davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-05-19
Has Toothache in the Foot.

did you ever have the jumping
toothaehe in the foot of your" asked
Pat Flanagan of the Major 1T was
like this" said Pat. Il carried. at
Stone River the cleanest and bright
est rifle in the company And all the
boys knew II. When the rebs shot
that rifle out of my hands couldn't
bulge on account OF being stunned
and boiling over mad Right at my
side was Mike Higgins, with as dirty
a rifle as ever good soldier carried
and he was firing as fast as he could
load and pull the trigger, and he was
yelling at me why in the devil didn't
shoot, when | decided to slap him
once for luck Just then something
slapped me on the side OF my right
foot, and slapped both feet from un-
der me. Mike lifted me up and said
whatever It was that slapped me never
touched me. Then he shouldered me
off toward the rear.
1T was case of must. Mike said.
had to use my legs or be captured. At
first my feet were like wooden blocks.
but the further walked the better
they felt, and finding bright, clean
rife on the field ! became interested
In the shooting and forgot all about
slapping Mike or being slapped by
something that Mike said never touch
ed me. That night found two bull
let holes in my hat, three in my
overcoat two flesh wounds on one leg
and three scratches on the other. and
never thought OF my foot. My right
boot was full of blood, but Mike said
1t came from wound just above my
knee and let 4, 90 at that.
But that blood came from my foot
and from that day to this have had
the jumping toothache in that foot,
whenever a stor~' e brewing. Rheu-
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-05-19
Battlefield Comrades Meet.


TWO soldiers who we're wounded at
the battle of the Wilderness met for
the first time since then at the rail.
way station at Fa!coner Thursday last,
says the New York World
One OF them, John Curtis, who now
resides at Fentonville. was badly
wounded in the hand. While en- route
to the rear he stopped at the call of a
soldier who was shot in the leg.
I'm bleeding to death and most
burned up, said the man.
Curtis had in his pack roll of ban
dages which he was unable to use be-
cause of the injury to his hand.
Look here" said he, you've got
hands and | legs, and between us we
ought to help ourselves. Bind up your
wound first, it is the worst and then
bind up mine"
These directions were obeyed, and
the man soon had his leg inclosed in
tourniquet, and Mr.. Curtis had his
own wound satisfactorily bandaged.
Both feeling better, they drank some
coffee and enjoyed a smoke. During
all this time it never occurred to
either of the soldiers to ask the 9TH
er's name, and they addressed each
other as Hands" and Legs"
Curtis finally got help, and both
reached the field hospital, where they
separated upon their recovery.
That was thirty-eight years ago, and
from that time until the present date
Curtis never tired of telling the story.
While waiting in the Falconer station
he encountered another grizzled Grand
Army man. He commenced his story
after the usual salutations. He had
not progressed very far before the
stranger eyed him sharply and ejacu-
lated in surprise:
Then you are Legs!"
And you are Hands?" queried Cur
tbs, much astonished
You bet | am, and, thanks to you,
| saved both my hands and legs"
Unmindful of the bystanders. the
two old comrades talked until train
time. Curtis accompanied his friend
to the cars and waved him a good-by
as he departed.
Yes" said he when he returned to
the station, that is Hands, all right,
but he has changed considerably in
thirty eight years. What is his name.
and where does he live? Great Scott!
forgot to ask him. But it makes no
difference, for | will probably never
see him again; but IL do I'll know
him by the name of Hands anyhow"
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-05-19
MpS SdnAH Z M1Mn

two days after Mrs. Maher received
her silk. and she was compelled to
work all day Sunday and all Sunday
night to get the flag finished in time.
The next morning, when the men of
the district went to the polling place,
they found floating above 1t beauti-
full banner, Mr. Maher on a block
ready to address them, and his wife
by his side pointing to the flag as it's
folds Mapped from the stan. Mr.
Maher made an impassioned speech,
and with the tears streaming down
his cheeks. begged his neighbors to
remain true to the Union. The appeal
was not made n vain. and a large
majority was given against secession.
Mrs. Maher then took the flag and,
aided by large body of men, planted
1t on hill overlooking the whole val
ley, where it stayed till it + into
tatters.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-05-19
( ollilPflre I dles

matism? No, sir, / can stand in the
water or in the snow all day and have
no pain. But three or four hours be-
fore heavy rain or snow storm is
due, there is a jumping, humping
tocthachey pain In that foot and no
Questions asked That continues un-
tii the rain or snow comes, and then
the foot is as easy and comfortable as
any foot in this world. Mike told me
la'er that the thing mat struck me
seemed to fly up from the ground, but
the air was so full of flying things
that he thought | was lucky to escape
with bruise, when dozen of the
boys were shot through and through
rms was the view took of the mat
ter then, and | never counted my lame
foot as wounded foot, and yet it
gives me more trouble than all my
other wounds put together. &C Chicago
Inter Ocean.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-05-19

She rose swiftly and stood before
him. her eyes shining. He could see.
the eagerness, the longing in them.
even In the dim light.
aye ain sold nor-nor rented the
farm. have we, Jake?" she breathed.
mot yet; hits the wrong time o.
year. I'VE jes' lef' hit in brother
Toms hans TO look out for
I'm so glad oh, Jake, ye can't
ever know how glad!" she half sob
bed. Eyes, I'll marry ye, but we
won't stay here. Wen go back to
we uns mountains an climb up to-
gether there, An jes' think. Jake.
as he rose and stood beside her.
"well have our own sun an hit won't
be cheap an dirty lookin', an we
needn' wade around in mud, an there
won't be gossipin an fightin' an
scoldin folks all round US. Oh. Jake,
Jake!"
And she raised her face to his,
TRANSPORTED at the thought. and he
almost reverently, bent down and
kissed it.-Frank II. Sweet in New
York Press.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-05-19
A Remarkable Verdict.

John Ward tells this story of an in
eident that happened in Barton county
just after the civil war.
"A man named Harrington had
stolen sawmill down on one of the
creeks. A sawmill is a rather I'M.
usual thing for man to steal, but the
defendant in this case had deliberate
ly taken his team and hauled the mill
away. After hearing the evidence, the
jury retired anu in snort time they
came in, the foreman handing to the
court a verdict which read something
like this: We, the jury. believe from
the evidence that the defendant, Har.
rington, took the sawmill. but since
1t appears that he took it from a lot of
damned Rebels. we acquit him. Judge
Ward is said to have the exact written
words OF the verdict in his possession
Lamar (Mo) Democrat.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-05-19
WHAT BECOMES OF MuLesq
One Man Doubts if They Ever Die a
Natural Death.

One Man Doubts if They Ever Die a
Natural Death.
Two men stood near the approach
to the Dearborn street bridge one day
last week, watching a small team of
mules straining at the tugs to pull a
heavily loaded wagon up the incline,
says the Chicago Inter Ocean.
Did you ever see a dead muIe?''
asked one of the men.
Don't believe ever did" answered
the other. Did your"
only once, and that one got in the
way of a mail train and was knocked
higher than Gilroy's kite. He wasn't
exactly dead when he hit the ground,
but his owner put him out of his
misery with an old squirrel rife.
I've often wondered what became
of all the long-eared brutes. I've seen
thousands of them that looked as old
as the hills, but | never heard of one
dying a natural death. You often see
a dead horse, but it would be worth a
good deal to see a dead mule that had
not been executed. | heard of few
bNluS hllGu III INC army ny
being hit with six-pound shot. but /
never saw it done and | doubt the
truthfulness of my informant | also
heard of a mule graveyard down in
Missouri, but when | went to look for
it no one could tel in what part OF
the state it was located. All had
heard of it. but no one had ever seen
it.
My grandfather owned a span of
mules when | was a little boy. He
couldn't remember how long he had
been driving them. When the good
old man died they became the proper
ty of my father. He kept them for a
long time and then sold them for
seven-year-old animals. lost track
of them when they passed to the new
owner, but I'll wager that they are liv-
ing yet if they haven't been struck by
lightning. Yes, sir, for fact, I've al.
ways had a hankering to see a mule
die natural DEATH"
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-05-19

Half an hour later she was again
standing by the window. her few
household duties completed Pres
emily she noticed tall, broad-should-
cred figure coming along the street,
stopping now and then as though to
make inquiries. A moment later a
clear, imperative rat-tat sounded
through the house, and she went to
the door wondering who it could be.
The uncertainty was of brief durs-
ton, for, as the door swung back, his
Merry, | am glad to see YET" was
mingled with her pleased, ooh, Jake,
you here" Then with warm flush
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-05-19
Civil War Heroine Dead.

Mrs. Sarah Lands Maher of Will
mette. ILL.,, heroine of the civil war,
died recently at the age of 70. Mr..
and Mrs. Maher helped to make his
tory at the time of the civil war. for
their efforts saved Kanawha county,
West Virginia, to the Union. They
were living at the time at Mill Creek
where Mr.. Maher had charge of coal
oil works. The sentiment was run
ming strongly to the side of the seces-
sionists when Mrs. Maher urged that,
as there was not Union flag in the
district, her husband ride to Charles
ton, ten miles away, and procure silk
materials so that she could manufac-
ture one. The question of secession
from the Union or from the eastern
part of the state was to be voted on
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-05-19
= Little v,hil

=. little VIM
Oh for the peace that fiowath as river.
Making lifes desert places bloom and
smile
OH for faith to grasp Heavens bright
forever"
Amid the shadows OF earth's little
while"
"A little while" TO wear the robe OF sad
ness
TO toll with weary step through errine
Then TO pour forth the fragrant oil Of
gladness
And clasp the sirdle Of The robe Of
praise.
"A little while" for winning souls to
Jesus,
Ere yet we see his beauty face to face
"A little while" for wienning soul-dis-
eases.
BY telling others OF a savlor's grace.
"A little while" to tell the joyful story
OF him who made our guilt and curse
bis own:
"A little while" ere we behold the glory
To gain fresh jewels for our heavenly
crown.
"A little while" for patient vlgil-keeping.
To face the storm, to wreste with the
strong;
"A little while" to SOW the seeds with
weeping
Then bind the sheaves and sing the
harvest song.
tbs but "a little while; the way is
dreary:
The night is dark-but we are nearing
land;
OH for the rest of Heaven. for we are
weary,
And long to mlngle with the deathless
band!
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-05-19
HE GOT THE PIE.
How Peter Widener, as a Boy, Aston
ished a Quaker Meeting.

How Peter Widener, as a Boy, Aston
ished Quaker Meeting.
AS boy Peter A. B. Widener. the
traction magnate of Philadelphia, was
inclined to be mischievous. Once, IL
Is alleged. he came near breaking up
a Quaker meeting This is the story
as told by some of his friends.
He was walking with another boy
IN Montgomery county, and, coming
to the old meeting house that is near
the famous Belmont Race Track. he
peered through the half open door at
the quiet folk within. 1t was strange
spectacle he beheld-a great room
nlled with men and women. all mo
tionless, all silent.
Young Widener went to bakery
near by, and bought little pie. Then
he walked boldly into the meeting
house. He stood in the middle of the
aisle and held the pie up.
This pie he said in his clear
young treble voice, as for the one
who speaks first here. Whoever
speaks first gets the pie"
An old man. tall and lean. arose.
ne pointed his finger in reproof at
the boy.
Friend, go thy way" he said.
Does thee think that to interrupt"
But young Widener had already
hurried down the aisle to him.
rhe pie is yours, sir" he said.
ana placing it in the hands. of the
amazed old man, he departed quickly.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-05-19
To Love and the Kills


When the girl reached her own door
che turned to look at the sun. which
was just sinking behind the cotton
mill But it was dull, disreputable
ball which leered her through the
grimy atmosphere, and she threw out
her hand with sudden revulsion of
pent-up disgust.
'Tain't my SUM-" she half sobbed !;
"hit's-hit's on'y jes' some cheap
thing the fact'ry gifts upS
The company used the poorest
grade of soft coal, and though it's
dense smoke had ceased to blacken
the sky above the tall chimney. it
still clogged the moist lower atmos-
phere of the mill yard and the cheap
hastily constructed village in the lit
tie bend of the sluggish river.
A heavy step approached and she
turned to look into her fathers easy.
good-natured face.
Ye pears to git ahead O. we uns.
Merry" he said, with obvious disap-
proval in his voice; 81 spoke toto
Bess comm out. an she said We lef'
the fact'ry like we was fired outer a
gun. She-they don't like fo's to be
offish an onneighborly."
AT the name of Bess the girl drew
back, flushing hotly
i don't keer for none of EN-" she
retorted drearily; they're so cheap
an trifin'. Hits bad 'nough in this
cabin, with nothin but mo cabins an
mud an mill smoke all round, but hit
lows me to git to myself, some. oh.
pap! II on'y we hadn't lef' the noun
tain!" She turned abruptly into the
cabin, and he followed.
But hit was you as seemed mos
set on comm, Nervy," he expostulat-
ed, as he seated himself upon a box
and watched her start fire and set
about getting supper when | frs
spoke of hit, ye was jes' will to come.
Ye said there'd be chances to study
an Farn to be like folks, an that We
wouldn' have to grow up ign'rant an
no count. An now" wonderinglv
here we are, homesick, Already. Pm
feared, Merry, that We ain SO strong
minded, an-an' projectin' as folks
lowed on"
The girls face hardened little. but
she made no answer. The man drew
his box forward and began to eat
hungrily, but from time to time raised
his eyes furtively to the face oppos-
lite. At length as he transferred the
last slice of bacon to his plate. he
blurted out desperately:
"Mnhhp va'd OUGHT - -
comp'ny, Merry. 'Taint very lively
with jes one man like me in the
house, an me mostly out. Now there's
the Grogans that take bo'ders." shift
ing his eyes from her direct gaze:
they've got TO or FIVE mighty bright
young gals, an do hear one of ems
goin' on. P'raps We might git her
place. OF co'se,' hastily, I'D hate to
have ye go way, but if lowed ye'd
be havin' better time an be mo
content like. I'd be willin'."
Her lips curled a little.
Then hits true?" she said. owe
been hearin' ye was amin to marry
that gal, Bess, an | reckon I've done
said sharp things to folks that limited
It. But IL couldn't help hit, pappv."
her voice breaking suddenly, with /
my own nanny dead on'y five
months. If ye'd wait a year. / |
wouldn say word. an-an' I'd even |
try to make friens with Bess. Oh.
pappy! won't We please wait on nam. |
my's 'count?"
The man made no answer except to
shake his head sullenly Her face
again grew hard
Il s'pose hits Bess that's at Gro.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-05-19
Two Battle Experlenes..

"At the battle OF FredericksburR. /"
said veteran, our regiment was on
the skirmish line for eighteen hours.
and hard at 1t all the time. When the
assault was ordered we were directed
to lie down that the advancing line
might run over us. Then we were
to rally on the reserve, eighty rods to
the rear. To reach the reserve we
had to cross an open field over which
bullets were flying like hail. Even
in that crisis | hesitated to run the
eighty rods, fearing that after facing
the enemy for eighteen hours would
get bullet in my back. So | side
stepped that eighty rods and was
laughed at by the boys who made
quick run
we had in our regiment one of the
old-style DULLES, who made a good
deal of noise in battle He was al
ways urging our boys to give EN- hell
and shouting threats to the enemy.
Most of the younger men in the regi-
ment thought the loud talker was a
great fighter, but at Fredericksbur
he received slight flesh wound In
the leg which took all the conceit out
of him. He numbered like a whipped
boy under his trifling wound, while
dozens of men with serious wounds
stood grim and silent. lighting to the
last We never could get our bully
into another fight. and came to the
conclusion that he was brave through
Ignorance, and that when he learned
from experience that bullets would
hurt he lost his nerve"
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-05-19
THE PUNISHMENT OF JuRvMEN.
IN o'den Times Judge Had That
Power in his Hands.

i'nes Judge Had That
Power in his Hands.
In oluen times, when jury in Eng
land remained impervious to the
Juuse s gentle mode of persuasion.
nne and imprisonment were not re-
sorted TO- The jury that acquitted
Sir Nicholas Throckmorton was CON
aemned to eight months imnrison-
ment IN addition to the payment of
large sum of money. In the reign
u queen Elizabeth a jury, having re-
uueeu prisoners alleged crime of
murder TO that of manslsughter was
al once sent to prison and bound over
III large sum to be of good hebav-
lot Penalties were likewise inflicted
upon the innocent wife and children
oi tne offending jurymen. Even now
~ Is believed by some legal autbori-
ues mat Judge has the right to in
met nne upon iuryman refusing
10 ooey his directions. Such mower.
49, however, not exercised. except In
Ihe case OF juror absentinP himself
without a justifiable cause or This
practlce there is the following story:
"A Judge has fined a juryman for non
attendance. On hearing that ba had
oeen unable to be present because OF
MS wife's funeral the Judge whose
wlie was said to be not of a particn-
larry gentle nature exclaimed
Has ne? That was good excuse I'm
ueeu' Wish we all had the samo!"
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-05-19

/
on her face she re-entered the room
and he followed
There were no chairs in the room.
and she motioned him to the largest
of the boxes. Then she came and
placed her hand Familiarity on his
| shoulder.
Now, tell me, Jake, she command
ed. whatever brought We way off to
these parts; an how's all the folks.
an the farmin an huntin' an fishin'
an the woods an peaks. an'-an
everything?"
But he only possessed himself of
her hand, laughing.
You uns are in a regular hornets
nest of place" he declared. Il axed
for We at one house, an at another
an another. an nobody seemed to
know ye by name, they all wanted to
talk an say somethin bout some.
body else" He paused abruptly, and
at that moment a flare through
broad crack in the stove crossed her
face. "Nervy!" he cried, sharply.
springing to his feet, what's the mat
ter? we've been sick, an'-an' yes.
we've been cryin!"
NO, no, Jake" she expostulated.
smiling and flushing under his anx.
ious gaze, "hit's-hit's jes' the hard
work an lonesomeness of the place
Ye don't know"
Yes, l do know" explosiyely
hits that shifty-eyed daddy-no.
don't mean that, Merry. But | heered
hit all comm long. When folks
Earned where | was goin they jes'
seemed achin' to tell me bout the gal
he was to marry, an that she said
you and her couldn't live in the same
house Why, Merry, l." His face
had grown dark, but now it suddenly
cleared, and he ended with a ,augh
Anyhow, hits goin' to hep my
plans
Your plans?" she asked.
He settled himself comfortably
upon the box and drew her down be.
side him
"Ye member that day we parted on
the mountain" he said, with a sim.
pressed eagerness in his voice which
she could not fail to notice. eve
want satisfied with our narrer wav
o Twin an wanted to fit yo'se'f for
somethin' nobler in the big worr out
side; an'-an We lowed We loved me
but couldn't marry me, cause want
ready to climb up long o. We. An
I'm free to say, Merry, didn't feel
/ could leave the mountains then. I'd
been brung up mong EN-, an
loved EN-, an hit seemed to me there
want no other place fit for Twin.
! had nice farm an was dom wen
an | did low | was of valoo to the
neighborhood. So | let We come off
alone. But | was mistook. Neryvn
his voice becoming more ca. est and
tender; Il knowed hit ies' as soon as
We was gone. did n car any mo-
for the farm nor the mountains: hit
was you | wanted, jes' you an nothin'
else. So I've come here to climb nm
with ye, an to do anythin' We like |
an go anywhere We say. I've been m |
the fact'ry, an there ain no lob for |
me jes' now 'cep' 'tendin' fire in |
the engine room at ninety cents n
day | kin git bodied for fifty cents.
That leaves fo'ty cents fer gittin,
ahead. faint much, but mebbe hit'u |
do for start We kin git along
Ye've knowed me since | was a Httla |
Teller an We know | can be trusted |
an ye know that | geaerly do what |
| set out to do An--an' that's all |
Win ye marry me. Nervy?"
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-05-19

So great is their desire for equaliz-
ing the distribution of wealth that the
Vanderbilts and Astors are continual
ly swearing off some of their taxable
valuation
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-05-19

Mrs. Madeleine Yale Wynne has
told the Chicago Women's Club that it
is perfectly proper for woman to be-
come blacksmith if she has an in
clination for that kind of work. 1t is
still held to be unladylike, however,
for woman to want to do her own
Homework.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-05-19

Over in Russia man may now
pray without license from the state
church. How old Metropolitan Pobied-
offshwizcsyensensilsoffskyvitch must
be wriggling and worrying about his
liver.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-05-19

Three hours from proposal to we'd
ding is the record of a Chicago couple.
The success OF the experiment will
depend on the length Of acquaintance
before the proposal.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-05-19

Great Britain wants nearly $780,
100000 this year for warships in or
der to maintain her place at the head
OF the nations in naval strength. II
things go on as at present for few
years more England may be com
PEELED to trade the royal family of for
armor plate
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-05-19

The cake walk is the latest fad
among the smart set of New York.
And this gives Henry Watterson an
opportunity to remark in his usual
delicate way that blood will tell"
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-05-19

The dickens" you bet" and holy
smoke" have been declared to be pro-
fame by the president of Hamline uni
yersity. Why we're "Cricky" and."oh
la" left out?
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-05-19

King Edward has ordered four bar
rels of Kentucky whisky. Col Waiter
son might send over a few choice
shoots from his mint bed to round out
the consignment
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-05-19

John d. Rockefeller got an $s,OOO,-
600 quarterly dividend from the Stan
dard Oh Company the other day. 1t
is understood that he also continues
to have large assortment of kind
words on hand.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-05-19

MIR. Schwab began by having his
luncheon at his desk on his first busy
day after his long rest. Another man
who hasn't learned wisdom by ex-
periencei
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-05-19

Possibly the far-sighted PennsyI-
vania lawmakers who passed the anti
wife-kissing law thought thereby to
make the kissing OF ones wife an
enjoyably exciting pastime.