davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1902-08-31

NJ ELY WARDEN was the belle
M of James county; there could
l Y be no doubt of that. Some said
of the whole of Texas; but that
was more problematical.
No one denied. however. that she was
one of the prettiest little maids that
ever stepped-laughing blue eyes,
roguish red lips and a skin with just
the least touch of brown where the
fiery Texas sun had kissed it. And
there wasn't boy in that section that
wouldn't have given his right hand for
that same privilege. But she would
have none OF us. though goodness
knows We hung round the Warden
ranch in most disgustingly obvious
manner.
Her three big brothers never wanted
for chums. and her poor old father pos
itively couldn't move without having
some OF Nelly's suitors buzzing about
him. for. you see. we were all so keen
on getting her that we couldn't afford
to let the other fellows steal a march
on us by making friends at court But
in spite of all our efforts Solomon him
self couldn't have told which one of
US she favored-it she favored any one
at all
She had laugh and a smile for
every one of us-but as to a preference,
Some of the married men, just to worry
US, used to say that the right man
hadn't arrived vet, and we boys would
feel for our pistols and hint that If he
wasn't a born and bred James county
man the stranger would find things un-
healthy for him.
There were, should say. about eight
OF us boys who wanted to marry Nelly
Warden. and, in spite of our rivalry, We
were all pretty good friends. with. one
exception. He was Juan Sofa. a Mexi-
can from over the border-a regular
fiery Spanish ''greaser" of the old
style. He was magnificent horseman.
and to see him come laundering up to
the Warden rauoh-big silver spurs.
The Washington times., 1902-08-31

we are acting, died four months ago,
and left you all his money!"
She shook her head.
Tit is true, them" she asked,
tremulously.
/ True, I should think it is. The ad-
yertisement has been in the Daily Ar
gus nine times. Have you only just
seen it?"
She nodded then said. 81 have been
i'll in hospital for six weeks. What l
went through before / met you told on
me at last, and had to give in"
at the very time l met you in the
park. went on Jack, you were entitled
to fifty thousand pounds. The irony Of
it."
You were very. very good to me. ="
she said simply, her eyes filling with
tears. Il have not forgotten about the
loan"
"Oh, bother the loan!" exclaimed
Jack.
She smiled. and then Uncle Jollup
came IN and spoilt 1t all by insisting on
overhauling all the necessary papers
there and then.
and so. Jack. you are going to marry
an heiress after ALL said Uncle Jollup.
in huge delight some months after. when
he was entertaining Marjorie Blakeley
and Jack to dinner at his house. We'll.
my boy. l congratulate you. Now l
leave all to you. A bargains a bar
gain"
Sweet Marjorie blushed. and looked
shyly at Jack. who rose and bent over
her. II have been more than repaid"
he whispered, 'for have won the heart
and love of the sweetest girl on earth"
The Washington times., 1902-08-31

me for myself he will not care. If it is
for my money, he will show it.
december .. a. nj am so happy.
John is absolutely true and doesn't care
for my money. When he got my let
ter yesterday afternoon. he came at
once to me. | tried to look a picture of
pathetic woe, and told him what nv
lawyers setd In a moment after he
had heard it l was held tightly in his
arms and he was kissing me, We are
to be married Christmas day. told old
Mr.. Sharpe, my lawyer. about 1t yes
terday, and how he laughed, He is to
write me letter stating that by strenu-
Gus efforts that fortune has all been
saved, and | will show ii to John. Won't
he be surprised,
My maid Nannette sits over there bv
the fire half asleep. It's too bad to
keep her up any later, so | won't write
longer. but I'm so happy. l know I won't
sleep wink,
"Nannette. said John Everard. as he
stood in the reception room on Christ
mas day. waiting for his wife 10 come
down from her room. "Nannette, to-
night / start on my wedding tour. Here
are three letters you wrote me, and /
wish you would accept this hundred dol
lar bill as little confidential Christmas
gift. There-go now. YOUR mistress is
ringing for you
And Nannette smi'ad and answered
the bell.
The Washington times., 1902-08-31

l Know am, and when John
Everard proposed TO me tonight was
so afraid that it was my money he was
proposing to, rather than myself. l re
fused 20 give him any answer at the
time. resolving 10 put his love to the
test. If he is rroof against the tests !!
shall apply-and ! hope he will be-
shall be perfectly happy
| have written a letter and signed
that wicked actress Marie's name to it,.
asking join t. meet her at the stage
entrance at 1890 tomorrow evening
John has an engagement with me. If he
goes away early. pleading business or
headache. | shall know he has gone
to keep TIE appointment he suppose :
she has made with him. Then | shal.
never. never have ANYTHING more to do
with him.
December .. 1906 4. III am so hap
~. 1t is midnight and John has just
Rone-I an almost convinced that he
loves me for myself alone. WATCHED
him closely all the evening to see i;
lie would in any way betray tie fac;
that he had received letter rom that
actress. Judge Of my surprise when.
= bout an hour before he went home, he
took that letter from his pocket and
LANDED i; to me! There was a time. n
confessed when he would have kept
an appointment like that.
But that vas IN the days | call my
The Washington times., 1902-08-31

| Perhaps I can help you. Tell me all
| about it"
MY father and mother died a year
ago. leaving me with scarcely any
money" began the girl, "and until a
month ago l remained in my Devonsire
! home My slender resources began to
! eke out, so came to London to see II
could get employment as governess.
Luck has been against me. and l have
now come to the end of my resources.
That's all-the whole thing in nut
she'll" she concluded bitterly. Il need
not 20 into details, You will understand
what have gone through
| The girl flushed scarlet with shame
at such an exposure. Her pride and
self-esteem we're wounded. too.
The irony of it struck him forcibly.
'I'm-I'm awfully sorry he said at
last. awkwardly enough. IT'S fearfully
hard"
Their eyes met. Her face was still
flushed. and there were tears in her
voice and eyes as she smiled and said;
Thank you for saying that. You are
so sympathetic"
The words, though slight in them
selves and so simply uttered. carried a
world of meaning.
Granger stared vacantIy across the
road again.
What a sweet face she had. Why
should fate be so cruel 10 one with
whom nature had dealt so generously.
Who to look at her, would have
thought such cruel poverty was hers?
Daintily, charmingly dressed-not a
penny in the world!
Well, he couldn't leave her without
doing something.
Look here he said at last, here
is my card" He handed 1t to her. at
the same time steadily avoiding her
glance IF at any time you should be
in difficulties. er-well, er-come and
look me up And er-. oh hang It," he
exclaimed, its no use my beating
about the bush, I'm going to lend you
five pounds"
The girl crimsoned, but shook her
head. "Impossible-I don't know when
could repay you
Then may ask what you intend
doing and how you are to pass the
night ,"
II don't know" she murmured.
Nor do l. unless you accept my loan
/ must insist" he said earnestly. Par
don my saying so. but / think II is folly
TO refuse. Consider it a loan that you
can return at any distant date you like"
She had taken the card and placed it
in her pocket.
We are all, some time or other, vic
Tins Of circumtance, he began again;
consider that your time has now
come" he concluded banteringly.
''You-you are very good, she whis-
pered. Why how do you know tha,
my tale is true. or that
You are unkind." he put in quickly.
Must / tell you what l see in ycur
face ana eyes. They spell"
She motioncd him TO Geslst. Tell me
another time-if we ever meet again |
Since necessity DEM nds that 1 must
submit to, I-I--'
Then you will accept. the amount ," |
Necessity says yes" she answered
softly
They strcll"i tc the corner in silence. |
Don't forget when you are in trou-
bic. he began, to
Il shall always remember. No words |
OF nine can thank you. Please dom,
follow me TO see where | go. Promise
me"
Yes. promise" he said, raising his
hat. Good night"
Good night" He watched her walk
quickly down Grosvenor Place, then
went to his club.
He knew he had fallen in love at first
sight.
Another season come and gone
Jack" said his uncle, i solicitor Of the
The Washington times., 1902-08-31

warrant. The plain, black chapeau wa:
at his side. and his uniform was thai
of general. There was nothing tC
indicate his high rank save the Legior
OF. Honor which decorated his breast
and that wonderful face with its fierce
eyes and square jaws, which, once seen
were never forgotten.
You summoned me, SIRE" said a
voice, interrupting the Emperor's
train of thought. The corporal fol-
whom he sent stood at the salute.
Yes. Corporal" returned the EN-
peror. looking up. "Ah," Corporal
Gavairre," he added, with an almost
Iimperceptlble SMILE still at it?"
Still fighting for my Emperor, sire
Heaven grant l may yet go through as
many campaigns as 1 already have
done"
The grim old martinez, who had
fought in numerous engagements. was
favorite of the Emperors. Gavairre
stood motionless. but very pale. Ma
poleon noticed it.
Il want particulars of the deserter, -
said Napoleon, closely scanning the
features of the corporal. What is his
name?"
"Gavairre, SIRE
leon.
"a relation of yours?"
"Son. my Emperor"
Again the hawk-like eyes of the great
leader flashed and seemed to pierce
Gavairre through and through.
Then came silence.
1T is unfortunate, my Corporate
There was no answer, save for the
jerky, labored breathing OF Gavairre.
The tone of voice in which the last
words were spoken meant volumes. The
corporal could have borne a torrent of
abuse. The stinging. biting sar/sm
was worse than anything.
Repeat all you know" asid the EN-
peror coldly.
"A corps of your Imperial Guards at
the entrance of the Somossierra Pass
in the early hours OF yesterday morn
ing" began the corporal. in halting,
measured tones. "A volley of mus
kerry rang out. followed by another
and another. right down the ravine.
The Guards paused, and drew back.
Then a drummer stepped slowly for
ward, quickly beating the charge. A
cheer rang out, and the men, daunted
for while. were thrilled. They began
to advance. The drummer still beat
the charge with his right hand-his left
was shot away. The men steadily
marched on. and then they saw their
beloved Emperor on his charger That
instilled them with fresh courage. They
rushed the ravine. In the excitement
and melee the drummer, in the thick
of the shot and shell. lost his head
and. we'll, sire. you know the rest"
concluded Gavairre. white as death.
The hitherto impassive countenance
OF the Emperor kindled with momentary
enthusiasm.
81 remember the incident. corporal.
Who was the drummer
My son. sir
Your son is a brave fellow. How
came he to desert?"
1T was his first taste of shot. sir He
confesses he tried TO run away"
Does General Lazelle know of the
incident"
Yes. my Emperor
A look of anger passed over Ma
poleon's face. He remembered the gen.
erals intensely satisfied expression
when the death warrant was handed
him.
He never mentioned it to me, my
Corporal. 1t was an important omis-
sion. 1t was unjust. Gavairre," put in
the Emperor suddenly. what ask you
is for no ears but yours. Perhaps it may
be irrelevent to the subject and con-
trary to strict military discipline, but
! am Emperor"
The Washington times., 1902-08-31
A STORY OF NAPOLEON.

The last words were proudly said
Listen, Do you know if your son
has offended General LazelIe in any
way?"
Lazelle had risen from the ranks. In
those days promotion was swift, how
ever humble the soldiers birth
"Sire, they are rivals in the game of
love- answered Gavairre
"Ah."
The exclamation escaped the Emperor
almost unawares. IN a moment he gained
complete self-possession. and was once
more calm. inehxible, impassive.
Sire. sire," cried the corporal sud-
denly. forgetting all save his son.nor in
whose presence he was, and finging
military discipline to the winds BY
kneeling at the Emperor's feet: "a word
from you. my Emperor
'Gavairre! You forget you are a cor
poral in my Guard" said Napoleon,
icilv.
In a moment the man rose, and once
more stood at the salute. pale, notion
less
Silence once more. Nothing could 6e
heard but the humping of the cor
poral's heart. which beat as fast as his
sons drumsticks.
THE warrant for his execution has
been sent in. I signed it half an hour
ago, my corporal" began Napoleon at
length. He must pay the penalty. If
only as an example to others
''As you say. my Emperor
That's all. corporal
The man turned to co.
'One moment, Gavairre."
Napoleon wrote hurried note, signed
and sealed it.
Deliver this to the head of your sons
guards at once. promise nothing, mind
you-hold out no hope. Captain Ga
vairre."
Captain. sire?"
You are captain from this moment. :
Co."
The gray shadows of the early dawn
crept stealthily over the camp. Faint
sounds OF life once more began to be-
heard: men moved about and guards
were changed. Presently the steady
but muffied tramp, tramp OF eight men.
with loaded rifles, n captain and a pris- :
oner with his right arm bound, his left
in a rough sling, and eyes bandaged,
approached a ready-dug grave. near
which stood a group of silent men,
among whom stood Napoleon and Gen.
eral Lazelle, there for the purpose OF
seeing that all was properly carried
out.
HALT"
The prisoner was deadly pale. He
showed no other sign of fear He stood
still and erect to the eight rifles levelled
at him.
Ready" The command rang out
sharp and clear.
Present"
Fire." The volley was simultane-
Gus. The smoke rolled slowly away.
The prisoner remained standing
calm. motionless-but. If possible. pales
than ever
What has happened?" whispered
Some one has blundered.
1T is we'll" said the Emperor. calm
and imDassive as ever. The rifles
were loaded with blank cartridges.
Gavairre's punishment will suffice The
shock has been great
But, sire expostulated the general,
in a fever; lit is
silence, General, it was my order,"
Numbered the Emperor.
Lazelle saluted. meeting with difi-
guilty the hawklike gaze of Napoleon
The sun was just rising
The Washington times., 1902-08-31

llly dressed. JACK Granger,
L sitting beside her in the Park,
had every facility for studying
her closely. He was puzzled by the sad,
harassed look on her face, which ne
thought had no business TO be there
at all. 1t was lovely June evening,
but the Park was rapidly thinning. for
the inevitable dinner hour claimed So
ciety for its own.
So absorbed was Granger in con-
templative study that, mirabile dictu,
he had forgotten about that all i'm
portant function.
Presently the chair ticket man came
along and stopped before the girl.
Have you paid, yet. MINI"
No she answered.
''one penny. please
She fumbled in her pocket, but no
purse made its appearance.
I'm afraid IL haven't-Ive left"
ALLOW me" put in Jack, Selling the
welcome opportunity. Most awkward,
of course, he went on. not noticing her
deprecating gesture. Il really see no
other way out of the difficulty" and he
settled the matter by paying for them
both, while the ticket man walked on,
his face wreathed in inscrutable smiles.
AN old trick, that" he thought, as
he strolled along. though there's many
a marriage the outcome of it an the
likes
1T is really good OF you." said the
girl at last, but rather than be under
any obligation to you ! would have
much preferred to pay another day"
"A pleasure at any time to help
lady out OF difficulties" answered
Granger, delighted that the ice was
broken. IT'S SO easy to forget your
purse, too. l never bother myself with
such impediments. Much safer to carry
your money loose in your pocket, don't
you think so?''
II you have any-yes." replied the
girl, smiling in spite of herself and
tracing little patterns in the grass with
her parasol.
Rather an odd remark" though.
Granger.
'Er-er. perhaps your pocket has been
picked" he ventured at last.
NO"
Lost your purse2"
She shook her head.
Forgot it?"
"Ohi how dense you are" she ex-
claimed. almost petulantly, you men
never seem able to realize that we
women can be hard UP although We
present a fairly respectable appear
snce Now, does another possible con
tingency occur to you other than what
you have guessed?"
Jack thought for long While. but
his brain could not rise 10 the solving
OF srch a riddle. Impecuniosify was az
foreign to him as are TIE tropics to the
polar bear.
Then you must shame me TO an ad
mittance," she answered.
"oh!" put In Jack. at last beginning /
10 realize the truth, ''ycu don't mean /
you can't mean that you haven't GOT
Yes" she whispered. and her eye |
filled with tears as she gulped down . /
sob. lin spite of all-all this" and she |
made q pretty gesture, indicating her |
dainty clothes.
''Wheugh," whistled Jack softly. |
"well lin" he didnt say what he /
was, but whisticd again.
She hardly realized why she hai |
taker this man. total stranger. even [
thus far into her confidence. But there /
was something SO kind. so sympatheti:
in his face-scmething different from
other men.
Have you no friends. no rela ives in
town" asked Granger at last.
II know no one"
Then what are you going 10 do?"
"I don't know" She began to cry.
Come said Jack cheerily, there is
always a silver lining TO every cloud.
The Washington times., 1902-08-31
BEWARE OF HASTE.

$50 you refused him?" said Maud.
Yes" replied Mabel. II told him
shall send back his letters unopenes
Il wouldn't be SO rude, There mig
be theater tickets in some OF them.'
Stray Stories.
The Washington times., 1902-08-31
THREE TESTS OF CUPID'S FIDELITY

n ECEMBER /. II p. MI wonder
if all rich girls are afraid of
- being married for their money
lnnr. | nrn md ,,.Inn LIN
The Washington times., 1902-08-31

ELY WARDEN was the belle
of James county; there could
be no doubt of that. Some said
The Washington times., 1902-08-31
THE EMPEROR'S DECISION.

{ llTO be shot at dawn; those are
your orders, sire."
L Yes. general. There will
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-24
Monarchs and Ping-Pong.
From the London Express,


Ever since the king sent a present Of set
Of ping-pong to the German emperor the
game has become as popular on the CONT
nent as it is here. The German emperor
recently declared that the happiest hour of
the day to him was the hour after dinner,
when he was ''only accessible to genuine
ping-pongers.'' King Leopold of Belgium.
who at one time spoke rather sneeringly of
the game, now says that a man "can be a
really sensible fellow and yet like ping
pong" The Sultan Of Turkey, who has
rarely been accused of making joke, was
heard to remark that 'if he had not an en-
pire to play with he would certainly play
at ping-pong, while the young King OF
Spain, who thoroughly enjoys the game.
said the other day to one of his ministers,
with all the enthusiasm Of youth: when
my kingdom Is less troubled and L have
more time to spare, 1 think 1 shall go in
for ping pong very strongly indeed" Even
the more seriously inclined Emperor Of
Russia acknowledged that the game is a
fascina ting one: and. in the course Of a
conversation with a very great ambassador,
said, laughingly: "A nations welfare now
depends upon ping-pong. man cannot be
regarded as a great diplomatist unless he is
also great at this new game-postion and
pinsApong go hand in hand"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-24
Old-Time Cock Fighting.
From the Boston Journal.

From the Boston JOURNAL
Nor should cock fights be despised in this
strenuous period Of American history.
Some Of the best and noblest Of men were
given I'D to the sport, just as John Keats
was fond of prize fights and Bishop Will
berforce is said to have assisted at the
Heenan-Sayers mill docs not the most
poetic and imaginatiy Of American must
clans attend all friendly encounters, that
he may admire the perfect technic of the
pueilistD There was the Earl of Derby,
for instance, who feared God and honored
the king-the fortunate earl that married
beautiful Miss Farren, q play actress
When he was eighty-two years old and
aware that death would call in a few hours
he had a main between his favorite birds
in his bed room. Truly fine figure of an
Englshman, who might have sat for Ma
ginn's portrait of the Earl of Bardolph.
table by his side, with a prayer book, a
posset cup, the Racing Calendar and a
tankard of ale, although he could not lift
the tankard to his mouth. He took leave
of his relatives, told them not to come near
him again, and then ordered his groom, joe
to bring couple of game cocks into the
room. He had twenty-five guineas under
his pillow for the doctor, but he bet on
his favorfte, 'the ginger pyle" a guinea
won Joes capital-ivepence halfpenny. He
cleared of the coppers from the table into
the bed, showed the purse with the guineas
in it toward the groom. land then he cast
his eyes upon the cocks, and the bird he
had last backed gave one great loud crow
and the old mans head sank on the pillow
and he died."
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-24
FORBIDDEN NEGATIVES.
The Routine Followed in Taking Pic
lures of Royalty.

rfo" ItdTsOu weekly
The routine of taking royal photographs
is something like this: The photographer,
in the first place. must be a man of estab-
nshed reputation, and as probably several
are writing at once each gets a sitting in
turn The reply makes regular appoint
ment, say at Marlborough House, Sandring-
ham or Windsor, and on the day appoint
ed the artist attends with his apparatus
and one two assistants.
After a few minutes wait in an outer
room he is conducted into the presence of
the royal parsonage, whose personal attend
ants have seen to II that everything is in
readiness for the taking of the photograph
in the room. Most royal personages, par
ticularly our king, are experienced sitters,
thanks to the enormous number of times
they have been photographed and the act
ual operation Is very quickly over. Next
comes the developing of the negative, the
'retouching," and when at last the proof
is ready 1t is taken to the palace by the
photographer for royal sanction.
You would be amazed IL you knew the
number of condemned negatives, for the
slightest suspicion of lack of dignity or
frivolous appearance is enough to condemn
the negative to the shelves of the studio
forever. Very rarely indeed is one of our
royal family photographed smiling, much
less laughing, though the well-known por-
trait of her lat majesty Queen Victoria
was a very conspicuous exception to this
rule. That, however, was a snapshot taken
by an amateur. Some years ago a photo
graph was taken of Princess Maud of Wales,
who, just as the exposure was being made
laughed heartily at some remark her sis
ter had made, and the resulting picture
was instantly condemned by our present
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-24
Feats of Insects.
Cincinnati Commercial Tribune.

From the Cincinnati Commercial Tribune
There Is certain little fly that was OBJ
served to run three inches and make in
doing 1t 40 steps-all in one-half a second
of time. To equal this, in proportion to
his size, man would have to run at the
rate of twenty miles a minute.
The common flea leaps 200 times its own
length To show like agility a man SIX
feet tall would have to leap a distance OF
100 feet. The cheese mite Is about one
quarter Of an inch in length, yet 1t has
been seen to take the tip of its tail in its
mouth and then, letting go with a jerk, to
leap out Of vessel six inches In depth. To
equal this man would have to jump out
of well from depth Of IA feet.
well-known student of nature once
tried the growing force of squash. When
1t was eighteen days old and measured
twenty-seven inches in circumference he
fixed a sort of harness around it. with a
long lever attached. The power Of the
squash was measured by the weight IT
lifted. the weight being fixed to the lever
When 1t was twenty days old, two days
after the harness was fixed on it, 1t lifted
sixty pounds. On the nineteenth day Ii
lifted 5000 pounds.