davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-04-23

II dunno" said Jimmie bldnkly.
Clarence, while he adopted an air OF
being habituated to perform such
feats every day of his life. Still he
was not much Of Il boy. He had the
virtue of being able to walk on very
high stills, but when the season of
stills had passed he possessed no rank
save this Sunday school rank. this
clever-little Clarence business OF know.
Ing the Bible and the lesson better
than the other boys. The other boys.
sometimes looking at him meditatlvely.
did not actually decide 10 thrash him
as soon as he cleared the portals OF
the church. but they certainly decided
to molest him in such ways as would
re.estabHsh their self respect. Back
of the superintendent's chair hung
lithograph of the martyrdom of st.
Stephen.
Jimmie. feeling stiff and encased In
his best clothes, waited for the ordeal
10 end. 4 bell pealed; the fat hand OF
the superintendent had tapped q bell.
Slowly the rustling and murmuring
dwindled to silence. The benevolent
man faced the school. 81 have to an.
nounce," he began, waving his body
from side to side in the conventional
bows OF his kind, that Bang went
the bell "Give me your attention.
please. children. I have to announce
that the board has decided that this
year there will be no Christmas tree
but the
Instantly the room buzzed with the
subdued clamor of the children. JIM
mie was speechless. He stood mo-
rosely during the singing Of the closing
hymn. He passed out into the street
with the others, pushing no more than
was required.
Speedily the whole idea left him. IL
he remembered Sunday school at all, II
was to remember that he did not Ike II.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-04-23

look more like boys than like two little
wax tggers. An, ye know, the little
cusses like 1t themselves. They never
took no stock in all this washin' an
combln an fi1ln' an goin' to church
an paradin' an shown off. They
stood it because they were told to-;
that's all. OF course this here Neelte-
gee, er whatever hE name Is, is a
plumb dumb ijit but l don't see what's
to be done now that the kids Is full
we'll cropped. I might 20 nnd burn his
shop over his head, but that wouldn't
bring no hair back on to the kids.
They're even kickln' on sashes now, an
that's all right, cause what fer does a
boy want sash?"
Whereupon Trescott perceived that
the old man wore his brains above his
shoulders, and Trescott departed from
him rejoicing greatly that 1t was only
women who could not know that there
was finality to most disasters and hat
when thing was fully done no amount
of door slammlngs, rushing upstairs
and downstairs, calls, lamentations.
tears, could bring back q single hair
to the heads Of twins.
But the rains came and the winds
blew In the most biblical way when a
certain fact came to light In the Tres
cott household. Little Cora, corrobo'
rated by Jimmie, innocently remarked
that S5 had been given her by her ia
ther ON her birthday, and with TINS
money the evil had been wrought
Trescott had known It, but he, thought
full man. had said nothing. For heI
part, the mother Of the angel child hao
up to thassnoment never reflected tha'
the consummation of the wickedness
must have cost small sum Of money
But now 1t was all clear to her. He
was the guilty one-he! my ange
chlldw
The scene which ensued was insplr
iting. A few days later loungers al
the railway station saw a lady leadi2f
a shorn ard still undaunted lamb. At
tached to them was husband and IA
| ther who was plainly bewildered. bu,
still more plainly vexed. as II he woult
be saving: D 'em! Why can't thh'
| iaave me nlone!
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-04-23

And SO to tie moor u last came tnt
golden Murgatc curls, the heart treas
ure and glory Of mother, three aunt
and some feminine cousins.
All having been finished, the chii
dren, highly elate, throIgad out int
the street. They crowed and cackle'i
with pride and joy, anon turning h
scorn the cowardly Dan Earl.
Ella Earl was an exception. She had
been pensiye for some time. and now
the shorn little maiden began vaguely
to weep In the door Of his shop Viii
liam Neeltje stood watching them.
upon his face a grin Of almost inhuman
idiocy.
1t now becomes the duty Of the un'
fortunate writer to exhibit these chill
dren to their fond parents. Come Oh.
Jimmie" cried little Cora, lets 90
show mammal And they hurried of.
these happy children. to show mamma.
The Trescotts and their guests were
assembled indolently awaiting the
luncheon bell. Jimmie and the angel
child burst in upon them. 'Oh, nam,
ma" shrieked little Cora, ''see how
fine am! I've had my hair cut! Isn't
it splendid? And Jimmie too"
The wretched mother took one sgnt.
emitted one yell and fell into chair
Mrs. Trescott dropped a large lady's
Journal and made nerveless me-
chanical clutch at it. The painter grip
ped the arms Of his chair and leaned
forward. staring until his eyes were
uke two little clock faces. DR.. Tres
colt did not move or speak.
To the children the next moments
were chaotic. There was a loudly
waillng mother and a pale faced,
aghast mother, stammerlng father
and a grim and terrible father. The
angel child did not understand any.
thing Of It save the voice Of calamity.
and in a moment all her little impe-
rialism went to the winds She ran
sobbing to her mother. "Oh, mamma,
mamma, mamma"
The desolute Jimmie heard out Of
this inexplicable situation voice
which he knew well, sort Of coloners
voice, and he obeyed like any good
soldier. "Jlmmie!"
He stepped three PAGES to the front.
ayes, sir"
"How did this-how did this hap
pen" said Trescott.
Now, Jimmie could have explained
how had happened anything which
had happened, but he did not know
what had happened, so he said, Il
I-nothin'."
"And, oh, look at her frock" said
Mrs. Trescott brokenly.
The words turned the mind Of the
mother Of the angel child. She looked
up, her eyes blazing. "Frock" she re-
peated. "Frock! What do care for
her frock! Frock" she choked out
again from the depths Of her bitter.
ness. Then she arose suddenly, and
whirled traglcally upon her husband
"Lookw she declaimed. "All-her love-
ly-halr-all her lovely hair-gone-
gonew The painter was apparently In
a fit. His jaw was set, his eyes were
glazed. his body was stiff and straight
"All gone all - her lovely hair all
gone-my poor little darlin'-my-poor
-little-dar!ln'w And the angel child
added her heartbroken voice to her
mothers wall as they fed Into each
others arms.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-04-23

In the meantime Trescott was pa
tiently unraveling some skeins OF
Jimmie's tangled intellect. "And then
you went to this BARRIERS on the hill
Yes. And where did you get the
money? Yes: I see. And who besides
you and Cora had their hair cutf me
Margate twi-- Oh, Lord!
Over at the Margate place old El-
bridge Margate, the grandfather OF the
twins, was in the back garden picking
peas and smoking ruminatively to
himself. Suddenly he heard from the
house great noises. Doors slammed,
women rushed upstairs and down.
stairs, calling to each other In voices
of agony. And then full and mellow
upon the still air arose the roar OF the
twins In pain.
Old Eldridge stepped out Of the pea
patch and moved toward the house,
puzzled, staring, not yet having de-
cided that It was his duty to rush for.
ward. Then around the corner OF the
house shot his daughter Mollie. her
face pale with horror.
"What's the matter" he cried.
"Oh, father" she gasped, "the chill
dren! They
Then around the corner Of the house
came the twins. bowling at the top OF
their power, their faces flowing with
tears. They were still hand In hand,
the ruling passion being strong even In
this suffering At sight Of them old
Eldridge took his pipe hastily out OF
his mouth. Good Godw he said.
And now what befell one William
Neeltje, barber by trade? And what
was said by angry parents Of the moth
er Of such an angel child? And what
was the fate Of the angel child herself?
There was surely tempest. With
the exception Of the Margate twins
the boys could we'll be eliminated from
the affair. OF course 1t didn't matter
IL their hair was cut. Also the two
little Phelps girls had had very short
hair anyhow. and their parents were
not too greatly incensed. In the case
of Ella Earl it was mainly the pathos
Of the little girls own grieving, but
her mother played most generous
part and called upon Mrs. Trescott and
condoled with the mother Of the angel
child over their equivalent losses. But
the Margate contingent! They simply
screeched.
Trescott, composed and cool bloOded,
was IN the middle Of giddy whirl.
He was not going to allow the mob
bing of his wife's cousins, nor was he
going to pretend that the spoliation of
the Margate twins was virtuous and
beautiful act. He was elected gratui-
tously to the position Of buffer.
But. curiously, the one who achieved
the bulk Of the misery was old e.
dridge Margate, who had been picking
peas ut the time The feminine Mar.
gates stormed his position as lndivid-
uals. in pairs. In teams and en masse.
In two days they may have aged him
seven years. He must destroy the ut
ter Neeltje. He must midnightly mas
sacre the angel child ana her mother.
He must dip his arms In blood to the
elbows
Trescott took the first opportunity to
express to him his concern over the af-
fair, but when the subject Of the dis
aster was mentioned old Eldridge. to
the Doctors great surprise, actually
chuckled long and deeply. "Oh. well,
look a-here," he said. ~ never was
80 much In love with them there d
curls. The curls was purity. yes. but
then I'd darn sight rather see boys
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-04-23

vent it, the best minds of the town
were splin.ering their lances againss
William Nealtje's signboard. II Il man
hal Il mental superior, he guided him
seductively to this name and watched
with glee his wrecking The clergy Of
the town even entered the lists. There
was one among them who had taken 4:
collegiate prize in Syrlac as well as In
several less Opaque languages. and the
other clergymen mt one Of their week
ly meetings sought to betray him in
this ambush. He pronounced the name
correctly. but that mattered little. since
none Of them knew whether he did or
did not, and so they took triumph ac
cording to their Ignorance. Under thes'
arduOus circumstances 1t was certain
that the town should look for a nick
name, and at this time the nickname
was in process Of formation. So vii
liam Neeltje lived on with his secret,
smiling foolshly toward the world.
Come on" cried little Cora. Lets
all get our hair cut. That's what let's
do. Let's ali get our hair cut! Come
on! Come on! Come On!" The 9TH
ers were carried or their feet by the
fury Of this assault. To get their hair
cut! What Joy! Little did they know
If this were fun; they only knew that
their small leader said 1t was fun.
Chocolate stained, but confident. the
band marched into William Neeltje's
barber shop.
1--WE wish to get our hair cut said
little Cora haughtlly.
Neeltje. in his shirt sleeves. stood
looking Mt them with his half Idiot
smile.
Hurry, now!" commanded the queen
A dray horse toiled step by step. steT
by step, up Bridge street hill; IA
womans voice arose; there could
heard the ceaseless hammers of shin
CLING. carpenters; all was summer
pence. "Come on. now. Who's goin
first? Come on. Ella; you go first
Gettin' our hair cut! Oh. what fun!
Little Ella Earl would not, however
bo first IN the chair. She was. draw
toward It by singular fascination
Lcs 1t Tie zane time she was afrai'
p # 49, ...,tSha hlug b::cl. Sayin'
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-04-23
NUMBER II.
ned him keenly and derided his condi.

ned him keenly and derlded his condi'
ton.
I'VE will proceed to the lesson" said
the young lady Then she cried stern.
". like sergeant, The seventh chap
ter Of jeremiah"
lets. Then the name Of jeremiah, q
wise man, lowered over the feelings
of these boys. Homer Rhclps was
doomed to read the fourth verse. He
lips, he gathered his strength for a
great effort His beginning was child
ishly explosive He hurriedly said:
Trust ye not in lying words, say
ing the temple OF the Lord, the temple
of the Lord, the temple of the Lord.
are these"
Now" said the teacher Johnnie
Scanlan. tell us what these words
mean" The Scanlan boy shamefaced-
ly muttered that he did not kncv.
The teachers countenance sadGeurl.
Her heart was in her work She want.
ed to make n success Of this Sunday
school class. Perhaps Homer Phcl'
can tell us. she remarked.
Homer gulpcd. He looked at JIM
mie. Through the great room hummed
steady hum. \ little circle very
near was Icing told about Daniel in
the lions den. They were deeply
moved AT the moment they liked
Sunday school.
"Why-nOw--it means" said Homer,
with grand pDlpos!ty born OF
sense Of hopeless iynorance-'it means
why, il means that they were In tie
wrong place"
NO" said the teacher profoundly;
1T means that we should be good
very good indeed. That is what II
means. II mealJ that we should love
the Lord and be good Love the Lord
and be COOL. That is what it means"
The little boys suddenly had sense
OF black w.rkcdnc's as their teacher
looked aus'crcly upon them. They
gazed at her with the wide open eyes
Of simplicity. They We're stirred n".''
This thing of being good-thi
business Of life-apparently il WAS
ways successful. They knew from t,
fairy tales. But 1t was difficult. wasn't
it? 1t was said TO he the most heart
breaking task TO be generous. wasn't
it? One had to pay the price OF ones
eyes In order to be pacific. didn't one?
AS for patience. it was tortured mar
tyrdom TO be patient. wasn't 1t? Sin
was simple wasn't it? But virtue
was so difficult that II could only ,
practiced by heavenly beings, wasn't
it?
And the angels, the Sunday school
superintendent and the teacher swan
in the high visions of the little boys IA
beings SO good that If boy saratche
his shin in the same room he was
profane and sentenced devil.
"And. said the teacher. the tent
pie Of the LOrd'-what doe; that mean?
I'll ask the new boy. What does that
meanT
Il dunno" said Jimmie blankly.
But here the professional bright boy
)f the class suddenly awoke TO his OBJ
!igat.ons Teacher he cried, 1t
means church, same a this"
Exactly" said the teacher deeply
satisfied with this reply. You know
your lesson well, Clarence. am much
pleased"
The other boys, instead of being en-
vious. looked with admiration upon
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-04-23
LTHOUGH Whilomville was In
A 10 sense a summer resort, the

i THOUGH Whilomville was In
Ia 10 sense a summer resort, the
advent of the warm season
4 4 meant much to 1t, for then
came visitors from the clty-people OF
considerable confidence-alighting upon
their county cousins. Moreover, many
citizens who could afford to do so es-
capped Mt this time to the seaside. The
town, with the commercial life quite
taken out Of 1t, drawled and drowsed
through long months, during which
nothing was worse than the white dust
which arose behind every vehicle at
binding noon, and nothing was finer
than the cool sheen Of the hose sprays
over the cropped lawns under the many
naples in the twilight.
One summer the Trescotts had Wis
itatiOn. Mrs. TrescOtt owned cousin
who was a painter Of high degree.
had almost said that he was Of na-
tional reputation, but, come to think OF
1t, 1t is better to say that almost every
body in the United States who knew
about art and its travail knew about
him. He had picked out a wife, and
naturally. looking at him, one wonder
ed how he had done 1t. She was quick,
beautiful. imperious, while he was
quiet. slow and misty. She was ver-
table queen Of health, while he, appar-
emily. was Of a most brittle constitu-
ton. When he played tennis particu-
larly he f5oked every minute rs If he
We're going to break.
They lived in New York. in awesome
apartments wherein Japan and Persia.
and indeed all the world, confounded
the observer At the end was Il cathe-
dral-liI;e studio. They had one child.
Perhaps it would he better to say Mat
they had one CHILD. 1t was Il girl.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-04-23

daft, soon had thought to make fight
over the spoils, but their queen ruled
with an iron grip. Her first inspira-
ton was t. satisfy her own fanciei.
but as soon as that was done she min
gled prodigality with fine justice,
dividing, balancing, bestowing and
sometimes taking away from some
body even that which he had.
1t was an orgy. In thirty-fve min-
utes those respectable children looked
rs IL they had been dragged at the tail
of chariot The sacred Marga;,
twins. blinking and grunting, wished
to take seat upon the floor, and even
the most durable Jimmie Trescot'
found occasion to lean against the
counter, wearing ut the time solemn
and abstracted air, as IL he expected
something to happen to him shortly.
OF course their belief had been In an
unlimited apacity, but they found
there was an end. The shopkeeper
handed the queen her change.
1.-TWO sevcnty-three from five leaves
two twenty-seven, Miss Cora" he said
looking upon her with admiration.
She turned swiftly to her clan.
"O-Oh," she cried in amaZement, 'look
how much l have leftw They gazed at
the coins in her palm. They knew then
that 1t was not their capacities which
We're endless. 1t was the So.
The queen led the way to the street.
1--WE must think up some way of spend
ing more money" she said, frowning
They stood in silence, awaiting he
further speech.
Suddenly she clapped her hands an !
screamed with delight. Come on!
she cried. II know what let's do.
Now behold, she had discovered the
red and white pole in front Of the shop
of one William Neeltje. barber by
trade.
1t becomes necessary to say II few
words concerning Neeltje. He was
new to the town. He had come and
opened dusty little shop on dusty
Bridge street hill, and. although the
neighborhood knew from the courier
winds that his diet was mainly cab
bage, they were satisfied with that
meager data. or course Riefsnyder
came to investigate him for the local
BARRIERS union. but he found in him
only sweetness and light with Il will
ingness to charge any price at all for
shave or hair cut. In fact. the ad-
vent Of Neetje would have made bare
ly ripple upon the placid bosom Of
Whilomville If it We're not his name
was Neeltje.
At firsi the people looked at his sign
board out of the eye corner and Won
dered lazily why any one should bear
the name of Neeltje. but as time went
OH men spoke to other men. saying
"How do you pronounce the name OF
that barber UP there OH Bridge street
hll?' And then. before any could pre-
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-04-23

"No! You 60 first! No! You 60 first!
The question was precipitated by the
twins and one of the Phelps children.
They made simultaneous rush for the
chair and screamed and kicked, each
pair preventing the third child. The
queen entered this melee and decided
in favor of the Phelps boy. He ascend
ed the chair. Thereat an awed silence
fell upon the band. And always VIII
liam Neeltje smiled fatuously.
He tucked cloth in the neck OF the
Phelps boy and, taking scissors, be.
gan to cut his hair. The group OF
children came closer and closer. Even
the queen was deeply moved. Does 1t
hurt any?' she asked in wee voice.
"Naw," said the Phelps boy. with
dignity. Anyhow. I've had m hair
cut afore."
When he appeared to them looking
very solderly with his cropped little
head, there was tumult over the
chair. The Margate twins howled;
JlLlIIlle lTeSCOll Woo hiShiub thSh va
the shins. 1t was fight.
But the twins could not prevail, be-
ing the smallest Of all the children
The queen herself took the chair and
ordered Neeltje as If he were a lady's
maid. To the floor there fell proud
ringlets, blazing even there in their
humiliation with full fine bronze
light Then Jimmie Trescott, then Ella
Earl Gwo long ash colored plaits), then
a Phelps girl. then another Phelps girl,
and so on from head to head. The Ger
emony received unexpected check when
the turn came to Dan Earl. This lad
usually docile to any rein, had sudden
Iy grown mulishly obstinate. No; he
would not, he would not. He himself
did not seem to know why he refuses.
to have his hair cut, but, despite the
shrll dcrision Of the company, he re
mained obdurate. Anyhow, the twins
long held In check and now feverishl.
eager, were already struggling for the
chair.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-04-23

In the chronological collection OF
Mrs. v. p. DeCoster Of Buckfield is a
specimen of the Searcher, a green beetle
captured by her near Portland, which
lust now possesses much interest for the
general public, the specimen having
been pronounced by State Entomoiogist
E. F. Hitchings. to be one of species
imported into this country few years
ago as a parasite Of the dreaded gypsy
moth, against which state legislation
has been enacted. That the Searcher
has already spread to Portland woods
shows that it possesses territory-covering
qualities far superior to those OF the
eypsy.-Maine Farmer.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-04-23

Do not be in hurry to get the cows
out to pasture, for what might prove de-
sirable for the cows would be disastrous
to the pasture. Give the grass chance
to get good start.
On the other hand, do not keep the
COWS too closely confined In the stable
they need all the fresh air and sunshine
which they can have at this season.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-04-23
Advertisement.

"why do you allow yourself to bs
posted at your clubr
"Well," answered the easy going
youth, 'fts a large club and a swell
one, and no one would know was
member Of It unless I got posted now
and Observation-Disclosures Star.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-04-23
A Bio Meal.

He-What do you think? over
heard Mr. Spoonem talking to Miss
Platter In the conservatory. and he
told her she was sweet enough to eat.
Shc-The glutton! That Platter girl
weighs fully 200 pounds. Judge.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-04-23

Do not let the chicks out upon the
ground In the morning when the ground
Is damp, and be particularly careful that
they are not allowed to run through the
wet grass.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-04-23

Where there is emulation there will
be vanity: where there Is vanity there
will be folly.-JohnsOn.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-04-23
A new Lot

of Plumbing Goods. The best of
oak woodwork for closets. No old
goods. Call and see this bne. Job
bing promptly attended to. Nc
charge for team.
L. M. LonG1ey,
Norway, Maine.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-04-23
About Going West.

A WARNING To EASTERN FARMERS BY
A WESTERN MAN WHO Is PROUD OF
THE WEST.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-04-23
FOR SALE.

FOR SALE.
One of the best investments in South
Paris, on High Street. Eighteen-room
house, finished in three rents. Large
stable connected. Several acres of land.
Also three house lots in desirable local
ity. Contemplated removal only cause
for sale.
J.H. STUART, South Paris.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-04-23
AMONG THE FARMERS.
"sPEED THE PLow."

on practical agricultural topics
II solicited. Address all communications In
tended for this department to HENRY d.
HAMMOND, Agricultural Editor Oxford Dem
ocrat, Paris, Ne.