davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-03-09
A Call to the Abscntees

Dear HousehOlders: AS the evening is
fast sinking i'm the glowing west that seems
so far away, all the dear ones busy with
the evening chores, and ! am all alone so my
thoughts turn at once TO Our Household"
which has given me SO much pleasure and has
ben so much help to me in many weary hours.
am very glad have such a fine depart
ment as ''Our Household" and the Semi-N Weekly
Journal would truly be less attractive without
it, Rowgan, / think you have quite a hard
time to get your mail, however, | hope you
have a faithful carrier and arc receiving 1t all
right and lust on time" this. / have never
had an experience of that kind, but know 1t
must be very annoying. BY the way, howgan
will not guess as to what your name may be-
but, guess your father mothers name to
be Morgan or Duggan and the other was or Is
Morrow.
Necia I think you right in sending your
children to the school with refined people and
in first-class community. Ones companions
can certainly influence them for either good or
bad and one is looked upon no better than
the company they keep. Parents should be very
careful as to The company their children Keep
also about the reading matter that falls into
their children's hands. To read good books Is
of more value to one than the price of them
hut sorry ones are not worth picking up and
YOU get no benefit from reading them.
Busy Bee, I very glad TO read letter
from you. Come again soOn and give us that
description Of your part Of the country. what
have become Of all the absentees? Come again,
ali of Won INVALID GIRL.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-03-09

years and there was never a cross word
between us. and when she married felt like
my next best friend was going out OF my
home. You know. think our mothers are
pest friends and indeed she is.
Lucille. your last letter. the last you
wrote. carried back to those dear DAYS
Of Old when l little girl and went
to church with mother. She was always
found near the front and l knew better than
TO speak and scarcelv moved. Nest OF the
youths OF TODAY seat themselves in the rear
OF the church and talk all the time.
You all remember that Rev. Sam Jones said
Satan had a pulpit in the hack Of every
church." and / think II nanst certainly be
true. in this community anyway.
I had the pleasure of entertaining Busy
Bees good husband and youngest boy New
Years day. They spent the night before
with US and certainly entoved their COM
pany. While reading Busy Bees letter OF the
18th 1 thought of how nicely her little boy
behaved.
Mother is a dear lover Of flowers and she
has so many l thought of YOU. Miss Thorn
as and felt like I wanted to send you an
armful OF those sweet double hvacinths, mar
cissus and roses. Alas! for those sweet
flowers: that severe blizzard came and nip
ped them all
Let me add that I still smiling step
mother and have dear. obedent stepchildren.
NY II and 15-year-old stepdaughters are lots
more obedient than a lot of real daughters
We have so many coed writers In our page
All the letters are cheerful and helpful
Love to our dear Miss Thomas and all the
writers. .r' ..-. MILIIER'S WIFE.
Mt. Carmel S. c..
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-03-09
Home Pleasures.

Dear Household: Although I have been ST.
lent for a long time 1 know 1 have not
been missed for there have been so many let
ters and 1 have enioved them very much.
for there is always something in them that
viii helm one OF us II We look for it.
know 1 can not write like so many others.
vet II 1 can put a word that will be a bene
Fit TO some one l will net feel that mine
has been failure.
want to speak in favor Of good literature,
good MAGAZINES and good books, more Of 1t
In our homes. for think it one of the great
est home comforts and l think If parents
would see that their children had more good
reading the chcap novels which are so COM
reading thhe CHEAP novels which are so COM
mon and the cheap stories and consequently
fewer Of them would 90 to the bad for GER
tafnly the cheap ones have a bad Influence
When I am tired and blue there is nothing
rests me mere than a good story. one with d
good moral. and I don't think that kind of
literature will hurt our bows and girls.
I know a miristctr who always OPP
posed to any reading of that kind; he would
not ALLOW his children to have it and his
only son as soon as he got old enough to
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-03-09
MY BURDEN
RY Amos IL. Wells.


COD laid upon my back a Erievous load.
heavy cross 20 bear along the road
I stazrered on. and 10, one weary day,
An angry lien snranx across my way.
I prayed 70 God and swift at His command,
ne cross became q weapon IN my hand
II slew my raging. enemy and then
Became q cross upon my back again-
I ALTERED many a league until at length.
GroGning. fell and had no further strength
.-oh. Cod" cried 7 am 50 weak and lame
Tnen straight my cross a winged staff DC
came
II swept ne on tiu rsEained the loss.
Tnsn leaped upon my back. again a cross
r~aohed a desert. Ger the burning track
] preserved the cross upon NV back
To sAads was there. and in the cruel sun
I tank az last. and thought my days were
done
Bun Ioi the Lord works manv blest surprised.
Ths cross became tree before my eyes,
I sIspt. woke. to feel the strength Of ten;
/ found the cross uDon NV hack again
Ana thus through all my days from that to
this
ne cross. my burden has become my bliss.
Hor ever shan I Law the burden down,
Fer God some dav will make the cross a
crownl
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-03-09

our last trip / gave her my little nephews
message. Tell Miss Sallie that Fanchon has four
little puppies, and l named the spotted one for
her," Then told her that DR.. Allen told me
the day before that she was decidedly better.
The depressed, anxious look began to fade from
her face Thinking Annie needed the fresh air,
told her / would stay with her mother while
she fed the chickens that were at the back door
clamOring for their evening meal, brought In
the clothes that had been washed that morn
ing and did some other necessary things.
After my friend recogered we had a hearty
1t was rather a serious matter at the time.
Don't be officious with offers or help or ad-
vice in the sick room, but IL anything needs
to be done help to do it quietly and defty.
Don't tell of some accident that has happened
or relate some exciting adventure Never wills
per. The sick person may think you are talking
of his condition and the nervous strain to Try TO
catch your words may prove very injurious. lie
careful what you take to your sick neighbor to
eat II he sees it. he will perhaps insist
eating it, and IL unsuitable 1t will likely maze
him worse. / know a lady to die from eating
ice creaw that well meaning but minimizing
friend brought her. Don't stay too long, ana
when you rise to take your departure, 60 at
once. Don't become offended II you are not
allowed to go in to see the sick. II the uoctor
forbids It, he knows what is best. Some sick
people have been made much worse by too much
company. An old lady told me that she went went
fever. His sister, who had been giving the
medicine, of which there was two OF three
kinds was called out OF the room. When the
time came to give him some medicine his mother
poured about a half teaspoonful out ana he
swallowed it down. When his sister came oack
MA. did you give Tom his medicinei"
YES" said her mother.
(which bottle did you drop 1t fromF
THAT black bottle" -,
why, ma, that's not the medicine Tor MIN
TO take now, it's out Of this bottle" the girl
.WaiI' what's the difference aid the moth
err with much asperity, 'he's got to take Il al
anyhow" -, IA.
wish to state however, that the boy got Wei
in spite OF his mother.
onal YOU spoke of getting the Household 70
send YOU a sweetheart for Christmas present
You'll have to make 1t an Easter offering now,
And remember it would be rude to retuse 10
accept n present - -, =,
nersons being unequally yoked. A good many
nconIe find themselves so situated, or else ac-
cent tbc conditions with their eyes open. There
are many WAYS in which we can he unequalIy
voked To my mind one of the saddest Is when
sensitive refined woman is united for life 10
a husband not her equal socially, mentally OF
morally. TennysOn says:
"As the husband so the wife is.
Thou art mated to clown:
And the grossness of bis nature
Will have power to drag thee down'
DO Won agree with the poet? l can only say
that we should make the best OF such things
and by strength of will and prayer Try 10 rise
above them. S,--,,.
Love to opal. Busy Bee, Observer and Carolina
PAT who seem not to nave forgotten this North
Georgia member. blNUIiAh'
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-03-09
Don,ts for Some Visitors

Dear Household: One balmy afternoon last
spring / took a walk OF half a mile to visit
one Of my neighbors who was very sick. Know
ing how much she loved flowers l gathered a
handful Of fragrant roses, and putting on my
sunboanet. went to the short road across the
meadOT and a strip of woodland. AS l crossed
the old Stile mocking bird, sitting a tree
near by, poured forth flood of melody.
Blossom" my pet COW, raised her head from
tie grasn. and looking at me gave low moo"
of recognition. Bees flew by returning TO
their hives laden with sweets. Everything
seemed at peace. 1 thought of the time, one
year ago, when my friend and I rOamed the
woods in search of wild honeysuckles. And now
she shut in from all this beauty. Three
days had passed since / had seen her. but had
been told that she better. The first person
on entering was Aunt Milly Leake. Now,
AUNT Milly," as she was called by everyone
was as kind-hearted as she could be and very
helpful in many respects, She wouldn't have
knowingly hurt anyone for the world; but she
didn't know what to say and what not to say
Law NEE, Mis- Simpson, I don't believe you
looking as well as you did when l was
here before 81 think feel BETTER" said my
Have You tried that yarb tea I told you
about? When my Julie down with the
fever. it done her more good than all the dGe s;
She was worked Just like you are, too, Mis-
simpson, kinder restless and Uneasy like all
the time"
''now many little chickens have you now
Aunt Milly.' l asked trying to change the sub
iect; and then ] commenced to tell about mine
anu now nretty my flowers MeIe-out ~ vas
no use Some one remarked that Mrs. Shocks
was passing.
81 never see Sary Ann Shocks but ! think
of the time her Luther had pneumony fever
Doctor Allen didn't know what allied that boy
aint got faith in him, no how. Luther
lust lasted nine days and three hours from the
time he was tuck. He was one Of the prettiest
corpses ] seed; so placid like"
why. Aunt Milly,' said II think DR..
Allen a fine physician. Were sick 1 should
Everybody TO their notion. It's time ! was
going, towards home Well. goOdby Mis- Simp-
son: IL you git send for me, and III
come and do what l There's a heap OF
sickness now No telling who will git down
next Peggy Shorts baby is powerful bad OFT
Now, Annie. you be sure TO let me know II
your nav gifts worse" and she was gone. ,
: Sitting down near the bed l talked quietly
but in a bright and cheerful way for rev
moments telling my friend that we would take
another rnmble in the woods as soon as she
was able and recalled an amusing incident Of
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-03-09

ried ladies in the class so there is al
ways a chaperon. Next Wednesday night
/ am to take supper with them. 1 wish
some Of you could be here to see these
young people who all day have pored
over books in an ONCE or bank, sold
goods TO perhaps cross and suspicious
people. or made the typewriters click as
they transferred their employer
thoughts to paper. At eventide they drop
the cares that all day have been with
them, and happy hearted they mingle
with the Kings children and go about
the Kings business or study His word.
If I'm this one little church there are
sixty-two young women who give their
spare time to such work how many do
you suppose there are in this big city?
/ wish that might tell you. but l can
not. But be sure of this, there are more
os the working girls and boys who en-
plcy themselves this way than in walk
ing the streets and going to theatres.
Theme are many who do that, too, more's
the pity. but it's not because they are
rot urged to join the other crowd.
The mistake many people make is ia
failing to join some church. or Sunday
school, as soon as they come to the city.
There they will meet the right class
OF people and form the sort of friends
they can depend on. Try it, and see If
am net right.
Faithfully yours,
LIZZIE o. THOMAS.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-03-09

earn money. would buy the cheap dime nov
els and detective stories. He got to be one
of the widest and today is estranged from
most of his family.
Don't YOU think that father would have
better placed some good magazines in that
boys reach? Thew bound to read. 1 also
know man of family who condemns all
magazines and books that have stories in
them. he classes them all novels and nov
ell with him means yellow backs OF the
cheapest grade. Yet he likes his sporting
news and baseball papers. What do you sup
pose his children will read? Some say IF
you give them stories they won't get their
lessons See that he lessons are first
Why, It does me good lust to sit down and
look at pictures in a good magazine If don't
reed a word.
And another pleasure in home life is music.
leave all that you can. and parents, try to be
companions to children as we'll as rul-
ers. ] must step out now. for the office cal
says / am taking up too much space. But
send a little poem that I have had long
tine which has been benefit to me, and
If Miss Thomas thinks II worthy OF a place
she will pass II along to the Household.
Perhaps it NAV benefit some other one. With
love to Miss Thomas and the Householders.
YANKEE MARY.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-03-09
The Peck Grows to Bushels

Dear Household IL is SO quiet tonight and
Muriel's letter put me TO studying. She says
she must have advice from some one. Way
not ask your mOtlerf Who ever heard OF a
woman taking advice in a case like this2 Now,
IL she had said the experienced ones, that
would have let me out. Dear, you are some
where between 20 and 30, fairly good looking
and have got uneasy for fear you viii not get
married, is what has caused all this peck OF
trouble. Have / drawn the right picturef l
am thinking you will have two bushels OF
trouble IL you become mamma" to all those
children. widowers. judging frop my aequaint-
ance make splendid husbands, With few excep-
tons II you do not love him, tell him so.
Never marry q man you can't love.
As to the other fellow; get him TO Try some
thing else for those bad feelings" / would
be afraid he would continue with the bitters
whisky with the cherry bark tied TO the jug
handlel. l think that is the way some make
bitters.
Write often. Opal; you are the life Of Our
Household. Rougan, l am sorry you have such
a time getting your mail. Monday VIII be
Washington's birthday-no rural delivery All
you HoIseholders living 10 the rural section know
what that means. No mall from Saturday untll
Tuesday. That seems a long time. And Just
few years back did not get mail but ABOUT
twice a week. /, for one, appreciate rural de-
livery. -.
welcome. Frank Smell, you are missing lot
of good letters l sorry you have oeen an
irregular reader OF The Journal / have missed
few copies and can sympathize with you;
MISS CALLlE.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-03-09

ION Wednesday last the mortal part of
Washington the Great, the Father OF
his country and the Friend of man, was
consigned to the tomb with solemn honors
and funeral pomp.
"a multitude of persons assembled from
many miles around at Mt Vernon, the
choice abode and last residence of the
illustrious Chief There were the groves
the spacious avenues the beautiful and
sublime scenes. the noble mansion, but
alas the august inhabitant was now no
more. That Great Soul had winged its
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-03-09
ANSWERS MRS. FELTON,

Editor Journal:
Referring TO card in your edition Of
the End, signed by Mrs. w. H. Ion,
entitled Politics in tennessee.
1 rise to remark that the difference
between what Mrs. FELTON, knows about
the situation, as evidenced by the arti-
Gle in question, and the facts as they
really are, is worldwide.
Like the Red-Nosed Band OF Tennes-
see, the lady is exploiting her impress
sions or ideas and opinions. as facts.
and proceeds with one fell swoop to
try and condemn the Coopers--a thing
that a judge and jury, as well as a
number of fairly intelligent lawyers
have been wrestling over for weeks, and
as yet without results.
What's the need of courts of justice
If we can without persuasion secure the
services of women to try these cases?
The affairs of the household can rest,
let the babies howl, and the daughters
learn the hard lessons of life by expe-
rience, while the lady of the house is
using the hammer on all matters that
don't concern her. especially those in
distant states.
Robin Cooper hasn't asked for SYM
patty, nor does he desire it.
Tennessee and Tennesseans are as
good as anything else that ever happen
ed, Georgia and Georgians to the con-
trary Notwithstanding.
WIN. SPENCER.
r. r. D. No. 2, Nashville.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-03-09
ThistIe's Opinion.

Dear Miss Thomas: 1t has been some time
since / wrote to you, but when l read Muriel $
know that there will be others more capable
than / to give her advice, but / wish TO have
my say. Don't under any circumstances, marry
the widower with eight children or any otner
widower with even one child. Have all the
eight children visit you for one month ana you
will be glad TO see the end OF that month,
even IL you come out with a white head.
DO not understand that / don't love children,
but think of taking the responsibility of such a
band of them and not really loving them nave
children of my own, and many, many times
am at such loss TO know my duty TO them.
II takes love. such as few ever have Tor any
but their own, patience, and wisdom, 10 rear
them as they should be, and If you have all
these while it is sweet pleasure 1t Is a
great burden.
Muriel says her friends say she, would do well
to take him. ! should not call them tr1ehdS
If they advised me 20 go into trouble IKE
marrying a man with eight children, when she
says she doesn't love him.
selves as to her parents being willing TO sacfl-
flee their daughter. l am as much opposed 70
drinking any one, but there are lew Things
almost bad, among them untrulh1ulhess ahu
jealousy. Mothers, begin as soon as your chill
dren begin to talk, to teach them TO De uuti,
ful and ol,edient. To be firm with them, wll
save you much talking and many steps Tut
them I'm Sunday school soon as they are
large enough 10 understand, and teach them TO
ing their lessons There are lots of grown peo-
Mo who go 10 Sunday school without knowing
the lessons Can anything he said or done 10
impress this important question on their minds
And don't you think the older ones ought III
take more interest. and help the younger ones
as well as themseIvest We are responsible Tor
examples set before the young.
Tie widower who wrote in defense or Olo
Woman did the most sensible thing ever knew
a widower TO do 1 thought he took the right
view Of The matter, and / believe him to be
a Christian from the tone of his letter.
~ NurieI could find such a widower he,
II might do for her to take him; that is, II ne
has no children. Let us know, child, which OF
the two you decide TO take-the Whoever OF the
one Won love. / must leave as there are some
wise sisters knocking at the door, and let them
Sincerely, 'm1FDl"NW
have room. Slncerly, .,,,,,,,, =,
Whitesburg. Ga. 1hlSlL
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-03-09
ATLANTA GIRL WRITES A BOOK
DEALING WITH BILLY 'POSSUM'
Miss Mary Brent Whede Author of Book Clever Verses
Which Promises To Be Success

means Of a rythmical jingle, and most of
the book is in negro dialect
1.-The 'possum language" says Miss
Whiteside, ''being translated into human
speech, naturally takes the form of negro
dialect, for between the negro and the
'possum exists a peculiar affinity which to
the white man is unknown and unattain-
able"
The dialect is smoothly written and is
easily read. 1t shows familiarity with
the lingo of the negro that is pleasing and
instantly remindful to those who have
heard the Old-time negro and appreciate
mis- love for the 'possum, and likewise the
'possum's enmity for the negro.
One chapter of the book is devoted to a
graphic description of a 'possum hunt in
Georgia. with an old negro in the lead.
The telling is natural and easy, and the
picture is so true to life that one who
has had experience in hunting possums
Is carried back to the good old days when,
with the pine knot torches and trained
dogs, he tramped the woods of his native
section looking for fat 'possums.
The songs and jngles of the old ne
groes are appealing, as instance this one:
"'Possum clam de 'simmon tree,
Grimm fit ter kill;
Sumpn lam i'm side de head,
En- out de tree he spill.
"Nigger caddy come erlong,
Lool1n' for de ball,
En- fin dat 'possum layin' dar,
Zackly whar he fall
"Possum meat fer bobbecue,
Taters on de side;
Talk erbout dat game er golf
Bes' you eber tried
The 'possum dinner given President
elect Taft at Atlanta a short time ago, is
also described in the book, the descrip-
ton being the joint work of an imaginary
negro and a 'possum.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-03-09

Washington's birth, the following extract
from a time-yellowed, old newspaper
published at Kingston. Va, 100 years ago,
will be of particular interest. The paper,
which is called the Ulster County Gazette,
is one of the heirlooms of Mrs. Frank
Owens, of Peachtree street, having been
handed down to her from ancestors of
Revolutionary days. The date of it's issue
is December 90 1900. 1t contains a news
story of General Washington's entomb'
ment as follows:
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-03-09
A Happy Stepmother

Dear Household It has been over a year
since last ! Joined YOU. There have been
many changes in some Of oUr homes. Some
have PASSED the river and others have
gone out into homes OF their own
A bright-eved baby bow has come 10 our
home: the JOY and net OF every one. And
have also n sweet little stepgrandbaby.
lust five DAYS older than my little boy
Just think q IL. not vet twenty-five and
can be called grandmother. 7 have had peo-
pie 70 ask me A. I didn't feel queer with a
grandchfd and I gladly reDlied no, for
love my stendaughter ard her little son too
well for ANYTHING like that: We are devot-
ed TO each other. and have always been like
sisters. We lived together not quite two