davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-11-28
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lTanSgTeSSOT.
BY TROY ALLISON
By TROY ALLISON.


The young rector of st. Johns adj
justed the student lamp until it threw
mellow light on the library table and
then pulled down the window shades.
He had just settled himself comfort
ably in the Morris chair when the bell
rang.
In a mere man of the world the
slight elevation of the eyebrows pro-
duced by the sound of the bell would
have been interpreted as despair or
disgust at the interruption, but the
Rev. John Courtney's only attitude to-
ward the rebellion of the flesh was
that he had spent very busy, trying
day and that even ordained flesh
Graves rest and solitude occasionally.
you, Miss Manningr' he exclaimed
in surprise as the girl was ushered in
by the rector's housekeeper.
Marion Manning sat down in the
armchair indicated and was silent
from the moments embarrassment.
II came to ask your advice, Mr..
Courtney. I'm in trouble" she said
finally.
The rector wondered what could
have happened in the quiet town to
have brought such evident consterna-
ton to his young parishioner. Since
his installation as rector of st. Johns,
six months before, he had known the
girl and had become accustomed to
meeting her at every function as the
life and mirth of the occasion. Her
look of woe was entirely unfamiliar
to him.
I'm very sorry Miss Marion. What
has happened?" he asked, with real
concern.
Nothing has happened, but I've com
mitted a crime against the govern
ment," she said hopelessly.
"That sounds very grave"
The rector could not for the life of
him keep from smiling at the innocent
look of the self confessed criminal
The girl spoke with flash of spirit
"You probably will not smile when
tell you the whole of it. l don't know,
but | think l could be imprisoned if it
were found out"
The rector still had difficulty in pre-
serving proper amount of gravity.
suppose you tell me all about it."
he said.
She handed him long official en-
velope
~ have just received an appointment
as a 5000 clerk in the pension office at
Washington" she said dolefully.
He took the envelope and looked at
the appointment with less pleasure
than he should have shown in view of
the fact that he had known all the
summer how anXiously the girl had
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-11-28


unutterable things floating down the
river in the still cool shadows, while
Jack read his latest fad in poets, mo-
toring in his new car, confound him.
Decidedly Ned felt that he was justi-
fed, and Elsa had no right to torture
him.
you are sure that your decision is
fnal? asked Ned coldly.
quite" replied the girl, with a finali-
" in her tone.
Ned dropped the ring carelessly into
his pocket, lifted his hat formally and
turned away in silence
Elsa walked slowly along the rose
bordered path toward the house.
I'm glad of it," she said to herself
defantly II won't cry" The tears
rolled down her flushed cheeks. There
isn't man living worth crying fo"."
she dashed them away scornfully I
wonder If he will go to Denver just
the same" r1
.Eed's uncle was the head of a big
manufacturing concern, ana mis- dear
est wish was to let Ned step into his
shoes when he made good" as he
phrased II. Ned had done well, and
now had come the chance to prove
whether he could handle the big trade
In the west
"Only a month";" said Ned as he
strobe away. "She knows Just how
much 1t means to us. Oh, | forgot !;
there isn't any us now Well, she
never could have cared or she would
have given in"
Ned packed his grip that night with
firm determination never to come
back east again. He had intended
taking the o'clock train, butt may
as well see her once more" he said to
himself miserably. at will be the last
time"
Meanwhile Elsa was listlessly dress
ing for the last dance of the season.
Ned has gone, and l may as well
go enjoy myself" she soliloquized as
she gloomily patted and pulled prin-
cess gown of daffodil liberty about her
dainty figure.
i shall not tell any one yet" she
sighed as she opened her jewel case
and took out Its choicest treasure. This
consisted OF necklace composed Of
tiny beads of beaten gold. Across the
front five flawiess sapphires alternat-
ed with four diamonds of purest wa
ter. The effect of this combination on
Elsa's Christy throat was all that could
be desired.
AS she waited for the carriage in the
hall she threw back her coat and gave
a last glance at herself in the long
mirror. "It certainly fits" she said
critically II wish Ned could see it."
A shadow darkened the glass. Ere
she could turn cold steel touched her
cheek, and a hoarse voice said: Gimme
them stones quick. Don't holler or I'll
nlug yer. see" and hairy hand fun
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-11-28

hoped to hear from the civil service
examination which she had taken in
the spring.
Where does the crime against the
government come in?" he asked, look
ing helplessly from the innocent face
to the innocent appointment to office.
"You know, l went to Columbia to
take the examination. Well, If you re
member, my friend Rose Lawrence
went with me to keep me company and
to buy her spring hat" .....
Mr.. Courtney was more at sea men
tally than before the introduction of
second character and a spring hat
did she-er-buy the-er-hat?" he
asked helplessly and from merely po-
lite motives.
"Of course she bought hat. You
don't suppose that have come here to
tell you that we stole spring nat, 90
your Miss Manning's scorn was
withering, and the rector, who had al
ways been considered the bravest Of
the brave and who owned college tro-
phies for feats of sport and daring, sat
ahashed and humble before her.
'Er-certainly not-of course not,
Miss Marion. | only thought l would
try to talk about hats until you felt
more at ease"
The girls eyes twinkled.
81 would really like to hear you try
TO discuss spring millinery, Mr.. Court
ney, some day when | feel like laugh
Ing. but tonight don't feel like laugh
ing bit. The trouble is this: The
morning the examination was held
/ was so sick l couldn't hold up my
head, and Rose took sae carl admit
HE Was Short.
Joakley-Queer thing about that tall
man over there, All his intimate
friends call him short" Poakley-Ah
Just for a joke, 1 suppose. Joakley-
No. because that's his name.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-11-28

'-Same old story" sa.,- - -
man bitterly as he gazed at the little
gold circle in his big brown palm. The
diamond seemed to twinkle at him call
rs over" as he lifted his glance to the
mutinous. fascinating little figure be
fore him.
"Giyen one unreasonable woman, a
lover who refuses to be doormat, en-
gagement at an end. man is politely
requested to make himself scarce,
and" he added in sarcastic tones.
there doesn't seem to be anything
else for him to do"
The girl with the gentian blue eyes
emoothed the lovelocks that would es
cape and settled her back comb firmly
as she replied succinctly You are
selfish"
'SelfishT' he snapped. you know
that Jack is in love with you"
Nonsense answered Elsa. forget
ting herself and allowing a shadow of
dimple to appear. Here are the
facts of the case You are going away
for a month, and Doris has invited me
to her house party. You object because
she has a good looking"-with a sly
glance from under the long black lash
es-"brother and expect me to stay at
home like a man. just won't do it."
she finished emphatically.
Every WELL" said Ned firmly, though
a white line formed around his well
cut lips. 81 am glad to know what a
woman's love consists Of" Disdain-
fully, yet longingly, he looked at the
top of Elsa's pretty head with its coro-
net braid of soft brown hair. She was
a most desirable vision, and his heart
beat fast How could he give her up2
Jealous? Yes, he was. But who would
blame him? The thought of Elsa liv-
ing in the same house with fascinat-
ing Jack Denton for a month was more
than he could stand. In his minds eye
ne could see that fellow eternally at
her side leaning over the piano and
gazing devotedly into Elsas eyes as
she sang, while his glance conveyed
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-11-28

summer term. His father was worth
a million, and 1t was hard for Dick to
understand why he needed to grind
over books.
mo" Betty Belle told him; no men
are allowed above the first floor of our
dormitory."
"Well, we will serenade you while
you are eating it," Dick said.
"Please don't" Betty begged
why not?" Dick asked in surprise
His attentions had always been sought
rather than refused, and he had meant
that Betty Belle should appreciate the
high honor he was comforting.
IT'S against the rules" Betty Belle
said.
IL shouldn't think you would mind
a little thing like that"
II don't" said Betty Belle, but you
can't afford to lose any standing"
He flushed. you needn't hit fell
low when he's down. l don't care
whether get through next year or
not"
"Wel, do" said little Betty Belle.
You told me about your mother, and
don't think you ought to disappoint
her.
Dicks ewes dropped before the clear
ones or the little southern girl.
II shouldn't like to disappoint her."
he murmured
But that night as six girls in all the
comfort of dainty kimonos and dress
ing sacks ate cocoanut cake and chick
en- sandwiches with ginger ale accom-
paniment there floated up through the
air the strains of Dixie"
There" said Drusilla Davis; that is
in your honor, Betty Belle
Betty, pink and white and charming
in her rosy kmono, tapped a small
foot impatiently.
"Well, wish he wouldn't" she said.
Margaret Mills looked at her with
raised eyebrows. "Why, Betty Belle
Fairfax" she exclaimed, "he Is worth
million! Any girl would be glad to
have him pay her attention"
-I don't care If he is worth ten mil
lions" Betty Belle returned quickly;
"he isn't gentleman"
EiItb tuOhtu Ut uCi, SldIttGu
why, Betty Belle" one gasped, "whas
makes you say such thing?"
"He isn't" affirmed Betty Belle, with
her head held high. THE gentlemen
ut my home have consideration for the
wishes of ladies, and told him not to
sing. And he has an invalid mother
who is jnst praying for his success, and
he is wasting his time, 1t isn't right;
1t isn't right" And Betty Belle clap
ped both hands over her ears to shut
out the strains Of Dixie"
"Some one will tell Dick Chase what
you said about him." Drusilla told the
small maiden after the other girls had
gone to their rooms. 4H 49,
81 don't care" said Betty Belle hot
ly, but when Drusilla went away she
not down at the window and looked
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-11-28

lit Is an involved point OF etnlcs.
Miss Marion" he said feebly.
Il want you to clear 1t up for me.
but I'm afraid l want you to see it
my way" she acknowledged.
"You have come to fortify yourself
by getting me to substantiate your
opinion that you are justified in ac-
cepting the appointments" he asked
slowly.
1--WE will accept the premises that
there was no fraud premeditated, that
there was no reason for your preferring
Miss Lawrence to take the examina-
tion except that you were temporarily
too ILL., You are by education entirely
qualified to fill the position. and l
think we may also claim that you
have more practical business mind
and a stronger physique than Miss
Lawrence, both of these being recog.
nized as desirable business qualiflca-
tions."
The girls face grew brighter, and
she nodded her head eagerly.
you don't see how you could posi-
bly, be injuring any one. If you filed
understand how you could be defraud-
ing the government. / don't see that
either" the rector concluded musingly.
The girls face beamed upon him.
"Then you think l may take it? /
need it so badly" she spoke with rapid
intensity.
The rector leaned over and took her
hand.
do you think you could feel happy
and satisfied, little girl?" he asked.
looking her squarely in the eyes.
Her eyes wavered and finally turned
away from his.
Il thought perhaps / could, if you
told me it was all right" she said
family.
Il don't know how to explain it to
you-it is a proof that is powerful, yet
intangibly abstract. l can logically
see no wrong in your accepting the
position, yet | could not be happy to
do so, and l feel sure you could not
either"
But l need it so badly" she fall
tered. II only have $50 year of my
V"it anu Nill tApCNb CllIlt
to take care of me forever. I'm old
enough to be self supporting"
The rector's countenance commenced
steadily growing redder and redder.
"There are other things you could
do" he said finally, with no trace of
his usual brilliancy VI speech.
tWhat" she asked, her young voice
stern with the responsibility of giving
p something upon which her heart
was set.
81 wish you would come and make
the rectory homeli':e for me-" he STAN
mered.
"A minister couldn't marry fraud
and cheat" she whispered, her face
paling.
Little girl, YOU are not a cheat-you
simply met with a temptation. Will
you go to Washington or will you come
to the rectory?"
She picked up the official envelope
that had fallen to the floor and looked
at him hesitatingly.
81 don't think I'm good enough for
a minister's wife, but you can be the
judge in the case"
He caught Il glimpse of her eyes
and pronounced his sentence
Imprisoned for life. little woman"
he said. taking her in his arms.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-11-28
Ridinq Backward.

To be comfortable in summer. al
ways ride with your back toward the
engine. Your eyes miss all the smoke,
and cinders. Insist that the porter
make your berth with your pillow
toward the engine. This will drive
your blood to your feet and keep them
warm, winter and summer, and your
head cool-which is one of the fami-
lar rules of health. handed down from
our forefathers. In case of accident
you so in headforemost-New York
Press.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-11-28
WHALES AS RAMS.
Cases Where These Marine Monsters
Have Attacked Vessels.

While cruising in the south seas the
whaler Essex on Nov. 90, 1920, was fu-
riously attacked by a COW sperm whale
supposed to have been the mother of
calf which had just been harpooned.
The whale had not been wounded her
self, and her attack was very deter
mined At her first rush she passed
under the Essex and carried away a
great length of her false keel. Then,
coming to the surface considerable
distance away, she appeared to take
bearings and deliberately charged the
vessel again, ramming her with such
violence that she stove in the bows,
while the ship rolled so heavily that
the captain thought she must be dis
mantled. The case is memorable be-
cause the crew had TO abandon the
vessel, and one boat was never heard
of again.
y more singular instance of n whale
attacking n vessel occurred in 1895.
The singularity lies in the fact that in
the case of the Handa Isle the attack
was entirely unprovoked. This vessel,
a brigantine of 260 tons, was on her
way to Sydney with a cargo of timber
On Aug. "a, about noon, a couple of
sperm whales rose very close to the
vessel and, while the crew watched
them sporting" across her bows, the
pair suddenly slued around and came
straight for her. One thought better
of it and dived below the Handa Isle.
The other struck her fair and square
on the beam, crushing in her timbers
Having rammed the ship in this reso-
lutte fashion it sheered off, terribly
damaged about the head, and present
ly sank tail first
Fortunately there were some pack
ages of rawhides on board, and the
crew were able to keep the vessel
afioat with the pumps until rough
and ready collision mat had been fash
ioned out of these and drawn over the
leak.-Bailey's Magazine.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-11-28
Women of thu kurda.

AS to the way the Kurds treat their
women, an Asiatic traveller says:
'They neither veil them nor impose
upon them heavy manual labor. Their
women are well clothed and are free
to ride abroad. bully their husbands
and express their opinion in public af-
fairs with as loud voice as any suf-
fragist could desire. To see a woman
of sixty upright as a lance and with a
good figure is not uncommon, and
that, | think, is a sufficiently striking
testimony to any one acquainted with
the east"
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-11-28
Later On.

A Scottish architect was in Palestine
when news reached him of an addition
to his family circle. He provided him
self with some water from the Jordan
for the christening of the infant and
returned to Scotland. On the Sunday
appointed for the ceremony he went to
church and sought out the sexton in Or
der to hand over the precious water to
his care. He pulled the flask from his
pocket, but the sexton held up warn
ing hand and came nearer to whisper.
mo the moo. SIR" he said; mo the moo
Maybe after the kinks ootp'-Edin-
burgh Scotsman.
Cutting Down Competition.
'T saved $500 this year by moving"
"Cheaper houseT
-No; / found that my wife was try
ing to outdress q rich woman In the
same block"
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-11-28

There has recently been an outcry
against the deterioration in modern
letter writing, but the following epis-
tolary triumph from a tailor has lev
eled things up.
Il have today issued a writ against
you" wrote a tailor whose letter was
produced in the Westminster county
court "for the amount of your bill.
Trusting for n continuance of your es-
teemed favor, l remain" etc-London
Globe
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-11-28
lnfinitesimaI Shears.

A clever workman in cutlery fac
tory in Sheffield, England. made doz.
en- pairs OF shears. each so minute that
they altogether weigh less than half a
grain. That is about the weight of a
postage stamp. Each pair is perfect
and will cut IL sufficiently delicate ma
terial could be found Lying on a
piece of white paper they seem no
larger than f1eas.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-11-28
He Knew Her,

Mrs Boofer (meditatively over her
book)-How true this isl Mr.. BoofeI
(bracing himseln-Well, Maria, don't
keep me in suspense. What is it abou
us men PUCK.
The only artisan buried in Westmin-
ster abbey is George Graham, the in
strument maker, who invented an i'm
proved clockwork in the year 100.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-11-28
lnopporxuna AdvIca.

Mrs, Ascum-Miss Crabbe is a MEM
Der of your suffrage club. isn't shef
Mrs. Gaddie-No, we had to expel her
We were discussing the servant girl
question the other day, and she had the
impudence to say that If we only stay
ed at home and attended to business
the servant question wouldn't bother
M at ail.-Philadelphia Press.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-11-28
EVILS OF ALCOHOL.
Gems From an English Primary School
Examination.

Gems From an English Primary School
Examination.
A paper published in Yorkshire,
England. reports that some 6,0o0 chill
dren of Gateshead were recently re
quired to do essays on Physical De
terioration and Alcohol" as tots in the
primary schools of this part of the
world may now toss off brochures on
variations In the Epithelium Cells In
Invertebrates, Marsupials and Planti-
grades" These Gateshead children
had valuable thoughts to contribute to
the temperance movement. The York
shire paper goes the length of pub
fishing some of the gems brought out
in this outpouring of infantile sapi-
ence. Here are few of same:
''Alcohol is useful" says one of
them, being most exquisitely pithy,
but not in the body. 1t is useful for
polishing furniture"
81 hope | shall never touch it until
/ am dead" says another, and we wish
him luck.
"a man who takes alcoholic drinks
can see two things at once"
The children of drunkards are often
weak and are sometimes troubled
with being bowlegged" truly an ir
ritating affliction
"Those who take drink are not so
broad chested as they were 100 years
ago" How true!
when q man is i'll the doctor will
say, Are you a drinker of alcoholT
and if he says yes, the doctor will
say, That is what has made you i'll;
you have fatty liver"
''The more temporary we live the
better it will be for body and mind"
"Some people say that If you want
to speak at q concert you should take
a glass of beer before. You should not.
1t is certain that 1t makes you speak.
but you speak heap of rubbish"
when a man gets drunk his brains
will not telegraph properly"
81 will finish up with piece of poet
~ have made up myself:
Never be a drunkard;
Never touch the gin;
Always be teetotal
And you're sure to win
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-11-28
A Business Matter.

She-Here is your engagement ring,
Henri cannot marry you; l love an
other. He-What is his name? She
In heavens name. you won't kill him,
will you? He-Oh, no; but thought
l might do deal with him with this
ring-Sourire
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-11-28
He Had Travelled.

Speaking Of the Mysteries OF Par
is,'" said the literary boarier.
'sThe greatest one of them" said the
boarder who had been on personally
conducted, 'is the language. Cinciu-
natl Enquirer.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-11-28

Kite day is Chinese national holi-
day. An expert Chinese kite fiier will
easily keep six or even eight kites
going on one string.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-11-28
Boston Transcript.
Various Kinds of Meteors.

''Meteors" and "meteorologists" havs
little in common, although their origin
is identical. Meteor" meant good
many more things to Englishmen of a
few generations ago than it does now,
in accordance with the meaning of the
Greek adjective. which signified "up
in the air." so that 'ta meteora," the
things up in the air. meant the heav-
enly bodies. Winds and whirlwinds
were aerial meteors formerly in Eng
lish, clouds, snow and rain were aque-
teors were reckoned rainbows and twi-
light. Meteorology preserves the mem.
ory of all this, but the word meteor"
has gone over altogether to the astron-
omer's sphere.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-11-28

Happy is the man who does all the
good he talks of.-Italian Proverb.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-11-28
Vague.

"My husband is really very atten-
tive. Yesterday he bought me dozen
wells. -Meggendorfer Batter.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-11-28
In Another
Light.
BY Minnie Nelson Hindl

Copyright, 1907 by P, c. Eastment.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1907-02-24

full business methods and by person
al attention.
| have taken the liberty to mention
these things, not in a point of boast
ing, but to refresh the public mind of
just credit Whatever the result may
be | have the satisfaction of knowing
II have left favorable evidence of my
administration and have set rapid
pace for he who may follow.
Being a practical man | have given
much personal attention to the public
work of the city and because of this
have been criticised as not being
dignified. | never have been and
trust j never shall be too dignified to
perform honest labor. I am of the
opinion that Pensacola is not in need
of a bunch of dignity with silk hat and
kid gloves and an air of the club room
for mayor. but is in need of a practi-
cal man to build city worth being
dIgnified over.
sincerely believe that had l been
fully supported by the council the new
city hall, police station and Jail. the
two sewer systems anc municipal
water plant would be realities to-day
and much of our paving would be a
reality. Had these things been done
Pensacola's railroad would also be a
probable reality
l have unbound faith in Pensacola
and in her people. Give me council
that will work in harmony and I will
proud and which will command the
respect of the world.
CHAS. H. BLISS