davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-02-24

his sons. He never relinquished the d.
rection Of the interments, though, and
funeral scarcely would have seemed
TO be complete without him.
He had often expressed his desire
that he should be able to dig the grave
in which he should lie among the thou
sands whom he had put away in the old
graveyard, and about three weeks ago.
when he had premonitions that he was
going TO be sick, taking into account
his age, he considered that possibly It
might be his last Illness. With what
strength he had left he began digging
the grave which he wished to occupy,
Before he could complete II. though,
he was compelled to take to his bed.
BE might have recovered and been able
to complete digging the grave, but he
arose too soon, and in attempting to
walk across the floor he grew faint and
fell, his head striking n coal bucket. In
his enfeebled condition the injury has
tened his death.
His funeral was attended by ak the
city officials in body. The city FIRE
bells were tolled- Hundreds of those
whose relatives he had buried followed
the body to the grave.
James was q good deal of philoso-
pher. He did not believe that people
were ever buried alive. or that there
were such things as ghosts. His obser-
walton was that grief for the departed
was not lasting as q general thing.
Talking to reporter who took a pic
ture of him in the cemetery a few days
before he was taken down with his ia
tai illness, he said:
II have buried 10000 dead people. I
don't believe i have ever buried q live
person. / have often had people come
to me few days after a funeral and tell
me they feared that the relative who
had been buried was not dead. General
~ it Is a mother whose child has been
buried. Maybe somebody has remarked
how hfelike the child looked or sup-
gested that it might not have been
dead, and the mother, unstrung and
nervous and imaginative, thinks it over
until she convinces herself that the
child was not dead. Then she comes
out here and asks me to open the grave.
/ always tell them that if the child was
not decd before it certainly is dead
now. They go away then. But sup
pose some of them continue to doubt
as long as they live whether the child
was really dead.
Some have had so strong feeling
that a relative has been buried alive
that they have insisted upon the grave
being opened. In no case, though, did
find that Consciousness had returned
, after interment. There may be such
cases, but in the light of my experience
l do not believe it."
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-02-24

swered colby Personally. hay.
nothing further to do with You. I
shall leave you In the hands OF Sir
Harold Gwynne."
AT that she broke into a piercing cry
or anguish. and fell upon her knees at
my feet In the snow.
II was the first sign OF acute emo
ton 1 had seen her show, and t
moved me not little. though i was
keep nothing back from Gwynne.
You win not tell him?'' she moansd.
You will not tell him? Oh. 1 would
rather that you killed mel Have msrcyI
An Mr.. Douglas. be a little mercifuI
TO mel"
Il must be just should be tho
basest OF men IL were to keep such n
thing as this from my friend"
Give me little time" she moansd.
AT least. give me little time"
stood In silence for a moment or
TWO, considering: she saw my hesita-
uon' and went on passionately plead
ing.
"Ahl do not tell him yeti" she pant.
ed Give me a little tfmel Give me
until tomorrow Promise me he shan
not know tonight"
Although I'm my heart of hearts. be-
heVed this woman to be the guiltiest
or her sex. she looked SO thriliinTly
peautiful as she knelt at my feet In
the moonlight. that she inspired me
with some touch OF compassion.
nope 1 was not weaker than most
men would have been under similar
ctrcumstances-nay. and not half SO
weak as some-nevertheless, as 1 liz
tened TO her passionate entreaties. I
felt disposed TO grant them.
After all L might oa NELL .dvo ~
few hours grace.
III Cwynne were told upon to-mor5
row, 1t would be soon enough.
AS you so earnestly wish Il. I will
give you till tomorrow" I said. at
length Nay. ] will do more II you
prefer to tell the story to Sir Harold
with your own lips, you shall do so.
Make your confession to him yourself
tomorrow. and will hold my peace.
But. remember, he must know all"
HE shaill'
this, and looked me in the face, fully
and straightiy. for single moment.
As you esteem me such a guilty.
woman, you will not even care 10 re-
ceive my thanks: but Mr.. Douglas. 7
do thank you" She paused, then add
ed; And thank you. most of ali, for
Vera's sake"
just bowed my head without speak
ing. and, for a moment of two, there
was a painful and embarrassing silence
between US.
1 broke it
Had you not better return to the
house7" said.
And. with a murmured. Thank you.
will. she turned and walked I'D the
avenue towards the house.
L followed her at a respectful dis
lance, and In state OF mind impos-
sible to describe
To Re CONTTNURD
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-02-24
DUG HIS OWN GRAVE.
Joseph R. James, for Forty-F our
Years Sexton of Belleville, Ill
Had buried 10000 People while He
was the Town Grsvedigser-New
Lies in the Tomb which He
Prepared Himself.

According to the Belleville Qll) cor
respondent OF the Chicago Tribune, Jo-
seph r. James, of that city. in his life
over 10000 men, women and children.
II was his wish that he might lie in q
grave dug by his own hands. The wish
was only partially -ealized. He begun
TO dig his own grave, but was not able
30 finish il, and the task was completed
by bis son. He was laid in il only few
, days ago.
James was the sexton of Walnut Hill
cemetery for a. years, and was rs years
old at his death. He was first appointed
7. to the position in the spring of 1888.
On May 10 Of that year he dug his first
grave. His own. only partly finished,
was the last one he dug.
James was a Cornishman. He had
come to Belleville the year before,
! straight from his Cornish home, and
was chosen sexton. When he received
the appointment he went with his bride
to live in a little old house in the GEM
etery. They lived there for many
years. Two Of their children were born
| there. Finally he inherited some money
from relative in England and bought
property across the road, fronting the
cemetery. There be built himself .
home and lived until his death.
When James was first made sexton
therewe only few graves in the GEM
etery. When he died there were more
than 10000 In the city of the dead
more than in the city of the living
hard by.
Year after year the mayors reap
pointed him to the position and the sue
cesSive city councils always approved
the appointment unanimously. 1t
came to be accepted the position was
his for life, and nobody ever applied for
the appointment against him. He dug
all the graves himself up to shorttime
ago, when his growing feebleness
caused him to accept the assistance of
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-02-24

A decision has been given by one of
the higher courts in France which Is
interesting In that It furnishes the
French idea of justice In a case with
which Americans are familiar. A
woman whose husband lost his life on
the Inflated steamer Bourgogne sued
the company owning the vessel and re-
covered 100000 francs damages. The
case was appealed and the upper court
decided there was no ground for dam
ages. The basis for the decision was
stated to be the fact that the COM
mander OF the steamer conducted him
self with bravery and went down with
his craft, it being held that this fact
absolved the company from blame.
When one recalls the shocking brutal
ity OF the crew of the Bourgogne. who
did not spare even the women in their
ferccious attempts to save themselves.
this remarkable decision holding the
company blameless will strike the ay-
erage person as queer.-Chicago Trib-
une.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-02-24

In the days when fortune telling was
more in vogue than At present. the
shape and appearance of the finger
nails were looked on as having refer
encs to ones destiny. The nails were
first rubbed ever with mixture of
wax and SCOT, and, after being thus
prepared, were held so that the sun
light fell fully upon them. On the
horny. transparent substance were
supposed 10 appear signs and charac-
ters from which the future could be in
terpreted. Persons, too. with a certain
description Of nails were supposed to
possess certain characteristics. Thus
msn with red and spotted nails was of
fiery, hot-tempered disposition,
whilst pale, lead-colored nails denoted
melancholy temperament. Ambi-
tous and quarrelsome people were dis
tinguished by narrow nails. Lovers Of
knowledge and liberal sentiment had
round-shaped nails. Conceited, OBJ
stinate and narrow-minded persons
were possessed of small nails, lazy. in
dolent individuals of fieshy nails; and
those Of a gentle, timid nature of broad
nsils.-Cincinnai Commercial Tribune.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-02-24
CHAPTER VIII
Brought 20 Bay.

Having arrived at this decision. ]
Ncnt back to my bedroom, and tried
nay hardest to get to sleep. for knew
&ov important It was that should be
well and strong upon the morrow.
AT last. and after many inefrectuaI
attempts. did fan asleep, ana slept
80 soundly that the brealfast-gons
was sounding when 1 awoke. was de-
nshted to find my cold nearly cured.
and. dressing hurriedly, 1 went down.
stairs. where The very first person
saw was Lady Gramont.
She was standing at the door OF the
breakfast room, holding In her arms q
tiny Maltese terrier OF Lady Mallory's.
She was fondling IL tenderly, pressing
Aer lips 20 its little body, and calling
- the most endearing names. thought
Sof my poor Nero, and smiled grimly.
You are fond OF dogs, Lady Gra-
SnontT' said, as I came up to her.
For the life OF me, could not have
avoided giving her that home thrust.
At told. saw her cheeks hush like q
Tose- She could not look me In the face.
SHE could not answer me. She muir
injured some inarticulate word or two.
-ahad passed into the breakfast room
with a hasty step. Vera was at this
OF me. and came towards me. her hand
extended with the prettiest. sweetest
grace.
"Oh, Sir Douglas, am so glad you
are betterl" she whispered, softly, rails
ing her clear hazel eyes to mine.
THANK you," answered; and again
there was a curious pain at my heart
as thought OF the eulf which yawned
between me and this sweet child
Where is Lady MalloryT'' asked Sir
Thomas inpatiently. as the breakfast
gong sounded a second time, and yet
our hostess did NOT make her appear
2nee. Before anyone could answer him,
n maid came flying into the room.
"Ohi please, my lady says will you
go upstairs at once7" she painted.
ereathlessly. addressing Sir Thomas.
My lady thinks there were burglars
IN the house last nfghtl''
Everyone sprang to their feet, utter
ing simultaneously ordinations Of
dismay and alarm.
Lady Gramont alone retained any
Senblance OF composure. and even she
eurned pale. regarded her intently.
She seemed. I thought, conscious of
wy scrutiny. and uneasy under It. At
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-02-24
Advance in Higher Eauca,,on

The advanced stages of education are
becoming more thickly crowded.
Twenty-Five years ago only .o5 per
cent. Of the population was enrolled
in the public high schools; now the
percentage is o.61-the number of such
pupils having increased from %, 500 I'm
1876 to $4,000 in 1898. The number In
private high schools has increased in
the same time from 1910 to los ,225-
there having been a decrease relative
In the population This indicates a
large measure of advance In the pub
lie high schools as preparatory schools
for colleges over what was the case
years ago.-Chicago Chronicle.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-02-24
Not what sh. Expected.

young lady in the city who is some
what noted for her coquetry was talk
ing few days ago to one of her rmer-
Gus beaus.
Oh" she said, in a most pitiful tone
OF voice, nobody loves me-"
As she paused for reply. the young
man said, with that tenderness which
always appeals to the feminine heart:
II am quite sure that somebody does
love you"
her face frightened very perceptibly
as she said, with a great deal of In
tsrest:
81 wonder who on earth st can be.
Do you known"
"oh. yes" he replied. God and your
rother."-Memphis Scimitar.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-02-24
ro BE CONTINUED
BIRD That XIII. Cobrn..

The British soldiers now in South
Africa have no doubt during their
marches come across q weird-lookinu
bird, something like an eagle on stills,
wearing crest resembling a bundle
Of quill pens sticking out from the
back of its head. This is the secretary
bird, or snske-eater. the 'slangenvreet-
err" of the Dutch colonists. Those who
would like to see this curious bird
should pay visit to the zoo. He is held
In great esteem by the Transvaalers
and English colonists on account of his
partiality for snakes. When he and the
deadly cobra meet IL means n duel TO
the death, and il is generally the cobra
that dies. The fight is exciting to wit
ness. The lightning-like darts of the
snake are parried by the birds long
wings, used as most effective shield,
and, when the chance presents itself, as
a bludgeon. Once be has stunned his
dazed adversary the bird sweeps up
wards and descendx with all his weight
upon his dazed enemy, and the fight is
over. Then dinner follows, in the shape
Of the body OF the vanquished, swal-
lowed head foremost.-London Mail.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-02-24

ANY rate, she moved to quite the other
end OF the room and took care not TO
5urn her face in my direction.
Sir Thomas was hurrying out OF the
room. all excitement, when. at the door
As was met by Lady Mallory.
Ny Jewels are gone. Toni" she said,
making brave effort not to seem too
sAeitated, but looking very white.
Sir Thomas ripped out q hasty oath.
Shen turned to his lady guests, and
begged them to examine their jewel
Gsases.
~ sincerely hope the loss is my
ugffe's alone" he said. with a look OF
Seoncern which testified TO the sincerity
sOf his hope.
The ladies needed no second bidding
Ehey flew upstairs to their jewel cases
all but Lady Gramont. She remained
where she was.
lit is needless for me to so," she re-
marked. quite calmly. MY Jewels were
with Lady Mallorys. She kindly Of
Eered to take charge OF them for me.
II hers are gone, Of course mine are
gone. too"
Yes. Beatrice, they are. oh, am
80 sorry!" cried Lady Mallory, taking
her future sister-in-law's hand, and
speaking in a tone OF affectionate con-
Harold gave you! would not have had
you lose them for the world. But who
@sould have forseen such q thing as
Shis?'
Don't trouble about me, dear" re-
eurned Lady Gramont, gently. at fear
4 am by no means the only loser 1
wish. with all my heart. I were"
stood a silent listener and specta-
Sor, simply lost in amazement What
sSould think but that Beatrice Ora
azsont was the confederate OF thieves :
That it was she who had admitted one
8nto the house last nightr
And yet she could stand there, talk
1nS to her hostess Of the burglary. with
Aer beautiful face quite unmoved, or
expressing only a gentle concern, such
as any lady might feel at the loss OF
her jewels.
"Oh, but it Is SO dreadful to have
such things happen in ones housei'
sEaid Lady Mallory. ct would have CIV
TN a thousand pounds to have prevent
sd II. Come, Beatrice. let US go upstairs
and see whether anything else is miss
Nng. Perhaps you and I are the only
sufferers. after ALL"
But even as she spoke, excited ex-
CARNATIONS from the other guests con-
WINGED her that the depredators had
nOI DSSh lhuS ilOuSTsttc- i ne CnamDer
OF every sady guest had been entered
and her Jewel case completely rified.
OF course, the whole house was soon
IN a state OF the widest excitement.
The servants were summonec and sub
5ected TO the severest cross examina-
mons. Grave suspicion see ed to at
zach to one Of them, inasmuch as Il
was scarcely possible Tor the thief 70
have entered the hor without helm
Arom inside. The butte swo~e that ev-
&TX door and window d been securelz
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-02-24
Done with Enrex..

"Ah," he moaned, "this is not the
kind of bread mother used to make. {"
Perhaps" his fair young wife said,
preparing to abolish one joke from
their family forever, at Is not the
kind she used to make, but it's the
kind she makes now. She brought
over loaf this afternoon, saying she
knew you would be so glad to get an
other taste of it'll"
Then there crept into his eyes the
wild, hunted look that people read
about.-Chicago Times-Herald.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-02-24
800. REwARD.sloo

The readers of this paper will IA.
pleased TO learn that there In Al LEAST
ooe dreaded disease that scienee has
osen able TO cure in all its stages. And
that Is Ostsrrh. Hsll's Oatarrh Orc
10 the only positive cure known tn tse
medical fraternity. Cstarrh being a
constitutional disease, requires a eon-
s,itutional treatment. Halls Cstarrk
cure Is taken internally, acting direct
~ upon the blood and mucous surfaces
II the system, thereby destroying the
found alton of the disease. ana giving
tne patient strength by building np ths
constitution and assisting pstnrs in
doing it's work. The proprietors have
SO much faith in It's curative powers.
shat they offer One Hundred DolIsr.
,or any ease that ie fails to cure. sesd
Tor list OF testimonials.
Address,
FL. OHExEY & 90,
Toledo, o.
E~sold by all druggists, 7sc.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-02-24
PerquIsite of the sailors.

1t has been estimated that any crack
steamer leaving New York takes with
1t bouquets worth from $1,000 to Sl5,-
900. In few hours the passengers be-
gin to feel queer and send the flowers
out of their rooms. Then they are col
lected by the stewards, carefully sort
ed over and put into the icehouse, and
when the vessel reaches her English
port they are SOLD and the profits d.
vided among the men.--N. z. Sag.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-02-24
Looking Forward.

Its winter now, Of course" said the
good-natured old man TO the passenger
on his left In the. street car, but I'd
like to ask If you are goin' fishin' next
spring?"
Yes" was the brief reply.
Expect any luck2"
mo"
Don't expect to catch single fsh,
eh?"
mo"
"Nor get a bite?"
"No."
mot as much as a nibble?"
mo"
"And yet youn go a-fishin'3"
eyes"
-So'll 1. Gurus, amt it?"
eyes"
II needn't wish you any luck, for.
you won't catch blamed thing
"No."
"Jest as big fool as 1 am"
"Yes."
"And I'm Jest as big fool as You
are. S'long."
"s'long."-ChioOgo Evening News.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-02-24
EV0InfInn

1T is really wonderful" unused the
deep thinker, show a thing or an en-
tity will have it's beginning, run its
course, and end exactly as it began.
You follow me, hope?"
81 think do" said the worldly one.
For instance, a man will get Jug
and hit it up. Immediately a jag is de-
veloped. Then he may produce q Jig,
and very likely wind up in the Jug
Philadelphia Press.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-02-24

The Goth Street Baptist Church has
moved it's place OF worship from its
former place of worship (20th street
between Main aud Oary) to corner OF
2lst and Grace street, aud the nam
has also been changed to thai of Mace
donia Baptist Church. The publis j.
invited to attend the services which
take piace at the usual hours Ill o no
.. ). p. m. regu ar services, go. m
Rev. A B SMITH. Pastor:
JAMAs POWELL, Clerk.
IL 2-lm.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-02-24
ouriou. south American poi,on

The Indians of South America use
curious poison which is called ezcal
grain of it has the effect of starting
On irresistible desire for exertion. The
victim begins walking briskiy round
and round in small circles till he drops
dead In his tracks. There is no pain,
hut much excitement.-N. Y. World.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-02-24
An ArtfuI Native

A native runner between Thurman
and Mafeking was taking a quill dis
patch through and was caught by the
Beers. They searched him from top to
toe and let him go, having found moth
ing. The willy native had rammed the
precious dispatch up his nose. NY.
Journal
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-02-24
g7EElsosoisl Notice.

The ministers, lawyers, doctors.
clerks. Insurance collectors. mari az
men, porsers, laborers, boot blacks
men in every occupation, memb ira Of
minstrel troupes, Grand Lodge OF Ma.
sons. Grand Army Of Republic, samar.
ItAns, True References and all other
bodies that meet in Richmond, take
their meals at Thompson's Dining
Room.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-02-24
Sober Second Thonrht

Tom-Was it hard to tell Miss Au-
tumnal you loved her?
Jack-Not half so hard as it was to
explain matters after / got sober.-Chi-
cago Evening News.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-02-24
a Pral.eworthx rnlen,

Mrs. Van Buren-Sick. is yo'? Yer
drunk, dat's whad yo' is. Selah Van
Buren,, yo' low-down, arap-shootin'
gin-drinlkin' niggahi
Selah Van Buren-W-why doan' yo'
add ehicken-stealin' to dat catygorry,
babe?
Il amt Singin' none oh yo'r praises,
coon; rs shown yo'r failin's."-Judge.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-02-24

The Spinster-Do you think men and
women ever get too old to marry?
The Bachelor-Not necessarily. Age
doesn't always bring Chicago
Daily News.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-02-24
Mnnnfactnre of Pin.-

One hundred years ago it was con-
sidered wonderful achievement for
ten men to manufacture $4,000 pins in
a day. Now three men make 1900, 900
Gins In the same time.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-02-24

A man 10 apt to look blues. when he
Is In brown study.-Chicaso Daily
News.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-02-24

Incorporated March, 1897
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-09-12
LEWISTON ESTIMATES.
Such Returns As Have Been Rec lived There
Indicate $4,000 Plurality.

Lewiston, Ma. Sept. 11.-Bclatcd
election returns from all over the State
came Sitting i'll, today. but with the
exception IF Knox county, very few
showed any decided change from those
received, last night The Associated
Press estimates sent out at II p. NJ,
IN the night Of election. held good all
day, ana. tonight. with SO cities. towns
ana plantations heard from out Of a
total Of 80. the estimated Republican
plurality for the State ticket remains
at $4,000. The total vote Of above
towns gives Hill, RepD 6S.237: Lord,
CDemJ 3S,l01. The same places, in
1896. gave Powers, CRep) 7G.39S; and
Frank. DemD 31179.
These show a Republican loss of II
per cent. and a Democratic gain OF p
per cent.
Practically completed returns from
six of the 16 counties are as follows:
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-09-12
81, 600 PLURALITY SPORTSANEAI -..
AT Ton and Hunting Goals
Brooks Hardware Co., 81 ""'.,z z:,.... Me.
CHESTER 8. GORDON
Chosen by New Hampshire Republicans as
Guberaatori Candidate.

Concord y. H., Sept. 1.-THE Re
publican state convention held, today,
for the nomination for candidates for
governor ana Presidential electors was
one Of the most largely attended dele
gate gatherings ever held by the parties
in this state and the enthusiasm ran
high
Hon. James ". Remich presented the
name Of Chester H. Gordon Of Lancas-
ter as a gubernatorial candidate nd
the nomination was seconded by James
d. Lyford. A similar office was per
formed for Hon. Franklin Worcester Of
Hollis, NV MI Goodwin OF that town
and Prof. J. W. Sanborn Of Gilman
town.
The ballot was then taken as follows:
Whole number. G6g, necessary To a
choice. 335; Franklin Worcester had
S3. Chester p. Gordon had $50. The
nomination was made unanimous and
Nh. Gordon came before the convention
ana accepted the nomination in a brief
speech.