davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-10-08

and think were poor. Our sandwiches
and ice cream and punch aren't bit
better than theirs. and they know it
You don't play the piano any better
than Mrs. Simmons. Simmons doesn't
notice that I've a new dress suit
wouldn't care a cent if he did. We
don't say anything that's very spark
ling and original They'll be bored to
death and so will we. You don't like
Mrs. Forest. You've said so dozen
times. So why not adopt my plang'
What is your plan?'' asked his wife.
susDiciously.
Simply this" he replied. Get our
phonograph, talk into it the usual
small talk and gossipy nothing that We
indulge in with that sort Of people,
set it going in the drawing room. in
vite them all in there when they ar
rive, and we go to bed"
But it was useless. She'd nag at
him until, in a mad fever of despera-
ton. he'd fall into his evening clothes,
and in them he'd have to stay, often
until after midnight, with smiles on his
lips and maledictions in his heart,
while he ladled out punch and gossip
to people who were probably quite as
anxious to retire as he was.-New York
Herald.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-10-08

a member. Is, 1--WE consider It the part
OF wisdom 70 marry some one who has
already discovered that men are not
angels
Another member gives this phlian-
thropic reason: Young girls always
have the best chance win their fresh.
blooming faces, and we think the wid-
ows ought to be given a SHOW, as their
lives have been In measure blighted.
as Ii we're. Anyway. they seem to IN
derstand man bstseg.|
Another view Of the case IS the fact
that anything forbidden suddenly ac-
gaires wo2derFds intercs.. A lot Of
bachelors who pledge themselves 10
marry widows are sare to discover tEel
hitherto una2pysciasei charms of ali
Inc maidens in towr.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-10-08
HEARD ON THE ELEVATED.

Iizzie's Story of a Chance Meeting With a
Big Woo en- Merchant, Who showed Her
Much Disinterested Kindness.
Before the downtown crowd had left
the car at the city hall station Mayme
met Lizzie quite by accident IN the
other crowd waiting to storm the car
for seats. Mayme elbowed her way TO
the front where Lizzie was standing
and slapped her on the back with her
notebook. Lizzie turned an angry
face to resent the insult, but her OK
preston changed when she saw who
had hit her, and she exclaimed:
why, Wayne, haven't seen you for
a month of Sundays. How are you9
How do you like it in Dodson & Fog S
office? Is that your new hat that Miss
Perkins told me about? It's real pretty
anyway"
AS the crowd pushed into the car the
other passengers near the two young
women heard Wayne address her COM
panion as Lizzie, and as their subse-
ouent conversation was carried on rap
idly and loudly, because they had much
to say to each other and Mayme lett
at Forty-second street, it was followed
with interest by half dozen men
whose seats were near them. Mayme
said Dodson & Fogg were lovely gen
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-10-08

last night and night before, and-yes-
the night before that"
We'll, and din't you enjoy YOURSELF"
Not a bit. Bored to death. I can
have more fun in five minutes at a
vaudeville show or at the club"
Eyes. of course Your club. Nice
goings on there, l dare say. hate that
club. wonder you don't go there and
live"
Lots of our fellows do. And it's
not bad. I can tell you But let me
alone tonight. I'm tired. and I would
Mt go out with a shovel and cart if it
rained Forests and Simmonses.'
do you mean to say that you'll
leave me to entertain them all alone?"
Then the poor tired man would rise
upon one elbow and say something to
this effect:
Entertain them? Now, for heavens
sake, cont tell me that That word
entertain ought to have stone tied
round its neck and be dropped in the
East river. Entertain, indeed. Do you
suppose it's any entertainment for
them to see you-even well dressed ,
Ii your gown is new the women are
jealous Of you; II It's old they notice it
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-10-08

of fruits and the vineyards are heavy
with great punches Of luscious grapes.
When the evening meal is over, the
cattle are driven home to the kraals
and for awhile the family may sit out
on the "stoep" or around the door
watching the night come on. the south
ern cross and the stars shining with
wonderful brilliancy in the dark blue
of the tropical sky. The Kaffirs and
the Hottentot servants squat before the
doors of their huts few rods from the
house and sing their wierd orchants or
tell in a singsong tone their quaint folk
tales in which one may now and then
hear stories that have been handed
down from generation TO generation.
Hundreds of years ago in the African
deserts were foreshadowed the stories
of Uncle Remus and Brer Rabbit and
Mr.. Fox. The Beers themselves are
without Imagination, and the practical
mother of the house is probably turn
ing over in her mind some scheme in
regard to the household if she thinks at
all, for no people seem to have so thor
oughly effaced thought and retired into
that beatific state of contemplation
akin to Nirvana as the well fed, self
satisfied Beers. When bedtime comes
the family retires to its feather couches.
Should a stranger come to the door
even in the middle of the night the hos
pitable Beers will turn out of their beds
and give one up to the stranger, while
the house vrouw gets up and sees that
the servants set before the stranger
the best her pantry affords.
The houses are one stored, built of
mud as rule, and painted white or red.
They are soon covered with luXuriant
vines and are therefore picturesque.
They contain from four to six rooms,
the voorhuis or parlor being opened
only on state days. The walls of all
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-10-08

affectionately for a man of his age:
"Ill get a carriage, my dear, IN just
a minute
please don't bother about it, said
I You have been awfully kind to me
and l am going to tell papa all about
it. He will appreciate it. If you will
carry my satchel over to Third avenue
for me shall not bother you any
more"
The six men who had been listening
behind their papers smiled and looked
around for responsive smiles.
well, never!" said Mayme. admir-
ingly.
"He carried my bundles to Third
avenue and wanted to ride up with me.
| told him / had been too much bother
to him as it was and then | said good
BY. and as my car started | had to
laugh at him as he stood in aston
ishment watching me sail away. He'll
be suspicious of the next girl who asks
if cocktails are slipped through straw,
but he was old enough to know better
anyway"
Mayme left at Firty-second street
and the men who had heard Lizzie'sl
story looked at her and wondered who
the big wooden merchant was and what
he thought about Lizxie.--New' York.
Sun.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-10-08

tlemen and she was sorry for Lizzie
and her troubles in Blackstone &
Equitys Office.
"Ffave nice time on tbs Fourth p
asked Mayme.
Pretty fair" said Lizzie. Il spent
the day with Aunt Kate in Albany
she paid my fare both ways. But. say.
/ must tell you about the trip back
to New York. It was unusual. Have
you ever heard Of the big wooden mer-
chant, S-z-z-z?"
LIZZIE lowered her voice and The
men didn't catch the name Wayne
shook her head.
"Wen, never had, but It sounds al
right and have his card, which looks
all right He don't know my name.
bat I'll bet he won't forget me, even II
he doesn't tell his family about me.
taught him lesson now. can tell
YOU"
where did you meet him?" asked
Mayme.
why. ron see, Aunt Kate wanted
me to come down in style on tbs ex-
press, with = parlor ar seat and 81.
When got settled down Il my chalk
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-10-08
WOMEN WHO NAG.
We Trust, Dear Sir, That You Are Not Tied
for Life to Tormsntor of This Kind.

we TRUST, Dear Slr, Ihab ION are NOT lieu
for Life to Tormsntor of This Kind.
Are men less energetic than women?
Yes, in small matters.
A man won't. rise to any occasion
that doesn't seem worthy of him, but a
woman will waste her strength on the
smallest and most trivial detail-one
that can at best give but very made
quate return for the labor bestowed.
For example:
Frank, dear, 7 wish you'd move for
a minute and let Della sweep under
your chair
20, don't bother me. please; I'm just
getting an idea into shape"
But it's Delia's day for doing the
room and, it's her afternoon out"
"Give her all day tomorrow. I'm
busy now. This thing is worth $25 if
1 can nail it just as I'm thinking of it
now"
But, Frank, dear, we won't be more
than five minutes, and really"
Up go Franks hands, back springs
his chair, down bangs his pen, out flies
his language, and he and his idea"
part, possibly forever, and loss of $25.
Are there such tnaggers?"
Plenty of them.
/ used to know a woman-and very
charming woman in many ways-who
would never allow her husband to en-
joy himself in his own fashion.
He would come from down town pref
ty well exhausted with the labors and
worries of the day, and after dinner
how he used to thank his stars when
there were no guests!-would throw off
his coat and drop on the dining room
sofa in his shirt sleeves with a sigh of
satisfaction that was good to hear-and
pathetic, too-saying:
30, how nice this is-just to lie here
and enjoy myself doing nothing"
Then the wife would bring in he-
bucket of cold water and douse him
with it,
You'd better get up, dear"
What for?"
"The Simmonses and Forests are go
ing to call this evening"
80, Lord! Who invited them!"
"Why, 1 did. never knew such a
man as you are. You never want to see
anybody"
Don't, Ell? Why, we had company
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-10-08

the rooms are painted green or blue or
mauve, and the parlor is hung with
| pictures representing scenes from the
Bible. In the parlors of houses in the
large towns one may now and then
hear piano or an organ, played by the
daughters who have been away to
school. The parlor is not remarkable
for its luxury even in the best houses,
wooden benches and tables and q gor-
geous family Bible being about all it
contains. Some very modern folks have
large photograph album, but photo
graphers are, as rule, but little pat
ronized! atlao folding door generally d.
vides the parlor from the dining room
which is just behind it.
On Sunday every family goes to church
If too far from town. worship is held in
the parlor. All the Beers belong to the
Dutch Reformed church. and the minister.
or predikant. as they call him, is more
important person even than the rector in
an English village. He settles dogmai-
cally all mooted questions Of morals and
when any Of his Pensioners departs from
the straight and narrow pathway is it is
understood in the Transvaal. he is hauled
before the predikant and his elders and
rounlly lectured for his falling.
The great social events of the Boer
womans life are the days when the
predikant comes to dine with her family
at weddings, christenings, combinations
and the Nachtmaal. Those VINO cannot so
to church every Sunday on account of the
distance from town hitch up the SIX spans
of oxen to the white covered wagon, and,
laden with presents from the farm TO be
presented TO the predikant, go trundling
over the karoos and mountains 10 the
nearest town, where they take communion
on Sunday in the church and afterward
partake OF a feast at their town houses,
for nearly ali the weli-to-do Beers have
town houses and farm residences. The
town houses are closed except at such
times as they drive in to church. Some
times they have two country houses be-
tween which they divide their time. ac-
cording 10 the pientifulness of grass in
one place or the other Women and child
rem pile into the great OK wagons in which
they sleep and live until the new home
Is reached, The foed is cooked over an
open fire which is kept lighted all night.
fer. while the days are warm, the nights
on the karoos are very cold. Beside this
there is danger from the wild beasts that
roam over the lonely plains and from
wandering bands OF black banditd. To
sleep thus under the stars with the wall
of the plover and the howl Of the jackal
in ones ears and the danger of death al
ways at hand would try the nerves of
man. but the Boer woman has 20 nerves.
Indeed, she sleeps as soundIy under the
sky as in her feather bed under the tin
roof at home. She can shoot as wsil as
the men, and if there were night attack
vouia probably shoulder her own gun and
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-10-08
HOME LIFE OF
THE BOER WOMEN.

family's simple wants. When the
vrouw wants new gown or mynherr
a new pair OF corduroy trousers or a
high crowned hat. he gathers UP some
ostrich feathers from the birds in the
camps, or drives to market few of
his cattle and comes back amply sup
piled with what clothing the family
thinks it needs for the year.
Weary and desolate is the life on the
great karroos; no wonder the faces Of
the women take on that vacant, inn
passive expression. The life of the
Boer housewife of the better class is
almost colorless. She rises with the
rest Of the family at daylight, and af-
ter chapter from the Bible read by
the male head of the house, basin
and towel are passed around to the
members of the family by one of the
Kaffir maid servants. Each enc dips a
corner of the towel into the water and
carelessly brushes it over his or her
face. Then the hands are dipped in the
water and dried and the basin and
towel are passed on to the next one.
In the Transvaal cleanliness is not re-
garded as next to goodness. After this
breakfast is served. 1t is often eaten
in the kitchen and is prepared by the
Kaffir servants out doors while the
family was at its deyotions, for the
Beers believe that the black people are
descended from apes and do not need
salvation"
When the family is gathered about
the table, on which there is always a.
large dish Of meat, a long grace is said.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-10-08

Only the men are served at this first
table; the women eat alone. During
the grace all eyes are fixed on the meat
dish and every man firmly grasps his
fork as he makes mental choice of the
piece he wants. The moment the
amen" is said every one makes a jab
at the portion he has selected, and in
case two have fixed upon the same
piece it is the most dexterous that
bears off the prize. For breakfast there
is nothing but meat with bread and
butter served with coffee, the staple
beverage of the Beers.
7 When the meal is over, the house
wife ensconeeS herself beside a little
table in the window Of the living room.
A. shining coffee urn stands on the
table and from this the yrouw now and
then fortifles herself with deep drafts of
strong coffee drunk from queer, handle
less cups. Should a guest drop in dur-
ing the day he will be served with
coffee and sweet cakes, and between
meals coffee will be given to any niem-
Der of the family who may want it.
The children play about the vrouw and
the servants come in and out 20 receive
orders, but the housewife does not stir.
At noon, when the sun shines down hot
and bright on kopie and karroo, doors
and windows are closed and the entire
family retires for MONDAY siesta. The
beds are huge wooden affairs topped
with feather beds, with sheepskins I'M
derneath as a foundation. Except in
the best houses, feas abound. and the
nap would be very disturbed one for
Europeans. When the sun has gone
down, every one goes to work again, al
though there is not much hard labor
done by any Of the white people, the ne
gro servants, kaffirs, Hottentots and
Zulus toiling while the Boer or his wife
or daughter directs them. The story
that President Kruger's wife does her
own cooking is therefore a fiction. Like
all people who live in southern lati-
tudes, the Beers are lovers of their ease
and consider it beneath their dignity 10
do anything that one of their black SER
wants can do for them.
Only two meals a day were served
Dinner, which was put Jpn the table in
the evening, is the principal one IN
their gardens there are plenty of vege-
tables, such as eabbages, eaulifowers.
Indian corn, eucumbers, potatoes and
carrots. In the orchards are ali sorts
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-10-08

saw him in the next chair. He was
awfully nice and polite and old enough
to be my father. He fixed my bag
and bundles for me and he spoke so
quietly that / saw there was nothing
fresh about him. He wore nice
clothes, and he looked like the man
who plays the banker on the stage.
j Just the same lovely rudy complexion
and gray hair. with a big gold watch
chain across his vest.
Il wasn't bit afraid of him. and
later l accepted his paper. l was hum
CRY, and so was he, and we gave our
orders at the same time. The waiter
thought that we were travelling to-
gether, and, he fixed our table for US.
looked little fustered. but he just
smiled in fatherly way and ! didn't
feel nervous.
''He was awfully nice at lunch.
Talked to me a little about the scenery
and about travelling. and was so re-
spectacle looking that didn't mind if
people should take US for father and
daughter It was a real nice rice down.
and when we reached New York it was
nearly o'clock.
" 1T is quite late. said ne, and you
tell me that you live in Harlem. l
don't believe that you can get home in
time for dinner am going to dine at
the Gorgeous hotel, and it's lonesome
having dinner alone. Won't you dine
with me?'
''He said it in very matter-of-fact
way, and you know I've been just dying
to dine at the Gorgeous. My family
know l can take care of myself, any
where, and l knew they couldn't worry
if / were an hour or two late.
" I'm dreadfully mussed up l said,
and | don't look fit to go anywhere
but home.
You look very pretty and neat said
he, and then l said l would dine with
him. / didn't let on that | had never
been in this hotel before, and felt sure
that he was an awfully nice old man.
He just felt lonesome, you know. ! YVES
amtsed, though, when he began to or
der the dinner.
You are tired he said, and l
think that mild cocktail would do you
good
"'Are cocktails the things that you
drink through straws?' | asked, for
while there is no harm in an occasional
cocktail, didn't want to seem a judge
of them to him. Ny question caused
smile to fit across his face, which
didn't like. He had been so paternal
all along that didn't think he was the
least bit fiirty, but that smile gave him
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-10-08

help drive back the rnarauders. Not alone
unerring shots, but fine horsewomen as
WE'LL in the old; days when there was
strife between the blacks and the whites,
parties Of Boer women have often alone
and unaided defended the laager. or fort,
from the savages who expected to find
them easy prey. Intensely patriotic they
teach their children to love freedom, fear
God and hate the English. This is about
their creed. Schooled in a rough school
and with Dutch obstinacy in their blood
the Boer women viii DC dangerous enc
mics to the all conquearing Britons. for
they will. like the Spartans of old, send
their husbands and brothers and sons and
sweethearts out to repel the invaders with
the injunction. with your shield or on it.
MADGE PORTER.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-10-08

though time and weather soon bleach
it from its early straw color. At a
very early age she loses all her teeth,
for she is constantly chewing sweet
cakes and confectionery. A European
woman would replace the molars that
nature has deprived her of with we'll
mounted works Of art, but the Boer
woman does not do this; she thinks
1t would be impious thus to try to du-
plicate the work of the Creator. Her
figure is thick and almost waistless.
While still young woman she begins
to grow fat, and by the time middle
Wife is reached she is often so unwieldy
THAT the only exercise she is able to
bake is to waddle cumbersomely from
one armchair to another. She is clad
in loose, scantily made gown devoid
Of trimming and apparently waistless.
The day garments Of the Beers are also
their nightclothes, SO the gown is gem
orally wrinkled.
The education of the women of the
veldts is very simple. The older ones,
or at any rate many Of them, are I'M
able to read and write, even among
the better classes, but the younger
people show an immense interest in let
tiers. There are no free schools and
only the children of the well-to-do are
able to attend the academies in the
towns, for heavy fees are charged all
scholars. One reason why the Boer
children are fond OF their school and
cry if they are compelled to stay at
home is because it is a break in the
monotony of the day. Life is dull in
the Transvaal
The school faculty usually consists
of head master and sometimes a
woman assistant The woman seldom
remains teacher more than one term,
sar the admiration of the young Boer
planters is so great for woman gift
ed enough to read and spell and thrifty
enough to earn money with her brain
that some well-to-do bachelor usually
soon persuades her to marry him. The
demand for wives in South Africa is
never equal to the supply.
Life in the Dutch republic is patri-
archicaily simple. The Beers until re-
Gently cared nothing about the gold or
diamonds with which their rich PROV
inces were teeming; they wished to
live quietly and peacefully on their
great farms, raising sheep and goats
and enough praduce to supply their
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-10-08

To really know what a people are
one must know their home life The
Beers ares probably less understood
than any other people who claim a
national existence. This is partly due
to their isolation in the great CONT
nent, Africa, a place far out Of the
beaten track of travel and unmolested
by copy seeking journalists. 1t is also
partly due to the character OF the. peo-
pie themselves; there is nothing so
much that the Boer desires as to be let
alone.
The average Boer home is on great
farm where the homestead stands in
the centre Of tract of land often num-
boring a dozen miles. The nearest
neighbors are miles away and the fam
ily may not see them for weeks at a
time, except at the meeting house in
town, where all go on Saturday to re-
main for the service on Sunday.
The Boer woman is very little like the
trim, handsome Dutchwoman of her
ancestral Holland. She is seldom pref
ty. Her complexion is her principal
charm, and she guards this carefully
whenever she goes out. She is never
seen outdoors without a great peaked
bonnet on her head, her visits to church
being made behind an almost oriental
seclusion of wells. This is necessary to
preserve the pink and white Of her
skin, for the climate would otherwise
soon tan it to the color of sole leather
Her eyes are small and set close to-
gether, and her features are irregular.
Her cheeks are broad and fiat, and her
hair is naturally light in color, al
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-10-08
PLEDGED TO MARRY ONLY wID-
owns.

There is a bachelors club in the west
whose only rule to which members
swear allegiance when they join the
club is, Marry widow" Young girls
and old maids alike are barred.
One explanation of this rule, given by
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-10-08

No. sir; said passenger on q steam-
ship 70 the captain; Il an not seaslck. but
am disguised with the motion of tbs
vessel. -ExchanEa.