davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-03-29

For Rent-Modern house in good
location. v. j.. care T.-R.
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-03-29

Wanted - Girls wanted at the Pal
ace Laundry.
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-03-29

Wanted - Work on farm or raking
yards or gardening. John A. Hess, box
4OS. Iowa Soldiers Home.
The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-01-27

is the best hereabouts and there's no
chance to buy decent food. Put some
! tables out under the trees. Put in a
stock of sirups and tank of soda
| Add some ice cream and cake--and
keep everything just as homelike as
you can
| Gertrude clapped her hands Well
| do it, mother" she cried. Cant you
see what he means? Thank you, SO
| much, for your suggestion.
! Look here he said. That old
stump by the gate is no use is it?''
| Were going to have it pulled
when Hiram gets the time" said
Mira, apologetical1y. We've been
meaning TO do it ever since the light
ming struck it,"
Don't do it," her patron almost
shouted. 1--WE got bully idea. Let
me be the godfather of the place and
| I'll make a sign out of the tree for
christening present.
He was back again early the next
mornig. He smiled appreciative1y
, as he saw salt dozen small tables
scattered about under the trees. The
grass had been moved and the place
looked fresh and inviting.
Under his direction man he had
brought with him began to hack at
the tree.
An auto party came up just then
and took possession of one of the
tables. Gertrude went off to walt on
them and by the time they had taken
their departure the wood carver had
completed his task.
The old stump, denuded of its
bark, stood splintered and torn but
with a smooth oval on it's face.
THAT doesn't seem to be any
thing" said Gertrude, as she regard
ed hts work.
''It will be a work of art before /
get through with It," he explained,
'tor my name isn't Earnest Paynter.
"Is tit" are you really Mr.. Payn-
ter, the artist?'' she asked, finding
that fact of greater interest than the
sign.
The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-01-27
E4GNAgYNA
Et86GR

waiting list.
| BY the time the motoring season
closed and there were only occasional
calls for hot coffee and sandwiches,
Mrs. Caldwell was glad of the rest.
| Long before most of the hard work
had been delegated TO hired girls and
she had contented herself with run
ming the kitchen. in which a new
| range had been established. but these
| now there was enough 10 keep Ger
trude busy. SO there was a new teach
err at Mink's Crossing.
We don't have TO worry about
the mortgage" laughed Gertrude.
That's paid on and there's plenty
in the bank.
And to think your pa claims that
the fountain was mascot shifted
Mira. That Earnest Paynter was
the real mascot"
He was wonderfully good" said
Mira, softly, as she moved the ladder
over to the chandelier.
That's what he was" was tho
emphatic response Gertrude, when
you get married, want you to marry
a man like Earnest Paynter."
Yes. ma'am," Gertrude answered
dutifully.
II made my mistake when | mar
ried Hiram" ran on Mira. II want
to see you married right. Why. I
remember
Her Renaissance was cut short by
a cry from Gertrude. Ernest enter
ing the room had caught her on the
ladder and was holding her securely
in his arms.
81 didn't mean to eavesdrop." he
said. laughing as he faced Mrs.
Caldwell, his arm still about the
girl" But since you and are agreed
as to the man she ought to marry.
suppose we hear what Gertrude has
to say"
Mira did not hear 0ertrudc's re-
ply, but: she needed no verbal assur-
ance.
The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-01-27

go to bed soon, and be ready for the
extra work I'll have to do tomorrow
She avoided Jimmy as well as she
! could-the Jimmy who was begin
ming to be so important to her. When
he asked to bring her home, however
she had not the heart to refuse him.
Their voices woke her uncle up
and with a shy delight he peeped out
the window at the two figures stand
ing in the moonlight-the girl small
and fair, the boy dark haired and
tall, bending eagerly down to her.
Suddenly the words they were speak
ing arrested his attention.
YES" said the girl, in answer to
some question the boy was repeating
to her, "of course I like you, but
don't want can't, / won't talk
about 1t, and-and l think you'd bet
ter not come with me any more,
either"
Then she gasped. Jimmy, don't
look like that!" she added desperate
1y. The boy Strengthened his should
ers. and moved little bit away from
her.
II won't STOP he said, shortly. 81
never cared for any girl before. and
do love you, and l mean to have
you for my wife. You said you liked
me-" he ended timidly, and turned
toward her with a sudden impulsive
appeal.
The girl answered him sadly, but
SO clearly that her words were plain
to the listener in the window as we'll
as to the boy beside her.
II do like you, but you must not
care for me. Not because I don t
want you to, but because / ought not
to let you. You're strong and brave
and good, / know it. And 1 won't
marry anybody else, though there
might be someone Uncle Jimmy would
like better. Bob, I'll be crying in a
minute. l wouldn't hurt you for the
world, but / must can't help it.
There isn't anything
Has your uncle any objections to
The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-01-27

become morbid1y sensitive. and had
learned to dread people larger than
he.
And now-now the advantage
which the rest of the world had had
| over him was set at naught. A girl
| had just refused a man she loved, and
| for his sake, because that other was
too tall.
He meant to bring the boy back,
of course, but their happiness would
be his doing.
He was master of his own destiny
and of theirs. He did not think It
out, but just let his great Joy possess
him as 1t would.
Then, even while he was exulting,
he heard on the stairs soft footsteps,
stumbling, and low sob as his niece
gained her own room.
The heart in him trembling he
turned from the window. my poor,
poor little grill" he whispered. Crop
ing mechanically around his room
for his clothes. ITO think of my be-
ing 50 mean, and frightening my
child so. To think OF her giving up
her whole life to my foolish notions!
Lord forgive my selfishness, and Lord
forgive me for letting her see 1t. The
boy must come back here right away,
and I'll tell them that l won't for the
world keep them apart"
At five o'clock the next morning
Jimmy came up the path to his home.
hagard-eyed from a nights wander
ing. Il ought to have gone home
and to bed" he thought, half ashamed
OF himself, but / couldn't have slept.
Hello. who's this?"
There was little gray haired, gray
whiskered man huddled in an arm
chair on the porch, his head in his
hand, as IL asleep. His shoulders
were bowed, his face was thin and
wrinkled. The hand that hung idly
at his side, although toil-worn, was
pathetically thin and weak looking.
Jimmy stood still, and at that mo-
ment the little man awoke, with
The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-01-27

\ so ridiculous purchase as a soda
1 fountain, but he never acquired any
| thing worth while. He bought cheaI
! for the love of buying, things SO old
or useless that no one else would
bid.
| Were it not for the little shoI
| that Mrs. Caldwell kept in the front
room for the benefit of the neighbors
| the mortgage would have been fore
closed years ago. AS it was, she
kept up the interest with the meagre
profits of the little store and the egg
and butter money.
This and some of the grocery mon
ey had gone into this ugly, useless
fountain. In the destinations for the
sale all else was forgotten.
The next morning Hiram hailed a
passing acquaintance and together
they installed the fountain behind
the tiny counter that had once been
part of McQuiston's store before the
sheriff had seized the goods.
1t was several weeks before Mrs.
Caldwell was satisfied, but at last
she had to admit that the cleaning
marble with it's POLISHED spigots gave
tone" to the place.
When the days grew warm the ice
box was filled, and lemon soda and
home made birch and ginger beer
were dispensed to the youngsters of
the neighborhood.
Then came day when one of the
big red automobiles that went flash
ing down the road on the way to the
falls stopped in front of the yard.
A leathern clad man tramped UP the
gravel walk and returned to the car
with three glasses of birch beer.
When he came back with the emp
ty glasses he drained two more him
self and threw down quarter.
You ought to have a bigger
sign" he said, as he set down his
glass. II barely made out the place
myself"
II guess I WILL" said Mira as she
laid down 1 cents.
That's worth five cents a glass;"
The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-01-27

will draw a paper and read number.
Then you will look up from your
book and he will. say THE lucky
number is held by Mr.. Philip Gray.
Then I'll get after it, and-well, let
us hope"
Eugenia smiled as she made note of
the numbers and tripped out, leaving
the dingy little office dingier than
ever.
Gray went back to his desk and
tried to complete his brief, but it was
no use. What interest had the dry
facts of law for him when Eugenia
had been there?
1t was seven days before the fair
opened, and another week before the
drawings were held. Gray's promise
was wrong, for the numbers were
drawn from the wheel by Eugenia' s
dimpled hand. The minister simply
stood on the platform and supervised
the drawing.
Eugenia flashed a smile at him as
the drawing for the ring was an
its revolution and came TO a stop.
Eugenia thrust her hand into the in
terror and drew out a slip.
Number nine.' announced the
ministers, taking up one of the books
That chance, / perceive, is held by
Mrs. Foster. Will Mrs. Foster come
forward?''
Mrs. Foster did come forward, all
in fiutter over her good fortune So
excited was she that only Gray from
his place near the platform, watched
Eugenia- The smile had fled from
her face and tears sparkled in her
eyes.
The rest Of the drawing passed OF
The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-01-27

me p the boy interrupted, stiffening
mo, oh no." she began to sob soft
ly. But 1t is for his sake that
ought not to-Jimmy, don't ask me
anything and go, please."
"I'll go as soon as you tell me why
you are sending me away for good, >
he said.
She looked up at him. He was
almost six feet tall, graceful and
handsome in clean boyish way
She leaned toward him a little.
You're splendid." she said. II
wouldn't have you different for the
world. I shouldn't like you so we'll
If you weren't just what you are. You
won't tell it to anyone. will you,
Jimmy? It-you cant help it, of
course, and it sounds foolish, but 1t
is because you're too tall. Uncle Bob
is 80 little, and tall person fright
ems him. He-he sent off the best
hand he's had for years just because
of that. Do you think you can for
give me?'
The boy looked at her In silence
for a minute or two. Then, Yes,
reckon So" he said in dull tone.
"And-good-by, Nell.
He put his arms suddenly around
her and bending, laid his face upon
the little bent head. Then he strobe
off and Nell, with sob, ran into the
house.
The old man in the window up
stairs stood dazed. He had just heard
a girl dismiss her sweetheart. And 1t
was his girl which, of course. was
sad. But he was not thinking of
that now. He was thinking of what
1T meant to himself, and great joy
possessed him.
Once, many years ago, a girl had
dismissed him, too, and that because
she preferred another man-.'he's so
much taller and stronger, and / can't
help loving him she had ex-
planned.
1t had broken up his life, and in
the retirement he sought, he had
The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-01-27

quickly, and Gray pressed forward to
meet the girl as she descended from
the platform.
Better luck next time,' he
laughed. Twenty chances in 1000
was too small a margin"
II think it is horrid,'' said the girl,
softly, her eyes filling again.
Lets go and get some supper and
console ourselves" he laughed. BE
ing mascot with the chances 20 to
1000 is too heavy job for one little
woman. It's all for charity, any
how
Eugenia seemed to take the matter
SO much to heart that Gray had a
hard time winning her back to her
usual good spirits. But as they start
ed for her home the sight of Mrs.
Foster just ahead seemed to depress
her again.
II just hate that woman" she said,
passionately, as they passed her and
the exuberant winner made some
laughing remark about her luck. Il
suppose l shouldn't. though. That's
what | get for trying to cheat"
.Cheat?' he echoed. How is
that?''
You see." she explained, avertins
her head. Il wanted to see you win
the prize. When / go the numbers
ready l kept out No. s, and when 1t
came time to draw for the ring l
held that in my hand when I drew
the number
And you dropped it as you put
YOUR hand in" he laughed. Some
how Eugenia's offence did not seem
very enormous
No." she explained. That was
the horrid part. You see, was 20
The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-01-27
$500

violent start. He shrank ON seeing
the tall figure above him. Then, a
he remembered his errand, his eyes
frightened and he stood up.
You're Jimmy, amt your" he
asked. II been waitin' for you since
the middle OF the night. went look
In for you down here thinkin' II you
was In the house I could catch you
when you come out without seein'
anybody else. l want you to come
right back to my girl, and flx IL ND
between you. VIII you come now,
or as soon as you CAM
Jimmy paled. then flushed, and Joy
brought great sob from his strong
chest
do you think you can stand me.
sir?" he asked timidly.
The little man lost his dread, sud-
denly. and laid hand ON the boys
arm.
you'll take good care Of my girl
for me" he said gently. I've brought
her first heartache on her, and God
willing, we will work together to
keep 1t the last"
The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-01-27

| he said. You'll never make money
at two cents a glass. You'd better
raise wour price and begin with me.
| He pushed the money back TO her
and, with a courteous doffing of his
cap, he was off.
Mira was slow of thought but quick
| in action. When the auto sped down
the road on it's way back to the city,
huge sign decorated the fence.
Mira had sacrificed one of her scam
ty store of sheets, but already she
had sold 20 glasses of soda at net
l-profit of 80 cents.
Her visitor of the morning drew
up again. MY sisters enjoyed the
soda so much that we want more,
he said with smile. Il see you have
the sign out"
Made it with stove backing said
Mira proudly. II didn't have any
paint
ct does first rate he declared.
Had any result?"
This makes a dollar,sixty," said
Mira That's more than I take in
usually in a week. =
Advertising Is the secret OF sue
cess he pronounced. Keep 1t up
and you'll be needing some assistants
soon.''
1t was several days before that par
ticular auto stopped in front of the
weather-beaten gate. This time the
driver was alone. He drank a glass
of ginger ale and asked for a sand
wich.
This was a new demand, but there
was part of chicken left from Sun
day and presently Gertrude came in
with a dainty sandwich that brought
fresh praise from the visitor.
You'll have to make new sign,
he said as he set down the empty
plate. with homemade bread, fresh
butter and chicken that never heard
of the beef trust, you've an article
that can't be beaten. Look here"
he added, why don't you start a
real inn. There are hundreds OF
autos in town. The road to the falls
The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-01-27

fitting across the landscape so fast
that 1t looked like n streak on the
scenery. The speed of the ostrich
would have made bolt of lightning
seem to be . torch light procession
on waiting orders and the record of
all racing automobiles was reduced
a decimal point.
As the gator buried his head un-
der the Shiny mud of the bayou to
wait for quiet to be restored, he re-
marked to himself:
1T lie true that beautiful flowers
have not grown on my rfnd, that I
do not raise feathers or other spinach
on the hills or In the valleys OF my
harveyized armor plate covering. but
ii Is equally true that my wearing
apparel will never adorn an Easter
bonnet. 1t fs we'll
Moral: Alligator skins are made
into purses, satchels. etc.
The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-01-27
$3.50
- THINK I'll stir up some bat
- ter cakes for supper" said
Nell Latta, smiling gaily to


herself.
"She gets prettier every day OF her
life," thought her Uncle Bob, stop
ping to look at her as he passed the
open door of the kitchen.
Nell had put on a clean starched
dress, and as she stepped from cup
board to table and from table to
stove, the swing of her slim body
and the smile OF her red mouth
seemed happier than usual.
At last the old man spoke to her.
"Nell,' he said, there will be just
me and you for supper. I told Jesse
Thomas didn't want him any more"
The girl turned to him in surprise.
mot want him any more, Why?
/ thought you said he was the best
hand you'd had this two years." she
said slowly.
Eyes, he is that" said her uncle.
Then with a mild petulance in HIS
manner, THAT amt what's the mat
ter with him though. He's too tall.
i can't abide such big thing around
me. Makes me feel ought to clear
off my own premises
He smiled little as he spoke, as
If he knew that his motion was more
or less foolish, then hurried of prom
Using to wash off in time for supper.
TOO tall" said the girl to herself.
Jesse Thomas too tall,'' Her face
had grown suddenly grave and her
movements slow. 20 course Uncle
Bob's little," she thought, land so shy
that he can't stand many people. /
know he never did like folks to be
too big but to send away man at
this time of year, for any such rea-
SOM"
Then suddenly she stopped in her
work, and dropped weakly into a
chair.
why, I never thought. Jimmy's
tall. / believe he's taller than Jesse
The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-01-27
THE ALLIGATOR
AND THE OSTRICH.
A FABLE.

An ostrich one day encountered an
alligator that was summing himself
by the side of a stream
MY" said the ostrich. "but you
are a homely beast. The worst /
ever saw. Really, that corrugated
iron roof that shelters your carcass
would not be accepted as a fitting
top for the stable of an Old Maids
Home 1t is pity that you have not
some of the plumes that l possess,
and which are of rare beauty and
great financial value"
just then a hunter appeared and
within twelve seconds the ostrich was
The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-01-27

Il know it," said Eugenia, softly
but you were SO slow 20 tell me that
thought-perhaps- might ac-
cept the omen. l didn't care any
thing about the old ring"
You shall have the ring, or al
least ring" he promised, as he pos
sessed himself of her hand. II never
dreamed that you cared. 1t seems
almost too good to be true"
I'm glad now that I didn't have
chance to Cheat she said. 1T
wasn't cheating, was IL? %
1T wasn't cheating" he assured,
land I'm glad about the ring, too 1t
wasn't half good enough for the best
little girl in the world and he bent
and kissed her, to the great embar-
rassment Of black cat, two dogs and
a policeman.
The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-01-27
RAY looked up with a smile as
" Eugenia entered the office.
What kindly fate brings

Eugenia entered the office.
What kindly fate brings
you here?" he demanded, as
he rose to receive her.
Charity" she smiled back you
know, our fair is next week"
las though / have not been saving
since the last event" he announced,
with mock seriousness. 81 am a will
ing victim. How much are the tick
ets?"
I'm not selling tickets" she ex-
planned It's chances on a ring-a
diamond ring"
Now, that's odd he unused aloud.
There is only one thing in i he
world l should rather have than
chances on diamond ring
Whats that?'' she asked quickly.
"I've got chances for an automobile
and a gold watch and a cornet. Is it
any one of those?"
Its none of those" he explained.
Its some one to give the ring to
one particular some one"
I'm afraid that / can't sell chances
on that she said. do you want
some chances on the ring?''
Gray drew out a SIS bill. Put
that on the ring" he said. We'll
leave the rest to-chance.'
That's twenty chances" explained
Eugenia. shall / pick out the num-
bers for your"
If you will be so good,'' he as
sented. mo, don't tell me what they
are; l want to be left in doubt until
the very last moment. | suppose the
minister will do the drawing and
pick the number out Of the hat. He
The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-01-27
M|1lzA
~ ITH a whoop the Caldwell
NV children rushed out to greet
/" their father, and Mrs.

"
NV children rushed out to greet
!" their father, and Mrs.
Caldwell hurried after
them to head off any raids on the
green bob sled.
Get everything, father?" she
called, as she peered out OF the storm
door.
Get a plenty" he called back,
with an attempt at hearttiness that
caused her to glance quickly at the
sled. She had heard those half APP
ologetic tones before and knew what
they meant.
Back in the sled, covered by a
blanket, was a square package. 1t
was not the right shape for cracker
boxes nor tall enough for barrel.
She drove the children into the
house and shrouding her head in an
old wool fascinator she followed out
to the barn, where Hiram was al
ready unhitching the tired team.
She made straight for the sled
and threw aside the blanket, dfsc1os-
ing small soda fountain.
What did you pay for this?" she
demanded, indicating the square of
stained marble with it's furnished
spigots.
Six dollars and thirty cents" he
said, the red surging into his face.
1.-THE man said the metal Is worth
VDore'n that"
Then you didn't have anything
eeft for the presents?" she asked. re-
proachfully. 20, Hiram! And after
you promised
But look here" he argued. There's
bound to be another store set up.
Maybe they'll want fountain and
can sell this at big profit.
There was no use in arguing. Ev-
er since they had been married she
had tried to persuade Hiram to stop
buying things at auction, but 1t was
a passion with him as II had been
with his father before him.
He had never before made quite
The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-01-27
IN GEORGES DAY.

The present incumbent Of tho
presidential chair. with his we'll
known aversion to being taken" on
any and every occasion. may some
times have thought obviously Of tho
first head Of the nation, as one spared
that affection. But what Of evidence
like this:
Miss Purdy, visiting Washington
with her party. had run away by her
self for a few hours at Mount YER
non. Having secured the pictures
that she particularly wanted, she was
strolling through the rooms.
Lingering in the library she ex-
ercised her historic Imagination In
repeopling the place with stately
guests Of Martha Washington's. Put
ting her kodak down on the table she
ran to the window-fancying that
"the general was now riding up
with, say, Alexander Hamilton.
Il never would have believed it,
William"
Miss Purdy turned quickly. She
was no longer alone In the room.
There, by the table stood an old gem
tleman and a quaint little lady, gar
ing in wonder at-the kodak.
If hadn't seen 1t with my own
eyes right herei" the little old lady
was saying, her eyes shining. IVY.
you could Just knock me down with
feather Id . been most sure
photography wasn't known In
Georges day."
The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-01-27

At performance Of an amateur
dramtic club an amusing incident oc-
Cured through the nervousness Of
one Of the performers. It was the
first performance Of the amateur, and
in the course Of the play q very fine
band of music was a leading feature.
and on every side nothing but praise
and fiattery OF the music was to be
heard.
In the third act the nervous young
amateur. who was playing a minor
part, was to rush on the stage while
the band was playing Its sweetest
and cry:
stop the music; the king Is dead"
The critical moment came, and the
excited, highly-strung amateur rush
ed In.
stop the music!" he cried. ut
has killed the king!"