davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1909-02-21
The Strat,egist

wholly feminine handwriting. and IN
this. but only in this. was he disap-
pointed. and when, ut last, Miss Man
son bintcd that his probation was
about TO end, Saunders cup over
flowed with JOY.
The next development was a card
from Mrs. Sbearer for dinner dance
with ITO meet Miss Marietta Man
son" In one corner. In his eXuber-
ance Saunders vowed that he would
give the postman box of cigars on
his next trip, and then went out to
order new evening clothes.
The function WAS a week distant
and Saunders never knew how he
passed tho time. He was one of the
first 10 enter the Shearcr parlors, but
his face fell as he saw tall dark
girl standing beside his hostess, Won
dcringly he made his way toward the
pair, but his face lightcned again as
Mrs. Vance came forward with his
lady of the pullman car.
"I want you to know Miss Clyde"
she said as she laid a detaining hand
on Saunders arm. 'Ntra, permit me
TO present Mr.. John Saunders"
Miss Clydct" Saunders voice was
incredulous, The girl laughed light
~.
II asked Mrs. Vance to introduce
me before you met Eta" slo said in
The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1909-02-21

his ears and strange futtering in
his heart. Ho had como TO court q
country girl, and had found a god
dess.
II expected TO sec you at the sta
tion this morning. he said mean
ingly when at last he found his
tongue again.
II thought that I would come.'
was her careless response, "but Mr..
Blake asked me to drive over to the
point, and it was such beautiful
morning that II seemed pity TO
waste IL standing around the gloomy
old station.
"And you went driving with Blake
when You knew that l was comlng2"
he reproached. "It was not like this
last year"
"Other things arc not as they were
last year. she reminded. IT should
not be surprised 10 hear that you had
been running around with ever so
many girls"
You can think that" Tenton's
tones were properly tnged with
shock and reproach. Don't you
know that there is but ono little wo-
man who has lived IN my thoughts
these TWO years. | have tried hun
dred times to come to YOU, Mary. At
last | have succeeded, and when | go
back TO town want to carry with
me your promise that may come
again. sooner this time, and claim
you as my bride. Surely from my let
ters YOU could have seen that"
do people always mean what they
say in their lctters?" asked Mary,
almost flippnntly.
'I do" assured Tenton. }mpres-
sivcly. You know | meant what |
The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1909-02-21
Madge' s Dinner

from the oven and set about making
new crust.
There was plenty OF mincc meat in
the house and soon two new pies were
ready for baking The roast was pop
ped In, too. and she set about getting
the vegetables ready.
The potatoes were bouncing around
In the pot when another Of the Girlo
dropped in for a chat, She had her
camera with her and insisted upon
taking Madge in her floury apron. A
lot OF time was consumed I'm fixing up
the light.
Just as MaGge settled herself into
pose an odor filled the room and
she ncd shrieking TO tho kitchen,
whore tho water had boiled off the
potatoes. That ended tho photogra-
ply and after the pot had been scrap
cd new potatoes had TO be peeled aud
started
The hoodoo pursued her and with
ears strained for the sounds OF the
door bell she tried to hurry tho din
ner. Already Jack was 10 minutes
late and for once she breathed fer
vent prayer that he would bo very
late as she sprinklcd powdered sugar
over The pies in the hope tha. it
might dry up the crust.
The roast was hopelcselv under
done. but Jack liked his meat rare
and perhaps. after all. il might pass
She had forgotten TO close tho oven
door while she made tho fresh pics
and the oven was hopelessly cold.
Tearfully she surveyed tho scarco-
ly steaming meat and wondered IL she
would dare bring it TO the table.
Then the bell rang aud with eyes still
tcarstained she hurried TO the door
Instead of Jack blue-coated mes
scnger stood there offering a note. 1t
was from Jack and he apoligiZed for
his rudenesS
II would not break the engage
ment.' he wrote, but it Is TO take
dinner with Mr.. Lane and may de-
velop something that will entirely
change my plans. / will be over as
The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1909-02-21

( soon as can get away"
With a thankful heart Madse hur-
ricd back TO the kitchen 10 make
dinner OF coffee and bread and mash
cd potatoes. and she sang over her
work as she cleaned up the mess. Bo
fore Jack came the evidence OF her
blunder was safely out OF the way.
He came In with glowing face.
I'm eorry to miss the splendid din
ner," he cried as he took her hand.
II know I've missed treat, but VI
you'll repeat the invitation III come
again. I'm not going away, after
all That was what Mr.. Lane wanted
to sec me about"
And you're going to stay herc?"
she cried.
Just that" he confirmed THAT
was worth even losing the beat din
ncr that a cook ever prepared.
think YOU might at least let me sec
what ! missed -
You don't deserve it," she de-
clared. Please" he pleaded. "Even
when Adam and Eve were chased out
OF the garden OF Eden they we're al
lowed to look over the fence
Madgc'S eyes began TO flow. "Thorc
wasn't any dinner" she confessed.
Mother and Martha are both away
and | bad such 4 horrid tine. The
pies were soggy and The meat
wouldn't cook and-oh, Jack-I'm
an utter failure as a cook "
I'm glad of it, he said, promptly.
though his eyes twinkled. You
see was too excited to eat while Mr..
Lane was talking, and I'm just dying
TO take You out 10 a restaurant and
celebrate in proper style. VIII you
come ?"
Will 10" she echoed "Iou dear!
You didn't even laugh and I'm hun
CRY and tired and Cross and
DO YOU think we could make 1t a
double eycnt?" he pleaded, MY sal
airy will be raised for the new week
and we can set up our own home.
where you can practice on me all you
want. VIII you say yes, dear7"
The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1909-02-21
Her Story

Jack safely out of the way. the
eonspirator took possession OF his
study and typewriter.
Another night she drove him to
play and finished her typewriting
Tho manuscript was sent off undcr
an assumed name.
A night or two after the popular
young author and his wife were din
Ing out, Editors do not often talk
shop, but this one, a guest at the
dinner also, was an old college chum
OF Jack. so he asked if he had ever
heard of writer named Kathryn
Bancroft.
Jack answered. "No-why2"
well, we have a little gom sent in
by her A pastel called Threads
and Patches" 1t is a diary of a poor
seam9trcss. and for outpourIngs OF
outdono Mario Bashkirtseff.
Soon after this conversation a
check for more than she ever dream
ed could come from a short story
camo to Elizabeth.
still she did not take Jack into her
confidence The money made him
very comfortable, and AS his dinners
were good he forgot all about the lack
or funds. Elizabeth did not caro- as
long as he loved her.
At last the magazine containing
her story came out. Jack bought IL
TO read Threads and Patches" 10 his
wife.
He went into rapturcs over IL and
tears trembled on Elizabeths S lashes
the story was pathetic, read In jacks
pleasing manner
lie read on and on, carried away
with the bits of longing expressed BY
the little seamstress.
II never read thing that moved
mo more" he sighed rs he closed tho
magizlne. ~ wish / knew the wo-
man who rote IT."
Jack. dear, YOU do you have lived
with her a year"
Elizabeth. youi"
Yes. dear, ]. / just wrote A little
pot-boiler. because YOU hadn't time. "
Hadn't time, Why. II / could
write like that it would be worth
while
Tic went over to her chair. "EIiz-
abeth, dear" he urged, ''let me boil
the pots, and YOU take my place in
the study. You can write"
The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1909-02-21

there arc orders on the chest OF u
South American general.
There were clubs of all sorts and
conditions, and I'm her increasing
prosperity Enid found the $5 or SO
required as Initiation no great strain
upon her finances.
81 think clubs arc perfectly love-
ly." she said demurly, when she
showed Ned her last badge-the 10th
that sho had acquired. "I meet
such lovely people and | am develop
ing my intellectual side wonderful
ly."
1.-The women's clubs have us beaten
in one thing" said Ned rcflcctivcly.
Enid frightened up at the conces
sion.
What is that?" she asked inno-
Gently.
Politics. was the brutal answer.
"You wait for the elections, Why.
nero men don't dare put up one~half
the tricks that are worked In women g
clubs. They're wonders at election
eering"
'I think you're horrld," said Enid,
with stamp of hor pretty foot. "f'd
r1ther be club woman tnan the 10
nestle drudge for some man"
That's the trouble with clubs"
said Ned blandly "Thev gIyo YOU
such advanced ideas. l don't ask YOU
to be drudge, I Just want wife
and only ask that she be ut homo oc-
casionnlly."
NO doubt YOU will find one such"
suid Enid, unconseiously quoting Mrs.
Clara HenmlnGwny-Brown. There
arc many women who still resist the
advance OF progress and find their
highest sphere In the kitchen and the
nursery"
There's only one woman I want" /"
said Ned patiently, and that's YOU.
when YOU get tired OF your clubs III
win. In the meantime we're both
young and we can afford to wait"
Ends nose went up in the air at
the suggestion that matrimony would
The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1909-02-21

u low voice II feel that an eXpla-
nation is due you, Mr., Saunders. Eta
Is my cousin and lives In Clayerly.
I was visiting her, and when loft
I found that my suit case handle was
broken.
There was no time In which to
have it repaired, and Eta loaned me
hers | was TO purchase n suit case
between trains In Chicago and ship
hers back by express She pasted on
a tag that | might have no trouble
In Chicago. and it was her address.
not mine, that YOU copied on tho
train.
IL knew nothing OF the correspond
once until Eta came east and
brought your letters with her. She
seems to have derived considerable
entertainment from the incident. She
~ an invetcrate practical joker"
And it wns she who" Saun-
ders glanced at the girl who stood
smilingly acknowledging the intro
duction TO the passing line OF guests.
Now he could understand the mys-
terry OF tho masculine handwriting
for there wns something almost boy
ish about Marietta's dark beauty.
With n groan he realized what =
capital story she could make OF the
episode, 70, there was a twinkle in
her eye that betokened both mischief
and scnse OF humor With a word
OF excuse TO the girl by his side. he
went forward to face the music.
Marietta's hand ciasped his in
frankly friendly grasp.
Il think know you," She said with
smile Don't worry, though, Vira
made me promise meyer to telI-nnd
don't think that those letters went
entirely astray. That's a hint for
which you should be very pratofuI >,
Moro grateful than you realize u
declared Saunders fcrvcntly 40 bo
gave place to the newest arrival and
went In search OF Miss Ciydc Tie
was stu hope. that the son of STRAIT
egy might retrieve the situation and
more than ever did he desire his ladv
OF the car.
The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1909-02-21

have said In my letters. Mary. an,
yet | find you out driving with M.
fellow Blake the very day | arrIve,
at was because of your letter,
that 7 have decided to marry M
Blake" she said with a tender smlls
lighting her face and making IL cvor
more adorable. when tell you that
in this package are your letters you
will understand.
Smiling coldly, shc took from ths
table small. square package ana
gave IL TO him With tremblIns
hands Tenton undid the string ana
opened the wrapper. As ho ca,,pbt
sight of tho first envelope, he turned
white TO tho very lips.
Edith Mninwarlng is my cousin "
explained Mary. "She asked mo n
return these letters 10 you I'm com.
pliance With your request Under
the circumstances, perhaps you would
like to take them home now and
mourn over your dear. dear love. Yon
must have been very much In love,
Mr. Tenton, to copy your old letters
to me and send them to Edith. She
said she enjoyed them very much"
DumbIy Tenton stumbled from tho
room For the fret timo In his life
he was very much In love, and in
love with Mary Horton. and he knew
| that ne had let the prize slip through
his hands.
At the gate he turned. A man
swung around the porch and ran up
/ the steps. Tho door was glIll open.
In a broad band OF light the maa
strodc into the holl and claSped the
| hand from which Tonton had accept.
ed the letters.
The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1909-02-21

coming to tho town.
Mary Horton? ?" repeated the old
lady when greetings were over and
Tenton ventured an inquiry as to the
young woman. "She went past here
this morning. She was riding with
Jim Burke. Looks as IL Jim had cut
you out, Ted. In the last few months
he's been seen pretty steady with
Mary. Before that she didn't go out
much"
Tcnton smiled q superior smile. In
tho last few months he had been
rather lax in writing to Mary. 1t
might have been expected that she
would bo piqued and take up with
one of the town boys. but now that
lie was on the ground he assured HIM
self that he would send this man
Burke about his business.
He had only week In which to
win. but that was time I'm plenty,
so that evening Tenton went to call
on the Horizons. He gasped with
surprise as Mary came In to the room.
Ho had thought of her merely as
a pretty child dainty, clinging lit
tie thing in whose big blue eyes love
6hone clearly, He was not prepared
for the tall graceful Young woman
who swept into the room with quite
dignity and who accepted his greet
Ing with tho self-possession of Edith
MainwarIng herself.
He had meant to clasp her In his
arme with an affection OF rapture,
and have 1t all over with In the first
five minutes. Instead he found him
self bowling low over her proffered
hand, and presently he was sitting
upon chair halfway across the room
from her with the blood ringing In
The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1909-02-21

ever seen.
For years Saunders had foilod tho
matchmakers and tho maids with
skill which had won for him the nick
name Saunders, eon OF Strategy. The
debutantes OF dozen seasons had
smiled upon him without c,lcitlng
more than noBcommitt91 smile in
return. but now Saunders had been
bowled completely over by young
woman of whom he knew nothing
more than her address
He had left tho train before the
girl returned. but he carried with him
Photographic memory. II lent In
spiration TO his pen In the compost
tion OF letter In which ho besought
her to grant him tho favor OF her ac-
quaintance.
The next few days were spent In a
fever of alternate hope and despair.
The postman on the route was grad
ually coming TO the opinion that
Saunders was suffering from inclpi-
ent paresis when dainty envelope
rewarded Saunders waiting and
translated him from the inferno of
despair to the seventh heaven OF de-
light.
IL WAC d iSiA'l Wlilltu stb
as his own, Miss Manson expressed
herself as battered at the compli-
ments paid her. and was not avcrse
TO eventually granting Mr. Saund.
ers' request, but first she must be
more fully assured OF his worthiness
and to that end suggested q proba,
tionary period OF correspondence.
Saunders hastened to acquiesce anc
In reply he filled dozen pages which
brought back scanty four. Mis-
Manson was evidently not of a belle
that 1t was more blessed TO give thar
TO receive. but Saunders treasure,
these brief eplstles. perfect save ii
ono particular. and dreamed hi
dream OF love.
The one jarring note WAS the hand
writing. Saunders was sensitive 4
pcnmanshlp and 1t seemed TO hin
that the style was more masculin
than Miss Manson's personality sug
gestcd. He had expected u dainty
The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1909-02-21
Too Many Clubs

be her last resort, and she drove Ned
out of tho tiny studio with the an
nouncomcnt that she had 10 attend
a meeting.
The weeks dragged by. and as De-
cembcr approached Ned's calls grew
moro frequent. At last his hour
same.
II saw Foster this morning" be
announced. "IIc told me that he had
taken that sot OF drawings of yours
To his surprise Enid burst into
tears and threw herself on the divan.
What's the matter. dear?" he ask
ed solicitously. bending over her.
Did you lose tho money!"
Worse than that" sho sobbed.
"stolcn?" he asked. Perhaps the
elevator boy"
II may as we'll tell YOU" she cI-
claimed. sitting up. II got a check
for 5000, but | need moro. and I
don't know whero | shall get it, and
/ did want new dress
But, where is the money going'"
he cried. You can't havo run $500
into debt"
ITS not exactly that; it's tbs
clubs" she explained. the tears well.
ing Into her eyes, Just look"
She held toward him packet o,
letters, and curiously Ned looked then
over
The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1909-02-21

dinner 10 be n triumph. Jack Han
Icy was going west in tho morning
and she wanted him to remember his
last dinner in town PerhapS-sho
blushed as she even thought Of the
possibility Of proposal. but she hun
gered for the question that would
set her heart at rest Nor was she
The first woman who had sought to
reach a mans heart through his
stomach.
But II seemed as though the course
of true love-and the dinner-was
not destined to run smoothly. Mar
tina. who had cooked meals for the
Waltcns since James Walton married,
had gone TO the wedding of friend.
Permission had been granted weeks
ago and she was well out OF the
house before the call came for Mrs.
Walton
Madgc. left alone. set about her
tasks with happy heart. imagining
already another little kitchen where
she should be mistress.
Martha had left n couple OF pies
to he baked and she had set them in
the oven. But when 1t came TO peal
Ing the potatoes she found that the
tubers had run out and she had TO
slip on her things and run down TO
the grocery.
On the way back Grace Maitland
had met her and she simply had to
stop In TO see the new hat that Grace
had received for Christmas.
When she got back TO the house the
pies were black and smoking, and
with cry OF dismay she drew them
The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1909-02-21

SUc WOuld pTopHpiS
call TIE porter or appeal 10 the male
passengers and bring him into dis
grace; disgrace which would be
fatal to his plane. Instead, he lin
gercd behind when the girl went In
TO tho diner for luncheon and copied
Oft the address OF the label pasted
on her suit case.
1t was the sight Of the label which
had induced him to cast aside
schemes more rash. for he argued
that curiosity would lead tho girl to
read to Its end letter, when she
would not listen TO the completion
OF tho first sentence OF verbal ap-
proach-
1T was her glorious ensemble which
had so appealed to Saunders and had
caused him to assure himself that
Miss Marietta Manson of ClaYcrly was
the most beautiful woman he had
The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1909-02-21

On top were 16 notices asking io'
from s. to 50 annual dues TO the vdi'
iouS societies, The next 16 were le'-
ters soliciting contributions for 'ne
purpose OF making a presentation u
the retiring executive. Some OF tne,'
boldly set Il certain sum as asses
ment. others vaguely urged gene.
oslty, in view of the splendid serVic"
performed
The third lot contained hall
dozen sets of tickets for various es
tertainments which Enid was ursea
to purchase
IL didn't know about all this So,
sobbed. cit was only 81 here au,
$40 there when Joined. and the uus
seemed so absurdly low. But ialeS
they've all been talking. ! can
send less than SO TO each presents
tlon committee or the secretary VIZ
tell everyone how cheap I am, ME-
Briggs last year sent only 81 10 r.
a present for Mrs. Hannis OF W.
Browning club, and they talked aV0''
II so much that she resigned
Good idea" said Ned thoushuur
ly, "only why don't you resign Ue
fore they commence to talk? We
pay the dues, send back the ticks.r
ignore the committees and res'''
from the lot OF them"
But what reason can gNe.
asked Enid. "I must give some I.
son for getting out. or they wVII wa :
think that 1t was OH account oil
money"
You might say that your ~
pronching marriage will prevent W.
keeping up your clubs" md
"But that won't be true aFs'''
Enid
please" said Ned. -,
II WAS only a word. but IL spvC
volumes. Enid hesltutcd for j -
ment
Come help me with the letter, etsa,
she said II want to get this lo"'
my mind"
The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1909-02-21


hcr first in a brotherly sort OF way
and then in more loycr-lilic man
ner as the months progressed. 1t had
all ended in tacit engagement.
Then Enid Joined a woman's club
and a second and third 1t was aftor
the third that Ned felt himself called
upon TO speak. Fresh in her cnthus-
asm for clubdom Enid had not only
refused to accept his advice. but she
refused TO receive him again person
ally. and Ned had left the little
studio, declaring that he would never
reenter It.
He did come again, but not as
ofton as before. and partly to show
how little she cared for what he
thought and in part to gain some ex-
citement TO replace the old. sweet
friendship Enid joined moro clubs
until she wore as many cmblems as
The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1909-02-21

every annoyance from him so he
could make the best of his talents,
She must not call 1t a pot-boiler,
and must not let any ono suspect IL
was so sordid thing.
Snatching stray minutes through
the days her little story grow.
She called 1t Threads and Pat
ches" 1t was a story of poor seam
stress, who at night depicted her
woes and pleasures. her little long
ings and SORROWS. in a little diary
told whore she had worked, and what
she had eeen and heard. Many Gimp
6cs into the home life OF many fam
The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1909-02-21

ilies the little book contained.
Elizabeth put some of her OWN
thoughts into IL, | dare say
Frequently she thrust her pad and
pencil into a drawer to run at John s
bidding: still the story grow.
Jack, dear, do leave your desk,
she said one afternoon, "and take 4
walk, your ideas Will como faster
and your blood now quicker for a
good walk"
You are right, Elizabeth; l will"
The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1909-02-21
you wrIto p no. t.holIcr7"

you write pot-boiler?"
mo, cant: it's out OF the ques-
tion. I'm just at fever heat In my
book. and | can't stop for such
trifles"
Elizabeth left and shut the door
emphatically. I'm afraid.
We'll. she could write Il pot boiler
and would. She wrote before she was
married little stories that always
sold, but since her marriage To the
rising young author she lad kept
The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1909-02-21
4 u y D L r S. son o

4 { : D + K S, son oil
strategy. did not risk
giving a1lront by SEEM
ing in 0irt with the
girl In the pullman
section across tho way.
She did not look like
a glrl who would por-
nit n flirtatlon In any
shape OF form.
The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1909-02-21

great frogs.
Some business matters must be
closed up before he would be aple TO
get away. Also, Tenton thought Win
a pang, OF the literary masterpieces
with which he favored MISS MAIN
waring, so in a graceful note he re-
The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1909-02-21

RS WALTON was to
have helped with the
dinner, but at the last
moment her sister was
taken Ill and Madge
was left to her own
resources with such
small knowledge as a
course at cooking
school had endowed
her.
Shn hnd nanant AE a
The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1909-02-21

ERHAPS a club is q
small thing to fight
over. but three clubs
lwomon's clubs at
that) brought about
the misunderstanding
between Enid Yeatch
and Ned Burnham.
Ever since Enid had
sought to support her
self as an illustrator,
The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1909-02-21

quested the return of his letters.
He was somewhat surprised when
he received reply TO the effect that
he would receive them later; then
the matter slipped his memory in the
The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1909-02-21

home and accepted her surprised well
come with such tolerntion as ne
could command He always had de
tested his aunt Hetty. but she lived
In Carbondale and was his excuse for