davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-09-18
22s MINE BOYS KILLED IN YEAR.
State Report Says a Foreman Should
Be Sentenced to Prison.

Harrisburg, Pa.-The annual report
of the state department of mines
shows that there were 81 employees
killed between the ages of 16 and Is
years and "a employees between the
ages of Is and 21 years in the an
thracite and bltuminous regions of
Pennsylvania during 1906. In addi-
ton to these fatalities there were
killed outside the anthracite mines 16
boys between the ages of IA and is
years and 21 between the ages of
16 and 21 years. In the bituminous
region no fatalities occurred among
the outside employees under 81 years.
In The bituminous mines 26 boys
were killed whose ages range from IA
to IS years and 81 killed OF fatally in
jured between the ages OF is and 81.
The report says that It is regretta.
BILE fact that three of the so-calied
miners killed were boys IA. 10 and 16
years old, respectively. and that the
foreman who hired these boys to do
miners work should be sentenced to
term Of Imprisonment
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-09-18
Mckinley's Thouuhtfulness.

1t was blistering hot day on the
sands Of Camp Montauk in 1898. Four
teen thousand weak, sick or wounded
soldier boys sweltered under their
tents.
Down at the army depot the Sec
ond cavalry had received President
Mckinley and Secretary of War Al
ger with a great flourish of trumpets
and salute OF swords.
Cannon were booming the presi-
dents salute, and transports In the
harbor waving their flags. The presi-
dent had called these $4,000 men and
boys together to defend the nation.
He might have been swelled with
pride over the honors being paid to
him. - '---
His carriage moved slowly through
the deep and hot sand. The tender
ness in his nature came to the surface
as he leaned forward and asked Secre-
tary Alger:
Have the boys plenty of water?"
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-09-18
Unfortunate Comparison.

One of the most charming writer's In
one of the most prominent newspa-
pers, speaking of the hereditary but
improving big feet OF American girls,
ventures the prediction that 1t will
be many years before our girls come
up to the standard of the Venus OF
Milo in that respect" II would be
interesting to know what the standard
of the Venus of Milo is in regard to
hands. The original sculpture is In
the Louvre, but 1t is sans hands and
sans arms, and all attempts at the
vandalism of restoration" have been
most fortunately resisted.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-09-18
Nature Reclaimed Island.

King island, between the coasts Of
Tasmania and the Australian main
land. has always been an arid waste
of sand and other honorable soil.
Some years ago. however, a vessel
was wrecked of the island and a num-
Der OF the sailors mattresses, stuffed
with the yellow-fiowered clover. kind
of grass, were washed ashore. A GER
tain quantity of seed was contained
among the stufiing and in due course
these took root and in the space of
few years covered the sandy stretches
with rich verdure. Clover and other
leguminous plants have the peculiar
capacity of fertilizing waste soil.
owing principally to the action of bac-
terra, thereby enabling the plants to
draw nitrogen directly from the at
mosphere. King island. previously a
waste stretch OF sand. is now one of
the richest grazing districts In the
Australian continent
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-09-18

"Ho. Ho. Hillo! Hello, there! Any
body at homer"
Mrs. Parke Austin was In her dress
ing room getting ready for church
when this boisterous greeting fell
upon her ears.
"Mornin', ma'am." pulling at a
scrap of cap which set jauntily upon
a crop of black curly hair. Have
you got bit of work you could give
me, ma'am, for a bit OF breakfast!
Surprise had kept the lady silent.
Now she spoke quickly. It's Sun
day, man. Haven't you any respect
for the day."
"Oh, yes, ma'am; but you see, the
day has no respect for me, ma'am.
A fellow gets hungry on Sunday just
the same's any other day. and the
Good Book says II man won't work,
neither shall he eat"
There was such an irresistible air
Of drollery in this absurd wrestling
of Scripture, that Mrs. Austin laughed
in spite OF herself.
Il can give you a breakfast" she
said with a rueful fear of being late
at church, but / have no Sunday
work for you"
Then I'll come around tomorrow
and do Mondays work for Sunday
food"
She watched him as he ate, and
noted with some surprise that he
handled his napkin and the silver as
If he had always been accustomed to
them, and a thoughtful, preoccupied
expression came over his face. quite
replacing the saucy, merry look he
had worn at first.
I'll be on hand tomorrow, maam
bright and early" he said, as he left
the door, that thoughtful look still
on his face, land give you honest
Monday work for Sunday food-the
best I've tasted In years, ma'am." He
touched his old cap again, and was
gone, and Mrs. Austin returned to her
toilet with a queer feeling that she
had entertained an angel, or some
thing peculiar, unawares.
The merry tramp was true to his
promise, and with a scythe Monday
morning was making war on some
tall grass and weeds which had per
sisted in going to seed In Mrs. Aus
tins back yard.
Burn 'em up, ma'am. and nip the
next years crop In the bud" he had
sagely suggested as she looked about
for work for him to do.
He leaned meditatively on the
scythe. his eyes cast down, as Mr.
Austin spoke.
Il imagine you've been cultivatine
some weeds of your own which need
shipping"
That's just It. SIR" the black eyes
looked into his with a smile. But
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-09-18

have no one to snip them for me.
to be respectable again, If / knew
where to make a beginning"
Come into my warehouse. l am
short of hands, and l believe l can
trust you to take an honest posi-
ion"
The tramp drew himself up proud
". Whatever l am, or have been, /
have never taken dishonest penny's
worth"
Il believe you. Shake hands on It,"
lie was taken into the home as a
boarder and known only as John
Smith.
The saucy freedom Of the tramp
gave way to the grave, respectful bear
ing of a gentleman toward Mrs. Aus
tin, and though at times lie INDUCED
in merry conversation, the saucy bra
vado was quite gone from IT, His
first earnings had been invested in a
suit of fine clothing, and Mrs. Austin
had persuaded him into habit of reg
ular church going, and altogether the
frowsy, dirty tramp who had sum-
moned Mrs. Austin to her back door
with a Hello, there" that Sabbath
morning, would hardly have been rec
ognized in this quiet, gentlemanly per-
son who was now an inmate of her
home. In all this time he had given
no clew to his own past. and nearly
a year passed by and Thanksgiving
day was fast drawing near again
when she found him one day bending
over a paper upon which his eyes were
fastened. his face pale and convulsed
with feeling.
What is II, John?" she said, in
alarm. Can help you in any way?"
Read that" he pointed to a para
graph, saying: 1T is the first word
I've heard from home in ten years"
IL was an obituary notice OF a
wealthy and influential citizen of a
distant city, and with the eulogy the
mention OF the fact that grief for the
hayward course OF an only and
long lost son had been the prime cause
OF his death.
And you. John"
Il am the hayward son, Mrs. Aus
tin. and In addition to remorse for my
own foolishly wasted years. I must
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-09-18
Town overrun by Snakes.

Collinsville, Conn. is overrun with
snakes. They are seen In yards, in
cellars and in the streets, and daily
reports are being made of killing them
in dwelling houses and In stores.
Large numbers OF the ordinary black
snakes have been killed, some OF them
being more than four feet long. Flat
headed adders have been killed In al
most as great numbers. Water snakes
are nearly as common as grosshop-
pers.
The generally accepted explanation
for the appearance of the snakes is
that lack of rain has caused all the
small mountain streams to dry up,
and the snakes have come to town for
liquid refreshments.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-09-18
HER SECOND
BY Mary Wilson
Copyright. by Joseph B. Bowlss,

Il love Miss Ellington very dearly"
l said; Il can hardly bear to think
OF losing her." added. realizing some
thing of what my loneliness would be
when my friend and mistress was no
more.
Il suppose" the doctor said, quiet
ly. that this is hardly the time or
the place for love making: but ]
want to tell you. Allie, that love you.
and l want you to be my wife" ]
looked up wonderingly into his face.
His kind eyes were smiling at me.
why. DR.. Murray. never thought
OF such thing!"
Then think about IL now. have
thought of little else since the morn
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-09-18
At the Church Bazaar.

Vicar (effusively to conductor at
close Of a brilliant programme)--The
music sounded very delightful in the
distance, and can assure you It did
not in anyway interfere with the sales.
Punch.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-09-18

The Italian government supplies
quinine practically at cost to all con-
sumers, and IL can be bought at all
post Offices in the kingdom. The
profit derived from the sale is used
to stamp out malaria In Italy.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-09-18
Works Both WAYS.

PATIENT hope you will forgive me
for troubling you to come. doctor.
was wretchedly bad three days ago,
but I am all right now. noctor-Ahl
the old story; the doctors always
sent for too late.-Fliegsnds Blaetter.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-09-18

machine, but the girl who operates
it. You've got the two things mixed
up"
That's It, Ell? Then I'll sit here
till the gal comes in, and unmix EN-.
If I'm going to get married again i
want something that can cook meat
and 'taters and do the housework."
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-09-18

De Style-Who was that fellow who
complained that our pinwheels didn't
go around fast enough?
Gunbusta-He's a gas meter In
spector
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-09-18
superstItIon Ahout Bees.

In some country districts OF Eng
land and Germany there Is an idea
that II the bees swarm upon a rotten
tree there will be death in the fam
lily owning or living on the property
within a year.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-09-18

to descend the wire, throwing of
formidable sparks. II is interesting
in fact, 1t might even be dangerous
but 1t conveys no information.-Rene
Bache. in The Circle.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-09-18
The Reason.

81 can't keep track of my neighbors
at all, any more"
Are they moving in and out?"
mo, but my friend. Mrs. Gadabout,
is Ill"
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-09-18

whose embems have been
United States has been described
originally the of Spanish rule ana
ruled the natives through
OF
and
Exat and
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-09-18

carry that of bringing down my Ia
theirs gray hairs in sorrow to the
grave. Do you know what you have
done for me. Mrs. Austin, what depths
you have rescued me from. When
came to you that Sunday morning.
had come to the very husks of my
career. and / didn't much care what
became OF me or what l did; but you
spoke a kind word in season-you set
me out a portion of food In a way
which reminded me of my home. OF
my mother, and the bread and to
spare in my fathers house. You did
not see the tears in my eyes when I
went out, but / believe God did. Then
your good husband continued your
work by offering me honest employ
ment, and you took me into your
home as a guest. You cannot know
how that day in your home inspired
me to try for better things. TO re-
gain little at least of the manhood
| had lost"
And you have, John" Mrs. Aus
tins eyes were wet with tears as the
mans eager eloquence fell upon her
ear gratefully. Whatever you have
been in the past, this present year has
been well spent
II am not John. / had so dis
graced my honorable name that l had
no right to use 1t, but II you think
am worthy to bear 1t again, call me
Franklin Richards, the name on my
baptismal card" he said, gravely. 1T
is a short history, Mrs. Austin, the
old, old one of the Prodigal Son who
took his portion from home and
wasted 1t in riotous living. only that
my father is not there now to vel
come me home"
But the mother is" Mrs. Austin's
face lighted up brightly.
Yes, and lovely girl, my fathers
ward. We were to have been mar
rled, but she has doubtless driven me
from her heart before now. / deserve
it all and more" his head dropped
dejectedly.
Don't despair; It will all come
right. / am sure it will, and you must
write home this very day. You should
have done so long ago."
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-09-18

Evidently the British woman has
the male Briton bluffed.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-09-18

In an elegant home on one OF the
principal avenues in Boston, mother
made preparation TO celebrate Thanks
giving day. She was fair sweet
woman. with soft, black eyes set
deep in a face which was lined with
care and grief
A young lady was seated, looking
earnestly out upon the passersby, her
hands folded, her eyes full Of longing
usefulness. She had passed her girl
hood. as she looked back upon 1t there
seemed a great mountain of years OF
heartache between those happy. care
less days and the present; still they
had borne the mellow fruit OF expert
ence and discipline. and Ruth Haskell
was a nobler, wiser woman to-day
than Franklin Richards had ever
known, while her beauty was not In
the least impaired. She had been a
lovely girl then, with all girls crude
immaturity of thought and feeling. to-
day she was a woman with wider.
stronger views of life and its RESPONSE
bilities. and her capacities for loving
with true, wise love strengthened
by the lapse of years. She started
as the mothers gentle hand was
placed upon her shoulder.
"Oh, auntie, believe | was about
a thousand miles away at that mo-
ment."
Then you were farther away than
he. trust. oh, Ruthie. If your uncle
could only be here this thankful,
happy day"
Eyes, auntie." Tears gathered, for
the absent one had been the kindest,
most indulgent of husbands and
guardians. still, auntie, we have so
much cause for Thanksgiving"
Yes, Ruthie," the jeweled hands
were smoothing the fine brown hair
and picking out tiny curl into a
fluffy fringe over the smooth fore
head. ITO think that my petted.
treasured boy should ever have be-
come a tramp-really needing for
food and clothing" She shuddered
visibly.
1T was Gods way, auntie. When
the Prodigal Son came home the ia
Their loved him the more for what he
had passed through" She looked up
into the kind face over her. with a
vivid blush.
And you love him still, my daugh-
teri" she said, with a questioning
glance.
Eyes. auntie. Through all these
F, wears | have loved him, not for what
he was, but that which he was cap
able of being"
Thank God for that" the mother
said, fervently. May he prove him
self worthy of such devotion. We
must ever cherish in our hearts and
in our prayers. the memory of that
dear woman, Mrs. Austin; but for her
our wanderer might have been a wan.
derer still"
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-09-18
Reforming a Tramp

Copyright. by Joseph b. Bowles,.
The Washington times., 1907-12-29
Cupid'S Chief Lieutenant
Must Take a Back Seat
New Jerseys New Marriage License Law
Puts Stop to Work of Man Who Joined
Ten Thousand Hearts.

NEW YORK, Dec. 2S.-Lawrence P.
Lee is neither minister Of the gospel
nor an alderman. yet he has a record
which makes the Marrying Magistrate
of Hoboken" look like six niokels, and
which puts the Little Church Around
the Corner in the rural parsonage class.
In eight years he has officiated at O.
900 weddings. made 10000 hearts beat
as half that number, and single-hand-
ed has done more even than President
Roosevelt to put race suicide out of
business.
He is o notary public who is known
on two continents as Larry" Lee, and
opposite his name on the official rec
ords of Ellis Island appears the insig-
nifcant title OF clerk of accounts"
Now Mr.. Lee is to go out Of COM
mission as "Cupid's chief lieutenant
not voluntarily, but because Of the mar
riage license law which becomes effec-
tive next Wednesday with the dawn OF
the new year.
Mr. Lees marrying has all been done
on the little dot OF land in the upper
bay which the Government has allotted
10 the immigration authorities, and the
couples he has Joined together have
landed there from all parts OF the world.
Thousands of these marriages have been
the happy termination of the legitimate
course of true love, while many have
been only the legal seal which has
The Washington times., 1907-12-29

placed the stamp OF legitimacy upon re-
lations which were sadly In need OF It.
II began the work of marrying these
strange couples who come knocking at
our doors about eight years 90, during
Commissioner Williams regime said
Mr.. Lee this morning.
During that time I know OF but few
nationalIties that have escaped me.
do not remember ever having spic~d a
Chinese couple. and that perhaps is be-
cause no Chinese girl ever came through
this station. But Arabs. Turks. Hin
doos and, IN fact, denizens from all Of
the three great continents Of the East
ern Hemisphere. have had the benefit
OF my services in breaking into matri-
mony.
at has been a great study. Some OF
those weddings have been very humor-
Gus. while q tragic vein Of pathos lies
in the heart stories OF a great many
others.
1T would require an immense volume
TO record the incidents Of this curious
business. Probably no similar bureau
on earth could begin TO furnish half so
many II has been interesting work,
and although arduous at times in con-
nection with my other duties, I am
really sorry to have to give II up.
Scarcely q day IN the year has passed
that have not performed one wedding,
and often there have been as many as
five in day.
The Washington times., 1907-12-29

verse. ''The AFFAIR can wait. We don't
rush matters 70 satisfy public curiosity"
II am satisfied with what DR.. Con-
verse is doing" said Prosecutor Speer.
There is no need for haste. My de-
tectives tell me no publicity should be
given the case until they have investi-
gated certain clues"
Drabell Mrs. Wright, end others
are doing all in their power in the
meantime TO aid the investigation.
Draben thinks Miss O'Keefe. which is
unquestionably tae right name, prob
ably borrowed the name Of Nevins from
a niece Of the late Thomas Nevins, a
millionaire contractor at Orange. in
whose famils she was employed for
some time. Though an excellent work
er, he explails, 1t seemed strangely diff
cult for her to hold a position long. and
no thinks II likely that she considered
1t unTise in asking Mrs. Wright for a
position to advertise her history in
Orange.
Mrs. Wright, whose Identification pre-
ceded DrabelFs says the woman sought
position es a househeeper.
"She said she had been keeping house
IN BROOKLYN says MIS- wright |Dut
wished 20 move to New Jersey. as she
had friends in Newark. She gave me
her name but refused her address. as
she said she was about 10 leave her
place and would call on me again. She
was so attractive that I was anxious
70 have her on my books"
Without seeing the clothing found
near the victims body Mrs. Wright ac-
curately described it in telling how her
visitor was dressed. On seeing the
corpse she was positive in her fdenti-
flcation
It was through Thomr.s Flanagan. an
The Washington times., 1907-12-29
CARDINAL Says FRANCE
ROBBED THE CHURCH

LYONS, Dec. 2S-Cardinal Coullie
Archbishop OF Lyons. has issued a pas
toral letter in which he describes in the
most vigorous language what he terms
the ''sacrilegious robbery OF the church
in France during the first year OF the
application OF the separation law. He
predicts that the state Will persist in It's
efforts to laicize the hospital. suppress
the Catholic orders which still remain
and put an end to Catholic schools.
The cardinal complains thst, while q
few OF the faithful have BEEN aroused
to impotent Indignation, the majority OF
them are welded to their pleasure and
business. and, deceived by the news
papers, have shown themselves indiffer-
ent TO what is happening. He concludes
with an appeal to Catholics to remain
faithful, and says: THE evil days will
pass. and eventually we Will taste the
joys OF victory"
The Washington times., 1907-12-29
Slain Woman Identified

elevator operator in department store
in Newark. that the first evidence was
discover ed that the woman was there
Christmas Eve.
After ieertifying the corpse Flanagan
says the woman told him she had made
an appointment te meet a man there
about o'clock The man failed TO
come, however. and after expressing
much impatience and saying he had
disappIi1ted her in the same manner
otter pefore. she left about 3 30 o'clock.
From other witnesses II is learned
that she visited a Chinese restaurant
and a German hotel, fnquiring at both
for the man she was seeking. That she
afterWard found this man IS assumed
ark and one IN Harrison saw ner
Christmas With a short. stockily built
stranger with a dark mustache and
clean shaven chin"
Who he was is mystery. The police
believe the woman spent Christmas
Day with him and that ne killed her
Christmas night or that he can al least
explain how she met her death.
The last find Of the day was a mud
stained and torn fragment Of a letter
with the signature missing.
The letter IS addressed 70 MY dear
Cora" or MY dear cousin and so
much OF Il as can be made out reads:
and thank God 70 help you You
may yet be saved, and thus restored %
your loved ones. Now think seriously
of these words. Pray earnestly over
your future. God IS good and know
The day brought forth another strik-
ing piece Of evidence. however. which
/ tonight was being very closely investi-
gated. -Four men, AT 6-o'clOck on Christ
mas night, Eeturning from Newark. saw
near the Pennsylvania railroad station
at Harrison a c. nvas-cOvered wagon
turn into the road which leads down 70
the embankment over which the
Uomans b)dy was thrown.
The traCl1s Of a wagon were followed
along this path and down 70 point aEOut
100 yards from the fatal spot There the
the wagon tracks described a loop, In
dicating that the wagon had come 20 a
stop and had then turned around
The Washington times., 1907-12-29
MIDDIES' PAPERS BURNED,
SECOND EXAM. PROBABLE

Owing 10 the destruction or the rec
ords by fire. which ruined the homo Of
Lieut. Clarence +. Kempff. at AnnaDO-
lis. II may be found necessary by the
Navy Department TO conduct another
examination OF the senior Iridshipmen
who are just completing their second
year OF sea service.
TIE papers destroyed were those OF
final examination. and If another exam
nation is ordered II VIII be necessary
to hold It in all quarters Of the globe
where members OF the class are sta
toned.
The Washington times., 1907-12-29
Kings Classmate
Found AmOngSwine
Blow His Downfall

MELROsE. Mass. Dec. 28.-An investi-
cation by the police Of this city 70 un-
ravel the life story Of Charles Freder-
ick Powell, known as the --AIelrose Her
init" who was found in a piggery here
last Monday, where he lay ID among
the swine, and who died later in Melrose
Hospital from pneumonia, has revealed
the fact that he was a classmate OK
King Edward Of England at oxford.
He was made q tramp through re-
morse for a blow ne struck his father
several years ago. Powell gave every
indication that he was possessed Of an
exceptionally good education, although
his mode Of life was that OF a tramp.
The Washington times., 1907-12-29
HUGHES FRIENDS
PLAN CAMP PAIGN
believe His Ill-AdVised
Admirers Have Made
BlunderS.

NEW YORK. Dec. 2S.-Believing there
has been too much blundering by we'll
wishing, but ill-advised admirers OF Gov
ernor Hughes friends OF the New York
executive. It is aid in political circles,
Twill inaugurate a movement within q
week or ten days to place his candidacy
iin the hands OF men thoroughly familiar
with practical politics and push an ag-
lBressive campaign.
Z II Is said they will not act without q
thorough understanding with the gov
eruor. although this does not mean that
he Is to become an active candidate.
The names of former Mayor Seth Low
and u. r. L. Gould are mentioned as
possible leaders Of his campaign.