davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sea coast echo., 1905-12-16

upon pTetense of consulting hirG about
fayors for the next cotillion. They
were hardly seated when some one
beckoned Bessie away and she left him
with voluble promises to return in a
moment
Wingate leaned back against the
cushions and drew the heavy draperies
as a screen between himself and the
glittering kaleidoscope of the room.
Presently there was a rustic of skirts
and two ladies seated themselves on a
divan beyond the curtain. Wingate
had no desire to play eavesdropper, but
his position seemed too desirable to
leave. so with half-closed eyes he set
fled himself to await Bessie's return.
The first words Of his unseen neigh
bors reused him to instant interest,
however. for it was Margaret Little
who spoke.
Now Aunt Madge. what is it this
time?" she asked, with a defiant note
in her voice.
Only one question, Margaret, was
Miss Redmond's calm reply. Why
have YOU asked Bertram Wingate to
the New Years dinner?'
Charity, pure and simple, | assure
YOU. Aunt Madge," laughed Margaret.
He doesn't seem to belong anywhere
in particular. New Years is such a
stupid day now that no one receives
and he has been very nice to me, you
know"
He has been more than nice said
Miss Redmond gravely. He has
seemed thoroughly devoted for several
months. The New Years dinner has
been a family festival with US for
MANY years because it celebrates your
fathers birthday, as we'll as the general
holiday, and an invitation to that dim
ner might seem
Nothing of the sort, auntie," inter
rupted Margaret perhaps it was
thoughtless of me to ask him to that
dinner. but I am sure BertTam Win
gate knows better than to dream he
can draw plans for spending papa's S
money Why, l wouldn't think of mar
rying a poor man. | should always
wonder how much | weighed in the
balance of selection. There's two much
of my father in me to want to give
something for nothing. Now with
Charlie"
so it is Charlie Leffingwell, after
ALP" said Miss Redmond.
We'll, yes, if you r:"st know,
laughed Margaret Its all arranged,
but Charlie is putting through wheat
deal for papa just now and it wouldn't
do to have our engagement announced
vet. shall give large reception soon
and tell everybody. You will have to
come and help me. Let the home and
the ladies' Thursday go for once"
"I shall, of course, receive with you,
The sea coast echo., 1905-12-16
HER RULE OF XMAS GIFTS.
Painstaking Aunt Has a System Of
Her Own byWhich She Distributes
Gifts to Her Relatives.

The right rule for a gift, according
tc Emerson, is that it should be some
thing which will convey to some per-
son that which properly belongs to his
character, and is easily associated
with him in thought"
There are few people indeed who
Go not at least try to consider the
particular taste and character of tho
friends to whom they give, says the
Youths Companion. But once II
awhile a matter-Of-fact person quite
fails to perceive that this is necessary
A good thing is a good thing, in the
eyes Of such a giver, and it may be
assumed that the recipient VIII there
fore like it. and be grateful, unless, in
deed, be happens to have it already,
which is the one possibility to De
dreaded.
There is a placid, painstaking, pro-
sale. but much beloved aged aunt to a
large flock of youthful nephews and
nieces whose system, based upon this
comfortably simple view. refuses 70
consider even the drawback of du-
plication. Every Christmas she makes
everything she gives, and her pres
ents are of two kinds: one for gir'S
and one for boys.
One year it may be penwipers for
the brothers and needlebOOks for th5
sisters. the next. mufflers for the one
and mittens for the other. These
articles she patiently and ieisureiy
produces for weeks beforehand. They
are always tasteful in tint and ex-
quisitely made, and are usually vel
come.
An unfortunate schoolgirl whose
birthday in November had brought her
already two pairs of bed-shoes, IN
what she had discovered TO be Aunt
| El1nira's bed-sh0e year. tried to avoid
| a third pair by a word in season con-
veyeo discreetly through cousin.
Dear, dear!' murmured Aunt e
mira, softly, halting her knitting
needles for an instant. Both pairs
| blue, did you say, child? | must be
sure that my pair is pink, and-yes,
! that is a very good idea-Pu knit
them a size or two larger, so she can
wear out the other first, and be quite
sure they will fit when she is ready
| for them. Pink with a white finish
should be pretty"
Very gently the cousin limited at
some other present. but Aunt Elmira
| head was shaken at once, slight but
decisive shake.
No, dear" she affirmed, TRANQUILITY,
two kinds of gifts are all l can make
| in one year without feeling myself
worried and flurried. Ruth will find
| her bed-shoes just as serviceable and
Just as pretty a year or two later, il
| she can't wear them now; it doesn't
matter My mind was made up Ions
ago, my dear. that too many Christ
masses were spoiled by worrying"
Perhaps Ruth was not wholly CRATE
fuI for the pink shoes and the system
may be questioned; but Aunt Elmira 8
irieEos certainly fiud the spectacle Of
one person always Enaurried. unwor.
ried and unruffled, even in the wild
weeks before Christmas. soothing
and refreshing sight.
The sea coast echo., 1905-12-16

does not mean medicinal, but anything
myaterious which influences life, health
or mind
The water of this spring was Just
or'Eary drink-water,' as 'Limpy"
Jackson, the scout, said. It's medicine
lay in the manner of its flow.
The trail led over the brink of a
short, rocky gulch, perhaps so feet
deep. One clambered down the slope
went few rods up the gulch. and
there, about four feet above the bot
tom. was a small shelf of rock, not
larger than the top Of a hogshead. in
a niche of the wall Water flowed over
this shelf out from a crevice, and
dripped from its edge to the little ba-
sin below.
A. irregular intervals the water
spurted in a jet as large as a mans
finger clear beyond the self, a yard or
at the basin. or stood carelessly too
near. he might be drenched. This Jet
lasted only minute. and then died
away.
TIE squirt was accompanied by long
sigh, like a heavy breath of relief
which proceeded from the bosom of the
rock. and one might feel puff of air
issue from the crevice. Clearly, thought
the Indians, there was a spirit impris-
oned in the rock, and this place was
''Medicine.' An early white hunter
translated the Indian name correctly
into Whitewater
One day Investigation came along
with a miners drill and maui. and
would know what made the water act
SO. The maui broke down the self;
the drill penetrated the crevice. A
gush of air and water, and it was re
The sea coast echo., 1905-12-16

put his broken leg in sling from his
shoulder, and found that he could hob
ble slowly.
Thus he made his way down to the
deer skinned and cut it up, and with
Letters TO help pull, dragged its flesh
to camp on its skin. a yard at time.
In doing this while his hurts were yet
new, he suffered much less than if he
had waited
This work occupied him all night.
BY the time he had eaten a little break
fast his hurts began to infiame. and the
pain made him feel sick Nevertheless
he slept several hours in pure exhaus-
ton.
When he awoke at noon his broken
leg was swollen and very painful. So
he heated water in his camp pan, and
laved it for long time, until the swell
ing partly subsided and the ache near
ly ceased. But his scratches burned
and smarted dreadfully.
Four days of this wore upon Ben.
Ceaseless pain, an awful sense of lone
ly helplessness, cold, damp. sleepess-
ness, the accidental touching of his
sores and continual irritation, all to-
gether were united with worry about
the mail.
AS it was now two days past the
time when the mail was due. Ben be.
gan to hope the settlers would senl
for it. Naturally they would be impa-
tient at not receiving their Christmas
letters and packages.
So far the weather had been good.
Letters had enjoyed himself The re-
mains Of the deer and lions furnished
him with all the feasting to which he
chose to invite himself.
The fifth day a great storm began,
which lasted several days, with inter
walls Snow fell thickIy, and a gale
blew great drifts over the rocky walls
of the gulch, filling it with deep piles.
Luckily the camp and spring were
under the sneltering wall. All along
that side there remained a narrow
clear streak. path by which Letters
went to his feasts, and a space for Ben
to move about the little that was nee
essary. This storm put an end to
hopes Of speedy rescue. No scout
would go over the trail until the snow
settled.
Three days later came a storm Of
sleet, followed by freezing weather,
which put a strong crust on the snow
Seeing Letters frolic over this crust
gave Ben an idea.
"If I could send message for help
by the dog, Why not? He's used to
being sent on errands.' So he heated
the tongue of a buckle and burr i on
a chip these words
Xmas mail stopped at Whitewater
broken leg. Send help. Garry"
Paper might get wet. This chip
could neither tear nor fade. He tied it
TO Letters neck. Then he tried patient
ly all day to start Letters. But Letters
could not understand. although he evil
IDENTIFY tried hard. He was wanted to
go somewhere; so he went down the
gulch, up the gulch, out on the trail,
forward and back a mile or so. and re-
turned.
Finally, near night, Ben ostentatious-
ly tied up the chip iH a rag, put the
package in Letters mouth, and or
dered: Go, Letters! Go to SCOTS!
Take it to Scott's! Co."
Scott was the name of the postmas-
ter where the mail was due Letters
knew him. He looked grieved, it was
such a long way off. He seemed to
think for a moment; then he laid down
the rag and put out his paw for a
good-by shake.
The sea coast echo., 1905-12-16

duced to a commonplace spring. After
that the great trail no longer bent
that way, and the place, once thrOnged
with deyotees, became waste.
When a few thin settlements began
beyond the mountains, Richard Garry
took the contract for carrying the mail
over the Whitewater route once a
month. This route was SO miles with
out a habitation. He followed the old
trail past Whitewater, the new road
being not yet made, and it was general
ly called the Whitewater mail"
An accident had lamed Garry, so
that his nephew. Ben, young hunter
not halfway through his teens. took
out the December mail, starting at day
break with the post-bag, provisions,
gnowshoes, ak and fur sleeping bag
bound on a sledge, making a load Of
about 100 pounds. His rife was at his
back. revolver on one hip, knife on the
other. sledge line Of buckskin over his
breast, and dog at his heels.
Ben" said the old postmaster, this
is an extra mail All the settlers on
the other side get their Christmases
in this mail. Be careful, lad, and put
her through on time. You can do it
in four days"
Uncle Sam can be sure she'll get
there all right if the mountains don
fall on us-can't he, Letters?'
Letters was Garry's small shepherd
dog. who barked as if in acquiescence
"Good-by, then. Snow isn't deep yet
Guess you'll have a fair trip. Luck to
you. Good-by, Letters.'
Letters ran up and gravely put up
paw for his customary good-by
shake. The ceremony having been duly
performed. the postmaster watched
them stride over the snow until they
disappeared behind clump of bush.
1t was still early to camp when Ben
arrived at Whitewater, the second day
ont. This was the usual camp, and
had little brush hut with plenty Of
wood piled up, close to the spring. He
had only 43 miles farther to 90, and
two davs in which to do it. He WAS
tired. So he lighted a fire, ate supper,
made his bed. and slept, with Letters
at his feet.
In the night Letters growled and
nawed at his masters breast. All the
evening a pair of mountain lions had
been screaming not far away; but such
sounds were too familiar to alarm
either Ben or the dog.
Wondering that the dog had reused
him. Ben took his rife and went out.
His campfire, nearly burned to ashes
and close to the gulch wall. was visible
a few yards distance. There was but
a faint moonlight down in the gulch,
but the rough snowy edges showed dis
tinctIy against the sky.
Seeing nothing alarming, Ben sup
posed that one of the lions had ven
tured to the gulch cliff directly over
the camp. so that the dog smelled him.
If so. the creature was now gone; be-
sides, he cared little for such beasts.
Walking silently down the gulch a
little way, he suddenly encountered a
deer, probably going to the spring to
drink. His rifle sprang to his Shout
der, but it took some seconds to catch
an aim in that light. AS his finger
pressed the trigger. he saw, out of the
corner of one eye, the head and pricked
ears of a lior rise over the edge of the
gulch above him.
With the flash and crack Of his rife
the deer leapei and fell. and the
stretched body CT lioness appeared
falling through the air upon Ben. He
was driven violently back into the
snow, and lay dazed.
The sea coast echo., 1905-12-16
TCHWATER was once

was once
famous. Now it is an
almost unknown spring,
in q rarely visited
mountain gulch. For
many centuries Indians
have regarded the place
with superstitious awe,
and had named it Medi-
cine Water.
Medicine In Indian
The sea coast echo., 1905-12-16

D ANY of US in
{ b G 5 e stressful
days find time for
introspection. for
glance ahead? In
the slower past we
seemed to have,
even the most in
dustrious of Us,
time fox the go
ing apart alone, "
the inquiry how is
it with you, my
soul; but now We
The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-10-08
ENGAGEMENT ANNOUNCED.
R. c. Shepard to Wed Miss Inex Powell
 in OpeIiIxm.

opelika, Oct 7-(Special. )-Cards are out announcing the marriage of Miss Inez Powell to Richard c. Shepard, which will occur at the home of the brides mother. Mrs. M. E. Powell. at o'clock next Tuesday afternoon.
 The people are rejoicing at the pros poets of having the Opelika-Auburn electric line built and in operation at an early date.
 At a meeting of the city officials last Monday an ordinance was passed. prohibiting any person outside the city limits employing laborers in the city without the payment of a license of $50 which will entitle them to that privi- lege for one year. Failing to comply with this ordinance will subject them to a heavy fine
 Considering that the last three months are generally the dull part of the wear in business. the carriers of mail on the four routes going out of this city have brought in a record hreaking report. The total number of pieces handled by the four was 44,64l. o,..-,o. S,,us s., oon,,ertion of Chambers County. com Ooso6 of Beats 8. 9. 10 and II, Is in ses- ltnn of this time at New Harmony Sh,,-ob in Beat 10. A. c. Christian is President -...,..
 co1,a+,, branch of the Southern Cotton Sror,era Association was held at the o,,,r, house here Thursday morning and ~ Iaraa amount of business of interest fo tbe farmers was attended to. The
The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-10-08

With services of the solemnity and the impressiveness due the memory of Rev. John Wesley Rush, D. D, the veteran Methodist minister of Ala bama, the remains of the rugged old soldier of the Cross, were laid to rest yesterday morning at 10 o'clock in the cemetery at Prattville, where he had served one of his last charges and where he was beloved by every man, woman and child.
 The remains of Dr. Rush reached Montgomery Friday evening and lay all night at the residence of his son. in-law. N. B. Holt, on South Lawrence street. At 7:30 o'clock yesterday morning the body was taken to the union railway station and placed on the Prattville train. The following g Montgomerians accompanied the re- mains to the depot and acted as pall- bearers: Judah T. Moses, R. o. Blakey. w. H. Thomas. Leopold Strauss. E. c. Andrew, H. M Hobbie. John w. Durr, Sr.. C. A. Lanier and Alex Gar land.
 Many Montgomery people and peo- pie from over the entire State accom- panied the remains to Prattville. Up- on the arrival of the train in Pratt vile the remains were taken imme- diately to the Methodist church, which was heavily draped in black. Busi- ness ins Prattville was absolutely sus- pended. Not store was opened and the busy mills ceased to grind
 The pall-bearers there were as fol- lows: P. B. Frazier, T. J. Hinton, D. P Bateman, D. K Weir. c. E. Thom- as, Allen Northington. J. W. Young. c. E. McCord. Honorary: D. Pratt.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-10-08
BODY OF DIR. RUSH LAID
 TO REST IN PRATTVILLE'
Great Crowd of People ThrOnged Methodist Church to Pay Tribute to Memory of
 Methodist Minister.

, draped in black and many handsome floral designs sent by friends from over the State were placed upon the altar.
 The services were conducted by Rev J. M. Mason, D. D.. life long friend of the deceased, assisted by Rev. J. T. Mangum, Rev. A. l.. Andrews. D. D.. Rev. E. A. Donelly, Rev. w. M. Cox, Rev. w. P. Dickerson and Rev. J. W. Shores.
 As the ministers took their places in the pulpit. the choir sang Asleep With Jesus"
 Rev J. T. Mangum read the first lesson after which Mrs W. T. North ington sang "I Have Read of Beauti- full City" Rev. A. l.. Andrews. D. D., read the second lesson and Rev. w. M. Cox lead in prayer.
 Rev. E. A Dannly. presiding elder of the Marianne District, then arose and paid beautiful and eloquent tri- bute to the memory of the deceased He spoke of his influence with young men in general and in particularly of the influence which Dr. Rush had ex- erted over his own life and character. For the first two years of his minis- terial life, he said,e he was an inmate of the home of Dr. Rush and that it was nearer like heaven than anything else he had seen on earth.
 Dr. Mason followed Mir. Dannelly. He said that Alabama was to lay beneath her soil one of her greatest sons. He said that men become great in the com mercial pursuits and In the professions, but the greatest man of all was the man who by his life and influence makes an impress on the coming generations for righteousness.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-10-08

He referred to the friendship which existed between pr. Rush and such men as Senator John T. Morgan, Senator F . w. Pettus and General James H. Clan ton and score of others. who in the dark days of reconstruction found in him strong friend and advfser. He also spoke of the fact that, while Dr. Rush was the wisest in the councils of the honored and great, that he con- descended to men of low degree and did all in his power to bring them happi- ness.
 pr. Mason said that in all the rela- tions of life as a patriot, as a friend, as minister of the Gospel, that Dr, Rush lived clear, transparent life that was content to forget self and become the servant of all and that measured by the words of the Master, this was the greatest life of all. Dr. Mason said that he could not attempt any personal "reminiscences. His feelings forbade.
 At the close of Dr. Mason's remarks the profession slowly left the crowded church while the choir sang Nearer My God to Thee"
 At the grave Rev W. P. Dickerson of Opelika read the service of com mitment and Rev. J. w Shores. the oldest minister of the Conference, pro- nounced the benediction.
 The Knights of Honor, who had ac- companied the remains in a body. then took charge of the services and their solemn and impr sssive ritual was read over the grave.
 The visiting ministers who did not participate actively in the services were: Revs H. H. ,McNeil, Frank seay.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-10-08
A LITTLE STEALTH ..Let Not TkY Left Hand Know What Thy Right Hand DOeth," ESpe- ciaIIy When the Left is
 Bit Cranky.

Some of the most lovable and best people in the world are cranky, ana a Hectic" hard to manage, partlcu- Then 1t is that justifiabIe and right eous artfulness may be resorted to. AS, for instance, in the following case giV- en by a devoted wife and mother In Iowa: l..
 This spring my daughter. who IS a teacher, became convinced that COT fee was doing her hagm, as It caused distress and beIching after eating She felt that she needed a warm drink In the morning but disliked hot water or milk. Then our daily use Of Grape Nuts suggested Postum.
 For some time my husband, who has been a user of coffee from his youth, had been more than usually troubled with sleeplessness and nerv- ousness and I felt that Postum might be helpful to him. The question was, how to persuade them to leave on drinking coffee and try Postum, against which they had repeatedly expressed prejudice I resolved to try an experl- ment and make the test.
 without acduainting them with the fact I made Postum according to dl- rections, but added a teaspoonful of good coffee. I poured it out with some misgivings, but was delighted to see that no one could tell from It's appearance that 1t was not rich, strong coffee. It's use was continued for a week with the coffee addition, then that was gradually withdrawn, until only the pure Postum remained, and still the change had not been detected.
 TWO things were very noticeable, however, that my daughter had begun to rapidly improve in health, her dys- pepsia left, and my husband was en- toying sweet. refreshing sleep.
 When I ventured Jp tel them what I had done, he asked for a return to the coffee, and I gladly made it for him; but one day satisfied him, the old sleeplessness came back and he told me he liked the Postum better. So we have used 1t ever since to the bene- fit of the whole family" Name given by Postum Co.,, Battle Creek, Mich
 Look in each package for the famous little book The Road to Melville.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-10-08
ACCOUNTS OF THE, CITY
EXAMINER RILEY REPORTS THEY
 ARE CORRECT.
He Forwards to Acting Mayor c. P McIntyre statement Sis to Re-
 suit of His fnvestt- RnfiOna.

The books and accounts of all off cials of the city of Montgomery were correct at the close of the fiscal year, October 1st.
 This statement was conveyed yes terday to Acting Mayor c. F. McIn- tyre by J. M Riley, an expert accoun- tant, who has been at work two weeks Investigating the accounts of the va- rious city departments.
 The report of Mir. Riley was as fol- lows:
 Montgomery. oct 9th, 1905. Hon. c. P. Mcintyre Acting Mayor of
 the City of Montgomery, Ala, ''Sir:-I beg to advise you that I have carefully examined the books. receipts, vouchers and accounts of the officers of the various City Depart ments, from October 1st, 1904. to Oc- tober 1st. 1905. and find the same corr rect, the accounts of tne officers of each department corresponding with the Treasurers ledger.
 The Treasurer's banS balance Is s17715s.s5.
 Cash on hand, $1,sIzsz.
 The books of the different officers are neatly and properly kept and thank them for courtesies extended me.
 Respectfully submitted.
 -. M. Riley.
 Examiner" In every on of the departments em- ployes are busily engaged in compiling annual reports which are to be submit ted to the City Council ats its next an- nual meeting to be held on the night of October 16.
 Until these reports go to the Coun- cil they will not be made public.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-10-08
Nruch Talk, No Fight.

London, Oct "A sensational scene occurred at the meeting of the Norfolk County Council today. The Earl of Kimberlev. son of the distin guished Liberal statesman of that name. who held many cabinet offices. a member of the Council accused fellow member named sapwell of underhand methods and challenged Sapwell to take train for France where. he said. We can fight 1t out under proper conditions.
 The challenge was received with laughter and treated as a joke by other members of the council. After the meeting had closed. the Earl re- newed his challenge and sapwell pro posed to fight in a room of nearby hotel The Eari insisted that they must fight abroad. and said that If sapweH refused he was a coward At this point other members of the coun- ell intervened and later the incident was declared closed.