davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-12-29

The acme Of human ingenuity in
aevising methods for the destruction
In battle of the members of the
human race has been reached in the
recent invention of Washington,
D. c.. man. At least such is the con-
yensus of opinion of number OF
amining the latest production of the
well-known inventor and all-around
genius, Mr.. William Whitney Christ
mas. Concerning this shell one of the
ordnance experts expressed the opin-
ion that "Your shell, Mr.. Christmas,
contains within itself and attached to
Itself more potent hell than anything
Of a like nature ever invented. In at
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-12-29
SAVINGS BANKS.
Are Popular among tho Thrifty Child-
ron of France.

Washington Spec. New York Times:
The use of savings banks by children
in France is Interestingly treated in
one OF the Gtate departments publlca-
tions, report from Consul John e.
Covert at Lyons. They are steady de-
poaitors. and IN the case Of the little
girls the practice is encouraged for
peculiarly French reason. 1t is the
way they make up their marriage ror-
tons Long before girl has got over
her fondneas for dolls she is deposit
ing money in savings bank to 60 to-
ward making her dot. Our washer
woman" says Mr. Covert, has six
children, each of whom deposits from
one to ten sous every week. She
thinks her four girls will have enough
money saved to buy them trousseau
when they get married. In the COM
mon schools the children deposit with
their teachers various amounts, from
one sou upward, and once month a
savings bank agent comes around to
collect theae little boards. If child
depogits only a sou, the bank book is
a small one. But when his deposit
rea ches the sum Of one franc he is en-
titled to a big book, and this makes
him or her q person of Importance.
A big book is therefore sort of prize
for thrift Many children deposit in
an endowment fund, which is to pro-
vide them with capital Of 5000 francs
or 10000 francs on their majority.
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-12-29
Interested in South African Matters.

The church service had approached
that part in which the sermon is usual
ly expected. The Rev. DR.. Thirdly
cleared his throat and announced, in
a clear, resonant voice: my text this
evening, brethren, is taken from the
fourth chapter, third verse of the
epistle of Dom Paul to the Ephesians
-" But Of course the reverend doc.
tor could be pardoned for the mistake
in view Of the interest he took in the
South African struggle. Baltimore
News.
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-12-29
u was a lovely June day, with the

IT was a lovely June day, with the
sky blue and clear as baby's eyes
and the air full of scents from the bios
soming buckwheat fields, Catherine
More, having, not without difficulty,
obtained q temporary substitute in her
school, went to New York to meet her
new charge in the steamer Harvest
Lass, which had been telegraphed from
Sandy Hook the day before.
Little Willie will know me-" she
said to herself, because I sent my
photograph by the last mail. l wanted
my face to seem familiar to him, poor
lone lamb
She stood on the pier eagerly scan
ming the countenance of every child
that landed, her face frightened onca
or twice as she saw a boy whom she
thought might be Willie, when all OF
a sudden hand was laid lightly on
her arm and she found herself looking
up into handsome, bronzed face far
above her
Sir she cried, starting back
l beg your pardon said a frank
pleasant voice, Il did not mean to
alarm you. But is this Miss More?"
She inclined her head.
II am your cousin William"
And this tine Catherine started back
in more surprise than ever.
Sir she said, you are mistaken.
William is a little boy
Hardly" returned the tall stranger,
"unless you would call me little boy.
Dear Cousin Kitty, no one ever tod
you | was child or poor 1t was
your own inference, Thank heaven, |
am independent aud wealthy, and, as
l have come to mans estate, I think it
is rather my duty to take care of you
than to allow you to take care OF me.
Catherine looked at her handsome
cousin in mute amazement. This
grand upselting of ali her lheories snd
ideas was more than she could com
prehend just at once.
But, viii"
"But, Ca",orine Nay, my dear lit
tie gray-eyed cousin, the lawyers have
told me how willing you were to adopt
and care for the homeless orphan, and
how my Cousin MiIlicent shrank from
the task. And from the bottom of
! my heart 7 thank You FOR what you are
| ready to do"
How Dorcas started when she saw
what sort of fellow 'little Willie
had proved to be- How Mrs. Hopper
| giggled behind her bonnet frames
when she thought OF the little child's
crib and the picture books upstairs.
"Of course such an elegant young
! gentleman as that will go to the no.
tel" said MIS-. Hopper. But he did
not. He stayed at the cottage, sleep
ing on the back parlor sofa until other
accommodation could he provided for
him. And when Millicent came over
with her prettest smile and out
stretched hand the young Australian
received her with an odd, curt cold
ness that made her feel excessively un-
comfortable.
You see, Cousin Milly," said he,
you didn't want to be bothered with
me; you thought the Australian au-
thorities ought to be compelled to pro-
vide for me-
And when Mrs. Hopper heard that
little Catherine More was to marry her
rich cousin she wasn't at all sur
prised
Its the most natural thing in the
world" said she, "only it's pity that
Cathie isn't a little prettier."
But Catherine More was satisfied
with her lovers declaration that to
him her plain face was the sweetest
in all the world
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-12-29
IS A SATANIC INVENTION

faults, but also in their finer feelings.
Very often they represent better fam
lilies, better breeding, than that which
is revealed to them from the other side
of the counter"
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-12-29
More Impressive Than Niagara,

The Gersoppa falls, on the Shara-
vatti river, in South Kanara, India,
are larger and more magnificent than
Niagara. The water makes q clear
drop of $50 feet.
The Philipsburg mail., 1899-12-29

Crows Keep Busy.
It is estimated that one crow will
destroy 100000 insects every year.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-12-03
claimed:

claimed:
There you are, best OF all women,
and you can have forty more if you
want 'em-yes a hundred. Whoop! By
George, but I'm happy mani"
Mrs. Bowser took q long lock at him,
and it ended with a painful suspicion
creeping into her heart. He had often
charged her with attempts to murder
him, and on hundred different occa-
sions had threatened divorce proceed
ings. Suppose he had at last deter
mined to go to the courts? Suppose
driven to the last ditch, he had deter
mined to murder her. Such good ma
ture, hilarity and literally must sure
ly cover some sinister motive. She was
almost afraid of him as they returned
to the family room and he danced her
about and laughed till the tears stood
in his eyes. When he finally let her go
he said:
Come now, let's talk Of old times
of the days of our courtship and honey
moon. You must have a lot of my old
love letters laid away. Get 'em down
and let's read 'em over"
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-12-03
THE BELL WAS A HIT.

''You remember the chestnut bell, Of
course2" said the man who had got out of
Chicago with only the loss OF one of his
shoe heels. We'll, I was greatly taken
with # at the time. and when set out 10
visit my old home in Michigan bought
dozen bells-to take along. Nobody in the
town had heard of them. but | hadn't
worn one over q Cay when the people
caught on and I was fairy besieged- When
Sunday came / prepared to attend church
like a dutiful son. and at the proper time
mother and I were seated in her pew.
Just what the text was I can't remember.
but the minister had scarcely announced
1t when six OF my chestnut bells sounded
among the congregation The good man
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-12-03
THREE OTHER INSTANCES.

He mounted the steps and rang the
bell with all the assurance of a young
man owning a half interest in dime
museum. A moment later he was in the
parlor and holding out his hand in
greeting to Geraldine. She had been
thinking things over that day and had
decided to test his love by arousing his
jealousy. AS she shook his proffered
hand she archly said:
Archie, my mother insists that |
marry-marry-"
well, she insists?" queried the
young man.
"she insists that I marry the Duke
of Bradford"
"And throw me over?"
"She insists. You know l love you,
but"
$50 the old girl insists, does she? All
right. Perfectly correct, and the Duke
of Bradford is tip topper, Always
obey your mamma, Geraldine, and now
it only remains for me to wish you good
night and take skate
"Stay, Archie l was but"
Bye bye-see you at the horse show,
and give my love to the old gall
And he had skated. And the note
she sent him next day was never ans
wered And Geraldine sits and sobs
and waits and realizes that she has
lost a good thing and is out of job.
They had been engaged for year
Maxwell and Viola From his scalp to
his knees he knew that she loved him,
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-12-03

When Mr.. Bowser let himself into
the hall the other evening he did some
thing which almost jumped Mrs. Bow
ser out of her shoes. He called out in
a CHEEKY voice:
sWhere is that blessed little wife OF
mine! Why isn't she here to receive a
dozen kisses?'
"You-you are homer" she faltered,
as she met him at the door of the sit
ting room, and wondered if she had
heard Alright.
"Of course I'm here, old sweetheart"
he exclaimed as he gave her a smack
ON the cheek and pat on the head.
"Glad to see your hubby, Ell? How's
dinner? I'll bet you've got something
bully to eat.
He kissed her again, and then put
ting his arm around her in loverllke
way escorted her to the dining room.
The meal was no better and no worse
than the average, but Mr.. Bowser
praised everything sky high and uttered
q jolly laugh between every sentence.
Mrs. Bowser was puzzled from the
start. It wasn't the season for sun
strokes. He had no stock in any gold
mine. He couldn't have been hypno-
tizer or lost his identity. She looked
at him furtively and puzzled and Won
dered, but could not make things clear.
lie called her dear and darling, asked
her after the health of her mother, and
as dessert was brought on he took a
ten dollar bill from his vest pocket and
tossed it over to her and tilariously ex-
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-12-03

but he thought it would be a smart
thing TO pretend to doubt it. One even
ing he rushed into her presence in
seeming great excitement, and striking
a dramatic attitude he hoarsely ex-
claimed:
False one, have found you out at
last,'
Found me out how?" she calmly
queried.
Last night you and Jim Renfew sat
on the horseback in front of this
house for two straight hours. and for
one hour and fifty-nine minutes Of that
time he was holding your hand.
Traitress, what have you to say?"
Skip" she answered, pointing to the
door.
You have no defense?.
skip
".Say, Viola. was just putting w a lit
tie job on YOU Come 10 my arn<zv
But he had gone too far. or into the
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-12-03
AT FRAZER'S GAP.
BY M. QUAD.

1t was the strategy of war that plac-
| ed a regiment of federal infantry sup
ported by field battery, at the north
ern entrance of Frazier's Gap in the
mountains. The gap was narrow de-
file mile long and with it unguarded
| the enemy could march through and
| fall upon the commissary depot ten
miles away. Once through the gap
they would capture the four block
houses along the railroad and burn the
long bridge, and if they came in force
enough they would menace the flank of
an army.
Hold the gap at all hazards-hold
the gap if it takes the last mani" had
been the message sent over the field
telegraph almost daily.
And the gap had been held against a
dozen desperate efforts to break
through. Time and time again the enc
my had come rushing down the rocky
defile, reckless of life and determined
to reach the plain below, but the field
pieces had belched grape shot and can
lister, and the blue infantry had fired
volley after volley over the rocky
breastworks, and each assault had been
repealed And now of summers
morning, after all the fierce fighting,
the gallant assaults and heroic defen-
ces, a message came to the colonel.
Leave a dozen men to keep uo
show Of defense and march to the sup
port of Lorimer. at Smokers Gap.
Enemy trying to break through there
Get away at once"
1t was a march of twelve miles to
Smokers Gap. An hour after the order
was placed in the colonels hands he
was riding away at the head of 500
men, and the drums were giving them
pace of four miles an hour. The bat
terry went with them, a dozen wagons
followed the guns, and half an hour
took the last wheel out of sight. When
the veteran sergeant left in charge
turned to the men grouped about him
and said:
"You, homIgon-White-
all the rest of you-how many of you
want to die for glory?"
Damn this dyin' for glory and SIG
per MONTH" growled Corporal Taylor,
in reply. Whats up, Sam? What's
the need Of any Of us dyin'?"
'Lemme tell you sunthin'," said the
sergeant, after looking over the breast
work and up the grim mountain side.
"Mebbe a gineral fifteen miles away
knows what's goin to happen here, and
mebbe he don't. The regiments bin
ordered over to Smokers Gap to lick
the Johnnnies back Haven't they got
a lookout post way up thar on the
crest? Won't he see our boys marchin
away and report it,"
"Sartin to-" chorused two or three Of
the men.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-12-03

You jest er shay That because you
love me-you love me-but I'm goin'
er make you take er thousand dollars.
Yes, wanter you to buy five thousand
dollars worth of shoes and STOCKINGS.
Shometimes l have come home and
kicked about er gas bill. Will you for
give me for it? If you will you may
burn six thousand dollars worth of gas
and l won't say word"
Mr.. Bowser," she said, as she got
an altogether new idea and began to
look at him more closely, what were
you doing this afternoon?"
What er doing?" he repeated as he
looked at her in a vacant way. 81 want
er doing mornings tall"
Didn't you meet an old friend?"
ole fren'? Yes, I er met old fren'.
Ole fren' asked me to go out and play
er game pool wiz him, and went.
Shay, Mrs Bowser, 1 beat that ole fren'
seven straight games, and he had 'er
buy fo-fo-four bottles of wine.
Shometimes l come home and kick
about 'er coal bills, but I won't never
do it again. You can buy forty car
loads of coal and 1 won't shay a word"
do you mean to tell me that Won
helped drink four bottles of wine this
afternoon" demanded Mrs. Bowser. as
she sprang up.
Course l did. l beat old frien' at
pool, you know. an ole frien' he had
er buy four bottles wine. Mishus Bow
ser. you orter be proud of a husband
who can beat ole frien seven shtraight
games of pool"
The truth was out at last. Mr.. Bow
ser was in that position known as
'swizzled." His share of the four bot
ties had proved too much for him.
Never before had Mrs. Bowser seen
him in that condition. and she didn't
know whether to laugh or cry. AS she
stood looking him oyer he fell to weep
ing again and feelingly exclaimed:
"Mishus Bow-ow-owser. don't
bounce me out. Be good to me and
femme shtay. If you will I'll see er
ole frien to-morror and beat him shev-
enteen straight games. Tell me you
love me as l love you. Tell me-tell
me"
I'll tell You to go to bed. Mr.. Bow
ser, you are drunk"
"Zhrunk? Zhrunk? How can I be
zhrunk? lest met err ole frien' and
beat him seven straight games. Mishus
Bow-owser. That amt being drunk.
What er going to do:.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-12-03
Mr.. BOWSER'S TRIBULATIONS.
He Comes Home Good-Naured and Goes to Bed Happy

eyes, sometimes come home and
blow around and threaten to- get d.
vorce, but it's all wind and don't count
for shucks. There are times when
ought to be taken out and kicked.
Please forgive your old hubby for be-
ing crank. You won't get a divorce
from me, will you? You'll give me a
chance to redeem myself-you surely
Wilt"
Il never thought of divorce" she said
as his eyes filled with tears and his lip
trembled.
81 thought you were going to get one
and wreck my life. Do you know. L
couldn't live without you? If you
should get divorce and bounce me
out and marry again ibid"
And Mr.. Bowser was overcome by his
feelings, and the tears rolled down his
cheeks and he began weeping. Mrs.
Bowser now abandoned the theory that
he might be plotting divorce proceed
ings, but would not a husband who
meditated cold blooded midnight MUIR
der adopt just this course to disarm
suspicion?
Its so good of you not to bounce
me out" he continued, after a minute.
'Shome wives would 'er bounce FER
husband right out and not give him a
chance Mrs. Bowser, do you want 'er
thousand dollars to buy shoes and
stockings?"
mo. not that much, dear. The ten
dollars you have given me will be
plenty for awhile"
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-12-03
avail. odds is the difference to them
the men.

wall, odds is the difference to them
whether they break through here or at
Smokers. If they can call off every
thing here-and they hev done ia
brigade of 'em viii come marchin' down
this pass before we are two hours older.
The hull darned thing is a trick, and a
boy of ten years old orter hev seen
through it. Mebbe the colonel did, but
orders is orders and must be obeyed. :"
And what of it, SAM" asked the
corporal.
"Nothin' to speak Of Thar's just two
ways for US to do. We've either got to
skip at the sight of the furst Johnny.
or we've got to hang right on and die
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-12-03

didn't mind them In the least, but went
ahead with his work. He was rung up
on his hymn. and he was wrung up every
minute or two on his sermon. and al
though there was something amusing
about it, was half scared out of my
boots. As 1 had brought the bells to
town 1 didn't know but what he'd hold
me responsible and open out on me. About
the middle of his sermon ne said some
thing about Jonah, and eleven of those
bells went ting! on him in succession.
He stopped and looked around, and then
calmly said:
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-12-03
"Going to put you to bed"

"Puz me in my little bed? All rize-
all rize. Your my old fren' you are.
You shtick by me and I'll shtick by
you. Whazzer mazzer of floor, Mrs.
Bowser. Keeps jumpin' up
"You ought to be ashamed of your
self" she said as she boosted and pull
ed by turns and got him up stairs at
last"
Had 1? Had II" he queried, as he
sat down on the floor. Shay, now,
Mishus Bowser, met 'er ole fren' you
know-ole fren'. That ole fren' he
shays-he shays-
And then Mr.. Bowser's head fell
back on the pillow provided for it and
he knew mo more.
Copyright, 1899, by c. B. Lewis.)
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-12-03
THE ELEVATOR BOY.
A Few Of His Adventures as Related by
Himself.


Himself
One day a few weeks ago, just after
Mr. Wassoon had moved into room No
SO, with his mining stocks, l stopped
the elevator at the fourth floor to see
fight between telegraph boy and the
barber shop boot black. / didn't hear
any one ring but pretty soon Mr.. Was
soon came down the stairs from the
eighth floor and he was fairly boiling
over. He called me a monkey, a young
duffer, a nuisance, a liar and lots of
other names, and is l took him up he
grabbed me by the hair and shouted:
you either attend to business or
get off the earth! I've lost thousand
dollars by your fooling around, and I'd
like to break your worthless neck!"
Eyes, sir l said.
Don't give me any back talk! The
idea of Rasher keeping kid like you
around here is something I won't
stand. I'll have you bounced tomor-
row!"
Eyes, sir; but I'm fatherless."
I'm glad of it, though I'd like to
be a father to you for about ten min
utesl Boy, my name is Wassoon."
Eyes, sir"
Il deal in mining stocks and am full
of business. l may possibly conclude
to let you stay on, but If I do you've
got to be different kid. I'm the star
tenant of this sky scraper. That ele-
vator is for my personal convenience.
When I ring you are to tumble over
yourself to get up to the eighth.
He said lot more and threatened me
till had a chill and for three or four
days was as humble as a cat Then l
began to realize that my dignity as an
elevator boy had suffered and that
ought to do something to get even.
was waiting for something to turn UP
when l caught him making eyes at the
assistant teacher in the school Of stem
ography on the fifth floor. I think she
rather encouraged him, for the next
day he called me up and handed me a
dozen roses and said:
/"Sammis, my name is Wassoon, and
am full Of business, but it is our duty,
no matter how much business we have
on hand, to let riffs of sunshine into the
lives of others"
Eyes, sir, it be-"
Should you happen to see Miss Alden
OF the fourth, you can hand her this.
Just do it casually, Sammis, as If it were
accidental Here is a slip Of paper on
which is written few words. 1t goes
With the bouquet. There is no name and
she will probably press you to know
who sent the flowers"
But viii resist the pressure, sir"
well, yes. That is up to certain
point. Then don't give my name right
out, but hint at it. My sole object is to
let the poor girl understand that some
one in this cold and cruel world SYM
pathizes with her."
/ took the bouquet down to old Mr..
Graham on the third floor. and handed
it softly in and told him he could rely
on me to keep still. The slip Of paper
said that the bouquet was from one who
admired at distance, and the old man
smiled all over as he said:
by George. Sammis, but this pleases
me, I'm no masher. but I've known for
a week past that had an admirer on
the fourth floor. I'll have her out to
dinner as reward for this"
The next morning slipped a note
under Mr.. wassoon's door. 1t was
note OF thanks for his unselfsh kind
ness, and it took me two hours TO COM
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-12-03

VIII those people who are jingling
keys kindly jingle little softer?
II was thankful to get out OF that
church without calamity continued the
bell man. land | didn't do any Laughing
till the next day Then it was because
learned that every blessed man who rad
rung up the minister was seriously in ear
nest about it and felt it a sort of duty, and
because that minister himself called at
the house and accepted my own bell and
rung it up on mother within five minutes.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-12-03
But you'd be. ashamed of ,em and

but you'd be- ashamed Of 'em and
get angry" she replied.
mot at all, sweetheart. I remember
that used to write you some corking
old love letters. but why should / be
ashamed? Weren't they written to the
dearest, sweetest, bestest, cutest little
woman in all this world? Mrs. Bow
ser, do you know that love you even
more than on the day we were mar
ried?"
do you? Why. sometimes Ill"
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-12-03

wild night she drove him, and when he
called again next day to go down on his
knees the old man threw him down the
steps. He had doubted a young girls love.
and his punishment was just He lost his
clerkship in a shoe store and she married
an alderman.
He had been coming every night for over
700 nights, and a fortune teller had told
her to stop him OFF for one night and break
up the monotony. She loved him dearly,
but when next he came She said:
''Thornwald, suppose you skip to-mor-
row night. just for a changer"
with all my heart he replied.
When a night had passed Majoria looked
for him. but he came not. Another night
passed and another and another, but his
old familiar yank on the bell was unheard.
Then the fair girl sent out general alarm
and got track of him. That one night had
done the business. eli had met and fallen
in love with another girl, and had no - bore
use for the old one. In breaking up the
monotony the guileless Majoria had broken
her own heart. She fingered around for
twenty years, but as no one seemed to
want her she folded her hands and died.