davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-28

the sidewalks were as wet and slippery as if
they had been smeared with grease 1t
meant cruelty hard days work for him, but
he took courage. 1t would be the last before
the glad New Year dawned, and then there
would be at least twelve hours of happiness
for him.
At break of day, while the children were
still sleeping soundly, Pujol slipped out of
his attic and made his way through the
silent streets to the establishment where he
was employed. His heart sank within him
and his legs seemed ready to bend under
him at the mere sight of the huge pile of
packages which had been assigned to him
for distribution on this last day of the year.
But making great effort to draw some
little comfort from the outlook by contrast
Ing it with his position the week Just passed
he buckled down to work and by noontime
had succeeded in reducing the pile to less
discouraglng proportions. But, as the day
wore on, it required tremendous effort Of
his will power to bring himself to return to
the shop for the last load. His legs and
feet were tired to the bone. and score of
understandable aches and pains shot from his
soies to his hips every steps he took. When
O'Clock tolled out soiemnly from the belfry
OF nelghborIng church he had almost fin
ished his days work. There was but one
package that remained to be delivered but
it was large and heavy one, and noticing
that its destination was a good mile away
ana that he was at that moment near home
cherries attic, drink some coffee which he
knew TO be there. and eat a crust of bread,
before starting out on this last errand of the
day, this last task of the old year.
kind-hearted woman inhabting one of
the best apartments in the house, was in
the habit of sending for the children in
PuJops absence, and mending and caring
for their clothes They were with this friend
now, and as it was New Years eve. Puiol
was quite certain that the good soul would
hold on to them later than usual, so. in order
to make sure OF getting his weeks pay, he
resolved to return at once to the shop, and
after he had drawn his money, bought
presents for the children, and snugy tucked
the rest Of his money away in his pocket,
to return home, see the little ones safely in
bed and then set out to deliver the last
package.
He was quite astonished to find that at
least one-half OF his long list Of aches and
pains had been cured by his half-hour's rest
and cup OF coffee and crust of bread, and
ne stepped along with much lighter heart
on his way to the mammoth establishment
In which he had SO fortunately obtained
employment.
All was still hurly-burly In the yarious
departments, and the hundreds of employees
were rushing hither and thither executing
the last orders OF the year SO that they NAV
bury home to their families.
Pujors heart felt lighter as he glanced at
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-28

the pale and haggard faces of these fellow
sufferers, who now for nearly month had
often been obliged to eat their lunches as
the " stood at their posts. and he forgot his
own troubles in plying them. Picking his
way through the long aisles incumbered
with empty cases and packing material, he
halted in front of the cashiers desk and was
surprised to find no line formed in front OF
the window.
what can it mean ?" gasped Pujol, pass
ing his hand across his eyes, as If to assure
himself that there was nothing obstructing
his vision. "Great heavens, can it be that
am too late, that every one has been paid,
and that l must wait until-until January
2d?"
A placard hanging over the cashiers win
dow now caught his eye, and he was
obliged to lean against the counter to keep
from falling as he read the notice which 1t
contained. "To all: On account Of the
sudden illness OF the cashier, who has been
will be impossible to pay off employees be-
fore January I'd at 10 A. NJ"
''Oh, my poor babies, my poor bab!es!
groaned Pujel, as he pressed his hands to
his head. How shall | ever bring myself
to face them empty handed-without even a
box of candy or a single toy to gladden. their
little hearts. It's terrible! it's terrible!
He knew how useless it would be to at
tempt to have the rule OF such vast con-
Germ set aside for his special benefit. Every
body had made his purchases and had no
need of money at this late hour, so no one
seemed to feel that there was any hardship
in this order. Pujol had been seized with
such trembling and was so daZed by the
sudden misfortune that ne found it very
difficult to find his way out of the establish
ment. Suddenly a great, muscular hand
seized the poor wretch by the collar and
Jcrked him violently backward. He fell
against an iron railing and was partially
stunned. AS he came to his senses rough
voice was heaping harsh names upon him.
''You fool" cried the voice, ''are you
drunk or crazy? In an another instant you
would have fallen down the elevator-a
hundred feet Can't you see where you are
going?'
Puiol stammered out few words of
thanks, and the porter. after taking another
look at him, seemed to soften a bit, for he
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-28
CHAPTER I.

C1T was drawing near to the end of
December. In few days the bells
would ring out joyous welcome to
! the new year. Never had the streets
| OF Paris seemed so bright and lively.
@They were fairly choked with crowds
of light-hearted people who, for the time
being, had pushed self out of sight and were
only bent upon making Others happy. In
the shops they elbowed each other furiously
in .heir eagerness to get the best and the
prettiest for those they loved, to cheer the
old and to surprise the young. Nothing was
too good for the loved ones at home, nothing
was too dear for those who had the money
to spend, and as these crowds of chatting
and laughing people brushed by Pierre Pujol
he drew his thin coat closer across his breast,
for his thoughts had suddenly turned to his
two little daughters in that cold and cheer
less attic which served him as home. and
the keen air seemed TO bite him most mer-
cilessly.
A year ago Pujol had had a snug berth
in banking house, and his prospects in
life left nothing to be desired. His intelli-
gence and industry made him great favor
tie with his employers, and he had gone to
his comfortable little home on the last day
eff the year with present of a hundred
francs in his pocket and a notice of an in
crease of salary His wife had met him at
the door and their tears of joy mingled,
while Julie ana little Blanche had show
cred kisses upon him as the beautiful pres
ents were set before their wondering eyes.
Alas. what terrible changes since that
day! The clearinghouse had failed. and
Pujol. although he had made most persistent
Efforts TO secure a new position, had been
unable TO do So But greatest blow of all,
his beloved wife, never very robust, had
broken down under the strain and faded out
of life like u tender flower. Things had
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-28

scarcely reached the chidren's ears. They
knew only too we'll that it could not
be Uncle Felix. He always set the bell
dancing in the liveliest fashion. So not one
of the little maidens left her place. There
was faint sound of voices in the corridor
and then the door closed again.
Paula's curiosity, however. got the better
OF her. and pushing her playthings aside
she ran to the window and mounted upon
the hassock, which served to give her a more
extensive view. In an instant her childish
voice rang out clear and pipe-like.
ooh, it's my beggar-man. Call him back.
Don't let him go away. Oh, mamma, man.
NAL | want to see my beggar-man again
Call him back, call him back!" and burst
ing out upon the astonished servant, VIII
had just closed the door, the child again
broke out SO earnestly with Call my beg
gar-man back! Don't let him go, call hin
back" that the man opened the door anc
beckoned to the poor, pale and ragged
wretch whom he had just turned away, t.
return. 1t was Pierre Pujol.
Don't be afraid, good beggar-man," crie(
little Paula. Come right in, no one viii
harm you; don't be afraid"
Pujol removed his worn and battered hal
and stepped inside the hallway.
BY this time Nine. do Courcy. who hal
overheard the shrill cries of her little daugh
ter, made her appearance.
Dear, good mama, pleaded Paula s'thi
Is my beggar-man. Don't you remember. t
told you about his sad face when | got HON,
that day. Please give him some money. al
may have little girl just like me, and She
may be in need of something to eat or some.
thing to wear"
Nine de Courcy, stopping down, clasped
her little daughter in her arms and kissed
her over and over again.
lou are little angel, my blessed" she
exclaimed.
$50 she is, madame" repeated Pierre
Pniol, bending his head and reverently cross
ing himself.
Mime de Courcy gave but cursory glance
at Pujol. Her mind was filled with a thou
sand and one thoughts in connection will
an entertainment which she was to give thai
evening, and even had this not been so. il Il
not at all likely that she would have made
sufficiently close study of the poor wretch
who stood before her. with his hat in hand
and dowDcast look, to discover in him any.
thing distingnishable from the ordinary
characteristics of those pitiable specimeni
OF humanity who wander about the street,
OF every great city feeding upon the crusts
which are tossed to them, and sinkipe
month by month lower In the scale Of deg.
radiation until they can exist only by wrang
ling with the very street ours for the con.
tents Of the garbage boxes.
Woman's gracious and ever-actiye i'm.
pulse to pity the suffering and her inability
to steel her heart against such sight al
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-28

and most of the route lies across the hot
and lifeless desert of lslay. After descend
ing tho shoreward range of the Andes, the
train zigzags rapidly down the barren
foothills to the great desert, which
it crosses with a directness in
marked contrast. to its tortuous COURSE
among the heights. In Its narrowest
place the desert is about sixty miles across.
and before the day of the railroad the Jour
ney had to be made on donkey back. Then
1t was customary to cross it in the night to
avoid the heat and glare of the sun.
can never forget the aspect of the coun
try with the glare of the sun upon it-sone
vastwaste oil sands and stones, bills bare of
al but cactus, measurelesS stretches of sand
that look like the shore of the sea from
which the waves have receded. There are
no trees, nor even bushes, except in those
infrequent spots where fertility has been
produced by irrigation; and whenever the
tanks that are placed at regular intervals to
supply the locomotives with water, fed from
the long aQueduct, have leaked or dripped
into the ankle-deep dust. grass grows lux
uriantly, Indicating what the result might
be. even in this desert, under judcious
system of Irrigation.
There are many peculiar mounds Of sand.
white as snow, all blown into semi-circular
shapes like huge crescent mounds, showing
the direction and force of the prevailing
winds. But for most of the distance not a
living thing is to be seen, except at the few
stations, where bedraggled women. dusty
as their surroundings, come on board with
Peaches to sell-tolerably fair-looking fruit,
but hard as the rocky hills and tasteless as
the sands In which they grew.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-28
now confronted Nine. de- Courcy. makes her

now confronted Nine. de Courcy, makes her
dangerous aims-giver.
The really deserving mendicant, to whom
nature had denied the skill Of making one
face while be wore another. and OF forcing
tears to his eyes as the occasion demanded,
might easily 20 unblest of charity from
woman's presence. But it needed no touch
of the play actors art TO enable Pierre
her utmost to tighten his misery. With a
heart that awelled with compassion, the lady
stepped forward and emptied her purse into
the hands OF the ast0unded Pujol. At sight
his breath, and raised his heavy eyelids as
ii no expected to find some celestial mes
senRer in radiant raiment standing before
him. His eyes wandered from the sweet
face OF the gracious alms-River to the sweeter
ono of the little Paula beside, and then II
became Nine. de Courcy's turn to suffer
amazement. for the man, with a grace that
seemed strangely refined for such wretched
outcast, gathered the gold and silver pieces
into roll and handed them back to Nine. de
Courcy.
keep it, keep it, poor beggar-man,"
cried little Paula. please keep it, oh,
please keep it,
But a faint smile spread over the mans
features, and for the first time Nine. de
Courcy noticed that although unshorn and
pinched with hunger. there was look of
gentleness and refinement In his tac.
+" Madame" began Pujol in a low and
tremulous voice. II came for forgiveness, not
for aims"
g Forgiveness9" echoed Nine. de Courcy
with look of deep perplexity.
:" Yes. madame, forgiveness" continued
Pierre solemnly for l have committed a
crime against the law of the land and you
alone have it in your power to save me from
punishment
+" Oh. don't cry. poor Mr.. Beggar-man,
we'll forgive you.'' cried little Paula;
won't we, mamma? Our mamma is very
kind and always forgiyes US when we are
naughty"
Nine. dc Courcy raised her hand gently
to cOnstrain the sweet little chatterbox to
quietness, and turned sympathetic glance
upon PuJol to encourage him to proceed.
With chosen words and with a modest and
refined demeanor Pierre now related the
story of his year of misfortune, how he had
lost his place. how his little savings had
been consumed. the fading out of life of his
beloved wife, and his despair at finding him.
self drawing closer and closer to that dread
portal which the world closes upon all those
whom it executes by the slow death of
hunger and cold
:" For me-" cried Pujol, ''the end could not
have come too soon, but my babies, oh. my
babies; my patient. faithful Julie and my
patient Blanche" At these words Paula
burst out with such a wild cry of joy accom-
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-28
A PORTRAIT OF CLEOPATRA.

1t Is the Only Authentic One Which Is
known to Archeologists.
The question of Cleopatra's beauty is an
old one, but has been brought into fresh
prominence by Sardou's CLEOPATRA and
Mrs. Langtry's revival of Shakespeare's
play. The only authentic portrait OF Cleo
patra that is known to psychologists is a
bust which appears on series of coins. 1t
is on the reverse, and bears the inscription
in Greek, "Queen Cleopatra, the Divine,
the Younger" while on the diverse Is a
portrait of "Antony, Dictator for the Third
Time. Triumvir."
The workmanship of the coin is far from
good, and this accounts in some measure
for the undeniably plain appearance of the
Queen. Yet the likeness, as far as the
features go. is true one, for the other coins
Of the same series, though of a different
type, give her the same features-an aoui
line nose, a strong chin, long neck, and
narrow shoulders. The fact is that her
beauty was not so remarkable as one would
think from the spell she cast over Cesar
and Antony. Plutarch, for instance, tells
US that her beauty in itself was by no
means Incompatible nor calculated to
amaze those who saw her," but adds that
the magnetic charm of her manner. the
gracefulness OF her movements, the per
suasiveness of her conversation, and her
figure were most attractiye.-Pall Mall
Budget
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-28
CHAPTER II.

But Pierre PujoPs toilsome task had its
bright side, and that was that he was busted
outdoors, and not called upon TO stand for
the livelong day and watch the laughing
and light-hearted crowds of parents and
children as they swarmed up and down the
long counters making their purchases, and
listen to their chat as they anticipated tie
joy and surprise of the loved ones at home
when the moment should come 10 open the
packages and survey the contents. Several
times In his comings and goings Pujol passed
friends and acquaintance who had known
him in his better day, but 50 pinched and
altered by hunger was his countenance, SO
shabby and worn his clothing and "a ove all.
so loaded down was he with bundles and
packages, not only suspended from each
arm, but strapped to his back, that they lit
tie thought that the man was the once hap
Ply and light-hearted Pierre they had known,
so full OF kindness and amiability, SO thor
oughly trustworthy and capable, and so
popular with every one.
But Pujoi had no time for indulgence in
gloomy recollection. His thoughts were all
with the present, which hour by hour took
on brighter hue, and as he trudged along
on the long and weary errands the music of
little Blanche'S voice rang in his ears, and
the soft, hopeful eyes of the womaniy little
Julie glowed upon him like two beacon
lights set in the gloom which had not yet
entirely lifted. Then came the glad thought
that the old year had but two days more to
live; that on New Year eve he would re-
ceive his pay for the weeks work, and that
then he should be in position to carry not
only the cakes and candies to his children,
but the doll of Which they had been dream
ing for so many weeks.
So absorbed did poor Pierre become in an
ticipating the joyful New Year day which
was In store for him, that, quite uneon scious
of where he was and what lie was about he
halted, and standing in the very middle OF
the sidewalk began the task Of trying to
persuade himself that he would be able to
afford good big doll for his children.
Let me see," said he, half aloud, as he
measured off the length with his hands,
about SO long. On, no, L cannot think OF
it! That's too big. But there, so long, ]
think would not be too expensive: possibly
little shorter, say of that length. darlngs,
l know it would. They are so good But
not an inch shorter than that-there, that. -
A burst of laughter aroused Pierre from
his beautiful dream, with look of almos,
terror, he raised his head to find a group oil
boys and idlers eneirciing him and watch.
ing his strange actions. Tightening his
bundles, he pushed his way through the
leerlng crowd, which again broke out into
mocking laughter as he went his way.
At last the thirty first day of December
had come. Pierre's heart felt leader
weight laid upon it when he found that the
sun wasn't shining, that the air was filled
with cold and penetrating mist, and tina,
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-28

An Opinion That Saved One of His
Clients a Big Pile of Money.
Speaking of Senatorial lawyers, there is
no man in public life who would make a
more able Supreme Court Justice than Sem
ator George F. Edmunds. He is well-to-do
1t is said, has fine home in Washington,
and he would be very strong man on tine
bench. His advice is often asked as to SUI
preme Court questions, and he gets as high
as $4,000 for single opinion. There was
railroad case in which his opinion saved
$4,000 for his clients.
The case had been tried by the ablest law
yers in the United States. 1t was appealed
to the Supreme Court and ten days before
the decision was to be rendered Jay Gould,
who was defendant, offered compromise
for $350,000 instead Of risking a decision
against him for the amount claimed, which
was 100000. The parties who brought the
suit hesitated. Three hundred and fifty
thousand dollars was better than nothing,
and the Supreme Court might give them
nothing. They finally concluded to get Ed
munds' opinion on the case and to follow
his advice. They presented it to him. He
advised thsm not to accept the compromise,
and the result was that ten days later they
got a judgment for their full half Million
Pittsburg Dispatch.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-28
THE UNBREAKABLE DOLL BABY
Pierre Pyors Turn of Luck:


sion, Paula was ready with all sorts of OBJ
jections, and the trouble began all over
again.
well. settle it among yourselves" said
Uncle Felix. laughingly, land when you
have made up your minds let me know, only
be sure and let me know in time, for the
tradespeople are very busy these days and
the order must be given at least two days in
advance"
ION, uncle. 1 know what / want" sud
denly came from little Paula, with deli
ciously demure expression on her little face.
II want one of those new dolls that every
body is talking about, with long name"
"0h you mean unbreakable," cried Uncle
Felix with laugh.
Yes, that's it" said Paula.
Very WELL" answered the uncle. leach
of you shall have an unbreakable doll for
your. New Years present."
mo, no, dearest uncle" objected Jane.
Not three, but one big one, as big as Paula
herself"
Eyes, yes, Uncle Felix" urged Martha,
who at frs. had not looked with favor upon
the choice made by Paula; zone splendid big
one. 1t shall be the only baby in the fam
lily. I'll be the grandmother, Jane the
mother sand Paula the aunt"
At these words Paula was beside herself
with joy and danced about the room. clap
ping her little hands. and wishing that New
Years day had already come.
Every well, my darlings," said Uncle Fee
llX solemnly, IAN unbreakable baby it shall
be, and the largest one that money can buy.
What an altogether charming family you'll
make, to be sure."
The moment Pierre Pujoi had eaten some
warm food he felt his courage come back
with his strength, and he determined to
make one more visit to the agency. To his
great juy they Informed him that one of
the large establishments was in urgent need
of trustworthy men TO act as porters for the
few remaining days of the old year to assis t
in carrying packages to their destination !;
that although the work would doubtless be
hard. yet the pay would be good. Pujol
took the address, presented himself forth
with, and made such favor bic impression
upon the clerk in charge that he was at once
accented and put to work. In truth, it was
hard work tramping from one end of Paris
to the other, loaded down like pack-horse
with bundles and packages; but what would
he not have undergone for the sake of those
little loved ones at home? Now they would
at least have happy New Year; for now
he would have money enough to buy them
cakes and candies, and above all, TO gladden.
their eyeswith one of the dolls of which
they had dreamed for so many nights. in
that cold and cherries attic,
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-28
MORNING FRANCISCO SUNDAY. DECEMBER

arm and half OF her head, but the glue-pot
has always served to put her in shape
again.
THE END.]
Copyright, 1890 on the Authors Auiunce; all rights
In this English version reserved.
The story for Sunday, January &, 1891,
will be Two as One; the Story of an
Apparftion," by George Mcdonald,
LID.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-28

Queen Emma of Holland, who will be
Regent during the minority Of the Princess
Wilhelmina, has greatly endeared herself to
the Dutch people by her domestic qualities.
She was a. most attentive nurse to her
husband. and is siDgularly wise and de-
voted mother. She has also bestowed much
attention upon politics and is we'll fitted to
fill the position she has assumed.