davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Middletown transcript., 1898-07-02


and saw it was mighty poor effort, bet
rather than 6isapi oi9t the people of Groen
Hill committed it 10 memory and went
over there and delivered it.
"Then you-you"-
81 am the man took your name,
made the address and collected the money.
I was actuated by the kindest motives,
but my conscience has always upbraided
me- That oratien of yours wasn't worth
over 10 cents They paid me $50 for it. "
'tSir!" exclaimed the colonel
"And l am now on my way back to
Green Hill"
"SirI"
"To return tho tooplo tho sum of SAY. ~
and tell them will never be guilty OF
similar crime. =
"Sirl'' gasped the colonel as soon as he
could pull himself together. "This is sin
gular affair. / was simply telling a yarn
to pass away timo Nothing of the sort
happened to me. .
"And l was only lying just to offset
you," laughed the man, and we all laughed
with him-all except the colonel. An
hour later, as we sat together on the train,
the latter suddenly turned to me and
whispered:
"By George, but somehow or other l
can't help but think that fellow meant to
rub it in on meP'
Middletown transcript., 1898-07-02

lands unjust demands by force of arms.
You have heard of Patrick Henry of
course?"
"No, never have What was his holt?"
"Oratory. He was the one who said,
tGiye me liberty or give me deathP
"And did he pick up his guns and sail
in?''
"I-I think not"
"Then you'd better cut that out, jedge,
fur we don't cotton to chap who is all
talk and can't shoot. Anything more hap
pen?''
"Well, the British army marched out of
Boston to Lexington, and the Americans
killed number of them"
"Kill thousand and lick the rest outer
their butes9"
'sOh, no. Only a few were killed or
wounded, but it was the beginning of the
war for liberty, you know"
"It won't do, iedge-it won't do, said
Jim, with shake of the head. eff the
Americans didn't lick the British till they
hollered, it wouldn't interest this crowd
fur shuoks. You'll hev to cut that all out
What Gums next?"
"Bunker Hill"
'sWho got licked thar?"
s'The Americans retreated, but-but =
'tStop right thar, jedgeI" exclaimed
Jim as he rose up to go. "What we want
is redhot orashun, with the Americans
on top and giyin everybody else hail
Columbia, and as you heven't got it, and
ar not the critter we took you fur, you
kin start fur home when you h'ar the fust
warwhoop in the mornin!" M. QUAD.
Middletown transcript., 1898-07-02
YOUNG AMERICAS DECLARATION OF
INDEPENDENCE.

Dur patriot fathers stood firm in the fight
And were ready to conquer or die for the
right.
They won. So will we should we fight every
man
Who would place our firecrackers under ban.
What? Keep us from showing how happy we
feel
That we live where to despots we never need
kneel.
Should they try to do this wen declare our
rights, too,
And firmly maintain them against the whole
crew.
Some claim that our method of keeping the
day
Is a nuisance that should be prescribed right
away
And that then our rockets and firecrackers'
rattle
Would no longer disturb their meaningless
tattle.
No doubt there's some danger to life and to
limb
When we keep up the Fourth with our usual
vim.
a IeW may De l1JuTeu, sone lew perhaps JIG
By our loyal display on the Fourth of July.
But if there's some risk in our fiery display
Tis mostly to us. And how could we. pray,
Our sires emulate, to their spirit aspire,
But by having, like them, baptism Of fire?
Then, hurrah, for bright, noisy Fourth Of
Julyl
I.et Ms honor the day and constantly try
To follow their footsteps who willingly gave
Their all, even life, their dear country to save.
NEIL MACDONALD.
Middletown transcript., 1898-07-02

HER HEART WAS RAGING WITH TENDER PITY.
polite as was Godfrey in the occasional
passing word, she knew (perhaps the sly
ro9ue's zeal was none the less for this)
that he was proving her most efficient
ally. Certainly it was his suggestion,
which had been adopted nom. con. as to the
special form which the celebration of the
great fete day should take. This was
planned on the following schedule: First,
a grand procession in the morning consist
ing Of about 100 of the principal men Of
Williston and the vicinity riding on horse
back in the costume Of the Revolutionary
epoch, military and civic, followed by as
many ladies correspondingly attired in
carriages, then by regiment of the ma
tional guard; secondly, the usual patri-
otic address by the most eminent Of the
local celebrities, Judge Peterson, and
great picnic in grove, and in the evening
elaborate fireworks for the people on the
Williston green, with costume ball at the
town hall for the gentry in the same attire
as that of the morning. All this involved
considerable expense and preparation, but
WilIiston was place of large wealth, and
the residents had been thoroughly aroused
to meet the occasion.
any direction worth while as you have put
into this Fourth Of July MATTER" said
Adams, pursuant of their talk, land you'll
falsify your own prediction.
"That's the deuce of it," answered
Geoff, with deprecating frown. "This
Is fun, and it appeals to fellows patri-
otto pride. The other is work-genuine
grind. have thought for a good while
that the country has let Independence day
die into sort of mummied holiday with
out any life in it, precisely like this rusty
sword blade, confound itI' as he still tug
ged at the brass hilt. 81 must put oil in
and soak it out don't suppose shall
have to draw it on parade, but that steel
must come out of prison. And, by the
way, there's an old tradition in the family
which l remember as boy. The general
left an Injunction in his will that at least
once year his descendant possessing the
sword should unsheath it and keep the
blade bright. had forgotten about it till
this moment, and don't believe that any
one else has ever thought of it. But I'll
do 1t yet and redeem some of my lazy an
cestors
"Good for you," said Adams. "Me
thinks j already see the old gentleman
smiling on you from his portrait, for just
then burst of sunlight through q cloudy
day flashed into the room and frightened
the somber paint of the picture.
Another ten days brought the great oc-
easion for which Williston was all agog.
Middletown transcript., 1898-07-02
ORATOR WHO DIDN'T oRATE.

The committee on arrangements at Red
Hoss Bend had secured Fourth of July
orator from Raymondville, and on the
night of the Sd he arrived at the mining
camp. We had chipped in 81 apiece to get
a new barrel of whisky, an American flag,
a lot of fireworks and an orator, and the
BOYS were little anxious to know If the
latter was all right Therefore as soon as
he had eaten supper he was waited upon
by small crowd, with Jim Barney as
spokesman, and when they had boen reg
ularly introduced Jim led off with:
"Look- -yere, jedge, we ar a-lookin fur
somethin redhot from you tomorrer. hln
you give us some specimens from that
orashun?h
ssWhy, yes, of course, " was the reply.
nIt begins, like all other Fourth OF July
orations, with the band of pilgrims who
sailed from England in search of liberty
They landed at Plymouth Rock. you
know"
"what sorter people was them pill
grims?''
Every respectable and religious. y
''None of the whoop-e up sort among
'em, eh?''
'tNe"
"Then you'd better skip EN-, jedge, fur
our crowd win he lookin fur different
sort. What Gums nexts'
+ nWell, after awhile England laid tax
on tea, and the people of Boston got SO
mad they turned out and threw whole
cargo overheard /"
Middletown transcript., 1898-07-02

1
Handsome fur rugs, many of them the
spoils Of the owners rife, were scattered
over the oak floor, and the room was lined
with bookcases filed with the best litera-
ture of the world. Between the moose and
elk heads mounted on the walls were scat
tered fine water colors and etchings. Here
stood stand Of pipes, there cabinet OF
sporting guns. An angling rod was prop
ped up against a handsome bronze, and
dozen half made trout flies were tumbled
together in an enameled japanese plaque.
The apartment, in word, was typical Of
the accomplished trifier who had the tastes
if not the talents of a Crichton. But the
ornament in which the young man took
most pride among numerous masculine
knickknacks was large wooden shield
on which were suspended half dozen
swords Of different patterns. A pair of
modern sabers and a splendid "presenta-
tion" sword had come to him from his IA
tber, who had been dashing cavalry off,
Ger during the civil war. A short saber
In q plain shagreen scabbard curved just
above them, sacred to the memory of his
grandfather, who had commanded a bat
terry at Buena Vista and been slain there
in a charge Of the Mexican 1ancers. A
slender blade with a silver chased hilt bore
witness Of remoter ancestor, one who
had served on General Hull's staff and
had protested bitterly against that com
mander's surrender of Detroit in 1919.
'But there's the TOOL" said Godfrey to
his friend Adams, young lawyer, as they
sat smoking one Sunday afternoon, "be-
longing to the fine old crusted warrior Of
the lot" pointing to the topmost sword.
He took 1t down-a long, straight cut and
thrust, and tried to unsheathe it, but it
stuck SO fast as to resist all his strength.
"That Is he," he continued as he bowed
before an oil painting. dingy with years,
Middletown transcript., 1898-07-02

The following story. says the Kansas
City Times, is told by resident of
Bloomington, Macon county, ashaving
occurred at district school near there
recently: It was Friday, the day of
original compositions. Each scholar
had to memorize his or her production.
A little girl with blue eyes and sandy
hair lisped:
'.The dawning shafts Of light came out
To greet the lark,s refrain,
And every gladd ened heart sang ont
Then she stopped A blue-shirted
urchin raised bis hand and snapped biz
fingers.
Middletown transcript., 1898-07-02

Early in the morning Godfrey Marcoe
again set to work on the obstinate sword,
which had been assiduously coaxed with
oil; but no amount of struggle was able
to loosen the blade. 10 his disgust he felt
obliged to give it up for the nonce, but he
anticipated no awkwardness, as he could
see no occasion for drawing of swords ex-
cept on the part of the militia officers In
any case that was the proper sword for
him to wear.
Poor fellow He little guessed that, how
ever unthought of in advance, the inspira-
tion of every heart in or out of uniforms,
when steel was worn by the side, would be
to flash its brightness in the July sunlight
in salute of Old Glory as they passed
the green over which huttered its silken
folds. And SO it came to pass. AS the
cayalcade reached the line of the Flagstaff
whisper ran among the Revolutionary
worthless. Every hand was clapped to ev-
cry hilt, Geoffrey's among them. Sweat
drops beaded his face in agony of his effort,
and as he writhed and bit off bad words
underneath his mustache the irreverent
and irresponsible small boy, SO much in
evidence at spectacles, began to snicker.
This piece of real life comedy attracted at
the first carriage not far away, for the road
curved sharply around the green oval.
"Mr. Marcoe is less apt with the cold
steel than his ancestors have been," gig
gled fair one sitting with Janet Hardy
Mary Bodkin, who, report said, had vain
ly angled for the unfortunate Geoff.
The sharp retort flew to Janet's tongue:
II suppose SO. The kind of steal he is
;1A &S,f 0fc 81 10
girls he never cared bodkin for" Her
heart was raging with tender pity and
sympathy, and she resented ridicule like
slap in the face.
Geoffrey did succeed in drawing that
demon sword at last, and piece of paper
f1uttered from it, which he saw had as
much to do with its reluctance to come
forth as had the rust of years. He thrust
it in his pocket as it was restored to him
by bystander, though not without OBJ
serving that it was closely covered with
writing He took the earliest opportunity,
which was at the picnic, to examine his
mysterious find, and great were his wonder
and delight in deciphering the faded and
oil stained words.
It was his statement made over the sig
nature of his great-great- t-grandfather Cen
eral Mareoe: "And have set forth in my
last testament that the sword around
which this is wrapped shall be drawn from
the sheathe for securing once year and
the paper rewrapped again, to the end that
each inheritor of the sword once wet with
the blood Of Marcus Hardy, however
cleansed thereafter by nobler service, may
heed"
The document set forth how a young
hot head, flushed with wine, had grossly
insulted his friend at tavern brawl and
the twain had gone out to ruffle it with
Middletown transcript., 1898-07-02
TWO STORIES
BY M. QUAD.
copyright, 1898, by G. B. Lewis.l
THE coLoNEL's GRAFTON.

He COLONEL'S ORA lON.
Speaking about the Fourth of July"
said the colonel as half a dozen of us were
smoking on the platform while we were
waiting for the train, "but / had rather
singular experience last yearl was en-
gagged to deliver the Grafton at Green Hill,
and left Taylorsville at noon on the Sd,
to drive across the country"
"And you met with an accident of
coursef" queried one of the group.
81 did, sir. When the journey was half
completed, had sort Of sunstroke and
was obliged to put up at farmhouse and
send for doctor. I was in bed for two
days. I was go ill that did not give the
people my name or tell them my errand
until too late to notify the citizens of
Green HILL"
"And SO they had no Fourth of July
oration?"
"But they did have, and that is the sin
gular part of the adventure" replied the
colonel. ga man arrived there on the
morning of the Fourth who claimed to be
me, and at the proper time he delivered
the address and took the $50 and left. +"
"What sort of an oration did he de-
liyer?''
ga very poor one, and that's what hurts
me most of all No one was satisfied with
it. 1t was a rambling, shambling dis
course-a mixture of politics, religion and
history-and, though he was paid for it,
the people felt that they had been swim
died. If he hadn't used my name, he
would have been hooted off the platform.
"Colonel," (" said the man who was smok-
ing a brier root on the baggage trucks,
"did you notice buggy behind yours just
before you were sunstruckf"
"I-I believe did"
"I was in that buggy, strange to say. I
am In the windmill business and was on
my way to Green HILL helped put you
to bed at the farmhouse.
"Is it possible?"
sIt is, sir. In SO doing found your
manuscript of the grafton. I read it over
Middletown transcript., 1898-07-02

A newspaper correspondent at the
battle of Atbara tells good story
about couple of Scotchmen. He was
walking softly about the camp, so as
not to disturb the sleepers on the night
before the fight. when be overheard q
sentimental Seafoith Highlander say
to comrade: "Ah, Tam, how many
thousands there are al home across the
sea, thinking o. us the nicht."
fright, Sandy replied bis chum,
"and how many millions there are that
don't care Go to sleep, you
fool" And silence again fell upon
that corner Of the square.
Middletown transcript., 1898-07-02

Theodore F. Seward, the big-hearted
map who is going around the country
organizing s'Don't Worry Clubs,'' tells
q good story of a little boy who had
reached the multiplication table in the
course of his education, says the
Chicago Record. One night he was
sitting anxiously over paper of
figures, when his mother came along
and said:
s'Johnnie, do you liud your arith-
netic very hard ?''
Eyes, Indeed, mamma, I do was
his reply. 1T was so awful hard that
I prayed to God TO help me. bnt He's
made three mistakes already.
Middletown transcript., 1898-07-02
yellow Jaundfce Cured.

Suffering humanity should be supplied
with every means possible for its relief. It is
with pleasure we publish the following:
This is to certify that I was terrible
sufferer from Yellow Jaundice for over six
months.an was treated by some of the best
physicians in our city and all to no avail.
Dr.Bell, our druggist. recommended Electric
Bitters; and after taking two bottles, | was
entirely cured. now take great pleasure
in recommending them to any person suffer
ing from this terrible malady. am create
fully yours, NJ. a. Hogarty, Lexington,
KY"
Sold By Or. H. Vaughan, Druggist.
Middletown transcript., 1898-07-02
Take No Chances on the Fourth.

Take No Chances on the Fourth
Don't talk politics on the Fourth.
Don't go on a crowded excursion.
Don't be ashamed to be patriotic.
Don't get overheated early in the day.
Don It carry loose powder in your pocket.
Don't laugh at the drum major-pity
him.
Don't put all your fireworks in ono
heap.
Don't drive a nervous horse on the
Fourth.
Don't think powder is a respecter of
persons.
Don't encourage small boys to fire large
cannon.
Don't take any chances with cracked
cannon.
Don't blow down the mouth of loaded
iaunon.
DON'T put your nose to rocket after
lighting it.
Middletown transcript., 1898-07-02

naked swords in the early morning light.
Twas little after dawn of July s, 1776,
when, horror stricken, looked down on
my victim with his blood stained breast.
AS groaned in my agony there came the
clatter of resounding hoofs on the pike,
one riding in furious haste, haggard and
weary looking, as who had spared neither
spur nor whip all night. Help to get a
surgeon for wounded manr cried. He
shouted back: 4 stay neither for life nor
death The colonies declared independence
two days agone at Philadelphia, and ]
bear the tidings to New York. And at the
wonderful words the dying man raised his
head with light Of joy beyond words in
Middletown transcript., 1898-07-02
Gave nm Work /.

i was troubled with my stomach and
would be obliged TO give up work for
several days at time. I was at last per-
suaded to take Hoods sarsaparilla. After
the first few doses Of this medicine began
to feel better and can now do any kind Of
hard work. c. T. Clayton,I southard,
Nj
Hoods Pills are the favorite family ca
thartic. Easy to take. easy to operate. Csc.
Middletown transcript., 1898-07-02
A Jingle In Black.

Fo'th er July come en- gone,
Glory hallelul
See me walk wild de beaver ONT
Glory hallelul
See me down ter de railroad shed
A-walkin inter demelons red,
Lemonade en- sweeten bread
Glory hallelui
Thank de Lawd dis country free.
Glory hallelul
Melons 'nough fer you en- me,
Glory hallelui
Brass BAN up en- down de hill,
Gals all dress up fit ter kill,
Beaver hat en- a dollar bill
Glory halleluI
Middletown transcript., 1898-07-02
"Anybody killed in the scrimmages"

"Anybody killed in the scrimmage?"
"I think not.
"Jest throwed the tea over and went
home and went to bed, eh?"
'That was the way of it, guess"
"Then you'd better leave that out,
iedge, as it wouldn't interest us two min
its. If they could do all that and no one
git hurt it couldn't hev bin much Of a
row. What happened arter that?"
"The colonists began to think of inde-
pendence," replied the judge. sit wasn't
long before they were ready to resist Eng
Middletown transcript., 1898-07-02
"I,M A SAD DEGENERATE. FEAR. %

whence looked the stern but courtly fsa
lures of Revolutionary worthy in the uni
form of his period, General Godfrey Mar
ooe, for whom | am named, one of Wash
ington's most trusted friends and lieuten-
ants on many well fought field. He laid
the foundation of our family fortunes
through the grant of land given him by
congress, which originally included this
and several adjoining towns"
"Lucky dog, sighed Adams, "to have
inherited lots of money and distinguish
ed name; but, all the same, you can't I'M
sheathe your great-great-grandfather's
gword,n
Middletown transcript., 1898-07-02

The Currency Reform bill, recently
reported from the House Banking and
Currency committee, win not be pushed
at the present session of Congress. In
Difference to some of the members of
the committee the bill has been recalled
from the calandar, which leaves 1t
occupying the same position it did
before it was reported to the House.
This is just as we'll, as it is well
known that the Senate would not have
acted upon the bill under any circum-
FcoNTINUED ON FOURTH PAeE.l
Middletown transcript., 1898-07-02
THE VILLAGE FOURTH.

Within the shaded doorway
The eager children stand,
For the strains Of stirring music
Announce the coming band.
The roar of distant cannon
Mingles with the chime of bells,
While nearer still and nearer
The joyous tumult swells.
Dear grandma leaves her knitting,
And with baby on her knee
Comes and sits among the children,
Who are shouting now with glee,
Middletown transcript., 1898-07-02

"What is it, Rabbys', asked the
teacher.
81 knows it,"
"Know what?',
,The lire she's forgot.n
"You doa' said the teacher in sur
piise. .What is it9''
Promptly as q rife shot came the
answer
TO with spainia
Middletown transcript., 1898-07-02

Senator Hoar, Chairman of the
Senate committee on the Judiciary, says
of the compromise Bankruptcy bill
which is now awaiting President Me-
Kinley's signature 10 become a law:
sin getting it through we have been
obliged 10 leave in it soms crudities
and imperfections, which must be
remedied by subsequent legislation. The
bill will en- able from 10000 to 100000
bankrupts to get OIL their feet again.,
1t will enable manufacturers and
merchants to ge. fair division of their
debtors property, and will prevent a
great deal of fraud, embezzlemsnt, and
wasteful dealing with property.n
Middletown transcript., 1898-07-02
THE RUSTY SWORD.
By G. T. FERRIS.
Tcopyright, 1898, by the Author.l

Lie Aul1lO2sl
EOFFREY MAR
GOES den in the
old homestead,
which he had in
herited from his
father, the colo
mel, one of the
most substantial
citizens of Willis
ton, was as fit and
pleasant a bache-
lor's haunt as any
one of that genus
could w iSh,
Middletown transcript., 1898-07-02

THE TRANSCRIPT, sl.OO per year.
Middletown transcript., 1898-07-02
Washington
Letter

.ESIDENT Nc.
kinley, his Cabi-
net and Congress
as a whole are
much pleased, as
they have every
reason to be, with
the news from
Cuba. General
Skaters cam
Middletown transcript., 1898-07-02

THE TRANscRIPr, 81. 90 per year.
Middletown transcript., 1898-07-02

If the report from Madrid saying
that new ministry was at once to be
chosen for the purpose of sueing for
peace was started with the hope or ex-
pectation that it would cause the
slightest cessation in the vigorous pro-
secution of the war by this government,
it's originators must have been entirely
ignorant of sentiment on this side of
the Atlantic, and may as well prepare
for disappointment. Spain can get
peace by asking for the terms of the
U. S., and accepting those terms with
out the slightest change, and in no
other way. Having taken the trouble
and gone to the expense to get ready to
crush Spain, this government will not
order the slightest delay in the crushing
in response to Spanish trickery.
Middletown transcript., 1898-07-02

paign has been success from the mo-
ment his army was landed. Every
fight with the Spanish has resulted in
victory for his men, and each day has
seen his army nearer Santigo. He is
free to use his own judgment as to
whether he will at once storm the
heavy Notifications at Santiago, defed-
ed by an army more numerous than his
own, the men of which being acclimated
do not suffer from thu heat as our men
do, or whether he will await the ar
rival of the reinforcements now on the
way to him, aud of those to be sent
this week from Tampa. If he decides
to 60 right ahead, news of big battle
may be expected at any moment. The
killing and wounding of Americans in
the bush lighting that has taken place
between Skaters men and the Span
ish, while, of course, deeply regretted
was no more than what was expected
to accompany fighting on land. The
storming of Santiago. whether at once
or later, is certain to result in the
capture of the town, but it is ex-
pected to be bloody work.
Middletown transcript., 1898-07-02

There is no truth in the report sent
from Washington that Gen. Miles was
going to Cuba to take charge of the
campaign against Santiago. Gen. Miles
expects to go to Santiago in few days,
but he calculates to find it in the
possession of Gen. Shafter when he
gets there. His object in going is, not
to supercede Gen. Shafter but to make
Santiago the base from which the
operations against Porto Rico, which
are to follow its capture, may be con-
Quoted provided that our boys stand the
climate fairly well. Santiago is several
days nearer Porto Rico than the nearest
port on the Florida coast. Like the
President, Gen. Miles is perfectly salts
fieI with Shaftel's work as far as it has
gone.