davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-30
JUSTICE JOHN.
Hattie Cary Sent On for Entering a

/ Hattie Cary Sent On FOR Entering a
Store.
Hattie Cary colored. was sent on 10
| the grand Jury ON the charge Of entering
/ the store kept by j. A. Bradshaw Hattie
was employed by Mr.. Bradshaw as .
| cook and ne stated that she was one of
/ the best servants be ever saw. ana ne
T had trusted her for two years. Recently
+ however. he had missed change from nus
drawer. and last Sunday he went inio
the store and watched. shortly alter
ward Hattie entered the store from tie
roar and MI Bradshaw had her arrested.
She denied that she had gone into the
store for the purpose of theft. ana stated
that She had been constantly given the
privilege Of entering the store for thines
needed iu tlc house. and that on lAal
occasion she was after eggs.
Harrison Franklin. colorcd. was charged
81 for allowing two hogs 90 rem at large.
Anthony Wcndiinccr paid s. Tor al'o"-
inr his boy tD damage the shIu.'tIs ut
Monroe Park
Oniccr Buck Angle arrested q number
az small boys ON the charge NJ abusing
him and throwing rocks ON Third street
between Marshall aud Clay streets. DUO
ae tho officer was somewhat iu doubt as
to the specific charges against the boys
they were dismissed with warning
Rosa Minor. colorod. was fined $40 and
costs for hitting Ellen smith on the heia
with stick and required To- give <io'
security for twenty days.
Charles Koch on tho charge OF felon-
iorelv assaufur Albert Gates with
knife on November 18th. was sent ON 20
fhc grand jury. Tho two mon got into
a aame Of setback and begun to argue
as t0 tho wcrlts of Che game whom Gates
called Koch some words and "a row on-
sued.
john Clements. alias Fleming, colorcd.
was sent down for four months for care
rvine away from the work shop Of &. j.
F0X 20 Dot of old iron.
James Riley was sent ON 90 tho grand
jury for entering the residence of vs.. III.
Davis and carrying off an ovcrcoat Dee
longing 10 j. c. Hail and hat belonging
t0 g. T W0mack on last Sunday night
Riley Says ho was drunk ana can rcca'l
none of the circumstances that led up 80
DTS arrest When Doe took thc hat of the
rack Doc put his cap in fits place. The
case is "a clcar ono against IlleN.
Wesley Ellis colOrod. went INTO ihe
Pilgrim Travellers Hall and nourishod a
pistol and declared that ho was cock
of the walk and could lick amy one pres
ont Some exception was taken To lhis
remark by Reuben Banks. who stated
that "a "tainmont was gWinc ON VIA %
crowd dare wen Wesley coined in'
OF didn't have mo- pisuL ana neooer used
uo famed words
..You give me just Sl0'
"Afake t si1-0" said Sergeant Thomas
And Wesley fell back.
Frank Hos-ieuX. colorod. tresp7ssod on
the premises of Mary West ana 1t cost
him S.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-30
ACTION AGAINST REGISTRAR.
Gen. Walker Presents His Petition.
Nr. Munford Represents stone.

Gen James a. Walker Through DIS
counsel Judge D.. u. Lewis. yesterday ape
piled to tho Supreme Court of Appeals
for a ur.t of mauoamus 90 comp. Reese
l.trar stone of Bristol Co furnish lim
with a CODY of tlc registration books.
Hon U.s. Nuuf0rl represented t0sis-
trar Stone Judge Lewis simply pres at-
ca Gen Walkers petition au4 tlcn t..
Court ..ul .i JUS wish Co decide i.t
case u..u written instead of oral arsu-
mert
MI Nnforl asked Judge LOWS ~ DE
Dad he brief prepared ana tne Judge
replied r thD negative.
DO was u.u agreed that time should be
given Judge Lewis % prepare his Driei.
lie wil SUBMIT lt 60 Mr. Munlofu VINO
VIII make h.s fopIy and both papers Will
te presented t9 thc court at inc same
time.
Registrar Stone based DIS refusal 90
books upon tar decision OF Circuit judge
Whituo who ruled n October chat the
registrar at MarllHyiuc should not ale
low copy of GAO books to be made.
Democratic AVID Republicans both APP
pled Co Registrar Stone before the cleo
ION Tor copies of thO registration books.
Roth sides wore refused. After the cleo
uon General Walker went 90 Bristol and
asked SIT stone to let him LOOK 40 the
books This request was granted but
hhcu General Walker started out % make
. copy Mr. Stone stopped him I'm his work
sUd took tho books away from nan.
General walker charges that there
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-30
HANCOCK MUST HANG.
Gov. Tyler Declines to Interfere With
the Sentence of the Court.

Governor Tyler yesterday afternoon de-
cided not to interfere with the sentence
OF the court in the case Of John Ham
cock, the negro under sentence 10 DO
executed at Lynchburg Friday for crim-
inal assault upon Two white girls.
Messrs. Caskie & Haythe. counsel fov
Hancock, applied for rcprievo for thirty
or sixty days Tor their client They
stated that if this petition should DO
granted they expected 20 De- abe 90 prove
hat Hancock was a half-wittcd man and
that this is a case in which the sentence
should be committed.
The Governor searched tho records OF
the case and was unable 10 hul where
any claim had been made In the hear
inss before the courts that Hancock was
half-witted. No effort having been made
10 get him of on this charge prior %
this time. His Excellency thought tho
claim was without foundation and he,
therefore, declined TO interfere.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-30
TROUBLE WITH GAS.
A Talk with Superintendent W. T.
Knowles on the Subject.

Users OF gas are complaining bitterly
that the quality OF the same is now very
bad They charge that in many cases
It gives off a very unpleasant odor of sui
phur, besides being yellow and very dim.
Mr. W. Z. Knowles. superintendent OF
the Gas Works, was asked yesterday
the cause OF existing conditions.
There is no radical difference between
the gas furnished now and I'm the past"
he said. except that IT did get a little
dirty ana cloudy on Sunday. although IL
was all right Saturday night | dis
covered the trouble by o'clock Monday
morning and at once altered H.
1T may be-" continued Mr.. Knowles
"that we have gotten hold OF some coal
with more than the usual amount Of
sulphur I'm Il. The public can rest as
sured, however. that l am watching
the gas closely and am doing everything
possible TO give them the best that can
be made.
Il think il is probable that tho COM
plant about gas by those who use II In
stoves Is due 10 The fact that they have
rubber pipes which have became satu-
rated. and give off the smell OF which
they complain"
Mr. Knowles said further that he was
giving every moment of his time, even
failing 10 go 10 his meals. to the work
OF seeing that the gas was pure, and
made tests three times a day 10 be sure
that no impurities existed The trouble
OF Sunday. he says. will not occur again.
In connection with tho gas trouble It
may be opportune 10 state that there is
also complaint among some Of the users
Of the abn0rmally large bills last month.
In many instances they have been double.
one family Of six whose bill has never
exceeded 1925. were confronted by an
obligation OF $3.50. IN another case the
bill was moro than &c. when is was usu-
ally not more than Sc. and in another
was $3.50. when heretofore it has never
been more than 81 %.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-30
A QUARTETTE
FOR THE GALLONS
Four Men Waiting at Portsmouth for
the Hangman's Rope.
ALEX TATE'S LONG KNIFE.
Fearing That lie Contemplated Sui
eide lie was Searched and a Lon.
Keen Blade Found i'm His
ClOthcs.-Thc Others.

NORFOLK. VA. November 29.-Spe-
cial-In The County Court At Ports
mouth ycsteday Alex Tate (colored) was
convicted Of the murder Of Charles Ma
lone. During the night he broke down
completely crying and praying alter
natively Jailer Codd. fearing from a
remark no made that he contemplated
suicide, searched him. A long knife,
with a blade as keen as razor, was
found secretod upon his person. This was
taken from him
Three other men besides Tate await
death at the hands OF the hangmanA
Frank Bess (coloreN. OF Portsmouth,
Arthur Lovett (coloreD. OF Princess
Anne, and John Andersen.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-30

Mr.. j.. u. Bolton. workman az The
Locomotive Works. badly ld,rI1 ltl nis
1O o'clock Yesterday morning and Dr.
Brown. in charge of the ambulance, was
called.
Mr. Bolton was carried 20 the city hos
initial where his thumb was amputated.
and Do went TO bis home at 800 west
A6orf nm hour later a youth named
Ernest 4 Nick0ls. also working al the
locomotive Works. lacerated his left fore
froer and he TOO. was carried TO the
Gig hospital. where his hnger was am
ulfatcd. lle went nome ID -lO no. l."
NL.lI..mfL .Ir.nf.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-30
Bad Behavior.

The practice of smoking in the vesti-
bule of the Academy OF Music, so dan
gerous 10 the building and so disagree
able TO ladies'. which was suppressed for a
time. has been resumed again, and was
much I'm evidence Monday night.
There was also considerable complaint
that the enjoyment OF orderly-disposed
people was sadly interfered with by the
behavior OF certain young men present
who INDUCED in cat-calls and Kisses. and
after the play was over crowded against
and almost ran over the ladies who hap
pened 70 be before them in getting out.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-30

terday and his case was continued ten
days. 10 allow officers OF his regiment TO
take him back to Savannah.
Crittenden has wife and one child. He
Joined the Suffolk company al Camp Lee
and says he had no idea Of deserting'
but that he got drunk and took the tram
for home.
He will probably be sent to Savannah
with the next party OF recruits.
A petition for his discharge would havo
been acted on favoraby in a few days
had not he deserted.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-30

Following are the approximate earnings
Of the Georgia and Alabama railway for
tho third week in November: Mileage
1sgs. AS. 1897. ass. Week ending November
23d 1,gS $30, $50; week ending November
o. 1897. $50 l0: increase. N0i5 Three
weeks ending November q. 1898 Ss5.421:
three weeks ending November o. 1897.
s>34... three weeks ending November %.
1897. So $40: increase. S5.9O7.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-30
CentIemen's Underwear

Gentlemens Australian Wool Shirts
and Drawers. heavy weight, soft and
warm; the usual SL25 quality at sLOo
Mems Scotch Wool Non-Shrinking.
Natural Color Shirts and Drawers, sof.
and Will not irrtate the ;enderes; skin;
extra value az Sl2
Mems Extra Heavy Non Shrinking
Scotch Wool Shirts and Drawers. full
regular made. the usual 800 quality
special at sl.j0.
Mems Extra-Heavy Shetland Wool
Shirts and Drawers. strictly n0n-shrink-
Ing, white and natural; extra value, 500
Pajamas
Made to our special order OF carefully
selected materials. fun sizes. nicely
made
English Outing. sl25 Suit;
Scotch Oxford. 500 Suit.
English Flannel, $50 Suit.
Agents for DR.. Jaeser's Health Under
wear
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-30

T1aeber's adnx. vs. Hasher's admi.
Argucd bv willis 3. Smith FOR appellant
and A A GRAY and Henry r Pollard
for appellee and continued until to-day.
The next cases 10 De heard are Cohen
Us Hellenot ana Rurruss rs. National Life
Association. OF Hartford. Conn. Nos. II
and u on the argument docket.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-30

Miss Lizzie Mason. Mrs. i. II. Hablston,
Mrs. w. II. Taylor. Mrs. BoulwaTe.
The Board OF Managers OF St. Paurs
Home for the Aged are much gratlfed
al the demand for tickets FOR the bril-
liant charity ball 20 be given on Deem
Der 9th at the jefferson Hotel for the
benefit OF the institution.
The utmost care is being taken with re-
gard 10 every detail OF the affair-the
music the dances and the supper. With
REGARD Ia tho object Of the ball II can
scarcely need commentator here where
the record of the home Is 80 well known.
Naturally tho desirable end IS pecuniary
erccees but IL f. certain that even at
this stage that social success-the pleas
ure OF all who go-will attend II.
Mrs Isaac Davenport IS IN charge Of
,Lo younp ladies' Entertainment Com
rnitoe and invitations are being sent TO
charming girls 10 act IN this capacity.
Those who have accepted mus FAR are
Nu4ses Rarta wexford. Eleanor BOsher
Borta Noting. Marion hoDins' Beue Per
Eins Harris Mayo, khea Watkins.
Jenkins Shields. sue Wexford. Virginia
Archer. Sue skipwth. Della Tompkins.
ana Leila Tatum. Tickets TO the bail can
be secured from Mesdames Archer An
dcrson. NJ l.. Branch. Carter Scott Isaac
Davenport ". J.. Royal. James A.
WEIGH VI. +. Peasants. and Gray.
A meeting Of the Associated Hospitals
Committee will be held M the Retreat
for the Sick to-day at = O'Clock. Final
arrangements FOR the grand spectacular
pantomime. Ben Hur' VIII me made, and
every member Of tho committee is earn
estly requested 70 be present.
Mrs. u. Q. Pearson. OF M0reanion' y.
O.. e. tho guest OF Mr. john w. Cor
don. &C north Laurel street
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-30
ESOXAlRP &c.
" ABSOLUTELY PURE
Makes the food more delicious and wholesome
ossnof o

was fraud committed az Bristol This Is
denied by the Democrats. They say that
there are about 1900 registered voters
and SO votes were polled in the late
election. Judge Rhca received G'6 and
Gen. Walker 100 10 is claimed that aboh,
half the Republicans I'm the city voted
fnr Julgn Ehcn.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-30

Richard and Pringles and Roscoe and
Hollands Minstrel Festival is the atirac-
ton M the Academy of Music this after
noon and nieht. The company Is com
posed Of genuine negroes nut the enter
tafDn,ort thav eive is equally as finished
as some that white organizations give.
The company viii be seen in street
parade this morning.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-30
EMINENT GEOGRAPHER COMING.


Professor Alexander Everett Frye au-
thor of Frye's series of Biographies. re-
Gently adop.cl for use in virginia
s.ro,ls and a georraDhor and lecturer
az ,nuch note. now living iu Boston. is
cxpcricd to- Doc go Richmond the coming
month.
lilo win make am address before the
eunorintendents and teachers OF lalh-
mond and Manchester during his visit
here.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-30
TWO ADDRESSES
ON MISSIONS.
Bishop Gibson and Miss Sa'lie Stuart,
Of Alexandria,
BEFORE W0MAWS AUXlLlARY
Orthc Board OF Missions Of the Pro
tcstant Episcopal Church Ncstcr-
DAY Afternoon Interesting
Occasion.

A. o'clock Yesterday afternoon the
various local branches of the Woman's
Auxn.ar, to the Board OF Missions OF the
Protestant Episcopal Church were invited
To- meet at Epiphany church. Barton
Hcleats to hear an address by Miss Sailie
Stuart. OF Alexandria, State secretary,
and afer to unite in a service of intcrccs-
eolr prayer fJr missions. the eve of ST.
Andrews Day b..ns one Of thc four days
s.t apart to o. similar service each year.
Tf Was expected that Rev. MIR. Neon.
of hc Brazilian Mission no Porto Allegro.
would Doe present and make am address
Ta. mciomot weather, combined with
tae long waits between the cars, natural
rl reduced the number of those present
to o. minimum. but among them were
several OF tHc most Jealous auxiliary
workers lu tne ctly and roprcc niauFea
~ Emmanuel ST. Andrew S.. ST. john s..
Sf pauIs and Grace parishes. Rev. Mr.
Goodwin. rector of So. johns was among
those Boo TIE audience. lu Che cniN.cl
vor. Bishop Gibson and kev. Air. CHRIS
man, rector OF Epiphany.
BISHOP GIEs0NS TALK
Tho order of evening prayer. With spec
c.H collections. including Chat Tor H-
Andrews Day. preceded an admirable
lqIrl address hy Bishop Gibson, "n" DID
tlc outset. stated THAT Air. Mc'm was
unable t0 como to Richmond. owing I'D
The heavy SNOW storms. Mhch nave
imuDI.I travel. The u."s was ht I''"I.f
d..aualintin.. for mono off %. workers in
F.l1. has made more gallant it'.'
OF ...f-sacr|Heo ani effort DOB ihAi ,'n-
,....|.ll chan fnI. Young hIrglultn. HOW
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-30
ncsertcr WI be Returned.

Sergeant Otey and officer Hulcher ar
rested W. II. Crittenden. alleged 20 have
been a deserter from Company l., Fourth
Regiment. ar hs residence on Thirtieth
street Monday night.
He was before Justice Crutchheld yes
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-30

Rev. DR.. Moses d. Hose was reported
better Yesterday but last night he was
not quite so well. although there was no
material change in his condition.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-30
AIIenrico Divorce.

4 divorce has been granted by Judge
Wexford in the Circuit Court Of Hen
rico to lanes Brown from his wife Mary
Brown. pesertlon was charged.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-30
Temple, PembertOn, COrdes Sc Co
THE NEW STORE

heave ofouso
depab o yus
the the place f supply
ennined o We ave o fife you
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-30

Pure Pine Tar. Horehound. wild Cherry,
etc.
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-06-03
The Gentleman from Mara.

IN the course of his jo%urneying on
the earth, the gentleman from Mars
came to a great and wonderful coun-
try. Through it majestic rivers ran,
n its soil, stretching away for un-
known leagues, was of remarkable
fertility. Here he wandered for a
time, whistling After the BALI softly
to himself, when he met a citizen of
earth, whose face was very sad.
"Mornin',' said the Marian.
"Mornin'."
What's the matter?"
Hungry"
Why don't you eat?"
No money"
Work and get some"
Cant get none"
Work on this great tract of land:
raise wheat, corn, potatoes-all such
things. See?"
The owner won't hire me-"
THE WHAT?"
Owner won't hire me-"
What's the owner!'
why, them as that owns it."
Does n man own this land?"
"Of course
We'll, III be bio Say, didn't God
make this land?"
I've heard So"
Didn't he make it for all his chill
dren, that they might liver
live heard SOL guess SOL
dunno"
How does it happen that one man
owns it all?"
why, the law gives it to him, OF
course"
Who makes the law"
I'VE do, Of course"
Who's WEI"
why. the voters; me and the rest
of us-the sovereign people,"
And you make laws giving one man
a great fertile tract of land like this,
which he can let lie idle if he chooses.
while you beg for work and starve for
food?"
"Ye-es."
Would you kindly take off your hat
and let me see the shape Of your head?"
And the gentleman from Mars cut
the anchor of his airship and sailed
away, repeating What fools these
mortals be!'-Dr. George w. Carey,
in Santa Cruz Spectator.
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-06-03
A Fine Piece of Stupidity.

Now that the Philadelphia water
works have been turned over to a pri-
vate corporation, it is found that the
plant failed to pay because the capital
lists paid the city officials to manage
it so that it would be a losing bust
ness. That done, the city council was
bribed to turn the plant over to a pri-
vate company. Nothing can be done
about it, however. The people, swindled
out of their property, must now paw a
high tax to the thieves who stole it.
If that isn't a fine piece of asinine
stupidity there never was any. Yet
if a petition was circulated among the
Philadelphia suckers to provide for
direct legislation in the city govern
ment they would say that the "people
are not ready for it," and that it
wouldn't work" II they like the way
the present system works, they ought
to "get 1t in the neck" It's a good
system for anyone who likes that kin0
of a system Coming Nation.
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-06-03

against the spiritual authority of the
Pharisees and priests, but against their
greed, their robbery and their hypoc-
r!sy. 1t was because he denounced
the rich who robbed them that the
common people heard him gladly" 1t
was because he preached of social
conditions radically wrong" that the
rulers hated him. Hath any of the
Pharisees or the rulers believed on
this fellow" asked they %scornfully Of
the officer who hesitated to arrest
Jesus. But the people are mad" If
we let him alone" said the conserva-
tive Pharisees in council, ALI men
will believe on him and the Romans
shall come and take away both our
place and nation" Why? Because he
taught obnoxious religious doctrine?
Look We to that; for I will be no
judge Of such matters" said the proud
Roman. Why then? Simply because
he taught obnoxious political and So
clal doctrines. That is why Jesus was
tried and crucified, and that is why
ne was accused and bounded by the
4 AoAloScS anu SCTlDeS anu lawyers anu
priests and rulers-the conservatives
the Mark Hannas. the Rockefellers,
the Goulds, the Morgans, the Pills
Ourys and the like sort Of his day.
They, indeed, accused him of bias
phemy and impiety at his preliminary
trial before their own tribunal. But
thai was a mere farce, as the narrative
shows. When the ecclesiastical num-
merry was done with, the prisoner was
hurried to the Roman judgment seat,
where alone lay the power of life and
death, and there condemned as an en-
envy to Caesar, a disturber of the
peace, an agitator, crank and "pesti-
lent fellow" The common people,
the Bryan anarchists of the day
heard him gladly and loved him. But
they were powerless to help or to save
him. And amid the congratulations
or all the conservatives in Jerusalem
be was dragged before a Roman tri-
bunal, tried for being a pestilent dis
turber of the peace, convicted and
crucified. That is the story Of the
trial of Jesus Christ.-Phil Francis in
Stockton Mail.
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-06-03
me Tears Have Made Their Mark,

II II were possible to resurrect a
Winthrop or a Hancock from the old
Kings Chapel graveyard, and to show
him the wealth and glittering splen-
dor OF Boston, 1t would be impossible
to convince the b~ewildered Puritan
that in the midst of such incalculable
riches the dark spectre of poverty was
still permitted to exist. When it was
explained to him that over-produc-
ton was the cause of want, and that
all the improvements of machinery
and organization of industry had only
made it more difficult for the average
man to exist, he would exclaim in
amazement, Take me back to the
graveyard, for truly this is a wicked
and perverse generation"
In 1845 Mr.. Carey, the political
economist, described this state of ours
as follows:
In Massachusetts all have property
and invest their surplus upon their
W possessions. Every man lives on
his W farm and in his own house.
He works In his w shop, or may if
he wishes. He drives his own horse,
sails his W boat, or works in the
mill of which he is part owner"
If this account be true there were at
that time no social or industrial classes
In Massachusetts, but fifty changeful
years have made their mark upon this
state since then. Only % per cen of
our citizens own their homes clear of
indebtedness to-day. Giant organisms
of production have been developed and
specially favored by legislation, until
from all our larger industries compe-
tition has been eliminated.-Hobert n.
Casson.
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-06-03
Criticises Pacific War.

Senator Foraker does not favor "a
war policy which excludes fighting,
and recently expressed himself thus:
Dewey did what should have been
done in Cuba months ago. The war
should have been won by this time.
1t must have shocked a great many of
our Christian war advisers when they
learned the Spanish fleet was Destroy
ed on Sunday. Maybe Commodore
Dewey does not wish to communicate
pletes the job at Manila. Perhaps he
believes hat his plan would be In.
terfered with if he asked for instruc
tons"
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-06-03
A Hint to Landla dies.

A Hint to Landladies.
If you have a batch of soggy bread
That angers every bitter,
AS heavy as a lump of lead
Why groan and say It's Letter."
If every loaf is brown or gray,
With nary a one that's brighter,
Well, roll your eyes and sadly say,
In mournful tones, Its Letter."
cleveland Plain Dealer