davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The progressive farmer., 1903-09-08

[ said: "Have you got my name on
that paper9" eyes," he said. "Well
what does it say about Bildad Akers.
stoppin placeg Did they put an old
man like me out three miles in the
countryw He was kinder confused
at least his face was red, and he
said: Brother Akers, you are to go
up to Jedge Simpsons. I was mis-
taken," and this is the way Bildad
Akers didn't walk three miles to
Snooks's. The man actually thought
was an awkward hay-seeder.
I found fine home at the Jedge's.
He gave me the best room in the
house, right next to the Elder's,and
heard him say to some one that he
found Mr.. Akers an interestin pus-
sonage. How I wish Charles and
Ben could have seen me there. ]
have always noticed that men who
have the real style outardly and in
nerdly know best how to appreciate
worth in homespun. / didn't dis
grace the Jedge and his family, un-
less it was when I was trying to
cut some green lookin plums with a
knife. [ believe they called them
olives. But there was no latin by
the Jedge and his family. They
showed their raisin there.
Well, I surely enjoyed the Con
ference; I staid the last minute.
This thing >of preachers and dele
gates breakin away before the close
of the meetin like a passel of colts
out of a pasture should stop. What
does the Quarterly send delegates
for unless it is to stay and do some
thing? They elected delegates to the
Conference at Goldsboro, and there
was only ten of us to do any voting
I hope Ben and Charles will know
that I liked only one vote of being
elected. They always said [ could
not be elected to anything. But that
is because Charles had that unfor-
tunate misfortune in politics last
year.
I liked the Elders way of calm
out the delegates to give their
views on certain subjects. The Bah
tisses beat US in having a hooraw
time at their Associations because
every mothers son of them believes
that the meetin belongs to him.
Somehow or other in the Deestrict
Conferences / have been to, the idea
seemed to be that the meetin belog
ed to the Elder, and that if every
one didn't walk close to the line,
there would be something to pay.
I've seen delegates lying low IN
meetin and they made me think of
rabbits squattin in clump of broom
sage. The idea is for every dele
gate to feel that the meetin is his,
and that he has a right to call out
on every subject that spikes him.
Why, I made a speech on quarterage
raising that they are talking about
yet. I always did have a streak of
pure homemade orratory in me.
Tho sorriest thing I did at the
The progressive farmer., 1903-09-08
Bildad Akers Goes to the District
Conference.
(Raleigh Christian Advocate

ILL., Lu1COr Inc weather is
mighty hot just now, and as an old
man like me has to set a good deal
in the shade these days, I thought I
might as well write you about the
Deestrict Conference which I was
delegate to. I sent you a pome a
month ago coming next Saturday.
| writ it one night after supper, and
L have been a looking for it in every
Advocate since, but nary a glimpse
have l got of it. The poem will be
considered later-Ed.] So I will
send you letter about the Deestrict
Conference.
started before sun up on Wensdy
morning so as to take the cars at
the siding so as to get to the place
IN good time. 1 always like to get
to meeting ahead of time. When
Sally, who is my daughter, who went
to college for five months, saw me
startin off in my duster, she said
"Why pappy, you surely are not go
ing to wear that old duster. Why,
they have gone out of fashion, and
that old umberelll do don't tie it up
that way. 1t looks like you might
have a peck of apples in it." "Sally,
my daughter" said I, "you have had
the illuminatin educational illumi-
nation of an education in a good
educational school, but you don't
know as many things as your pappy
knows. Common Judgement tells
me that when a man travels on the
steam cars a duster is the thing,
and this umberen shaded your
grandpappy to many meetin, and
it will shade me, ceptin it falls to
pieces, and it can bag out like a
balloon or shrink up like a lightnin
rod just as it pIeases." They say I
am set in my, ways-that is, Ben
says so. So [ kissed Lily and Sally
and set off. My son is teachin of a
summer school over on the Bend, or
he would have went too.
Mr.. Editor, did you ever have a
kind of lonesome feeling when you
got to a strange place? Well, [
sure had lonesome feeling when Z
got to my stoppin place. There was
plenty ov delegates on board. l
didn't know any of the preachers ex-
cept the Elder, and he didn't know
me. Jonas Bates, my neighbor on
Sandy Ridge, was on the cars, but
he had tried to play big on the cars
and smoke a seegar, and it made him
so sick he didn't have nary word to
speak to nobody. I was sure lone
some.
When I got off at the depot the
preacher, I reckon it was, was there
calling off names from paper. l
stood with my satchel in my hand
until they all got off ceptin one man
who told the depot keeper that he
was lookin for Mr.. Akers who was to
90 to the Jedge's. 1 spoke up and
said to him, "I presume Pm the in
dervidual you are hankering after"
H. sbook nv hand. and looked at
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-11-15
$500

He waited for night thinking that the time
that the would forth again. toward sunset he
delighted it flying away swiftly the He had
already formed plan communicating prisoners on
the plateau above and had made megaphone noen
that lay upon the floor he reached the
shore of the hot river he shouted through megaphone and
had the satisfaction of seeing heads show
the edge of the cliff.
He called for Harry Grant and in the boy APP
peared and recognizing Sans voice amazed delighted
Harry told him get cardboard and make big mega
phone for himself, and minutes this
lads holding animated conversation Harry said that
they suffering from their diet of cake and wished for
bread and meat almost falling the cliff when
that he had frankfurters in his automobile.
He said that already his hands growing horny
polishing the diamond and apples and when Harry
gested that he him. said that pos
sbe the Hppodanus always carefully searched every boys
pockets before they left the diamond-room.
"YOu say he never searches the girsE' asked Sam
"Good have idea" shouted save the girls sew
pockets inside of their dresses they carry they
if you think he won't miss them"
He viii miss Them, Harry repeo "He has millions
Of them think be must have been getting them for hundreds
Of years"
"A right, said Sam, ge the girls work once so as to
be ready by dark Have every girl stitch herself pocket"
'Aw what's the use, Harry replied. Eve couldn't do any
thing with them w away from here"
you do / say" said Sam. leave rest to me-
viii get you all away from here days if you have pa
thence and do as tell viii now, he continued
whistle you to the edge of the cliff with other strong
boys and be ready to take the rope that VIII send you
"Ah what's the matter with you2 yelled Harry with note
Of despair IN hls voice. nobody could up here Are
you crazy"
Never mind how wiz get rope to YOU but be ready for
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-11-15
ZlzZZllllllllllllzzzzz

But fear that there in Edgevle- Creek many
girls who were tomboys; Wild harumscarum asses who did
fear than boy does any they played
too.
For the punishment upon little town. and it came
without warning or prediction of trouble when the teacher
was beginning believe that epidemic ruancy broken
out and was seriously contemplating rgng his position.
morning more than dozen boys and girls missing from
their BEDS which however showed that they been slept
and when nghta without them appearing home
the whole town was IN uproar.
People stood at the and speculated talked
OF dragging the creek for supposed that lost
been drowned searched the woods lanterns
Tor traces of the missing children until far into the night
then Uproar broke then found that many
more children their beds where they gone early
in the evening There something so mysterious in this that
nobody knew what to think or DO.
fathers and mothers hurried excedly through the town
with candles lanterns and lamps seeking for their offspring and
there was an awful wang when at last it that they had
really vanished.
Next day nobody worked talked anything but this dis
aster.
Forty-two children we're missing and every boz and girl
the day by philosopher named Qug who kept paper stand
the station. only those children who PLAYED boote
and generally dsobedient TO their parents zere MISSING
think such disaster as people spposed provided The los
had lost their children could in that light and
that morning simply indcscribable.
The grief increased mighty woe when at evening an old
nine years was reminded Of similar CALAMITY that cr,eJ =
his youth and after much reflection he managed the
circumstances as well as the and dates This what he
@When was about eighteen or it mOught abn nineteen
dunno there precisely similar happenin' light
Edgeve only they called Niger Hill in them days All
children that played hockey night or two same
What got them2" asked Sam Meeker, eagerly.
"The Twelvelegged Hppodanus got EN- the fan-tsiled
twelvgged Hppodanku that's got en- and that's what's
got these ere kids too reckon Nohn else could ketched
that several times afoe that had happened Squire Lang
don who useer all these parts lost eight boys at once
the dark and yanked the children right and whised
away with EN- afore you could say Jack Robinson
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-11-15
Z5zzzzzhzzazlllzlzlzz

He reached home at ter o'clock next morning having made
the distance eighteen hours although he lad taken four
half days the Hotwater River He Immediately bought
of those red boxes and thousand feet OF Irvine of the
hest quality ard strong wemade rope that would
many pounds weight These he placed the automobile,
which he procured all the ham sandwiches he could get and then
he started off without revealing his III Edge
ville-by-the- Greek.
When he reached the Crystal Rocks he called the dwarf
The latter said with a chucllle:
"Chimminy GRIPS but you half given dot Hankpan feler
regular twister arettyi got him shock and goope
MEME will him fnisbirr n
crazy because dot Piddeunce ting has told him dot YOU
vos talking nit phunnyaa to dot oder poy up de1e lie was
flying up and down init and curiousnes dot Pdede-
wink ting waiting for you N de middle of de road up dre
before you git to de wasser"
DO you mean the Pedunculus!' asked Sam.
"Dot's It, It's waitin' for you oncet-"
Il do hope 1t stays there and I'll - cried Sam
waiting Peduncuus fr and spran up to escape but
agile he the automobile faster and struck him
midar He thrown hundred feet ahead rolling and
along the roadside mass of fur and Hood and
suddenly he stricken that he uttered cry
the monster whom he served.
On they went, arriving at the few
Sam took the megaphone and summoned his
clarion tones In instant the cliff edged with cdrens
heads all peerng down IN curiosity and hope Sam rugged
his kite and the wind carried 1t ao up up until
swept along the edge of the elf and Harry grap7d the
as Sam directed
to the endw
Then Harry saw how 1t was to be accomplished and he was
much mortified that he had thought of simple plan
The children hauled heartily and the rope reached
top Then Harry fastened 1t to stout tree there and by
the eamng hot of the river and landed
side They really enjoyed it. that IS all but ones
threatening away and leave them behind 18th
ragged Hppodankus before they dared make the attempt
When they were all Sam spread cut the feast of ham
sandwiches ana you should nave seen those children T into i'll
sandwich cou1 be found minutes after hich MANY
pears and apples as big e the most marvellous things
body had seen IN all the world Each cr had about half
Dozen and of the boys also had supply gathered
times the day before by the girls from the vast stOroO
above
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-11-15

Sam thankful indeed, umbrella that made
when the thing swooped down before the and roared
@Who is here2 I smell fresh boyl"
Dere Is nottngs fresh to-day but look Tor
seu as have been too busy watch Meppe dere poy
aoun und don't know yet said the dwarf, he piled the
shoes up before MS master, the Hippodankus
What this thngP asked the monster looking the auto
DOT yoost what was going to ask YOU aetty It came
here dis morning, tink a queer animal"
The Hppodanus inspected the automobile carefully
but could make nothing of it. and seeing that alive he
took up the shoes and dartcd into the
He is mad whispered the dwarf because he didn't ketch
any shildren to-day, oncet"
Sam already in the automobile hriH voice called
ippodankus! There's somebody here whisperingl Come
back"
1t the little Pedmculus which had sneaked around IN
its smell the big ami
and he sure was boy somewhere Even now
HIM find the concealed lad But Sam started the automobile
and moved off after the monster and the little simply had
They few along like the wind and entered marvellous for
in which Sam would have been pleased space
but he feared to lose the animals
In this wondrous woods instead of ord
nary fruit although he could that there plenty that
also all of cakes cookies buns chocoaeecas tarts and
creampUs In fact everything that made finest bakery
with gingerbread ieycake bark were bushes bearing
ladyngers cakes chocolate
leaves whole pumpkin almost breaking down
Suddenly he spreading before him wide sheet of
smooth water from the surface of which he dscerned clouds of
knew must be that which Harry had mentioned his letter
sheer the awful cliff with smooth
glass Away the top he discovered specs of color which
he concluded children watching for The their
In another the Hippodans
verge of this cliff followed by the little Peduncuus and sam
obliged to halt at the edge of the hot stream
he could get to the retreat of the
and nothing could be DONE least while 1t re-
manned there Sam turned the forest of cakes he sat
he could buy were he rich anywhere in Edgevebhe
Creek.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-11-15

Increasing his speed he fastened along but suddenly stopped
observing ahead of HIM high of white rocks that
CLEANED like glass When he abreast of them he stopped
seeing of the which there lay several
of chdrens shoes This surprising
ordinary curiosity He jumped of his automobile
amined the shoes when he heard within the shout:
olretty."
While he stood in surprised silence there ran out little
dwarf dressed in faded red leather who almost fell back
ward .t on see seeing boy and an automobile there
Hinkydnkus feerl He around apout dis
shoes fer dem hdrens have something's do NIT
Not yet" replied SAM 'bu expect to pretty soon am
looking for the Hppodanu right So you make shoes for
Eyes, dots job. de dwarf of der Crystal rocks
am prisoner yet shoost like de rest Of dem"
Vo Kill dot Hinkydinkl Impossbeness yeti It can't be
very severe shock his feelings arety goope of tines
q don't see how that be DONE" said Sam doubtfuly
"Wel said Sam, q viii have my lunch here the shade
these rocks He produced prezes and franrters and
began to eat wereat the of the dwarf popped hungry
P Chiminy amt seed preteI nor ranfprter for two
huntert years alretty! Gift yet a bite, oncet"
Sam readily gave him all he could eat which delighted
the dwarf that he danced in glee
Nov, you nice feer I viii help you owet Dot
Hnydnkus comes back here pretty quick he here
goner alretty NowI hat magcalnes umbrella
makes you NIT complete nvisib you raise oncet
Den he can't and schmie him your ye
He into the md emerged instantly with small
yellow umbrella which ne suddenly opened and instantly
Flows dot for coming yet said his voice from the
air startling Sam immensely deghting him. too
"Now dots how works. added the dwarf appearing as sud
denly with the closed umbrella in his hand Dots yours NV
SON"
But why do you not it to escape from the Hippo
dankus p inc hired Sam, he took the umbrella
Watts de 1 can't streams init it. md so only
could go is far IS the river, oncet.7
you could go home with my automobile suggested
the boy Il carry rivers for go by the bridges
The dwarf reflected but suddenly started whspeed
put up dot umprella, quick hear dot Hnkyduk coming
Sam raised the umbrella in hurry, and time for
through the air large forty elephants its
batke spreading yards and yards Its head was
somewhat like that of lizard al with
long, stiff brse projecng from and its fanshaped
spread behind like cloud while its twelve long hung
down. wrggng like spiders. 1t terrific spectacle and
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-11-15
Ellllll41HllllllllllIln

lheys another curious aname that goes along with the
lppodankus so they and it's spayfooted pop
eyed hatared uncuus and its job sneak
spy out all the children that play hockey report to the
Hppodankus SOS he don't lose time a-seen @
out"
Sam but half convinced by old mans statement for
seemed very improbable that such animal could exist with
out getting INTO the Natural History book school, went
20 work upon investigation of his soon however
proved the old man to have been cyrrect
Sam found many footprints Of animal
back yard OF the houses that had lost children tracks as broad rs
dnlngtabe pressed deeply into he soil indicating thar
the creature had been travelling southeastern direction
picking up the Inflated boys AID girls it He saw tho
traces TOO OF smaller animal sometimes in advance and again
IN the rear OF the other If it had been ra around in e
Resolved to pursue hs investigation the end he requested
Mr beadsey iers the richest man in Edgevle-by
lend him his big red automobile order to follow The ~
the animals LAIR This Mr. Filters readily agreed To and
limited that he might himself but he backed ont a. The
last moment and Sam started off alone cheered b the encourage
ing words Of al the townspeople.
he had ample supply of food most Of Il consisting eff
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-11-15
go

But while they laughing and rejoicing
for home awful yell the air All eyes instantly turned
the frOwning cliff and there they the head of the Hippo
danus hanging limp and with gaspng wideopen Jaws
pecpce He had tainted from the terrible shock finding
that his prisoners had escaped and they sazd
after convulsicn swept his frame until with last culver
died.
Sam watching him expire felt also keen of dsap
poinmen that he had left Harry up there Until the animal
had died that he could have lowered down bag Of
precious diamond fruits ne well know that nothing
had been earth before but
late
However when at last the children reached homc-and
ray they did like Sam nger IT, passing through the
forest having far much Of such provenea the peo
pie crazy know what the ppodankus looked like
Sam organized balloon expedition procure
monsters body and bring 1t back Edgevie
IN order have stuffed and placed IN the
If this attempt succeeds and do not how fail in
charge of clever lad, all viii then be enabled Just
what used snatch the boys and girls who hated
school in chestnuttng time.
WALT AcDOUGAII.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-11-15

it when it comes and keep it to yourselves Do not
appear happy or contented, for that viii make the
HlppodanNus suspect something and don't talk
about It, either, among yourselves or else that little
animal viii overhear you and spoil the whole plan.
Don't forget to grab all the diamond fruits
you can. Good bye, now, for 1 am off,"
With feeling of deep disappointment Harry
watched the automobile move rapidly away from
the rivers edge and thread Its way through the for
est but this feeling suddenly changed to of
alarm as he detected the willy, agile Pedunculus fol-
lowing the machine at some distance to the rear.
evidently keeping out of sight from motives of eau
ton fear
Harry shouted in loud tones, for none knew
better than he that danger threatened anybody
whom that slippery little creature followed for at
though it was perfectly harmless itself, it never
failed to bring Its enormous companion to its
sisUance
But he failed to make his voice reach Sam as
he rushed through the cake forest Soon both Sam
and his pursuer disappeared among the green foil
age of the woods, and Harry vent back to his little
comrades, many Of whom had heard all that Sam
had proposed to do, and were so blueeyed and hope
full that he feared the Hippodankus would suspect
something the very moment he returned, and ale
though he was buoyed up by their confidence HIM
self to some degree, he cautioned them to conceal
their JOY
He was well aware that his chUm was a boy of
an inventive mind, and down in Harry'5 heart was
the conviction that he would succeed in the at
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-11-15

such provender would keep we'll such pree
doughnu cheese emOnpes, ha-sandwches and chocolate
Tor he was not of obtaining supplies the road
just he about to depart he observed pigeon fly
almost exhausted condition the coop, and Immediately
amnng he discovered that it bore the following letter from
Harry Grant:
Ny Dear Sam:
am in the power of the Hippodankus away up
top of mountain plateau somewhere south Of Edgeve
There sevntnine other children here and the animal
off every night for There such steep and
awful cliff around that can't escape and the foot
OF that wide stream Of hot water you IN
awful scrape.
We have work al the time polishing with our
hands diamonds and rubes cut In the forms of fruits aud
when the chidrens hands hard and callu the Hippo
danku throws them into the hot and they
drowned. Every night before he sends bed he
searches boys pockets that he hasn't stolen
of the diamonds, but he doesn't search the girls be-
cause they have pockets happened be handling
this pigeon when the thing and so brought it with
That's all from your partner, HARRY GRANT.
1t unfortunate that Harry could have furnished
Sam with definite directions but he started off the south
all the tracks pointed that direction and travelled
day without seeing anything of interest In
almost desert and travelling became very
several days had passed without his meeting human being
seeing house. but when last there doomed
tall aOpped mountain, he cheered by the hope that
last he nearing the abode of the animal