davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-15

had issued an ultimatum; overdraft to be
reduced to IL, 900 by September 80. and the
stipulated reductions to be made punct-
ual thereafter or the bank must recon-
slider its position. And Mr.. Crunden did
not know where to look for the Septem-
Der thousand, and this was why he had
been SO exceedingly pleased to find it in
the sale to Mr.. Flower of Surbiton.
Most convenient said Downing. sooth-
ingly. 1T will all come right in the
end of course
so I hope. 1 am not afraid of that"
said Crunden. But as he explained, all
his profit hung upon the rate of speed,
and already the slowness had robbed the
possible profit of its originally noble
margin. only proper you should know
that, Liz, my dear.
Don't let us be downhearted," said
Bowling. I'VE must not allow Mr.. Vim
cent to go to London with a tale of diff
ficulties.'
sin order to tell tales against the credit
of my friends-or their advisers"
NO" said Crunden. I'VE know that,
sir. What's mentioned in this room
won't be heard outside it.
Then Jack asked questions-"Do you
mind my asking sir?" 1t seemed to him
there must have been some weak spot in
the scheme itself.
"Oh. it was a very good scheme, said
Bowling.
how?'' suggested Jack, You know what
bitten off more than you could chew"
1T was a fine scheme, said Bowling
deprecatingly. "And 1 can answer for
the calculations. They have proved
themselves correct, too. The land we
have disposed of has exactly realized my
estimate per acre. No-the set-backs are
all outside the Notwithstanding no
man could have calculated for
And Bowling, as if put on his personal
defense, made out list of unforeseen
events.
Bowling had counted on the rents of
Hill Rise. These would have paid all
interest on borrowed money, and brought
some equivalent to Crunden for loss of
income from his own money buried ueep
in the ground. Now. as Mr.. Vincent
knew. there were only three tenants
left in Hill ,Rise--the Miss Vigors, who
chung to the vicinity of st. Barnabas
Church; DR.. Blake, who was having a
house built for him by the London and
Suburban. and Mrs. Ridgwcrth. who had
become bed-ridden and could not move
and these were paying only half the old
rental. No man could have foretold the
Hill Rise exodus. If the tenants had
remained. one could have washed one
land with the other.
Yes" said Jack, land now you have
got both your hands dirty together"
For the moment. But all will come
right in the end - Another event
no one could have calculated for was
the sale of Hill Housa. Naturally the
development OF those ten acres-really
better situated than our laAd-has
thrown us back"
Eyes. That's it, said Jack gravely.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-15

ed for moment from the wall WHO'D
hoop! Tally-ho! Wosyy-worry!''
"Bravor' said Crunden huskily.
"Bravo!"
81 admire your pluck" said Bowling.
"Grand-really grand"
And after a little more bell ringing and
with much Are you there. first to the
Medford central exchange and then to
Mr.. Eaton, the solicitor-Jack gave in
structions about check and receipt:
ooh, he meant buying" he said mod
estly. But dreadful torpid liver--sure
the man eats too much" and he took out
his watch. Now if they don't change
their minds between the station and
Bridge street Eaton ought to give us the
albright signal in less than ten min
Then they sat anxiously waiting.
| Ten minutes passed. Twelve minutes
| fifteen-sixteen immensely long. heavy
minutes had passed when the telephone
bell sounded again and Jack sprang to the
| instrument.
Thanks. Sure 1t isn't a sumner? Yes,
yes. Thanks. Good night. Sleep we'll.
Pleasant Dreams and he showed his
beaming face to the room. Now 1t is
all right-Eaton says So" and he snapped
his fingers. Paint it up. Bowling. old
boy. Paint the map red. Lot 81 Lease
biton.''
THANK God for that" said Crunden, in
very husky voice. Thank God for
that. It's brought the perspiration out OF
me as though I'd been running a race"
| Jack. hunting in a drawer for the
paint brush and saucer, locked round in
surprise. did it matter, slr-either way
as much as all that?''
ut did matter" said old Crunden. like
the very devil" and he mopped himself,
ana with a grunt Of relief put his ban.
danna back in its pocket. This comes III
the nick ON time to"
ITO go on comfortably with" said Mr..
Downing. ITO wash one hand with the
other, so to speak. Quite sc"
Jack was looking at Bowling, then
again at Crunden.
81 never knew. sir" he said gravely,
that 1t could matter like that I had no
idea. I know things were going BIZ
slow for you. but I thought they were
going all right"
"They aren't going WE'LL said Crunden.
They've been going very badly. Don't
run away, Lizzie It's proper you should
1 know. I have kept it to myself as long
as could
Then for the first time he spoke to
his assistants of the financial side of his
great scheme. The trouble was easily
| summed up; too much money gone out.
not enough come home. He told them of
his arrangement with the bank-overdraft
| of %. 900 pounds. to ne reduced by 1.O0t
each quarter day. Well, he had made
! two such reductions and no more. The
standing charge for the borrowed money
remalneS at about 300 pounds per an
num- The bank had smilingly poucned
this charge till last midsummer anu then
had begun I'd make dificulties-in fact,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-15

THAT was your weak spot. 1t. seems
to me that has just knocked the bottom
out of your scheme
THE scheme was right enough" said
Bowling doggedly. TN answer for that.
The delay is annoying, but it
Then once again the telephone bell rang.
Lords sake said Crunden, as Jack
jumped up and rushed across to his table.
Don't say it's them changed their mind
and trying to back OUT
1T is for you. Mr. Dowling.' said
Jack, after listening to the message.
Somebody who requires ,you-requires
you rather badly Then, when Bowling
had taken his place at the instrument.
he whispered to Crunden: IT'S his wife!'
Are you there?" asfed bowling, in a
low and very gentle voice. rs that you.
my dear? =" Yes, my dear, busb
ness consultation. =" . have beeS
excuse me, I'll not return to supper
shall get all / want here"
IF he isn't careful" whispered Jack,
hell get all he wants there" and Crun-
denis fac relaxed into broad grin.
"Oh. very well, my dear"-Downing
was saying-"ir shall be as you wish."
and he rang of.
With many apologies to Mr.. and Miss
Crundeu for breaking an engagement, Mr..
Bowling presently explained that he could
not, after all. stay to supper at King
Cottage; and he soon bade his adieu.
Jack, in lieu OF Downing, Supped &C
Kings Cottage. He cheered Crunden more
effectually than Bowling could have zone.
They talked for a long time on business
matters, and Jack listened with grave
interest, and when he asked question
it was always businesslke and inteli-
gent. Having been admitted into the
mysteries OF finance, he was quick 10
grasp the reciprocal bearing of hitherto
isolated facts.
At supper Crunden was quite cheerful.
Of tIaa a II nnFln i'm cd.
the confidential talk had done him good
everything, as bowling promised, would
come right in the end. He chuckied at
the recollection of Downings telephone
summons.
Il couldn't help but SMILE he said.
But if he'd caught me at it he'd have
fairly jumped down my throat. That's
a thing / always admire in Mr.. Bowling.
He's always loyal to Mrs D.-won't al
low any one to make joke of her, al
though, as the saying is, she is a terror
Mrs. D."
Go be Continued Next Sunday)
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-15

think this is for me. Mrs. Bowling most
likely. =" Are you there?" and Mr.
Dowling's voice became deprecatingly
gentle: as that that you, my yo. dear! ~,
"It is not for me after all. Will you take
it, please"
Then Jack put the receiver 10 his ear.
Eyes, hear you" he said. In strong,
firm tones. mo. | am not Mr.. Crunden;
I am his clerk. Yes. Vincent. Oh, no!
AS he stood now listening. he made
gestures with his left hand. as if begging
for silence from all at the tea table be-
hind him. Yes. hear you. Wait a
moment, please"
Then he came from the wall and whis-
pered excitedly to Crunden.
Speak low. don't want them to
catch a word. It's the same ole
Touchdown at. the station now. He's
nibbling again. Almost biting. May I
strike? viii you let me striker
What d'you mean?" whispered Crun-
den.
II believe I could land him. May /
bluff solid? You know-kill or eure?"
Crunden was looking up at Jacks excited
face. with an expression in which Lizzie
saw doubt, anxiety, even fear. His
hand shook; his lips trembled.
"You-you mean'-he whispered-"tell
him to buy now or be done with it?''
That's it. Poker. Bluff him. Put
up or shut up"
Yes" said Crunden, in the faintest
whisper. do lido it, and he picked
up the bandanna and again wiped his
forehead.
Are you there?" said Jack at the tele-
phone in a really truculent tone. Come
on. Speak up. What is it?''
At the ted table there was dead silence
All eyes were upon Mr. Vincent's back;
Crunden was hopping his forehead
Bowling sat rigid and open-mouthed
Lizzie, with her elbows on the table and
her chin resting on her hands, was pale
and breathiess from sympathetic excite
ment.
1T Ia take or leave" said Jack, with
appalling brusqueness. You have vast.
| ed enough spf our time. I have often
sold six houses with far less trouble than
you have given US today. ., Oh, yes
J you can have as much time as you like
but 1 told Nou our houses are going on
like hot cakes. We won't hold the house
to your refusal while you shilly-shally
and ask your grandmother advice.
No offense That was joke. l say
| that was a Joke.
VERY good You will buy at eighteen
hundred. All right. Take your check
for one-eighty round to Eaton's, and the
house is yours. Yes, Monday. OF
Tuesday. or Doomsday will do just as
weIl-blt we don'tl hold the house fol
| YOU till 10 per cent deposit Is in hand
| SO lust as you like. - Very we'll
I'll ring up Eaton and tell him to prepare
the receipt at once. Now DUCK up. heel
moving. Eaton win have the receipt
ready long before you're there, and
Jack worked the handle, hung up tne
receiver, and, with a beaming face turn
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-15

holstered. so large and so smart with
shining varnish and brasswork that
would not like to have paid for it. A rich
family friend brought Jeanette great
washable doll of some superfine rubber
composition. so deliciously formed, pink
and white, down to its very dinples, that
dressed for strangers!
With it came porcelain doll bath
tub. big copper water heater-model of
the usual coil machine of Paris bath
rooms-peignoir and towel heater, all
complete: but she was not allowed to
light up without mother or nurse by her.
1 should also mention Georges submarine
boat, that made such mess in the family
bathtub that one night as mamma looked
at it-alone, without Georges-it got un-
accountably broken. She bought him to
replace it a playroom tent for camp
ing out" with three little folding
couches, dish-and cooking utensil ham
pers, and all the rest.
OF course, I would not have you i'm
agine that Jeanette, Marcelle. Louise,
Fernand and Georges actually calculate,
as Christmas is approaching, on the
dragnet facilities of their annual fancy
dress ball.
think them empty headed enough not to
know that it is always wise to give
pleasure to grown-up people.
They like grown-up folks. And grown
Parisians take real pleasure in the So
cety of children. Indeed. 1 shall never
forget the first Of these Christmas fetes
witnessed. OF course, for a couple of
years back 1 had noticed as. a Paris
Christians feature and on other great
days-Easter. the French Fourth and SO
on-extraordinary numbers OF pretty
children in all kinds Of fancy dress led
by the hand or whirling through the
streets in cabs.
/ knew they were bound for vast num-
bers of these fancy-dress festivities; but
imagined them to be all-child romps
and squabbles.
What I found. on my first invitation,
was this curious. delightful and perfectly
natural mixing and melting together of
the little and the big.
They dance beautifully. down to the
tots You understand. there is nothing
grotesque-like pretentious little boy at
tempting to waltz with young lady, or
grown man absurdly bending over a six
year-old girl child; but they all gaily foot
it together.
When the Punch and Judy started all
sat enthused and attentive, great and
small together. Certainly the man who
wrote that Punch and Judy drama was a
first-class playwright.
The piece dealt with the heroic adven-
lures Of virtuous street urchin of Lyon,
who saves bald but timed stock broker
from the Vaccinations of fat and tear
full widow; but of the tremendous side
adventures happening to the nineteen
puppets that made the strength of that
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-15

yet-that young people with high spirits
| and warm hearts aren't to be driven like
SO many dogs?"
There" said Crunden sternly. "That'll
do. Not SO much noise-or go outside
| and squall there.
| Blu, Mrs. Price was not easily Gained
no was the delinquent? That was her
cry.
YES. sir, I'll go outside--but I want to
know who done it. If it isn't you to
blame-then who is it? Her iadyship!
it. . Or is 1t that Miss Barter got
hold of him? II so. It's our fault. and
l say it. She's an 'ussy. Yes, Mr.. BOWL
lng-you may stick up for her, but say
she is. A nasty good-for-nothing bag
gage-and it's on our conscience II 1t s
her taking him away.
And Mrs. Price with scarcely abating
clamor retired into the Kitchen to weep
well" said Crunden. Il asked for her
word, but / never thought she'd give us
such such "a noisy se contnuea as
apologizng to the visitor for the storm
raised by his housekeeper. And she s
one of the family you know-so we en-
courage her to speak out frank.
When Mrs. Price returned later with a
fresh pot of tea for her favorite, she
showed red-rimmed eyes, but her voice
and manner were subdued to the fitting
housekeeper level.
Mr.. Jack had brought with him no
| satisfa Glory news; in reply to Crunden's
anxious inquiries he could only shake his
head. although he still spoke hopefully.
mo. Nothing settled. They are going
home to think about it"
"Ah, WELL" said Crunden gloomily
that's as good as saying. No so. It cam
be helped. We've all done our best"
Impossible sort of people," said BOWL
ing. You are always where you start
| ed with peODle of that Sort,
ing I feel sure lney did. 1 believe it's
just torpid liver-they probably eat toe
much. They both looked as II they did
They want bucking up before they can dc
anything. / did try to bluff them-tus,
at the end--while we were waiting fol-
their fly. A ny! Too lazy to walk to
the station-thougn l told them they
have to wait for their train"
Mr.. Crunden was not bearing this dis
appointment with his wonted stoiciSm
He sat frowning, silent. absent-minded-
In spite of Mr.. Jacks hopeful chatter
! Lizzie's sympathetic glance. and bowl.
ings well-intentioned efforts to .communi
cate gaiety and cheerfulness. Once OF
twice he brought out his bandanna hand
kerchief and wiped his forehead. ant
Lizzie, watching him. saw that his hand
was trembling. For the moment, a.
least. he was suffering keenly under ths
failure Of the long days hope.
He looked up with a start when the
telephone bell rang, and Lizzie could
read In his eyes that his thoughts haC
carried him far away.
will you allow me?' said Mr.. Devil
ing, hastily intercepting Jack as he moved
!, toward his table to answer the call. %
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-15

ever do. There's no end to it. 1t can't
be right to forget ones meals-tea put
off till supper ought to be on table by
the time the master has made ms Dig
fortune you'll all have the indigestion SO
as you won't be able to enjoy your meals
Miss Lizzie, Stop your work and
let me bring you your tea
NO. I'll wait for father. They must
have nearly done their talk.
Mr.. Dowling's there. isn't ne! he q
go on talking to the gentlemen till mid
night. : Oh. Miss Lizzie, do stop
writing
pen. they've been so long that 1 begin
TO hope they'll succeed"
al hone so. 100. And l know the best
thing your father and Mr.. Bowling could
do is to come straight home and have
their tea and leave Mr.. Jack to do the
job He's the one that sells the land.
and Mr.. Dowling's the one that talks
about IT.
'.Hark." cried Lizzie. That's father s
A glance at Mr. Crunden's face told
her that he did not bring good news. lie
NO success. dad?"
Nothing settled. Mr.. Jacks talking
to 'em. bowling has run down
II suppose" said Mrs. Price. lit is tea
now I keep telling her it's Saturday
night but she goes on just the same.
yes" said Crunden YEARLY. ''B ow
up. Knock off Strike work. Put your
things away. Lizzie" and he went to the
fire. and stood before 1t warming his
hands. It's been bad week. Let's be
done with it,
"They haven't quite decided against the
honse. have they. dad?'
..No Just backward and forward-hem
and ha First it's the house they'll buy
then It's a site they'll take and build to
their own taste"
.-They couldn't build a nicer house
father
mo. L don't believe better decoy
houses were ever put up. They are very
nice. my decoys-hIt they don't seem to
catch much. do th&y?'' and he shrugged
his shoulders and laughed bitterly.
Presently. when Mrs. Price had brought
the tea, Downing arrived.
May l come In? Nothing done
Yes. one minute; no, the next. Mr.. Jack
Is hard at them still. They seem &c
banker after the site now. Irritating sori
of people"
asked Lizzie.
yes. sit down" said Crunden gruiiiy.
THANK you. but l ought to be gett.ni
home.". said Mr. Bowling, and ne looked
at the comfortable tea table and hest
tated. My wife may expect me. Blu
m aRain--stuDid Of me 70 torget'-and n
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-15

brought a chair to the table-"Mrs.
Bowling has a social engagement. Be
sides. she would guess where l am she
could ring me up on the telephone If she
wished me home"
She can't wish you home when she's
out" said Crunden rather testify You
aren't the house cat
NO, I am quite aware of that, Mr..
Crunden:' and Mr.. Downing drew back
the chair.
mo, no." said Crunden. sit down.
sir " and stay to supper. too-and
cheer us up a bit. We want it,
"wen. If you put It like that" and
Bowling sat down. Yes, thank you.
will stay to supper TWO Jumps.
Miss Lizzie. If you please and ne TOOK
slice Of cake. Talking always makes
me hungry"
Always makes me thirsty" said Crun-
den after emptying his second cup.
"Parches me when it goes on like 1t has
today"
And then. slipping at his third cup. Mr..
Crunden announced that ne was ABOUT
to lose his clerk.
He gave me notice this morning when
he drew his screw. He goes end OF next
week, Lizzie"
Mr.. Bowling was astounded by this
announcement and became loud in his
praises of Jack. Mr.. Bowling by no
means considered that there was as good
fish in the sea. He loudly declared that
| they would never find such another clerk.
Hes so jolly over 1t, too-so anab.e
and friendly. Hear what Grisgs men
used to say of him. And why should he
go? Has there been any unp.easantness
between your
NO. not that I've SENIOR guessed He
| says he wants to go. and there's an END
| of it. A mistake. very likely. He may
| live to regret-and l shouldn't IKE MIN
to have to rough 1t.
oh" said Bowling. he IL ran on his
| feet. No fear of that.
Father, didn't he tell you where he
NO, he said London probably-no
| more"
| II should try to retain him." said BOWL
| ing enthusiastically. II should try to
| persuade him. Means could surely be
| found-if we discussed 1t together-
! "Well,'' said Crunden, how? Let's
discuss it. shall be glad to discuss
| it"
Then Mrs. Price came in with another
! jug of hot water.
II won't" Said Mrs. Price. stop your
discussien-not half minute There
Now. I'm off and yoa can go on dis
| cussing."-
mo secrets. Mrs. Price, said Crunden
/ But II Mr.. Bowling had been loud, Mrs
Price was far louder. When she heard
what to her seemed most direful tidings
sne really screamed
| Never. oh. never. Don't you say
that-and don't you let it happen and
she turned almost fiercely upon her mas
ter. Have you drove him into this
with your angry tongue and your hard
ways? Haven't you learnt your lesson
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-15

stairs. My God, what is that pounding!
All that painted woodwork for the or
chestra stand must go up the back way,
swears the janitor!
Afternoon. A lovely little Renaissance
princess and brave little pastry-cook boy
in silk-have slipped down to let US see
their fancy costumes.
Have you seen Georges? He Is boy
of 1915! Louise is renaissance like me,
but mauve and white. Oh, say. monsieur,
little Jeanette is going barefoot! In a
white satin slip! And mamma in pink,
with her arms and shoulders all bare, like
the fairy of virtue at the Gate! And my
big cousin Isabelle is up there, all dressed,
and weeping because the hairdresser has
not come! And 1t is nearly 8 o'clock.
And the Punch and Judy is ready! And
the folks are coming.''
We do not mind the stairways being in
an uproar all the morning, nor the music
and the dancing up to 1880 at night.
When they dance. it shakes this solid
Paris apartment house.
The Vasseurs and Vaillants, living on
the same floor, throw the two flats into
one. by opening the doors wide upon the
landing If you come to see me Christ
mas afternoon, you must push through
them, on the stairway, dancing back and
forth from fat to fat! Dancing, who?
The children? That Is what would make
you smile. There are more fancy-dressed
grown-ups than children.
And these Paris children like to have
the grown folks monopoliZe their fete!
1t makes the small ones very proud. 1t
is comical to see the correct grown-up
manners of Louise, and Fernand's manly
graces; and the self-possession and de-
mure, posed ways of all these extraordi-
nary Paris kids. They know 1t is their
fancy dress ball. all the same. They re-
ceive, not only their child friends, but the
smart men and delightful ladies, whom
out the year!
And-take note-even as calculation,
they come out big winners to have chosen
for their Christmas a costume ball SO
monopolized by grown folks.
You see? Twenty grown-up persons.
battered by the kind attention, must bring
twenty splendid presents for the children
Among last Christmas spoils Of these
courteous little grafters. I remember a
particular eighty-dollar talking doll, with
hair capable Of being done up" in as
many ways as a great lady's. 1t fell to
nice little Marcelle as the offering
Of a middle-aged banker. delighted
to dance with her big cousin Isa-
belle l will not mention this dolls
clothes. that must have cost some $50
more-tailor gowns and party dresses.
negliges lace chemises, corsets, new-style
petticoat-drawers. nothing was lacking.
But 1 will speak Of that dolls hairdress-
er's outfit. pure marvel, from the sham
pooling and hair drying apparatus to be
attached to the electric light current. to
the Marcel wave layout with which the