davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-08-11

have saved our lives Now we can
write with enthusiasm. We had be.
gun to hate Santa Claus and we
hated to hate him, for he is such a
nice old fellow; but we have had to
ring so many changes on him that the
sight of a snowy beard and rudy
cheeks makes us pessimistic."
And the public Well, it was even as
Mr. Puffer had prophesied. At first
they would not believe that there
was such a magazine, and so they
bought it to make sure. And 1t was
full of stories about every day in the
year but Christmas, and the cover
had clover and clematis on it, and
little naked boys in swimming under
a summer sky. oh, it was a great
success, and for seven days the print.
ing of it went on. and when New
Years day came Mr.. Puffer got a six
months leave of absence and went
with his wife to travel in foreign
lands, and when they returned they
found out that every editor in Amer
lea had taken leaf out of Mr.. Puff
fer's book and was going to bring
out a Christmas-less Christmas mum.
Der.
So Mr.. Puffer laid low and said
nothing to his brother editors, but,
being now very rich man, he in
vited large number of writer's and
artists up to his summer place, and
told them to write when they pleased
and draw when they pleased, but to
try to bend their energies to the
making up of the only Christmas mag
azine in America.
And Mr.. Puffer made so much mon
ey that he and his wife have been
travelling ever isnce, and they always
spend Christmas in the city where
st. Nicholas was born, and they hang
up their stockings and go through the
motions and emotions, because there's
a good deal in that Christmas spirit
if you don't get too much of it.
Copyright. by James Pott & Coz
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-08-11
EK2Al 81 q NIzE9D Ga,
GElIC1[5[1[5[D> STILLS
1T PAYS.

When the dimpled babys hungry, what
does the baby do?
1t doesn't lie serenely and merely sweetly
COO
The hungry baby bellows with all It little
might
TIL some one gives it something to curb
its appetite;
The infant with the bottle which stills its
fretful cries
A lesson plainly teaches-It pays to ad-
vertise.
ness closes round
Stands not in silence trembling and wait
ing to be found;
Its plaintive bleating echoes across the
wales and meads
Until the shepherd hears it, and, hearing.
kindly heeds.
And when its fears are ended, as on his
breast it lies,
The lamb has made this patent: 1t pays
to advertise.
The fair and gentle maiden who loves the
bashful boy
Assumes when in his presence a manner
that is coy;
She bushes and she trembles till he per-
ceives at last,
And clasps her closely to him and glad
ly holds her fast,
And as he bends to kiss her and she Sc
renely signs
This fact is demonstrated: 1t pays to ad-
vertise
IS. E. Kiser, in Chicago Record Herald.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-08-11

We'll, but people will be expect
ing Christmas stuff"
What! Expecting? Yes; they will
be expecting it, You're right; and
that's where Wen win. They won't
get it. They will have had Christ.
mas issues from early in November,
and when they realize that they can
spend the 25th of December reading
magazine that has absolutely no
hint of an overworked holiday in it
they will buy it and send it to their
friends all over the world. Fold me
to your bosom, little wife, for | have
at last hit on a money-makern
His little wife folded him to her
bosom, but it was such warm wealth.
er that he asked her to unfold him,
and she unfolded him right away, be-
cause the way they preserved har-
mony in the family was by minding
each other at once, always.
Next day he went to the hot city
and told his associates of his plan
and they were aghast.
What" said they. Nothing
about little tots and their stockings?
Not a word as to the origin of the
Christmas legend? Nothing about the
genial, jovial old saint? No Dickens
story rehashed? No peace and good.
will by the yard? Not a yule log nor
a reference to mistletoe and the old
maid aunt? Why, Puffer, you're
daffy!"
But if Puffer was daffy he was. also
editor, and what he said went
Oh, how happy the typesetters were
when they learned that they would
have to spell Christmas but once!
And if they were happy, think how
more than happy the poets were who
were told that no stuff would be ac-
cepted that limited at the glad season.
and that stockings were barred, what.
ever their pattern.
And the sketch and story writer's.
They came to Mr.. Puffer with tears
in their eyes and said to him: You
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-08-11

them to tumble over each other in
their eagerness to buy his magazine.
The shadows heightened in the
grass, the hum of the insects lost the
help of the bees, who had ceased
their work and gone to rest. and
from the house within came the
tinkle of a silvery bell that told him
supper was served.
But he did not move, and at last
MS wife came to the door and, fan.
ming her face with her apron, said:
John everything is getting hot from
standing. Do come in"
He bounded from his hammock
Il have it, Mary, dear! l have it,
l will have a Christmas issue that
will leave all others in the rear. It
will be the first of its kind, and
fully expect our sales to be increased
a hundred-fold."
And then he told her of his scheme.
We will bring out the magazine
on Christmas Eve, and from beginning
to end there will not be a single men.
ton of Christmas except on the
cover"
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-08-11

When the candles were lighted the fire
on the hearth began to sing a low.
sweet song, imitatin' the sound of
somebody walkin' through snow. and
we heard Smith breathin' in a nat
ural sort of way and we looked at him
and he was asleep. Well, to make
a long story short, he was better tLe
next mornin', and within the time set
he was waAkin' about. and Dock not
only gave him half the money. but all
he had won. And Buckner-wen
some time afterwards, when Smith
was a candidate for jestice of the
peace, Buck he lows, I amt goin' to
vote for him. He done me a bad
turn once-beat me out of a lot of
money Dock told me that he ex-
pected to lose the money, but it was
one chance in a thousand that he
might save Smith by excitin' his mind.
Yes, sir, the old man added after
a few moments of meditation. "a doc
tor must know human nature as well
as medicine, and this knowledge mixed
with medicine is what makes one doc
tor better than another. I've known
EN- to git out of their beds the cold
est nights that ever bowed and ride
ten miles to doctor a man they knowed
want gofn' to pay cent. 1t takes
great strength always to handle weak
ness; it takes a god-like patience to
deal with the fretful and not be
warped over to the side of continual
peevishness, and whenever l hear a
doctor a-laughin' 1 always rejoice with
him. Science in medicine travels
slow, it is true, for each human body
is an individual machine. and every
mornin' has new way to go wrong.
And l have known men to be such
liars that they wouldn't tell doctor
the truth as to how they felt. fearin'
that they were givin' him some little
advantage. The average doctor has
a good sense of humor and has stored
up some of the oldest Jokes 1 ever
heard, and this is in the direct line of
his usefulness, for a sick man can't
understand new joke as well as an
old one.
THE saddest time for the sick man
Is not when the doctor is comm to
see him, but the time when the doc
tors bill begins to pay its visits. It
ought not to be, but a doctors bill
is a mighty hard thing to pay. It is
like payin' for a January overcoat in
July. When old ALT Bug was gettin'
well-1ust about the time the doctor
him out of danger-be
said to him: Doctor you haveSbeen
mighty faithful, and l thank you. but
I'm sorry that can't pay you nothin'.
If had died you would have got your
money, for my life is insured, but as
t is / can't give you a cent.
"The doctor looked at him a minute
and says: Bug, think you need lust
'ne more dose of medicine
Much obleeged. to you, replied |
Bug, but I've got a plenty"
Copyright by opie Read)
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-08-11

right now that Smith amt goin' to
die this season. Any takers?'
The preacher says: Yes. under.
takers, which showed to us that along
with his knowledge of divine things
he was sorter sarcastic. A discussion
might have followed, but up spoke Slip
Buckner. He was the bettinist man
probably that ever lived, and if a
chance to bet ever got by him it was
in the night, when he was in bed and
asleep. Well, he spoke up and says
that he will take the bet and we all
looked at him, but not with any par
ticular admiration, for he was bettin'
on a sure thing. He fished up his
money outen the seams of his clothes
and his wife she scolded him under
her breath, but he shook his head
at her and proceeded with the bust
ness in hand Here's my money. ;
says he, and 1 just need twenty more
to complete the purchase of a yoke of
steers that I've had my eye on for
some time He looked at Dock and so
did we all, for we couldn't see why
he would throw away his 500 But
he didn't vince. He took out his
gold piece and Squire Patterson held
the stakes, and after the excitement
of putin up the money the women
returned to their cryin' and things
were putty much as they were before
that is, except with Smith him
self
Now, Smith, he had Travelled up
and down the Mississippi river in his
younger days, bettin' of everything
he had, and it had always held a sort
of charm for him. He had sorter sided
off with the church, but he couldn't
forget the excitement of a bet, and.
while he didn't indulge durin' his later
life, he felt the thrill of it and would
hang round for hours a beggin' the
boys not to bet on bosses, but stayin'
till the last race was won And now
he was interested. 1t was the first
thing that had claimed his entire mind
since the fever came along and spread
its heat over him. He'll be a walkin
about in less than two weeks says
Dock, and Slip Buckner begins to
search himself. Somewhere about
me I've got twenty more that says
he-won't,' he declared, and Dock he
sorter WINGED at this, but he was
game, and without sayin word he
outs with another gold piece and
Buckner he covered it with silver and
paper, and the women folks lowed
that the world was gettin closer and
closer akin to old Satan every day.
For long time Dock he set there
swearin' that he was sure to win, and
finally he says to Smith that he will
give him half the money. And Smith
laughed-yes, sir, laughed, not a loud
haw-haw, but chuckle, and the wom-
en- cried afresh, for they thought that
Smith was goin into eternity
a laughin', which to them was
mighty bad promise for the future.
Well, we set about till evenin', and |
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-08-11

A neighbor had been lingering be
tween life and death, and the attend
ing physician had just given his vague
and guarded opinion, when old Lin
Jucklin looked up from the box where
he was sitting in front of the grocery
store and remarked: Every man
that gets money without stealth it
earns it, l reckon; but 1 don't know
of anybody that comes nearer earnin'
it twice over than the country doc.
tor. He has to put forth all the skill
he has and then must lie to keep hope
alive. And hope is the best medicine
ever discovered for it not only aids
the sick, but helps the we'll to bear
their burdens
Il recollect once when old Dock
Haines practiced in this neighborhood,
long before the most of you were
born. Satchett Smith was taken down
with some sort of new-fangled fever
that was prowlin' around the neigh
borhood, and kept on a gettin' worse.
Finally, one day, his neighbors came
in to be present at his death. and
they were a-settin' about a-waitin' for
the dreaded end when Dock he came
in-spoke cheerfully to everybody.
joked with gal about her beau and
jollied a widow about an old fellow
that was seen hangin around on
the outskirts of her good graces. Well
the wife of the sick man she comes in.
just able to walk, she was so grief
cfrinlynn NJ 70 hr-
of the women and begins to cry; and
well she might, for Smith he was
good husband and never found fault
with thing that was or was not on
the table at meal time. All of the
women folks thought It was about
time to cry, and they cried and the
men hemmed and hawed and Smith
he lay there a fetchin' of his breath
the best he could under the circum-
stances. Parson Biglow went up to
the bed and asked Smith how he
felt, and Smith said he want feelin'
at HIS best, and no one in the room
disputed the assertion. But Dock he
demurred to the proceedings; he
lowed that it want meet and it want
httin' to cross-questton the patient in
SIGH manner. Biglow turned about
and says, says he: L am a preacher,
sir, and I have a right to talk to him
about his SOUL
:, YES says Dock, but not till after
l get through with his body
"Biglow he was up in matters of re-
tort, and he says, says he: And when
you do get through with his body his
soul will be gone and Smith he lay
there actin like he couldn't find an
other breath. Then Dock he straight.
ened up, and we all knowed that some
thin extraordinary was about to hap
pen. If anybody believes strong
enough that Smith here is goin' to
die he's got a chance to win some
easy money said he. Twenty dollars
amt picked up every minute and I'll
bet $40 in gold and put up the money
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-08-11
Old Glnves

They have about so or so kid gloves
at the ticket Office down at Union sta
ton, gray suedes, undressed kids
every old kind. But the trouble is
that among them all there is not one
pair. They are all odd gloves, mostly
"lefts." You see most men carry their
money in their left-hand pockets. and
when they're buying railroad tickets.
they take off the left glove. Then
when they go away and leave the
glove the boys in the ticket office are
no better off than if they had Ieft.noth.
Ing behind but an air of mystery.
It's surprising, too" they say at the
ticket Office, how many men have
one or two fingers missing. Out of
the lot Of old gloves now there. a
dozen or more have at least one finger
gone. The ticket sellers watch for
men who have fingers missing and
try to match them up with gloves that
correspond. With that exception.
most OF the gloves go to waste
cleveland Plain Dealer.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-08-11
TRADITIONS.

The traveller entered the woods OF
Georgia with the traditions of the 10
cality strong upon him.
"A close shavel" he exclaimed,
when some hogs had chased him up
a convenient sycamore, for he thought
Of them as razor-backs.
Imagine his establishment when he
saw none of the beasts stropping
themselves against the trees.
we are modern safety-razor-backs,"
explained the swine, divining his
thought land require no stropping or
honing"
1t was with a saddening sense Of the
mutability of things that he at length
came away from those regions of song
and story.-Puck.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-08-11
Easy Order to ELL.

Dealer-Dogs! Yes, we have all the
finest breeds sir, any number of
prize
Customer-oh, don't want any of
the costly, ultrafashionable breeds. l
want a common dog, a regular street
cur, something that will be a nuisance
to the neighbors.
Dealer-Um-well, they'll all be
that-New York Weekly.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-08-11

HE editor was
getting up" his
Christmas issue,
or, to be more ex-
act, he was think.
ing of getting it
up, and as he
lolled lazily in his
hammock and
watched the shad-
ows of the July
clouds C h a S ing
each other over
the distant hills he
wondered whether
he could not strike
a new note in
Christmas issues
something that
would appeal to
every man, woman,
and child in the
land and cause
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-08-11
Finesse.

Mr. Quinby called up his wife by
telephone.
"Arabella," he said, I'D like to
bring a friend home to dine with us
this evening. Have you something
good"
Jason" she said, you told me you
were going to bring friend to take
dinner with US, and I've laid myself
out to get a good meal. Where is
he?"
"Arabella," answered Mr.. Quinby, 81
said I'd like to bring a friend. l
couldn't find any to bring. If dinner
is ready, let's eat. I'm hungry."-Chi-
cago Tribune
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-08-11
Worries Of Modern Liz

Nowadays we must not drink spirits
nor eat meat; we must not smoke;
the air Of cities is poisonous, the air
Of the country too strong; the light
ruins our eyes and the noise racks our
nerves; shaking hands is a means of
collecting microbes and kissing is pure
suicide. Life is indeed growing dun
and diffcult-Madrid Diario.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-08-11
According to Orders.

How do you do" exclaimed the let.
ter carrier as he greeted the auc.
tioneer
4 do as I am bid" answered the
auctioneer, with a fiendish grin.
Much the same here" rejoined the
!. c. Il do as l am directed"
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-08-11
Bobby Was Curious

Little Bobby was leaning over the
bridge gazing down into the clear wa
tiers of the lake.
"Oh, pa" he exclaimed suddenly,
what kind of fish are those swimming
over there?"
My son" replied his father, ''that is
a school of German carp"
Bobby was thoughtful.
"A school, pa? And do they have
German Chicago Daily
News.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-08-11
French IIIiteraev

Although France has had compui-
sorry education for about % years, the
percentage of illiterates reaches the
high figure of 40 per 1000 men. and
90 per 1000 women. In this regard
Germany appears TO great advantage.
as she has only four illiterates per
1000 Of population.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-08-11
They Saw This Occurred

well, children" beamed the Sunday
school superintendent, what shall l
talk to you about this morning? Come,
GOMEZ want you t. loose what you
want to hear about. ANY little boy or
girl here suggest something? What
shall l speak about?"
A long silence. Then a boy in the
back row ventures
What dyer know ut?"-Cleve-
land Leader
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-08-11

Science so far has failed to furnish
any explanation of the mystery of
seedless fruits. They are not the out
come of the work of man. Man per-
petuates them; he does no more.
The seedless orange was found in a
state of seedlessness.- Vegetarian.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-08-11
Her Leisure Hours.

Il would like to see some novels"
said the pretty stenographer in the
book store.
Yes, miss" replied the polite clerk.
Here are the novels of the day"
But, er-haven't you any novels of
the night? That is the only time 1
have to read."-Chicago Daily News.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-08-11
Mountains Of Iron Ore

The world contains at least four
mountains composed Of almost solid
Iron ore. One is in Mexico, one in the
United States, another in India and a
fourth in Africa just below the Sou
dan, and there have been reports of
such a mountain existing in Siberia.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-08-11

"Deuced bore, that fellow is. He al
ways talks for about an hour about
that baby Of his. doesn't he?"
Never "a to me. Always leaves
in about five minutes"
Gee! How do you work it?"
Il dunno. l always read him little
of my poetry, and-"-Cleveland
Leader.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-08-11
Stopped a Runaway.

Patience-She stopped a runaway
once.
Patrice-She aust be brave.
Brave, why?"
To stop a runaway"
"Oh, 1 mean a fellow wanted her to
elope, and she wouldn't do it."-Yonk.
ers Statesman.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-08-11
New Law Offices

The new law Offices of State Repre-
sentative Harry ]. Robinson are in
rooms 102-10S Mercantile Block, Salt
Lake City, Utah, to whom all who
are in need of legal advice are re
ferred.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-08-11
Adding to His offensIveness

The man who told us so is always
doubly offensive Il he comes around
after the arrival of our troubles and
tries to look as if he had forgotten all
about 1t.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-08-11
Meteors Of various sizes.

Meteors vary in size from mere
grains of sand to several tons. and
consist for the most part of iron and
nickel. but no fewer than "a terrestrial
elements have been found in them
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-08-11
Relationship In South Dakota.

Il notice she bowed to you. Is she
an old acquaintance"
Yves; we're slightly acquainted.
In fact, she's a sort of distant relation.
She was the first wife of my second
wife's first husband. Chicago Trib.
une.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-08-11
Paris Abates 4 Nuisance.

The Paris project of police has de-
cided that in future no more licenses
TO play barrel organs in that city will
be granted.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-08-11

Earlie-Ma, can't go to the circus
and see the wild man?
His Ma-No, child, but I'll do the
best can for you. I'll iron all the
button holes out of your fathers
shirts.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-08-11

Evelyn-Don't you think, Harold,
that June is a common month to get
married in? Almost all the weddings
take place that month.
Harold-Well, what's the matter
with July, then?
Evelyn-N-o; let's make it the TWEEN.
tieth.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-08-11

Postmaster-No bad news 1 hope.
Pat?
Pat-Och! {=s poor brothers dead.
I'd know his hand-writin' in a thou.
sand.
Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-01-19

Revival services will begin in Me-
mortal Baptist church this morning,
There Will he preaching during the
week by Rev. Dr. Il. II. Garrett of
the Count Street Baptist church.
porthmouth, Everybody Is invited to
attend these services. DR.. Garrett is
man OF unusual ability and is cons
sldercd one of the most powerful
preachers of the Baptist denomination
in our state. Mems Bible class will
meet promptly at 10 O'Clock. All
members are expected-'all mon are
invited to become members. Sunday
school at $50 a. IN. Mems prayer
meeting at p. IN.
Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-01-19
HAMPTON, PE1OE8lJS9 AND OLD Pc

Esther Ice. Katie Whiting, Lillian
Young. Mamie Hickman, and Zilpah
TIEnor
Arranging and hanging pictures =
Mesdames S. Gordon Cumming, Eu-
genc irwin, Herbert Woddhn. C. IL,
Hewlns, George w Blaclcmore. c. A.
Junken II. w. Saunders. Franz Won
Schllling. 3. a. Lewis. j. l.. S. Cooke,
Mathew Armstrong. Miss Walcott
Sale OF plctures-Rev. A. G. Hop
lSins, Jr., MISSES Nell Carr, Mary Col
Her, Maria. Peek, Nellie Peek. Mrs
Robert S. Hudgins and Mrs. William
j.. A. Cumming.
Explanation committee Misses
Laura Tiicston, Ruth Tileston, Bessie
Fltchett. Nal T1bb, Miss Capps. Miss
Everett Rev. Reverdy Estlll, d. D.,
Rev u. Pendleton Jones, ID. d.. Mrs,
Hunting Snyre. Atrs. w. If. Scovllla
and Miss elizabeth Ivey.
Mr.. David F'Tankcl Will have charge
of the bazaar committee md the
names OF this committee will he pub
lIsl,ed later. Mr. FranSel has taken
charge OF the bazaar feature.
Inc hrst named person In each case
Is the chairman OF that committee.
Tho various committees will meet
IN Cedar He'll, the home of Capt. and
Mrs r. w. Darling tomorrow evening,
when the entire outline OF the exhibit
and bazaar will be discussed In tho
committee of the whole.
The hour for the assembling Of the
committees tomorrow night ut Mrs.
Darling's home has been named for
s o'clock and II Ia earnestly desired
that every member of the various
committees shall be present
The committee has decided 10 place
n picture In every room of overy
school house in the county. and not
ono in each school house MS already
announced. This will mean that the
school children will be given many
studies in art.
Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-01-19

Take your prescriptions to Hulvs
Cut-Rate Drug store.