davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1912-03-07
Benjamin Frank

Benjamin Frank
lin was born in
Boston January 6,
1906, the youngest
of 10 Aft
er such a brief time
at school his father
could afford, he
took him into his
own shop to learn
the business of a
candle maker, but
Ben showed his dis
like to C t t n &
w i k S, hanging
d ] ps and casting
soap, by his deter
mination to ru n
away to sea as one
of his brothers had
done. He did run
away to Philadel-
phia later. II i S
f a t h e r. however,
Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1912-03-07
SheIIey's Skylark.

SheIley's Skylark.
Immortal bird,
Whose song Gods purest poet long since
heard,
And caught within the golden chains Of
rhyme,
Our captive for all time.
O tender tones,
That none who. hearing, ever can forget,
Even when the city's thunder crashes and
And the woods whisper moans-
High on the Hills Of Song thy song Is set.
Within the very blue where first thy voice
Made his young heart rejoice;
And from empyrean heights forever shall
fall
Thy silver madrigal,
tuIed stream,
Thy heavenly dream,
Cleansing us as in fires angelical,
Sweeping us to the mountain-peaks or
Where beauty and love were born.
And sometimes when the heart is like to
break
With ancient SORROWS that wake
In the still rknes of some desoiate
night.
We hear thee too as he once heard thee
sing
On a white morn of Spring:
And all our soul IS hooded with the light
Thy melody. and thine alone. can bring.
We hear thee-yes; but only through his
song.
Our ears We're empty of thy fiuted trills
Until he snatched thee from thy splendid
hills,
And gave the wonder of thy joy to us.
y bird miraculous.
We hear thee now-through him:
And we rejoice that as thy date grows
dim,
He, and not we. first heard that lovely
sound
Which all his spirit drowned
In a wild ecstasy beyond our ken.
And IL thy voice now fills heavens leaf
lest glen.
Singing again,
Flinging IT'S silver cataract of bliss
Downs many a sheer abyss
Be glad, o bird, that when thou James
here,
Thy song fell on his ear.
And he was thy divine Interpreter!
Charles Hanson Towne.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1912-11-06

Il promise you that" replied Ran
dolph Mason.
Then I conducted St. George Fair.
field Porter and his retinue to a no
tary public and the clerk of coart
Of record, had Mrs Porter properly
identified and the paper signed and ex-
ecuted as its terms required. The
young gentleman labored for my en-
tertainment on the way. He pointed
out the various colored cups" draw
ing carriages, the ''meows" summing in
the doorways. the giggles' singing in
the green trees Of the park. and once,
for the better safety Of us all, dashed
How-de-do soundly with the dog-whip.
We parted at TBenty-hrst street,
friends. one looking on there would
have sworn. till death.
When | returned with the executed
paper Randolph Mason seemed al
ready to have forgotten the interview.
He was writing at his table. stopping
now and then to consult digest, open
among other books before him.
waited for a few moments, then / laid
the paper between the open pages of
the digest. When he came again to
examine the reference, he picked -
the paper and held it out to me. |
saw that his attention had departed
from Mrs. Porter's affair. / took the
paper back and explained carefully
what it was
Yes" he replied, without looking
up.
But, Mr. Mason" l urged, what
shall do with it?"
He wrote on
Take it to the woman and get the
money" he said.
Thought he could not understand
he would hardly direct me to deliver
the paper to lie adventures on Long
Island, afeer his deliberate promise. |
went again over the case, calling his
attention directly to his word. He
looked up then, his eyes wayering.
Parks" he said, you disturb me-"
/ should have gone out but for the
memory of st. George Fairfield Por-
teri felt his little fat hand clinging
to my fingers, his fortune in my keep
ing. | braved Mason before the table.
| explained, urged, denounced such an
act of infidelity as the surrender of
this paper ! spread the contract open
above the sheet that he was writing.
He sprang up then. his eyes blazing.
his clenched hand hammering the ia.
BILE.
You vex me" he said. you harass
me What do you waut?"
81 want to know what to do with
this paper" responded
What to do with IT," he cried, II
told you! Go out now"
Then he dropped back into his chair,
obliyious again to his surroundings.
felt that had done all that it was
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1912-11-06
GOT RICH In
THREE YEARS
EXPERIENCES OF A BRITISH I'M.
MIGRANT IN cANADA-WEST.

The following straightforward state
ment needs no comment to add to
its force and effect 1t appears in a
recent issue of the Liverpool Mer
curry.
H. Patterson. of Nutana, Saskatche-
wan, Canada, when he arrived from
Liverpool, had six OF us to support"
to use his own phraseology, and his
funds were getting low. He secured
homestead 80 miles OUT from Sun
durn, and started living on 1t April
Is. 1907. The previous fall he put all
his money, $137. into a shack and lot,
making sure of a home. AS cook and
caterer in a local hotel he made SIS
a month, and out of this had some
savings out of which he paid his
breaking and improvements on the
homestead. The shack was sold to
good advantage. Then Mr.. Patterson
tells the story after he had removed
his family to the homestead:
For the first month life was so
strange and new that hadn't time to
think of anything, only fixing up our
new home. / was so green to farm
life that / didn't know the difference
between wheat and oats q do now)l
Between working out, cropping my
place, and with my gun, we managed
to live comfortably for the three
years, which time was required to put
In my duties. i had accumulated
quite a stock of horses, cows, pigs,
fowls, and machinery in the three
years.
In October. 1909. secured my pat
ent to my land, so took a few days.
holidays to Saskatoon to locate a
purchased homestead (viz., Us. per
acre. from the Government. Instead
of getting the purchased homestead,
| secured half section 1920 acres)
on the Saskatchewan River for SIS
per acre on easy terms, nine years
payments with a cash payment OF
$1,000. / mortgaged my first home
stead, obtained ehattel mortgages on
my stock, and on December Gath,
1909, took possession; on June 10,
1910, sold out again for $40 per acre,
clearing, besides my crop GAO acres),
YH1OVO- etAOO OOtd hi
stead, clearing $500 and two Saska-
toon town lots, which we value at
$1,000 each today We placed all our
capital in another farm (river front
age) and some trackage lots (60), also
purchased homestead (river front
age). ! remained as Manager OF the
Farm l had sold on a three years
contract at a fine salary and house,
garden, and numerous privileges.
$50 by the time my three years have
expired. with my investments and the
increased value of my frontage and
lots, / am hoping to have clear
profit on my s197 investment of
$4,000. My land doesn't eat any.
thing, and it is nearly all paid for.
hold a good position land secure)"-
ADV.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1912-11-06

possible for me to do If he were de-
then. doubtless he had c sufficient rea-
son for It. Perhaps the divorce was
not invalid after all. AZ any rate he
was the person III authority, the one
responsible. But mad his mind re-
turned TO this matter? Did he under
stand what l was asking? Was he
not. in fact, merely annoyed by sup
posedly meaningless interruption? /
feared it.
Nevertheless, l obeyed him. l took
a motor-car and went down to the
residence of Charles Porter on Long
Island. The house, enclosed by enor-
nous hedges, sat on the border of the
Sound. few ancient trees contrasting
their green with its silver gray A
yacht hung out beyond in the water
l left the chauffeur with the car be-
fore the door. and knocked. BY mis-
take of the maid | was taken at once
into the presence OF Suzanne Kinsky.
As a highly.colored incident, this
scene remains strikingiy vivid. It
seems yet out Of proportion to other
events OF life. although it continued
perhaps not twenty minutes
The room into which / was shown
was lite red with the light articles of
ocean travel with heavy coats, rugs.
portmanteaus In the center of the
room an open steamer trunk was
packed with stocks, bonds and bulky
packages Of currency, A little, dark,
glossy -haired woman. robed in a Jap
anese wrapper. was writing at a desk.
A man, whom l instantly recognized
rs a notorious attorney Of New York.
one Levin Howell. the famous coun.
sci Of actors, adventurers, criminals
with filed pockets. was standing at
the window. his back 70 me. his I'm
gers drumming on the pane. He
turned around and regarded me with
an expression Of profound astonish.
ment. For moment he was too
overcome to speak. then he began to
stammer.
Good heWensi" he said. this is
not my partner. This Is Mr. Parks,
the secretary Of Randolph Mason"
The woman writing at the desk
flashed TO her Ieet like cotton touched
with fire. For a steo or two she ad-
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1912-11-06
Tuning Up.

Nathan Frankie. the maestro, tells a
story on himself He was playing the
violin at a concert in one of the large
cities before an appreciative audience.
who had been attracted by the high
character Of the entertainment. When
he appeared on the stage he was
warmly received. He played a selec'
ton. the work OF one Of the great
masters.
AS the notes OF the violin sounded
through the hall the audience listened
with rapt attention. excepting an cid
erly man and woman, evidently from
n country town. The manifested lit
tie or no interest. but ffgetted Il their
seats. Mr.. Frankie was nettled at this
and could nor help watching them.
Then ne distinctly heard the man
saw 10 the woman. Il wonder when
he'll get through tuEsng up" Mr..
Frankie Gays ne was disconnected for
the first time in his life so much so
he was almost unable to continue
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1912-11-06
STAFF OF LIFE TO ARABS
Date Palms Is to Them What Wheat
and Rice Are to More West
ern Peoples.

The date palm with it's fruit is one
of the most interesting trees with
which the botanist is acquainted
What wheat is in some countries and
maize and rice in others the date
palm is to the Arabs.
It's native home is the region be-
tween Senegal on the west coast OF
Africa and the River Indus in Asia
from about the fifteenth to about the
thirtieth parallel Of north latitude. At
various times it has been carried out
side these limits, but with little sue
cess as a fruit bearer
AS an ornamental tree, however, It
will grow in many situations where it
cannot produce seed, and hence it is
frequently transplanted from its ma
tive region. Along the shores of the
Mediterranean it is common object,
for its leaves are in great request in
the Christian countries of South Eu-
rope on Palm Sunday.
It is the common palm of Palestine.
being here also grown for ornament,
although it rarely ripens fruit, except
at Jericho, which from the circum-
stance of its success there has ac-
CURED the name of "the City of Palm
Trees" 1t is also a curious fact that
its cultivation has prospered in the
Isolated Canary islands, of the West
African coast.
The date palm is beautiful object
in the landscape, growing to the
height of sixty to eighty feet; not,
says the Bakers Weekly, in that stiff.
straight maner in which palm trees
are so often planted, but slightly bent
into graceful curves and sweeps. The
trunk is marked with the old scars
where the leaves fall off when their
work is done and is crowned with
spreading mass Of from forty to
eighty leaves. each of which resem'
bles a gigantic feather,
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1912-11-06

70 her and the boy. But the million
dollars which the daEseuse had got
into her hands was certainly gone. the
woman was shrewd enough for that.
But the Covenanter. the Puritan, was
in the field now No inch of ground
should be yielded, no dollar Of the
child's Inheritance should remain in
the fingers of that woman. Was there
no law fitting such a case2 The en-
inent attorney pointed out that in the
DRY there we're remedies enough With
in the law, but that. when applied,
they would all fail This dancing ad-
venturesss would conceal. bury, spirit
away Porter's portable estate. She
would swear II had been given to her.
lost stolen, used by her husband, she
knew not how With legal arms
there vas no hope II she wished, he
would try what could be obtained by
treaty She wished 1t. and he did try.
Nothing was gained Suzanne Kinszy,
being approached, took it for a sign
OF weakness and condescendingly as
one vino would be generous. offered
to pay to Mrs. Porter a million dol
lars provided she would not contest
the decree Of divorce. One million
for three. In diplomatic bartering,
the danseuse followed Continental
masters.
the attorney presented this proof
of his opinion TO the client Mrs
Porter must be content with the six
million dollars. She was not content
no dollar 70 the scarlet woman. She
demanded additional counsel. These
men. learned. experienced in human
affairs, were of the same opinion. The
money was lost. Mrs. Porter, with an
unreasonable persistence. by virtue of
which every woman is a client to be
dreaded. refused, even over their opin-
ions, TO consider It as lost Then, an
noyed. wishing ho rid of a problem
impossible of solution BY any legal
formula. the attorney sent her to Ran
dolph Mason
Thus l met St George Fairfield Por-
ter, seeking to regain a lost million
of his inheritance under the conduct
or his regent, woman driven by that
mystic. fearless. untiring instinct
shared alike by the mothers of the for
g.
Wien The story was ended. Mrs.
Porter took from the bosom of her
dress three folded papers and laid
them on the table before Randolph
Mason.
THAT" she said, lis my marriage
certificate. This. file of the divorce
proceedings. and here" her fingers
pressed the document against the
writingpad as though to crush it, lis
the contract which that woman had
the effrontery to send with her offer
of compromise"
Mason looked casually through the
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1912-11-06

~Mr. Mason" she said. why did
You break your promise TO me?"
Randolph Mason arose and, seeing
me. ignored her query.
Parks" he said. did you get that
money!"
Yes" answered, II did exactly
what you directed me to do. 1 took
the contract to Suzanne Kinsky and
got the money for it
Good" he said. Then he turned to
the woman standing by the table.
Madame, he said, Il have kept my
word rigidly. l said that this paper
should not pass out of my possession
to the loss of your childs inheritance.
have kept that promise. You have
now in your possession the one mil
lion Of dollars which you wished me to
secure, and. under the laws OF New
York, you and your son viii inherit
the remainder of the estate of MIR.
Porter at his death"
But, my dear sir" interrupted the
attorney. you have delivered an
agreement by which Mrs. Porter binds
herself not to disturb the decree OF
divorce granted in Connecticut. That
paper viii b fled in bar OF any pro-
ceeding now taken to establish her
right to the fortune as the true legal
wife of Charles Porter. You seem
strangely to have overlooked the eff
feet Of this agreement"
Il have overlooked nothing" replied
Randolph Mason.
Then he took up a book from the
table, opened it at certain page, and
handed it to The attorney.
There" he said, is the leading
decision in this country, holding that
where a decree of divorce has been
wrongfulIy obtained, a subsequent
agreement among the parties that it
shall not be disturbed is an Illegal
contract. void, as against public pol
lev"
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1912-11-06

court file; then he opened the con-
tract and carefully read IL. and l.
standing by the table, read 1t also II
was a rigid agreement by which this
first Mrs. Porter. In consideration of
one million dollars. received from
Charles Porter, agreed and bound her
self not to contest or disturb the de,
cree of divorce; and in order that the
signature might not ever be Ques-
toned, It was to be acknowledged be-
fore a notary and witnessed before the
clerk Of a cCdrt of record under his
official seal
You will observe" said the woman
that this paper is an iron-clad con
tract My attorney says its terms
could not be more bindingly put"
That is true" replied Randolph Ma
son.
And" continued the woman, by
It's terms l would. In point of fact. be
agreeing TO surrender an estate of six
millions coming to my son here and to
me at Mr. Porters death for this one
million delivered to me now. Is not
that truee"
THAT also is true" replied Ran.
dolph Mason
"Tben, said the woman, this ad-
ventures IS fool il she thinks l
would sign il
Madame, said Randolph Mason.
you nust sign it."
Nfrs portar Toolsa5 ,t tp,,g,g.,h ~,
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1912-11-06
Safe Betting.

Little Andrew had been repeatedly
urged to hasten his dressing. Sudden
ly he knelt. crossed and clasped his
hands like pictured angel and voic-
ed this earnest petition:
"Oh, God. don't let me dawdle. Or,
God, keep me from dawdling. But IL
you want to, oh, God, make my
mother reconciled to my being slow!"
There, mamma he exclaimed, ris-
ing. I've done my best, haven't l?
Course, If God chooses to keep me
from dawdling he will, and if he don't
I can't help it. But" with sudden.
joyous energy, 'Tll bet you dollar
I'll be just as slow tomorrow as to-
day"
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1912-11-06
A Trusty Machine.

Having ascertained his approximate
weight on the railroad station weigh
ing machine. the passenger said to the
porter: Isn't Il a lack Of business
foresight to p1t one OF these machines
that automatically distributes prizes
10 persons who guess their Swn
weight correctly bang UP against ocaer
scales that they could get weighed OF
beforehand and so guess on a sure
thing7 You must have great faith IN
human nature, haven't you?"
"Oh- no, sir" said the porter. but
we have in the machine"
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1912-11-06
a Nice Distinction.

Senator Gronna, discussing a knot
ty tariff problem, said in a speech:
There is nice distinction involved
here. You don't notice it at first.
Once it is pointed out to you, however.
you perceive its immense Importance.
It's the sort Of distinction that
Gobsa Goldes beautiful young wife
revealed to him during a conjugai
quarrel over a diamond tiara.
People say quavered the old
man, trembling with rage. People
say you only married me because l had
money
THE young woman smiled superbly.
Rubbish! she exclaimed. My pri-
mary reason for marrying you was
that / had no money myself
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1912-11-06

For the legal principle In
VolVed in this story see Com
stock v. Adams, % Kansas, 513,
80 Am. r. 1871; Black v. Nohl,
1902 Mo, 1859; Haddock v. Had
dock, Supreme Court of the
United States, 2o1 U. S., 562.
The courts of New York have
invariably refused to treat a
divorce rendered in another
state under the circumstances
stated, as entitled to be en-
forced in New York by virtue
Of the full faith and credit
clause Of the Constitution Of the
United States; and, indeed, have
refused generally to give effect
to such DEGREES even by state
comfy. Haddock v. Haddock, su.
pra, citing Lynde v. Lynde, 1862
N. ", 4o5; 43 L. e. A., $40, 76
Am. ST. Rep. 1892, Sc N. &. 979;
Winston v. Winston, 1856 NJ. ",
553, SO N. e., 273.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1912-11-06
Unoratefui Guest.

Brown-So you spent Sunday with
the Suburbs. Ell? How far is their
house from the station?
Towne-About two miles as the dust
flies.-Judge.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1912-11-06

There is always more or less pre-
judice against a man holding an Of
fee.
Omaha daily bee., 1912-04-28
MILLER PARK GOLF CLUB
WILL OPEN NEXT SATURDAY

Miller Park Golf club will hold It's
formal opening Of the season Saturday
afternoon and the committee In ehafss
is planning an interesting program OF
events for the occasion.
A special golf tournament, several
tennis matches, a base ball game and a
cricket contest will make up the sport
card Of events for the opening and he
social features will be confined dhlsfly to
q club luncheon in the afternoon and .
dance in the evening.
The golf course OF nine holes Is now In
excellent condition for the years ac-
tivities and Custodian Alec Melvin In
tends to keep 1t in good shape all season.
The outings greens win be watersd
daily through the dry months.
Racquet enthusiasts Of the club are also
planning busy year. The three tennis
courts have already been rolled and
marked off. The tennis committee for
the season includes ]. X. o'Neili. chrir-
man: +. ]. Hatch and L Z. Gillespie.
An innovation Of the club this year
will be the cafe which win be equipped
80 as to provide an adequate daily three
meal service for members.
Omaha daily bee., 1912-04-28
PLAY ON THE GOLF LINKS
is TO START NEXT SUNDAY

The golf season in Omaha win be off,
cislly opened next Sunday afternoon,
when the first match play Of the season
win occur at the Omaha Field club. The
golfers at the Field club have been prac-
ticing for this event for some time and
more than forty will participate in the
opening matches.
Golf viii be started at the Country
club and at the Happy Hollow club next
Sunday afternoon. Several match games
win be played at the Seymour Lake club
In South Omaha also.
business men have been taking adj
vantage OF the golf links since the
weather became such that playing was
possible. At Miller park the golf course
has been used both mornings and after
moons every day for the last two weeks
and owing to its popularity the Park
board will not dispose Of the links this
year.
Omaha daily bee., 1912-04-28
M'AvoY TO REPRESENT
CREIGHTON IN 0RAT0RY

Preston McAvoy OF Creighton university
will represent Nebraska in the Inter-
state Peace association oratoricai oon-
test to be held at Monmouth, H., on
April %. Five states. Nebraska. Michi-
gan. Wisconsin. Illinois and Iowa viii be
represented In this contest. McAsoy IL q
junior in the Creighton university depart.
ments OF arts, and win have the distinc-f
ton OF representing Nebrasks In the fret
interstate contest. McAyoy won the re-
cent state contest held at Creighton audi-
torinm under Bellevue auspices. his sub
jset being, America and World. Peace
McAvoy lives at Elkhorn, Neb.
Omaha daily bee., 1912-04-28
HIGH FRESHMEN GIRLS
START TOURNEY TOMORROW

The Omaha High school freshmen girls
spring indoor base ball tournament win
start tomorrow afternoon and continue
until Friday. -Four teams are entered In
the series: the Giants, Tigers, Cubs and
Invincibles. Miss Bess Dumont. physical
training instructor, Will have charge Of
the affair.
Following are the schedule OF games
for the week: - e.-
Monday--Glants play Cubs.
Tuesday-Tigers play Inyincibles.
Thursday-winners OF each match play
for championship and second place stand
Ing.
Friday--Losers OF first two matches
play for third and fourth place stand
ings.