davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-01

ing SO we'll and that the bumblebees
seemed to be disappearing. Could it
be the insects did not like the climate
The bright scientist ran hither and
thither distractedly, and the other ex-
perts looked grave and shook their
heads. Some of them even said that
they had been little doubtful about
the plan from the first. One morning
the scientist noticed a huge cat stalk
ing about the clover field and shining
at holes in the ground. Presently puss
poked out his paw and gathered some
thing out of the grass. The scientist
shuddered and said 'Scati' very en-
phatically. for he had a hereditary
dislike for cats Puss promptly scat
ted, for he belonged to an elderly
maiden lady and had an acquired
antipathy for all persons of the male
sex. To make sure that the obnoxious
cat had departed. the scientist chased
it to the edge of the field and saw it
jump over the fence and rush into a
little white cottage across the road.
Presently a piercing scream burst
from the cottage and cries of Help!
Help!' in a shrill feminine voice. Gal
lantly vaulting over the fence the sci
enlist hastened to the cottage door.
which stood ajar He saw a thin, an
gular lady of middle age perched upon
table with her skirts gathered at a
rather indecorous height above her
ankles. The cat crouched upon the
floor contemplating a small gray OBJ
ject that occasionally squeaked and
moved feebly. Save mel screeched
the lady as soon as she spied the man
at the door. oh, take it away The
scientist naturally supposed she meant
the cat and raised his boot to eject it
with a fierce Get out. you brute.' The
lady yelled so much louder that the
cat fed in a panic, and the scientist.
seeing that her cries did Lot abate.
turned his attention to the object on
the floor Why. it's nothing but a
mouse he observed in disgust. Well.
If that isn't just like woman
He hastily slowed the mouse out of
sight in his pocket and helped the lady
down from the table Then she ex-
planned to him how her adored Thomas
had taken to evil courses. bringing in
half dozen mice a day, SO that she
lived in a constant state Of terror.
Where he gets them don't know, for
1 have none on the premises she sigh
ed. The scientist knew. but he had
no time to waste on her and returned
to the field. just in time to see Thomas
capture another mouse. When he went
home he happened upon the dead
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-01

Ity? 1t might be good time now I'm
a-totin' his wheat
"N-no. don't mind
She watched him from the doorway
until the heavy wagons rumbled out of
sight. Then she went to her father
Pap she announced abruptly,
"Billys asked me to marry him.
An your
i've said yes" composedly.
Jake controlled himself with a mighty
effort. With Betty he must be diplo-
matte.
well. we know best" ne grimaced
affably. But We know how tbs with
Billy. Yell have to wait till he's able
+, to keep we. I don't reckon he's saved
enough to buy runt pig yet"
But Betty smiled to herself content
! eddy. Was not Billy the best natures
and the best looking man on the slope
And had he not promised her a gold
ring out of the plenitude of his riches
| So she said softly:
Il won't go ag'in We. pap. Don't yt
fear. Well wait till We say yourself
that Billy's able to keep me-"
| But, curiously enough, at that very
| moment Billy was wondering dismally
how he would be able to contrive the
purchase of a gold ring with the q
cents which represented the accumula-
! ton of his twenty-five years.
They expected him back by the END
| of the third day. 1t was the afternoon
of the sixth when he returned. AS he
, dismissed young Sam and attended t6
his mules there was a look of beatifit
joy upon his face, which remained there
until he opened the cabin door and saw
the expectant face of Jake. Then he
whitened and staggered to the nearest
| chair
| You poor boy!'' cried Betty tender.
ly. You're plumb beat out"
ibid We get the 20 cents?" demanded
Jake eagerly.
| Billy gasped and tried to collect his
thoughts. What did they want hin
to say? 1t was about the wheat. wasn't
it? He had almost forgotten that un.
| important matter after the gold rims
| took possession of his mind He re-
membered the wheat had been taker
| to the storeroom of big Touring mil
and that he had told clerk he would
be back later and attend to it's sale
| Then he had hurried away in search o
\ a job hauling with the mules and has
carted sand two days for Sc and hat
bought the gold ring. Yes. that wa.
it. and he had given Sam the 25 cent!
to pay his fare to cousins at Fisher
| Vile to get him out of the way TO
/ the two days. That was all-only h,
had forgotten to go back and sell TIL
| wheat.
did We get the 20 cents?' demanded
| Jake for the second time.
Billy felt that it was a crisis will
him, and he drew long, hard breath
/ Then his gaze steadied.
| I'VE see, it's this way" he said, 'sign
are for risin', an I amt sold yet. Y
might jest as well have rs or so cent
| as for anybody else. But I'll go down
he was about to say ito oncet," bu
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-01

knew that IL he was not careful they
would soon smell a mouse, for there
were scarcely five minutes when one of
his cats was not running home with
one.
'In time the bumblebee colony began
to do finely, and the red clover picked
up in a magical manner. and the sci
enlist pocketed the award. Field mice
he discovered, were the great enemies
of bumblebees. The bees are needed
to carry the pollen for fertilizing the
clover blossoms from plant to plant"
'Is that SO, Uncle Benz" asked little
Nina wonderingly.
Perfectly true in the MAN," Uncle
Ben answered soberly.. Il made up
only that part about the spinster lady.
In Australia they once had just about
such time with their clover fields"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-01

Now, see what you've DONE" re-
preached Mrs. Bright. "Oh, children.
you must keep out of the way of the
bumblebees or they may sting you
dreadfully.'
Another bee came sailing leisurely
| along. now stopping to investigate a
weed, now lowering over a tall sheaf
of grass. Uncle Ben stopped, picked up
clover blossom and held it invitingly
toward the noisy wanderer. With a
f1utter of its bronze wings the creature
settled upon the flower and plunged its
head deep in one of the crimson cups.
1t drank long and deeply of the honey.
as befitted thirsty bee on a sultry
day. and then it drew up it's crest and
fioated away through the yellow after
noon sunshine.
sigh of pleased appreciation from
the children followed this performance.
while Mrs. Bright groaned her disap-
prevail.
'Mumlejee dom bite Unka Ben." was
Toddlekins' sage comment, and the lit
tie old man laughed.
"Bumblebees only bite bad boys and
girls who tease Them" he replied.
Let's go down into the meadow and
see them banqueting on clover"
AS he led the way the children came
tumbling after him. casting over their
shoulders to their mother. who re-
manned in the hammock. many a reas-
surfing promise in payment of the re-
luctant consent which they had wrung
from her.
When they reached the meadow. they
found it covered with red clover. around
which an army of brown bumblebees
buzzed in an ecstasy of delight.
My! You'd think bumblers liked
clover" was Harold's comment.
Uncle Ben nodded assent.
They do he said. They like it so
well that when they can have red clover
they scorn any other diet Once upon
a time some farmers tried to grow red
clover in new country where there
were no bumblebees. The clover pinned
| and dwindled away. The government
set experts to work to see why it did
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-01

mouse still in his pocket, and as he
was in his laboratory and had a few
spare moments he decided to dissect
the little animal. Imagine his surprise
when the lancet had laid open the
mouse's stomach to discover in it sew
eral partly digested bumblebees. Sew
eral times that day he caught field
mice, and every little mouse stomach
was found to contain bumblebees.
"A large sum of money had been Of
fered by the government to the person
who would make the red clover grow
successfully, the bright man
thought of a bright scheme. That very
night he went round and proposed to
the owner of the cat. Shortly after
ward he began to lay in a stock of cats.
Wherever he could find a stray or dis
carded cat he adopted it until the cot
tage swarmed with them. People be-
gan to talk, and his fellow scientists,
who were well acquainted with his
antipathy for felines, began poking
suspiciously around. The scientist
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-01
| |||11'|||||1'1|'|||||||
|||| Il lib


mills of the Chicago pit had been grind
ing out good flour for his chaff; the
west had been secured, the markets of
the world invoked and the many
tongued lines of telegraph brought into
the game. And all had redounded to
the honor and glory of Billy of Coon
Hill. When he returned to Postum
Flat at the end of one short twenty
four hours his face was again express
i've of beatific joy.
Going straight to Jake, the father of
Betty, he handed him a roll of bills.
The risin' was even better than I
lowed on he said nonchalantly. IT
sold for 81 bushel. Ye see, there was
signs o. breaking, an lowed I'd better
not hold on any longer"
There are varying signs of wonder.
chagrin, incredulity and satisfaction.
but the mingling of them all which
gathered on Jake's face was of the
kind that cannot be put into words.
He gazed at the money, at the strong.
handsome figure before him; at Betty.
smiling few feet away. and bowed his
head in surrender.
IT reckon l might "a been mistook,
Betty" he said submissively. "Billy'll
be able to keep We. sure 'nough.''
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-01

1t was the novelty of seeing a wo-
man about that was pleasant He had
no sisters. and his mother had long
been dead. 1t was just the novelty
and the neatness and contentedness of
| it all he liked. And this idea. IL his
thoughts took such definite form, re-
manned with him for a month-until
the invalid began to hobbe about on
crutches = when suddenly the truth
came home to him as had her beauty
that day on the ridge. Billy was in
love.
Betty noticed the change in him at
only for little while. Then an odd
twinkle of humor came into her eyes
as though she understood. And min
gled with the humor was tender.
pickering light which had been gaining
strength in her eyes these past few
weeks, a light which Billy had not yet
seen.
AS he entered Jake looked up with
angry impatience, and Billy raised a
hand defensively before his face. but
the invalid was not thinking of that.
"Heered anything bout wheat to-
day." he grumbled. Coin down, of
course"
Coin up" Billy answered promptly.
"A man holIered to me from the aige O
the hill this mornin' an said twas
seventy
Seventy" Jake grabbed his clutches
and rose totteringly to his feet. but
sank back, with a snarl of mingled,
rage and pain. Seventy cents. an
I've got ninety bushels. Dunn the old
back By the time I'm out ag'in it'll
be down to fifty. like twas last year.
an thatll be clean loss of $1S.''
Cant 1 go. pap?' suggested Betty.
The gloomy face cleared slightly, then
lowered. He loved the profits of his
industry. but not so much as he loved
Betty. 1t was thirty miles to Staun-
ton.
No, We can't" he snarled.
There was brief silence. Then Bet
ty said:
There's Billy. pap. He's mighty
strong an within
The face darkened, then grew lighter.
Evidently the idea, at first secuted, was
being tolerated. That meant Billy had
been making giant strides forward dur
ing these few weeks.
"I-dunno," doubtfully.
Billy saw his opportunity and rose
to it like a man-like a man of industry
He was developing rapidly.
I'll take it down all right" he said
confidently. I've sold wheat to Staun-
ton afore. But mebbe it'll be worth
while to hold back till you're out ag'in.
Jake snorted
There's more fallins than risin's in
wheat he snapped. I've found that
out. 1 reckon ye'd better go. and. mind
want We to get it all down by tomor-
row. Seventy cents, Yes, We must get
it all in tomorrow"
was Betty looking at him confidently
and her father already beginning to
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-01

Copyright, 1907, by C. N. Lurie.I

Copyright, 1907, by c. N. Lurie.J
" We was hardly conscious of her
intrusion at first, she fitted so
we'll into it all with her soft
gray calico and chestnut hair.
They were on the brow of slope tnat
dropped rapidly down into the valley.
and she paused and threw her hand
above ner eyes with a quick motion,
which he recognized as expressing anx-
iety and hope. He could see her face
plainly from where he lay. ana ne
could read in the glances which flashed
from point to point something OF the
terror of their owner at. not finding
what she sought.
What is it, Miss Betty" he drawled
as with a slow. muscular movement
of his body he threw himself upon his
feet and moved forward TO her sloe.
Can l be any help?'
Ooh, It's you. Billy? Thank Cod
Hurry, Hurry! Pap's knocked down by
a tree an being crushed. l couldn't
lift it,"
"Where?' asked Billy tersely.
ITO Pcssum Flat He was chopin a
bee tree. an it fell fore he thought.
Please please do hurry"
Billy nodded rea ssuringly. Postum
Flat was three miles away by a cir
cuitous path around craggy points and
up and down declivities or one mile by
going straight over the ridge and meet
ing "a precipice by crawling out on n
branch for twenty feet and sliding down
the tree trunk for thirty feet more.
Billy wondered if Betty had. come by
this route. But as he sprang up the
slope he swung his hand toward the cir
cuitous path, knowing full well as he
did so, however. that the girl would do
exactly as she pleased, for that was her
way
Postum Flat was the wonder and
chagrin of all the mountain side for
was it not the climax of brazen indus
try? They all had their truck patches,
but beside Postum Flat their patches
We're as barren fields to a land of milk
and honey Jake. the father of Betty
rs he was called in contradistinctfon to
another Jake of the same name. who
was father of Meg-grew potatoes that
stood him from the October digging to
the May planting. His onions and
cabbages were always above family
needs and flowed over into envied sales
for ready money. and. to cap it all. be-
hind his cabin was a four acre field
that every fall showed green with
rprouting shoots and every spring grew
heavy with swayins. golden headed
wheat. No wonder he had two mules
and a blackboard "kerridge," A ''peaz-
ger" in front of his cabin and a kitchen
with real window glass windows be-
hind, And no wonder he carried his
head high as the mighty man of the
''hillers" and looked askance at the
Nalorous pore trash" youth that dared
10 raise eyes to his daughter. But of
unambitious. care free Billy he had not
even thought as an object of suspicion.
So now, after that stalwart youth
had removed the heavy tree trunk from
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-01

succession to the sacks of golden
grain which were now stored in the
shed loft waiting for the higher quota
tions which rumor promised. Yes. Il
strong man was needed on the place.
for Postum Flat, even in it's splendor,
was isolated. The nearest neighbor
was too far away to be reached by
even the report of his rifle
Billy entered upon his new work with
unwonted energy. A great heap of
wood was cut and piled near the back
door. where it would be handy for Bet
ty. He brought water and fed the pigs
and, in spite of her protests, insisted
on doing the milking himself. and he
brought the big, unwieldy pillow and
swung it in behind the mules and went
merrily around the four acre lot in
lessening parallelograms
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-01

not grow. The red clover was nursed
as tenderly as prize orchid Finally
one bright scientist-he had probably
once, been farmers lad and had seen
red clover growing in the fields at
home-suggested that a few humble
bees be imported and turned loose in
the clover field. He said he had never
seen a field of red clover that was not
frequented by swarms of busy humble
bees. Well, the bees arrived and were
turned loose in the clover, which had
been especially sowed for their benefit
The plants were already in bloom. and
with vim those bees went to work
My, how they did eat and how that
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-01
that's good!" he says to himself. But
do hope they've remembered to put
a carrot or two somewhere in the pile,

and L should rather fancy an onion to
finish up With
Tortoises live to be ever so old-more
than 100 years old-nearly 200 years
sometimes. And they can go without
food much longer than you and could.
If there happens to be no breakfast and
no dinner and no tea, Never mind"
says Mr.. Tortoise. 'I'll wait till tomor-
row." And if there's nothing tomorrow
either. he tucks his head and feet and
tail inside the shell and settles down
to wait until next week. I.
Tortoises don't like sunshine A dark
corner where the sun never comes
pleases them best
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-01

lose some of his newly acquired conf
dence. He must brace up
"Ai right" he answered as steadily
as he could The mules can draw
half on the long Vaughn. an I'll borry
Tom Stuart's mule an Ike Coyner's
hay Vaughn. ThatIl take the other
half Ike's boy Sam can drive behind
me so 1 can keep an eye on him. Oh,
yes Well get on fust rate"
Jake nodded approvingly. 1t was a
good PLAN
Seventy cents" he admonished
warningly. TRY. an get it,
After the wheat was loaded the next
day Billy entered the cabin for a few
last instructions. Before leaving he
contrived to draw Betty into the back
kitchen for moment.
Say. Betty" he began, ''I-I-say,
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-01

restrained himself. for that might be-
tray him; ne added instead-"in few
days an see how the risin's comm on.
Under ordinary circumstances the in
valid would not have controlled his as
constituent and wrath. but this was an
extraordinary opportunity. and Jake,
the father of Betty. was nothing if not
diplomatic. So he forced himself into
a semblance of composure.
well it's your lookout, Billy" he
said significantly. Il ordered We to
sell, an of course I'll hold We RESPONSE
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-01
BILE for all fallin's from the 20 cents
Mind thatio

BILE for all fallin's from the 20 cents.
Mind that"
1t was a very miserable Billy who
went out to attend to the evening
chores. He had half a mind to rush
back to Staunton and remedy the evil
before it grew worse. He imagined all
sorts of fallings-to so cents, so, perhaps
40; to a life of toll spent in atoning for
the carelessness; to the probable loss of
Betty. But he stuck it out until the
third morning. Then he left the cabin
with steady, confident strides, which.
however, changed to frantic haste as
soon as he was beyond view of Betty in
the doorway.
But the mills of the gods sometimes
turn out unaccountable grist. Every
moment since Billy had been told from
the hill that wheat was "goin' up the
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-01

his body and had lifted and borne him
to his bed in the cabin as gently as a
mother might her child. he welcomed
with cordial gratitude an offer to re-
main and look after things until he
could get out. Betty was strong and
willing. but her hands would be full in
looking after him. and there were the
mules to care for and the dozens of
pigs and a COW to drive up from the
valley and milk. and besides it was
high time the four acres were again
seeded in order that there should be
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-01
MARRY A DOLL.

for girl to marry a man who has been
married twice before led to a curious
ceremony at Badaon, in the United
Provinces, India. A merchant who
wished to marry for the third time
first went through the ceremony of
marrying a doll, which he carried in his
arms. The doll, which was regarded as
his third "wife," was then buried with
great pomp, after which the real mar
rage ceremony took place.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-01

Bumblebees In Clover
? By Alberta Platt

0~ URLY. doing. humblebee!
- Where thou art is cline for
me-"
quoted the little old gentle
man quantity as the big brown insect
>ornately streaked with gold went lum-
bering by on its gauzy wings
The picnic party looked at him.
Dear, dear, You mustn't say such
things demonstrated the hostess
plaintively. Just think of it's effects
on the children. Bumblebees sting"
Uncle Ben repeated the prohibited
lines roguishly. and Toddlekins lisped
after MIN. BURY. ozie mumlejee."
which was about as near as Toddle-
kins could come to an imitation.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-01
JAPANESE BABIES.

A baby's age can be told in Japan BY
the arrangement of the hair which will
be either in tuft at the back of the
neck or a bunch left in front when all
the rest of the head is shaved. Girls Of
eight or nine in Japan wear their hair
in a bow at the back of the head wound
round with red Grape. The front is left
plain. except two locks which bangle 1t
the sides.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-01

would We mind me buyin' ring to
Staunton, a gold ring for you an me?''
She looked at him quickly, under
standingly. her face flushing She could
not remember a single one of her mar
r,ed acquaintances who had been given
a gold ring.
why, no, 1 wouldn't mind Billy"
she said simply. IN be real glad
"An'-an' would We mind speakin' to
your pap bout it while I'm gone. Bet
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-01

clover field grew! The government ex-
perts stood about and grinned, and the
scientist who had suggested the impor-
tation of the bees looked complacent
and said, I told you So Now the farm
ers could raise red clover in that coun-
try, and consequently their cattle grew
strong and fat, and the people have
good beef to eat.
After awhile the farmers began to
complain that their clover was not do
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-01
THE roRroIsE,s BREAKFAST.

Here's a sketch, specially made for
you at the zoo, of tortoise having his
breakfast. Cabbage this morning
The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1908-09-25
Stock Law Notices.
Orders Lawrenee County court.

orders Lawrence County Court.
August Term, 18th day of Aug, 1908,
Whereas the required number Of
voters,and more (to-wit 34l have this
day, August II. 1908, filed in open
court their petition asking that the
question be submitted TO the voters
OF Cat No. II voting precinct, Law
renee County, KY, whether or not
cattle or any species thereof shall be
allowed to run at large in said vot-
ing district and whereas said petit
TONERS and voters of said district
have deposited with this court, suffi-
Client money to detray the expense OF
said election. 1t is therefore ordered
THAT the election officers OF said vot-
ing district, shall at the next regular
election held therein, Cn not less than
60 days from August II. 1909 open
q poll for the purpose Of ascertaining
the will of the voters OF said district
upon that question. A copy attest:
.... MONT HOLT,
Clerk Lawrence County Court.