davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-02-11

NfN'ks
switch Off you'll get a callous on that
one finger Of yourn." Fresno looked
at that member dubiously.
Amt music ciyIlizin'f" suggested
Show Low to Jim Allen.
You betr' the rancbman agreed.
Take a pianny an enough Winches-
ters an you can civilize the hull Of
China"
Fresno could kill more with his
pianny play than his gun play" sug-
gested Show Low.
Mrs. Allen bethought herself that
there was lot OF work to be done In
preparation for the party. Even IL ev-
erything was ready the dear old soul
would find something to do or worry
about.
"COme, now. clear out Of here, the
hull kit an b'ilIn' OF your she ordered.
The men hastily crowded out on the
piazza.
Take that packln' case out OF sight
n you mean this pIanny to be a sur
prise to Echo. She'll be trottin' back
here in no time" she added.
Fresno had fingered to assure Jim:
This here birthdays goin' to be a
success. Would you like another Sc
lectionT he eagerly asked.
mot unless you wash your fngerp
snapped Mrs Allen, busy polishing the
keys Fresno had struck. You left a
grease spot on every key you've touch
ed she explained.
Fresno held up his finger for Aliens
inspection. I've been greasin' the
wagon" was his explanation.
Get out with the rest OF themW she
commanded I've got enough to do 10
look after that cake" Mrs. Allen dart
ed into the kitchen. Jim slowly h1led
his pipe and hunted up the most com
Portable chair. After two or three
trials he found one 70 suit him and
sank back, with a sign Of content.
Jack aIn't back yetT Polly put the
question.
mo: he rode over for the mail"
Polly rearranged the chairs In the
room. picking up and replacing the
articles on the table TO suit her own ar
tistlc conceptions She straightened
out war bonnet on the wall. She
was hicklng or a spot Of dust on the
gilt chair that Jack had got as a we'd
ding present for Echo on the day Of
the station agents murder, and, being
reminded Of the tragedy. she asked,
That posse didn't catch the parties
that Killed Terrill. did theyT
mot that hear on. slim Hoover he
took the boys that night an tried to
pick up the trail after II entered the
river, but they couldn't find where Il
come out"
zone Of them fellers. the man that
left the station alone and probably done
the Job, rode pacin' horse" answered
Jim between puffs Of his pipe.
Then he's a stranger 70 these parts.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-02-11

Jack swung around and faced him
The observation had struck home. He
realized how poignantly Dick must
have endured the loss OF Echo and th,,
thought OF bis betrayal by Jack. As
ne had suffered mentally so Dick must
be suffering I'm the desert. In self jus.
tihcation he returned To his old argu-
ment.
II waited until was sure he was
dead. Six months l waited after We
heard the news. After l had told Echo
loved her and found that I was loved
In return-then came this letter. God
what fight had with myself when
found that he stin llved-was think.
Ing OF returning home to claim her for
his own! l rode out into the hills and
fought IL out all alone. like an Indian
Then l resolved To hurry the wedding
TO lie TO her-and | have been living
that lie every minute. every hour"
Jack leaned heavily ON the table
His head sank. His voice dropped al.
most to a whisper.
Allen slapped him on the back To
cheer him up. Phllosophlcally he an.
nounced: well, it's got to bc as it is
You'll mebbe never hear from him
again. You mustn't never tell her. I
amt a-goin' to say nothin' about H.
Her happiness means everything to
me-"
Jack grasped his hand In silent
thankfulness
The two men walked slowly out of
the room to the corral.
TO be continued
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-02-11
. Romance of Arizonc
Copyright. 1908. BY C. W. Dillingham; Co.

he struck a note each member Of his
audience jumped back In surprise at
the sound. Fresno scratched his head
and gingerly fingered another key.
After several false starts. backing and
nlling over the keyboard, he began TO
pick out with one finger the air "The
Suwanee River"
That's 1t. Now we're started" he
cried exultantly.
His overconhdence led him to strike
a false note.
Excuse me-" he apologized. Got
the copper on the wrong chip"
Once more he essayed playing the
old melody. but became hopelessiy con-
fused.
Darn the tuner he mumbled.
Sagebrush, ever ready to cheer up
the failing courage OF a performer.
chirruped, shuttle 'em up ag'in an
begin a new deal"
Fresno spat on his hands and ruffied
his hair like a musical genius. Again
he sought the rhythm among the keys.
He tried to whistle the air. That de
vice failed him.
".Will you all whistle that tune? I'm
forgettin' IT," was his plaintive request
Sure! Let her go, boysv cried Sage
brush.
Falteringly. with many stops and
sudden starts. they tried TO accompany
Fresno's halting pursuit over the key
board after the tune that was dodgine
about In his mind. All at once the
player struck his gait and introduced
D variation on the bass notes.
THAT amt in IT, shouted Show Low
Indignantly.
"Shut upp beloved Sagebrush.
With both hands hammering the
keys indiscriminately. Fresno made a
noisy IL not artistic finish and whirled
about on the stool, to be greeted by
hearty applause.
well. / reckon that's goin' somev'
he boasted when the hand clapping
subsided. bowing low to Polly and Mrs
Allen.
"Goin'T' laughed Polly. "Limpln' Is
what / call It. II you don't learn TO
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-02-11
LOCAL PAPER's VALUE.
IL is Worth Much More Than Anything
Else 10 the Town.

There IL community OF interests
among the business men of Kingston. A
good store or business of one kind here will
not only help the owners, but will help
to draw the trade hero for the rest of us.
The fact that You keep nice store or do
good business In n direct benefit 10 the
town. And IL one limo of trade here IN
not doing well that does not really help
the rest of us, but hurts the town. .
believe this is especially true of the
local paper. lmay be wrong, but think
II Is worth moro 10 the rest OF you than
any other business in town. honestly
believe there is reason for this and
think l can show IL 10 you.
suppose man takes the Kingston pa.
per. In money value il IL nothing, but
every week IL comes and tells him the
the local happenings, always with Kings
ton as center. IL will do more to keep
nm interested in the town than any
other purchases hc gets there. A sack of
sugar will not keep saying TO him: "I am
from Kingston. They are doing so and
30 there. This man Is building new
house; the churches will listen 10 DIR.
So-and-so Sunday; the high school boys
have such and such plans; the business
men are forming club"
man may wear ont pair OF shoes
and not stop three times TO think where
he got them. There IL not another thing
sent out from here that is doing ~ much
to keep the town before the people and
the people interested In the town as the
local paper.
My father had u binder. II cost over
800. / don't know where il came from,
perhaps Chicago. Now, letter every
week from Chicago would have aroused
my interest more in the town, told me
more about IL and made me want to 90
there more than dozen binders would.
So the Tribune is letter that goes
every week and every week. Whether
It's readers come here that week oss!sJ3
they are not allowed TO forget Kingston
This everlasting advertising of the town
is worth thousands OF dollars 10 our mer.
chants every year. In other i,,words
whether you advertise in the paper OF
not, 1t has been doing you great deal o
good every year IL has been here. Kings,
ton (O.) Tribune.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-02-11
Who Was the Mani

A Methodist minister in a small western
town, entering the Office Of the local
weekly, said 10 the editor:
~ am soliciting aid Tor a gentleman Of
refinement and intelligence who il in
dire need Of a little ready money, but
who is Tar TOO proud man o. make his
suHcrings known"
Why" exclaimed the editor, pushing
up his eyc-shsde, 'I'm the only chap in
the village who answers that description.
WHAT the gcntleman's manner"
~ regret, ~ said the minister. THAT 7
am not At liberty b. disclose &c."
why, 10 must bc me, said the cdi-
tor. "lts me. It's me, sure. Heaven
prosper you, parson, in your good work 4"
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-02-11
A LIBERAL OFFER


In order to double our already large
circulation and thus be able 10 secure an
increase in our advertising rates, THE
ARGUS will make present 10 old and
new subscribers Of pair of Patent Ten
sion Shears
You can get, ABSOLUTELY FREE, a
better pair Of shears than you ever used
by subscribing for TIE ARGUS for year,
or renewing your subscription IL you are
already subscriber, and paying in adj
vance $l.50, the regular price OF THE
ARGUS.
Such a tempting offer was never before
made TO the reading public Of Preston
county. The merits Of THE ARGUS as a
fearless and newsy paper needs no telling.
As 10 the shears, read.
They are a premium alike useful and
indispensable to the housewife, stenogra-
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The shears being distributed by TnE
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And this is the guarantee, a printed
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shears:
We guarantee the quality Of the mate
rial and the workmanship In these shears
% be first-class In every respect; that the
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breaks OF becomes defective in any way
within five years from the date delivered
II will be replaced with a new pair free.
The HAMILTON SILVER CoMPANY,
Manufacturers, Muncie, Ind
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-02-11
Pine Grove school.

Report of Pine Grove school for the
fourth month ending January 20;
Number of pupils enrolled this month
Girls, IL; boys, 10; total, %. Per cent
of daily attendance-Girls,9 93; boys, ~.
Those present every day
bessie Shaficr Marie Parsons
Ola Evans Hester Shaiier
Ora Eddy Audra Smith
Jay Shafier CLAYTON Parsons
clyde Domirc Bradford Shaiier
Trustees and patrons are cordially i'm
y''ed to visit our school and inspect our
work. El.NoRA NJ. FIKr. Teacher
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-02-11

Tie mud Is deep and the mud is gray,
and have mud that ia give away; the
mud is splashcd on my ears and nose;
there mud al over my Sunday clothes.
alas, and alackadayl The rooster stands
by the dripping barn, but he cannot crow
worth tinker darn; the rain falls down
for Il can't fall mp, and gloom and sor-
row have filled my cup, achonc, and
alackadayl The old roof leaks as it leaked
before, and the tomcat yowls at the
kitchen door; the wind walls by like a
soul in pain, aud who isn't tired Of the
reign Of rain, alas, and alackaday2
Tns Anacs for artistic printing.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-02-11
NUMBER IS
THE KICKING TOWN.

Strinstown wanted a now town hall
But somebody kicked.
hieked with bellows and whine and bawi.
someeody wanted to get the work:
It's just a scheme" and stringtown all
jumped ON tho plan and siecfui smirk
When somebody kicked.
Strinstown wanted a canning works:
But somebody kicked.
Hack OF the plan for the factory turks
A prominent man." said the kicker grim.
with lot 10 SELL" and with vehement jcrks
stringtown Jumped on that plan with vim
When somebody kicked.
stringtown Is still crossroads town
because somebody kicked;
Kicked at everything; cried u down:
Claimed that somebody stood 20 win.
90 the suingtown men did each scheme ND brown
Ana themselves likewise with knowing grin
When somebody kicked.
Peoria Herald -Tranaerint
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-02-11
LEapuNr. W. V. Feb. g

LENDNNE, W. Va, Feb. 8.
Editor Arrus.
Find enclosed $50 for which send me
TnE ARGUS and n pair Of your shears as
a premium. TVS ARGUS comes first ol
al papors 20 read and j won't be with.
ont Il. Respectfully yours,
JoHN IT. FoRrSTy.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-02-11
SCHOOL REPORTS.
Turner school.

Report OF Turner school, No. IL. fo
the fourth month ending February 8:
Number of pupils cnrollcd-Boys, IL
girls, :; total, ~. Per cent of daily at
tendance, ~.
Those present every day:
Arthur Eyerts Ben Barlow
Garrett Evcrts Leo Barlow
Clay Everts Earl Pylcs
George Evcrts Nicola Everts
Ross Lennon Don Lennon
Dallas Shrout Lucy Barlow
Annie Barlow
Those absent one day;
George Frccland Charles Shrout
FRANK +. BARLOW, Teacher.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-02-11

There is not any better salvo than De
Wits Carbolizcd Witch Hazel Salve. We
hereby warn the public that We are not
responsible for any injurious effects caused
from worthless or poisonous limitations Of
our DeWitps Carbolized Witch Hazel
Salve, the original. 10 is good for any
thing when salve is needed, but Il h
especially good for piles. BE sure you get
DeWius. Sold by Stricklcr's drug store.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-02-11
How TO Get q Pair Of Shears Frss

Bring, send, or mail 10 THE AReUs,
Kingwood, w. Va, sl.5O, the regular
price OF this paper for one year, and you
will get THE ARGUS for that time and
pair Of shears, a. described above, free.
II you order by mail they will be sent
postage prepaid. Such shears, IL bought
at retail, would cost from 75c 70 81. DO
not delay. Subscribe at once. This offer
is open 10 old as well a. new subscribers.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-02-11

II you need a pin take Dewiu's Little
Early Risers. Insist on them; gentle,
easy. pleasant little liver pills. Sold by
strickler's drug store.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-11-14
MR.. BARRIE's APOLOGY
10

]. NJ. Barrie lives in London, in
small, quaint house in Lancaster
Gate. Just across the Bayswater
road is Kensington gardens. There
in the Kensington broadwalk the
playwright takes his morning stroll
among the flowers and the fiower-like
children.
One morning in the broadwalk an
American lady twitted Mr.. Barrie
upon the thrifty way he uses jokes
and episodes over and over again,
exploding in "What Every Woman
Knows" for instance, the same wit
ticism that has already figured in
"The Admirable Crichton,". in MY
Lady Nicotine" and in Sentimental
Tommy"
Mr.. Barrie said, with a laugh, that
his nationality was to blame.
"I am a Scot" he said, "and we
Scots abhor waste. Did you never
hear of the aged Saunders Carlyle,
who always drank off his whisky to
the last drop the very instant 1t was
pout ed out for him?
"'Why do you drink down your
liquor in that quick. greedy way?'
stranger said to Saunders in a re-
proachful tone.
"'I once had one knocked over Ehe
old man explained. d.'-Bystander.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-11-14
PAY IN ADVANCE

The young man from the country
took his green necktie and his best
girl into a restaurant, and, like some
other young men. he was disposed
to be facetious at the walters ex-
pense.
Waiter" he said, II want you to
bring me a grilled crocodile"
"Yessir," replied the waiter, per-
fectly unmoved.
And, waiter, bring it with butter"
"Yessir."
Then he stood there like statue
for a minute.
Well" said the young man, aren't
you going to bring it?'
"Yessir."
"Why don't you. then?"
"Orders is, sir. that we get pay in
advance for crocodiles, sir. Croco-
dles with butter, sir. are fifteen hun
dred pounds and twopence. If you
take it without butter sir. it is only
fifteen hundred pounds, sir"
The waiter did not smile, but the
girl aid, and the young man climbed
down.-Sketch.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-11-14
TO REMIND HIM

The following story is told of a
canny Scot, a beadle, whose duty it
is to show tourists the remains of
the abbey in his parish.
One day he had thus conveyed a
party through the place, every men,
ber of which had tipped him, with
the exception of a grabbed old fellow
of his own nationality.
As the offender left, the beadle
whispered in his ear: "Weel, when
we gang hame, if We fin oot that ye
have lost your purse, ye maun recol-
lect that we havena had it oot here"
Modern Society.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-11-14
srMrrrA s1M1L1Bus cuRANruR

Homeopathic Doctor Injecting an
old school physician with gun under
his arm)-Ah, doctor! Bound to fetch
your patient this time, I see! Must
be pretty tough if you can't kill him
without a gun.
Old School Physician (who is after
ducks, sarcastically)-Be wait till
you know what you are talking about.
The man I'm going to see has one
leg filled with bird-shot, and I'm go
ing to try a homeopathic prescription
on him-shoot the other leg full of
the same kind of shot and see If that
won't cure him!-Lippincott'
Los Angeles herald., 1909-11-14
THE TWO EXTREMES

Two friends meeting after an alb
sence of some years, during which
time the one had increased consider
ably in bulk and the other still re-
sembled only the "efflgy of man."
Said the stout gentleman: "Why,
Dick. you look as If you had not had
a dinner since last saw you"
And YOU" replied the other look
as If you had been at dinner ever
since. ."-Tit-Bits
Los Angeles herald., 1909-11-14
From the Court of King Momus
IT TOOK TIME

A farmer was riding back from the
cemetery with his nephew after bury
ing his wife. well, she's gone" said
the bereaved husband.
The nephew assented dutlfully.
"She KEEP good care of me for forty
years." said the relict.
The nephew said that was so.
And, do you know" said the
mourner, toward the last l almost
got to like heri"-PickMe
Los Angeles herald., 1909-11-14
IGNORANT

Smith Cat the club)-Yes, by Jove,
there's very little you can teach me.
I've been everywhere. done every
thing, seen everything!
did ye ever have d. T.'s?
Smith-D. It's! Great Scot, no!
The Scotch Member-Then, ye've
seen nowt.-Sketch.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-11-14
COMPETING

whats this?" demanded the GUS
toms officer pointing to a package at
the bottom of the trunk.
THAT is a foreign book, entitled
'Politeness,'" answered the man who
had just landed.
II guess I'll have to charge you a
duty on it," replied the inspector. 1T
competes with a small and struggling
industry in this country. y."-Exchange
Los Angeles herald., 1909-11-14
REAssURING

Mr.. Brown and his family were
standing in front of the lion cage.
"John," said Mrs. Brown, '1f those
animals were to escape. whom would
you save first-me or the children?R
ME" answered John, without hesi-
tation.-Puck.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-11-14
THE MEAN MAN

Wife (crossly) We'll, have your
own way, and then you'll be satisfied.
Husband-I'm not so certain about
that. I had my own way when 1
married you, but I'm not satisfied
Judge.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-11-14
HER ONLY REGRET.

THE BRIDE-oh. darling. our honey
moon was Just the loveliest ever.
THE GRooM-It certainly was, dear
est.
THE BRIDE-I have only one regret
Il may never have the pleasure OF
going through another!-Matin.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-11-14

kand
omes suhc at aHrophea a his may
Los Angeles herald., 1909-11-14
THE ABSENCE OF FORESIGHT.


will
ntes do know?
i'm up II n a
It couldn't
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1909-09-16
Worked the Collector.

M. Chauchard. the great French
picture collector. was always adding
to his pictures. and the higher the
price the more anxious he was to Sc
cure the painting. dealer one day
offered him the "vache Blanche" by
Tryon. NJ. Chauchard was told he
could have 1t for 1900.
1T must be an imitation" he said.
Take it away"
The dealer told some of his col
leagues. and they promised to get him
$4,000 for the same picture If he would
split the difference with them.
Go ahead" he replied
A few days later a Russian, prince
(O visited NJ Chauchard's galleries
and remarked on leaving that he was
delighted. but it was pity the col
lection did not include an example of
Tryon's work
M. Chauchard. whose vanity was
wounded by the remark. wrote to
the dealer. Bring me the 'Vache
Blanche"
The reply was it was too late; it had
been sold to a collector.
The millionaire connoiSseur said he
must have it at any price. He finished
by securing it. but it cost him 100000.
st. James Gazette.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1909-09-16

man, ought to give you an everlast-
ing good thrashing for even limiting
such a thing. The girls my f1ancee.
and-and"-
Thrash away. If you like, Tommy"
said Johnson calmly. only remem7
Der you asked me not to talk in rid
dies"
You blamed old misanthropew said
Blake. with some show of temper.
'eYou-you-hard shelled old cynic!
suppose you'd swear any girl / got
engaged to had an eye only for my
money
johnson shook his head slowly.
mo. wouldn't, and you know It," he
declared. But the Carringtons,
Tommy-well. I'm afraid l know them
a. bit better than you do"
Blake sat silently watching the
stream of passersby on the cleaning
sidewalks for a time, then suddenly
threw away his half burned cigar
and pushed back his chair.
"Good night" said he CURLY and
stalked stiffly out Of the room.
There wasn't word Of truth in
what Johnson had said, he told him
self over and over again. Johnson
was a woman hater anyway. He
would have said the same of any
woman. It wasn't Ethel Darlington
in particular. Yet, despite all his men,
tai arguments on the matter, Blake
was vaguely disturbed in his mind as
he called a cab and drove uptown to
his apartments, for. more than he
would admit to himself. Blake was
prone to rely on Johnson's Judgment
But Johnson was off In this case
surely, he was way of!
Ethel Darlington was the finest. the
truest woman in all the world. and
johnson was a dyspeptic croaker.
There the matter must end.
Two weeks later Blake again sat be-
fore the window in the club. Again it
was rainy day. and again the pave
ments cleaned in the wet mist. Blake
was quite alone In the room. His face
was drawn and haggard. Great rings
showed around his eyes.
He turned as he heard step behind
him and saw johnson coming toward
him.
"You were right" said Blake. 20
Lord, you were right
Johnson veTy quietly drew chate