davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1902-05-07

On the pOstroad i'm southern New
Hampshire stands an old house which
was once famous for itS ghost. Ii had
been a tavern. owned and managed by
two brothers and two sisters named
Mason.
The youngest Of the family. Hannah,
had been Tilted I'm her youth After her
desertion she had never entered any
door save that Of her own home. but
gave all her strength To hard work
She would hatchel fax for weeks, spin
INCREASINGLY and weave on hand loom
without apparently thought Of rest.
She died after a short illness, and
still travellers said that their slumbers
We're disturbed 10y the whir of the
wheel. Soon il was whispered about
that the Mason house was haunted
Strange sounds were heard from the
garnet. where Hannah had always
worked. and plainest of all was the
hum of the great wool wheel.
The brothers heard the story and at
once set out TO solve the mystery.
Joseph went 10 the garnet and watch
ed. After a time the wheel began to
revOlve. He struck light. On the
rim Of the wheel was great rat, run
ming around.
Frequent visits TO the garnet rem
dered this rat so ta'ue that he would
come ont on the spinning wheel by day
light. and several others were occasion
ally seen to take a spin in the wheel, as
If ii were pleasant recreation
Youths Companion.
Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1902-05-07
LUNGS THAT ARE LAZY.
Their Owners Digest Poorly and
Cntch Cold EnsiIy.

Fresh air is a free gift. but it is like
most Of the gifts of heaven in that we
must do our share of work to benefit
by IL. No one would expect to have
good tire Just because Il pair Of bellows
hung on nail by the chimney. but this
IS exactly what many people expect Of
their lungs, which are really only the
bellows given us by which 10 keep the
fire Of life burning bright and clear
within us.
Ii is not too much to assert that lungs
properly used in a comparatively close
room will 90 more good than lazy lungs
in an open field. This trick of lazy
lungs is habit like any other, and
may be overcome by persistent effort.
Many persons, for example, are ailiict-
eel With a nervous habit OF holding the
breath uncOnsci0usly. These are the
people who, in spite Of plenty Of time
spent out OF doors, Yet catch cold east
ly, digest poorly and are always more
or less under the weather" physically.
Many other persons-and they cOnSti-
tute the great majority of mankind
breathe only with the upper part of the
lungs and although they may breathe
regularly do moi draw in sufficient air
at breath TO fill all The lung cells.
When once the pcruiciouS habit of
poor, shallow breathing has been bro
ken up, the health undern0es such mark
ed Improvement. there is such brighten
Ing of the spirits and Improvement OF
the looks. that the luxury Of deep
breathing is not likely TO be readily
fOrcgOne.
4 good way TO start the new habit is
TO take deliberately a few minutes at
stated intervals and devote them 10
proper breathing. IL this is done sys-
tematically, the reformer will find him
self unconsciously breathing more and
more. until very soon he is obcying ma
ture and really breathing 10 live.
Besides the gain 10 the general her tn
which comes from the habit of deep
breathing there is created Il reserve
strength and preparedness which is
often of great service i'm warding of
acute pulmonary diseases.-Youth's
Companion.
Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1902-05-07
Welcome
Callers
By EUGENE UHLRlCH
Copyright. 1901, by
EUgcnie Uhlrich
CopyriKhs. 1901. by

The old lady sat very still The
hands that usually made the knitting
needles fly had nor moved rol full ten
minutes. Her eyes were fixed abstract
edly on somewhat worn spot I'm the
bright red and vivid green ingram car
pet. IL by chance she had been asked
what was In her mind. she probably
would have replied testify that IL was
about time those carpet strips were
woven and put down. What with the
tracking I'm and OFT and sitting round.
winter was harder than summer 0n
carpets.
But when the bowling wind gave
fresh blast and the coal IN the base
burner sputtered ~ with an answering
glow she turned toward the muslin hung
windows. aud one might have thought
that she was having a little struggle
to sit still on her chair. The old man.
smoking by the stove. looked at her
furtively every once I'm awhile Now.
when a stronger blast shook the house.
be pulled closer the black silk muller
under his coat collar and turned To his
wife.
ITS a cold night for New Gears.
mother. mind IL was almost as bad
when Johnny was married.
She did not answer or even look at
him, but tightening OF the lips show
ed that she had heard.
The old man had learned the danger
signals and was silent for the time.
There was something unusual i'm moth
ers mood. but he did not know for GER
tain which way the signs pointed
New Years night do be lonesomer
than any other night" he continued
tentatively. with no children and
young folks to see the old year out. I
saw Johnny's boy the other day
Then the old lady swung round I'm her
chair so hard and quick that she Jog
gled the lamp at her elbow. AMI the lit
tie friuges on her silk embroidered
shoulder shawl trembled.
"JOhnny's boy. indeed, And you saw
him, of course. And whose fault is It
but yours that JOhnny'S boy isn't here.
I'd like to know? YOu were always Civ
ing the boys their way about every
thing. That's how they came 20 marry
those Quinlan girls. far downs like
them. the Lord save U.S.
well. mother. they always seemed
good girls to me and are good house
keepers now. or course there's them
that may be better To our way OF think
Ing" The old man never said your
when making an assertion which moth
Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1902-05-07
IN THE By
ROGUES' r =, s',
GALE RY...
Copyright. 1909. byA. :. Richard.or

When Aunt Nliily returned from her
visit TO Boston. she was a changed wo.
man. She lad gone away staid old
maid Of thirty-Scvcn. with never a bit
of nonsense about her. and she had re
turned huStratCd-thati is. she simpcred
ana gigglCd ana acted "girly." She
took 10 wearing bows and jcwelry. ana
she was anxious about her eyebrows
and the mole on her chin. Her sister
Florence. a widow and the head OF the
house. noticed these things with some
thing like establishment. but reserved
comment She ar-ued that they were
the legitimate results of n woman get
ting away froia the sober influences
OF her country home and that they
would soon wear or Her DAUGHTER.
Susie Warden. vaS the third member
Of the household. Susie had been de-
nouncod as worldly 10y the old maid.
She had also been charged with CO.
Quctry. Ii had even been limited that
She was hcartloSS. All this because she
cared more about her horses than for
the young men Who bowed TO her good
looks ana her future financial pros
poets and because she preferred a walk
through the woods with Gun i'm her
hands and q dog at her heels 10 sitting
on a. rustic bench and flirting with n
cIll0w youth
Susie had never been i'm love or any
where near 1t. but Aunt NIilly's symp-
toms did not escape or deceive her
She judged tlew 90 be symptoms of
love. and hcy curiosity was aroused.
What manner of w1u could have touch
cd this ol5 'r"id's heavt2 All sorts of
men might fam Fan love with a girl; but.
according g., .u>'c's reasoning. only
one or two IT'S would fan iu love with
an old maid. a-1 especially homcly
one. She thou-lt things over until She
felt ip q measure responsible for the
aunt who brow nothing of The pitfalls
Of the wcriI. and then She tackled her
one day ,ifh.
"L.o@ hcrr. AUNT Mniy, YOU arc i'm
love. and want 90 know an about &C."
~ dear cli'I but what can YOU
mean -.srcl the aunt as she BLUSH
ca rs hrr5 "s ehc could and hit her fin
ccr uoilS
81 moan that Won fen I'm with some
man in Boston who talked soft to you
and THAT rou oro getting two letters 4
week from him aud answering them
with exceeding uromptness. Il is n,
Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1902-05-07

er might question. There's them that
had more money. and everybody can't
come from Limerick. But, then, it's the
lads who have TO live with the girls,
and they ought TO have something to
say"
Ii was long speech for the old man,
and the old lady was gasping when he
finished
Yes. and you don't mind me having
to think of my own children'S children
being brought UP in the ways Of the
Quinlans. Ii wasn't enough when
Johnny married Nellie, but you had to
be that nice about it that Richard went
and married Kate"
He tried 10 turn the stream Of indIg-
nation into less immediate channels.
1T did seem aggravating." he said,
though JOhnny's boy seems a nice lit
tie fellow for seven. But of course,
mother, you don't know him."
Didn't she know him? Wasn't she
going TO church every Sunday just to
see the children march in for Sunday
school. and JOhnny's boy with them?
She not know JOhnny's bOyl But she
said nothing.
The old man walked to the window,
q gentle. deprecating figure in a shiny
black suit. His white hair was combed
forward over the thinnest spots In
front and parted carefully toward she
ears in the back. The mild blue eyes
and rosy skin gave him look of al
most infantile kindness save for a
certain furtive shrewdness that may
have come from years of watching the
storm signals of his wife's moods.
"I'he old lady's all right" he replied
when any of his relatives had the te-
merity to give him advice as to his do
nestle arrangements. "She's the best
hand in sickness and a good manager.
but she does like to have her own way,
and 1t takes her awhile to come round
when she finds that she's made a mis-
take. But she does come round il you
give her time enough, and that's more
than you can say for most of them"
He raised the curtains gently now
and peered out.
lust look. mOtherl What a blizzard
it has got to be all ut once! Now
that's too bad for little Kitty Muileny's
.yarty, and all the children are still
there. l can see their little heads bob
bing up and down where the curtains
up. / shouldn't wonder If Johnnys
boy was there too"
The old lady did not answer. She
knew very well that Johnny's two
boys and Riches one were there. and
she had been listening all evening
with her heart in her mouth. to the
sounds of wild weather.
Il don't know, mother" the old man
went on after he was comfortably seat
ed once more, but we ought to make
q will''-
"a Will What is putting things into
your head tonight of all nights?"
You see. it's New Years." he an
swered, "and there's them who are
younger than us who won't be here to
see the next new year in. Seeing the
way you feel about things. we might
leave most, or considerable at least to
the orphan asylum Ii would be doing
lot Of good
She jumped round i'm her seat again,
but whatever was in her mind to an
swer was not said. for there was a
knock at the door.
Mercy aliver' she said and Gee,
but US blowingw came from without.
1t was Tommy Mulleny with a note
from his eldest sister. The children
Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1902-05-07
HUNTING THE GORILLA.
An Animal West Africans shy Has
the Soul OF "a Man.


the Soul OF "a Man.
Gorilla hunting is distinct sensation
even for the veteran hunter. This ami
mai which has become confused some
what with fable and fiction. is a reali-
~ and a decidedly unpleasant one to
engage. The west Africans are mortal
~ afraid OF it. belle, ing that the brute
contains the spirit of Il man They at
tribute 10 il an sorts of fcrocitics like
the carrying oil of human being. who
Is permitted 90 return after being de
prived OF toe and finger nails
skilled hunters have never observed
any of these doingS. but they testify to
the brute's strength ana fcrocity." says
Allen Sangree in AinSlcc's. According
TO French sportsman. full grown
gorilla cam bite through tree six inch
es thick In order TO secure the sap and
twist gun barrel with the swollen
lunches OF muscle that serve for arms.
His roar is terrifying and can be heard
for q distance of three miles.
81 shall never forcct how the first
one impressed me- says the French
man. FOR had q bad attack of shakes.
The woods had been filed some time
with a barking roar. but l saw nothing
until my guide clucked softly and
pointed 10 tree alongside which stood
an Immense male gorilla. There he re-
manned but twelve yards away. boldly
facing us with his huge chest. muscu-
lar arms. ncrcely glaring deep gray
eyes and a helliSh expression. until l
moved
AT that he dropped Co an Tours and
came six yards nearer. sitting up to
beat his breasts with his huge fistS-a
dehance-sc that it sounded like an inn
mcnSe drum. His roar was most singu-
lar beginning with kind OF bark and
deepening into a bass roll that literally
roscmbleG thunder. The short hair on
his forehead was twitching. his power
full fangs showed unploasanuy. and.
feeling he was about TO attack and in
cidentally being scared green. I shot
him through the heart With a groan
something human and yet british. he
fell on his face and died quickly. like a
man. He measured feet Q inches i'm
| length. his chest was 80 inches. and his
arms spread Q feet. / was glad 10 have
the specimen. but somehow after that
never cared 10 kill gorilla unless ho
actually mcnaccd me-"
Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1902-05-07
NOTHING WAS LOST.
An Omission In a wedding Ceremony
Thnt Didn,t Count.

4 distinguished officer of the United
States navy once told this story on him.
self:
Al the time of his marriage he had
been through the civil war and had had
many narrowing experiences aboard
ship. through all Of which he kept cour-
age and remained rs calm as a brave
man should. As the time for the ccre-
mOny came on. however. his caimness
gradually gave way. At the altar. amid
the blaze OF brass buttons and gold
lace marking the full naval wedding,
the officer was al but sJampeded and
what went on there seemed very much
mixed TO him. Fearing the excitement
OF the moment would temporarily take
him of his feet. the officer had learned
the marriage ceremony letter perfect,
as he thought, and he remembered re-
peating the words after the minister in
a mechanical sort OF way.
After the ceremony was over and all
was serene again. including the OIL
GERS state of mind. the kindly clergy
man came up 10 him and touched him
on the shoulder.
''Look here. old man." he said. "you
didn't endow your wife with any
worldly goods"
whats that?" asked the bridegroom.
with something of astonishment in his
voice.
''Why, | repeated the sentence With
all my worldly goods / thee endow' sew
eral times and despite my efforts you
would not say il after me-"
fFrr. 7.
a moment. and then q beaming light
came into his face
"Never mind. sir" he said. "She
didn't lose a blessed thing by my fail
ure."-W Washington Star.
Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1902-05-07

VINO nved across the river could not toe
taken home In this blizzard Word had
been sent to the parents lay telephone.
The Mullenys could take care OF three
little girls. but there were some Of the
boys whom they would like 20 send
over 10 the Moynihans II II would not
be too much trouble. Somehow the old
man did not look SO astonished rs one
might have thought he would.
''To bc sure mother" he said. "Ill
just so over and help Tommy bring the
children. Twill be like old times
4 vague expectation that made her
heart beat and her hands tremble had
seized upon the old lady. She set the
lamp I'm the window as n guide and
strained her eyes To see into the howl
ing swirl without that shut Off even
the sight of trees i'm their own garden.
After long fifteen minutes the stamp
ing OF feet told that they had come
back. The old man mumbled some
thing about going around the house to
look after things. Tommy Mulleny held
the hall door open for three little boys
and then he said something about not
wanting to track snow all over the
house and vanished.
AS for the old lady. she heard not
She was looking at the three little Boys
who blinked at her. blinded by the
darkness without and the sudden glare
of light within. Then the biggest one
pulled Off his cap.
Happy New Year. grandma he
sang out. and even as he did SO he was
turning to peel of his little brothers
cap. "Jimmy's too little to take off his
own cap. and Cousin Richie too. and
we all brought some cookies and candy
from the party for you. My. | could
hardly walk. and grandpa had TO carry
Richie. and Tommy Mulleny helped
Jimmy. But I'm glad It showed. Mann
ma always said l couldn't come to see
you until was as big and as good as
papa, but now l guess we just had TO
come before we were big"
The old woman's trembling hands
were turning down his coat collar
Look at the curls of him." she muir
INJURED, bending over him hungrily-
lust like Johnny'si It's this long time
I've wanted to feel them. bless himw
And she kissed Johhny's boy again and
again.
When the old man came in. putting
and snow whitened. she had the two
little fellows on her lap. and JOhnnys
boy leaned against her feeding her
bites of his coOky.
The old man chuckled softly. Il
thought it would bring her roundr
then aloud. "We1. mother. guess we
won't have to leave everything to the
Orphans
Whats thatF" she asked sharply.
Il was just thinking we ought to
have fire i'm the boys room for the
little ladies"
Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1902-05-07

nefosS. s'nc c... .c., @ her brains Cor n
week. ami She stil doubted "a she took
the train for New York one morning.
On reachin- the city she took a cab to
police headquarters. ia Mulberry street.
and when finally rshcrod into the lie.
tectiNe department she aStOniShed the
Inspector iu charge by asking To look
at the rcsues' gallery.
ANY particular pictureT' he queried.
"Ncs. sir; I want To find the photo
graph of the man who is going TO
marry my aunt IL l don't stop him.
though IN just occurs 10 me that YOU
can't have pictures OF professors here"
ION. yes. we have. scores OF them"
he replied. Here's Professor Mar
shall. who delivered lectures on rs
tfOnomy aud robbed pOStodiccs .nc
S2me night. here's Profess r MaSsarin
who made study OF plant life and
worked the gold brick rackc. at the
same time. here's Professor Du ro's.
the eminent student Of geology. who
went about New Hampshire studying
rocks in the daytime and stealing
horses ut NIGHT: here also
You needn't 20 any further" inter.
ruptcd Susie as she turned away. Are
You okinv for Professor Du Rois?''
ia give 5000 go see him on little
matter or business"
SuSi" said nothing ON her return
home. 10 was only when The nCwspa-
pes coutoioing an account of the ar
rest of tho professor arrived hy post
that she took Aunt Niny out into the
orchard AND handed them TO her TO
read and asked.
what 0rc vou going 20 do about it,"
"WhN WHY" answered the dazcd
woman MS she let the papers fan from
her haadS arm looked about her i'm a
pitiful way. III ought To faint away.
on lr''. r."
eyes. think that would he the prop
cr capsr."
"Thcn l wUlr'
ANA size o'd. and when she returned
To consciousness her romance was
ended.
Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1902-05-07
HOW NO. 5
Ill WAS SAVED
BY A. p. PAYsoN
Copyright. 1909. by A. p. Payson

The enginemen had struck. They
had gone out In n body. and they had
gone out to stay, but in spite OF their
unity the road was by no means tied
mp True. the crews were forced TO
double. and some Of them came from
the Offices. but nevertheless traffic was
not greatly interfered with.
No. .. the westbound mail. was sched-
uled TO leave at s p. m. and to run the
1O1 miles I'm two hours and three min
utes. The engineer selected to take
her out was one who had been en-
ployed for that day only. but he had
shown, even i'm that short time. a will
ingness to do things square"
At 100 he went down TO the round
house. His fireman. John Mcdonald,
had just put the finest engine in the
service, No. $50 on the turntable. and
She was swinging slowly around to her
track.
As the engineer stepped near she
gave slight ''phut" and moved slowly
Off TO the solid ground. She looked
Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1902-05-07

Il see said The youu- woman who
had called to apply Tor % position. you
want giri i'm your grocery department
! think ld like thc place"
"liavc you had amy experience in
that lincF asked the manager Of the
department. store.
Eyes. sir" she replied. Il can write
'one pound granulated sugar with
three scratches and a flourish"
She GOT tie placc.-ChicaeO Tribune
Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1902-05-07
No ssTIcI<'' Oi,taInnbIc.

Telegraph OPERATOR am sorry. sir,
but the rules Of this company make IL
impossible for me tO send your message
collect That privilege we are not al
lowed 10 extend TO absolute strangers.
Applicant-Do YOU mean for me to
understand by that that you can't trust
me:
Telegraph Operator Under the cir
cumstances. sir. IL is impossible for me
to DO so
Applicant " eli. ti.aJ gets the best OF
me, thougllt Of all places On The face
Of sla Garth tele~raph o.sicc was the
like.4cst to get anything OF tick. -BOs-
ton Courier
Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1902-05-07

ahead. ana heaven kANws whether
she there YETI"
DOnohue nodded and turned to shove
the throttle in. IL would not bulge,
He took both hands 60 the task and
failed. Again and again he threw his
whole weight ON H. Suddenly il went
home. and he fell TO the floor of the
cab. In an instant he was on his feet.
and flash Of lightning showed the
trestle hanging i'm midair some dis
tancc ahead. They were running nine
" miles an hour. with gale 10 push
them forward. slippery rails and wet
wheels for the brakes and an engine
which needed plenty OF room in which
to stop,
On the instant that Donohue rose
from his fall the brakes few TO the
wheels ana sand poured on the steel.
\ stream OF fire fen from the drivers
and from every wheel ON the train.
With a struggle the engineer reversed
the engine. she Shuddered rs If i'm the
clutch OF death. she reared and shook:
she seemed trying 10 tear herself to
pieces. but her speed went lower and
lower. The brakes grippcd the burn
ing wheel ,rcadS With a grasp OF iron.
AS she ground along her hangoS some
how mounted the steel aud with n
struggle. last terrible leap. she tore
herself loose from the rest of the train
and plunged over the emhankment.
Mcdonald had jumped long ago. lou
VIII?
With a cry he felt the engine that
had won his heart from the start. his
love of single night crash or the
ties. He reached for the throttle and
grasped it. When they found him.
buried beneath the ruins or his engine
be still clutched the choScr i'm his cold
lifeleSS hands. He had gone down to
his death with 900. but the train was
saved
Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1902-05-07

On both sides Of the Atlantic equally
the INTERPOLATION OF foSSilized forests
bears authentic witness to the sweep
ing over the land of two great waves
of ice invasion The trees manifestly
grew where the glaciers had been.
Again the glaciers crept forward to
constitute themselves the sopulchers
of the trees The second advance,
however. fell short OF the first and sue
ceedcd II at an unknown interval of
time. Opinions are much divided as to
its true significance.
Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1902-05-07
The NInce In ENGLAND.

Every deliberative civil body in Eng
land, even down to the town councils,
is provided with a mace. which is
brought forth with solemn ceremony
and placed on the table before the de-
alterations begin. In one or two city
councils n candlestick Of silver S add
ed to the mace. and acts passed in the
absence OF these objects are opposed
to be Illegal.