davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1906-10-28

make that CALI she muses. "The
weather isn't as fine as it might be, but
I've seen worse days" 1t should be ex-
planned that all London weather is bad,
and that some days are worse than
other days. That probably accounts
for Miss London's reasoning. She
stands at the window and gazes upon
the stolid drizzle until her exuberant
persistence rises to the point of action.
Then she dons cravenetted outer wear
and goes forth, armed with an UNI
breila.
Now the whole world knows the ter
ror that strikes mans heart when he
sees woman advancing with an UNI
bre1ia spread above her.
Miss London in the rain storm halls
the first bus she sees. Each London
bus, you know, has seats for twelve
persons inside and for fourteen on the
uncovered top Does Miss London
grieve IL all the inside seats are taken?
rains she shows her national persist
ence. With umbrella spread full she
mounts 10 the top OF the bus.
Picture IN your mind several men on
top Of a bus in a rain storm. collars
turned up, smoking bulldog pipes and
all trying to look happy in a British
way. Look on that picture. then on
this. Some six or seven women, UNI
brellas set, come sailing up to the bus
top among those peaceful men. They
seat themselves. umbrellas still full set.
The nib OF one dripping umbrella rib
is instinctively placed between the col
lar and the neck of the man in front
2 phenomenon not unknown in the bar
barous States, but more rarely seen in
public vehicles. This method of han
ding an umbrella is in no sense a ma
tional British Characteristic. The whole
sex has the habit, and If there were
buses in crude New York American
womankind would not be outdone by
her British sister.
When the bus conductor comes along
The San Francisco call., 1906-10-28
>SERLE WENT In TO THE
STREET, FIRST LOOKING
AFT ER. THE PAIR

answered Marden. Again he turned
gloomy and tapped nervously on the
table.
The afternoon waned. A soft light
slipped through the high curtained
windows and modulated into glancing
semi-tones over the richly decorated
apartment. Several men entered--the
vanguard of the five o'clock brigade OF
absintheurs Serle became nervous.
What if But he determined to take
the chance of seeing some idiot who
might salute him by name He leaned
forward on his folded arms and asked
with show Of concern:
And what became of your charming
client?"
my charming-ohl why she mar
ried and settled down"
AT lasti Is she happy?
"How can 1 tell?" The response had
an irritable nuance.
II didn't mean to put the question so
bluntly. The reason I ask is a simple
one. I studied case not unlike the
one you narrated. 1t is just as sordid
and commonplace. My artist, also a
painter, had married pupil whom he
taught-as much as she could absorb.
She hadn't much talent; it was the
sort you see expressed on bonbon boxes
and fans.
She might have been all right II her
admiring friends had not told her that
she had more talent than her husband
really. there wasn't enough between
them both to set the river on fire. How
ever. she deviled him so effectively that
he took a separate studio to get away
from the sound OF her voice and from
their home. Like your painter, he
turned day into night. but with q diff
ference; he made illustrations for the
magazines and newspapers, painted
chaop rarfroifr danoaouad h{r,sn{f 80,
orally to get money enough to run the
house. She enjoyed herself. iirted
went into society Of some sort, a cheaI
compromise between Bohemian and the
frayed fringe of Fifth avenue--you may
not know the variety as you are :
member of another profession. 1t is d.
verting, this society, because it is as
The San Francisco call., 1906-10-28

self well in handy And she always
wins and still plays the game. At this
moment she is probably fooling her
husband. taking tea with some soft
head She gets her wealthy male
friends"
How does she get them? Tell me-"
Marden's voice was subdued. Does She
say to her husband that she must ss-
cure orders for miniatures by dining
with rich fellows2 Doesn't She"
Really. my dear sir. I don't know
everything about this clever Iadys
method. You seem quite taken with
her story. 1t IS, I pride myself. more
exciting than your narrative OF the
artistic temperament" Vincent's into
nations were markedly sarcastic. 1na
older mans face was ahre.
Who the devil
Louis came to the table and asked
placaringfy:
rs this Mr. Marden?
I'm Mr. Marden. What do you
Madame. your wife. has just arrived.
She is in the large salon with a gen
tleman and she desired me to ask you
to join her"
The men arose
1t was quite a pleasant afternoon.
was it not%' In his most charming
manner Serie put out his hand and
Marden took ii, grudgingly, his shrewd
-o~S SuIASF HIS 1ittAe eyes SuSplC1OuSAy
fastened on the smiling countenance oe
his companion. Then be followed the
oosequious Louis, and Serle went into
the street, first looking after the pair
he discerned Marden at a table on the
F1fth-avenue side; with him was a
1resh-colored, graceful woman. IN elab-
crate afternoon toilette; a big over
dressed man sat beside her.
Once in hanson. Vincent Serle gave
the order to drive rapidly across Madi-
son avenue.
I'll not risk passing that window.
ne muttered- 1T was a mean trick. but
1t served the meddling fool right. I
wonder which one OF us lied the morel
And / never saw Alice look so bewitch-
ingg'
The San Francisco call., 1906-10-28

afternoon: then he would slowly dress
and saunter for a walk. and often she'
did not see him until the next morn
ing - -
How did he make lvins?'
"Oh, | suppose he painted portrait
or two and managed to get on.
"A portrait or two. That would
hardly pay household expenses-tnat
is. unless your friend-I mean your
clients husband. was a Sargent or
Boldinil Then they could have strug-
gled along at the rate of one portrait
every year," Serle laughed so harshly
that Marden looked at him wonder
ingly.
Il see you are acquainted with the
artistic temperament. as they call IL IN
the newspapers observed the LAWYER
Not as they call It, but as 1t is. My
dear sir an artist is not built TO put In
ton of coal every day. "A man whose
brain is delicately adjusted, whose
whole soul is in his eyes
when he sees a pretty girl?" The
sly tone of Marden angered the painter.
mo, hang it. For a painter there
are no pretty. no ugly girls; no pretty.
no ugly landscapes; no agreeable no
disagreeable subjects. Only a surface
to be- transferred to canvas. TO be
truthfully rendered. And that's what
you business men, with your lack or
imagination. will never understand.
lie spoke holly.
II confess l have a lack of magma
tion when it comes to appreciation OF
the artistic temperament" Marden said
this so slyiy that Serle at once begged
his pardon.
After ALL we haven't come to Del
monicos today just to thrash out a
stale question. Pray, go On-your
story interests me strangely"
..It's not very interesting-thats all
I know The woman left the man
"For another?'' calmly interjected
Vincent.
Not at all, not at all--that is. not
at the time" The lawyer fumbled his
glass, his expression overcast
YOU know what strange creatures
women are. I had the greatest difh-
Guilty in persuading my client to make
I'D her mind. She suffered, yet she
cared for the fellow
Serle impatiently asked. But you
haven't revealed what the fellow did
to her-what his special crimel Didn't
he give her a good home?"
MY dear sir. A good home when
he turned night into day! A good home
when ne seldom put brush to canvasl
A good home-why. I thought I told
you he was too friendly with his mod
els"
His models! A portraitist. Do you
mean his sitters? Did he hirt with
them? II ne did he was fool for he
was killing the goose that laid the-no
I'll not be so impolite. I meant to say
he would endanger his reputation.
Marden dryly laughed.
That's good-reputation is good. My
client informed me. and she is a Serious
woman, that she nexer met an artist
who could be relied upon. And she
knew, for she was one herself.
Series jaw dropped. How odd
What did she do?"
"Oh. she painted little. just enough
to make pin money and to annoy hei
husband. You see. it was this way
She did not care to take money from a
man she loathed-
.Loathed.
Il said--Ioatled. She literally ioath-
cd him She told NE So.
Why didn't she leave him sooner,
Besides. a few moments ago you said
he never offered her money. Now. she
loathed him so she wouldn't take
any"
"Ah, That's not in my fable" tartIS
The San Francisco call., 1906-10-28
By Francis AIvan Frost

ENFF HEN recently wrote to you
N about the London omnibuses
w my inmost opinions regarding
those vehicles were much
deeper and more soulful than the words
I put on paper. Deep as they were,
however. they had not been ripened and
enriched by any such experiences as
have recently befallen me. The mental
fog that temporarily blinds all new
comers IN London has at last been lift
ed from me: or, perhaps I should say,
j see through that fog more clearly.
Going about among these Londoners is
always bewildering at first, but gradu-
ally an American-who can become ac-
customed without a fight TO anything
but poverty-sees things In London as
they arc. and is no longer blinded by
the mental and material atmosphcres.
mention this in the way OF preface
10 few remarks about one of the
recreations OF Londoners. Gloomy and
awful as is this place in it's sooty mag
nidcence, it must not be thought that
l.ondOners never laugh nor that they
are always wrapped in the contempia-
tiOn Of ancient ideals. Occasionally the
L0ndoner ssIlfes forth to make glad his
heart, and, with the thoroughness char
acteristic Of bis misconceptions, he at
tains his end, whatever may be the cost
10 human happiness in general
] have ungallantly said "he" At all
events -he" is meant only as a generic
term Place aux damesi
AS everybody knows, It rains IN Lon
don even oftener than it fogs It is a
steady, persistent, thoroughly wet and
British rain that falls here. and not at
al like the comparatively temperament
tai downpours that we see in the more
volatile New York
When Miss London sees the rain she
neither pouts nor sighs. j promised TO
The San Francisco call., 1906-10-28

to collect fares the women have to
lean forward to get at the contents of
their purses. When they lean the UNI
brellas do likewise, and as it is al
ways then that the man in front turns
to demonstrate about this unwonted
shower bath it is only to be wondered
that many a Londoner is able to keep
his other eye.
In the verdant days when as new
conner I strolled about the streets of
London, and, Yankee-like guessed as
to the why's and wherefores Of the
amazing things I saw I used to won
der why there were so many one-eyed
men. A single rainstorm and q ride
on bus top showed me at least pos
Sible part reason.
There is a determination in the way
a London women carries an umbrella
that suggests the possibility that man
kind has been mistaken in ascribing
indecision as quality of her sex. Who
knows but woman would manifest
the same resolute spirit If she were
given the franchise? / don't mean to
say that woman in a rainstorm is de-
termined TO wreak vengeance on man,
but that she is determined to carry her
umbrella in her own way whatever
happens.
Thus, it may be inferred that as an
engine of destruction the bus pos
sesses far great possibilities than the
Oriental juggernaut. Englishmen who
have seen service in the battles of men
and who wear decorations for signal
bravery have been known to quail at
the prospect of riding on top of Lon
don bus in a rainstorm. Loaded rains
from rapid-fire guns are fearful
enough, and the commander who
could not induce his men to charge an
enemy when under fire would think he
had poor fighting force; but let him
order his troops to scale a rain-swept
London bus and even though every sol
dier wore the Victoria Cross he would
find himself deserted. Gibraltar is less
funDregnable. San Juan Hill is notbinu
The San Francisco call., 1906-10-28

with the air OF a man intent upon
somc problem. He was not as tall. as
dark as Serle. but older, wirier and of
a type familiar to Fifth avenue after 4
o'clock on fine afternoons; a lawyer, a
broker. an insurance officer, but never
an artist. lie did not glance at his ta-
bic companion until the other had fold
ed his newspaper, and then without a
beam of recognition.
"He doesn't know me- reflected
Serle; so much the better. I'll not go
away. I'll watch him. 1t will be in
teresting."
He sardonically hoped that the abb
sorbed man would choke as he swal-
lowed his chop. Then he smiled at his
vindictive temper, smiled bitterly be-
cause of his childishness-after all, the
fellow was not to blame; he had been
mere accomplice of a stronger. a
more unprncipled will. Yet, slowly
studying the face, he could not call it
a foolish one. It's owner showed by his
concentrated pose and the stern ex-
preston of his mask that he was not
a weakiing.
But" mused the painter, "I've seen
men with jaws as If modelled in gran
lite, eyes that imperiously reminded you
that they were your master, men whose
bearing recalled that of some tri-
umphant gladiator; well, these same
individuals. artists, despots, brutes,
bankers, were like whipped ours in the
presence of some women. No, Hector
Marden's outward semblance is not an
indication of the real man. We are all
consummate actors in our daily lives,
none more so than those who have
much TO conceal.
Hector Marden! And had he not
much to conceal-the beasti vincent's
clenched fists were drumming on the
table. Come" he pondered, "Ill have
to cease this baby game or I'll end by
making scene and consequently an
ass OF myself" He stared at Louis
just as Marden raised his finger. The
waiter hurried to the table and pre-
sented his memoranda to the men
Serle frowned. He was in a nasty
humor.
What's this, Louis?'' He rendered
the embarrassed garcon his slip OF
paper.
Pardon, a thousand times pardon
Monsieur: / made a mistake" Marden
looked up smiling.
Il fear I have the bill intended fol
YOU" he said, in conciliating tone.
ITS nothing murmured Serle. Both
men bowed. The accounts were soon
settled and Louis nervously retreated
TO the background. But neither one
stirred. Vincent, without pausing to
analyze his action, offered Marden the
newspaper. 1t was politely declined
Possibly because of the mellowness OF
the moment or the ample repose that
follows luncheon, Serle could not say
Marden was not averse from entering
into conversation. one of hazy Indirect
ness, equally suggestive and non.
committal. He made q few common
place remarks about the unreasonable
heat, the deplorable twilight of New
York's tower begirt highways and
soon, against the promptings OF his
inner spirit. Ser1e chimed an accord
ance. They chatted. Louis discreetly
moved nearer. Presently Serie asked
The San Francisco call., 1906-10-28

NNF FTTH the vision OF an ANTIQUE
N.Y. marble facade lingering in his
w memory he slowly walked up
the avenue, only stopping al
Ffticth street to turn and as leisurely
retrace his route. Vincent ser.e was
in tie riddle Of his vigorous life. but
this day. an early one in April, ais
forces. seemed arrested. like the curling
wave which crests before its ultimate
crumble and recoi He attributed his
mood to the weather. It was not pre-
cisely spring fever. but general slack
ening Of physical fiber. lie felt almost
Immoral: he desired respite from toll:
he wished some place where his eyes
would not encounter palette or paint;
and. versatile man OF uncertain pur-
pose. he longed to write 4 novel, chiefly
about himself.
The clock in the church tower told
linn that he was farther downtown
than he had PLANNED. He .'ad spoken to
passing acquaintances mocl. .anicaIy. He
had saiutod Mrs. LARGE. over whose por-
trait he was laboring. with a vacant
regard ana famboyant hat. Then he
emerged from his engulaRg spleen and
hastily asccndcd Dclmop cos steps ii
was his day Of appointments. All
the windows ia the cafe we're occupied;
nothiug remained except a large table
in the center OF the room decidedly an
unpleasant spot with people passing
and repassing. lie hesitated and would
have gone oway, when he remembered
that downtown was no better. The
breakfast hour always saw 4 mob or
hungry folk ct any establishment. And
Louis his favorite waiter, whispered
10 him that he would attend assiduons-
" to monsieurs wants. The bored
painter sank heavily into his chair
The meal was not an enlivoning one.
Like most artists educated in Paris,
Vincent never took anything save cof-
fee and rolls before ] o'clock. lie was
not an early riser; he deplored morning
work, being lazy and Indifferent; but
he soon discovered that IL he were TO
keep pace with the desperate racing Of
New York artistic life he dared not
waste the FIRST half OF the day. Mrs.
LARGE, FOR example. insisted upon q 10
he wished himself q writer. with liber-
ty to work at midnight. And he could
indulge in more tobacco. dreams and
later uprisings. In the meantime he
was munching his fish without noting
its flavor. a fact that Louis witnessed
with disappointed eyes.
He had reached coffee and eognac
and was about TO light a black cigar
when a man hurried in and, after gaz-
ing at the coveted window tables. sat
himself opposite Serle with a short
nod. though hardly looking al him. The
match burned Series fingers and he
struck a fresh one. Instnctively he
stood up. searching the room for an
other place. The walter asked him IL
he desired his account Vincent shook
his head and fumingly demanded a
newspaper; behind 1t he swallowed his
brandy and puffed his cigar. The fine
print melted into blurred mass before
his eyes and his hands trembled. He
could feel the beating Of blood at his
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1906-06-06

y 7 mo, 1T isn't" snapped the woman.
Everybody laughed; even Johnny
smirked, and dire things might have
happened to him then and there had
not some one called over the balus-
trade: ss. s.s sss. =.a
. Here. 81. didn't you lose pocket.
book?", @g ( :.. s.I
Sixty-one was a young saleswomau
with bright brown hair, Irish blue eyes.
and a, smile. that revealed a row OF
perfect white teeth. She ran up the
steps. 49,. ..>s
Yes, thought lost it somewhere
up here-anyone find it," %%s@%
yep, maybe I did, Johnny looked
up at 81, but he put the pocketbook
behind him. -
Sixty-one saw the pinched face, the
big eyes. She forgot her loss.
."Yoa poor little fellow!"
Johnny was not visib]y affected. He
just looked at her, and asked:
How much was it?"
Oh, of course she had to prove her
ownership. Sixty-one was amused.
LET me see," she said, there was
neither gold nor silver nod
ded encouragingly-"nor bills, but a
few coppers, believe"
Thirteen" said Johnny. producing
the pocketbook.
THE Lord save us!" said 81. "That'e
why I lost it,"
Oats why you found It." said
Johnny, handing her the purse.
That's mine!" said 81, ioyfully. I'D
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1906-06-06
Drains in Barnyards.

Drains in barnyards should not be
spb-earth drains unless the soil of the
harnyard is of a soft, loose texture.
Wherever the barnyard is composed Of
q compacting soil, such as ordinary soil
suitable for tillage purposes, the drain
laid two or three feet under the sur
face will quickly become useless. The
stock soon tramp the ground into such
a hard mass that it becomes imper-
vjous to water, and the latter cannot
get down to the drain. If a dra;z IS
to be laid under the surface it should
be- run so close to the fence or the
buildings that the stock cannot walk
on top of it. The rest of the land
should slope in the direction of The
drain. Surface drains, says the Farm
er's Review, are always adapted to
barnyards, but these also should be
ruE near the fences or barns.
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1906-06-06
SEED BED FOR THE GARDEN
Preparation Of the Soil Determines
What the Success Will Be
with Plants.

With view of preparing the mos:
suitable seed bed possible for our gar
den, which is too often neglected upon
many farms, we first went over it twice
with sharp disk harrow. the same
day it was plowed to depth of be-
tween six and seven inches.
One days sun was allowed in which
to dry off the surface of the soil so
that it would not pack under the
horses feet Then float was run
over it several times, and again twice
disked, and again the float until the
surface was level and perfectly fine
This manner of working has given a
fine loose seed bed the depth of the
blowing, which. will retain moisture
better, cause the plant food to be avail
able to the plants, and will be espe-
cially favorable to strong rapid ger
mination Of all garden seeds.
BY this method, says the Prairie
Farmer, the plant requires the, least
possible effort upon the part of the
young plants to send out roots and az
ford connection with the SOIL With
this preparation we can reasonably ex-
pect cultivation to be more effectively
and quickly done than If the under soil
was full of large cl0ds.
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1906-06-06

There is a pretty revival of certain
good old styles, for instance the. old
fashioned bertha or fichu is an arti-
Gle of dress that one can but approve.
1t finishes off the costume, allows
one to wear thin summer dress
without the addition of a wrap. Most
dresses look unfinished on the street
II no wrap is worn, but the fichu
takes the place of boa or coatee, or
whatever the frivolous pretense of
outdoor apparel.
Other good points belong to the
fchu; it may be added to an old
frock and quite redeem it; it looks
so modest and dainty, when made of
fine lawn and we'll shaped; it hides
deficiencies of the figure, Usually
with 1t deep girdle should be worn,
a narrow belt and fichu are not in
harmony. 1t is very effective as part
of a Powered muslin costume, then
very like the; gowns grandmamma
wore, wherefore picturesque and
ptquant, giving the modern young
woman some flavor Of the stately days
of DID, ~.
The Empire modes are assuredly
quaint-when they are not impossible.
And the mob caps, the lingerie hats,
generally becoming as well as pictur.
esque. BY the way, at the shops you
ask for a wash hat, and what are you
apt to be shown? One of those hide.
GUS things of stir frame, huge sailor
effect, with all:over embroidery drawn
tight over brim and crown, and the
trimming as stiff and ugly as the rest
Of the makeup. II you really want
q lingerie hat, you must inquire, for
ch1ldren's wash hats; from among
them make your selection. But there
is a sufficient variety, lot of pref
ty ones to choose from. I examined
them the other day, and though de.
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1906-06-06
SEED CORN.

Ths outlook for the farmer who
spec1lates continues to be bad.
:. A nail here and a screw there, and
the setting up Of slanting post, take
little time or trouble, and make the
place look ''lots better -
! n When you are through using the
grindstone, let the trough down SO that
the lower part Of the stone will not
rest in the water. If you dc. not. YOU,
will soon have soft spot in your stone
where the water touches it. =s s..s .:. ss
The farmer boy has the best chance
in life and is usually able to fill every
position that is open. He does in=5his
youth the hard, difficult things that
call for pluck, = sound body and q fer
! tile brain. Three cheers ttor the farmer
3 boy