davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-05-28

THE OLD
ROCKING CHAIR !
j A Memorial Day Story
! By OLIVIA BARTON STRoHM
A Memorial Day Story

- N a bench on e BACK porch
AVN sat Mrs. White-very stiff,
LYNNE very uncompromising. The
NSkYE morning glory vines,
NE blown by the wind, played
in checkered light and
shade ove the porch; over her tense,
upright figure, topped with its crown
of silver hair; over the %sunburnt race
of a young man who stood near tWirl-
ing his hat,
The May sunbeams stole as far as
the door where, just within the screen
a girl was seated. cracking nuts.
There was a vacant rocking CHAIR
on the porch; suddenly it began TO
move in the wind, and reminded MRS
White of her which, in the
excitement of the interview, she mad
forgotten.
take a chair, Henry"
But the young man, in no mood TOT
a truce, ignored the invitation. "Ihen
you won't let me have Eleanor ne
said.
She answered him as bluntly: mo,
Henry; you're a good boy and all that'
but you're not my choice"
He shrugged his shoulders. Whose
choice, did you say"
At the sound of his voice the crack
ing of nuts in the kitchen ceased.
Mrs. White took up her shawl and
ran her fingers through the fringe
Don't be sarcastic, Henry. l mean
what I say-my choice. Eleanor has
given me her word Of honor that she
will not marry without my consent"
From within the witchen door there
came a sharp sound of a pan falling
1t made the youth start n~ervously; the
grandmother laughed: "That is what
the men all say. They never seen
to realize that the girl who has 6
sense of duty toward an old woman
is best worth winning"
Henry walked slowly to the porch
steps, then turned. "You see, it's jus
this way, Mrs. White; 1t isn't a ques
ton of whether Eleanor's worth win
ming, or loves me, or anything else
All I know is, that l love her, an
IN too crazy to think of anybody o.
anything but her. I suppose | ough
to say I'd quit, but" he went to thu
other end of the porch from whenc'
he could get a view of the girl seate'
within-the girl whose eyes met his
But I can't promise you; %good-by.
And although he addressed Mrs
White, he looked beyond her througI
the doorway, backing slowly to tn
steps. Then he turned and Wake
off down the garden path, attended b.
a sentinel row Of sunflowers.
Eleanor went on with her work. He
grandmother pulled at the fringe
few moments, then she went to tn
door. "You heard what Henry said?
she asked.
Eleanor nodded. The silence, and
tell-tale redness In her cheeks an
eyes, spoke volumes.
Have you got enough nuts for tn
cake filling?" the old lady said afte
a pause.
"Yes'm, they're all DONE" an
Eleanor, gathering up her apron flu
of shells in one hand, and the dis
in the other, rose and went into th
pantry, glad to escape conversation.
Her grandmother returned to tn
porch. The chair rocked in the wint
but she needed not it's invitation, t
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-05-28

"Of course dear, suit yourself about
It. If you think you would like the
Hotel -- better, why, we will go
there. But l imagine you will find
these large hotels very much the
same"
"Yes, l suppose So" she answered
.listlessly.
The waiter came up now, filled their
glasses and placed the menu before
him. He looked at it a moment, then
handed it over to her.
Perhaps you had better order
his voice was strained.
She flushed, a deep, painful flush, as
she took the card and gave the order.
When the waiter had gone, she leaned
back, her eyes wandering over the bril-
liantly lighted cafe.
1t was becoming intolerable-this
thing between them, this conscious
ness that he knew-that for weeks he
had known. She felt now that from
the first, even before she had admitted
ii to herself, with the quick intuition
Of his love he had known-that she
was ashamed of him! Ashamed OF his
a~wkwardness, his ignorance, his in
ability to act and dress and look like
the men around them!
No word had passed between them;
in no direct way had either of then
{ referred to it, yet she knew 1t was
never quite out of thir minds.
1t began with their first week II
New York. She had chosen to live a
the most quiet, the most exclusive
hotel in the city, a place rarely in
vaded by the western millionaire; ant
it had come like a blow-the contras
between the men there and her hus
band.
She fought against the feeling tina
was aroused in her; she told hersel
Of his sterling worth and manliness
and yet she was constantly comparinI
him with these men of the world
these clubmen with their air of cas-
and n~onchalance; with the way the
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-05-28

king instead her old position on the
quarter of an hour or SO until Eleanor,
passing on her way out to water the
verbenas, stopped to say: Grandma,
you look drowsy; take this pillow"
and she slipped a cushion behind the
old woman's back.
Then as she started down the
steps: "Tm going to the gate to watch
for the parade" she said, you know
this is Decoration day, and the old
soldiers are to march to the GENE.
terry"
There was a twinge in the elderly
conscience at sight of the young face
with its drawn cheeks and heavy,
pink-lidded eyes, but she only said:
Thank you, but l must not sleep;
want to see the soldiers, too," and the
girl passed out into the garden.
After a few minutes, something set
the chair to rocking again, but this
time 1t was not moved by the wind.
1t was occupied by a tall, strapping
man who twirled a hat in his hands.
She looked closer-no, 1t was a cap,
a blue cap and the man was in uni.
form.
He "a big and broad shouldered,
and blunt In speech and manner as he
said: well, Indy, I'm here for the
last time. We march tomorrow.
can get a furlough If l want 1t, but |
don't want 1t unless-well, you know
what l do want"
Strangely enough he did not wait
for her words. She did not-could not
| speak.
He went on: What have you got
against me, Lindy? Is 1t because |
seem rough? But I'm a soldier, and
you doE't find many softies In the
army. But w boys are true-true as
this uniform, and we aren't afraid Of
a battery-not even the kind that
your eyes fash, 'Lindy."
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-05-28

The cap was thrown to the floor,
and he clasped his hands, big, wealth
er-beaten hands, and leaned toward
her. They tell you I'm a rover, and
can't settle down, but it amt 80; I'll
only fight as long as the flag needs
me, and then-then home to you. |
know-they're trying to match you
with that old White because he's rich,
aren't they?"
Something tied the woman's tongue;
she could not utter a sound.
He rose. Il know you love me,
Indy, but you're afraid. I'm off-off
for good-or bad. And when you hear
of me dead, with a bullet in my body,
you'll know whose fault it is. You're
a coward, false and chicken-hearted."
He stood in front of her, pouring out
the words in a storm. He was very
red, his breath felt hot on her fore
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-05-28

walked and stood and lounged about,
the way they wore their clothes-the
countless things that made up their
bearing.
1t was an infinite relief when the
dinner was over.
In their own room, still with avert
ed eyes, she drew a chair to the light
and picked up a magazine. But her
glance remained fixed on one short
paragraph.
He made no pretense of reading,
but stood at the window looking down
at the street below. For a long time
he stood there. Then he entered his
own room, closing the door after him.
The light burned in his room until
long after midnight. In her own
darkened room she tried in vain to
sleep. Tossing restlessly, her thoughts
went back over the IA months of their
marriage.
The first year had been spent or his
Montana ranch, and then some min
ing interests had called him to New
York, for only a few days, as he
thought. But the days had heightened
into weeks, and still he was detained.
With a marvelously quick adapta-
bility she had acquired the style and
air of the New York women.
But with him it had been different,
perhaps because he had never felt the
need to be anything but himself, and
perhaps because he had been too busy
and Indifferent to think of 1t. But
gradually he had come to feel her I'm.
spoken criticisms and his self-con'
sc%iousness became infinitely worse
than his previous careless Indifference
Now he was constantly trying to
please her, and only succeeded in be
ing more consciously awkward than
ever,
AS she lay there in the dark, watch
ing the light from his room, there
came to her a great longing to bio
out these two months in New York
They had been so happy in that yea
on his ranch. She had gloried in hi!
strength and manhood; his very cruds
ness and simplicity she had loved
then.
Tears OF contrition and tenderness
came to her eyes. She would so il
to him now, creep into his arms an
tell him that she loved him; that moth
ing else mattered.
She slipped out of bed, threw {
loose robe around her and knocked
softly at his door. He was still dressed
lying on the couch, shading his eye
from the light. He had heard neithe
her knock nor her quiet entrance
For a full moment she stood there be
fore he saw her. Then he rose quick
ly.
why, Elizabeth, l thought you wer
asleep"
mol" She started toward hin
but he made no movement to NEE
her; his face reflected none Of tn
tenderness that she felt was in he
own. And in that second she realize
what the past two months had done
the extent of the alienation it ha
brought.
Thought perhaps you had som
OF those bromide tablets; my head ha
been aching"
why, yes, ! think I have some.
He got them for her. rs that all?
there anything else | a dor
L A .F-HI. L .M AL - .
She shook her head. mo, this wi
probably put me to Sleep
In her own DON again, she crel
into bed with a miserable ems (
| failure and a vague feeling of drea
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-05-28
a New Movement.

A movement is or foot to decorate
the graves of the wives, mothers and
sisters of old soldiers, wherever
buried, as well as the graves of the
soldiers. Commander Joseph r. Jar
Wis of Golden post, in the Department
of Illinois, recently delivered an adj
dress on the subject and commended
the movement to the G. A. r. through
out the country.
1t is said that a similar move will
be made by the confederate veterans,
so that in the future on Memorial
day, north and south, the graves of
those who fought the battle at home
as well as those who went to the field
may be remembered.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-05-28

head as he bent over her. "But I love
you, Indy, and when l come back
again-when the war is over-be true
be true"
The words came in choppy, disjoint-
ed sentences, then they suddenly
ceased.
The chair began to rock again
sedately this time, and another speak
er took up the thread where it had
been abruptly cut off-took 1t up in a
thin, cold voice. He was a g~ray-beard-
ed man with a Bible in his hand, and
Joe, her soldier-lover, had gone.
Miss Melinda" the newcomer was
saying: Il deemed it proper you
should acquaint yourself with the mar
riage service beforehand. Your family
and myself have decided on a church
wedding; l know you prefer a home
ceremony, but we have decided other
wise. You are young and these mat
tiers may safely be left to older heads"
He took her hand in his own palm,
which was cold, and with a formal
| 5OOu-Dy lCJ wv ulodppCdl GU.
But the chair kept on its rocking
more violently this time, and in it
sat an old nurse, holding a peevish
baby tight against her breast. She
was saying: II tell you, Mrs. White,
it's a good thing you didn't marry that
soldier, Joe Cooper. Just see how
nice you're fixed now. Here you have
a good, reliable husband-some older,
to be sure, but you gals all need tight
reins. 1 was young and giddy once,
myself. And think if you'd a married
that soldier; You'd a ben a widow
woman now, for they're decoratin' his
grave this minute-it is Decoration
day, you know. They do say as Joe
Cooper had promised his mother not
to go back that last time, and then all
of a student he up and went-a love
affair, they say. Killed? Course he
was-first thing"
Grandmother White sat up very stiff
and opened her eyes.
Eleanor came rushing on to the
porch. Granny, dear, what's the mat
ter? Did the gun brighten you? 1t was
only the salute. The parade has start
ed. You must be uncomfortable or
that bench, come, sit here" and she
led her to the rocking chair-vacant
now, but still swinging-swinging-
"No, no., not there, not in that chair
Eleanor"
Grandmother White rose and went
to the edge of the porch from whence
she could see the line of men with
flags waving here and there between
the trees.
When the last soldier had filed ou'
Of sight and while the drum was still
sounding in her ears, the old lad,
said: Yes, yes, it was a bad dream
Eleanor, child-but did you say there
was enough nut filling for a bis
cake?"
Eyes, grandma" the girl replied
trying not to show surprise at the ir
, relevant question.
Then We'll invite that young Henr,
over for dinner"
Eleanor grew pink as the bunch O
bleeding-hearts at her belt-"But
} Granny, you said"
} "Never mind what | said. Run owe
to his mothers and tell him to com,
, here; send him to me-"
AS Eleanor few out the back way
' bareheaded, eager, her grandmothe
/ called after her: Tell him he'll fin,
me on the porch--in the old rocking
chair!"
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-05-28
AT GETTYSBURG

All through the nlght-all through the
North
Speed doubtful tidings back and forth;
Through North and South, from dusk till
day,
A sundered people diverse pray.
So gradual sink the deliberate stars,
The SUI doth run the ~laggards down,
At sleep still meadows burst the bars,
And food with light the steepled town.
Blow! bugles OF the cavalry,
Blow! bugles of the cavalry, blow!
Forward the infantry, row on row!
While every battery leaps with life,
And swell the t~ongueless threats the
strife!
Isaac Rushing ~Pennypacker, in New
York Evening Sun.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-05-28


- URING the latter part of the
war, in 1854, and until it's
close, in 1866, | was con-
WW nected with the armies under
Gen. Sherman, usually desig-
mated the Army of the Ten
nessee, the Army of the Cumberland
and the Army of the Ohio, wrote MAJ
Gen. o. o. Howard. The campaigns
were exceedingly active. From Chat
tanooga to Atlanta Sherman's soldiers
were under fire every day, except the
three just before crossing the Etowah,
for 113 days. There was not a day or
night in which there were nj soldiers
slain. The screeching shells burst
over our heads while we were sleep
ing, but, wonderful to tell, the SOL
diers had become so used to this con
fict that they lost very little sleep in
consequence of the ftful and random
firing at night.
In that period of 113 days there were
10 stable battles fought. In M at
tack l made at Pickett's Mill l lost
800 killed and three times as many
wounded within the space of Is min
utes. At night l sat among the
wounded and realized something Of
the horrors of war. 1t seems to me to-
day as I think of it like a terrible
nightmare, but it was a more terrible
reality, which 1 will not attempt to de-
scribe.
Without further detail, imagine the
joy that came over the armies of Sher-
man as they gathered about Raleigh,
N. c., in 1866, and were told that Lee
had surrendered and that Grant had
sent Lees soldiers home to begin life
on the same terms as Lee and all that
belonged to Slocum's, Schofield's and
Towards armies were to march on
the morrow toward Washington, the
capital of the nation, soon to be mus
tered out of service and then to &C
home. l remember the sudden depres
sion at the news of Lincoln's death
bit still this going home produced too
great a joy to keep ever this catas
trophe of their heavy loss very Ions
before their minds. They marched
habitually at 20 miles a day from
Raleigh to Richmond, and neve'
seemed weary at the close of an,
days march-the camp fire was bright
the old songs were sung over and owe
again and the comradeship knitted
during the war would never CEASE
was at its best when the word peace
filled all the air.
l know that we were proud whel
we marched past the president of tn,
United States in our last great re
view; but, as l remember it, 1t was
fearful pride even then. A regimen
had gone out 1000 strong; it had BEEF
recruited and re-recruited: it had beel
veteranized and added to in othe
ways; and now 1t was bringing HON
less than 300 of all the men who hal
gone out from that section of tn
country from which 1t had come. TIL
joy of going home for the 300 wa
great, but it was a fearful joy the II
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-05-28
settIno the Time.

EYES," said the Billyllle citizen, IL
lowed I'd be married last fodder
pullin' time, but another Teller got the
gal. Then l set hog-killin' time fer
the ceremony, but the gal thought
better OF it; but % I've full made up
my mind fer the next cotton-ginnin'
season, but I'm free to say that cot.
tons mighty low, an the only change
in the country Is the change in tins
minds of the wImmen folks!'A.lan
"a Constitution.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-05-28
The Little Thinqs.

"You shouldn't" the doctor ad-
yised, permit yourself to be worried
by little things"
Good heavens" replied the pa
tient, Il wouldn't if l could help 1t,
but how is a man who has married
a widow with SIX children going to
get around it,"
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-05-28
CROWN WITH

Children, you were spared the sorrow
That was brought with war and strife;
Ger this land sweet peace has brooded
All your young and happy life.
But to you is given this duty;
To remember the dead brave,
And to crown with fairest flowers
Every noble soldiers grave.
-Lizbeth B. Comins, In Memorial Day
Annual,
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-05-28
II Never Quits.

Cheer up" he urged. Well come
out all right yet"
1T is all very well to be cheerful"
his wife bitterly replied, when there
is anything to be cheerful about, but
in our case there doesn't seem to be
any hope. You lost your OWL fortune,
to begin with, and now they have
taken from you what money l In
herited."
Il know; but why give up? Learn a
lesson from the peach crop"
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-05-28
n a Pinch, Use ALIENS Foor.EAsE.

A powder. 1t cures painful, smart
ing, nervous feet and improving nails.
It's the greatest comfort discovery OF
the age. Makes ley shoes easy. A
certain cure for sweating feet. Sold
by all Druggists, 25c. Accept no sub
stitute. Trial package, FREE. Ad-
dress A. S. Olmsted, LIE Roy, N. Y.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-05-28

Smokers have to call for Lewis Single
Binder cigar to get it. Your dealer or
Lewis Factory, Peoria, Ill.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-05-28
One Of Dickens Truths.

Throughout life our worst weak
nesses and n are usually
committed for the sake OF the people
whom we most despise.-Charles Dick
ems.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-05-28

The fairest of all things fair on
earth is virtue.-Shakespeare.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-05-28

More proof that Lydia E. Pink
hams VegetableC Compound saves
woman from surgical operations.
Mrs. S. A. Williams, of Gardiner,
Maine, writes:
81 was a great sufferer from female
troubles, and Lydia E. Pinkham's Vege-
table Compound restored me to health
in three months, after my physician
declared that an operation was abso-
lutely necessary"
Mrs. Alvina Sperling, of 154 Cey-
bourne Ave-, Chicago, ILL, writes:
II suffered from female troubles, a
tumor and much Inflammation. Two
of the best doctors in Chicago decided
that an operation was necessary to q v
my life. Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable
Compound entirely cured me without
an operation"
c FOR SlcK WOMEN.
For thirty years Lydia e. Pink
hams Vegetable Compound, made
from roots and herbs, has been the
standard remedy for female ills,
and has positively cured thousands OF
women who have been troubled with
displacements, inflammation, ulcera-
ton, fbroid tumors, Irregularities,
periodic pains, backache, that bear
ing-down feeling, fatulency, indiges-
ton dizziness, or nervous prostration.
Why don't you try it?
Mrs. Pinkham invites all sick
women to write her for advice.
che has puided thousands to
health. Address, Lynn, Mass.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-02-13
MONTGOMERY CURRENT oUOrANoNs.

(CoTrected DaGIy.l
 These prices are at wholsale and not to con- stsScRMcoru % sS1Oo; standard goods. PsaTI 4hc; gloss lump AAe' nickel goods Lard-Leaf exc: compound shc; basis Rice-Extra fancy head THc; fancy head 6h Q7c; broken A @6c; Japan sh 9S%c. salt-I4iverpooi sl.lS; Virginia 500; Lou Vinegar-Per gallon 1s@asc.
 Coffee-Green common ah @1oc; prime eh GD1Oc; choice Il 911c; fancy 13@14ho. candies-StiolV 7c; fancy 7&c. sardines-Ameriean mustard ss.7S; K-on Hides-Dry Hints s@1Oo: dry saltsd 60 Tc: green hides s@4e; greeen Salted 4@4Ae. Wool~clear Zoe: bury -O@1sHo; washed 20@25c.
 Fruit and Produce-Fancy apples: Fancy Baldwin s4.75; No. l Baldwin s4.so: Mala- ga grapes S5.25i fancy lemons. seos per box S4 50; Irish potatoes per bu. S1 10, onions, red globes per bu. e1. 05; cabbage 1ho lb.; Rutabagas. per bag aI. 50; Epanish onions S1. 25; Two Crown Raistns S2 % box cocoanuts .TS; fancy H. P. peanuts 6c lb.; choice Florida oranges assorted sizsS Cheass-Fuu cream daisies 1sMc; singles 1e; Ib. cuts. Iaro 16c.
 Grits-Per bbl. $4. 00; per sack S-. %.
 Grain and Hay-Bran Sl.50; shorts t1 60 sbc; white s7hci white clipped sso; timo- Prime cotton seed meal Sas. .eo. x Molasses-Georgia cane bbl-s 3ac gallon; cases gallons Ss.so per case; maple syrup
The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-02-13
WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH COM.
 PANY v RTEnGE

Action for Damages for Failure to De-
 liver Telegram-(Decided July g,
 l907.--45 So. Rep. 69.)-~-( (Reh caring
 denied Dec. 19, 1907.
 Telegraph; non-delivery of social message; action; damages.--where no actual damages is done to the person or estate by the failure to deliver a social telegram, plaintiff is not entitled to recover for mental pain and anguish. Appeal from Hale Circuit Court. Heard before Hon. A. A. Coleman. Reversed and remanded. Opinion by Denson, J.
 Tyson. C. V, Haralson and simnson JJ., concur.