davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-08-10

Il didn't ask you to live there
alone" reminded Harry. Il thought
that we could live there very COM
fortably. The house will be sold at
sacrifice, it says. Now If you'll add
to the indu -ement by promising to
marry me and live there | think Illl
drop in on Bellman in the morning.
and have him send man to tas.e the
sign down.
Laura tapped her foot on the piazza
floor.
Harry Haley" she said indig-
nantly, I'm not going to be the
premium that IS thrown in with that
horrid old house. If you want to
marry me, why don't you ask me first
and go and buy the house after
ward?"
ITS what I've been doing for the
last seven years" he suggested Il
made my first proposal when you we're
II and the working girls guild SEEM
ed more important. l have proposed
about three times year since, but
this is the first time that my love and
your fads have travelled the same
road
IF you had spoken so that I could
| understand what you were talking
about l should have said yes long
! ago." declared Laura with dignity.
| You understand me now,' sug-
gested Harry, not arguing the ques-
ton.
And It's yes" she whispered soft
ly-'and you'll see Bellman In the
morning, won't your"
Harry nodded an assent. He was
rather grateful.to the fadss7s -
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-08-10

"WelI. didn't go purposely just to
see him." explained the girp with the
big hat. 81 wouldn't do such hing,
and, anyhow, / gI : l know plenty of
men S interesting as any that Carrie
ever dreamed of. Only had to have
tooth filed and ives kind of tired
of our Old dentist-he never knows
whether you are dressed in this years
styles or styles of five years back, and,
anyhow he's married. So since had
TO looi. up now one | thought |
migAt as we'll so to- Carries friend.
Size said he was young and yo 1g
doctors and dentists are always strug-
Cling and ] thought it was my plain
duty 10 give him another patient,'
"You are The most thoughtful per-
SCR" hraathaa Tie girl with the imi-
tation peaTl beads. Il think it was
perfectly sweet of you to sacrifice
yourself that way.
"Oh, don't know that it was :.
aety n sacrif a." said the girl witt
lie iii. hat. "Anyhcw. : Ist wanted
to see whether C9rrio had been exag
rcrating. And she tried so hard t.
thr impression that DIR. Pen
shag was devoted to II | difn'
belic.e t in tho first place, becauE'
If lie was az popul9r as she made
lie wasn't going 10 look twice at .
pale-syed, washsd-out little crea. :,
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-08-10

three roses and walked to the out
skirts of the town, where the four
horse teams were already hauling the
great rolls of canvas that constituted
the big top or main tent.
A gang of canvas men were lacing
the sections together as they were un-
loaded and other gangs were driving
stakes where the iron rods, all laid
out, showed that stakes were to be
driven. In little more than an hour
the huge canvas was swung from the
center poles and the men turned their
attention to the smaller tents.
The three men went inside of the
exhibition tent and Ma"vin nodded
approvingly at the huge space.
You can stow the entire town of
La Rosario in this tent" he declared.
laughingly. ITO get full house,
even the barracks will have to be de-
serted"
They ought to me as matter Of
education" declared Eloodgood. Bar
deems reproduction of the battle of
Port Arthur that winds up the show
is lesson in warfare by modern
Methods
Advertise 1t as a war school in
these revolutionary republics and the
whole country will come" advised
| Marvin.
I'm going to have an audience
here that will include the whole
town." declared Bloodgood. Il think
III go and see the Dictator. Even he
| will not be able to resist free box. y
Bloodgood was right. The dictator
| had the universal appreciation OF the
tfree pass. and when Bloodgood ex-
planned his plans, he found ready
adviser in the dictator.
The following day the news spread
| through the town that the proprietor
| OF the gigantic circus was to celebrate
his birthday by admitting the whole
town to the show.
| Even the barracks were deserted
and the soldiers sat on the blue paint
ed seats with their families or ma
morataG and furnished dash o
color.
The seats were packed 20 excess
when the parade. which had haltet
outside, made entry upon the hippo
drome track and after circuit o
the ring the stage halted before TIL
state box of Balamo and his adviser
then climbed down and took thei
seats.
| 1t was a splendid performance. s7t
as act succeeded act, the natives eye
grew wider and wider with amaze
ment. This was vastly different iron
anything ever seen before in l.
Rosario, and when last the COW
boys dashed into the arena and too
possession of the rings, the excite
ment was unbo, del. The native
appreciated good riding, and the.
were seeing the best.
Before the finale. Bioodgood too
his stand in the central ring and eX
planned that the entire force of tn
circus would give an accurate repro
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-08-10

model block of the city.
Laura felt that the sign would ef-
fectually prevent the winning of the
priZe, and when she had had her cry
out she bathed her eyes and sat on
THE stoop from which point of vantage
lshe could glover at the house across
.'the street. half hidden by the huge,
weather beaten boards.
1t was here that Harry fouI her
and sat down to share her sorrows.
Il know Beliman of the real estate
company" he comforted. Il feel pref
ty sure that | can get him to take the
sign down the DAY OF the Judging
he said. comfortingly; but Laura was
in no mood to be comforted.
THAT wont do she said, discon-
solatel'. .,The judges may spend a
! week or two in decid ng and, anywaY,
they will remember, that the sign was
! there. A vacant souse looks so for
! Torn anyhow. The Chesney and
Veach streets block will get it. Their
! yards are almost as nice looking as
/ ours and every house is occupied.
! They are our only rivals and Belle
! Slower ted Nell Petersen that they
counted on our sign to win them the
award and if it does-after all Eve
| done-I'il never forgive those hatful
real estate people. Think of how hard
live worked this summer to make the
,place look good and I've asked every
lone know to b,s-- the house and they
said that times were too hard"
You never aske' me-" reminded
HALEY.
i "You.n Laura locked at him with
laughter in her eyes. Whatever
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-08-10
" GETTING HIS MONEY " /

duction Of the battle of Port Arthur
At one side OF the arena an In,
clined platform had been built to
serve as 10l Meter hill and on this
the Russians took their stand, while
the Japs marched in and paraded
around the hippodrome track before
they gave battle.
They marched in open oreer and al
a trumpet call they halted and faced
forward. Bardeen stood beside tho
state box and now ! leaned over Ba-
lamo's shoulder.
Those guns are loaded with ball
cartridges he advised. 1.-THE two
gattlings are fully manned. They can
sweep the tent and in ten minutea
wipe out the population of La Ro-,
sario. Five miles f. m town Molina.
Is in camp ready to move on the city.
He does not know that the place ia
! unguarded, but one of our riders can
| make the trip in half an hour. You,
owe Mr.. Marvin $11S,000 gold, for
some rifles and big guns. You have
advised him to see Moline about It.
| Is that still your advice:
This is traD?" said Balamo.
| ''If you dare" assented Bardeen.
| Marvin is a friend of mine. and q
Il
treasurer is ,ere. Let him take some
of our men to the treasury and con-
vey the money to our steamer. After
that we shall take our departure, and
you shall be our Hostage until we
leave. If you refuse--well, Marvin
will have to look to Molina. and Mo-
lima will be willing to pay-when he
is restored to the presidency. Marvin
has seen to that. There is collec.
ton fee of S 200 to be added % tho
other VIII you pay?"
With trembling hand Balamo sigli
ed the order and motiono, the treasA
urer to accompany Marvin. They
rumbled off with several eight-horsa
trucks and Bardeen explained TO the
audience that there would be hitch
in the performance and advised them
to remain quietly in their seats.
The advice was not needed. The
sharp shooting had convinced them
of the futility of matching their;
Workmanship against that of the
cowboys. and the few who carried
revolvers did not draw them.
The half-hour that passed seemed
: like days, then Marvin and the treas
urer returned. A file of men and one
of the gattlings were sent of to pro-
; tect tie Loaf. and while the soldiers
were massed under guard, the rest Of
| the circus force hurriedly took down
the tents and rushed them to the
steamer.
, Bardeen watched the tug as she
turned and steamed toward the shore,
J then with d laugh he turned to Blood.
good.
There's one town that paid a
; profit on this tour e declared with
: a laugh, Ito say nothing of giving
2 you a birthday party without an
: equal
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-08-10

her permanent fad, instead of the
partner in i.er various interests.
She accepted him frankly as one
privileged TO share her little adyen
lures into novel realms, but when he
spoke OF their marriage he was in
variably met by the plea that she
could not think OF getting married
when the ; We're poor little children
who needed to be sent to the country
or small boys who were to be Ueaned
from the cigarette habit in order to
save the manhood of the country.
Not that Laura uuderyalued
Hailey's .Ove, but always he had
seemed to be a part of her life and
every few weeks she discovered some
new reform in immedia-- need Of
promotion which possessed the charm
of novelty. Being Il young person of
great enthusiasm, she threw herself
into the work with such vigor that
she forgot all else.
HALEY wisely aided her in her
search for new charity movements,
and it was he who assisted to form
the Block Improvement Society.
Their little city was in the throes
of a boom, and The I.Iayor called upon
all good citi. MS to aid in making the
place the most attractive in the state.
One of the scheE,es was the enlist
ment of the residents along the prin-
cipal residential streets i'll sections.
each grou. giving their entire atten-
ton to the identifying of the block
on which they resided.
Lauras home was in most prom
| Using locality, and within Il week
after the idea was announced she was
! the head of her block society and the
movement was in vigorous swing.
! Neglected gardens We're ma e over,
unkempt walks wer trimmed and
graveled, trees we~e planted and
/ fences painted
! BY the end of month it was APP
parent that they would win the prize
/ offered by the town council for the
best appearing block, and by the fail
when the contest was decided it be
came almost certainty.
Then came the announcement that
one of the factors that would count
lin the contest was to be the pros :
Gus appearance of the block as {
whole and Laura promptly cried unit
her pretty ey red instead O
blue, and her spirits seemed to have
aeouired the departed tint OF her yes
voc = vacant house. and not all tn
argument of interest tenants coui'
ipduce the real esta agents to re
ncove the For Sale" sign that wa
an evesore and an offence.
The agents were willing enough t,
,arr,it the Block Associs ton to la,
ont the lawns with flower gardens
and to remake the walks, and plac
nifkets on the fence where picket
were sadly needed, but the sign. the
declared, would stay there until a sal
was made. or this there seemed TO b
no nope.
was most offensive sign. large
: weather beaten and slightly on a
angle, as though long standing ha
: induced rheumatism in its one liml
! | Worst of all ii added lat sacrifice,
as though some inducement weT
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-08-10
"A GOOD SIGN"

would you do with a house ~
that"
Live in it," suggested Harry with
the air of a person who has solved a
problem. az have been thinking II
over since | came here this afternoon
and | think that that is just what |
shall do. 1t will be very handy FOR
you; you'll just have to run across
the street when you want to see your
mother"
Mother won't be living there" ex-
claimed Laura innocently. What are
you talking about, Harry?"
About the house across the street"
was the prompt reply. Your mother
will not be living there, but l want
to induce you to live there yourself. -
81 couldn't live in that big house
alone" cried Laura.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-08-10

needed to coax the reluctant pur-
chaser.
That phrase was. the final straw.
Everybody felt that it was blot on
the appearance of tie street, and n
affront to the entire neighborhood.
All felt strongly about it, but none
more so than the president of the
association.
She had even Il d to coax her
father to purchase the property that
the sign and the stigma might be re-
moved simultaneously. but Mr.. Cor
don. being used to Laura's sudden
changes In interest. laughingly de-
clined to pay a fancy price for the
property merely that the block might
enjoy the presence of the ornamental
lamp post which was to bear an in
scription stating that here was the
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-08-10

sho-! and had to run 1t in the hope
of getting out clear.
"All of sudden we struck good
territory and l made 4 barrel of mon
ey. There was a rich chap who got
struck with a circus tent and bitten
by the bee. The trust crowded him
out and he offered to back my show
and his for tour of South America.
Hes got tent you could put the
whole town in, and his idea was that
in one day we could get the money
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-08-10

Hes brought his wares to a bad
market here" said Marvin. Pm
down here trying to set some money
for the guns that the last administra-
ton bought before it became the
administration"
~ thought You s,ways got your
paw in advance" drawled Bardeen
us business so bad that You have TO
take chances on collecting"
"It was while I % $ on the other
coast" explained Marvin. 81 was b.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-08-10

That's why we are staying OFT. II
he staid home and just looked over
the balance sheet. he'd send for us
mighty quick, but he's rather enjoy
ing the cruise and so he sticks
He rose from his chair and strobe
across the room to where "a elderly
man was entertaining two of the cir
Gus riders. There was whispered
consultation. and presently the two
men came to Marvin's table.
After whispered conversation the
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-08-10

Il -
Because they are
not paid for and I'm
here to get the COIN" said Har ~
Marvin with emphasis. You can let
the dead revolution bury its dead-if
your trumpery revolutions ever do
have any dead-but those guns are
still a live ISSUE"
Dictator Balamo sighed gently. The
day was warm. as was the argument.
lie disliked warmth Of any sort. else
he would have IN in his wratL and
cast this importune collector from
the palace door.
But to do that n4- ht involve some
4 unpleasantness with the diplomats
and .Balamo we'll knew that the pres
ence OF hostile gunboat in the haf-
Dor would be made the excuse for a
revolution that would be personally
unpl easant to himself.
.'You yourself agree that You sold
these rifles to that Molina" he re-
minded. IF this is so. would it not
be as we'll to ask of him the pay
ment? Shall | give out of the treas
nre of the country to pay the private
debts of n trai,orous revolutionary?
you've got the guns, haven't you?'
demanded Marvin brusquely.
| nave some guns, auHiliJeu 3D.
lamo AUTOMATICALLY. "That they are
your guns do not know. When the
country rose in its might against the
| extravaganza of the presidente and
made me dictator it was found that
| there were many fine rifles. With
these We armed our troops, even as
the other troops had been armed. The
guns are the spells of war. If Molina
did not pay for them, is it then my
fault? 1t is to Molina that you should
look for your money"
"And your friend Molinai Where i:
he?"
Friend" Baloma spat viciously al
the word. He is no friend, senior, a:
you we'll know. Where h is l know
not, but there is justice in San Cristo
bal for all who come to the tribunal
] will give you a warrant for thi:
Molina. Bring him to the bar of jus
tice and there bring sui. You shall
have ann e JUSTICE
In spite of his anger Marvin smiled
Molina. the deposed ruler. was flu
gitive in the forests. Balamo woulC
be only too glad to see him haleC
into court. Molina would be con
demned and shot long before he coulC
be sued for the price of the modern
rifles that had enabl ] him to Hrcs
the government from his predecessor
His reign had been short indeed
and Marvin, coming to collect, haC
found that while his steamer was
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-08-10

did you come to get in the show BUSH
ness? | thought that you were con-
tent to stick to horse raising in Ari-
IONA"
so was" admitted Bardeen. "but
a chap talked me into Quitting his
Wild West show. and then when the
show did bad business | had to adj
vance some more money to get a
chance to he paid for what | had fur
nished. Well, thins- ran on until
the first thing you know I owned the
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-08-10

that the other fellow had to stay two
weeks for, and that we could clean
up the coast. It's cleaning us up in
stead. | give. my Wild West and
there's an hour and i.alf of circus
acts
TOO much for the country de-
clared M, vim. and Bardeen nodded
his approval of the opinion. Blood
goods game" he said. admiringly
He won't give up. hut it's costing
him pretty penny"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-08-10
Iyond the cable and they took chan

yond the cable and they took chan
ces''
Bardeen smiled There had been
a time when his adventurous nature
had sought the excl; rent of Central
and south America, and he knew the
people.
"The old s.lan is pretty good at col
lections." he declared. Lets call
him over and have a talk. He's re-
Tired from business, and he travels
with the show for. the fun of It,.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-08-10

talked by the hour about that mani"
Il don't know that he is so terribly
good-looking, said the girl with TIE
big hat. Il think Carrie was just
struck on him. that's all"
..Why. Isabel Juckett,' cried the
young woman with the imitation
pearl beads, exciteuly. "Have you
seen him? Hor- di( it happen? Is
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-08-10
a nice enough

IN Z , Il IIINt tIIOu5 II
girl" said the young
woman with the big
hat, but she isn't
any Judge of charac-
ter, not at all. Re
member how she
raved about that Dr..
Penshaw, who had
such lovely eyes and
such a smile and was
60 talI9 Whv Sh @
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-08-10

My Harry HALEY
objected to Laura
Gordon's fads. To
her other friends
her enthusiasms
were a constantly
changing source of
delight, but Harry
would have been
bet,cr pleased had
She adOpted him as
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-08-10

dear friend, let to
dead past bury its
dead urged the
dict tor gently.
"Why should we give
so at cor Germ to
to the rifles of the
licked administra-
I IN of that do OF 2
Molina ?"
Because they are
not paid for and I'm
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-08-10
Our Ginger Root Comes
From Jamaica

factory.
We use the best table supar For
every ounce that we might use of
saccnarine we must employ twenty
hive pounds of sugar.
BUT sugar is 81 per cent nutriment.
II produces more energy than wheat.
Saccharine has no value at all
except to makers on account of its
-s5cheapness. You may get .'saccha-
rine ginger ale' unless you specify
sparkling Hydrox.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-08-10
Think What Children Gain

mink what a good ginger ale
means to children.
Here's a drink that gets its food
value not only from sugar but from
delicious fruit juices.
we buy the fruits when they are
oest and make the extracts from them
ourselves.
we even make our own carbonic
ACID gas = and we make it from
pl-earbonate of soda. Ii gives to
Hydrox its sparkle. The gas sepa-
rates all food globules so the digest
i've juices instantly act on each par
ucie. IT also stimulates natural
oowei acton just as natural exer-
else does.
The ginger in Hydrox is also an
aid to digestion.
Imperial Valley press., 1909-10-30
SCHOOL BOND ELECTION NOTICE

The Board of Trustees of Picacho School District, County of Imperial State of California, hereby call an elec- tion to be held on the Sth day of No- vember. 1909. in the County of Imperial State of California.
 MT. w. c. HOran and MT. Tito Mend- vii are appointed Judges, and Mir. Bidr- vigen Mendivil is appointed Inspector to conduct said election. At the Public School House at the Basin Mine in Pi- cacho district.
 The polls will be opened at Ii o'clock A. M, and will be closed at 3 o'clock P. M.
 The purpose of the election is to raise Two Thousand ($200O.00) Dollars in United States gold coin, and to expend it in manner and form as follows. to- wit:
 For purchasing school lots, for building or purchasing one or more school build ings, for supplying school buildings with furniture and necessary apparatus and for improving school grounds.
 The amount number and denomina- tion of said proposed bonds and the num- Der of years the whole or any part of said bonds are to run shall be as fol- lows, to-wit:
 Each of said bonds shall bear interest at the rate of six per cent. per annum. Bond No.Y 1, Five Hundred Dollars, to run three years.
 Bond No. 2, Five Hundred Dollars, to run four years.
 Bond No. 3, Five Hundred Dollars, to run five years.
 Bond No. 4, Five Hundred Dollars, to run six years.
 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto set our hands this 9th day of october, 1909.
 JOSEPH M MENDIVIL,
 YSIDRO MENDIVIL,
 w. c. KORAN,
 Trustees of Picacho School District, Imperial County, California. 2S-4t
Imperial Valley press., 1909-10-30
NOTICE TO CREDITORS

In the Superior Court of the County of Imperial, State of California.
 In the matter of the estate of Ger trude SeXsmith, deceased.
 Estate of Gertrude L. Sexsmith, de- ceased.
 Notice is hereby given by the under signed, administrator of the Estate of Gertrude l.. Sexsmith deceased, to the creditors of and all persons having claims against the said deceased to exhibit them, with the necessary vouchers, within four months after the first publication of this notice to the said administrator at the office of Conkling & Brown, Attorneys in the City of Fl Centro, Imperial County, California, the same being the place for the transaction of the business of said estate,
 Dated September 25, A. D. 1909.
 George c. Sexsmith, Administrator fo the Estate of Ger trude L. Sexsmith, deceased. 26-5t
Imperial Valley press., 1909-10-30
NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Office of the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, Imperial County, Califor- mia, El Centro, October 1, 1903.
 Sealed bids will be received by the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors of Imperial County at his office until II o'clock a. m. of the first day of No- vember, 1909 (the day when said bids will be opened and the contract awarded) for the building of a bridge across the Alamo near Redwood sid ing according to plans and specified tions on file at the office of the County Surveyor at the Court House in Ell Centro, California
 Each bid must be accompanied by a check for at least ten per cent of the amount of the bid or proposal, cer- tified to by some responsible bank, and made payable to D. s. Elder, Clerk of the Board to be forfeited to the County of Imperial as agreed and liquidated damages should the party or parties to whom the contract is be awarded fail to enter into the con- tract after the award to give the bond required by the Board for the faith full performance of the contract. Checks will be returned to bidders whose bids are rejected The Board reserves the right to reject any and all bids.
 (SEAL) D. S. ELDER,
 Clerk of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Imperial.
 Dated October 1, 1909. 265t