davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1914-12-18

from his chair and stood in the mid.
die of the room for the cripples in
spection. I'm not really such an aw-
ful man, am I, Peter"
"N-n-o-o," Pete answered, more
because the surgeons tone needed a
negative reply than because he knew
what he was saying.
Pete, like little boys" the doctor
went on, ignoring the lads terrified
expression. "And / kind of think
some Of them like me. Do you think
you could?"
"Ma-a-aybe," the youngster was
doing his best to be brave.
The doctor glanced at the open door
and nodded to the maid.
tom Mcclure Is out at the door
and wants to see you," she said.
Send him in," the surgeon an
swered heartily. well, never. Hell
10, Toni"
Hello. Adoc! Done anything to
Pete's leg?"
why. no. We haven't mentioned
legs. Have we, Pete?"
mot yet" said Pete, with a feeling
that something was still to come.
Say, doc, look at it now, will your"
Tom exclaimed energetically and be-
gan to take of his brothers shoe.
Hold on minute, Tom; this isn't
the place to examine legs, and besides,
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1914-12-18

ten-year-old man of arrairs, and turn
ed to patient waiting In the outer
Office.
Tom Mcclure had known all too lit
tie of happiness in his hard ten years
but this was surely the climax of his
earthly bliss. A new leg for Pete!
Could anything be finer! He ran most
of the way back to the square. and
nearly knocked the cripple over in his
eagerness to tell the good news.
Say, Pete, you're goin' to have q
new Leg"
"What?" the bewildered Pete was
too intent on selling papers to bother
about new legs.
"A new leg, say. Doc Harrison
what ! told you bout, is goin' to make
one fer you"
Jaw, gwan. Wot yer givin' me?'
grunted the skeptical Pete, ignoring
the enthusiasm Of the head of the
house.
Come on, I'll show you"
Nav, you don't. You don't get me
losin what leg I've got"
Honest, Pete, I'm on the level. The
doc says he bets he can fix you up
good as new"
Milky fer me. I'm fer keepin' me
bum prop. I reads how a doc saws
off a boys legs just for fun"
Jaw, Pete. don't be silly. The doc
won't hurt YOU"
Don't you believe it." Pete replied,
and started down the sidewalk to get
away from temptation. Tom knew
Pete's stolid strength of will, and de
cided on another tack. He felt in his
pocket and found sixteen cents. Count
ing out five pennies, he ran across the
street, and soon had DR.. Harrison on
the wire.
Hello, this you, doc?-Pete won't
come-Naw, he's afraid you'll hurt
him. He's read how doc cut off a
feller's leg just fer fun.-Send up a
pape? Sure, but you'll have to hide
yer sign, or he won't never come in
All right, I'll send him up. Please
don't hurt him, will you, doc?-Good-
by"
Tom ran back to the corner.
"Hey, Pete," he called, as soon as
he was within earshot of the cripple,
"a guy just told me to hustle Star up
to S45 West Alden avenue. Get on a
Prince street car, and hurry up. Here's
a dime fer carfare."
There amt no profit in that" Pete
grunted, go yerself an save the
dime"
do as yer told. I'm boss O. this
corner" the young financier retorted,
showing Pete toward car as fast as
the cripple could hobble. Get off at
Walnut street and walk west half a
block" he shouted as he helped Pete
on the car platform.
For the first time in twenty-five
years DR.. Harrison's sign was hidden
as the cripple struggled up the steps
and rang the bell.
Here's yer pape," he said in mat
ter-of-fact tone, holding out the first
edition, when the maid opened the
door.
Paper" asked the girl, pretending
ignorance. step in moment and
I'll see if it belongs here"
Pete stepped inside and took of his
cap, The girl disappeared, but return
ed presently, and pointed to an open
door down the hall. Pete hobbled in
the direction pointed, and entered the
Doctors outer office.
"Sit down a minute" came q pleas
ant voice from somewhere, and Pete
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1914-12-18

sell ten times more papeS! Amt that
a bully Christmas present? Say, NAV,
the docs brick and don't you forget
it,"
well, hurry up and get dressed or
you won't have much Christmas Day
left"
Tom vaulted chair and cradle on his
way back to the bedroom and slammed
his tear soaked pillow into a corner
Of the room as an expression of his
feelings toward tears.
"a real news stand. A great big
stand all to ourselves. ! can see just
how it's goin' to look. Gee! amt that
grand!"
But greater news was on the way
and before he had pulled on the empty
stocking he heard noise in the other
room and peeped out. There was a
big man in fur overcoat at the door
with another letter and he was not the
postman either.
tom, here's another one for you"
The summons was needless for Tom
was already at his mothers side and
had seized the white envelope
"James B. Harrison, M. d." he read.
That's about Pete. Jimminy Christ
mas! Say, nav, you open it. My
hands is all shaky."
Mrs. Mcclure could not make much
better Roadway opening the envelope
than Tom, but she managed to pull
out the letter and Tom began to read
laboriously.
MIR. Thomas Mcclure, 14S Willow St.
Dear Ton:
Merry Christmas from Pete and the
doc. Hurrah for Pete! The operation
was great success. Pete will be rur.
ming around without a crutch long be-
fore next Christmas. Come around to
the hospital at four o'clock. Sincerely
your friend.
JAMES B. HARRISON"
"P. Spy the way, Tom, don't be-
lieve / shall have time to take care
Of my half of that newspaper privilege
at the corner, SO return herewith the
agreement cancelled. Leave a paper
at my house every night while Pete is
in the hospital and we will call 1t
square. ]. 3. H"
Three cheers fer Pete" Tom yelled.
and gave the table such a kick with
his bare toe that it almost made him
howl. A little thing like that was not
allowed to break up the celebration so
he grasped his mothers hands. and
swung her around and around in a
ring around rosy" until the poor
woman hardly knew whether it was
Christmas or Fourth Of July.
"Ain't this grand Christmas?" he
shouted. "Ain't the doc bully? Amt
Peter the Ackiest Teller in the whole
world"
Eyes, yes, yes" groaned Mrs. Nc
CURE. trying her best to regain her
breath and balance. 20, it's-too-
good-to be true!"
well, 1t is true, fer l knew the doc
wouldn't fool me- Amt he the grand
est ever"
"Tom you'll never be ready to go to
the hospital by four o'clock IL you
don't get dressed"
Tom rushed into the bedroom and
came back with the empty stocking
that had hung on the chair.
Say NAV, I'll shut my eyes, and you
stick them two letters in me stocking
and I'll pretend I found 'em there
Amt this bee-ootiful Christmas?"
Copyright, by w G. Chapman.)
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1914-12-18

were all thumbs trying to get that let
ter open and part of it was torn be-
fore the envelope would give up its
secret. The note was short and type
written but it took Tom nearly five
minutes to read it aloud. Each word
seemed to have taken a new meaning
to the astonished boy.
"Mr. Thomas Mcclure, 14S Willow ST..
City.
Dear Sir:
l have the honor to inform you that
the application of MCGUIRE and Har-
rison for news stand adjoining the
fountain on the southwest corner OF
the square has been granted and pos
session may be taken at once. Be
lieve me. Yours very truly,
JOHN ]. SWEENEY,
alderman 18th District"
Great Jewhilikens." Tom shouted.
and his mother, too, made some sort
of an exclamation that was drowned
In the racket of the two smaller Nc
CURES. who felt called upon to add
to the general din.
me and the docs goin' to have a real
news stand right where wanted 1t.
Don't wish Pete was home to hear
the good news! What do you think
O. that, nav? A great big news stand
right at the fountain where we can
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1914-12-18

you have to do is to dress up Ia ,hese
things-this red suit It's very thin.
] made it myself out Of red cotton
flannel so l think you can slip II
on right over your coat, don't you!
| And this false face and this nice
white beard and these galoshes.
They may be hard 10 walk in, but
they look more like Santa thaa regu-
lar shoes. Anyhow, i think they ara
just nice for Santa Claus"
rs Amy well?" asked Ted rather
pointlessly.
Meg simply nodded her head in the
affirmative. She was still thinking
about the galoshes. IT'S funny how
things come in handy, even when
you don't want them at the time, isn't
it? often say-but, IL you'll excuse
me I'll just leave you. I've thou
sand things to do and Amy said some
thing about going away this after
noon and having to pack SO she won't
be able to help me at all. There
are some books II you want to read.
Bob won't be back till twelve. ! told
him he would be much more help II
he wasn't in the way 30 he has gone
of to the club to smoke. We will
have the Santa appearance Just be-
fore dinner. You can say that you
came in the skylight because there
wasn't room for your pack in the
chimney and that you walked down
stairs. Then you can go back and
take of your disguise and go out the
front door and ring the bell. The
children will think you have just
come. You were awfully good to offer
to do this for me-" Meg was unlock
ing the door and leaving you may
as well smoke If you want to-" she
said. Il am going to have those cur
tains cleaned next week anyway so
it doesn't matter IL they do smell
smoky"
you might tell Amy that an
here" said Ted.
"Oh, she doesn't mind the smoke
replied Meg. Besides, she almost
never comes into this room"
Ted felt himself defeated.
For an hour and half he remained
in his solitary confinement and then
Meg came again to see that he was
properly dressed and to give him the
cue for his descent.
wait till l get all the way down
and then start" she told him.
Does Amy know / am here?" Ted
asked with unconcealed concern.
Hasn't the remotest suspicion of
It," answered Meg. II think she must
be expecting someone for she has
telephoned twice to the station to
know whether the trains from the
West were late. Yours wasn't late,
was It? But l haven't said anything
about your being here"
Its hard to navigate In these old
boats" said Tom from under his
beard
Peg was hanging a hugh potato
bag full of toys on Ted's back. u
put the presents you brought to
Bobby and Peggy In with the rest"
she said. They are really lovely.
Now remember you follow as soon as
l get down stairs. We will all be In
the drawing room"
Ted got safely down the first flight
of stairs with his heavy pack thump
ing on the stairs as he came. He
was halfway down the last flight
when he caught glimpse OF Amy's
pretty forehead and golden hair. He
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1914-12-18
A TOAST TO SANTA CLAUS.

Whenever find q man who don't
Believe in Santa Claus,
And spite of all remonstrance won't
Yield up to logic's laws.
And see in things that lie about
Tho proof by no means dim,
straightway cut thf-t fellow out,
And don't believe iT~ aim.
We find him in the maiden's eyes
Beneath the mistletoe,
A-sparkling as the star-lit skies
All golden In their glow,
We find him in the pressure Of
The hand Of sympathy,
And where there's any thought Of love
He's mighty sure to be.
The good old saint is everywhsrs
Along Dfe's busy way,
We find him in the very air
We breathe day after day
Where courtesy and kindness
And love are Joined together.
To give to sorrow and distress
A touch OF sunny weather.
30 here's to good old kindliheart.
The best bet of them ALL
Who never fails to do his part
In hfe's high festival,
The worthy bearer of the crown
With which we top the Saint
A bumper to his health, and down
With them that say he amt!
John Kendrick Bangs.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1914-12-18

what the doctor would expect! Both
surgeon knew what was going on In
the youngsters mind, but thought best
to let him come to his own conclusion.
The boy fumbled his cap nervously
while he considered the great ques-
ton, and at length looked up suddenly
into the surgeons face. There was no
doubt or uncertainty in his face or
tone as he announced his decision.
DOC, the only thing I've got in the
world is me corner down by the foun-
tain, where me and Pete sells papers.
l can't give you all that, for wouldn't
have nuthin' for me and Pete to live
on and to help nav with the kids. I'll
tell you what I'll do, doc, I'll let you
have half o. that corner. You can hire
a kid to sell papes fer you and have
some dough left, but you won't make
no $4,000 in kingdom come"
The doctor knit his brows and Tom
imagined he could see quick refusal
of his proposition, but the kindly CLEAN
came back into the doctors eye and
Tom began to hope again as the doc
tor pondered over the proposition for
a moment. Then he doctor said:
"All right, Tom; III accept that
proposition, and We'll draw up the
agreement right now. Let's see, this
is December eighteenth. Well start
the new arrangement beginning with
January first"
In the course of quarter of an
hour the paper was duly prepared and
signed and witnessed, and Tom saw
the doctor file it carefully in the strong
box in his safe. With hearty hand
shake. the surgeon babe adieu to his
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1914-12-18

craned his head, eager to see more.
the pack caught for a second against
the banisters, he missed his footing
in the awkward galoshes, and with
a desperate effort to regain his bal
ance he grasped frantically at the
wallpaper. The next thing he knew
he was sprawling In a confused
tumble of toys and red cotton flannel
and white hair and sacking at the
foot Of the stairs
Blame those galoshes!" was his
first unceremonfous remark as he
pulled himself out of the confusion
And there stood Amy, Bob and Mrs
Meg and Bobby and Peggy-all mors
or less wide-eyed and incredulous.
Santa fell downstairs; that's all
He isn't used to stairs, you know,
said Meg with rare presence Of mind
anxious only to preserve her chill
dren's faith in the myth of Santa
Claus. She hurriedfy adjusted the
false face that had topped UP In
the fall.
Poor old Santa" said little Peggy.
softly patting his arm, and Bobby waa
eagerly examining the toys that had
spilled from the pack.
Great guns, It's Ted!" began Bob
in an aside, Lit Meg clapped her
hand over his mouth.
Meantime Amy was holding q whis-
pered conversation with the confused
Santa.
why, these are papa's galoshes."
said Bobby.
That's not Santa, at all, anyway"
said little Peggy. Its Mr.. Ted Bev-
erly what's going to be our uncle.
He's come to marry out Aunt Amy.
so there, and he's just dressed up
F, like Santa SOS to fool mamma and
papa. Aunt Amy told US this morn
ing he was a-going to marry her this
afternoon. Wouldn't Santa laugh II
he could see him?"
(cspyright, Mcclure Newspaper syndicss@'
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1914-12-18

crawled up into one of the large
about the busiest the cripple had ever
known. Pictures, statuary, books, fur
niture-never in his short life had he
seen such an array. How could he
possibly remember all to tell Tom
Before the survey was half finished,
however, a tall man with a kindly
face stood before him and held out his
hand for the paper. Pete handed him
the Star and arose to go.
Hold on a minute, how much do !
owe your"
1.-TWO cents"
1.-TWO cents?" the doctor shouted, so
loud that Pete feared he had over.
charged him. Didn't you pay carfare
to get here?'
Eyes, Tom paid that" Pete smiled
with relief.
tom? Who's Tom?"
He's me big brudder." This time
the smile bespoke pride and thank
fulness.
Likely sort of chap"
Yes, sir; Toms all right" The smile
was wider than ever
do you know who I ann" the doc
tor asked in his kindliest tone, plac.
ing his hand on the boys shoulder.
mo"
Il am Dr. Harrison" The smile dis
appeared and the boy began to trem
BILE at mention of the awful name
Possibly you have heard of me?'
"Ye-es," Pete whispered, toe
scared to realize whether he was say
ing yes" or no."
Now. Pete, take a good look al
me-" the doctor continued as he arose
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1914-12-18

l never make an examination without
the owners consent"
Tell the doc you want to have yer
leg looked at" Tom commanded in a
tone that bore authority.
Before Pete could answer, the doc
tor had interposed a good natured OBJ
lection.
you keep out of this, Tom. This
is Pete's leg. and he shall have the
whole say about what is done to that
leg"
This announcement was revelation
to Pete, who had had visions of being
bound and gagged while the doctor at
tackled his leg with a common hand.
saw.
"Is that straight" he asked, look
ing up obviously into the surgeons
face.
Absolutely" the doctor exclaimed.
Il won't touch finger to that leg till
you give me your consent"
There, Pete, what'd tell you," Tom
broke in, but the doctor frowned at
him to keep quiet. The eyes of both
Tom and the surgeon were now on
Pete.
"Whatll it cost?" The cripple
seemed about to yield but wanted one
more obstacle cleared away.
Never mind the cost, Tom and l
have arranged that between u.s."
The look of appreciation and graft
tude that the cripple brother gave
Tom at that moment would have re-
paid any sacrifice-yes, even the whole
of the corner paper privilege. Pete's
eyes glistened with teardrops as he
turned to the doctor.
60 ahead, doc. Do anything you
want, only don't hurt me too much.
Say, amt Tom all right?
You bet he is" the doctor replied,
and motioned the cripple to the inner
Office
Tom was busy as he could be on
Christmas eve and 1t was well after
midnight when he crawled into his lit
tie bed, tired and lonely, for Pete had
gone to the hospital three days be-
fore. He knew away down deep in his
heart that it would do no good to hang
up his stocking, but hope dies hard
in the young and the stocking was
pinned to the side of the chair.
The sun had shone for an hour or
more when Tom awOke and realized
that 1t was Christmas day. He hardly
dared to glance at the stocking but
summoned up courage and looked at
the chair where 1t hung. The stock
ing was empty. Tom reached over
and felt 1t to make sure and then
crawled back under the bedclothes.
For the first time In his life the rough
ness of the world had overcome him
and. in spite Of all the strength he
could muster. the great hot tears
crowded into his eyes and flowed down
his cheeks. He buried his face in the
pillow and cried great big soulful
cry.
toni Toni" 1t was his mother
calling. but he only pulled the bed
clothes over his head and pretended
not to hear. He would not for the
world let NAV know that he would
cry, he who was supposed to bear the
burden of the family on his shout
ders.
tom! Tom, Toni" come the call
again, heres a letter for you"
A letter for Tom? Such an event
had come into his life only twice
once when the fresh air society Of
fered him a week in the country which
he could not afford to take, and let
ter from the license bureau with his
newsboy badge. The dry side Of the
pillow served as handkerchief and tow.
ell, and, holding his head low to hide
his red eyes, he ran into the next
room.
John J. Sweeney" he read on the
corner of the envelope. why. he's the
] alderman from this district. Fingers
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1914-12-18
Friendly Advice.

Yes" said the Fairy Prince, you
may have whatever you want for a
Christmas present"
Il will choose" said the Fortunate
Person, either wife or an automo-
bile"
How foolish" exclaimed the Fairy
Prince. why do you not select
something that you can manaaef
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1914-12-18

Y Christmas eve, Ted Bev-
erly received this letter
from Amy Saunders-the
one girl in the world, as
far as Ted was concerned:
Dear Ted: If you can
manage to come on to
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1914-12-18

UGH weather. and Christ
mas but a few days away.
The city was properly
dressed for the occasion.
Snow covered the streets
and the steps leading to
the beautiful homes on the
boulevard where every hol-
SHoxx xx,s.1~ - fl,4 nAnDIA
Valdez daily prospector., 1914-06-26

MEXICO CITY, June 26.-The news of the prospective appointment of g provisional junta de gobierno as a result of the Niagara conferences has been received here.
 It is pointed out that such an in stitution as junta de gobierno is not provided for by the Mexican con- stitution, but it is recognized that the substance of the proposal can be at tained without the violation of con- stitutional forms
 Gen. Huerta can appoint new minister of foreign relations and a certain number of cabinet ministers, according to prearranged plan, leaving the other cabinet posts va cant or in the hands of sub-secretar- ies, as is the cast at present in the departments of foreign affairs, com munications and agriculture. Then if Gen. Huerta were to retire the minister of foreign affairs would become pro visional president, and could carry on the government with the assistance of the cabinet ministers, previously appointed. it being tacitly understood that the vote of majority would be decisive on all debatable uestions.
 Gen. Huerta declined today to make any statement regarding the reported organization of a junta de gobierno.
Valdez daily prospector., 1914-06-26
n. B. GLAF|N. FAIL
 BUSINESS B BAD
4iesest Dry aoods House Goes Under Beeause of Hard fimes-IiabiIi-
 ties Are $s5, ,oeo, 900.

NEW YORK, June 26.-The H. B. Clafn Company, the largest whole sale dry goods house in the world, failed today because of inability to raise ready cash. The assets are announced to be ;$4O,O0O, 900. mostly in merchandise, buildings and ao- counts receivable, while the liabil- ities are $35.000,000.
 The company own string of 30 retail stores in different cities which are all effected by the failure of today. Three thousand banks hold the paper of the company.
 The federal court today named two receivers for the company, one of whom is friendly to the present man agement and control of the corpora tion and one bitterly opposed to it, and claiming that the conduct of the concern has been very unbusiness- like Each of the receivers were call ed upon to give surety bonds amount ing to $50OO00 each.
 Just to what extent the failure will effect other dry goods houses is un- known, but the banks are becoming frightened and refuse any further loans until the present business de- pression is over.
 The announcement of the applica- tion for a receiver came without warning, as the company has ab- ways been considered solvent H. B. Clafin, head of the concern, stated today that the present hard times had hit his concern hard and that the large stock held before the reduced tariff schedules went into effect could not be moved even at a loss and that it's valuation was decreasing each day, as foreign manufactured goods, cheap ly made, came in competition with the American made goods manufac- tured by high-priced American help. and of which he had a large stock, and still more to be delivered upon contracts of several years standing
 It is expected that the company will be placed upon substantial footing by the banks, who will be forced to keep the business going if they desire the return of the money they have loaned.
Valdez daily prospector., 1914-06-26
10 HR]1F ABOUT ' VALDEZ hthfs
 
 Representative of Alaska and North west Mining Journal Here to ln- ve.tis;ats Our hlinss.

D. M. Ruggles, one of the owners of the Alaska and Northwest Mining Journal, published in Seattle, arriv- ed on the Alameda yesterday to in vestigate the resources of this sec tion with view to publishing spe- cial Valdez number of the Journal. The owners of the paper have fol- lowed the policy of making first-hand Investigations of the conditions in Alaska and then in the fall devote a special issue to each of the sections. MT. Ruggles has spent considerable time at Juuea1, Ketchikan and Cor dova, and win also go to Seward. Fairbanks and possibly to Nome.
 :. The Alaska and Northwest Mining Journal has a large circulatioh among mining men an over the United States and lately has secured Ah ektraor- dinary s1bscrSbtlon list from English and French anihing investors.
 MT. RIggles win spend three or Tour weeks In this sectfon ana de-
 sarss to maet as many Iof tho min- ing men of this section as he can. He can De found at tho Panama ho- tel. .. s