davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1902-12-27
A Mining Camp Story.

"A hinln8 camp story
Mantown" had been showed in for
~ days 1t was on the night before a
Christmas the thing happened which
am going to tell you You win not
find Mantown on the map of Califor-
MA. for the reason that it mostly
ceased to be before the map was made
When the Parson, who was an early
riser, threw the wet floursack he had
/ wiped his hands and face on at my
head and said: The old lady up
there's pickin' her geese, Tom,'' and
Polaris and I looked out and saw the
feathery white fakes falling, we
laughed When it kept on and on till
the snow was nine feet deep the laugh
was on the other side of our mouth
The snow settled and froze, and we
were in for it
There was whisky enough and pro-
visions enough, SO that we did not
fear dying of thirst and hunger, but
we were pining for amusement
Forty days and forty nights shaking
dice and playing poker at the Red
Goose had become monotonous- The
Red Goose was a saloon. The way it
got its name was ethis-which is also
the beginning of the end of the thing
that happened. 1t was all finished,
the saloon was, and ready for bust
ness, and big smooth signboard
waiting to be painted but there wasn't
man there could paint it. We were
falling into the way of speaking of it
as 'Old Bob'sr when along came
dandy-looking young chap
Old Bob asked him if he could paint
a sign for saloon He asked what
kind of a sign was wanted Old Bob
told him he wanted a figure of great
originality and one that would tell the
name without any printed matter He
always put on airs in his speech when
he thought he knew more than the
other fellow did. and the dandy chap
was understanding, in spite of his
clothes.
Well, the stranger took the job, and
when it was done and put up over the
door and old Bob came out to size it
up he was roaring mad He swore he
wouldn't pay for it. The figures paint
ed on it was a big red goose. The
painter called all the town to prove
that he had painted according to order
by asking each one separately what it
vas Every one of them said, Red
Goose" He then asked pointedly if
i: was not of great originality" and
every one to a man said it was the
first red goose they had ever seen
So old Bob had to pay for the sign
and set up the drinks besides
1t was that night 1 spoke of-the
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1902-12-27

theimer's amusements when of duty.
but he had grown weary of the mon
otony of all three and wanted some
thing human that he could love, pet
and perish-animals did not seem to
till the void in his heart. Moreover,
he was a jolly sort of a man and felt
the need of something to bubble and
gaSh over His home environments
Were-well, were somewhat frigid-
On the contrary, Mrs Wertheimer
was a strict disciplinarian on the
score of duty, dogmatic and unyield-
ing in her disposition, and opposed
to sentimental displays: even her
smiles when she forgot herself and
INDUCED in such worldliness. were
frost-bitten But she had gathered
the idea at the Woman's club, during
/. protracted and heated discussion on
the subject, that it was the duty of
every woman to assume the guard
ianship of at least one embryo
human being, for the purpose of train
ing it according to the standard recog-
rized by the club, in the right way. of
course, and thus save an immortal
soul from contamination by the wick
<dness of the world, which was badly
n need of making over again Be
sides that, the lady had noticed the
waning influence of the dog, cat and
bird to keep Mr. Wertheimer at home
in the evenings Hence, Mrs Wer-
theimer thought a, baby in the house
might accomplish a double object. to
wit. A halo and a stay-at-home hus-
t.and-
Let me see.' she said. pausing in
her busting. John and l quarreled on
Thanksgiving day, and to make him
understand that he was in the wrong.
1 gave him corned beef and cabbage
for dinner instead of turkey Then
again. on Christmas day he was not
as liberal as thought he should have
been, and the turkey was tough there
weren't any cranberries. and the only
dessert was bread pudding instead of
plum-accidentai, of course To make
mn with him, 1 think l will present
him with a baby on New Years day
and that will keep him at home for
year at least But where shall ]
get one?"
Now it so happened that Mr. John
Hopkins had more children than he
could care for; half a dozen of them
reaching up like the steps of a ladder
all vigorously healthy and constantly
c1amoring for something to eat and
wear. His wages not increasing with
his family. it was very difficult to gel
even bread To add to his misery
Mrs. Hopkins committed the folly O
presenting him with a seventh. and
rs q last straw, she up and died il
the midst of it's raising. leaving hin
forlorn with an eight-months-old babl
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1902-12-27

and a string of children too young to
help care for it 1t seemed to him
that the world was cold and unfeeling.
for the neighbors. instead of offering
any assistance. intimated quite plain
ly that poor people who kept on hav-
ing children should be able to pro-
vide for them without holding outsid-
ers responsible by soliciting help"
In spite of it's unwelcome reception
the seventh Hopkins was really the
finest of the lot, bright, healthy and
attractive baby In his extremity the
father advertised it for adoption, and
his advertisement was what Mrs Wer-
theimer saw, when in the throes OF
her desire to procure one 1t was
windfall.- and as soon as she set her
eyes upon it she recognized fine
brand to be snatched from the burn
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1902-12-27

not say 1t, because / know now that
1 was wrong My heart is big enough
for both you and the baby, so let us
go after it before we do anything
else"
But the baby was not there, another
woman who wanted a baby having
taken it away. It was too late that
evening to do more, so procuring the
address, Mrs. Wertheimer resolved to
start after her baby early in the
morning-it was her baby now. truly
A vigorous, impatient pull at the
bell and a young woman with weak.
childish face appeared There were
races of recent tears, and the cheeks
we're red with much rubbing
IF this is Mrs Harris. permit me to
enter and state the object of my
VISIT" said Mrs. Wertheimer, with
many misgivings-
But when she had entered, she
heard a baby's soft gurgle, and sure
enough, there was her baby on the
bed in an inner room, as sweet and as
dimpled as ever, making the best of
it in her strange quarters Mrs Wer-
theimer told her story and begged
Mrs. Harris to let her have the baby
lack.
Il can never be happy without it.
she confessed, with tears running
down her cheeks
well now, isn't that funny" said
Mrs. Harris. 4 made up my mind
that 1 must have a baby because all
my friends were poking fun at me for
being without one So l thought
| would surprise my husband and
have one here some night ready for
him when he got home But, my
gracious you should have heard him.
He was as mau as a March hare and
wanted to know what I meant by
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1902-12-27

and her idea of duty became very
much modified In fact, she COM
planned of the trouble the baby was
giving her, in addition to which there
was trifie of jealousy Mr.. wer-
theimer devoted all his time to the in
FAINT and none to her True, she had
never invited his caresses. but that
did not make any difference; the baby
had wedged in between them, and she
was crowded out of her rightful,
though Incorporated place
The matter ranked in Mrs Wer-
theimer's mind, and the thought of
getting rid of it grew in her heart
So 1T was, that one night when Mr..
Wertheimer had hurried home. ready
for a romp before supper, there were
no signs of life in the house; no bark
ing dog, no singing bird, no Growing
baby.
Where's baby?' he inquired of his
stern-faced wife, with a sudden mis-
trust in his heart
-Oh, yes, it always baby. baby,
nothing but baby answered the
woman. petulantly- Il suppose you
wouldn't have cared if / had caught
my death of cold, or worked my fin
gers to the bone waiting on it, as long
dS yOu COuiu nave SOmelHIuS 10 play
with | made up my mind last night,
after | had gotten up three times to
attend to it, that 1 would not be i'm
posed upon any longer. so this morn
ing l took it to the Founding Asylum
and
Observation-Disclosures 20
an asylum" stammered Mr.. Werthei-
mer with sudden anger and a curl of
nj On iDS hot
little motherless child to a public in
stitution after promising its father
that you would take its mothers
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1902-12-27

bringing home a strange brat 1 told
him 1 wanted something to love and
cuddle, and he said. Love and cud-
dle2 NONSENSE Can't you love and
cuddIe me, That's what 1 married
Sou for, anyway You just take that
brat back where you found it 1 won't
have it around He was so mad that
he went away this morning without
kissing me good-by, a thing he has
never done before" and she wept at
rhe terrible recollection Then rcov-
ering herself. she snapped out:
Take it away I never want to
see another baby
When Mr.. wertheimer returned
that evening, there was the baby in
Ter accustomed place on the floor,
with the dog performing his old
tricks. and the bird splitting its
throat with melody. the cat purring
an accompaniment But what was
more to him. there was his wife who
met him at the door with a loving
caress. something that had not hap
pened since their honeymoon. a long
time before
..Hurral for the baby" he shouted.
This is what 1 call happy family
Mrs Wertheimer put the baby in his
arms
1T is our New Years baby. dear
husband she said softly; my cruel
conduct
No more of that said Mr. wer-
tneimer, hugging wife and baby to-
gether The past is forgotten, and
we shall begin the New Year over
again. but we must give the baby
an appropriate name 1 have it." he
exclaimed after a moments thought
-.Roxana, that's her names 1t means
he Dawn of Day. and that's what
she has been to IA So. here you are
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1902-12-27

placer 1 thought every woman had
some love in her heart, If not for her
husband, then at least for helpless
babe but you-a nice religion you
have. with all your prating about
Christian duty and charity-it Is des-
picable.'
Mrs Wertheimer was appalled, AT
this outburst from her husband who
had always been kind and gentle and
his contemptuous look and bitter Ian
zuage frightened her Womanhke,
she began to cry. at which her hus-
hand softened and looked surprised
1t was the first time he had ever seen
tears in her eyes Could it be possible
that she had a heart?
Martha. 1 said more than 1 should
have: pardon me. Never mind about
the baby, it's only one more disap-
pointment and 1 will live through 1T"
with that he turned away, but his
xife whose eyes were opened to the
fu1l significance of what she had done,
called him back and putting her
oands upon his shoulders looked him
full in the face. with a strange. un-
wonted expression in her eyes
John. 1 must tell you the truth
row 1T was not heartlessness, it was
because-oh, John. do you not under
stand2 1 was jealous of your love for
the child 1 was afraid you had ceased
to love me- Ny hardness was all as
x1med. Jonn Say you forgive me
and will go this moment and get the
child again
The woman's habitual reserve
melted under the tender caress of hel
/ husband
Dear wife. have always LOVED
| lou, but it seemed to me that you die
1 lot love me, you were so-no, i vii
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1902-12-27

ing, and adopted it at once, but Mr.
Hopkins was not to deliver the baby
girl until an hour or so before the
husbands homecoming on New
Years ever, SO as to be a surprise for
him.
When Mr.. wertheimer returned
home after his days toll on the even
ing in question, he was amazed to find
sprawling on the floor, surrounded
with soft pillows, a chubby-faced,
blue-eyed infant, with little wisps of
golden curls hanging around a shape
ly head 1t was bobbing around in a
wobbly fashion, its tiny hands
stretched out trying to reach a large
gray cat. wisely sitting just beyond
its grasp, blinking at the new acquisi-
ton in sleepy wonder. Jack. the dog,
was manifesting his approval of the
new arrival by furiously barking and
wagging his stumpy tail at the same
time frisking around and supsettinz
the cat, drawing her about by the
tail, and performing other ASTONISHING
feats to entertain the baby
Great Caesar!" he exclaimed.
Whats the row anyway? Have you
started a menagerie?"
This is our baby" exclaimed Mrs.
Wertheimer. relating her experience
and intentions
We'll, now Wen have some fun and
life around the house." said he. get
ting down ON the floor to investigate
the new plaything- She's mighty
pretty, anyway" was his decision. In
a few moments he was mixed up with
baby, dog and cat in such a noisy
revel that his wife, with an express
sion of disapproval, came in from the
kitchen, where she had gone to pre-
pare supper
John, 1 didn't know you could make
such a fool of yourself Just look at
your clothes, all lint and dust, and
you are making more noise than the
whole lot put together. Have you no
consideration for the neighbors?'
well, what did you get her for. if
/ you don't want me to play with her?''
And he laughed good-natGredly Il
can't just sit and look at her, that
| amt enough"
Il took her. responded his wife Sc
/ verify, because it is our duty to make
a home for some child that didni
| have a good one You'll make such g
fuss over this one that it will soon be
spoiled. and 1 want it to grow VI
! good and sensible have my OWL
ideas about its training Come, gel
up, supper's ready
For two weeks Mr. Werthelmer LIVED
in paradise. and. strange to say, hs
never once went out in the evening
But not so Mrs Wertheimer- Babie:
require good deal of care and atten
ton; she had not calculated ON this
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1902-12-27

the fire to himself He stretched his
inng. slender fingers in the warmth
D. the large blaze. warmed his feet
at 1t and turned his back to warm.
his eyes wandered round the big
Ugly room and Lit on the piano.
me man at the fire set his glance
SO questioningly ON the instrument
that Poiaris volunteered to tell him
that 1t was pyanner." and asked
MN II he could play on the "critter.-
he said he used to play a little, and
began to rub his hands together. In
minute dozen voices were ursinr
MIN to play He said he was afraid
his fingers were too stif They gave
MIN drink of whisky and seated
nm at the piano. He ran his fingers
along the keys several times and be-
gan to play The men looked up from
lneir cards He played the piece
through and part of THE Girl l Left
iSenlnd Me, and stopped to rub his
Lands and straighten his fingers
He threw his head back and the
long, wind-blown hair slid down ON
his shoulders. His voice rose in voI-
ume and richness and thrilled us with
its vibrant sweetness.
Plank by plank the bIood-stafned
smoke-grimed walls dissolved the
hottles and glasses melted away.
The thousands of miles of savage
wilderness and trackIess desert fhev
aad conquered to reach this golden
fringe OF creation were not And out
OF the pure white MOONLIGHT and the
elamond-crystaled snow stole in the
races and forms at home, sweet home.
mere was a grand roll of song and
FOUND, a low, slow wall of melody.
snap. twang and silence.
The men waited, each in his atti-
tude OF listening, for the length of a
Ereatn, and then one big concordaut
sign broke the stiffness By ores and
twos and threes. without a word or a
sign, they went out into the silence
and the snow.
This would be a good place to stop
the story, but it did not happen that
ray at the Red Goose.
The first ones in to get their morn
ing dram" found the proprietor in
towering rage. He said he thought
that old musician a nugget forty
karats fine that had just rolled itself
into his hands for a Christmas pres
emit He had made him bed by the
fire, taking the grizzly bear skin from
lis own bunk to make the floor softer
for him. and told him there was plenty
of wood in the corner and for him to
just help himself at the bar And
when he put his head in at the parti-
ton door and called Christmas Gift
to wake the old chap up to breakfast
he was gone So was the grizzly skin
he slept on-so was the gold in the
box on the wall end of the bar; four
thousand dollars in gold dust-every
ounce of it gone
In it's place he had found piece of
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1902-12-27

hight before Christmas The boys
kept a roaring fire in the fireplace and
tried to keep the cheer going, but it
was too plainly an effort-all except
at the card tables The most improb-
able things always happen without
Earning In at the door of the Red
Goose. like q bird blown from the
light. came shivering, oldisi-looking
man His hair was long and q stub
bly, beard hid the under half of his
face He was lost, he said, and near
" froze, and hsd the rheumatism and
wanted to warm at the fire.
We all stood back and let him have
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1902-12-27

mitted here. however, that the desires
of the two for the same object did
rot emanate from the same view
point; there was nothing marital in
their thought, the son-and-heir idea
never occurring to either of them.
A dog. cat and a canary bird had
hitherto been the objects of Mr.. Wer-
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1902-12-27

PAPER with some 1ead-pencil scrib-
blings on it, which read:
Excuse my 1eave-taking unheard.
And the hour. for my way it is far
Taking you as a man of your word.
l have helped myself at the bar.
For your kindness give this advice
Never leave your dust lay round
loose.
Never trust either women or mscx
l painted your sign of the goose.
The laugh was ON old Bob.-snn
Francisco Cali.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1902-12-27

r. w E r T Hell
MER wanted a
baby.
Mrs. Werthei-
mer's a S ir a
Jion s for a
household c e n
ter of attraction
was substantial
ly in the same
direction.
1t must be ad-
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1902-12-27

Roxana." and he tossed the squealing
infant up in the air. while Jack, the
Cog, tried to jump and catch its tiny
feet as they dangied just beyond his
reach
Omaha daily bee., 1902-03-19
President sends Names OF TowIe and
PettiJOhn to senate with other
Nominations.

WASHINGTON. March IG-The president
today sent the following nominations, 70 the
mate
Army-InfAntry: Major Philip Reade.
FOURTH infantry. lieutenant colonel. Captain
John c. =. TITlsOn. Fourteenth infantry.
mator.
FIRST lieHtenants 10 be captains. John K
Moore. Fifteenth infantry: Claude Il Nil
Ter. TEenty-siKth infantry; Harold D,
Fiske. Eighteenth infantry; John II Hughes.
Fourth infantry.
Second l%ieutenants- john N. Kelso. IT,.
Arkansas
Assistant surgeons Of volunteers. with
rank Of captain; Thomss S. Lowe Mary
land; William A MeVesn. Ohio.
Nay-Dr- Robert A BachmAnn. Pennsyl-
FaniA- assistant surgeon.
Rsee,vsns Of PufIe Aoneys-John II Bau-
man. Al Tucson. Aria; Albert l. ToEle
Valentine. Nsh.
Register % Land omee-JAmss c. Petit
john. Vslenttne. Neh
Omaha daily bee., 1902-03-19
PRESIDENT EXPLAINS VEToES
Deems InexpedIent the Reversal of
a Judgment Rendered Forty
Years Ago.

WASHINGTON, March ls.-President
Roosevelt; today sent TO the senate two veto
messages Of private bills. One is q bill
granting an honorable discharge from the
military service TO Charles H. HswIey. OF
this case the president says:
This Is a mandatory bill. revoking the
ORDER of dismissal ordered th~irty-nins years
ago and ordering and issuing an honorable
discharge from the army 10 this man,
whose superior officers, including his COM
RPAP S1TdISA :, Abraham s2Ts an n Lincoln S9my he'd sf tho to
union thir1y-nine years ago / do not at
this time expres an opinion upon the con
think II IN the highest degree ~inexPedient
10 reverse the order Of dismissal nearly
forty years after the event, when it is out
and the means OF arriving at the Judgment
which was possessed by the fellow of1csrs
Of the man at the time they dismissed him
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
HaWley was 4 second lieutenant in the
Sixteenth Connecticut volunteer Infantry.
The other IL 4 bill for the relief OF james
". Howell In returning this bill the pres
ident says:
This is not q bill which confers iurisdic-
ton. 1t Is mandatory IN its character, d.
reeting the secretary q war to revoke and
set aside the proceedings findings and
sentence Of a court-martisi held thirty
seven years ago ] do not al this time eN-
questions involved in the bin. II is enough
70 say that this man was convicted 0f
mutiny, sentenced 10 be dishonorably dis-
charged from the army and confined at
hard labor for a term Of years A portion
Of the confinement was RENTED by exscu-
tive clemency. II IL TO the last degree i'm
probable that now. thirty-ssysn years after
the event, there ts as good an opportunity
10 pass judgment upon the facts as when
the fellow officers Of the offender found him
guilty OF an onense 50 serious as TO call
for the punishment they inflicted There
is perhaps no other heritage an American
would SO like TO leave to his children as an
honorable discharge for services well and
calamity performed In the civil war, and
the honorable discharge thus granted TO
those who. with blood and toll. have earned
II Is cheapened and rendered OF little worth
n also granted 10 their unworthy brothers
Who have forfeited the right 10 receive il.
THEODOR EROOSEvELT.
Howell was a member Of Company n,
Fifty-fourth Illinois volunteer infantry.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-03-19
oLEo BILL GETS FIRST PLACE
lowed BY Chinese EHeInsion
Measure

WASHINGTON. March R-Ths rspub-
iican steering COMMITTEES Of the senate to-
day decided 10 give the first place in the
order Of business in the senate after dis
posing NJ the pending business 70 the
o~ieOnArgarine bill. and 70 allow that 10 be
followed By the Chinese exclusion bin. TIE
COMMITTEES discussed the question Of Civ
ing the NicarAguan canal bill third place
on the calendar. but decided pot 10 act on
thar question. nasnueh a. II is considered
probable that the discussi0u o. the olso-
nargArins and he Chinese bills VII con
sumo some time. The var revenue repeal
bill, Ike appropriation hills, Il OF a priv
iiiged character and can Be taken Up al
any tine, after being reported.
Senator MeAiilan to-day introduced a bIl
providing thar ali paper currency Of the
United States except bank notes shE Be
o. the form known a. post cheeks. The
purpose q the I'm is 70 secure q safer cur
rsHey for Esnding through ne naIis
Omaha daily bee., 1902-03-19
Great Cemeenen of sheeter,.

KANSAS CITY. March IG-The grand
American handicap live bird tournament.
which win b held IN Kansas CITY from
March 81 70 April =. inclusive, will attract
the greatest number Of wing shots that
ever participated IN any shooting fourua-
menL according 20 Elmer Z Shaner. MAJ
sger OF the Interstate associsfi0n- u1der
whose auspices the big event wiz be held
Nh. Shaner arrived here today. He cane
lean handicap
The entry list already numbers as and
the entry books vii be open Untl next
Saturday. Posi- enrnes viii % receive
untl the nrst man has shot al his LAST bird
Mr.. ShaTer stated that Ghers would he
Aos birds uaPPed during the shoot 80
Omaha daily bee., 1902-03-19
TIME WITH PUelLIsTS
WaIeotf-O'BrIen. G-ardRsr-ROOt Mills
Are Arranged by the


BOSTON. March Joe Waicott signed
articles here today 10 meet Jack O'Bren al
Philaoelphia March 3 The men will spar
six rounds.
william A Pierce. manager OF George
Gardner, today forwarded 10 ". ".
Naughto IN Chicago money guarantee for
Gardners appearance against Jack Root
at the Wabash Athletic clab April s. Gard
ner viii train IN Chicago.
Tom AEguire. ana Of Gid Goodman
the bantamWeight hghter. has posted .
forfeit 10 match Goodman against any
bantamweight IN the world az us pounds
Aaguir claims the bantamWe eight cham.
pi0nShip Of the world for Goodman