davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Spanish Fork press. [volume] (Spanish Fork, Utah) 1902-current, 1907-02-07

hor. Eldress Anna would read all let
tiers she sent or received, and she
would ask tho eldress' permission for
every act OF her life, as a child does
It's mother. At the end of six weeks
she left to begin her struggle with
poverty again, preferring that to
prison life.
Mother Ann Lee, who founded tho
Shaker sect, was remarkable wo-
man, says the New York Press. Like
most founders of religions the sub
liminal was on top in her, and she
saw visions and dreamed dreams.
Powers were claimed for her which
correspond to what are known as
clairvoyance and healing by sugges-
ton nowadays She had a career
which shows her to have been
strong character, and probably had
her followers lived the ordinary fam
lily life the sect would have been a
hourishing church to-day, replenished
in each generation with the children
of the members.
Mother Ann had some very ad.
NduCeu luSdS iuI ueT udy. rOT III
stance. she believed in the absolute
equality of man and woman, and
Shakerdom has always been conduct.
ed on that basis. But democratic
government was not known in her
day, and she made the rule of her
communities despotic, through an
elder and eldress at the head of each
family, appointing their own success
sors, and with no check on their au.
thorty.
Eldress Anna now holds the reins
with hand of iron In the North fam
lily. She is of the type of the born
priest. Her face is that of the ascetic
and the devotee. She is able, consci.
entious and profoundly religious, but
she is an autocrat.
One Scandal In Community.
There was one scandal at Mount
Lebanon once, just once, but 1t Is
still whispered with bated breath.
One brother, now in his SOS, entered
the community at 10. bringing $4,000
with him. With the flight of years he
was made elder, being most able
and devoted member. A few years
ago, after the brother had spent near
ly so years in service of the com.
munity, new sister entered. She
was stranger young and fair, but
most exemplary in her conduct and
obedience.
To the horror of the whole family
The Spanish Fork press. [volume] (Spanish Fork, Utah) 1902-current, 1907-02-07

high type OF character and inteli-
gence. 1ndomitable workers, the pro-
ceeds Of their toll put into common
treasury made the community rich, al.
though the members possessed no in
dividual property. The buildings and
grounds to-day are full of comforts
and improvements which have been
added by the busy skillful hands of
one generation after another.
II would seem as IL plenty of peo-
pie, who live in neither comfort nor
plenty outside, would be thankful to
enter this peaceful retreat and know
they were provided for for life, with
no harder work than they would do
anywhere. But they do not come. The
Shakers are anxious to get new mem
bers. They do not want the sect to
perish from the face of the earth. Its
dwindling numbers are matter of
distress to them. 1t Is for this reason
that they have within recent years
adopted more liberal policy. In for
mer years the world was never per-
mitted to enter their gates except for
strictly necessary business. Two
years ago they took the unprecedent-
ed step of calling peace convention,
which attracted many distinguished
speakers and visitors. They serve
dinners through the pleasant weather
now, and the automobile folk from
Lenox and Stockbridge find these an
agreeable goal. Last summer, for
the first time in history, one of the
families took summer boarders.
These activities have been profita.
BILE, but more. than profit the Shakers
The Spanish Fork press. [volume] (Spanish Fork, Utah) 1902-current, 1907-02-07

They had come together to witness q
sight never seen in CORTLAND b. re,
the dread punishment of the Ukraine
Cross. 1t was to be done, they said.
upon the body of the handsome youth.
with whom the Princess Margaret was
in love-some even whispered married
to him.
At ten great green square OF river
side grass was held by the archers OF
CORTLAND The people extended as
far back as the shrine of the Virgin.
where at the city entrance travellers
we're wont to give thanks for favor
able journey. At eleven the lances Of
Prince Ivans Cossacks were seen top
ping the city wall On the high bank
Of the ALA the people were craning
their necks and looking over each
others shoulders.
Through the lane by which the gate
communicated. with the tapestried
stand set apart for the greater specta-
tors, the Princes Louis and Ivan, fool
and knave, servant and master, took
their way. And they had scarce passed
The Spanish Fork press. [volume] (Spanish Fork, Utah) 1902-current, 1907-02-07

when the people, mutinous and silent.
surged back behind the archers' guard
Back there-stand back! Way for
their excellencies-way!"
Stand back yourselves" came the
growing answer. 1--WE be free men OF
CORTLAND You will find us no Mus.
covite serfs, and that or the day be
done. Karl Wendelin, think shame
thou that art my sisters son-to be
aiding and abetting such heather
cruelty to a Christian man, all that
you may eat a great mans meat and
wear a jerkin purified with gold"
Thus angrily ran the taunt and jeer,
till the CORTLAND guard, mostly young
fellows with relatives and sweethearts
among the crowd, grew well-nigh fran.
tic with rage and shame.
"See yonder! What are they doing?
Peter Altman, what are they doingf
Tell us, long man! OF what use is
your great fathom of pump-water2
Can you do nothing for your meat but
reach down black buildings from the
rafters?"
At this all eyes turned to Peter, a
lanky, overgrown lad with keen eye,
a weak mouth and the gift of words.
'They are bringing up four horses
from the Muscovite camp. The folk
are getting as far off as they can from
their heels" began Peter Altman.
looking under his hand over the peo-
pies heads. Half score of men are
at each brute's head. How they
plunge! They will never stand still a
moment. All, they are lettering them
to the four great posts of stone In the
middle of the green square. Between.
there is table-no, a wooden square
stand like priests platform in Lent,
when he tells us our sins outside the
church.
1.-THE Princes are sitting their horses
watching. Bravo, that was well done.
We came near to seeing the color of
the Muscovite brains that time. One
of the wild horses spread his hoofs
on either side of Prince Ivan's head"
God send him better aim next
time! Tell on, Peter! Aye, go on,
good Peter!"
(To be continued.)
The Spanish Fork press. [volume] (Spanish Fork, Utah) 1902-current, 1907-02-07

euher for it. At least | can hide--I
cannot prevent your shame!"
n will never give him up; nothing
on earth shall part our love"
Prince Ivan smiled sweetly, turning
70 where she stood at the end of the
hall
"sweet Princess" he said, divorce
49, understand, contrary to your holy
Roman faith. But in my land we have
discovered reader way than any
paph bull. Be good enough to OBJ
serve this"-he held dagger In his
hand. ut is little blade of steel, but
span long, and narrow as one of
your dainty fingers, yet it will divorce
the best married pair in the world"
but neither dagger nor the hate of
enemies can sever love" Margaret an
swered proudly. you may Stay my
husband. but he is mine still. You
cannot twain our souls"
The Spanish Fork press. [volume] (Spanish Fork, Utah) 1902-current, 1907-02-07
Thought It Was a Cocktail.
IT was a little late.

DlnACl Wdo u hlilt ldbC-
A guest asked the hostess to play
something, and, seating herself at the
piano, the good woman executed a
Chopin nocturne with precision. After
she had finished there was still an in
terval of waiting to be bridged. In
the grim silence she turned to an old
gentleman on her right and said:
would you like a sonata before
dinner?"
He gave a start of surprise and
pleasure.
why, yes, thanks" he said. II
had couple on my way here. but !
think ! could stand another
The Spanish Fork press. [volume] (Spanish Fork, Utah) 1902-current, 1907-02-07

ago; and what will she do with this
vast deserted place when by law 1t
passes into her hands? For no new
members are entering the Shaker
commounity to remain permanently
The community is slowly but surely
dying out.
Survivors viii Be Women.
The last survivors will undoubtedly
be women. The great majority of the
members are now women, about So
out of the 80 The younger members
are all women. These younger women
are mostly in the fifties although the
remarkably youthful appearance of
in many cases at least Is years
younger The great majority of all
the members are aged women, ran
ging from the seventies well along
toward the nineties.
Eldress Harriet Bullard, who is at
the head of all the Shakers in the
United States, Is well over 80. So is
Eldress Anna White, the head of the
North family the most distinguished
family in Shakerdom. These old wo-
men are marvels of activity and
achievement for their age, like all
Shaker women. Yet they can hardly
live many years longer; and consider
ing the large number of them of about
the same age there must within the
next few years be marked diminu-
ton of numbers.
How will the few who remain man
age this great place, already too vast
for the survivors? Miles of Shaker
territory lie unoccupied and unproduc-
tive. One great house in the valley
with its big barns and outbuildings
stands vacant. Its family died out
within few years past and 1t is
quietly falling to decay.
Nobody joins the Shakers now
People enter from time to time, stay
few weeks or months and then &c
away. The Shakers have taken chill
dren from time to time TO raise and
have raised them well. But when they
were grown these children nearly al
ways slipped quietly away into the
big world outside.
Rich and Prosperous
Yet hundred years ago that valley
at Mount Lebanon was a busy hive Of
industry, inhabited by hundreds Of
hardy. thrifty New Englanders of Z
The Spanish Fork press. [volume] (Spanish Fork, Utah) 1902-current, 1907-02-07
Rich and Prosperous

Yet hundred years ago that valley
at Mount Lebanon was busy hive OF
industry, inhabited by hundreds OF
hardy. thrifty New Englanders of q
The Spanish Fork press. [volume] (Spanish Fork, Utah) 1902-current, 1907-02-07

New York.-Up in the Berkshire
Hills there is vast estate, contain
ing many thousands of acres, In one
of the most beautiful regions of
America, and which belongs to a
small community of which the large
majority must soon pass away,
Seven miles this estate runs along
the country roads. Spurs from the
Berkshires cross 1t and lovely valleys
lie between.
In one of these valleys clusters a
group of houses which have slowly ac-
cumulated during hundred years and
more. Good houses they are, we'll
built and large, filed with every con-
venience and comfort, and surround
ed with trim gardens, shaded drives
and deep fruited orchards. 1t looks
like little paradise In summer The
place would be suitable for great
charitable or educational institution,
sanitarium or summer boarder en-
tsrprise. There are many rich farms
In the great estate. In the hands of
those who knew how to manage 1t the
whole would form holding of great
value. AS 1t is, the title rests in a
community of about so persons, of
which the majority must in the course
of nature die within the next few
years, and into which no new men,
bers are entering.
Who is going to become the final
owner of the great Shaker property
at Mount Lebanon, N. Y? Which Of
the younger women of the community
will be the last survivor of an organi.
The Spanish Fork press. [volume] (Spanish Fork, Utah) 1902-current, 1907-02-07
sought new material from which to re-
plenish their dwindling numbers.
Conservatism TrIumphed.

Conservatism Triumphed.
This policy seemed good at first.
During the summer of the peace con
vention seven new members entered
the North family. By winter all were
gone. The history of two of them is
an example of the rest. Both were
men In the prime of life; one an
American who had been the financial
editor of big daily paper, the other
London merchant. Both belonged
to that small but persistent percent
age of the population to whom com
munistic life Is attractive. Otherwise
there was nothing to take them to
the place. for no Shaker receives any
personal emolument. All goes into
the common treasury.
These two men saw possibilities in
the place. They advanced various
plans for making 1t more profitable.
They entered with enthusiasm into
the idea of undermining the whole
organization, bringing it in touch with
the present day world, getting in
fresh blood and building up strong,
growing organization once more.
They were allowed to do nothing.
Everything they proposed was vetoed
by those in authority and they be-
came conscious of an unspoken but
acute jealousy.
Gradually they saw they were to be
reduced to simply two pairs of hands,
doing the manual tasks that were or
dered. like little boys. Their brains
were not wanted, their new ideas
were not wanted, and they had to
take orders from men who were men.
tally their interiors. Then they went
away, and by winter the rest of the
seven had followed them.
One WomaA's Experience.
A young woman went to Mount
Lebanon last summer, thinking, per,
haps, she might join. She was a
dreamer and an idealist. She had
had hard and poverty-stricken life
for few years, and she was PENN
less. The life attracted her, the work
was congenial. she liked all the ma
terial conditions. But she found thai
should she become member she
would never again have q moments
privacy. Working or sleeping, an
other woman would be always with
The Spanish Fork press. [volume] (Spanish Fork, Utah) 1902-current, 1907-02-07

1t awakened one morning to find Bro
Their Ephraim and the new sister
gone. Worse yet, Brother Ephraim,
who handled the banking business OF
the family, had taken not only his
own $4,000 but $4,000 more, being
every cent of the family's ready
money. Rather than betray its shame
to the world the family made no sign
and never strived to recover its $780,
0O0
One morning, all wet with sleet
and cold as ice, Brother Ephraim
came creeping in and told his tale
with sobs and tears. He followed the
authority of Adam strictly and laid 1t
all on the woman She had bewitched
him, he said. He could not resist
her, but Just as soon as the money
was gone she had left him, and then
he sobbed again. He brought back
not one dollar of the $4,000. 1t had
flown with wings, for they lived high.
After so years of celibacy, Brother
Ephraim had gone on one grand
bust"
testable to the Shakers than to ordi-
nary folk. But Brother Ephraim was
so useful man that they had been at
their wits ends to get on without
him. So they took him back and set
him to work, and he lives a chastened
and humbled man, and firm believer
in the superman.
End Must Be Soon.
That is the only scandal Shaker
land ever had. They are clean, hon
est, Woodworking people. who live the
simple life, with plain living and high
thinking None of the vices of the
age are theirs. Yet year by year
there are more of those strange, silent
Shaker funerals, when by night, with
out music, flowers or weeping, they
carry out rough plank box to
nameless, unmarked grave. Nobody
comes to fill the vacant chair, and
soon picturesque. historic expert.
ment, the only experiment in Ameri.
can Protestant monastic life, will see
ita end. The only question is which
OF the Shaker sisters will be left the
last possessor of that seven miles Of
land and the group of great empty
houses with their century old memo.
riea.
The Spanish Fork press. [volume] (Spanish Fork, Utah) 1902-current, 1907-02-07
CHAPTER XIV.
The Ukraine Cross.

Inc ukraine SToss'
Upon the green plain beside the
ALA, a great multitude was assembled.
The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1907-07-11
Get somethlna in RETURN.
Ito Be continued.)

Some time since Tom Watson was
the principal speaker at an agricul
tural convention in n of the South
ern states. and during his remarks the
Georgian naturally handed out a large
bundle of words on the political situa
ton.
Gentlemen said he with much i'm
pressiveness, 'you have had a con
gresham and a senator for many
years. You pay them $4,000 a year
and furnish them with a private sec
rotary at $500 a month. What do you
get in return"
Five packages of garden seed" was
the startling rejoinder of a farmer in
the audience.
The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1907-07-11
THERE IS A REASON.
The Medical Times Explains Why
Doctors Oppose Patent Medicines.

The Medical Times for April in a
moment of frankpess explains the
whole opposition of physicians to pat
ent" medicines which are taken with
out a prescription, in the following
words:
1--WE will hardly repeat here the
specific statement TO the effect that
in one year s62, 900, 900 has been *.
pended on patent medicines in the
United States. Enough to give every
practitioner in the country a yearly
income of $4,000. In the face of such
facts as these, all talk Of love of hu.
manity, altruism, self-abnegation and
the like becomes cheap and nauseat'
ing. 1t appears to us that such bun
combe should give place to homely
common sense"
Reliable authority states that the
gross amount of the patent" medi.
cine business is about SAC, 000, 900 in,
stead of $62, 000, 900 but taking the
Medical Times figures as correct they
represent an outlay of considerably
less than 81 per capita for home medi.
cation. The cost of doctors fees eX
elusive of medicines except such as
are dispensed for the same period,
probably was approximately $3.50, 00O,.
900. This is reached by allowing an
average income of $4,000 to each OF
the 10000 physicians in the United
States. Even allowing that a gross
business of $50, 100000 is to be divid.
ed between $4,000 physicians the in.
come of each would not be increased
more than $40.
The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1907-07-11

with us. Do you know, all Of us just
love your sermons!"
Bessie Baker never vent to church
twice together in her life" whispered
Ed Smiley. Ed was in a position to
know-he generally drove her ver in
a very narrow buggy.
you are good to tell me that
please you, Miss Observation-Disclosures
rather my ermon do" The mascu.
line voice had become markedly more
tender, and we scarcely could hear.
81 am so glad you think l am a rose,
Brother Sibert-er-er-I mean like
a-a-cr-rose-Sundayi" She fin.
ished In much confusion; so much, in
fact, that big, rough doc" Farley
failed to control himself, and broke
into a roar of laughter. in which we
could but join.
"Click, click" came owe the line.
And we took 1t to mean that two an
CRY lovers had just discovered they
were overheard.
For three days most Of us surrend'
cred cheerfully any idea Of work, and
hopefully spent the hours In happy an
ticipation of another "partyline com
edy." as the more literary Blakey
called 1t. Jake Green, who keeps the
feedstore at Hanks Crossing, said II
was better than Smiley's photograph.
It was late in the afternoon of the
third day when the coveted three rings
sounded along the line. / jumped ner
vously to the telephone, and cautious
ly took down the receiver.
Hello! old Fiddlesticks!" came the
self-same feminine voice.
We looked aghast at each other.
81 called up to ask the price OF
wheat"
Yes, It was surely the same preacher
and the same Bessie Baker, but this
was all so unlike the blushing rose
and lovely sermon conversation.
Wheat Is even higher than yester
day, Mr.. Fiddlesticks-about SO cents
Q bushel."
"And Is the sky blue over Union to
day?" asked the masculine voice
gently.
TT was q little cloudy, but the sky
II truly clearing up wonderfully now
Il came through a drizxling rain tc
Blakey's an hour ago." savagely de
| ciared Ed Smiley.
And win you expect toedarn again
The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1907-07-11
sWe>s~N>s~nNs~~1N~S
BLAKEY'S !
! TELEPHONE {
BY ROSCOE GILMORE sr0rT

BY ROSCOE GILMORE srorr
~Nr-~Nr-~A-~Arl
Copyright. by Joseph B. Bowles.)

1t was just a yea ago that the Pipe
lille Telephone company put in a
'party-line" out through Union town.
,hip, and though 1t came after repeat
ID petitions, 1t proved a more srspris-
ng benefit than any of US dared hope
,r dream.
Indeed, II never got so far as my
OWN farm, but almost every day ! hap
pen up to Blakey's for my mail, and
Is we sit around we learn lots about
'party-lines," and owen Peters, the
farmland owe at Pendleton's, says he
never did have so blamed much fun.
I takes just nine quick rings to get
Did Blakey, himself, to answer, for he
.urns in pride to a red-covered direc-
DRY, which announces in bold type:
"Blakey,. J. s.. general merchandise
But any less number will arouse one
IL us--there Is a certain fascination
n not being expected as an audience.
But this brief story has only to do
with young Sibert, who comes to
preach in Union church every Sunday,
and the fateful code of "3 on Al" And
aow, If you happen into Blakey's and
ask for a genial story around his big,
lnblacked stove, no doubt one of US
would rehearse once more the tele-
3honic episode in the courtship of
preacher" Sibert.
One day, after Ed Smiley had gener-
ously passed around his plug, our
eager ears heard three rings, and we
we're at once attention. owen Peters
stepped to the telephone, and it is my
honest conviction that some six or
eight in Union did likewise.
Its Preacher Sibert," whispered
Peters, and we hurriedly gathered
around the phone, for Blakey's is the
best on the line.
"You looked like a blushing rose
indeed, you did" we heard a minis
terial voice grandly assert.
81 always like to look pretty for you,
Brother Sibert," came a soft feminine
voice.
"Mush!" whispered DOC" Farley,
and w strained our ears the more as
Peters held the receiver in midair.
Next Sunday l have chosen Love
for my theme"
"Oh, how nice!" again the feminine
response. DO plan to stay to dinner
The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1907-07-11
sPoILs or AN OLD cAsKET.
Carefully Hidden DoWry Of a Monan-
redan Bride.

mccall 6rlCc.
A true fairy tale concerning an ORR
entail casket sold by an antiquary to
a Partisan amateur is related by the
correspondent Of the London Tele-
graph.
The casket is of beautiful artistic
workmanship of olive wood, with in
crustations. It was evidently a we'd
ding present, such as 1t is the custom
to give a bride in Mohammedan coun.
tries.
There is a perfume of rose leaves,
a delicate far away fragrance or the
distant East. when the is lifted
The antiquary bought 1t at a genera
sale long ago, and offered 1t TO pur-
chasers amid Louis XVI. clocks, old
ribbons and out-of-date decorations.
A lover of quaint antiques, M. Maui
rice saw the casket and bought it
AS it had been knocked about a
good deal in its long journey it stood
in need of repairs, and M. Maurice
gave II to an expert workman to re-
store. The workman tapped 1t and
was surprised 10 hOIICS a hCN"AAA~
sound inside. He found that the jew
ell box had a double bottom, and when
opened there were rows of old and
odd coins, which glittered family, but
enough to show at ono that they
were of pure gold.
A numismatist declared they were
gold sequins and worth about 100
pounds. It was a sum which to a
young bride a hundred or two hun.
bred years ago represented perhaps a
fortune. The workman Informed NJ.
Maurice, and the latter told the n.
tiquary. AS they were all three hon.
est men, each wished that the other
claim the brides treasure
They referred the matter to the po-
lice commissary, who gave a decision
worthy of Solomon. He divided tbs
gold coins into two equal piles and
told NJ. Maurice and the a%ntiquary to
take each a pile and then left it to
their combined generosity to reward
the honest workman. This they did,
each giving him a few Of the gold
sequins, 80 that all had about an even
share in the treasure of the bride,