davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-03-17

would induce mental stimulation. but
It did not
"Wnl you come with me for n mo-
ment?" Margaret asked, rising and en-
tering the house.
John followed her to her study. There
on the little desk. was the pile of man
uscript paper Margaret took note
from the bosom of her dress unfolded
it slowly and handed II to John.
There was piece of carbon paper
among the top sheets" she said. and
this was under It." And John read an
exact copy Of the effuslon lie had ad-
dressed TO Margaret the week before.
For a moment he looked helplessly
at the note, then he glanced shyly
down at Margaret, and the expression
he saw in her eyes was entirely unlike
that with which she had regarded the
editor.
II seemed to say, Speak for your
self John" and had the stolid type
writer which stood OH the desk risen to
the occasion 1t would have added an
other love scene to its long list
In the home OF Mr.. and Mrs. John
Kendall, in Schuyleryille, is a den and
on one OF its walls hangs a bit OF black
paper in a gilt frame. When the curl
ous question John about this paper he
tells them its story, If they are worthy
and if they are unworthy he merely
says that it is an impressionistic pic.
ture of the darkest hour before dawn.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-03-17
"Oh. do you lead trumps:'
LEAD from Your long suit"
Excessive Energy.

Energy IS fine thing, but, like
steam, it needs little restraint and
careful guiding. If the safety valve
doesn't work there's likely to be IA
breakdown or Il blow up now and then.
The nervousy. tidgcty woman IS a
dreadful bore. She ruftles up the at
mosphere and makes everybody wish
she would take Il vacation and rest up
like sixty. Some sf those people who
fly around the fastest do the least
work, and the proper thing to acquire
Is balance. Work as hard as you want
TO, but let up when the moment for
letting up arrives. There is limit to
human endurance, and when you go
beyond the limit you never get back
into the valve Of strong endurance and
fine vitality. 1t is the man or the wo-
man who knows how TO work and how
to rest who gets things done all fine
and shipshape and without tearing the
roof off its feet. These remarks may
be blunt, like a chiSel. but they're as
true as the fact that the Lord made lit
tie Chicago Record-Herald.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-03-17
RAINING CATS AND DOGS.
Various Explanations of the origin
of This Expression.

of This Expression.
Many explanations have been given
Of the origin Of the expression raining
cats and dogs" one * that il is per
version Of the French "CatadOupe,'
waterfull-"it il raining catadoupes,"
or cataractS. Another explanation is
that the male blossoms of the willow
tree, which are used on Palm Sunday
to represent the branches of palm,
were called eats and dogs in some
parts Of England, where they increase
rapidly after a few warm April show
ers, and the belief prevailed that the
rain brought them.
Others trace the saying to northern
mythology. in which the cat is said to
have great influence on the weather,
and sailors still have a saying, The
cat has gale of wind in her tai"
when she is unusually frisky. Witches
that rode upon the storms were said to
assume tn" form of cats, and the
stormy northwest wind is called 'the
cats nose" IN the Harz mountains
even at the present day Then the dog
is a symbol Of wind, which in old Ger
man pictures is figured as the head Of
dog or wolf from which blasts issue.
The cat therefore symboliZes a down
pour of rain; the dog, strong gusts Of
wind. which accompany it, and so q
! rain "Of cats and dogs" is a heavy rain
with wind.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-03-17
WRipole ON Balloons.

Some OF Horace Walpole's ironic
speculations on the future OF the bal
loon have been recently reprinted. Said
the satirist:
81 supposed our seaports to become
deserted villages and Salisbury plain,
Newmarket heath and all downs (but
the Downs arising into dockyards 70;
aerial vessels. The ship news then
would run thus: The good balloon Dae-
dalus, Captain Wingate. will fly In
few days for China. He will stop at the
Monument to take in passengers.
Foundered in a hurricane, the Bird OF
Paradise from Mount Ararat. The
Bubble, Sheldon, took fire and was
burned to her gallery, and the Phenix
Is TO be cut down 10 a second rate.
There will be fights in the air with
wind guns and bows and arrows
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-03-17
writing a "Book."

Il would like" said the youth, Ito
write a great book. How shall l go
about it,
Don't, | beg of YOU" said the novel
ist Write one that pays, as | do, or
else-study law"
Il do not care TO write book for the
sake of the pay" said the youth. He
was very young and must be forgiven
for this Perhaps, after all, had bet
ter be q lawyer"
So he became a lawyer, but the old
ambition to write great book came
over him again.
Anything but that" said q friend
to whom he told his wish. IF you don't
Ike the law, BE- Il doctor"
So he studied medicine.
In time. however, this palled upon
him. He still thought OF that book.
He felt that he had mission.
You could do so much more in the
pulpit" said another.
SO he preached until the hollOwness
of il came over him.
And he left the pulpit.
One day he woke up and found that
the great book was written And he
laughed at the thought.
1T was not lit was the lawyer, the
doctor, the clergyman and the other
man who did it Smart Set
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-03-17

gate, but on this occasion lie was sur
prised TO find il upbolding him even
after he had reached the yeranda. 1t
evapUated when he rang the bell. A
maid told him that Miss Little had
gone for a walk with the gentleman
from New York This tion.
coming as respite, at first relieved
John. Then jealousy renewed his
courage, and ne boldly said that he
wished 10 leave note for Margaret.
In the matter OF impassoued mis-
sives John Kendall was no coward,
and be sat at Margarets little desk
and dashed of few glowing periods
on a sheet OF her manuscript paper.
When the effuson was finished II
proved satisfactory, being I'm fact,
condensation of the others which he
had left uusent He folded it neatly
and was reaching into pigeonhole
the desk for an envelope when he hap
pened to glance out OF the window.
Across the orchard came Margaret
and the editor. The latter, small,
blond, handsome man. was walk
close Deolue his lOph-
ing smilingly into her beautiful eyes.
After viewing this scene John was
seized with panic at the thought OF
Margaret's reading his note immedi-
ateiy. The next instant he was strid-
ing away from the house, scattering
bits Of white papeg % the June breezes.
He did not see Margaret for week,
and during that time deep despair held
him for its own. Then an urgent busi-
ness affair led him 10 call on her fa-
ther. who was suffering from slight
illness and was unable to leave his
house
When the interview with Mr.. Little
was at an end and John reached the
front door, he found Margaret sitting
on the veranda. He thought to pass
her with formal greeting, but his In
tentions usually went astray where she
was concerned, and he was soon seated
near hes in q wide armed veranda
chair
II am sorry | missed you when you
called last week" said Margaret after
her fathers Illness had been discussed.
I'm sorry. too. John replied, men
tally condcuning lhr memory Oi the
maid. who he hoped had forgotten tn"
Incident
Tile girl said something about you
leaving note continued Margaret.
''Yes-er-a an invitation to a picnic"
John said weakly. but the affair was
postponed
Before you could write the nOteF
no | thought it would be post.
poncd so l changed my mind"
Margaret was looking demurely at a
rosebush. 1T has been postponed be
fore" she murmurcd softly, but her
companion did not hear the remark.
John" she said in II louder tone. Il
suppose it is only in an invitation To II
picnic that you would address me As
your dearest Margaret"
John Kendall turned slowly and re
garded the object OF his affections with
bewilderment He wondered if any Of
the torn bits OF paper had been picked
up and pieced together 10y Margaret,
but he had scattered them SO widely
that that seemed impossible.
Miss Little. who had transferred her
gaze from the roschush to her lovers
face, seemed TO enjoy his expression.
Then John rocked violently in the We
ruuda chair in the hope that the action
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-03-17
His Satanic Majesty.

During the American Revolutionary
war the colonists had great trouble
with women who were determined roy
alists. The sex" wrote the rebellious
governor of New Jersey, ARE mis-
tresses OF infinite craft and subtleV,
and l never read Of great politician
who did not employ petucoats to ac-
complish his designs Certain 1t 10 that
the greatest politician on record q
mean the deviD applied himself to q
female agent to involve mankind IN sin
and ruin"
Dean Pigou tells in his book of anec-
dotes the story OF the little girl who
was much upset by maiden aunt and
posted in hole in the garden letter
in these terms:
Dear Mr.. Satan-Wtll you kindly come
and take away Aunt Jane? She Is a very
fussy person and does worry me 3D.
Yourg affectionately. ALICE.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-03-17
CuriohitIeA of Cut Glaaa.

The process Of glass cutting requires
great skill and care A design is first
lightly copied OH the glass, and the
cutters take it in hand A fine stream
of sand and water falls continuously
on a rapidly revolving steel wheel. To
this the glass Is applied, and the cut
ting is really accomplished by the fric-
ton which the sand sets up. Then an
other workman with another steel
wheel and plain water brings the cut
ting up TO sharper edge. A third
workman with soft wooden tool takes
OFF the cloud!ness caused by the fric-
ton of the steel, fourth polishes the
glass, Il fifth with II preparation Of OK
ide OF tin gives TO 1t that irdescent
luster which makes us value cut glass
so highly
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-03-17

Rome has a delightful climate the
whole year round, and from the end
Of November TO the middle of March
is an ideal time for hunting Then the
hounds meet twice a week ON such
mornings the riders leave Rome or the
villas roundabout in time TO be on the
field and ready by II o'clock, for the
hunt is always several miles from
Rome, sometimes on the rolling, parity
timbered land to the northWard, but
more often on the level plain. Such &
meet is to Rome what a Meadowbrook
meet is to New York II means II
morning gathering of fashionables
with time and money and distinction
TO its credit Swift moving motor cars
numbering drags and four-in-hands
smart phaetous. barouches, yictorias
and dogcarts hurry out from the city
From the estates of noblemen in the
vicinity OF the hunt come more car
riages, and men on the hunters which
they will ride in the days chase-P
ID. Zabriske in Outing
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-03-17
The Secret Service,

A man standing on a steamship pier
in New York found himself being
watched closely by three ordinary look
ing individuals who stood together.
The atmosphere was chilly, and the
man took several turns up and down
the pier noticing at the same time that
the eyes of the strangers followed all
his movements. His conscience being
clear, he did not feel embarrassed when
he realized that the watchers were de-
tect1ves. obviously the men were not
from the central office because OF their
small stature and lack Of flesh, and 1t
became question in the mans mind
whether he was dealing with detectives
from a private agency or with secret
service men. He resolved 10 find out.
His first move was to halt near the
group and appear unconcerned. 1t was
not long before be was Joined by one
Of the watchers, who said:
Are you from Mr.. So-and-so's Of
fice?" naming a deputy chief Of the Sc.
cret service.
NO" replied the subject OF scrutiny,
but | believe you are"
The detective smiled family and
changed the conversation. All Of which
goes to prove that the secret service Is
secret in more ways than one, else
why did the detectives think that an
utter stranger had been placed on the
same ''plantY-New York Post.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-03-17

Middle age painters represented Ju-
das as red haired, though Jews with
sunny locks are not common. Lord
Macaulay argued that the ant-red hair
feeling was an illogical survival OF
anti Semitism.
In Ireland red hair is common, and
in the speech Of the country a person
so distinguished is called Dane" in
allusion TO the incursions made cen
turies ago upon Irish soil by the light
haired Danish sea rovers.
Aristotle of old Greece declared that
"he that has red hair Is proud, envious
and deceitful." Aristotle was undoubt-
edly dark completed
On the other hand, the Italian paint
ers represent the Madonna with light
hair, Titan gave his name TO a famous
shade OF red in womens hair and red
hair in Spain is an aristocratic dnge,
as seemingly derived from the Goth
conquerors Of Iberia. The Spanish roy
al house has furnished several men,
bers with red or reddish hair.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-03-17

turns
Mean" CALCULATED Hale in despera-
ton. 1t means that one OF those con
founded IDIOTS at the office has been
trying to get funny. 1t means-oh,
Penelope. darling" with a complete
change of tone cant you make 1t
mean something: Don't run away,
dear" as he caught both her hands.
LET me finish now I've started. I've
loved YOU SO long that you must surely
have guessed that much. and I've only
waited 10 have something worth offer
ing before asking you to become my
wife 4 man ought not TO tie girl
down to any such bread and butter ex-
istcnce as | can offer while I'm on the
Times | wouldn't have spoken II this
hadn't happened till ] had more. But
I'll promise to wait patiently, dearest,
if you'll only make this item true"
The item appeared on the society
page Of the Sanbrook Times the follow
ing Saturday, and Bradford chuckled
as he read it:
"Now that's what | call a made to
order item"
Hale, being blessed with his share OF
newspaper instinct, never tried to find
out which OF the COMPOUNDED idiots at
the office" dared to tamper with his
notebook
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-03-17
UNEXPECTED
IMPRESSION
BY Bennc1 nuISon
BY BenncT nuISon
Copyright, 1908, IN T. {. McCuu,


II one were looking for u cure for
bashfulness carbon paper would seem
an unlikely thing to select But it was
a piece of this paper which, if il did
not exactly cure John Kendall, at least
oyerCame the effects of his shyncSs.
Johns bashfuness was most perui-
cious, and, while It had not retarded
his career as n successful manufacture
er in the fiourishinS town OF Schuyler
vile, 1t proved a very embarrassing
possession when he was snitten with
the tender passion.
In the first place, Margaret Little
WAS an "authOress, and that alone
was an awe inspiring circumstance. 10
be able to write stories which met with
occasional acceptance, to have the post.
man sometimes bring her thin letters
containing checks and not TO he the
grinnlng bearer Of bulky packages Of
rejected manuscripts, placed her on a
plane above other women in Johns
eyes; not that she needed such placing,
for II would be futile TO chronicle the
angelic qualities with which he en-
dowed her.
The trouble with this endowment
process was that it was not disclosed
to Margaret. John could write and did
write letters teeming with sentiment.
OF course II was unfortunate that these
letters never We're sent. 1t was more
unfortunate that he found himself un-
able to express In her presence the feel
ings which agitated his six feet 6f
manhood.
He had made three attempts at pro-
posal, each Of which had ended in
stammering confusion and dire failure,
and it is probable that the number
would have been extended indefinitely
had not rival appeared on the field.
Any one who showed Margaret the
slightest attention was rival in Johns
view, and ii seemed impossible that the
editor of a New York magazine would
come fifty miles to Schuylerville for
the sole purpose Of consulting Marga-
ret about a series OF stories for his pc
brought the editor, something emotion
ally attractive in MargaretS pretty
face must have induced his reappeHr-
ance within month, and it was dur
ing this second visit that John spurred
himself TO action.
On June afternoon he deserted his
desk and determinedly STROBE toward
the Little homestead Ills courage
usually lasted until he passed the front
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-03-17
= S%%%S%s%
COMRADE ,
LOVE ,
BY IZOLA L. FORESTER :
Copyright, 1903, by T. c. Mcclure 4
BY IZOLA L. FORESTER
Copyright, 1903, by T. c. Mcclure

She was working when he Knocked
and merely called, Come in
al thought it was only you" she add
ed, with a smile aid a nod of welcome
over her shoulder. Isn't it a dream
Of a day? You are about five and Il
half minutes too late. Nah just went
for park tramp with her pockets full
Of cake for the squirrels and her heart
full OF love for all the world, especially
the springy world. Goodby."
But I'm not going, thank you he
answered laughing down at her. He
drew up his favorite chair deliberate
ly, the deep, lounging one. and seated
himself beside her desk The window
was open, and a little Rookwuod jar
in soft greens and bronze browns
stood upon the sill, holding 4 cluster
of daffodils. There was 4 mass OF
scattered manuscript spread over the
desk, and her eyes looked tired with
forced thought. The breeze from the
" ludON udh 'lON II A'l nan lHhO -
fluffy, careless state, unlike its usual
businesslike primuess, and there were
ink blots on her second finger
I'm going 70 stay here awhile" he
said and don't give Il rap for your
ladyship's permission. l have come to
have a tax with you"
She looked at him amusedly He
had picked up her blue pencil and was
marking stars on the back OF the man
usuript with IT,
80 serious: Let's see" She laid
down her pen resignedly. "Truax
doesn't like the last effort of the
mighty mind. Not up to the Burton
standard It's not wise TO play ping
pong with your public, Dick If they
ike your cream puffs and chocolate
eclaires never try 10 give them the
doughnuts and brown bread Of real
ism. Is that it, Or were the last roy
alties below par? Or has Nab been
teasing you. or what?'
He was not smiling now. There was
new earnestness in his eyes as he
bent suddenly toward her.
"Comrade," he said, "am | good
enough to ask the woman | love 10
marry me-"
1t was very quiet in the large, restful
studio apartment. The tap OF horses
hoofs on the pavement far below lloat
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-03-17
Ducks and brakes.

A schoolboy in Jewell City, Mo-, was
assigned to prepare an essay on the
subject OF Ducks" and this is what
he wrote: The duck is a low, heavy
set bird, composed mostly Of meat and
feathers. He Is a mighty poor singer,
having a hoarse voice caused by get
ting SO many frogs in his neck. He
likes the water and carries a toy bal
loon in his stomach TO keep him from
sinking. The duck has only two legs,
and they are set so far back on his
running gears by nature that she came
purity near missing his body. Some
ducks when they get big have curls
on their tails and are called brakes
brakes don't have to set or hatch, but
just loaf, go swimming and eat. If l
was to be duck, I'd rather be drake
every time"
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-03-17
Feared n Separation.

Her father had read her the parable
of the sheep and the goats at the day
Of judgment. She made no comment
but that night a sound of weeping
came from her room. Her mother went
as consOler
why are you crying, dear"
about the goats. Oh, I'm so afraid
I'm goat"
why, no, dearie. You are a sweet
little lamb, and if you should die to-
night you would 90 straight to heaven"
With this and like assurance she was
finally pacified.
The next night the same performance
was repeated, and again her mother
inquired the reason
ITS the goats. I'm afraid about the
goats"
Didn't | tell you, dear. that you
were a little lambT'
oh" she sobbed, I'm not crying
about myself, but I'm 'fraid you may
he a goat Rrooklyn Life
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-03-17

quicker beating or the pulses. Now it
comes and goes SO soon and only seems
the symbol OF something lost
She turned back TO the desk and put
the glass stopper on the bottle mcchan-
ically
"AIab is coming across the park, she
said. Il am going to Toe good 10 you
both and leave you to your wooing
with my blessing And ! am glad. so
glad, Dick, for You. Only was # quite
fair to steal my >pringtime girl away
and leave me All alone: Honest, was
It, comradet"
She stretched out her hand to him.
He held it in close grip and leaned
across the deck toward her.
"Winirred. Winifred,' he said. And
YOU have been the woman who under
stood me of all the world Couldn't
you sec | was waiting for 1t all TO come
to yog the success, the little petty
laurel crowns that are turned out by
the hundreds nowadays. | wanted YOU
to gain it all and still find something
lacking. so that some day might come
to you. as do now, and say Aren't
you tired of it all, dear: Can't you
come to me now and rest and live the
springtime over"
She shook her head at him. Her lips
closed, her eyes full of tears
Il never knew" she said. And it
was SO long and lonesome, the fight
you know, ana | am so tired of ii all,
Dick, 50 tired"
There was n light, quick step in the
hall Nab was whistling as she came
some gay little love song of shep
herdesS and miller laddie and the
gate where the May thorn grows. She
opened the door softly So rs not TO dis
turb the writer ut the desk, but the
writer was almost hidden from view
behind barricade OF masculine arms.
And Nab smiled and, stepping noise
lessly back into The hall, closed the
door after her and went back to the
squirrels and the park.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-03-17
Predigulity OF Life In Ancient Egypt

The reckless prodigality with which
in ancient Egypt the upper classes
squandercd away the labor and lives
of the people is perfectly startling. In
this respect as the monuments yet re-
manning abundantly prove, they stand
alone and without a rival. We may
form some idea of the almost incred-
ible waste when we hear that 1000
men were occupied for three years in
carrying Il single stone from Elephan-
tine to Sais, that the canal of the Red
sea alone cost the lives of 10000
Egyptians and that TO build one of the
pyramids required the labor of 100000
men for twenty years.