davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-20

say; and being quickly accommodated,
he withdrew. Even here, class makes
a difference. The barriers of society
are not taken down in pawnshops.
There's no trouble with that kind.
said uncle. THAT was a real gentle
man; quiet and easy In manner. which
shows he's had money. and may have
yet; for lots of men are too proud to
ask for a loan from friend when
they could get thousand"
In dance hall down on the Bar
barry coast the Jolly sailorman made
merry.
Dance after dance he reeled or with
the painted denizens of the place. A
years cruise in the waters Of the
circle had filed his pockets with
Jfngling coin. -pittance measured by
the income OF his owners. to him 1t
was wealth: potentiaiity OF joy lay In
every guttering coin, and his soul
hungered for music and the mirth OF
life.
Toward midnight his brain reeled
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-20

the money-and honest money, too
would have tided US over"
He started at the sound of q footstep
on the stairs. With his heart jumping.
desperately he glided along, trying
door after door. At last. when detec-
tion seemed certain, one opened to his
touch and he entered When the slam
ming of door at the other end of the
hall assured him the coast was clear,
he came out Something glittered in
his hand as he ran along the passage
and made the street undetected.
The man came into the pawn brokers' s
with a jaunty step; he appeared to be
about 20, and wore flasby cheap
looking tweed suit. The money lender
eyed him cautiously; evidently this sort
needed watching.
"Good evening, Unc." The pawn
broker nodded response to this offhand
salutation and waited for more light
on the business in hand before speak
ing.
Got a little trinket here; like to
raise a tri1e ON 1t; went broke on the
ponies at Emeryville" The young man
Jerked out his spiel in manner that
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-20

from the fumes of potent liquor and he
sank into a corner to sleep. When
garish day broke his money was gone,
the reeking cellar empty, save for the
presence OF few woebegone wrecks,
beggared in body and mind
Tomorrow is Christmas" he uttered
thickly. 'and not a shot left in the
locker" Unsteadily he walked to the
door and passed out. Lucky I didn't
have my kit with me; can raise the
price of Christmas dinner on that"
In the loan Office jolly looking
youth staggered in openly. a huge
canvas knapsack on his shoulder and
an engaging grin on his face.
Hello. uncle" he spoke effuslvely.
be good fellow and keep the togs
till I telephone me lady mother In the
ould country. II she knew her boy
was broke In Frisco. what time
there'd be at the old homestead
Good evening. SIR" This was ad-
dressed to me. for, seeming char
acter. had left my shster.
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-20

showed an effort to conceal nervous
ness.
Show it, said uncle.
Amt you got private room?" The
young fellow asked the question. at the
same time glancing furtively behind
him. I drew my notebook out. it looked
like story.
Lets look at it. and I'll tell you
where you got it. What horses did you
lose your money on? And what kind of
millionaire lady wife of yours wears
diamond necklaces?" This question
confused the customer and he turned to
the door A quiet looking man stepped in.
Anything wanted Henry?" The
money lender shrugged his shoulders
again.
Queer" he answered. The detective
followed the man out. and in few
minutes he was whisked away to the
station as a suspect.
"How- can you tell when your Gus
toners bring in stolen goods The
pawn broker had come from behind the
curtain.
Its easy. dead easy unless they're
old hands or uncommon good actors
They give themselves away explaining
where they got 1t and how the financial
trouble came on. 1t only takes ques-
tion or two to tangle them up. then
they leave"
do you send for the police when
suspicious?'
Not unless we have been notified of
something missing and recognize the
goods. Very often there's plain
clothes man around. If given the sign
that there's anything wrong he follows
them up"
In fashionable apartment house of
the residence section man and woman
sat side by side in luxuriously fur
nished room.
ANY letters from your father,
charles?" She asked the question with
look Of hope beaining brightly in the
beautiful eyes.
''My father has written that he no
longer looks upon me as g son. and
that my allowance would be discor-
tinued until such time as our marriage
was annulled. He intimated that IL
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-20

this were done in accordance with ms
wishes, that my disobedience would be
overlooked and a liberal compensation
paid to YOU"
oh" With moan OF agony the
woman sank upon the lounge, covering
her face with her hands, The man
arose and bending over the sobbing
girl caressed her gently.
Never mind, Nell, money shall not
part us. I can work; something Will
turn up. Now must go out, dear. for
few minutes. Tomorrow is Christmas,
the season Of joy, and my Nell must
not grieve tonight" kissing the beauti-
ful tearstaned face. he donned his
heavy overcoat and left the room.
A tiny ring from an electric bell
summoned the man OF many loans to
tho side entrance; a tall, stylishly
dressed man walked down the aislc to
the private room. Breeding showed in
every gesture. and the pawn brokers'
manner was deferential Quietly he
produced diamond ring. which
sparkled and shed million rays with
every movement.
One hundred dollars" heard him
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-20
LITTLE TRAGEDIES WHICH
MARK THE PLEDGING OF
JEWELS, KEEPSAKES AND
CLOTHES TO PROVIDE A
BIT OF HOLIDAY CHEER

any names, and you can hide behind
that curtain to see the show"
In another street, down the long
passage of a fashionable boarding
house. man tiptoed softly and slowly.
At every creaking board he stopped,
listening intently. Gathering courage
from the silence. he went on, gently
turning the handles OF the doors as he
passed.
"An locked" he muttered. "I must
get into one. Tomorrow IL Christmas;
Nan and the babes must have q dinner.
If I'd only kept away from the races.
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-20
By Percy Walton Whitaker

y q gQualid tenement a woman sat
alone by a fire. The room was
scsntily furnished with few plain
chairs, a table and a meager set Of
dishes stood on an open shelf. Every
thing betokened a home OF the des-
perately poor. Another room of the
kitchen contained bed made OF a few
plain boards, covered with a straw mat
tress. Two children slept upon the
nakeshift couch; little huddle OF tat
tered clothes at the foot OF the bed
showed that the poverty OF the tenants
was extreme and beyond the keeping
UP OF makeshift appearances.
The woman gazed steadily into the
fire; ashes OF memory cleaned in the
Goals. Presently she rose and looked
around the bare room as one seeking
aid where aid was not.
Tomorrow is Christmas" She spoke
aloud and then sighed wearily. Wrap
ping 6 shawl around her threadbare
dress she took up a small parcel and
after Elancing into the room where the
children were sleeping. closed the door
softly and went out into the night
Treading the murl1y streets slowly,
she paused at the entrance OF a bril-
lisntly lighted pawnshop.
It's such little; want only 80
cents for Christmas dinner"
NO, tell you. It's worth nothing to
me-" And the man waved his hands
expressively. with a gesture indicating
dismissal Taking up her parcel with
pallid face she left the shop silently.
II was Christmas eve, when the heart
OF mankind is given to Joy and
thoughts OF good Will toward all men.
It's like that all the time" said the
money lender complainingly. Il hate
70 turn them away; at least did when
the business was new TO me. But they
bring things which are OF no value. A
softhearted pawn broker would fill his
shop with useless junk and go broke
mighty quick" Again he shrugged his
shoulders in an irritable way.
You wouldn't think it, but we lose
money on nearly all unredeemed
pledges. Ask any man in the business.
.
there's a man used to come to my
place; he pledged his trunk three
times in one month for 81. The inter
est was so cents a month. One night
he told me a sad story of sick wife
and starving children. and 1 listened
until my sympathy was aroused; I gave
him SO. After keeping the trunk a
IA Il
the interest that pays; unredeemed
pledges are often q loss. And We have
bad name for hard heartedness. I'd
like 10 see a man stay in the trade
with HIS sympathy on tap all the time. "
May ] stay here and watch the Gus
tomers?" I inquired. Its for a news
paper story"
yes I'd like you to see what we
have to put up with; but don't mention
The Mena weekly star., 1908-06-11
HUNGRY SCHOOL CHILDREN.
New York Pupils Suffer for Lack Of Food-Teachers Organize Relief.

New York, June 5.-Emergency measures for the relief of hundreds of pupils in East Side schools who haze been found to be suffering from lack of food have been adopted by the committee of East Side school board members, organized as result of the serious conditions which the reports of school principals in the section re. vealed
 At conference Wednesday the committee decided to arrange for the speedy opening of two kitchens on the lower East Side at which the hun gry children may be fed While the funds for the support of these Kitchens have been supplied only in part. the public has been stirred by the disclosures of the pitiable plight of children fainting at their desks from want Of sufficient nourishment and the committee anticipates no trouble in obtaining by subscription all the money needed for the purpose.
 The teachers and principals organi. ration. perfected Wednesday. is to be called the "childrens Relief Society,"" ana it made announcement that Thursday the hungry children in many Of the lower East Side schools will receive tickets entitling them to a substantial luncheon, consisting of soup, an egg. plenty Of rolls and but ter. crackers and sterilized milk.
The Mena weekly star., 1908-06-11
UNION |S ABANDONED
PROPOSED CLOSER RELATIONS BETWEEN PREsBYTERiANs IS
 NOT FAVORED AT PRESENT.
HTTsBURG GENERAL ASSEMBLY AT END
United Presbyterians Postpone Ao- ton and Leave Question to Future Assemblies for Solution--Reception to Survivors of 1858 Held, Several of Whom Make Addresses.

Pittsburg, Pa, June 5.--The pro posed union of the Presbyterian and the United Presbyterian churches, or at least to bring the two denomlna' tions into closer relations, which mas been before the general assemblies of both organizations for some time, has been abandoned for the present. At the closing session of the general assembly of the United Presbyterians here Wednesday night report recom- mending such action was adopted.
 The report was submitted by the committee to which the subject had been referred by the last general as sembly. It stated that this committee had held no formal meeting because of the great distance between the homes of the members and the fall ure of assembly to provide for travel ing expenses. However, the commit tee was ready to report recommending that a new committee be named to consider the subject the members to be centrally located and provisions made to pay their expenses, but since agreeing upon such action the committee had been semi-officially informed that the Presbyterian church would take no further steps in the matter, either for union or closer re- lations, and therefore the committee decided to leave the whole question to future assemblies.
 The report of the committee against consolidating the Freemen's mission. church extension and home mission boards was adopted.
 The sessions were to have continued but business was concluded evening and final adjourn ment taken. A reception to the sur vivors of the First United Presby terian general assembly held in this city in 1858, was held in the First church Wednesday at which addresses were made by a number of the pion eers of the denomination.
The Mena weekly star., 1908-06-11
A RULING CN RATES
A DECISION OF VITAL INTEREST TO SHIPPERS RENDERED BY
 COMMERCE COMMISSION.
IT WILL ELIMINATE ALL CONTROVERSIES
The Decision Is Expected to Make More Uniform the Practice of Rail- roads in the Charging of Rates Shippers Not to Assume Entire Rlsk--Limited Liability Unfair.

Washington. June 5.--It is expected that a decision rendered Wednesday by the Interstate Commerce commis- sion in the matter of released rates will tend to eliminate much trouble. some controversy and make for uni formity in railroad practice. The opinion handed down by Commission CT Lane states these conclusions:
 '1f a rate is conditioned upon a shipper assuming the risk of loss due 10 causes beyond the carriers control, the condition is valid. If a rate is conditioned upon the shipper assuming the entire risk of loss, the condition Is void as against loss due to the car riers negligence or other misconduct.
 If a rate is conditioned upon the shipper agreeing that the carriers liability shall not exceed certain specified value tho stipulation is valid when loss occurs through causes beyond the carriers control; even when loss is due to the carriers negligence if the shipper has himself declared the value, expressly or by implication, tie carrier accepting 1t in good faith as the real value and the rate of freight being fixed in accord ance herewith. The stipulation is void as against loss due 10 the car riers negligence CT other misconduct if the specified amount does not pur- port to be an agreed valuation, but has been fixed arbitrarily by the car rier without reference to the real value; or, if the plirported agreed valuation is in fact purely fictitious and represents an attempt to limit the carriers liability 10 an arbitrary amount.
 "A scale of charges applicable to a specific commodity anA graduated req sonably according 10 yaiae, must be in good faith, regard being had to the actual value of tle property offered for shipment, A carr. r must not make use of it's r,lsase.l rates as a means of escariag liability fer the con sequences of it's neg igeacc.
 Tt is miscbieyous practice for carriers to publish iu tacir tariffs and on their bills of laai z rules and regu- lations which arc mis- tding, unrea. sonable or incapable of legal inforce- ment in court of law; and stipu. Iation that an additional charge of 20 per cent shall be collected on prop erty that is shipped not subject to limited liability is unreasonable
The Mena weekly star., 1908-06-11
OVER 4 l0-FO0T BANK
FRAcTious HORSE FELL BACK WARD INTO STREAM WITH
 MIR. ROOSEVELT.
TIE PRESIDENT HAD 4 NARROW ESCAPE
Mrs. Roosevelt Was Present-Neither the President Nor His Wife Said Anything About the Accident When They Returned--Many Saw Accident Was Riding New Horse.

Washington, June 4-President Roosevelt had an exceedingly narrow escape from death while riding horse back late Tuesday afternoon in Rock Creek park. Mrs. Roosevelt was with the president Rumors of the affair, which gained currency Tuesday nigh, were denied at the White House at the time, as neither the president nor Mrs. Roosevelt spoke of the affair ap- on their return. The rumors came from the occupants of several car riages who saw the accident
 The president was riding a new horse, young animal The members of the party rode down through cut in a bank forded creek and were ascending the bank on the other side. The presidents horse reared, the pres ident leaned forward in the saddle and threw the reins down In loops so as to avoid pulling the horse backwards.
 Again on reaching the top of the bank the horse reared second time and the president leaned forward again. but the animal stood up straight on it's hind legs and then went over backward into the creek with the president. Feeling that he was going backward the president slipped from the saddle and as luck would have it, fell into the creek close beside the horse which landed on it's back
 The fall from the horses back to hn etr lsal Ifuta of than 10 feet. The stream was about two feet deep. with an exceedingly rocky bed Neither the president nor the horse received the slightest injury.
 President Roosevelts two regular riding horses were out of commission yesterday, both being indisposed. The presidents orderly wished to try out the new horse, but the president took It upon himself to do this
The Mena weekly star., 1908-06-11
PATTON REAPeD TWO MiLLloNs.
The Corner in May Was Carried
 Through Successfully.

| Chicago, May 31.--The corner" in May corn which has been run by James A. Patten of this city and his associates came to an end Friday, and the ''Patten crowd" Is generally credit ed with having made about s2,000 900 on the deal, although 1t Is admitted that all estimates are largely guess work Mir. Patten personally declared that he did not know how much had been made.
 The market Friday was highly IT. regular and nervous, in wheat, corn and oats. May wheat ranged between Sf.06 and s1.l1. and closed at s1.10h. Corn sold anywhere between 77i2c and S2ssc. and closed at soc to S0hc. Oats ranged between 51lac and 56%c and closed at 52Ac.
 Excitement ran high in all of the grain pits when the weakness was greatest Values changed with such bewildefing rapldity that traders were puzzlea. Shorts were anxious to cover, and brokers for the bull leaders had at times plenty of grain to sell. It E claimed that the shorts have de..rered to MT. Pstten and his friends not far from 5.000,000 bushels of corn and close to s.SO0.000 bushels of oats.
 The corner" has been largely in May corn. and Patten's holdings of this option were accumulated between 55c and COG. Subsequent buying, neces- sary to support the market at critical periods raised the average purchase price about 5c bashel
 The deal began early in October, 1907. In that month May corn sold up to 65Ac. The financial troubles which came about that time tumbled the price to 531sc. After the financial furry had abated the price of May corn advanced slowly. During Febru- ary it sold up to 621sc, and in March at 6Shc. Since then it has continued to climb and shorts have secured the country for corn to deliver on their May contracts. Immense quantities of the grain have been delivered to Pat ten, but he has paid for it all and ap. parently stood ready at all times to take more.
 Early in May the shorts commenced desperate efforts to fill the Chicago elevators with corn, and many of the western railroads issued rush orders 10 apply on all corn shipments. De- spite this, however the "Patten crowd were not compelled to let go. TOT was their hold in the market weak ened to any apparent extent.
The Mena weekly star., 1908-06-11
Brave Blue Jackets.

Washington. May 31.-Through the of the crew of the presi- dents yacht Mayfower what might have resulted in disaster, was pre- vented Friday night when fire was discovered in a powder magazine on the water front at the navy yard A party of the bluejackets. under com mand of Lieut. Simms Reed. en tered the burning building and re. moved nearly two tons of powder. a number of high power signal, rockets and quantity of explosives used Tn priming the caps of the big guns.
The Mena weekly star., 1908-06-11
DREYFUS WAS SHOT.
AN ARMY-suPPoRTED ATTEMPT TO KILL THE FRENCH
 OFFICER.
ILL PARIS Was THROWN INTO | PANIC
The oblect Of Attack Was Wounded In Wrist by One of the Bullets-it Was at First Believed an Attempt Had Been Made on the Life of Pres ident Failieres.

Paris. June 4.-The canonization Thursday of Emil Zoia at the Pantheon was marred by dastardly though un- successful attempt upon the life of Major Alfred Dreyfus, the man who will go down in French history as the central figure in the world-discussed 'Dreyfus case"
 Paris was thrown into a state of panic, for it was at first believed that the president of the republic had been shot down. The major was wounded ir the hand, and his assailant is a prisoner
 Emil zola, who died in September, 1902, was ten years ago condemned to a years Imprisonment for addressing to Felix Faure, then president oi France, the famous letter "I'Accuse' q accuse), in which he laid bare the conspiracy in the general army stan against Major Dreyfus Thursday his dust was inferred with national honors in the Pantheon, the French temple of fame, with impressive ceremonies. Major Dreyfus was present at the cere- monies to do final homage to the great leader of his cause.
 It was just as the presidential party reached the door leading to the DOT tico that the shooting occurred Two sharp reports startled the vast assem. blaze. For the instant everyone be- lieved that President Fallieres had been shot.
 A scene of indescribabe confusion followed, and many women present shrieked and tainted. The crowd surged forward, but quickly breke and scattered when the members of the Republican guard, who lined the tran. septs. rushed up. The assailant of the major was struck down. Major Drey- fus's brother. Matthew. was the first fired. A fierce knot of soldiers and civilians was struggling over Major Dreyfus and his fallen assailant. Ma jor Dreyfus. his hawklike features pale as death, but manifesting com plete composure, was holding up his hand from which blood was stream ing. while the soldiers could with diff ficulty prevent the enraged crowd from beating and kicking the man upon the floor
 Upon the command of the prefect of police, M. Lcpine, who was immediate ly on the scene, the assailant of Drey- fus was dragged to his feet. He pre- sented pitiable spectacle. From . blood smeared face his wild eyes looked around appealingly, as if for sympathy, but they met only the angry crowd, and his cary heard only impre- cations upon his deed.
 The attempt upon the life of Major Dreyfus was made by Louis Anthelne Gregori, member of the staff of La France Militaire. journal devoted to military progress and the military fu- ture of the republic.
 Major Dreyfus, accompanied by his brother, Dr Pozzi and several other friends, was led away to the mayors office opposite the Pantheon, where his wound was dressed. The doctors found that the bullet had entered his wrist
The Mena weekly star., 1908-06-11
A Real Wonderland

south Dakota, with it's rich silver mines, bonanza farms, wide ranges and strange natural formations. Is a Verit- able wonderland. Al Mound Citv. in the home of Mrs E. D. Clapp. a won derful case or healing has lately oe- cured. Her son seemed near deatb with lung and throat trouble. WFx- haushng coughing spells occurred every hEe minutes, writes Mrs. ilapp
 when l began giving Dr. King New Discovery, the great medicine, that saved his life and completely cured nm. Guaranteed for coughs and colds throat and lung troubles, by Jackson Drug Co, druggists. 50c and sL0O Trial bottle free.
The Mena weekly star., 1908-06-11

Chicago June 4.-The following telegram dated Clear Lake. S. D., was received Tuesday by W H. Pickens of the firm of C. A. Coey & Co. from C. H. Leichleiter. one of the three men in the balloon:
 Landed at Drayer, eight miles southwest of here, at a. m. Tuesday. Figure that we made close to 500 miles in II hours, smashing various speed records, as the initial flight was due west from Quincy, a considerable dis tance beyond Kirksville, Mo, the last town we spoke 10. and thence by com pass due north, then northeast for a short time, then Slightly northwest which landed US here. The actual mileage covered in the | hours flight was much greater than would be com. puted by bee-line measure"
 It was announced Tuesday night by William II. Fickens, the representative of MT Coey, that another trip would be made within short time, starting from Quincy Ill.,
The Mena weekly star., 1908-06-11
Badly Mixed Up.

Abraham Brown, Of Winterton, N.
 f. had very remarkable experience: he says: Doctors got badly mixed up over me; one said heart disease: two called it kidney trouble: the fourth. blood poison, and the fifth stomach and liver trouble; but none of them helped me; SO my wife advised trying Electric BiIters, which are restoring me to perfect health One bottle did me more good than all the five doctors Guaranteed for blood poison, weakness aud all stomach. liver and kidney complaints, by Jack. son Drug Co.,, druggists, Soc