davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1909-04-08
CHAPTER |.

|lHE band Of the Great American
Circus" was playing nOisily.
The performance was in full
~ swing.
Beside 4 shabby trunk in the wO-
mems dressing tent sat young, wist-
full faced girl, chin in hand, unheedinS
the chatter OF the women about her
or the picturesque disarray Of the sur
rounding objects. Her eyes he'd been
80 long accustomed to the glitter anC
tinsel Of circus fincries that she saw
nothing unusual in Il picture that
might have held painter spellbound.
Circling the inside of the tent and
forming double line down the center
were partially unpacked trunks belcb-
ing forth impudent masses of satins.
laces, artificial hair, paper flowers and
paste Jewels The scent of moist
earth mingled oddly with the perfumed
odors of the garments heaped on the
grass. Here and there high circles Of
lights threw a strong, steady glare
upon the half clad figure of a robust
acrobat or the thin, dropping shoulders
of q less stalwart sister. Temporary
ropes stretched from one pole to an
other were laden with bright colored
stockings, gaudy, spar lied gowns or
dusty street clothes dis ,arded by the
performers before siipI ng into their
circus attire. There were no nails or
hooks, so hats and wells were pinned
to the canvas walls.
The furniture was limited to one
camp chair in front of each trunk, the
till of whic'' served as a tray for the
paints. powders and other essentials
of makeup.
A pail OF water stood by the side of
each chair. 50 that the performers
The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1909-04-08

promises as to their future behavior
to calm her, and now they had again
disobeyed her. It would be a grt It re-
lief when tonight's ordeal was over.
Jim watched Polly uneasily as she
came from the dressing tent and stop
ped to gaze at the nearby church stee-
pie The incongruity of the slang that
soon came from her delicately formed
lips was lost upon him as she turned
her eyes toward him.
Say, Jim,' she said, with q western
drawl. "them's a funny lot Of guys
what goes to them church places, amt
they?"
Most everybody has got some kind
of bug Jim assented. II guess they
don't do much HARM
Member the time you took me into
one of them places to get me Outa the
rain, the Sunday our wagon broke
down? Well, that bunch we butted
into wouldn't "a give Sells Bros. no
cause for worry with that show a
theirn, would they, Jim"" She looked
at him with whitening disgust. "Say,
wasn't that the punkiest stunt that
fellow in black was dom on the plat
form? You said Joe was only ten min
utes gettin' the tire on to our wheel;
but, say, you take it from me, Jim, II
l had to wait another ten minutes as
long as that one I'd be too old to go
on a-ridin'''
Jim flowed" some church shows
might be better than that un," but
Polly said he could have her end OF
the bet and summed up by declaring
it no wonder that 1.-The yaps in these
towns is daffy about circuses If they
don't have nothin' better AN church
shows to go to-"
One of the grooms was entering the
lot with Polly's horse. She stopped TO
tighten one of her sandals, and as she
rose Jim saw her sway slightly and
put one hand to her head. He looked
at her sharply, remembering her faint
ness in the parade that morning.
You amt feelin' right" he said IN
easily.
You just bet am" Polly answered,
with an independent toss of her head.
This is the night we're goin' to make
| them Rubes in there sit up, amt it,
Bingo:" she added, placing one arm
affectionately about the neck Of the
The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1909-04-08

might wash the delicately shaded
tights. handkerchiefs and other small
articles NOT to be intrusted to the
slow, careless process of the village
laundry. Some Of these had been
washed tonight and hung to dry on the
lines between the dusty street gar
ments.
Women whose turns came late sat
about, half clothed, reading, crocheting
or sewing. while others added pen
ciled eyebrows, powder or rouge to
their already exaggerated makeups.
Here and there a child was putting
her sawdust baby to sleep III the till
of her trunl. before beginning her part
in the evenings entertainment Young
and old went about their duties with a
systematic busincsslike air. and even
the little knot of excited women near
Polly-it seemed that one of the men
had upset n circus tradition-kept n
sharp lookout for their turns.
What do you think about it, Polly
asked n handsome brunette as she sur.
veyed herself in the costume of Il
Roman charioteer.
About what?" asked Polly vacantly
Leave Poll alone! She's in one OF
her trances!' called a motherly, good
natured woman whose trunk stood
next to Polly's and whose business
was to support q son and three daugh
tiers upon stalwart shoulders, both fig
uratively and literally.
We'll, amt in any trance" answer
ed the dark girl, land think it's pref
~ tough for him to take up with 6
rank outsider and expect us to warn
up to her as though he'd married one
OF our own folks" She tossed bel
head, the pride of class distinction
yelling high in her ample bosom.
He amt askin' us to warm I'D tt
her." contradicted Mile. Eloise a pale
light haired sprite, who had arrived
late and was making undignifed eff
forts to get out Of her clothes by way
OF her head. She was Polly's under
study and next in line for the stat
place in the bill.
The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1909-04-08
CHAPTER III.

N0OLLY and Bingo always made
III the audience sit up" when
they swept into the ring. She
was so young, so gayly chad, 50
The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1909-04-08
....i4a horse that stood waiting

bic white horse that stood waiting
near the entrance.
.You bin ridin' too reckless lately"
said Jim sternly as he followed her.
81 don't like it. There amt no need OF
your putin in all them extra stunts.
Your act is good enough without 'en.
Nobody else ever done 'em, an no.
body d miss 'em II you left 'em out"
Polly turned with triumphant ring
I'm her voice The music was swelling
for her entrance.
You amt my mother. Jim; you're
my grandmother" she tainted, and
with a craca of her whip she was
away on Bingo's back.
Its the spirit of the dead one that's
got into her" Jim numbled as he turn
ed away. still seeing the fash In the
departing girls eyes.
The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1909-04-08

Two village worthless were discuss
ing a mooted point in grammar as
to whether a hen "sits" or "sets"
when she takes to her nest.
''Seems to me it's Il heap more i'm
portant," interrupted Outstanding
farmer, whether she lays or lies
when she cackles."
The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1909-04-08
GR9E !& !: i! e!
BY pIARGARET MAYO <

the strings that were always swapping.
Something had gone
They were not philosophers TO rea-
son, like Emerson. that for everything
we lose we gain something. They We're
simple souls. these two: they could
only feel.
The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1909-04-08

lot outside, opening and shutting a
ANAL leather bag which he had bought
for her that day. He was as blind to
the picturesque outdoor life as she to
her indoor surroundings, for he. too.
had been with the circus since his
earliest recollection.
The grass Enclosure where he waited
was shut In by circle Of tents and
wagons. The great red property vans
The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1909-04-08

ITO be continued next week. I
The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1909-04-08
CHAPTER II.

CHAPTER II.
C.lHILE Polly sat in the dressing
tent listening indifferently to
IUI the chatter about the leap OF
death" girl Jim waited in the
Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1909-06-18
MILLIONS TO TIDEwATER.
Richmond Tmes-Dispatch ]

1t is true that the oyster and fish
industry concerns Tidewater more than
any other section of Virginia. but
the press and public of Tidewater mis-
take the temper of the times if thew
feel that this industry is one in which
the whole State is not vitality inter
ested. Any business that can produce
from $1,000, 600 to $40, 900, 900 of wealth
Tor the citizens Of Virginia is a mat
ter that concerns the whole State.
While. therefore. convention of dele
gates from Tidewater alone would
doubtless help to clear the way for tn.
final settlement of this matter, the adj
mlnlstration by the Tidewater repre-.
sentatlFes in the Legislature during
the past twenty years unfortvnatel,
does not give much reason to hope that
broad, intelligent and instructive
policy will be evolved by the proposed
convention. Judging by the experience
OF other states, we believe that the best
possible course for Virginia to pursue
Is to get disinterested experts to formu-
late plan for the projection of the
oysters and for the development of that
industry, and submit their findings to
the whole Legislature.
Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1909-06-18
DOINGS IN CONGRESS.

The President has sent a special mes
sage to Congress recommending a,
amendment to the Constitution confer.
ring power to levy an income tax. AND
urges that bill be passed so amending
the present tariff regulations that ali
corporations and joint stock companies
Except national banks) have an excise
tax fixed of 2 per cent on their net in
come. He thinks that this will add M
least $25. 600. 900 to the revenues of the
treasury.
The tariff bill is still under discussion
IN Congress, slow progress being made
on the different sections of the measure
predictions are made that the
President will. in case the bill ia not
framed to make real downward revision
and reduction on the necessities of
'ife. veto 1t. AS essential differences
exist between the Senate and the Housa
bill (aiready passed) it is probable that
the conference committee will make the
urged by existing conditions
Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1909-06-18
CONFUSION OF TERMS

"nen the liquor question comes IN, Al
says the VIRGINIA CITIZEN, of Irvirs.
',on' Is not local optionist accepted rs
meaning one who not only favors Iocs]
op'ion' but who votes dry when oppor-
UNITY presents! It does up this way %
mat seems to be the popular under.
s'anoing" Local option and prohibition
IN the vocabulary of most persons are
" .e'cnsngeaoie terms. But they are
.s;. 50 IN TACT Local option in
ss connection denotes the right of
each and every community to dec;d. ~,
popular election whether nv NO, az
,iquor traffic shall be prohibited a
local opticnist is a man who behaves =
that principle. And he may be either )
prohibitionist or an anti-prohibition;st
"A local optionist may with perfect con.
slstency vote either dry" or "wet ~
Newport News Times-Herald
Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1909-06-18
Mr., TUCKER IN MATHEWS.
From Mathews Journal

1t would be foolish to DENY that MIR.
fuckers speech on yesterday was a
good one or to say that he did not
handle the subjects upon which he
touched cleverIy and ingeniously. but
1t Is also true that had his speech dealt
more with hisown claims and less with
insinuations against and announcement
OF his opponent it would have in all
probability gained him more votes. II
is rather remarkable for a man to state
that he believes another man to be
honest and then insinuate that he has
done things of which no honest man
would be guilty. Such action Is incon-
sistent to say the least, but this is
what Mr.. Tucker did on Tuesday.
1t is possible to injure man more by
insinuation, inuendo and sneerinp re-
marks than could possibly be done bv
bold accusations, which he could DENY
and prove false. This seems to be Mr..
fuckers special forte and it seems that
Judge Mann hewed close to the line
when he said in answer to one Of Mr..
fuckers challenges:
Il do not wish the Senate Journal to
Re regarded as sealed book, as you
AVE taken occasion TO state. / have
10 objection whatever to your quoting
rom it; but do most alphabetically OBJ
ect to, and protest against your incor-
ectly stating the facts to my prejudice
you have frequently done. |
Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1909-06-18
RICHMOND'S NEW BRAND.

Richmond has a new brand of Demo-
Gratis. They are the offspring of the
Democratic committee of that CITY and
sort OF go-as-you-please kind. 1.-The
person voting their ticket declares him
self a member of the Democratic party"
and that is all that is required of him.
This is the only pledge he has to make
and 1T matters not, it would seem. how
far he may have wandered from the
democratic fold in the past or what
his political delinquencies may be in the
future. He is bound by no pledge. we
take it, to give his support to the Dem
ocratic party. city, State or national
unless 1T suits him, and can even rem.
date the candidate of a primary or
convention in which he has participa-
ted, II he desires to do so. This new
brand of Democrat may be of the 81
mon-pure kind, better Democrat it
may be than those remote from the
State capitol. but to those living at a
Instance there is something queer about
MN that does not commend him to ma
ana which suggests that he might he
nuuced upon very shallow pretence
to give aid and comfort to the enc.
my. "-Peninsular Enterprise
Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1909-06-18
OVATION AT BLACKSTONE

Judge William Hodges Manu-, candi-
GATE Tor governor. stopped off at Black
stone on his return from Hampton Syd-
ney College and addressed an audience
OF i've or six hundred people in the
Music Hall in the interest of his candi-
daey' He was introduced by W. Mon
cure Gravatt as Nottoway candidate
to asNottoway audience. The address
which followed was splendidly adapted
to the occasion and was enthusiastical.
ly received from beginning to end
There were many present not only from
various sections of Nottoway, but from
adJacant counties, Blackstone being
strategic political point.
Information is to the effect that the
Did Fourth district is waking up and
'allying to Junge Mann in overwbelm-
ng numbers
Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1909-06-18
ECHOES OF THE STORm

Reports from all over the state fol,
Oh much damage. both by water and
lightning. Wednesday night and Thurs.
day of last week.
lightning struck poplar tree in the
yard OF A. +. Garner. Irvington. We'd
nesday night of last week, and iumned
from that to the well-house and dairy
which were badly damaged.
On Thursday afternoon of last waaL
lightning struck yoke of oxen belong
ing to Nathan Taylor. near Irvineton
killing one and Gripping the other
Ihey were tied near wire fence. Jno
Davis. of White Stone, had his horse
Killed by lightning the same dav.
A number of wells cayed in from, tha
effects OF the heavy rains last week
among them being j. X. Leonard's and
Geo. Ste. Smiths. at Irvington.
The dam at Clarke's mill. near Rnr.
CESS Store, broke after the heavy rains
last week, leaving gap some hundred
or more feet. Damage several hun
dred dollars.
The storm also swept away several
mill dams in Middlesex county. entail
ing severe loss as well as inconven;an..
TO farmers.
A piece of road near Wicomico Church
suffered from the effects of a perfect
and-siide last week. Tons of earth were
llslodged from the banks and completely
'"sed up the gorge. Transportation
as been blocked at this point.
Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1909-06-18
NEW STEAMBOAT LINE.
IT" open New FIELD on The
western Shor. of Virginia.

IT" Open New FIELD ON The
Western Shor. OF Virginia.
Norfolk Vim isIan-Pilo,)
A company is con nnplatinp putting
steamer on tie Che sapeake Bay to run
from points on the Western Shore of
virginia to Crisfield. Nd. and thence
to Baltimore. Agents of the company
have been in Crisfeld looking over the
situation and making arrangements for
wharf rights and privileges. The pro-
motors say they have ample capital and
already have boat.
The boat will touch points on the
Kappshannock river, where at present
on boats stop. The Western shore of
Virginia is a rich territory, but the
people, lacking shipping facilities. have
mad to come to Crisfield and hire sailing
vessels to transport their produce to the
Baltimore markets.
Those back of the new enterprise are
western Shore men of means and saw
they are assured enough business to
make the route profitable investment.
The new company expects to put on the
steamer at least by july Is.
Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1909-06-18
POOR OYSTER SEASON

The Baltimore papers have
told us that Maryland. as the
other States, went through the
past season the most disastrous
one IN years. They, as all fair
minds, admit that it was not
from n scarcity OF oysters but
from the general business depres-
SION. Here are some extracts
from those papers:
from monetary viewpoint the sea-
son just ending was not success. This
was not due, it is said, to any falling off
IN the supply of oysters, but the result
otthe general business depression. Those
VINO make it business to catch oysters
are complaining bitterly of their luck.
not on the oyster beds, but in the market.
throughout the season dozens of carpoes
were brought to this market by boatmen
VINO could only dispose of their catches
at loss. Before the season was half
over many of those who have for wears
made 1t business to catch and freight
oysters were compelled to abandon
'ne trade for some other more profitable
occupation. Baltimore News.
Ihere is reason to believe that there
were not sold during the past eight
months from Maryland bottoms one
sixth the quantity of oysters which
annually were marketed during the
period when there were more than one
hundred packing houses in Baltimore
handling the mollusks. But. notwith-
standing the fact that the MARYLAND
yleid has been so vastly reduced. there
mas been very general complaint among
oystermen that prices have ranged low.
II Is not difficult to understand why the
puIk OF the Maryland oyster crop placed
upon the market during the past season
tailed to command satisfactory prices.
mere are two apparent reasons: first. n
great many of the lots offered for sale
were Just as small as the law will allow
them to be. Large sized OYSTERS
selects have brought good prices
iuitiig the past season, as during other
easons- The second reason is that
ysters marketed from the farmed hot 1
oms OF Rhode Island, Connecticut
Sew Jersey and Virginia are all selects
ne oyster farmer does not waste his
rop by shipping it at half developed
tage. And these cultivated oysters n
re driving the inferior natural v;eld I
rom the interior markets n
Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1909-06-18
WINDS MAKE FISH SCARCE

Does the average fisherman know
how much the influence of the prevail.
ing winds have to do with the average
catch of fish? We wot not. We learn
that on the coast of New South Wales
this has been observed and fishermen
have governed themselves according
ly. Let US cite some facts: In 1893
there was general scarcity of fish
then afterwards up till 1901 they be-
came gradually more abundant. Again
IN 1906 there was scarcity of fish. but
the following year they began to return
In increasing numbers. Men began to
look for the cause of these variations
and they discovered it was the influence
OF winds from certain quarter. This
may enable us to predict with a meas
ure OF certainty, two or three years in
advance, as to the prospects of the catch
Of fish. The Oysterman.
Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1909-06-18
TUCKER AND HIS PAPERS UNFAIR
Matthews Journal

1 t@ehe"s Sournal.l
1t seems that Judge Mann has rn,re
to fear from the news columns of sew.
eFai state papers than he has from
theiF editorial opposition. In the East.
ern Shore Herald of last week there
appeared a whole column of Tucker adj
Vett'sement which was only marked
with the date and number of times il
was to be run. All newspaper men
know OF course that this In an. adver-
tlsement but not one In q hundred of
the general public would recognize il
as such but would accept it as a state
ment Of facts. Matter of this sort
should be plainly marked advertisement
at the top So that the public may ac-
cept II at its value,
Not that this will probably iniure
Judge Mann. for while the friends of
Mr.. Tucker are scoring Judge Mann
Tor being a machine candidate. this
article to which we have referred set
forth in triumphant manner an account
Oh the desertion by some of the machine
mel who were formerly Mann men
10 the Tucker camp. This is consist
ency to sing the glad anthems of praise |
1t the addition Of q so-called machine
nan to the Tucker camp and at the |
'ame time strongly condemn Judge |
Mann because he is supported by the
inhoiy machine. About as consistent
Is Mr.. fuckers plea to the people who
'elievs In local option to vote for him
because Judge Mann stands for State
vide prohibition and his accusation
which shortly followed that Judge Mann
vas In league with all the liquor deal
rs OF the State. We trust that the
ank and file of the peopl. will not be
ecelved by any of these campaign
,inifs but will vote their honest ponvic-
ions as should all free men and good
itizens.
Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1909-06-18
WINS OYSTER SUIT.
The Supreme Court Again Upholds
the Commission OF Fisherie>.

~" N"p'0"e 'ourt again tpuous
the Commission OF Fisherie>.
The Supreme Court last week re-
versed the Circuit Court of Nansemond
which latter had declared unconstitu-
tional a statute that empowers the Com
mission OF Fisheries to remove stakes
of planters encroaching upon the nat
ural rocks. w. w. Old & Son were
counsel for the State and Jeffries &
Wolcott for the planters.
The case was the suit of the Hamp-
ton Roads Oyster Company against the
Board of Fisheries, and was of more
than a years standing. The Oyster
Company, after having been given time
to remove their oysters from natural
grounds staked in in the Nansemond
river. refused to remove their stakes.
Upon the order of Chairman Lee the
steamer Commodore Maury pulled the
stakes and threw the ground open to
tongers. Then suit was brought against
the Board in Napsemond court, which
Judgment was against the Board. The
case was appealed by the State, and
last week the Supreme Court, in an
opinion of thirty-five pages, unanimous
ly reversed Judge McLemore, COM
pietely vindicating the Board of Fish
cries and declaring the latter had au-
thority to protect the public oyster
grounds from invasions of all kinds.
While the Board has spent more than
a thousand dollars in defending this
suit, it is well worth it since there
would have been no statute to protect
the Baylor Survey if this one had been
held unconstitutional.
The Commission of Fisheries has been
emlnently successful in its important
and costly suits. winning all three-the
ones of E; c. Jordan on the Eastern
Shore; w. S. Bonneville in Warwick and
this Nansemond case, all of vital i'm
portance to the people of Tidewater.
Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1909-06-18
TEMPERANCE.

Petersburg has voted wet" by a de.
cisive majority. If that suits Peters.
burg the rest of US will have to stand
1T. But, if you read the Ricbmond
Times-Dispatch's special corresnond.
ence from that city the morning after
the election you could not help feeling
hauseated by the sensationally unfair
treatment OF the entire subject by the
correspondent. Usurping the editorial
prerogative, he made his paper vir-
tuaily gloat over the "wet" victory
Nothing too savage could he say about
the dry" side of the case. and there
was hardly good enough English to be
round in which to sing the praises of
the "wets." We do not recall ever
seeing more biased report of anv
event in the public prints.
Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1909-06-18
FISH PLENTaEUr.

flsh has been SO plentiful in the
Chesapeake that fine herring have hear
sold for 81. so the / 900. Captain Howard
OF the Maryland oyster navy. saws
that buck shad sold on the bay for 8
cents each. He saw 80, 600 herring sold
tort he above price per thousand.
Inc catch of trout and blue fish, and
sea mullets along the Virginia Capes
and Chesapeake Bay have been phe-
nomenaL About the middle of the month
one might buy at the local market fine
fresh trout from 6 to IL pounds for a
quarter of dollar. The fish were 40
plentiful that the METERS decided to let
up 10 ease the market. The Oyster
nan.