davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-02

to her daughter meant anything. Mennt
nnything They only meant the whole
amount of pure and unsclhsh love that
I'm capable OF feeling-but could
not say that cou'd not ask her to
allow her daughter to marry me
could I? You know something of what
my life has been these last few years.
Why, I've hardly decent friend in
che world save yourself, and there
Is not single woman OF my &C.
quaintance whom / could bear to see
in the same room with her.
Even II 1 could afford to marry.
what sort of husband should mako
to q sweet child like that? 1t is ter
ribly true saying that one can't touch
mud without some of 1t sticking, and
have dabbled too freely In the mire
to escape being besmlrchcd.
So I'm going away. For once in my
life shall have the satisfaction OF
knowing that I'm doing the straight
thing. l like to think that my deyo-
tion to her has klndied within me
spark of something less base, some-
thing that my utterly selfish passions
have not altogether consumed. 1t is
but mere flicker. though; It will need
much tanning to glow with steady
flame.
have just arrived.
saw her once again and taid good
by quite jestingly and spoke lightly
OF our next meeting. God knows what
1t cost me to do so. There were tears
in her cys. Philippians because was
leaving her.
1t was hard then, but Z did not give
way. She saw me last with a smile
on my lips; no doubt she thinks Two
heart OF stone. But it might make
her more unhappy to think that
cared.
have not prayed for a score OF
years. but / think there was some
thing like a prayer In my heart as l
drove away. A vague and shadowy
petition on her behalf, to the Giyer of
all good things. l don't suppose
shall ever see her again.
Well, I'm OFF to Ceyion. My boat
sails In an hour. Good-by, old friend.
God bless you! a. -.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-02
mentary conversation with the gar

mentary conversation with the gar
dener.
So that is what I am doing in San
Stefano. queer sort OF life for such
one as I. but after all one must
pass ones time somewhere.
Such strange thing, Philip. AS 1
wrote the foregoing sentence Glanced
to raise my eyes from my writing pad
and there before me stood the sweet
est and dantiest Of maidens, bearing
in her arms n glarious burden of
banxia roses and making against the
background of dark olive trees the
most charming picture imaginable.
I got up and raised my hat. She
smiled and blushcd delightfully."- and
then apologized in lame and pretty
English for disturbing me. We talked
for minute together, half in English,
half in italian, helping each other out
of difficulties. She is the daughter of
my hostess Just returned from school
at the convent. Sweet II personified!
Now must close this somewhat
lengthy epistle, or I'll be boring you.
Let me have line soon and tell me all
your news. I wish you coud join me
here. 1 think you would like the life
and at all events your aesthetic tastes
would be gratified. Yours ever
A. b.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-02
LETTER THE THIRD.
San Stefano. Ma

San Stefano, March rs.
Dear Philip: have Just received
yours of the 22d. You need have no
misgivings. l never take ofrense at
what you say. You are the only
preacher whose homilcs can read
without weariness; besides, under any
other circumstances your warning let
ter of remonstrance would have been
justified. AS it is. however, 1t is un-
necessary.
Let me begin by telling you that 1
am leaving San ..Stefano this after
noon. Do you remember my brother
Arthur, in Ceylon, wanted me to go
out there some time ago and help him
In his tea plantations?
A day or two back I had another
letter from him, renewing the offer
and urging me II could accept 1t to
start at once. He says he badly needs
assistance, and the proposals he makes
are most generous. So I'm off to
Genoa to-day to catch the steamer
there.
can't stay here any longer. 1 love
her, Philip, honestly and truly. as 1
have never loved before. and 1 believe
that she in her innocent heart has
come to care little for me. Any
how, her mother came to me yes
terday and asked me If my attentions
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-02
THE TIMES DISPATCH.

j. y -. " i g
I write this letter In my room. It's
sunset, the bell OF vespers is pealing
sadly from the little church down In
the valley, and 1t makes me gloomly
reflective. I've kind Of desperate de-
sire to live the last ten years Of my
lie over again. From the time when
l was sent down from Cambridge.
Ihere was nothing much wrong with
me then, perhaps. l was only some
What wild and had got into q bad set.
But it is since then. Ten hopeless
years; always meaning to do better
never really attempting to carry out
my good resolutions. +
But 1t won't bear thinking about;
besides. 1t Is no news to you, and, what
Is more. It's not for want OF your help
ing hand that I've never been able to
get straight on my legs again. Yours
always, A. 3.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-02
Uncle Bob : $ Soul.
BY LAURA FITZHUGH PRESTON.

ain spec to know wnat he gwine be
tuhn into in de uppah lam. but dom be
noways Uneasy" encouragingly, as he
dismissed the little fellow with his
usual kindly pat and hug. "Unc Bob
gwine be fix up some way. 50 dat you
sho gwine know him up dar, chen eff
he had ter be a cullud white soul twell
he git use ter de change. Good-by
Gawd bless you tweli de naix time"
That night, in his devotions, Uncle
Bob prayed in much fervor and unrest
Of spirit. The state of his mind will
best be revealed by his petitions.
"Marse Jesus" lie prayed. in the
child-like faith of being very nearly
approached and comprchended by the
Power he addressed, II now gwine
bring up a subjec' ter 'scuss wild you
dat bin ak me terday by de chile Tub.
He say, INC Bob tl,c mos cry when
he ak hit). den is you gwine be err
VIII lite gemman up in heaven?' Dat ar
quecshun dcs pintally bin ha me all
day!
de idee Of me bein' white gem
mans soul up in hcaben neber Is for
one moment entah my min. hopes
you will beliebe dat. an 'scuse de on
politencss of de sugScs'shun. But den
I buhn all my bridges down benin me.
by tellin' de chile dat ain gwine be
no white trash up dar, an dat asso
spec sholy ter hab er white soul! No
won'er de po' chile des er spec'latin'
ober dat problem. what Unc' Bob gwine
tuhn into, in de naix wohl. and done
gone home in a Quandehy. So dat lebcs
me face ter face wild er vehy se'yous
state OBJ fairs dat I gcttin' tangle up
in. Ter begin wild. de chile say he
ain gwne know me up dar wild err
white soul! Lawd, Lawd. dat ar SCUM
monsous ter ole Unc' Bob! De idee OBJ
not bein knowed by the chile dat l
nuss' f'om de time he err leetle teenty
weenty infunt an dat des de pride OF
my ole age LEX Miss Lucy and Marse
Tom
II des yeahnin'. Marse Jesus" weep
ing unrestrainedy, ter hab er face
es we'll es er robe wash white by de
blood Of de Lam so dat could scribe
dc Lawd in spotless poetry Of soul: but.
oh! bless I.awd, I ausso yeahnin' fob
dc time ter come when de greet gen'l
meetin' wild all the family ban gwine
TEX place, an dey all gwine say: Why
of heah ain Unc' Bob! des 'zac'ly lex
ole times, 'deah ole Unc' Bob!' Lawd.
Lawd." in an ectasy Of emotion, what
err meetn' dat gwine be! Oh bless
Mahster! look down pom POI Unc' Bob
an fix UP de fairs of his soul so dat
he res se-kueh in de faif dat all gwine
be we'll wild him in de happy Ian. an
all things possible onto de Creator OBJ
de heavens an de yearth! Hab mussy
on Unc' Bob. an bring light out oh
darkness an glib him de power to res
saty'h fed wild dc final session oh de AL
mighty"
The bell from the AnGelus rang out
its summons to the faithful. and down
among the lily beds the vested throng
stood in shining rows wafrting their
incense on the scented air. The gloam-
ing's call had come, and natures hons
ing was completed.
The dew fell. like tears. from my.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-02

= TNcLE BOB was in serious
dilemma. Confronted for the
~ first time in his life with
psychological problem
"Uncle Bob" the boy had
said, winding up a discussion the two
had held regarding the delights of
paradise and q future life. when you
die and go to heaven. will you have
y white soul or q black soul?"
as | gwinc," the old man almost
Easped. "ter be err white soul, aw err
black soul when I dies? Is dat de
puecshun YOU done AK. leetle Moss?
Ehis name for the child. I fo'gibs
you. leetle Moss; but you oughtah had
bcttall sense dan ter ak hit in de fus
place. Why. of co'se gwine be er
White soul! Is you ober head OBJ air
black p',sson in de naix wohl sides de
Hcbil?'
"But. Uncle Bob" doubtfully eff
you are going to be white, how shall l
Bile Bob"-caj olingly-"you are such q
beautiful black. and I am so used to
you with your lovely white woo-hair.
md ALL that don't see how can ever
tell you from other common white peo-
pie il you are going to change all
that"
But Uncle Bob had misunderstood
The comparison, and considered that
the boy had reference to the social
grade he would eventually occupy
above: consequently the glamour OF
the compliment on his beautiful color
faded away in fresh burst of indig-
pation.
What you meanin' by common peo-
Pie lcetle Moss?" he grunted. irritably.
eDoes you spec. foh er moment. dat
7 gwine be POI white trash up dar?"
'"Thcn what will you be, Uncle Bob? ?"
uueried the little fellow. feeling him.
these complications. Are you going
to be a white gentleman?" and the
bare idea brought him very near the
terEe of tears. so loath did he feel to
part forever from the Uncle Bob of his
lifelong association, even If supplanted
by the celestial creation of Uncle Bob's
ambitious anticipations.
The old man was fairly staggered
BY this last question.
I ST 'clur ter gracious!" he said. cover
Ing his discontinue with an air of
kuperiority and reticent foreknowledge.
Init ain no use my tellin' you what I
Ewine be when 1 gifts up dar. chile;
leetle igna'yent boys ain spec ter hab
de knowledge oh ole haids lex mine.
md dey des got ter wait twell dey
Eits shet oh dey baby teef TO dey puz-
klin' dey haids on pints what's we'll
pn'erstood by dc faif'ful froo revelation
md wrastlin' an pra'r. Des mex yo'
min' easy! Ain de Bible say eff you
has faif' LEX unto er grain of mush-
melon seed dough dat do SCUM kin'er
Observation-Disclosures you gwine be
hble ter ree-movo mountings? But l
lclar' ter gracious! hit gittin'2 clos't on
Ter suppah time, leetle Moss. Bettah
hu'hy home now, honey. so Sistah Lucy
ain gwinc be pestered won'rin' what
IN do yearth done come OF you. Nav.
Qnc' Bob ain mad Oh co'se not! You
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-02

away. that no selfish display of grief
disturb the serenity of the departing
soul.
"Leetle Moss" he whispered in his
broken. quavering voice. "dar whar you
gwinc. de streets Is gol'en. an de flow
crs bloomin.' an de libin' waters is
fiowin' froo de green flel's OBJ Pah'dise!
Oh! leetle Moss, you an me-po ole
Unc' Bob-hab talk a heap bout dat
happy lam but Unc' Bob ain neber
spec dat you gwine go haid oh him
ter de sweet an blessed country.
"Flowcrs," murmured the little one.
drowsily. gold flowers. VIII there
be any roses-like Lucy's?"
Lick Miss Lucy's!" In tender assur-
ance. "Leetle Moss. der how'rs up in
Pah'dise. des es much puttier'n Miss
Lucy's es day Is dan night! Ain dey,
Miss Lucy?'
Eyes. yes. Uncle Bob. Oh. tell him
yes!" wcpt the girl.
"An' dey des putties' streets you
eber is see. an you gwine meet all de
folks done gone befo'. honey. An tell
'em Unc' Bob gwine be long soon!
Soon!" in an ecstasy OF longing.
A smile OF surprising beauty. and
assurance. lit up the little pallid face.
'tSlng. Uncle Bob" he said, In all
the simplicity of his babyhood. when
the melody OF that tremulous old voice
was the sound that nightly rocked his
soul to sleep.
"Yas leetle Moss Unc' Bob gwinc
sing" clearing his throat and putting
forth every effort OF his bursting
heart.
On the quivering air there fell the
strains OF a voice, old. cracked. worn.
strained with the terrible strain OF the
coming wrench. yet sweet with all tho
memories OF his little life, to the dy-
ing boy:
II want ter BIO err an-gul
An wild de an-guls stan.
Err crown pawn my foh-haid.
An er harp widin my hand
"what dat you sayin'. leetle MOSS"
bending down low over the parting
lips.
"Is gwine be er white angul? oh.
Gawd hab mussy!"-wringing his
hands in Undesirable agony-"What
I gwine say! Glib me do right wohds
to use. Marse Jesus! Leetle Moss!
gwne be er black angul!!-er jet black
SOUL So dat you des boun reco'nlze
Unc' Bob de minute you set eyes on
hm-dat der truf. Lawd!" raising
streaming eyes VI supreme 1euASAA
ton to heaven.
Uncle Bob" and the little voice was
weak and far UNDERWRITERS
home-Ill-ask Jesus-to let mo meet
you-at the door-and give you-your
white robe myself-and we will go-to-
gether-and have-your soul-washed
white-Uncle Bob
"oh, praise GawAi Praise Gawd!
My leetle Moss, my laRsse Moss! My
leetle white soul anguF
Nov I lay me"-("down. ter sleep
walled poor Uncle Bob)-"I pray the
Lord"--over the damp and pallid little
face hickering lights are passing and
the indescribable majesty Of the seal
Of death is already on the marble brow
tiny soul--to kes1 Ooh. leetle Moss,
leetle Moss!")-"u 4should-die-b
fore-I-wake-
And In the silence q little white soul
slipped away to the shelter Of the
heavenly nest.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-02

RAIDS of weeping eyes, on tree. grass
and flower, and all the mute. unshel-
tered things budding close to the
bosom OF the earth. Above, the sor-
rowful heart of the night throbbed
with the Intensity of it's star beats.
Below, in the old plantation house,
whose walls yearncd with their pas
sion of protectiveness. the tide of life
ebbed low in the pulse OF the dying
child.
On the edge of the bed sat Uncle
Bob. watching with straning look each
change on the small white face. lying
so still. with closed eyelds, and scarce
breath stirring the parted lips.
Presently the lids nuttered and then
slowly Enclosed. The blue eyes looked
up. for the first time in many days.
with perfect recognition into the
scanned. agonized old face bending over
them.
"Uncle Bob"
What is 1t. leetle Moss?" answered
the broken old voice.
Uncle Bob are you crying?" touch
ing with his wan little hand the with
cred cheek over which the uncontroll-
able tears were flowing.
mo. no! deed I ain, lectle Moss"
surreptitiously wiping them away with
his bandana handkerchief. decd
ain. darlin': what Unc' Bob gwine cry
'bout?" in futile attempt at loving de-
ception. seeing the panied look on the
. fair little features.
Poor Uncle Bob" with plying ten
derness still softly stroking the with
cred cheek.
Honey" sobbed Uncle Bob. "don'
study bout me. Don grebe bout ole
Unc' Bob. He glib his life ter mex you
des one minute easy an dout PAIN"
II am easy. Uncle Bob. and happy"
The uncarthly sweetness of the smile
nant Of self-control. and he wept on,
unrestrainedly, for a few minutes.
The little boys eyes wandered round
. the ROOM and rested. in their pathetic
searching. on the faces Of Lucy and
Tom-poor Lucy's. worn and haggard
from nights of watching and days of
unrest, and Toms. whose breaking
heart was plainly visible in the havoc
which the past days had indelibly Inn
printed thereon.
The old grandmother. bcdridden and
Frustrated under the impending calam-
ity. was alone, save for her devoted and
faithful attendant, with her sorrow
and her God.
Tom bent over and tenderly wiped
the damp brow and pushed back the
fair clustering curls Of thu child. He
gave cold little hand to brother and
sister, and. in response to the heroism
Of poor Lucy's brave and loving smile.
sighed contentedly. as he turned his
little head over on the pillow.
Jerusalem. the Golden'-evening
service was going on in the church.
and the words were borne plainly on
the absolute stiffness Of the air:
IT know not, OH know not
What joys await us there.
What radiancy of glory.
What bliss beyond compare"
Uncle Bob's tears had ceased to flow;
Lucy and Tom sat motionless, their
faces in shadow.
"Tell me-about it-Uncle Bob.'
gasped the weak little voice. as the
last strain died away-"Jerusalem-th
Golden
Uncle Bob leaned eagerly forward.
all traces Of tears carefully wiped
r
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-02

T TNcLE BOB was in serious
dilemma. Confronted for the
n first time in his life with a
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-08-15

The boy filed in the necessary forms
there and then. 1t was some consola-
ton to know that he could perpetuate
her memory in this way, though he
had formulated another project which
should keep her name revered through
the ages.
On the site OF Johnson's News should
arise the Mary Arson Home For Des-
titutc Boys He would build place
where those who were willing to work
and learn would be given n chance
md not driven, starving and desperate,
to pick up an existence in the gutter.
He was too young to devise all the
details of such a splendid institution,
but he had got the idea and would
possess the money. He would leave
the practical part OF the undertaking
to older heads
The one essential feature was that
generations yet unborn should learn to
love and honor the name of Mary An
son. Provided that were achieved, he
knew the work would be successful.
Soon after leaving the cemetery he
came face to face with Bradley, the
policeman. who was in plain clothes
and walking with a lady, obviously
Mrs. Bradley, Judging by the matronly
manner IN which she wheeled a per
ambulator containing a chubby infant.
"Well, I'm bowed" cried the police
man. "Who would have thought Of
meeting you? I looked in at the news
last night, but you had gone. Some
one is looking after you pretty well,
eh?"
lie cast a patronizing eve over Phil
ip's garments, which were, Of course,
considerably smarter in appearance
than those in which the constable had
seen him on Thursday evening.
YES" said Philip. II am in good
hands now
"'rhey haven't given you watch? q
This anx!ously.
mo. am watchless"
That's right. You'll have one soon
The inspector has your address. By
the way, he wants to know your Chris
tian name"
"Philip."
Thanks. I won't forget"
Philip raised his hat and took tbs
quickest route westward. Fe did moi
count on being recognized so easily.
Mr. Abingdon received him witt
some degree of reserve. The magis
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-08-15

ant to him. soothing 10 his run nina.
In her eyes was a message Of faith, OF
trust of absolute confidence in tbs
future.
1t was strange that he thought so
little of his father at this time. but
the truth was that his childhood was
passed so much in his mothers COM
pany. and they were so nseparable
during the last two years, that mem
cries of his father were shadowy.
Yet the physiognomist would have
seen that the boy owed a great deal of
his strength Of character and we'll knit
frame to the handsome, stalwart man
whose name he bore.
Philip loved his mother on the COM
posite natures often have an Overpow-
ering affinity for each other. He re-
sembled her neither in featu nor In
the more subtle traits Of character.
After a dinner the excellence Of
| which was in nowise diminished by
lack Of appreciation on his part he I'M
dertook a pilgrimage of curiosity to
which he had previously determined
to devote the evening.
He wondered increasingly to whom
he was indebted for the good meals he
had enjoyed in prison. Now he would
endeavor TO find out.
! A hanson took him to Holloway.
but the first efforts Of the driver failed
to discover the whereabouts of the
Royal Star hotel.
At last Philip recolected the ward
er's added direction-'Opposite."
He dismissed the cab and walked to
the prison entrance. Directly in front
ne saw small restaurant called the
| Star It's titular embellishments were
due to the warder's gift of humor.
He entered. A woman was knitting
at cash desk.
"Until YESTERDAY" he said. you sent
food regularly tor boy named Arson,
who was confined in the prison.
"Yes," interrupted the lady. II on'y
heard this mornin' that he was let
out"
"Would you mind telling me who
paid the bill? suppose 1t was paidT
"Well, as n matter Of fact, 1t was
overpaid' was the reply. "You see
the pore lad was remanded for week
and Mr.. Judd, a man 90 lives In the
harrington road, KEN ere an ar
ranged for is weeks board. Hav' ye
heard wot 'appened to 'imT'
Philips heart was in his mouth, but
he managed to answer that the boy
was all right there was no charge
against him. Then he escaped into
the street The one man he had for
gotten was his greengrocer friend
who had indeed acted the part Of the
good Samaritan.
There was some excuse for this but
the boys Astounding good nature would
admit Of none. He FASTENED to Far
Kingdom road with the utmost speed
and found his fat friend putting w
the shutters Of his shop.
The restaurant next door was open
Philip approached quietly.
"Good evening. Mr.. judd" he said
holding out bis hAnA.
"3ood evenin', sir" saA the green
grocer. his eyes revealing net tke re
; hottest idea Of the identity Of the snsAr
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-08-15

could hardly bring himself to believe
that barely twenty-four hours had
elapsed since he travelled to the Mile
End road in company with Mrs. Wrig-
ley.
And the curious thing was that he
felt IN no sense awed by the possession
of thousands of pounds and the ten
ancy of palatial chambers in a great
hotel. His career had been too check
cred, It's recent developments too stu
pendous, to cause him any undue emo
ton. Existence for the hour was
species of we'll ordered dream, In which
Imagination was untrammeled save by
the need TO exercise his wits in order
to keep the phantusy within the bounds
not of his own BRAIN but OF other
mems.
At the hotel he found the French
valet setting forth shirt The man
explained that he required spare set
of studs and links
This reminded Philip that there was
still a good deal of shopping to be
done. He was about to leave the room
for the purpose when the valet said:
another portmantenu has arrived
for monsieur. VIII you be pleased to
unlock it,
NO" said Philip. at must remain
untouched" He smiled at the thought
Of the sensation his tattered rags and
worn boots would make In that place.
Yet Just a week ago he passed through
the street outside bound in the pitiless
rain for Johnson's News and bent on
suicide
He walked into Regent street and
made a number Of purchases, not for
getting some books. A double silver
mounted photograph stand caught his
eye. 1t would hold the two best pic
lures he possessed of his father and
mother, so he bought 1t. He also ac-
ouired dispatch box in which he
could store his valuables, both jewelry
and documents. for he had quite a
number Of receipts. letters and other
things to safeguard now, and he did
not wish servants prying eyes to ex-
anime everything belonging to him.
When alone in his room he secured
the album and locked that special port
mantenu again, after slowing therein
the letter found beneath Mrs. Ansons
pillow. Soon his mothers dear face
smiled at him from a beautiful border
Of filigree silver. The sight was pleas