davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15

is true that somebody has Blind Toms
money, and his mother has not bit
of it.
She travelled for nine years with Blind
Tom, and that travelling was as near
Heaven as she will ever get this side
of the real Heaven. The other Heaven
which she enjoys in this life is the eX-
ceeding astonishment she creates in
her own race by talking to them for
hours in the duslly southern twilight
of the wonderful things she saw and
the things she heard during these great
nine wears when she was north. How
ever, old Aunt Charity always winds
up with a shake of the head and says:
But l am mighty glad to be back in
Georgia."
Aunt Charity says the reason she has
for believing that Blind Tom was pref,
udiced against her was the same rea-
son that made her leave New York.
She was there four years ago, and Tom
came to her and said: Mother, you
must go home" Tom, what put that
into your head?" Then ne put out his
hands as if he would shove her away
He said: "If you don't go we will make
you go" and he intimated that the peo-
pie had told him to say this.
The people were evidently those
shrewd ones who knew that if Toms
family had Toms money there would
not be much left for them. Aunt Chari-
ty gives it out as q fact that Tom is
only 40 years old, whereas the world
has always considered him to be de-
crepit old man because he has gone out
of its sight.
Aunt Charity is not only character
in Georgia as the mother of Blind Tom,
dren. When you ask her the names of
her children it is impossible for her
to recollect all of them.
Nothing is more pleasant to the visi-
tor to Columbus than to find Aunt
Charity and to go out and talk to her
| about Toms being imprisoned away
from her and hear the stories of his
great power
She is as perfectly sure as she is of
Heaven that he is the only great genius
| that America has produced. With
great deal of interest she tells you of
i the first day when the little Blind Tom
| crept to the masters piano and played
| tune.
The Atlanta Constitution recently
published this excellent picture Of old
| Aunt Charity, which is here repro
| duced As this picture shows, she is
| in perfect health, is as fine as ever
mentally, and expects to live to be MOI e
| than 100, and has only one trouble
| Blind Toms behavior to her.
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15
BLIND TOMS MOTHER.
Her Name Is Charity Virgins and
She Is IS Years Old.
Convinced That Her Talented Son
Has Been Prejudiced Against Her
by Persons Who want to Con-
troll His Money.

It is not usually known that Blind
Toms mother is alive, writes Annie
Rittenhouse in the Philadelphia Press.
Her name is Charity Virgins. She
lives in Columbus, Ga, with one of her
daughters.
Aunt Charity is IS years old, and is
one of the cC!ored people who belong
to the old southern regime. She is
courteous, intelligent, deferential and
wins the respect of her own race and
the white race.
She is looked upon in the light of an
oracle by the colored people in Colum-
bus, for she has travelled far and wide
with her son, the famous Blind Tom,
musician
Aunt Charity never gets tired of tell
ing of her son Tom. If the northern
visitor who frequents the Georgia re-
sorts will go out to the suburbs where
she lives Aunt Charity will receive the
guest with courtesy and good will and
sit and talk to her about her son, the
genius of the age.
But Aunt Charity has a grievance,
and she will tell you that as soon as
she tells you anything about Tom. She
says he is not writing to her as often
as he should. Aunt Charity believes
that the people he is living with at
Highlands n. j., have prejudiced him
against her and that is the reason she
rarely hears from him.
She probably has a good deal in her
favor in this prejudice, for there is
something very queer about Blind
Toms being kept so closely and guard
ed so secretly in that queer old her
mitage on the coast of New Jersey.
The natives in that place say that it
is as much as a mans life is worth to
talk to Blind Tom; that he is guarded
like prisoner. If poor old Aunt Chari-
ty knew all about her son that the
natives are saying, the old soul would
be sorrier than she is now. 1t certainly
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15
SOUAN CREEK FOLK. (
Jep Jones Tells About a Fourth of
July Celebration.
Copyright 1893. BY M. QUAD.

By M. QUAD.
CopYripht, 1903.

One var, along about the 1st of May
things was goin' so well in Squan Creek
that every body was feelin good, and
Joshua Griffin got up at a meetin' OF
the Liars club and said:
"Bein' this town would hev fit the
British to the last gasp, if tha' had bin
any town here doorin' the revolution
ary war, and bein' all of us stand ready
10 sacrifice our last drop of blood fur
this glorious republic, l move that we
po in fur a reg'lar old-fashioned Fourth
of July celebrashun this var. We amt
had celebrashun since the cannon
busted and killed two men, seven y'ars
ago. while Barnegat and Brigantine
hev put in their best liclls every time
Joshua's words was received with
shouts of applause, and Moses Letting
we'll got up and seconded the moshun
and said:
when this guv'ment wants patriots
TO shed their blood by the gallon all II
has to do is to telegraf to Squan Creek.
l don't want to be carried off by mumps
or measles. but when it Gums to layin'
my life down on the alter of my ken
try I'm ready to stretch out both my
legs and die. ! know that the rest OF
We feel the same way. and | feel that
we orter set an example to the kentry
at large"
Several others spoke in the same
strain, and it was unanimously re-
solved that Squan Creek should hold
the biggest and gloriousest celebrashun
IN all her history. Varus committees
was appinted. and every man present
put down his name fur five dollars
There was sich enthoosiasm that four
benches was broken all to smash and
the door busted off its hinges. Fur
two or three days every body was brag'
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15
NORWAY'S NEW FLAG.
Its Adoption VIII Be Fought Wig
orousIy and PersistentIy by
the Swedish People.

A great STIR has been caused in Nor
way and Sweden by the recent action
of the storthing at Christiania in the
matter of the Norwegian flag. The
storthng has voted that hereafter Nor
ways banner shall float without a jack
the symbol of the union with Sweden.
Some say that should King Oscar veto
the resolution two more diets must pass
upon the matter before it can go into
effect; others that the new flag will
come into immediate use. Since 1874
the closest relations have been main
tanned between Norway and Sweden.
At that time the flag of each nation
was changed so that the jack in the
upper left-hand corner combined the
colors of the other nation. For several
years past, however, there has been
growing feeling of discomfort in Nor
way concerning the close relations OF
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15

before her wait. She was one of Miss
Wizards nearest and dearest friends.
and was with her during her last hours.
Few women have had larger experience
in temperance and philanthropic work.
She has for % years held the office of
president of the state w. G. L. u. OF
Maine, and is now president of that
most active tempera ce organization.
| She has been recording secretary of the
national W. c. T. u. She had also been
vice president-at-large of the national
| union, Miss Willard, herself, nominal
| ing her to that office. She has always
| been one of the most aggressive work
ers, not only in the temperance move
ment, but in the cause having for its
object the uplifting of humanity. She
| is now the Maine representative on the
National Conference of Charities and
Corrections. She was the warm per-
sonal friend Of Neal Dow. They spent
many years working together to bring
ebout the present temperance laws in
Maine.
A large-hearted, Intensely earnest
aid active woman and one of very clear
and acute perceptions, Mrs. Stevens
will wear worthily the mantle of Miss
| Willard
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15

And what of it?"
'Nothin', 'cept that I'm the man to
boss them fireworks"
Not this gar, Ike, cause I've al
ready been selected fur the place. I'm
dependin' on you to bring up the tail
of the daytime parade with banner
of Death to Tyrants' above yer head"
"I'll be burned if | Will" shouts Ike;
and the two fell to abusin' each other
and maxim threats of what they would
do. In the crowd which gathered
round 'em was Hank Taylor and DR.,
Green, and as they shook hands the
Doc says:
flank, whenever ye kin spare them
Eve dollars fur the cele ebrashnu I'll take
'em and check we off"
"What'll you take 'em fur?" asks
Hank.
Fur the reason that I'm goin' to be
treasurer. | cont care for the honor,
but bein' | lost seven cousins in the
revolutionary var, it was thrust upon
me-"
II don't care nuthin' about your cous-
ms" shouts Hank, ''and I'm goin' to
| be treasurer myself"
But you can't be-"
But | will be, or | won't mix in"
/ Then Silas Beebe, John Wakefield,
and Joe Horner all Clipped in, and said
! the place was to cum to them; and
! there was a row in which several men
| got battered. It was a reg'lar ruction
| all over town fur three or four days,
with everybody wantin' an Office and
nobody wantin' to be plain folks; and
then a special meetin' of the Liars
club was called. When it was opened
| Deacon Hardbuckle got up and said:
Thar ar sum towns which amt got
TO patriotism tall, and sum which has
! got too blamed much. One pears to
be about as bad as t'other. AS we all
want to die fur our kentry, but as
thar amt no chance jest at present
l move that we postpone the celebra
shun and keep right on diggin' ful
CLANS, and tongin' fur oysters"
That was the way out of it, and W.
took it, and nobody's bin idiit 'nufl
since that day to more for another Gel
cbrashun.
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15
EUR which reasons?" asks Levi.

Fur which reasons?" asks Levi.
Fur the reasons that I'm to be grand
marshal myself. l amt doin' no brag-
gin, but I'm free to say that when
I'm on hossback everybody says looks
like Gineral Washington crossin' the
Delaware. / was grand marshal of the
parade al Keyport seven years ago, anc
it was the howlinest success ever
heard of"
SAM" says Levi, as he turns red
and white, I'm either goin' to be grand
marshal of that parade, or won't give
red cent fur the celebrashun nor yell
one yell fur liberty!"
"Same here!" says Sam, and they
was still jawin' about it, when up Gums
Absolam Honeyman, and says:
Thar amt no use of you fellers
wastin' breath over it. My grandfather
fit at Bunker Hill, and | was wounded
| at Bull Run. and | don't take back
seat fur nobody. It's already settled
that I'm to be the grand marshal"
On the same day, as Ike Tanner was
goin' down on the wharf whistlin'
| Yankee Doodle" and wanin' to die
| fur his kentry, he meets Mark Duster,
who says:
"Ike, it's a glorious thing to die fur
liberty, amt it?"
"You bet" says Ike.
I'm wishin' | could perish this very
mint, though my ole woman is goin'
to hev pork and beans fur dinner. Say,
Ike, thar'll be fireworks in the evenin',
won't they?"
"Of course. Can't hev no celebra-
| shun without fireworks"
"And thar's got to be boss of them
| fireworks?"
Fur sure, and he's got to be the big
| gest kind of patriot, too. Nobody
around Squan Creek has ever heard
me do any braggin', but I'd jest as lief
tell you that | lost grandfather and
four uncles at Monmouth. British killed
| the hull five of 'em right thar"
II had two grandfathers and five
uncles killed in the same BATTLE" says
| Ike, arter a little thinkin'.
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15

gin around about what was goin' TO be
done, and sum of the folks felt so patri-
otto that they couldn't stand sti.i, but
then sunthin' happened. Adinabad
Jones went to Josh Griffin and said:
'Look-a- here, Josh, whenever town
holds cele lebrashun they allus hev sum
body to make a speech, don't they?"
They allus do" says Josh.
Somebody to talk about tyranny
THROWN the tea in the Roston harbor,
battle of Bunker Hill, and so on?"
'"That's the sort"
"And who's goin' to do it fur us? ?"
said Adinabad, as he begins to gesture
with his right arm.
81 reckon I'll tackle that job myself.
] amt no great speech maker, but I've
bin rcadin' up on things, and if don't
happen to hev a cold in my head |
think ! kin keep the crowd a-shoutin'
from start to finish"
''Josh. I want that place fur my
self" said Abinadab, as he swallers a
sump in his throat. 81 amt no brag,
as you know. but kin make the best
speech Of any man in this town. I've
ESdt more ABOUT lHdI war
than all the rest of We put together.
and I've got a voice that kin be heard
two miles"
That was the beginnin' of the row
Both men wanted the place. and both
said they'd go right outer the celebra-
sshun onIess they got it. They was still
wrangIir' over it when Levi Stokes
meets Sam Andrews and says:
Sam. if we hev n ceIebrashun we will
hev parade with it, won't we?"
''Of course" says Sam.
And the feller who leads that parade
on a hoss will be the grand marshal q
''Yes"
wall, | amt dyil.' to show off, but
bein' my great-grandfathe fell at Lex
jngton, and bein' was three-months
man in the last war, they'll naturally
expect me to be grand marshal. What
Kind of a uniform would you wear i
you was me?'
II wouldn't wear any" says Sam
eff was you I'd git into about The
middle of the purceshun. and marcf
along shoutin' fur liberty or death"
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15
Not In Need of Hinta.

Nothing gals the natural pride Of
the true-blue Scotchman more than to
have Scotland overlooked. A striking
instance of this feeling is said to have
occurred at the battle of Trafalgar.
Two Scotchmen, messmates and bosom
c1onies, happened to be stationed near
each other when the celebrated sig
nal was given from Admiral Nelson's
ship: England expects every man to
DO his duty" Not word about poor
Scotland" dolefully remarked Donald.
His friend cooked his eye, and, turn
ing to his companion, said: Man, Don
aid, Scotland kens weel eneuch that nae
son o. hers needs to be tell't to dae his
duty That's just bint to the Eng
lishcrs"
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15
MRS. LILLIAN STEVENS.
Miss WiIlard's Successor Head of
the w. c. Il. U. Well Equipped
for the Work.

1t was foregone conclusion before
the meeting of the National Women's
Christian Temperance union, at St.
Paul, that Mrs. Lillian NJ. n. Stevens,
Of Maine, would succeed the late Miss
Willard. as president of the National w.
c. T. u. When the day for the election
of officers came Mrs. Stevens received
all but 80 of the $50 votes cast for the
president of the greatest organization
OF women in the world.
Mrs. Stevens comes to her new office
admirably equipped for the duties that
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15
WITHOUT THE JACK.

Their tlasS.)
the two powers. This dissatisfaction
King Oscar has striven to assuage. The
two countries have entirely separate
and distinct governments, but are ruled
by the same king, Oscar OF Sweden
Each country has its own parliament
which passes laws for its respective
country All laws are subject to the
approval or disapproval of the king.
The flag of Norway, with the jack left
out, will be four red corners, with
Greek cross of blue through the center.
The Swedish flag has four blue corners,
with a jack of red, blue and yellow in
the upper left-hand corner and Greek
cross of yellow in the center. The Nor
wegian flag had formerly the jack
which contained the bar of yellow as a
symbol cf the union with Sweden, but
this will not appear in the flag in the
future
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15
No Apparent Motive.

Jack the Kisser was brought into
court.
Are these the complaining wit
nesses?" asked the judge.
1--WE are" they answered
The judge inspected them.
"Oflicer," he said, take the prisoner
to the detention hospital for eXamina-
ton as to his sanity. This is not a
criminal case" Chicago Tribune.
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15
A Question of Descent.

O'Brien-And so Jaykers is proud aT
his descint, is he?
about it.
'Brien-Well, begorra, Olive bit av
dcscint meself to boast about. Oh
Gcscinded four stories wanst whin The
ladder broke and niyer sphillcd
brick!-Baltimore Sun.
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15
Successful.

Hiram-How's your boy Zeke gittin'
along down in Moo York?
Silas-Wal, | hain't heard from him
in a long time, but | guess he's gone
into the noospaper business, coz rea1
in the paper that he wuz correspondent
in a big lawsuit down there.--Iown
Topics.
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15

Abe Johnson-Did you eVah walk ten
miles to rob chicken coop and den find
dar was muffin in it but a bear trap a
spring gun and bulldog?
Pete Jackson-No; but l married fo'
money once!-Puck.
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15

That's very full moon," said the
visitor to Hobbletown.
Full" sneered the oldest inhabit-
ant, contemptuously. Mister, you
ought ter hev seen how full the moons
got way back in the winter of thirty
nine!"-N. Y. Truth
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15

Sympathetic Visitor Ito ptisoner)-
Ny good man, what brought you here2
Facetious Prisoner-Borrowing mon
ey.
But they don't put people in prison
for borrowing money!"
Yes | know, but had to knock the
man down three or four times before he
would lend it to me. Pick Me-Up.
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15
Very Strange.

"Did you know that the scien'
lists have come to the conclusion that
a decapitated head can think, al
though it cannot speak?"
That's queer, when it is so much
easier to talk than to think. ."-Cincln-
natl Enquirer.
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15
Unfnthom omabIe Mystery.
Detroit Journal.

Nothing so hard. but search will find
1t out"
The poet writes-untrue, beyond doubt;
When she the truth would hide, no bard
sage
Can learn the figures of a woman's age.
Chicago Record.
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15
OF for the honeymoon.

Bridegroom am afraid we will look
so happy and contented that everyone
will know we are just married.
Best Man (consolingly)-Don't worry
old chap; it will be only for day or
two, YOU know.-Puck
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15
Wasn't Nccessa ry.

Singleton-Did you send cards I,
your friends announcing the birth ot
your baby?
Benedick--No; none of my friends
are deaf.-N. \. Truth.
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15
PeriIs of AIediOcrity.

Meek uusband-You ought to re.
member, Henrietta, that you married
me for better or worse.
Aggressive Wife-That's just it! ]
got fooled. You are neither one!-Chi.
cago Tribune.
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15
A Hurry Call.

81 called Bigguns liar right to his
face yesterday"
rs that so? What did he say?"
81 don't know. l happened to be
called away before he had time to re.
ply."-Chicago Daily News.
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15
Very Old Chinese COins.

There are in circulation in China at
the present time coins bearing the
names of emperors who died 1000 years
ago.
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15

Susie-Papa. what makes a man all
ways give a woman diamond engage.
ment ring?
Her Father-The woman.-Jewelers'
Weekly.
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15
Mon Expensive.

I'VE had 10 give our pet dog away"
"Why?"
"Well, he ran away nine times, and
every time the same boy brought him
back and charged me % cents."-De'
troit Free Press.
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15

Elderly Spinster Ito young repro bate,
who has been swearing)-Oh how can
you use such dreadful language? Do
you know what becomes of little boys
who do so?
Billy-Yes'm; they gifts ter be cab
drivers!-Fun.
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15
His Poor Argument.

Your money is nothing at all to me-"
The lover impatiently cried.
Then get out; you haven't business
head"
Her rcl old father replied.
Chicago Daily News.
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15

No more hen ever greet us,
He now is with the blest;
He got appendicitis.
And the doctors did the rest.
-JudGe
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15

so your engagement to the Lafay-
cite avenue millionaire's daughter is
off, eh?"
"Yes; I've been mustered out
Judue
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15
StIII on the Go.

Yeast-I see that joke about a fell
lows stolen umbrella is still going
around.
Crimson beak-So is the umbrella
Yonkers Statesman.
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15
The Same Thing.

Leon--l want to get private mes
sage to Benidick about our stag racket
tomorrow night. I'll just drop him a
letter marking it personal and Pri-
vate."
Perkins-Why don't you address it to
Mrs. Benidick and be done with it?-
n. Y. Evening Journal.
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15

did you ever see horse race that
you could say was absolutely honest?''
II think | did, wunst," SAID Rubber
neck Bill THE feller what was ahead
had stoled the hoss."-Indianapolis
Journal.
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15
Weekly.

They quarreled over her, but now
They as two brothers be-
For the girl since has declared herself
Each fellows sister. See?
Detroit Journal
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15

If you want to know the age of a horse
You can tell it by his teeth, Of course;
But the age of a turkey best is known
Not by his teeth. but by your own.
Id
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15
Mental Benefits.

At clubs now woman makes spread
Arrayed in silks and smiles;
Her ear upon the papers read,
Her eye upon the styles
Chicago Daily Record.
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15

Loving my friend and lovin5 truth,
BY doubts and fears I'm torn in half,
Because my friend has asked, In sooth,
That should write his epitaph.
Robert Gilbert Welsh, In Judge.
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15
Oldc-. of British Families.

The oldest family in the British
islands is that of Mar in Scotland, which
dates from 1903.
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15
IIncompnnionabIe.

Toby Boggs can't stand his own So
ciety a single evening
"Well-he knows himself better than
we do."-Chicaso Daily Record.
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15
An Explain alton.

Says the dominic: "These danes protest
they're poor
Yet see the sumptuous gowns they wear"
"Mayhap they've paid for their gowns. my
dear"
Says the domines wife. disposed to be
fair.
Detroit Journal.
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15

Young Mani came to inquire wheth-
er you have read those jokes yet that l
left here few days ago?
Editor-Oh, often.-St. Louis Re-
public.
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-15
An Obss ryution.

Chill brecZeS now
The tree-tops WOO,
The snowbird's note
J. falling due.
N. Y. Truth.