The Midshipman of Fifty Years Ago
In 1891 Harriet Prescott Spofford and Admiral Ammen recount naval life for youths entering the service. Middies, paid modestly, train aboard ships, learn to navigate using charts and logs, walk watches, and endure cramped steerage. The piece contrasts rough early duty with the development of capable officers like Farragut, Porter, and other old navy mentors.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Admiral Ammen
Congress
Alabama
Pensacola
Joons
Navy
Perenne
Mediterranean Sea
Africa
Canary Islands
Madeira
Port Mahon
Holten
Moloney
Bowditch
Farragut
Porter
Turner's Plantation Georgia Boy Adapts War Tale
On the Turner plantation Georgia boy Harbert leads a hog calling scene and a hunting trip with Joe Maxwell and Jim Polk. The narrative follows Harbert's powerful voice, a hog feeder song with racial slurs, and a coon hunt that tests nerves, dogs Loud and Jolly, and Mr. Snelson's amused misgivings as they trek toward a hollow tree.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jim Polk
Jolly
Terreckly
Allantin
Zip
Harbert
Joe
Joe Maxwell
Hog Bfeeder
Old Zip Coon
Jim-Pelk Gaither
Turner Place
Loud
Jim- Olr
Jim-Polk
Mink
Fino
Nobuddy
Old Loud
Mr. Snelson
Beniger the Scout Hero of Christmas Rescue
Donald Beniger, known as Beniger, a quiet Scotsman living near Anatoo, saves a girls school from a devastating fire after hearing a cry for help. He rescues a baby, suffers burns, and is revealed to be a man of merit and forgiveness. The town honors him as Miss Harwood accepts his offer to house a new institute at Danton Farm.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
San Antone
Tim
Laddy
Little
San Antono
Nee B .Tip
Stone
Beniger
Anatoo
Leatherville
Donald
First National Bank of
Southland
Bonnie Scotland
Leatheryville
Crumpington
Oskaloosa
Donald Beniger
Danton
Jason
Crumpinton
Edinburgh University
Yatts Hill
Miss Harwood
Harwood Home School For Girls
Luther
Miss Bethhurst
Father of Mercy
Babe Ruth
Ruth
Lock
Miss Ha
Dr. Strong
Mrs. Harwood
Harwood
Daisy
Mr. Beniger
Miss Luther
Liin
Danton Farm
Donald Home
Earl of
Mysel
Annie
Love and peril at Archer residence in forlorn winter
A narrator recalls Victoria, a beauty in service to Mrs. Archer, and a perilous romance with her master. After confessing love to Victoria, a betrothal is arranged, and on Christmas Eve the lover rescues her from icy danger only to confront Mrs. Archer's cold reserve and hidden jealousy during Victoria’s collapse and recovery.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Victoria
Mrs. Archer
Mr. Archer
Hoe
Northland
The
Archers
Archer
Frolsimed Archer
Mrs. Are
Gerioken
Victoria and Archer Resolve a Turbulent Secret
A dramatic disclosure unites Victoria and Archer as Lydia confesses harshly to misjudging her, while Victoria reveals a Nihilist past and helps shield her allies. The tale follows loyalty, forgiveness, and a refugee’s dangerous history, ending with a pledge of lasting love and a quiet Christmas memory.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Archer
Victoria
Apa
Madame
Kent Archer
Angel
Lydia Archer
United States
Mr. Archer
Siberia
Ts. Archer
Laura and George in a parlor plea for a sacrificial favor
In a Chicago Tribune excerpt, George begs Laura to concede a difficult request, pleading that circumstances force his troubling idea. Laura, frail yet eager, answers with anxious consent as the mood intensifies in the dim room.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago Tribune
Laura
George
Clara Plans Vengeful Matinee Hat Showdown
Clara vows revenge on Tom Trysler after a broken heart. Carrie suggests poison, but Clara opts for theatrical payback with matinee seats and oversized hats, accompanied by her cousin. The duo schemes a dramatic front-row display for Tom and his new love.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Clara
Tom Trysler
Carrie
Tom
Wagner Sack Purchase Sparks Family Dispute
Ethel admires a sealskin sack priced at 80 dollars and pleads for restraint. Papa interrupts, promising to buy the sack to satisfy her, ending the dispute with a decisive purchase.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Papa
Ethel
Ladder for Santa Claus over the chimney rose
A child peers from a car window at a trellis against a red chimney with creamy purple flowers, marveling and asking if it is a ladder for Santa Claus, in a moment of wonder.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Puck
Santa Claus
Also Mentioned on This Page
Harriet Prescott Spofford
Hen Laddy Tennett
Chatterton
Tim Dooan
White
No. 2
Jersey
Navy Department
Washington
G Midy
Sen
War Department
Oman
Marie Joe Maxwell
Turner Plantation
Georgia
Joel Chandler Harris
Uncle Remus
Daddy Jake
Balaam
Free Joe
Marse Joe
Mrs
Kate Tannatt Woods
Anau
Her
Scott
Mavetine
Bripces
Pittsburg Bulletin
Freddy
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!