davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-06-17
ON A REAL BRONCHO.

For the last three years I have spent my summer
7acation ranch Leeds, n D., which is owned
~ friend Of my father The ranch is very large and
many trees In the north while the other parts
evel plains It is divided into sections which sep
ated by tall poplar trees instead of board fences The
about five hundred sheep two hundred horses
boys Of the CATTLE sheep and horses The
appoints two boys for each herd and each boy
las a broncho pony. Last year George and APP
pointed take Of the horses They about the
hardest to watch for they always running about,
While the sheep slowly and follow their leader
While the but little bother It is great
port for all there is to do is to sit in the saddle which
like rocking chair and keep the herd together. It
rather hard to sit in the saddle at first but after
s used to it does not mind it in the least.
Seventh Grade, james Roddy, g.
Whittier School. 2743 Pllsbury Ave. s.
IF TEE MICE WOULD STAY AWAY.
Playing "hdeand-seek'' in the hayloft is my favor
te summer pastime. One can have great fun jumping
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-06-17
WITH UNCLE AS PI,AYFEILOw.

Nearly every, summer I go out to my grandma g.
Ny favorte pastime out there is to make little house
Under the trees Ny uncle plays that he has store and
las apples CAKE BEANS radishes and lettuce for SALE
We have old stamps for money One two-cent stamp
cent stamps make dollar Sometimes my uncle
makes little chairs and beds out of wood and sells them
He sells them for twenty-five twocent stamps and
fifty onecent stamps Then my uncle comes around
lgent and offers his apples at much barrel. When
rains have playhouse in the corn-crib. In
here we have little box for a cupboard and large
me for table. -Genevieve Peltier,
Sixth Grade, 908 Twenty-fourt Ave. NE.
Van Cleve School,
THE REASON WHY.
My favorite pastime is fishing. I enjoy this
than other because it combines not only
ishng but rowing and picnicking also. Rowing in it
self is very healthful sport and great muscle de-
7eloper I like to sit all day and fish and It is
much interesting tho if there is something to be
taught. suppose that the most important for
ny finding much enjoyment in this sport is because
have lived lake for any length of time
When I learned to row, two summers ago, l was not
satisfied with hour so, but rowed till ached all
aver and could row no longer. lanes Petersen,
Seventh Grade, 1854 Portland Ave-
Bryant School.
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-06-17
GRANDPA's PLEASANT HOBBY.

A favorite summer pastime FOR me was to gather
curious fowersand sticks for my grandfather. He had
book filled with pressed flowers and leaves. One day
ny cousin up house and my sister, cousin
and went into the woods. gathered all the different
Kinds of flowers could and when ready to 60
had large bunch. Grandfather happened to be
house so asked him to tell the of the
lowers. He sat down the doorstep and told the
of almost all my flowers. ~. .s<@
Fifth Grade Bessie Murray,
Horace Mann School. 1901 Chicago Ave.
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-06-17
! SAVING THE VINES,

My favorte summer pastime farm, picking
potato bugs off potato plants It great fun for me-
had my choice of going town after the mail every
lay, picking potato bugs little while in the
ng and then playing reading in the hammock the
est of the day. But who for reading farm
when there is much to see9 would rather visit the
hickens and feed the pigs for not fond Of reading
rho those not very nice tasks for girl like them
anyway, not being farm very much. liked al
most everything there to do but picking potato bugs
my favorte. Alice Peterson, :
Seventh Grade, 3140 Park Ave.
Horace Mann School
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-02-15
Why She Yielded.

A small man sat In the corner Of
Subway car. An extremely thin and
very we'll dressed woman sat down
next him, but placed herself exactly
on the line dividing two seats. The
car filled Up and strap-hangers were
much in evidence. A man tried to
sit down between the woman and the
man in the corner. He gave it up.
Another tried on the other side, with
the same lack of success, and he, too,
joined the strap brigade. At Four
teenth street more people crowded into
the car, but the thin woman serenely
held her position. At length the man
in the corner said, mildly:
Madame, you are occupying tw,
seats" The woman gave him scorr
full look and, glancing at her attenr
ated proportions, said very emphati
cally: Certainly not, sir"
81 did not say you were film
Them" answered the man.
A smile rippled from face to face
like summer wave on sandy beach
The woman slid hastily away from the
man in the corner and incidentally
landed In the middle of seat, where
upon the fat man clinging to strap
sank slowly and heavily into the va
cant space, with deep sigh of salts
faction, and peace reigned oEce more.
New York Press.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-02-15

favor or fanaticism, equally free from
the passions that spring from interest
and the passions that spring from i'm.
agination. He was in the highest
sense a gentleman and man OF
honor, and he carried into public life
severest standard of private morals"
Whatever may be said Of Washing
ton as a man, as a soldier. as states
man, 1t must be conceded that he was
prominently the greatest all-around
American. He was born In Virginia;
ne was educated In Fredericksburg;
he loved his state; he loved his own
people, and in his rich maturity, when
the greatest honors of his country had
been heaped upon him, he returned to
his old home to visit his mother and
the associates of his early days, and
upon that occasion said, in response
to an address from the town council,
that "the reflections of having met
the congratulatory smiles and appro-
baton of my fellow citizens for the
part have acted in the cause of lib
erty and independence, cannot fail OF
adding pleasure to the other sweets
of domestic life, and my sensibility Of
them is heightened by their coming
from the respectable Inhabitants Of
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-02-15
cHAPTER II.--contlnued.

Bending a keen look upon the pris-
oner, the planter addressed him.
81 presume there is little need OF my
telling you, my man that you are in a
fair way Of stretching hemp. Caught
within our lines, there is but one con-
clusion to be drawn-that is, you are
Federal spy. OF course you will
deny this, but 1t matters little. We
are justified in acting upon this sup
position. These are times for action,
and our policy Is to reduce Sherman's
army at every chance"
under these circumstances I might
as well prepare to meet my fate" re-
marked John, coolly.
What! are you anxious to die?"
calculated the planter, with consider
able surprise.
mot at all. On the contrary, have
every reason for desiring to live, but
as soldier l long ago made up my
mind to face the worst manfully when
1t came"
'But there Is a peculiar stigma at
tached to the fate of spy-unmerited,
I admit. 1t has always been so. To
fall in battle is honorable-to be hung
disgrace"
"Granted-yet not being a spy I
take little interest in the controversy.
You have not come here to engage in
an argument, squire"
"Ah! you know me?"
THAT is the penalty for being a
prominent man, sir. Every one has
heard of Squire Granger and his love-
ty home"
at has been my pride. You can i'm
agine my distress at the prospect to
come. What is your name?"
John Emmett" replied the prison.
er. which was true enough as far as it
went.
"Then listen to me. | am about to
give you one chance for your life.
Refuse it if you like, but the penalty
1t death"
go OIL am ready to hear you,"
said Emmett, calmly.
"You are a bachelor, l am told"
"That is true"
J "Then bark! in half an hour from
now you will be a married man, or
have ceased to live"
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-02-15

the place of my growing infancy and
the honorable mention which is made
OF my mother, by whose hand I was
led to manhood" But in spite of his
love for his native state, and especial
ly for the people of his own section of
the state; his great heart took in the
whole country and the whole people
for whose independence and liberty
he had fought He was more than a
Virginian; he was distinctly an Amer
lean, and his patriotism was as broad
as the republic, untainted by sectional
prejudices.
We of the Old Dominion are proud
that Washington was born in Virginia,
but we cannot claim him distinctiyely
as our own. He was the Father of
his Country and he belongs to the
nation. 1t Is. therefore, most appro-
pirate that the anniversary of kis
birth should be a national holiday.
and should be observed in each and
every state In q spirit of affection
and reverence. Washington Is the ma.
tons Grand Old Man, without peer,
without rival in the hearts of his
countrymen. Washington is first" In
all things. = Richmond Times Dis
patch.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-02-15

be seen the same card table around
which the household gathered for the
evening rubber.
The most noteworthy object In the
west parlor Is the carpet, made for
Washington by order Of Louis XVI,
and still in perfect state of preser-
walton, although more than one hum
dred years old. 1t is of velvet, the cir
cular center of pale ecru, upon which
is stamped an American eagle, with
the motto, &c Pluribus Unum," be-
meath, being surrounded by a rich
green background, plentifully sprin-
Killed. with yellow stars. While the
carpet was on it's way to this country
Washington was made President;
and, being unable in that capacity to
accept the gift, it became the prop
erty of the United States government.
1t was afterward purchased by Judge
Yates, of Lancaster Pa, and within
the last two years has been presented
TO the association by his granddaugh-
ter, Mrs. Townsend Wheelan, of Phil
adelphia.
In the hall the visitor is shown the
key of the Bastile, and, ascending the
stairway at the foot of which 1t hangs,
is confronted by cabinet filed with
the most interesting curios. Impris-
oned behind glass doors is the CON-
pass used by Washington in survey
ing Lord Fairfax's land, with many
other objects closely associated with
him; a memento Of Mrs. Washington
existing in quit made by herself Of
bits of her gowns and donated by
Mrs. Jefferson Davis.
On this floor, in the chamber occu-
| pied by Nellie GUSTS, Is the mirror
which so often reflected ner beauty,
and the steps by which she climbed
to her high-testered bed. Here, too,
in the Lafayette room, is the four
poster, in which the Marquis slept on
the occasion of his visits to Mount
Vernon and the dressing table before
which he adjusted the unbecoming
| red wig.
Other apartments, called by the
| names of the states which care for
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-02-15

tie Nellie GUSTS, who was sometimes
discovered there during the hours sa-
cred to harpsichord and spinnet. when
only the interposition of her adopted
father shielded her from her grand
mothers displeasure.
Mount Vernon, rs is generally
known, was purchased In 1858 by an
association of ladies, which now has
representatives from thirty-seven
states. Through these representa-
tives each state assumes the care or
room, and the responsibility OF fitting
1t up with furniture, Of which 1t was
despoiled at the sale of the late
owner; or, failing this, of substituting
articles possessing historic interest
and belonging to the period. One OF
the most successful of these attempts
is to lie found in the Minnesota, or
spinning-room, vocal in the days of
yore with the music of wheel and
loom and the measured stroke OF the
flax brake, while above the rythmical
whirr might have been heard the mis-
tress' voice, giving direction to the
swarthy artisans who spun and wove
most of the clothing worn by the 300
slaves belonging to the estate. The
articles In this room, which were col
lected by Perley Poore and treasured
by him at his home, were purchased
by the association from his widow
with money earned by the pupils of
the st. Paul schools. They have since
been put in working order and con.
tinue to turn out beautiful fabrics.
In the dwelling house the apartment
coming first in order is the banquet
hall, in charge of the vice-regent from
New York. The deliberately carved
marble mantel il this room exhibits
interesting proof Of the power of an
awakened conscience. A dogs head,
broken off by some ruthless relic hun
ter, was afterward anonymously re-
turned, and has since--with the aid Of
cement-been restored to It's original
position. Over this mantel French
clock, which regulated the life at
Mount Vernon, still ticks, telling the
hour as veraciously now as then;
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-02-15
~1fe.s-~0N.e.

while on the wall to the right of Il
hangs the portrait of Washington
which Rembrandt Peale painted with
such feverish energy, and which was
donated to the association by his
heirs. A chair brought over in the
Mayfower stands beneath the picture,
and near 1t is the stool on which
Washington knelt at Christ Church,
Alexandria, and another used by Nell
lie Custis.
Other objects to which the atten-
ton is directed are a model of the
Bastile made of the stone of which
the prison was composed, and pre-
scented by Lafayette; a British flag
captured by Washington and donated
by General Grant, with many relies OF
equal interest. The end of the build
ing opposite the banquet hall is occu-
pied by the library, with It's valuable
collection of books and souvenirs. II
Is in the rooms which these apart.
ments flank, however, ranged on
either side of broad hall, that one is
broaght most closely In touch with
the family life at Mount Vernon.
Nellie Custis' music room, in which
the generals flute lies upon the harp
sichord which he presented her on the
occasion of her marriage, recalls one
of the most delightful relations of his
life-his connection with his beautiful
adopted daughter. Here she beguiled
him with the songs which he loved or
played the accompaniments to his mu-
sic on the flute. In the dining-room,
where the family party was SO often
reinforced by guests, is an original
piece-an old Chlppendale sideboard--
which descended to Mrs. Robert f.
Lee and was afterward restored to Its
accustomed position by her, while in
Mrs. Washingtons sitting-room may
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-02-15

couple Of Johns captors entered to
act as witnesses, and in signing he
was careful to put down only so much
of his name as he had already given.
1t was evident that all preparations
were made for the event, even to a
parson, before the expedition was sent
out to capture bachelor Yankee.
John aroused himself to take some
interest in the case. Perhaps the
novelty of the situation had some
thing to do with this departure from
his usual nonchalance, or it may be,
the presence of Mollie Granger arous-
ed a peculiar sensation within his
bachelor heart.
The girl was as cold as Ice, and
beyond one contemptuous look, never
vouchsafed him a glance.
John found himself smiling at the
ridiculous nature of his position. Life
is sweet to nearly every human being,
and few men would have refused to
accept 1t, even though the inevitable
result was a sacrifice of personal
liberty.
parson went through the service has
tily, as though little ashamed of the
part he took, but ready to assist the
squire in his scheme to save Lynd-
hurst.
When the words Ito love, honor and
obey" were read, John saw her scarlet
lip curl in contempt, while the co,or
momentarily left her face; but she
gave little Affirmative nod.
Some spirit possessed him on his
part to exclaim with more that usual
emphasis IL will'' when the usual
question was put to him, and the girl
turned a startled look upon him,
while her father scowled like a pirate,
as though terrible suspicion had en-
tered his head that this good-looking
Yankee whom he was using as an
instrument for saving his property
might at some future time give them
trouble.
1t was by accident that Johns hand
touched that of the girl. He was
amazed at feeling strange thrill
shoot through his frame, and ready
to laugh at himself for such foolish
ness; but it gave him sensation he
had never experienced before. and
which he would remember.
Again he was left alone with the
| planter.
ALLOW me to congratulate you
said the other, with a sneer In his
voice.
Il can hardly realize that I am nc
longer single man. An hour ago
had not dreamed such destiny was
in store for me-" returned John, with
careless laugh.
81 have a little more writing to be
done Sit down, please, and fill out
these documents. Then the bargain
will be complete"
John. did as requested. OF course
the papers concerned the one move
ment in which the squire was rneply
interested. When John nsine a sigr
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-02-15

Mount Vernon Shrine Toward Which
Turns Every Loyal American Heart

A hundred years have passed since
Death, entering the upper chamber at
Mount Vernon, laid bis hand upon the
heart of Washington, and stilled its
throbbings; but that the love and ven
Grafton with which he inspired his
countrymen has known no diminution
is proven every recurring anniversary
Of his birth.
Perhaps even more conclusive evil
dence is to be found In the hundreds
who daily visit the historic spot, and
In the absence of merry making which
marks these throngs. They come as
pilgrims to a shrine, speaking in sub
dued voices as they pass from room
to room, or standing in awed silence
before the tomb which holds all that
is mortal of him who In so distinctive
sense Is immortal.
There Is an air of such deep re-
pose about the place, despite the ebb
and flow Of the tide of humanity. that
squirrels, with feathery tails erect,
frolic on the lawn in delightful
abandon, while birds chatter In the
branches of trees, or perch in rows
on stable caves, and along the upper
edges Of the low. half doors. CHANGING
over one of these one seems to see
in his accustomed stall Washington's
war horse, Nelson, who, after the bat.
tie Of Yorktown, was never allowed to
feel the weight of saddle, and to
bear his whinnylng response to his
masters call.
Across from this is the garden, red.
client with the odor of box bushes
transformed from the green, outline
Of Mrs. Washington's day into aro-
matte walls of vendure. Gay with
sweet williams and pinks and all the
rest of the fragrant, old-fashioned
flowers. it was an alluring spot to lit.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-02-15

At this strange remark John turned
and looked squarely into the face of
the planter.
Pardon me If | say that under
ordinary circumstances Of the two
evils l might choose the latter"
ooh! | see, you are woman hater."
Hardly that. l have grown some
what cynical regarding the happiness
of those who wed, and long ago re-
solved to remain single"
perhaps we can batter down the
walls of your prejudice, especially
when 1t is a case of giving up your
bachelor freedom, or meeting fate
that usually makes men shudder."
! Explain yourself, squire, for you
must admit this is a remarkable prop
osition you bring me-"
"Then listen, and weigh we'll the
consequences before you decide. This
estate has been my pride. 1t would
kill me to have 1t ruined by the
Yankees, which must come about I'M
less / can secure immunity. have
one child, a daughter, whose heart is
the same as mine. She is ready to
sacrifice herself in order to save
Lyndhurst."
Go on am still unable to grasp
the matter"
You are a Federal soldier-my men
tell me they believe you to be an
officer"
at Is true"
eff can show proof that this estate
is the property of my daughter, and
that she is the wife of Federal
officer, Lyndhurst will be saved from
the torch"
John was electrified by the PROPOSE
ton, and looked curiously at the man
whose shrewd brain had evolved it.
One glance at that determined face
told him Squire Granger meant all he
said. and that a refusal to accept the
contract would be the signal for a
hasty execution.
what is your daughters name"
ut does not matter-still, you would
have to know-it is Mollie Granger"
"She cannot be twenty, as yet"
"Just eighteen. Allow me to add
you are showing curiosity that Is
unpleasant to me-"
well, my dear sir, you must con-
fess 1t would only be natural for a
gentleman to ask the name of the
lady who was to be his wife,"
Listen to me. You fail to grasp
the situation. Under ordinary circum.
stances would as soon see my child
dead as the wife Of Yankee. To
save Lyndhurst we are ready to do
even this. If you consent l have o
solemn contract here which you must
sign"
"a kindly tell me Its
nature. 1t may put different face
on the matter"
1T Is simply an agreement by means
OF which you swear never to claim
Mol'se as your wife--in fact to be
stranger to her unless she of her Owl
free VIII decides otherwise"
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-02-15

his name and his regiment, he man.
aged to so manipulate the pen that
the word Ridgeway was obscraed, and
casual glance would only reveal
plain John Emmett.
VIII IN the squire discovered that his
new son-in-law had placed the word
colonel" before his name, he smiled
grimlv, not because of pleasure In
being related to Yankee officer, for
he hated the whole army of invasion
from Sherman down to the humblest
drummer boy in blue. but simply on
account Of the more favorable pros
pect ahead In saving the estate from
the torch and the pillager.
AS 1t now stood Sherman would be
compelled to put a guard around
Lyndhurst. In case any damage was
dane, the government would be re-
saonsible, for the whole property be-
longed to the wife of Federal officer.
Are you satisfied, squirrel" asked
the prisoner, as the other put the
papers away.
81 believe H. is all right"
"Then allow me to depart In peace"
The squire raised his heavy eye
brows.
"My dear colonel. you certainly must
have misunderstood me. I said no
thing at all about giving you liberty.
1t is against my principles to assist
the enemy"
"Sir, | understood that the reward
which was to follow my-er-sacrifice
OF bachelor principles was to be
freedom"
John showed some signs of annoy.
ance, though too diplomatic TO even
raise his voice above the ordinary
pitch.
II gave you the choice between mar
riage and the death of spy. You
have chosen wisely, colonel. We will
keep you here over night, and when
the morning comes send you under
guard to headquarters. Your life was
in question, and you have saved It.
Say no more-words would be useless,
and might bring on trouble"
Closing abruptly, the squire clapped
his hands, and again his satellites
entered, each with an exasperating
grin upon his face, as though they APP
preciated the humor Of the situa-
ton.
Gentlemen, kindly show Colonel
Emmett, my Federal son-in-law, to his
boudoir. | hold you responsible for
his appearance in the morning"
AS the squire spoke hand was laid
upon each of Johns shoulders.
81 will go with you quietly, gentle
men. No violence, If you please, or
you will find yourselves handling a
desperate man." was what the Fed.
eral said, and his manner impressed
them so far that they used no undue
familiarity.
The sarcasm Of the squire's words
could be plainly seen when the prison.
err was ushered in the "boudoir" in
question: strong room that had
evidently served as a prison on more
than one occasion, perhaps for re.
fractory slaves.
Ito be continued,)