davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-24

kerchief out Of the pocket of his fur
lined 0vercoat and wiped away the
tears that rolled from his eyes.
"Ah. my boy" said the old gentleman
in broken tones, "he was the gem OF the
herd-the finest reindeer that ever
drew a sledge-"
Yes, sir" replied George politely.
He was interested. and he liked the lit
tie old man. with his round. red checked
face framed in snowy hair and beard.
and with heavy white eyebrows that
almost hid his sparkling eyes.
81 will take a seat beside you, young
sir. until recover from this grief" the
gentleman said. with old fashioned
courtesy.
Yes, sir" George replied. with great
ceremony.
ct see that you are interested. What
is your name. young sir? I've surely
had some previous acquaintance with
so well behaved a small boy"
George Sutton is my name" said
the little boy modestly.
"Oh. yes; now I place you-red house
on c street; chimneys not well cleaned
last Christmas; caused some damage
to toys and clothes. I trust. young
man, that your parents have had that
chimney cleaned recently?" the old
gentleman asked. with some anxiety.
"Oh, yes. sir; the man cleaned It last
week"
GLAD to hear It; glad to hear 1t. sir.
as believe am booked for a call there
on Christmas eve. Yes. as I was re-
marking. this is my beloved Dasher.
Last year decided to buy an automo-
bile TO replace my sleigh and reindeer.
Dasher. when he learned Of my inten-
ton, was a broken hearted animal. He
uined and died OF a broken heart. Door
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-24
*

Thank you" she answered. but 1
don't think We could quite manage a
tree
"oh. I'll get a boy to carry it home
for you
1T isn't that she hesitated.
Mamma thinks It would bother Miss
McGarvey." put in Connie.
"why?"
ooh. Miss McGarvey is almost al
ways sick. and
Here the mother quickly interrupted:
The lady Connie means has been good
enough to let us share her rooms with
her for short time till can find an
other home. and try to make her as
little trouble as possible"
Strelling understood. They had no
home.
Now, there's a great big house.
with plenty Of room for Christmas trees
my house. you know. Why not bring
the tree there and make all the noise
you like?"
at is very kind of you, sir. but II
don't think we can accept so much
why not?"
Your family might
Il haven't any family. I'm all alone.
and I just want to make two children
happy. 1t seems can't any way can
fix it,
tSuI II s $3.50 -
Can you keep house-that is. look
after servants?"
"Oh. yes
Come and keep mine. then. My
housekeeper is drunk up stairs. and
chaos reiSns.'
But the children
Bring them along. I don't mind
children. Come. we can buy that tree
and go right home with it."
Thank you; no. I couldn't tonight.
Miss McGarvey would worry. I will
come tomorrow"
$50 the children cannot have their
Christmas because OF Miss McGarvey.'
1T is not altogether that, but I must
insist on letting this walt till tomorrow.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-24

had never since cared enough for any
woman to marry her. People said he
was a woman hater, but they did not
understand the fineness and depth of
his nature. He was not bitter, but he
shrank from being wounded again in
the same spot.
AS he sat there at the solitary table
the face of his old love came up before
him. 1t was that OF a merry eyed. hap
py girl OF eighteen with ligh. brown
hair always blowing about her face in
little fuffs. And he could almost hear
her ringing laugh coming out from un-
der the vines on the porch.
Suddenly he heard his name called
"Hichardi"
He turned in surprise. No woman
called him Richard now. 1t was a wo-
mans voice. But no one was there.
Great Scott I suppose I dozed on
think 1 was asleep. Well. I must be
getting light in the head. I'll shake
myself out of this and 90 to the thea
a sign. To Let" Then the discom-
forts of a boarding house doomed up
before him in sickening array.
We'll. but what is to be done? It
seems there must be a feminine head
to a house. And where am I going
to get herr 1 suppose 1 ought to have
married. No. 1 oughtn't. What's more.
I won't"
Firm in this resolution. he paid his
check and went out. Every one was
carrying parcels and great punches OF
holly and Christmas trees. and they all
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-24

looked so eager TO get home the sight
grew quite maddening. Presently he
found himself trying to elbow through
a solid mass of humanity before a store
window. In il was a moving panorama
OF Santa Claus making his visits. laden
with gifts. on all sorts of roofs and
down all sorts OF chimneys-
Strelling was obliged to pause or
else walk over two children in front of
him.
Now. Dick. you must come" said a
small voice
Just a minute" piped out a still
smaller one. Say. do you think he's
going TO get down our chimney"
Il guess so. but you mustn't mind II
he doesn't You know mamma said he
was real poor this Christmas"
He amt either. Just see all those
things"
We'll. those are for some one else"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-24

til lunchtime. Then he ate his food IN
a Iistless way that caused his grandma
to eye him sharply.
Better send the boy out a bit this
afternoon, Susan said she to her
daughter.
II have no one to send Ted is need
ed for errands. and the servants are
all busy" Ted was Georges twelve
year-old brother.
But it happened just as lunch was
over that grandfather came stamping
in. shaking the snow off his coat and
hat and looking as red checked and
Jolly as Santa himself.
They gave him some lunch, although
he said that he had already partaken Of
food. and then grandma exclaimed:
THE very thing! Father can take
George out. He Will be another boy
after a brisk tramp through the frosty
air"
Why. to be sure I WILL" said grand
father. Run away. GeOrEie. and get
your wraDs 60"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-24

ing animal. yelIowish brown IN color.
with black markings near the eyes and
white rings near the hoofs. It had a
short white tail. The horns. rounded
where they sprang from the head.
spread out into beautiful palm shaped
branches. The animal resembled the
elk. near which its case was located.
but 1t was only about four and half
feet high-not much larger than an or
binary deer. The attendant had called
IT a Lapland reindeer.
George noticed an old gentleman
sauntering along looking into the cases.
AS he reached the reindeer he uttered
an exclamation of mild satisfaction.
Slowly the old man took a white hand
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-24

ling. feeling the note of pride in the an
swer. But IL seems the right of all
children TO have gifts at Christmas. and
I have none to give to. I would like to
ask you to let me add to this trife a
Christmas tree and the things to put on
II. 1 hope you will give me that pleas
ure"
He found himself speaking to the
poorly dressed little woman as though
she were an empress. Somehow her
soft voice and gentle dignity made him
think she ought to be. though her face
was quite indistinct under her veil in
the darkness
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-24

tears began to come thick and fast.
Now, Dick. mamma will feel aw-
fully sorry II you do that You are al
most a man, you know. Please don't
cry"
The five years OF manhood made q
heroic attempt at self control and dug
his red mitten industriously into his
eyes. whereat the little mother of nine
kissed him affectionately.
Now come along. Mamma Is wait
ing for US In the bakery. And, oh,
she'll think we're lost II we don't hur-
ry."
I'VE don't have to pay money just
to look, do we?"
mo; but we ought to 60"
Strelling. strangely interested, had
listened to every word. and several
times the tears had been very near his
eyes. AS they turned to go he bent
down and put q dollar in the girls
hand.
Buy something for the little chap
with it." he said in a low voice.
The child looked at him in surprise.
"Oh. II wouldn't dare to keep It.
Mamma wouldn't let me. Thank you.
sir"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-24

Tim lid If you
please, Mrs. Boardbill,
I'm getting rather tir-
ed OF hash with my
coffee and toast for
breakfast.
Mrs. Boardbill -All
right. I'll tell the girl
to give you nothing
hut coffee and toast
after this. - Chicago
News.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-24

the finishing touches on my Christmas
toys. Goodby, boy, and tell your re-
spected parents that I'm deeply obliged
for their thoughtfulness in having the
chimney cleaned"
Then Santa Claus, in his fur lined
overcoat, with the sprig OF holly in the
buttonhole, clapped his fur cap on his
head and hurried away just In time to
escape grandfather and the director OF
the museum, who came down the hall
from the opposite end.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-24
ShEewd.

''What made
you tell the jan
itor the temper
allure was just
right ?" said
Mrs. Wiley.
"B eca use 1
know the jani-
tors disposi-
tion," answer
ed her husband.
III we make
him believe we
are thoroughly
comfortable. he
w i'll hustle
around a n d
m axe thin gs
different -
w a S hin gton
Star.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-24

VIII you please
give me your
name and ad-
dress -
The small wo-
mans voice was
firm. and there
W a. nothin 6
more to be said.
He drew a card
from his pocket
and gave it to
her. She held It
near the light
to read 1t. Then
she gave a little
cry and stood
very still. look
ing at him.
~ o u 20 u
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-24

a pad mess OF
his happiness.
He was not a
man to care for
clubs or a sport
ing life. Every
o n e s aid he
ought to have
married. But ev-
cry one did not
know that he
had had his ro-
nance nearly hf-
teen years be-
fore. and that.
being possessed
OF h c "a r e
qualities OF con-
stancy and depth
of Affection. he
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-24

OF Tear. linen
the kindness OF
his voice en-
boldened her to
listen.
1T Is very
good Of you"
she stammered
out in her en-
barra S s m e n {.
MY little girl
may take the
money. and I
thank you very
much. But we
did not ask it,"
Certainly not.
I unders tand
that" quickly
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-24

HOW 10 YOU
know p"
Now see here.
Dick" said the
girl remonstrat-
ir ely. "if you go
wanting things
you'll m ak e
m a m m a cry,
cause If Santa
Claus dom {
bring them she
can't. She hasn't
any money"
Il don't care.
j want some
thing In my
stocking" And
the small voice
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-24
IULGTIpG ROWANCG OF ~ CITY :
He Had.

Colonel, the
fair grass wild
o W a s K e d,
"have you ever
had a dumb,
nameless dread
of something
that
Yes" he an
swered, leap
ing over a mu-
sic rack and
I b u S getting
out Of the cor
ner. but it's
gone now.
Chicago Rec
ord-Herald.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-24
Denial.

denial
care you the
defendant in
this case?"
mo. sir; I'm
only the man
who committed
the theft
n e W Y or k
World.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-24
Annoyed.

Annoyed.
&C h riley,
dear" s a / d
young Mrs. Tor
kins, isn't it a
pity that the
newspapers are
so much be-
hind time 2"
In what re-
spect?"
"Why, they
never print the
names of the
winner of q
horse race IN
til the day,
when IL is too
late to bet. -
W q S hin gton
Star.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-24

tneE won Z want
me. They'll be
blu sy m akin 6
plans for the
children. Now,
there are the
Blakelys. No:
they'll be busy
too. So Mr..
Strelling finally
came to the con
clu sion that
there wasn't a
place on earth
where a lonely
old bach eIor
was wanted on
Christmas eve.
1t was such a
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-24

look at those hoofs. See how they are
cleft in the center. When the deer sets
his feet on the snow. the parts Of the
hoof spread and support his body much
as the wide surfaces OF snowshoes sup
port the body Of q Canadian"
George nodded his appreciation OF
this fact.
THE reindeer's thick coat Of fur
changes color ut different seasons Of the
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-24

that a person with no one belonging to
him did not seem to have any excuse
for living.
AS he sat alone at the restaurant ia
BILE he found himself descending into a
regular vat OF the blues.
After all. what did his life mean?
Just toiling for money. And for whom
There was no relative he cared a pin
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-24
Happy Father.

Weary Willie - Oh,
papa. let us rejoice!
Your dear Willie has
come home to you at
Iast.-New York Jour
nal.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-24
Mr.. STRELLING'S CHRISTMAS BOX.
BY ALICE E. IVES.
COPYRIGHT, 1901. BY ALICE E. IVES.

for. And IL seemed all at once to be
borne upon him with most painful
SHARPNESS and force that he had made
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-24
Nature Stories

"a Y OW Dasher, now Dancer, now
81 Prancer and Vixen;
on Comet. Cupid. on Donder
and Bitten;
To the top Of the porch, to the top
Of the wall;
Now dash away, dash away. dash
away all"
One Of the presents left by the genial
saint the previous Christmas had been
a beautifully coIored book of verses
about Santa giving many interesting
biographical facts. including the poem
from which George had CLEANED the
foregoing lines.
Now that It was only few days until
Christmas. George was fired with en-
thusiasm to reread the book. Nobody
was about to help him, and George
was not able to cope with a book alone.
All the people who could read words of
more than two syllables were busy.
George glowered over the pictures IN
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-24

II NN3AA dining room on CHRIST
NNNN mas eve, he found
49, there was no dinner.
- 49, He was a rich bache-
81 Tor Of forty. living in
-" his own house and up
- to about two weeks
previous TO this time everything had run
like cIockwork in his comfortable es-
adjustment Then his hOusekeeper had
suddenly married. set up a home OF her
own and left him in the lurch.
There had been two housekeepers
since. and the present loud voiced in
cumbent was up stairs temporarily in
capacitated. owing TO a too close ac-
quaintance with Mr.. Streliing's wine.
The cook had left in disgust. and the
hOusemaid. in a bewildered condition,
had just informed the master OF this
chaotic household that there was no
dinner So Mr.. Strelling turned back
into the hall. dOnned his hat and over
coat and went out into the wintry night
10 search for a restaurant. II there
was one thing that Mr. Strelling did
dislike II was eating in restaurants.
III drop into the Heckets' and dine
with them" he thought. They always
make me welcome" Then he paused.
No. I won't. It's Christmas eve. and
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-24

eo0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0e
Woodruff County news., 1901-10-26
Nine -Year-Old Dope Fiend.

The Hot Springs authorities are very much puzzled as to what dispo- sition to make of a nine-year-old dope fiend who has been in the above city for a year or more This pre- oocious youngster is not only con frmed user of the 'dope," but of late has developed a suicidal ma mia. While working with the chain gang he butted his head against a stone wall but failed to secure the desired result. A repetition of the attempt was prevented by an officer. He declares that he will kill himself, and a very close watch has to be kept to prevent him carrying out his threat.
Woodruff County news., 1901-10-26
To Prepare a School Exhibit.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Doyne has sent out the following letter to the privte schools of the state
 'While our public school inter ests will be adequately represented at the St. Louis Exposition in 1903, our private schools must not be overlooked. I inclose a circular let ter which is being mailed. Will you not be in position to have an exhibit similar in character prepared for your institutions? In addition to this it would be of much interest if there could be furnished succinct history of the organization, prog ress, financial standing and present status of the institutions.
 "You will readily see that the preparation of an exhibit such as we expect to have will take much time and entail much labor, hence the en- deavor to enlist thus early the friends of our Arkansas schools. Please do me the kindness to let me hear from you as soon as convenient, with a favorable response"
Woodruff County news., 1901-10-26
NEWS OF ARKANSAS.
Plans of Organization.

Mai. Gen. w. H. Haynes, of the Arkansas state guard, has issued an order proposing plan for the reor- ganizing of the state militia, after quoting the act of congress ''to in- crease the permanent military estab- lishment." The commanding gen eral says:
 Each infantry company shall con- sist of one captain, one first lieuten- ant, one second lieutenant, one sergeant, one quartermaster ser geant, four sergeants, six corporals and forty-eight privates. Infantry companies having been authorized and directed to elect their own ofli- cers at time of organization should promptly take action accordingly, and report be so made to the adju- tant general, Little Rock, Ark, whereupon, after due notice, a mus tering officer shall be appointed by the commanding general of either the first or second division (accord- ing to the location of the company) to muster in and perfect the organi- zation of volunteer military com pany of the Arkansas state guard and reserve militia. Of the muster ing officers herein provided, the cap tains and ieutenants, on being com- missioned, and after signing the oath of officer, shall then be available for detail to muster in and perfect the organization of the respective com panies to which such officer shall be- long, or other companies, as may be authorized by law or regulations.
 The commission for the officers herein provided, the captains and heutenants not required for duty with the companies, viz, three cap tains, three first lieutenants and three second lieutenants, shall be properly considered by the division commanders, and recommendation made therefor when organizing their regiment and battalion, such recommendation to be forwarded through this headquarters to the governor and commander in chief.
Woodruff County news., 1901-10-26
Prospective River Improvements.

A member of the congressional river and harbor committee will make a personal inspection of the Arkansas River from Little Rock to Pine Bluff in November, and his re- port will have considerable to do with the amount appropriated by congress for improvements between these points.
Woodruff County news., 1901-10-26
Penitentiarv Board Enjoined.

Judge Martin in Pulaski chancery court granted permanent injunc- tion against the state penitentiary board restraining said board from terminating the contract with the Arkansas Brick Manufacturing Company for the lease of convicts.
 The decree in full is as follows:
 On this day comes the plaintiff, by its solicitors, Rose, Hemingway & Rose, and come the defendants. by George W. Murphy, attorney gen. eral, Morris M. Cohn, T. H. Hum phrey and Kirby & Carter, their so- licitors and by consent of parties, the plaintiff, by leave of court, doth file a substitute amendment to its complaint herein Thereupon the defendant, by leave of the court, upon their motion, strike out and withdraw the causes of demurrer in the demurrer heretofore filed and numbered 3, and 5, and announce that they decline to answer or plead further to the complaint, but elect to stand upon their said demurrer, as thus amended. And the cause is submitted to the court for its con- sideration and judgment, as upon final decree, upon the complaint, with its substituted amendment and the demurrer of the defendants, as amended. Thereupon, being well and sufficiently advised as to mat ters of fact and law arising herein, as shown by the complaint and con- fessed by the demurrer, the court doth order, adjudge and decree that the resolution passed by the board of commissioners for the manage ment of the state penitentiary of the state of Arkansas, on the 18th day of August, 1901, attempting to can- eel and annul the contract purport- ing to have been made by and be- tween the parties to this litigation, and filed as an exhibit to the com plaint, be, and the same is hereby cancelled and held for naught. That the defendants, Jefferson Davis, J. w. Crockett, T. c. Monroe, George w. Murphy and Frank Hill, as members of said board of commis- sioners, be, and they are hereby en- joined and restrained from in any manner canceling Or annulling said purported contract, without suffi- cient cause being shown therefor. That the defendants, E. T. McCon- nell, as superintendent and keeper of the Arkansas penitentiary, and M. D. l.. Cook, as financial agent of said penitentiary, be, and they are hereby enjoined and restrained from executing and carrying into effect the said resolution of the said board of commissioners, passed, as afore- said, and that they, together with the said members of the said board of commissioners, be, and they are hereby enjoined and restrained from refusing and failing to execute and carry out the terms of said purport- ed contract until its illegality or in- validity as contract shall be ad- judged and declared by some tribu- nal vested by law with jurisdiction and authority to be illegal or inva- lid. That the costs of this action shall be paid by the defendant, for which execution may issue. From which decree the defendants pray an appeal to the supreme court of Arkansas, which is granted. An eff fort is to be made to have the case advanced on the docket.
 l IoI