davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-03-24

allowing everybody to help himself
There was a pumpkin pie as they made
it in Salem, and there were fried cakes
looking just like the first dozen turned
out in Rhode Island.
'tMy son, you see how it is" said the
landlady, after dinner, land If you
don't proceed to make yourself at
home | shall feel grieved. If you are
lonesome for the cat, go and bring her
over here. l allow my boarders to
keep cats, dogs, parrots, monkeys,
donkeys, canaries, magpies and any
other pets, and they are fed free OF
expense"
Mr.. Bowser felt a bit conscience
stricken about the cat and decided
to go around to the house for a few
minutes. AS he reached the gate he
found the feline sitting on the top
step. It was bright moonlight, and he
could see that one of her ears had
D66Q Cu6W6u duu one VI ucl eyes
bunged up. That proud arch of her
back was gone, and it was easy to see
that she felt all alone in the world and
hadn't a cent to pay for her nights
lodging.
"Puss, puss, puss!" called MI. Bow
ser in a voice in which there was SYM
pathy, but the cat fixed her one eye
on the moon over his head and start
ed at it and treated his presence with
contempt. He had gone back on her,
and she had a dignity to maintain.
Then you just go to thunder, you
old tramp cat, you!" he exclaimed as
he shook his fist at her and turned
awya.
For breakfast at his New England
home he had Connecticut hash, Mas
sachusetts coffee and two colonial boil
ed eggs probably laid in Vermont
some few days after Putnam entered
the wolf's den. He felt like kicking,
but an old gray bearded patriot who
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-03-24

higher up that I am he's not the man to
make one feel 1t. What's broke loose.
Ebenezer?"
You know our schoolhouse, Abe?"
"Of course
"waal. I've been chairman Of tho school
board ever since that schoolhouse was
built. 1even years ago., and / amt bragg
gin when 1 say tina the cause of edu-
cation hain't been neglected for the corn
field or later patch. Things ave been
goin' along as easy as grease till now.
when Rastus Billings suddenly bobs up
and wants my place."
You don't sayl'
But I do. Abe. Yes, sir. he's blowin'
around about Caesarism and dictators,
and at the next meeting of the school
board he's goin' to try to bounce me-.
Ever hear of such cheek?"
Never in my life"
You know. Abe. what I done for the
party last year. Had a bar'l OF cider on
top of every voter who passed. and on
lection day / give the use of my team for
nothin'. All Rastus done was to so and
vote, and he didn't even do that cheerful
ly. l don't say I'll bolt the party II I'm
crowded out OF that c~hairmanship. but"
1T shan't be done. Ebenezer." said I.
mo. sir; these United States will never
allow II to be ~one-nev You are a
worker for the party. and TO tho workers
belong the spoils."
but Rastus Billings is pretty hefty.
Abe-purty hefty. He's the man who got
Frog Lake drained at the expense OF the
county"
Il don't care for that. Has he got the
postmaster general. the President and the
United States back OF him? Does he rep
resent the American eagle. the star SPAN
gled banner and 100000 patriots ready
to die for their country?"
by George, but he don't, an you do
exclaimed Ebenezer.
Then you keep your shirt on and say
nothing. In the course OF a week Rastus
Billings will find the hand OF the govern
ment gripping his neck and lifting UP his
heels and giving him a twist of the collie.
and he'll settle right down and sing small.
IN mash him, Ebenezer. Me II the adj
ministration will paralyxe him inside OF a
week. And now three cheers for liberty
and the Union, and I've got TO dust
along"
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-03-24

better to marry than to live alone.
That's you again. Seems to me it says
something about fatherless and moth
erless children-how they shall be loved
and, If 1t does, that's another pointer
for you. Uncle Silas Warner may hang
on to family prayers as long as his
wind holds out, and he may relish salt
pork above rabbit and chicken, but he's
a good-hearted man and takes his
boots out into the woodshed to grease
them. 1 can't advise you officially,
Sally, as the government and the Bible
don't do business after the same fash
ion, but as a private citizen l would
| say
What is 1t, Abe?"
Don't let any cornstalks grow up
around you before accepting Uncle ST.
las heart and hand. You are a lone
widow m with three children, a
turn-up nose and bad teeth, to say
nothing Of the off colcr of your hair.
When he comes for his answer, say
Yes as soon as you can get your
mouth OPEN"
Honest Injun, Abe?"
True as you live, and now I've got
to be moving on. II l happen to see
Uncle Silas to-day I'll tell him you are
waiting with palpitating heart for
him to show up again"
Sally giggled and covered her face
with her blue apron and ran away,
and I drove on to farmer J%ohnson's.
He was waiting for me with a pint OF
cider and a piece Of apple pie, and as
he handed them up he said:
ABE, l was wondering if Mckinley
wouldn't be comm this way SOON"
For why?" said T..
For the reason that I wanted to talk
to him for a few minutes"
Then tal:sin' ~ me will be the same
thing. He and I both represent the United
States of America, and If he's a little
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-03-24
M. BowsER,s BOARDING HOUSE


&M&+HEM@ So IA x tEM MA#W4 EZA
He Tries Honne No. A and Turns Away
IN Sorrow and Despair.
Copyright, 1901, by C. B. Lewis.)
Ii was q week before Mr.. Bowser set
out to look for boarding house No. 4,
and he wouldn't have made the move
then except that one of his friends said
70 him:
look here, Bowser, I boarded for
nine years with the Widow Adams, OF
Joy street. She's a good, old fashioned
woman and her house is run in che
old fashionad New England way.
You'll be taken in there as a son, ard
IL o find one single thing to kick
about I'll eat my hat. Why, you
couldn't feel more at home in your
own mothers house."
Mr.. Bowser was doubtful but he set
on to interview the landlady. He
found her to be a little old woman
about so years old, with her face all
smiles and wrinkles. The first glance
into her c~ountenance set her to think
ing Of his mother and fried cakes and
pumpkin pics.
my SON. she said, come and live
with me-. l like your looks. You re-
mind me of my lost Albert. You shall
have any room in the house and there
will be no charge whatever"
I"Oh, but l couldn't do that" ne pro-
tested. 81 shall be glad to find things
to my liking, but l shall pay your price,
of course"
well, we'll talk abolt that some day.
Z am old and lonely, and all l keep a
boarding house for is that l may have
cheerful company around me. Just
send your trunk over and take pos
session of the front room on the Sec
ond floor, and | want you to go around
whistling and singing and feeling that
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-03-24

shouldn't ask your advice about mat
ters."
Privately or officially?"
Il don't much care which. though I
guess I'd better talk to you officially
this time. You are a part of the gov
eminent, amt you, Abe?"
For sure. When I'm off duty, l rep
resent the p~ostofice department. When
I'm delivering and collecting, l repre-
sent the whole United States of Amer
lea and her island colonies. In a way
I'm also the present administration.
and anything intended for the Presi-
dents ear can safely be whispered into
mine. State your case, Sally, and I'll
receive it officially and officially inform
you whether it i~nterferes with any of
the administrative measures on the
boards"
Well, Abe she said, with a giggle
and a blush, I've had an offer of mar
rage"
G6c WIFI.
Eyes, / have, and that's what I want
your advice about. Last night Uncle
Silas Warner come over and said he
couldn't live another week without me.
Wanted to be married within q week.
Said he had loved me for the last four
years, but didn't say nothing about It."
"Uncle Silas, Ell? And what did rot
say? Be careful now. as your are talk
ing to the United States"
Il told him I'd have to wait for a
few days and think it over. He's got
four motherless children, you know,
and I've got three. His oldest gal
never did like me, and shell be sure
to raise a row. Uncle Silas is a good
man, but his mornin prayers last 30
minutes, and he won't let a hen crow
on Sunday. I'd have a good home.
with fried pork every day for dinner
and no scrapin the bottom of the -four
barrel, but mebbe / wouldn't be n
happier than now. What do you think?
What would the United States haze to
say about it?"
Sally" said I, after a BIT Of think
ing, you have asked for my ofncial
opinion, but there's no official opinion
to give. This amt . political question
1t all, and the State department
wouldn't ven look ct me papers It's
: Biblical question. strictly BtblieaL !
believe the Blbie n.y. : widow can
marry again 4 80 wants 70. ThaE hits
your 60 Iheltov. = msa ~ haao
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-03-24

for the next quarter Of an hour. I had
saved the young girls life. and she real
lied 1t and was grateful. The mother was
more conservative. but willing to admit
that 1 hadn't done bad for a novice. The
pair lokoed at me and sized me up for
what 1 ana di~lapidated gentleman of
extensive peregrinations and more or less
leisure. They din't want to offer me a
cold bite, a dollar in cash or the boss
old clothes. and 1 saw trouble in their
faces. Then 1 drew myself up and said:
81 shall be satisfied with your appre-
citation alone. 1t is not positively neces-
sary that matrimony follows
"'You will waive your claim to my
daughters hand?' asked the mother, with
a good deal of anxiety in her tones.
81 have done so, madam
And she can go right ahead and marry
her affianced in Boston,
She can. While l might have insisted
on my rights, far be it from the Cheva-
lier Caskara to break the bond connecting
two loving hearts
What a nice man. murmurs the
mother. as tears come to her eyes.
And I knew he was a chevalier or
something of the kin all the time,' adds
the daughter. Sir, the occasion deserves
observes
"A memento, e princess, and I have
it in your glove. Think Of 1t always as
resting next my heart And nov. fam
thee well, and may peace and happiness
and love b truly thine through Al the
years Of thy lie
with that I bowed myself Mt" aia
The c. q. D. man q Z loneeom mfle
ntttad ovsr - fAeA. Hnnd NJ omnn
AhaA bsgnA - saAsA a - hAae. xnk0Ae
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-03-24

shall have to get some herbs for your
liver. Come home to mamma this al
ternoon if you feel low spirited"
Mr.. Bowser was on hand when the 6
o'clock dinner bell rang. He a peen
too busy to take luncheon and was
therefore hungry. There was a look Oh
CONSERVATION on his face as he glanc-
ed over the table. 1t was the same
New England boiled dinner, topped on
with the same New England pumpkin
pie and sweet cider.
us this last night or tonight" he
| asked of the Iandlady as she beamed
across the table at him.
Its tonight, son." she replied and
am glad to see you looking better. l
really thought / might have to soak
your feet and give you a smartWeed
sweat. Just pitch right in and eat all
you can" al
The breakfast was exactly the same
as the morning before, and again Mr..
! Bowser would have kicked except for
the old patriot. He had started to
make a slurring remark about the eggs
in particular, when the o. P. rubbed
his hands and chuckled:
"Ah, but it does me good to be set
back to the days Of Yorktown again!
Washington had such a breakfast as
this before going out to receive the
! surrender Of CORVALLIS"
When it was made a matter of coun-
try and patriotism, Mr.. Bowser couldn't
kick, but he wasn't letting go of any
thing, just the same. If the third din
ner had anything New England about
it, the landlady would hear something
drop. The day waned, the wild goose
flew over with a 'honk, honk,'' and Mr..
Bowser reached his boarding house
with a vacuum to be filled. He shifted
oyster soup, porterhouse steak, ginger
bread and baked potatoes, or thought
he did; but, alas, when he sat down to
the table it was the New England boil
ed dinner owe again!
rs this going to be a steady thing?"
he asked of the landlady.
"This boiled dinner, my son, is No.
1880 without a break" she answered.
Then you'll excuse me if l vacate."
But surely, my son, you are in the
midst of home and friends. Would you
like some cold biscuits and calf's foot
jelly?"
I'D like to settle my bill and get
out" he replied as he rose up.
The landlady roseup with him. So
did the frozen patriots and -patriotesses
around the table.
MY son. must you go?" asked the
mother" with trembling voice.
You bet l must" replied Mr.. Bow
ser.
Then he Is a man who does not love
his country" said everybody in chorus.
And all sat down and left him go to
forth into the darkness of a cold world
and kick the hrst dog he came to. It
was his last experience, but when Mrs.
Bowser returned after her months
trip and asked him how he had en-
joyed his boarding house, he looked
her square in the ayes and replied:
Bang up. If / had my way about it.
we'd break up tomorrow and go board
ing"
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-03-24
HONEST ABE. U. S. M.
The Rural Mail Carries Gives Some
Private and Official Advice.

Copyright, 1901, by c. B. Lewis.)
The Widow Curtiss had asked me to
bring her out some tea, baking powder
and sugar, and as / handed them over
the gate to her the other day, along
with a postal card from her uncle in
New Hampshire, / noticed that she
had a yearning look on her face.
Pegs in your new shoes. Sally? %
said |, feeling free as a government of
fetal to call her by her first name.
mo, Abe, it isn't pegs" she replied
with a sigh. Il am bothered in my
mind, and I'm almost wonderin If
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-03-24
H C. o. D. MAN.
He Told How He Saved an Hefress 1t
Her Heart Was Another.s

Gopyright. 1901, by Y. B. Lewis.)
mo bookkeeping. no notes at the
bank, no dishonored checks" said the
c. O. D. mar as he jingled the coins In
his hand. Cant get a system in the
world to beat cash on delivery. You
know you've got the goods, and 1 know
I've got the cash. and there you are.
AS for romances in q tramp's life
well. I've had a few.
you know Pittsburg, maybe? That's
tho town where che Citizens Charitable
Relief Association expects . tramp to
carry two toas Of coal up four flights
q staira = earn : - cent hrsakfns<.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-03-24
One day two years ago I was sloshing

One day two years ago I was sloshing
around town on my own hook, with the
C. C. R. A. as a forlorn hope, when
happened to meet up with a socialist.
Knew him at first glance. His looks
betrayed envy and malice, and it was
easy to make out that he was dead
broke and down on everybody else
who had a nickel. I though from the
! bulge under his coat that he was car
| rying a pop, and as he was giving the
! house OF an iron prince a great deal Of
notice I made UP my mind to keep an
eye on him for a few minutes. Ten
minutes later a carriage drove up to
the gate, and a jimdandy of a girl
came out to go for a ride. She was
truly swagger and, overcome by my
admiration for the picture presented
as she came tripping down to the walk,
I took off my hat and bumped my
back and gave her Ench a bow that a
princess might have been honored by
it. She gave a start and a smile and
was opening her purse to me when |
bowed again and said:
can admirer of youth, grace and
beauty, not a mendicant. Princess, the
carriage waits
Il was putting on the lofty, you see.
I had my old clothes on, and l hadn't
encountered any washing for two or
three days, but a girl of 20 and an
heiress to three millions can tell a di-
lapidated gentleman from a vagabond
-dilapidated, dead broke and hungry,
but the old instincts of champagne
and broadcloth still strong, you
know.
""Then as a loan,' she almost en-
treated.
"tBut surely you might accept this
coin as souvenir
81 need no coin to remember the
fair looks says I, with another hump
of my back and a scrape of my foot,
and l was going to get off some more
of the same sort when the socialist
came showing up with a pistol in his
hand and took fair aim at her and
pulled the trigger. He was down on
her dad for having wealth, you know,
and as the dad wasn't handy he plan
ned to shoot the daughter. The ham
mer came down with a click, but the
cartridge didn't explode, and before
the fellow could wink twice he was on
his back in the street and l had his
gun. Just landed my left on his chin,
and he went down like chimney in
a gale. Of cours the girl tainted and
k%erf1opped. That was the proper thing
to do under the circumstances, and she
didn't miss her cue. The footman
came running, and / picked the I'M
conscious form up in my strong arms
and carried her into the mansion.
Here tramp, but what the devil
does this mean?' shouts the butler as
he opens the door.
"'Caitiff, away with thee and sum
mon the mother says I, as l turns into
the library and drops the girl on a
lounge.
"The mother arrived, the daughter came
out of her faint; and things were lively
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-03-24

rMy Son." h Said, "Come and Live
With Me-"
you've come home to mamma. If you
want a boiled dinner, a hasty pudding
DR. hulled corn, just tell me so any
time, and if there are socks to darn or
buttons to sew on don't fear to make
me trouble. Dear me. but you are the
very picture of Albert. That is, AL
bert would have looked just like you
If he had lived thirty years longer"
Mr.. Bowser didn't exactly like the
room. 1t had a colonial look. The
wall paper was off in spots, there was
a piece Of ceiling ready to fall on
the bed, and the furniture had evident
ny participated in the battle of Lex
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-03-24

sat next to him said that such a break
fast In the time of the pilgrim fathers
would have been declared fit for a gov
ernor. The landlady, too, observed
the frown on his face, and as he rose
from the table she followed him to the
door and solicitously said:
.fSon, you are yellow under the eyes,
and that's a sure sign of ~billiousness. !
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-03-24

ington. He also thought the landlady
was too good, hut he decided to try it
as a fourth and last experiment. He
appeared at dinner in a doubtful state
of mind, but an agreeable surprise
awaited him. 1t was an old fashioned
New Hampshire boiled dinner, with
Vermont cider on the side, and it was
served up in the old fashioned way Of
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-03-24

have made a couple of bones or an old
suit of clothes out of it if l had hung on,
or papa might nav been moved to offer
me a position as shipping clerk, but my
feelings wouldn't permit. Even a dilap-
dated gentleman has a certain dignity to
maintain
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-12-08
Dook Notes.

A book of short stories by Miss sue
Edwards. OF Floyd, Va. has just been
issued by the Abbey Press OF New York.
Tn. poal, is the first Of Miss Edway ds'-
productions and reflects great credit upon
her skill as writer Of short stories.
Especially strong is her story The
Reverend (?) Mr.. Sneak The book is
tastefully made and has for frontis-
piece 3 picture Of the young authorcss.
bernardo and Laurette'' is the title
of a beautiful book for children. written
by Marguerite Bouvet. and illustrated by
Miss Helen Maitlalil Armstrong The
story is that of two little children OF
the Abs. and the description of how
Bernardo developed his genius until his
cross was erected on the high altar OF
st. Pierre. before which all Of his child
hood friends knelt together, is one Of
sweetness and strength. The illustra-z
lions, which are numerous, are done with
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-12-08
P0STHUM0US FAME,

II &c said that when a monument was
.ected in T!dirburs TO Robert Burns. the
,other of the dead poet. still living III
,yertv, sadly exclaimed: "Ah, Robbie,
obbie, We asked them for bread. al
acy hae green ye a stane"' The story
like most such anecdotes, probably
ntr,uc; but it bears a moral. none the
IS. 1t is very well indeed to rear mon
incnts TO genius; but it is far better to
scognize that genius when recognition
i'll be of service Fame is an e&c"llent
hing: but bread is also good, and is
zen more necessary in some WAYS. Fad
,e admirers Of the Scotch i,oet contrib
ted to his comfort as well as to his
inc. he might have thanked them in
srson FOR their bounty, while We cannot
srtainly know that his spirit took cog
izance of their good intent
Burns was not Of course, The oily eX-
npIe of neglect during life and fame
tier death. Chatterton, the marvellous
by." dying of starvation in his garnet,
perhaps. the best-knoH-n instance;
1t there have been many others, and it
ems TO have been. a rale that a mans
tme should not fully come 10 him until
Fter death. There were exceptions to
lis rule, of course. Teanyson being per-
hDs the most notable; but even where
e exception prevailed, it was almost in
ariably the case that recognition came
the writer only after long struggle
nd waiting, even though ali his best
ork had been long done.
Cur observant readers may have no.
ced that we have thus far Used the
Rst tense in writing of The state OF
1ings which we deplore. We have done
OF malice p-epence; for This state Of
lfrlgs no longer e2;ists-tilat is, as a
HE. The rule and the exception have Of
tie years become reversed; an author,
/ the vast majority of cases, no longer
rs to wait until after his death for rec
gniton. Not only SO, but the workings
/ the ruie have altered. Ii is, as we
cIeve, far more generally the case at
resent that the author obtains iccogni-
on during his lifetime and IS forgotten
bon after his death. This is doubtless a
ettcr thing for the author; but it has 4
leaning. and this meaning is accentu-
ted by the further undeniahle fact that
.any writer's obtain a glowing fame for
day, only TO see it waae as quickly as
waxed ard themselves -elegated 10 OBJ
rurity while they are yet in The heyday
t their powers.
ii these things pc rue-and we could
uote as many examples as we have
pace 10 put them init is evident that
ne of two things is truc: either The work
1 The men OF tie present day lacks the
uahties which make for survival or to
e recognized during life necessarily I'M
lies to be forgotten after death The
after hypothesis may be dismissed at
nee. for the very good and sufficient rea-
on that, even If it be true, We -.not
3ossibly understand the wherefore OF its
ruth and therefore cannot reason con-
4erning ii. In any c; e, it would seem
hat the first of the theories is the one
20 which. we must turn for explanation of
The facts as We know them. 1t may