davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Red Cloud chief., 1899-12-22
III.
An ITnpxDpcted Visitor.

Ah'
It was the afternoon OF the same
day. The sun was lower in the west,
but the heat had not yet %lessened. and
all the blinds in the spacious mansion
of Springfield were closed. The ex-
tensive estate had, as yet, been spared
the devastation of war. 1t was In the
immediate vicinity of n of the prin-
cipal neutrality-suspicious. in the South
and owed 1t to this circumstance alone
that, for the present at least, 1t could
afford its inmates absolute safety.
A pleasant dusk pervaded the sit
ting-room, whose doors opened upon
the wide terrace. The glaring sunlight
In the garden outside could not find
It's way into the apartment. whose
doorways were protected by blinds and
curtains; and a little fountain, whose
Jet rose amid q circle Of tropical
plants, diffused its cool, glittering
drops through the sultry atmosphere.
A young girl Of perhaps eighteen
was half reclining in a rocking-chair.
Her little head with its wealth OF dark
hair was flung YEARLY back. her eyes
we're closed, and the long black lashes
formed a sharp contrast to the pretty
but somewhat pallid face. Her thin
white dress, which, though intended
The Red Cloud chief., 1899-12-22
A NEW YEARS CALLER.

A year ago, around last New Years.
[ was called upon by a gorgeous young
creature-a saving b~eauty-who bore
friend in St. Louis.
The substance of It was:
THE girl Is stagestruck. Can you
do anything for herr"
She was the most artificial thing |
had ever seen. | doubted whether she
could sneeze naturally.
Have you had any stage expert
ence?"
only with amateurs"
"Ah! Have you any money!"
She looked at me much as a we'll
posted countryman would gaze at a
''bunco steerer."
my dear girl. I don't want your
money, but 1t might be to your advan-
tage to take a course In some good
training school, and that requires
cash."
Her nose went up.
"Oh, | don't wish anything like
that" she said dlsdalnfully. II want
ar engagement where | can get a sal
ary."
well, you might possibly begin by
playing very small parts" | replied.
"Mr. DAILY generally has a corps OF
fifteen or twenty young girls connected
with his theater who are occasionally
selected"
mo. no." she interrupted, II must
do better than that. VIII you hear me
recite a speech from 'Parthenia?'"
This was pretty hard, but I was pre-
pared to go some lengths "in friend
ships name" as the gentleman sings
In "%Iolanthe."
go ahead" | said hoarsely.
She went ahead.
1t was pretty bad.
"My dear" | said. there Is no call
FOR Parthenias unless they have cash
galore, and even then the call comes
principally from the manager. who
wants his rent guaranteed, and the
actors. who need their salaries. We
are also overstocked with Juliets and
fairly reek with Rosalinds."
She rose impatiently.
Then you don't give me any en-
couragement?"
Not in that line; no."
You don't think | spoke well?"
LET us talk OF something else"
"No. | should like an answer
please"
well. then, II you must insist.
didn't care for you in the speech"
She walked out. trembling with in
dignation.
Yesterday | met her.
Beautiful still, but with n look OF
hard experience in her eyes and her
dress quite shabby.
My heart warmed toward her, and
seized her poorly gloved hand with
fervor.
II I'm sorry you were offended with
me-" ] murmured.
She heaved a sigh.
you were quite right she said
"and I wish that | had known II then
you have been on the stage?"
Been on the stage?" she echoed
The Red Cloud chief., 1899-12-22
Y IL

The young officer seemed to have
expected this refusal. He advanced a
step nearer and dropped the strictly
> formal tone used heretofore.
Colonel, the interview ] seek at
Springfield is Of infinite Importance to
me. l will be perfectly frank with
you. l suppose you know the relation
In which l stand to Mr.. H~arrison's
family"
THE wealthy owner of the neighbour
ing plantation, our most bitter enemy.
Yes, ! have heard of II. 1t was said
that you were engaged to his daugh-
ter, and at the outbreak OF the war
made 4 cacriflce for your convictions"
Il did not make it,; it was forced
upon me. Mr.. Harrison broke my en-
gagement to his daughter, without per-
uniting me even an explanation. The
outbreak Of hostilitics prevented my
Fastening to my fiancee. l was forced
to join my regiment. The letters l
sent remained unanswered. | do not
even know whether they reached her
hands. For months | suffered the tor
lures OF uncertainty. This morning an
accident revealed hat Miss Harrison,
who, ! supposed, had long since fed
to some place Of safety, was still in
Springfield. 1t is the last, the only pos
sibility of obtaining any certainty.
beseech you to grant It."
The c%olonels eyes rested with evil
dent sympathy on the young man, who
was indeed his favorite, and whose
ill-repressed emotion showed how
keenly he suffered from this state OF
uncertainty; but he shook his head.
Even should l grant you the leave
of absence, and you reach the planta-
ton unframed, who will guarantee
that Harrison, after what has occurred
will not see In you merely an officer in
the enemy's service and deliver you
up?"
Deliver me up?" cried William
holly. "The man who was betrothed
The Red Cloud chief., 1899-12-22

by eight o'clock this evening. | shall
believe that he is either dead or dis
honored."
Williams eyes flashed. but they met
his commanding officers gaze, stead
lastly.
Believe the former! II I am alive
at that hour, l will be here"
"Then go-on your word Of honor"
ION my word of honor"
William saluted and left the room.
The colonel gazed after him a few
seconds, then said In low tone:
Poor boy! / would ten times rather
have sent him to meet the enemy than
into this temptation"
The Red Cloud chief., 1899-12-22

no his daughter-the man whom he
Sonced called SOM"
Everything is possible In these
times. Surely you must know his CHAR
acter."
81 expect any act Of hostility toward
in his house. He is a southern gen.
tleman, and a man of honor. am
safe with him."
I'VE will hope SO; but another and
graver peril threatens you there: II
you are still regarded as the son OF
the house, every effort will be made
to win you over to their cause. sup
Npose that-you should not return?'
William started as II an insult had
been hurled in his face.
Colonel, l am an honorable man.
81 know it: but you are human. You
are young and ~passionately In love-
Even the strongest natures succumb
to such a conflict. At that time, you
had no choice, you say. Probably II
will be SO now. And when the prize
is before you, when your afianced wife
weeps and pleads, and the whole hap
piness of your life depends on q
4 single ~word-avoid the temptation
Lieutenant Roland. I advise you as g
friend"
The young officer had turned pale
but his voice sounded firm and reso'
lutte as he replied:
II beg you to grant me the leave
OF absence-on my word of honor"
Burney paced up and down the room
several times in silence; at last hi
paused.
AT the utmost, I could grant 20,
only the afternoon. You must return
at sunset, and 1t Is a long distance
You will have barely three hours a
Springfield"
"A single one would suffice for tn,
conversation on which my whole fu
ture d%epends-I repeat my request"
80 be 1t then. With caution, l
may perhaps be possible to avoid tn
peril which threatens you on the way
i sfall rely upon your prudence"
depend upon 1t. colonel"
Burney approached the young ma,
and. putting his hand on his shoulder
said with deep earnestness:
'Till sunset then! 1t is now noon
u Lieutenant Roland has not rcturne
The Red Cloud chief., 1899-12-22
with the Comma Left Out.

whenever she asks me to do any
thing" s~oliloquized Mr.. Meeker, pen
sively, Il always go and do 1t, like a
fool"
"Yes," said Mrs. Meeker, who hap
pened along In time to overhear him,
whenever | ask you to do anything
you always go and do 1t like a fool
Chicago Tribune.
The Red Cloud chief., 1899-12-22

weeks. what is the use Of this fierce
haste? Why should the wedding take
place beside my fathers sick-bed?"
Because 1t is your fathers last wish
lips. He wants to know that you will
be safe and sheltered In a husbands
arms when danger assails U.S., and he
has my promise that | will protect you
and his property to my last breath"
"As soon as 1t becomes yours-l
don't doubt It,"
Edwards brows contracted angril'
A dark frown Swallowed his face.
what does that mean, Florence? DO
you doubt my love? You know that
IL is bestowed on you alone, not your
estates. which. in the storms of war.
may be destroyed. like so many which
have already been ruined. You must
trust me. | shall certainly not sac
rifce you to any principle, as others
have done"
The allusion was distinct enough.
| Florence's head dropped. but her tone
betrayed rising indignation, as she re-
piled:
WAS I sacrificed? You say so. and
50 Toes my father, but | have never
heard Il from Williams lips, and you
were always his enemy. | cannot un-
derstand his giving up the struggle so
quickly. not yer making an attempt
to change my views, and sometimes |
fear"
She did not finish the sentence. but
her eyes. which rested with unmistak-
| able suspicion on her cousins features.
expressed the thought which she did
not utter In words. But there was no
change In his countenance. and the an
swer was equally unmoved and cold.
surely, you read the letter In which
no broke with your father? Was not
that plain enough? He knew the price
that would enable him to possess you.
II would have cost him only a single
word to call you his; yet, instead, he
delivered u political lecture on manly
honor, duty, conviction and the rest OF
the set phrases. Well. he followed his
conviction and--gave you up"
The young girls pale face began tc
flush, and her lips were closely com
pressed. This was the goad which hat
conquered her resistance, forced hel
into the new bond: 1t produced Its ef
feet now.
Yes, he gave me up she repeated
tta4o,l, txyvolI laua aty,n hin
up. too"
And cannot you yet shake off thu
memory? You have been candid will
me, Florence, cruelty candid. l wal
forced to hear from your lips that tina
other still held the first place in you
heart, that only filial duty o you
consent to my suit. Be II so! l will
venture the risk, ever with this state
ment. l will cope with this arrogan
German, who does not know wha
love is, who has never felt the full
pulse OF genuine passion. Fol me, NJ
price is too high for the prize of pos
sessing you. / would overthrow al
hat stood between us, were It ever
what l held highest. Resist as yo,
may, l shall yet win you-you ant
your love-"
There was really a touch Of genuine
passion in the words, and the arden
gaze which rested on the young CIR
proved that Edward Harrison was no
playing a mere game of calculation
Florence INTERESTINGLY left the hand h
had seized in his clasp. She was half
unconsciously under the thrall of thi
man, whom she feared, for whom n
voice in her heart pleaded. yet VIII,
exerted an almost demoniacal powe
over her.
ITO he continued1
The Red Cloud chief., 1899-12-22

I'm going back to st. Louis to set
married.
VERY sensible"
And she sped away and was lost in
the crowd OF T~hespians that decorate
Broadway and Fortleth street.
The Red Cloud chief., 1899-12-22
THE NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS

Make 'em, make EN-; even though you
break EN-!
Good resolves are comforters, aye.
even for a day;
Strive a little longer. 1t will make you
stronger;
And perfection yet was found
in human clay.
Make q firm resistance, pray to have
assistance;
Give the demon that you dread a
tuss!e-and you can!
Push the foe behind you; do not let
him bind you;
And begin the new year. better wom-
an, better man!
Finery Is unbecomipg In US who
The Red Cloud chief., 1899-12-22
Knew what He wanted.

Canvasser--"I have here a work.
Master of the House-"I can't read"
Canvasser-"But your children
Master OF the House, have no chill
dren (triumphantly), nothing but q
cat" Canvasser-"Well. you want
something to throw at the cat" He
took the book.
The Red Cloud chief., 1899-12-22

"Well?"
"Well I've been doing small parts
In a twice a day performance COM
pany, and I'm half dead. We even
played on Sunday. and the mornings
were given up to rehea.sals. l tried
important parts just twlce-when the
leading woman was ill-and made a
botch OF them both! And N was our
old friend Parthenia." She laughed
cynically.
But your experience will count in
the end" / yentured.
mo. II won't" she retorted. I'm
one Of the actresses who don't offend
/ haven't any talent, and fourteen per-
formances a week is a little too much!
The Red Cloud chief., 1899-12-22
OLD AGE PENSIONS.
GREAT PROBLEM NOW UP IN
ENGLAND.

Il Il Proposed to Give from seven to
Ten sh'ilings u WceN to Every Man
VINO Has Passed MS siIty-Fifth
Year.
The Red Cloud chief., 1899-12-22

In life's battle n must either be .
struggler or a straggler.
The Red Cloud chief., 1899-12-22

Finery Is unbecoming in US who
want the means OF decencv
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1899-02-24
Naval Heroe. In the Abbey.

The well known saying, "Westmin-
ster abbey or glorious victory, attrib-
uted to Nelson when he boarded the
San Josef at the battle Of Cape Vim
cent, seems to point to the hero's own
wishes as to an abbey grave. But for
some unknown reason, when the end
came at the famous battle at Trafalgar
(1SO5), Nelson was buried at st. Paul's.
and the abbey authorities, finding
crowds going there to gaze on his last
resting place, had an efigy made of
him and set it up near Kempenfelt's
monument, in order to attract people
back to Westminster. with the desired
result.
The figure now stands in the Islip
Chantry chapel with the other funeral
efigies, and is a very lifelike and good
representation of the great man. It is
said to have been copied from g smaller
figure for which Nelson sat, in all the
clothes except the coat he actually wore.
Maclise. who borrowed the hat for his
picture of the death of Nelson" found
the marks of the eye patch IN the inner
lining and the stamp of the period in
the crown.-Pall Mall Magazine.
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1899-02-24
People Who Live Long.

Among the ,nany curious things
noted by the actuaries the following
are a few Of the most interesting. Wo-
men have a much better prospect Of
long life than men, and the chances Of
married people are distinctly higher
than those of bachelors and old maids.
From the data provided by the rec
ords Of various churches it has been de-
duced that the peaceful Quakers have
most frequently received the blessings
of long life promised in the fifth COM
mandment. while the death rate is re-
markably high among Methodist clergy
men. Annuitants as a class live from
three to five years longer than other
people, and this is not due to human
perversity, as some humorists have sug-
gested. It is undoubtedly due to the
lack Of worry regarding the changes Of
fortune when a regular income is a GER
tainty.
Although no statistics have been col
lected on the death rate in the civil
service, where the yearly income almost
partakes of the character of an annuity,
it would perhaps be found that there is
some scientific basis for President
Grants cynical observation regarding
this class, "Few die and none resign"
-Ainslee's Magazine.
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1899-02-24
A Critics Evasion.

It is risky to give ones honest opin-
ion about a mans horse or dog, a house
designed by himself or a picture which
he values highly. He who gives the
opinion stands on a slippery place, and
should the judgment be unfavorable he
will slide far from the mans esteem.
Fuseli, the eccentric artist and pro-
fessor of the Royal academy, was invit-
ed by a nobleman to see a painting of
which he was the proud owner. Fuseli
went, taking q pupil with him. The
painting was shown by the nobleman
himself. The artist examined it and ex-
claimed, EXTRAORDINARY" The noble
man, greatly pleased at the ejaculation.
lauded the picture to the skies, pointed
out it's beauties, and Fuseli cried: eek
tr~aordinary! Extraordinary"
On their way home the pupil said
'Mr. Fuseli. I don't think much of
that picture. What did you mean by
extraordinary
Extraordinarily bad" was the re-
ply of the artist, who had not cared to
offend a lord who might become a pa
ron.-Youth's Companion.
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1899-02-24
Multum In Parvo.

"John," said the old man to his son,
II will give you e100 togo away with.
Maybe, as you don't like my business,
you will find a better one.
Three weeks later the young man
landed in New York. A month later,
finding but So in his possession. he de-
termined to return home again. 1t was
best to let his father know beforehand,
but how? "A letter would be too slow.
SO off went John to the telegraph Office.
"a quarter Gone shilling) a word to
London, cir, answered the polite clerk
to his inquiry.
II want to tell my father I've spent
all my money, and I'm sorry, and I'm
coming home and want him to forgive
me and a lot Of other things, and I can
only pay for six words to tell him
everything" said John.
"Cut it short replied the clerk.
John sat down and thought. Soon
after, to his immense establishment, the
old man received the following cable
gram:
Squills, London:
Fatted calf for one.
Chicago Journal.
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1899-02-24
Had to Get Up.

Some years ago DR.. Oscar Blumen-
thai, the director Of the Leasing theate1
in Berlin, had an unpleasant experience
CT the vigilance with which the author
tiles carry out their duties.
In his comedy, the .'Orient Reise, "
one of the characters was afflicted with
a mother-in-law of the most objection
able kind. This lady died and, accord
ing to the belief of her relatives, went
to heaven. The prospect of a fresh ac-
quaintance with his dreaded mother-in-
law SO terrified her son-in-law that he
announced that. if this should be his
fate, ''when the resurrection comes !
shan't get up.
This was sufficient for the authori-
ties. Twenty-four hours after the pro-
duction Of the piece an ominous blue
envelope arrived at the Leasing theater
containing a peremptory order from the
president Of police that the lines in
question should be Immediately sup
pressed. ''as being calculated to wound
the religious feelings Of the lieges."-
Paris Herald.
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1899-02-24
A Man of

A big, uncouth looking stranger, with
shoulders like a Hercules, walked into a
department. store late one afternoon,
and, after gazing about a minute, step
ped up to a salesman and made known
his wish to buy a shirt. A couple Of
samples were shown him. and he in
formed the salesman that either one
would do.
1t was an article that sold for 81. so,
and in making payment the stranger
pulled from his hip pocket a huge roll
Of bills. He apparently skinned them
over in search Of a small bill. but he
could not find one Of less denomination
than $500. One of these was handed
the surprised salesman, but he arose to
the occasion and sent it away with the
cashboy. When the change came, it
was nearly all in small bills. The stran-
ger interrupted the salesman in his
work Of counting the bills by reaching
for the pile and wadding it into his hip
pocket.
sob, | guess it's all right, and you
give that shirt to a porter if you can
find n big enough to wear it. All I
wanted was the change. You see, it
was after banking hours, and I am a
man of resources. Good day. '-Phila-
delphia Record.
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1899-02-24
South or East, which ?

When a trip is contemplated it is al
ways well to prepare in advance in order
to avoid little Inconvenience which are
often annoying. The two fast trains
leaving Minneapolis and st. Paul daily
via Wisconsin Central lines for Milwau-
kee and Chicago make close connections
with trains east and south. Being ele-
gantly equipped with sleeping cars, par
lor cars and day c~oaches,they are fully ap-
preciated by the travelling public. Your
nearest ticket agent will give you com
plete information and furnish you folder
of the Wisconsin Central lines.
Jas. @. Pond, General Passenger
Agent, Milwaukee, Wis
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1899-02-24
Nubnr Pnsha ana the pipes.

Soon after the occupation of Cairo by
the British troops the late Nubar Pasha
took a prodigious fancy to the music Of
the Black Watch and had the idea Of
having a servant taught the use of the
bagpipes. Nubar dispatched a French
friend, who spoke English very well. to
interview a piper IN the subject.
Donald replied: 'tWeel. he MIGHT
learn or he MIGHT no. Bit, let me tell
ye. it needs wind an mickle strength
tae fill the bags o the pipes an keep
blawin. Sac if yin O. thae Egyptian
chaps took the job on he'd need tae be
bandaged a. ow're like vino thae auld
mummies, or maybe he'd burst him
sell.
This conversation was reported to
Nubar. who took the piper's remarks
seriously. So he gave up the idea Of
having a skirler attached to his house
hold. as the use of the bagpipes was at
tended with the prospect Of such dam
ger to the performer. Westminster
Gazette.
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1899-02-24
why He ike Hin.

The barber vas perhaps a triae more
talkative than usual. and the customer
was scarcely in a good hu1nor. The
portly gentleman had come straight
from the dentists. In blissful Ignorance
Of this little fact the knight Of the ra-
zor opened fire. He discussed the
weather, foreign politics, the rival bar
Der opposite, ard was just explaining
his views on the education question
when the customer suddenly growled:
where's that assistant of yours, the
one with the red hair?"
''He's left me, sir. We parted last
week-on friendly terms. you know.
and all that. but
"Pity!" growled the portly gentle
a II liked that young fellow. There
was something about his conversation
thoroughly enjoyed. He was one Of the
most sensible takers l ever met, and
"You'll excuse me, sir, but there
must be some mistake, " gasped the as
tonished barber. IF you remember.
poor Jim was deaf and dumb.
"Just so. Just So" was the curt re-
joinder. "That's why I liked him"
And the barber went on shaving
Pearson's Weekly.
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1899-02-24
Rewarded For I'll. Honesty.

An English farm laborer recently
went to a small store kept by an ole
woman and asked for "a pahnd O. ba.
con.
She produced the bacon and cut &
piece off. but could rot find the pound
weight.
sob, never mind t. pahnd weight
said he. 'sMa fist just weighs a pahnd.
So put ther bacon i t. scales"
The woman confidently placed the
bacon into one side of the scales while
the man put his fist into the other side,
and, Of course. took good care to have
good weight.
While the woman was wrapping the
bacon up the pound weight was found,
and, on seeing it, the man said:
"Nah, you see if my fist don't just
weigh a pahnd."
The pound weight was accordingly
put into scale and the mans fist
into the other. this time only just tc
balance.
The old woman, on seeing this, said
"Wha, I niver seed aught so neal
aforel Here's a red herrin for thee hon
esty, ma lad!'-New York Tribune.
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1899-02-24
Enchanting 1t.

Now" said the physician who was
examining IN applicant for life insur-
ance, 81 shall have to ascertain your
chest expansion.
"My what?" asked the applicant.
"Your chest expansion"
"He means, i%nterposed a friend who
had come in with him, ''the difference
between what you measure when your
chest isn't inflated and what you meas
ure when it is inflated.
"Oh," said the applicant, beginning
dimly to understand. "Ten years ago !
measured around notwithstanding his
rotund stomach-"only 80 inches. /
measure As now. I guess what you call
my chest expansion is 16 inches. -
Youths Companion.