davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-11-15
Social Chat.
EDTTED BY AUNT JENNIE, RALEIGH, N. c.

Here Is a column for everyhody-ladies, GEN.
tIemen, boys, girls, fathers and mothers.
everybody is invited to write on subjects of in
teresG TO them. Never mind If you are not
PerIeGG as q writer, give US your houghts and
they are published.
TIE PROGRESSIVE FARMER Is a paperf for every
member or the family and young and old alike
are its patrons and its friends. We hope to
unite these thousands of our friends I'm q BOND
OF friendship that will be q help and an inspira-
tlon to each one of u.s." The friendship OF each
OF our readers. the confidence of the old North
states sturdy sons, and the trust of each of her
daughters, Is what this paper aims to win ''by
helping each one Of them to do more. to be more
ana to enjoy more in this beautiful world" We
nope this spirit Will animate each letter, and
breathe through every page. Address letters to
Aunt Jennie" care of TRR PROGRESSIVE FAR
MsR. Raleigh, N. @.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-11-15
WINNIE DAVIS WILL.

The will of Miss Winnie Davis,
which has just been admitted to pro
bate In New Orleans, is a rue index to
her character:
II give and b, queath to my beloved
mother, Varina Howell JEFFERSON
Davis, everything I have, both real
and personal property, and any returns
mat may come from my literary
work, any STOCKS. bonds or monies OF
which / die possessed
Il beg her to give a remembrance
out OF my jeWelry to my dear cousin,
Anna Smith, and to my dear, dear old
nurse. Mary Ahern.
MY dear mother is to judge what
che would like to give to my dear sis
ter, Margaret Hayes, and her children,
to remember me. / know she will do
what I wish done"
How eloquent are these requests in
their simplicity, their pathetic tender
ness and perfect confidence! Miss
Winnie had devoted the best years OF
her life to the care and support or her
aged mother, and when eat called
her away she did what b could, leaV
ing to her all that she had, and In max
ing her last will and testament q token
of her affection and her childlike trust.
All the noble tributes that have been
paid to her by Rdmiring friends, all
the manuscripts and books which
have been written by her and left be-
hind have not revealed the nobility Of
her character as has this simple will.
Richmond Times.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-11-15
lone Circle.
r. for THE PGREssTvR FARNBR.1
&c SUGGESTED BY READING
"rgE S"TAR-SPANGLED
BANNER"

cav, does the star-epangled banner YET
y. TsT land of the free and the home CT the
brave.
the star spangled banner still
waves on the breeze
III its folds are unfurled as it rides
DER the seas;
"a some brave hearts, tits true, look
upward and see
"a star spangled banner, the banner
for the free;
! hireling should haunt it on sea or
on land;
, gold bought craven its protection
should claim,
Iva freedoms a by.Word and protec
ton a game
came at which gamblers and shy
locks can play,
nile the life blood of the nation ie
eb0ing away.
|. the South that is shackled, and
cotton the king,
bat rides on a mortgage right into the
ring"
Tbere the futures" are sold and the
sellers grow rich,
Vile the lone horse farmers" fall into
the ditch.
bg are blind, and follow blindly on
the way
faxed out by their leaders more
blinded than than they;
Fth gold, leaders blinded, for it glares
on their eyes
With visions of splendor, but tits backed
up with lies.
y "gold cure" can save US tbs false as
its glare,
That leads downward to ruin all who
seek for il where
h ia not to be found, in the futures
by those
Who know not the secrets that the
rings still inclose
When you speak Of those soldiers, the
brave and the true
Tho fell for true freedom as none but
patriots can do,
Ssy they poured forth their hearts
blood as brsvest of men
Thoe'er followed g banner DER the
battles red plain,
Who passed from the battles confusion
ana gore
hill live in our hearts and we revere
more and more
7ne names of those soldiers who were
the first ones to fall
When the battle cry Of freedom was
sounded TO all.
When the South rose in arms to re
spond TO the call
J! freedom from a yoke that tettered
the States each aud all
As twas then sc again from the Old
North State
Vas the first n to yield to the sol
dier's sad fate
18th such true blood the dark waters
to stain
7Ell freedom once more her lost realms
regain
Ind the star spangled banner once
more proudly wave
Der the land of the free, the home OF
the brave7
Mrs. Mary E FIllyaW.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-11-15
THE BEST PORTS FOR GIRLS TO
READ:

81 believe, my dear girl. every good
poem you read is going to make bet
ter what would be called the ideal side
of your nature and is going to make
you appreciate what ia really melody
in words. You know the old books Of
poetry, and it seems to me that there
is not much that is thoroughly good
among the new except those written
by the poet Of our time, Rudyard
Kipling. You can arrange a long list
of the Oldest poets in whom you will
find pleasure. Naturally begin with
Shakespeare, and then come down.
not very far, to the two Brownings,
then to some parts of Byron, then to
that unhappy boy, John Keats, then
to Pope then to some parts of Shelley,
then to Tennyson, and, looking for the
great souls right in our own home, you
will meet and greet Aldrich, the gen.
tie ;'Sydney La1ier, the musician; Poe,
the mystic; and, best of all for every
girl, Longtellow."-Ruth Ashmore, in
the October Ladies' Home Journal.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-11-15
FLATTERY DID I'll

A Mississippi court room anecdote
of the oIden time is furnished by a COR
respondent OF Law Notes. The court
was presided over by a rural justice
of the peace.
II realize" said the counsel for the
defence, THAT I stand in the presented
a descendant of the grand old Huguenot
family that emigrated from France TO
escape from religious intolerance.
Many able jurists have sprung from
that family, and embellished the bench
and bar of the Union. Their watch
words are honor, truth and justice,
and their names are spoken in every
home. The law is 50 plain in this case
that he who runs may read ShallI
insult the intelligence of this court by
re1terating a proposition 30 simpleG
Need I say more2"
NO" interrupted the judge, "'taint
necessary-Iu give you a j Judgment"
Counsel sat down, while the judge,
with emphasis, knocked the ashes from
his COB pipe, and counsel for plaintiff
began:
May it please the court"
"9quire, what are you ixin' to dor
asked the ldge.
II have the closing argument, was
the reply.
well you jes' as we'll set down; I
doL egot my mind sot on the other side"
Judgment for defendant.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-11-15

1nS 6IecG1On ana 6n6C campaign makes
me truly thankful that women do not
vote. / trust that our hands will
never have to be soiled with the slime
that has been so promiscuously end
so p~rofusely slung this year. Very
few southern women carr to vote. We
have confidence in the manhood of our
dear old southland and truetipgly
leave the great questions of State and
nation to them, belle wing that they
knowing what is best, will not hesitate
to do their duty.
The field woman cultivates is not so
large as man's, but, on how careful we
must be that all the the duties are per-
termed to the very best of our ability |
For on us devolves the duty of rails.
ing and training the future men and
women of nation. Do we realize
the responsibility And do we realize
the true greatness of many things that
appear at first glance insignificant
We feel so cast down, ottentimes when
the days work has been especially
trying and things have all seemed to
go wrong, because our efforts seem to
have produced so little. But, we should
remember that
the ills we see
The mysteries Of sorrow deep and
long,
The dark enigmas of permitted wrong,
Have all one kew:
This strange sac world is but our Faith
er's school;
All chance and change His love shall
greatly o~verrule."
Then will our faces be brighter, the
clouds less frequent and the world bet,
ter because of our having lived in it.
Did you ever watch the ripples around
your cork while fishing, how they
form circle within circle, then widen
add chase each other until the shore is
reached9 Thus it is with Jul lives,
each act, every word is a ripple on
life's ocean, and ottentimes gain mo
mentum as it goes until perhaps it is
stong enough to wreck the frail cratt
of some fellow voyRger.
Who knows, VINO can tell the force
of one of these little waves ere it reach
the shores of eternity3 And go let US
do our best even though the deed seems
so small.
Yes, walk by faith and not by sight,
Fast clIngIDg co His hand,
Content TO feel his love and might,
Not yet to understand"
Hassie, Rose and IAN Old Maid of
Eighteen" join US this week. We ex'
tend them a hearty welcome, but do
not think that a bright young lady Of
eighteen summers can justly term her
self an old maid.
We hear from Wake. Una, Jennie
Acton and E5telle this week also.
Eva A. Plamondon is also with us
again. No, Eva, we do not object to
long letters when they are BIS full of
thought and as neatly written as yours.
Aunt Jennie.
Our boys, where are theyG Do they
not think we allow them to speak out in
our cicle0 We certainly do, boys, and
would joyfulIy greet you and listen at
tentively to what you had to say. Let
US again hear from those who have
already written and don't forget that I
wait to welcome those who carr to join
US.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-11-15

0S
Mrs. Richards, and caught a glimpse OF
Nora passing through the hall.
Mrs. Richards changed colors, partly
from annoyance that her friend had
spoken so distinctly that Nora must
have heard, and party with dlsmay.
They had such a time, and Nora a
seemed to like a God send!
Rick, Robbie and Jennie had all been
sick with the measles, and right in the
very midst of iE Bridget had coolly
announced her intention of leaving the
house at once. That very night Nora
had stopped at her door to inquire for
work. Mrs. R caards had hesitated;
she did not like taking a stranger so,
but what could she dot The girl told
s sad story; she was left alone In the
world and must do something; house
work was all she could do; wouldn't
the lady lst try try her9
There was q tired, discouraged look
IN her face that touched Mrs Richards
tender heart, and she took her "lshout
a2y Lore questions.
Sac had proved such a vast I'M
proVement upon her predecessor that
Mrs. Rlc0ards had been only too
thankful that Bridget had thus OPpor
T. ia Ken herself out of the way.
is too lovely to last" she had
e breakfast table only that
should certainly take solid
{ while it did last" said her
.. ack. "Wil you kindly pass
-sat as again9 l Thought l was
ally supplied, but If we are
o return to Budgets leaden Dill
g III improve the moments
e.-cious mullins as they pass"
Rgchards laughed and sighed IN
line breath.
Is.su it could last, but 1t won't;
1yto}1g will turn up before long"
Id, sure enough, here it was. her
%. Impulse after her caller
e vas 20 dismiss Nora at once, then
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-11-15
FROM DAISY BILLIE.

Dear ANRt JeTnIe:-Imsgine my sur
prise at receiving a package few days
ago and on opening it found it to be
the prize that Aunt Jennie had offered
andI had won it. I never thought of
winning it, as there were so many
more better Chatterers than myself.
But nevertheless I received it and it is
a real nice little book. So I now want
Aunt Jennie to please accept my most
sincere and loving thanks for awarding
me the prizs and rest assured that it is
highly appreciated.
want to tell the Ohatterers about a
burial I attended a few days ago.
Very sad indeed was it. IG was that
Of a young lady, nineteen years old.
She had suffered many long months
with that dread disease consumption.
And she bore it all without a murmur,
possessing the most pleasant, humble
and submissive spirit I ever saw. Her
last words were these, Il have tried
to be good and do good; Father forgive
me. Blessed Jesus take my spirit. "
Thus did her spirit sweep away to the
far off home of the soul. She was one
of the sweetest characters I ever knew
She had been a member of the church
a few years and set a grand and noble
example for all Christians. I com.
mend her life to all young Christians
for a-model.
With best wishes to Aunt jimmie
and The PROGRESSIVE FARMER, I re
main as ever. your devoted friend,
Daisy Belle.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-11-15

when the night tide comes with its
darkness and oblivion. Oh 1 sincerely
trust that none Of our bright band of
boys and girls eve dare to seek their
pillow for the nights repose, without
first humbly thanking the dear Savior
for the days safe keeping.
"Even when we sleep, He sleepeth
not, but watcheth patiently"
There are scme who when anguish,
deep and bitter comes, turn in their
agony of heart to the plying Father
and earnestly pray for him to take the
burden on His own loving shoulders
and make a firm resolution then and
there to come oftener to His feet, and
not to forget Him in happier days.
This is we'll, this is right, but so few
keep their resolution. When the load
is lifted from our frail human shoulders
to the mercitul heavenly ones of God,
when our hearts have been healed of
the aching wound, and parted friends
are united never to be severed any
more when our laughter rings gladly
again and the world is filed with
sweetest music, in the presence Of some
loved one given back to us, we forget
Him, yes forget Him who was so com
passionate, who took the load away
from US, who gave us our dear mes to
love who brought back our absent
friends, who is still waiting patiently
for the lamb to return to the fold.
Dear friends we would not have so
many deep and bitter orroWs in this
world, If we would remember Him in
sunshine as we'll as in clouds. Woes
are given to US to bring us back to the
L owing Heart which is sorrowful at
our neglect, our cruel Indifference,
since we do not thank Him when He
is so kind to US and gives US what we
so pleadingly asked for.
He ven giveth His angels charge
over US. In their hands they bear US
up, lest we dash cur foot against a
stone." Oh! what infinite love.
Greater love hath no man." Yes, they
are W with US, the guardian angels,
sleeping and waking, sometimes com
polling US in some mysterious way
dimly felt by US, to turn from the path
we would have trod, and which we
afterwards find was beset with may
dangers. 'Tis then we think of some
indescribable something which seemed
to say Turn back" Such has been my
experience. With what fond care,
dear girls, He cares for US. How would
we in our joyous inexperienced girlish-
ness know what to do if we did not
kneel night and morning and ask Him
to direct and guide our young feet and
to keep US from sin and dangers You
may be sure that He will help you; He
will never forsake you. When great
happiness ia ours let us praise and
adore Him and He will give US, still
greater bliss, the peace of a good con-
science.
when friends deceive, and love is
vain,
We turn unto HIS heart again,
Let US still turn in joyous hours,
In happy as in cloudy hours"
Dear Chatterers, let none of us ever
be guilty OF seeking a nights repose, or
beginning another day which may be
beset with danger (who knows what
may happen in a dayO without first
asking God to keep US aver in His
tender care.
Aunt Jennie, excuse me- if l take up
too much space. I do not know
whether you object to long letters or
not. II so, 1 will endeavor to please
you in the future.
Good bye, with happiness and con-
tent to all.-Eva PlamondOn.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-11-15
THE DEBT WHICH WE CAN NEVER PAY =
OUR INGRATITUDE

Jun ANOENA4A4OON
Dear Aunt JennGe:-As my letter did
not reach the waste basket, I will write
again. Many thanks, kind Aunt Jen
ME, for your kindly words to me, /
appreciate your kindness very much.
l enjoy your talks so much. Getting
out of bed on the wrong side" is splen-
did, and very true indeed.
Cosmos letter was very entertain
ing. Aunt Jennie, what has become
of bright merry jennie ActonG from
what / gather in the ''Chats" che must
be in sorrow about something. Cheer
up: Every cloud has a silver lining"
Behind the clouds the sun is shining.
Has anyone yet written a letter on
''Prayer7" Prayer is always near my
heart, for without it what should we
do9 Consider, Chatterers, how good
our all kind Father is to US:
Did He not give us this beautiful
world, with the music Of a million
songsters; with its towering mountains
and silvery seas7 Has He not given
US ungrateful creatures every thing to
crafty mind, heart, sight and hearing,
and yet, OIL u~ngrateful lambs, some
are 80 hardened, so insensible to His
watchful care and loving guidance that
they do not even bend the knee to
adore Him, thank Him, and praise
him for His are Of US the long day,
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-11-15

But how d!sAsreeaOle to be On the
watch all the time. No, I cannot
bother with her; she must 60"
Just then, however. Mrs. Richards
eyes fell upon one of Kicks cards On
the table:
Look up and not down,
Look out and not in,
Look forward and not back,
And lend a hand
"And lend hand" Was that what
she was doing, lending a hand up or
down7
You're confined at home with the
children; you cannot get out to do
much outside work. You were re-
GREETING only the other day that it was
so; has not the Lord put this bit of
work into your very handsa Here is
a poor, tempted, erring fellow creature
beside you; will you push her aside to
fall lower, Or will you help her. She
is n for whom Christ died; will you
refuse to help her the little that you
cant"
No, Mrs Richards dared not do that
so, after much Thought, che decided
that Nora should stay, and that all
should De ss though she had heard
nothing.
But much to her surprise, Nora her
self had something to say.
Just before tea she came to the door,
her eyes swollen and tear stained.
II should like, ma'am, to go before
tea, if you please"
"GoG Go whereH" asked Mrs. Rich
ards, not thinking for a moment what
she could mean.
81 don't know, Pm sure ma'am. I've
no place anywhere; but I heard what
the lady said. I couldn't help it; she
spoke up so clear, and. Of course, you
will be after sending me away now.
I'd like to go before dark if Icould."
Mrs. Richards eyes filed with tears
as she looked up into Nora's hopeless
face.
MY dear girl, she said very kindly,
I'm not going to send you away. You
have been very faithful to me; if you
did wrong in the past you are sorry
for it, are you not, and will never do
30 Rgaln9"
Then Nora broke down completely.
20, indeed, ma'am, and I will, and
I'm trying that hard now that don't
see no " l can try any harder. I never
did the like but thai once. They
were all sick and starving aE home. /
saw the dollar bill on the stand, and /
took 1t before l thought. Id have put
1t back if l had had a chance, but they
wouldn't believe me. It's followed me
everywhere since. I've tried to be
good, but nobody gives me a chance. !
said Ia try once more here, then I'd
give up. l should like TO know how
folks expect a poor girl to % honest
ana good if they don't give her a
cnanceI"
But you have a chance now, Nora"
said Mrs. Richards; and | Will help
you all 1 can. I believe that you are
truly sorry, and I'm sure l can trust
you now"
May the Lord reward you" sobbed
Nora. Il cams, but I'll serve you
faithfully"
1T wasn't much that I did," said
Mrs. Richards atterWard.
II don't KNOW" answered Jack. 81
think it was. I fancy you'll find
Nora a bright star in your crown; and,
besides, she's passing it along all the
time for they say sne's a real help to
her friends and associates"
Il hope 30; anyway, it was my OPP
portunity then, and I tried to s it
right. "-KaVe 8. Gate, in American
Messenger.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-11-15
AN OLD MAID OF EIGHTEEN INTRODUCES
HERSELF,

Dear AWnt Jennie:-I greatly enjoy
reading the cousins letters every week
and would like to become your niece if
you have no objection. As this is my
first letter I will take no special subj 9ct
but shall just tell about myself.
I live On a large farm not far from
Raleigh, where I have attended school
for some years. Today, November 2,
is my 49, b birthday, and how dread
fully old I'm getting. l am the seventh
of a family of twelve, eight of whom
are now living. ! would like so much
to meet Jennie Acton, Careless Tom
and others, for I am sure I should like
them. I expect I am what Careless
Tom would call a book worm for I do
like to read so much-too much, papa
says. But I prefer prose to poetry
every time.
Love to Aunt Jennie and prosperity
to The PROGRESSIVE FARMER Old
Maid Of Eighteen, near Raleigh, N. @.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-11-15
THINKS BACHELOR JACK SHOULD INITIATE
WILL RETLAW.

THINKS BACHELOR JACK SHOULD INITIATE
WILL RETLAw.
Dear AWnt Jennie:-I see that Bache
lor Jack lays a case before the Chat.
terers. I am sorry it has been his mis-
fortune to have been thrown with such
tickle people as Mt. BIS son, and Mrs.
8 but l guess they didn't love as they
should have loved. But wasn't it too
bad that bachelor B. was left with the
license on his hands9 Well, never
mind they don't cost much. l think
they are too cheap, any way.
One Of my best friends is an old
bachelor. I always epj1y visits, but
feel sorry for him, as he needs some
one to care for hun, l think one of the
saddest things is to g an old man
with no one to care for him. Il has
been said:
Its we'll to WOO; it's we'll to wed,
For 90 the world has done;
Since roses grew and myrtIes blew,
And morning brought che sun.
But have an eye" t
I agree with n lie, Magnolia N. c.,
that bachelors make good husbands,
and / think that Bachelor Jack needs
q good wife. I hope the other Chatter
ers will give him some good advice and
help him to get a wife Wake.
Dear Aunt JennGe:-Here is another
girl Chatterer who lives in the coun.
try and who likes country life better
than city life. I am going to a coun-
try school now, but expect to start to
college soon. And then / will not get
GO read The PROGRESSIVE FARMER,
which l so much enjoy reading.
Madge 8. is right as to frrts. Having
thus introduced myself, I will wait to
write a long letter. -Hassie, Outlook,
N. Q.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-11-15

When an AraO enters a house be-
takes of his shoes, and not his hat
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-11-15
Mrs. Richards
Opportunity,

~, Mr.. HIcnards, how In the
world did you get that girls
She worked for the Penn
bersons, and they had to dis
uniss her because she stole
soma money! SAID Mrs.
Parker. She was calling on
The record-union., 1898-11-17
KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
The Judiciary Attacked in the Ex-
ecutive Committees Report.

CHICAGO, Nov. 16.--Most of to-day's
session Of the Knights of Labor con-
vention was devoted TO the reports of
committees and that of General Mas
ter Workman Hicks The report of
the Executive Committee said, in part:
1T seems next to impossible to Sc
cure the passage by Congress of
proper measure to regulate immigra-
ton to our shores. The influence Of the
foreign steamship companies appear TO
be all powerful to prevent any such
legislation.
The judiciary, with a few honorable
exceptions are merely the hirelings of
labor oppressors, and legislation is
necessary to reconstruct the courts In
functions, imprisonments, bayonets and
bullets are awaiting the men who take
any decided stand against the en-
croachments of capital
General Master Workman Hicks, in
his annual report, took strong grounds
In opposition to the anti-expansion pol
icy of President Gompers of the Amer
lean Federation of Labor. mo part
OF the territory where our nations
blood was lost or the flag was raised .
said Mr. Hicks, should under any pre-
text be allowed to go out of our posses
sion. Still, we should not under the
guise of humanity, either take for our
own or turn back to Spain any portion
OF the scenes of our various battles. but
make them all free and independent
Let US not fear the Importation of their
cheap labor but, rather, let us educate
them to our standard"