davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1902-11-28

but spend the night in Richmond with
the new-found uncle, and such fun 1t
was to stay at hotel!
Early in the morning Billy Dick
and his great-uncle took the train for
Norfolk, and soon the engine was
putting into the station.
And-O, joy! there was Dad anx-
iously peering through the window for
his boy. He had jumped on the train
before it stopped and had Billy Dick
in his arms.
In fact, Billy Dick forgot all about
his new-found uncle, for his father
was so glad to see him safe and sound.
II must telegraph your mother at
once, Billy Dick" said his father. "She
has been almost worried to death
about you when could not telegraph
her that you had arrived"
But great uncle Howell telegraphed
didn't your" asked Billy Dick, turn
ing to the old gentleman, who was
greeting some friends.
"Who?" asked Capt. Morton.
Why" began Billy Dick, and as he
noticed that his father didn't shake
hands with the old gentleman, and
that the old gentleman apparently
didn't know his father, he introduced
them.
This is my father; don't you re-
member him?" he said.
Your father!" exclaimed the old
gentleman. Your father is my
nephew, William Walters"
There surely was some mistake
somewhere, or was he dreaming?
Aren't you Billy Waters, William
Walton Waters?" asked the old gen.
tleman.
81 am Milton Montgomery Morton.
SIR" said Billy Dick.
You said your name was Billy"
said the old man.
Billy Dick" explained Capt. Nor
ton. He's always been called that
because"
Then the old gentleman began to
laugh. and Billy Dick laughed, too, as
did Captain Morton and the other
friends that came up. And the whole
thing was explained when one lady
said: why, Billy Waters mother tele-
graphed that he was sick and couldn't
come"
"And-and the telegram" gasped
BiIly Dick.
Went to Billy Waters mother
with your love in it," laughed the old
gentleman. "She must have been sur
prised to get il with her own Billy
right at home!"
Billy Dicks own mother was noti-
fed at once. and his great uncle
howell" helped him and his father to
eat the goodies she had packed in the
bag.
The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1902-11-28

would go in after him, but he quickly
stopped her.
mo, no, widow, for Gods sake, go
back. You'll mire yourself an both OF
usll be lost"
81 have it," said the widow, quickly
taking in all the surroundings. Have
patience, Mr.. Unison, and do not
struggle, or you will sink faster" then
adding under her breath: Il must do
it; there's no time to get help; be-
sides, nobody can see me-"
The big lower limb of sycamore
tree stretched out over and beyond
him, but out of his reach, and her
thought was, that if she could elm
out on the limb, her weight would
bend it down SO that he could seize
hold of it, and either draw himself
out or hold on to it until she could
procure other aid.
She climbed the tree and reached
Gus bruises and scratches, which, how
ever, she did not heed. Then resting
q moment, she stretched her body out
along the branch and began to crawl
slowly toward Unison, who soon I'M
derstood what she intended to do.
Widow" he cried imploringly,
you'll fall off an be lost. Never
mind me, widow, | amt Of no account;
I'm in my last hole, an it's jest as
well. For Gods sake, widow, go
back; don't resk your life for mel"
BE still, poor man." said the wom-
an, crawling slowly along, her arms
and legs clasped around the limb. 1t
began to bend with her weight at
last, but she still kept on, almost fall
ing off, for the limb was growing
smaller and she could not grip it tight.
She flattened her body down upon 1t
like a worm crawling on a quivering
twig, all the time telling Jimson to
cheer up and she would save him. The
limb bent lower and lower still, until
Unison had a tiny branch in his grasp.
Now, hold on tight" the widow
commanded, land keep still. am go
ing back, and when my weight is off
the limb it will spring up and pull you
out"
So saying, she began to crawl back
ward cautiously. lest a single slip
should throw her Off her balance and
her efforts prove in vain. The broken.
jagged twigs and branches caught her
dress and pierced her flesh. but with
resistless force she bore her whole
weight backward against them and
tore herself free, reaching the trunk
in safety. whence she dropped painting
to the ground.
Unison worked The sticky earth and
sand into the consistency Of cruel, by
turning and twisting. until finally the
downward suction ceased and the up
The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1902-11-28

Morton's sweet voice was trembling.
Billy Dick could not stand it-he and
Flopsy had to go out on the piazza to
think it over.
20, Flopsy, Flopsy," said Billy Dick,
burying his head in Flopsy's ears. I'm
glad you don't know what Thanksgiv-
ing is like, and visit to pops at the
yard, for you can't be disappointed.
feel-Jiminy Ann, there's something
the matter with my eyes, and I've got
a kind of pain somewhere in my
stomach, l guess, and"
The door opened and Mrs. Morton
came briskly out. 81 have it, Billy
Dick, have another plan. We mustn't
disappoint your father entirely. You
and the goodies shall go to Norfolk,
while Rosy Posy and l stay at home
and receive Uncle Jack and Aunt Dot.
Could you go alone?"
Billy Dick began to grow tall. He
felt on a level with his pretty moth
er's shoulder as he answered.
"Why, of course. That would be
jolly, except for you and Rosy Posy."
So Billy Dick started that afternoon,
with a dollar in his pocket, and his
ticket carefully slowed away in an in
side pocket. 1t was a three hours
journey, and he had to change cars
twice.
AS he stepped off the train little
old man with white hair and jolly
smile came up to him.
"Well, well, WELL" he said, how you
have grown, This is Billy, isn't 1t?
Yes? Well, declare-come right
along with me. The train is late, and
we'd better get some supper here"
Billy Dick wasn't quite sure who
the old gentleman was, but as he
seemed familiar with him, why of
course it was all right. 1t would not
be polite to ask him who he was. and
a Morton is always polite. you know.
Probably 1t was great-uncle Howell
whom he had seen years ago. Yes, IL
must be, thought Billy Dick, though he
did not know that he lived in Rich
mond.
So the two went of together across
the street and round the corner to a
hotel
Billy Dick had never been in no
tel before, and before he was hal;
through supper he made up his mind
that as soon as he was big enough he
would persuade the family to come
there-it was so nice to have hundreds
OF thirgs to eat all written out so
you might choose IS many as you
wanted.
The two sat there. the very old man
and the little boy having the best Of
times. Billy Dick told the new-found
great-uncle all about home and Rosy
The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1902-11-28
po,v and Flopsy and Miss Elsie. who

Posy and Flopsy and Miss Elsie. who
was his Sunday school teacher and his
very best girl, and the fun he and
Flopsy had last year earning their
Christmas from Mr.. Minders. And the
old gentleman laughed and enjoyed
the Jokes, and in turn told Billy Dick
what he did years and years ago when
he was a boy.
So the time passed sway quickly.
till word was brought to them that
there had been a wreck on the road
and that no train could run through to
Norfolk that night.
But | must CO." said Billy Dick.
MY father is waiting for me. I'll
give them a dollar If they can let me
through"
A dollar was large sum to Billy
Dick, and as it was all he had 1t was
valuable offer.
The colored waiter showed his teeth
pleasantly. "Sho', dey ain gwine lef
chen de pres dent troo," he said. "Sor-
ry, sah."
Billy Dick looked frightened. But
but" he said, my father was to meet
me and telegraph to mother that got
here all right, and mother'll be so
worried. And father says it is coward
ly to worry lady"
"Well, well, it is too bad" said the
old gentleman. Your father won't
worry because he knows l am here,
and we'll telegraph to your mother II
you like"
So Billy Dick ate the rest Of the
supper, convinced that small boy
couldn't do much to clear the railroad
If they would not even do it for the
president himself.
After the ice cream was finished,
they went to the telegraph Office and
sent the telegram.
Can you give mother my love?"
asked Billy Dick.
The old gentleman chuckled and
nodded.
Then there was nothing else to do
The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1902-11-28

ward spring of the tree branch began
to draw him up and out. Then, climb
ing hand over hand along the limb as
1t bent back to it's normal position,
the woman encouraging him all the
way, he finally reached safety, and,
dropping from the limb to the ground,
broke his leg and fell unconscious.
When he recovered his senses he
was lying on a couch in the Widows
little parlor, the widow herself bend
ing over him with bowl Of steaming
tea which she made him drink.
81 must go home, widow" said jim
son trying to stand up and walk, but
falling to the floor. groaning with
pain. Lifting him back upon the
couch. the widow babe him lie still
while she went for the doctor.
Hmm, very bad case" re-
marked the doctor after an examina-
ton of the fractured member.
Crushed, twisted and broken. How
did it happen?"
When put in possession of the facts,
the doctor burst out into roar OF
laughter. What a sight! What a
sight" he exclaimed as soon as he
recovered his breath.
"What do you mean?" demanded the
widow, bridling up.
"Why, your crawling out on that
limb and crawfishing back again" the
imaginative doctor again broke out
into fit of laughter, which was sud
denly checked by sound box on the
ear administered by the angry wom-
an.
you're here to fix this poor mans
leg, not to insult a woman!" she
snapped out with fire in her eyes.
Widow, | beg your pardon" said
the doctor humbly as he turned to his
patient.
1T will be six weeks before he can
crawl about on crutches, and two
months before he can attempt to
walk" was the fiat when the opera
ton had been completed.
six weeks? Two months?"
groaned Unison. 'Le'me go home.
must go home" and he attempted to
rise, compelling the doctor to hold
him down on his back.
But the cow, widow, must git the
cow" said he plaintively.
Never mind the COW, Mr.. Unison,
said the widow; let it go to Halifax.
You've got to lie still for six weeks or
two months. III take care of you"
And she did take care of him, pull
ing him through until he was able to
walk.
Not long afterward, about ten days
before Thanksgiving day, the widows
little house was burned to the ground,
all she had in the worl1 being con-
sumed with it. When the bucket bri'
gade finished fighting the fiery demon,
the latter had the best of it-there was
nothing left but the widow-yes, there
was the hencoop, but that was not a
The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1902-11-28
he did see was the town messenger

he did see was the town messenger
waving telegram.
For me?" asked Billy expectantly.
"Naw!" cried the boy. tits fer yer
mother. Sign fer II"
Billy Dick laboriously signed his full
rame on the blank, and he and Flopsy
ran in with the telegram. Mrs. Nor
ton was busy in the dining room care
fully packing valise with Thanksgiv-
ing goodies, pies and cake and jellies.
"A telegram, mother" cried Billy
Dick, 'for YOU"
"Oh, Billy Dick!" was all she could
say, for kilograms came so seldom that
they always frightened her.
"It's-it's probably from Mrs. Walk
err" suggested Billy Dick in his reas-
surfing manner. open it and see."
Mrs. Walker is in Turkey" laughed
Mrs. Norton at his comfort.
Billy Dick tore the envelope open
and Mrs. Morton read the telegram
aloud:
ION way East. Arrive Thanksgiv-
ing 10 a. m. John and Dorothy"
"GOOQneSS! cTleQ Billy LICK.
Uncle Jack and Aunt Dot to visit us!"
and he capered around the table.
"Yes, 1t is nice" said Mrs. Morton,
but, Billy Dick, they're to arrive
Thanksgiving day, and that means our
other plans are spoiled"
Billy Dick hadn't thought of that,
that certainly wasn't pleasant, for the
expedition they had planned was to go
down to Norfolk, for the father, who
was in the navy, was unable to leave
the yard to come home for the holiday.
And such a cooking time as they had
had. Capt. Morton had written that the
food there was poor, and If they came
down to bring some "frills," and it was
the "frills" that Mrs. Morton was now
packing in the bag.
"And-it busts our plans?" echoed
Billy Dick. 20 mother!"
1--WE must stay at home, Billy Dick,
and disappoint your father, too" Mrs.
The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1902-11-28

with even simple furnishings, took all
her avails and compelled her to look
around for the wherewith to satisfy
the cravings and clamors Of her phys
ical nature, for she was jolly and
weighty specimen of widowkind. AS
the doctor frequently said of her:
1.-The widow Amesy is a good'sized
chunk of woman; able to take care
of herself and stand on her rights.
For some inscrutable reason the
widow had set herself up as the cham
pion of the weak-men, women OF
children, there was no difference 10
her-even in the case of helpless
bird or dog, she would rufIie up as II
she had the feathers of a motherly
hen guarding her brood from the at
tacks of a ravenous hawk, and stay
the injurious hand. To the sick and
suffering she was kindness persona
fed, and her gentle disposition COM
bined with her physical strength and
the knowledge of how to use 1t
brought her into constant demand as
a skillful nurse. Everybody knew her,
respected her and had reason to be
grateful to her for services performed
at some period or other, and was
ready to fight for her if the occasion
required war on her behalf.
There was once a faint breath of
scandal, but the doctor dissipated it in
the most startlingly vigorous manner,
and after that, neither it nor any
other ill-wind blew in her direction.
eff that woman isn't saint, she's
next door to being one" was his
wind-up when he told the story.
MIR. Adoniram Unison was the in
dividual in question. A 'ne'er do well, I"
but he took care of the widows COW
and calf, looked after her chickens
and ducks as a labor of love, and to
reciprocate many of her little surrep-
titious acts of kindness in the shape
of fresh baked bread, an occasional
roast chicken or luXuriant pie, that
found its way into his scant pantry.
He accepted and ate everything he
found there in a perfunctoTy manner,
somewhat after the style OF the raven
fed prophet, or rather like the hog
under the oak. that roots up and de-
YOURS the succulent nuts without ever
looking up to see whence they come.
It SO happened. late one evening,
that Mr.. Jimson started after the
widows COW and calf that had been
wandering among the brush ell day
for pasture. and had apparently for
gotten the way home. 1t had been
raining steadily for forty-eight hours,
and the numerous sloughs. riverbeds
and buffalo wallows were so saturated
with water that II meant death to fall
into any Of them because Of the bot
tomless quicksands mixed with mirey
The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1902-11-28

clay, which drew their prey down into
the depths without hope of extrication
Naturally careless and reckless, Mr.
Unison plunged into quagmire, and
when he felt himself sinking, he
shouted for help. Fortunately the
widow heard his cries and rushed to
the rescue.
What in the world are you doing in
there, Mr.. Jimson?" she inquired after
locating him N the semi-darkness.
1.-THE COWS, widow; l started after
them and forgot the slough in goin'
cross lots"
"Wait, Mr.. Jimson, and l will pull
you out" and she made as If she
The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1902-11-28
[By Charles H. Robinson.]
It was all on account of the Widow

Amesy.
During the lifetime of her lord and
master Mrs. Amesy was nothing but
an atom furrying around on the edge
of the social whirlwind, but, as wild
ow with a tidy bit of money left her
by the lamented departed-that was
another matter. Then. the storm GEN.
Ser sought to draw her in and squeeze
the money out of her. Being a wise
woman, she resisted the pressure and
invested her windfall in a little cot
.age, which possessed three rooms be-
low and two more in the attic. This,
The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1902-11-28
BILLY'S THANKSGIVING UNCLE.

Thanksgiving coming again, Flop
sy," said Billy Dick. But I forgot
you don't know Thanksgiving, do you?
You were only tho ragman's dog then.
You ought to have been here-why, do
The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1902-11-28

you know what did last Year, An
auto and | ran away together. And |
remembered, of course. that a boy
whose name is Milton Montgomery
Norton can't disobey. so we-Jiminy
Ami What do you suppose is the
matter7"
Flopsy's tail wagged knowingly, but
he didn't answer. He was either jeal-
Gus Of this Jimmy Ann" whom he
had never seen. but to whom Billy
Dick often talked in this way. What
The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1902-11-28

fit habitation for her. although she
thought she might fix it up and get
along all right until she could afford
to build some sort of shanty to pro-
tect her from the inclement weather.
She refused all offers Of aid, but
Squire Hobbs laid down the law and
she was compelled to yield.
"You will go over to my house and
stay there until we have built you an
other house." said he with a deter
mination that overcame her resistance.
Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-02-04

his election, and as he was a personal
friend of Brougham's 1t was natural
that he and his followers should buy
up all the orchestra seats in the house
for the opening night, as they did.
Il was in the cast, and SC was Jack
Study, but if anybody else in the COM
pany is now alive | don't remember
who it is. l played the part of big
Indian who first appeared on the stage
as a messenger bringing dispatches
from Washington.
"Just as | came on a discussion that
cited Fenians developed into quarrel.
The house was already disturbed and
there was every prospect of fight in
the orchestra in another minute.
Il delivered my message and
Brougham replied to me in the words
of the piece:
"'Confound you, have done"
"Then turning from me to the foot
lights he went on, as if it was a part
of his speech:
"Or would you like a band of tenlan
brothers,
All fame abandon to defame each other?
If with such sentiments | sent out any.
Remember I'm head center here, Ma
honey.
''There was roar of laughter from
the whole house at this, and the Fen
ians joined in it as heartily as any one
else. There was no further talk or
indication of trouble and the play went
on without interruption. New York
Sun
Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-02-04
scHLEY IN THE WEST.
Admiral and His Wife Received with
Enthusiasm in Chicago.

Admiral and Mrs. Schley started Fri
day on their western tour They reach
ell Chicago Saturday morning. The train
had barely stopped when the admiral APP
peared on the front platform and started
afresh the bombardment of cheers that
sigaalized the appearance of the train
far down the tracks. Down Fifth ave-
nue. as far as jackson boulevard the
cheer was taken up by the crush of hui
mapity that was awaiting the admirars
coming. To those who We're so fortu-
nate as to gain entrance to the depot he
smiled and bowed repeatedly.
A storm of cheers took him off his feet.
and for few seconds he was all at sea.
But he quickly regained his co3lposure
when mis- eyes fell on the nayai cuard of
honor composed of veterans oe the Civil
War, some of whom fought with Schiey
The old salts salutSd gravely and the
admiral responded in kind. but there was
that indehnable something about his face
that showed that while he appreciated
the heartiness .in general of the greeting,
the sight of these gray-haired men, lined
up to do him honor, was more to him
than all the cheering.
Admiral Schley also was touched by
the reception accorded him by the school
children. Thousands of little boys and
girls stood in the depot and waved tiny
flags while they shouted welcome in
childish treble. The admiral deviated
from his course towards the dignitaries
of the city who We're awaiting hi!I, to
pat the cheeks of the little girls nearest
Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-02-04
satisfied with themselves.

The Haitian loves to play at being a
soldier. He delights in uniforms and
gold lace, military titles and display,
yet he allows his neighbor. San Do
mingo, to push the frontier between
the states farther and farther to the
westward without offering the slight
est objection. Here is a conversation
reported by Hesketh Prichard between
three consequential Haitians. clad re-
spectively in blue, green and pink uni
forms thickly netted over with gold
lace:
General" remarks the blue one
what. my generalT' respond the
others.
Il am tired. But the review of to-
day! What a spectaclew
"O-hor' cries the pink general AS
suredly a great spectacler'
without question" says the green
general, 1.-The most magnificent specta-
Gle that one could imagine"
Il was much interested" remarks
the Englishman.
"Our army is composed of brave
men," says the blue.
"Our troops are the finest in the
world Do you not think so. mon
sieur?"
81 have seen none like them" agrees
the Englishman, with caution.
THE army of Haiti has never been
conquered The French were here; we
drove them out. The English fought
with us; where are they? But we've
we are here always. We have never
been conquered"
This was the paean of the pink gem
eral, and the others agreed,
Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-02-04
>POlPg1 apo
PREAGnDR.


D,r Edward l.. Clark has resigned the
pastorate If Central Congregational
Church Boston.
First Presbyterian Church Of SteubeD
vile, Ohio. recently celebrated its cen
tenniai anniversary.
The Salvation army reports 1000 assoc
Citations in forty-segen countries, with an
effective force OF 1900 officers.
The Rev. e. e. Edwards, Phi D.. has
been appointed rector of ST. Johns Epis-
copal Church, Greeneastlc, lad.
II IS stated upon good authority that
there are now 1000 active Mormon pros
elyters scattered widely over the world.
The Rev. James Sims Of Council Bluff,
Iowa, celebrated the liftieth anniversary
Of his entry into the ministry Of the
Methodist Episcopal Church by preach
ING in Broadway Methodist Church,
Council Bluffs
Three Methodist Episcopal churches in
New York City have vested choirs. The
ve#mc1ts IN Calvary Church are exact
~ ike those in use in the English
churches. ana the professional and re-
cessioull byn4ug are tEe same
Another Church Of Scotland minister,
tho Rev. John Charlson " Thorniiebank.
has gore oyer TO The Roman Church. Mr..
Charlscn has long been known for ms
extieme views and his departure is said
TO have occasioned little surprise and less
regret.
ST. Malachy's Roman Catholic Chnrcn.
Rarfou5. H.. was dedicated by the Right
Rev. John L. Spalding Bishop Of Peoria.
assisted by many u the high ecciesias-
aca dignitaries and priests 81 the
church. The new church was built AT a
cost o. $4,000.
ST. james Methodist Episcopal Church.
New York. celebrated its scyenty.hrst
anniversary by raising over $4,000 to
free the church from debt and provide
for the current expenses.
There - a probability that new
church building win replace the present
First IresbyteFiaL Church in Omaha.
Neb. The church has been in use thirty
years and j. nov too small for the needs
o. the congregation.
There are twemty-thrce pastors OF Ger
man churches in Great Britain. among
the cities possessing German churches
are London, Liverpool, Manchester, Sun
derland Newcastle, Bradford, Glasgow
and Edjnburg.