davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-04-04
curtains were drawn. Tapers burned
in the dimness. At first Mary fancied

curtains were drawn. Tapers burned
in the dimness. At first Mary fancied
that
There was silence, and nothing there
But silence. and scents of eglanterre.
And jasmine, and roses, and rose
mary"
Then she saw that there was some
thing else. A coffin, and in it lying a
white-robed form, with folded hands,
and lilies lying on the pulseless breast.
Mary shrank back
Oh she cried "She is dead"
yes. Miss l thought you wished
to see her. A good many of the neigh
bors were in last evening. She had
many friends hereabout for all her
mfsfortunes. Amt those lilies beauti-
full? Mr.. Charlie sent them. Twenty
eight for twenty-eight years."
Mary went nearer, looked down on
the dead face, a young face which had
once been lovely, but bore the unmis-
taxable impress of sorrow and suffer-
ing.
It's not many men," went on the
servant. wiping her eyes, who would
do what Mr.. Charlie did. After his
brother was injured in that railroad
wreck four years ago he begged Mr..
Charlie in dying to take care of his
young wife. Mr.. Charlie promised
him. He has supported her and given
her every comfort since. She was al
ways weakly, and when her mind gave
out from brooding over her husbands
death, and she was such charge, Mr..
Charlie was that gentle and patient
with henry! She had spells of I'M
derstanding. Then she'd beg not to be
sent to an asylum-not that Mr.. Char
lie would think of such thing. She
wouldn't hurt a bird, poor dear!
There! That is Mr.. Charlie now!"
A step crossed the hall. Looking
pale and worn. Charlie Everett came
sight of his sweetheart !,
"You-Mary!" he cried.
"Hush!" sne begged. She broke
down. crying bitterly. Don't look at
Needn't speak to me until have
told you how it is that am here"
She brokenly whispered the truth
"You can never trust me again." she
said in conclusion.
He took her in his arms
Perhaps l should have spoken to
you of her, but hated to cast so dark
shadow over your young life. 1
could not keep up two households, and
she was penniless. She was my charge
before learned to love you. My first
duty was to her. The Doctors agreed
she could not live long. AS for trust
ing-my dearest, you must forgive me
for not having confided in you'll you.
for your doubt of me. So we are equal.
Is it not Whittier who writes:
Love scarce is love that never knows
The sweetness of forgiving!"
They passed out together into tn,
brilliance Of the Sabbath morning.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-04-04
"A Plan to .sfar0e England.

A Chicago expert in statistics set
forth the interesting theory that
England and Russia were to go to war
the most important battle would b
fought in Chicago. He thinks Russi
would strike at England's weakest
point by trying to starve out the island
nation. and that this would be done.
not by blockading English porta, but
by cornering American wheat and
-four. The British get nearly one half
their bread-stuffs from America. and
IL the American and Russian supply
were suddenly cut of 1t might cause(
famine prices in London Tie statis-
tician thinks Russia would only have
to send a few skillful agents to CHI,
cago and to other grain centers to buy
up the whole American surplus for
months ahead. He admits this might
run up the price to $1.50 bushel be-
fore the deal could be completed, but
he thinks Russia could afford to. buy
10000, 900 bushels at that rate and It's
stand the loss upon 1t after the cibsc
~ the war. He thinks lack az fbod
would bring England to the poini d
.urrender In Isew months. %
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-04-04

Rotation in the garden is perhaps
not so important as on the rest Of the
farm, for the reason that the constant
application of manure is likely to keep
supplied the various plant elements re.
quired in the soil. Nevertheless ju.
dicious rotation helps to keep up this
balance OF the food elements in the
soil. and should therefore be taken
advantage Of. The faults Of one years
handling may be thus partly corrected
by the next years operations. No one
element Of plant food, is exhausted
more than the other. and each crop
leaves the land in good condition for
the next. Rotation tends to incorpo-
rate humus and destroys pests and
weeds. BY rotation we are enabled
to incorporate into The soil aerial MI
trogen gathered BY the sleguminous
plants.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-04-04
xsrmyard Manure.

Sax
This class Of fertilizer still holds Its
own. in spite Of the assaults that have
been made on it by different writers.
Its quality varies greatly according to
the animals by which it is made and
the material out of which it Is formed.
The system Of bedding followed also
counts for good deal. Where straw
or wild hay is cut for bedding it Is evil
dent that the litter will count for much
and its value after decay will be large
ly governed by It's chemical makeup
before being used. Some kinds of bed
ding are rich In the most valuable con-
stituents,w while others are about worth
less. If spoiled clover hay be used the
result will certainly be different than
if sawdust be used. The latter will add
practically nothing to the value Of the
manure.
But, though the value of manure is
determined to considerable extent by
its source. its manner of handling has
still more to do with its value. Good
management may increase its value,
Encouragement may destroy it. When
the manure is properly piled and pro-
tected from inelement weather and
from washings a beneficial fermenta-
ton, which is carried on by organisms
of a vegetable nature, can take place
only when the temperature is suitable
to the growth of such delicate forms Of
life.
1t is therefore evident that the prev
alent custom of piling the manure out
of doors as it accumulates in the win
ter does not facilitate the fermenta-
ton of it. This manure /: all right for
use on land planted in crops that do
into summer, when it will have under
gone the processes that prepare it as
food for plants Often this winter
made manure is put on the lands de-
voted to early crops and is the source
of disappointment. Though it may be
oiscolored by the weather, it is yet
green manure" and as such is insult
ed to hurry along the forms of plant
life that call for rapid forcing to make
them marketable. Science and expert
ence direct that for the manure a
sheltered place be provided as much
out of the way of frost as possible.
We will not enumerate the many
points of detail to be taken into con-
sideration when the saving of the ma
nure is to be put on scientific basis;
it is necessary only to say that the
liquid as well as the solids must be
saved. Too rapid fermentation may
be avoided by combining the two kinds
to keep down temperature, which
should never be permitted to rise high
err than 80 degrees.
The nitrifying organisms that are
found in barnyard manure increase its
value.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-04-04
lrhe Kans., C,,y s,,n, sbov,.

MT. Frank d. VIM OF Kansas City
Mo-, who is one OF committee OF
three appointed b5 the Poland China
breeders to prepare a special premium
list and push the interests of that
breed at the great swine show to be
held at Kansas City next October,
writes us that great interest is being
manifested in the enterprise and it is
hoped that Illinois breeders will make
special preparations for the event and
contribute an exhibit that will be a
credit to the state and to the great
swine interests they represent. Such
prize lists as are proposed should call
together the best representatives Of
the breeds on exhibition at that show
and make 1t the greatest swine EXPOSE
ton that has ever been held. The
regular premium list for Poland-C Chi
mas will follow the classif1cations
adopted by the State Fairs, but in adj
diuion thereto, the following list Of
special prizes for that breed has been
prepared by the committee Of manage.
ment:
1. Boar and not less than four of his
get any age or sex.
2. Sow and not less than four of her
pigs, either sex, under six months.
3. Sow and one of her produce, any
age or sex.
4. Boar and sow, any age.
5. Two swine, any age or sex, pro.
duce of same SOW.
6. Boar and SOW, six months and un-
der year.
z. Boar and SOW, under six months.
8. Two boars, any age.
9. Two boars. under six months.
10. Two sows, any age.
II. Two sows, six months and un.
der year.
IL. Two sows, under SIX months.
10. -Four pigs, under six months, get
of same boar
Il Six pigs, any sex. under ST,
months.
Is. Ten hogs, any sex or age.
16. To the feeder of the best fitted
exhibit.
Knowing as we do the public spirit
and enterprise of Poland-China breed
ers, we have no doubts about the ex-
htbit they will make at Kansas City,
prizes or no prizes, but we are glad the
committee has seen At to offer such
liberal rewards.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-04-04

, Everett had told her of his love. 81
cannot now ask you to be my wife,
he had said. Il will some day, God
willing. The time may not be far
off, but love you too we'll to bind
you by a promise you might later
find burdensome. And yet-dear, you
will trust me and waltz"
II will wait for you till 1 die!" she
had replied. ana had questioned him
not at all.
Then he had protested that this
was not an engagement-that she was
free-quite free. Only he was bound.
Very WE'LL" she had agreed. 1--WE
are not engaged"
But the understanding that existed
between them was sweet to both.
That was year ago.
And now she had to acknowledge
to herself that she knew little more
of his private life or of his personal af-
fairs than she knew then. She was
unusually silent as she and Brunette
descended the steps and walked to-
gether to the lawyers office. Her err
rand there attended to, Mary Vane
went with Brunette to see about the
latter's Easter hat Then the two
walked down State street just as the
matinee-goers were flocking from the
theaters.
Brunette paused suddenly before a
florists window.
20, had almost forgotten! Mamma
told me to order some flowers for to-
morrow. Will you come in with me?"
They stood few minutes admiring
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-04-04
Educafion and Wealth.

Does education increase the wealth
producing power of people in dirsc
proportion to its distribution and thor
oughness?" President Dabney of It'd
University of Tennessee attempts
answer this question in tAg Arsil nui
Der Of The Worlds Work. He c0ptenI
that the producing power Of
people may be measured by the sch
privileges they enjoy.
Statistics show that the avera
school period of each inhabitant of I'd
United States in 1899 was four al
four-tenths years; of Massachusett
seven years; of Tennessee, little LED
than three years. The production
the whole United States in 1899 w
$170 per capita, or about IS cents dad
The production of Massachusetts
the same year was $3.50 for each NAL
woman, and child, or IS cents a ID
The annual production Of the peopI
Of Tennessee in 1899 was s116, los.
cents day for each inhabitant.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-04-04
The Lov-Down Commercial Fertilizer.
Black Kno. of Plum and Cher

The Low Down Commercial Fertilizer.
The commercial fertilizer is again
in evidence. The barn door and the
roadside fence beam with the adver-
tisements which announce multitude
of brands as absolutely superior to all
competitors. The calendar upon the
wall, the memorandum book in the
pocket, the piles of bags at the depot,
the all pervading odor in the air, all
tell the story that spring is coming,
and that fertilizers are for sale.
Most farmers buy them in a bag.
mixed, ready made. Such are the easy
fertilizers. They are quite generally
bought without regard to their char
acter or their fitness. The name and
above everything else-the price are
the controlling factors in the pur-
chase. Close buying is all right, but
it seldom happens in any trade that
the cheapest is the best, though it al
most always happens in the fertilizer
trade that the best Is the cheapest.
Yet the trade has for years in some
sections been largely in low-grade
goods-the cheap, low down, brands.
Every manufacturer selling in Yer
mont makes brands of high, of middle
and of low grade. Every man of them
would prefer to sell all of the best and
none of the poorest class, not because
he makes more on them-for the mar
gin of profit is much the same in eth
er case-but for the sake of his own
good reputation. The popular demand
for quantity rather than quality Is the
excuse for the low grade goods. The
farmer himself rather than the dealer
is responsible for them.
To make the cheap goods. either in
ferior raw material must be used, or
else the good crude stock must be di-
luted with what Is technically known as
filler" material which the farmer
calls dirt" The latter is. 1t Is to be
hoped, and. indeed, is thought to be-
the more common expedient used,
The economy of paying manufacture
ers, railroad msgnates, general and To-
cal agents good money for mixing, bag.
ging. freighting and selling from 400 to
800 pounds of everyday dirt in every
ton Of fertilizer, does not appear. It is
far better for the farmer who wishes to
use a low grade of fertilizer to buy less
OF a higher class goods and to make
his own low grade by mixing in more
or less muck or soil at home.
The Vermont experiment station has
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-04-04
LIFTING" and "Heovins"

The practice of lifting" once great
ly in vogue and still to be found here
and there in England, is one of the
most curious of the Easter customs. 1t
was observed on Easter Monday and
Easter Tuesday, the men lifting" or
"heaving' the women on the former
occasion, and the women returning the
compliment the next day The process
consisted in placing the person to be
lifted on the crossed hands of two or
three Others and raising him high off
the ground three times. At the end Of
the ceremony the filters expected a
fee of kiss or silver sixpence, and
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-04-04

On, she cried. "She is dead!"
the display in the window, the golden
daffodils. and shy blue crocuses, pure
lilies of the valley, Haunting tulips.
starry jasmine, and cool green ferns
forming tender background for them
all. The attendants were busy when
they entered. The girls stood back of
high rubber tree admiring some rare
chrysanthemums when the door was
flung open and gentleman came in.
He was of medium height and had
kind. brown-bearded, thoughtful face.
Not noticing any one in the store he
went directly to the counter. To
man at that instant disengaged he
gave his order.
| 'Twenty-eight lilies" he said. eyes
like those. Have them tied with
broad white satin ribbon. Send to this
address"
And he laid a card and bill on
| the counter. An instant later he had
received his change and walked out.
The girls stared at each other.
That gasped Brunetta, was Char
lie Everett"
Yes, l know" murmured Mary.
Before she could put out her hand
to stop her meddlesome friend the
latter had stepped to the counter and
| read the address on the card which lay
there.
Just as 1 thought" she remal ksd
a few minutes later, when they were
out in the street together. "The adj
dress is Ia Forest Avenue. Idlewild.
That is the suburb in which his mys-
FERROUS acquaintance of whom l told
i you lives"
That number, street, place, burned in
Mary'ss brain. She parted from Bru-
META and went home. A fierce fever
of jealousy possessed her. Who was
this woman to whom he sent Lent n
lilies? Idlewi1d was directly south OF
her own home. A cable car ran out to
the pretty place. She would go there.
She would call at the house She would
ask the lady who dwelt therein: What
is Charlie Everett to you?" When that
was answered she would know how
worthy of continued loyalty was her
confessed lover. But not until the
morning. She would not go until morn
ing.
Shame to doubt him. cried her
heart through all the sleepless night
that followed. But her rigid will 81
fenced that assailing protest. So the
morning of the beautiful day that
(. followed found her at the gate OF a
cosey cottage set back amid a group OF
bare-branched naples There were
/ drifts of snow in the little garden, but
the air was warm with the effulgent
prescience of spring. So peaceful was
| the place, the hour, her courage almost
| failed her. All the blinds were down.
The entrance she chose brought her
to side door. She rang the bell. A
maid appeared.
May =" Mary vane began. then
faltered. For whom should she ask?>
yes" the girl replied. Come in"
Marveling. Mary followed her. She
led the way into front room. The
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-04-04
...Cbe...
Caster Giles

Brunetta Roth burst unceremonious-
~ into her friends room.
Mary" she cried. sis it possibls
you have refused Christopher Patton?'
Mary Vane. a tall, pretty girl. who
was adjusting her fur collarette BE-
core the mirror, turned quickly, her
soft cheeks flushing scarlet.
Why. Brunetta," she exclaimed
how can you expect me to answer
such question"
Brunette. who was small and stout
and attired in the height of the pre-
vailing mode, sank down in chaiI
and laughed.
Il didn't expect you to answer 1T
There is no necessity you should do so
Mr.. Patton told Tom last night that
you had thrown him over. l don't see
how your conscience allowed you to
act so. He is such catch-young and
docking. Best Of all, he is enor-
nously wealthy"
Mary smiled as she speared crown
other demure little turban with long
pin. She was thinking of man who
vas no longer young--near forty, per-
Aaps-who was handsomer in her eyes
chan all other men, and who was by no
means wealthy.
Il really believe, went on Miss Roth,
that you have an absurd fancy for
Charlie Everett do, indeed"
Mary's smile became quizzical
"Really?" she said.
"Oh, have no patience with you!"
declared Brunetta, wrathfully. you've
known Charlie Everett three or four
years. All this time he has been most
devoted to you, but not one of your
friends knows to this day whether you
are engaged or not" u
The smile - from y ~
: we are not. She ansE efed. ana inc
gay little cousin fancied her tone was
sad.
And yet you have been more gra-
:ious to him than to any of the hers, "
pursued Miss Roth, relentlessly.
Mary are you in love with him?"
isn't that" counter questioned
Nary, evasively, what the lawyers
WOulu Sdll .lGdulES question. QOu
wish to seem rude, or to hurry you,
Brunetta. but have an engagement to
sign some papers this afternoon at the
office. of Deal & |Burrit. Can't you
come. with m,?"
Yes, must see Nine. Mireau about
ny Easter hat. One must arranse with
her in time, as she is always rushed
with orders Are those papers con-
nected with your uncle's will?"
"He left you everything! What a
lucky girl you are! suppose now you
feel you can afford to marry whom you
please
The conversation again turned on
Charlie Everett as the girls rode down
town together on the Metropo itan Ele-
waited.
He is mysterious fellow" Bru-
Aetta remarked.
Mysterious" Mary sent her sud
den look Of inquiry. What do you
mean?"
"Weli, there really is reason why he
Ihould be considered a good deal Of
enigma. While not wealthy like Chris
topher Patton, Tom tells me he has
good salary, and adds to this by writ
ings. But you know he does not spsn
money as other men in our class do
Heis not liberal in the matter of thea
tiers or flowers. He lives quietly. II;
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-04-04
Round-Footed Texa. Hogs

A Journal reader at Whitesboro, Tex,
writes: II see a report from Boons-
boro, Ark, of four round-footed hogs,
and you seem to somewhat doubt that
there are such hogs. But, Mr.. Editor,
here in Gonzales county, as late as six
teen years ago. have seen them five
or six in one pen with round or mule
feet. They made good porkers and
would fatten just as fast as any other,
but the objection to them was when
they began to get heavy on their feet,
and especially in wet weather, they
could hardly walk. 1t seemed as
though the bones were weak. Texas
Livestock Journal.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-04-04
.rWENTY-EIGHT LILIES" HE SAIL

,@rWENTY-E EIGHT LILIES" HE SAID
mas no expensive habits. Where, then.
does his money go?"
I, Mary Vane was silent.
u .There is one house in the suburbs
4. where he is known to frequently Wis
ar the other went on. Brunette, as
1 will be observed. was not above enjoy
Ing. gossip. Two women live there.
One is apparently superior sort Of
servant The other is pretty. deli
cate looking little creature of about
twenty-five or thereabouts. Occasion
ally Mr. Everett takes her driving
through the parks. Has he ever men
toned her to you?"
Mary forced herself to answer:
mo"
Nor to anyone else, But I have
seen him out with her Who is she?"
"A feeling of unrest. an undeflnab!e
fear, thrilled the heart Of Mary
yane. She recalled the night Charlie
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-04-04
SAYINGS and Do

Edmund Clarence Sted
Edmund Clarence Stedman,
literary paper has pronounc
"surest and sanest critic Of
now before the public" is snd
bly, the foremost living Ameriq
He began his literary career !
porter for the New York 4
He had already obtained
degree of master from Yal
Dartmouth. For his elctures
1892 at Columbia that universit
ferred upon him its literary d
ate, and in the same year he
lished his able and analytical
on "The Nature and Element
Poetry" The lectures at Con
had been already delivered at
Hopkins as the initial results G
TurnbIll foundation. Mr.. Sted
poetry was published at various
and in various forms, between
years 1860 and 1884. His pub
not so large in America as it is ii
land, owing to the lack Of appre
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-04-04

How long will seeds live and prove
valuable to the Gardener? No def
mite reliable information is at hand
True, a few scattered experiments
have been made, but these have not
been numerous enough to be useful in
the establishing of rules. 1t is safe
to accept the practice of planting only
fresh seeds. 1t is general truth that
they lose their vitality according to
the years they are kept. Some seeds
become of doubtful value very soon.
The practice of some seedsmen of
mixing their old leftover seeds with
the fresh ones is to be guarded against
by every intelligent buyer Ct seeds.
In experiments carried on for three
years at the New York Experiment
Station to determine the vitality of
seeds as affected by age the following
partial results were obtained:
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-04-04

for years Deen preaching this doctrine.
1t has inculcated several notions ,con-
corning tho fertilizer trade, none Of
which has had any more certain foun-
dalton than the one here advanced
Let low grades alone-note the charac-
ter Of the goods and their fitness for
special needs-and buy as much plant
food for dollar as can be got. Nine
times in ten the farmer who buys the
cheap goods gets the most weight. but
the least plant food for his money
Vermont Experiment Station.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-04-04
Live stock items.

A shortage of beef and mutton on
the Pacific coast has sent buyers to
Colorado, and several car loads of
sheep have gone west from the state
mentioned.
Three hundred Kentucky horses will
soon be shipped to South Africa for
the British army's use. The contract
has been awarded to Thomas Murphy
of Glasgow. KY, and is the first ever
given directly to a Kentucky horse
dealer by the British government.
Murphy has begun purchasing, and he
believes that he will soon secure the
number desired.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-04-04

sometimes both. Occasionally chair
was used for the lifting. A traveller
in England many years ago, who was
entirely unacquainted with this Easter
custom, leaves pathetic account Of
his bewilderment one Easter Tuesday
upon being seized by several vigorous
young women. placed in spite Of his
troubles in a gayly decorated chair,
and raised aloft three times to the full
height to which these Amazons could
reach. Then he was in still greater
CONSERVATION, he alleges, when he was
kissed heartily by each of his fair lift
ers. and requested to present to the
group piece of silver in tokenof his
gratitude.