davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1907-03-10
The Feminine Crater


With my seventh pin I tried new tao
tics let it fall Immediately in front Of
woman AS 1 hoped. she stopped and
picked it up She examined it care
fully. took one hurried glance around
and was putting It in her dress when
l spoke to her
"Didn't YOU pick Up pin Just them
Instantly there was defiance in her
eyes Yes. she answered ressntfully
and waited for my next move.
I'm sorry. but l dropped it," went
on.
"Oh. no: you didn't she answered
confidently Il dropped il myself It's
my pin she spoke with determination
and assurance. She evidently expected
me to weaken, thereby confessinS my
imposture.
She cieverly enough kept me moving
Sll this time and had reached the mid
die of Suffer street when we stopped
before chr.
That is my pin and I insist that
YOU give il TO me- 1 repeated. Ding,
ding" sounded the bell of the car be-
fore US. Before / realized her pur-
pose the woman with the pin had
Jumped on hoard.
Its mine now. anyhow" she laughed
back in impudent satisfaction, and shs
was out of sight
Il guess you're right" I acknowi-
edged ungrudgingly- such nerve as
that deserved some reward. BY all
means keep the pin
My eighth and last pin was a small
one that might have been included in
a baby's layette. Therefore when
saw q young Jewess with two children
stop before a jewelers. shop 1 took adj
vantage OF the situation to offer her
chance 10 make open confession of
her honesty
Did you drop this pin2'' / asked Her
face lightened- had evidently hit tbs
psychological moment.
Yes thank you she answered ca
gerly. That is. I didn't-but the baby
did, ] wouldn't lose that for a good
DEAL she went on hastily. You see
an old beau OF mine sent il TO me
when this little girl was born" poinS
ing TO youngSter about three years
old bank yotr. aga---.
In such manner therefore lost my
81 worth Of jewelry. r ha= seen test
ing the honesty or wOmankind ia san
Francisco for three solid hours. Bus
mark YOU. YOU would stand aghast at
such revelations. in discovering these
eight women with elastic C->nsciences.
I had also discovered dozens and doz-
ems of others with straitlaced no.
lions OF right and wrong-women. who.
confident OF security and with no fear
Of exposure. openly and honestly re-
fused what they knew belonged to an
other During these three hours had
spoken to over q hundred women OF
all types and stations in life. Don't
you think that San Francisco can. with
some degree of justice claim an honest
womankind? Isn't 90 a pretty good
per cent for integrity and truth as
against 3 per cent OF things less
1ovely7
And don't you think that IL d.
ogenes We're TO be set down in the
streets Of San Francisco. he could safe
~ enough discard his guiding candle
and with it cast away perhaps much Of
his cynicism and unhealthy resaimaEu
concerning the human rznAf
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1907-03-10
By Mime. Diogenes

- Me- upon time. years and years
ago so the story runs. a certain
man was seen wandering
through the streets OF Athens.
peerinE into alleys. hesitating at the
crossways looking anxiously Up and
down the streets.
u was htgh noon. and the warm sun
radiafed IT'S beams in an ecstscy OF
light and brightness. In spite OF this.
the man csrried ia his hand a lighted
candle. So feeble its one poor little
flame of light that it was quite en-
veIopcd IN the greater and powerful
Trays Of tho big light in the heavens
Tho mans name was Diogenes, a
cynic and a possimist--prone to do and
say eccentric things. People looked for
anything from Diogenes, from rolling
himself IN hot sand in the summer to
embracing statues covered with snow In
the winter So to men who knew him
his appearance in the Acropolis in broad
daylight. carrying a lighted candle, &C.
casioned no surprise. II was but an
other freak OF the frealish Diogenes.
But there was a stranger in Athens
that day, possessed or an inouisitive
turn OF mind. Otherwise, perhaps. this
story might never have been written.
The original Greek dialogue is missing,
but. courteously enough, the stranger
stopped and asked what Diogenes had
lost, experimenting his inquiry with Of
rers OF assistance
Diogenes Strengthened up He looked
the innocent stranger in the eyes, prob
ably decided that he was from the back
woods OF the Grecisn forests. shook his
head and answered. NO assistance can
aid me in this futile quest What I
search FOR does not exist. Know, kind
sir. that I ON looking for an honest
man.
IAN honest man in Athens ex-
claimed The stranger. "Vain search.
Hopeless task. Wasted timer and
went his way
In me last week the spirit OF Dioge-
mes was reincarnated. lie had searched
the streets OF Athens for an honest
man. 7 would haunt the streets OF San
Francisco for an honest woman. mean
an innately honest woman-one who.
taken unswares, would speak the truth
that was in her without circumvention
or evasion. But how 10 make the test
how TO reach the vindicstion OF wom-
ems honesty I hoped-nay. knsw-was
sure 70 follow.
In my scheme there was no need OF
carrying a bit Of lighted tsllow in my
hand. II would be of no avail. Be
sides in this foolishly advanced day OF
practical hard sense, erratic Ncreatures
with Diogenesian propensities. such as
wandering through the open streets,
carrying their own individual lights
when Gods sun was doing it's best
work, would most likely land some
where IN the vicinity OF the Hall OF
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1907-03-10

waists before n display window.
All three looked quietly at the pin
and l looked quietly at all three. mo.
thank you--it isn't mine said the first
one. decisively. Mo- I 6ont-think
Lits-mine" came from the second, al
most painfully. Regret shone in her
eyes and echoed in her voice. 1 didn't
blame her much. I'd like to have owned
it myself
The third had had time to recover
herself She took the pin slowly from
me. Her hand was shaking as though
suddenly smitten with the palsy. "Oh,
that is my pin" she stammered.
Thank you. I thought 1 had fastened
it more securely" and she was off. But
that woman was not good liar nor
good thief. She was a novice at the
game Of acquiring jewelry under false
pretenses. The quickly yelled eye--the
flaming cheek, spoke rather OF the tyro
than of the artist.
the existence of another soul OF the
female persuasion whose cupidity out
weighed her honesty.
Then I did a thing I regretted al
most Immediately. 1 offered my next
pin to a woman carrying wee baby
in her arms. II found this pin just be-
hind you / said. did you drop it?''
Denial spoke in her eyes-her voice
her first impulse. And
then unfortunately the youngster in
her arms, not yet having reached the
age of knowledge OF good and evil, be-
gan TO coo and goo as babies will at
the sight Of something bright and
shining. The pleading in his voice. the
eager light in his eye. were the STUN
bling blocks to the mothers integrity
.'Oh, yes" she faltered, putting out her
hand. I think IT is mine" She took
the pin. apparently all unconscious of
me hmm ediately. She let the baby fin
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1907-03-10

gers close In Joy over the new play
thing.
You mustn't put 1t in your mouth,
darling" she whispered, as the babe,
after the manner of the lesser angels.
made repeated efforts to defy all laws
of digestion and force the pin, unmas-
ticated. upon a long-suffering stomach.
Simply another case Of utter annihila-
ton of self and principle in the great
mother love. She forgot even to thank
me and / cheerfully forgave her.
The Artist in Black
was still bordering over the demon
stration I had just witnessed when a
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1907-03-10

she was the type or woman man
frankly turns to stare at, and while
his eyes are turned in one direction and
his feet in another, bumps into some
less attractive woman. She was also
the type of woman all other women
pretend not to see as they meet her
face to face, but on passing her mime
diately run to some shop window
where, under pretense OF looking at its
contents, they steal SUBSCRIPTIONS
glances at the other woman.
This particular woman was good
looking, well gowned and of course
well groomed. She was in black from
the top of her smart tailor hat to the
tip end of her equally smart tailor
to OFFER her my pin! She probably had
more such trinkets than she could
make use OF a1ready-but--I could not
resist. The fever was upon me.
did you drop this pin2" I asked. Il
found it just behind YOU There was
lust a fraction of a second wherein we
looked at one another. Then she ex-
tended a well-sloved hand and bowed.
.toh. yes" she drawled, in an unmis-
takabIy English accent. Thank you
so much / drop that pin continually.
1t has such a poor clasp Some day
I'll lose it and not be so fortunate as
to have it returned. I must send it to
my jeweler.' And she was gone. So
also was my capacity for thinking RAJ
tionaIly for the time being. Smooth,
suaye, apparently genteel-my lady in
black was an artist. May she have
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1907-03-10

unsuaroeu moment wnen ner back val
turned | slipped into shop having
one entrance on the aVenue-anotheI
on California street. 1t succeeded and
I saw no more that day of the girl In
rod
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1907-03-10

O . : q: g: G.: -: :: 81: 81: q:
through the streets OF Athens.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1907-06-07
OBITUARY.

Mr. Peter Bass of Give, Iowa,
died at his home last Tuesday
morning He had been sick for
a long time but seemed to be i'm
proving, when the end of a long
and useful life came peaceful.
He was born in Ohio 50 years
ago, moved to Indiana, then to
Illinois, then to Fayette county
Iowa, and about is years ago to
our county where he has lived on
his farm. He owns some good
valuable real estate and a home
in Give Iowa. His wife died
only a few months ago; thus this
happy couple had lived together
for many years. He was highly
esteemed by all who knew him
as was testified by all his white
neighbors who attended the fun
eral. Rev. H. W. Porter preach
ed the funeral. Mr., Bass was a
member of the United Brethren
church and was good citizen
and neighbor. He leaves three
children, Chester, Miss Mabel
and Mrs. John w. Jackson.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1907-06-07
CLINTON HAPPENINGS.

Many words of praise we're said Of
the "Bystander's' large edition, which
was issued short time ago.
Mrs j. H. Sayles and little grand
daughter Josephine have returned from
q pleasant two weeks visit in ST. Paul.
Mesdames NJ. % Culberson and Hol.
land Williams are at home after being
in attendance at the Federation of the.
Women's Clubs Convention held re-
Gently in Keokuk, the former was re-
elected President Of the Federation the,
later attended the Convention as the
delegate OF the club in this city. EMS
Another one Of the girls OF our race
will bid adieu this week to her Alma
Mater, in The person Of Miss Murda
Beason who will graduate Thursday
night with the class Of 1907 from the
Clinton High School.
Mrs. Holland Williams will leave
next week for visit with friends in
Kansas City, Mo.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1907-06-07

At the meeting Of the Des Moines
Negro Lyceum Association at the resi-
dence Of Misses Bessie and Anna Reev-
es Tuesday evening it was decided to
hold banquet at the residence Of Mr.
and Mrs. H. w. Hughes l426 y est
Twenty sixth street Tuesday the 18th.
in honor Of the High School and Col
5lsge graduates of ths cIassof 1907.
Miss Jessie Walker of Marshalltown,
Mrs. Hnttie Hutchinson Of Highland
Park College and Miss Pearl Hammitt
were present and addressed the Lyceum
The next meeting will be held with Miss
Estella Wilburn at 1850 East Lyon St.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1907-06-07

We acknowledge bulletin No. IL
on the Health and Physique of the Me-
gro American A social study made
under the direction of Atlanta Univer-
sity BY the Eleventh Atlanta Confer
.ence May 10Th 1906 to study the Ne.
gro Problem, edited by W. E Bughardt
Du Bois who is corresponding Secre-
tary Of the conference, is is very fire
from scientific point, and the sub
jects matter analytical arranged with
tables statistics from the United Stat
es Census and Life Insurance Compan-
les Price is Is cents, all lovers Of
Psychology should read it.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1907-06-07

These papers were 10th we'll delivere,
and fully discussed. In the Afternoon
the election Of officers was held will
the following results:
resident Mrr. Gertrude Culberson
Clinton. !.
First vice president--M Miss Kittie E
Owens, Keokuk.
Second vice president-- Miss Jessie
Walker, Marshalltown.
Recording secretary-Mrs. Cyrene
Trent. Burlington.
Corresponding secretary Mrs. Leh
lia ShefGey. Taylor, Buxton.
Treasurer Mrs Phoebe Cook, Bux
ton.
State organizer-Mr Mrs. Emma Gard.
ner, Ottumwa.
Chairman Social Purity committee
Mrs. C. B. Lewis, Davenport,
Chairman Educational committee
Mrs w. n. Reeves, Buxton.
Arts and Cratts-Mrs, Geo. Wells,
Des Moines.
Mother and Child Study Mrs. A.
Boyd, Cedar Rapids.
Rescue committee-Mrs, Cora Jones,
Oskaloosa.
Household Economics-Mrs Helena
Downey, Ottumwa.
Music-Mrs, Alice Thompson, Mus
catine.
Forestry Mrs. Anna Dodd-Smitb,
OttuHwa.
Philanthropic committee Mrs. Le-
nora Shepherd.
Federation also voted to establish q
state paper, know as 'Iows Co ored
Women's Club News" to be published
1t Des Moines monthly, and elected
Mrs. 8. Joe Brown of Des Moines edi-
tor of said paper. The first issue is t
which is expected to appear on or
about July lst.
Next session of the Federation to be
held in Buxton on the 4th Tuesday ia
May, 1908.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1907-06-07

extent will we contribute to this
splendid galaxy of the commercial
and business world? Is it not the
most opportune moment to place
ourselves favorable before those Of
the more distant parts, who are soon
to become our guests?
1t will be splendid opportunity
for the North, South, East and
West, to touch the cord of common
brotherhood and for three days
drink from the same fouatain that
will be filed with the lessons of
economy, thrift and industry. There
has never been time in the history
of this republic when there was a
greater necessity for common un-
derstanding;, an understanding as to
the best methods of making a life
worth living. OF making life, not
only commendable to ourselves or
ones own country, but to the world.
The program for this session will
be ripe with seed thoughts, thoughts
which when once dropped, will take
root and send forth q huadred fold.
The benefits to be derived from this
meeting, especially to the west, is
incalculble. The opportunity will
not, unless we begin at once to look,
be seen until it is past.
To the end, therefore, that we in
west, especially, may be able to
grasp and ho d all the benefits that
are to be derived from the meeting,
it is urged that in each conmunity,
Getty and country alike that Leag ues
Business mems Leagues be organ.
'zed and delegates elected at once
to attend this meeting, and all busi
ness men and women put forth every
possible method to be in attendance
and hear the program.
The committee on transportation
is assured of arate Of not over ~
fare for the round trip for the bene-
itof those who may avail them
selves Of the opportunity.
Topeka most heartily extends to
all, her warmest and best right hand
The necessary committees have
been appointed and ample accom-
modations for ali will be provided
most hearty reception will be ex-l
tended.
Further information will be given
by addressing Ira o. Guy, Ist. Vice
President, National Negro Business
League, at 3II West I4th street,
Topeka, Kansas.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1907-06-07

B. q Z q - HH ~ E = . " = 81
Mr.. Prince Walker one of our highly
esteemed young men who was borned
and raised in the city, went to Omaha,
Nebr., two weeks ago to work at his
trade brick layer and met with very
narrow escape from being killed by
parties who robbed him. 1tseems that
he was doped and placed I'M freight
car which was bound for Helena Mont.
and for two days and night he was un-
conscious; arriving in Helena he was
discovered by railroad men and taken
to the hospital where he recovered.
He IS an honest hard working young
man having wife and one child in our
city.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1907-06-07
The National Negro Business
League Will Hold Its 9th
Annual Session in
Topeka. Kansas
Aug. 14-l6.

The National Negro Business
League of which Booker T. Wash
ington is President, will hold its 9th
Annual session in Topeka, Kansas,
this year; the dates having been fix
ed for Aug. 18th, 15th and 10th.
1t is the first time in the history
of the organization, that it has seen
fit to hold session so far west as
Kansas.
This League, as is generally
known, is composed of many Of the
best. most influential and industri.
Gus men and women of the race,
and we may say in large measure,
represents the wealth, business acu-
men and intelligence of the race.
And when we say intelligence, we
do not mean to confine the terms to
literary attainments, but we mean
that class of men and women who
do things, who accomplish some
thing for themselves, and are a liv-
ing and practical example to the
commercial and business world, that
could well be emulated, Men and
women Of every livlihood are repre-.
sented in the great concourse of in.
dustry that is soon to invade, for
the first time, the broad and invit
ing plains of historic Kansas.
What will the West do? To what
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1907-06-07
Iowa State Federation
Of cOloIeQ Women.

The fifth annual session OF the lows
State Federation OF Colored Women,
Clubs met in Keokuk Monday Of last
week and opened with the Purity
meeting at p. M; Mrs Gertrude D,
Culberson Of Clinton, president Of the
Federation presiding. Addresses were
made by Mesddmes G. B. Lewis Of
Davenport; Cyrene Trent Of Burling-
ton; Helena Downey and M L. Batch.
elor OF Ottumws; S. Joe Brown and Il.
b, Elliston Of Des Moines; Lealia Shelly
Taylor OF Buxton and Miss Clara Lowe.
The evening session Ms. Helena
Downey, first president Of the Fedora
tion, delivered an interesting address
on "Our Girls" in which she referred
to many instances in which Negro girls
and women have achieved success in
almost every walk of life.
First regular business session held
Tuesday morning at the A M E.
church. Delegates were enrolled and
reports received as follows;
Cedar Rapids. Silome Yates club;
Mrs. Romelia Downing. delegate.
Musca tine-Paul L. Dunbar club;
Mrs. Francis Walker, delegate.
Blu .lingtor-Womeu's Loyal Union
club; Mrs Cora Parker and Mrs. Cyrepe
Trent, delegates
Social Improvement club; Mrs. Eliza
beth Mitchell, delegate
Marshalltown- Dunbar Progressive
CLUB; Miss Jessie e. Walker, delegate.
Clinton Woman's Loyal club; Mrs.
II. Williams, delegate
Keokuk-C Cleve Circle club; MRS.
Lea y Coins.
Keokuk-F. Ellen Harper club; Miss
Kittie Owens and Miss Clara Lowe,
delegates
Observation-Disclosures club; Mrs. Cordia
Allen and Mrs. P. A. Reeves, delegates
Bnxton--F. B. Williams club, Mrs,
w h. Reeves, Mrs. Bertha Washing
ton and Mrs. J. W. Smith, delegates.
Buxton-Self-Cultu club; Mrs. Bell
Watkins and Mrs. Hannah Hale, dele.
gates.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1907-06-07
Des Moines Edition Comments

We present our readers with few
of the many hearty congratulations we
have been receiving We cannot re-
produce the many telephone and verbal
expression, they are too numerous.
The Des Moines Edition of the ssBy-
stander" was . great issue. The paper
is credit to your race, and has good
man behind it.
Reporter for Register & Leader.
Your Des Moines Edition was good
issue and will be Of great help to
Greater Des Moines. ,.
Chase & West Furniture Co.
Marshslltown, Iows, May 26-Mr. J.
L. Thompson, editor Of the lows State
Bystander. Dear Sir: You are to be
congratulated on the issue OF the ny
SANDER just published in setting forth
the merits Of 50 great . city as Des
Moines; also presenting to the public
the cuts of men Of such sterling quali-
ties and ability whom the race shosld
be justly proud.
Yours for success.
I. Z. Brown.
Sioux City, Iowa, May s7.-Mr. ]. Z.
Thompron, editor Of the Iowa State
Bystander. Dear Sir: Permit me to
congratulate you on your splendid eff
fort in giving to your readers the
superb issue Of last week. called the
= Des Aoines Edition." The press
recognition of men who are to mould
the destiny Of Negroes OF Iowa, is an
incentive to al possess the spirit
Of true progress The high standing
OF your Des Moines. leaders in business
and professional life will no doubt in
spire national comment. As former
editor OF the :. Afro American Advance
Of Minneapolis, MINI I scDgrstulata
you on your pluck and perseverance,
Yours for racial advancement.
Rev. J. G. Reid.
The special edition of the Bystander.
Des Moines, Iowa, Friday, May oath,
reflects much credit on Editor Thomp-
son and his able assistants; 1t was illus
trated with cuts and interesting
sketches of many Of the most promi-
nent Afro American men ana women
residing in that interesting city and
on the hold it reached the top notch
in Negro journalism.-The Broad AK,
Chicago
Denver, Colo.-Publishers of the By
stande,: Your issue OF the Gath was q
Try crsditable one.
Yours,
j. H. Doniphan.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1907-06-07

The M. C. T. club met at Miss VIM
ME Blair on Second street Wednesday
the 5th, after the general routine Of
business, dainty refreshments were
served. The club adjourned to meet
at the home Of Miss Mary Montague
Monday evening with programme as
follow: Quotation, Goldsmith; Biog-
raphy Of Goldsmith, Mrs. H. w Hugh
es; Reading, Mrs. Chas. Turner; Paper
on Original Idea to Improve the club,
Mrs. NJ. L. Mackay followed BY gener-
al discussions Journal Miss Marie Bell.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1907-06-07

Des Moines-Callanan club; Mrs. Ger :
Wells and Mrs. E. b. Elllston, dele
gates
Des Moines Cosmopolitan club; Miss
Tibatha Mash, deles ate.
Des M,ines-H. B S. club; Mrs. L.
R. Palmer. delegate
Des Moihes- intellectual Improve
ment club; Mrs. s Joe Brown, Mrs. j.
II Woods and Mrs. ]. R. Erickson,
delegates. W.
Household Observation-Disclosures Dow
ney.
Mothers Child study-Mrs J. R,
Erickson. .a II
Music ic-Alice Thompson.
Arts and Crafts Mrs. Hughes.
Philanthropic-Lso Wells Shep.
ard.
Delegates Benevolent club, Ottum-
wa-Mrs. Mary +. Cheshire, Mrs. En-.
ma s. Gardner.
Ottumwa-I. B. Wells club; Mrs. @.
B. Taylor and Mrs Anna Smith, dele.
gates.
Ottumwa-Good Intent club; Mrs. M,
L. Bachelor and Mrs. Amy Jenkins,
delegates.
DAvenport-Elizabeth Lindsay Davis
club; Mrs. Lenora Sheppard, delegate.
Davenport Violet club; Mrs. e. ].
Saunders, delegate.
Davenport-Tou y overture club;
Mrs @. b. Lewis.
Mrs. w. a. Reeves Of Buxton read
an excellent paper on Power oi Press
Rev. r. w. Lewis II Keolsuk, Rev. y
Mcdowell, Rev, Roberts of Burling
ton, Mrs. w. II. Jones OF .Keokuk, Dr..
Sumner Taylor of Buxton and Mrs. N
j Dove were introduced and made
short addresses. sls.
On Tuesday evening y brilliant re
ception was rendered the delegates Al
the a. M. e. church, at W which time tht
president delivered her an nnal address
which contained helpful information
and wholesome advice, and was hearti.
" received by all present. 5s
Wednesday morning session. Gree,
ing were received from Mrs. Belle
Graves Of st. Paul, former president oi
State. Mrs. Emma Gordon Of Otium
wa read Q paper entitled Social Puri
ty Cardinal Virtue Mrs Cora Parker
Of Burlington read q paper on Criticism