davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-11-24

share of the time anxious and worried,
wondering whether I shall be able to
warm and clothe and feed US. I've read
somewhere that trust and worry don't
mingle any more than oil and water,
and it stands to reason that they can't.
Now, then, I'm going to stop worrying
and go to trusting. Yes, I am, from
this very minute.
And there's another thing about it.
In the new version it says: Believe
that ye have received so why shouldn't
1 begin to thank the Lord that 1 have
the things 1 need, if they're not right
before my eyes. I really believe that
is the right way to do. I never saw it
in that light before. I've tried very
hard to believe 1 was going to be able
to get what needed, then waited till
it came before I gave thanks for it.
Now, I'm going to begin praising the
Lord that we have received necessary
things, or the money to get them"
All the rest of that day Miss Matilda
held praise thoughts in her mind. It
was very trying day, too. Miss Bunce
called and said she had decided to let
her dress wait till after the holidays
and Miss Bunce always paid so prompt
ly, and sometimes even more than the
reasonable price" asked. Then Mrs.
Matthew Slawson came for her Jacket.
and declared it would be simply impos-
| sibIe to pay for the making inside of a
month. Miss Selma Pringle next came
with material for dress, but she want
| ed it made in a way that would take a
great deal more time than she would
| be willing to pay for, as Miss Matilda
knew very well, and Mrs. Crane brought
dress of her own to be made into one
| for Della with the intimation that she
should not want to pay much because
it was ''only to be made over, you
| know
But through it all the little seam
| stress praised the Lord that her mother
and herself had sufficient for their
needs, saying over and over passages
of trust, clinging to them lovingly and
| tenaciously; and her faith grew in the
! midst of its trials.
When evening came she resolutely
| laid aside her work at an early hour.
1T is not necessary for me to sew night
as well as day." she declared. ''The
Lord is able to take care of us without
my doing that"
In spite of the discouraging expe-
riences Of the day, Miss Matilda lay
down to rest that night feeling happier
than she had in a long time, and her
last waking thoughts were of trust and
praise.
I'm right glad to see you so bright
Tidy" her mother said the next day
you've seemed sort O. low spirited a
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-11-24

her inability to slight her WORK. 81
should make more if I could do that,
but can't I've been tempted TO some
times, but it doesn't seem right, and I
don't believe 1 could anyhow. 1t isn't
in me. I've got to take pains"
Thank you, Miss Gibson" said Mrs.
Garfield. Il shall find Miss Powers,
and if her work proves satisfactory, 1
viii let her have all our dressmaking
besides other sewing and will pay her
reasonably for it. The workman is
worthy of his hire
Il was sure you would!' cried Miss
Gibson. her eyes shining, land 1 know
that she can have enough other work at
the same rates to fill her time. I am
so glad, Mrs. Garfield"
The next day as Miss Matilda was
finishing Miss Pringle's dress and try
ing to forget the state of the coal bin
while she sang: How firm founda-
ton, ye saints of the Lord" she was in
terrupted by a gentle knock on the
door. She opened it, and in a few
| minutes it seemed to her that she
had at the same time opened the door
into new life.
Mrs. Canfield's call did not mean af-
fiuence, certainly, but it did mean abil-
ity to pay the expenses of her little
home with comparative ease; it meant
better food, warmer clothing, plenty of
fuel, and a little leisure for recreation.
1t meant, too, a still firmer clasp of the
Fathers hand.
Mrs. Denton was dismayed and some
what wrathful when she found that
Miss Matilda would no longer sew for
her at the old reasonable" rates, but,
finding her work poorly done at other
places, and wishing to have her clothes
made by Mrs. Canfield's dressmaker,
her lapse of patronage was of short
duration.
Miss Matilda still has all the work
that she can do; and every day is day
of thanksgiving.-C. A. Parker, in n
Y. Observer
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-11-24

good deal O. the time lately. It's wor-
ried me consid 'rable.'
HAS it?" smiled her daughter, kiss
ing her wrinkled cheek. I'm sorry.
I ought not to have been anxious my
self, or to have worried you. The Lord
will provide if we trust Him truly, and
that is what I've made up my mind to
do-no. halfway work about it, any
more than I would put that sort of
work into Dress
Several days passed bringing nothing
especially hopeful and much that was
disheartening, to outward appearance,
but Miss Matilda held on. She still
praised and her faith did not fail. She
resolutely refrained from sewing late,
and spent part of each evening reading,
chiefly from the Bible, in which she con-
stantly found something precious and
strengthening from which it seemed
her eyes had hitherto been holden.
The day before Thanksgiving arrived
and the prospect for a feast in the little
dressmaker's home looked very slim.
Miss Matilda was hard at work finish
ing Della Cranes dress, for Della want
ed to wear it the next day. Mrs. Crane
usually paid quite promptly, too, and
Miss Matilda hoped she would send the
money for the dress that evening; then
there should be little something extra
for dinner the next day, anyway.
Just as the finishing touches had been
given the neatly made gown, Bonnie
Crane came after it. MA didn't have
the money to send tonight" he said,
carelessly, taking the package under
his arm. She'll pay you next week, :"
and he ran off, whistling merrily.
Miss Matilda sat down in her little
sewing chair. Her mother had gone to
bed, and she let a few, a very few, tears
fall. Then she wiped her eyes, saying
softly: "Bless the Lord, o my soul
and all that is within me, bless His
holy name" and she went to bed think
ing: ''Wen, I've had one whole week
Of thanksgiving already"
The next day dawned bright and cold.
Miss Matilda allowed herself the lux
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-11-24

ury of later nap than usual, and rose
feeling light hearted as child.
II shan't take a stitch to-day, not
one," she declared, firmly, at the simple
breakfast, ''and 1 amt going to ready
up any more than I'm obliged to, either.
/ wish you could go to church, mother,
but I'll go if you don't mind staying
alone. I haven't been now for two
Thanksgivings."
She had just washed the dishes and
was doing what ''redding up" seemed
indispensable, when a rap sounded on
the door and there entered a merry.
rosy-cheeked young girl, who apollo
gized for her early call and exclaimed
in ELUSIVE schoolgirl fashion: What
do you think, Miss Matilda! We've
been expecting Uncle Dawes folks for
Thanksgiving, and made preparations
for them, and last night we heard that
| they couldn't possibly be here. So
there we are, you see, with stuff enough
provided for all that lot of people and
only our family to eat it, and I'm rush
ing around this morning trying to find
some nice and conveniently disengaged
folks to come and help us, and do so
hope you and your mother are among
them. Now don't tell me you are en-
gagged; are you?"
Mrs. Powers looked up delightedly;
! Miss Matilda smiled and shook her
head.
You're not! Well, then, will you be
good enough to save your own Thanks
giving dinner till tomorrow, and help
US with ours? Thsre'l be some good
company. I've captured the new
school-teacher, Miss Gibson, and anoth-
er nice girl already. Of course we will
send the horse for your mother"
Thank you, Lottie,'' said Miss Ma
tilda, in a voice that quavered just a
trifie. eve shall be very happy to
come; won't we, mother?"
Eyes, indeed, we WILL replied the
old lady, very emphatically, and, with
| expressions of deep gratitude, Lottie
hurried away.
After helping her mother dress for
dinner, Miss Matilda went to church,
and at the close of the service, which
| perhaps no one in the church entered
into with more thankfulness than she
did, she went home with Deacon
| Trips family. Miss Gibson also ac-
companied them, and the 'other nice
girl a stenOgrapher who was almost a
stranger in town, and whose heart had
been made warm by the unexpected at
| tention, the invitation being the more
welcome from the fact that she board
| ed herself.
There were few other guests and the
company was a congenial one, all ap-
| pearing to enjoy to the full both visit
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-11-24
a Strangely Caught Fish.

Not long ago a hawk caught fish
in Long Island sound, but, while flying
with its captive to the woods to devour
it at leisure, the fish f1oundered from
the hawks hold and dropped into a
farmers yard, where big mastiff was
sitting. The dog caught the fish as
it came down, and the hawk swooped
after it, but the dog turned and rushed
into the house. placing his trophy, yet
alive, at the feet of its mistress. It
proved to be a large bluefsh, and it
was served up at night to an apprecia-
tive family. The dog ever since has
been seen to sit in the same place at
the same time, evidently impressed
with the belief that his good fortune
may be repeated.lGolden Days.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-11-24

and dinner. The feast, however, was
not eXtravagant. Deacon Trip was
possessed of only moderate means, and
he did not consider it justifable to go
beyond these, even for Thanksgiving
dinner.
AT table the stenographer mOnopo-
lized Mrs. Powers, declaring that she
reminded her of her dear old grand
mother, and Miss Matilda was at Hber-
ty to cultivate acquaintance with the
school-teacher who sat beside her.
They got on together very well, indeed,
so well, in fact, that after little chat
with others in the parlor they gravi-
tated together again, and it somehow
came about that, without seeming to be
inquisitive, Miss Gibson knew more
about Miss Matilda's affairs in less
than an hour than did the greater num-
Der of her acquaintances who had
known her more than 80 years.
The next week new family came to
live in B, Garfield by name, who
were well endowed with this world
goods and very fine people withal.
Their house was not quite ready for
them on their arrival, and, while they
were waiting, they stayed at Miss Glib
sons boarding place.
Mrs. Garfield and her daughters
| there were three of them, all arrived at
young womanhood-were at once at
tracted to the bright young teacher,
and they were soon very good friends.
A day or two after her arrival, Mrs.
Garfield inquired whether Miss Gibson
| could direct her to a competent dress
maker. adding, gracefully: ''Your
own dresses, if you will pardon my
freedom, fit so nicely, and are made in
such excellent taste, that thought you
must know of one"
Il feel f1attered." laughed Miss Glib
son, land none the less because I am
my own dressmaker, but shall be very
happy to refer you to one who, am
sure, is still better" Then she told of
Miss Matilda, her painstaking work,
her small pay and the results, repeat
ing what the seamstress had said about
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-11-24

gradually increased in value, until now
some of them are selling for three dol
lars per square foot. That is top notch
for residence property in that section,
and it will not be any higher for very
long time. Several real estate men
have made big fortunes by handling
that property. 1t was suburb in 1881.
Now the electric cars run through the
property, and it is part of the city
proper.
During the past year a syndicate
has bought up all of the street railways
in the city, except one. They are Civ
ing rapid transit, on improved under
ground electric lines, from boundary
to boundary for a single fare. Their
Georgetown line runs four miles out
into the country in three different d.
rections- Any government employe can
buy a good lot for 500 at the end of
those routes, and he will get as good a
home site as he would have If he were to
pay $4,000 for the same amount of
ground in the city. For one car fare
he can ride to the treasury, capitol, gov
eminent printing Office, or any other
department. Moreover, he can reach his
office as quickly as the clerks used to
reach their offices on the old horse cars,
from Mount Pleasant, or distant parts
Of the city proper. Therefore the home
building clerks will buy suburban
property instead of buying city prop
erty. This will cut of the work and
the profits of the real estate dealers.
1.-THE splendid Mclean residence,
which was placed at the disposal OF Ad-
miral Dewey during his visit to Wash
ington, vas originally built and occu-
pied by Boss Shepherd, in 1874, after
that distinguished executive official
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-11-24

Mrs. Joseph Denton's second best black
silk dress, which she was again making
over in conformity to tickle Dame
Fashions latest decree.
Miss Matilda felt, indeed, as if she
were vertically stitching for dear life,
for, though she sewed industriously all
day, save during such time as her house
hold duties absolutely demanded, and
every day, save Sunday, she still found
it difficult oftimes to meet the neces-
sary expenses in their little household
of two.
For Miss Matilda was extremely
neat and painstaking in her work, while
her charges were $50 very reasonable"
as Mrs. Denton, who was one of the
most well-to-do of her patrons, declared
with great satisfaction. In other words,
they were very low, indeed, and her
earnings barely sufficed to pay rent
and furnish a meager supply of the
physical necessities of life for her moth
er and herself; to do even this she rose
early in the morning, and worked late
at night.
1t may never have occurred to Mrs.
Denton that the question of reasonable
pay might be two-sided one. In fact,
when InlS SdIle SeCOuU pest Dldch SILK
dress had been brought for remodel
ing on the last occasion before this one,
and the Woodworking little dressmaker
ventured to hint that she thought the
work would he worth a certain sum,
the same being about a dollar more
than her usual charges, Mrs. Denton
was quite indignant, and intimated
that if Miss Matilda was going to ask
such prices she should thereafter take
her work to Mrs. Gable, who, having a
husband willing and competent to
provide the comforts of life, took in
dressmalling at low rates to obtain the
wherewithaI for superfuities.
But Mrs. Cables work was not nearly
so well done as Miss Matilda's, as Mrs.
Denton knew by report and personal
experience. 1t is not probable, there
fore, that she would have transferred
her patronage, even if Miss Matilda
had not, with an inaudible sigh as she
thought of the coal bin; thrown off the
extra dollar.
Then Mrs. Denton went down town,
and seeing dainty handkerchief which
took her fancy, she bought it forth
with. She did not need it, to be sure,
but it was so sweet, and only dol
1ar," and Mrs. Denton was feeling quite
rich just then.
Miss Matilda sat up until IL o'clock
that night, and rose before daylight
the next morning, for, beside the low
state of the coal bin, there was an al
most empty -four barrel to consider,
and the rent would be due next week.
But Matilda Powers was naturally a
cheerful little body, and as she told her
minister when he called occasionally,
she hoped she was a Christian"
This day, however-it was just a
week before Thanksgiving-wh she
stitched away so industriously on Mrs.
Denton's black silk dress, her mind
as busy as her slender fingers, she fell
to wondering whether she was a very
good Christian after all.
Here am" she unused, calling my
self one OF the Lords children, and
pretending to trust in Him, yet good
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-11-24
The DimcuIt shopper.

toner that woman Isl
Second Clerk-Yes; she always knows
what she wants, and she won't take
else.-Chicago Record
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-11-24

are. and joys that
sfhe sunshine's sweet splendor, the mid
nights deep Gains.
For stir of Iife's challenge and strength of
its balms;
For grace of the blossom, and rapture OF
bird,
For gladness unsought, and for need yet
deferred:
For the chrism of JOY, the amounting Of
pain
We bring Thee. Our Father, Thanksgiving
again!
For quick'ning delight and its rich after
math,
The peace of our homes and the warmth
of each hearth
For loves proud avowals, and browning of
gold,
And for its bestowals that lips have not
told;
For daily providing, for blessings still new,
For children's blithe voices, for friends
ever true;
For hopes Thou hast tended, Our Father,
we bear
Our thanks to Thee, owning Thy dear. con-
slant care!
For cloud-shadowed heights and star
spanned ocean-space,
For forces made captive for strength or
for grace;
For greatening vision and truth seen afar.
For thoughts that more eager and reverent
are,
For justice discerned and its ways under
stood,
For each mans devotion to all mems real
good;
For ministries wisdom itself multiplies-
The heart of Thy Christ in mems ques-
tioning eyes;
For harvests that whitened in field or on
void,
Seed in the herbs bosom, and root in the
mold
For what Thou hast given that yet none
may claim,
The spirit more steady, the rectified aim;
The trust need has nurtured, the pity il
bred,
The petty denials Thy purpose that sped;
For glimpses of Thee that the soul have
o'erawed,
For Love that enfolded-we thank Thee,
our God.
Olive E. Dana, in Chicago Advance.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-11-24

T WAS a plain, old
fashioned l i t t l e
room in w b i C b
Matilda Powers sat,
stitching away as
for dear life on
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1899-10-26

The person would be strangely
constituted who could forget the
Thursday afternoon spent at Mrs.
Hamler's nome, and the memory of
it will be cherished for many a day.
The program rendered by Mrs. Odell
and Mrs. Edwin Delahoyde was fine,
and the glow on every face and the
ring of enthusiasm in every voice
betokens more than a passing in
terest and of one thing we are sure
and that is that vision has been
vouchsafed to us during the course
OF these gatherings revealing to us
something of what may be if the
workers for the public good will
enter into a compact to help one
another, to learn from one another
and to stand by one another. There
are some who lament that more
practical turn could not be given
the Climb. They do not see that in
their desire for immediate progress
they might imperial all the posi-
bilities which are latent in
moment that will, in time, establish
public library that shall be en-
during. 1t is true we have been
handicapped for want of funds,
not having asked nor received any
donations or benefits. But we are
not discouraged nor dismayed, we
yet believe when the citizens come
to more fully realize that we are
struggling to establish a public,
not club library, they will come
to our aid and make it possible to
keep the reading room open not
only two days in the week, but every
day in the. week AS we look into
the future we see library estab-
Used that every citizen will point
with pride and numerate as one of
the advantages of the town. While
ways and means were being. dis
cussed to raise money to put in
supply of books for the boys win
ter reading Mrs. Hamler served one
of those toothsome lunches that
makes one glad they're alive.
CLEOPATRA.
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1899-10-26

The death angel has entered the
home of Frank Trent, on the border
line between Greeley township and
Guthrie county, near Nelson, and
called the wife and mother to her
reward in the better world. Rev
Rink conducted funeral services
at the Bowman Chapel, and they
buried her in cemetery close by
There is a husband and four child.
rem in that house to mourn for the
departed.
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1899-10-26

Chester Marlin returned the first
of the week from Benton county,
Arkansas, where he visited with his
pare hts for few days. One day
while down there he took dinner
with A. Campbell and wife, at Ben
tonville, found them in reasonable
good health, and Uncle Abe told
him that if he could dispose of his
property down there that he'd
come jogging back up to Audu-
bon county
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1899-10-26

In order that the public NAV
know of the interest manifested in
the Cemetery Association we pub
llsh the names of the members. If
you have friends in the Silent City"
of the dead you should have inter
est enough to become member:
Mesdames
Geo. Henshaw, 7. B. Connrardy,
=. L. Born, w. A. Hamler,
c. w. Houston, JIG. Newton,
Jas. Kelsey, A. McAninch,
NJ; Thomas, Fred Delahoyde,
Ina Brown, c. A. Miller,
Dena Statzell, C.L. Pattison,
Kate Ridgley, Edwin Delahoyde,
Ida Oden, Ben MASKING,
Lissie Gault, Ellis Crane,
Thos. Allen, Gus Gault,
Minnie Trenel, c. B. Parkinson,
Luie Bartlett, Nancy Bennett,
Hettle Croy, VIM. Carpenter,
?. J.Dodge. w. G. Sturgeon,
l.. Y. Whitfield, Alfred Voorhees,,
g. A. Marlin, L. B. Raglan,
Onie Milliman,
Louise WEIGH, Eta Marietta,
Anna Dorr,
81. s. Wattles, Edwin Delahoyde,
I. +. Born, q. S. Herrick,
+. w. Ridgley, c. E. BRENNAN,
9. w. kreamer, Frank Ridgley,
Geo. Henshaw, j. B. Connrardy,
E: ID. Cotton, Henry Rohwer,
w. r. Copeland, j. M. Rendleman,
Cal. A. Marlin, w. A. Hamler,
Q. A. Smith, f. McAninch,
+. ID. Powell, D. E. Stranger,
Otto Thomas, Ed. Milliman,
]. B. Rendleman.
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1899-10-26

Frank Deweese was feeling par
ticularly good the other morning
so he rolled up his sleeves, went
out upon the farm of Gale Crane,
over in Audubon township, and
picked one hundred and twenty-one
bushels of corn between the com
ing up and the going down of the
sun.
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1899-10-26

Mrs. ]. B. Connrardy has been
having more than her share of the
ills of this world of late. First she
slipped and sprained her ankle so
severely that 1T is doubtful if she
will be able to stand on it alone for
some time to come. The past few
days she has been Frustrated by an
attack of malarial fever, from which,
we are pleased to state, the lady is
rapidly recovering.
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1899-10-26

Next year we may expect to read
something like the following in the
daily papers: "About ten o'clock
this morning horseless milk wag-
on loaded with cowless milk collid-
ed with a brainless rider on chain
less wheel. The luckless wheelman
was badly injured, and being home
less he was taken in horseless
cab to the home for the friendless.''
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1899-10-26

George McClain has returned
from Western Nebraska where he
went to purchase more cattle to
feed. George and Bert PARROT now
have titty-eight head of cattle il
their yards. north of town, and the
first of the week small sized gaso-
line engine arrived to pump water
for this herd of stock.
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1899-10-26
Notice!

All persons knowing themselves
indebted to Audubon county for
taxes of 1897, and previous years,
can save costs by promptly paying
same, thereby saving constable
fees. ]. M. PHELPS. Collector.
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1899-10-26

When the Patty Brothers had got
down one hundred and seventy five
feet in digging Scott Herrick's we'll,
in his barnyard, they struck mon
ster boulder, but nothing daunted
they moved little to one side and
kept on going down and now Scott
has such supply of water that he
proposes to erect big tank and
furnish the down town people with
large quantities of water.
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1899-10-26

Will Anders, who has been up in
North Dakota the past while, came
home Friday night and reports that
the continued rains and biting
frosts up there made life miserable,
then he wanted to see his parents
and friends, anyway. His brother,
George, who was in the same coun-
try, is expected to arrive any day.