davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-03

questions. 1 only learned too late that
all she cared for was money. The town
was always stirring with soldiers COM
ing and going, full of noise and in
solent ways. / kept my Teresita at
home by day and only allowed her to
go out of an evening with me. We went
often to the Church of the Conception
for the evening services. One day
when / was not feeling well j let her
go with old Sonora Antonia. The old
woman professedaa a great friendship for
my child and was always petting and
cajoing her. / do not know why
was so foolish as to trust her, but after
the anguish and WEAKNESS we had suf-
fered / was glad to lean little upon
this friendship, the only one offered me.
Teresita returned from the church ex-
cited and dstraught.
"Mamaita." she exclaimed, II have
seen him."
Him? Who?"
THAT man, that devil, the captain
who drove us from our home" My
heart seemed to stand still in my
bosom.
"Are you sure?" I questioned
ooh, yes. Sure / felt his bold, bad
eyes upon me as we were passing
through the door, and i ran, ran, all
the way home"
You will stay at home night and
day." I declared. l could not sleep at
all that night A thousand apprehen-
sions tormented me.
Very early the next morning I went
down TO the market to get some green's
to make a caldo verde. AS entered
beheld man fan off talking with wo-
~
money which passed between them. The
woman was our hostess, Sonora Anto-
MIA the man was the big captain. Sick
ened, almost staggering. crept home
to my child and clasping her to me
wept over her. We spent the day de-
vising plans of fight. but none was
feasible Several times we heard Sonora
Antonia rap at the door. but we made
no reply, and she went away. Late In
the evening she came again.
open, dear senora" she said coax
ingly. 'T have here beautiful caldito
for the child"
Hunger is a great compeller. My
child was exhausted with agitation and
want Of food. and so was 1. l crept to
the door and opened IL n crack In
stantly IL was pushed wide. and two
soldiers roughly entered. One of them
seized me, clapped a hand over my
mouth to smother my screams. while
the other dragged my chilss' hastily
away. I cannot remember clearly what
followed. / struggled. 1 bit, / tore at
my forrncntor. but he overcame me.
bound and gagged me and. leaving me
prone. quilted the room. locking the
door behind him. My bonds were not
severe, and after a time loosened
them sufficiently TO crawl to the door
and beat upon IL with my hands. call
ing insensateiy upon my child. upon
Sonora Antonia and upon the divine
Mother of Sorrows. whom implored to
succor me.
1 must have sunk down at last sense
less. for the next I knew | was lying
upon my bed and Sonora AntonIa was
pouring food down my throat. ! used
my first consciousness to curse her and
TO drive her from me. All day lay up
on that couch. exhausted and benumb-
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-03

heard a raucous noise, by which we
| OWNED that he might have fallen
| asleep. Furthermore, the night had
fallen, and IL had grown very dark.
There was a window in our room
which looked upon q little back patio
by the stables. Here ali was quiet.
Moving with the footballs of cats, we
took the sheets from the bed. knotted
them together and secured one end to
ring In the window jamb used for an
awning
Teresta slipped out first and slid
down. Then climbed out. know not
how. and followed her. At another time
such feat as this would have appealed
TO me as the act of a mad woman. but
when one carries ones life In ones
hand the impossible becomes the pos
sible, the extravagant rational
Up at the back of the plantation there
was a grove, the edge, in fact, of little
forest which covered the top OF the
ridge. We gained this and when we
found ourselves among the tree trunks
dared to breathe once more. There was
an obscure little path over the ridge
into the valley beyond. and. striking
this presently. we travelled IL all night.
Daybreak found US on the farther
edge. footsore. exhausted-for women in
Cuba are no walkers-but with hearts
full OF thankfulness for our comparative
safety. Below us we could see occa-
sional houses and the dusty trail of a
road winding amid the verdure. A sud-
den illumination came to me.
1--WE will go TO San Niceto. my dar-
ling" said. "Your father has an old
uncle there, tobacconist. He will sue
cor u.s."
Teresita was softly crying.
We ate some bananas which were
growing wild in that place. and then
we lay down among the trees to sleep.
Sleep greatly refreshed us. and I'm the
evening we started once more. Quickly
striking the road, we travelled IL all
night. in the morning coming TO the
chosa OF n poor mulatto woman, who
compassionated us and fed us.
Then we went down into San Niceto.
The town was full OF soldiers, which
much disquieted me, but need not
have been alarmed, for we were both so
worn. SO dirty and so tattered that few
would have looked at us twice.
We were taken before the authori-
ties and required TO give an account Of
ourselves. i dared not tell my true
story. but represented myself as a
widow living beyond the hills who had
come to the town to visit an uncle, and
they let us go. But fresh disappoint-
ment awaited us. when we hunted up
my husbands unc.r, the tobacconist,
We found ne was dead. Sonora Antonia,
the old woman with whom he had lodg-
ed. told us that he had been carried of
a short time before very suddenly by a
pulmonia. She was a very talkative,
wheediing. sympathetic old soul and
presently offered TO us the lodging
which our uncle had so recently vacat-
ed. AS We knew not where TO go we
took H.
! tried 10 obtain work. but there was
little TO be had. I had a few poor little
rings. which I sold for a trne. and We
managed TO exist. Sonora Antonia was
very sociable--too sociable indeed-for
she dropped In frequently for chat
and was never weary OF asking us
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-03
popeter.''

gers Of the land, no brutes masquerad.
ing in the shape of men and making a
mockery of law and justice?
AS for me, do not know how have
survived these experiences, yet my
story is but one OF a thousand. One
idea, one only. animates me now and
keeps me alive. must get my inno-
cents soul out of purgatory. for she
was innocent. though her hands were
stained with blood and her heart burn-
ed with the black passion of revenge.
God does not write the names of all
sinners alike.
1 stay all day In the churches pray.
ing, except at little whiles when wan.
der through the streets begging here
and there for aims. Hark! There Is
the bell again. 1t calls to prayer. Kind
stranger, merciful stranger, peseta, q
real, even a cuarto. to help pay for q
mass for the soul of my beloved child!
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-03
FIFTY CLOvERLEAF'S
MEMORIAL DAY.
How a War Song Brought Her a
New Home and Loving Friends.

From the first day that little, fiaxen
haired, blue eyed Kitty came into the
house on Pine street Aunt Ellen felt
that note of ciscord had been intro
duced into the household, for Kitty did
no. like to get up carly winter morn
ings. and when she went on errands she
did not scour along as Aunt Ellen said
she used to do when a child. Instead
Kitty dawdlsd insufferably, making
friends with all the area cats and hold
Ing foolish conversations with the
horses or the street dogs. She could not
wash dishes thoroughly or scour the
knives or sweep or dust or make the
beds or carry the coal or do any OF
ahose things which Aunt Ellen claimed
abe had mastered at a marvelously ear
iy age. Often the dishes were broken,
and the lettuce beds or the radish
patches where the little girl was set to
wedding were watered with her tears.
Aunt Ellen never permitted herself to
relent In hor stern duty Of bringing up
the child sensibly." even when gruff
Uncle Hezekiah ventured to suggest
that she was kinder hard on the kid"
Before Aunt Ellen took charge Of Kit
ty her home had been with Grandfather
Cloverleaf. He had had q very modest
income, and the old man and the little
girl kept house together In tiny cot
tage In q little village far away from
the town where Aunt Ellen's sturdy
husband and sons toiled In the great
manufactories. Grandfather Cloverleaf
had the rent from very good farm
and a monthly pension from the gov
ernment, for he had been soldier and
had fought braveIy for his country all
through the Mexican and civil wars. 1t
was this that gave Grandfather Clover
leaf his knowledge of housekeeping. or
at least SO he used to say.
One morning Kitty came running in
from school She was 10 years old now
and quite used to Aunt Ellen and her
ways. So she was especially careful
about her tasks. and after the few
dishes for their luncheon had been put
away she said:
"Aunt Ellen, the teacher says we are
Srxed 10 go to the cemetery on Me-
ssclial day to sing at the soldiers
avcs. May / go? Grandfather Clo-
leaf was soldier. you know"
ow. whatever Aunt ElIen's family
o.:c, that Aunt Ellen felt COM
rc TO subscribe to. and she was fond
.a.ing that Father Cloverleaf had
&sht straight through the war and
t.at his had seen more battles than
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-03

loved and lost one. he was determined
10 in a measure repay that debt. He
called. not upon Aunt Ellen. but. as
seemed more fitting to the general. upon
Uncle Hezekinh. who for once. poor
man. had his way in sslte of his wife.
Kitty was legally adopted by the kind.
gray haired general and went TO live
with him and his lovely wife in beau
tiful home. where she studied music and
practiced instead Of running crrands and
washing dishes Both were work, to be
sure, but one was work which Kitty
hated, and the other was work which
she loved. Thus to Kitty Cloverleaf
Memorial day will always be memo
rable date i'm the calendar of the year.
ANTOINETTE SHERMAN WOOD.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-03

ward our house. My husband went out
with extended hands to greet them. He
was met by line of lifted rifle muzzles.
DO not shoot!" he cried out. II am a
pacifico!" The only answer was a
cracking volley. Without cry he fell
forward upon his face.
The next moments are in my mind a
hideous confusion Moved with the in
stinct for concealment--fiight was now
impossible hurried my children into
small rear chamber and locked the
door. There we covered. trembling, not
knowing what would next befall. We
could hear the footsteps of the troopers
and their coarse speech as they ran
sacked the place. A pounding came up
on the door and a cry OF "Oper," Then,
as we did not stir. the lock was burst
In, and the captain, with several men,
Jumped into the apartment
"Hola!" he shouted grimly. Some
more rebels! Give them their medicine
too"
i had shrunk into the farthest corner.
but as / saw the fash OF bayonets over
my little boys heads / sprang forward
screaming:
God in heavenl Would you slay my
innocent children?"
The captain faced me with a brutal
laugh. He was a big, dark man--hand-
some. yes. but with the very smile OF
the evil one. May God send him where
he deserves TO goi He was about to ad-
dress me insultingly when he caught
sight OF Teresita covering behind me.
"Valgame dios What is this? Bring
that creature out to the light. She is a
veritable houri Let her alone. She is
for me- AS for the old one He shrug-
ged his shoulders But Teresita sprang
suddenly and clasped me about the
neck.
III you kill msmaita, you will have to
kill rne firstl''
'Oh. well. never mind" he retorted
with a villainous laugh, "let them be.
TEMPO hay-there Is plenty OF time.
Just now am perishing OF hunger See
what there Is TO be found to eat i'm this
miserable hole. Make haste, make
haste. lest I devour you"
They, left us for a brief while. but
posted n sentry outside. We could hear
his measured pacing TO and fro. For a
time terror deprived me OF all power Of
thought. but az the moments passed a
ray OF hope sprang up within me. We
could hear the shouts OF the men I'm
the comedor and knew they were cat
Ing and carousing. The pacing OF the
sentry had ceased. and instead We
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-03
Youthful Goodness.

visitor--Do you attend school. Fred
die?
Freddie-Yes, ma'am.
Visitor-And Sunday school also?
Freddie--Oh, yes, every Sunday!
visitor-Why, Freddie, what a good
little boy you are!
Freddie-well, you see It's bargain
/ made with ma. She let's me off from
studying in day school on condition
that take in Sunday school every week,
so she can say, "If Freddie isn't studi-
Gus. he's awfukpious."
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-03

General Bartolome Maso. the presi.
dent of the Cuban republic, is at once
an interesting and an inspiring figure.
After spending fortune and great
portion of his life in behalf OF his counr
try he had settled down again in affiu-
ence on inherited estates near Manza-
milo, where he hoped to spend the de-
clining years of his life I'm peace. Though
just completing his allotted threescore
and ten years, ne was one of the first to
throw up everything and accept tho
hardships OF the terrible campaign
against Spanish tyranny.
His prestige Is unbounded, and among
Cubans he is known as honest" Maso.
Before going to the field he withdrew
all his invested capital and, having paid
his debts and one years tax In advance,
burned the estate he might have quietly
sold and devoted his remaining fortune
to the cause.
Born Of wealthy parents. he was rear-
ed In luxury. At an early age his fami-
ly went to Paris, where he was educat-
ed, and after spending some time In
London they returned to Cuba, Where
the son was to play an important role.
His intellect even now Is remarkably
bright and he has a knowledge OF his.
tory, ancient and modern, that few can
equal. A great reader, he receives Eng
lish, French and Spanish periodicals
and newspapers regularly by small
boat that frequently runs the blockade
and passes to and from Jamaica.
The other members Of the Cuban gov
eminent were all men OF note before
the war. and the positions abdicated by
many speak volumes for their patriot-
ism when affecting more sordid inter-
ests. The life In this curious military
civil administration Is by no means q
bed OF roses and in the first two yearA
of the war was extremely dangerous
Spanish columns were hunting them
early and late and giving~no quarter.
but now fort after fort has fallen TX.
eastern Cuba until the Cubans domi.
nate the whole interior.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-03

ed. slept much, too, for my lacerated
spirit seemed wrenched to a point where
a sort of coma supervenes. seemed
to feel nothing accutely, but only hoped
i might soon die.
Later arose and ate a little food, for
began to reflect that must rouse my
self to go and find my child. although
where / knew not. Somehow a little
fresh courage came to me, and lay
down more easily to sleep. In the night
was reused by some one pushing open
the door and rushing into the apart
ment. The moon, which was streaming
in through the window, revealed the
figure of my child.
''Teresita mia!" / exclaimed. crazy
with joy, and flung myself upon her,
but she pushed me frantically away.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-03
C 81 MA
* LAS f'1N1lhhAS%|
|A AcUBAh EPISODE ~
JULIA P. DA'BhEY,
- - 7bss fS SS1y5yk vs.
EOPYRIGHT. I898.sSBYt JULIA p DABNEY. /

Harlx! DO you hear that bell? 1t is
las animas, the bell of souls. Every
evening IL rings that the faithful may
remember the souls In purgatory and
pray for their release. AS for me. how
should ever forget? You see this
white hair. these worn lineaments?
They have not been blanched and chis-
cled by age, for am not yet old. They
arc the hieroglyphs of terror, an ago.
NY too profound for words. Yet listen.
will try to tell you.
A little time ago--was II weeks or
years - ah. dear God. i forget, for
time Is not measured by the calendar.
but by the throes of our bleeding hearts
"a little time ago was a happy wife
and mother. We lived near Aguasdul-
ces.
We had q little hnca, and we were
the parents OF three children, two fine
boys and a giri-my darling. beautiful.
i5-ycar-old Teresita. We watched her
grow and unfold like an exquisite fiow-
or, and our hearts werc full of JOY and
pride In her. Yes, we were very happy.
Then came this lamentable rebellion.
Ny husband used to shake his head as
he sat OF an evening smoking in the
veranda and say. Never will raise
my hand against the king"
We heard the echo OF the clash Of
arms from afar. We knew Of planta-
tions devastated and villages laid
waste. but we had little fear in our
neutral belt.
One day some Of the negroes came
running excitedIy up. crying out that a
detachment OF troops had suddenly APP
pearcd before the ingenio OF Don Full
fcncio Casilda and were attacking II.
Later the mayoral OF the estate. fol-
lowed by several negroes, appeared at
r'ir door. They were crazy with fright.
0''ef said the troops had murdered the
M and rcnsackcd the place. They
effroyed everything they could
mis- upon and were now setting
~ fields and buildings.
sband gave them food. but he
them TO 1y farther up the
eir presence on our premises
ng us into danger. and they
panic or terror was upon me-
ed my husband TO take our
and ny to the forests. but he
am no criminal. have never lift
a - much az my tongue In sedition.
Wherefore should fcar7" he declared.
Yet .hc event bore out my apprehen-
Hionf Ao,ut dori. small party Of cav
M appeared coming up the road to-
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-03
"Angel mia" I faltered.

angel mia!" / faltered.
II have killed him." she said, still In
that same unnatural voice. He was a
demon from hell. and j have killed him.
God be thanked"
Then / perceived that her hands and
her garments were dripping with fresh
blood. Involuntarily recoiled, but she
seemed not to care. Desperation had
hardened her and changed her nature.
Let me Sleep" she continued. II
must sleep. perish from fatigue"
She flung herself upon the bed whence
had just risen and, strange to say.
sank at once into a heavy sumber.
while / stood in the petrifaction of
despair and watched her.
All, well! There is little more to re-
late. or course they came and appre-
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-03

A little tot was playing with ther-
mometer in room In which her mother
was busily engaged with her work. The
little one. picking up another thermom-
eter that did not look exactly like the
one which she held in her hand, said:
Mamma, think this must be ther.
popeter"
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-03

"Do not touch mel" she gasped in
hoarse. strange tones. do not touch
met
drew back In CONSERVATION and con-
templated her.
Her eyes were bloodshot and staring.
her visage pale and fixed into such an
expression OF hidcous and ferocious hor-
ror as surely no girls countensnce ever
wore before. thought her mad.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-03

anxiety in the struggle because her
best uncle" Lieutenant Francis sivi-
ter. is at the front with the Twelfth
United States infantry after having
spent two years of inglorious inactivity
at western Indian post. While Franc IS
hopes that her Uncle Frank will get a
chance to do her credit as fighter. she
is also hopeful that the enemy will be
stricken with strabismus or some other
aim damaging affiiction while the gal
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-03

hended her at once. There was no trial.
Indeed none waS needed. for she did
not deny her guilt. They did not even
give her time for striving. but took
her at once TO the plaza. stripped her
and hanged her to the irons of lamp.
"She must be made an example off,
the comandante declared. All. my God.
are there no others OF whom an exam
pie should be made. no pitiless scour-
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-03

There are several varieties Of fish
that cannot swim. In every instance
they are deep sea dwellers and crawl
about the rocks. using their tails and
fms as legs.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-03

visitor-Do you attend school. Fred
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-28
Conditions Somewhat Mixed at Washington on Ac-
count Of SPANS Bid For Peace president Engaged
in Formulating the Terms on Which He Will Consent
to End Hosti|ies- will Be Submitted to the Cabinet
Spaniards at Guantanamo Surrender They Were
in Pitiab|e Plight and Starving

Washington, July 2S.-Conditions here
are somewhat mixed. The army and
navy departments continue their prep
arations for carrying on the war in the
enemy's country with even more vigor
than heretofore. while the president
and Secretary Day are engaged in pre-
pairing a foundation upon which peace
negotiations may be carried on. That
is, they are engaged In preparing a
statement of the terms on which this
country will consent to end the war.
What these terms will be when finally
put in shape and assented to by the
cabinet many can guess but none knows
definitely.
Despite this talk of peace there is in
tense interest in the Porto Rican invas-
ion and many inquiries were made to-
day for news from Gen. Miles. None
had come, however, or at least that
was the statement made at the war de-
partment. At the same time Ii was
intimated that Miles. having got his
force safely ashore, would not lose any
time in pushing forward toward Ponce,
and news that he had taken the place
might, 1t was said, be received at any
moment.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-28
HAS NOT ACTED
IN BAD FAITH

IL can be stated on the authority Of
the State Department and the Foreign
Embassies here that there are no over
lures in behalf of Spain for peace or a
cessation of hostilities until the French
Ambassador last Tuesday afternoon
presented his note to the President.
This statement is made with full
knowledge OF European denials and
must be accepted as that OF the govern
ment of the United States. Therefore
all of the talk about bad faith shown
by our government I'm pressing the
Porto Rican campaign during the last
few days is without foundation and our
government has done nothing that can
subject IL to criticism on this score.
Persons qualified TO speak for Spain in
this country make the same statement.
The alleged charges of bad faith at
tributed TO Premier Sagasta are dis
credited as inventions designed to pref
udice the successful progress of the
present peace movement. 1t could not
be contemplated for a moment that any
mere personal exchange OF views be-
tween persons In Europe could be con-
strued as an overture for peace and IL
can be again affirmed that the United
States government has not been a
party to IL. Moreover, so far as AM
bassador Canbon is concerned it can
be stated positively that he made no
overture. direct or indirect, relating TO
peace or 10 any phase OF peace. prior
TO 3 o'clock last Tuesday afternoon.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-28

garded as any warrant for stopping
the war.
|. The military authorities as we'll as
the specific regulations of the United
States, hold that there Is no suspension
or hostilities prior to the agreement tc
suspend military operations. EveIt
then the agreement is binding on mill
itary commanders only from the time
they receiIas actual notice of 1t. In the
meantime military commanders have
the right to push forward and hold
such territory as they occupy. The
need for limiting this cessition Of hos
tilities Is obvious for until a signed
agreement is made there is no knowl
edge Of the extent OF the armistice.
In the present case an armistice
might include or exclude the Philip
pines or Porto Rico ns the two parties
might agree. but until they agree there
will be no obligation to abate military
operations in any field. After the sign
ing of the armistice preliminary to
peace, status quo Is established, and
all military operations come to a halt
at the points destinated and Mt points
not destinated, the military operations
proceed.