davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Los Angeles herald., 1906-08-05

to read it again" But even as I spoke knew
/ was talking nonsense, and Auntie shook her
head
THANK you, dear" she said simply, ''but Id
rather it was burnt" Then she held up dainty
brooch set in pearls.
"Your fathers gift on their weddingday l
their bridesmaid, you know-the only one
l want you to keep that"
She picked up another letter and the curl.
'Your hair, dear, and little note you wrote
me from school the evening you arrived How
cried over it! Perhaps you would like these
too?"
She gave them to me; then she paused, gazino
up at me imploringly. One letter lay still on the
bed and / noticed that the writing looked like
the work of one who had been as he wrote in the
throes of some emotion.
Twelve never mentioned this to you Hida.
it was too sacred. l shouldn't mention it nov,
but I've a fancy-you won't laugh at old
woman-to have it buried with me. People do
do such things?" she added, pleadingly; you'll
see to that for me, won't you:"
81 did not know what to say or how to say
it, for lump rose in my throat and would not
be denied l just dropped my knees beside
the bed and took one Of her fragile hands in
both my plump
"Oh, Auntiel" 1 said, an do anything you
wish"
She looked infinitely relieved, and stroked the
letter as it lay on the coverlet with weak caress
ing fingers.
"Hilda," she said suddenly, "I should like you
to know all about it, think Would you mind
Its-its the only secret I've ever kept from
you"
"You know 1 wouldn't mind, dear; I'd love tc
hear anything you choose to tell me-"
She pushed her spectaces to her forehead Il
fancy she didn't want to see my face too dis
tinctly) and one hand played nervously with the
edge of the eiderdown.
81 was a very plain girl Hilda-no, don't try
and soften it, 1 know | was plain and always del
icate-not in the least the kind of girl to take
young mans fancy. You'll think IN,
dreadfuly foolish" (she peeped up again at mt
anxiously) "but even though 1 realized how un
attractive 1 was, l longed so desperately to b'
loved. ] very sentimental, l suppose, bu
it seemed to me so glorious to be all the worlC
to one person-to look forward to a home o
Los Angeles herald., 1906-08-05
L[&
~

pen, and I shall be ruined. I shall lose all my
money, and / shall cease to be power. Then
what will become of meY
Papa, don't be so foolish Just because"
Don't let's discuss it, Sue. The cane is brok-
en-, and there is nothing more to be said"
Sue did not dare to say anything further until
they reached her house. As Lacy helped her to
alght, she timidly asked il he would let her get
the cane fixed for him
''It wouldn't be the slightest bit of use, Lacy
replied with touch of irritation, "but il it gives
you any pleasure you may.
It was noon of the following day before Lacy
reached his office He had dreaded TO 90 there.
for he was haunted by premonition of approach
ing evil, and he wanted to stave it off as long as
possible. He had not closed his eyes all night,
and finally, unshaven and without breakfast, he
had telephoned for his machine and gone down
town.
He was drawn into the back office as il by
some irresistible force. There he found an ex-
citement unusual even for the offices of Lacy,
Morrison Co.. the din lof voices was ear-spt-
ting and men were ,crowdng madly around the
tickers
Morrison was the centre Of wildly gesticulat-
ing group who were plying him with incessant
questions.
"Whats the matter, Morrson?'' shouted Lacy.
Earthquake in San Francisco-city in flames"
Morrison shouted back
Lacy went white "San Francisco Any like
lhood of panic?"
"Not just yet Big break in San Francisco
stocks, though, Lacy"
Lacy put hand on chair to steady himself
"What stocSs?" he stammered.
Omitted Railways Investment Company is the
worst. Preferred has dropped % points, and
Common 30"
Lacy looked dazed. "say that again, old man."
Morrison put his hand upon his partners
shoulder and repeated his statement slowly.
"Well, guess that about wipes me out" Lacy
said finally. ''I broke the last night, and 1
knew something would happen"
"We'll have to stand it together, old man"
said Morrison.
After a moment, Lacy appeared to brace up
little 81 guess I'll go look over the mall he
said mechanically. Morrison hesitated for mo-
ment, but finally let his hand drop from his part
ner's shoulder, and Lacy, with the uncertain step
OF blind man, went into the private office, and
closed the door A moment later, above the din
and hubbub outside, pistol shot rang out, and
sound as of something falling.
Los Angeles herald., 1906-08-05

ones own with that one person as its king-to
work and live, and suffer if need be, for that one
can you understand it, child?"
Could / not?, l who had felt so unutterably
the same, and when realization had seemed to
dawn had seen it fade as suddenly as it appeared.
For the who had walked into my life some
five years before had abruptly walked out of it
again, and | had never understood why. So |
pressed Aunt Penny's hand, for though my little
romance had taken place at the house of an old
schoolfelow and 1 had never worried her with
it, l wanted her to feel that did understand
acutely
Well" she continued, naturally no one-.no
man, that is-ever looked at second time
Then when / was about twenty-eight, your dear
parents died. and you left in my charge.
think you took the place of romance
in my life; | was so occupied with you that
had no time to stand before the glass and cry
because l wasn't beautiful"
"You were beautiful to me, Aunt" 1 interrupt
ed stoutly, and indeed she had been; for child
is not critical about those it loves. She smiled
rather sadly and lifted her hand to pat my check.
"I grew beautiful to someone else, too later
on" she said with a small attempt at archness.
"Only / never discovered who he was"
Good gracious, Auntie, that was romance in
real earnest! And did he write that letter."
eyes" She took it from the envelope and re-
placed her spectaces. ut came one night
about five years ago-you had gone to bed with d
bad headache, 1 remember II was Sc
fiustered in all my life, Hilda / longed to tell
you, but you seemed so young-such chd-why
you weren't more than eighteen-that l didn't
like to do so-but I never slept wink that night,
and the next morning / thought you would be
sure to notice something unusual. Here, read the
letter, you will understand then It's all too sad
and too sweet-poor-poor fcllow-how he
cared!"
took the sheet from her, and going over to
fhar af b,,l ton1o
Dearest" it began, 81 haven't the least right
to pen this, but if don't write, l think ! shall
go mad. Perhaps 1 may send it-perhaps not;
anyhow merely to have written it is a relief ]
! love you woman ever loved yeti
wonder if you have guessed it? Oh, how | love
you! If | had only the right for your love IN
return! But haven't, | gave my promise to a
little orphaned cousin before ! you, and she
believes in me and cares, and l should be a cad
to break that promise. You would be the last to
wish me to do so, wouldn't you? For though
know solitte of you-comparatively lis there any
Los Angeles herald., 1906-08-05

Comparatively in love?) I'm sure you would a.
ways send back to duty You've got it in
your beautiful true eyes. l wonder if shall
ever meet again? If not, God bless you now and
forever, and give you such happiness you de-
serve-Yours always
There was curious little heroglyph at the end
evidently the initials of the writer.
The letter was so illegible that it was with diff
fculty l made it out at all. The initials 1 gave
up as hopeless
Didn't you know the writing Auntie?" l ask
ed, turning the sheet of paper over and over in
my hand.
mo, dear, / never saw it before to my knowl-
edge. Pve-Tve made several guesses," confessed
Aunt Penny shyly, only they all seem unlikely.
You he must have loved in secret for
some time, and we must have met, for he won
ders if didn't guess his secret"
cts very mysterious" I said, and I examined
the envelope. 1t was directed to:
MISS POGSON,
Willowdale,
Stebbingford.
There was nothing to be learnt from that.
"I think I'm glad l never met him. the old
lady went on ''he might have been disappoint-
ment, and I've built him up in my mind bit by
Bit as I've sat with my knitting, and seen him
in my dreams when I've nodded over it; and
he's a real person to me now, Hilda, darling.
What a ridiculous old woman | must appear in
your eyes, when l tell you that Pm very much
filed gap in my life, and to be husband and
children all in one, and you are our dear eldest
daughter. I've often consulted him about you,
Hilda. l have quite long conversations with
hm-aloud sometimes when I'm alone" she went
on, shylf "and l called him John It's such
strong name, isn't it? And that first letter
of the initials is as much like ~ as anything,
don't you think SOP"
For answer l just gathered her up in my arms
if she baby, and hugged her. This
inner peep into her poor dear little old maids
heart full of pathos that was beyond all
words Yet to me her fantastic idea about the
mysterious writer of that short passionate letter
did not seem strange. l think in her place
should have felt the same
For in every woman's heart there is shrine,
even if it is only a shrine to the Unknown.
Poor little Aunt Peggy!
We sat talking of John" and his imaginary
virtues till she was tired out, and then | put
the letter back and made her comfortable for
the night. Two days after she passed very gent
Los Angeles herald., 1906-08-05
Facts of Interest

Asphalt is found in driedup petroleum beds
The leech has three jaws, each fitted with
eighty to ninety teeth.
Automatic machines in British railway stations
number over 5000, and sell about 800 tons of
sweets yearly.
The most awful accident in history was the
fall of a Roman amphitheatre in the time of Ii
berus Fifty thousand people were crushed
The Barbary ape, found on the Rock of Gibral-
tar, is the only European monkey. 1t is sup
posed to cross to and from Africa by means of a
subterranean passage.
Two tons of bananas can be grown on the space
of ground which will produce forty pounds weight
Of wheat.
Beavers have been known to construct a dam
no less than 1880 feet in length,
horse can live twenty-five days without solid
food, merely drinking water, seventeen days with
out eating or drinking, but only five days when
eating solid food without drinking.
Beet has more nourishment in it than any other
cultivated root except the potato.
The longest bridge in the world is the Lion
Bridge, across an arm of the Yellow Sea- 1t il
5A miles long, and supported by 300 huge stone
pillars.
Bristol Cathedral took $50 years before it was
completed, in 1883. Gloucester Cathedral was
425 years in building
Los Angeles herald., 1906-08-05

OF tears. ! can only tell you that l am free!
She had never cared for me, Hilra-never; and
found it out two days ago when she wrote to
tell lie ot her marriage to another man; and l
was to have married her in the spring came
straight to you the first moment | could, and
I've been singing TIE Deum all the way. Obi
child, don't say you've married OF that you ceased
to care! Don't"
l pulled my hands free-my face pale with
surprise, my limbs shaking under me. Il don't
understand l said, "I-I thought you had for
gotten Remember, Mr.. Capel you have
spoken to me of love. We saw much of
each other in that month at Chelveley, but you
left abruptly; and you said nothing what
could think except that you were just passing
the time?"
He looked down at me with pain in his eyes.
81 wrote,'' he said simply. az left because
could not trust myself to stay; but l wrote and
told you why"
II never got the letter"
''Never got the letter." His voice was ncredu-
lous. "Why, 1 directed it to Miss Pogson at
this house!'
There was a silence, during which dear Aunt
Penny's favorite clock disgorged its cuckoo and
carolled four.
With the last stroke a sudden realization
broke upon me-hdden things grew plain. Aunt
Penny's agtated evening five years ago-the un-
discovered correspondent! l clutched my visi-
tors arm
George, l cried wildly. Il see it all-you
are john 1t was all piteous mistake then.
Oh! I'm so sorry-poor- Auntie!"
"John?" he echoed, and by his expression 1
fancy he thought me demented. 1 dropped into
chair and cried as had never cried before
the sense of loss and desoation was almost alb
surdly vivid. For the first few minutes l would
have given worlds to have substituted the IL
lusionary John for the man 1 loved.
Presently l Gained down, and it was at any
rate comforting to fell him everything "Iv
Aunt was Miss Pogson, you see," I concluded.
"She would naturally open the letter. and as I
had never mentioned you to her she would con-
clude it was her own. And you really were
John'-the one bright holy spot of romance in
her grey Ghomely life. Do you know, l think
after all Pm glad of her mistake, because-well,
even if she knows it was a mistake now it will
be made up to her in some other way, won't it %
And as my lover kissed me, he whispered,
"Poor little woman God grant it may!"
And liked him none the less because there
were tears in his voice too.
Los Angeles herald., 1906-08-05
~

ACY and his daughter sauntered into
IL the Palm Room Of the hotel and made
fs,z==sS,s their way towards table near one
,SsssElhI of the windows Mrs. Richardson
drew of the hands of her long gloves,
settled herself comfortably in her chair, and
picked up the menu card An obsequious wait
er jumped to take Lacy's hat and coat, and
would have made off with his cane likewise il
Lacy had not prevented him.
Thank you. / think I'll keep this right here, -
he said, resting it against the table
why don't you let him have it, papa? 1t
looks too ridiculous there for anything
Now, don't ask your old papa for reasons,
Sue" replied Lacy. "If the cane remains here,
know where il is. Do you see?"
Mrs Richardson made little gesture of irri-
tation, but nevertheless, let the subject drop.
"What shall we have TO eatY she asked.
A few moments discussion about the order
followed, and then they both sat back with an
air of relief.
''You know, think that order is going to run
into a lot of money" said Mrs Richardson hest.
tatingy.
Don't you think can afford to pay for it?"
asked Lacy with jovial, self-satisfed laugh.
"Just look at the money I've made this last year
and half You could even pay for it yourself,
cOulun you! anu ne ldugueu dSdlu'
"I guess l could" his daughter admitted, "even
if it should come to three times much But
you know don't spend my time patting myself
on the back about my money the way you do"
''No it came too easily didn't it, Sue? All
you had to do was to make millionaire fall in
love with you"
''But didn't marry him for his money, papa"
81 know you think you didn't, but you just
wait until the honeymoon ecstasy has worn off,
and you have forgotten the moonlight nights on
the Rhine, and all the rest of it. Then you will
know well enough why you married him."
"T think you are the most cynical person,
know replied his daughter affectionately, as
she patted the big hand that was toying with
the menu card in the centre of the table.
"And you are a sentimental child" retorted
Lacy "Its wonder to me that you can enjoy
yourself so while Frank is in New York. Don't
you think you are being untrue to him?
"Papa, you're nothing but an everlasting
tease she said laughing Seriously though"
Los Angeles herald., 1906-08-05


| ~ | Penelope Pogson, but 1 always abbre-
s waited it, had extracted key which
kASBl was fastened round her withered neck
with a narrow black ribbon, and,
threading it, had given it to me.
There we're two ghosts of bushes in the hol-
lows of her poor, thin cheek and her faded eyes
were almost bright.
you're sure, Hilda dear, you don't expect
anyone in this evening"
"No Aunt"
"And nurse is out till seven?"
Eyes, Aunt"
Perhaps, my love, if you locked the door l
should feel safer. II fancy can hear one of
the maids in the passage"
l rose obedienty. Poor little Aunt Penny S
ffty-three years of prim old-world timidity were
fast drawing to a close. "Humor her" the
doctor had said; nothing can hurt her now"
"Ive locked it, Aunt. Now, what am l to
do with this little key?"
Aunt Penny trembled, and the pathetic blush
ghosts deepened.
"If you'll open my bureau, you'll find it fits
a small drawer right at the far corner-it doesn' t
look much like a drawer till you examine it
want that drawer, if you please, my dear"
eyes, Aunt"
found it without difficulty, and drew it care
fully out I couldn't help looking little curious
ly at its contents. They were lock of hair (mine
as child, I think, for Aunt Penny had brought
me up), small cardboard box such as jewelers.
use and one or two letters. I carried it over
to the bed and put it in her hands.
'Now my spectaces, child"
found them and adjusted them comfortably.
With very thin fingers that shook great deal
she took out the contents of the drawer and put
them down on the coverlet. Then picking then
up slowly one by one, she inspected them witt
dimmed eyes and broken exclamations.
"Ah! dear mothers first letter to me-the only
time I ever stayed away from home, HldaAful
of good advice, and begging me not to get my fee
wet.-WeIl destroy that now; it will be of no in
terest when I'm gone. Will you burn it, love?'
Tears sprang into my own eyes. l bent dow
and kissed the frail face.
"Please God, you'll be here for many day ye
Los Angeles herald., 1906-08-05
M A s T
T II e

do you notice, that it has sterling silver
horseshoe on the top?"
''Yes"
We'll, this cane is my mascot" Lacy leaned
back in his chair, to observe the effect Of his an.
nouncement better.
''Your mascot?" she repeated "You mean
that it brings you luck?"
Los Angeles herald., 1906-08-05

suit won the cane. That very day I made TWEEN
ty-fve thousand"
Wasn't that peculiar?' said Sue giving the
cane a glance Of involuntary awe. ct doesn't
look as il il could be responsible for all the re-
marlable things you have done"
at is, though" replied Lacy. "You know. they
say that truth is stranger than fiction"
Los Angeles herald., 1906-08-05
PAPA's THoUGHTFULNFss..

Bridegroom Ia week after the wedding)-
haven't seen anything Of your fathers $4,000
check yet He promised it, didn't he"
Bride-"Yes; but he heard that your father
had already given us one, and he knew we
shouldn't care to have duplicate presents
Los Angeles herald., 1906-08-05

Precisely. l got it last November year ago,
the day l made the speculation that was the be-
ginning of this brilliant career of mine 1t be-
longed to my partner, and it seemed to be
bringing him luck, 1 had my eye upon it.
made bet with him about Reading and as a re-
Los Angeles herald., 1906-08-05

$50 it is,' saiG Sue. Let me see your mas
cot" Lacy passed it to her. and after a few
moments spent in examining it, she suddenly ex-
claimed, 20, papa, the horseshoe is loose!"
look of concern crossed her fathers face.
"Let me see. That's right" he said after a mo-
Los Angeles herald., 1906-08-05
FAMILY SCRAP BOOK.

Penelope-"Does your husband keep scrap
bookY
Priseilla-''Well he keeps a ehequebook, and
we have a scrap every time l want him to use
it for my benefit"
Los Angeles herald., 1906-08-05
RISK IN THE RESCUE.

The Stout Man-"Hang it all, why don't you
Jump in and rescue the lady"
The Thin Man-"But if do she will want to
marry me out of gratitude, and it isn't good
enough"
Los Angeles herald., 1906-08-05
just and Unjust

IN THREE CHAPTERS.
Chapter I.-Man Proposes.
Chapter u,-Woman Disposes.
Chapter III.-Court Exposes.
Los Angeles herald., 1906-08-05
DIAMOND PIN MONEy

Ethel-"I told Jack all 1 wanted was a little
pin money"
Stella-''What did he say?"
Ethel-"He said it was pity I could only use
diamond pins"
Los Angeles herald., 1906-08-05
LOOKING AHEAD.

Laura-"I think Mr. Black is the most dismal
man | know"
Winrie-'I should say SOL He once proposed
to girl by asking her how she would like to be
his widowl"
Los Angeles herald., 1906-08-05

UNIT PENNY cher full title was Miss
Penelope Pogson, but 1 always abbrc-
waited it, had extracted key which
was fastened round her withered neck
,,-;AI, q rnnrrnrr hlaclr ribbon and I'M
Los Angeles herald., 1906-08-05

ACY and his daughter sauntered into
the Palm Room of the hotel and made
their way towards a table near one
of the windows Mrs. Richardson
drew of the hands Of her long Gloves
The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1906-06-01
TranS=PaCifC
Yacht Race

bound that San Francisco
know that their reputation sportsmen
purely yachting proposition promotion
scheme fathered by the Hawaii Promotion Committee
future date the Hawaii Yacht Club would like
between yachts a the islands and those of San
that would be possible the proposition made the Pacific
Inter Club Yacht Association That body would undoubtedly bring
1t before all the yacht clubs the bay through the delegates and
then competitors would be guaranteed before the
hope for the sake of yachting the Pacific that the three yachts
that will will stir enough the Hawaii
Club itself will hold year. If you will let the
time starting the will that the officers the
Pacific Inter Club Yacht Association hand make the official
record" 49,. a., ... n.
regretted any such idea as should have been
and valiant service for yachting the Pacific and which has thrown
itself enthusiastically and thoroughly the of making
this real event of sport in its highest
Yachting always has held itself high sport
yachsmen sensitive the suggestion motives exploitation
IN connection with yachting 1t be feared that the with
dawa of the Vancouver yacht be belief in the idea that
Mr. Hommedeu expressed his letter For Mr. Hommeeu does
not be either the the sole believer the idea
Judging from the letter from A. Bennett given
Promotion Committee yesterday the idea be general and
widely held In this letter Bennett writing to Secretary H. p Wood
says: ... ......
"Ihe big dsarbgger than you realize having
here to view the siuatonha completely demorazed everything
else this would have been given greater publicity could
been given such sensational start that would have
card to the Promotion Committee.
Macfarane has been hard find may yet
the Chronicles yachting has him and besides using all
say everything that comes from YOU
through letters Suppose have all the Chronicle has
published" ,..... .,.
Evidently Bennett as promotion scheme pure and
simple He doesn't mention the Hawaii Yacht Club in
ton with it.
The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1906-06-01
TELEPHONE WHITE S51.

Chancellor. John d. Archbold, one of
the presidents of the Standard
Oil Company, is president of the Board
of Trustees, and one of the most liberal
givers to Chancellor Days institution.
This, to many, accounts for the milk
in the cocoanut."
What Chancellor Day said, which
seems not to have struck responsive
chord in any periodical publication in
the country is as follows:
The amazing blunder is in the chief
executive of a great nation attacking
business interests, judges, and persons,
in proclamations to Congress and in
interviews for the daily papers. 1t can
not be continued with safety to our
country. There are two general forms
of anarchism. The late practises Of
our President are of the more dan
gerous. Anarchism clothed with Off
cial authority is covert, deceptive, and
perilous in the extreme. The reg
ular process of law for the correction
of courts can not be ignored and set
aside by personal attack of the Presi-
dent without peril. Anarchism in the
White House is the most perilous an
archism that ever has threatened our
country"