davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1899-08-04
THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS
How the Plutocrats Twist Bible Lam
puare to Their Purposes.

How the Plutocrats Twist Bible Lam
guagc to Their Purposes.
"If you make yourself rich today,
you must make others poor. If you
would live in a mansion, you must
compel others to live in novels. The
mex time you go into the home OF a
man of wealth, so to the window n
draw aside a half dozen lambrequins
and lace curtains and let in some OF
Gods sunshine. And when you do IT.,
remember that every useless luxury
enjoyed by the rich mea the denial OF
some comfort to another man. The
joy luxuries, but today, the luxury OF
one man means the refusal of com
forts to another."-Prof. Heron.
For saying this. a patent truth, the
Republican of Cedar Rapids, denounces
Prof. Heron, and as a clincher in de-
tending wealth against manhood, says:
The parable of the talents has not
been dropped out Of the Bible OF hui
man belief except by a few teachers OF
Grinnell and by a few politicians who
want the votes of the so-called poor"
l wonder II the editor of the Repub-
lican ever read that 25th chapter of
Matthew with care? If he had he would
scarcely have used it, for the man who
upbra!ded his servants because he had
not put his money to usury Chat is the
word used) said of himself: "Thou
knowest that l reap where l sowed not,
and gather where I have not strewed."
His just servant, who refused to take
usury, knew his master, and said to
him: Il knew thee that thou art q
hare man, reaping where thou hast not
sown and gathering where thou hast
not strewed." In other words, the
parable Of the taleuts says, as plainly
as can be said, that only a hard man
and a thief desires to gather up more
than they have laid down. And this 10
the character that the editor holds up
as a model to be followed!! A Re-
publican editor reads his Bible SO little
that it is a dangerous thing for him
to quote. That parable has been
worked very hard to defend usury or
increase, yet it plainly %denounces it,.
by making the character say of him
self that he is. hard and dishonest. You
VIII notice in the first part of the
parable the words 1.-The kingdom Of
heaven is" are in italic letters. That
is the way compilers put those words
not in the original but what they sup
posed was necessary to make the sense
what it should be. In this they made
heaven as an unjust man. as a hard
man, as a man reaping where he had
not sown, as a man gathering where
he had not strewed, as an usurer!N A
perfectly absurd Interpolation.
Emerson, in his work on compensa-
ton. says, LAS long as all that is said
is against me. l feel a certain assur-
ance Of success" Prof. Heron there's
fore is meeting with unbounded sue
cess. J.. A. WAYLAND.
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1899-08-04
Floors Made Of PAPER.

The newest floor is made Of paper,
and is Of German importation. The
paper is imported In a dusty, powdery
form, and is then mixed with a kind
of cement which gives substance to the
impalpable stuff and a plaster like ap-
pearance. 1t is said that when the
floor is laid, the absence Of joints and
seams like those of the hard wool
floors is a distinct improvement and
without the inconvenience Of catching
dirt. The paste of which the floor IS
composed is laid on and then rolled
out with a heavy roller. specially
adapted for the purpose, something
like the street roller for asphalt. The
floor when smooth, hard and dry is Ell.
ther stained or painted.
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1899-08-04

One of the most curious facts with
regard to snakes is that their eyes are
never closed. Sleeping or waking,
alive or dead, they are always wide
open. This is because there are no
eyelids. The eye is protected only by
a strong scale, which forms a part OF
the epidermal envelope, and is cast
on in a piece with hat every time the
reptile mouths. This eye plate is rs
clear and transparent as glass, and
allows the most perfect vision, while
at the same time it is so hard and
tough as to perfectly protect the deli
cate organ within from the thorns ano
twigs among which, in flight from enc
mics or in pursuit of prey, the reptile
so often hurriedly glides, as any close
observer OF the habits Of the snak9
can readily discover.
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1899-08-04

ought to be better. sounder and wiser
than it is. 1t ought not to be tinged
with the %corroding vanity and selfish
ness that everywhere ~characterizes
it. In this splendid commonwealth,
in which YOU and l have spent some
wears OF our lives, with its unusual
fertility of soil and geniality of eli
mate. inhabited by a class CT citizens
OF great intelligence. industry and per-
severance. there should be united ac-
ton to build the grandest state OF
the union. 1t ought to be both ideal
and real: and it is due from you, in
your high station and your great gifts
and great capacity, to de- mere for the
state than it would be possible for me
from my lower station and limited
capacity. On you, Mr.. Morton, rests
a greater degree of responsibility than
one me. Unto whomSoever much is
given. of him much shall be required
To YOU has been given much. in your
own estima ton. as you constantly &C.
knowledge and assert, and therefore
of you much is required. To me little
has been given. as you also constantly
asseverate, and from me, therefore,
but little is required. But such as !
have, weak and puny as l may be, and
ignorant as you say l am, all l have
and can give shall be at the disposal
of my country TO advance peace and
contentment and improve and make
permanent our civilization.
Three years of my boyhood life from
the time l was fifteen until 1 was
eighteen years of age were devoted tc
the duties of a soldier, during the late
civil war. l do not, like Private Peck
claim to have put down the rebellion:
I only claim to have performed my
duty faithfully, and to the best of my
mean ability. At least, Mr.. Morton
my heart vas right, and my services
insignificant as they were, were cheer
fully given to my country to preserve
the Union. and our popular institu'
tons for the benefit Of the present and
future generations. Over a third of 5
century has passed since that wal
ended, and | have seen this nation
grow from about thirty to over sew.
cnty-five millions of people. You are
my senior by at least fifteen years
and / have that much time to my
credit, and possibly I can become a,
great as you are, but l have yet to
learn hat you added your name to the
muster roll during the civil, or any
war, this nation has engaged in. II
you served at all, it was as q carpet
knight, or Il Knight of the Golden
Circle, or a knight CT some other or.
ganization that kept far from the.
range of the enemy's artillery and
m4sketry.
And now. my dear Mr.. Norton, when
you have thought the whole matter
over. and have carefully and candidly
considered it please tell what you have
dane t o benefit the world. What sacri.
flee have you made fec the human race:
What b~enevulcnce have you bestowed!
Where is the scene of your elevating
activities? Whom have you helped:
What poor weak mortal have you
taken by the hand and assisted or
encouraged over the stany places o!
life? l await your answer.
Very respectfully yours,
w. V. ALLEN.
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1899-08-04
The Penalty of Conquest.


We are ~mad-grown mad in the race
for gold.
We are trunk with the wine of gain.
The truths of our fathers proclaimed
of old
We spurn with a high disdain:
But while the conqueror's race we run,
Our rulers should not forget
That the God who reigned over Baby-
Is the God who is reigning yet.
Would we tread in the paths of
tyranny,
Nor reckon the t%yrant's cost?
VINO taketh a%nother's liberty,
His freedom is also lost.
Would we win as the strong have ever
won,
Make ready to pay the debt,
For the God who reigned over Baby-
Ion
Is the God who is reigning yet.
The ruins of dynasties passed away
In eloquent silence lie;
And the despot's fate is the same TODAY
That it was in the days gone by,
Against all wrong and injustice done
A rigid account is set,
For the God who reigned over Baby-
Ion
Is the God who is reigning yet.
The laws of right are eternal laws,
The Judgments of truth are true.
MY greed-blind masters, + bid you
pause
And look on the work you do,
You bind with shackles your fellow
man;
Your hands with his blood are wet:
And the God who reigned over Baby-
Ion
Is the God who is reigning yet.
j. A, Edperton
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1899-08-04
How IN Aa-,.....,

One Of the %profoundest problems that
the United States was ever forced TO
grapple with is how to make 5000 pow
erty struck Cuban soldiers accept SIS
a head in gold as a gift. Several hun
dred representatives of Cuba libre have
SO far marched up to the captains Of
nee and with tears in their eyes taken
the money. The rest look on with con-
tempt. AS Uncle Sam is bound that
these men shall be helped with cash,
or he will know the reason why, some
enectual method ought to be adopted
that will save time. How would it do
to o the gold into them with rapid
fire guns?-Alameda Encina1
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1899-08-04
A Case Of Sea-sa-

Lady-Here! You promised to saw
some wood II l gave you something to
eat. Tramp (from Boston)-Your in
discriminate use of the English Ian
guage is positively painful, madam.
have fulfilled my obligation to the let
ter. inasmuch as I saw the wood imme-
dlately after finishing my dessert while
gazing in the direction of the wood
pile. Bon jour, madam.-Chicagc
News.
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1899-08-04
New Anne.atlonists.

The multi-millionaires Of New York
are simply dying with a desire to ape.
nobility. They ever sell their daugh-
tiers to pinky doodle counts and dukes
with doubtful titles. We would not
be surprised to see New York yet lead
a movement to annex New England
and New York to Canada in order to
satisfy their craving for titles.-
Georges Weekly.
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1899-08-04
King Humbert Of Italy.

The king of Italy is the only vegeta.
ran among European monarchs, ar
the only king nov living who was ever
wounded in battle. In the battle Of
Custozza he was attacked by an Aus.
trian officer, who indicted a severe
cash with his sabre and would prob
ably have killed him had not assist
ance arrived.
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1899-08-04
rhe Cure for str,La.

II there were plenty Of opportunity
for all men to work whenever they de-
sired. n to receive the full product
OF their labor. you would never see a
body OF men struggling with another
body of men to keep them from work
ing.-New Era.
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1899-08-04
BY A TRUST:

The Indiana Wire Fence company of
Charlottesville has been absorbed by
the American Steel and Wire company
and Its buildings now stand deserted.
The fence factory was Charlottesville
chief industry. The products became
known all over the country, and the.
demand increased SO that the factory
was enlarged almost weekly. There.
were regularly employed about seven
ty-five men, sometimes more than that
number, nearly all of whom had fami-
lies. The pay rolls for labor alone
amounted to nearly $4,000 a year,
about every dollar Of which was spent
in Charlottesville.
But the steel trust began to note the
Charlottesville plant. An agent was
sent to the company with a proposition
to buy, but the offer was declined. The
agent talked bluntly. Take a little
time to consider and I will come back
and see you," he said, significantly. az
he departed. The members of the COM
pany did take time to consider. They
found that every factory, every jobbcr.
every dealer from whom they would,
have to secure material with which to,
carry on business, vas controlled by
the steel trust. They could not get a
pound Of iron except the steel trust
was willing they should have it, and
at prices that would prevent a profit
to themselves.
Suppose" said the Indiana Wire
Fence company to the steel trust. "that
we decline to sell you our plant"
In that event." replied the steel
trust, I'VE will send our agents into
your territory"
The meaning of that was plain. The
trust would cut prices SO low that the
Charlottesville concern would be-
forced out Of business, or would have
to operate at a loss. There was moth
ing to be done. The sale must be made
and Jan. 20, 1899, the plant passed to
the control of the steel trust.
Then the blow fell upon Crawfords-
Vile. The men were thrown out OF en-
ployment. Most Of them had gone into
building and loan associations. had
borrowed money, and were building
themselves homes. They could not
meet their payments, their homes were
taken away from them, and they left
the city. Clerks and statesmen lost
their positions because business fell
of. In fact before long every branch
of business felt this blow. A few of.
the men are still here, but they are
idle except as they can get a few days
work at odd jobs.
The county auditor told me that.
while he had not yet seen the appraise-
ment Of property for this year, he I'M
derstood that real estate in the yicin-
ity of the wire factory had deprecated
40 per cent since the industry closed
down. A number OF small merchants
in that locality have been compelled to
go out OF business, rents are almost
nothing. and yet tenants can not be
secured for the houses.-Correspond.
eDce Indiana no1iS Nouc
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1899-08-04
India, the fellah of Egypt, and the
coolie of China. Which do you pre-
fer?-National Waterman,

ihoAo' tAS 1Silau VI ESypt, anu IAC
coolie Of China. Which do you pre-
fer?-National Waterman.
1t is evident that the president Gin
wanting more soldiers) doubts the
press reports of the countless thou
sands of Filipinos we kill to every man
or two of u own that we lose. Nc
klnley had better look out. The first
thing he knows he will have the Asso-
ciated Press down on him.-Jerry
Simpsons Bayonet.
A Michigan man has been telling
How to Enjoy Country Life" It's
easy. Let the other fellows owe the
amount of the Observation-Disclosures
(Ga.) Herald.
Government ownership of railroads,
or railroad ownership of governments.
Answer! Please use arguments. The
people are tired of your stock in TRACE
Islander and ridicule.-Centralia Qll.)
X Rays.
Direct legislation means the unre-
stricted rule of the majority of duly
qualified electorate. Who can ask for
more than this? He that does is a par
tisan, bowed at the shrine of party SUI
premacy, and seeks party rule rather
than the rule Of the people.-East
Texas Reformer.
1t Is a pertinent question to ask
workingmen if there is any consistency
in striking against the tyranny of an
INSCRIPTIONS employer and then sup
porting the same employers candidate
at the polls?-Metal Polishers' Journal.
1t would be far better for the peo-
pie of the United States to have free
competition with the people Of Asia
on everything else than upon gold If
that metal Is to be made the sole pric-
ing instrument of American products.
National Waterman.
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1899-08-04
POINTS r THE PRESS.

Dollars up and commodities down in
price; indeed this is the era Of repub-
lican good Understandable (Ill.) X
Rays.
Measures rather than men, principles
rather than parties. This should De
the motto of all reformers. With d.
rect legislation in our state constitu-
ton. the people would suffer bu. little
from either politicians or political par
ties. 1t is the stepping stone to every
reform which can command a major
ity of the people. 1t is pure democra-
cy.-Oregon City Herald.
Bimetallism will raise the level OF
prices in the countries where our
wheat, cotton and meats are sold. This
would enable Jul farmers t o pay their
debts, improve their farms, and pur-
chase the products of manufacturers,
thereby furnishing employment and
labor and prosperity to the whole
country. This is democratic doctrine.
The republican party talks about pro-
lection and at the same time is seek
ing to force the American farmer to
compete for gold against the ryot of
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1899-08-04
THE BEST MONEY.

We are told by the gold advocates
that We, the people Of the United
States. and especially the laboring peo-
pie, should have the very best
money" That the "best money" is
nom too good for "our working peo-
pie" Then they assume that the "best
money" Is the money that will buy the
most food and the best clothing. That
is the dearest money-the costliest
~money-the money that will buy the
most products Of labor or the most
labor, is the "best money"
Yet these same inconsistent politi-
clans tell us with great glee that the
prices of products and wages are ris-
ing-that is. that a dollar will not now
purchase as much as it did three or
four years ago. If this is So, money is
depreciating-it is not the "best
money"-not as good as it was.
History tells us that at one time in
England, after Caesar had invaded the
island, and taken away nearly all their
gold and silver, that money was so
scarce, and so near being the "best
money" that a man could be bought
for less than SIS; a horse for less than
IS; a COW for 81; a sheep for 5 cents
and a goat for 2 cents. OF course that
was better money than we ever had.
Just think how happy "our working
people" would be if they could get to
work for that kind OF the "best
money!" Would they not pay off their
mortgages and taxes in a jiffy? Then
surely confidence would be restored!
so you see we are a long distance yet
from having the best money"-ac-
cording to these w%iseacres.
]. P. ROBINSON.
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1899-08-04

And that is not the worst of it.. The
worst Of it is that the same absolute
power is being enforced by regular
army bayonets in Idaho. 1t may be
any other state next, and you and |
may speedily learn how Cubans and
Filipinos feel under military despot-
ism. PERCY PEPOON.
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1899-08-04

Why not? Is not that what he act
ually is? Has he not absolute power
over life and death, property and llD-
erty and public speech in those islands.
so far as it is in the power of the armv
and navy to enforce his DEGREES?
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1899-08-04

All Of these horrors for weeks have
peen perpetrated by General Merriam
and the regular negro soldiers under
MS command upon the miners. Mer-
chants, preachers, and county officials
OF an Idaho county, and because the
Mullan Mirror protested, its editor was
jailed, It's type confiscated and the pa
per suppressed.
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1899-08-04

roW, IlcH anu puof, great ana small,
it would be a solecism to say that all
ideal things are unreal. A study of the
gradual growth and ceaseless unfold
ment of the world, in all it's myriads
Of departments and countless ramifi-
cations, will demonstrate that one has
lived in vain who. has lived as iong as
you have and has failed to discover
that the ideal is sometimes real.
You say that Misrepresentation and
of individualized life" AS applied to
your kind of politics, l fully agree
with you. But this is a political her
esy when viewed from the proper
standpoint. While self-preservatnn is
always necessary, it is not the sole
thing that should move men of high
ideals and lofty conceptions, or who
are possessed of the keen sense of duty
that nature devolves on all individ-
uals. We wv the race something
than merely to preserve and adj
vance ourselves.
You also observe, "~Benevolence may
be beneficial to individuals, but is an
expensive vanity to the race" Here
again, my dear Mr.. Morton, your
teachings are heretical. and untrue,
Benevolence is not only beneficial to
individuals, but to the extent of these
it reaches, il is beneficial to the human
race; and ~benevolence is not nantes
ted alone by the giving of aims, but
finds it's field of operation as well in
the encouragement and help extended
to the weak and weary, the doubling
and the hesitating, who are strug-
Cling to succeed III the v~aric.us honor
able occupations OF life. OF course, it
means the giving of food, raiment and
shelter to those who are needy, but
it means more. Here again your phil
osophy is at fault. Your doctrine
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1899-08-04

Thus the new Imperialism and the
new standing army operate at home,
and he who objects is called a copper
head and a traitor, because they claim
nothing must be said against the pres
ldent's policies while he is engaged in
wal in the Philippines. The presiden.
can do no wrong, say the imperialists.
The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1899-01-06
a Sudden Death.

William Brown, part. Hawaiian
died suddenly this morning at the
Fish Market in an epileptic fit. The
deceased had been subject to similar
attacks, but the last stroke proved
fatal in spite of the efforts of the
people present to revive him. The
body was taken to the Police Station
in hack, and his friends were mott
fed. Later on the remains we're
taken charge of by E. A. Williams
and taken to the home of his
friends.
The deceased, who was As years Of
age, was hardworking man and
was well-known as hackdriver
draymap and as a boat builder Re-
Gently his sickness had prevented
him from working. 1t was not con
sidered necessary to hold an inquest
under the circumstances. The
funeral will take place this after
noon, from the residence of his
brother-in-la John A. Baker, a
Leleo.
The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1899-01-06
To the Soldiers

The Boys in Blue complain that
they have not been served with the
Eastern" beer which tickets their
palates and makes them good
natured.
Pabst Milwaukee Beer on draft, is
now served at proper temperature
in the Royal, Pacific and Cosmo.
politan saloons, conducted by the
elite of the employees OF the Peacock
Co.
The Milwaukee Beer on draft has
proven a tonic which is daily help
ing the sensible soldiers who are
patronizing the three great refresh
ment places, where the beer is so
served that even prohibitionists from
Milwaukee recommend it.
The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1899-01-06
The Nippon Arrives.

The Nippon Maru arrived off the
harbor last evening and was docked
at the Pacific Mail wharf this morn
ing. The splendid new steamer
made the passage from Yokohama
in 81 days, and the passengers ex-
press themselves as very pleased
with the voyage and the accomoda-
tions of the big liner.
Besides several cabin passengers
for this port, the Nippon brought
about 500 Asiatics, and the dock was
closed to the public while the Off
cials made the usual inspection Of
permits, etc.
The Nippon will sail tomorrow
for San Francisco, and before she
! leaves an opportunity will be given
The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1899-01-06
Risked His Life for HIS Deer.

AS Commander Lewis Blackburn,
of the cruiser Blenheim, was leaving
the hulk Royal Adelaide, in Chath-
am Dockyard, on the night of Nov
ember "a, gazelle which he had re-
Gently brought from abroad ran to
meet him, and when affectionately
rubbing against him fell overheard
Commander Blackburn, who was in
full uniform, promptly plunged into
the basin, although the risk was
great, the night being intensely
dark and there being chains be-
tween the Adelaide and other ships
Shouting for lights to be brought
he kept himself and the gazellt
afoat until both were rescued
London Times.