davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-09

ular, unbeautiful, without grace Of per-
son or manner, she suddenly bloomed
into a grande dame-daring, original, a
little eccentric, perhaps, but with a
fascination none denied
To enjoy a feast to the fullest, one
must have starved. Certainly Miss
Ashton drained her cup of pleasure to
the very bottom
She had had enough of shadow, she
would have nothing more but sunshine.
She hated poverty, and she gave with
a generous hand to those about her She
adOred cIeverness, and so she surround
ed herself only with those who amused
and entertained her, and no social pres
tige was great enough to open her doors
to a bore.
1t was in this way she came to know
David Horton. He did not belong to
the great world of fashion. He was
merely a poor inventor, shabby as to
clothes, but with great thoughts strug-
Cling for expression in his great brain
Shy as a schoolgirl, he was, too and II
took all of Miss AshtOn's tact to draw
him into her charmed circle. once tnere'
however. and the barriers broken down
bv her sympathy, the man showed her
his whole soul. He fell into the way
of dropping in, in the quiet dusk, at
the hour when she was OtteneSt alone,
and sitting before the big IRE IN the
library. he would tell her of his dreams,
his hopes, and aspirations, and dlsap-
pointments. while his eyes grew tender.
and his voice took on that cadence that
a man uses when ne talks 10 the Wo-
man he loves and trusts.
Part OF Miss Ashton's power had al
WAYS been that she understood other
people-and herself She knew that for
the first time in her life love mad come
to her. in all its beauty and glory She
knew equally as well, with woman s
intuition, that David Horton loved her
but she was absolutely certain ne would
never tell of it, or ask her to be his
wife She had so much. He had so lit
tie. and his pride would not let him go
empty handed as a beggar to the woman
he aGored It was then that Miss Ash
ton proved that she had the courage Of
! her conviction, and made her resolution
TT isn't as if 1 had had any spring
time of lie" she said to herself. 4
was cheated out Of that, and I will not
/ let myself be robbed of my happiness by
a mere convention"
So that night. sitting IN his dingy
room. bending over models and blue
prints. David Horton was startled by
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-09
MISS ASHTONS PROPOSAL.


1t is not to be denied that a rich old
maid, who has accented her age and her
epinsterhood, has about the best OF
things as they go in life. She has. at
once, all the financial independence OF n
man, and the privileges of Il atrOn
without her membranes. and may do
pretty much as she chooses in a neces-
sarily limited state of society.
Miss Ashton belonged to his enViaJle
class, and was wont to make the mos
of her opportunities. Her eister-in-law,
and other critics, said that she abused
them but when they lifted an eyebrow
over some quite impossible person or
lad she had taken I'D, she merely
Shrugged her shoulders.
AT my age, my dear" she would say,
"a woman may know anybody, and
hear all there is to tell" wlucn was one
Of the reasons, perhaps, that at her
house you always found the most in
teresting people-people whom YOU
might never meet elsewhere in society,
but who were never banal or tiresofne.
In truth, Miss Ashtons insistcace on
her age was a trihe premature Her 45
Years sat lightly upon her and only
showed In a drift of gray in her abund-
ant dark locks, and in giving 10 eyes
and mouth that expression of sympa thy
and comprehension that IS the final
charm to a wOmans face. For the rest.
she had "a certain mature luXurlance of
beauty that made younger women look
as pale and colOrleSs as a spring daisy
beside a gorgeous fall chrysanthemu,n.
She had been one of the women to
whom the Towering time OF life came
late. She had had a starved youth,
without joy, without beauty. or any
thing that belonged to her years. pass
ed in slavish attendance on an old uncle.
Then one day. when she had already
grow into a mature woman the old
man died. and she found herself not
only free, but rich beyond her widest
dreams.
1t always seemed to Miss Ashton that
she was born again. with the change of
fortune into a new personality. and a
new world She turned her back on the
old life with all its hard and grinding
ways, and with a frank paganism gave
herself up to enjoying the hour Rich
foods, ard luxuriant living did for her
body what travel and society did for
her mind, and from having been ang-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-09

the aDDarition of a tall woman who
dropped her rich fur cloak from her
shoulders as she entered, and moved
slowly toward him.
Miss Ashtoni" he cried, you herei'
She sank into a chair with a sudden
faintness. Yes she said. and the she
added desperately, L have IA friend
in trouble. and I wanted your advice
have come to tell you her story. She is
not a young woman, and she has had 4
sad life. and has been very lonely. Al
ways she has hungered and thirsted for
companionship, without finding it. Late
" something beautiful mas come into
her life. All the comprehension and un~
derstanding Of which she dreamed. 1t is
love, David. and she loves. not like q
silly schoolgirl, with passing fancy for
any handsome face, but with all the
great love and passion of a woman wh5
knows life. and has found her hearts
desire Something has happened that
makes her afraid she might lose this
trouble and anxiety When one mas
found a priceless jewel one wants to
keep it. doesn't one?''
Yes" the man answered her, with
white lips and Miss Ashton hurried on,
as if she were afraid to stop:
THE barrier between them is so
f1imsy. David, just a little money, lit
tie false position in society-and yet the
woman is beating her heart up against
it, and bruising and breaking it. Per-
haps the man doesn't understand. Per-
haps he doesn't realize how cruel it is
to sacrific her to his pride. David, what
shall she do2"
The man was trembling in every
nerve. 1T is for the queen to give he
said. with his voice breaking over the
words, not for the suppliant to demand
Let her tell him that she loves him.
oh David. you stupid" she cried,
holding out her hands to him, Il have.
have" and in moment more she was
in his arms.
Hours later. Miss Ashton turned to
him a face grown strangely young, and
timid, and fair. David" she said, sol
emnly, "if you ever tell had to propose
to Won. I'Il-IH deny it.,,-IItica Press.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-09

calm for hay or chopped turnips I
should think that would be more orig
iz-al-.'
No doubt you do. You've got about
as much poetry in your soul as an old
bootleg, and your feeling Of envy is
as plain as the nose on your face
He then turned to the last verse. He
had got a good thing, and he wanted
to round it off in a way to do his
memory credit for years to come He
couldn't have worked harder shoveling
coal, and Mrs. Bowser kept so quiet thar
she fell asleep. At the end of forty
minutes he woke her up by saying:
Well here il is. and if the Spring
Lambs don't appreciate this poem III
resign my membership:
"AI hail to thee. oh, gentle spring,
We gladly give thee greeting:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-09
And wen be sorry when you go

To know that you are heeting.
Couldn't you have made fleeing
rhyme with eating or 'sheeting'2 asked
Mrs. Bowser after a silence.
mo. by thunder I couldn't he ex-
claimed as he sprang up. If I could
find a word to rhyme with idiot how
ever, I'd do so and apply it to you. I'll
be hanged if 1 blame any husband who
kills his wife. You can go to bed. I'm
going out and may not be back to-
night"
He gathered up his poetry and took
his way to the drug store. He bought
a porous plaster in order to introduce
the subject nearest his heart, and OF
course the druggist said he'd like to
hear the poem. Mr.. Bowser's rendi-
ton was broken in upon by boy who
wanted paregOric, but he hung to it
until he had made a finish Then, as he
looked up expectantly, the druggist took
took him by the arm in a tender way
and whispered in his ear:
Don't do it, old man.
Don't do what?"
Don't write of spring and lamkins
Don't write of cuckoo flowers;
Don't hear the bluebird calling cows
Amidst the April showers.
Don't have the blowing robin sing,
Don't cut away the grass;
Don't overwork your honey bee
And make yourself an
Good evening. Mr.. Bowser. Copy
right. 1903 by c. B. Lewis.)
Music IS the art to which
He's welded not Disgusting
A morganatic union with
The art of advertising
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-09

pose to do it. I'll have something equal
tokByron before I get through"
He went at the third verse like bull
jumping over a six rail fence, but there
were Interruptions to distract his atten-
ton. In her nervousness the cat sud
denly uttered a meow that made his
heart stand still for a moment, and this
was followed by a stranger ringing the
bell and offering to supply the house
with dish-cloths at five cents apiece.
The cat was driven down stairs and
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-09
And now and then you hear the calf
A-calling for the cow"

Perhaps you can find some fault with
that?" remarked the poet as he had
finished reading"
Il have no fault to find. but / might
make a suggestion. Is the calf sup
posed to be weaned p
What is it to me whether he is or
ssot2''
If he is weaned he might be "a
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-09
HLMOR OF THE DAY.

Ours is a generation that loves music
not wisely, but too well.-Life.
There was an aspiring citizen in Mis-
sissippi who used to quote grandilo-
quently the familiar saying, The Office
should seek the man. not the man the
office" On one occasion he was OBJ
served electioneering for himself in the
old-fashioned style, with whisky. cigars,
etc. Being reminded of his recent lofty
utterances. he answered: Il still main
tain my position. The Office should seek
the man; but, by gad sab, the man
should be around when the office is
looking for im-''-The Argonaut.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-09

the man run down the steps, and half
an hour later the third verse stood out
like a circus picture on a country barn,
it read:
THE lanbkins gambol on the green,
The farmer guides the pillow,
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-09

ginning her classics. was asked if she
knew who Homer was. She replied:
Homer was fine old poet whose
chief works were the Oddly and the
Idiot. Life.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-09

Customer-I want a ton Of coal.
Dealer-Yes, sir. What size2
Customer-Well. if it isn't asking too
much. I'd like to have a 2.000-pound ton
Chicago Daily News
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-09

You appear to. Increase in senti-
ment," replied Mrs. Bowser, but I
would also suggest a change in this
verse. Can't you get in that the honey
bee is working for shilling, or that the
geese are cooling and billing o.
That's about what I expected from
you. In your jealousy you d be glad to
have me spoil this thing. and make a
laughing stock of me. but I don't pro-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-09

The child understands most things we'll
enough until his teacher explains them
LIE
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-09

Chicago woman to Venus de Milo:
Jneeda corset.-Sioux city Journal
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-09
BOWsER,S SPRING POEM.
It Begins in Peace and Ends in .

It Begins in Peace and Ends in a
Row.
Mr.. Bowser had a preoccupied air
when he came uD to dinner the ether
evening. Mrs Bowser was quick to
| whether he, was thinking of buying
new mich COW or of making an arti-
fetal lake in the back yard, but she
asked no questions
During the dinner hour he seemed 10
be far away, far away in his thoughts
so much so that he sweetened his COZ
fee with couple of olives, but when IT
was finished he got pencil and paper
| and sat down to the sitting room ia
bic and prepared for business.
Is there anything on your mind this
evening" asked Mrs. BoWser, after he
had wasted ten minutes without writing
q line.
Nothing very particular he replied
I got notice today that I had been
elected member of a certain club, and
that 1 would be required to write and
read a poem"
What club is it?''
The Spring Lambs"
Mrs. Bowser laughed outright at the
name, and he put on his sternest look
and demanded:
DO you see anything so very funny
in that?"
She did The idea of Mr.. Bowser.
with his 1870 pounds of fat and his stiff
knees, gambling around with the
Spring Lambs. struck her as highly
ludicrous, but she checked her laugh
and sobered her face and said:
We'll, have you started the poem 2?
Il am just going to, and I want no
interruptions from either you or the
cat"
A hush fell upon the room at once.
Even the cat held her breath as Mr.
Bowser rubbed his bald head and be-
gan writing. In five minutes he was
red in the face and hitching around as
if in pain, and at the end of fifteen
minutes he observed:
We'll here is the first verse. It don't
exactly suit me. but guess it is good
enough. Listen:
1.-THE gentle spring is here again,
Again the grass and flowers;
Again we hear the robin sing
And sit in balmy bowers.
How do you like it,"
There is plenty of sentiment there"
replied Mrs Bowser. but I would
Grange the last line. There are no
balmy bowers until late in June, any
one sitting around would get cold in the
head. I should make that line read:
And dodg the tbundre showers.
1T will read just as it does now.
There's harmony between spring lambs
and balmy bowers. 1 suppose you'd get
a laundry or cabbage patch into the
verse if you could"
The next verse compelled him to saw
wood until the sweat ran down his
cheeks, and his heroic efforts brought
| looks of admiration from the cat. He
cut out and wrote in and crossed out,
but it was finished at last and there
was a look of triumph in his eye as he
said:
Here is verse number two, and you
can tell me how it strikes you.
Il hear the cuckoo's plaintive notes
hear the bluebird trilling;
I see the honey bee at work,
And Nature is a-thrilling."
You appear -to. Increase in senti-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-09

"Bill-"Clothes don't make a man. .
Jill" No; but they often make a guy
-Yonkers Statesman.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-09

What is your objection to him.
DaDa2'
Why, the fellow can't make enough
to support you
But neither can you.a-Life.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-09
MR.. JUSTICE
FINNEMORE
Judge of the Natal Supreme Court Sends
the Following Remarkable Testimonial
for the Cuticura Remedies.
THE WORLD IS CUTIcURA's FIELD.

at desire to give my voluntary testi-
mony to the beneficial effects of your
Cuticura Remedies. have suffered for
some time from an excess of uric acid
IN the blood; and since the middle of
last year, from severe attack Of
Eczema, chiefly on the scalp, face, ears
and neck and on one limb. / was
for several months under professional
treatment, but the remedies prescribed
were of no avail and was gradually
becoming worse, my face was dread
fully dishgured and lost nearly all my
hair. At last, my wife prevailed upon
sae to try the Cuticura Remedies and !
gave them a thorough trial with the
most satisfactory results. The disease
platnrr,1 a q II I1llr-.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-09

Stout Lady-s'Don't YOU think If is A
beautiful thing to see a young girl
growing into womanhood?'' Old Lady
Yes, my dear; so many Of them seem
to want to grow into manhood. De
troit Free Press.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-09
a. W. Hopkins. ". NJ. Hopkins.
HOPKINS S SON,
Merchant Police.

Private Work q Specially.
Once and Residence
ua47 Harrison ST.. Topeka, Kansas
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-09

Mrs. Chatterton-.sB Bridget. that pitch
or you broke this morning BELONGED to
my great grandmother Bridget ire
heved) Dwell. Dim glad ov thot Sure.
OF was afroid it was somethin' yez had
just bought lately.''-Puck.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-09

The architect cannot live by the in
junction to make no plans for the fu-
ture.-Phiiadelphia Bulletin.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-09

Music IS the art to which
He's welded. not Disgusting
A morganatic union with
The art of advertising
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-09

soon began to disappear and my hair
commenced to grow again. A fresh
growth of hair is covering my head,
and my limb (although not yet quite
cured) Is gradually improving. My
wife thinks so highly of your remedies
that she has been purchasing them in
order to make presents to other persons
suffering from similar complaints, and,
as President of the Bible Women's
Society, has told the Bible women to
report If any case should come under
her notice when a poor person is so
afflicted, so that your remedies may be
resorted TO-"
ROBERT ISAAC FINNEMORE,
(Judge Of the Natal Supreme Court.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-09

Il hear the cuckoo's plaintive notes
1 hear the bluebird trilling;
see the honey bee at work,
And Nature is a-thrilling.'
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-09

bdt ednth form Of Cho p
and How o
Dpot5H
The Minneapolis journal., 1903-04-21

: J. 4 Z , . I i
icisms the committee strongly commended
Mr.. Dunn for his services to the. state
IN the Little Falls & Dakota and the Du-
iuth & Iron Range land cases, whereby
valuable land was saved to the state.
.s 3. p Peterson got after the chamber OF
commerce with an investigation Into Its
agreement Ito charge a fixed commission
for handling grain. Much time was taken
by the special committee in examining
witnesses. The committees report sub
mitted bill to prohibit the chamber from
charging higher commissions to outsiders
than to members, but the consent of the
governor had not been asked and the bill
was thrown out. Itpwas too late In the
session to revive It.
An investigation Of the game and fish
commission by A. M. Schroeder and q
special committee put to rest the many
rumors OF irregularity in that departme ent
and gave Executive Agent Fullerton
clearance from every charge. E.
Mr. Jacoby's coal investigation "fiz-
zled out" when the strike was settled and
the situation was relieved. go
Mr.. Frybergers investigation into the
state prison shoe plant started in the in
terest of the union employees in shoe fac
tories, was conducted by the prison labor
committee, which did not sympathize with
It's purpose, and the majority report IA
vored continuing the present system. Mr.
,Fryberger's minority report, in favor OF
more closely restricting the number OF
employees in the prison plant was re-
jected by the house CO. :.
The Minneapolis journal., 1903-04-21
I TAX RESULTS FEW
Aside from the Gross Earnings Bill, Little
Was Accomplished. = -.

The senate turned a cold shoulder to
bills in the direction of tax reform, while
the house was extreme in it's stand for
such legislation Mr.. .Haugland's bill cre-
,ated state tax commissioner with dras-
tic powers, and imposed a franchise tax
on all public service corporations. George
R. Smith introduced a bill simply provid-
ing tax commission Of three to work
with the state board of equalization. The
house committee reported out the Smith
bill and marked the Haugland bill for
slaughter, but the house overturned. the
committee report and passed the, bill It
found it's grave in the senate tax commit
tee, whose chairman refused to report it
out. The house passed the Smith BILL
which got like treatment. 4@
The inheritance tax law was also killed
by the senate. The Helliwel bill passed
by the house provided an exemption of
81, 900 on each legacy The senate raised
this to $4,000, which would hardly leave
enough taxable legacies to pay for the
clerical work. The house refused to con-
cur; and conference committee agreed
on $5, 600 as a compromise. This the SEN
ate refused to accept last night, and the
bill was left in the air
The Nelson bill taxing the property of
freight line companies will enable the
state to get at these corporations, which
have been escaping under decision Of the
court which threW out the old law. The
new law provides for. q valuation of the
property of each company on the basis of
the market value of its stocks and bonds.
The proportion chargeable to this state is
to be ascertained on Wheelage basis, and
the amount SO ascertained is to be as
|sessed at the average rate of the counties
thru which the line runs it's cars.
similar bill taxing sleeping car COM
Epanies made slower progress and died in
the senate committee on taxes.
The Minneapolis journal., 1903-04-21

julius Schmahl of Redwood Falls directed
the desk work with a good executive head,
and he and John Z. Jones Of Minneapolis,
the experienced reading clerk, were chain
lightning on bills and roll calls. Both read
distinctly, moreover, and their voices
filed the hall. Adolph E. L. Johnson fof
Minneapolis. first assistant clerk, although
a new man, handled the journal in excel
lent shape. X. o. Sandum Of Bricelyn,
second assistant clerk, was hampered con-
siderably by illness during the session.
The two judiciary committees had ex-
perienced attorneys to serve them, w. q.
Hewitt and c. II. Slack of Minneapolis
being the house clerks and e. A. Mont
gomery Of Minneapolis and s.. S. Wash
burn Of Austin looking after the details
for the senate committee. The other com
mfttee clerks were about the average,
with the exception of Miss M. " Gibbons
whose long experience in the auditors
office was of value to the appropriations
committee. Engrossing and enrolling was
as usual done in very slack shape.
E. A. flaming of Stewartville, for the
house and Thomas Downs of Minneapolis
for the senate, both veterans in the place
Of sergeant alarms, acquitted themselves
creditably.
The Minneapolis journal., 1903-04-21
> VOTING. STATE MONEY
Appropriations Committee Remained on
-

SOtUHIIICS NSnidtneO OH
= the Safe Side In Its Work.
+ Ten careful, Conservative business men,
five SENATOR and five Representatives,
were the final arbiters of the many re-
quests for state money, which in bill form
called for at least twice as much as the
treasury could spare. The work of draw
ing the omnibus bill was done wisely. 1t
could not suit everybody, but fair dis
tribution was made. The committee con-
sisted of Senator Brewer, chairman, Sem
ators. Ward, Comstock, Lord and McGill,
and Representatives y. Tighe,. Deming,
tHaWley,, Fulton and Putnam. ..se- -
The total appropriations as finally
passed, for the remainder of this fiscal
year and for 1904 and 1905, also running
over into 1906. Were in round numbers
So, 100000, This does not include stand
ing appropriations for institutions and
departments, which, use $1,467,000 each
year. a.. - b. 2. =. -. s.s.. -E< :
j. The state auditors estimate is that of
all these expenditures only $775,0OO will
have to be raised by direct taxation, in
1904, and 100000 in 1905. A levy of one
mill will raise that amount, and 1t is
fixed as the maximum in the tax levy
bill The rest of. the states income comes
from corporation taxes. .- =. ~,
| The biennial pie-cutting of the road and
bridge or internal improvement fund
yielded $61 ,O50 to the 81. counties. There
will not be. this much in the fund, and
some Of the counties will have to wait
for their money. The cutting was done
by the joint committee on roads and
bridges. n-f.1,,: s.tss~. 49, .--.