davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-09-02

and II came sbyIy over TO her and
rubbed It's head against her bare feet
Philomena was charmed. She had
heard that black cat brings luck. so
she gathered the little thing up in her
arms. When she started down the
street. the kitten followed her. Philo-
mena took II again I'm her arms and
went west toward Broadway. The
neighborhood gradually improved. and
before she realized quite where she was
the ragged little Italian girl was on
the broad. wide pavement OF one Of the
richest streets In America.
For some time she amused herself
looking I'm the show windows. Then
she remembered her errand and began
to go into the shops. and ask IL they
could give her anything to do by witch
she could earn money.
Sometimes the people laughed at her:
sometimes they scolded and ordered her
out OF the stores. Still hugging her kit
ten, Philomena started to 60 across
Broadway. 1t was at Fourteenth street.
the crossing where many dangerous ac-
cidents have occurred. owing to the
rapidity with which the cable cars 60
around a curve. The policeman at the
corner called to Philomena to wait as
she started to cross, but the little girl
did not understand him and hurried on
just as car loaded with people came
rushing around.
Before she knew what had happened
she was lifted from her feet and flung
to one side by the fender. 1t might
nave been a very sad accident, but it
was not The car stopped. and all the
people got off TO look at her. She sat,
very astonished little girl, on the side
walk, where the car had thrown her.
while the kitten, safe In her arms, was
most indignant The tall policeman
came up and spoke to her. and then
Philomena began to cry, for she was
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-09-02
By
Howard Fielding
= oPyrlsht. ..sssFBYC:W. Hooke s;1sSss !

|, for the trouble upon Aunt Harriet,
HenryN maiden sister, who kept house
for him. The two would scarcely speak,
and, as they lived under the same roof.
the situation was very painful.
Harriet believed that Mildred was at
the bottom of the whole difficulty.
That girl thinks Leonard is going
to get the money" said Aunt Harriet.
and she has set her cap for him."
! could not believe it, for Mildred was
the sweetest creature ever sent upon
the earth to bless II by her presence.
had been-indeed. then was-very
much in love with her, but she had be-
come cold to me, though once. think,
she had really cared for me. 1t was the
money that had spoiled all. Mildred
knew of my quarrel with Uncle Henry
and believed that my mercenary nature
was to blame for IL. 1 had a fancy
that her acceptance OF Leonard's atten-
tions was intended as rebuke to me
Thus we were all estranged, though
we preserved an empty farce of exter-
nal cordiality. was wroth with Uncle
Henry, he had quarreled with his son
for being so cold suitor to Mildred.
Leonard was angry with Daisy for her
Jealousy, Daisy would not speak to
Aunt Harriet. that estimable lady re-
garded Mildred as a serpent in disguise.
and Mildred looked upon me as one
whom the love OF money had made un-
worthy OF womans priceless affection.
No wonder the townspeople. who were
fully cognizant OF: the situation. be-
lieved that open warfare would follow
Uncle Billy's death. As for myself. I
deprecated strife. My uncle's serious
illness had worked upon my sensibIii-
ties, for I really loved him, and I be-
lieved that he desired peace and not
strife to follow his demise.
With this thought In my mind took
occasion to speak privately with Uncle
Henry. IL seemed to me that that WAS
the way I'm which could best promote
good will. Let me be perfectly frank
about 1t. had reason for my action
which may not seem crcditable. Vet I
tried TO tell myself that would have
taken the same. course without II.
This was the reason which my con-
science forces me TO disclose: Old Sam
Warren, Uncle Billy's lawyer and the
oniy man who knew anything about the
disposition Of the estate gave me a
1uiet hint that the property would 20
70 Uncle Henry. or course. considering
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-09-02

| proved TO be-and what he felt then to
be-his hst Illness"
| Upon this. adjusting his spectacles
carefully. he read as follows:
| Dear Sam--It will be no news to
| you. though 1t Will be to everybody else.
when i remark here that j haven't a
dollar in the world My visible proper
ty in Bellport will just square it's own
mortgages. and everything else has
vanished In speculation and foolish in
vestments. The only legacy l have to
leave is a great crop of dissensions in
my family, but II possible must
straighten these difficulties all out be-
fore die and thus atone for pretend
ing to be rich.
IF you will follow my instructions
implicitly. / believe that all will be
we'll. Everybody knows that you have
been familiar with my affairs. and a
hint from you will be accepted as abso-
lutte verify. Therefore II is for you to
do these things:
Tell Frank that his Uncle Henry
gets the money.
Tell Henry that Leonard gets the
money.
Don't tell Leonard anything.
Tell Daisy that Aunt Harriet gets
the money
Tell Harriet that Mildred gets IT,
Tell Mildred that Frank gets II and
say that the heir or heiress has known
1t long time.
Give all these pieces OF misinforma-
ton privately and quietly, and this Is
about what will happen:
Frank will go TO his Uncle Henry.
Henry will go to Leonard.
Leonard will go to Daisy.
Daisy will go to Harriet.
Harriet will go to Mildred.
Mildred will go to Frank, and they'll
all be reconciled.
Il have been tinkering with this a
long while. II is harder to figure out
than town meeting. but Il will work.
leave to them my blessing. equally to
them all. and with sincere affection. IL
is all i have. Everything else is mort
gagged.
Yours sincerely. WIN. HARRIS"
And when we got our breath we all
rose up and called Uncle Billy blessed.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-09-02

our business relations. 1t was in the
highest degree essential that should
get back upon basis OF friendship with
him.
He doesn't know that he's going to
get the money, Frank" the old lawyer
had said to me. land of course he
doesn't know that you know 1t, but
that's the way the will stands"
| So / went to Uncle Henry and had a
/ most cordial and hearty reconciliation
with him. / confessed myself in the
wrong IN our business difference and
| yielded all points in the new agreement
that was then and there drawn up.
When that was over. we were the best
of friends.
could not quite forbear taking ad-
vantage of our renewed friendship to
speak to him about Leonard.
We'll, Frank. as to that" said he
1--WE had a change OF sentiment. Since
Uncle Billy"-he always called his
brother uncle-"has been so iii I've had
a softening OF the heart. / have told
Leonard to follow his own inclination.
/ guess he and Daisy will patch up
peace and be married by and by. He
can marry whom he pleases, for be-
tween you and me. Frank. all the mon
ey goes to him."
I knew that this was not true. but /
was glad Uncle Henry believed 1t, since
IL had led to the happiness of Leonard
and Daisy, and could not help specu-
lating upon the result to Mildred. Could
1 win her again? This thought was In
my mind all day, battling with my
pride, for i was still suffering from the
sting of her treatm Of mo
We were all at Uncle Billy's house in
the evening. He lay up stairs very near
his end. and only the doctors and
nurses were admitted TO him. There was
a gloom over the old mansion, and we
spoke In whispers In the parlor. where
the great lamp on the center table was
shaded as IL that room, too. were
sick chamber.
The atmosphere OF grief was op-
presstve beyond my endurance. and
went out upon the veranda for a
glimpse of the moonlight and a breath
OF the evening air. To my surprise, I
found Daisy and Aunt Harriet there.
could have sworn they were in oppo-
site corners OF che great parlor. but in
stead they were sitting side by side on
a rustic seat i'm amicable conversation.
Fearing the chill of coming night, |
Aunt Harriet presently went into the |
house. and I was able to have a Few |
words with Daisy.
II had wronged Aunt Harriet deeply"
said she to me, and I have told her SO. |
have always supposed that she inter- |
vened between Leonard and me because |
OF that hateful money and i'm the belief |
that Mildred would have 1t. But IL |
seems that Aunt Harriet is to get every
penny. and OF course she has known 10 |
all the time. Therefore she could have
had no notion In separating Leonard |
ana me. and ] believe what she has told |
ne tonight--that II was not her doing"
Il am glad you are reconciled." said
], and then I was about to ask her why !
she thought that Aunt Harriet was To |
have the money. or course I knew u
was not true. for my Information had
some direct from Lawyer Warren. But !
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-09-02

When 1t was whispered around Bell
port that my uncle, William Harris
was dying. every one said that our
family was doomed to endless dissen-
sion. Uncle Billy" as the whole town
called him, was the only rich Harris ev-
er known In that region. and the dispo-
sit:on OF his property was a matter of
vital Importance In our family.
Not one of us knew where 1t was GO
Ing. for Uncle Billy never gave hint
about IL. or one thing, however, we all
felt sure--the property would not be
divided with any approach to equality,
but would go almost as a whole to one
fortunate individual.
There were those in the village who
said that Uncle Billy had planned to
stir up as much strife as possible that
he had figured II all out in advance
with malign satisfaction. The only ba-
sis for this opinion was Uncle Billys
habit OF figuring everything out. He
had faculty FOR combinations akin to
that possessed by great chess players.
have known him to set down on paper
the results of town meeting. weeks
in advance OF its date. with surprising
accuracy of detail.
AS to the prospects OF a suuabble
ONti hhS WILL io OUt cOulu ucny tnat
they were excellent. We were far from
harmonious even while he lived. Uncle
Henry and I had quarreled over our
business partnership and were on the
verge of a dissolution harmful to both.
! think ! could have forgiven Uncle
Henry for his attitude in this matter
but for my disapproval OF his treatment
OF his son Leonard. This young man
was in love with our very distant
cousin, Daisy Vale, who at one time
had been supposed to have a first rate
chance TO inherit Uncle Billy's money.
Her prospects changed. however. and
Uncle Henry came to believe that the
fortune would really go to Mildred
Lancaster. an orphan whom Uncle
Billy had taken under his protection
because Of friendship for her father.
Believing that she was to be the
heiress. Uncle Henry forced his son to
pay court to her. Leonard was a good
fellow. but overburdened by the virtue
OF obedience. He tried TO follow his
fathers bchcst as we'll as sore heart
would let him, and this 80 angered
Daisy that ehe threw him over alto
sether. even before there was any real
cause for II.
Strangely enough. she laid the blame
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-09-02
An Important Person.

Among the guests at Monte Carlo last
year were a very ordinary looking cou-
pie who kept TO themselves and paid
but slight attention =, the passing
throng. But one night two English roy
alties arrived. and after dinner the
princess went up to the couple and
spoke most graciously to them. Then
every one wanted to know who they
were. UndeniabIe evidence OF breeding
was observed about their manners. and
their unobstrusive ways indicated ex-
clusiveness.
An English lady was observed talking
TO them one night, and the inquisltive
crowd surged round her. do tell us
who she Isl" they chorused. "oh," was
the reply. that is the queens nasseuse,
who is now on her wedding tripl She
has rubbed her royal highness' knee
and her majesty's feet. and-she has
rubbed me ell oveti-fN H. 49,
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-09-02

One OF the oldest OF the. new Inhab-
itants of the United States is Diogenes
OF Porto Rico. Diogenes does not live
In a tub, although it is likely ne would
not be too proud TO do so were not the
tub little too large for him. Diogenes
is crab and. like the crusty old
Greek philosopher after whom he was
named. is a hermit His home is the
shell OF some other marine animal
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-09-02

indeed TO please. Before he finds shell
which suits him as place OF residences
ne hauls at least a score OF them TO
shore and tries each one until he inds
one that fits. Even then he Is only
satisfied for a time. discarding that
sheh TO so out house hunting again
when time OF oyereating has made his
Quarters appear rather cramped. AT
night. when the crabs are prowllng
about on the shore. they knock against
these empty shells. making great
clatter and commotion. sometimes
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-09-02

bed Historically. a lady in the crowd
who had kind, sweet face said:
Let me talk TO the little girl"
The officer OF the law, much discour-
aged In his efforts. stepped back.
What pretty kitten" said the lady
as she put her arm about Philomena.
The little girls heart was won. and in
very bad English she sobbed out her
poor little story to the lady; how the
padre was sicl<--very sick--and the
money in the little box was spent, all
but one little silver piece. and the baby
dear little Tony-was scarcely able
to breathe. so weak was he. and the
madre no longer able to go out 10 look
for the work which no one would give
her. Therefore she Oittle Phslomena)
was going to work and take care OF ell
OF them.
1t was a pathetic little tale, and when
1t was told the policeman repeated IL to
the people who stood on the inside OF
the circle.
Poor KID" said a showlly dressed
but kind hearted man. Lets pass
round the hat" A murmur OF assent
greeted this remark. and people who
say New Workers. are not generous
should have seen the quantity of silver
and bank notes that the hat contained
when IT came back to its owner. 1t was
poured into Philomena's lap, and the
lady gathered It up and knotted it into
her own fine white handkerchief for the
little girl to carry home.
There was so much money and Phil
omena seemed so dazed that the lady
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-09-02

had pretty cottage and plenty TO eat
and wear, while the baby grew rosy and
happy. and the children went to school
every day. so that now Philomena can
speak English as well as any OF the lit
tie girls OF her age. The kitten is now
a large black cat. and the entire Puegi
family firmly believe that they owe
their good fortune TO pussie.
ALICE DE BERDT.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-09-02

Harold has pair of twin aunties who
look and dress so exactly alike that it is
difficult to tell which is Miss Mary and
which is Miss Martha.
One day lady said to Harold:
II don't see how you can tell your two
aunties apart"
"Oh. that's easy enough" replied Har-
old, "for Auntie Mary looks a great
deal more alike than Auntie Martha!"
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-09-02

The Oldest and most curious herbari-
um In the world f. In the Egyptian mus
scum at Cairo. II consists OF crown4
garlandA wreaths and bouquets Of 0ows
ers. ell taken from the ancient tombo
OF Egypt. most OF the examples being fu
excellent condition. Nearly all the 0ow>
ers have been Identified. They cannol
b less than 3Wo yeara cid
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-09-02

The color OF birds eggs. especially
light tints. are apt to fade on exposure
to too great sunlight. This is the case
with the greenish blue eggs. as those OF
the murre. BY experiment in museums
the Barker colored eggs OF olive brown
or chocolate hue have been found to un-
dergo least change.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-09-02

said she would see her safely home.
Some one in the crowd insisted on call
ing cab, and they went OFF in state.
When the padre was well enough to
work again. the kind lady. who lived
somewhere on upper Fifth avenue and
who had not lost sight of them. found
work for him in the country. where they
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-09-02
Spain Rich In Sunshine.

The quantity OF sunshine received by
each of the countries of Europe was dis
cussed at scientific meeting. 1t was
shown that Spain stands at the head of
the list. having on the average 5000
hours of sunshine per year. while Italy
has 2,Soo hours. Germany 100 hours
and England 1, 400 hours.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-09-02
A Discerning Youngster.

! Neighbor-Bertie. your mother is call
ing you.
Bertie-Yes'm, know it. but she
don't want me bad.
Neighbor-She has called you seven
times already.
Bertie-Yes. I know, but she hasn't
called albert" yet.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-09-02

He paused and let US prepare our.
selves. When we seemed to have done
30, he continued:
William Harris died intestate. The
only Will he ever made was destroyed
some years ago. Everything In rela-
ton TO his property. however, will be
made clear 20 you when read this LETT
ter. addressed TO me by him on the day
when hs-was taken down with whse
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-09-02

were after this dreadful money. but II
seems that you knew all along that you
were to be the heir. And today, when
Uncle Billy Is 30 ill and the money %
near your grasp. you have gone TO Un.
Gle Henry and settled all your differ-
ences. yielding everything to him, when
YOU might have won every point with
the wealth that will be yours. 10 was
very noble OF you, and hope ysu Niil
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-09-02
THE LITTLE WHITE POODLE.

little white poodle went out to walk
With n big brown dog one day.
He felt SO fine he began to talk
: About the weather so gay. so gay,
About the weather so gay.
Along came coach dog. black and white,
And attacked the big brown dog.
The poodle ran. yelping. away with fright
And hid behind a log. log. log.
And hid behind a log.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-09-02
THE ACCIDENT TO PH1LoMENA.

afraid Of policemen. The officer stopped
down and tried to stroke the kitten.
thinking In this way to assure the little
girl that his intentions were friendly.
The cat spat at him, and the crowd
smiled. Then the policeman entered into
a rather one sided conversation, in which
he asked questions. and Philomena Sob
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-09-02

Two yellow butterflies, wAitzipe together
IN the bright suDsbipe apd warm surDrer weather,
Said to each other, "Ob, where shall we dine Z.
WbeD DooDtrpe comes on, the day is so finer"
Said butterfly upto butterfly two,
u know where there's plenty for me Apd for you,
Where roses apd IarksPur and sweet lily bells
Are bripnoios With pectAr like boDeybees' cells"
Two yellow butterflies, wAltzpq together
In the bright supsbipe apd warm sun7Der weather,
Said to each other, "Ob, where shall we sleep
When day disappears ADd the silver stars psep1"
Said butterfly two unto butterfly one:
u know where the fairies all hide from, the sup.
We'Il fold our 2Auze wings apd creep out Of sight
Deep into the heart Of boIIyhoek bright"
~. TOWNSEND
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-09-02

frightening unaccustomed persons. whs
do not know how to account for the
noise.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-09-02

Now. Diogenes the crab Is very hard
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-07-19
Cathedral of Vanilla.

Church conditions among the peo-
pie of the Philippine Islnds are not
ideal. Spain, which demOralizes e
erything she touches, has used the
Roman Catholic Church there for po-
litical ends, and many priests re noto-
riously far from what they ought to
be as spiritual advisers, and, also, az
men. By the law of the islands, ev
erybody is Roman Catholic. Nc
other church services of any kind are
allowed. There are church buildings
in every town, and the churches are
the finest buildings, as a rule, in the
town. The Roman Catholic cathe-
dral is the finest edifice in the city
of Manila. 1t is under the care Of the
Jesuits, as are many of the churches
on the islands. 1t was twelve years
in building, and cos 81 900, 600. The
very finest and hardest woods in the
Philippines were used for the finish
ing, and the structure is of a blush
tint marble. There are exquisite
carvings, some of which have recent.
ly been made.
The education Of the young on the
islands is in the care of the Roman
Catholic Church authorities. There
are no endowed schools, and no hos
pitfalls. The children go to school
only one hour per day for two days
each week, and study almost nothing
save church history, and a few verbs.
Writing is not taught and reading is
taught only to the upper classes.
All marriages have to be celebrated
by the priests. Some time ago a
marriage was performed between
British subjects in the British lega-
ton, and so much trouble came from
it that a battle well nigh ensued.-St.
Louis Globe-Democrat.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-07-19
THE BOND SUBSCRIPTION
Six Times (Over.Subscribed For.
Small Subscriber VIII Absorb the
LOan

Six Times lOver.Subscribed For.
Small Subscribers VIII Absorb h
LOan.
Washington, July 1.-THE subscrip-
lions to the 8 per cent war loan
of 5000, 900, 900 which closed at 8
o'clock this afternoon, including the
offers made by syndicates, will amount
to 81, 200, 900, 900 or six times the
amount of the issues. The subscrip-
tions represented by checks or other
forms of payment it is estimated will
aggregate about $3.50, 600, 900 or three
and three quarters times the amount
OF the issue. Early this week Assis-
tant Secretary Vanderlip who has had
immediate supervision of the work in
connection with the loan, became con-
WINGED that the subscriptions of indi-
viduals would be far more than sufi-
cient to wholly absorb the loan and
gave instructions that checks repre-
senting all subscriptions of corpora
lions be prepared and returned to the
senders tonight 1t is thought at the
treasury department that no indi-
vidual subscriptions as high as $1O,-
900 will receive an allotment of bonds.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-07-19

Lieutenant w. E. Sands. of Hagers-
town, Md. attached TO the First
Maryland regiment. and who has been
in camp at Fortress Monroe, arrived
here last evening on his way TO Fort
Caswell. He has been assigned 10
special duty there and went down last
evening at Sis o'clock on the govern
ment steamer General Thorn. accom-
panied by Captain w. E. Craighill, Of
the engineer corps.
Lieutenant Sands stated that he
saw the go wounded men from San
tiago disembarked from tbs transport
City OF Washington at West Point
Wednesday morning. He says IL was
a sad sight but the me seemed cheer
full. Nine out OF ten OF the wounded
soldiers were able TO walk without as
sistance but many had 10 be carried
on filters. He says ne never saw any
with legs of but a number a arms
amputated.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-07-19
To Explode the Mines

It Mas announced in the Associated
Press dispatches a few days ago that
as there is no longer any danger from
hostile ships from Spain, the torpedo
mines in the various harbors Of the
United States will be taken up-most
probably by exploding them. Yester-
day Captain w. f. Craighill. chief Of
the engineer corps here. received or
ders to that effect from the War de-
partment, but the time and manner Of
removing the mines from this harbor
is left TO his discretion. He says he
will be in no hurry to disturb the
mines which were laid for the protec-
ton Of Wilmington.