davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1906-07-14
IS THE HOME PASSING.

Writers on domestic economy have
of late been inquiring into the prob
lem as to whether the American
home is passing away. According
to one critic, houses are now too
often simply shelters where families
sleep, have a scanty breakfast, a
more or less comfortable late dinner,
and where letters and laundry are
delivered. Beyond these convent
ences, it is alleged, it is the idea of
everybody, including the servants,
to get out of them. to flee from the
household centre. Perhaps this pic
ture may be overdrawn, but there is
enough Of truth in it to make us pom
der over the drift of families to con
slider the old fashioned home very
lightly.
At present these matters refer
only to a certain class of restless per-
sons who do not care for the trouble
of entertaining. Too often is the
drudgery of housekeeping distasteful
to the modern housewife. moving
her to seek relief from these cares
which were borne patiently by the
old-fashioned mothers. Many of the
women of to day, it is maintained,
have lost interest in their dwellings
as places in which to entertain
friends, aud sometimes home is found
to be a deserted and 6isordered
nest.
Judging by former standards, there
is no place like home. 1t is the
sanctuary to which all the weary and
heavy laden may turn to find rest.
It will be diastrous to the young
men and young women if this home
feeling is demolished. Home influ-
ence has done more to keep the feet
of youth from straying into strange
and dangerous paths than any other
restraint. The advance woman, who
is advocating the extension of the
sphere and usefulness of the sex,
would better consider seriously wheth-
er or not she is to blame for the
present tendency to efface the home.
1t is becoming momentous ques-
ton. .-Pitisbu1g Gazette.
The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1906-07-14
SATISFYING EXPLANATION.

"See here, Aunt Dinah, l sent
two brand new shirts of my husband S
to the wash last week and you have
brought only one back. Now, what
have you done with the other?"
Eyes, Miss Lula, ma'am, I was
coming round to de question Of dat
dar shut. You know dat l amt a
pusson dat pretends to Que thing and
pertends to anudder, SO Use agwine
to tell de truf bout dat shut. 1t
was dis away. My ole man he up an
died last week, ano de- Bur- al Sas-
siety dey didn't do nothing but cav
ort round, and l neber had anything
to lay dat man out in. So 1 helps
myself to dat shut for a fac. An
oh, Miss Lula, honey, l jes' wishes
you could hab seen how dat niger
sot dat shut off !"-LibbinooR S
MAGAZINE.
The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1906-07-14
THE PARLoR.

The American parlor is thing OF
the past, according to architects, says
the Cleveland Plain Dealer. No more
will there be room reserved for State
occasions, such as the receiving OF
formal calls, the visit Of the minister
and for weddings and for funerals.
1--WE never take the parlor into con-
sideration any more" said Cleve-
land architect recently. "The parlor
is merged into the living room. The
good old fashioned parlor, which was
held in so much reverence in the old
days, has no place i'll modern archi-
lecture.
"The demand is for large living
room in small house, together with
a dining.room and kitchen. In a
larger house there is usually large
living room. library, 'den,' dining
room and kitchen.
'I had client yesterday who de-
sired to have reception room or par
lor not connected with the living
room. He decided later to have
sort of reception room i'll connection
with the hallway.
"When the parlor idea began to
lose ground we did not make radi-
cal change, but reduced the parlor to
a small reception room, isolated from
the others, where formal calls could
be received. Now we make no pro-
vision for the parlor.
"In these days the reception rooms
do not have TO be closed only to be
opened on the occasion of the visit OF
the family minister or the physician. !"
There may be many who will re-
gret the passing of the old-fashioned
country parlor, with all its memories
of visitors, courtship and occasions
which left impressions which have
not been eradicated by the strenuous
age of today.
The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1906-07-14
WAS A "NoNYMoUsn

A certain Congressman from Vir-
ginia has long retained in his employ
a coiored man by the name Of Ezeki-
Ell. One morning the master started
for the Capitol, leaving behind him
a letter he had forgotten. Sometime
in the afternoon he remembered the
communication, and, as it was of
some importance, he hastened back
home only to find that the letter was
nowhere to be seen in his library.
He had distinct recollection that it
had been left on the table. He sum-
moned Ezekiel and asked if he had
seen it.
"Yassah, yo' lef' it on yo' table. !"
"Then where is it now?"
II mailed it, sah.'''
"You mailed it ! Why, Zeke, l
had not put the name and address on
the envelope !"
''Jes' SO, sab l thought it was one
of dem nonymous communicashuns. J"
The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1906-07-14
MANUrA.TUR1Ne WITCH HAZEL.
The witch hazel industry dates

The witch hazel industry dates
back about thirty FIVE years.
There are many kinds of witch
hazel, for this product is rather re-
markable in that it has no standard
except that given by Rs manufac-
turer. It is not subject to chemical
test, and the purchaser must depend
for its worth upon the good faith of
its distiller. In making alcohol, for
instance, distiller obtains but four
gallons of proof spirit from bushel
of corn, though he keeps his still
working until the crack of doom.
In the distillation OF witch hazel,
however, distiller can take out
twenty gallons, forty, or even fifty
barrels from a ton of brush at one
operation. He can keep on running
the extract until he gets tired it is
allwitch hazel, but, as matter of
faef, the first gallon is the strongest,
the second is little weaker, and so
on antil the odor in runnings is but
temporary, and there is nothing left.
Others there are who, instead of
using the green twigs, distill from
the dried bark, because it is so much
cheaper and can be made any time in
the year But the product SO OBJ
tanned has not the fine, puugent odor
obtained from young twigs. Some
also use alarger proportion of water
than is called for by the amount of
the material. and the resulting pro-
duct is an aqueous distillation with
but slight traces of witch hazeps
characteristic odor.
The witch hazel season does not
open until after all their crops have
been harvested. Their is at such
time little for the farmers to do, and
if it were not for this industry it
might go hard with some of them.
They simply hitch their horses TO
big team, and, armed with small
hatchets, drive out into the woods.
The witch hazel grows in billy and
rough places and it is usually diff
cult to get to the spot with a heavy
team.
On arriving at good growth of
the bush all hands set to work cut
ting the bush off near the roots and
piling it into the teams. There is no
mistaking it, for it has characteris-
tic look and pungent but pleasant
odor. When a load is obtained it is
driven to the nearest cutting station,
where it is cut, then macerated and
put into the still. The price paid for
the brush is about 81. so to SIS ton.
The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1906-07-14

While this was being done Hamll-
ton coolly surveyed me, sneer on
his lips.
You're a nice man to carry val
uables," he said. II guess you're
curious to know how l got wind of
the affair. You may not know that
from the disused room over our Office
it is possible to hear all that goes on
in the governors sanctum. hap
pened to be there this afternoon, and
I overheard certain interesting con-
versation. Well ta-ta Bear my
distinguished regards to old Gilroy.
Tell him I'm sorry l cannot present
them in person. You'll be able to
explain why
His observations were cut short by
the sound of approaching footsteps.
A whispered conversation took place
among my captors, after which they
took to their heels.
Very soon a man of the artisan
class, attracted by my cries, was
bending over me, unloosening my
hands. This occupied some time,
and when I was freed the robbers
had got clear away. Disgrace, hum
iliation and ruin stared me in the
face. Ny heart was like lead.
In my sore trouble my thoughts
flew to Mary, and l felt that l must
tell her first of my misfortune. re-
traced my steps to her abode, not
thinking how late the hour was.
When l was ushered into her pres
ence 1 sank into a chair and buried
my face in my hands.
"I've lost it?' | cried. "Mary, l
have been robbed. The precious
diamond has been stolen do you
hear-stolen -
Impossible p she cried.
Eyes, it's only too true" I said,
hoarsely. "Three men waylaid me
as 1 was going from here. They
knocked me down and took my belt.
l don't know what I shall do,
Mary"
She fell on her knees and clasped
my hands.
Tom she SAID, the diamond
wasn't in the belt !"
"What can you mean ?" asked in
bewilderment.
why, just this" she replied.
"You remember me having the dia-
mond in my hand and admiring it
so? Well, precisely at that moment
something within me urged me to
take the stone in jest. I couldn't
resist the impulse, but now I know
it was special intervention of prov
idence. I had been sewing, you
know, and my silver thimble was on
my finger, which happened to be
about the size of the diamond. 1t
was the easiest thing in the world for
me to wrap it in the washleather.
Don't you remember having compli
mented me on my skill at sleight Of
hand 7"
How shall 1 describe my feelings.
I tried my utmost to express my
thankfulness to Mary, but she put
her hand on my mouth.
"Be sure no one robs you second
time" said my fiancee, with a
merry laugh.
1 took good care that no one did.
OF course, when I returned from
New York I made Mary a present Of
a new thimble. York Meas,
The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1906-07-14
LOST BOY LIKE LOST UMBRELLA.

The tourist stopped at the little
cabin where an old colored nanny
was bending over big tub.
Good morning, nanny" greeted
the tourist.
"Mawnin', sah," responded the
nanny.
"Where's your son Sam r.
"Gone, sab; 1 dunno wheh."
''Well, he always was bad boy,
nanny"
"Deed he was, sab. He was dess
lax det ole blue umbrella All los in
de thunderstorm. He was hahd to
raise, powahful hahd to raise, an
afteh All did raise him he jes' jump
ed away fun me, an All amt seen
him since"
EVERY DAY is full of a most impress
sive experience.
The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1906-07-14

FRANK ADAMS was leading worm
out horse to water. He had to pass
a corner truthfully called "The Half
way House for Dudes" AS he did
so, a young fellow called out
Hello, Frank How much can
that horse draw?" "Well, replied
Frank, "he seems to draw the atten-
tion of every blamed fool in town."
The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1906-07-14
he KEPT HIMSELF COOL.

A man and his wife were once stay
ing at hotel, when in the night they
were aroused from their slumbers by
the cry that the hotel was afre.
"Now, my DEAR" said the hus-
band, II will put into practice what
1 have preached. Put on all your
indispensable apparel and keep cool. "
Then he slipped his watch into his
vest pocket and walked with his wife
out of the hotel.
When all danger was past he said,
"Now you see how necessary it is to
keep cool"
The wife for the first time glanced
at her husband.
eyes, William" she said, sit is a
grand thing, but if l were you I would
have put on my trousers.
"MY SON." said the strict mother
at the end of moral lecture, II want
you to be exceedingly careful about
your conduct. Never, under any cir
cumstances, do anything which you
would be ashamed to have the whole
world see you doing"
The small boy turned a handspring,
with a whoop of delight.
"What in the world is the matter
with YOU? Are you crazy?" demand
ed the mother.
"No'm," was the answer. I'm
les so glad that you don't spec me
to take no baths never any more y
BABY THINKS good deal of his
dad. but it takes mammals kiss tc
cure hurt finger.
The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1906-07-14

WIFE-I'm sorry to see you come
home in such state as this, Charles.
Husband-I knew you'd be sorry,
Carrie, and that's why I told you
not to sit up.
The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1906-07-14

How strange it is that you tell a
horses age by the horses teeth, but
a chickens age by your own
The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1906-07-14
WORE OUT HIS FINGER.

There is brakeman on the Colo
RADIO Midland Railroad who years
ago lost his index finger on his right
hand. One day recently lady pas
senger who had been much inter-
ested in the wonderful works of ma
ture the brakeman had pointed out
to her along the road noticed the
stub finger. When the conductor
came through the car she said TO
him:
Excuse me, sir. but can you tell
me how the brakeman lost his fore
finger? He seems to be such an
accommodating fellow"
Eyes, mum ; that's just it. He IS
SO accommodating that he wore that
finger off pointing out the scenery
along the line said the con-
ductor.
The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1906-07-14

PAT AND MIKE shared the same
bed and whiskey. When Mike
slept, Pat emptied the bottle. Mike
awoke and was cropping in the dark.
when Pat asked: "Phwat are yez
lookin' fer, Mike?" "Oh, nothin' !"
said Mike. "Well, Nike" said Pat,
you'll find it over there in the cor
ner in the bottle"
The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1906-07-14

BABY THINKS a good deal of his
dad, but it takes mammals kiss to
cure hurt finger.
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1906-12-21

the venders. ] threw wide the blinds
and raised the window. The birds
wsrblsd wildly from the great trees in
the yard. and ! could hear the wooing
murmur OF the fountains.
made . careful toilet. for my cloth,
Ing WAS much stained with the soil OF
Dead Mans cave-the name seemed
strangely unpleasant TO me ss ] looked
upon the beautiful scene around me.
Il stole upon me like . horrible
dream. with it's dead warriors. sal its
burning pillars. the damp passages.
the horrid monstrous ship. the shastiy
blind fishes. and the hootinK owls.
could not endure the thought. and
yet. tho owner Of this great house.
with all its oid-world memories which
no Angio-ssx cruelty could destroy.
was. like myself. . member of THE
Invisible Hand"
When my toilet was completed. and
for the last Of many times ! studied
the effect In the LONG pier glass. within
Its gilt frame. I smiled. ! was child,
ishiy happy to see my own reflection
as had seen II 30 often In English
bathrooms or banquet halls. Ny con.
ceit was returning. My love for the
world struggled yaiiantiy against my
oath In that silent chamber In ono OF
whose dark tunnels ! had heard the
ciank OF Herschburs's chains. and his
woefui cries seemed 10 drown even
the song Of the birds.
rang the bell. and the old negro
tapped lightly upon the door before
entering.
Master sieeps weil.- hc said. his
white teeth cleaning.
Il am afraid ! sleep too weii. but
now you may show me down"
I followed him into the same room
where Mr.. De Tavenier had enter.
tanned mo upon my arrival. and from
whence was soon summoned to tho
dlnin. hall say hall. because the
word more accurately describes IL.
A Ion. room with lofty ceiling. fres-
coed In strange designs was lighted by
windows narrow and high. which
reached from u wainscotiuk Of dark
hardwood almost TO tho moulding
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1906-12-21

above. The furniture Of this room
was In keeping with what had seen
OF the house. old. rare and rich. a
grcnt sideboard. ancient In pattern
and elaborate In workmanship. was re,
splcndidly filled with the finest silver
and gold service. The table. us long
rs that In the old stone house on tho
mountain. also supported n great dis
Play OF silver. and an old china serv.
ice. while the polished floor was re-
licved with rugs.
cast frequent glanccs toward the
open doors, but no one entered. save
the black who attended me Mt table.
heard n voice mellow and sweet.
then another. proceed from. the front
OF the house-it was probably the lady
and her maid.
For the life of me could not resist
a longing to see the face of the lady
whose voice was so sweet. Was It the
result of my long exile from feminine
influences. or was II the curiosity
mere curiosity-to look upon female
member of "The Invisible Hand?"
A. last my reward came. and in a
manner for which was little pre-.
pared.
A.r. De Tavenier had been called
away for the day, and was left alone
or was II alone?-alas!
read the papers-a fight on the
levee-a murder on the Rue Bonne-a
corpse in Lake Pontchatrain-an unex.
pected rise In cotton-a crusade
against the lottery-that strange
wheel of fortune, which made New
Orleans famous in those days-but l
felt no interest in those things. and at
last I abandoned myself to the yard.
had only walked few PAGES under
the spreading branches of the 1--we
oaks and lofty cypress trees, when
turning suddenly into n sheli-path ap-
preaching the fountain, with its
groups of marble figures, I saw the
simmer of n golden head and the out
lines of form, tall, graceful-now up.
right, now bending among the fow-
| ers.
| paused. and as did so was face
| to face with Mademoiselle Marie De
| Tavenier, and though | have never
| been accused of susceptibility of i'm.
pulse, could not deny even then that
| was face to face with my destiny.
Helen had loved by degrees, has dis.
covered her charms one by one, dig.
ging each little pearl from its hiding.
place and building shrine at which I
might worship-but, now all the pearls
broke upon me in dazzling sunburst.
as 1t were-a picture of fresh lowell
ness, with the fair tint of the sea.
shells at her feet-wavy hair clinging
to her white forehead like shredded
gold, and her dark brown eyes, deep.
placid, even slumberous, met my own
with calm inquiry, while her browa
arched at my approach. Through her
slightly parted lips shone the white oi
pretty teeth.
CTo BE CoNTINUEDl
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1906-12-21

lIady-fair, he had called her-but we
would see.
On the second night succeeding my
departure from Dead Mans Cave |
reached the city of New Orleans. The
station was crowded with porters, cab.
men and venders, each crying In n
tongue of his own.
The lateness of the hour did not
seem to diminish the crowds at the
station, or the pedestrians without, for
the streets were working with people.
Dn foot, and in carriages. The thea.
tors were in full blast, and the club
rooms were merry with music and
laughter.
Il seemed that my walk would new
,eI end, but at last | came upon Caron-
,dolet street-wEat name! 1t was
here that Mr.. De Tavenier lived.
reached the iron gate Of Mr.. De
Tayeniers house-or rather of his
premises, for as yet, | had seen no
house-and entering the enclosure,
f-u,wed broad shell path which led
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1906-12-21
CHAPTER XIII

There were some valuable papers
In my grip. I carefully placed II near
me on the seat OF the coach. ! looked
out OF the small window. for the train
had not begun to move. though the
bell OF the engine was changing away
10 warn all passengers aboard.
vaidermere approached the open
window. and ms he drew near he spoke
In low voice.
do you see that bent figure In the
crowd To the right-the old man with
the gray beard!"
I looked among the crowd and per
ceived the stopped form OF very old
man leaning upon stan and appar'
emily indifferent To the thronss about
him. for. like all mountain towns. Pine
Bun turned out en- masse to greet an
Incoming or departing train-it broke
the mono,ony Of their humdrum exist.
enc-. and as an event" II was next
In importance to a murder nj the
''Baid Eagle" or n eoekrsht down at
the Tannery.
II sec such a man." I replied. TO Val.
dcrm~re'h questioning look. "but what
OF nr-
He leaned closer to me. The train
began to iurch Mt its couplings and the
hiss OF the steam almost drowned his
voice That man IL Dcneau-Good.
byc'-don't forget the message"
The train was now In motion. and
ms we left the station I again saw the
face Of the old man. He saxcd intent.
ly Mt me. aud his bisck eyes burned
like nrc-thcn saw him no more.
rhc train dashed away winding
along the crest of the ridge. The mir
Was warm and the scent from the
woods and fields was pleasant.
The passengers were few. some
stretched In uncomfortable siumbcr.
others rcadinI-ali seemed i!stlcss. I
nipo tried TO read. but Mt last throwing
M paper aside fell into rcycric-
a strange rcvcric for one like me.
The world was again about me
around mc-aboyc mc-nllcd with
sunshine. with flowers. with birds. and
bubbiing with streams. Little cot.
tarcs nestled In the peaceful Scauat
chcc or clung TO the mountain side. l
could see glimpscs OF the happy vii.
layers as the train sped onward. go
Ing to and from their daily tasks. or
merry groups OF children Mt play In the
mcadows-frcc from sin. from hatred
free from-from-oaths and conspir
acics. cnvicd the woodchoppcr his
happy lot. his rustic sweetheart. his
humble hut. thought OF Helcn-fair.
bcautiful-but. alaS!-then another
thought came crowding itself into my
whiriing brain. All. could not drive
Il away. I could not keep back the
fanciiul mood Of my day.dream.
was now on journey to bear
message of great importance TO one
MIR. De Tavenier. OF New Orleans. !
would be received at the home OF this
man-would be treated by him rs n
member of "The Invisible Hand" and
would be placed under his directions
as to my immediate future. This were
better than living alone-or worse
than alone In that old stone house
with that Devil of Sista-and that
speechiess lad for daily companions
and. besides. there would be other
guests at the house OF Mr. De Taven.
Ter. for Valdermere had spoken OF
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1906-12-21
An Attractive Combination.

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