davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1899-05-27

commission to any boy; she walked
person to be seen, great man in brass
buttons, gilt cord and gold lace. and
smiling in sweet consciousness offered
him the flowers.
IF you please, should like TO have
these flowers put on Capt. Bakers
grave" she said.
The man smiled back into the wide,
brown eyes below the lowered hat
brim. And who was Capt. Baker, my
little LADY," he asked, graciously.
Dorothy did not notice the change of
tense. Hes great friend of mine"
she said, in happy pride, land he lives
right near my house"
The gentleman stared at her in
amazement. "Why, l thought you
wanted to put these flowers on his
grave" he exclaimed.
"Oh, yes" Dorothy FASTENED 10 ex-
plain. but not on the grave of the
whole of him; he only lost part of him
in the war. thought if you remem-
bered the people that were all killed
you ought to remember the others that
were some killed. wanted you to put
these flowers on his legs grave"
The gentleman was smelling the
flowers and did not answer at once.
you see" Dorothy eagerly went on,
"he's quite an old man, and he couldn't
be a. farmer after he had n cork"-a
bitter memory returned-"a cork leg,
and they didn't even give him PEN
sion. and they ought to, for he's very
nice man, and needs IL more than lots
of folks that get it, papa says"
The gentleman lifted his face from
the flowers now. But where is his leg
buried?" he asked.
Dorothy looked disappointed. II
don't know" she answered sadly. II
asked mamma once, and she said she
didn't know, but thought some of you
would be able to find it,"
"Why, Dorothy" said ner fathers
voice behind. "where did you come
from?" Then Dorothy gave him her
mothers message, and when the gen.
tlcman said he was coming 10 her house
after the celebration and would talk
about the captain and his pension, Dor.
othy rode home in very contentcd
frame of mind.
The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1899-05-27

She burst into the reception room and
flung herself on her mother with wild
sobs. "Oh, mamma" she cried, ''send
for the doctor, quick, quick! The cap
tain's leg was cracked in the war and
I've broken it right Off! believe his
wife's glad, cause she'd get the pension
money IL he should die. Oh, my dear,
dear captain, don't let me kill him!
Oh, send for the doctor! do send for
the DOCTOR" And Dorothys words
ended in II long crescendo wall.
1t was some time before explanations
could be given, and Dorothy ceased her
cries and understood that the captain
had lost his own leg in the war and now
had cork leg, which was strapped
on every morning and taken off every
night, and that perhaps the strap was
old and broken and Dorothy's sudden
tug had loosened or broken it.
1t was supposed She would soon run
smiling over to call on the captain, but
for some time Dorothy neither visited
nor spoke of him. When she went by
his house and saw him in the garden
or on the porch she would nod and
smile gravely, but she no longer socially
tripped up the path and seated herself
familiarly on the steps.
But as the soldiers day drew near,
Dorothy felt as thouei. there must be
a reconciliation between herself md
her captain friend. Decoration day,
as a rule, was not made much of in this
small town. But this year was to be
more impressive. a dignitary from
Washington, who Glanced to he visiting
near, was to make an open-air speech by
the soldiers monument, and since he
was afterward to be entertained AT Dor
othy's home there was much said about
the coming celebration.
OF late Dorothy had not had her usual
conversational opportunity at lunch
con, so that it was rather difficult for
her to accomplish her desire to carry
the flowers she had picked to the town
hall, where they might be taken in
change by the committee. But on Dec
Grafton day. at the last moment before
the procession started for the Gem
etery. her mother sent Dorothy with a
message to her father at the hall, and
Dorothy seized this opportunity 10 take
her great bunch of apple blossoms and
garden japonica in the carriage with
her There was much hustle when she
reached the hall; boys were running
hither and thither and men were look
ing businesslike and hurried. Doro-
thy was not intending to intrust her
The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1899-05-27

deal for me, and ought TO be very
thankful"
"Oh, yes, of course" Dorothy re.
sponded. in quick sympathy. IL think
she seems very fond of"-she hesitated
--'of talking"
A sudden twinkle came into the cap
tain's gentle eyes, but he heard a step
in the hallway and hastily changed the
topic of conversation.
II hope you'll come and see me real
often; git kinder lonesome some
times" he said, and Dorothy, who had
also heard the step, rose hastily to go.
YES. Ill come and see you," shO
said. nodding brightly at him. mann
ma said you couldn't walk very far, so
prompt acceptance of all invitations
was one OF Dorothy's marked charac-
teristcs.
Mrs. Baker stood in the doorway and
Dorothy turned upon the lowest step
10 say in her sweet voice: "Good-by,
Present Mrs. Baker" then lightly went
down the walk, leaving to the captain
the demanded explanation of his wife's
new title.
"rvc got a new friend" Dorothy an
nounced at luncheon, for at luncheon
Dorothy had conversational right of
way: at dinner time il was different.
"lle's an old soldier and he's got rheu-
matism in one leg and "A bullet in the
other, but he's very pleasant and he
wants me to come and see him every
day. Once he had little girl he loved
very much, and he says she looked like
me. Her picture isn't very pretty and
her hairs done up in funny little
braids. but he says she was very nice
little girl, SO of course I'm glad ! look
ent Mrs. Baker," with great empresse-
mcnt, land she's rather rather eX-
haustin' when she talks, and she doesn't
like il cause the captain doesn't get
any pen pencil money. What is pencil
money" After receiving simple eN-
PLANTATION Of the pension system Dor
othy went ON. she says it was his
fault he didn't get the pension money,
and they need il dreadfully to make
both sides meet, and she has to work
her fingers 10 the bone really She
Ir-1r lutte fat--'causc" but here Dor
u1hy was silenced aud told that il she
gossipcd about her captain ncighbor
she could not go to see him any more.
The acquaintance that Dorothy had
begun grew more delightful and init
mate Us time went on. Dorothy became
The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1899-05-27
Monument TO Carnot.

Dion, France, May 22.-The monu-
ment to the late Marie Francois Sadi
Carnot, fourth president of the third re-
public of France, was unveiled here
Sunday in the presence of the president,
Emile Loubet; the premier, Charles
Dupuy; the minister of war, Camille
Krantz, and other distinguished per-
souapes.
The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1899-05-27

In Paraguay gentleman is cnjoincd
by the laws of good society to kiss
every lady to whom he is introduced.
The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1899-05-27

A sign of politcness in Thibet, on
meeting person, is to hold up the
clasped hands and stick out the tongue.
The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1899-05-27

Reverse Effect.-"So they finally froze
johnson out of the company, did they"
Eyes. And j never saw hotter man in all
my life. indianapolis journal.
The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1899-05-27

Senator Hanna. though he has no
technical knowledge of music, is very
fond of IL.
The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1899-05-27

Just as Good. -Yeast-"D you ever take
any of those mud baths?" Crimsonbeak-
well, | ran for Office once" Workers
Statesman.
The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1899-05-27

An Atlantic telegraph cable costs
C 100000.
The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1899-05-27

Love of money is the root of all evil
and of much good.-Chicago Daily News.
The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1899-05-27
intended for an Epigrnm.

A cynic is man who is worse than he
feels but tries to feel worse than he is
n. Y. Commercial Advertiser.
The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1899-05-27

II you would have friends, you must
have faith in them.-Ram's Horn
The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1899-05-27

Reeds new law partners arc demo-
Gratis.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-08-05

out of windows. Past corner of the
house 1 observed a great field OF cot
ton all ablown.
MY wife and daughter, sir"
The ladies bowed, and l returned the
salutation.
Il am afraid I have made a mis-
take" I said. II am looking for the
place of Mr. Pierce Bostock."
"He did live here. Two years ago
he removed to Louisiana. bought
him out
/ took the chair that was offered me,
and said, with the keenest disappoint-
ment:
'My journey out here is to no pur-
pose. had better go back"
Not tonight said the planter.
"High time tomorrow for that.
Travellers don't get away from Alfred
Dorion as easy as that"
i beg your pardon; that reminds
me that have not introduced myself.
My name is Dorr Jewett. have come
from the north-from New Hamp-
shire"
''Jewett?-Dorr Jewett2" the planter
exclaimed From New Hampshire?''
Eyes, sir"
"And you know Mr.. Bostcc23.
Yes he was a friend of
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-08-05

boyhood. lie called at our home ten
years ago"
And you wrote him letterq-let's
see-somet thing more than I've years
ago2"
II did; and he answered il. I wrote
another last year, which was not an
swered."
"That one probably followed him to
Louisiana. / am not surprised that
he did not answer it, if he received it.
But here's Classy, telling US your sup
per is ready. Go in and eat hearty:
1 shall have something to tell you
afterward."
My curiosity and interest were thor
oughly aroused: but hunger makes
everything yield did full justice TO the
substantial meal set before me by the
old negro Nanny" with great rings
in her ears and a parti-colored turban
about her head l was exhausted with
the days ride, and still anxious TO hear
what Mr.. Dorion had to tell me about
BOstock. But for awhile 1 had to sit
with the ladies in the parlor. They
sang and played for me, and told them
much about the north which was new
and strange 20 them 1t was about
nine o'clock before / found myself
alone on the veranda with the planter.
'eThe man you came here to find, !" he
said, ''was one of my dearest friends.
He has been estranged from me, from
everybody, for more than five years. L
gather, from whatyou say, that it is as
long as that since you have heard from
him"
Rather longer"
II recall incidents about him which
none but a friend would remember.
Among other things, ] remember dis
tinctly his showing me your letter,
telling me about your fatherand your
self, and saying that you were fine
fellow; that he should have you down
mere some day and make planter of
| you. But / fancy that you might as
well end all your dreams of his favor
right here
l saw by the moonlight that his fine
face was thoughtful Sorely disap-
pointed as l was by these tidings,
was burning to hear more. He pres
emily went on TO explain himself
All that is contained in chapter first
of this narrative thus heard for the
first time. It was told me, of course
in different language, but all the de
tails were given listened with
breathless interest When the plante'
had finished that account, he paused
and seemed for the moment reluctan
TO proceed
But what" eagerly asked, IVA.
the quarrel about? What was Mr.. Cas-
tex's offense?''
His answer filled me with surprise.
''It is all n mystery. / knew YER
| little about il, then. know no NOR
; now. believe it would be better 70
( you not to inquire"
I TO BIZ CONTINUED.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-08-05

Shall attempt a pen-picture of this
man? IL is not possible for me to do il
Justice. He was something over fifty,
Tong, gaunt and sallow, with high
pitched, squealzing voice that dismally
qasped through all better sounds in the
church choir His face was thin,
peaked and bloodless, his eyes restless,
his hands were always moving about
rs if searching for more coin to add to
bis store. He was reported to be worth
twenty thousand dollars large for
tune for that day and place. Behind
his back people called him hard, pc
snurious man; in public he was referred
To as ''our leading either, "a model Of
piety," "a pillar of religion"
In common with this mans unhappy
family, suffered all the severity of
patriarchal government, and all the
Sorments of religious fanaticism, du-
ring my sojourn in his house. At sun
set of Saturday, the Sabbath was
deemed TO have begun, and a disci-
pline harsher than that of the peniten-
Siary was enforced. The Scriptures
were read and expounded through
Deacon Halleck's nose. Morning and
afternoon the family was marshaled
forth TO the Westinghouse on the hill,
barren of shade, where the people
sweltered in summer and froze in win
Ger. as stoves in the latter season
1Vorld have been deemed suggestion
Of the adversary, At all times in the
week levity was frowned upon and
discouraged. The stray copies of the
Boston papers that had been my de-
2ight were vigorously confiscated, as
the deacon had not the time to &c
over them with the scissors and clip
out the sinful paragraphs. The few
volumes of history and poetry which
had accumulated by long and patient
self-denial-my precious books!-wers
seized and put under lock and key
until this Cerberus could look then
over and see if any of them were fl
TO escape the flames Meantime, pend
ing this decision, was recommended
TO peruse the volumes of the deaconi
small but select library, of which Bax
ter's Perseverance and Rest Of the
Saints" the lurid sermons of Rev
Jonathan Edwards, and ''Fox's BOol
of Martyrs" may be cited as speci
mems
Ny existence heretofore had beel
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-08-05

one of ton and poverty; but love ana
kindness had lighted il. To say that
hated this new existence and it's condi-
%icns' is verysfeebly to express my feel
frs
In the December before my ajority
the deacon's barn, situated some dis
lance from the house. caught fire, and
was burned to the ground. 1t was
filed with hay, part of the crop from
the owners farm, and some old disused
implements, all of which were con-
sumed. The deacon promptly collect
sd the insurance, and it was cautiously
whispered about that he had succeeded
in getting his loss appraised at about
double the actual amount. But people
were very careful about repeating this
story.
The restraint and discipline TO which
I was subjected brought on an explo-
sion that winter. 1t was soon after
my twenty-first birthday. had been
waiting little for my austere guardian
70 inform me that was no longer un-
der his direction, when I was resolved
by hook or crook 70 make my way TO
Mississippi. In the meantime resolved
upon a little unwonted personal lib
erty. a young peoples sleighride to a
tavern up in gap Of the mountains,
with supper and dance, had been
projected. L well knew it would &c
fruitless to ask permission; so re-
solved t. attend by means of that ex-
pedient which the sailors call taking
French" In other words, climbed
out of my chamber window at nine
o'clock, when the family were asleep.
Disaster attended our homeward
! way in the early hours of the morning.
The harness broke; delay attended its
repair; it was long after daylight when
we reached the village. I know that
my clandestine absence must have
been discovered, and resolved to put
bold face on the matter. The deacon's
family were at breakfast when
walked in
The tyrant at the head of the table
glared wrathfully upon me.
where have you been, sir?'
up at Sncdilxer's, with the sleigh
ing party"
"Wretched youth! Your depravit.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-08-05

can only guess how far / travelled
that day, advancing, retreating and
prospecting-I should presume about
forty miles. And should say that the
great big house, about three miles
back from the river, with a veranda
all round" where halted at sunset,
was about half that distance from
Vicksburg.
A negro came running down the
lane To me. NAUSEA say yo' come
right up" was his salutation.
dismounted and he took my mule.
/ walked up the lawn. a Gne-loolSing,
middle-aged planter, portly and pleas
snt, rose from group of ladies sitting
on the veranda, and advanced with
extended hand
Good evening, sir-good evening.
Come right in. Have you come far?"
From Vicksburg."
''Well, well; you're tired and hungry.
Miranda, my dear, go tell Classy to
make some corn-pone and fry some
chicken for the gentleman Sit down
here, sir; or you'd like to freshen up
after your hot ride. Randy, tell some
of the women to fix up chamber for
the gentleman. What news, STRAND
where are you from?"
The easy cordiality of the man,
mingled with a decided inquisitive-
ness, was something that had to be
known to be understood. AS he
escorted me up the broad steps I saw
numerous house servants, of varying
shades. peering around corners and
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-08-05

is astounding. will see you in the
woodshed after breakfast"
made no reply, but ate with consid-
cradle composure. while the commits
Grating glances of the deacon's big
boys sought my face. Sad experience
told them what was coming.
The meal over, the deacon INDUCED
in a long addendum of thanks for what
we had received. mingled with pious
denunciations of the depraved conduct
of one of the family. He rose from the
table and, with n motion to me,
marched out into the woodshed. fol-
lowed promptly.
He reached down a great hickory
limb from the shelf and, bending and
trying it in his hand, he addressed me
with a sternness that was seasoned
with savage kind of glee as he antici-
pated the diversion he was about to
provide for himself.
"Dcrr Jewett, take off your coat I
have too long neglected my duty The
devil is clamoring for your immortal
soul. / viii chastise the adversary out
of you. Take of your coat"
I snatched up heavy oak stool that
stood by and put myself on the defen-
sive.
IF you lay hand on me I'll knock
four brains out!" cried.
He fell back aghast. suppose the
idea of resistance to his authority new
er entered his head.
What do you mean, you young imp"
he stammered.
J Il mean what say. I've done moth
ing to be punished for; if / had, your
authority over me was at an end some
weeks ago. You old canting hypocrite,
defy you to touch mer'
! My blood was up, and I said more
than had at first intended tc. He
saw that I would surely break his
head if he should advance on me, and
he did not attempt it. But never was
man in a greater ragel His leathery
face almost turned green.
''Out of my house, you young repro
bate-you spawn of Behalf" ne
squeaked, in voice shaking with
fury.
II will go with pleasure. VIII you
send my trunk over to the tavern?'
YES. Clear QUIT"
II want those books you took away
from me-
"Take ali Your traps and leaver'
I turned on my heel and went into
the dining-room. Bidding the family
good-by, l put on my cap and went
over to the tavern 1 had not cent
in my pocket.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-08-05
CHAPTER VI

A NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. A WELCOME
OF course, there had to be a coroner's
inquiry, and / was called as a witness.
So long was this investigation that
May had come before was released.
The first week of June found me steam
ing down the Mississippi in one of the
great river palaces of that day.
Everything was new and wonderful
TO nae, and thoroughly enjoyed the
journey. The river craft, of all sizes,
shapes and means of locomotion; the
width and majesty of the downward
sweep of the~ast flood, draining half q
continent; the verdure and luxuriance
of the southern spring, passing into
summer; the army of passengers, the
people, white and black, so different
from those to whom / had been accus-
toned; the sights and sounds of the
river by day and by night, and, as we
entered the cotton belt, the spectacle
of immense tracts of rich black loan
on the bottoms or the uplands, burst
| ing into the minnie snow of the cotton
field" these were the things that kept
my mind in kind of rapture all the
way To the speedy meeting with my
benefactor | looked forward impa-
tiently. Never, believe, did man cast
his former life behind him more en-
tirely than / had done.
was ashore at Vicksburg before the
steamer was fairly moored. 1t was
not the picturesque little city of to-
day, but a scattered town of barely
four thousand inhabitants, struggling
along the river bottom and trying to
climb the heights. / arranged with
one of the dozens of loafng negroes to
carry my trunk, and, escaping from
the crowd of passengers, cotton-buyers,
and ''roustabouts," that the dozen
steamers lying with their tall smoke
pipes along the river front had
brought here, l climbed well up the
bluffs and engaged quarters at quiet
place kept by one-eyed Frenchman,
who would talk without the slightest
excuse or provocation.
After supper, as we sat out in front
and watched the twinkling lights on
the river, and heard the hoarse shouts
roustabouts, as they unloaded cargo OF
wooded up" asked my host if he
knew anything of Mr.. Pierce BostOck
a wealthy planter of the vicinity.
"BossytOok, sair? i nevair hear ze
name"
81 believe he does not live right here
it is few miles below"
81 cannot tell; know him not"
A small shadow fell upon my exuber
ant spirits. had taken it for granted
that everybody in Vicksburg knew o
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-08-05

You haven't any proof. I'll talk
with you no more about it."
l thought the game was lost, but
resolved to play it TO the end.
Every WE'LL said. You defy me
TO make a criminal complaint against
you. viii do it at once"
| turned aud walked out of the
house. A window was raised, and L
heard the deacon's voice calling me
back
had triumphedl
When was again alone with him he
locked the door.
''This is all very absurd and foolish
he said. ''Of course l never set fire to
my barn, and if you know anything
about it You know that did not. But
l don't court trouble. / haven't been
over my accounts with you: possibly 1
do owe you something Suppose pay
you the Eve hundred dollars you claim,
will you tell me what evidence you
have that burned the barn?"
Eyes"
'What will there be then TO prevent
you from making your foolish com
plaint?"
There viii be nothing, Deacon Hal
lecx Understand me. 1 know what
compromising felony is, and I'm doing
nothing of the kind. 1 make no bar
gains. But you'll probably agree that
my evidence against you in criminal
case would not be worth much if it
was shown that had just been max-
ing an amicable settlement with you,
and that had received from you the
full amount claimed against you as
guardian"
You're n keen one" he said "Do
you mean to stay here?"
mo. am going south very soon.
may never return here"
He turned to his desk and wrote OF
a receipt for five hundred dollars, in
full of all claims against him as
guardian. l signed it. From n drawer
of his desk he took a package of bills
and counted out the amount. H'
watched me till had counted it anC
put it away.
What was your proof" he de
manded.
Your own guilty conscience, Mr.
HalleclSl / have heard it whispere,
= twenty times, since that night, tina
you burned your property to get higl
rate of insurance. j have suspecte'
you, as well as others; but kneao n
more than they, which was just moth
. ing. But as soon as l charged yo
/ with it, conscious guilt looked out o
{ | your face. You were made 70 be
small rascal, deacon; you can't concea
, crime. predict that you'll betra
: yourself after have gone"
The anger with which he heard tn
= beginning of my declaration change
to abject terror as ! went on. II
wept, wrung his hands, almost gro'
4 elled at my feet
20 Dorr don't betray mel" he whineC
Think of my family. think of m
=, goOt name, think of my position in &c
: ciety and the churchl'
assured him that I would not meT
ton the accusation, and left him in hi
terror and misery.
The next morning the village wa
Mortified to hear that Deacon Ha1lec
had committed suicide. He was foun
hanging by the neck to the rafters
the garnet. Fear, / think, not col
science, had destroyed him.