davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-24

reaping a harvest and are making the an
nouncement that they are doing better than
ever before.
At the City Post Office.
Uncle Sam has acted as Santa Claus to
more people this year than ever before.
The Post Office Department has been sim
ply overwhelmed with Christmas packages
and Christmas letters. No carrier left
either the main office or any of the branch
stations any day this week but that his
pouch was filled to overlooking with boxes
and packages remembrance of loving
friends out of town and as often conveying
to the post office little mementos of home
for those who are far away.
The scene in the mail room of the local
post office this morning, as it was Monday
and Tuesday mornings, was simply lnde-
scribable. Packages of all descriptions
were piled high on every desk. Bags and
heavy leather pouches were hauled into the
room by the dozens and their contents of
Christmas packages dumped on the floor
for distribution as soon as the distributing
has been on duty at the office and in the
larger branch offices since last week help
ing to handle the mail.
The business of the post Office has not
been confined to receiving packages for
local distribution, however. Thousands and
thousands of packages have been brought
into the office by collectors from the va
rious mail boxes throughout the city. Hun
to mail packages there. Owing to the great
rush of persons desiring to get parcels
weighed and the proper stamps for the
same it has been necessary for the post
master to place extra stump clerks in the
corridors to sell stamps and weigh pack
ages The crowd at the stamp windows
was so great at one time this morning that
persons desiring to buy stamps were COM
PEELED to wait in line fifteen twenty min
uteS.
When the packages and letters are prop
ery stamped and tied up they are deposited
in the package drop, beneath which a large
truck, such as is used for bundles in large
department stores, was wheeled The rush
of packages yesterday and today has been
so great that these trucks have been filed
every forty-five minutes, and it was neces-
sary to keep two men employed in sorting
the parcels as they were received, in order
to prevent congestion of the mails.
The post office officials state that this is
the greatest Christmas mail that has ever
been handled in the local post office. The
clerks have all worked overtime, the all
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-24
CHAPTER XIV.

Womans intuition often far outstrips the
slower mental process Of the other sex.
The mother WHO has TO see a beloved
daughters sileE. differing, well knowing
another girl to be, however indirectly, the
cause of 1t, sees all manner of other
iniquitles in that other girl Kind, chart
table and gentle was Mrs. Dade, a wise
mother. too, as we'll as most loving, but she
could look with neither kindness nor char
ity on Miss Flower. She had held her
peace; allowed no word of censure or criti-
cism to escape her when the women were
discussing that young lady; but all the
more vehement was her distrust because
thus pent up and repressed. With the swift
ness OF feminine thought, for no man had
yet suspected, she fathomei the secret of
the traders sudden going; and, carried
away by the excitement Of the moment and
the belief that none but her husband could
near, she had made that startling announce
ment And her intuition was unerring.
Nanette Flower was indeed gone.
Yet for nearly an hour she stood alone I'm
her conviction. Her husband quickly eau
TONED silence, and. going forth, gave in
structions to the cour!ers that sent them
speeding for the Rawlins road. But at Z
O'Clock Mrs. Hay herself appeared and
asked to see the general, who was taking at
the moment his accustomed bracer, tonic
and stimulant-the only kind he was ever
known 10 use-a cold bath. So it was to
Mrs Dade, in all apparent frankness and
sincerity, the traders wife began her tale.
Every one at Frayne well knew that her
anxiety as to the outcome of the battle on
the Elk had well nigh equaled that of the
wives and sweethearts within the garrison.
While her niece, after the first days excite
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-24

1t was almost as much to steal a march
on them as to oblige Nanette he so will
ing!y left before it was light. The Rawlns
road followed the Platte valley all the way
to Brenner's and once there he would feel
safe, whereas the Rock creek trail wound
through gulch, ravine and forest most of
the distance, affording many chance Tor
her husband had for a moment supposed
the general would wish to see him he would
not have gone, adding, with just little
touch of proper, wfe-like spirit, that on
the generals previous visits he had never
seemed to care whether he saw Mr.. Hay
or not
All this did Mrs. Dade accept with cour-
teous yet guarded interest They were
seated in the little army parlor talking in
low tone; for. with unfailing tact, Mrs.
Hay had asked for Esther and expressed
her sympathy on hearing of her being I'M
nerved by the excitement through which
they had passed. Well she knew that
Fields serious condition had not a little
to do with poor Esther's prostration but
that was knowledge never to be limited at.
Dade himself she did not wish to meet Just
now. He was too direct questioner and
had said and looked things about Nanette
that made her dread him. She knew that,
however austere and commanding he might
be when acting under his own convictions,
he was abnormally susceptible to uxorial
views, and the way to win the captains
sympathies avert his censure was to Sc
cure the kindly interest of his wife. Mrs
10y MY ehot nc udu Seilt COufleTS OIL Dy
| the Rawlins road-a significant thing in
ltself-and that couriers had come in from
the north with further news from Webb
She knew he had gone to the office and
would probably remain there until sum-
moned for breakfast, and now was her
time, for there was something further to be
| spoken Of and while gentle and civil Mrs
Dade had not been receptive.
1t was evident 10 the traders wife that
her lord and master had made a mistake
| In leaving when he did. He knew the gen.
eral was on the way. He knew there was
tnat money business to be cleared up yet
| she knew there were reasons why she
wanted him away-reasons hardest of all to
| pausibly explain. There were reasons, in
deed, why she was glad Nanette was gone.
Dade, and however unjustly, most Of Fort
| Frayne-men, women and children-at-
| tributed Fields detection, as they chose to
| call 1t, to Nanette-Nanette, who had set at
| naught her aunt'S most ardent wishes in
even noticing Field at all. Money, educa-
| ton, everything she could give had been
| lavished on that girl, and now, instead of
| her casting her net for that well-to-do and
| distinguished bachelor. the major, thereby
| assuring for herself the proud position of
| first lady of Fort Frayne, the wife of the
| liberately throwing herself away at beard
less, moneyless second lieutenant, because
| he danced and rode WELL Mrs. Hay did not
| blame Mrs. Dade at that moment for hat
| ing the girl, II hate she did. She could
| have shaken her. hard and well, herself
| yet was utterly nonplussed to find that
Nanette cared next to nothing how badly
Field was wounded. What she seemed II
care to know was about the casualties
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-24

much in evidence as the small boy with his
footing horn or dingling cow bell. The
fakirs are doing a land Office business and
their wares consist of miniature automo-
biles, monkey on a stick, jumping jack,
beetles with Tapping wings and little fid-
dlers. They find friends among the small
children and make quick sales, If not large
profits.
Then there are the newsboys, white and
colored, with their greetings, which they
shove In ones face with an expectant smile
pack of the demand.
Many amusing and strange incidents oc-
Cured as the Christmas crowds surged
through the streets. There have been many
collisions between the Christmas buyers,
furnishing amusement for onlookers. The
crowd would not be complete without the
man who celebrates the occasion by indulg-
ing too freely in the flowing bowl. There
were large number of such men upon the
streets last evening, who answered to roll
call in the Police Court this morning. The
usual fine of So was assessed upon each Of
fender.
One young man, who was very much
under the weather" perched himself on
the eleva ton of ground surrounding the
Hancock statue at the corner of It'll street
and Pennsylvania avenue, and attracted a
large assemblage of pedestrians by giving
vent to oratory. He declared that he was
a native of the state of Maryland, and mad
seen service under the American banner in
our new possessions, and that he would
have it known that he was democrat
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-24

fruit and those who could afford the price
bought expensive luxuries. Long before 10
o'clock the market was well filled with
shoppers, while many others were there on
sightseeing expeditions. Dealers had taken
pains to make their stands look as attract
i've as they could. and had made the sight
men. women and children were moving
briskly about trying to keep warm and &C
complish as much in a business way as
they could in short time. Capt. Board
mans detectives were in evidence in the
throng, ever alert to protect the merchants
and buyers. Pickpockets and petty thieves
usually have a good time about the market
places during the holiday season. and While
the dealers naturally expect to lose some
thing they do not want the buyers to lose
their money, their loss really meaning
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-24

ments If Miss Flower thought they had)
Note and Enclosure were sent first thing
next morning by the trusty hand of Master
Sanford Ray himself, and by him delivered
in person to Miss Fowler, who met him at
the traders gate. She took it, he said, and
smiled, and thanked him charmingly before
she opened it. She was coming out for her
customary walk at the hour of guard
mounting, but the next thing he knew she
had "Scooted' indoors again.
And from that moment Miss Flower had
not been seen.
All this was Mrs. Dade revolving in mind
az she walked pityingly by the side of the
troubled woman, only vaguely listening to
her flow Of words. They had thought to
be admitted to the little room in which
the wounded officer lay, but as they tip
over the long vista OF pink-striped cover
lets in the big ward beyond, the doctor
himself appeared at. the entrance and
barred the way.
Is there nothing we can do?' asked Mrs.
Dade, with tears in her voice. us he-so
much worse?"
Nothing can be done just now" an
swered Waller gravely. HE has had high
fever during the night-has been wakeful
and Eighty again. I-should rather no one
entered just now"
And then they noted that even the stew
ard who had been with poor Field was now
lowering about the door Of the dispensary
and that only DR.. Waller remained with
sleep again presently" said he. And
when he is mending there will be host
Of things for you both to do
But that mending seemed many a day
off, and Mrs. Hay, poor woman, had graver
cares Of her own before the setting sun.
Avoiding the possibility of meeting the gen.
eral just now. and finding Mrs. Dade both
silent and constrained at mention of her
niece's name, the traders wife went
straightway homeward from the hospital,
and did not even see the post commander
hurrying from his office. with an open dis
patch In his hand. But by this time the
chief and his faithful aid were out on the
veranda, surrounded by anxious wives and
nestly bothering the doctor at the hospital
before going to breakfast. Dade much
wished them away, though the news
brought In by night riders was both str
ring and CHEEKY.
The Indians had fitted away from Webb's
front, and he counted on reaching and res
cuing the Dry Fork party within six hours
from the time the courier started. They
might expect the good news during the
afternoon of Thursday. Scouts and fankers
reported finding travels and pony tracks
leading westward from the scene of Rays
fierce battle, indicating that the Indians
had carried their dead and wounded into
the Businesses Of the southern slopes of the
Big Horn, and that their punishment mad
been heavy. Among the chiefs killed or
seriously wounded was this new, vehement
leader whom Captains Blake and Ray
thought might be Red Fox. who was so
truculent at the Black Hills conference the
previous year. Certain of the men, how
ever, who had seen Red Fox at that time
expressed doubts. Lieutenant Field. said
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-24
DAUGHTER
oFmE {1oUX
By GEN. CHARLES KING.

ment, kept 10 her room the aunt went fit
ting from house to house, full of sympathy
and suggestion. but obviously more deeply
concerned than they had ever seen her.
Now she seemed worried beyond words at
the thought of her husbands having to go
al just this time. 1t was mainly on
Nanette's account, she said Only last night,
with the mai from Laramie, had come a
letter, posted in San Francisco the week
before. telling Miss Flower that her dear
est friend and room mate for four years at
school. who had been on an extended bridal
tour, would pass through Rawlins, eastward
bound, on Fridays train, and begging
Nanette TO meet her and go far at least
as Cheyenne. Her husband, it seems, had
been hurriedly recalled to New York, and
there was no help for it. Nanette had eX-
in late October or early November; had
given her promise, in fact, for she was
vastly excited by the news. and despite
headache and lassitude that had oppressed
her for two days past. she declared she
must go, and Uncle VIII must take her.
&c. with only small trunk, hastily
packed, of her belongings, and an IRON
bound chest of the traders, the two had
started before dawn in Uncle Bills stout
blackboard, behind his famous four-mule
team, with Pete to drive, and two sturdy
ranchmen as outriders, hoping to reach the
Medicine Bow by late afternoon and rest
at Brenner'S ranch. Confidentially, Mrs.
Hay told Mrs. Dade that her husband was
glad.of the excuse to take the route up the
Platte instead of the old rough trail south
eastward over the mountains to Rock
creek, for he had large sum in currency
to get to the bank, and there were des-
peradoes along the mountain route who
well knew he would have to send that
money in, and were surely on lookout to
waylay him-or it. Ever since pay day two
or three rough characters had been hang
ing about the store, and Hay suspected
they were watching his movements, with
the intention of getting word to their com.
rades In crime the moment he started, and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-24

owners have monopoly, the 4ulet'de is
being celebrated as extensively as ever
This fact need not be sworn to before a
Justice of the peace or a notary pubic put
can be attested by the man, woman or
child who has thus far attempted to gain
an entrance to the many stores of Wash
ington.
What seems to be agitating the minds of
the mothers and fathers at present is that
the dearly beloved old man-Santa Claus
will have a hard time visiting the homes OF
the many thousands of little children of the
city in his sleigh, with the time immemorlal
rCndeers and their sounding bells, unless
snow falls within the next few hours. 1t is
generally suggested that Santa Claus has
kept abreast with the remarkable progress
of the world, and If there is no snow upon
which the fleet runners of bis great sleigh
can noiselessly glide he will adopt modern
methods and make the journey from his
home at the north pole to this city in an
automobile, motor car, or large express
wagon: Santa Claus is an up-to-date chap,
and there should be no apprehension in the
minds of the credulous boy or girl as to his
safe arrival in Washington on scheduled
time.
Endeavor to Avoid the Rush.
There is a large majority Of the residents
Of Washington who believe in the homely
phrase that the early bird catches the
worm," and it was this class of prospective
purchasers that thronged the principal
business thoroughfares of the downtown
section last evening and this morning The
sales at the various stores were compare
lively light during the early hours of the
past few days. but when the evening ar
rived an onslaught began, and the clerk,
floorwalker or salesman who could snatch
enough time 10 get his supper was consid-
cred 10 be blessed by the gods
All the stores have been damned to the
doors every evening and the standing
room only placard should have been ex-
hibited at many establishments. The sec
ton embraced by Pennsylvania avenue, 18th
and G. streets was rolling of humanity
and speed for the person in a hurry" was
accomplished only in the middle Of the
streets. They were the merriest of throngs
and everything went. Everybod appeared
to be in high spirits and apparently glad
that the season Of the year had arrived
when they could show their love and good
will toward their fellow-man or fellow
woman by some token of remembrance.
Fakirs in Evidence.
The Christmas novelty men, or ''fakrs,'
with wares which they are willing to sell
for double the price in the stores, are as
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-24
Webb, had seen him, and could probably

say.
over this dispatch the general pondered
gravely. From what l know of Red Fox,
said he, Il should think him leader Of
the Sitting Bull type-a shrewd, intriguing,
misunderstanding fellow, sort Of Sioux
walking delegate not a battle leader. but
according to Blake and Ray this new man
is a fighter"
Then Mrs. Dade came out and bore the
general off to breakfast, and during break
fast the chief was much preoccupied. Mrs
Dade and the aid-de-camp chatted on social
matters. The general exchanged occa-
Sional word with his host and hostess, and
finally surprised neither of them, when
breakfast was over and he had consumed
the last of his glass of hot water. by say
ing to his staff officer: Il should like to see
Mrs. Hay few minutes, If possible. Well
walk round there first. Then-let the team
be ready at 10 o clock"
But the team. although ready, did not
start northward at 1Q. and the general,
though he saw Mrs. Hay, had no speech
with her upon the important matters upper
most in his mind during the earlier hours
of the day. He found that good lady In a
state of wild excitement and alarm. One
of the two outriders who had started with
her husband and niece at dawn was mount
ed on a dun-colored cow pony, with white
face and feet. One of the two troopers
sent by Dade to overtake and bring them
back was turning a blown and exhausted
horse over to the care of Hays stablemen,
as he briefly told his story to the wild-eyed,
well-nigh distracted woman. Six miles up
stream, he said, they had come suddenly
upon a dun-colored cow pony, dead in his
tracks, with white feet in air and white
muzzle bathed in blood; bride, saddle and
rider gone: signs of struggle in places; no
signs of the party, the team and wagon
anywhere.
"And no cavalry to send out after themv
said Dade, when he reached the spot. Old
Crabb was called at once, and mustered
four semi -invalided troopers. The infantry
supplied half dozen stout riders and, with
a mixed escort the general accompanied
by Dade and the aid-de-camp, drove swift
~ to the scene. Six miles away they found
the dead pony. Seven miles away they en-
countered the second trooper, coming back.
He had followed the trail of the four-muie
team as far as yonder point said he and
there was met by half dozen shots from
unseen foe and SO rode back out of range.
But Dade threw his men forward Skin
mishers; found no living soul either at the
point or on the banks Of the rocky ford be-
yond; but, in the shadows, close to the
shore, lay the body OF the second outrider.
shot and scalped. In clump of willows
lay another body, that Of pinto pony.
hardly cold, while the soft. sandy shores
were cut by dozens Of hoof tracks-shoe-
less. The tracks Of the mules and wagon
lay straight away across the stream bed
up the opposite bank and out on the north
ward-sweeping bench beyond. Hays fa-
nous four and well-known wagon, con-
tents and all. therefore, had been spirited
away, not toward the haunts of the road
Bow. but to those of the sovereign Sioux
in the Businesses of the stored Big Horn.
(To be continued tomorrow)
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-24
Decorations Counted In.

among the Sioux, and, now that Stabber's
village, the last living trace of it, old men,
squaws children, pappooses, ponies and
puppies and other living creatures, had, be-
tween two days, been whsked away to the
hills, there were no more Indians close at
hand to whisper information.
She was glad Nanette was gone, because
Field, wounded and present would have
advantages over possible suitors absent on
campaign-because all the women and a
few Of the men were now against her. and
because from some vague, intangible symp-
toms, Mrs. Hay had satisfied herself that
there was something in the wind Nanette
was hiding even from her-her benefac-
tress, her best friend, and it seemed like
cold-blooded treachery. Hay had for two
days been disturbed nervous and unhappy
yet would not tell her why. He had been
cross-questioning Pete, "Crapaud' and
other employees, and searching about the
premises In a way that excited curiosity
and even resentment, for the explanation
he gave was utterly inadequate. To satisfy
her if possible, he had confided, as he said,
the fact lat certain money for which
stolen. The cash had been carefully placed
in his old-fashioned safe: the missing
money, therefore, had been taken while still
virtually in his charge. They might even
Woud NOT BE- the eneW new
speaking of it to anybody, but 1 simply
had to tell you.'' She felt sure there was
something he was concealing; something
ing Nanette, therefofe. because she SO loved
Nanette he shrank from revealing what
Nanette should go or the time at least last,
but Mrs. Hay little. dreamed that others
would be saying-eyen this kindly, gentle
woman before heF-that Nanette should
have stayed until Seertain strange things
were thoroughly and satisfactorily ex-
planned. II
But the moment she hogan, faltering not
a little to speak OF matters at the post,
as a means of leading up to Nanette-
matters concerning Lieutenant Field and
his financial affairs-tO her surprise Mrs
Dade gently uplifted her hand and voice.
II am going to ask YOU not to tell me- Mrs.
Hay" said she. Captain Dade has given
me to understand there was something to
be Investigated, but preferred that should
not ask about it. Now, the general will
be down in fifteen or twenty minutes. I
see how Mr.. Field Is getting on. We can
talk, you know, as we go. Then you will
breakfast with u.s. Indeed, may not give
you a cup Of coffee now, Mrs. Hay2'
But Mrs. Hay said no. She had had cof-
fee before coming. She would go and see If
there was anything they could do for Field,
and would try again to induce Mrs. Dade to
listen to certain of her explanations.
But Mrs Dade was silent and preoccupied.
| She was thinking of that story of Nanette's
going, and wondering whether 1t could be
true She was wondering IL Mrs. Hay knew
the couriers had gone to recall Hay, and
that II he and Nanette failed to return it
might mean trouble for both. She could
accord to Mrs. Hay no condolences of her
own, and had been compelled to decline to
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-24

loss to the merchants as we'll The Christ
mas trade has been particularly good with
many Of the merchants this season, and the
market will remain open until late hour
tonight to accommodate those who are paid
off late in the day. There will be ample
time given to all who want to invest, and
nobody will go hungry tomorrow because
there was not time enough given them to
make purchases.
All the executive departments were closed
at noon today and will not reopen for
business until Friday morning. The execu-
tive order to excuse all the employees who
could be spared at II o'clock today specific
ally included the employees of the Washing
ton navy yard, as well as those of the gov
eminent printing office.
The schools were all closed today, vaca-