davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1902-08-24

But they wouldn't give you the
sack?"
You never know in this place" she
replied. removing dirty cups and plates
with trembling hand They'll fine
me"
He was Indignant
Fine you for thing like that"
She nodded and hurried away to serve
new guest who was ringing the bell
violently two tables away. He seized
the bill of fare savagcly and looked for
! the address of the proprietors He
would go and tell them-no, perhaps
they wouldn't pay any attention IL they
saw so humble a person as himself He
would write a long. noble letter, de-
scribing all that had occurred-her
sanity forbearance, her pollteness in
spite of gross provocation-tellingt them
they were on the point of perpetrating a
monstrous injustice. Offering to give evil
dence on oath before a magistrate il
necessary imploring them to think
twice before they brought sorrow upon
olt 81 yuuuS, So Dedutliui, SO long SUI
fering If that didn't DO he would write
10 the papers-New York should ring
with the pathetic story and subscribe
with enthusiasm for her relief. He would
take her away on whirlwind of indig-
nation and withdraw his custom; 1t was
not large. from pecuniary point OF
view. but it was regular.
In the middle of his heroic rhapsody,
he noticed that she was smillng-smiling
on the newcomer. and the man was talk
ing more than was necessary for the Civ
ing of his order for steak and kidney
pudding. He watched them with a pang
of jealousy. He had seen the fellow
there before; he had noticed that he
came on purpose to one of her tables |
He watched them with jealous agony. |
She seemed as If she would never leave |
the fellow, who had an airy flow OF con-
versation, confound him. She went to |
the counter. but her shrill voice sounded
distant and cruel as she gave the other
fellows order. Oh. If she only knew
what he was but moment before pre-
pared to do for her, she would not de-
spise his passion because 1t was mar
ticulate. He felt he must do some
thing, and quickly. The time was ap-
preaching wher he must go; his cup OF
,offee was nearing its end
She brought the other fellow his lunch
The Washington times., 1902-08-24

of money to hide his extravaganza
had been discussed. the happy father be-
gan inquiring as to Franks node of life
, since that occurrence and now.
Frank, who was sincerely repentant,
had hoped TO avoid this by some skill
full lying, but the return of the silver
to its proper place bothered him great
ly. Moreover, his dark lantern made a
bunch on his breast. which he feared
might arouse inquiry at any moment.
But as he saw the depth of his faith
er's love and realized that deceit upon
that earnest love would be more than
! crime, he wavered. 1t was a fearful
thing to confess to his father that he
was a burglar, had been a burglar for
the past ten years, and possessed small
fortune in other mems property and
cash. 1t was especially hard to shock
the heart which now oyerflowed with
supreme happiness. But his father was
a clergyman. and to him confession OF
sin meant more than TO other men
perhaps he would forgive him, and at
any cost Frank could never live at home
with that awful shadow hanging over
him. If ne failed to forgive. Frank cal
culated, he could still catch that train.
At last he found the way opened to
him for confession.
Frank. my boy, it has just occurred
10 me to ask you how you came to an
swer my prayer by your visible pres
ence."
Father. the reason is very simple. I
was robbing your house"
Franks future hung on the next few
words. The answer did not come for
some time, and then it was in the form
of a question.
How long have you been a criminal.
my boy?"
The word cut like knife, but Frank
did not shrink.
Ten years; but. oh, father. if you can
forget, my criminal career ends at this
hour. have no plea to make in excuse.
l fell because l imagined your attacks
upon evil associations were oldfash-
ioned. l have sinned, but repentance
and atonement will be mine as far as
possible if you will but take me homo
again. Upon you, father, rests my dis
position of life and soul; you may save
or you may send me to prison. 1 am
tired of being hunted from pillar 10
post. and-and-I want TO see MOTHER
For the first time in a decade tears
stood in the eyes of the iron-nerved
criminal. He had risen now, and held
out his hands in dumb plea for mercy,
On the left wrist dangled rubber ring
for the dark lantern to swing from.
1t seemed like handcun.
For just little while the old man sat
silent, looking at the white face above
lim.
Then he rose and took the outstretch-
I'd hands in his own, and while from
he snowy streets outside there came
loating the silver murmur of Christmes
bells. father and son clasped hands over
| chasm Of crime and sorrow. and Frank
'airman, burglar, was burglar no
more.
The Washington times., 1902-08-24

He had had the words ready. but they
fed at the vision of he; his voice fall
tered, but at last he ,eh'spered, sweet
and low:
"One iam-tart and cup of cavity.
Miss" He had taken to lunching off Il
jam-tart since the day en- which she
came, and less ethereal food had seemed
revolving.
She nodded and went to the counter.
His eyes followed her rreedily and her
shTill voice ordering n plate OF ham was
heavenly music. Ee had never thought
foggy atmosphere He dreamt of the
time when he could carry her away on
his yacht-he had always fancied Il
yacht-to places where the sky was
ever blue and men wore white clothes
and straw hats. like the people in the
musical comedy-any musical comedy.
He was always angry with himself for
indulging in these iay-dreams, but re-
fiected that, after all, they amused him
and did little harm; real life could not
be worse when Iie came back to it than
it was when he left.
She returned with the "cawfy'' and
jam tart BALANCED with unrivaled skill
or a tray on which plates of ham rested
lovingly on the top of poached eggs,
and pork sausages rubbed shoulders
with the butter belonging TO neighbor-
ing rolls. He was indignant when an
old, fussy gentleman grumbled at her
because his buttered toast bore the
print of the bottom of a tea cup, and
he could have punched the head of an
other who told her sulkily that his egg
wanted three Inore minutes boiling.
She took back the offending articles
meekly. ard ne. knowing for how many
hours she carried that tray about, and
how much she got for it, was amazed
that anybody could dare to suggest
that anything was ever wrong that
came from her hand. His own jam tart
tasted of boiled beef-but such heay- |
enly boiled beef: and he only wished he |
could afford an egg and eat it, what
ever its age, to prove the depth of his |
love.
As she stood by him. scattering plen-
ty, he plucked up courage to speak.
Fine day. Miss" he said; not much |
in itself, but with expression. She nod
ded and passed on; she seemed colder
today than usual. and he felt hurt. Per
haps she was unusually busy; she could
not have forgotten him since yesterday,
when they had talked together for quite
two minutes. He gave her the benefit
of the doubt, and resolved to try again.
The opportunity soon came. She was
standing by him, adding up the account
of a voluble old lady, who had marched
The Washington times., 1902-08-24
7 Hat POMEROY AFFAIR,


How it is, DR.. Lightfoot." she saif
sternly, that when you saw the ear
this morning you were not able 20 fore
see this calamity"
Il don't believe 1t was possible for suy
medical man TO foresee it," l replied
firmly.
But l warned you that the earl suf-
fered from his heart
Il found nothing amiss with the earl
We hoped that in sending for you,
she said bitterly, we should have better
advice than could be obtained from an
old practitioner like DR.. Thornton. Evil
IDENTIFY our confidence was misplaced. -
She swept cOntemptuously from the
room and left me there, feeling more
perplexed than have ever been before
or since
| l knew quite well that was not in
any sense OF the word to blame for what
had happened. The question was, ought
| l to grant certificate? If l certified
that the earl died OF heart disease I
stultified myself. If | refused certif
cate coroner's inquest would be re-
quired, and the whole countryside would
be indignant at what they would call my
clumsiness in not avoiding it, was
turning the position over in my mind,
when the butler entered begging me to
go to the servants hall, as the house
keeper had been taken i'll.
II was she who had found the earl dead
in his chair. Fully two hours passed
before ] was able to leave her. and by
that time it was nearly one o'clock.
When. at last. the butler conducted
me from the housekeepcr's room across
the great corridor, it was only dimly
lighted. hut TO our great surprise we
saw figure emerge from the library
and walk slowly and noiselessiy across
the corridor. It approached the door
of the earls bedroom and then. turn
ing round looked at us. 1t was the
white, stern, rigid face Of the Earl of
Pomery,
/ heard the butler-a stern old Scots |
man, who had been with the family since
boyhood-whisper a prayer under his |
breath. | seized his arm.
Come with me to the earl's bed |
ROOM said. Il shall want your help.
We entered the room, and found him
lying just as l had seen him when the
dowager countess took me into the
room. But there was one change. The
bunch Of flowers which had been placed
On his breast was lying on the floor.
| pointed this out in silence 20 the
outler. who trembled violently, and for
he first time showed signs of fear
Placing my fingers on the earl's heart
felt after moment a slight move
nent. He was alivei
| began 20 see there was something
nysterioEs in the whole affair. Be-
ween us we applied restoratives until
he faint CLEAN of life became more
teady 1
Seeing that there was no immediate !
anger, decided to leave the butler
With his master. while | visited the Z
ibrary. While still unconscious it WAS I
vident that the earl had visited that S
partment. | was curious to know what /
ad happened there.
l found the electric light burning S
rightly. He had switched it on on |
ntering, just as he would have done
! the ordinary way. Nothing was '
isarranged. | went across TO his writ I
lg table, and there l found, perhaps, I
The Washington times., 1902-08-24

and again stood there longer than sh.
need have done. He wondered what sh,
would say when she heard that he wa.
Gead-had killed himself upon her door.
step. Perhaps she would then spare hin
a tear. would realize that women can.
not lightly make sport of the hearts Of
ren-re men, not bank clerks. II.
thought the fellow must be a bank
clerk; he hated bank clerks. who pre-
sumed upon silk hats and clean cuffs.
AT last she moved from the other
table and he summoned her with a look
full of meaning. She came, and he
thrilled
Have you forgot me. miss" he SAID
reproachfully.
She replied hurriedly. What was
your order?"
I have ordered nothing more" he
said.
Ten cents" she said, and wrote it
down.
He looked around. There was nobody
near eno1s1 10 hear. 1t was the time
for settling his fate.
You think it amt enough" he faf
tered.
His voice broke with emotion. She
looked surprised. She did not under
stand in the least.
GO, on" she replied, coyly. meaning
that he was to stop.
You don't know why 1 had only
jam tart, you DON'T
How should know"
You think cos 1 have jam tart I
haven't the money to pay for more"
Il admit thought nothin' at all"
You think l amt worth thinkin'
about
She didn't reply and he went on i'm
rresslvely:
Il ave ten dollars week. with a rise
next year. I've known fellers get mar
ried on ten dollars a week." he said.
Lori" she replied. and giggled di-
vinely
Yes" he said, IAN no mistake"
AT this moment there was a rush Of
new customers and she hurried off
again. The other fellow was still there.
so Herbert decided to wait and watch. |
Having got so far, he felt he must not |
give way without struggle. The other |
fellow ordered frozen pudding. so he. in |
reply, sent for another jam tart. after
counting his money anxiously to see
how long he could hold out He gave |
The Washington times., 1902-08-24
A Gentle Sarcasm.

A woman stopped at cloth counter In
one OF the large department stores re-
Gently and asked 10 be shown some dress
patterns suitable for early autumn wear.
The salesman began on the lowest row
of shelved compartments and pulled out
and opened box after box. until the coun-
ter on either side of him was piled as
high as his head with goods. Three times
he climbed ladder TO the upper rows
and staggered down uner weight Of box
patterns. until, when the woman took a
survey of the shelves, but two patterns
remained unopened. Then she said. very
sweetly:
Il don't think I'll buy any today. I'm
sorry to have troubled you. but you see
only came in to look for a friend"
mo trouble. whatever, madame" he
replied. politely. Indeed, IL you think
your friend IS in either of the remaining
two boxes. | don't mind opening them
too. o."-Philadelphia Times.
The Washington times., 1902-08-24

way again to despair when the other
fellow finished his pudding and sent for
a piece OF cake; and every time she
came near he had some happy phrase to
greet her with. Herbert sat in helpless
envy at the fellows careless wit. know
ing how immensely he would have been
attracted by it under other circum-
was not insensible to its charm. His
second jam tart was finished and his
heart was crushed. There was nothing
for it but to crawl out blighted into the
cruel world and forget her under the
wheels of a street car.
1t was almost time to go when the
other fellow rose. She was near him at
the time. carrying a heavily laden tray.
He turned to whisper something in her
ear, and bumped her arm. There was
crash and the whole trayful rolled
about in small pieces on the ground.
Herbert rushed to help her Her face
was red and tears were in her eyes.
while the villain who had done it all
said. Sorry Miss" and hurried out.
Two or three other girls came up and
began to gather the scattered plates.
Now you've done it," said one. SYM
pathetically: and another said some
thing about paying for this
But she said nothing. and the lady in
authority at the counter looked grim.
In a few moments there was calm
again. and all signs OF the tragedy had
disappeared-so far as the outer world
was concerned. But in Herbert's mind
there was struggle and calculation.
1t did not take him long to decide. She
was standing little apart. and he wentiI
up to her.
Didn't I give you your bill?" she |
said.
YES" he replied, then with some hesi- !
tation. "will they make you pay for
that?"
She nearly broke down and the tears /
we're starting to her eyes again.
How much will 1t be?' he asked. in
a low voice.
'I dunno she said, dolefully.
They stop it out OF yer wages?"
She nodded.
AN it was that brute what had the
rozen puddin'."
He was sorry as soon as he had said
hat; it seemed like reproaching her
or snobbery. Bat she did not appear
o take it in that way
who's to make EN- believe that?'
he said.
Hang 'em," he replied. emphatically
Here. take this-I don't want it," and
e tried to thrust dollar into her
The Washington times., 1902-08-24

~ UR1NG the last week, the copy
ing out of entries in ledgers
- had become less interesting 10
him than ever. There was Il
time when il had been dull. even
monotony; but. now that the half-hour
allowed for lunch had become a daily
glimpse of paradise, work was almost
actively rePulsive and only TO be en-
dured by indulging at frequent intervals
in the relief Of sketching crude outlines
Of human faces. They never resembled
even remotely the face he was struggling
10 produce. but he always hoped that
some day, by lucky chance. he should
draw something which would remind
him, however family. of Her. Meanwhile
his beautiful round-hand writing deteri-
GRATED sadly. and he was on more than
one occasion nearly dismissed for care
lessress
The clock at last struck lunch time
There was not a minute to be lost He
leaped from his seat, leaving a sentence
unfinished, and rushed into the crowd.
Millions of others like him were doing
the same; they thought only of some
thing to eat; till lately, he had thought
only of something to eat, but now II
was different. Eating had become as un-
important in his scheme of life as work
"a thing 10 be done mechanically. b,
force of gross habit. drizzling rain
made him turn up his coat collar-un-
necessarily, perhaps. for his white one
could not have been made dirtier, and
might have been made cleaner. by con-
tact even with rain water. But love
had made him more careful in these
matters, and only the thought of his
washing bill prevented him from at
tanning perfection. He pushed open the
swinging glass doors of Paradise and
entered its overheated atmosphere. Then
he took his seat at table within her
sphere of influence, and looked anxious
ly around. In the distance he saw her
thin, anaemic, plain, and dressed in
shabby black; but altogether divine.
She was standing near a man-a
strange man, who whispered something
in her ear. She nodded her head. and
his heart leapt. What had that man
said 10 her and why did she assent? !
He was handsome and looked like a
lawyers clerk-he hated lawyers clerks. !
She moved away, and, with a thrill, ne
recognized that she was coming toward |
him. No; another mara man with a
silk hat-stopped her, and TO him, too,
she smiled. 1t was untearlble. In time |
she reached him, and stool with a care /
less grace. her hand resting upon the |
marble table-he lunched off marble, did |
this young mana far away look in her |
eyes, and her head slightly inclined to-
ward him, as if expecting him to speak. !
The Washington times., 1902-08-24
HIS LAST BURGLARY.
A TALE OF THE PRODIGAL's RETURN

RANK FAIRMAN. alias Freeze
r. out Fairman. Fancy Frank, etc.
L was burglar. In every great
city in the land officers
either knew him or of him, and by ter
years patient endeavor at getting other
peoples property between the hours oil
midnight and > a. m. he had gained
widespread notoriety. AS rule when
ever he made his appearance in any me-
tropolis the police either arrested him
on general principles or kept tabs on
| him." so now in these days New York,
| Philadelphia and other cities began to
know him less and the small towns
more. Though exiled his glory did not
suffer by operations in more restricted
fields. Rather he added considerably
TO his laurels by continually avoiding
arrest, or conviction II arrested by the
for this king of the jimmy no day OF
retribution.
But just then. while the snow falling
outside seemed a benediction from
heaven on the Christmas festival that
midnight would usher in. burglary and
theft and murder and crime seeemed so
utterly out OF harmony with the glad
spirit OF the day that to no mans mind
in Paxton village did thought of them
even suggest itself
Fairman was in hard luck He had
been en- route from Baltimore to New
York, where he tried to spend every
Christmas, but an energetic detective
had followed so fast and hard after
that he was forced to dodge off into
the little village. He was not even
sure now that he had shaken his pur-
suer, and the fear. combined with the
certain failure to eat turkey at a New
York table 'hCte. filled him with wrath.
When he struck the town such thing
as burglary never entered his head. He
bad made big haul in Wilmington, ard
did not contemplate a raise" for some
But whether it was a strange
vanity to startle the unsoDhisticated
townsmen with a daring robbery by !
he prince of hOusebreakers. Frank Fair |
black type heading ia the village paper
or whether he felt desire to revenge |
himself on the town for the delay he had |
is imnaterisl He had sudden
y resolved on Job
By daylight he couli catch an express
D town. There was the house he wanted.
Is windows staring down upon him now
through the curtain of snowflakes-a
arge. handsome residence. whose ex-
erior bespoke an alluring plenty with
n. Fairman did not appear even to
lance at it as he strobe by.
At last midnight came, and making all
for leaving by the 8 a. IT.
rain Fairman left the hotel equipped for
he expedition. He effected an entrance
nto the dining room window of tt,
ouse he had selected to plunder. Just S
o'clock doomed from several public
locks. To one of his long experience
be collection of the exposed silver and
S arrangement in a compact bundle was
hort work. Then h. went upstairs.
ceiling his way, and occasionally darting
nall discs Of light into the gloom from u
dark lantern. He would. ordinarily.
ave been contented with his seizure of l
liver plate. but tonight the spirit of .
airing was strong upon him. and he l
ould not turn back. Entering a small n
Dor to the right of tAe landing at the | a
The Washington times., 1902-08-24

:, Now, If there is an organ which
profess TO understand with some thor
oughness. it is the heart But l could
find nothing in the world the matter
with his. The action was somewhat
weak. but that must be expected in q
| man who spends almost all his time In
, the library. So far as / could ascer-
tain, there was not trace of dis
ease.
There's no heart disease in our fam
ily." said the earl, cheerily.
This was a direct contradiction of the
dowager's words, but l paid little at
tention to 1t at the time. Every doctor
knows how unreliable patients are IN
their statements. There are some who
take delight in exaggerating every
ailment. there are others who take an
equal delight in minimizing them Be
fore l left ! had come to the conclu-
sion that the earl was one OF the best
fellows ! had met. There was not a
scrap of affectation or nonsense about
MIN.
! His great hobby was sketching.
/ have never met man with such a
remarkable talent. Every thought that
passed through his mind seemed to b.,
transferred to paper. For instance
while we were chatting he sketched my
likeness. 1t was quite a little work of
art and he gave It to me as a souvenir.
| / still have it, with the characteristic
signature. 'Pomeroy. December 90, 1886"
We are both students. DR.. Light
foot he said, warmly, land if we
don't become intimate, IL will be your
own fault. l am quite glad 1 cut my
hand. 1t has been the means of intro
ducing US"
That concluded my interview with
the earl of Pomeroy.
The same night, at 10 O'Clock. the
dogcart again dashed up to my sur
gerry. This time the groom was white
with excitement.
Come at once, SIR he said huskily.
rs anything wrong" I asked.
The earl is dead,'
For moment l gazed at him in stu |
pefied silence. Dead? A man whom |
only few hours earlier ! had seen in |
the prime Of life and in sound health, |
1t seemed impossible
How did it happen" l asked.
His lordship went TO the library
after dinner. as usual He fell asleep
in his armchair before the frc-and
about an honr ago the housrkeerer
found him, sir. He was dead,"
Tears were ,rickling down the mans
face as he spoke. felt that my meli-
cal knowledge must be in some way al
.0gether al fault, but it was no time for
idle conjecture. | sprang into the dog
cart, and three quarters OF az hour
later stood in the castle hall.
Everything was. of course, in confu-
sion. The servants were horror -strick-
IN. The young countess, overcome by s
grief. had been carried unconscious to
ier room. Tha only person who showed {
my nerve and presence OF mind was the y
iowager. She looked pale. but cool and !
In fact, she was one of those fe
strong minded women who a
an face any emergency. b
She led me at once TO his bedroom.
where he lad been carried | shall b
ever forget the scene that followed. He 2
ay on the bed. his face Just as had III
cen II in the morning, except that it d
'as now pale and rigid. lii