davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-02-24
found telegram, two tays old. fr0sn

I found a telegram. two days old, from
Uncle Jackson. summoning me to
Michigan. It was brief, but cuff
GENTLY pointed:
"'Am taken with pneumonia. Come
at once. Bring the watcn.'
"Now wouldn't that have given you
a chill? There was another communi-
cation as well. 1t was from Ethel
Ethel was the girl l was going to
marry. She said she had become &C
quainted with my reckless conduct.
that she perceived my indifference.
and that our engagement, sir, WIS at
an end forever. You can imagine
was sufficiently dispir!ted, as / hur-
ried with my aching head and
wretched, debile body to take a Mich
igan Central train for the other side
Of the lake.
II found Uncle Jackson VIVA the
fingers of death at his throat, but his
mind vas clear enough. Have you
brought the watch?' he gasped, stern
ly. as 1 bent to embrace him.
81 was about to murmur some
maudlin excuses, but he checked me
sharply. His lawyer was present.
They were awaiting me, it seemed.
My uncle called for his will. Under
1t was clause leaving me $50 900 of
his modest fortune. He grimly Ll-
rected the cutting down of this neat
sum by the excelsior of a cipher. The
will then gave me $4,000 instead CT
$4,000 The $4,000 bite thus taken
from my plum was given to Ethel, on
condition that she marry my cousin
Charlie, whom l hated with true cous.
inly rancor. Uncle Jackson calmly
signed the altered will; then he
turned his face to the wall anu quietly
departed for better world"
The story-teller ceased. and once
more raised his half-filled glass with
a gesture of invitation.
What in the world do you suppose
became of the old watch, anyway"
demanded Cusack, who possessed an
inquisitive mind.
HUH" answered Thompson. when
got home again a saloon-keeper
sent me word he had my watch in his
safe, waiting for me. He had taken
1t away from me one night In fear |
would lose it while on that costly
spree. He knew its story and wanted
to protect me-"
"And them"
Then? AS soon as got my hands
on it again walked deliberately to
the Wells street bridge, and a second
time consigned it to the Chicago river.
It's there yet, hope.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-02-24

the girl has been catechised before.
hand she will be so filled with appre-
hension as to risk losing grace and
naturalness. So she may not have
sufficient self-possession to observe If
the young man be pleasing to her or
the. contrary.
She ought not to know the object of
his coming to the box, because, IL
she fails to please it is distressing
to be told so. She would be humili-
ated and lose confidence the next
time.
The common friends meet again, in
their frock coats. to let each other
know what the effects have been. If.
as happens very rarely, the girl has
failed to please on close inspection.
nothing win be said. The two friends
simply talk about the weather. But
If 1t ne the youth who has been found
lacking, the truth is declared, and his
friend breaks 1t to him later. Some.
times, and there are those who de-
clare 1t should be always practiced, a
girl favorably enough impressed de.
mands nevertheless to see more of
the youth before she gives her word.
Then it will be arranged that she
shall meet him often, but not init
mately.
On his side, good taste demands
that he should not show himself con-
scious of the fact that he is being
studied. He goes through his PAGES,
social, intellectual and physical, as
IL he did not dream of her inspection.
The next step is the proposal.
The father of the aspirant, his
brother or his uncle does it for him.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-02-24
Have you brought the watch?" he
gasped sterply.

RaSpeu St6rnly.
and second, and all that sort of null
sance, you know. But I didn't much
care. Uncle Jackson could have any
old thing he wanted from me then.
He was getting old-and he had q
bushel Of deeds to good Michigan
land.
Zone Saturday afternoon, hurrying
on to the boat. going over to visit
Uncle jackson, 1 took out my match
to see IL l had time to run back upon
some trifiing errand l had forgotten.
The ancient chain parted a link, the
watch rolled from my hand, fell upon
the gangplank, quivered there an in
slant, and then plunged with q mali
cious PUNK and gurgle into the CHR
cago river.
Il came near to diving after it,. a.
1t went down, so great was my con-
sternation, but finally was content to
hire two river roustabouts to try to
recover it, with the promise of big
reward. Then the boat cast off her
lines, and l started for the lions
mouth, wondering what kind of lie
would so down with Uncle Jackson.
He always wanted to see the old
watch, about the first thing, when
went over to visit him on Sunday.
After deep thought / concluded to
say it was in a jewelers. hands for
repairs, trusting that my amateur
divers would recover it fol me by
the time l returned. Perhaps l fal.
tered little in detail when l told him
this tale. He was very inquisitive
about 1t, and 1t seemed to me unduly
suspicious Nevertheless. he affected
to believe me. and at last / breathed
freely; then he COMPOUNDED me again
by announcing desire to return with
me on Monday morning to Chicago.
AS the boat landed my divers met
me gleefully at the wharf. watch in
hand, claiming their reward. They
had recovered the old turnip at the
first effort, / learned afterwards. but
they prated much of their desperate
search in the dirty river, and insisted
upon receiving the promised $50.
was caught red-handed. so to speak.
Uncle jackson took in the situation
at single look. He was very grave.
81 could have excused your heed
lessness. Tom,' he said. but l hate to
have you lie to me. Don't do it again,
my son. Remember the old watch.
1t never told lie in all its life'
HE went home that very afternoon,
wearing severe countenance. | was
full of gloom. All my worldly pros.
poets hung upon Uncle Jackson's good
will. That night, out of the pure per
versity which makes a man do the
wrong thing when no should be pur
suing only the right one, began a
wild spree, the first and last one Of
my life. 1t lasted a whole week
When it was over my watch had dis
appeared and l had no knowledge Of
it's whereabouts.
"At my lodgings. when returned
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-02-24
Kansas Identified.
spoiled.

IL crossed the United States In
July" said the returned partisan.
did you go through Kansas?" asked
the bystander. 81 didn't hear the
place mentioned" said the tourist.
WELL" said the bystander, you pass
ed through place where there were
leagues upon leagues of corn, didn't
your" Yes, was that Kansas?" ut
might have been. and it might have
been Indiana. Did you go through
state with miles and miles of prai-
rie?" Eyes, / remember 1t well; so
that was Kansas?" 'It might have
been and it might have been Iowa.
What other state of corn and prairie
did you seer" Well" said the tourist,
zone state we passed through had
lots of prairie and lots Of corn, and on
that July day it was very hot, and in
the evening ever so far we could see
a house, out of the rear chimney of
which oozed little column of smoke,
which went up straight as an arrow
for ten miles and a half" That"
said the bystander, with satisfied
air, twas Kansas. Wichita Eagle.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-02-24
How TEOmpSOn'S Watch Cost
Him a Wife.
BY WILLIAM moss.

| Copyright, 1902, by Daily Story Pub. Coz
Gentlemen OF the leisure class
don't carry watches, nowadays" said
our host, Thompson, dogmatically,
| pausing to light a second cigarette.
James. since Captain Barry wishes to
be exact, you may look at the library
clock and tell him what time it is"
1T is striking eight o'clock, sir"
replied James, respectfully. as he
quietly filled the Captains glass.
There was q snug party Of six
lounging over their wine and tobacco
after dining regally at Thompsons
bachelor board. Barry had to catch
a train for st. Paul at 9 .. IN. He
wanted to stay just as long as pos
sible before summoning cab to take
him to the depot, and upon consult
ing his watch for the hour had been
seized by forebodings as to the ac-
curacy Of the hands. His inquiry as
to the right" time had led to the
hosts remark.
Barry flushed little as it fell. The
assertion seemed to his mind super
cilious and barbarously un-American.
Barry himself was man of the peo-
pie, and was proud of it. So, too. was
Thompson, or had been, once.
What do you mean by gentlemen
of the leisure class you gray-haired
fraud" he demanded, in half anger.
do you mean to say / am no gentle
man because carry a watch and like
to know what time it is when / have
a train to maker"
Certainly not" replied Thompson,
with placidity. "Of course not. You
are gentleman because you are
man of education, intelligence, good
breeding and some ancestry"
HUH" grunted the Modified
Barry, What Them"
But you are not" continued the
host, "a gentleman of the leisure class,
because you busy yourself with your
commercial affairs and even at your
age continue"
AT my age! I'm full five years
younger than you are"
Thompson waved the interruption
aside as irrelevant. Il was going to
say that If you quit business and be-
came loafer--
'As you have"
Eyes. as l have. then you might ac-
count yourself gentleman of the
leisure class"
when was a young person" con-
unued Thompson, "just beginning life
on the Board of Trade, after leaving
Ann Arbor, my Uncle Jackson Thomp-
son, who had sent me to school and
had in fact reared me from boyhood
as his own son, with much ceremony
one day presented me with time
piece known as the family clock, and
told me, with moist eyes, to cherish
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-02-24
Blocks Cupid's Plans
French Law Places All Power in the Hands
of the Parents.
szsFsssf ls7zs
\ Y AZ
sHs sssl.s|
,;,T8a;.

y HEN a Frenchman proposes
4 Wv for the girl he thinks he might
k=ssx=s love, the first question is:
1888 Are there things against
him?"
1t is understood that sowing wild
oats never makes part of the category,
except in the case of possible dis
turbance at the church door.
TO furnish ones certificate of birth
seems most innocent requirement of
French marriages; yet young men on
the eve OF wedding have shot them
selves In dread of discovery its scru-
tiny must lead to. Acknowledged
child" burns upon It's surface--the
French law will never let bygones be
bygones Then, as the birth certifi-
cate gives direct clue to the fathers
secret dossier, the errors. of two gen
erations are at the disposal of those
who can show right to know them.
The girls parents have such right,
The young man cannot, dare not re-
fuse investigation. In the social and
administrative arms of the French
government, the details of ones errors
are writ out with such minuteness
that In recent cause eelebre a wit.
ness of Importance was confronted
with proofs that when he was 10 he
pawned his college books; that he
lodged cab fare when he was 23;
that he owed money for his morning
coffee at the age of %. and that at rs
he gambled in a tripot (purely gam.
bling club
Now you must know that the French
fathers inquisltiveness grows out of
duty to his daughter absolutely un.
known to the fathers--and the daugh-
ters-of America. In France the aver
age manageable girl says to her
father:
Il have always been obedient;
have effaced myself; am entitled to
husband. Find one for mel"
These extraordinary details of French
marriage law ought tn be known to
the girls of other countries when
young Frenchmen court them.
(a) Up to the age of rs years FIN.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-02-24
Hermit and Miser.

George Cairncross, who lived at Earl
Vile. Va, and who was supposed to
be poor, was found dead in his chair
recently. For forty years he had lived
the life of hermit. Neighbors found
in flour sack 5000. in an old rubber
shoe a certificate of deposit of $1,000,
500 in bills and $50 in silver, and in
old tin cans several hundred dollars,
Bank books were also discovered
showing deposits In Syracuse, Utica
and Cortland banks
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-02-24
Got a Lover Easily

An amusing story is told OF the
browning of the rose queen of coun-
try district near Paris. The selected
queen. as one of the formalities of
awarding their dover, was asked by
the mayor for the name of her fance.
81 have nome" she replied. Notified
that a sweetheart was indispensable.
the young lady added timidly: Il
thought the municipality provided
everything necessary" Straightway
a young swain presented himself as
an aspirant, and being as promptly ae-
cepted all things became regular and
in order.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-02-24

the scene Of many decisive meet.
ing"
The mother has her daughter sit.
ting by her in the box which she has
taken. Between the first and second
acts the young man is brought to
them by the common friend, osten-
sibly to pay an offhand visit and in.
quire about their health. They stay
hve minutes, speaking of the play,
the weather, and the Partisan season,
and then retire.
When they have gone the mother
ought to make some tentative remark
to the girl on the young mans looks.
position, fortune, manners and SO on,
endeayoring to fathom the impression
he has made.
1t is admitted that mothers ought
not to instruct their daughters pre-.
viously for this encounter. For If
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-02-24
SIS. 100000 IN GOLD.
To be Distributed by the Salt Lake Tribune
to Those Who Estimate the Result of
the Election.


The Salt Lake Tribune will distribute
the above amount of cash to those who
make the nearest estimates of the vote
for congressman in Utah, Idaho and
Wyoming, at the election on Nov. 4.
For every dollar you pay in advance for
the Daily or Weekly Tribune or Inter
mountain Farmer and Ranchman, you
get an estimate. There are 400 cash
prizes, ranging from So to $1,000 each.
The vote two years ago was III, 809;
what will it be next month? If you do
not want to be q subscriber to The Tri-
bune or Farmer and Ranchman you can
make as many estimates as you wish
for so cents each. Farther particulars
by addressing The Tribune Distribu-
tion Bureau, P. o. Box 1898, Salt Lake
City, Utah.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-02-24
WHAT HE MIGHT EAT.
Suggestions Made in Good Faith Did
Not Improve Matters.

moi Improve Matters.
Heard a good story on an eastern
minister. He is vegetarian of the
strictest order, and in the course of
his pastoral career he was invited out
to a Sunday dinner by one of the sis
tiers of his flock, whose name for
the 4once shall be Brown. Old man
Brown didn't go to church that morn
ing. His wife told him to expect her
to bring home company to dine, and
he, with the aid of the cook, laid the
foundation for a superb repast. Mrs.
Brown came home, but all the com
They were seated at the table when
this sort of conversation ensued:
MIR. JONES'" meaning the minister,
what part of the chicken do you like
best?"
Really, Mr.. Brown, l don't care
about any chicken"
well, here is some extra fine roast
beef; try some of this
Excuse me, Mr.. Brown, will fore
go the beef"
Il have some tender lamb down
here, how will that suit?"
Il never eat lamb"
well, now. know you can't refuse
this boiled ham"
Pardon me, but ham never
touch''
During all this time Browns father,
an old gray-haired sinner, had been
seated near him, watching operations
and, standing it as long as he could,
squeaked out in a piping voice:
John, maybe the damn fool will
suck raw egg"
The enjoyment of that dinner was
spoiled.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-02-24

watch as his chiefest treasure. made
all sorts of protestations of good be-
havior and careful solicitude for the
ancient horologue. Uncle Jackson
went back to his Michigan farm
and l went to work among the bears
and bulls here in Chicago, on the old
board
THE watch, as you remembered,
Carroll. was an enormous bulls eye,'
and weighed half pound, easy. But
wore it, and laid aside nay own more
modern timepiece. Tine boys used to
laugh at it good deal, and got in
the habit of asking me what time it
was, just to see me lug it out, and
to pretend that l had been selected to
decide disputes as to the exact hour
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-02-24
Art Relies to Order.

In Rome and Naples there are fac.
tories in which ancient" art relics
are made to order. Statuettes of
Aphrodite in bronze are manufac-
tured there by the gross, and re-
Gently several worthless objects were
palmed off on unsuspecting tourists
as being priceless relics which were
unearthed in Macedonia. One fac
tory even succeeded In selling an
unusually curious relic to the mu-
scum at Athens. Unfortunately for
the INSCRIPTIONS manufacturers,
when the experts examined it they
at once discovered that it was bogus,
and notified the Italian authorities.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-02-24
How,a ThisY

We oner One Hundred Dollars reward for anv
case of Catarrh that cannot be cured nv Haii,ss
Catarrh Cure. --0AA
F. J. CHENEY 8 CO., Props, Toledo. q.
we, the undersigned, have known f. J.
Cheney for the last Is years and believe him
perfectly honorable In all business TRANSACTIONS
ana financially able to carry out any obliga
tons made by their firm
West Truax Wholesale Druggists. Toledo
y; Walding, Kinnan & Marvin, Wholesale
Druggists, Toledo Ohio.
Halls Catarrh Cure Is taken internallv aot
ing directly upon the blood and mucous surfaces
OF tine system Testimonials sent free Price
'oG per bottle; Sold by all druggists
Halls amily Pills are the best
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-02-24
Am Expressive TrIbute.

John Saul, veteran of the civil
war. lives near Bridgewater, Me, and
has been married three times. Each
of his wives is dead. The latest Mrs.
Saul having crossed the dark river
six years ago. Ever since then the
widower has been considering what
sort of an inscription he would place
on the headstone at her grave. He
finally decided on this, which has
been engraved on the stone by local
marble worker: ITO the memory OF
Mary Ann Saul. Born Dec. %, 1S4S
died Aug. s, 1896. Erected by her
loving husband. She was the best
wife I ever had"
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-02-24
Method Of lnduelnn sIesn.

DR.. Steiner observed In Java a
method employed to induce sleep. 1t
consists in COMPRISING the carotid
arteries. The operator sits ON the
ground behind the patient, whose
neck he seizes with both hands. The
index and middle fingers are then
pushed forward into the carotids,
which are compressed toward the
spine. The method is absolutely
harmless. anaesthesia is rapidly OBJ.
tanned, and the patient wakes prompt
ly, with no symptoms of nausea or
malaise.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-02-24

His Father Takes Bath. then Goes to
See Friend of the Girls Family.
The girls father or her other legal
guardian should give him an imme-
date response. At this interview
questions of fortune and the like are
discussed in more detail; and notes
of them are made to form the basis
of the marriage contract.
Immediately he has been accepted,
the young Frenchman must get into
his dress suit and call on his future
moter-in-law. He ought to thank her
warmly, but without exaggeration.
Then he may ask to see the girl.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-02-24


That He Is Being Studied.
ished. l. O., until he has reached his
goth year, no young Frenchman can
become husband without furnishing
to the civil functionary, who alone
can marry him, the written act of
consent OF his father and mother In
case of dispute. the fathers consent
is sufficient; but not so the mothers.
whose sole consent is good, however,
when she is a widow. When both
parents are deceased, the man must
have the consent of his grandfather
or grandmother in the same way, lack
ing whom the duty of consenting falls
upon the family council composed OF
his nearest relatives.
1t Is a subtle law. Three times, at
intervals of a month, whole machin-
cry OF stamped paper and Its legal
service must be set In motion This
gives parents four months more time.
III they choose to dodge the service,
as the widow of O millionaire distil-
ler did for eighteen months ON board
her yacht not long ago. the baked
young folks have nothing to do but
patiently pursue their rights through
''the swamp of procedure" as they
say In the Sale des Pas Perdus-''the
Hall of Lost Footsteps" of the Palace
of Justice.
When a young Frenchman, there
fore. sees a girl well suited to him,
he does not so to her and say: II
love you"
(s) It would be dishonorable.
I OBJ 1t would make her faint; and
(c) He would not get the chance
to try it.
Instead. he goes and tells his
mother.
His mother tells his father.
His father goes to see his brother,
or his business partner, or a friend.
Then both of them. wearing their
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-02-24
Bio Order for PIows.

An order for $4,000 eight-h5rse
plows to be used for breaking up the
virgin soil in South Africa has been
received by the Farquhar Agricultural
Works. at York. Pa. says the Phila-
delphia Record. This is probably the
largest order ever sent out for this
crop compelling implement.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-02-24
An Easv Question.

A worthy negro matron who had
lost one of her numerous progeny by
death was met by friend at the head
of the procession of mourners. Which
of the children is dead, aunty?" asked
the friend. why. the one in de
hearse," was the sobbing reply.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-02-24
Some Good Acoomnllsh.a

Does hanging prevent murder?"
asked friend of Deputy ATTORNEY.
General Job. e. Hedges the other dav
i think 1t does" replied Mr.. Hedges.
I never heard of a man committing
murder after he was hanged."-New
York Times.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-02-24
eouId,s PalatIal Prluate g.

George Gould's private car, Allan
ia, is nearing completion at st.
Charles, Mo, where he inspected it
few days ago. 1t is to cost about
$15o.ooo and will be veritable pal
ace on wheels.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-02-24

lie wondered. boy-iiks. through his
youth
How love would come to him some
day
ROse,crowned. star-eyed and fair in
truth;
How hand in hand. along the way
He'd lead her 20 the purple rim
Across the golden afternoon
where she should smile alone for him
And life their lullaby would Groom!
And SO he dreained And though he
talked
With other girls upon the stairs
With one he danced: with one he walked:
But never Numbered in loves snare,
Nor thought he'd strayed into the net
That bound his lifes unspoken wish
One lucky day when first he met
A girl who owned chafing dish!
She was a serious maid who had
Ambitions fne--ideals grand
Her eyes upon The stars; her fad
To live for Art alone! She planned
a great career-the goal in sight;
And afternoons to call he came
Nniie she put on an apron white
And dallied with the 'chafer's flannel
She frizzled eggs and oysters creamed
And placed the cups OF china bluo
With touch artistic while they dreamed
or all their noble aims come true;
They never talked Of love-but things
Adjust themselves in these affairs;
One day she deviled turkey wings
And so-loye found them unawaresl
New York Times.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-02-24

Shake into your shoes, Aliens Foot
Ease, powder for the feet 1t makes
tight or New Shoes feel Easy. Cures
Corns, Bunions, Swollen, Hot and
Sweating Feet. At all Druggists and
Shoe Stores, csc, Sample sent FREE.
Address Allen S. Olmsted. Leroy, n. Y.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-02-24

High class magic lanterns, to give
picture nine feet in diameter, cost
from $3.50 upwards. The lenses some.
times cost 800 apiece.