davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Red Cloud chief., 1900-01-05
AT PATSY MULL'S.

Fol the last five years OF his life
Colonel Null had been assisted In his
duties az postmaster by his daughter
Patsy, and when he died Il seemed
only right and proper. considering his
historic services to his country, that
his daughter should be made the In
cumbent OF the office from which
death had taken him
Patsy was not popular but she was
an institution. II seemed almost as
much a part OF ones patriotic duty
10 believe in Patsy as TO believe in the
constitution Of the United States. She
was n taCiturn woman. who kept to
herself and her cats. Of which there
were so many that It would lay one
open to the suspicion of inaccuracy TO
mention the number. They were Wild
eyed cats who regarded humanity In
general with the same suspicion which
their mistress showed. But that may
have been largely because they were
kept forever in twilight. The build
ing used as q p~UstCiiiCe at IIcldar was
owned by Patsy, and only the front
part Of 1t was. literally speaking, fed
eral property. The rcar Of the struC-
ture had long been used by the Mulls
for u family residcncc-in fact. It had
been their home before n postofiice
was mentioned for licldar. The upper
story had fallen into desuetudc. but
in three rooms on the ground floor
Miss Patsy had her being. These
rooms never were visited by the sur
shine, for not only had they a dismal
northern exposure. but the gloom in
creased by drawn blinds. Miss Patsy
kept her house mum. II coniidcd
nothing to the curious. Her front door
was the door OF the p~osto:icc, and be-
hind the glass pigeon holes no one was
ever permitted to set foot. Her rear
door was almost equally inhospitable,
and its mistress seldom emerged from
II save to empty the ash pan, and then
she locked the door behind her while
she went on that errand.
They were ea~sy-going folks at Hell
dar. What was. was right. had lone
been n sort of unconscious provert
with them. Perhaps they had got into
this philosophic way of looking AT
things because, MS a community, they
had suffered Il good many disappoint'
ments.
1t sometimes seemed as II the town
The Red Cloud chief., 1900-01-05

ar had forgotten his troth or another
son his duty to his parents.
This went on for some time. ard
Heldar became pathetic. a sort OF
apathy rested upon the people. They
sang melancholy hymns ut church,
they talked Of the sorrows OF life, aud
above all they resigned themselves To
the inevitable.
But II happened that Jeanette Vail
came to town. She was the niece of
the Hansons, who had lived there al
ways. The town felt u furry Of some
thing akin to excitement ut the adven
Of this glowing young beauty, the heir
esq. as 1t was learned. to u goodly
fortune. The sight Of her on her
wheel, glanclng along the streets, was
invigorating, and Iieldar temporarily
forgot It's depression. A dance was got
up in her honor, and her gaiety and
charm seemed TO bring fresh life Ia
the girls whose lovers ncver came
back and to the young men whom Tor
tune had stranded in the quiet spot.
The first time Jeanette had occa-
sion to go to the postoficc there was
II sensation. AS usual. one of the wild
eyed cats was looking out OF the win
dow.
Dear me, postmistress,' cried Jean
nettc, with good-naturcd condcscen-
sion, rs hat your ca'?'
The cat blinked gloomily, and the
postmistrcss did not answer. but ms
she appeared at the window another
cat was visible on her shoulder.
You must he fond OF cats" said tho
girl pleasantly. The group in the
postofice held their breath. II was
unheard OF for the dour Patsy to be
addressed in this fashion.
"Ilavc you any mail for Miss Vail
Jeanette Vail?"
The postmistrcss shook her head.
But You haven't looked. How can
you know"
with a fash OF anger from her littlr
eyes Patsy looked, but returned with
a mute denial.
ITS strange" said Miss Vail. doubt
fully. Il hope you have made quite
sure What Miss Patsy did to cause
the cat on her shoulder to arch Its
back and spit ut the girl outside the
window IL would be difficult to i'm
agine, but the onlookcrs did not APP
pear to be surprised. Miss Vail went
home that night. %ill-content, and the
next day she was at the postottice
again. Again the postmistress indi-
The Red Cloud chief., 1900-01-05
Paving Stones and Revolutions.

The reasons why another reign OF
terror was not recently i%naugurated in
France is thus stated by the Chicago
Times-Herald: One h~undred-ffty
twenty-five years ago these things
would have set the mobs going. They
would be throwing paving stones at
one another. Paving stones? All, there
Is the secret OF the whole matter. The
mobs have been robbed of their am
munition. The people stand ready to
hoist the red flag and run riot, but
what are the bare hands against maces
and muskets? The rioter stoops to pick
up a paving stone, and his fingers
scratch vainly along the smooth sur
face OF the asphalt with which most OF
the streets of Paris are now paved.
Ciel. He Is helpless! He Strengthens
up and stares vaguely about him for a
moment, and then some commissary
OF police runs him in. Men and women
follow, shouting and shaking their
fists, but there are no paving stones
for them to hurl. So the Republic
continues to stand. 1t Is wonderful!
A little bit Of asphalt prevents the
killing OF people by the scores. and
history Is robbed OF whole chapters
of bloody details. Vive lie tar Darrell"
The Red Cloud chief., 1900-01-05
IT WAS THE LOOK OF A MAN SURE OF HIS VENGEANCE.

Had ! arrived a few hours later, |
should have found yol anothcr's wife"
Florence bowed her head in con-
scious guilt. She had so dreaded this
fate, yet had not had courage to boldly
resist ii. But for this intervention, she
would indeed have fallen n victim to it.
Il am brave only when you are at
my side" she confessed. do not re-
proach me, William! | was so utterly
deserted; but now you are here again,
and all will be we'll
He gazed silently IT the pale, sweet
face raised so imploringly to his, and
the reproof died on his lips. He loved
this tender, yielding creature, with
her gentle u~nselfShress, and knew that
she was capable of any sacrifice as soon
as a strong hand guided and directed
her.
Then show me that you can be
brave and steadfast when only my love,
not my presence, protects you" he Ie-
piled. II cannot stay with you as you
expect; my leave OF absence gives me
only a few hours MORE. ! must rejoin
my regiment today, and God alone
knows when ! shall be permitted to
see you again"
At his first words Florence'g fea-
lures expressed vague anxiety; now she
started in sudden terror.
you are going? You will leave
I,e?"
Il must. / gave my colonel my VOID
OF honor to return at sunset. This was
the ssle condition on which he would
permit me to ride here. | must keep
this promise"
And leave me alone, exposed to the
full fury OF the storm which Edward
will raise, You MORALLY insulted him,
flung the word fraud into his face.
He will venge himself for It, and OIL
me, II you are out OF reach"
"Then come with me-" said William,
with desperate resolution. Cast every
thing behind you and follow me at
once. Our marriage has long been
agreed upon. We shall find within cur
lines a justice of the peace and a priest,
will perform the ceremony. Day after
tomorrow-tomorrow even-you can be
my wife. Then come what may, at
least nothing can separate u.s."
and my father?" replied the young
girl, with a trembling voice. Must
he, in his last hour, call In vain for his
child? Must a strangers hand close
his eyes? SO long as he breathes, my
place Is at his side"
The Red Cloud chief., 1900-01-05
ANY MAIL FOR MISS VAIL.

was accursed, and as II everyone who
left II was false to ii. There was Dick
Simmons. for example, who left his
mother praying for his prosperity, and
who had seemed the tenderest of sons.
but who had not sent a word home in
years. The distant city had swallowed
him up. There was Enoch Brand, who
went away to make a home for his
sweetheart. Vivian Oxford, and who
sent no word and returned no more.
There was John Harrison. who prom
Used to send his father the money TO
raise the mortgage on the old place,
but who forgot to keep his word. But
1t is foolish to cite the cases. 1t
seemed as II there never had been a
community with so much reason for
bitterness Of spirit as that OF Heldar.
The worst OF IT, for sensitive souls.
sometimes seemed to be the fixed de-
light which Patsy Null took in these
disappointments. The sardonic smirk
upon her face would be emphasized
when the anxious watcher for the ex-
pected letter would be turned from
the window empty handed day after
day. She almost never spoke. She
merely shook her head or nodded 1t.
She asked no questions. but everyone
was aware that she kept abreast with
the doings in the town. Little went
on that was not talked Over in the
postoffice. and II Patsy was economical
with her voice she was ~prodigal with
her curiosity.
There were certain fanciful women
who said that 1t seemed as IL Patsy
was a sort OF evil spirit who brooded
over the town. 1t seemed as II she
bad a hunger for disappointment, and
enjoyed seeing her neighbors suffer.
Her little eyes. which were 90 close
together. shone with vicious bright
ness when she heard that another low
The Red Cloud chief., 1900-01-05
Deer Spreading Eastward.

The common red, or Virginia deer.
Is exceedingly plentiful in many parts
of New Brunswick. and a peculiar fact
concerning It is that 1t is largely
changing its habitat, so far as Canada
is concerned. II has recently made its
appearance in the Gaspe district, where
hitherto it was unknown. Upon this
north shore Of the st. Lawrence 1t was
only known until quite recently, l. in
habit Western Canada and the Ottawa
district of the Province OF Quebec.
Within the last year or two II has
spread into the st. Maurice territory.
and thence into the country north OF
Lake st. John. In the vicinity OF Que
bee specimens have lately been seen
swimming across the st. Lawrence
from the south shore to the north
shore. In the localities where ii Is most
abundant, namely, in the Ottawa and
Gaspe districts, In the Metapedia val.
ley, north OF Montreal, the neighbor-
hood OF Lake Megantic and the coun-
ties OF Beauce, L'Islet and Kamour-
aska, 1t has increased to such an ex-
tent as to be a nuisance to the farm
ers, whose crops 1t ravishes. 1t seems
particularly fond OF peas. Large num-
bers OF this beautiful animal are now
falling daily to the guns OF visiting
sportsmen.-Toronto Sunday World.
The Red Cloud chief., 1900-01-05
a TRUCK
Swept Fast the Astpni,hcd Guards and
Saved the Val inbies.

The Philadelphia Commercial Mu-
scum and the National Export exposi-
ton had their beginning in the collec-
tons gathered for Philadelphia at thu
worlds fair In Chicago by DR.. William
y. Wilson, now director of the museum.
says the Philadelphia Post. The work
OF packing the valuable material kept
DIR. Wilson at work nearly all through
the winter. His labors were almost at
an end when a fire broke out cpdan-
gcring his most precious goods. Or.
Wilson called one of his assistants.
G out and get all the wagons you
can, and get them quickly" he said.
The assistant lost no time in making
his way to the nearest gate. But in
a few minutes he came back despond-
cnt. It's no use ne said; I'VE can't
get n wagon They are afraid thieves
may plumber exhibits. and the guards
will let no one enter the grounds. What
can We do?" Dol" exclaimed DR..
Wilson; why, get those agons here,
We must and will have them. Go back
and hire them. Then form them in a
line outside the gate, and at the head
of he line put the biggest driver and
the best team OF the lot. Then, when
you give the word, let them drive in.
guards or no guards, and every man
jack of them close after him. Now,
hurry" Within ten minutes the col
m was formed, and, led by a brawny
lrishman, 1t swept past the astonished
guards like a battery going into action.
stopping only when the agricultural
building was reached. The goods that
DR.. Wilson was anxious to save were
among the thirty carloads OF exhibits
shipped to Philadelphia three weeks
later. and some of them may be seen
at the Commercial museum today.
The Red Cloud chief., 1900-01-05

Gated by a shake OF her head that
there was nothing for Miss Vail. The
place was occupied by a number OF
persons, and they looked at her sym
pathetically. II seemed to them that
the United States mail was only made
to disappoint folks. But they were to
hear something amazing.
"Postmistress," said a clear, young
voice, Il know there are letters wait
ing for me. 1t is sure. l must have
them"
Two cats looked out OF the window,
but Miss Patsy had disappeared. The
girl tried the door, but 1t was locked.
Sne appealed TO the men, but they
shook their heads. They were among
tho inert Heldar fatalists. And that
evening she was told tales OF the
hearts that were broken and the hopes
that were blasted.
You needn't think Harry didn't
write to me-" cried Miss Vail, be
cause know he did" And the next
morning a telegram went on to Wash
ington. Just what happened the Hell
dar folk never quite knew, but a week
later a man armed with authority
walked through the opaque glass door
that admitted him behind the pigeon
holes OF the Heldar p%ostofice, and he
made free In the dark rooms where
the i~nnumerable cats Kissed at him.
And there he found great masses OF
mail, received during many years,
most OF 1t opened and read. Miss
Patsy. who had no life of her own, no
theater. no opera, no books, had got
her human drama In a peculiar way.
She had sucked the sweetness OF love
letters which were not her own, and
comforted her crazyh heart with the af-
fectlon intended for others.
1t was Heldar's great episode. The
long-delayed mail reached It's posses
The Red Cloud chief., 1900-01-05
~PHYSIOLOGIC TIDES,
Mankind should Take More Heed Of
tho Need OF Recreation.


The comparison or an u~ndulatlng
swing in the higher things in life to
the tidal movements of the ocean has
often been made In prose and poetry,
Tut the highest development in all
things. whether mental or physical, is
attained through such change and vari-
alton; the sleeping hours are as neces-
sary as the waking hours. rest rs ex-
crcise, constructive as destructive me-
tabolism, says the Medical Record. II
would he well II this truth were moro
generally and thoroughly appreciated.
What is Il hat Is causing the nervous
b~reakdowns among our business men.
society women and students? Does not
every one in this rushing modern life
feel that there Is more put upon him
than he can possibly do: more work
and play and engagements and cares
Yet the trouble In most cases is not
that people are ~overworked. but that
they work against physiologic law.
The business man feels that there can
be no pause In work II he is to win
success. and 1t is the continuity OF
strain that Is killing him: the scholar
who studies night and day loses origin
ality and insight and finds himself be-
coming a bookworm and n pedant. IL
is the old story of All work and no
play makes Jack a dull boy" which
might well be reversed to 1T the suf-
fering from nervous exhaustion OF
plcasure-seekers. whose lives ave
blighted by ennui and discomfort. Tho
best work of our lives is not done with
the feverish. overwhelmed and bur
dened mind which comes from contin-
uous, unvarying strain, whether phys
ioal or mental, whether from business
or pleasure. We all need the ebb-
tides of recreation. relaxation and quiet
thought In order that there may follow
the iloodtides of health and strength
for the real decisive efforts Of life.
The Red Cloud chief., 1900-01-05

held the young woman captive. She
knew that II he crossed the threshold
she would lose him forever, and. ere he
reached it, she rushed forward, clasp
ing his arm with both hands.
william, don't leave me SO. iod
see that | was deceived, ~ensnarcd, and
that unfortunate promise was cxtorted
from me beside my fathers sick-beI.
They gave me no choice, and constant
ly told me you had given me up, nnti.
] believed It,"
The young officer paused; his voice
still sounded harsh and bitter, but at
least he fingered.
Then choose now he said. Now
the net hat ensnared you Is torn. and
no one shall prevent your free decision.
Choose whose wife you will be-
Yours! Yours!" cried Florence
with passionate fervor, as she rushed
into his arms. Protect me, william!
You do not know how they have tor
tured mel"
Yes. / see it," he said, bending to-
ward her.
His resentment could not endure
against this touching entreaty. Clasp
ing her hand in his, he turned reso-
lutely to Harrison.
my fiancee's explanation Is sufficient
for me, aud, | hope, for you also. AS
she has been the victim OF n fraud
Edward started at the insult, and was
about to answer, but Roland gave him
no opportunity.
well, call 1t deluslon, II the word
sounds better. The fact remains the
same, and also the part which you have
played in 1t. You probably will not
refuse to account to me for IL, even
though there must be delay. in this
hous and at the hour when the man
who also was a father to you lies on
his death-bed. such a dispute cannot
be settled. So / yield to necessity and
shall wait a more fitting season."
Edward looked as II he were on the
point OF rushing upon his enemy. The
icy contempt in Ro!and's words on
ragged him even more than the insults
themselves, but by eXerting all his
strength OF will, he controlled n'mself.
"a more fitting %season!'" he re-
peated. you are right, Mr.. Roland.
], too, can wait, and perhaps the hour
for settlement will come before You
expect e."
lie turned slowly toward the door,
Hs game was lost, the prize Tor whose
sake he had humpled himself to In
The Red Cloud chief., 1900-01-05

CHAPTER VI.


AS the door closed behind her
cousin, Florence uttered q sigh Of re-
lief. She had feared an instant out
break of the quarrel, which seemed at
an end, at least for the moment, but
the last threatening words OF the two
men had not escaped her notice.
What are you to do" she asked
a~nxiously. What is the meaning OF
the concealed threats you exchanged
with Edward? william, | bescech
you"
Say no more" hc interrupted grave
~. almost sternly. This is a matter
which concerns us men alone. You
hear that no explanation will take
place at present. Let tina suffice
Florence looked timidly at him. The
dark cloud on his brow was not caused
by the dispute with Edward; she knew
only too well what had uccasioned 1t.
you are angry with me still she
said, softly.
mo, | understand that you were de-
ceived by the intrigue, that 4 fathers
last wish has Il powerful influence. but
| had expected my anianced wife to
show more resolution, nor confidence.
/, too, remained for months with no
message from you; /, too, heard that
you assented to the separation your
father decreed: but / did not believe 1t
for an instant. What urged me hither
was merely the torturing uncertainty
a vague presentiment OF misfortune.
The Red Cloud chief., 1900-01-05

sors were alive to receive IT, and many
an ancient grief dissolved into moth
ingness. and many another attained
TO sorrows crown Of sorrow because
the harm was beyond remedy.
AS for Door Miss Patsy, she went to
an asylum, and sat the rest of her
days looking upon a green lawn and
smiling n sardonic smile. The cats
one still dare not tell the number
found brighter homes. As for jean
nette Nail-she said she knew Harry
had written. Chicago Tribune.
The Red Cloud chief., 1900-01-05
Dangerous Friction.

An insurance adjuster was sent to
a Massachusetts, town to adjust a loss
on a building that had been burned.
How did the fire start?" asked an
acquaintance who met him on his
homeward trip.
Il couldn't say certainly. and 10
body seemed able to tell" said the ad-
juster, but 1t struck me that II
might have been the result OF fric-
ton"
What do you mean by that" ask
ed his friend.
We'll" said the insurance man,
gravely, friction sometimes comes
from rubbing a ten-thousand-dollar
policy on a fve-thousand-dollar bU!A-
ing"
The Red Cloud chief., 1900-01-05
CHAPTER Y

But Florence was silent. She only
cast a besecching glance at Edward;
but the latter knew his advantage TOO
well. He vas aware that there was
still n means Of parting the two
lovers, and did not delay using .hc
weapon.
You have come OF an unfortunate
time, Mr.. Roland" he said. with cut.
ting corn. IL shall he at your service
FOR the explanation you will probably
demand at any hour tomorrow; today
! regret that 1t is impossible. At my
uncle's urgent desire, my marriage with
his daughter takes place this very day;
all the arrangements for the ceremony
are completed; the justice of the peace
VIII arrive in an hour. You probably
understand that our affair must be dc
ferred for the present.
Roland had turned deadly pale; he
scarcely heard the last words: his eyes
rested only on Florence. At last. with
u violent effort he murmured, almost
unintelligibly:
You heard. What have you to say ?
Answer"
Florence stood as If utterly crushed.
For the first time she realized how un.
pardonablc her weakness had been,
and that the decision which she had
regarded as n sacrifice to nlial love
was really an act of treason to tho man
TO whom her promise and her faith
were pledged. In the consciousness OF
this guilt. she did not even attemp,
to defend herself, but. instead OF an
swering, burst into passionate weeping
IL know enough said William In q
hollow tone. FAREWELL"
A flash OF triumph blazed in Ed.
wards eyes, but he exulted too soon
The moment when William turned
from her broke the spell which had
The Red Cloud chief., 1900-01-05
Too LAZY to Hunt.

Remember" said the young man
with the downy mustache and the for
eign title, II am not a fortune hunter"
mo-" answered Mr.. Cumrox. sSoom-
lily, II discovered that shortly after I
became your father-in-law. You pro-
pose to sit still and have the fortune
walk into your bank account. You
won't do anything SO fatlEuing as to
get up and hunt It."
The Red Cloud chief., 1900-01-05

trigue was snatched from him at the
last mcuent, yet he did not quit the
field like u yanquished man.
The menacing glance which rested
on the young couple ought to have
warned them; it was the look OF a "A
sure Of his vengeance and his ultimate
triumph.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-31
First Sermon OF rev. .. The.son AZ
Westmtsstsr Presbyterian
Ikarrh

Rev James Thomson. who WAS recently
called 10 the Westminster rresaytsrlsa
cngFeh % this city So act as associate
gSstcT With Rev HaSh Csgichriss greachet
hts HySt seFtnNn Assors the congregation
last wlzht, making 4 very faVorasse i'm
pessstNa on AT who heard him
MI Thomson was cstAsa % the sefvtes
81 The church because ef the great growth
in the work dGFinE the last year whlca
hiss rendered an additional minister nee
essay The congregation IA row con
structing branch eaarch near the south
school and II contemplating the erection
% another before the year IL Tar aavanr.
81 n also maintains home tor the
needy On the jefferson hall on Fourth az
ruus The two pastors viii have folpt
charge ~ the duties arising from the pro-
gress made IN this ausx.
Mr. Thomson 4 native ~ frNlana, aud
came 20 THIS e@antrv ta isei His paBca-
ton Was received So the hsss Schools and
colleges ~ Tire Emerald fsia. ara ne has
had charge et several ~ tse largest con.
gregaiions In tho north ~ Ireland Sic
e wen ON IN middle life. ara has wise
experience IN church work After coming
to America he resided IN Michigan for eve
years. corning West sn 1897 TO take chsrEa
% the Presbyterian chHrch at Browns
willie. Or. We Is an interesting putnls ara
tor. and in securing hts services the West
minister church believes II has chosen
wisely.
The new minister preached last night
from the text. Psalms, ii.ss ASK OF me
and shall give thee the heather FER thine
inheritance and the Uttermost carts az tia