davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1899-08-01
A SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION.

DEAR AUNT JENNIE:-As we seem to
have no special subject up for discus
sion just now, why should we not
tackle marrying for loves" In order
to start the ball rolling, 1 will give an
opinion I heard the other day, and
hope to have the Chatterers' opinion Of
it. Here it is:
'In old Bible times it seems that the
father had full control of his daughter
and gave her for a wife to whoever he
pleased and the girl had nothing to
say about it. A father gave Samson
a wife without the consent OF his
daughter; then he got out with Sam
son and gave her to another man.
Isaac and Rabecca never had seen
each other until she came q long
Journey to marry Isaac The last
chapter of Judges is interesting read
ing. There we're two hundred Ben
i4mites left after war without a woman
among them and their brethren OF
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1899-08-01

other tribes had sworn that not a
father should give his daughter to a
Bepjamite. Nevertheless these young
men were advised to hide in the vine
yards near where q great many girls
were to have a feast and a dance.
When the girls were in the midst Of
their picnic the two hundred young
men rushed upon them and each man
caught the first woman he came to
and took her away to be his wife.
Who al say that these matches did
not turn out fully as we'll as those
made nowadaye2 If, when a man wants
a wife he was b%lindfolded and put in
a room with a dCzen lasses, then
catches the first one he lays his hands
upon his chances for a good wife
would be an Improvement over our
present modern style. If the matches
we're made in the good old Bible way
it would save the livery hire and
many a sleepless night and the divorce
suits might be less. When a man has
a good wife that wife always has a
good husband. / will not deny that
there are here and there unions that
are all right that are the result of
sentiments OF love, but this sentiment
of love is largely in the imagination
and is seldom or never realized when
the sober business of life is commerce
ed. a real love is something that
grows with age and not something
that dwindles on familiar acquaint-
ance. Young love is like a humble
bee; it is always the biggest when it is
first Matched; a little experience
shrinks him down to the right proper
tion if he lives through it.
"The statistics show that in some
Ohio counties there is one divorce to
four marriages, and there would be
two more if the parties could get an
excuse that would stand in law. Never
theless. young people go On disregard
ing the counsel Of their parents as in
the past hundred years."
Let Us have a full discussion.
DIV
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1899-08-01
PROF TRENT ON GEN. LEE.

A firm of Boston publishers Small,
Maynard & Co.. have just begun the
issue of the Beacon Biographies, a
''series Of brief memoirs Of eminent
Americans" The first five volumes
include lives of Phillips Brooks, Dan
lei Webster, David Glasgow Farra-
gut, James Russell Lowell, and Robert
e. Lee. The Lee" a copy Of which
We have received, is by Prof. William
P. Trent, Of the University Of the
South, SeWanee, Tennessee, who won
many admirers in North Carolina by
his able and scholarly address, "Cos-
mopolitanisn and Parties" at the re-
cent commencement of Wake Forest
College. O1e Northern critic, the re.
viewer for the Boston Herald, has said
of Prof. Trent's book and it's author:
PROT. w. P. Trent, who represents
the progressive spirit of the New South
in literature, and who is probably the
tairest compromise and the nearest ap-
proach to the golden mean that has yet
been reached between the fiercely op-
posed opinions of the North and the
South, regarding the Civil War, + + +
has revealed with what we believe to
be unprecedented success the charm, the
beauty, and the nobility, as we'll as
the power, of Gan. Lees character
and personality, and showed US that
his claim to the title of having been
one Of the greatest Americans rests on
the fact that he was one of our finest
men, besides being almost our greatest
soldier"
Prof. Trent, who confesses in his
preface that he had begun his volume
with admiration, indeed, for Gen.
Lee, but had questioned the full
greatness of his powers" until he be.
gan to study his life closely, sums up
his character in the concluding para
graph Of the volume thus:
But where can such another nan be
tound7 OF whom besides Lee may it
be justly said that he is with BeIisar-
Jus and Turenne and Marlborough and
Moltke on the one hand, and on the
other with Callicratidas and Saint
Louis, with the Ohevalier Bayard and
Sir Philip Sidney7"
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1899-08-01
CANNING AND PRESERVING.

DEAR AUNT JENNIE:-Will you let
me talk about canning and preserving
this Week9 I like to work over such
things myself and think that perhaps
I can help some else do this part
of housekeeping without so much
worry.
First of all select only the best fruit.
I am very much afraid we will have to
use any that is available this season.
To insure perfect succee the fruit
should be we'll developed, of fine favor,
and neither green or over ripe. If
peaches are allowed to stand in hot
water for a few minutes the skins will
slip eff easily and the color will be
much richer than when peeled with a
knife.
Both for canning and preserving
perfect j ars must be used. I test them
by filling them with water, put on the
rubbers screw on the tops then turn
them upside down on the table for
some time before using. If no water
leaks out they are air tight, but if you
see the least sign Of leakage try other
rubbers. Never use a jar that you do
not feel sure of, for it will provea waste
of fruit and labor. I must tell you
that I never heat my jars and since l
abandoned the old method some years
since I have broken only two when
filling them and they were defective.
Have everything in readiness for the
canning. Then ill a vessel with fresh
cold water. / find a four sack the
most convenient cloth to use in this
instance. Dip the sack into the cold
water, wiring it slightly then place one
corner of it on the table and set the
jar to be filed On this, being careful
that there are no wrinkles underneath
it. Now wrap the remainder of the
sack around the jar completely cover
ing the glass. Pour about half teacup
full of the boiling fruit into the jar and
place your hand over the mouth Of it
and listen for the hiss that accom
panies escaping steam for when you
hear this, remove your hand and pro-
coed with the filling without fear OF
breaking the jar. Try my plan and
see if you do not like it better than the
old way.
I expect this letter is long enough
but I Lave given you only a few things
and with Aunt Jannie's permission /
will continue the subject in my next
letter.
Why do none OF you tell how you
manage your chickens and which
breed you fad most profitable? Ihave
Brown Leghorns and have never seen
them equalIed as egg producers. How
do you keep your butter firm this
warm weather. Hoping to hear from
more of The housekeepers,
MRS 7 T. D
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1899-08-01
Our Social Chat.
EDITED BY AUNT IENNrE. RALEIGH. n. c.

Here is a column for ev~erybody-ladies, gen.
tIeme9, boys, girls, fathers and mothers.
Everybody is invited to write on subjects of in
terest TO them. Never mind If you are not
perfect as a writer. give US your thoughts and
we Will see that they are in good shape before
they are published.
The PROGRESSIVE FARMER is paper for every
member of the family, and young and old alike
are its patrons and its friends. We hope to
unite these thousands of our friends I'm a bond
of friendship that will be a help and an inspira-
ton TO each one of u.s. The friendship Of each
of our readers, the confidence of the old North
States sturdy sons, and the trust of each of her
daughters, Is what this paper aims to win "bY
helping each one of them to do more, to be more
and to enjoy more in this beautiful world" We
hope this spirit, will animate each letter, and
Aunt J~ennie,' care of TRF P~ROGREssIvE FAR
MER, Raleigh, n. G.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1899-08-01
CIRCLE

Piled the shouted mole his spade.
For my taste the blackberry cone
Purpled over hedge and stone:
Laughed the brook fer nv delight
Through the day and through thenight
Whispering at the garden wall,
Talked With me from fall to fail:
Ny the sand trimmed pickerel nond
Mine the walnut slopes bevond'
Mine, on bending orchard trees.
Apples Of Hesperides!
Still, as my horizon grew,
Larger grew my riches too,
All the world I saw OF knew
Seemed a complex Chinese TOW,
Fashioned for q barefoot boy
0, for festal dainties spread.
Like my bowl Of milk and bread.
Pewter spoon and bowl of wood,
On the d~oor-stone gray and rude!
Ger me like a regal tent,
Cloudy ribbed, the sunset bent.
Purple ~curtainei, fringed with gold,
L)oped in many a wind swung fold:
While for music came the play
Or the pied frogs orchestra;
And to light the noisy choir,
Lit the fly his lamp of fire.
| was monarch; pomp and 10y
Waited on the barefoot boy
Cheerily then, my little man!
Live and laugh as boyhood can;
Though the ftnty slopes be hard,
etubbIe speared the new -m0wn sward,
Every nor shall lead thee through
Fresh baptisms Of the dew;
Every evening from thy feet
shall the Dol wind XII s the heat;
Ali too soon these feet must hide
In the prison cell OF pride,
Lose the freedom Of the sod,
Like q colts for work be shod,
Made to tread the mills of toll,
10 and down in ceaseless moil,
Happy if their track be found
Never OF forbidden ground;
Happy If they sink not in
Q Ii K and treacherous sands Of sin.
An! that thou couldst know thy joy,
Ere it passes, barefoot boy
Whittier.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1899-08-01

The Youths Companion, calls atten
ton to some of the many valuable
properties of lemon juice. 1t has been
shown that any acid is fatal to the
cholera bacillus, and one of the best
means of avoiding the disease by one
in the midst of an epidemic ia to acidu.
late the drinking water with lemon or
lime juice OF citric acid. Lemonade is
regarded by many physicians as very
useful in the treatment of influenza,
and a Brazilian physician has recently
asserted that citric acid is an almost
infalljbIe remedy in the prevention
and cure of whoopiDg cough. The
efficacy of lime lice as a preventive
of scurvy is we'll known, and many
other are the remedial uses of this
pleasant and health giving acid of the
citrus fruits.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1899-08-01
FROM AL SOUND.

DEAR AUNT JENNIE waiting
and watching the progress of your
circle Of Cnatterers with silent admira
ton and wondering if a chat from me
would be of any use, I will make one
tap for admittance and enter.
Why, where are all of these merry
voices I heard9 Can it be I'm almost
alone3 l expected to find a room full.
Why have 80 many become silent 90
soon9 L. it because the weather is too
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1899-08-01
FORAGING OR

I agin' then, huccome hit stealin' now
An doan you member, Marse Jim,
dat one day you come ter me an say,
Jim, ter morrer's Christmas, an we'se
| got ter have er fine spread?' An didn't
1 git out an steal er turkey an ham
an er bottle er dewdrop whisky An
didn't you invite yo' brudder officers
in mex day an order things jest
scanIous, an make 'em open dey ey esl
E hit was foragin' during de wah,
huccome it stealth noW9
Yes, en- doan you 'membah, Ma-se
Jim, when you was shot an de Yanks
took you prisoner at Charlottesville
Didn't you gio M yo' gray uniform en-
lock OBJ yo' hah en- yo' sword, en- didn't
you cay kinder hoarse like, Take 'em
ter her'9 En- didn't / take ems | toted
dem things thro' de bresh a hun'red
miles, an when l come to de front gate
dab shtood Miss Emily !S1es daid now,
an CID knows, Marse Jim, dat dare
ain't no purer nor whittier angil up err
bove de clouds dan heI En- when she
saw me, didn't she hug dat little bald
headed baby dat you was so proud OF,
up close an cry: Hes daid, he's daid
my GAwd, he's daid !! En- didn't de tears
OF grief come rolling down cher desc
Id black hans an wash de stains oh
rrabbel erWay2 En- when I ups an
stiys: No, he amt daid, Miss Emily,
de Yanks jest got him an he'll be home
blmeby'; didn't de tears of j)y come
pouriu' down an wash de tears Of grief
erway?
Now, looky heah, Marse Jim, my
ole woman an three pickaninnies is
ober heah in er log cabin in de woods
neah Jim Wilson's pasture. Dey
hain't got nothin' ter eat. En- when
I comes by Sam Johnsing's hog pen de
yuther day en- sees dat skinny little
shoat dat, honest ter Gawd, was 80 poah
dat you had ter tie er knot in his tail
tar keep him from slippin' tween de
palms, I JEST begun toragin' agin.
You CANT call it stealth, nohoW, case
Zee gwine pay Marse ] ohnsing back jes'
es soon es my ole SOW has pigs. You
a MT gwine to SEN yo' ole body sarv-
int to de pen fo'dat, isyou, Marse Jim3"
There was silence in the courtroom
for a moment. The stern features Of
the old judge had relaxed. There was
something moist in his eyes. He wiped
them furtively and vainly tried to hide
the movement by vigorously rubbing
his bald pate with his handkerchief.
Finally he eaid: the court has con
sidered the motion for a new trial, and
the same is hereby granted. The pris
oaer is released upon his own recog-
nizance. Mr.. Sheriff, adjourn court.
Jim, you come up to the house with
me. ~ Dallas News.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1899-08-01

Tie prosecuting attorney sat down.
4; be mopped his brow he gazed tri
rnghantly at the judge and at the
svyer who represented the prisoner.
Inc prisoner was an old darby. His
tca was as black as the ace of spades
sd as wrinkled as a piece of crinoline.
Il bis kinky hair stands Of white out
numbered those of black.
During the trial of the case his eyes
bad never once left the judge. "Fo'
5eLawd. eff dat aint't Marse JIm!" he
hdsxcIaimed when brought into the
c.ut-room by a stalwart deputy.
Aud two long, regular rows Of white
teeth had been revealed by his pleased
srie.
The testimony of the witnesses had
been been Of no interest to him. He
laughed scorntully when the young
lawyer who had been appointed by the
court to represent him poured forth
College rhetoric. The prosecuting at
crney had been ignored. My OIL
gsrse jim gwine ter fix hit" he Whis
Rced softly to himselt.
The judge sEraightened himself and
Fiped his glasses solemnly. The pris
olar is found guilty as charged" he
aid, as he adjusted the gold brimmed
ST urs on h's aose. Has the prisoner
8: the bar anything anything to say
e shOW cause why he should not be
~#1tenced?"
In his turn the old darby straight
mad up. The stern look of the court
alsed his face to fall. Then he stood
u. His eyes were sparkling with in
tgnation.
Yes, sab" he said, II has somepen
"a sa7, en- Use g8ine ter say hit. Eff
s7s trouble comm doan' you blame
ls case you asst me ter talk.
Now look heah, Marse Jim, you
G9Ws me jes' as we'll az l knows you.
Ie known you eber since you was
nee high ter a duck an you amt
saaOer done nothin' right mean till
Ist now.
'D9y brought me in heah an tole me
':!ole a shoat. But l didn't think
%iaIng Oh dat; an you nebbah did be-
~a till j9s' now. l come heah aftah
<loe, thought I was gwine ter git
~case you was ledge. But I fn's 1
FSataken II I'd er known I'd got
"nake er fight fer hit, I wouldn't er
~a1 1othin' ter do wild dis heah piece
Pz2n- faced white trash ober heah-
Nsfg co. er lawyah. He amt none
oe 4laljty, I knows, case my folks
T,.a1 de wah was de right kin But
,-'1at know dat, an now you axes
u Ise got anything ter say. Yes,
nase somepen ter say an as l
you Use er gwine ter say hit.
~-'se jim, doan' you member dat
- 20 body servint durin' de Wah9
l use ter russle fer grub fer you
~ clum when de rations got sho't9
-I1nt you use ter smak yo' lips
49, ..oAin' an say. 'Jim's er powerful
sr, 'o'ager'2 Why, I stole chickens
Aeys an shoats fer you clean
An Gnattaro oga ter Atlanta, Georgyl
sba 'efy time you got er squah meal,
Van vas most generally 'casionally,
povo.. 20 chum 'ud say, 'Jim's er
ssv good forageIr You didn't
An,Tuln' again hit then. No, sab!
wants ter know, if hit was for
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1899-08-01
SWEET WATERMELON PICKLE

Take eff the green rind and cut eff
the pink portion from the ineide OF a
watermelon. Weigh, and to each seven
pounds allow four pounds of sugar, a
pint of vinegar, two teespoonfuls Of
allspice, the same Of cinnamon, half
the quantity Of cloves, half a teaspoon
full Of ground mace and a teaspoonful
of ginger. Mix all the spices together;
separate them into four parts, and tie
each part in a piece of cheesecloth
Put the watermelon vi the fire in
cold water, bring to boiling point and
cook until it is transparent. Drain it.
Put the sugar and vinegar with all the
spices in a porcelain lined kettle. Wnen
boiling add the watermelon, a little at
a time; cook until it is dark-not more
than five or ten minutes; then put
away in a stone jar. Mex morning
drain eff all the juice, heat to boiling
point and pour it over the watermelon
rind. Do this for nine consecutive
mornings, the last morning heating
the watermelon rind again in the
Juice and boiling the juice down until
it will just cover the rind August
Ladies' Home Journal.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1899-08-01
AUNT JENNIE's LETTER.

Mrs. j. L. d letter failed to appear
last week. Be sure to try her plan for
filling fruit jars. 1 have tried it and
l find it decidedly preferable to the
old way of heating the jars and much
less trouble.
Water Lily writes to us for the first
time this week. l expect many good
letters from her as I am convinced
that she is capable of writing such.
Y3s, we all welcome you most heartily
and extend a cordial invitation for
you to make your stay with US a long
one.
R K joins US this week aud if l am
not very much mistaken many of you
will be anxious to tell him what you
think of the contents of his letter. Let
him see what you think of the views
he quotes. l think he has given US a
very good subject for discussion.
We hope to hear from each of these
again soon. By the way quite a mum
Der Of our circle have been ''playing
IF dumb" for some time. What q
be the matter? D they say that they
have had no opportunity Maybe
they honestly think so, but if we do
not help make opportunity we can not
expect opportunity to make Ms. 1t is
not q nurse to carry you in her strong
arms il you resist her efforts in your
behalf. lam afraid many of US live in
an imaginative future which will give
us a better chance and thus we per-
suade ourselves to forget the Circle for
the time being, Am I not right7 It is
a very common fault to underestimate
our chances and to contrast them un
favorably with those which seem to
belong TO others. When a man says,
''If my circumstances were different
l would be a great statesman, scholar
or philanthrapist," fnd out whether
be is discharging well the actual tasks
committed to him and then you will
know whether or not he has a right to
such expression. The best way to pre-
pare ourselves for doing great things
Is to do faithfully the small things. We
are not expected to seize some one
e's9's opportunity but to seiz5 u own.
a watchful = and an attentive ear
will help you to grasp opportunity ere
it escapes you, The place where we
are now may not be an IDEAL one but it
is probably as good an as we could
have to show of what mettle we are
made. There may be more attractive
scenes Of action preparing for us in the
future but mean while do not forget
that the present is our time to grasp
every opportunity for self improve
ment and to do good to others, for
should it escape US it will re
turn. Bat how thankful we should be
that all our opportunities are not be-
mind US.
The best lesson to be learned from
mistakes is to avoid making them
again.
There is a tide in the affairs of men
Which taken at the food, leads On to
fortune;
o nitted, all the voyage of their life
La bound in shadows and in miseries."
So make an opportunity to pay our
circle a visit. We would be so glad to
see you. It may be that you are
waiting, thinking that if you write this
afternoon your letter will not be quite
80 good as you think you could write
ro-morrow. Well, it is sad to think
that to morrow never comes and each
day has it's own burdens. Ny little
boy once said ITO day is yesterdays
to morrow" I hope you will realize
this and write to day. Lovingly,
AUNT JENNIE.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1899-08-01

THE BOY.
tbae little man,

Bles5. nSS boy, with cheek OF tan
B%sretoGSSy II turned up pantaloons,
With tpy merry whis6led tunes;
and Wy rs red lips, redder still,
Viii W - strawberries on the hill;
G:ssa, he sunshine on thy face,
Witn ~. ~ thv torn brim's jauDty grace =!
TnTousarg heart I give thee joy;
Fro. once g barefoot boy.
! VS. thou art-the grown'up man,
XIII PtIE il republican;
0ll 10 million dollared ride!
! aioot, trudging at his eide,
Bhg'ES last more than he can buy,
!A. 10 reach of ear and eye:
. w Iord sunshine, inward joy,
gl .,sing on the barefoot boy.
- b,vhood's painless play,
- mat wakes in laughing day,
2.V5R that mocks the doctors rules,
55oa,LIedge never learned of schools,
AIg Inc hid bees morning chase,
" me wild flowers time and place,
~ =; 1T If fowl, and habitude
In the tenants Of the wood;
To- the LOEBES0 OS0AS LIS ELOA4g
~ the woodchuck digs his cell,
pa the ground mole sinks his we'll;
20 the robin feeds her young,
- the orioles nts is hung;
there the whitest lilies blow,
TbeTe the freshest berries grow,
Tbere the g~round-nut trails its vine,
T5ere the wood graz pes clusters shine
~ the black wRsp's cunning way,
Tss-ns Of his walls Of clay,
Ind me architectural plans
n or,v hornet artisans!
Eor egcheWinS books and tasks,
vs-,re answers all he asks;
land IN hand with her he walks,
Psrt and parcel of her joy,
Bsssicgs on the barefoot boy.
0for bo7hood's time in June,
Gr'wdIng years In one brief moon,
T1an all things I heard or saw,
Ne their master waited, for!
vas rich in flowers and trees,
rrmming-5irds and h~oney-bees;
Ear my sport the squirrel played,
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1899-08-01

The world is to be developed, not by
the attainment o. great effects by in
dividuaIs, not by striking or singular
and starlike natures that are to shine
forth and take possession of the world,
but by the conservation of the small
eat powers everywhere; by the men
who are exercising their power upon
poor material, simply taking the finer
material with finer impulses, and doing
the best that they can do with the
powers that Gcd has given them
Philips Brooks.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1899-08-01
W. WAYS OF GETTING UP.

When we tumble out of the right side
of the bed,
H w bright the sun shines overhead!
How good our breakfast tasSes-and,
How happily to school we gol
And DER the day what peace ia shed
When we tumble out Of the right side
of the bed!
WHEN we tumble out Of the wrong side
Of. the bed,
How drsky the sky frowns overhead
How dull our lessons, how CROSS u
mothers;
How perfectly horrid our sisters and
brothers!
(And they all say, too, it's our fault in.
stead
When we tumble out of the wrong side
of the bed. The Outlook.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1899-08-01

Keep good company and you shall
be of the number. George Herbert.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1899-08-01

It's a bad drink that makes a man