davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-16

springs at the bottom TO help keep up
the enormous volume of water. From
the north there is n large amount of
water pouring into the lake year in and
year out; the swift-rushing, narrow
banked Nipigon and other streams
furnishing no small part of the supply
These streams in a large measure mako
up the loss from the surface. One of
the old lake captains, bronzed, kindly
faced man who had been for 35 years on
the lakes, and had faced death many
time in the frightful storms which
sometimes sweep across these beautiful
bodies OF water, told me, as we were
passing along one day near the north
coast of Superior, with the headlands
and inlets and, glossy green bluffs OF
that most picturesque shore in full
view, that the theory that the lake was
slowly going down in size was true.
He maintained that he could tell from
certain landmarks along tho shores,
with which he is as familiar as he would
be with the streets OF his old Scottish
birthplace, that the lake was slowly
very slowly-but surely recedng. How
ever IL will be some centuries yet be-
fore there will be any appreciable less
cning of the great lakes, so that we need
not be concerned.
Strange as IL may seem, the lake has
tides, too, well-defned tides, discov-
cred in 1860. II is what Is called n self
registering tide. with a regular fux
and refiuN wave, SO the scientific men
say, by the sun and moon. The average
rise and fall every "a hours is one-four-
teen-hundredth OF foot; the maximum
tide at new and full moon is one-twen-
ty-eight-hundredth OF a foot.
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-16
The Farmer Wa. Fixed for Him.

A well-to-do Georgia farmer invited
a merchant friend to dine with him.
The merchant was known for his crank
mess and had once or twice tried to
shoot people for imagined wrongs. The
farmer had considerable business deal
ings with him, and they were on the
best of terms. However, the farmer
always kept wary eye on him. Several
days after the dinner at the farmers
house the merchant said to him: II
can't account for the queer feelings
and impulses 1 have occasionally. For
instance, the other day when / was
dining at your table it suddenly came
into my mind TO kill you. had pistol
in my pocket at the time, and once
/ had my hand on IL, when the strange
feeling passed from mel"
Don't let that bother you." said the
farmer. II knowed all about your
failin's in that line, an wuzn't asleep
when 1 saw your hand to your hip.
Ny son John wuz standia' In the hall
way back of you with a shotgun lev
eled at you an you jist did save your
bacon by changin' your mind. Ef you
hadn't he'd err blowed daylight through
youl"-Atlanta Constitution.
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-16

Senator Morgan was the witness OF
an interesting incident during his visit
10 Honolulu. One day cargo OF mules
was being carried on barge TO a steam
err lying Off shore, when one of the
mules jumped overheard. When he
landed on the beach he took a survey,
and saw his fellow-mules still on the
barge, and started TO join them. After
he had swan some distance, great
wave came along and turned him over.
When he righted himself he was wild
with rage, and blindly headed out for
mid-ocean. The captain of the barge
gave n command 20 Kanaka, who inn
mediately sprang overheard, swan at
a tangent TO intercept the mule, and,
reaching the animal, climbed upon his
back, and by clever tactics rode the
mule direct To the steamer.
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-16

''sir." said I. ~upon NJ word ! dare
not"
"Oh," he sneered. "that's IL! Take
me In straight. or I'll break your arm"
He gave il, as he spoke. wrench that
made me cry out.
Sir" said /. lit rs for yourself I mean.
The captain is not what he used to be.
He sits with drawn cutlass. Another
gentleman"
"Come. now, march" interrupted he;
and never heard voice SO cruel. and
cold. and ugly as that blind mans. II
cowed me more than the pain; and
began to obey hind at once, walking
straight In at the door and toward the
parlor, where the sick old buccaneer
was sitting. dazed with rum. The
blind man chung close TO me. holding
me In with one iron fist. and leaning al
most more of his weight on me than I
could carry. LEAD me straight up 20
him, and when I'm in full view cry out:
Here's a friend for you, Bill II you
don't, I'll do this;' and with that he gave
me q twitch that thought would have
made me faint. Between this and that,
I was so utterly terrified by the blind
beggar that forgot my terror of the
captain, and, as / opened the parlor
door, cried out the words he had or
dered in trembling voice.
[ro Bn icoNrINuEp.l
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-16

and downstairs, and went from the
parlor to the bar and back again, and
sometimes put his nose out-of-doors 10
smell the sea, holding on to the walls
as he went for support, and breathing
hard and fast like a man on a steep
mountain. He never particularly adj
dressed me, and II Is my belief he had
as good as forgotten his condolences;
but his temper was more Eighty, and,
allowing for his bodily weakness, more
violent TRAN ever He had an alarming
way now when he was drunk of draw
ing his cutlass and laying IL bare be-
fore him on the table. But, with all
that, he minded people less, and seemed
shut up in his own thoughts and rather
wandering. Once, for instance, to our
extreme wonder. he piped up TO a diff
ferent air, kind of country love-song,
that he must have learned in his youth
before he had begun TO follow the sen.
So things passed until, the day after
the funeral, and about three o'clock Of
bitter. foggy, frosty afternoon, was
standing at the door for a moment, full
of sad thoughts about my father, when
L saw some one drawing slowly near
along the road He was plainly blind.
for he tapped before him with q stick,
and wore great green shade over his
eyes and nose; and he was hunched, as
IL with age or weakness, and wore a
huge old tattered sea-cloak with hood
that made him appear positively de-
formed. / never saw in my life more
dreadful-looking figure. He stopped n
little from the inn, and raising his voice
In an odd sing-song, addressed the air
In front of him:
"will any kind friend inform poor
blind man, who has lost the precious
sight OF his eyes in the gracious defense
of his native country, England, and God
bless King George!-where or in what
part Of this country he may now be?"
"You are at the Admiral Benbow,
Black Hill Cove, my good man." said /.
II hear voice." said he. "a young
voice. Will you give me yoE- hand, my
kind young friend, and lead me in?"
held out my hand, and the horrible,
soft-spokeu, eyelcss creature gripped IL
in moment like wise. was 50 much
startled that struggled TO withdraw;
but the blind man pulled me close up 20
him with a single action of bis arm.
snow. boy" he said, "tal1r me In 70
the captain"
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-16
CHAPTER III.
THE BLACK SPOT.


About noon Istopped at the captains
door with some cooling drinks and
medicines. He was lying very much
as we had left him, only little higher.
and he seemed both weak and excited.
"JiIn," he said. you're the only one
here that's worth anything; and you
know I've been always good TO you.
Never n month but I've given you sill
yer fourpenny for yourself. And now
you see. mate, I'm pretty low, and de-
serted by all; and Jim, you'll bring me
one noggin OF rum, now won's you,
matey?"
1.-THE Doctor" began.
But he broke in cursing the doctor. in
a feeble voice, but heartily. Doctors
10 all swabs," he said; land that doctor
there, why, what do he know about
seafaring men? / been in places hot
as pitch, and mates dropping round
with Yellow Jack. and the blessed land
a-heaving like the sea with earth
quakes-what do the doctors know OF
lands like that? and L lived on rum,
tell you. It's been meat and drink, and
man and wife, TO me; and If I'm not TO
have my rum now I'm a poor old hulk
on n lee shore, my blood'll be on you,
Jim, and that doctor swab;" and he ran
onagain for awhile with curses. Look,
Jim, how my fingers fidges," he con-
tlnued, in the pleading tone. II can't
keep 'em still, not l. / haven't had a
drop this blessed day. That doctors a
fool, tell you. fl don't have drain
o. rum, Jim, I'll have the horrors;
seen some on 'em already. L seen old
Flint In the corner there, l. .hind you;
as plain as print, seen him; and IL
get the horrors, I'm a man that has
lived rough, and I'll raise Cain. Your
doctor bisself said one glass wouldn't
hurt me. I'll give you golden guinea
for noggin, jim"
lie was growing more and more ex-
cited, and this alarmed me. for my ia
Their was very low that day, and
needed quiet; besides, was treasured
10y the doctors words, now quoted TO
me, and rather offended by the offer of
a bride.
II want none OF your money" said
/, but what you owe my father. I'll
get you one glass, and no more"
When brought Ii TO him. he seized II
greedily, and drank il out.
"Ay, ay," said he, that's some bet
ter. sure enough. And now, matey,
did that doctor say how long was to
lie here in this old berth?"
~ week at least" said I.
"Thunderl" he cried. ~ weekl
can't do that; they'd have black spot
on me by then. The lubbers is going
about to get the wind Of me this blessed
moment; lubbers as couldn't keep
what they got, and want to nail what is
another's. Is that seamanly behavior,
now. want TO know? But I'm n saw
ing soul. l never wasted good money
OF mine, nor lost Il, neither; and I'll
trick 'em again. I'm not afraid on EN-
I'll shake out another reef. matcy, and
daddle 'em again"
AZ he was thus speaking he had risen
from bed with great difficulty. holding
20 my shoulder with grip that almost
made me cry, and moving his legs like
40 much dead weight. His words,
spirited as they were in meaning, con-
trasted sadly with the weakness Of the
voice In which hey were uttered. He
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-16

husband, and ten him, II possible, moth
Ing about II. ror my part, must do
my best to save this fellows trebly
worthless life; and Jim here will get me
. BASIN"
When i got back with the basin, nhe
doctor had already ripped up the cap
tain's sleeve. and exposed his great
sinewy arm. 1t was tattooed in several
places. Here's luck" "A fair wind"
and BILLY Bones his fancy" were very
neatly and clearly executed on the fore
arm; and up near the shoulder there
was a sketch of a gallows and n man
hanging from it-done. as / thought.
with great spirit.
prophetic" said the doctor, touch
ing this picture with his finger. and
now, Master Billy Bones, II that be
your name, well have q look at the
color of your blood. jim" he said. 'are
you afraid of blood?"
mo, sir" said /.
"well. then" said he. you hold the
BASIN" and with that he took his
lancet and opened a vein.
A great deal of blood was taken be-
fore the captain opened his eyes and
looked mistily about him. First he
recognized the doctor with an unmis-
taxable frown; then his glance fell upon
me, and he looked relieved. But sud
denly his color changed, and he tried 10
raise himself, crying:
where's Black Dog?"
There is no Black Dog here" said
the doctor, except what you have on
your own back. You have been drink.
Ing rum; you have had stroke, pre-
cisely as 1 told you; and l have just
very much against my own will
dragged you headforemost out of the
grave. Now, Mr.. Bones"
That's not my name" he inter
rupted.
"Much / care" returned the doctor
"It's the name Of buccaneer of my ac'
quaintance; and call you by II for the
sake of shortness. and what have 10
say TO you Is this: one glass of rum
won't kill you, but IL you take one
you'll take another and another. and
l stake my wig il you don't break of
short, you'll die-do you understand
that?-die, and 60 TO your own place
like the man in the Bible. Come, now
make an effort. I'll help you to your
bed for once"
Between us, with much trouble, we
managed TO hoist him upstairs, and laid
him on his bed, where his head fell back
on the pillow. as II he were almost faint
ing.
snow, mind you," said the doctor, -
clear my conscience-the name Of rum
for you is DEATH"
And with that he went off TO see my
father, taking me with him by the arm
This is nothing" he said, as soon al
he had closed the door. 81 have drawn
| blood enough to keep him quiet awhile
he should lie for week where he is
that Is the best thing for him and you
but another stroke would settle him.
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-16

paused when he had got into . sitting
position on the edge.
THAT doctors done me-" he muir
INJURED. MY ears II singing. Lay me
back"
Before could do much to help him he
had fallen back again TO his former
place, where he lay for awhile silent.
"Jim," he said. at length, You saw
that seafaring man to-day?"
"Black Dog?" asked.
"Ah! Black Dog" says he. He's .
bad 'un; but there's worse that put
him on. Now, IL can't get away no
how. and they tip me the black spot
mind you, it's my old sea-chest they're
after. You get on a horse-you can,
can't you? Well, then you get on a
horse, and go lowell, yes. will!-to
that eternal doctor swab, and tell MIN
TO pipe all undergraduates and SIGH
and he'll lay 'em aboard at the Ad-
miral Benbow-all old Flint's crew.
man and boy. all on 'em that's left. !
was first mate, I was, old Flint's first
mate, and I'm the on'y one as knows tho
place. He gave it me to Savannah,
when he lay a-dying. like as IL was 20
now, you see. But you won't peach un
less they get the black spot on me. or
unless you see that Black Dog again
or a seafaring man with one leg, Jim
him above ALL"
But what is the black spot, captain ?
I asked.
That's a summons, mate. I'll tell
you IL they get that. But you keep your
weather-eye open, Jim, and I'll share
with you equals, upon my honor"
He wandered little longer, his voice
growing weaker; but soon after had
given him his medicine. which he took
like a child, with the remark, IF ever
a seaman wanted drugs, it's me, he fell
at last into heavy. swoon-like sleep In
which / left him. What / should have
done had all gone well do not know.
Probably should have told the whole
story TO the doctor; for was in mortal
fear lest the captain should repent of
his confessions and make an end of me.
But as things fell out, my poor father
died quite suddenly that evening,
which put all other matters on one side.
Our natural distress. the visits of the
neighbors. the arranging of the funeral,
and all the work of the inn TO be car
ried on In the meanwhile, kept me so
busy that had scarcely time to think
of the captain. far less TO be afraid q
him.
He got downstairs next morning, TO
be sure, and had his meals as usual
though he eat little, and had more, j
am afraid, than his usual supply OF
rum, for he helped himself out of the
bar, scowling and blowing through his
nose, and no one dared TO cross him
On the night before the funeral he was
as drunk as ever; and it was shocking
In that house of mourning, TO hear him
singing away his ugly old sea-song;
but, weak as he was, we were all in fear
Of death for him, and the doctor was
suddenly taken up with a case many
miles away, and was never near the
house after my fathers death. hav,
said the captain was weak; and indeed
he seemed rather to grow weaker than
regain his strength. He clambered uT
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-16

under IL. The bull seemed surprised
that had disappeared, and, after sniff
ing around awhile, went Off. waited
until he was nearly up with the cattle,
and then started again. But the old fell
low was no fool; he had his eye on me,
and / had hardly started before hs came
back on the run.
To do my best, / couldn't make the
creek, so under the boat ! went again.
This time the bull was mad. He bell
lowed and paved and tore up the sod
around the boat with his horns; but
held the boat down.
Finally, when / was getting tired, he
got tired himself, and went SO far away
that this time / made the creek and
launched my boat.
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-16
seaTHA.s COMB.

Dear Bsrtha's hair is golden spun.
A n unraveled from the sun
In brightest noon. and clinging there.
In Bertha's hair. q tortoise comb.
An olden comb high crowned and spare.
Recalls = dear old-fashioned home
And Bertha's mother. young again,
Makes me the happiest OF men.
Dear Bertha's locks are maynard things.
And nutter like the nossy wings
or humming- birds around q flower,
And Bertha's words are like a song
heard long since In young loves bower:
And now a youth. who dallies long
Beside her chair, with gesture neat,
Picks up the comb from near her feet.
All welll the wheel OF time has whiried,
And Bertha's world Is not my worldi
But that young man who bends the knee
And lifts the bauble from the floor
In bashfn haste-it seems to me
That have seen that youth before:
For Bertha's mothers comb. know.
Enthraned me thirty years agol
Chicago Record.
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-16
CHEATING THE BULL.
An Eastern Hunter Displays Hare
Presence OF Mind Under Very
Trying Conditions.

A Connecticut sportsman relates in
Forest and Stream an adventure which
must have been exciting enough 10 save
his day from monotony.
/ was hauling my boat across Eley's
meadow to the creek-a hard pull, with
decoys, gun and ammunition. ] was
about half way across. and had sat down
TO rest, when noticed that one OF n
large herd OF cattle was coming my
way. i looked again. 1t was big bull,
and evidently meant business.
knew he would overtake me IL ran,
so turned over my boat and crawled
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-16
cIns. I'm Philosophy.

"If man refuses bride ii is not al
ways an indication that he is honest.
Give an example"
"Give the price"
"What is fame?"
Having your statue put in the park
and leaving fund TO pay guides to tell
your name and what you did"
"In the fable OF the Turtle and the
Hare, what Is the moral?"
"That the turtle knows how TO catch
on"
"Why should the Irish be good golf
players?"
"'Cause they're fond OF wearing OF
the green."-N. Y. Truth.
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-16
A nnmc.tin InterIude.

Manageable Daughter think, pa,
that you do Arthur injustice when you
say that he is penurious.
Precocious Brother-What's penoori-
Gus, pa?
Pa-Why. Bobbie, penurious is close.
Precocious Brother-Then you're
right, pa. Mr.. Penrose is awful penoori-
GUS whenever he comes to see Sis
Boston Courier.
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-16
Newfoundland nrihou.

Inc caribou, or reindeer, OF New
foundland roam over an area OF some
$4,000 miles Of unbroken wilderness.
They are magnificent creatures, some
Of the larger stays weighing from 500
20 COO pounds. AS might be expected.
venison is pretty plentiful in ST. Johns
market and has been sold sor as little
M five cents pound.
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-16
Ennnnh snid.

"That will do" said Balaam. you've
talked enough"
Eyes" retorted the ass, 1--WE talked
enough 10 hand you down TO immortal
ity."
And the patient animal never spol;e
again.--Chicago Tribune.
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-16
Knew what Troubled Him.

A very little boy had, during his pa
pas severe illness, heard great deal
said about nervous prostitution. Feels
ing i'll one day, he threw himself upon
the sofa, exclaiming: "Oh dear. I'm
'fraid I'm going 30 have nervous pros
pectsi"-Youth's Companion.
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-16

Little Johnny thinks that school
teachers are awfully social creatures.
Miss Dash, he says, never stays after
school without having one or two OF
the boys to keep her company.-Boston,
Transcript.
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-16
Permanent Relief.

~ don't believe patent medicine ever
did anybody any good"
II do"
"Whom?"
"Well. there's Stringers; he got cured
OF one of the worst cases OF financial
stringency ever saw."-Chicago jour
nal.
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-16
Thn rrent nrtlst Michnel Anrelo IVA

The great artist Michael Angelo was
as famous an architect or designer as
he was n painter. He designed tho
church OF ST. Peter at Rome. which II
built In the form OF Latin cross. He
also designed another church In Rome,
and, besides these, planned number Of
famous structures.
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-16
How lie Dill II.

"The doctor put my husband on his
feet in week." she explained. -Itwas
no trouble at all. The bill he presented
lifted him out OF bed."-Chicago Post.
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-16

Sister Mile wants to know IL you
won't let us take your big awning?
She's going to give a porch party to-
morrow night and wants TO have It on
the PLAYER"
wants my awning?"
"Yep. She would have borrowed the
Joneses', but theirs is blue, you know.
and Miles hair is red."-Clevehand
Plain Dealer.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-11-25

Sally Blackburn, colored, was sentenced
to three months in Jail by Judge Kimball
today for carrying concealed weapons. A
razor blade was the weapon which she was
charged with possessing. Sally had trouble
with another woman and threatened to use
a weapon on her. Yesterday she went to
the house of her intended victim and threw
the razor blade at her
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-11-25

city for three weeks. the guest Of Mrs.
howard {. Russell Chicago
The ruglar monthly social of Excelsior
Literary Club last Tuesday evening derived
SPECIAL interest from the fact that IL was
held at the home in which the club had its
nIrth' the residence of its first presiding
oiheer Mrs. A. II. Frear. No. sl3 Sth street
northeast Mrs. NJ NJ MeicaIf. pt.sident
caied the meeting to order and announced
the program, which included the following:
instrumental trio by Prof Daken and Mr.
ana Mrs Phillips, essay by Mrs. Lulu Sax
ton, vocal solo by Mrs. Eta Kalstrom. with
plano accompaniment by Mrs Edith Bauer:
instrumental duet by Mes%rs Bates and
belt. vocal solo by Mrs Phillips reading of
an original paper. Books for Bows" by
mrs. Morrison. discussed by Gen y /
smith, j. IL. Tibbits and others: solo hy
Mrs. Cecil Fentris. vocal trio by Mr. and
Mrs. Frear and Mrs. Kalstron and the
reading OF original verses by s. W Russell
among those present were the following:
Mrs Katie Hin, Mrs. May McGlus Mr.. and
MRS. j. H Tibbits, Mr.. and Mrs A. Patten
nir. ana Mrs. n. j. Smith, NJ. Il. tombstone
Roye Marshall. Mrs f. NJ Willis. Mrs r
olesen' Mrs. Jean ID. Frisbie Mrs f. ID.
Overland, Miss Irene DIETRICH Mrs Addis
W. Foster. Miss Addie Chewening. Miss
fiora Mcdonald. w. A. Brannan, Elsie NJ
Harhelle,- Miss Laura f. Bryson, Mrs. III
ii. Martin, Allyne Martin, Mrs. Jennie Sim
mons Archie Upperman, g. r. Parker
Mrs. Cara +. Kalstro,n. Mrs NJ NJ ana
MISS Gertrude Metcalf. DIR. Mary E Norrt-
son, Mrs. Edith Bauer Mrs r A Kali
strom. Miss Alice Blackford Ralph r
Bates Mrs. Mollie S. Phillips and dailsbter
anu MI. and Mrs. A. II. Frear