davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1903-12-06

less direct suggestion OF the visit OF the
Philosopher H. W. to the Beacon" Of
fee. but thus far the records Of the
historical society contain no direct ref
erence TO the great discovery itself or
TO the unparalleled conditions under
which the right answers to the great
test questions were first given.
The Philosopher H w. himself never
ceased travelling from New York 20 san
Francisco and from Detroit to New Or
leans in the hope Of finding another man
who would give the right answers 70
both questions. so shat he could lift
the veil once more. He never lost hope
under diseouragement. and when the
near approach of the twentieth century
found him with his hair two feet ioaee-
and bleached 10 a snowy Wilderness. his
eyes stin cleaned their hopeful benevc-
lence whenever he entered a newspaper
ONCE and caught the eye of the editor.
His confidence in editors may have been
wholly in the nature OF faith in hiT
own supernatural revelation, but BE
never lost II or ceased to act upon it
St Louis Globe-Democrat
The Washington times., 1903-12-06

smart, she is. They calls her on our
street the Walking Directory"
Why. Joe. you mean dictionary. cor
rected the unabashed Miss Martin. Then
she faced the judge again.
But, judge, wouldn't it 90? know
there are lots Of men guardians. but
two boys out our way have had them
and they were too easy. Real kind gen
tlemen that got them places ana gave
them suits of clothes and quarter
every time they saw them. But the
boys backslid right away and got into
trouble again. Now. If Joe went astray
but he wouldn't but if he did. well.
I'm disciplinarian. I've had practice
I'm teacher"
The judge looked heipIessly at Joe.
It's only kindergarten. but that re-
quires authority, explained Emily
I've had two years in the high school
and pa wants me to go right through
and be real teacher. So I'm vacation I
teach the little ones in the neighbor-
hood-cvery morning-I0 cents week
and it gives me practice and keeps en-
off the street. Ny little sister goes to
public kindergarten and brings home
the songs and games and got a book
at the library and studied the method.
and we have colored paper and tooth
picks. l could earn more at other work.
but pa wants me to stay home and look
after Fred and Sophy. Mother died long
az ~.
And what becomes Of Fred and So
ply while you are in high SCHOOL,
asked the Judge. who was becoming in
terested. in a bewiIdered way. in kinder
gartens and official guardian angels and
even in the Ludwig twins
oh. were all getting our educations
together. Pred takes Sophy to kinder
garten and brings her home. He's in the
sixth grade in tho same building. Then
I get home before he starts back. 1
have lots OF crochet work to do for a
big factory-that pays for all cur school
books-and Fred has a paper route. Pas
just TIE best that ever was. and has set
his heart on our having a thorough ed
ucation"
But. my dear child. YOU certainly
have cares enough without trying TO
look after this lad. Let us find some
one more ntted TO the tasE
why. judge, don't you think I'm
competent? I'm sure ] could do better
than an outsider who hasn't studied Joe
as I have. Besides, I'm a. friend of the
family Mrs. Ludwig tells me ali her
troubles 50 I should be on the inside
track, and / should be very severe
The Washington times., 1903-12-06

gang last Sunday the officers thought
he must be one Of the leaders. 1 sup
pose. The boys got away. but there
was a window broken and the police
are looking for the one that did it, and
the gang are threatening to swear Joe
was the one-they want to shield them
selves. YOU see. and they know he's one
10 the kind that can't speak up for him
self We know he didn't break the
wiRdov'-Joe is truthful-but they're
down on him because. he don't belong
to their crowd anyway. I don't know
what possessed him to go with them
Sunday. Oh. Joe. how could your"
This time the hat fell to the floor and
while the boy awkwardly CROPPED for it
the judge caught the words Promised
1 could catch-no good. the lot of EN-
don't want no more often Sunday ball
crowds-should say not"
The judge looked at the girl for an
other chapter of the story.
I'm afraid he's easily led. sIr, though
he doesn't look it. and truly the stolid
Teutonic expression on the lads face at
that moment served as a thorough
shield for any yielding docnity that
lurlzed beneath. That's why we want
to find better company for him and
something nicer to do than run with
the Murphys. Truly. judge. the police
are after him. and he has to hide part
Of the time and didn't dare go TO work
today. and were afroid he'll lose his
place. And that won't do at all because
he's all the help his mothers got. and
the four younger than zoe
And where is Joe's father?" asked
the judge gently.
Il believe he's working up in Toledo
But they quarreled before he went away
he drinks once in while. but he
isn't a bad man-and Mrs. Ludwig
threatened to have him arrested. She
wouldn't have done fishes dreadful
easy-and now she cries half the time
and the twins are teething and she's
worried to death about Joe-and some
things just simply got to be done. But
I know Mr.. Ludwig viii come back
probably when he gets enough ahead 10
helr him. He couldn't be so wicked as
TO desert those poor things The twins
are awfuny cute-when they ain't teeth
ing
But about Joe?" put in the judge.
Il don't understand yet"
ION, excuse me. sir. was going TO tell
YOU. What Joe needs is an official guard
The Washington times., 1903-12-06

Won't you please sign a paper for us,
sir? Were taking up quite too much
of your valuable time.
A happy thought crossed the judges
mind. He was anxious to please this
young pevson. who was graphing so
cheerfully with three or four sociolog-
zeal problems at once. He must tell his
wife. an arduous but half discouraged
worker in the field Of organized charity,
about this strenuous little maiden
Turning to his desk, he drew up a
statement in due form to the effect that
the bearer. Emily Martin. was hereby
appointed official sister to Joseph Lud-
wig. to be held responsible for the prop
er and peaceable behavior Of said Jo-
seph. Not valuable document in a
legal sense. even when signed with the
name Of Horace Dennison, but in young
Joe's eyes it was wonderful bit OF pa
per
Even to his unquestioning mind the
prospect Of an official sister seemed
more consistent with the circumstances
than that OF an official mother. and
when the judGo explained that there
would be no danger Of his arrest as long
as his conduct was satisfactory. he
turned to the girl with a broad grin:
IT'S up to youse, Emily. Youse de
boss. already.
And you understand. Joe. that you
are. in a manner. bound over to keep
a., ,,.o.c1. oTFoT Tho fr,Io-a
And If he bounds back again" be
gan Emily. when the judge fnterposed-
he had to speak o. laugh-"oh, Joseph
isn't such a bounder as that. I'm GER
tain. And are you satisfied with your
part of the bargain. Miss Emny?"
Yes, judge, I am. OF course a moth
er's more dignified. but a sister-a big
sister (she drew herself up to her full
five feet)-has a great deal OF influence
and authority. Judge I'd heard you
were kind person, but think you're
just simply splendid
There was a very pleasant expression
on Judge Dennison's face as he turned
to ask Joe about his present employ
r7ent.
we think his position doesn't suit
his talents at al" put IN Joe's spoSes-
woman. after the lad had explained that
he was errand boy in a large grocery.
He is very skillful with his hands. You
ought to see the double go-eart he made
for the twins out of their broken-down
perambIlator. Pa and I think he might
become an inventor If he had a chance
% learn trade In some factory or shop.
The Washington times., 1903-12-06

And there's one sure thing-he's got to
have a better education. He might go to
night school. but there's a rough crowd
there. and I think 1 could help him
along faster myself with private in
structions, three evenings a week. He
promised to try it
zoe. your new sister is a treasure. q"
said the judge. and then he took their
addresses and even wrote down Joe's
fathers name as well as the company
he worked for.
The judge watched the young couple
disappear down the dusky avenue. the
girls hand lying protectingIy on the
boys sleeve as though she was already
trying TO fulfill her new charge
That girl will never stop at school
teaching, he commented shes going
to do things. There's the making Of
social settlements. temperance unions
and all manner of Improvement clubs
there. and enough organizing and ex-
ecutive ability to run them" Then he
stepped back to his telephone and
dropped a few words where they would
do the most good. with the result that
Joseph Ludwigs name was struck of
certain police lists and there was no
further danger of his having to pay for
the depredations of the Murphy gang.
Some four weeks later a card was
handed to the judge in his study bear
ing the name. neatly written. Of Emily
Martin II ne -. 81. oror..s-...sr -,
haunting titles OF kindergartens. private
tutor or official guardian but he recog-
nized the name at once and arose with
outstretched hand to greet his visitor.
It was the same small. severe figure
with its straight outlines, straight wisps
OF braided hair and straight brimmed
sailor hat but the gray eyes were
alight with happiness and the serious
face beamed with a smile that made 1t
almost beautiful
PA said I might write to you, but it
seemed so cold and unsatisfying. I felt
I must see you and thank you and tell
you the whole story. know you did it
ali and ] don't wonder the papers cali
you the 'children's friend and really
you seem TO be everybody's friend
'"Tut. tut. young woman. you are
thanking the wrong person entirely
You are certainly mistaken
Wen. sir interrupted the shrewd
Miss Martin. you may not like to be
thanked, but how can help it when I'm
just bubbling over? In the first place.
Joe's all right. Working steadily in the
electric works where you recommended
The Washington times., 1903-12-06

I him. and so interested and taken uI
with his job. Studying nights. too; and
you should see the little tables he made
for the kindergarten. And he isn't OF
my hands any more-his fathers come
back. Sober and so kind TO the chill
dren. tOo--oh. the. Ludwigs are simply
rejoicing. Even the twins are pleased.
Ard Joe-he is very sharp sometimes
he found out it is all on account Of a let
ter you wrote his father. Il must seem
grand to be such a power for goodi
And that big box that came with the
kindergarten materials and the books
to teach me how to use EN- It's tha
most beautiful Thing that ever hap
pened to me Pa said couldn't accept
such a valuable gift If it hadn't been
intended 10 benefit others as well az
me. I can branch out and take in more
pupils and have Julia Ludwig for an
assistant. Yes. and I've thought OF
starting training school for the older
sisters to teach them how TO amuse and
take care OF the little ones at home.
They could bring them right along. you
know. to practice on Then there were
other books - lovely selections - and I
don't know OF any way good enough to
thank you, judge-for I'm sure you did
it all"
MY dear child, you have only your
self to thank said the judge. The
box was the sensible thought Of some
good woman whom my wife interested
in your little school. and as for Lud-
wig. I simply wrote him a letter and
gave it to the humane agent that I set
on his track. / see good deal OF the
hard side of life, and when I come
across a child like you doing her little
best to make the world better a
motherless girl trying TO be a mother
to the needy ones around her-pity IL I
wouldn't raise my hand TO help carry
out the good work Keep on. Emily.
only drop the worsted work for the
factory and we viii find you something
better to do. something more in your
line of helping other people"
Emily Martins lip quivered-and it
TOOK great zeal OF emotion 10 DtinS
Emily's feelings to the surface-and
her voice trembied as she answered:
81 thank you all the more for what
you have said. sir. and viii try to do
the best I can
Il believe you will. said the judge
earnestly. I believe you win be an
official sister to the whole neighbour
hood. Cleveland Plain Dealer
The Washington times., 1903-12-06

ian. I've heard that you appoint the
guardians and thought if he had one
then he couldn't be arrested and il
would be "a great help and protection. "
But. my-my dear young woman, we
couldn't settle the matter out of court.
To obtain guardian. Joe would have
to be arrested and brought into court
and have one legally appointed +"
oh. that wouldn't do at all. sir" and
Emily Martins tones conveyed a with
cring contempt Of all obstacles. He
mustn't be arrested. Why, it would DC a
disgrace. He would lose his job and his
mother would go most crazy-and be-
sides there's nothing to arrest him for.
He didn't break the window. But I
thought you might fix a guardian right
here. and give US a notary paper or
something TO slrow it was all proper.
you see. I can pay for a notary's SER
vice" and the metal clasp of Emily
Martins neat little wrist-bag clicked
triumphantIy
But before the judge could catch his
breath Joe had asserted his independ-
cnce by drawing forth silver dollar of
his own which he thrust at that gentle
man with a hoarse query. will that be
enough, sir?" as if a guardian was an
article to be wrapped and tied and sold
over the counter like any other piece of
merchandise.
The judge settled back in his chair
and stared from one to the other. But
you couldn't expect me to act as guard
ian, Well well. never saw such a
pair OF childSen You know it would be
quite contrary TO law Have, you
thought of that? Where are you going
to find a guardian
Here" replied Emily Martin. Her
face was very earnest and a little pale.
Il know I could do it, Judge I'm little,
but awfully old for my age. And I'm
most sixteen. I've read in the paper
about official mothers and I'm sure I
could tend 90 the duties We live next
door 10 Joe and 1 could Keep count OF
lis comings and goings. and I've got our
Sunday school teacher interested in him,
end / know OF boys elub-with GYM
nastics and everything-that'H take him
in. You're willing to have me. amt
you. Joe2''
Sure, was the Unexpectedly ready
response. Then Joe faced she Judge
with an expression that was almost an
mated. She's all right. sir. She's a
good friend to my mother yet, and she's
The Washington times., 1903-12-06

Now, ~, Welcome. Sire Abbot the King he
It's Wen thou'rt come back to keepe thy
For end II thou canst answer my ques-
ton three
Thy life and thy living both saved sha.
And I f,Tst when thou seest me here in
With my, orowne Of goide so faire on my
head.
Among pg,, an my liegemen SO noble Of
Tell me to one penny what I am worthe-
For thirty pence our Saviour was sold.
Among the false Jewes. as have bin
told:
And twenty-nine is the worth of thee.
For ! think thou art one penny worser
than hee.
The Bing, he laughed and swore by ST.
I did nor think I had been worth so
Now. secondly tell me without any
How soon may ride this whole world
You must rise with the sun and ride
Until the next morning he riseth againe;
And then you grace need not make any
doubt,
But IN twenty-four hours your ride it
about
The King he laughed and he swore by
I did not think it could be gone so
sOone!
But from the third, though. you must
not shrinke.
But tell me here truly what do thinke.
Yea. that ! VIII do and make your grace
merry
You think I'm the Abbot OF Canterbury;
But I'm his poor shepherd. as plain as
you see,
And T am come to beg pardon for him
and for NEE.
The King he laughed and swore by the
lie make thee Lord Abbot this day in
Naye. naye, my nege. be not in such
speede,
For. alaeks. can neither write nor
reade.
Four mobiles a week. then. viii I give
thee,
For TINS merry Jest thou hast showns
unto me-
And ten the old Abbot when thou contest
home
Thou hast brought him Dardon from
good King G02R-
The Washington times., 1903-12-06

WAS a very pleasant voice.
Excuse me. please, but is this
Judge Dennison?"
The stout. middle-aged man seat
ed with newspaper and cigar on his YER
arda gazed sharply at this odd looking
couple ascending his steps.
'Yes-that is what they call me-" he
replied. Can I do anything for your
why. yes. sir-that is. mean. we
wish TO see you on business, if you
please. Can we talk to you privately >"
1t was the girl who spoke though she
was much smaller than tnc stout youth
a. her side, It was quaint little figure
in prim shirt waist and skirt too long
for her years. while the straightest OF
hat brims shaded the keen gray eyes
and shrewd features that faced the
judge so fearlessly
Her companion was Of different
type. Overgrown. slouching. with fea-
lures Of unmistakable German origin,
he shanibled after the girl into the
judges den" with downcast eyes and
flushed cheeks. the picture Of sheepish
confusion.
The judge motioned the pair TO be
seated and wheeled his Office chair into
a position facing the girl.
Il believe. sir. you're judge OF the
children's COURT? began the precise
young person.
The judge nodded.
well. I'm Emily Martin and this is
Joe Ludwig. It's about Joe that we've
come to see You. He's in awful trou-
BILE She paused and looked under
standingly from the judge 70 the big
boy. The fingers that twirled the hat
between his knees twitched nervousIy.
but there was no more expression in
Joe's stolid face and staring blue eyes
than IN the mahogany door post behind
him.
But the judge was an excellent reader
OF character. particularly as expressed
or suppressed-in the hayward Juvenile
countenance. The stolid face was not a
vicious one.
Lucky 10 have a friend TO speak for
you. joe"
The hat stopped twiriing the blue
eyes opened stnl wider. even the tightly
plckered lips parted and forth came a
hoarse murmur in which the words
good un'' were partially audible
You see. Judge" the girl spoke. rath-
er apologetically. Joey is oily fourteen.
but he's so large that people don't give
him credit for his age. So when ne was
seen playing baseball with the Murphy
The Washington times., 1903-12-06

Now. three weeks grace to thee will I
And that is the longest time thou hast
For Il thou does not answer my ques-
lions three
Thy land and thy livings are forfeit to
NEE
Away rode the Abbot. all sad at that
And he rode to Cambridge and oxen
But never a doctor there was so wise
Ihat could with his learning an answer
devise.
Then home, rode the Abbot. of comfort
And he NETT his shepheard agoing to
How now. my lord Abbot. you are well
come home.
What news 90 you bring US from good
SAD newes. sad newes, shepheard. must
That I have but three days more to live:
For If l do not answer him questions
My head will be smitten from my bodie.
The first is to tell him there in that
With his crowne of gold. so faire on his
Among an the liegemen. so noble of
To within one penny Of what he is
worthe
The second. to tell him without any
How soone he may ride the whole world
And At the third question I must not
But tell him truly what he does thinke.
Now. chesre up. Sire Abbot: did you
never hear vet
That fool he may learne wise man
witt.
Lend me horse. and serving men and
Your apparel.
And lie ride to London to answer your
Nay, frowne not. if it hath bin told unto
I am Ike your lordship. as ever may
And II you viii lend me your gowne,
There Is none shall know as in faire
London towne.
Now. horses and serving men thou shalt
have,
With sGmptuous array most gallant and
With erozier and inter and rochet and
cope,
Fit to appear fore our fader the Pope.
The Washington times., 1903-12-06

way In Washington. In New York.
Boston. Philadelphia and Baltimore I
asked every man who looked as II he
might be able to answer. but it was
always the same way In Richmond,
when went there through the lines
after the battle Of Gettysburg. they
came near hanging me for a spy. and
they might have done it II I had not
had a pass from General Lee himself.
saying l was the philosopher II. W.
who had made the great discovery and
was seeking 10 lift the veil and save
the country. General Lee answered one
Of the questions right and missed on
the other. I was greatly disappointed
in him, out he was very kind to me. So
was General Grant, who refused TO an
swer at all Yes. they were nearly all
Kind to me on both sides. but none Of
them could give the right answers TO
both questions. and so the great dis
covery was Of no use TO the country.
But all that a man could do. l have
done I have asked those questions of
the generals on both sides. after great
battles. / have asked them OF hun
dreds Of editors since the actual fight
ing was over. You see. thought at
first the preachers and the bishops would
know. Before I made the great discov-
cry MYSELF J used 20 think that they
could save the country, even If no one
else could. Then I thought the states
men could save it, But when l found
they had no idea OF the meaning Of the
discovery, and when their failure to give
the right answers showed It was no use
10 tell them. / had no hope left except
the hope OF finding an editor who could
answer IT, Ever since 1866 have asked
nobody but editors j have Just come
back from San Francisco. but after [
had asked every editor between New
York and San Francisco. they all failed.
Just as all the editors did when ! went
from Richmond to Louisville and then
TO New Orleans. Their minds were no
more prepared between 1866 and 1876
than they were between 1856 and 1866
The veil could not bo lifted and the
country fDuiN not De saved from Its
great, its terrible, its useless sufferings.
You are the FIRST man yghc has ever
given me the right TO begin lifting the
veil"
The old man paused. Colonel Hampton
looked at the clock It stin lacked a
quarter Of once The old man had re-
vealed his mission and the latest from
Washington had not arrived. Colonel
Hampton, who had no doubt remaining
that the mind Of his visitor was COM
pletely unbalanced. was neither disturb
ed nor annoyed. Without being at all
given 70 phiIosophizing. he had come to
take a certain curious interest in the
operations OF the minds OF those who
had lost balance completely under the
stress Of The great events OF his genera
ton. Only a few weeks before the
humOrist who had made the Beacon
temporarily celebrated throughout the
country had suddenly risen from his
desk, made himself a mask OF an old
newspaper, and covering his face with
1t, had gone out on the street singing
snatches Of the songs. which. as a war
he had heard among the
bivOuacs after the battles around Rich
mond- lie was nursed carefully as one