davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-09-15

General James n. Bethune Of Georgia
and Virginia, who owned Tom before
The war. The Lerches moved some
time ago to Navesink Highlands.
The invest gators next Inquiries
were put to a native Jerseyman,
driver Of cab OF the miocene period.
kin take you to see Bin Tom?
Sure." was the cab drivers response
Lives out to old Shay's Hay? Ler-
shay's? Dunno nGthis' about the Ler;
we call him Shay. He lives bout two
miles from here if you drive, and
about five If you walk
81 sad | could take you to see Bin
Tom. I'll have to take that back. I'll
take you to Ler-shay's, but l don't
guarantee you'u see the other Teller
They're mighty shy Of him an they
amt many gets to him, an that's
the truth"
Half an hour later, after delight
full drive over unfenced, narrow. red
roads winding over steep hills and
through abrupt hollows, under the
shade OF closely crowded forest trees,
the cabman turned into a gently slop-
ing. grass grown, tree-dotted opening,
at the foot OF which lay the placid
North Shrewsbury river.
Here's the end of the road an
there's the house" said the driver
shortly. Used to belong to O'Rourke,
who runs a bookstore in New York.
Ler-shay and his wife an Bin Tom
have lived there goin on three years
now"
At first sight, the house, a large and
once snowy &c ttage' Of apparently
twelve or fourteen rooms, seemed de-
serted, but presently the kitchen, with
an open door. guarded by the
screens" so universally used in Jer-
sew came into view as an evidence
that the place was inhabited The
visitor. theref re, pull d the bell-knob
by the side Of the maia entrance with
confidence.
Ting a-ling. a-ling" went the bell
somewhere in the rec 5sses OF the
h use.
4 "Bow-wow! Bow wow-wow Wow
wow-wow!" resp nded half dozen
dogs OF various sizes, ages and breeds,
aud presently swapping, snarling
mack of the brutes had formed in 4
seali-circle about the man at the
door. while the driver. perched safely
on the seat Of his cab, played the
part f an interested spectator.
After yeral minut s. there being
no further response, the visitor
tramped round to the other side 81 the
Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-09-15

been fought over the negro b,, -.
often" ="
Blind Tom has played in public a.,
dom since 1899. BET re that h. s-
one of the most popular "attrarriorss
on the road, his net earnings bain.
estimated at from $4,000 to sam oao
He appeared in public almost 90
tnuously for about twenty years tn.
first legal contest made over hin, ~.
begun some time after the close ~
the civil war, in behalf, as WAS al
legged, OF his mother, negress VIII
lived with him In slavery days Ar,
the war she became free. bur novar...
stricken, and she claimed she was a.
titled to at least a share OF ~.
carvings. Mr.. Bethune won the casa
on Toms declaration that he d,dr,,
wish to go to his mother, but ala
wish to remain with the general
For some years after that the gen.
erals son had possession of Tom ana
after his death Mrs. Bethune n.
present Mrs. Lerche, controlled the
sightless ebony genius for several
years. The records show that Al.
brecht Lerche was at one time At
toruey fer Charity Wiggin. and that
he got a judgment against the Bethuns
estate for $4,000 In Charity's behalf
Shortly afterward he married the
widow Bethune and Tom was With
drawn from the public. While thew
were residents of Twenty-frst street
1t used TO be said that no one NOT
even the grocer's boy, was admltt.5
to their fiat. Neighbors OF the Lercbe.
in the vicinity Of Navesink Highlands
believe that Tom enjoys himself a.
Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-09-15

house, which overlooks a rather neg
lected but slightly lawn and the
reaches OF the river There he rang
another bell, and there the result
was the same, only the barking of
the dogs was more prolonged and
vociferous. Then he returned to the
original point of attack. AS he turned
the corner Of the house the driver
called out:
There's Bin Tom, now. See him
in that upper wiudow?"
The visitor looked toward the win
dow indicated, and saw the broad
shoulders and massive head of a ne
gro, Sc mingly about so years ofage.
What d. you want? What do you
want?" cried the negro
Are you Blind Tom?"
Eyes, I'm Blind Tom" responded
the negro, apparently much agftated,
land | wish you would go away"
rs Mr.. Lerche about?"
mo, he is not; and I say. I wish
Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-09-15
$Old Blind Tom :
: Is Still Alive :
O
Q@&R@ @&@@W&@~&A@A q
oAA@~~%~~%%%~@~@~~~1@>@&<

New York, Aug Is Wishing to
learn something definite about Blind
Tom, man made inquiries cen
corning him the other day at some
OF the m Jst prominent musical agen-
cies in New York. But the search
yielded little Information, and at sew
eral places the inquirer was assured
that the famous blind idiot negro
pianist had long been dead.
Why" said one man, "Bliad Tom
was drowned in the Johnstown flood
And they put up a handsome marble
headstone over his grave which was
30 well described in the newspapers
that I can easily picture it in my
mind although | have never seen it."
Finally man was found who said
tina. in 1899 Blind Tom was living in
tenement house at No. 800 East
Twenty-frs street, with Mr.. and Mrs
Albert ]. Lerche. Before she married
her present husband Mrs. Lerche was
the widow OF John G. Bethune, soa Of
Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-09-15
much as he is capable of and that
he Is well treated.
FLORAL NOTES.

If the Gamma and Dahlia tubers are
not already put in the hotbed they
should be looked over and started.
Remove any decaye1 prtions, and
d vide the roots before starting,
One of the Dahlia specialists advises
that the tuber be land upon its side
for starting, as in that position, Il
appears TO start from more eyes. In
dividing the Oahlia5, do not sep
arate a "blind' tuber Gone devoid OF
eyes, with the impression that 1t
will make any growth; it will not
start, any more than an cycles
piece Of potato seed" The Dahlias
will bloom the better for being d.
yided; the arge clump is not Likely
TO bloom so well as divided roots or
plants fir m cuttings. The Dahlias
may b. put out early in May, but
the Cannas should not go out qute
so early Single Dahlias may be
raised from sesd they will bloom
the first year and are very SNOWY.
Pot Marigolds (Calendula) Cocks
comb. Cobaea, Coleus, Cosmos
Mining glories in varity, Lobel'as,
Maurandya, Nasturtiums, Petunias,
Drummonds, Phl1X, Castor beans and
Verbenas may all be scwn in the
hotbed or greenhouse, with the IN
tention of planting ont later
Gamma and Caladium roots should b
growing. but It IS yet too early TO
think of putting them out
Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-09-15

you would 60 away. l don't want to
see you
Better git out of here, mebbe,"
suggested the driver, tentatively. "He
nigh have a gun, you know, and he
might shoot by the sound of our
voices"
Go away from here" repeated the
negro, 81 don't want TO talk to stra0g-
ers.''
AS 30 one save the negro appeared
to be In the house, the drivers adj
vice was taken and few moments
later the return trip to the station of
Navesink Highlands was begun. Ar
rounded by a little knot of gentle
men OF leisure
"B en- out to see Blind Tom eh?"
questioned one. And seeu him?
Well. you've done better than most.
even if you didn't have much of talk
with him. His friends don't take kind
ly to strangers. Folks round here
won't soon forget when they brought
him here. Az soon as the negro got
off the train he began to dance up
and down the staff platform sing
ing:
Tiddy ii 0umpty Il DUN, DUN, dunn
all the while stretching out his arms
and making his fingers go as II he
was a playing the piano.
Everybody guessed the negro was
Blind Tom right away. but Mr.. and
Mrs. Lerche wouldn't admit It for a
lcug while and it was a year or more
before they made friends with any of
us
Lately, though. they have invited a
few of US TO go to the house and
hear Tom play. He doesn't play as
much as he used TO and he knows
only the old airs, He talks TO him
self a good deal. but his talk is al
most all Of it imitation Of the talk
he hears from the Lerches and their
few visitors. And he always stops
il he knows stranger is by. In his
way he is religious. and he won't
play anything but hymn tunes on
Sundays. Neither will he permit any
one 20 swear in his presence.
When a neighbor stays too lorg to
suit him. Tom is always bored. and
he then makes 1t a point To cut the
visit short with:
You We talke1 enough now. Cod
bye!'
I'VE always suppose they keep Tom
close because somebody else is trying
70 get him. add sometimes Lerche
talks abou. the big lawsuits that have
Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-09-15
CHAPTER XVI.

There is a temptation, and a very
common one-to withdraw from those
who are uncongenal, We so crave
for sympathy that life seems scarcely
endurable withCu; It, But we may be
assured that when IT is the trial put
upcn Us by God we shall. as
a rue be far safer In accepting it
than in trying to escape from it 4.
Loneliness, is1latiol, misconcep ion,
absence of sympathy, If accepted
cheorfully, are doing a work far great
Ct than can be achieved by any el-
forts OF or own individual. Miss
Sewel's, Thoughts on the Age
The doctor highly approved OF the
proposed change. and as there were
only a few days for preparation, Cor
ueia's hands were full She found
herself engrossed in all sorts Of fem
mime triyialties. in a most surprIs-
ing and unnatural way There was
shade hat TO be chosen for Esperance.
clothes TO be overlooked and packed,
and even a little neel,e-work 10 ne
done with this latter she was sadly
at a less. but With determination
net TO give it 90 the servants. she shG.
herself up in her study, and puzzled
Il out for herself. by The help OF
mathematics AMI common sense. and
Esperauce had certainly never worn
anything So sci utidca'ly made D fore.
The NJh o. August was as fine as
Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-09-15

At Hinckley. Tuesday, John NJ
Grouse. Of Utica, and Amos c. Han
of Albany. receivers Of the Trenton
Falls Lumber company, sold a por-
ton Of the property and rights oil
the company at public auction. the
old company had the right under con
tract to June l. 1900, to cut and take
the standing trees on about 3su3
acres Of land belonging to the Adiron-
dack League club. This CONTRACT
was, Tuesday, purchased by the cluu
The tools. implements and furnish.
ings formerly use In the numbering
camps were also disposed Of. as was
the uncollected merchandise accounts
claims. etc The company's MIL :
now being run by the receivers ana
several hundred thousand feet o.
lumber are under completion y
will be several months before the
sale Of the remaining property ana
stock can be held.
Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-09-15

The enforcement Of tn uew tariff
at Manila Is delayed pending the ar
rival u instructions from Washing o..
Evening journal., 1898-06-06
Am INTELLIaENr JURoR.
lie was Excused from Service Il
Wayne County.

Ike was Excused from Service I'm
Wayne County.
A Wayne county jury was being em-
paneled to try a suit against street
railway company for personal dam
ages, and an attorney was examining
the panel as to competency TO SIT
"What Is your businessPT he asked
of q Jolly German.
"Sausagemalser, but my name is not
Luetgert," was the reply that put
everybody in good humor.
slave you any prejudices against
street railways?"
'No, haf no prejudice against dem'
but don't like DEM"
"Why? Have they ever done you any
harm?"
"Oh. dey don't neffer vas run ofer me,
but dey vas all der time reaching out
So" and the juror extended his handr.
and clutched about in the atmosphere
with his fingers.
aDo YOU think that your feeling
against railway companies Is so strong
that It might influence your verdict In
this case?"
"Oh, no, would do what IS right.
''Would you believe the testimony OF
n motorman as soon as You would that
Of the PLAINTIFF"
"Vell, / wouldn't belief eder OF dem
unless somebody else said so, too"
Suppose the testimony vas evenly
balanced; just as strong on one side
rs the other; would your verdict be fol
the plaintiff or the defendant?"
"In dot case Wouldn't give verdict
for neder Of DEM"
Even his honor Joined in the laugh
that followed, and the Juror was ex
| nnsed for canse.-Detroit journal.
Evening journal., 1898-06-06
Eeot1v dressed.

There is an exquisite charm about
neatly-dressed woman. She does not
wear her hair loose, as ifitis just about
10 fall on her shoulders. Her gloves are
not ripped at the seams, nor are any
buttons missing from her boots. Her
veil does not reveal hole over her
chin, nor does the binding of her skirt
show ragged in places. Not many wom-
en- show their tidiness IN these details
but the well-groomed woman considers
that neglect in these little things is
full Of shame TO womanllind. Note the
well-dressed tailor-built woman. Her
cloth gown fits her without q crease,
and there is neither speclS nor spot on
St. Her linen collar and cuffs are snowy
white and remain perfectly fixed in
their places. Her gloves do notwrinkle,
but button smoothly over her wrists;
her shoes are dainty and polished. Her
bonnet or hat is pinned on straight,
and her hair is neatness itself. She is
the picture of delicate finish and whole
some order. Would that we could come
across her somewhat oftenerl-N. y
| LEDGER.
Evening journal., 1898-06-06
EoR lELowER eRowERs.
Cnre OF House Plants tn Cold
XVentheB.

Cnre OF House Plants tn Cold
WeasheS.
Examinesthe outdoor rose-beds occa-
hionally to see that the wind has not
removed the covering.
The plants stored for tbe winter in
the cellar have now been in some time.
Perhaps they need a little water or
other attention.
Where plants are kept about the win
dovs,, cold drafts from the sides of the
sash should be carefully guarded
against during severe weather.
Frequent cleansing of the leaves of
foliageplants, by using tepid water and
a sponge, lends to their attractiveness,
and is essential to the health of the
plants.
Just atNthis time, when work with the
flowers is very light, is q good time to
consider what will be best to plant in
the garden in the spring. When the
proper time comes everything must be
in readiness, so that no valuable time
will be lost.
Cinders form good material for GOV
prtng the floors and paths of the con
serpatory.
To clean old flower-pots on which
green moss and a sort OF white mold hai
crown. scrub them vigorously Will
sand and water. Theis will make tn,
pots look bright and new. Use porous
vessels only to pot plants in. They vii
do better in such than in tin cans
Woman's Home Companion.
Evening journal., 1898-06-06
MARRrED

SD1LLER-HIGGINS. ~ On Thursday,
June 2, 1898, at ST. Peters PrO-Ca-
thedral, by Rev John A. Lyons, Will
ham H. Stiller to Kate NJ. Higgins,
both of ihis city.
BOYS-TURNER.-At Asbury parson-
age, No. 222 Walnut street, ON May
81, 1898, by Rev. Ezra Tinker, Ill.
D., Harry r. Boys to Gertrude Tur-
ner, both Of Wilmington.
DURHAM. M.-WALBAN.-At No. iii
Conrad street, ON Wednesday even
ing, June 1, 1898, by Rev. John d. G.
Hanna, George Durham and Miss
Mary Walban both Of Wilmington,
Del.
GORDY-READE.-At the residence OF
Miss Anna Robinson, No. go East
Sixth street, on Wednesday even
ing, June 1, 1898, by Rev. John d. G,
Hnna William +. Gordy, OF laurel
Del. and Mrs. Rebecca l. Reade, OF
Wilmington Del.
GRAY-STACSHOUSE.-At the Union
NJ. e. parsonage, No. 500 Washing
ton street, On Wednesday evening
June /, 1893, b Rev. John d. G
Hanna, Alfred Burton Gray and Miss
Emma Maude Stackhouse both ol
Wilmington, Del
WOOD IT. HAINES. Wednesday
June 1. 1898, at No. 619 Harrison
street. by Rev. A. N. Keigwin, ID. d.
Alfred E. Wood, of Philadelphia, ant
b Sailie IL. Haines, of Wilmington.
Evening journal., 1898-06-06
A RED iDINNER.
It Is the Proper, Thing, and Here IA
How to DO II.


In giving the l,ed dinner so distinctly
IN vogue at this season. the tomato is.
by reason of its icomplexion, the belle
amongst vegetables. When raw toma-
toes are difiicultsto get or are 100 ex-
pensive, the foil owing recipe, II care
fully carried QUIT Stimulates the whole
tomato so perfectly in appearance, and
is so delicious in, flavor, asto make the
salad the crownihg glory of the feast
Take one pinesof strained tomatoes.
one teaspoonful Of salt. onc-half tea
spoon of white pepper, one tablespoon
of taTragon vinegar. one teaspoon of
onion juice. one bay Leaf tAvo sprigs of
parsley, one-quarter cup OF gelatine.
Put all the ingredients in a granite
dish. Let soak for two or three hours:
then bring to a boiling point, remove
bay leaf and parsley; turn into small
molds. When ready 10 serve dip the
mold in bot water for a second only.
Drop the Jelly the rounded side up on a
lettuce le,sf Surround this with
cream lnavonnaise dressing. to which
has been added finely chopped celery.
Points to be observed; Keep a re-
volving flour sieve expressly for strain
ing tomiaa oes. Experience proves it to
be more satisfactory than any other
device.
BE suretto use the white pepper. 1t
makes an enormous difference in the
tint of the jelly. The ordinary sloping
after-dinnet coffee cup.is the best dish
in which 30 mold the salad form. The
small blue stoneware baking cups also
make goodform. Never use q tin mold
with recipe contain ing eggs or acids.
This amount makes eight molds.
The following DESSERT for red din
ner Is quite beyond praise:
Nut Cream.-One pint OF cream un-
whipped, one-half cup almonds. one
quarter cup gelntine, six tablespoons
maraschino, or four tablespoons sher-
~, one-third cup granulated sugar.
one teaspoon vanilla. one-half teaspoon
| rose water.
Have large bowl on the ice. The
cream must be'ice cold. Have your egg
beater also ice cold. Half the trouble
experienced in whipping cream comes
from non-observance of these two sim
pie precautions. Whip your cream.
Soak the gelatine in a pint of cold wa
Ter for an hour. Be sure 20 cover II
while it is soaking. Add the wine and
Navorines TO the sugar. Add these to
the whipped cream, then the nuts
chopped fine and salted a very little.
Save outsa few for the top.
Put the, dish of gelatine in dish OF
boiling water and stir until dissolved
Add quie5dy to the cream, stir rapidly
81 moment and putin ramil<ins. Sprinkle
few finely chopped nuts over the tor
End crown all with one or more crystal
lzed cherries. This mount of cream
fills 10 ramildns.
Having decided upon tomato fos
kyour salad, and not wanting 20 pepea'
the flavor in your soap, yc'l may fee
hard pressed Tor properly tinted soup
In this case n cream soup, decorated
with littlelred peppers, looks very pret
~, and noNone is obliged TO eat tho pep
pers.-Detl oft Free Press.
Evening journal., 1898-06-06
A cnrnish nf nrnnner.

a pretty garnish for sweet dishes is
iced oranges. The oranges are peeled
and pulled apart into sections, each
piece being dipped into q soft icing un-
i'll il is perfectly covered. They are
then strung with n fine, sharp needle
on thread and put in the warming
oven TO dry thoroughly. If the hot
oven of the range is not too hot, they
can be suspended there from the top
CRATE, and the drying process is more
quickly accomplished, but they must
not be Drowned, only dried white. They
are then laid around mound of lemon
Jelly or Of plain blanc-mange, or OF
any dessert whose flavor is not very pos
itive.-N. Y. Post.
Evening journal., 1898-06-06
REGISTERS ORDER.
REGISTERS ORDER.
y EnT TCrrTT pfC nT~TTVEI

REGISTERS OFFICE
New Castle County Del, May 81, 1s9S.
Upon the application OF Annie E. Cum
merford, Eleanor NJ. Perry and Mary A.
Kavanagh. executrices Of John Finn. late
Of Wilmington hundred in said county,
deceased, IL Is ordered and directed by the
register that the executrices aforesaid give
notice Of granting Of Letters Testamen-
tary upon the estate OF the deceased,
with the date of granting therof, by
causing advertisements TO be posted
within forty days from the date Of such
Letters In six Of the most public places of
the county OF New Castle, requiring all
persons having demands against the es-
tate TO present the same, or abide by an
act of Assembly in such case made and
provided; and also cause the same to be
Inserted within the same period In the
Evening Journal. a newspaper published
In Wimington,s Del, ana to'be continued
therein three weeks &c. o. d.
Given under the hand and seal
of office of the Register afOre-
said at Wilmington, in New
IT.. 81 Castle County aforesaid, the
day and year above written.
CALVIN w. CROSSAN.
Register.
Evening journal., 1898-06-06
A oAeINgr MEMl.gR.s euesrs.
Country Cousins Arc Not Always Well
come fn FashionnbIe Homes.

Country Cousins Arc Not Always Well
come I'm FashfonnbIe Homes.
"a Cabinet Afembers Wife," records
her trying ard apparently vexatious
ordeal at the hands of two country
cousins, in her ~Inner1 Experiences"
She prefaces her plninti with the state
ment that If country people would only
dress simply, as they do at home, when
they come 70 town, th ey would look
much better, and she describes her ex-
pected guests and their homely greet
ings: cousin Zeke b ad ON an old
'stove-pipe' hat resurgected from the
garret, I know, and d,rting from some
time when was n chill q, for dimly re-
member seeing father with one on.
His overcoat was comfortable and
sensible, but when h's took it of, he
disclosed what locke like a second
hand dress suit severh Il sizes too large
for him. Imagine d ness suit to travel
inl AS he took of his coat he re-
marked: I heard ten That at the capital
dress clothes was the fashion. an so
inst went to a man who keeps q tail
GRIN shop in our nearest town and told
him 70 show me the cheapest dress
clothes he had in his stock. and wus
really s'p6sed when II got 'em hum 20
see 'em iit'so tol'ableeHell. We wanted
20 be s well dressed asnhe best when we
did visit the capital
"Polly had on a good'blacl1 silk dress
made in the style Of 20 years ago, the
skirt rufIled DO the waist Her dress was
all right, butt ye godsl her bonnetl II
was made Of dark purple velvet and
trimmed with yellow ostrich feathers,
two standing up straight on one side
while one plume feu down TO her shoul-
der on tho other. ] never swy such q
concoction in any country ncighbor.
hood-it was Polly, not the country
coming out in her. These were the
only clothes they had with them, ex'
ceptiDg o change OF underwear in theii
bags, and we had 20 take them about
for nearly a week in these things. -
| Ladies' Home Journal.
Evening journal., 1898-06-06
sorvIng Celery.

Not many people know that bunch
of celery In the hands of q good house
keeper Is one of the few things about
which there Is absolutely no waste.
From an ordinary bunch of celery Of
five stalks pick off the large leaves,
wash them, and place in n quart of
water, letting the quantity boil down TO
about half pint; when cold bottle this
liquid and keep in a cool place to be
used for flavoring gravies and soups.
Next, the fine roots; wash ind boil the
same as potatoes, trying them with a
fork 20 tell when done. Cut them into
thin slices, add finely cut onion, and
make into q salad the same as the or
binary potato salad. The large and
coarser stalks of celery cub into inch
lengths, boil, cover with a cream sauce,
and serve as a vegetable. The delicate
stalks use as ordinarily for relish,
and the pretty yellow leaves will be
found to make pretty trimming for
the meat dish. This uses every scrap
of the celery itself. But the careful
housekeeper win not even discard the
string which ties the stalks together
but II il Is long enough will roll II up
| for future use.-N. Y. Tribune.
Evening journal., 1898-06-06
rIRr IN A SrARIN

Fire was discovered at IL o'clock Sat
urday night in a stable at Seventh and
Church streets, belnging to Mrs. Fan
ME McKOwen. An alarm was struck
from box 21.
When the fire companies arrived the
interior of the stable was a mass Of
flames. and IT was with difficulty that
the fire was gotten under control. The
loss is estimated at about $1,000 and
is covered by insurance. The origin
Ks z mystery