davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-12-01
where women,s Songs ptspIease.

In our land one of the geatest charms
= woman or girl can possess is a low,
sweet voice. Consequently, as soon as
it becomes apparent that a little girl
has an unusually good voice, her pa
rents begin to make preparations for
the cultivation of this gift, if they can
possibly afford it, says the Chicago
Record. This is so, indeed, in most Eu-
ropean countries; but there are excep-
tons. In Greece, for instance, if a
woman wishes to sing she has to steal
to some out of the way place to do it;
for were people to hear her she would
be publicly disgraced. It must seem
very strange for women to be going
about their houses and their gardens.
doing their work and attending their
children, with never a snatch of song
to enliven the tedium of their labor. a
land where women did not sing about
their homes would seem a dreary one
to US, no matter how beautiful 1T might
be naturally, and we hope the Greeks
will learn to appreciate instead OF O.
spise women who sing.-Detroit Free
Press.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-12-01

have taken your money out of your
pocket and lit out. He wouldn't have
took no chances hunting for belt IN
less he knew there was one there. I see
il must be some one that knew of the
papers, and then the rest was easy.
Now come down aboard and we'll see If
We can't prove it,"
Tom followed him to the Seabird, and
they soon stood in the mates state.
room.
''See here!"
The second officer pointed as he spoke
separated it from Toms room. It need
cd but glance to show that it had
been recently enlarged.
That's what did the business he
continued, land he's off for that gold
mine. He's got big start. and what's
to prevent his passing himself off as Mr..
Tom Scott on those people?"
''He couldn't do that!" exclaimed
Tom.
"Why not? Was there any descrip-
ton of you in the paper the old man
gave you? How are they to know?''
But I've got statement in my
pocket from Capt. Coffin. telling who we
are, and all about it," insisted Tom.
''What good is that when the mate is
on the spot. perhaps, with his docu-
ments, and how can you make anyone
believe you are the right chap? Look
here, Scott. there's only one thing to
do. We've got to go after that son of
sea cook, and take the law in our own
hands. Something will turn up to help
us out. After all, 1 don't know but that
there is something in what you say. All
he could tell about Avery was what he
saw on board the vessel. He never
talked any with him, and don't know
anything about his family or business.
Now, L dare say the old chap told you
good many things about himself, didn't
hep"
YES" replied Tom, eagerly, she told
me all ABOUT his family. and can soon
convince anyone that the mate is lying
if he claims to be me. I've got the cap
tain's statement. you know, sworn to
before justice of the peace, and all wit
messed. The mate will have hard time
to get round that"
s'Mebbe So" was the doubtful reply,
''but it's a wild country where we're
going, and 1 don't believe papers will be
of much account there. We're two to
one, anyhow, and if we overhaul the
rascal we shall find some way to get
square with him.
1.-THE sooner we start the better,
Them" decided Tom. Come on, let's be
Off, and see about it at once"
It did not take the two friends long to
make their simple preparations. The
money remaining in the captains safe
was equally divided between them and
worn in belts. Tickets to Seattle were
procured. and the following day, after
q hearty farewell to the big hearted
skipper. the two young men started on
their adventurous trip.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-12-01
FOREIGN GOSSIP.

Opium eating is increasing in Eng
iand.
China's first sawmin has Just been
built
Melodramas are returning to fashion
in London.
A writer in an English magazine de-
clares that the real average English
man is a workingman earning Sc a
week.
Toronto trains are to be forbidden
to whistle within the city limits on
Sunday, as they disturb the worship
ers al church.
France loses every year by infectious
and contagious diseases 100000 lives,
or nearly double the number of lives
lost in the Franco-Prussian war of 1870.
Among the Vosges peasants children
born at the new moon are supposed to
have better hung tongues than others,
and those born at the last quarter to
have keener reasoning powers.
A British act of parliament requires
that habitual feminine drunkards shall
be sent to homes for inebriates, but
there were 200 such women arrested
last year and the homes can accommo-
date only IS.
Forest lands in Sweden comprise
40.65 per cent. of its entire area. With
the exception of Servia, this is the larg-
est proportion of forest land in any
country, and yet Sweden has been an
important lumber producer for more
than a century.
A scientist recently made some ex-
periments on Lake Geneva to demon
strate the power of sound to travel a
long way in water. a clock was made
to strike under the water, and was
heard to a distance of IL miles. In a
second experiment the striking of a
clock was heard to a distance of 81
miles.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-12-01
AN HONEST PAIR.
When Their Engagement Was
Broken Proper Restitution
Was Quickly Made.
ITO BE Continued

"'Taint everybody that's got such
right feelings as Sally Potter and her
ma; will say that for the Potters, even
if our families aren't going to be con-
nected, after ALL" Mrs. Roberts was
speaking to her neXt-door neighbor,
Miss Elizabeth Sprawle.
They're honest as the day, I know
that" said Miss Sprawle, land only
hope your Ned will find another girl as
good as Sally
There's not a mite of hard feeling
betwixt Ned and Sally" answered Mrs.
Roberts; they're good friends still,
only they see they made mistake get
ting engaged. They were too young to
know their own minds, and Mrs. Potter
and 1 both take blame that we didn't
counsel them to wait. But that isn't
what L was going to tell you. You re-
call that sprigged-muslin dress pattern
that Ned gave Sally when the engage
ment come out?''
Miss Sprawle nodded assent.
WELL" continued Mrs. Roberts, sit
being so hot last summer, Sally had it
made up and wore it, as you probably
know, but not enough so but what
'twould have given excellent wear this
year if they'd been married. Well. as
soon as Sally and Ned decided to break
off, Mrs. Potter came over, and nothing
would do but L should tell her just what
the material costl
81 hated to, but she would have it,
and at last told her Ned paid six dol
lars for it; and to-day Sally brought
over the money in an envelope, and
there was not only the six dollars, but
SO cents interest for the yeart
81 told Sally that there weren't many
folks that would have thought of pay
ing six per cent. interest in such a case,
but she was real surprised, and said
twas only what was right. Now what
do you think of that?''
''New never'n find another such, I'm
afraid" said Miss Sprawle, and Mrs.
Roberts agreed with her-Youth's
Companion.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-12-01
Women
Would Sure
~ Try Mrs.
PiEskham>S
MeHfcEEse If
They OnH
Knew Says
Mrs. King

and received benefit from it at once
I have taken it ever since and now
have no backache. no pain in my'
side and my stomach and bowels are
perfectly well. 1 can honestly say that
there is nothing like it. If could only
tell every woman how much good your
medicine has done me, they would
surely try it."-MARTHAM NJ. KINe, NORTH
ATTLEBoBo, MASS.
The way women trifie with health
shows a degree Of Indifference that is
misunderstanding Happiness anduse-
fulness depend on physical health; SO
does a good disposition Disease makes
women nervous, irritable and snap
pish. The very effort of ailing women
to be good-natured makes them ner-
vous. Write to Mrs. PinlhaIn. she Will
help you to health and happiness
1t costsnothing toget Mrs Pinkhsm's
advice Her address is Lynn, Mass
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-12-01
HOW THEY RUN GOVERNMENT.
Vogue in Guatemala Described
by a Former Resident.

"a quaint little experience I once had
in the interior of Guatemala said a
former resident of that republic, fur
nishes tiptop illustration of the way
they run governments in Central Amer
lea. had occasion to visit small gar
rison town in the coffee belt on some
business and found the commandant in
state bordering on distraction. We
took dinner together and he told me
his tale of woe between courses. His
soldiers, it seemed, had been without
pay for over three months, and as the
government made no effort TO provide
them with rations, they had subsisted
on beans, torti1las and coffee furnished
on credit by the old women of the viii
lage. Naturally, the credit had worn
itself out, and two days before arrived
all the old women went on a strike,
since which time the garrison had been
practically without food. Needless to
say, the soldiers were desperate and
they had determined to desert en- bloc
and go back to their homes.
SCI advised the commandant to tele-
graph the facts Immediately to the
president, and at last he screwed up
enough courage to send the message.
AS soon as it was received the president
sent word to a wealthy planter re
questing' him to dispatch some cash
instanter to the commandant. The
planter gave the messenger a 500 bill
and rushed him off on horseback for the
village, which he reached at daybreak
the next morning. When the poor COM
mandant saw the remittance he nearly
swooned away, for under the circum-
stances 500 was about as much use to
him as 100 brass elephants. Nobody in
the whole department could change it,
and he was in the depths of despair I'M
til 1 suddenly appeared in the role Of
good fairy. happened to have 100 one
dollar notes in my saddlebags, and
handed over the bundle in return for
the bill brought by the courier. The
commandant grabbed the package and
kissed me violently on both cheeks.
Glory hallelujahI The country was
saved! Each soldier got n dollar, which
he paid on account, and the credit of
the government was restored. The gar
rison howled with JOY, and the old
women shed happy tears in the coffee
which they at once proceeded to boil.
1t was a touching scene. If ever go
back to that place again viii be treat
ed like a prince.'-N. o. Times-Demo-
crat
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-12-01
OZARK AGRICULTURE
How Farmers Practice Rotation OF
Crops in That Prolific
Region.

Ozark humor appreciates the story that
4 scientist was quite amazed the other day
at observing a farmer, after killing nest
of snakes turned up by the plow, arrange the
dead snakes in the furrow before he went
back to the pillow.
why do you do that, my good MANI" the
scientist asked.
The farmer looked curiously at the sci
enlist, and, seeing that he was really IN
search of information, replied:
81 do that so the pillow viii cover the
snakes on the next round"
Seeing that the scientist was still mysti-
fed, the farmer continued:
Il cover the snakes that they will de
compose. That is what you call it, isn't it -
Yes" said the scientist, with rising in
Election.
''Wen,'' continued the farmer, .'ths de-
composition of animal matter furnishes
nourishment for the plant life, believer
yes" again said the scientist.
''Then snakes will make corn grow,
won't they?" triumphantly asked the
YES" said the scientist.
"And whisky will make more snakes,
won't it, mister; that is what we call TO-
tation in the agriculture of this region. -
st. Louis Globe-Democrat.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-12-01

are that they'll go east at once and
can work my little scheme without
anyone to hinder me. Perhaps it's the
best thing after all that I met him. If
the youngster is dead the old man will
never hear what I told about him un-
less he goes to Merrivale, and he amt
likely to go there now he has no folks
there. He won't go near no shipping
firms to hear it, not if he's rich
He was beginning to feel more easy in
his mind when he was interrupted by
Capt. Scott, who said:
What brought you out here, Rider?'
80, I got the gold fever like the rest
"Going to the Klondike region?"
eyes, I suppose so.'
ssTake my advice and don't. It's on
Canadian ground, and you can't do so
well. I'll give you a tip that is worth
a fortune to you. Go to the Copper river
and you won't regret it. I'll give you
the lay of the ground and note TO
good chum there who will set you right.
How are you fixed for money!"
Rider hesitated. Scoundrel as he was,
he could not find his tongue for mo-
ment in reply, and the miner saved him
the trouble by adding:
''Never mind, Rider, I see how it is.
but you needn't be bashful. I'll see that
you have enough to start in with the
best of them. A good outfit is half the
battle up there, and you want all the
grub you can take in. I'm going to
make a rush for that steamer now be-
fore L get left. I'll see you again if
there is time before the boat leaves. /
guess my partner will go, to-"
He wrung Riders hand heartily, dis
appeared into his tent, and came out
with plump bag of gold, which he laid
by Riders side without further COM
ment, then started for the beach with
long, swinging strides, that took him
to the waters edge in very few mo-
ments, while the mate looked at the
bag with glistening eyes and said to
himself:
'He's got heart big as an OK, but
I'm in too deep to back out now, and I'll
need all I can get to keep out of his
clutches if he ever finds out the TRUTH"
The steamer sailed the following
morning, but before he left the return
ing miner saw that Rider wanted for
nothing. He gave him the benefit of
his experience in the wildern ess, made
a list of the necessary articles of out
fit and paid a penniless unfortunate to
look after the mate and his horses unit,
the former was able to do it himself.
The return voyage went we'll for two
days, then the steamer broke down and
it was nearly a week before she was
able to proceed. The following night
she ran on a small island, causing an
other weeks delay. 1t was over three
weeks before Capt. Scott reached San
Francisco and was driven to the dock
where the Seabird still lay.
Old Capt. Coffin was on deck and
Toms father accosted him at once:
"Is this Capt. Seth. Coffin?''
''That's my name"
swell my name is Scott. Ny son
came out with you and"
"What? Are you his father?" inter
rupted the old skipper. eyes, can see
the look! Give US your fipper! Won't
he be disappointed? It's too bad!"
His visitors weather-beaten face
turned CHASTITY pale and he gasped:
Disappointed! What do you mean?
Is he not"
aboard? No, confound it, he start
ed up north a week or ten days ago."
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-12-01
CHAPTER VI.
GREEN TURNS DETECTIVE.

When Tom Scott opened his eyes to
an understanding of what was pass
ing around him he gazed curiously
around his poorly furnished room.
Then as his eyes fell upon the second
mate of the Seabird reading by the win
dow he said in faint whisper:
'Mr. Greeni"
Down went the paper and the hon.
est sailor fastened to his side, ex-
claiming:
Hes come to at last! You mustn't
ask any questions, Mr.. Scott! The doc
tor gave my orders just now. You'll
be- all right in day or two"
but where am
"Belay!" was the firm response, as
the watcher placed his broad hand
gently on Toms mouth. ''I amt 60
ing against orders. Lay right still and
don't talk. Here, take this stuff You
was to have it as soon as you got your
reckoning"
AS he spoke he held glass to Toms
lips with one hand, raising the patient
tenderly with the other with a deft-
ness that told of considerable practice.
Tom was too weak to resist, and swal-
lowed the medicine as he was bid. Then
he was about to try to speak again.
when his nurse raised his hand warn
ingly. Tom would have made another
effort, but he felt an overpowerine
sense of drowsiness, and a moment
later he was forced to yield. His
head fell back and he dropped into q
restful slumber.
When he again awoke the second
mate was doing in his chair. Toms
head was clear now and he felt
man the events of the fateful night
began to come back to him, and, as he
remembered his loss, he could not help
muttering an exclamation of despair.
Aye, aye, siri"
1t was the watcher who replied, am.
as he spoke he came quickly to the
bedside, saying:
81 must have dropped off a minute.
How do you feel now?'
"Pretty weak" was the faint re-
Spouse, ''and I'm hungry"
ssGoodI You'll do! You'll be all
right in a week. TIL soon fix thatl"
As he spoke portly man entered the
room, and the sailor added:
Here's the doctor now. I'll leave
him to see you while I run down to the
vessel and tell Cap'n Coffin you're all
right aloft."
When the doctor left Tom he said
briskly:
"You are all right now. young man.
Eat all you want and you'll be able to
travel in week or two. It's only weak
ness now. and that is soon mended."
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-12-01

He proved a reliable prophet, and
Tom felt his strength return each day.
In day or two he was out, and at the
expiration of the week he felt perfectly
well. with the exception of a slight
languor which still remained.
He said nothing about the loss of the
papers at first, but when he learned
from Capt. Coffin, how the second mate
had offered to spend his hard-earned
savings and give up his cherished plan
of going to the mines. he determined to
make him his confidant, and offer to
share with him if they could find the
parties to whom he had been directed.
After carefully thinking the matter
over he was convinced that the robber
would probably place no reliance on the
rude will, even if he took the trouble
to read it. It was more than proba BILE
that he had thrown both papers away
when he rified the belt, paying atten-
ton only to the tidy sum he had Sc
cured by his crime.
In this case it would only be neces-
sary to find the old miners friends and
tell the truth, to which the second mate
could certify. There was another pre-
cautic-i, too, which might be taken, and
that was to obtain a sworn statement
from the captain of the Seabird as to
the identity of both Tom and the sec
ond officer, together with the fact that
John Avery was the formers roommate
and had died at sea.
Tom easily obtained this in writing
and he then told his secret to Green,
who listened in open-mouthed amaze
ment. but with a kindling face that
showed he had no doubt of the absolute
truth of what he heard.
"Now," concluded Tom, chats the
whole story. 1t may be wild goose
chase, but there it is. Will you go in
with me and share and share alike? 1
know the papers by heart, and they are
probably lost, so we will be all right.
What do you say?"
Say? Why, what would any man
say? I'm with you as long as have a
drop of blood left! Of course I'll go.
but have hanged little mon"
Don't talk money to met" interrupt
ed Tom, quickly. 81 know what you did
for me before you knew I had a cent. 1
have $4,000 left, and the first thing is for
you to take half of it. I'll feel safer
then"
Don't you think anyone knew you
had them papers?' asked his new COM
rade after awhile. "Sure you never
mentioned them or showed them?'
''Sure," replied Tom. 81 did not men
ton them to a single person, and they
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-12-01
HOw's ThiSs

We offer One Hundred Dollars Reward
for any case of CatarFh that cannot be cured
by Halls Catarrh Cure.
f. j. Cheney & Co., Props, Toledo, o.
We, the undersigned, have known F. j.
Cheney for the last Is years, and believe him
perfectly honorable in all business transac-
tions and financially able to carry out any
obligations made by their firm.
West & Truax, Wholesale Druggists, To-
ledo, D.
Walding, Kinnan & Marvin, Wholesale
Druggists, Toledo, o.
Halls Catarrh Cure is taken internally,
acting directly upon the blood and mucous
surfaces of the system. Price 75c. per bot
tie. Sold by all Druggists. Testimonials
free.
Halls Family Pills are the best.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-12-01

were never out of the belt except when
I was looking at them alone by my
SELF
"Was the money you lost in the belt,
too?"
''Yes-no, come to think of it. I had it
in my pocket that night. 1t was lucky
I put the most of it in the safe that
very day"
what made you do that?"
capt. Coffin advised me to-" replied
Tom, little surprised at the persist
ency of his friends questioning. "Why
do you ask ?"
Because" was the thoughtful reply.
"I'm figuring up how many folks could
possibly have seen those papers"
81 tell you"
''Belay bit!" broke in Green. "Let
me finish my calculation. Two heads
are better'n one. The old man gave the
papers to you aboard ship, in your state
room?"
Tom nodded, and the other went on:
"Now, who could have seen them
when they was in your room? Let's
count up. The cap'n, the mate and me
is the only ones that had any chance,
cause no one else is allowed in the
abin beside the cook. The cook went
to sea long ago, which he wouldn't done
if he had any money to buy rum nor
any such papers as them in his pocket.
We know Cap'n Coffin didn't slug you,
for he amt that, kind, and if he was he
wouldn't have told you to put your
money in the safe and felt so bad over
your hurt
What are you driving at?' asked
Tom, rather amused at the businesslike
way in which the sailor was checking
off his points on the ends of his fingers.
Then there's the mattel
Green paused and looked triumphant
~ at Tom.
THE mates room was next to yourn.
He might have seen them. He was in
| has room when you came out and said
the old man was dying. He skipped out
the same day you was hurt and give no
| notice. He-never come nigh you at all.
He
What do you mear?" demanded
Tom. starting to his feet. as for the first
time the others meaning began to
dawn upon him.
He hated you like poison, and"
"Yesi Yesi see it ala" cried Tom.
clenching his fists. '.I see why he left
so suddenly. I had ticket in my
pocket by an excursion train for Seat
tlei 1t was only good that day! He is
the robber. I could swear to it, How
did you come to think of it so quicko'
"'Cause the chap that did 1t woIia
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-12-01
THE PROMISE OF THE PAST.

-1ss but of heeting years score,
Since father used to call
my eep. tits TINE you got to bed;
Cons. say good night to ALL"
All. how unweicome were the words.
And how they spoiled the fun!
wasn't tired, why, not bit!
Our game was not half done
But time has flown, and I'm man,
And heavy loads bear;
For YEARLY the tagging hours
Drag on, held back by careis
Too long, too long, are now the days,
And things are different quite:
How gladly would now respond
To fathers call each night.
Somehow the thought occurs to me
That this same rule may hold
When shah find my race is run,
And life's bright fires grow cold;
May not the somber messenger.
Whose call now would dread,
Come at the last, welcome friend,
To bid me to my bed?
Kansas City Independent.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-12-01
The wa.herwoman,s Revenge.

Mr.. De Sharp (anxiously)-Ii nadver-
tently sent my cuff buttons to the wash
last week. Did you find them?
ELECTROMAGNETIC Oh saw couple
in tn tub, but have no time to be fish
in around fur brass cuff buttons, an
Oh t'rew thin away.
Mr.. De Sharp Tin Mortified 'cents)-
Threw them away: Those buttons
were pure gold
Washerwoman-Moy Moy: That's
too bad. Oh niver thought that young
man wot was always beatin' down
poor washerwoman's prices cud afford
to wear gold.-N. Y. Weekly.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-12-01

though L must
tell about it. A
year ago I was
taken very sick.
Doctorscould 60
me no good only
to deaden the
pain which 1
had almost con-
stantly. 1 got
some of your
Compound and
took one bottle