davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-12-25

tingly. and won again. He drew the
pay" toward him. and taking up the
dollar, put it in his vest pocket, placed
ten checks upon the eleven, and looked
up at jim with aqueer confidence that
made him wonder.
Again the dealer called .Eleven,
black and odd repeater" at the same
time placing $3.50 worth of $40 checks
before the winner and CHANGING toward
the stout man IN the checked vest.
The latter and several others. at
tracted by the remarkable fact Of num-
Der falling three times III succession,
gathered about the table. Parlee left
ten checks on the eleven and placed
500 on the FIRST twelve" another hun
dred on the same column, one hundred
OH the black and hundred more OH the
old. while Jim stared IN amazement
care you going craZy?" he whispered,
excitedly. ''Cash in, and don't be a
fool"
The man in the checked vest smiled,
but the smile faded into a look of in
tense concern, as the dealer again called
eleven black and odd, and repeater"
A half dozen men jumped up. for
somehow, even while PLAYING at another
game, they seem to keep track of the
numbers on the wheel, and came quickly
| to the roulette table.
absolutely unprecedented" re.
marked a little bald man to the stout
man. Yes, it is, it u.s." he answered
| rather absehtly. "Never knew mum
Der to fall four times in succession in my
, life"
Parlee was handed eight 300 and five
| $40 checks. and jim saw that he was a:
! unnOved as an old gambler.
fxpTa H., IrN1 ot,o
better stop now and not tempt tat.
farther" lie cautioned. II need more
| answered Parlee, with set expression
on his face. "much MORE" as he gath
cred in his chips.
AT this moment the stout man said tC
! the dealer, "I'll roll a while.'' ant
stepped behind the table. THAT;
| Matt Whaley. the man who runs thi!
| place." whispered Jim. Parlee LOOKED
up at him. and their eyes met. ''Havt
something to drink?" asked Whaley
and both Jim and Parlee drank littl
whisky.
William held several 500 checks il
his hand, and as the stout man spun thu
marble he placed one on the black. ont
on the odd, one on the ''second twelve.
one OH the second column and 81
check Oh the figure twenty two. HI
felt the whisky mounting to his head
as lie waited few seconds before hi
heard the dealer say, "twenty-two
black and even," and Jim whisper
1850 more. Great Scott" Jim AID. il
fact. the others had almost ceased tbei
own play while they watched Parlee's
and quite crowd clustered around thu
table in suppressed excitement.
In placing his next bet similarly Will
lam by mistake put a 500 check OF
thirty-three. Jim called his attention tt
the error, saying: You can't bet more
than ten on number" Parlee wa!
about to withdraw it when the dealer
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-12-25
and rubbed his chin while he sought for

and rubbed his chin while he sought for
words.
"William," he said in low voice. 81
have very unpleasant duty to per
form. but it's not OF my making as
sure you. Mr.. Wolfe-er-er- wishes
me-being a junior partner is id UNI
pleasant sometimes! he wishes ne to
inform you that after today he will not
need your services"
William sat staring vacantly at his
employer, as if listening to a distant
sound. He made 10 answer. Lamb
went on hurriedly:
You understand, William. am not
responsible for it. OF course. you know
Wolfe has the say in these things. |
have no voice at ALL must say / didn't
like it"
as tins right, Mr. Lamb?" said Parlee,
slowly. after eight years faithful
and satisfactory work am to be dis
charged without any warning or
rcason?"
"The fact is, [ believe" replied
Lamb, "Wolfe wants to give the place
to his nephew"
at. is cruel-cruel and heartless ~
murmured William. ooh, what will
my poor wife Say?-What shall | dO?"
and as the whole terrible outlook
opened before him he broke down COM
pletely. For, you must know that while
a waiter Or chambermaid never need
be out OF employment, a bookkeeper
may hunt i'll vain for weeks for a sitIa-
ton.
81 am truly sorry. l do pity you."
said Lamb. II shall be glad to give
you any testimonials as to your char
acter and ability; but, of course. / can't
help what Wolfe does-he is a hard man,
! must admit-perfectly heartless."
He rubbed his hands together, but his
face was serene and unmoved. In fact,
he was performing what is known in
commercial circles as "the wicked part
ner act" In reality. he had himself
proposed this measure in view of the
fact that Wolfe's nephew was willing to
work for $12 per week-and business is
business. So Parlee had to go.
Lamb hurried away in another min
ute, leaving William sitting in the dark
office in state almost of collapse,
lie knew there would be no use pro-
testing or beseeching. What the wicked
partner said was fiSal in Wolfe IL Lambs
office. After willie he gathered to-
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-12-25
Number Eleven.
By WALTER McDOUGALL.

The clock in the store struck as
William Parlee finished balancing his
books. The snow was falling eisurely
in big flakes and the firms name on the
glass over the door stood out in reversed
letters, black against the sky. Although
it was growing dark rapidly, the office
was filled with the pale light that fall.
ing snow imparts even to the twilight
Of midwinter.
AS William rested his chin upon his
hand after closing the books, he gave a
few moments Of his employers time to
the consideration of his own financial
affairs.
His thoughts ran in this wise: II am
not wondering if Wolfe Il Lamb are
going to give me Christmas present.
Eight years in their employ at SIS per
week have taught me the truth that they
give away nothing.
what puzzles me is how to make that
eighteen go around among butcher, a
grocer and stern, grasping landlord.
and yet have enough to buy the chill
dren and Jennie each present. A slim
prospect.
Eight years at SIS 4 week. Here am
/, thirty years old. with a wife and
three children. and only SIS week. 1t
isn't comforting reflection"
He was a slim, spare fellow, with q
face that showed in its lines a character
common enough. He was fairly hard
some, with a good forehead, clear, hon
est eyes and gentle-looking mouth.
Had nature bestowed upon him a larger
nose, a little heavier iawbOne. lie would
have been one of the men who move the
world around. His clothes we're well
worn, out of style couple of years and
faded. but they and his linen we're clean
and well cared for by loving hands.
His whole department andair showed
man of rectitude, good morals and
perfect sObriety, such man as one
would expect to find teaching q Sunday
school class or wheeling baby carriage.
When | say that he had never made an
error in Wolfe K LAMBS books in eight
years, that he spent his days in the
Office, his nights at home, and that his
wife knew his every act and thought, |
have summed up his character.
A slight noise caused him to raise his
head. Mr.. Lamb had entered the Office
from the FIRMS private room. Lamb
rarely entered without slamming the
door, He was big red-headed nan,
with side whiskers and a voice of oily
richness, sort of cotton-seed voice
that almost always cXhaled the aroma
of recent drink, especially on Satur
days. He was slightly embarrassed,
Parlee saw, and he fumbled his chain
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-12-25

unbuttoued. and with start he felt in
his pocket for his money. 1t was gone!
With shril shout he turned Dack TO
pursue the drunken men. Ihey had
vanished. of course. Several peopie,at-
tracted by his cry, interested themselves
in the matter, They went to the ponce
station, where the case was treated
rather lightly, but a ward man" was
detailed to look it up.
Parlee reached home late. and MS
wife, whose alarm had nearly reached a
point unbearable, read in his race olS-
aSter and ruin.
Such is the effect of dismissal to one
of this class of mep-who are not pro-
ducers and fertile of resource-that
Parlee was nearly Frustrated. His wire,
with courage born of her belief IN his
ability and good reputation. was less
disheartened, and in few hours hau
somewhat cheered him, but wlthal 1t
was an awful outlook.
All thoughts of Christmas were van
ished of cOurSe-the problem OF pare
living absorbed all their attention..
Before going to bed they mad can.
vassed the field and prepared a list OF
the firms to which he should apply on
| Monday. -,
| The next dav was Sunday. They
| tried to bury their sorrow and anxiety
| in the consolation of religion. Incl .
dentally William sought out several
members of the church. and told them
his circumstances, but they had no op-
portunities TO help him. In fact they
seemed to apprehend, not unnaturally,
! that he might want to borrow money,
! and were not as cordial and brotherly as
usual.
In the afternoon, Nellie, his seven
! year-old. came to him. asking:
How many more days to christmas,
papa ?'' ,
! Tuesday. and then Christmas day.
| He locked at his wife.
AN then Sanity Claus III bring me
| big doll, won't he" she went on, IAN
horsey for Ned. and wabbit wot
suueakS for baby ~
All these and more they had hoped to
have given the children, but now
1t is hard to comprehend the agony
that can come from such little thing.
| TO be unable to. satisfy such tritiing de-
sires, to crush such little hopes,
seems insufficient to cause real suf-
fering in older hearts, but these
parents felt more sorrow in diSappOnt-
ing their darlingS than in all their other
misfortunes. And to Jane Parlee the
Christmas gifts were invested with
more than holiday meaning they
were things filed with a sort OF sacred
ceremony, with tetch-like value, and
she had feeling of shock, as though
the solid earth had rocked, in contem-
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-12-25

talk to you both. Have a cigar, Mr..
tWolfe; take one yourself, Mr.. Lamb,
you'll find them good.'
| Lamb looked very queer; he seemed
| to struggle between amusement and
| wonder.
II have here" said William. produc
| ing some papers, ''about $50, 900 of Wolfe
and Lambs notes, most OF it being due
| this week. This l have bought and
hold, and from my nowledge of your
business | think l can wind the firm up.
What want to know is. what are you
going to do about it?'
Wolfe and Lamb sat as if paralvZed
moment. Then Lamb began to buster,
but sight of the papers took that all
| out OF him in few minutes. The re-
suit of this visit was an agreement to
! take Parlee into the firm, and the
! papers were drawn up within an hour.
Then William invited his partners to
partake of a Christmas dinner with
him on the morrow. which invitation
Mr.. Wolfe accepted with evident pleas
ure. Lamb. still grumpy, declined on
:, the score of previous engagement.
| Then William took cab and rode
| home, having made everything sure and
| fast. When he arrived at his home he
went in staldy and soberly enough, but
once in the reaction Overcame him, and
, he lett like executing a War-dance.
."HOW would you like a nice house in
| the suburbs, with horses, carriages and
servants for a Christmas PRESENT." he
asked his wife.
"Will Parlee, are you crazy" she re-
/ torted.
"And about forty dresses, with dia-
mOnds and jeWelry and pianos, opera
| boxes, Seashore cottage and such?"
II should like to have about Sl0," she
said wistfuIly. 'Does it not seem really
sacrilegious, to have Christmas with
/ out tree"
II can manage that for you" he
| giggled, turning his back and handing
. over his shoulder ten-dollar bill-"and
here's another, and another'-then los
ing all composure he began to dance
| and throw ten, twenty. fifty aud one
hundred dollar bills over the room.
Then he made her dress and go out
with him without a word of explanation.
! They went to the stores. and for tee first
| time in years she enjoyed the bliss Of
buying whatever she fancied. They
! loaded cab with things and sent home
tree and spent half the night arrang-
{! ing it.
| And then when the curiosity had be-
| come unbearable he told her all, con-
| cealing nothing, and. strange to say,
| she didn't utter word of reprOof until
| she heard that he had invited poor old
| Wolfe to dinner!
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-12-25

WUuIu HdNc W
tain; but he knew 10 formula that
would help him in such case as TINS.
The trouble seemed to be that while
George could look at the building from
coldly professional standpoint, he
could take no such view of anything
which concerned Roses happiness.
He was not in love with the gigantic
mass of brick and iron, but he was vlo-
lently, and, so far as he knew, hope
lessly in love with her.
He was willing TO give her anything
that would please her. but he doubted
the good taste of too lavish eXpendl-
ture. No; it must be some elegant
tritle that she had never seen before,
and that would move her lrreSlStlDly 10
Love the Giver."
Rose WyckOff was the daughter of a
| man who valued the substantial fruits
| of the harvest above the pink and white
| buds of the springtime.
Most of Georges prospects were still
in the bud. When that big building was
| really finished. and one or two more
that he hoped to get the orders for un.
der way, 1t would be soon enough to APP
proach the old gentleman.
| Although George had very clear
idea of what Mr.. WyckOff would say if
| he spoke now, he could gain no idea or
| what nose WOulu Say ouI HO w 40 81 IN
ly determined to be worthy Of her. He
| left the rest to fate, and cOntented him
| self with drawing the designs for mag
nihcent and glitteripg castles i'll Spain.
When George went to call on Rose
| that evening he tried TO be as CHEEKY
| and animated as usual, but his nervous
| and absorbed manner must have given
her some hint of the heavy load of
anxiety he was carrying, for as he
| stood drawing OH his OVercOat In the
! hall, after the last good nights had been
said. she threw herself across the out
| side door and barred his egresS.
| AS she stood with her gracefully
| rounded body we'll set out by the pol
| ished Oaken door, and her bright face
| turned up to him with an expression
which bolder man might almost have
| construed as an invitation, George felt
| that he would have given the value of
| all the buildings that he ever hoped to
| plan to tell her how much he thought of
| her.
| He was somewhat surprised at her
| sudden movement, or as much so as he
| ever permitted himself to be at any of
| her actions, which were generally UNI
| accountable from a masculine stand
| point He only thought that if she were
| going to appear i'll the character OF a
| Tailor he could stand a life sentence
| with considerable equanimity.
Now. before you go. George" SAID
| Rose, with her hand still on the knob,
Il want to ask you one question. You
| are not thinking Of making Christmas
| present to me this year, are you"
George owned that he had taken the
| matter into serious consideration.
land you are determined to persist in
| doing soin spite of my diSapproval?"
| she asked, with smile that must have
| warned him that her diSapprOYal would
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-12-25
: snap Shots at ROYALTY.

/ { King George of Greece is to AK what
the Prince of Wales is to Homburg. He
is remarkable for extreme assurance,
tempered with reserve, and wears his
hat slightly on the side of his head as he
strides along the streets, looking
straight at people. as if to invite them
them to get out of his way. He is an
habitue of the casino and the card
rooms. On alighting from his carriage
recently anumber of photographers ran
up to take snaps at him. Seeing this
the king good naturally stopped and
..stood fire." turning his face toward
them. On returning to his carriage
when the visit was overhe did the same,
saving aloud when he thought they
ought to have done: ''Ca est?' Dts
all right, is it not?)-a remark that
ELECTED great laughter.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-12-25

gether his few belongings, put on his
overcoat and went out into the storm.
He always rode home, but tonight lie
dared not eXuend even five cents, and
he walked up the Bowery with sensa-
tons different from any he had ever eX-
perieneed. Already he viewed SILVER
ing wretches with feeling of fellow
shIp-wIth sinking of the heart and a
horror that chilled him and made his
teeth chatter.
The snow was falling in big wet
flakes fast and furious. At the corner
of Riyington street two men jostied him
nearly off his feet They seemed very
drunk and one of them held OH to him
for support a moment. After he had
released himself and walked on a few
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-12-25

prise, which turned into smiling COM
ment as the dealer sang Number
eleven, black and odd," and pushed
thirty-five one-dollar chips towards Par
lee.
You've won." said Jim. "take your
pay, and also my advice to cashin at
once.
William was too astounded at the fort
une, too overwhelmed by the rush of
conflicting thoughts to scarce heed him.
He began to take up his checks as the
man beside jim rose. saying, Pm
through" and Parlee took his seat to
hear again the dealers voice, ELEVEN.
black apd odd: repeater" He had
left the dollar on the number unwit-
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-12-25
New Florida Schedule on the
MOnOn

Fast time, close connections, solid
vestibule trains, dining cars, Pullman
sleepers and compartment cars. Choice
of route, via Cincinnati or Louisville
with through sleepers, Cincinnati to
jacksonville and Louisville to Tampa
via Chattanooga, Jacksonville and ST.
Augustine, or via Montgomery. Thomas
vile and Jacksonville. For rates, fold
ers. etc., call at any ticket office. OF adj
dress l.. E. Sessions, Northwestern
Passenger Agent, Minneapolis, Mimi.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-12-25

fancy plain turquoise would be the
proper thing, now. Here. you may
measure my finger; the third please"
And drawing off her glove she slipped
1.-THE third! Why that is the engage
ment finger!" exclaimed George. as the
air assumed for him the balmy mildDess
of an Indian summer.
"You said it yourself, George Schuy-
lerr' she cried. with brave attempt to
be saucy; but her voice was timid and
choked. as she rested her delicate head
lightly against his shaggy coat; land
now YOU can never tell any one | pro-
posed to you, even if-eyen if this is
Heap year." HAIRY RoMAINE.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-12-25

not be of a serious
nature, for he had
the fine presence OF
mind to signify firm
ly that he was not
only adamant i'll that
respect, but even irid-
ium.
"Well, l like a de
termined man." adj
mitted Rose, with an
admiring glance at
his sufficiently as
sertive chin, land, if
you are determined,
| want TO ask you to
allow me to choose
nv own present."
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-12-25

'sWith pleaSure" exclaimed George
THAT is awfully nice of YOU" said
Rose. but be sure to remember not to
get anything until you hear from me. L
will let you know i'll good time. Must
you really go now?' she asked; for
George, with the fortuitous absent
mindedness of truly bashful man, had
placed his hand over hers on the KNOB
of the door.
Good night. them" she said, as it
Welded to their united efforts, and
George found himself standing outside
on the steps. He raised his hat as the
door closed gently, as If 1t were reluc-
tant to shut him out from her presence.
That night George drew some prelim-
mary sketches of the Spanish chateau
that were full of detail as to the castle,
but hay as to the stairway.
After that he saw Rose quite often
before it was time for the green wreaths
to hang in the parlOr windows; but she
always said that sue was not yet ready
to tell him what kind of present she
wanted. 1t was not until Christmas
eve that he received little note hastily
scrubbed on the back of visiting card:
Dear George: l find that l have neglected
to give YOU the information promised. But
it doesn't matter We have gone to the coun-
try for our winter outing, and mother wants
me to ask you to join us-for as many days as
YOU can spare from business. / hope you
will come and give me chance to keep my
promise. Sincerely yours, ROSE.
George accepted this invitation with
alacritV. He put an 'Out of Town"
sign on his office door, and left the big
building to its own devices.
On New Years morning Rose sug-
gested ride to Sunset Hill, one Of the
widest and most picturesque spots in
the neighborhood; aed after the horses
were brought around to the door they
sat out together through the bright,
frosty air. They rode halfway up the
hill and then dismounted, and leaving
their horses tied to a barpost, followed
a rough footpath to the summit.
Rose stood close to George, looking
far out over the fields and woods and
groups of cottages, gazing with thought
full eyes on the sound, where the SNOW
covered ice cakes glistened in the morn
ing sun.
The strong wind rushed through the
trees and pressed her closer TO him; he
steadied her with very unsteady hands.
"What wreck am she said as she
nut back brown tress which had
strayed across her face. "Oh, nearly
forgot to tell you about my Christmas.
Frankly, would you mind giving ring
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-12-25

UdI tVVINLIIIIIS oIIC
wanted from the era
die up?
He could estimate
exactly the tensile
strength OF any spe-
cies of building ma
l..erial. or the number
\of pounds weight
THAT a steel truss
II lnun 70 cnc
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-12-25

to me?"
Georges face fell as he
returned. "What kind of a
ring?n You have so many
of them; and | wanted to
give you something origi-
nal.
"A ring would be very
orig inal from you." and she
cnniIod Lonnnrnlu. Aanh
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-12-25

Gforg Schuyler went home frcm the
Office with two problems on his mind.
The first did not worry him much, for it
was only small matter in connection
with his business. He was young
architect graphing with his first large
order, the erection of thirteen-story
Office building.
The other question was more impor-
tant and difficult.
What sort of a Christmas present
should he give to a girl who had always
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-12-25
The Electro-American

Flag at the California Wine House in
the won der of the age. See 1t tonight
Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1892-07-23
WHY GIcYcLEs ARE COSTLY.

They Arc Made with Great Caro- on tho
interchangeable Principle. 81. .s
The Iron Age attempts 10 explain why
n high grade bicycle costs SO much
why the price of it puts it out of the
reach of the ordinary working nan or
woman. In the first place the bicycle
mast be made on the INTERCHANGEABLE,
principle, SO TINT e missing or broken
part can be supplied by the factory 1T
once. All of such parts undergo rigid
system OF inspection, being subjected TO
the ccvcrc strains which they must
sand while the machine is III use HIcin
parts like the Gprcckct wheel, hubs,
bearing, etc, arc gaguCd, the allow
ancc for variation being one-qucrtcr of
thousandth- a variation in c:iccs3 cf
this throws the piece o<lt. The rlcthcd
OF ''Stringing" the wheel is THUS dc
s,rlbcd: The outer ends of the srol.es
arc threaded in order to enter the hard
cAca braGs nipple, the cap OF viii II
l., OF course, on the outer side Of the
rim The boy VIII, 4tri1Ta the r2i..cl
up merely tight2ns the nipples utrG-;-
cicntly to hold tho parts togcthc:. Af%:,r
this the wheel goes to an export y7cr2,--
E2an, who tightecG thc SpolicG, brirG:2,,
them all under the desired tension. The
wheel is then mounted on TIC a..lc ind
turned, piece Of chalk held near the
rim serving to Indicate any irrcEular;ty.
To correct such defects and inaIsc tie
Wheel Perfectly true the nipples ere
tightcnc1 CT ?ocscncd. This is q cira-
pc matter, and yet enc requiring great
Judgment" The bra1ing cf the jcinI3
and the making of the fclloc or iron to
rotcivc the rubber tire are also opera
tionG requiring the greatest precision
aud dciicacy of EGndliny. In short,
there is no part of the lnadcrn hi. yclc
ElaS can be turned out without the
closest attention to detail. Tic day Ea:;
not come when it GIN be made factory
fashion. .,.. 2. N....'' o.. 49,.