They shall fight today"
Perry's flagship plunged into Ihf
thickest Of the enemy's line and rc'
ceived more than its share OF blows
1t soon became wreck. With Ills shif
out Of the iaht for good Perry starte
out in a rowboat To reach the Etanchesf
of her consorts. the Niagara. A wei.
aimed British shot pierced the row
boat. With his coat Perry plugged tbs
leak and soon reached the Niaesra
where he hoisted the Lawrence rictto
which ne had carried along. SgnaiInf
again for close cction. the gallant saiioy
ran the Niagara across tlie bow and,
stern of two Britishers. raking thani
fore and aft with broadsides. Two other
vessels were served the same way by
the Niagara, rhe other American ching
initiating the flagship. All the Britg~.s
flags came down Then Perry scribblee
upon the back OF an old letter tho "a
nous dispatch I'VE have met the en.
emy. and they are ours" This wes ear
red by hands OF couriers to tho ann,
commander at Detroit.
GEORGE L. KILMER.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-10
FOURTEEN THOUSAND
HOMELESS BIRDS.

The very first suggestion of armed
conflict with Spain wiped out of exist
ence an American settlement of 1900
inhabitants. The settlement was on
Great Gull island. To scientists one Of
the most interesting spots in America
The settlers were about 1000 pairs of
sea gulls. Great Gull is one of a small
group found at the eastern end Of Long
Island. It's whole area does not exceed
IL acres At the widest part II does not
exceed 800 feet, the width of about IL
three-quarters Of a mile long. From
the beach rises a perpendicular wall Of
rock 10 or Is feet high. On this low
cliff the guIls were accustomed TO gath
err and build their nests: every spring
thousands of tiny birds were hatched
and taught to fly.
The island was seldom visited by any
one. Scientists knew OF 1t. and just
before misfortune fell upon the Great
Gull island settlement couple OF
learned men had arranged to go out to
the island for few weeks In order TO
study the birds habits About a year
ago the United States government.
warned by the unfriendly spirit dis
played toward it by foreign powers.
island. as IL would command an ex-
cellent position in case foreign fleets
came prowling along the northeastern
shore. Workmen invaded the Island in
the spring. number OF buildings were
put up for them to live in while the
work of erecting the fort went on. The
fortifications were 80 be put upon the
east end of the island. and all the sea
gulls that had been nesting there for
years were driven from their homes
Certain of the workTnen found the
gulls' eggs palatable and devoured ~
many as a dozen in day. The sailors
from vessels that touched st the wharf
also gathered the eggs, SO that the
nests of the $4,000 birds were thoroughly
rihed. The birds. unused to cruelty
were so tame that they did not fly away
on the approach OF the workmen, so
many were killed and captured. The
present spring a few OF the guIls have
returned to the island. but as the Unit
ed States now has another smaller for
tifieation to occupy the western end of
the island there Is no room for the
birds. Soldiers have taken the place of
the peaceful citizens in gray who once
waged war upon the schools of mack
ereI cod and bluefish. the finny armies
Of the great deep.
CLARA l.. WARE.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-10

These are composed Of half cupful
OF grated chocolate. half cupful OF
treacle a half cupful Of coffee sug-
ar half o,ipful OF milk. piece of
tutter the size of pigeons egg. hall.
a tablespoonful Of Glycerin Put al
these ingredients except the chocolate
into a bright kettle to boil fast. When
nearly done, the chocolate may be add
ed To know II 1t is done test il by
dropping little OF the mixture into
cold water. IL done. IL will form into a
ball when it comes in contact with the
water
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-10

| appealed to his affections. She pratt
tied away vivaciously She sighed and
grew sad He seemed almost uncon-
scious of her presence. AT last, as a
| final resort, she burst into tears. That
disturbed IL 1t did not touch him. He
stopped
What are you crying about?" he
asked.
Tim so miserable and unhap-hap-
py." she answered between sobs.
What about?"
"Oh, don't ask me, for I'd blush to
could see."
II don't sec anyhow"
"Oh," she cried. .you are so hard
hearted. You make me SO miserable
when you could make ne the happiest
girl on earth"
II don't know what have done TO
make you miserable" he said. 'or how
it is in my power to make you happy"
You do know. too" she replied. ''or
at least you would know If you ever
loved somebody who didn't love you."
Turner walked a little way in silence.
Then he said gravely,
Miss Perkins. understand you now.
and I am sorry you have honored me
with your affections. do not and new
er can return them"
Then you spurn my iove!" she cried
through her tears.
mo. but cannot return IT,"
"Oh, dear! And everybody thinks
we are going to marry! I don't know
how / can ever look people in the face
after this"
1T is not my fault II people think
we are going 10 marry. l have not
given them any reason for thinking so."
But you have, though"
How"
"By your attentions to me-"
MY attentions to youl have not
shown you any attentions"
"Oh, how can you say that after GO
ing home with me from the spelling
school and after the way you treated
me tonight?"
Turner left Sallie at her fathers and
returned home. vowing that he would
never be caught by her again. How
well he would have kept that promise
will never be known.
The next day Sallie was not at school,
Turner hoped she would never come
again and that he had seen the last Of
her.
Along about the middle OF the fore
noon. however. old man Perkins entered
the schoolhouse. He was a great, broad
portly foot man, with a pair of cold
gray eyes hidden under massive black
brows. AS he staIked into the school
room there was heavy frown on his
face and determined expression I'm his
eyes that portended evil for somebody.
and that somebody was no other than
John Turner.
MIR. Turner" he said lest let up
on Yer -t-aeiiir an listen t0 me"
"All right. Mr.. Perkins" Turner re-
piled. What have you 10 say?"
I've got right smart 20 say. mebby.
but first I want TO AK ye far an squar
II We intend to marry my gal7"
II do not"
why hain't yc?"
Because u doesn't suit me-"
"Ah, II don't suit ye. eh7"
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-10

| What. play hockey" demanded joey
in Mortified tones. He had never play.
ed truant. and unlike Dannie his con-
science was not hardened by expert
| ence.
"oh. what's the odds?" persuaded
Dan.
| "Oh, I'd be ashamed" protested Joey
who nevertheless foolishly listened t.
the seductive voice OF the tempter in.
stead of fleeing from temptation a,
| once.
said Dannie. changing his tactics. Il
don't think your mother really minds
so much, ony she pertends that she
don't want you TO miss school. IL she
knowed you was safe with some feller
thatd look after you keerful an learnin
to catch fish, maybe a bushel OF trout
for her supper, she wouldn't mind at
ALL"
Well. Of course. IL she did think
that maybe--oh say. Just hate school,
and we have the worst fraction prob
lens today"
Come along. I'll speak to your moth
er IL there's any trouble promised
Dannie in large and responsible way.
Joey knew that his mother had a very
poor opinion of Dannie and that any
thing coming from him would have lit
tie weight in tightening punishment,
but he was just as anxious TO be per-
suaded as his companion was to per-
suade him.
They hid Joey's books in a hollow tree.
and together they started for the noun
tains.
You kin jist carry these things. for
! have to lead the way" Dannie observ-
ed in an offhsnd tone as he turned the
bait. luncheon and other things over to
Joey. II was quite a long walk TO the
trout stream where Dannie said the
best fish were TO be found.
I'm perticler about the quality" he
explained. because I'm goin to sell
them 90 the hotel, an if please them
in this lot they'll be good customers an
pay we'll"
The boys were hungry when they
reached the brook and sat down to try
oOiht VI tiic iuhtitOu. itduiiit iiOtneT
had supplied him generously. and he had
plenty for both. There were great slices
of bread and butter, with delicious cold
ham, little pot of raspberry jelly.
some cheese and gingerbread. They left
the little basket containing the food
under a tree when they sat down to
fish. Dannie was perched on a rock a
good deal higher up the stream than
Joey. the older boy having provided the
truant with an improvised ROD made
from a long hickory sapling. some twine
and spare hook.
They had been sitting watching the
water for half an hour when Joey heard
rustling in the bushes behind him.
Looking up, he saw Dannie slipping
down from his rock and darting away
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-10
A STARTLING INTERRUPTION.

this bread and milk you will be in time
for the afternoon session"
Joey was in time for school. Just as
the bell rang for them to go inside the
children noticed a queer procession COM
ing down the street.
why. It's the Grahams and their
hired man. and they are leading their
tame bear!" cried little boy who lived
next to the Grahams.
Down the road came three men look
ing very tired and cross and dusty and
leading a very meek looking brown
bear.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-10

John Turner thought II piece OF
great good fortune when he was chosen
to teach the Possum Ridge public
school. 1t was the beginning OF his
career as a pedagogue. and he had gone
through the experience OF most young
teachers He had made innumerable
applications. but had been rejected be-
cause Of his lack OF experience.
Under the circumstances Ii was quite
natural for him to feel elated over his
success in securing a contract with the
Possum Ridge school board. IL was n
humble beginning that would lead to
glorious results.
But he did not know that his pathway
was lined with pitfalls into which he
would walk blindly.
The board took occasion to caution
Turner in the beginning To be careful
not to introduce any new methods into
the school or any new ideas into the
minds of his pupils. They instructed
him to fight shy of new things alto
gether
The last teacher we hired" a MEM
Der Of the board remarked, put his foot
in II by trying to do too much. He
wasn't satisfied to let the school run
along as il had been running for 30
years. He had to start something new"
What did he do?" Turner asked.
HE put the children to studying
grammar. lie did for fact."
did that cause trouble?"
We'll should say so. Do you sup
pose we want TO pay out money 10 a
schoolteacher and have him fool away
his time like that?"
Grammar is a very useful study"
Turner ventured to suggest.
1T may be. but we don't have any
need OF IL. So long as we are able to
tell what we know and ask for what we
want we are all right. My advice to
you Is to steer clear of grammar. Stick
20 reading. writing and ciphering and
make good use of the hickory. That's
the only safe way"
'I1 do Il. Not a new thing of any
kind shall enter the school"
Unfortunately 1t transpired that new
things were not the only things that
were dangerous. There Is a thing as
old as the human race which. while
from time immemorial u has created
the sweetest OF all happiness. has ever
been source OF sorrow and trouble TO
mankind That thing is love.
Among Turner's pupils was n grown
UP girl. Her name was sallie Perkins.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-10

When they reached the schoolhouse
the teacher asked the men what had
happened TO the bear.
"Oh, IL ran away this morning into
the mountains TO hunt honey! We
thought we had lost him. but found him
having splendid time up by a brook
eating a luncheon of gingerbread that
some fishers must have left. They were
little boys. for two straw hats were
lying near the basket. We are obliged
to them for leaving the gingerbread,
for bruin was so busy gobbling il that
he never heard us coming up to catch
him. Bite? No. He is mischievous.
but tame as a kitten"
But joey was so mortified to think
that he had been frightened by the
Grahams tame bear that had been
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-10

NO. SIR
But it suited We well enough TO make
love TO her an win her affections. eh?'
II never made love to her.
'Ye didn't walk home with her from
the spellin school, ! reckon?"
Il did, but how could l avoid it under
the circumstances"
'Ye didn't set up to her over at the
dance last night like sick kitten to a
hot brick, eh?''
II did only what was forced to do
"Ye made love to her an won her
heart, an now IL We don't marry her
she'll pine away to a shadder. Young
man, / love my gal too well to let any
spindle shanked chap ruin her life an
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-10

I'll give ye a cow an a feather bed TO
start to housekeepin on. What ye say
To that?"
Mr.. Perkins, i cannot under any cir
cumstances marry your daughter"
"Well. I'm sorry ye see II In shat
light. hate TO have to deal rough
with ye. but I reckon got 1t to do.
Ye got to marry my gal. an IL ye can't
be persuaded or hired into 1t I'll have
to try force"
What are you going to do?" Turner
questioned uneasily
Coin to lick the very hide off OF ye.'
Perkins replied. Look out fer me
now, fer I'm a-comin right at ye! Who
o-pe-e,"
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-10

How dare you try to rob my orchard.
you young villain?'' cried the indignant
farmer to the small boy he caught in his
apple tree.
Please, SIR. wasn't goin tc rob It al
all. only wanted to put this apple back
on the tree FOR YOU"
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-10

cause her to srieve herself into the
grave. Ye must marry her"
II can't do H."
"Ycs. but ye kin. See here now I'm
willin 60 do this thing up friendly like.
en- II yen marry Sal without any fuss
or rumpus Ill make IL to yer intrust.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-10

On Sept. 10. 1917. Commodore Pesr1
wiped out the British feet on I>ake
Eric. The fleet had the best Of the
Americans In guns, so Perry balanced
the odds by running In close to the
British vessels. And then ne was full
OF battle fervor that dcy. After q
speech to the crew or his flagship. ths
Lawrence. named after the hero of ths
Chesapeake fsht. he urfurled before
them blue nag hearing the dying
words OF Lawrence. Don't give up the
ship!''
"Shan hoist this?" said Perry. Afte'
the response. AYE. aye, sir:" had come