davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1898-12-21

a1s FINGER WAS SHAKING on THE TRIGGER
OF HIS WINCHESTER.
broken country. The tracks skirted
frozen lake, and then went up high
rocky plateau. Donald knew these high
ridges were the haunts OF moose IN
winter.
Late in the afternoon nothing had
been seen. The Indians picked camp
and set to work getting their backwoods
Christmas dinner. Donald, however,
could not resist the fascination OF fresh
moose tracks. He took his Winchester
and swung up over the bills for recon-
hotter. After about half an hours
Journey through second growth white
birch he came to a sudden stop and
dropped noiselessly behind fallen pine.
A few winters in Maine had given him
all the true hunters alertness OF nerve.
Where the underbrush fringed away
into country of broken rock ne had
caught sight Of calf moose. In the
gathering dusk be could see it lndls'
tinctly moving slowly and cautiously
out of the shadow Of the scrub bush.
He had plenty of time, so be rested hls
Winchester on the pine log, taxing
studious, deliberate and accurate aim.
At that moment the moving shadow
turned sideways. Donald's rife fell
from his hand, and he took a deep
breath. His rifle had been trained on
girl in blanket suit, and he could see
her shouldered rifle pointing down the
valley. 1t was Peggy.
The consciousness Of this had scarce
ly swept through his mind when he
saw a puff Of smoke. Then came re-
port, and another, and another. A short
distance up the valley he saw COW
moose fall. Then he saw something
that sent the blood tingling through his
veins. Out of the underbrush he beheld
a huge bull come laundering up the
slope straight for the bewildered girl in
the blanket suit. AS he came tearing
up the snow in his fight the girl in the
blanket suit deliberately dropped on
one knee, took aim and fired at the
broad breast bearing down on her, not
more than 20 feet away.
Donald groaned. He saw that the
plucky shot went wide-miles wide.
His own finger was shaking on the trig-
ger Of his Winchester, for when her
life depended upon a shot the RESPONSE
bility naturally unnerved him.
All he remembered was that he stop
ped firing when his magazine was emp
ty, although the first ball had torn
through the animals huge lungs. A
moment later be had confused picture
Of moose plunging head down into a
snowbank stone dead and girl sitting
in the snow, quietly crying. 1t was the
first time he had ever seen Peggy cry.
When she saw who it was, she stop
ped.
"Don-Donald Cotton. how did you
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1898-12-21

Miss feggy Weatherington decided to
do thing it was usually done.
Peggy was charming, but feggy was
chronically unconventional. She had
habit of gently shocking Fifth avenue
on an average Of once a month and
astounding her family about once a
week. The truth Of the matter was,
Peggy was simply full of animal spirits,
preferred living her own life and laugh
ed at her more dignified family and the
two dozen lovers who proposed on an
average of once a month to her.
There was of course Donald Cotton,
whom she took little more seriously
and consequently tormented little
mere assiduously. But as that young
man had been cursed with an income
and a taste for urban life Peggy made
no bones about expressing her good,
healthy contempt for the unillustrious
existence he eked out. Clubmen, she
said, were always commonplace. She
liked men who did things. She liked to
see heroism, she said, and manliness
and the spirit Of adventure in her
friends. All Of which made the good
natured and easy going Mr.. Donald Cot
ton very unhappy.
Each December Donald was in the
habit CT going up into Maine after
moose, and it occurred to him that a
few weeks absence would not be q bad
thing before asking Peggy for the nine
teenth time to marry him.
Before going up in the woods he nat
urally had to see Peggy to say goodby,
and Peggy, Of course, was surrounded
by the usual facetious circle when he
called. He doggedly sat them out, how
ever, and got hold Of Peggy's hand
somehow and told her he was going
away.
"Where?' said Peggy, wincing for a
moment, and then nonchalantly pulling
her hand away.
"Up in the Maine woods after
moose" said Donald.
"Oh, is that ALL" said Peggy, recov'
ering herself, with fine scorn.
"Moose hunting is awfully dangerous
work. said Donald, land something
might happen.
Dangerous for what, you silly boy:
Chilblains:" said the unfeeling Peggy.
"Charlie Brown was killed by bull
moose last winter" said Donald cheer
fully.
Peggy laughed. "Why, l know a
girl, little, dimpled, pink and white
girl, who goes moose shooting. She's
cousin of mine up in Montreal, and she
goes to Mattawa every winter. And
what is worse, sir, on second thoughts
l think shall 90 with her this Christ
mas and show you that moose shooting
isn't SO dreadfully dangerous.
"Peggyr' said Donald, trying tc
catch her.
"And what is more" said Peggy,
slipping away and getting on the other
side of the table, "what is more, I'm
going to see if l can't get a bigger
moose than you. No, you needn't look
horrifed. l shot mountain goat once,
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1898-12-21

CHARLIE Cl.ASt Ed llE litIs.a w tiAo " AZ -
HEAD.
You will never know your mother, but
do not think too i'll Of her if they ever
tell you.
She stopped to listen again, fer this
time she heard the sound of horses
hoofs just outside the gate. She pressed
the bundle convulsively to her breast
and with a great sob laid it in front OF
the door. Then she pressed the bell and
darted off into the shrubbery.
"There is the bell, Helen! He has
come" cried Belle, clapping her hands.
"How long Mary is in answering! Ill
run down myself-no, l must stay here!
Oh, there she goes now!''
The door opened, but it was a full
minute later before they heard Charles
voice utter a sharp "Hello!' at the en-
trance. Then all was still for awhile.
Belle bent listening ear, scarce dar-
ing to breathe, while Helen regarded
her il amazement.
Charles footstep sounded on the
stair. 1t seemed slower and more care
full than usual, and Belle, leaping upon
the divan, began to declaim:
Twas the night before Christmas and all
through the house
Not a creature was stirring not even mouse.
When Brother Charlie arrived, climbing high
or and higher,
! And bringin. TO NY dearest, lovclicst Helen
her hearts desire.
Belle fairly shrieked the last words
; as she sprang from her perch and r"1
; toward the door.
There, she cried, that may MT
be poetry, but, oh, how true it is! Be-
hold"
She flung the door open and disclosed
Charlie Kent standing on the threshold,
looking rather dazed and holding in his
outstretched arms a white bundle.
"Hurrah! He has brought it on a
cushion!'' shouted Belle. "That Is
right! Come now, march up to the
queen and present it kneeling"
The girl caught Charlie BY the arm
and began to drag him forward.
"What is it," asked Helen. with dl'
latin2 eyes. She had seen slight move
ment in the bundle.
"It is a baby" said Charlie in 8
queer voice. II almost fell over 1t OF
the porch Just now, and"-
"a what!' cried Helen and Belle IL
chorus. Mrs. Kent seized the bundle IL
her arms, and in moment it was on the
6jcau. with the TWO women on thell
knees beside it, pulling away the wraps
which infolded it.
"a baby!" cried Helen in soft
tremulous voice.
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1898-12-21

was beyond medical aid. BE could
not use one arm, or turn over in bed.
One day, while lying on the bed,
hc read of a case something like his,
having been cured with DR.. Viii
liams' Pink Pills for Pale People.
he coaxed his granddaughter to get
him box of pills. After that box
had been used he secured another.
In three weeks he began to feel q
little life in his arm; at the end of
foar he could move his fingers; at
the erd of two months he could walk
and in three months could shave
himself with the injured hand.
As be told his story in the Hersld
Office, be looked the perfect picture
of health. He carries box Of the
pills in his pocket, and whenever he
does not feel just right, he takes
them. They cured him after doctors
had given him up, and his death was
dsily expe cted.
All the elements necessary to give
new life and richness to the blood
and restore shattered nerves are con-
taiued, in a condensed form in DIR.
Williams Pink Pills for Pale People.
They are an unfailing specific for
such diseases as locomotor ataxia,
partial paralysis, St. Vitus' dance,
sciatica, neuralgia, rheumatism, nery-
Gus headache, the after effects of Ia
grippe, palpitation of the heart, pale
and sallow complexions, all forms OF
weakness either in male or female.
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1898-12-21

BELLE CLASPED HER BROTHERS ARM M
PULSIVELY.
fairs. You are thinking Of a coronet
This is just a circlet of diamonds. They
needn't be very large stones, but they
must be good ones, well matched and
beautifully graded. will help you Sc
lect them. Come, Charlie, you have
had good year. heard you say SO.
And Helen will be so delighted" Belle
clasped her brothers. arm impulsiVely.
The two walked slowly across the
lawn toward the house. Charlie Kent
had been married to his young wife for
FIVE years. She had been famous as one
of the most beautiful girls in all the
Oranges. 1t was in this lovely region
that they now lived. They had youth,
wealth and everything to make life hap
py save one thing-no child had come
to gladden. their home. This was
source Of sorrow to the young wife-a
sorrow of which even her husband did
not know. Belle, however, suspected it.
'sI had been thinking Of a pair OF
ponies and phaeton, said Charlie re-
fectively. (which would be the better,
do you think, those or the diamonds?"
''The diamonds Of course. You spoke
of queen just now, Charlie. Isn't Hell
en- far more beautiful and queenly, too,
than most royal women? Oh, to think
how she will look when she sits in your
aunt's box at the opera this winter
with her tiara on her headn'
"You really think she would like it,
them said Mr.. Kent, beginning to
share his sisters enthusiasm.
"Like it, Charlie! I'm sure there's
nothing she longs for SO much-except
perhaps
Except what:;' asked Charlie Kent
as his sister paused.
Nothing" said Belle, looking down
and smiling a little demurely; 'at
least nothing that can he bought with
money. Come, Charlie, there isn't too
much time. Let US settle now upon the
diamond tiara for Helen's Christmas
present.
During the next month Miss Belle
Kent made several mysterious trips to
the city. She claimed to be an expert in
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1898-12-21
The Atlanta Jubilee.
Mckinley Caught the City By His
Utterances.

Gen. Wheeler and one Hundred of
His Old Cavalrymen Form the
Guard Of Honor-Two Parades. =
Atlanta, Dec. 15.-President Nc
Kinley continues to receive an oya-
tion.
Ex.Mayor Glenn said this morn
ing: "After the speech of last night
the president might make any num-
Der Of negro appointments and the
South would hardly take exception.
He showed not only that the past is
dead, but this is new country. all
sections are now in such sympathy
that the North can honor the Con-
federate dead because they we're
Americans. The president has car
ried the city off it's feet"
Train after train load of people
were unloaded this morning. The
streets are crowded. The jam today
is worse than yesterday: The mill
tary and civil parade today was the
greasest.in in the city's history.
General Wheeler commanded FIVE
hundred Confederate veterans. The
guard Of honor consisted of hum
dred of his cd cavalrymen.
In the civic parade there were ten
thousand school children and four
hundred carriages.
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1898-12-21

"Let it be diamonds, brother Charlie.
You cannot 60 amiss then, for nothing
so gladdens woman's heart. Let one
who knows tell you. shall never be
satisfied until I see Helen wearing a
diamond tiara. 1t will be the most beau
tiful Christmas present you can give
her.
Belle Kent watched her brother eager
" as they walked together on the lawn,
noting the effect of her words.
"a tiara!" cried Charlie Kent aghast.
"Why that is something for queen to
wear! It would cost an awful lot Of
money!
"Nonsense," answered Belle, 81
don't mean one of those elaborate af-
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1898-12-21
500 Reward 500.

The readers of this paper will be
please to learn that there is at least
oae dreaded disease that sciense has
been aule to cure in all its stages, and
that is c. .tsrrh. Halls Catalrh Cure
is the only positive cure known to
the medical fraternity. Cstar,h be-
ing a constitutional disease, requires
constitutional treatment. Halls
C.tarrh Clre is taken Internally, act
ing directly upon the blood and mu-
cous surfac' of the system, thereby
destroying the foundation OF the dis
ease, aud giving the patiert strength
by 5nildi"g up the constitution and
assis!ing nature 10 d,icg it's work
The proprietors have 80 much faith
10 i's curative powers, that they offer
Ooe Huodred Dollars for any case
that it tails to cure. Send for list of
s'imnua!s. SOLD by all druggists.
Prca Is cents. 80
Halls Family Pills are the best.
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1898-12-21


diamonds, and she helped her brother
in the selection of those which were TO
form his wife's :ie& She also had
much to sag about sHvir arrangement
and the simple yet elegant setting
which held them.
One week before Christmas the dIa-
mond circlet il its violet velveS case lay
securely locked in the recesses of Mr..
Kents safe in ths city.
Christmas eve arrived. The day had
heen cold and threatening and toward
nightfall heavy snowstorm set in.
Belle was in a fever of impatience as
the hour for Charles train to arrive
drew near. She and Mrs. Kent sat in an
upper room waiting:
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1898-12-21
Fell from e sca&old.

From the Herail, Watertoyn, N. Y.
John Y.ung, of LIE Roy, N. Y, is
~ years old, and is we'll known in
that and neighboriug towns. While
putting some weather boards on
barn, standing on scaffold twenty
two feet from the ground, he felt
dizzy, lost bis balance and fell to the
ground. The side of his face, arm
and one entire side Of his body, on
which be stuck, were badly bruised.
Picked up and carried to the house,
he was under a doctors care for sew
eral weeks. The doctor finally came
to the conclusion that his patient had
received a stroke of paralysis and
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1898-12-21

"And on the porch, you sald, Cherlie,
in this awful storm? It must be
frozen to death. Oh, the poor little
dear"
"No; here's hand, Helen. It's warm
as little toastr'
ooh, see that sweet little face! Look,
look, Belle, it's opened its eyes.
They're blue. Oh, the cherub!"
"Ah, the darling"
The antiphonal exclaiming of the two
young women over the child was beau
tiful as the music of some angelic choir,
but Charlis Kent stood by looking rath-
er awkardly at the scene in which ne
had 70 part.
"I suppose WE'LL have to keep it over
night" be said at length.
The cool, matter of fact note accorded
lily with the angelic choiring. The
two women looked up for a moment as
though they did not understand.
II mean it wouldn't do to send it
down to the police station in this storm,
would it::'
sTo the police station! burst from
the indignant Belle.
Helen said not a word, but Charlie
saw her face pale as she caught the
child and held it close in her arms.
"See, Helen, here is another little
gown in this paper!" cried Belle. "And,
oh. here's note"
She tore it open, and the two ladies
read aloud together:
"a woman who is not wholly bad. but very
miserable, leaves this child with you. He i
healthy, beautiful and good He may De ID
you the blessing which it is denied me to hope
for in him. Take him and love him, and you
will never again hear from his unhappy
MOTHER"
Helen arose and went to her husband
with the child.
"Charlie. you will let me keep this
baby, will you not:,,' she said in voice
which had in it something Of religious
exaltation. "God has sent him to me,
and / love him already. You will not
send him away, Charlie; tell me you
will not!' Her voice dropped to tone
of tender cajolery, "Let it be my Christ
mas present, my husband!'
Charlie Kent accepted the situation
with the best grace possible. There wa:
70 cloud on his brow as he kissed nj:
wife's cheek and said:
1--WE will keep the child if it is your
wish, Helen.
Mercy, Charlie, l had quite forgot
ten" whispered Belle; "where is it,
Charlie thrust his hand into tht
pocket of his overcoat, which ne stll
wore, and drew forth package. Tn
seen by Helen, who was bending over
the little one, they opened it together
Then, at sign from Belle, Charlie
came close behind his wife, while hi
sister led her to the mirror.
"Close your eyes for moment, Hel
en-, dearest; we want to chow you PIC
ture." Helen did as she was bid, ant
Charlie clasped the tiara On his wife
head.
"Now Lock- cried Belle.
Helen opened her eyes and gazed upol
what is surely the most beautiful pic
ture in the world-a lovely young WON
ar claspiDg an infant to her bosom
Above her brow the circlet Of whit
stones cleaned like halo. But Helel
| gazed for an instant only. Her eyes
! brimming with gratitude and happiness
sought in the mirror those Of her bus
band, rested there a moment and thel
dropped to the face of the sleeping child
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1898-12-21

and I've been shark fishing in Florida,
and walked through Mott street one
midnight, so moose don't count. You
90 up to Maine and I'll go to Mattawa,
and we shall see who'll bring home ths
biggest horns"
Donald knew it was madness, but ne
also knew it was no use to expostulate.
He called at PeRgy's house the next
evening, but Peggy was gone. A sense
of loneliness stole over him as he
walked home through the falling snow,
his face set with great purpose. He
would 20 after her. Something might
happen to her. Supposing she got lost
in those northern woods-yes, be would
most certainly go after her.
He had already lost one day. by 3
O'Clock the next morning he was speed
ing toward Montreal fast as steam could
carry him. At Montreal he caught the
transcontinental night express and at
daybreak stepped out at the little town
of Mattawa. on the headwaters Of the
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1898-12-21

Frances-Harry says hejust wants
to fall down and worship me all the
time. Her Mamma-O, well, don't
mind that, dear. After you're mar
ried he won't let it interfere with his
business.
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1898-12-21
She Was Puzzled.

Mav-Christma always puzzles me.
Belle-How?
May-I CONT know whether should
be thankful for tie things l didn't ex-
pect or disappointed about the things l
expected and didn't get.
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1898-12-21

C1au.b ,rlail's C.lic, Cbo'e.a and
Dia rtoea Remedy can always b. d.,
pended upon and is pleasant and
safe to take. Sold by J. E. Kauf-
mann.
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1898-12-21
CHRISTMAS IN
CAPE BRETON.
By MAEGHERITA ARLINA HAMM.
copyright, 1888. by the Author]

Az OIL tU6 UedtSu
track Of tourist
and health seeker
lies the twin is
Ian d territory
known as Cape
Breton "a con-
Meeting link be-
tween Nova Sco-
tia and New
foundland. It is
cool and pleasant
in summer, be-
ing swept by the
sea wind or the
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1898-12-21

como here?'
"Why," said Donald, lifting her up
out Of the snow and brushing the fakes
from her wet cheeks, Il just came DIP
to tell you how dangerous moose shoot
ing really isl
stop, Don, stop, or I'll cry again!"
"And also tc ask you for the nine.
teenth time if you will marry me-"
"
"It's getting dreadfully dark, Don,
dear" said Peggy ten minutes later.
"and it's four miles to camp"
"Who cares?" said DON.
Three Indian guides never knew why
they were given three whole bottles of
Kentucky Bourbon on certain Christ
mas night, and it isn't every one who
knows just how Mrs. Donald Reed Cot
ton secured the pair Of beautifully cham
neled moose horns which hang over her
library door.
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1898-12-21
ADVERTISING RATES,

Advertisements will be inserted ct the
rate Of one cent per word for Arst insea-
ton, and one-half cent for each subse-
quent insertion.
Liberal contracts made with those wish.
Ing to advertise for three, six and twelve
months.
Nouces IN the local column cents per
line each insertion
Obituaries charged for at the rate OF one
cent word, WI en- they exceed 100 words.
Marriage notices inserted free.
Address
q NJ. hARMAN. Editor and Publisher.
The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1898-10-21

Fireman Charles Stephens, formerly
on the switch engine at Roswell, Colo,
left for his old home near Chicago, Ill.
last winter expecting to die. He was
sick with consumption in its last stages
and q number of physicians had told
him plainly that he could not recover.
So extreme was the case that the
Brotherhood total disability insurance
little family, after tearfully bidding
his friends among the railroad men
good bye, he left for the east, as he
said, "tO die"
When he got back to his old home
be had given up entirely, and, as he
says, ''tried to die" One day someone
told him of a lady who was a Christian
science doctor, and finally persuaded
him to write her about his case, giving
his age, etc. She wrote him that he
did not have the consumption at all.
but that the kidneys. liver and stOm-
ach were the seat of his difficulty He
took treatment, all drugs being forbid
den, and to the surprise of his friends,
as we'll as of himself. he began at once
TO improve.
He returned here this week to take
his old job, and his old friends we're
greatly astOnished to see him alive and
apparently we'll again. His case has
created a remFFkable interest in the
subject of Christian science healing,
and some declare that it is almost a
miracle. 1t is said that some are al
Fesdy iDQUiring in view of cOusulta-
ton with the lady doctor for them
selves or friends.