davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-05-08
CHAPTER l
TWO GENERATIONS.

,.Why, all delights are vain, but that
most vain
Which with pain purchased doth inherit
PAIN
my Observation-Disclosures you call heart
does not come into the question at all,
Sir John Meredith was sitting slightly
behind Lady Cantourne, leaning towards
her with a somewhat stiffened replica of
his former grace. But he was not look
ing at her-as she knew II.
They were both watching a group at
the other side Of the great ballroom,
"sir John Meredith on Heart" said the
old lady. with a depth OF Significance in
her voice
.'And why not?'
Eyes, indeed. Why notf'
Sir John smiled with that well-bred
cynicism which new school has not yet
succeeded in Initiating, They both be-
1onyed TO the old school. these two; and
their worldliness. their cynicisrn, their
conryer sa tonal attitude belonged TO by
gone period 1t was a cleaner period in
soms ways-a period devoid Of Sums.
01,rs on the contrary. Is an age Of slums,
wherein we all dabble TO the detriment al
our hands-mental, literary. and rheo'
logical
Sir John moved slightly IN his chair
leaning one hand on one knee MS pach
was very fiat, his clothes We're perfect
his hair was not his own, nor yer HlS
teeth But his manners were enpfeiS
his own. His face was eighty years old
and yet he smiled his keen society sm1!'
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-05-08

was heInmed into corner by group
of eager dancers anxious to insert their
names in some corner of her card. she
was the fashion ut that time. And she
proba bly, did not know that at least hair
OF the men crowded round because the
other half were there Nothing succeeds
like the success that knows how to draw
/ a crowd.
She received the ovation lf-possessedly
enough but without that hauleur aitecteu
By bellies at bals--in books. she seemeu
to have fresh smile for each new APP
plicant-a smile which conveyed to each
in turn the fact that she had been at
tempting all along to get her programme
safely into his hands A hating mascu-
line pen will not be expected to explain
how she comprised this. beyond a gentle
intimation that masculine vanity had
good deal to do with her success,
she Is having an excellent time sald
Sir John. weighing on the modern phrase
with subtle sarcasm he was adhlcteo
to the use of modern phraseology, spiced
with a cynicism Of his own
Mes; | cannot help sympathizlng with
her-a little" answered the lady
I Nor |, 1t will not last"
We'll, she Is only gathering the rose
/ buds"
4 Wisely so, your ladyship. They at
! least look as II they were going 10 last
/ The full blown roses do not
Lady Cantourne gave n little sigh, TINS
! was the difference between them, she
! could not watch without an occasional
I thought for time that was no more.
| The man seemed to be content that me
past had been lived through ana would
| never renew itself.
After all" she said, 'she IS my SIS
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-05-08

than her compeers seemed to possess
She knew that In saying them she
could look Brighter and prottier and more
Intelligent than iler competitors.
Yes" she said. let us dance BY all
means
Here also she knew her own prof.
cheney and In a few seconds she found
that her partner was worthy OF her
skill
Where have you been?" she asked,
presently II am sure you have been
away somewhere, exploring or some.
thing
II have only been In Africa, shooting"
"Oh, how interesting! You must tell
me all about IT,"
II am afraid, replied Guy Oscard. with
somewhat shy laugh that that would
not be interesting. Besides, ! could not
tell you now"
mo, but some other time. i suppose
you are not going back 10 Africa to-mor-
row, Mr.. Oscard?"
"Not quite. And perhaps We may meet
somewhere else"
IT hope So" replied Miss Chyne BE
sides, you know my aunt, Lady Can
tourne. / live with her, you know"
II know her slightly
"rhen take an opportunity OF improv-
under the ragged banner over there"
Milllcent Chyne indicated the direction
with nod of tho head. and while he
looked she took the opportunity of glanc-
ing hastily round the room, She was
seeking some one.
YES" said Oscard. II see her talking
to an old gentleman who looks like VOL
taire. shall give her chance of rec
ognizing me before the evening is out,
don't mind being snubbed if"
He paused, and steered neatly through
narrow place,
IF what?' she asked when they were
In swing again.
IF 1t means seeing you again." he an
swered. bluntly--,nore blnntly than she
was accustomed to- But she liked II, y
was n novelty after the smaller change
of ballroom compliments.
she was watching the door all the
while.
Presently the music ceased, and they
made their way back to the spot whence
| he had taken her. She led the way
thther by an almost impercepttble pres
sure OF her fingers on his arm. There
were several men awaiting there. and
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-05-08

with the best of them, There was not
a young man in the room of whom he
was afraid. conversattonally.
NO Lady Cantourne, he repeated,
Your charming niece is heartless. she
will get on
Lady Cantourne smiled and drew the
glove farther up her stout and motheYly
right arm,
"Sho will get on" she admitted. "As
to the other, II is early to give an opn-
I ion.n
.'She has the best of trsining-" he
murmured And Lady Cantourne turned
on him with trinkle amid the wrinkles,
For which?' she asked.
/ "Chosissez, he answered with a bow,
one sees a veteran swordsman take up
/ the foil with tentative turn Of the
wrist. lunging al thin air His zest for
the game has gone; but the skill fingers,
and at times he Is tempted TO show the
| younger blades pass or two These
were veteran fencers with skill of their
own which they loved to display at times,
| The zest was that of remembrance; tho
sword play of words was above the head
OF a younger generation given 10 slang
and muslc-hal airs, and SO these two
had little bouts for their own edifcation,
/ and enjoyed the glitter Of 1t vastly.
[ Sir Johns face relaxed into the only
] repOse he ever allowed It; for he had 4
! habit of twitchlng and moving his lips
such as some old men have, And occa'
sIonally. In an access of further seniity
he fumbled with his fingers al his mouth
T! He was clean shayen, and even in his
] old age he was handsome beyond othel
Understanding an upright six feet two.
The object of his attention was the belle
Of that ball, Miss Millicent Chyne. who
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-05-08

dy uprightness of carriage, this raised
him at a bound above the pallioJ habitues
OF ballroom and pavement. 1t was, per-
haps, only natural that Milllcent Chyne
should have noted this man as soon as
he crossed the threshold. He was as re-
markable as some free and dignifed dem
izen Of the forest in the midst OF domestic
animals. She mentally put him down for
a waltz, and before five minutes had
elapsed he was bowling before her while
mutual friend murmured his name.
One does not know how young ladies
manage these little affairs. but the fact
remains that they are managed. More,
over, 1t Is a singular thing that the
young persons who succeed In the ball
room rarely succeed on the larger and
rougher floor Of life. Your belle of the
ball like your Senior Wrangler, never
seems to do much afterwards-and After
wards is Life.
The other young men rather fell back
before Guy Oscard-scared, perhaps, by
| his long stride. and afraid that he might
crush their puny toes. This enabled Miss
Chyne to give him the very next dance,
of which the music was commencing.
II feel rather out OF all this" said Os-
card, as they moved away together.
''You must excuse uncouthness,
II see no signs of It," laughed MILL
cent You are behaving very nicely.
You cannot help being larger and strong
err than-the others, | should say 1t was
an advantage and something to be proud
OIL"
"Oh, 1t is not that" replied Oscard
ut is n feeling Of unkemptness and want
OF smartness among these men who look
so clean and correct. Shall we dancer
He looked down at her with an admir-
alton which almost amounted to awe. MS
If afraid of entering the throng with
such dainty and wonderful charge upon
his powers of steering. Millicent Chyne
saw the glance and liked it. 1t was diff
ferent from the others, quite devoid Of
criticism rather simple and fun of hon
est admiration. She was so beautiful
that she could hardly be expected to be
unaware of the fact. She had merely to
make comparisons, to look In the mirror
and see that her hair was fairer and
softer that her complexion was more
delicately perfect. that her slight, round
ed figure was more graceful than any
around her Added to this she knew that
she had more 10 say than other girls--a
larger stock OF those little frivolous, aa-
vce-seeklnE, aid-demanding Mornings
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-05-08

ter's child. The sympathy may only be
~ matter of blood. Perhaps | was IKE
| that myself once. Was /? You can tell
| me.
She looked slowly round the room and
| his face hardened. He knew that she
! was rejecting that there was no one
! else who could tell her; and he did not
! like It.
NO" he answered, readily.
"And what was tho difference"
She looked straight in front of her with
strange old-fashioned occurrences.
Their name is legion, fof they are
many"
that for instance?"
I He smiled--a wise. old, woman-search'
ing smile. ,., ,an IA, ),
he said with glance beneath his lash
less lids. .Moreover, there was more
of the grand lady about you. You pc
haved better. There was less shakinR
hands with your partners. Tess i'ouulhs
and Docking, and none OF that hioaeli'
rorwardness which Is called, belleVe'
camaraderie.'
,.Thank you, Sir John" she answered,
looking at him frankly with a pleasant
smile "But It is probable that we had
the faults of our age
He fumbled at his lips. having reasons
of his own for dsllking too close scrul-
my of his face,
THAT is more than probable he an
swered rather indistinctly.
"rhen," she said, tapping the back OF
his ployed hand with her fan, I'VE ought
to he merciful to the faults OF succeed
ing generation, Tell me- who Is that
Young m;1, with the long stride who is
getting himself introduced now
THAT answered Sir John, who prided
himself upon knowing every one--knowins
who they were and who they We're not
lis young Oscard ~
.,son of the eccentric Oscard?'
son OF the eccentric Oscard'
And where did he get mat brown
facet"
"He got that in Africa, where he has
been shooting. lie forms part OF some
one eises bag at the present moment
'.What do you mean?"
Gle has been apportloned oahee
Your fair neice has bagged nm,
II he had only known y, Guy oscaro
won the privilege of waltz by the same
brown face which Lady cantourne mac
so promptly noted. Coupled Win SUR
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-05-08

stairs and found the knights inpatiently
awaiting her. they arose, offered her
chair and she began.
TIL, DISTRESSED oANfSEhS STORY;
OR LOVE lNs1DlOus
The ulistac Rancho Is all mat is lele
of the Canada dc Santa Teresa, seven
league grant in the Santa CARA Naitss,
the Senior Rodriguez and his daughter
Ynez arc all that is left Of the , ullstac
family who received their iahu o,ree.'s
jcognition Of distinguished services TO inc
crown.
,rhe old Senior is a Spanish gentleman ma,
of the old school, fiery, astute ana pol'st,
ed. He Is n quaint tnlser, reading 1nlich
In the old books he keeps In his hacle,'u '.
1Ic Is especially fond of Cervantes' whose
words lie Is always quoting.
When his son died, the old Senor mac. ,
n vow. and Pest! he has had nara
work enough keeping 1T! lie swore TO me
virgin at the old Mission San Jose 'l'''
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-05-08
'THE REIGN OF QUEEN ISYL--'

woull draw a knife, but Instead there
was n twinkle In his eye aud he answered
tho question as politely as II the priest
had asked It. Al I.
"To,ir hundred head Of the best stock, !"
he said, ''and they are, Of course yours
il you will dcign to accept them, but
as for Being my son-n-law, remember
the Master says every man Is the son
OF his own works, and YOU have done N
little vet save insult me to deserve the
tltlc. However. since YOU deign to visit
nc. come into the patio and we VIII
talk together"
AS the two went In, tho Senior gave me
a word to prepare q coup he knew OF, for
this was one Of the ways he tested the
wits OF the suitois. So 1 went Into the
kitchen and made ready the dinner,>
Senior Del Mar took one spoonful or
soup, and then jumped up and ran to the
door ns If the flend were after him, and
then came back In rage.
"Carambn! Santa Maria do los Ccntos
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-05-08

Angeles" he cried. Where is your
pump, senior, for the pity of the damned
in hell! Is that the way you entertain
a senior who has come miles TO honor
you? Keep the rest c. that Internal
mess to light your fines with or to scald
your pigs, Do you think l want to drink
burning birthstone before my time?"
The old senior laughed as have never
seen him laugh before. '.Ah, he Is no
fool, this youngster." he chuckled to
himself.
And he opened bottle from corner
of the cellar I had never seen used be-
fore.
When they had finished dinner the
young man said: Suppose you allow the
senorita the pleasure Of looking upon
her future husband, senior? l confess l
would like to see II she is pretty enough
for mo to we'd
"a little in one's own pocket is better
than much In another's," quoted the
senior, land you have not yet won my
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-05-08

one or two more entering the room and
looking languldly round.
5"rrhere comes the favored one" Lady
cantourne nut tered, with yelled glance
towards her companion.
Sir Johns gray eyes followed the direc'
ton of her glance
"My bright boy?' he inquired, with
wealth of sarcasm on the adjective.
your bright boy" She replied.
II hope not" he said, curly,
They were watching tall fair man IN
the doorway WHO seemed to know every
body so slow was his progress into the
room. The most remarkable thing about
this man was a certain grace OF move
ment. He seemed to be specially con.
structed to live In narrow. hampereo
places. He was above six feet; but be-
ing yof slight build. he moved win
certain languidness which saved him from
! that unweifdness usually associated with
large mon In drawing-room.
Such was Jack Meredith. one Of tho
best known figures in London society
He had hitherto succeeded IN moving
! through the mazes of that coterie, as ne
now. moved through this room, without
Earring any one.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-05-08

as we say, No one could please the Sc
nor. lie would keep each of them three
days =. for the tjllstdcs arc hospitable even
ior spanihrds, and In one way or another
the Ola innh would test the young seniors
ana IND thcin never so shrewd as n y.
nor over 1T to be the husband OF sehorlta
Ynez. For the Senior knows men as
priests know tho holy mass lie is q, a
Z keen judge Of human nature, and ne Is
never mistaker---so he thinks! l3ut ne
was fooled once, and that Is why !,
Dolores, second cousin Of the scnorita
Ynez. ain here telling you this story.
Although my mother was mn Ul'stae,
my father was OF fneaner blood, and SO
1t is that while live at the hacienda ana
am the friend and confdantc OF the Sc
norlta Ynez, am more than haif ser
want too and am not really taken INTO ~
the family, which Is a sort trial TO me. 20
was tho first one to see the Senior Pedro
del Mar when last month no drove
up into our yard and called to me 70 Tie
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-05-08

his ranch should never be cut up. and
that his daughter should never inherit
1t until he had found husband VINO
would promise TO keep the ranch whole.
Now it was not easy to find HITTING
son-in-law, for beside his VOW, the Senior
had many other things to be SATISFIED
upon.
Now the fame of the ulLstac Rancho
and the beauty of the Senorita 1nez has
long been spread over California, for It
is the latest pig for which the ilrst
knife is whetted Every young Spaniaru
in the country has tried for the ranch
and the senorta, for 1t is not often that
one can get two such fortunes FOR the
asking.
Ever since Ynez came home from the
convent in Andalusia, suitors for her mana
have been coming to see the old senior,
They have come from San Luis Key ana
Sonoma, and the Sequel. from Los An
geles and Santa Barnard, and even from
San Diego-and every one OF them mas
gone home again with his cigarette OUT
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-05-08

up his pinto mare. How I have hated
him. ever since.
"Buenos dios" said the stranger, and
he swept a bow in the old style. "Senor
you have a very pretty rancho. 1t suits
me perfectly and 1t is all that has neen
said of 1t, so ] am come to marry your
daughter. And may God grant that she
be as pretty as the ranch, though, as FOR
that, | doubt it,
my humble rancho and oil upon IT are
yours" said the old Senior in turn, ana
may I never see another such audaclous
senior without having a gun In my hand
or a dog to set on him. Whom nave the
honor Of addressing. II it pleases your
impertinence?"
II am the Senior Manuel del Mar de Los
Prictos Bolbones," he said, land 1t be-
hooves us to get acquainted, since we are
TO live the rest. of our lives together
neacefully under your fig trees here.
How many head of cattle do you rum?
I momentarily expected the old Senior
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-05-08
CHAPTER II
OVER THE OLD GROUND
"a man who never makes mistakes
never makes anything else either

Miss Millcent chyne was vaguely con-
scio,,s of success--and such n conscious
ness is apt to make the best OF lis
.trihe elated. II was certainly one Of tho
best balls of the season. and Miss Chynes
dress was. without doubt, one of the
most successful articles of Its sort there,
Jack Meredith saw that fact, ana noted
IT as soon as he came into the room.
Moreover, 1t pleased him, and he was
pleased to reflect that he was no mean
critic In such matters. There could be
no doubt about 1t, because he knew as
we'll as any woman there, He knew that
Millcent Chyne was dressed IN the lat'
est fashlon-no furbshed-up gown from
the hands of her maid but unique crea-
tlon from Bond Street. 4
,'Well," she asked, In a low voice as
she handed him her programme, ARE you
pleased with it?"
"Eminently SO"
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-05-08

liz Chamberlain, feeling sure
that nothing further was to be
discovered OF Miss Almeric's
whereabouts. hurried to the
queen and told her of his II.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-05-08

(To Be Continued Tuesday,
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-05-08

''Ynez says she will not accept you" the
old man went on. but yes Is as short
us grease our RATA with q little Thought.
You are a fine fellow and have a head on
your shoulders. Bueno. You, open the
gate and will drive her harshly from 1t.
| Cnramba She'll run through In a minute.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1904-07-28
Activity I'm Wool Market.

Amid the usual natural depression In
business OF the summer season, the one
marked and quite surprising feature of
unusual activity is that In the wool in
dustry. inst now wool seems TO be far
ing better than cotton, due to what ex-
tent to the scarcity and high price of cot
ton cannot perhaps be lully determined.
Nothing like the present demand for
wool and the activity of the wool market
at midsummer has been seen for several
years. The new clip throughout the
great wool producing states at the west
has been absorbed by dealers as fast as
ii has 9n taken off, in some cases even
before, and there Is but little wool TO be
had there now, in first hands. Manu-
lecturers are taking many OF these clips
off dellers' hands before they arrive, and
the advance is well sustained, with
prices established on the higher basis.
Dealers have already sold enough of the
new woods to put them in an independent
position, and all indications are toward
higher prices.
Even In Boston the wool-market re-
ports In the newspapers show that manu-
features have b. n buying with an ac-
tivity which recalls the boom times of
1897 and 1892 while the prices for the
wool grower are the highest experienced
in long time. This is partly due to a
shortage Of the new clip, not only In
Australia and South America, but In the
United States as well, where the shrink
age over year ago is placed at 10 per
cent. And the clip Of 1903 was below
that of 1902.-Bdngor Commercial.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1904-07-28
Their Hntred of England.

Ferdinand de LessepS used to tell
bow Irrnchman came 10 his aid when
he was struggling against Palmerston's
opposition TO the Suez eanal. The man,
who was total stranger, walked into
his office one day and drew out of his
pocket Il wallet stuffed with bank notes.
Monsieur, said lie. 4 beg the privi
lege Of being allowed 10 subscribe to-
ward the railway of tie island of Swe-
den" but, monsieur, said Lesseps,
1T is not a railroad; It's canal It's
not an island. but an lsthmus. 1t Is
not In Sweden, but nj Suez.' Il don't
care what 1t is or where 1t Is" said the
capitalist, 80 long rs 1t worries Eng
land. Put me down. | say"
But Lesseps had little reason to make
fun of this episode If the picture his
own son draws of him be true. Becom-
ing incensed at some attack made on
him in the British parliament and be
Ing inadequRely provided with means
to express his rage, his mind suddenly
reverted to his linen collar, which was
Of English mike. lie tore 1t from his
neck, dashed 1t Upon the floor and
danced on 1t, all for hatred Of the Is
land 1t came from.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1904-07-28
Wireless Wonders.

By and by 1t will be exceedingly diff
ficult for a person to get so far out OF
the track of civilization that anyone need
lose track of him at all. Even the sea
voyage is being robbed Of Its isolation
and the wirless telegraph is bringing
knowledge OF the worlds doings to those
on shipboard while 1t keeps friends at
home Informed of the vessels where
abouts and safety. And it Is soon to be
possible to keep In touch with the smaller
vessels which pillow the seas and long
periods Of anxiety heretofore unavoidable
may before long for the most part be
avoided. Or course the completeness
with which this much to be desired con-
dition shall be put into effect will depend
to a very large extent upon the vessels
themselves and the prscticabiity Of
equipping them with apparatus for com
munication. The Secretary OF Agrcul-
ture has directed Chief Moore, OF the
United States Weather Bureau, to take
immediate steps TO add wireless teleg-
raphy TO the present equipment of all
vessel reporting stations, so that in
addition to reporting all vessels passing
within range of the stations the craft
further out at sea may be reported. The
tests made by the Weather Bureau show
that with only such transmitting power
as vessels conveniently can carry, it will
be possible easily to keep them in COM
munication within range Of 200 miles of
shore. This extension of the system
affects both theAtlantic and Pacific coasts
and the Gulf line. The service is to be
performed at Nantucket, Block island,
Cape Henry, Cape Hatteras, Jupiter,
10 EaIa Col
San Diego, Farrallone islands, off the
Golden Gate; North Head, at the mouth
OF the Columbia river; Tstoose island,
at the enterance of the Straits Of Juan
de Fuca, and Port Angeles, about sixty
miles In from that entrance.
1t is anticipated by the government
that vessels of comerce soon will find it
to their advantage to equip themselves
with wireless apparatus go as to be able
frequently to communicate with the
coast stations on their voyages and
doubtless vessels owners will take the
same view of the matter.