davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-07-26

down the tura. He looks up and there
comes a colt tearing down on him and
the Jockey hauling on the bit.
some way or other that colt looked
familiar Ike, out he couldn't place him.
So did the jockey look familiar like. hut
he couldn't place him. Anyway, Il was
so dark that you couldn't see much Of
anything distinct
S'They slowed down IN front of the
stand and then turned around and can
tered back to where my friend sat on
the rail Then they whirIed around and
took off for the full Derby distance. He
sat still there watching them He saw
the colt fly round the far turn and he
caught the mile IN 1877 1-5. When the
colt came past him again ne got up 10
catch the finish. and as the colt went
under the wire he caught him in 2:31 3-5.
Then his eyes did bulge out.
He got up and started 20 run down
the track to find out the name OF the colt
The rider saw him coming and he set
OF pretty brisk The cIocker hits up
his own pace and the rider logged the
colt UP little more. The faster the
clocker ran the faster the colt went. just
keeping a little ahead OF the fellow.
Every once in a while as they we're
going round the track the rider would
turn and grin at the fellow who was
trying to catch up with them The colt
went through the Twelfth Street gate
and my friend after him. They run along
Twelfth Street and the colt keeps gain
ing more and more on the elocker until
all of q sudden the horse and rider turn
into waldhelm cimitry.
my friend made a fierce sprint Cor
the gate. but before he could get there
the colt and the jockey had disappeared.
Il was sitting on the rail when he
got back He didn't say nothing for a
| long time and we both sat there trying
TO time the horses. But after n while
he moseys over to me and says.
Say. whose stable is over in the
cimitry? "
This clocker Is not the only one tc
have seen a ghost horse or TO have
/ heard Of one. Many pikers have made
/ the acquaintance OF a ghost through the
efforts OF their friend the undertaken
/ 1 ne unuSftdheT II the MINI -hedIteu mar
who makes a book for the benefit OF his
! friends and his casual acquaintance
and total strangers as well. 1t is the
ambition of the undertaken 10 help hu-
mainly get rid OF money.
As an expeditions method OF accom-
plishing this laudable purpose the un.
dertaker has developed tho ghost horse
| r-a-t -. a. sr.,a uoarvalous erqatur,
who has been raised and nourished OF
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-07-26

helped himself 20 various edibles. and
then got up and poured out his coffee
This being done. he commenced TO cat.
Then Ethel came TO the table and old
exactly the same thing.
For some unaccountaOle reason the
morning paper had not arrived. so that
Gerald was unable 10 take refuge n
mans natural morning retreat. So they
both sat in stony silence.
Presently Gerald wanted some salt.
Laboriously he got up and walked
around to where It was Just by Mrs.
Sinclair's side. Mrs. Sinclair picked up
the salt and began 10 leisurely help her
self GersFl waited five seconds and
then with a snort rushed out into. the
kitchen and returned with a srcat lump
OF cooking salt. and taking mp the bread
knife proceeded 10 shave some off onto
his plate.
Then Mrs. Sinclair wished TO cut some
bread. and picIilg up he bread knife
(Which Gerald had used for the salt,
gazed at It critically and laid it down
again. Then she rang for the maid and
told her 10 bring clean breadknife.
This sort OF thing would have gone
on ali breakfast time II Il were not for
the fact that both husband and wife
noticed a book in the room. AS II
happened it was the only book in the
breakfast room that morning. II was
INITIALS Dictionary. present to Gerald
from a friend OF his. A dictionary, by
the way, is always such a nice, friendly
present to give.
Wen. as said. husbands and wife
eyes aIghted on this volume together
and In consequence they both rose to-
getber and walked 10 the side table
where the book lay. Mrs. Sinclair
seized It hrst; but. seeing her husband
was on the same quest, she turned heI
nose up and released her hold and
walked away 10 her breakfast again.
Gerald picked up the book and also
sat down. aud then opened IL so thai
the title page, with Gerald n. Sinclair
written on It, could be plainly seen by
his wife.
He studied hts name himself for some
minutes and appeared to find IL mos
diverting He finished his breakias
with his interesting companion proppe'
up against the bread, which gave Ethe
I the opportunity OF ringing for a fresl
! loaf when she wanted some bread. whicl
she did with the greatest apparent zest
/ The air was almost blue when Geral'
/ took UP an ola black Guilty clay pipe
which his wife disiikes more than any
/ thing. And when he walked upstair
smoking It her rage knew no bounds
/ She rushed 20 her room, and, puttiul
} on her hat and coat. won't out OF tn
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-07-26

w YORD has come from mar IOin'
NM via a Halsted Street saloon.
that there is something
strange about the Derby. "elocker"
who has been perching on rail along
the Harlem track every morning about
O'Clock. with his eyes bullying out IN
his efforts to see the horses and time
them. has brought the news 1t Is
vouched for by another rail bird.
The second rail bird did not see It,
The first did. and ne told the second
about 1t. Both checkers wear white
overcoats. frayed around the edges, with
large pearl buttons. and soiled fawn-
coiored. broad-rimmed felt hats. II you
have not seen these particular two. you
have seen others like them, and you
know their kind.
They have been sleeping on dope books
for a month until the last week. Since
then they have not been sleeping at al,
except for uncertain maps taken in
chairs in the Halsted Street saloon
Time has been too valuable in the last
week to waste in sleeping. Every morn
ing they have tourneyed TO Harlem so
that they might take their places on
the rail and Watch the early morning
workout of the Derby candidates. The
other morning one Of them saw the sight
which leads him TO believe that there
will be something strange about the
Derby today.
DrFh 81 n
honor and trust that their word will be
taken implicitly. They are not accus-
toned to being doubted.
The eyes of both, according TO .heiI
friends. stand out like the lamps on a
lighthouse" That is the result OF try
ing TO look through the darkness o1
carly morning Another week of it and
they would have begun TO develop cats
eyes.
One "clocker" reached tho track at
O'Clock the other morning. Usually h'
got there at o'clock, but on this par
ticular morning he was earlier. HI
crawIed up on the rail and pulled GU
his big stop watch. What happened Il
/ told by the other "clocker:"
"Y'see the sun was still hanging
around China somewhere when he get
over there HIS eyes were bullying Gu
/ like the lamps on benzine buggy. Th'
further they got out in the darkness TIL
| better he could see.
Well be sits up there on the rail owe
by the seven rurlOng Fele and holds hi
watch In his hands ana waits fer som
| r,-.t.- III - oor,.a arnrg All ~ q s,td
den ne hears something beating dir
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-07-26

some unknown farm Strange reports
reach the city concerning him. He has
worked out mile in 1;s5 hitched to an
ice wagon
He gets a fancy figure In the winter
books. and The u1dertaker's press
agents spread the tidings that when he
shows up on the track the Derby will
be over. It's the chance OF a lifetime
to get rich IN hurry. The undertaken
accepts money on him, expressing IN
his visage-the undertaker's visage-
that when this Derby has been run he
will be bankrupt IL much more money
goes up on the unknown colt.
The ghost horse never appears within
Fifty miles OF Washington Park The
undertaken is saved. The pIker who has
become acquainted with the phantom
nag has the consolation OF knowing
that II the colt had not taken a cold he
the piker-would have been sitting
up nights trying 70 think OF a way to
escape the disgrace of dying rich.
piker may be a rail bird and a rail
bird may be a clocker II is possible for
a man to be all three As a pIker he
will be filed with an ambition to IN
vest So and become rich enough TO give
away libraries II the piker be also q
rail bird he will HE away TO the tracks
and SIT on the rail watching the work
out, seeking a substantial basis fer his
investment. II he possess stop watch
and frequent the tracks In the early
morning hours he will become cloeker'
- \ L. If,,rr aaVf NJ
the piker.
Wise money is difficult species 70
define. Sometimes II goes 10 the tracks
In park drag. leaving Its wife and fssa-
/ lily in the clubhouse. seeks the sacred
spot where the colts weigh in When
/ the race is over the wise money goes
back to pick up the family, an express
wagon is summoned 10 carry away bis
earnings. and the ambulance. calls 1or
| the undertaken.
A plunger can be wise money, but
that is not the case necessarily. He has
to be a wise plunger. These are stray
sDecies in the thousands who viii be st
the tracks. general division can be
made IN two classes. one far outnumber-
inc the other. There are the ANNALS
and the regulars The regulars never
miss a race during the met The an
nuals see one horse race year and they
see that only because IL is called the
great American Derby" Down In their
hearts they don't care much for the
race at all. but they don't say that
What they really do enjoy is the spec
tacle OF the crowd packed about the
| track and OF the procession going and
coming back.-C. S. R. in Chicago Daily
Tribune.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-07-26

house, while Gerald grinned from the
bathroom window as he watched her
Mrs. Sinclair returned about lunch
time: she felt she was sinking. but she
still kept her colors flying and her decks
cleared for action. And neither spoke
all lunch time. Now. when they had
bad quarrel two years ago. Gerald had
gone 10 q hotel and stayed there, but he
was wiser now NO need 10 chuck
away money on a hotel" he philoso-
Dhlzed.
To tell the truth and shame some one
or other. as the saying is. neither Of
them was In a temper any longer, but
each still thought the other was So that
when presently an infants howl pene-
trated into the dining room Ethel
rushed frantically upstairs. and Gerald s
anger revived sufficiently TO take him
into the drawing room and there cause
him to play Chopin's Funeral March"
Suddenly there was a violent attack
on the door from the other side, and 1t
was burst open by Ethel. who came in
with a rush and scared face.
"Oh. Gerald. babys choking. Oh,
he'll die, I'm sure he Will" she cried.
Hurriedly dispatching maid for the
doctor, Gerald rushed upstairs to find
that his son and heir had got the mouth
piece and guard OF his feeding bottle
firmly wedged I'm his mouth and was
getting black in the face. How he had
done IL, heaven and itself only knew.
but babies are marvellous creatures.
IL took Gerald exactly twenty seconds
10 get II out. and then he returned TO
the dining room while Ethel commenced
to soothe the child.
In about a quarter of an hours time
Mrs. Sinclair entered the dining room
and closing the door behind her. stood
still, gazing at her husband.
Gerald" she said presently. I'D
like the boy to be called Gerald Arthur
now"
she commenced this speech standing
but finished Il on her husbands knee.
You'd like Gerald Arthur, would
your" replied that worthy. well. I've
been thinking / don't care for II much
well. we must keep Gerald at any
rate
Eyes. dear"
And I think Austen is such nice
name for a second name. Shall we cal
/ him Gerald Austen. dear?"
! Il think that sounds very well, Ethel
| Yes, well call him that. And now
aren't you sorry you But / really
must break of there. for the remainder
OF the conversation is very private
! Thus II came about that after tho
/ christening, one OF Gerald the younger
uneles said TO Ethel: queer initial.
you've given that nephew OF mlne-G. A
/ s We shall have 70 call him Gas
But we altered them; we didn't cal
/ him Arthur" cried Ethel And then sh'
stopped as she caught her husband
eyes and heard a subdued whisper
How like his mother. st. Louis
! World.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-07-26
s. WHEN DOUBT STEPPED. INC B. Henry Z RODER y

He broke down completely. and buried
his flushed face into TIE depths Of the
sofa pillows. The foolish manner Ia
which they had acted. and the needless
suffering they had endured, came to them
simultaneously. and their misery was
mutual.
Ruby vas the first to regain her COM
posIre, and she sat up brushing away
the tears wifi Ter hand
Howard" she said softly. we havs
acted Ike two children. | was in fault.
though, and
He interrupted her; mo: don't say
that. You could not be wrong. sweet
heart" He had taken both her hands
in his. and was gazing AZ her tenderly.
She. letting her head drop slightly.
was a picture OF shy sweetness. You
are too warm-hearted and generous TO be
in fault he continued with growing
feryor and eloquence. But let US for
get our little unpieasantness. Shall We.
Ruby? Can't We resume the relations
toward each other which were treasured
so highly but three short days ago? VIII
you forgive me? I love you better than
my life. You are my very existence
Without you. great heavens. what would
life be without YOU Won't you love me
a little in return? Won't you at least
give me hope?"
He paused. the elOquenee OF his
words lending to his eyes a tenderness
and earnestness that was nigh irresist-
ible.
r,..h-- -.t.oS -. o,,e- - ~. 81 Iooi,
ing into them his heart gave a big
bound. for he saw in them the soft
Iove-Ilght that could have but one
meaning-he had won, She smiled
sweetiy. and in a tone almost inaudible,
replied:
Howard, you know love you"
His arms closed tightly around her
In an embrace that was 10 them the
OVERLOOKING CO their cup OF happiness.
and silently they pledged their troth.
No words not one sound. Just their
hearts. mated as God had wisely planned
they should be. linked together with the
chain that was 70 bind them 20 one
another. in happiness and contentment.
forever.
Mrs. westcott went light hearteaiy
about her duties that evening. her
thoughts entirely on the two in the
parIor. often she would stop and with a
smile listen &c the low tones OF the
lovers as they patched up the quarrel
which had been so detrimental TO their
peace of mind for the past three days
And then she would resume her tasks.
humming an old-time love song. her mind
reverting TO her youthful days when
she. too. was being wooed. and Ike
picture came before her her first quar-
rel. and she sighed.
| But suddenly the conversation ceased.
A word. now and then. and all was
QUIET. For a few moments Mrs. West
colt paid but little attention to this
ominous silence, but presently. unable to
bear II any longer. she silently stole
to the parlor door and listened.
/ Not a sound was heard
| With trembling hands she opened the
door. and in the dim, uncertain light
OF the room nothing was visible, but
Mrs. Westcott softly called. Ruby. ere
you there7"
Yes, mamma came the smothered
reply, sounding suspiciously like IL
might have come from Towards should
! er; and then with a contented, happy
little sigh. she added, And IN so
happy"
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-07-26

- ERALD was impatisntly pacing
= the dining room floor at Labur-
mum villa. waiting to hear the
verdict from upstairs Presently tho
doctor entered, his face all wreathed in
smiles.
rs Il a b-bsby doctor? no. confOShd
it / mean, is it a boy. doctor?" splus-
tered Gerald
1T is, Mr. Sinclair, and a very fine
specimen. too. replied the doctor. az
though he were commenting on the
merits OF a prize bull calf; but that is
beside the question.
Hal" almost screamed the delighted
Gerald: "a boy. is It? All I've got his
name all ready. Gerald Arthur Sin
clair. he will be. And how's Mrs. Sin
clair. doctor7"
First rate. couldn't be getting along
better. Now here's the nurse with your
son and heir"
Then Gerald displayed large amount
of Iunacy.
After having decided that there was
something alive in all that mass oi
wrappings, and having been soiemnly
assured by the nurse that # was his
own and they weren't trying 10 substi-
tute some inferior infant on him, For
I've read Of such things he said. nc
held Il up in his arms. until the terri
fed nurse took her charge again and
retreated.
Thenceforward Gerald was an au-
thority on children, and the next day he
took a father OF fourteen children ia
lunch with him. and grayely contra
dlcted all bis views on the bringing w
% children.
From experience" was his favorite
remark stu. the man who had had
experience didn't mind. he'd been like
# himself. and as Gerald was paying FOR
his luncheon. he ate a great deal and
smiled.
Soon. however. time for christening
the Juvenile Sinclair drew near. and
Ethel mooted the subject 10 her hus-
hand.
"Cert6inly. my dear. by all means
have him ehristened." Was that gentle
mans iordly reply. as though he were
granting a great favor
%of course we must have the sweei
little dear christened. you silly man. bui
what name shall the precious dariin.
have?"
Hereafter I wilI not chronicle the en-
dearing names Mrs Sinclair used wheI
speaking OF her offspring. II is pc
cuIiar thing. uncommon 10 most younl
mothers | believe but Mrs Sinclair haC
come 70 the conclusion that there neVel
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-07-26

70 the Office boy. noticed it. and most OF
them surmised the cause. as Miss West
colt had often been down at the store.
On the part of the girl clerks was sym
pathy for their young employer, and
a general denunciatiOn Of the heartless
girl, while the men merely smiled. know
ing from experience. sad experience.
What his trouble really amounted 10,
and how easily he would get over IT. The
Office boy also smiled; and summed it
up philosophically by saying: de boss
STEADY regular must have turned him
down. but he guessed it would END all
right"
And their looks had not escaped How
ard OF their meaning been misinter-
preted. and as he sat there in his Office
that night ne was about. the most mis-
cradle being In the whole city.
Alas. poor unsophisticated fooll He
had yet to learn that. bitter though it
may seem.
True love never runs smooth.
It was thus in the beginning. AID thus
it will be forever!
Accusing himself at last from the rev
erie into which he had fallen, he hastily
drew on his coat. locked the door Of the
store. and started for his home. an IN
pretentious yet extremely coy apart
ment house not far from the store. He
was but a short time reaching it.
| Heartsick and weary he prepared for
bed. in state of mind, Oh, so different
from that Of the great majority Of the
inhabitants Of the city that night. AS
he was about to retire his eyes fell On
a little plush box on his bureau, and his
misery. magniRed tenfold. almost over
whelmeG him.
ooh. Ruby" he cried. how could
how could how could your" and he
eagerly clasped the precious package in
his hands.
| It was a diamond ring he had bought
as a Christmas gift for her, and he haC
looked forward so expectantly 20 The
morrow when he should have given Il
10 her, knowing how pleased she woulC
be with It, And in his dreams he haC
seen in that precious little 0irclet @
gold not only Christmas present bu
something far more significant.
For he loved Ruby Westcott-love'
her with that fervor that comes onl!
when the heart meets the mate natur'
intends it should meet. He had in
tended asking her to marry him. and h
had every reason TO believe that hi
love for her would be returned and hi
dreams reakzad. Then came that fool
ish little quarrel. with all the miser,
and heartaches connected with
lovers disagreement He groaned again
Poor boyi
OF all sad words Of tongue or pen
The saddest are these: 1T might have beenI"
He went to bed with the treasur,
ring clutched tightly in his hand.
Brice awoke with a start the mex
morning from most refreshing sleep
his worry and hard wark Of the nigh
before having proven a fine opiate II
yawned and half arose. rubbing IF
eyes with that confused muddling o
thoughts that comes with returning con
seriousness.
But once awake his predicament o
the night before returned with rush
and instead OF beholding the bright
sunshiuy Christmas morning that
really was. with nature in ali her IA
diant glory whispering Peace on Earth
Good VIII to Men" a cloud. dark an
impenetrable. seemed to rise before him
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-07-26

Equally as agitated was his reply. and
as their hands met. the touch sent
delightful thrill through Howard
Most Of the talking done at that
Christmas dinner was done by the old
folks. rs Ruby and Howard spoke but
seldom, yet when the meal was finished
both felt nearer their old celyes than
they had felt for three days
Pleasantly the evening passed, and 1t
was dark before Howard found himself
alone with Ruby. The lamp In the par
lor was ~ and the red shade cast a soft
sympathetic light on the two as they
talked. both with beating hearts waiting
for an opening TO speak on the subject
so mOmentous 10 both of them.
i've been feeling awful bad the past
three days" Howard at last ventured.
Ruby colored, but replied sarcasti-
eally. Poor boy, what was the matter
with your"
Howard WINGED. and ii was his turn
to color. He must make the start frst
and be saw il.
was the hrst time he had called her
Ruby that EVENING" Come. sit here
beside me. won't you? I've something
to tell you something that. well. it's q
story and an interesting one. too"
She arose hesitatingly. but came over
to the sofa as he had requested and sat
down.
We'll, what is it?" she said teaslngly,
looking up into his face with that trust
Ing. dependent look OF hers that had
made him love her from the hrst moment
they had met
He hesitated a moment. but then in a
low. modulated tone began TO relate his
STORY" she listening eagerly 70 every
word.
"Onee. not so very long ago, there
lived in large city poor, homeless
boy He had neither father nor mother
no one who took any interest in him
not one single tie OF any description
Here Towards voice trembled slight
". and his fair confdant nestled nearer
to him with a.sympathetic little smile.
But one day" he continued, he met
n BlIi. anu an. suCH a girl Sut was a
swecter. a more winsome maiden never
graced this whole city And she was as
kind as she was beautiful. She was the
FIRST woman 70 interest herself in hi,
since his parents died. and his hesri
went out 70 her az once
They met again. On his part il was
case OF love at first sight, so complete
/ ly enamored was he OF her. and he wor-
SHIPPED her body and soul. On her part
fl was" He paused.
We'll" queried the interested listener
ION her part
"He thought It was love" he said
slowly and sadly. but he was mistaken.
Ruby started, the smile died quickly
from her face
"Oh Howard. how can you say that, "
she cried sharply.
! She turned her head away 10 hide the
tears that were slowly forming In her
large brown eyes. but he saw them. and
his heart melted at once.
! Forgive me. sweetheart" he passion
ately exclaimed, Il was a brute 10 say
those words really didn't mean it,
I love you so. dear. have been wretch
ed these past few days. What I have
suffered you will perhaps not realize
And when ! saw you tonight. when yot
sat BY me and looking I'D into my face
with those beautiful eYes. smiling, and
thought 1 was going 10 lose you, I-ol
RUBY