davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-05-25
Spring Showers

~ RACE hated tho rIin and there
e. "A fore she hated spring be
" "a cause" She said. cit rains all
% the time in spring" Grace
was a very happy little girl. She loved
.vorything in naturc-auimals. birds,
plants, fruits ami vcrctablos--in fact
stc loved cvory hInr--but rain.
Il hate i, to rain" she cried rs
.ho big drops dashed against the win
dow Que April morning. "! wish it
would stop so that | could 60 out to
play; and l wish yes wish it would
never rain again--no, never" Then
Grace planted her elbows firmly on
INC windoTsill and made an angry
focC at the outside world. WITH her
nose lartcncd AGAINST the glass she
fcll asleep, and like most little Grls
when they sleep, she drcamt OH
sIch dream. y fairy flew through
thc window ANA sat on the sill close
10 hcr. ibid YOU CALF" she asked.
40, did not cali volt" answered
Grace. "but if YOU can mako the rain
80 away forever. II be glad YOU
ramc."
"Nurv well, II please you" said
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-05-25
"Old Man, CrutChet and Memorial Day

/ thcm-thcy aren't heavy, you know
and we will offer him Just few OF
Mammals prctticst roses"
And so it was settled
so, too, on the morning of Memorial
Day, Elizabeth and Harry waited in
the front yard. their roses all ready.
for Old Man Crutchot TO pass.
Presently he came-stumping along,
bent, feeble and leaning heavily or
his stout walking-stick But his uni
form had been brushed until it was
neat and clean and almost "spruco
looking" and his hat, too, with its
gold cord. bespoke the reverent care
he always gave it,
Sore hat timidly, but determined
to carry out their scheme, Elizabeth
and Harry opened the gate and step
ped out upon the pavement
please, sir" began Elizabeth, when
the old soldier was within Il few feet
of thcm-and then her voice failed
her.
"Pleasc, sir" echoed Ifarry-and
then he, too, found it impossible TO
say any more.
So-without knowing exactly why
they did it-both of them stepped for
ward. and arms extended, offered their
roses.
Strange, too, but Old Man Crutchct
seemed to understand precisely what
they meant!
"Well, Well" he exclaimed, in his
queer, squeaky voice. you are dear
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-05-25

HpVII-DUUHU'
"This,' said Old Man Crutchet, stop
ping before grave with a plain,
Weathcr-stained marble slab at the
head of it is the grave of Thomas
Stillwell-Tommy we all called him.
He was Il mere lad, but he had the
heart of a lion. There wasn't a thing
he was afraid of-not a thing!
zone afternoon, | remember, the en-
envy had been pressing us hard. and
we were worn out. All around me
men were falling; and all the time the
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-05-25

flowers on the graves"
In little while both Elizabeth and
Harry had their arms full of red and
white blooms. Mamma put their hats
on their heads and--off they went up
the street, one on either side of the
veteran.
And what Il wonderful morning they
had at the cemetery. Their guide
stopped before each grave where a
soldier lay and, taking n flower from
his big box, he would stand at the
head, hat in hand silent for n mo-
ment. Then he would bend down and
rcvercntly place the flower on the
mound; and then, strengthening up, he
would SolcmnlN salute, pause a second
or two and turn TO the next grave. He
showed the children how TO go through
this simple ceremony with him, they
too, placing flowers on the graves and
saluting.
And, every now and then, they
would come to the grave of some SOL
dier whom old Man Crutchct had
known well; and he'd tell them the
story of the man who lay buried there
Perhaps he was an officer who had
died in the charge at the head Of
his men. Perhaps he was merely a
drummer boy or a buglcr who fell
in battle as bravely as any of his
elders. Many, many little anecdotes
of the soldier dead did Old Man
.Crutchct tell them. And, you may be
sure, Elizabeth and Harry listened
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-05-25
\ + course you and ! know the
meaning of Memorial Day--how
4 flowers are placed in loving

~ course you and ! know the
~ meaning of Memorial Day--how
" flowers are placed in loving
~ mcmoriam upon the graves of
the brave men who fought for the
Union in the Civil War, many of whom
were killed in battle and others of
them dying years after peace was de-
clared.
But Harry and Elizabeth at first
couldn't understand it. Mamma ex-
planned it TO them all over again.
Just then Papa entered the room.
Get Old Man Crutchet to explain it,"
he said in a half joking fashion. Hes
almost the last of the veterans left in
our town"
Now. Old Man Crutchet. as every
one called him (and not disrcspect-
fully, either. was a very. very old
man. He had fought all during the
Civil War and had been wounded
three times. He had marched away
from the town as a mere boy at the
outbreak of the war and he had re-
turned to it--a man, saddened by
what he had been through. And now
he was a feeble. silent, lonely old man.
| His comrades had died off. one by
one, and he alone remained. They
those who had survived the war and
those whose bodies had been brought
back-wcre buried in the beautiful
cemetery just beyond the town; and,
every Memorial Day, Old Man Crutch-
ct would put on his old blue uniform
and march slowly, solemnly to the
cemetery. where he would place a few
flowers on the graves of each of them,
LET. Il i,,ry Go, IA 10
| his hat in his hand and gazing off
into space.
Perhaps he was seeing again the
smoke of battle, the waving flags, the
charge and his comrades falling all
about him in the rain of bullets that
| came from the cncmy's lines. Perhaps
/ he was seeing men lying in rows at
the hospitals. far back from the bat
! feline. grooming and awaiting their
! turn 10 be treated. Perhaps it was
the triumphant march up Pennsyl
vania avenue-thc Grand Review
after peace was declared.
Old Man Crutchet indeed could tell
them what Memorial Day means,
II know" exclaimed Elizabeth, one
Afternoon several days before tho
thirtieth of May. "You always have
flowers on Memorial Day, Harry; so
let's select n few real nice ones and
| then we can offer them to Old Man
Crutchct when he comes past here on
his way to the cemetery. Maybe he
will put them on one of the graves
for u.s.
All right, sister," Harry replied,
"Rut maybe he won't take them"
ooh, he wouldn't mind carrying
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-05-25

like an old. old man. His hair was
could scarcely walk.
He returned to the old town here
but he didn't last long. His health
was broken, and his heart, too. He
lived only a few months. We buried
him here. lie was a brave lad, my
dears, and he suffered much for his
country. So, in memory of his cour-
ageous sacrifice we will place our
flowers on his grave and salute"
Il shall put two of my roses on his
grave" said Elizabeth, brushing the
tears from her eyes.
I'm going to put three of mine!"
piped up Harry, not to be outdone.
old Man Crutchet smiled and pat
ted Harry on his shoulder,
"One-or three-or three thou
sand, my boy" he said gently. cts all
the same 1t isn't a question of how
many flowers you place on soldiers
grave on Memorial Day-but it's the
thought that counts. one flower, one
single blossom, lad, is enough if you
have in your heart feeling of graft
tude and reverence for the dead who
laid down their lives that their coun-
try might live. Memorial Day! To
me, my dears. it's the saddest and at
| the same time the gladdest day in all
the year. / feel then that
But come, come-my. what an old
chatterboX l am getting to be! Come,
we have many more graves ahead OF
us and we must decorate them all. l
promised your Mamma that I'd have
you back in time for lunch, you know.
Now, right over here is the grave of
Corporal Johnson, who rescued the
'colors'-which means our fag-dur-
ing little brush we had with the en-
envy one bright. sunny afternoon"
For an hour more Old Man Crutchet
led them from grave to grave.
Elizabeth and Harry had no doubt
whatever of the true meaning of Me-
mortal Day--of that you may be GER
tain. And, too, from then on. they
and Old Man Crutchet We're firm
friends.
"But, somehow, they couldn't even
think OF him any more as "Old Man"
Crutchet-though the whole town
called him that, and without disre-
spect. either. To them he was a SOL
der brave who had gone to war and
risked his life to save his country"
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-05-25

little children! And these are for the
boys asleep on the hill, are they?
Thank you, my dears-but-but why
don't you come with me and put them
on the graves yourselves? Come, III
tell you about some of :he brave boys
in blue who lie buried there-and
you can read their names on the tomb
stones"
Elizabeth and Harry could scarcely
believe their ears. Would they go?
Oh, if Mamma would only let them!
Run along and ask your Mamma
| if you can go with me-" said the old
soldier, seeming TO guess what was
in their minds. "Ill wait right here
and you tell her that old Man
Crutchet will bring YOU both back safe
and sound. Hurry, now, for we have
many graves to decorate"
OF course Mamma was willing. She
came to the gate and smiled pleas
antly. You are sure they won't he
in your way, Mr.. Crutchct?" she
asked in that beautiful soft voice Of
hers, You are sure? Very we'll,
then; only do give us about five min
utes in which to gather moro roses.
See, our bushes are loaded with them
1T won't take long"
Old Man Crutchet smiled and eased
his weight against the fence. THANK
you, ma'am," he replied. II always
have a big box of flowers carried out
! to the cemetery for me on Memorial
! Day guess I'm getting kind of old,
ma am and it tires me to carry them
myself. But there's so many graves
| that / know your roses will helm right
smart. lift the children will gather
n few they can have the satisfaction
of knowing they are putting their own
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-05-25

~ WO bear he There he lay like stiff" while
a rom his LAIR bear took sniff.
"a WIN his nose pointing And him hasy inspection;
S"agn me, oHecooh Then having ouickness feeling
'V e0''' '"'" 0"e' VIC '''' of sickness,
Nr ~ r s e ,;o f I.a He away, fearing infection.
w Then down from the oak came the
The other said "CeeI" and climbed other who spoke:
ND tree: Il thought he would surely enfod
His comrade fell down all arem
Bile: But whispering near close o your
Being minus a leg. and wearing
peg. Pray what was the secret he told
He do nothing but dis you?
semble
He said You're deceived in the
He had heard that a breath Of the you believed in:
odor Of death So take the advice of
Would bear of And depend upon for
So bit Of green tipc. tobacco and friend
pipe. Who'll desert in the Of
He turned on Of pocket insanter. danger
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-05-25
STREWING FLOWERS

MA II T. custom OF StrCWlng mowers
a on graves of soldiers originated
a i'm the South about two years
~ after the civil War. The women
OF Columbus, Mississippi, began il, nor
did they discriminate between the
graves of "the Blue and the Gray 1t
was some years later that the North
began to observe this beautiful custom,
and it happened in this way: In May of
the year 1865 General John 4. Logan,
COMMUNICATIVE Chief of the Grand
Army of the Republic, issued an order
that the seth of May be set aside each
year for the purpose Of strewing with
flowers, or otherwise decorating the
graves of comrades who died in de-
Tense of their country during the late
rebellion"
The State Legislatures took up his
idea, and now throughout the North
we have a legal holiday.
The South observes the day on diff
fercnt dates. North and South Caro-
lima, on May 10: Virginia, May 80;
Louisiana, June 3, and April &c is the
day when Alabama, Florida, Georgia
and Mississippi honor their dead.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-05-25


just to worry us poor children. don't
you?'
what is the subject dear?" asked
her mother.
THE subject? That's the worst
part of it-Boys-as though 1 knew
much about them. Why I haven't
even a big brother to look at and
teach me things. All I know is that
boys were made to be noisy, and
worry their parents, and I'm glad I'm
not it. I'm also glad that they have
put Baby John in dresses and are
making a girl of him"
Then Molly sat down and wrote:
Il know that boys are men that
haven't grown as big as their fathers.
and us girls are women that will be
ladies by and by.
when the Lord looked at Adam
He said to Hisself, We'll 7 think I
can do better II try harder so he
made Eve.
Boys are nuisance whichever
way you view them, because they
wear out everything but soap.
IF had my way all the kids would
be girls, and the rest would be pups
and dolls.
my papa is so nice that he must
have been a lady baby when he was
little boy. envy boys for their
pockets and their things in them, but
I'm glad I'm wot I am and hope to
remain, "Yours truly.
MOLLY MASON"
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-05-25

please yOu" said
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-05-25
MEMORIAL DAY PUZZLE.

l am the keynote of Memorial Day.
/. One fifth of me is found in q
mans name.
2. Another fifth is found in long,
narroW excavation in the ground.
3. Another iifth Is found in State
OF the Union.
A. Another NTH is found in an an
imal.
3. Another fifth is found in not
large.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-05-25

the fairy and, waving her wand, the
clouds disappeared and the rain
ceased.
ooh, lovely" cried the child. as she
saw the outside world bathed again
in sunshine. Nov | can go out and
play"
she took her hat and ran into tho
garden, but soon returned. rs it was
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-05-25
ON APPLE-PIE ORDER"

~HE expression an Apple-Pie Or
der is traced to Puritan times,
~ to the good housewife Hephzi-
bah. Every Saturday the good woman
baked two or three dozen apple pics
which were to last her family through
the week. These she placed in her
pantry. labelling one or more for each
day. The pantry, thus arranged, was
said to be ON Applc-Pic order"
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-05-25
| WOULDN'T LIKE TO BE A
BIRD.

IT'LL. mothers know such won
drous things,
y Like fairy tales and games,
And why the butterflies have wings.
And flowers by their names,
And where the day goes vncn it..
night,
AVID What IS bad and what is right.
! wouleln', like to be a bird,
Because when they aie strong,
They fly away from home, I've heard
And that ! think is wrong.
For little children need to be
Not far away from mothers knee!
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-05-25

ANSWERS.
MEMORIAL DAY PUZZLE. Patriot
ism. l. Patrick; 2, Trench; 3, Ohio,
4, Tiger; 8, Small
WORD SQUARE,. Oh A
LANE
ANNA
ME- AT
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-05-25
WORD SQUARE.
iNSIVERS

1, n shellhsh .. a narrow road; 8, 6
girls name: 4, flesh.
Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1916-07-28
OUR BOYS IN CAMP.

The following interesting letter
from Sergeant Walter C. Figy, will
bring to their many friends a glimpse
of the experiences of our Fulton coun-
ty soldier boys at Camp Willis.
Camp Willis, Columbus, Ohio.
"Just few lines to you and the
folks at home. We are still in the
same "old rut" and so far see we will
be here for some time yet. Our boys
passed the examination o. K. We only
lost one officer and six men, where
some companies lost one half of their
men. Chas. Stahl and Sheriff McQuil-
lin made US visit last week and took
supper at our place. We are always
glad to see the folks from "back
home. About the only excitement
we have had since we landed here was
"a, fire today in the 1st Field Hospital;
one tent and equipment burned A lit
TIA incident happened here last Friday
that will go down in our Company's
history. We were on guard that
night and on the last shift from
three to six, it seems as though one
Of our men got hungry. There was a
COW on his beat and what did he do
but milk that COW in his canteen. A
guard from the 4th Regiment caught
him in the act and marched him to
the guard house. He only got five days
in the pie house. 81
Sincerely yours,
SERG'T. W. G. FIGY.
Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1916-07-28
HRInGE LETTING.

In compliance with Section 7199 o. L. 106,
page 6l6, sealed proposals will be received
at the Auditors office Fulton County, Ohio.
until one o'clock p M Monday, August 2lst,
1916, for the construction of the following
Bridge Improvements, viz:
construct a concrete floor on bridge between
Sections 25 and 26, T. NJ R E., Clinton
township, near the residence of R. Hollister.
No. 322. Construct abutments between
Sections IL and 13, T. s., R. E. Gorham
township, near the residence of s. Zimmerman,
east abutment.
No. 323. Construct abutments between See
tions 10 and IL, T. s., R. E., Gorham town.
ship.
No. 324 Construct culvert between Sec
tions 35 and SO, T. 9 S.. R. l r., Gorham
township near the residence of F. Kigar.
No. 325. Construct culvert between Sec
tions 81 and 80, T. N, R. E., Fulton town.
ship, near the residence of A. J. Fraker:
No. 1926 Construct culvert south OF OeiIa
near the residence of A. Shelf.
No. 327. Construct a culvert between Sec
tions and IL, T. 6 N, R. E., Swan Greek
township, near the residence of VIM Carnahap
No 32s. Extend west bridge abutment te
the northwest, situated in the village OF Meta
mora over Ten Mile Creek near the residence
of DR.. Heffron.
No, 329. Construct an abutment at east enc
of bridge over Mill Creek between Section 81
T. S. R. l E., and Section T. 10 81 Il. l r.
near the residence of w. Given.
Plans and specifications are now on hie II
the Auditors office.
Certified check at the rate of $60.OO for eaci
job must accompany bid. i
By order of the Board of County Commls
W. w. ACKERMAN, County Auditor.
! Wauseon, Ohio, July 26th, 1916. 16-l
Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1916-07-28
WAuSEON CHAuTAuoIIA.

August 18th will soon be here and
it will bring to Wauseon the Redpath
Chautauqua for 1916. From press no.
tices in our possession we are assured
that the 1916 program is not only up
to the standard of last year but in
many respects surpasses it.
Alice Nielsen will close the 1916
program and this gives to every one
in this vicinity an opportunity to
hear one of the worlds most famous
soprano voices.
When the splendid array of talent
along the lines of music, oratory,
science zand general information that
will give the 1916 Chautauqua pro-
gram and the small amount of actual
money that the individual will have
to spend in order to receive the un-
questionable benefits and enjoyment
are considered it would seem that
the 1000 season tickets allotted to the
local management would not last very
long: The Chautaudua is matter Of
household concern every family that
will give little will receive one hun
dred fold in return in the up-buildine
and uplifting influence which mus
come to those who attend the sessions
Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1916-07-28
INTERESTING SUNDAY SCHOOL.

I
"Bird Sunday" was the special fea-
ture at the Congregational Sunday
School last Sunday. Canaries Singing
throughout the Sunday School hour,
bird calls given on the Victrola, the
Birds Declaration of Dependence"
read by Miss Dorothy Greenleaf, and
splendid talk on Sour Bird Friends"
by Mr.. Henry Meister were features
of the program.
Special program, supplementary to
the lesson, have been arranged for
each Sunday during the summer
months, by committee of which Mrs.
D. K. Shoop is chairman. So far the
programs have been a delight to every
one, and under their influence, the at
tendance has been maintaining a high
average during the hot weather.
Glide and Seek" is the special fea-
ture for next Sunday. The Bible Glass
will be in charge. Everyone is asked
to bring Bible and join in the Scrip
ture contest. Mr.. Kenyon will give a
special talk.
The best, and happiest, and picnic
lest of picnics early in September will
mark the close of the Summer loyalty
campaign. A fine auto ride to the
ground for everybody, games fol
young and old, short and tall, fat and
thin, and an abundance of good Seats
is the promise of the committee o1
men in charge of the arrangements
Plan now to go.
II didn't know anything about it,
may be an excuse, but it is no reason
why you should miss giving yourself
an enjoyable time at the Congrega.
tional Sunday School every Sunday
morning at 9:30. Come and see fol
/ yourself.
Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1916-07-28
MRS. SID SHAFFER.

The older residents of Wauseon and
Fulton county will be reminded of the
early days and residents of the village
and county by the decease in Chicago
on July 10Th of Mrs. Sid Shaffer one
of the early residents of this place and
lady highly esteemed by those who
knew her.
Mrs. Eta Grub received a letter
last Friday morning from friend in
Chicago announcing Mrs. Shaffer's
death on the date above named and
stating that the body was to be laid
beside that of her husband at Della
ware, Ohio. Mrs. Shaffer was the
daughter of Rev. Gavitt a pioneer
Methodist preacher who preahced to
the Indians who were at one zine in
this section; Mrs. Shaffer was for
many years a teacher in the Methodist
Sunday School of Wauseon and weld
ed an influence fro good over many of
the younger people of that time in
this community.
Her husband Sid Shaffer was a prac-
ticing attorney at the Fulton county
bar and her brother, Halsey Gavitt
was for time in the jewelry business
in Wasueon and later entered the min
istry; he is at present a chaplain in
the United States Army and is located
at one of the regular army posts in
California
1t was with the family of this bro
ther at Highland Park, Illinois that
Mrs. Shaffer made her home during
the later years of her life and here
that she died at the age of seventy
eight years.
Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1916-07-28
Marriage Licenses.
Real Estate Transfers,

Alva v. Richey, ct al, to Thomas
Favorite and wife, lot Al, S. L. San
derson's addition, Swanton, Ohio,
$184O.
Barbara Hermann to Anna Ruihley
small parcel land Beachwood addition,
Wauseon, Ohio, $700.
Anna Ruihley to Barbara Hermann
80 acres, section 3, Dover township,
$4,000. r ~
M. J. Linehan and George r. Acker-
man to Casper Murbach, lot 10, E.
Lawn addition, Swanton, 81.
George c. Good and wife to Erma
G. Corson, acres, section 9, Swan
Creek township, 81.
M. ]. Linehan and George Ackerman
to Jacob R. Murbach, lot "a, East
Lawn addition, Swanton, Ohio, 81.
M. J. Linehan and George R. Acker-
man to Bernice Carpenter, lot "a East
Lawn addition, Swanton, Ohio, 81.
Estella G. Berry to S. c. Nofzingel
ct al, part lot A., Sanderson's addition
Swanton, 81.
Clyde H. Marlatt to Emery R. Fox
lots 81, 35 and 81, Plainfield addition
Lyons, Ohio, $4,000.
Harry J. Sloan and wife to Julia B
Williams, part lot Al and part lot 4e
Gates and Kennedy's addition, Delta
81.
Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1916-07-28
LEININGER- -SULLINGER.

Miss Besse Leininger and Mr.. Wyatt
Sullinger were united in marriage at
the home of and by Rev. Frank E.
Kenyon on Wednesday evening July
26th. Both the bride and groom are
well known and well liked in Wauseon
and vicinity. The bride is graduate
of the Wauseon High School and since
her graduation has been engaged in
office work in town. She is a young
lady of charming character and per-
sonality and is very highly esteemed
by those who know her.
The groom, also a graduate of the
Wauseon schools is a young business
man of the town and active in Pythian
Lodge work.
The newly wed's will be at home
on West Chestnut street in the Miss
Howard residence having had theil
home furnished and ready for their oc
cupancy.
The very best wishes of the entire
community are with these young peo.
pie for their prosperity and happines!
through many long years to come.