davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-11-21
"~HANKSGIVING

50 THANKSGIVING is coming
round again." said Robert
Kempton to his wife. please
don't make any difference this
year, Mabel We have nothing to be
thankful for. Bob and Ella have spoiled
our lives"
eve should be thankful that it is no
worse" replied the wife, with a pa
thence that never deserted her.
But this is not the beginning of the
story.
Years before Mabel Lathrop, much
to her fathers and mothers chagrin,
married Robert Kempton, a wild, reck-
less fellow, and he would have been a
ne'er- do-well had not Mabel saved him
and made him a successful man. Rob
ert knew and admitted that she had
turned him from a worthless life.
Mabel he said to her, Il owe all
am to you. God forbid that I should
ever treat you with the slightest harsh
ness. On the contrary, / pray that he
may send me some unusual opportu-
nifty to serve you, to suffer for you,
perhaps to die for you"
''You are doing all that is needed in
making me happy" said the wife.
Then came Bobbie Kempton, bright
eyed, sunny disposed little chap who
was his mothers darling and his IA
Tiers pride. Mabel fed him, bathed
him, clothed him, gave him his airing
during the day. and before he went to
sleep in the evening his father romped
with him.
When Bob came to be about fifteen
he began to show signs of the procliv
fties his father had shown in his youth
and thus brought sorrow to his par
ents. Mabel was patient with him,
and so was his father for a time, but
Bob grew more unruly, more reckless.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-11-21
A ROYAL BOOK BUYER.

The Purchase of DiderOt's Library
by Catherine II. of Russia.
Empress Catherine II. of Russia was
a great reader and lover of books
One of her services to letters in Russia
was the purchase of the libraries OF
VOltaire and Diderot. She was warm
friend and admirer Of these French
philosophers, and their work interested
her because she was eager TO learn new
theories of politics and government
VOltaire's library of about 1000 vol.
umes is now a part of the Russian i'm
perial library in the Hermitage palace
and in the hall devoted to it is Hou-
dOn's statue of Voltaire.
The story of GATHERINGS purchase of
Diderot's library is interesting. 1t is
creditable to her tact and her generos-
Ity. DiderOt named E15,00O as the
price of his library. Catherine II. Of
fered him f16,000 and named as a con-
dition of the bargain that her purchase
should remain with DiderOt until his
death. Thus Diderot. without leaving
Paris, became GATHERINGS librarian in
his own library. AS her librarian he
was given a yearly salary of $1,000.
One year this salary was not paid.
Then Catherine wrote to her librarian
that she could not have him or her IL
brary suffer through the negligence of
a treasurer's clerk and that she should
send him the sum that she had set
aside for the care and increase of her
library for fifty years. At the end of
that period she would make new ar
ro00empDtS 4 check for f25 600 az
companied this letter.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-11-21
Comparative Ages of Animals.

Q.-What is the age of a field mouse?
"A year. And the age of a hedge
hog is three times that of a mouse,
and the life of Il dog is three times
that of a hedgehog, and the life of a
horse is three times that of a dog, and
the life of a man is three times that of
a horse, and the life of a goose is three
times that of a man, and the life of a
swan is three times that OF a goose,
and the life of a swallow is three
times that of swan, and the life of
an eagle is three times that of a swal-
low. and the life of a serpent is three
times that of an eagle, and the life of
a raven is three times that of a ser
pent, and the life of a hart is three
times that of raven, and an oak
groweth 500 years and fadeth 500
years.-Philadelphia North American,
Sept. 13, 1903.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-11-21

again? Doan yo' 'spose dat de turkeys
was dun missin' bout Thanksgiben
time?
When Thanksgiben comes an take
de head Oh de table an de ole woman
an chilFen gather round an smack
der lips an roll der eyes, when de hour
comes dat I stand up wild knife in
hand to begin carbin', when de mint
arroves dat 1 reach out wild one hand
to cotch dat turkey by de laig an hold
him solid while l slice away. if one oh
my chilPen should look up an inquar
where 1 got dat bird den. I'm telIin'
yO' dat SIGH calamitous sarcum-
stance would perspire dat dat child
would remember de event all de rest
oh his bon days. a. &. LEWIS.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-11-21
Thaal1ssivine Day Abroad.

Wherever two or three Americans
are gathered together on Thanksgiving
day there is sure to be an elaborate
observance of the epicurean holiday.
In every foreign capital a Thanksgiv-
ing banquet at the American legation
is one of the fixtures in the ambassa-
doris or minister's ceremonial calendar,
and to his official reception are well
coined all of his countrymen residing
abroad or temporarily away from their
own firesides. The American churches
hold religious services, where there are
American churches, and in their alb
sence the natives usually offer their
places of worship to the Americans for
the day. Even in Picking Thanksgiving
day is q notable event. its observance
shared in by ChristianiZed Cinnamon
and the members of other embassies
than our own.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-11-21

setting Thursday. the 26th day of No
vembers as the date, in honor of the
adoption of the constitution of the
United States. The second national
Thanksgiving day was also proclaimed
by Washington, but was in February
of 1870. Subsequent presidents called
upon the people of the country to OBJ
serve such a day of thanksgiving, but
It was not until the presidency of Abra-
ham Lincoln that the observance be-
came a fixed event and the last Thurs
day of November was recognized as an
annual public holiday.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-11-21
Transparent salt.

Somes remarkable salt formations
are found extending for thirty miles
along the Virginia river in Nevada.
The salt forms mountains of crystal
and is so pure and clear that fine print
can be read through a foot of it. This
region was evidently once occupied by
great salt lake, as close by are some
wonderful wells, one of which, seven
ty-five feet in diameter, contains wa
ter so intensely saline that a person
bathing there will float like a cork.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-11-21
Innnressive.

"why did we arrive late and leave
before the opera was over?' asked the
youngest daughter. ut was very en-
joyable."
''Of course it was" answered Mrs.
Newrich. but. my dear. we had to
show people that we didn't care wheth-
er we got our moneys worth or not"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-11-21
RIirrins, RInnher.

"Bliggins is very unfortunate in his
love affairs"
EYES," said the girl with yellow hair.
"You see, Mr.. Bliggins makes the great
mistake of trying to converse intelli-
gently when he ought to be simply
holding hands and looking as if he
were stupefied with JOY. Exchange.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-11-21

Il looks at
dem turkey bones an'tdat empty pone
DISH" continued he, IAN 1 moan 'kase
yo' all git none. Den I skeered call
yo' 'kase yo' kill dis niggah fo' shuah.
stan lookin' at de bones, gittin' hun
grier ey'y minute. Mex ting some
body sneakln' up an boiler in de do,
'Whar dem rebsP What rebs yo'
mean? L say.
"'Cap'n Noah's company he say.
We seed 'em comm dis away las
night Dis one Yankee all in blue.
an up an tole i'm 1 rose dat turkey
all by myself an Cap'n Noah's men
come eat i'm all an den run away.
Dis Yank he laff all acrost he face, but
he make no noise laffin' Speck he
t'ink berry funny how de rebs eat dis
chile's turkey an pone. Den he go out
de do, an long come about 200 Yanks.
Den 1 git mad at dem Yanks, an 1
say: 'S'pose yo' t'ink dis niggah cryin'
'kase he got no turkey an pone. he an
Slim. l amt cryin'. I'ze laffin' on de
inside 'kase I'ze a free niggah.' Den dey
all laff ag'in an go way down de lane,
sneakin' after dem Noah's men. Now,
what yo' all laffin' at?"
Yankee soldiers, Sam? Are you
sure?" gasped half dozen in breath
We didn't make any noise, either, not
being certain we were out of the woods
yet; but every mothers son of us grin
ned like the man in the moon. Yankees
of the right stripe were what we were
looking to meet up with more than
feast of turkey and pone.
l., T i'll
from up de Kanawha way. / heered
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-11-21

and make a progressive man of him.
Marry him."
Ella blushed, and young Robert said:
"She can't do that, father, for she
did it early this morning.
An hour later, as the reunited group
sat at table, the father gave this toast:
BLESSED be those who recognize
their opportunities
n. E. .REALE.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-11-21


his chicken house on Thanks
giben ebe am no Christian an
nebber will be.
Dere's no place in hebben fur de
man dat steals. Jess de same L 'spects
de coon dat amt got a cent an yet
| brings home a turkey fur Thanksgiben'
will go to de good place.
De American people doan git half
huff sleep, an 'spects OATS jess why
most OBJ 'em am aIlus complainin' oh
feelin' run down. De white man
oughter git to bed early, 'speshually on
Thanksgiben ebe.
If any oh my family gifts to ailin' I
doan nebber git no doctor, 'kase dey
do heap OBJ ham. When my Uncle
julius was Token sick one Thanks
giben an de doctor said he couldn't
dun had none oh dat fo'teen pound tur-
key dat was hangin in de kitchen
what was de result? Why, when Ju-
Illus smelled dat bird, all brown am
juicy, an heard de family smackin' der
lips, he jess glib one groan an died.
Yo' may s'arch through de almanac
an de dictionary an all de histories OBJ
dis kentry, but yo' won't find no men
shun made oh a Guild man bein' 'lect-
ed president oh de United States. I
reckon it am just as well. If Guild
man held dat Office he'd kill hisself on
Thanksgiben tryin' to eat all de tur-
keys dat am sent to de White House
on dat Occashun.
1 allus stick up fur de Bible an be-
lieb cherry word in dat good book, but
I'ze kinder a Ieetle bit 'spicious bout
Mistah Noah an his ark. Dat man
might hev let all de birds an animules
in his ark, but did dey all git out.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-11-21

had heard Of
Noah's company
of bushwhack-
ers, who mas
queraded asCon-
federates, b u t
never smelled
powder in the
field. They ter
rorized the ig-
nOrant m o u n =
taineers. Selling
their pigs and
corn in payment
for their pro-
fessed guardian
ship of the ter
ritOry. Part of
their business
was to head of
runaway pris-
Oners and fugi-
tive slaves and
return them to
captivity. This
won for them
the federation of
the local Confed-
erate authori-
ties. We knew
the risk of cross
ing their beaten
and breath
lessly awaited
the sequel of
B l a ok Sans
story
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-11-21

Cap'n Noah's men say dey all skeered
o. Yankee sogers pintin' dis away"
at last we were among friends-good
enough fortune to draw thanks from
yearning stomachs. We scraped to-
gether a little Yankee money to re-
ward Black Sam for the loss of his
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-11-21

was proclaimed by President Washing
ton on the Sd daY of October. 1889.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-11-21
The Proof Of the Pudding.

you can hardly persuade Miss Old
girl that marriage is not a failure"
"Why? She never did marry"
'sBut she tried to and failed. Smart
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-11-21

Ii e V e 1t has
come. I am go
ing TO try to find
Bob"
"The opportu-
nifty has passed,
Robert" replied
the wife. at
came to you the
day Bob went
away. L S a w
contrition in his
face. If.you had
called him back
he would have
begun anew"
The husband
and father bow
ed his head.
"Never mind,
Robert. The past
can't be undone.
Let US be thank
full that we are
surrounded with
every comfort.
And some day
r o b bic m a Y
come back to
u.s."
While tn e Y
were talking two
pc S on S had
stolen into the
back yard and
under cover of
tn e outhouses
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-11-21

house. Suddenly the sitting room door
opened, and a young man and a girl
entered the room.
Father
''Mother!"
"Bob!"
"Ellap
In an instant the old people were in
the arms of the recreant son and adopt
ed daughter.
Then came explanations. Ella, know
ing of the secret that was eating at
Mrs. KemptOn's heart and breaking
down her health, resolved that she
would repay the kindness she had re
ceived by going in search of Bob Kemp
ton. After considering the best course
for her to adopt on leaving she con-
Guided not to make known her quest
to Mrs. Kempton, fearing that the sus-
pense would be detrimental. 1t would
be better, she thought, TO say nothing,
but bring the son home if possible. If
she failed there would be no disap-
pointment. She traced him to a dis
tant city and found him absorbed in
business. He had long intended to
communicate with his parents, but a
remembrance of his fathers last look
and words had always caused him to
defer action. He had made money
easily, but had not kept it, his natural
~ reckless disposition interfering with
economy.
ella" said the father, after all had
been explained, you have done for
mother that signal service which al
ways wished to do for her myself.
When the opportunity occurred did
not recognize it. When it came to you,
you recognized it at once. Do now for
Bob what mother has done for me-
save him from his reckless disposition
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-11-21

house. Suddenly the sitting room door
opened, and young man and a girl
entered the room.
Hattiesburg daily progress. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 18??-1909, 1903-10-23

The Sccott County Register says
that 1T would seem that the Noel
primary election law has not retarded
the growth of independent candidates
for certain county and beat offices in
several counties at the November
election. This fact seems TO be esti-
mated BY the number of inquiries At
tornsy General Williams has received
20 to the means By which an indepen-
dent can get on the ticket. He has
responded to all that it must be by a
petition signed by fifty qualified cleo
tors of the county. 1t is safe to say,
however, that the independents will
stand small chance against the regular
nominees. -
Hattiesburg daily progress. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 18??-1909, 1903-10-23

We are pleased to see disposition
manifested to perpetuate the memory
of those of either side who tell in the
war between the states. The Vicks-
burg Post of the Goth inst. tells as fol-
lows something of what is being dore
in this regard at the national park in
that city: f'Capt. ". 7. Rigby has
received notice that Tennessee is most
favorably inclined to the Vicksburg
National Military Park. and will at
once appoint committee to visit the
park lines at an ear Y day to locate a
site for state monument, also to To-
cate the positions OF the Tennessee
commands here during the memorable
siege. The Iowa commissioners con-
sistpg of nine memb ers. with Capt. J.
F. Merry at the head, will reach here
Thursday night to finally locate the
various positions of rhe Iowa troops
during the siege Gen. S. D. Lee
will be here Friday morning to meet
the Iowa commission.
Hattiesburg daily progress. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 18??-1909, 1903-10-23

The following is published for the
sdification of those who may not know
the law., requirement in the regard
mentioned: 1.-THE Magnolia Cotton
Mills have been exempted from tax
alton for the legal period and certi-
ficate to that effect has been forward
ed to the officers of the concern by
the auditor. Under the law, it is
necessary for an enterprise undertak-
ing certain manufactures to file a
statement what they have done and in
tend to do with the auditor before
they are exempted from tax levy.
The plant is the newest one III the
state. 1t will begin the manufacture
of cotton goods in about six weeks. =
Hattiesburg daily progress. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 18??-1909, 1903-10-23

The next term of the circuit court
will be held at Gulfport as
will be seen from the fol lowi ing
from the Gulfport Ledger: ''At a
meeting of the board of supervisors
held this morning at Mississippi CITY.
it was definitely decided that the
next regular term Of the circuit court
of Harrison county will be held at
Gulfport in the new court house.
This fact no doubt will be great re-
lief to the attorneys and their clients
who have been greatly demoralized
for some time owing to the uncertain
ty Of the completion of the new court
house in time to hold the next term
of circuit court in it..
Hattiesburg daily progress. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 18??-1909, 1903-10-23

The Forest Register says that
Wildcat is negro town in Arkan-
sas. owned by nergoes, and no white
people live there. Last week a wo-
man was before the mayor court and
was fined for misdemeanor. She
had no dough- but she had some
sorghum which was accepted at &C
cents a gallon, and some sweet pota-
toes at 40 cents per bushel in lieu of
cash. What more does niger want
than plenty of ''lasses and taters. ~
Hattiesburg daily progress. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 18??-1909, 1903-10-23

Up in Lee county, an exchange says
that "the board of supervisors have
decided to let the voters of the coun-
~ instruct them by their ballots as
to whether the road shall be worked
under the contract system. The peo-
pie Of Mississippi are awakening to
the necessity of good highways and
the new road law is being adopted
month after month. In less than a
year all the roads in the common
wealth will ne worked under the con-
tract system.
Hattiesburg daily progress. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 18??-1909, 1903-10-23

The Vicksburg Herlad speaks as
follows to the effect of the frost of the
night of October 10: 1.-The influence
Of the killing frost of the 10Th on
cotton prices seems to have been offset
by big receipts. But this can only
have been postponed, as there is no
doubt of the effect of a reduction in
yield on q considerable area of the
crop. This is especially true OF river
cotton
Hattiesburg daily progress. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 18??-1909, 1903-10-23

No trouble TO get hands on the fol-
lowing plan, By man in Missouri
as given through an exchange: "a
Missouri farmer who has had consid-
cradle trouble in securing farm hands,
has formulated rules which he hopes
will bring hands out OF the woods.
Wages will be six dollars a day.
Breakfast will be served in bed.
Wo king hours from 10 a. M. to 2 p.
N. All heavy work done by the boss,
Cigars furnished free. Three holt
days every week. Any hand working
the entir3 season can have the farm. "
Hattiesburg daily progress. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 18??-1909, 1903-10-23

A policeman by the name of For
sythe was killed in the discharge of
his duty at Brook haven Sunday night.
He was endeavoring TO arrest a coun-
try man by the name of Will Rush
ing, when Rushing turned upon him
with pistol, bringing him to his
knees with the first shot, but before
death reached him he managed to get
ont his pistol, firing twice, killing
Rushing, both dying within five min
utes.
Hattiesburg daily progress. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 18??-1909, 1903-10-23

The Laurel Chronicle tells in its
last issue of Banker W. B. Rogers. az
follows: Wallace b. Rogers was
recently elected vice president OF the
Germania National Bank of New Or
leans. Mr.. Rogers is president of the
First National Bank of this city. pres
ident Of the Interstate Bank and Truat
%, q New orlYaA prsisaens y ~
Hattiesburg daily progress. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 18??-1909, 1903-10-23

The Corinth Corinthian says that
"a number of negro women accompan-
led Dowie on his journey to New
York, and some of them were quarter
ed at the select and fashionable board
ing houses. Immediately on their ar
rival the regular boarders vacated
their rooms and left the premises.
The colored contingent were forced to
get ont. -
Hattiesburg daily progress. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 18??-1909, 1903-10-23

A new folder. has been issued by the
M, j. & X. O. railroad, addressed to
" Mr.. Homeseeker, which is being
scattered over the northwest, setting
forth the merits for diversified farming
of the lands along that now popular
route. Such information as it con-
tains will have weight with the peo-
pie who are looking southwark with
view of making permanent homes
down here.
Hattiesburg daily progress. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 18??-1909, 1903-10-23

sprinkled some meal in a large oval
dishpan and placed it against sack
of meal. The reaches would crawl
upon the sack and hop down into the
bottom of the pan. Then they were
unable to crawl out, and the large
dishpan was caught nearly full con-
tanning about 5000 reaches
Hattiesburg daily progress. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 18??-1909, 1903-10-23
It's the same old story, and

It's the same old story, and every
merchant has had his grievances
along the line, treated upon by the
Forest Register: ''There are some
people in this county every
other other county, for that matter
W no seem to study every means at
command to avoid paying our home
merchants legitimate profit on their
goods, but will give ear to slick and
silver tongued travelling agents who
are entire strangers to them and buy
from them spot cash on delivery only
to learn by sad experience that half
or two thirds of the soft snaps offered
By these willy fellows are in fact
swindles. The true plan is to pat
ronize home merchants. Thye are the
ones who pay the large amount of
taxes which help support our schools
and churches. and as a ruls are enter
prising citizens among us They, too,
are responsible for the goods they sell,
and in case any purchase is wrong, or
the goods not as represented, they can
be found ready and willing TO correct
the wrong. They spend their money
building up the town which enhances
the value of your farms. and for this
and many other reasons should be
supported.
Hattiesburg daily progress. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 18??-1909, 1903-10-23

The Clarion Ledger says that
whit Owens, the Lafayette county
murderer, is to face jury at Water
Valley this week for the sixth time,
on the charge of killing the negro
Hamp Williams, the supreme court
having reversed former sentences. -
Hattiesburg daily progress. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 18??-1909, 1903-10-23

The Meridian Star is generally
pretty level headed and it gives an
opinion in the following that 1t would
be we'll for the people of Hattiseburg
to think about: The Hattiesburg
Evening Post has suspended pubilca-
ton. While Hattiesburg is splen-
did and progressive town, she 10 not
large enough to support two daily
newspapers. This can only be done
in larger cities where there is suffi-
cient patronage to support them.
The interests of town are better
served by one good daily paper, we'll
patroni zed, than by two sorry ones."
Hattiesburg daily progress. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 18??-1909, 1903-10-23

The Jackson public schools were
closed while the teachers and children
went to the circus. Pretty hard
thing for an individual or town to
go back upon their country training.
--Vicksburg American.
Hattiesburg daily progress. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 18??-1909, 1903-10-23

The Federal National Bank Of
Pittsburg, Pa, which has heed flying
in its advertisement the line capital
81, 900, OOO,'' was closed a few days
ago by order of the United States
COMPTROLLER of currency.
Hattiesburg daily progress. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 18??-1909, 1903-10-23

Laurel is to have creosote and
turpentine works soon, There is one
thing about Laurel, when she starts
after thing she generally gets it,
Hattiesburg daily progress. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 18??-1909, 1903-10-23

The teachers association of Jones
county will meet at Ellisyille on the
31st instant.
Hattiesburg daily progress. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 18??-1909, 1903-10-23

The following from an exchange
would prove very interesting to q
town that was infested with reaches.
but it mas no reference (s) to Hatties-
burg as there never was such an In
sect - roach seen here: Dwight
smythe has novel Plan d celchins
Hattiesburg daily progress. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 18??-1909, 1903-10-23

At Superior, Wisconsin. on the
morning Of the 2lst, the postoffice was
entered by burglars and $40, 600 stolen.