davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-01-04

Nonsense. child. don't tell me! Why
you're crying! And if you stands ere
much longer in them fimsy fal-Ials,
you'll ketch your death O. cold
Never mind me. Mrs smith" she
said. I'm going to dress now
I should think so indeed. an a smart
young man a wearin' is boots out. TO
say nothin' OF is cart. walkin' up an
down outside, like d Gagged geological"
Tell him to go away. Mrs. Smith
Please tell him TO 90 awayl''
Now then, Cissy,' said the old wo-
man. suddenly putting out her hands and
gripping fast hold of both the poor Fairy
Queens. You'll have to tell me what's
up. What's Jack Martindale bin dom Of
as you wants to chivey inn
IT'S not him so much. sobbed Cissy,
its Hannah Dent
We'll. what's that hussy's games
shes taken Jack from me-" said Cis-
sy, completely breaking down. and lay
ing her head on Mrs. Smiths sympa-
thetic shoulder. He's written her a
letter, asking her to 20 to Greenwich
with him on Sunday, and-and I've seen
it.'
Seen the letter."
Wen, I saw his name at the bottom
Of it"
That's nothin4 It's trick of that
artfuI piece of goods. Hannah Dent. I
Knows 'er! Come. dress yourself quick
child. an go an arsk Jack straight. if
e's off with you an on with Hannah?
It's the only way to get at the truth of
it. For my part, I don't believe Jack
MartindaIe would do such dirty trick.
while I do believe as Hannah Dent
wouldn't stop short o. murder even If
she 'ad 'er knife into anybody
But when. quarter Of an hour later.
Cissy. piIoted by Mrs. Smith. passed
through the stage door into the street.
there was no one there: no signs Of
Jack
Well. my dear, I don't want to hurt
your feeIin's. but you've only got your
self TO blame. But let's arsk Tins. Ell
know Ere. Tins Ito the doorkeeper)
seen anybody a waitin' outsider"
Yes Jack MartindaIe. He arsked me.
'alf-a-dozen times. when Cissy Lane
were comm. He were tearin' mad-Hke
when I told i'm as I didn't knox. Ten
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-01-04

minutes ago Hannah Dent come along
an they went away together, Old Kent
Road way. though I must say as e didn't
seem as II e wanted to go much. But
she whispered i'm, an laughed a bit, and
e went off with er"
Come along. Cissy!' said Mrs.
Smith, grimly- Good night Tins!
Now. look a-here." she said. when they
we're out in the main road You leave
this to me! Go you home an go to
bed. If 1 don't spring Hannah Dents
trap. and catch 'er in it finely, SO as
she can't easy set it again, my name
amt Martha Smith"
When Mrs. Martha Smith once put her
hand to anything. she, as a rule, was
successful
For more than an hour that night,
bitterly cold as IL was, and inclined
to snow, she traversed the length Of
the Old Kent Road in quest Of Coster
Jack.
Just as she was about to give up her
search, she saw him coming along the
almost deserted pavement. his hands in
his pockets, his head bent and about
him altogether a curious air Of de-
preston. In common with most folks
in the district she knew him. and did
not hesitate now to accost MIN.
Good evenin'. Mr. Jack Martiudalet''
she said, with dangerous pIeasantness.
Taking his pipe out of his mouth he
returned. Good evenin'," and made 10
pass on his way
Can I have a word with you?" said
the old wardrobe woman. barring Lis
passage.
"a word with me? Course you can. if
you wants one. Wot is it,"
ooh. shan't keep you long, I wants
to ask you matter of two simple qucs-
tons
"Arsk away! Don't be long about it,
for I wants to get to bed. AS to be up
at 4 in the mornin', you know"
All right Well, did you ever write
a letter to Hannah DeEt?"
We'll. If you wants to know pertick-
Ter. though I can't see as it's any
business Of yours, Mrs. Smith did
write Hannah Dent a letter -
''oh. you did! Well, p'raps you'll tell
me, as is Cissy Lanes good friend. poor
girl. if you've done with her, an "a
taken UP with that shame faced hussy.
Hannah Dent?"
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-01-04

one OF the rank-and-file, and so far as
dressing arrangements went, was treat
ed accordingly.
As Hannah Dent pressed into the low,
narrow room. in the train of the muslin
skiTted crowd, she saw Ctssy standing
by the rickety bench, which did duty
for a dressing-table. her face set and
white, and in her eyes look OF stony
expectation.
By this time all the other girls we're
full OF the matter, sympathy for Clssy
being, however, almost the universal
feeling amongst them.
show me that letter. said Cissy at
length. mechanically
What! in front Of EN- ALP
SHOW me the letter. the girl re
peated, this time in slightly raised
tone
oh, I'm agreeable. if you are, my
dear Only I thought p'r'aps as You
wouldn't care to give yourself away
like"
The letter."
You needn't think as I'm going to let
you read. it You knows Jacks writin'-
Well. an how he signs his name. There
you are. my dear!" folding a letter,
which she drew from the bosom Of her
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-01-04

Have I don wott'' exclaimed the
other. why, you're mad, Mother Smith
it's Cissy as as chucked ne mp"
Not she. She's too fond Of yer, VIII
you tell me what you said IN your letter
to Hannah Dent?''
4 don't mind tellin' you. just said
as Ia card from one OF the girls at the
theater as she was sivin' Cissy too much
chin-music. an tell 'er as she'll ave TO
stop it. That's aIlt'
On yer gospeI?'
Yes
Jack Martindale. believes yer,
Shake hands. Now listen to me. III
see Cfssy tomorrer mornin first thing.
an tell fer the truth. You come round
IS usual after the show in the evenin',
an if you don't then. between you,
make it up. so as it cant come undone
agin, why you're no man, an Cissy's a
little fooIt"
The next morning Mrs. Smith carried
out faithfully her part Of the program,
leaving Cissy in state Of eager longing
for the moment Of reconciliation
But. like many other anticipated life
pleasures, that moment was delayed be
yond aImest the bearing-imit Of two
really loving hearts
In the scene Of the Fairy Glen. torches
were used 10 give weird effect in the
semi darkness. At one point in the ae-
ton each ballet girl previously provided
with an electric torch. which up to then
she had held behind her, suddenly pro
duced it, and held it arm-high, above her
head.
By some mischance. on the second
night of the pantomime, the Vrire at
:achec 20 the portable battery, conceal
ed in the wings on Hannah Dents
shoulders. became fused, and before it
was realized what had occurred. the IN
fortunate girls costume Of light mater
ial was in a blaze.
Shrek upon shrek went up. as the
victim OF the accident ran hitler and
thither, to her own danger, and the dan
ger Of those about her similarly attired.
Before the curtain could be lowered.
a scene was Witnessed by both audience
and stage hands which neither viii ever
forget
At the left wing. half way up the
stage, stood throne, with about It
voIuminous hangings-
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-01-04

Toward this Cissy Lane was seen rush
ing. Tearing down one Of the curtains.
she first deity lodged the now mad
dened Hannah and then. throwing the
curtain over the others head cIssped
her arms. around it and her. ard rolled
the object Of her heroic efforts franti-
cally to-and-fro upon the stage
When both rescuer. ard rescued we're
medically examined at the adjacent hos
pitaI, it was found that Cissy Lanes
arms and neck were fearfulIy burnt.
while Hannah's state gave very little
hope that she would recover
That this latte. prediction was 'faisl-
fed was due more 10 splendid nursing
than TO anything else. and 10 the cheer
ing encourager ent OF her bed-neighbar.
cissy Lane
Cissy left the hospital first but she
never missed a visiting day, when she
would take her quondam enemy such
little Injuries as the rules allowed.
But Hannah came to look not for the
fruit or other delieaeies. but for Cissy's
smile and word OF tender sympathy
sAAE f4tA 4lE- as VI say Et4aEAs 0At snF
apparently quite content to listen and 70
gaze.
One afternoon Jack MardndaIe. at
Hannah's special request, accompanied
Cissy
Association with Cfssy had rubbed
down al that was rough and coarse IN
his nature. and any feeling Of dislike
and contempt. which he might other
wise have had for the author OF the
cruel plot to spoil his and Cissy's lives.
was lost in her sufferings. and for her
prospects Of manned and useless
future.
She did not say much even now.
Taking the hands of Jack MartindaIe
and her sweetheart between her own,
she looked up at them. her eyes swim
ming with tears, and Just said, I do
arsk your pardon. both Of yeri Jack,
you've got rs true an angel as ever's
up in Heaveni"
II knows itf' said Jack.
But angels have wings. Jack. said
Cissy, feeling that she must say some
thing.
Has they2" he answered her. We'll,
I'm mortal glad you hasn't, as I'm sure
now as youu never be able te fly away
from me.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-01-04

7 the corridor fer her. but she vas no
/ where 10 be seen.
Thurston started 20 take the pin to
the desk, but he changed his mind AID
+ tucked It away in his card case. Then 10
went back to the ballroom and tried 10
find ouf who she was. bur no one seemed
to recognize his description IN such a
crowd in fact. there were many who
might have answered to il. 50 Thurztoa
was forced to leave without obtaining
any elew TO her identity.
he marveled at the depth OF the i'm
preston that this girls face had made
upon him. His wealth and good looks
won him so much favor among women
great Indifference
He inserted an advertisement concern
ing the pin. but no answer ever came.
and he strove to forget the owner, but
many times the blue eyes seemed TO look
at him through the smoke rings. OF. come
unbidden between him and a printed
page.
The day after the BAH. poor Tom was
in a raging fever, and the weeks which
followed were anxious ones indeed in
the Sfuart's little home. for Tom had a
bad case Of typhoid
Their small savings dwindIed rapidly.
and LYDIA worked necessarily TO renew
resources Mrs. Stuart became so worn
by her vigil at the sick boys side, that
the doctor feared that she, too. would be
attacked By the disease.
yE-o-r-x-su1 --7Oeb1r
grievtng because she thought that she
had aggravated Toms Illness by taking
him to the ball. and working even hard
er than usual. had grown thin and pale,
and there were heavy circles under the
blue eyes.
One afternoon, as she was doggedIy
putting the finishing touches to some
dinner cards that we're 10 be called for
that day. the bell rang.
Come ii, LYDIA called softly, think
ing it was the doctor. Go right in. doc
tor" she added. without turning her
head She was not willing that he should
see the traces CT tears that would briu
over occasionally and impede her pro,
gress.
7 beg pardon. but my sister sent me
for the cards." said voice that vas
certainly not the Doctors. She rose
quickly.
'Oh. pardon me-" she exclaimed. then
stopped short as she recognized her
ball man, as she had mentally termed
him
Hugh Thurst,n started eagerly for
ward
'.You.' he cried, with a glad ring IN
his voice, .you!-I have so often tried
to find you since the ball But child
taking her hand gently in his. as he saw
her pale cheeks and tired eyes what
have they done to you?"
The cheeks became so crimson and
the eyes so wide with astoaisnmeat that
he came suddenly TO himself and dropped
her hands
''of course, you don't understand. hs
explained, rather IameIy. You've p-ob.
ably never given me q thought" TIE
blue eyes were suddenly veised. You
didn't leave any slipper behind shat
might know of. but found your pin
after you had gone. aud wanted 20
find the owner" He had pulled our rs
card case while he was speaking and
now he handed The pima levers knot
With diamond center-to her.
But Il IS not mine" she said. look
ing mp with demure little smile.
isn't it?'' he asked. supposedly. Tt
doesn't matter. though somewhat ir-
relevantly-.'fcr I've done better than
ind the '0wner'-I've found the pin
cess, and as their eyes met the princess
knew that the prince had come.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-01-04
ALICIA'S DILEMMA
A STORY OF LOVE, A BICYCLE AND A TRAP.

field. quite as large as the first. and here
We had been exerting ourselves for some
time when the farmer said:
Better leave it 10 US. sir. I think.
Wen get her fer you in time. and III
bring her over. I'll see she's all right 81
I knew he would; ne was one OF my
tenants. I accepted the offer, and set
of 10 walk home by the road.
What shall I DO? What shall I do2"
I started as if the ground had opened
at my feet. Alicia's voice; but where
was she?'
what's the matter?'' I called.
Then ! saw her. She was standing in
an opening OF the hedge. pushing back
the bushes with her hands. Her hat
was at an extraordinary angle, and her
frock was torn; there were traces Of
tears on her cheeks.
I don't know why. but as soon as I
saw Alicia in this condition I made up
my mind that it was perfectly ridiculous
that we should have quarreled. and that
the first thing to be done was to restore
our former relations
On. is it you. Mr.. Dacre?" she asked.
looking at me over the ditch. What
have you been doinR7"
certainly did present strange ap-
pearance. almost a dfsreputabIe one.
Bits Of broken mushroom dropped from
me at intervals. and my coat was torn.
But for all that 7 meant 10 carry the
war into the enemy's country.
IF you'll excuse my asking. What have
you been doing?'' 1 asked. 7 am sure
something has happened. Let me help
you over the ditch"
No, thank you; I can manage il by
myself And she sprang over. But
the refusal was stif. and I felt I must
proceed with caution When she had
cleared the ditch 7 saw she had some
thing tied up IN her handkerchief in her
hand
'AhI'' I observed, 81 see you have been
gathering mushrooms. Very fine ones in
that field. are there not?"
Yes. and I hope I shall never see
them again" she replied. and, some
what to my establishment. she threw the
bundle over the sedge IF you knew
what had happened to me this morning
you'd understand why I Just slipped
through the hedge 10 get them. began
with seeing one in the bank here and
while I was out of sight some horrid
creature came along and stole my bi-
cycle; and here I am, fifteen miles from
home. and my hats spoiled. and I've lost
my machine, and there will be such
row when 1 get back she concluded
with something like a sob.
Good gracious" excIs lined. ut
must have been the tramp. He certain
~ went early"
What tramp never saw one"
I'll explain" And I did. at some
length
Alicia smiled. and my spirits rose.
we are both sufferers from mush-
rooms" she said. But what are we to
do next?"
let's sit down and think about it,
I said. and dropped down on to the grass.
After a moments hesitation she follow
ed my example.
Bat we cant sit here forever" she
observed at length.
mo; nice things never do last long"
I re5oined
I shall never forget this morning.
she said, pulling a mushroom to pieces.
Nor !
Come. you must suggest something.
/ must get home somehow"
There's a alton in the ueighbor-
hood, I said brutalIy.
Il know: hut It's miles on, isn't it2"
Three. I think.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-01-04
OOK here. you two girls" said
the stage manager waTniugly,
If Ihern,s anv more of this

the stage UhhdEtE Wal mug ~ .
Il If there's any more of this
sort of thing at show time
you'll have to take d weeks notice, both
Of you"
The sort of thing consisted of a
noisy passage Of tongue-aImost Of arms
between the two ladies referred to;
both of whom were in what is theat-
ricaIly known as the front row"
The feud had gone on all through the
rehearsals of the Dantomfme at the
Coliseum having originated in the
determined endeavor of Hannah Dent to
lure from his allegiance the afBanced
lover of Cissy Lane.
The gentleman in question was a
prosperous young 'coster'' on the south
side, known to the general public in the
neighborbood Of the Old Kent Road as
king Jack and the "Coster King.
The rivalry between the two coryphees
for the valuable affections of his coster
majesty had eliminated on Boxing Night.
when. owing to the absence of the prin-
cipal solo dancer, through sudden III
ness, Cissy Lane was hurriedly requisi-
toned to fiji the gap.
Professional Jealousy. is not an alto
gether unknown quantity in theatrical
life, but in this particular instance there
was only one voice raised in angry dis
approval. With the majority Of the bal
let girls Cissy lane. by reason of her
happy good humor and kindness of dis
position. was a great favorite. and no
one, except Hannah Dent, envied her her
good fortune
Eve been longer at it than she has,
spitefuIIy whispered the latter to her
neighbor, as the Fairies of the Glen
stood IN a half circle and watched the
evoIutions OF Cissy as Fairy Queen.
"There'H be no bearing her now. I
can't make out what Marrow Cthe stage
nanager) secs in her."
"Ohl Cissy's a daisy!" whispered
hack the neighbor. glad of an opportuni-
~ Of setting down the maIiciously-min
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-01-04


.cz- s.-..,
+ira5r,
SO an, That's .v-r, Tn, NOT arvio,,s
70 NOV. =,
You're verr eo1eeb vbot 90
dr.
81 On, onI,. $40 o,. come. a
nc rba~a,g ~ 80 - -. 49,
o,,+ . 80. -. -
ne can drive me 10 the station
'"ii VI ''e
~, - 80 - - --.,z -.- req YOU 7N'
- -, - '.is e,'ltIon ou o''--
- oli MS "o' n.
ba IN
~, ....., .,.-.-
- VI S@'u ma V, 80" d lssp Sisn'
you O"N nave 'iie au"a'its 10
p ups 7utH d mug az
zen ~ won De the nFS' TINE
you We driven with me in trap
PM that 7r.s no,o-o. mo-, .znaov
..vo,, rnia,t - :. -. - -
~, - -
~
g. l'-1@' '''l EN''''7 9iEli5d
..rs-----[,-,--
..[-.-s,--7, '-'-7 eoHe "I0"s i9'slS-
-, '---'-s, ieJ0i"eu siooniliy-
7'ia Ai.si' turning on me
80 -,o,,'',' 80 H'p u" re
-.''-''' ''--'' 's ou
-,
49,, -, - i''e - D'A'H hO"
- 10 DC
CO. a
- = me -l-'l7,'' oo.l anu so'
lp "'n he' nanoS Oen'na heF- She
- ''''- anu 'o'i'iH man
- " tue u@p OF not! SAID
- anu IL ii'iHsis' 80 ie1 us
''i7 u "p anu uo axe those
,'-'--s' Jul u youi pochets' Iof you don
iooN II 20 De seen. we snail look
me OsaLi5aSteFS coming along the
0''
Wen, beanfeasters are not such ugly
things If they look like you.
Ion talk any more nonsense, jack
30 We drove home in the trap, and !
don't suppose cur conversation would
interest anyone but ourselves. BavIv
was standing on the frop+ 5oorsta,, &c
No d.
ii4"'iHs up the
'0i' pS1ch on MS mead TIL II shone
again [ got down, helped Alicia out,
and went 70 greet him when rba crv
from, g,,.,- 80 No.. -, -
-,
1@'A' NY Dicycie-
Your WHAT l said.
1t was true. There IT was. carefully
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-01-04

mysen II WOULD nave DeeI uiLl-
cult to find throughout the
length and breadth of England
the morning I got BayIy's letter.
Everything had gone wrong with me,
There was Alicia. I slipped my coffee
gloomiIy. and reflected that three weeks
ago. only three short weeks. we had been
discussing whether we would have those
very walls I was then looking at papered
green or blue
BavIy had sent ats 10 say be was
coming down for thv eek end. ana might
be expected that afternoon BayIy is a
cheerful soul, but not obtrusively 50. and
on the whole I thought I should be
pleased 10 see hiEa. It has always been
a cherished idea Of BayIy that should
get married, and I knew it must be a real
disappointment 10 him that 7 had broken
of my engagement.
It was AHcia's mother that had been
the cause of our rupture. No one would
have thought It within the bounds Of pos
sibiiity that Alicia and 7 could be made
20 quarrel. but Alicia's mother ended by
making US break of our engagement.
decided to 90 for ride. The day was
fne-bruta1ly so. I thought-and / had it
before me till Bayly's arrival. ordered
Iadysnith to be saddled; she was
bro,,ql,t round and I started
went some way, then decided I lad
had enough. and turned to 60 back over
a field
Mushrooms. The field was white with
them. There must have been thousands!
myself have the mania to an extra
ordinary extent I can't pass one, the
thing draws me to it as if were en-
chanted. I don't know why. I can buy
them at a cheap enough rate, and I don't
care for eating them; but gather them I
must. no sooner saw this glorious sight
than I turnbIed of Ladysrnith's back.
went down on my knees, and began I'LL
ing my pockets as fast as 1 could. sim
pig stuffed them into every available
place. and then. when I could carry no
mare. rose from my Iabors and looked
round for Ladysmith.
There she was, careening round the
field. only too glad to have me on her
back
Here was Ladysmith. a fresh young
thoroughbred. at large IN a field several
acres in extent. Lived the man who
could catch her? I doubted It.
However, We had 70 Try. 1 say We, be
cause. seeing the impossibIity Of manag-
ing il single handed, Immediately en-
listed the services Of a aeighboring farm
er 70 help me out Of my dilemma. He
grasped the situation at once, smiled
broadly. as he touched his hat. and OBJ
served
7 suppose 1t was them mushrooms,
sir
II was, of course. but it was mortify-
inE 70 be told so. But we had our work
ccf oct, and there was no time to waste.
One or two 1aborers came TO assist, and
tramp also volunteered. Already she
saw what we were about. and began
gently 10 encourage US; she allowed US
TO come quite close, and. just as your
hand touched her bride, she was of Ike
the wind. we ran and whistled, shouted
and Unanswered under that blazing Au-
gust sun till cur tempers could bear no
more. The tramp sIoped. Ladysmith her
self had betaken herself into another