davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1906-10-14

the father OF Laurel. was nothing if not
diplomatic. SO he forced himself into
a semblance of composure.
Wall, hits your lookout. Poke he
said, significantly. Il ordered We to
sell, an of course I'll hol' ye response
BILE for all fallins from seventy cents.
Min thatr
1t was a very miserable Poke who
went out to attend to the evening
chores. He had hall mind to rush
away to Staunton to remedy the evil
before it grew worse He imagined all
sorts of fallings-to sixty cents. to
fifty, perhaps to forty; to life of toll
spent in atoning for the carelessness.
to the probable loss of Laurel. But he
stuck 1t out until the third morning.
then he left the cabin with steady. con-
fident strides, which. however. changed
to frantic haste as soon as he was be-
yond view of Laurel in the doorway.
But the mills Of the gods sometimes
turn out unaccountable grist.. Every
moment since Poke had been told from
the hill that wheat was going up the
mills of the Chicago pit had been
grinding out good flour for his chaff;
The San Francisco call., 1906-10-14
-1E VAS HARDLY CONSCIOUS or HER INTRUSION ATFTRST

own this was the sort of girl--or queen
he would install within it's sacred
precincts. AN 1 wouldn't keer a durn
if her paw was the best fixed man 'roun'
hyer," he chuckled, as he hitched his
body along the branch toward the tree
trunk I'D jes go in to win. A gal
like that's wuth ightin' fur-yes, an
dyin' fur" This time the chuckle pre-
ceded the whistle, and the whistle was
blown out with a mournful quaver that
declared he was not one of those who
thought of setting UP a shack of his
own.
Coon Flat was the wonder and
chagrin of all the mountain side, for
was it not the climax of brazen in
dustry? They all had their patches,
but beside Coon Flat their patches were
as barren fields to a land of milk and
honey. Jake. the father of Laurel, as
he was called in contradistinction to
another Jake of the same name, who
was father Of Meg, grew potatoes that
stood him from the October digging to
the May planting; his onions and cab
Dd6CS NCiS dDORc ldLllly nceQS ana
flowed over into envied sales for ready
money, and, to cap 1t all, behind his
cabin was four-acre field that every
fall showed green with sprouting
shoots and every spring grew heavy
with swaying, golden headed wheat
No wonder he had two mules and a
blackboard "kerridge," a "peszzer" in
front of his cabin and a kitchen with
real window glass windows behind,
And no wonder he carried his head
high as the mighty man of the Killers
and looked askance at the valorous
pore trash" youth that dared to raise
eyes at his daughter! But of Poke he
had not even thought as an object of
suspicion.
So now, after that stalwart youth
had removed the heavy tree trunk from
his body and had lifted and borne him
TO his bed IN the cabin as gently as a
mother might her child, he welcomed
with cordial gratitude an offer to re-
main and look after things until he
could get out. Laurel was strong and
willing, but her hands would be full
in looking after him, and there were
the mules to care for and the dozens
of pigs and COW to drive up from
the valley and milk, and besides it was
high time the four acres were again
seeded in order that there should be
q succession to the sacks of golden
grain which were now stored in the
shed loft waiting for the higher quo
tations which rumor promised. Yes,
q strong man was needed on the place,
for Coon Flat, even in its splendor. was
isolated. The nearest neighbor was too
far away TO be reached by even the
report of his rife.
Poke entered upon his new work
with unwonted energy. A great heap
Of wood was cut and piled near the
back door, where it would be handy for
Laurel. He brought water and fed the
pigs, and in spite of her protests In
sisted on doing the milking himself
The San Francisco call., 1906-10-14

next hour. When he returned to the
cabin the half-frightened look had left
his face, but the wonder still remained
and with it was an ecstatic diffidence
that seemed strangely at variance with
his usual bluff frankness.
Laurel noticed the change at once
and her face grew puzzled, but only
for little while. Then an odd twinkle
OF humor came into her eyes as though
humor was tender, fiickering light
which had been gaining strength in
her eyes these last few weeks, a light
which Poke had not yet seen.
AS he entered Jake looked up with
angry impatience and Poke raised a
hand defensively before his face, but
the invalid was not thinking of that.
Heered anything bout wheat to-
day?' he grumbled. Coin down, OF
course"
Going up" Polk answered promptly.
"A man hollered to me from the aige
o. the hill this mornin' and an said
twas seventy"
Seventy" Jake grabbed his crutches
and rose totteringly to his feet, but
sank back with a snarl of mingled rage
and pain. Seventy cents, an I've got
ninety bushels! Dunn the ole back! By
the time I'm out again hit'll be down TO
fifty like twas last year, an that'll be
a clean loss o. SIS Blame hit allr'
"Cayn't l go, pap?" suggested Laurel.
The gloomy face cleared slightly,
then lowered He loved the profits Of
his industry, but not so much as he
loved Laurel. 1t was thirty miles to
Staunton.
NO, ye caynt," he snarled
There was brief silence Them
''Thar's Poke, pap. He's mighty
strong and willin'"
The face darkened, then grew lighter
Evidently the idea. at first secuted, was
being tolerated That meant Poke had
been making giant strides forward
during these few weeks.
Il dunno" doubtfully.
Poke saw his opportunity and rose to
il like a man-like a man of industry.
He was developing rapidly.
I'll take hit down all right" he
said. confidently. "Tve sold wheat to
Staunton afore." He was thinking of
two bushels he had once taken to mar
ket for his father, the proceeds of
which he had lost on the way home.
He did not mention the loss, however.
but the thought Of it made him hesitate
in the face of this vast enterprise,
which involved ninety bushels.
Wouldn't ye better wait a little -
he suggested weakly. Signs seem to
low wheats still risin Mebby hit'lI
be wuth while to hor back till yr're
out"
Jake snorted.
-'Thar's more fallin's than risin's in
wheat he snapped. i've foun' that
out I reckon ye'd better go; an min.
l want We to git hit all down to-
morrer. Seventy centsi Yes, ye mus
git hit all in termorrer"
Poke's head was whirling. But there
was Laurel looking at him confidently
and her father already losing some Of
his newly acquired confidence. He must
brace up.
All right" he said, as steadily as
he could. The mules can draw half on
the long Waggin, and I'll borry Tom
Stuarts mule an Ike Browns ole hoss
an hitch EN- to Bill Coyner's hay
The San Francisco call., 1906-10-14

4 N my previous letters I have taken a
4 few harmless fings. at the London
4 institutions which did not seem
particular observations to make on
this general topic-namely, that Lon
doners devoutly believe that they hold
in trust all earthly blessings-but as a
sort OF semicolon l think it is fair to
interpolate some remarks about GER
tain class of Americans who live in
London.
Please remember that l am not gen.
eralizing at the expense of American
ladies and gentlemen who live here. 1
mean particular group whose mem
bers. mankind in general reluctantly
admits. possess human attributes.
Those to whom I refer are the mono
cled nincompoops who gather in some
London hotel on Washington's birthday
and the Fourth of July, sing sHameri-
ca" from printed slips. with an affecta-
ton of English accent: feebly discuss
the doings in the House of Lords and
inquire in whispers if the United States
senate Is the upper or lower branch Of
the American Parliament
When self-respecting Englishmen see
these curiosities they look back upon
the surrender of CORVALLIS with con-
siderable satisfaction. If George H.
say the sneering ones, had been gifted
with prophecy as well as obstinacy he
would have Topped the American colo
nies from the map of the British EN-
pire long before the colonies them
selves prevailed upon France to help
them accomplish the same result They
also say that the Earl of Chatham, in
stead of wasting his energies laudinE
to stubborn King the resistance of
the Americans, would have busted
himself with the framing of an act to
protect London against obnoxious.
though peaceful. invasion.
1t is difficult to convince the untrav-
eled Englishman that the American
cad. who is seen at his worst In Lon
don, is not national type, and even
the decent Americans who feel called
upon to hurl back anti-American COM
The San Francisco call., 1906-10-14

Second-The King does not speak OF
the Horse Guards as the ''Orse
Guards nor of heavy artillery as
"'eavy hartillery." He uses the Kings
English" as his grammarians and or
biographical experts prescribe. 1t Is
said by some who are in a position
to know that his intonations are some
what Teutonic-but that's a matter be-
tween him and the Kaiser, in which
we need not interfere.
Third-rhe King is personally de-
scribed as a genial old chap. hence 1t
Is not fashionable to affect a sun
posedly royal servility of mien.
Fourth-If an explanation surprises
you say "Ohl" but pronounce it like
the 'sWaow" commonly heard in the
course of feline courtships. the first 'svv''
of course being silent. (By all means
consult tutor on this delicate matter.
as the correct infection can be at
tanned only by long and careful prac-
tice- Also see hints in the invaluable
handbook. How to Act Like a Chumn
in Three Minutes Without a Master
Fifth-When introduced TO man
wearing fashionable clothes and a
monocle. do not address him as mi
lord" unless he is identified as a mem
Der of the peerage- Neither should
MILFORD" be addressed to mere Sir
If you so call him they'll think Won
poorly trained-as well as American
A plain Sir is nothing but a Baronet
IA sort of doormat on the threshold
of the actual peerage.
Sixth-A frequent use of the adiec-
tive "bally' is not in itself eonsidered
proof Of noble lineage
Seventh-When dining at the bonsa
OF a peer you are under no oblisatior
to address the pretty young person
who lays the covers as s.yn5Y. ~. =
Neither should you call her "'Arriet >.
Eighth-In restaurants pronounce
Waiter" as 'sWait-ah-" Get a tutor
also familiarize yourself with the boot--
let entitled "Foolishness in one F,asv
Lesson"
There are many other rules thar
might be laid down for the guidance
OF those who would initiate person,
OF title. The imitator, however. VIII
always labor under the Difficulty oe -.
Deing 10 the manner born. Perseverance
and zeal in the matter OF apinr u-t11
nevertheless, mitigate the ancestral
traits Of the American jockos.
The San Francisco call., 1906-10-14

the West had beer secured. the markets
OF the world invoked and the many
lines of telegraph brought into
the game. And all had redOunded to
the honor and glory of Poke. Of Pos
sum Hill. When he returned TO Coon
Flat at the end OF one short twenty
four hours his face was again express
sive Of beatific JOY.
Going straight to Jake. the father OF
Laurel, he handed him a roll OF bills.
The risin' was even better than I
lowed on" he said. nCnchalantly. Il
sol for a dollar. Ye see. thar was
signs o. breakin' an / lowed / better
not hol on any longer.
There are varying signs Of wonder,
chagrin. incredulity and satisfaction,
but the minglIng OF them all which
gathered on Jake's face was of the kind
that cannot be put into words. He
gazed at the money, at the strong,
handsome figure before him. at Laurel.
smiling few feet away, and bowed his
head in surrender.
L reckon I mOut a been mistOOk.
Laurel" he said submissively. "Poke'll
be able to keep We, sure 'nough."
The San Francisco call., 1906-10-14

waggin. That'll take the other half.
lke's boy Sam can drive ahind me, so
/ can keep an eye on him. Oh, yes;
we'll get fust rate.
Jake nodded approvingly; it was a
good plan
warningly; try an get hit
After the wheat was loaded on next
day Poke entered the cabin for few
last instructions. Before leaving he
contrived to draw Laurel into the back
--4tchen for moment. There he was
seized by sudden inspiration.
Say, Laurel" he began, eagerly. T.
Say, would We min me gettin' a ring
to Staunton, gol ring. for you an
me?"
She looked at him quickly. under
standingIy, her face flushing. She
could not remember q single one of her
married acquaintance who had been
given gold ring.
Why, no, l wouldn't min, Poke" she
said simply. "Ill be real glad
"An'-an would We min speakin to
your paw bout hit while I'm gone.
Laurel? Hit might be good time now
I'm a-totin his wheat
Mono, l don't min
She watched him from the doorway
until the heavy wagons rumbled out
of sight. Then she went in to her
father.
Pap she announced abruptly
"Poke's asst me to marry him.
An you?"
I've said yes" composedly.
Jake controlled himself with a
mighty effort With Laurel he must
be diplomatic
Wall. ye know bes," he grimaced
aHably. But We know how tbs with
Poke. Ye'll have to wait till he's able
Va \ t,.os- \
enough to buy runt pig yet.
But Laurel smiled to herself content
ediy People were easily mistaken, she
thought. and were apt to be prejuoIced.
was not Poke the best natured and the
pest looking man on the slope? And
had he not promised her a gold ring
out of the plenitude of his riches? So
she said softly:
L won't go agin We. pap; don't We
rear. Well wait till We say youre'f that
Foxes able to keep me-"
But, curiousIy enough, at that very
moment Poke was wondering dismally
now he would be able to contrive the
purchase of a gold ring with the TWEEN
ty-nve cents which represented the ac-
cumulation of his twenty-five years.
They expected him back by the end
OF the third day. 1t was the afternoon
OF the sixth when he returned AS he
dismissed young Sam and attended to,
MS mules there was look of beatif1c
JOY upon his face, which remained there
until he opened the cabin door and
saw the expectant face of Jake. Then
ne whitened and staggered to the near
est chair.
You pore boyr' cried Laurel tender
", you're plumb beat out.
Did you get the seventy cents?" de-
manded Jake eagerly.
Poke gasped and tried to collect his
thoughts. What was he here for? What
ala they want him to say? 1t was about
the wheat. wasn't it? He had almost
Iorgotten that unimportant matter at
Ter the gold ring took possession OF his
mind He remembered the wheat had
peen taken to the storeroom OF big
mourning mill and that he had told a,
clerk he would be hack later and attend,
The San Francisco call., 1906-10-14

to its sale; then he had hurried away
in search OF a job OF hauling with the
mules and had carted sands two days
for s6 and had bought the gold ring.
Yes, that was 1t. and he had given Sam
the twenty five cents to pay his fare
to a cousins at Fishersville to get him
out of the way for two days. That
was als-only he had forgotten to go
back and sell the wheat.
Did you get re seventy cents?" de-
manded Jake for the second time.
y Poke felt that was a crisis with him
and he drew a long, hard breath. Then
his gaze steadied.
''Ye see. hits this way" he said;
signs are fur risin', an i amt sold yet
Ye mout jes' as well haYe seventy five
or eighty cents as fur anybody else. But
I'll go down." he was about to say TO
oncet," but restrained himself, for that
might betray him; he added instead
in few days an see how the risin
comm on.
Under ordinary circumstances the in
valid would not have controlled his as
tonishment and wrath; but this was an
extraordinary opportunity, and Jake.
The San Francisco call., 1906-10-14
By Frank H. Sweet

OKE HA8GM was in no degree a
prophet, but he had one Of a
prophets disadvantages, being
without honor in his own coun-
The Waxahachie daily light. [volume] (Waxahachie, Tex.) 1894-current, 1906-08-02
LETTER TO r. \. tERRIS.
WaXahachie, Texas.

or four taishrdlutaoinE 5taoinoi
Dear Sir, Here's a tale with three
OF four tails to it,
Professor Irvine has an academy,
Mercersburg. Penn. He paints the
floors in summer vacation. II used
TO take go gallons of paint There
were TWO paint stores there, and ne
used 10 buy tone year of one, next
year OF the otherl go gallons year
after year
Now he paints Deyoc. 60 gallons
and the difference is "a saving of $3.50
a year.
u c. Fallon was one of those deal
ers good man, but he wouldn't take
up Deyoe; so We turned 10 the other
j. A. Boyd But Fallon has found
b. necessary 20 get good paint tC
compete with Dcyoc. tie got one of
the eight honest paints He has % big
hardware store and is doing am ,N
ocIIyut hardware business. buJ Boyd
of course, has the run on paint ne.
90 little hardware man
We don't care how little oI big .
man is. 1T Dee wants GOOD paint au,
Iz active and sound Yours truly.
100 o. W. UENOE * co
b. s.. NaNaha,hl. lumbrr Conn
umE SELLS oGr paint
The Waxahachie daily light. [volume] (Waxahachie, Tex.) 1894-current, 1906-08-02

Rppulat fuur con mttta" aBd come
ard Sos do nor read this and then
quietly depend on others II YOU Arv
in favor ~ lueal option Hoa shoald
speak before 81 il too late n, pulpit
shlth Is ien sacred 20 pft ach "uforcr-
mpni % ias Ia too SACRED 20 ~ us.
full ne christian who ls toe pure so
miA IN politics Is too pgro 10 lsse on
earth The school teacher Who thinks
IL b. none 81 his business has missed
bis calling %, merchant. farmer.
professional man who f. unwilling to
speak uut will regret IS when too
lat" The fathers and mothers vho
have sons are deeply interested If
the people All together will by mass
meetings resolutions or otherwise
determine that the dives and joints
shall go, and that their county attoy-
neg must declare war 10 the knife
and knife to the hilt as against these
miserable joints then they will go
Respectfully.
NJ II. TEMpLETOE.
NaNahachse. Tex Aug .. 1906
The Waxahachie daily light. [volume] (Waxahachie, Tex.) 1894-current, 1906-08-02
II. 4 T. {. Rates.

Peoria, H.. and return $3.50
Encampment Sons of Veterans U.SA.
On sale Aug. IS and ls; limit Aug.
81.
Corpus Christi and return sl2. 5
--EpworJh League Encampment. On
sale Aug and 2; limit Aug. Is.
Corpus Christi and return $50
Epworth League Encampment. On
sale night train Aug. 10 and morn
ing train Aug. II; limit Aug. 10.
Hillsboro and return $305-Re-
union Hin County Veterans. On
sale July 30. 81, and Aug. /; limit
Aug. 4.
Dallas and return s130-Sheriffs
Association Of Texas. On sale Aug.
s and morning of Aug. 8; limit to
Aug. -.
Mexico City and return-S35.25
Geological Congress. On sale Aug.
Is to Sept. /; limit 80 days
Milwaukee, Wis, and return for
$31.S0-Meeting F 0. of E. On sale
Aug. II, IL and 13; limit Aug. %.
Roanoke, Va, and return s371O-
National Fireman's Association. On
sale Aug. II, u and 13; limit Aug.
%.
Austin and return S6.35-State
Encampment. on sale Aug. to Il;
limit Aug. 20.
Bryan and return $5.2O-State B
Y. P. L. Convention. On sale Aug.
21 and %; limit Aug. 81.
Houston and return sSS0-Sun-
day School Convention and b. Y. p.
l., coiored. On sale aug. 10. 20 and
q limit Aug rs
Clifton and return s4.65-Y NJ
G. A. summer school On sale Aug.
q and Z limit Aug. II.
Galveston and return $10.55-
Grand Lodge Colored Odd Fellows.
On sale Aug Is. limit Aug. -.
The Waxahachie daily light. [volume] (Waxahachie, Tex.) 1894-current, 1906-08-02

The marriage in New Toyh u Miss
Clara Drtscoll and Hal. SEVERE, a
former Texas newspaper man and
still engaged in journalistic work.
demonstrates the fact that Miss Dris-
coll had good judgement in the choice
of lifetime companion AS well as
in other matters Being personally
acquainted with the gentleman of her
choice we feel justified in saying that
She could have gone much further
! than New York for a husband and
/ done a great deal worse
The Waxahachie daily light. [volume] (Waxahachie, Tex.) 1894-current, 1906-08-02

The presence in Des Moines of
President Roosevelt'S secretary of the
treasury. just at this time. looks
nightly like what Richard Yates
would call Federal interference in
Iowa politics. But Mr. Shaw may
convention than he had a few weeks
ago with the Dubuque county con
yention. says the St. Louis Republic.
The Waxahachie daily light. [volume] (Waxahachie, Tex.) 1894-current, 1906-08-02

For ton years | was confined TO
ms bed with disease of my kidneys.
writes X. A Gray. J. =. Of Oakyille,
Ind. 1t was so severe that | could
nor move part of the time | consult
ed the best medical skill obtain
able. but could get no relief until
Foley's Kidney Cure was recon-
mended TO me. II has bee n God
send to me Sold by b. ". Fearis
The Waxahachie daily light. [volume] (Waxahachie, Tex.) 1894-current, 1906-08-02

We have a sneaking idea that the
officers will do their duty. Law and
order is in control in Ellis county
and all nuisances that make against
such condition will We believe. be
carefully looked into and promptly
ahated. And in this connection II
should be remembered that a tagless
dog Is violation of the Law
The Waxahachie daily light. [volume] (Waxahachie, Tex.) 1894-current, 1906-08-02

The Houston Post seems to be- es
pefionctng great trouble IN swallow
ing It's dish of crow Tut. tut.
brother Just throw back your head
and think about pie and tts gone be-
fore you kuos !, It's EASY when YOU
learn hos
The Waxahachie daily light. [volume] (Waxahachie, Tex.) 1894-current, 1906-08-02

II is suggested by Bryans Com
moncr that II political fencing ma.
terial were highly protected by the
tariff lot Of republican congress
men would now be contributing large
ly 20 the support ~ the lumber and
wire trust
The Waxahachie daily light. [volume] (Waxahachie, Tex.) 1894-current, 1906-08-02
~

Who viii "skidoo' after the FIRST
convention BALLOT Just at present
the most interesting feature Of the
gnhernatorial race is the contest be
tween Mr.. Colquitt ard Judge Bell 10
To escape the fatal brand, "a which
must decorate the hindmost candi-
date
The Waxahachie daily light. [volume] (Waxahachie, Tex.) 1894-current, 1906-08-02

Some time since Mr. Colqnttt said
somothing about golnx back 80 the
farm Wei. the people have given
him their perm sston 10 do ao
The Waxahachie daily light. [volume] (Waxahachie, Tex.) 1894-current, 1906-08-02

reillag ~hy and hos thtnEs hap
peaed after an election II over with
l. of 40 particular interest 10 the PEG
pile Things happened. and that is
sufficient