davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1902-12-25

any more than you can teach a hen to
play checkers Never mind, IN just lay
my kindlings on top of the trash and not
scold-Christmas is not the time for scold-
ing, anyhow-though when you've got to
live with a man it's best to take every
opportunity to teach him what's right"
As the fire began to crackle cheerfully,
she left it and went over to the old-fash-
Toned cupboard in the corner, reached
carefully to the top shelf and took down
a bundle.
I'll just take last peep at Josiah's
present." she said Il tell you, there was
a lot OF work in the knitting of that af-
CHAN, and if he doesn't give me those furs
he'll feel a good deal ashamed every time
he puts it over his knees in the buggy
this winter-and the furs are not In the
house, l know that, for I've been over
every square inch of it in hopes I'd ind
he'd hidden 'em somewhere" She had
unfolded a wonderful combination of col
ors in wool which would have made Jo-
seph's coat a somber garment by compari-
son, and looked at it with great admira-
ton. Then she carefully replaced it. Il
don't know as it's just necessary to keep
it away up there-he wouldn't see it II
it was right under his nose. Dear me, l
certainly smell something burning. l
wonder if it can be my cake il the oven,
l had almost forgotten it, with all these
other things on my mind.
"There comes Josiah now!" she cried
ten minutes later, as she heard the door
OF the sitting room open. "P1l stay out
here and see what he does. Well, surely
he must be pleased with the decorations
and the fire in the stove. 1t sounds as if
he was doing jig all over the room-and
him a protesting Christian, tool"
Five minutes later later she opened the
sitting room door and stood transfxed on
the threshold. "Why, Josiah Slickerby,
what on earth is the matter?' she
shrieked. "You are as black as a sweep
and your beard is all singed, and what is
that awful smell in here, and wwhat is
that you have in your hand!"
Its your new set of furs, that's what
it is" retorted Josiah, grrimly, "a good set
Of furs that cost lot of money, TOO, and
looking like cat that had been sitting on
a can of frecrackers when they went OFF,
But how on earth could"
81 had hid 'em in the stove, that's how!
YOU said you'd never make another fire in
il now we've got furnace, and | hid 'en
in it, SOS could surprise you for Christ
mas"
well, goodness knows, you have sur
prised met"
"Yes, and when came into this room il
was all full OF smoke, and flames were
bursting out of the stove door, it was so
full, and if hadn't kept my presence OF
mind and hunted out that old thing to
smother the flames with, the whole place
might have been burned" And he held
UP the afghan, which was scarcely in bet.
ter condition than the fursi
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1902-12-25

COV A THAT about getting through
\NN tonight, driver?"
wv Its all right, 1 guess.
Drifting some on the Lit
tie Cimarron, but that won't do mucn
damage"
Its 80 miles"
well, that amt much. This teams
good for it. Coin to start right off,
ma ann"
The anxious traveller returned to the
fire in the uninviting Office of the Mid
Continental hotel. She was brown
haired, cheery-faced, and evidently ac-
customed to looking out for herself. She
was bound for the Indian school at the
other end of the stage line-a position
awaited her.
"All aboard" called the driver, and
the passengers hurried into the three
seated carryall that served for a stage.
The woman sat beside John Carlin, the
the robes around her and remarked:
mighty poor day for pleasure ride"
Slightly" remarked his seat-mate,
smiling, "and you know what day it is?
Eyes, and We are likely to run over into
Christmas, for the roads may keep US out
until after midnight, ma'am."
Call me Miss Macon-Tm the new in
structor."
Better be prepared for whatever hap
pens, Miss Macon; this is tough stretch
OF country across the territory"
care the Indians bad" Her eyes grew
big and wondering.
whites are blamed sight worse than
redskins. We can handle Indians"
But some good men go west-very
good men!" The eyes grew softer as she
recalled memory OF the days back east.
"Yes; but, blame 'em, they don't stay
So"
The eyes flashed and she looked out over
the broad prairie, stretching away in
patches of brown and white to the far
horizon. Nor did she renew the converse
ton, and the handsome ranchman was
sorry.
The day wore on. They stopped at
cabin for lunch. They climbed long
slopes and toiled through sandy wastes
where in springtime would be rushing
rivers. They ratified down the declivi-
ties of ravines and more than once the
weary horses were stalled in the drifts
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1902-12-25

and wouldn't have known it from tele-
phone if she had She paused, with
her hands on her hips, to admire the re
suit of her labors. ''Yes, | guess | will
light fire in that stove. anyhow, 1t will
serve as text for more remarks about the
cold and few more hints as to how /
do need new set of furs this Christmas.
Josiah is a good man, but he is as close
when it comes to question of money as
q potato is to its skin
She was bustling about as she talked,
making her preparations to light fire in
the brilliantly polished stove. There, l
declare" she cried, as she opened the
door, If Josiah hasn't got this stove all
filed up with papers and trash, after all
my talking; it does seem as if you can't
teach a man 70 be careful about house
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1902-12-25

sunhowers standing on either side of the
read like sentinels, there was a shot fired
and cry of Halt" They halted.
Then happened what usually happens
when a masked group assaults the stage,
and in short time the Eve passengers
and the driver were standing in a lone
some row in the struggling moonlight.
Hands up!" and their arms were ex-
tended toward the stars. Miss Macon.
even in her terror, noticed that the con-
stellation of Orion was nearly overhead.
And then the chief of the robbers came
to her side.
Quick, ma am, what have you got?"
Something in the tone aroused her and
she looked anxiously into the half-masked
face of the handsome frontiersman who
Bent toward her. "In New England men
treat women with more courtesy" she re-
torted.
You're from New England! What are
you doing out here?"
I'm going to the agency-Im Miss Ma
con, the new"
The man stepped back as if he had been
struck by a mailed hand. He motioned to
his confederates to join him, but they did
not see his signal. With quick action of
iihpdticuCc uc swung lis III uCiOsS MS
face and the mask was for an instant dis
placed. Only for an instant, but it was
time for the bright moonlight to fall on
his clean-shaven features and for the
woman gazing intently at him to realize
that this was for her a time of fate.
She gathered herself together with an
effort that was worthy of a better cause,
and stepping closer to the bandit whis-
pered one word. He, startled, trembled
and obeyed her swift instructions to step
behind the wagon, leaving the others to
guard the four remaining passengers.
"Oh, Frank, how could your? she de-
manded, reaching up to the strong face
and lifting the mask. 1t, was one she knew
so well in the old days.
"Well, it amt right" he admitted,
shame-facedly But who cares"
Il care-everybody cares-your poor old
mother sitting alone in the little farm
house at Danvers, cares. You don't know
low much she cares-and Anna caresi"
The man brushed his arm across his
face as if his eyes hurt him. YES, l sup
pose it's so. But things got mighty tough
Il had to do something. It's the first
time. What can | do now?"
go home, Frank" went on the wom-
ans low voice. go home to your moth
er, and help her run the farm. Be man
again"
And Anna-your sister,
Frank, she has grieved for you all this
time-she wants you now.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1902-12-25

that had been heaped among the dead
sunhowers and ragweeds in the draws. 1t
was a tmesome, cherries journey, and the
five passengers kept mostly their own im-
pressions of its discomforts.
In the late afternoon Miss Macon broke
the silence, taking up the thread OF the
mornings discussion: IAN old friend OF
mine is in the west-he was daring
fellow, but brave one"
.Then he is fitted for the west. Such
men are its pride-if they have the right
ways" He added the attertnought ana
noticed that she started and studied him
keenly. as if to be certain that ne meant
nothing of direct application. There is
more than one kind OF bravery" he went
on. more to keep up the conversation than
because the thought was original.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1902-12-25
SR37S0 yzl s
HXHsl A CHRISTMAS HOLD-UP
fsTr1IEX =
AE)2z5a
BY
CHARLES MoREAU HA-GER

\NN tonight, driver?"
wv Its all right, 1 guess.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1902-12-25
A Similar Experience.

Reeder docking up from his newspaper)
Great Scott! Here is a yarn about a
man who spent night in pit with a
Bengal tiger. Just imagine how he must
have suffered!
Hennypeck-I can easily do that-l
know all about it. For two weeks before
the holidays l was obliged to face the uni
ted demands of my wife and seven grown
daughters for Christmas money.-Judge.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1902-12-25

She did not answer, and the stage hur-
ried on through the gathering darkness.
Once there was a coyote yell in the dis
lance, and Carlin felt glow of salts
faction as the graceful form beside him
leaned closer to his ulster, as if for pro-
lection.
Suddenly, as they went rafting down a
slope, the horses on the canter, the dead
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1902-12-25
All Provided For.

Clara arranging the Christmas pres
ents)-We'n put mammals pearl neck.
lace here.
Dora-And MabeFs diamond earrings
here.
Cora-And Georges gold watch here.
Dora-And Fdth's diamond bracelets
what shall we do with them?
Clara-Lay them ON the piano alongsidl
of papa's Christmas card.-N. Y. Weekly
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1902-12-25
A Christmas
Comedy of Errors
Ey ELISA ARMSTRONG BENG0UGH.
OONNHERE, now, we are all ready

90 TN HERE, now, we are all ready
for Christmas" said Mrs.
II Slickerby, as she climbed stiff
ly down from the chair on
which she had been standing to deck the
chandelier with holly. How surprised
Josiah will be when he comes in, cold and
tired, to find the place looking so like
holiday times. / declare, have good
mind to make a fire in the stove just to
please him; he kept asking for it SO long
though, come to think of it, he hasn't
mentioned it lately, though l always told
him it only made dirt for me to clean
up and the furnace heated the whole
place anyhow. He said his mother used
to have a nice fire in the stove when they
came in evenings. OF course, she did; his
mother never saw furnace in her life,
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1902-12-25
Economy of Labor.

"He is one of the most resourceful lazy
men | ever knew"
"Why do you say that!'
Because, instead of writing out his
good resolutions, he cut the page for JAN
uary /, 1902, from his old diary and pasted
it in under 1903 Chicago Post.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1902-12-25
The Genuine Article.

He-Darling, love you!
She-And have you never told other
girls the sames
He-Well-er-yes; but not SO near
Christmas.-Puck.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1902-12-25
A sight for the Gods.

The girl you'd give the world to wiz.
To show you how she holds you dear.
Now fondiy ties beneath your chin
A necktie you can never xsar.
IN. I. World
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1902-12-25
Holiday Sacrifices.

Oh, Christmas tide, thy discipline quite
moves my soul to weep;
We give away such lovely things we maSay
yearn to keep.
Chicago Record.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1902-12-25
Pheasant Prospect Ahead.

IT'S Christmas eve. Oh, gentle sleep,
Ger Johnnie's parents softly creep,
And wrap them in siumber deep;
For early in the morn will come
The sound of Johnnie's Christmas drum.
Harlem Life.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1902-06-27
TOWNsHEND.

Republican caucus at the town hall
Wednesday afternoon.
The grange with their families en-
ioyed a strawberry eat at the town
hall Wednesday night.
Children's day was observed in the
Congregational church Sunday morn
ing at the usual time for service. The
exercises consisted of music, speaking
by the children and talk to the young
people by Rev. M. F. Hardy.
We learn with regret that Mr.. and
Mrs. Edgecomb will not be here to
carry on the work of the seminary the
coming year. Mr.. Edgecomb has Sc
cured good position in Derby, Vt,
where he will have our best wishes
for his prosperity.
Bert Pierce is in town. MIR. and
Mrs. A. A. Mason have gone to Fair
lee, VT, for a visit. They were ac-
companied by Mr.. and Mrs Albert
Mason. -Abbie Follett is home from
her school in Weston. Fred Martin
and family spent Sunday at NJ. M.
Martin S. Will Willard and wife are
visiting at his mothers Albert Ma
son and wife are at A. A. Mason S. -
L. c. MacGibbon, wife and infant son
of Hartford, Conn, came Tuesday
night for few weeks stay at G. c.
Gculd's.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1902-06-27
WESTMINSTER.

Miss Mary Parsons re turned to
Northampton, Mass. Tuesday. Mrs.
George Hall is visiting in Burlington.
Mrs. Olive Walker of Cavendish and
Mrs. Charles Wheeler of Bellows Falls
have been at Miss Mary Tenny's for
several days. Miss Eta Hobert of
Townshend spent Monday and Tuesday
with Mrs. James Fem. Mrs. DR.. Hall
of Greenville, n. H., is a guest at
Mrs. l.. S. Pierce's. - Miss Nellie
Wright of Somervlle is expected Fri
day for her summer vacation. Mr.. and
Mrs. Harry Hill and children of Texas
are visiting at d. \. Hills, Mr.. and
Mrs. Whitney and daughter of Boston
visited Tuesday at G. II. Walkers. --
Miss Grace Darling is expected Thurs
day from Adams, Mass. Austin Rich
ardson returns Saturday to Ann Arbor,
Mich. - Mrs. Edwin Narcotic and
daughter of Concord, n. H., are visit
ing her sister, Mrs Michael Dunn. -
Miss Bernice Bundy of Alstead is with
Mrs. Robert Miller. Miss Bertha Mil
Ter was in town Tuesday on he' way
home from Boston. Charles Rideout
has gone to Gardner. Mass. for hospi-
tai treatment. His daughter, Miss Liz
zie, who is a professional nurse will
remain with him for short time. -
Dudley Prescott arrived Saturday for
the summer at 7. A. Nichols. Miss
Kate Grout of Saxton's River is with
her sister, Mrs. Mary Jennison. Mrs.
Ned Pierce of Bellows Falls spent
Tuesday with Mrs. Henry Bond. Mrs.
L. a. Pierce read a paper on the jun
ior work at the convention at Putney
yesterday Miss Carrie Miller is
spending the week at Bellows Falls. - !
Henry Ranney of Westminster West is /
at his aunt's Mrs. G. II, Walkers. $780,
Mrs. Martha Smith spent the past week |
at Walpole with her daughter, Mrs.
Spaulding. Mrs. Alvin Wright spent
a few days at Putney with her father
last week. Miss Cora Atcherson leaves
July s for Bethlehem, n. H., where
she has a position at the Uplands. -
Dana Miller and friend of Chester
spent Sunday at James Miller's. Mrs
Gibson of Ludlow is at the Girls
n ONE
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1902-06-27
WINDSOR COUNTY EVENTS.
CHESTER.
The village schools closed Friday

The village schools closed Friday.
/ DR.. Prescott is dangerously i'll at
Hotel Fullerton, but at the present
writing there is hope of his recovery.
Miss Ethel Clark of Mount Holly and
Miss Hatch of Panton were in town to
attend graduation exercises last week.
Mrs. Sherwin and Mrs. Clayton have
resigned and new teachers must be Sc
cured for the grammar and informed
late schools.
The alumni banquet at Hotel Fuller
ton was we'll attended and will it is
hoped become permanent part of the
exercises at each graduation week.
The school board are contemplating
a change in the courses of study in the
high school and it is expected that a
practical business course will be given
our young people who wish to fit them
selves for work requiring that kind of
training. The new catalogues will be
out about the first of August.
The graduating exercises of the High
school Friday were of a high order and
the class acquitted themselves very
creditably. The concert in the evening
was one of the finest heard here in
some years and the hall was crowded.
Mr.. Prior and Miss Dunbar have been
re-engaged and we may expect to see
steady progress in our high school
during the coming year.
The grammar school graduation ex-
ercises were held in W. r. c. hall
Thursday afternoon The essays were
exceptionally good and the large au
dience was pie ised to the extent of
complimenting the graduates, 10 in
number, upon the excellence of their
work. The class prophecy b. Belle
barrow was well written and amusing
and showed an imaginative mind with
happy manner of expression. In the
evening a reception was given by the
graduating class to their schoolmates
mad friends.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1902-06-27
MARLBORO.

The farmers are commencing haying
Some think the crop will be light
A. NJ. Prouty has sold the farm
known as the Whittemore farm to a
Mr.. White.
The school on the Branch taught by
Miss Morse closed June 20, with pic
mic in the afternoon. The one at the
Four Corners closed the same day with
an entertainment in the evening by the
pupils, assisted by some Others. After
the exercises refreshments were served.
All who attended report good time.
Mr.. and Mrs. S. B. Winchester of
Holyoke came Monday for few days
stay at the Poplars. - Miss Nellie
Prouty has closed her school in Will
mington and is at home with her pa
rents Maud Stancliff of Bernardston,
Mass, is visiting her cousin, Lottie
Thomas. Mrs. H. NJ Adams is visit
ing in town. Mrs. Jerry is visiting
her mother, Mrs. Henry Adams
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1902-06-27
WEST DOVER.

Our school closes this week after a
successful term.
Mrs. Lydia Lazelle has sold her vii
lage home in East Dover to Lorenzo
Howe.
". i. Parsons has sold tract of
land on the Wilmington road to John
Barrett.
Z. H. Jones, Emery Howard and c.
E. Mann were chosen delegates to at
tend the county convention at New
fame.
Martha Jones who has been sick
the past two weeks is gaining. Mrs.
George Adams is on the sick list, also
W. Frank Jones Miss Nora Hall is
suffering from rheumatism.
". H. Mann and wife have been Wis
iting Mrs. Mann's mother at Jamaica.
w. L. Upton and wife have been for
a carriage drive in Massachusetts, o.
III. Jones and family visited at his
fathers, ". f. Jones', Sundays. j.
johnson and wife are visiting in Brat
tleboro. Frank johnson of Whining
ton was in town Sunday. Mrs. NJ. j.
Harris has been spending a few days
in Wilmington. Mrs. Hester Davis is
visiting in Wilmington. Will Clark OF
Jacksonville was in town one day last
week.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1902-06-27
WILLIAMSvILLE.

Good crowds are attending the
Winn's minstrel shows held every
night this week.
Webster Merrifield, formerly of this
place now of Grand Forks, North Da-
kota, and Mrs. Lizzie Buel of New
burgh, n. u, were married at the
home of the latter Thursday afternoon.
Mr.. and Mrs. Merrfield will sail from
New York Saturday on the steamer
kroonland for European trip of two
months.
DR.. Everett White of Lynn, Mass. :,
is visiting his brother, DIR. p. p.
White Miss Bertha Dodge of the
CHAMPAIGN college, Illinois, is spend
ing her vacation with her mother, Mrs.
f. r. Willard She attended Tufts
college commencement on her way
home. Miss Edna Marcy of Brattle-
boro is at ID. ID. Dickinson's for the
summer. -Rollin White of Brattleboro
is spending some time with his grand
Mr.. and Mrs. Nathan Perry
j. A. Young has returned after sew
eral months spent at his home at Chill
howee, Mo. Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Dex-
ter of Philadelphia have arrived at
South Newfane for the summer. Wal
ter Wheeler and Hastings Williams at
tended commencement at Goddard SEM
mary this week. Miss Lula Horton of
Brattleboro is the guest of her cousin,
Mrs. Elvin Richardson. Mrs. George
Dickinson is visiting in Dummerston.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1902-06-27
ROCKINGHAM.

a daughter was born Monday to Mr.
and Mrs James Wooley.
Miss Katherine O'Brien is attending
the commencement exercises at Castle
ton.
Mrs. Rebecca Webster of Randolph
is boarding with her sister, Mrs. L. c.
Lowell.
Miss Marjorie Baker closed a very
successful term of school Friday. She
went Saturday to spend a week with
friends in Cuttingsyille, and will then
go to her home in Marlboro, Mass.
AT the last meeting of Pleasant Val
ley grange, June II, the young people
presented the play. Handicapped, "
for the literary entertainment, which
was very much enjoyed by the large
number present.
Annie Benson is sick with the mea-
sizes and is the recipient of much sym
pathy, because she was unable to at
tend the graduating exercises of the
Bellows Falls High school class of
1902, of which class she is member.
Mr.. and Mrs. II. P Farr of Putney
visited at G.. G. Stowell's last week. -
Mrs. Abigail French of Acworth, n.
H., Mrs. Small of Claremont. n. H..
and MIR. and Mrs. Flagg and little
daughter of Bellows Falls spent Sun
day with Mr.. and Mrs. Ernest Wright
Bert Proctor and wife of Springfield
spent Sunday at j. B. Divoll's.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1902-06-27
JACKSONVILLE.

D. NJ Canedy will give an Independ-
ence ball July 3.
a. George a. Allen and wife of West
hartford, were called here Wednesday
on account of the sudden death of his
mother.
. Mrs. f. S. Allen died Tuesday after
several months of poor health. from kid
ney and heart trouble. the end coming
very suddenly: as she was up and
dressed in the morning. Funeral Fri
day, Rev. Mr.. Potter of Shelburne
Falls attending.
There was a large number present at
the grange meeting Tuesday. After the
selections and discussion of the subject
"Should Farmers Employ So Much
Foreign Help" all were served with
ice cream and cake by the committee.
Visitors were present from Victory
grange, Wilmington.
Mrs Cecil Head of Brattleboro is
visiting at her parents, Mr. and Mrs.
Wales Cheney D. NJ. Canedy and
Mr.. Wheeler of Rutland have been
among the farmers this week in the in
terest of certain farm machinery. Mrs.
F. L. Reed and children of Easthamp-
ton are stopping with her parents. =
James Wiley and wife of Buckland,
Mass, are visiting his brother, A. W.
Wiley. Dogs came near destroying
very valuable cosset sheep for Mrs. II.
G.. Porter last week. - Mrs. Henry
Gates is improving slowly.