davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1909-08-18

room hu1n11,ed like a hive of bees
Above the hum could be heard the
scratch, scratch, scratch of the
judges pen as he wrote up the chancery
record.
Jim felt like shipwrecked sailor
who had breathing spell in his fight
for life during lull in the storm. He
played with the growing and strenu-
Gus Buddy and when he thought no.
body was looking seized and pressed
Sally AIMS work-worn hand.
"Et's all right, Sally" he whispered.
mr.. Robinson, he fetched 'em, l
reckon"
The minutes dragged into hours,
and the jury had not returned. The
Judge fidgeted and finally sent bailiff
to inquire if the jury wished any fur
Their explanation of the law AS the
shadows through the small paned win
dows heightened into evening the
word came that the IL were in hope.
less disagreement. Something at the
judges waistband reminded him that
his supper was getting cold and he
ordered the jury in. The whisper
went round that they stood II for
conviction and one for acquittal.
Only mental telepathy can explain
how news like this flies through a
crowded court room.
The judge was angry He had
two powerful motives for anger, his
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1909-08-18
SYNOPSIS.

Senator Morley Vernon's visit with his
nancee was interrupted by call from
his political boss at the state capital
Roth regretted it, the girl more than he,
dinner that evening with him. She said
she yearned for national Office for him.
On Vernon's desk in the senate he found
red rose, accompanied by plea for
suffrage for women. He met the au-
thoress, pretty Miss Maria Greene of
into voting for house resolution No. 49,
Miss Greene secured Vernon's promise to
vote for the suffrage resolution. He also
aided her by convincing others. He took
liking to the fair suffragette. Miss
Greene consulted with the lieutenant-gov-
the suffragette had stirred strange feel
ing within him. He forgot to read his
speech in favor Of suffrage, aided by
glances from Miss Greene. The resolution
was made a special order Vernon was
olution. He S'as much in Miss Greene's
company. Vernon neglected thoughts of
Amelia. He took Miss Greene driving and
laid out plans for the success of the reso-
newspaper sensation; He was being neg:
lected by Amelia, who had not answered
his letter. Vernon is clipped off, that his
suffrage resolution may not pass. AS
Miss Greene was due the following morn
ing he had no fears. Miss Greene ar
Across the dining room entrenched be" be-:
hind women opponents of the suffrage
resolution, he spied Amelia. He started
toward her. She treated him coldly and
the women opponents of suffrage re-
proved proved him in, for his part: Mrs Hodge,
conduct with Miss Greene had been hard
upon Amelia.
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1909-08-18

she did not answer. They sat there.
then, in silence.
"Why didn't you write?" Vernon de-
taanded after little while. He looked
at her, and she Strengthened up and
her eyes flashed.
why didn't l write!" she ex-
claimed. what was 1 to write, pray?
Were not your letters full of this obi.
GUS Maria Burlaps Greene? And as if
that were not enough, weren't the pa
pers full of you two? And that speech
oh, that speech-that Portia and
Helen, and I fill this cup to one
made up ali, it was sickening!' She
flirted away again.
But, darling" Vernon cried, listen
you misunderstood meant all that
for you, didn't you understands"
She stirred.
Didn't you see? Why, dearest, /
thought that when you read the papers
you'd be the proudest girl alive!"
Her lip curled.
Il read the papers," she said, and
then added, significantly, this once,
anyway"
We'll, you certainly don't intend to
hold me responsible for what the pa
pers say, do you?"
She resumed her old attitude, her ell
bow on the arm of the sofa, her chin
in her hand, and looked out the win.
dow. And she began to hum again.
And then," he pressed on, Ito Gene
down here and not even let me knew;
why you even called me Mister Yer.
non when l came into the dining
ROOM"
EYES," she exclaimed, suddenly
wheeling about, Il saw you come into
the dining room this morning!" Her
eyes grew dark and flashed.
He regretted, on the instant.
Il saw you!" she went on. 81 saw
you rush up to that Maria Burlaps
Greene woman, and-oh, it was hor.
rid!"
Her name isn't Burlaps, DEAR" said
Vernon.
How do you know her name, I'd
like to know!' She put her hands to
her face. He saw her tears.
Amelia" he said, masterfully, "if
you don't stop that! Listen-we've
got to get down to business"
She hastily brushed the tears from
her eyes. She was humming once
| more, and tapping the toe of her boot
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1909-08-18
CHAPTER xll.-Continued.

He looked at his watch; it was half.
past nine; the senate would convene
at ten; the resolution would not be
reached before half-past ten at any
rate; and so he determined to brave
Mrs. Overman Hodge-Lathrop again
He turned back into the lobby; there
she was, hobnobbing with men; she
did not pass from group to group, aft.
er the manner of any other lobbyist,
but by some coercion he wished he
might be master of, she drew them un.
erringly to her side. Now she had
Braidwood, the leader of the house
and chairman of the steering commit.
tee, and Porter, the leader of the sen.
ate. She appeared to be giving them
instructions.
She had set her committee on less
important game; the ladies were scat
tered over the rotunda, each talking to
little set of men. When Mrs. Over.
man Hodse-Lathrop saw Vernon com
ing, she turned from Braidwood and
Porter and stood awaiting him
Strangely enough Braidwood and Por.
ter stayed where they were, as if she
had put them there. And Vernon re.
flected that he had never known them
as doubtless no one else had ever
known them, to do such thing as
that before.
where's Amelia?" he asked before
she could speak.
II have sent her upstairs" said
Mrs. Overman Hodge-Lathrop, "poor
child"
Vernon wondered why poor child
Its really too bad," Mrs. Overman
Hodge-Lathrop continued.
What is too bad?" demanded Yer.
non. He had grown sulky.
Mrs. Overman Hodge-Lathrop looked
at him pityingly.
Morley" she said in vast solemn
tone that came slowly up from her
great stays, can make allowances,
of course. I know something of the
nature of man; I will admit that that
Greene woman is remarkably hand
some, and of her cleverness there can
be no doubt. l don't altogether ELAINE
YOU
She paused that Vernon might com.
prehend to the fullest her marvellous
magnanimity.
But at the same time it has been
hard on poor little Amelia. l saw no
other way than to bring her down.
You must go to her at once"
She turned toward Braidwood and
Porter, still standing where she had
left them.
when you have done, I'll see you
with reference to this miserable reso.
luton; but that can wait till we are at
the capitol. This other matter comes
first, of course"
Sh,, smiled with fat sweetness.
AND, Morley" she said, "order two
carriages for us at ten o'clock. You
may drive to the capitol with u.s."
And she went away.
Vernon ordered the carriages, and in
turning the whole matter over in his
mind he came to the conclusion that
he must deal with these complications
one at a time; Miss Greene, as events
now had shaped themselves. would
have to wait until he got over to the
State House.
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1909-08-18

on the carpet, though she was not tap
ping it in time to her tune.
why did you come down without
letting me know" Vernon went on;
but still she was silent.
You might at least have given
me-"
"Warning?" she said, with a keen
infection.
"Amelia!" he said, and his tone car
ried rebuke
We'll, l don't .care!" she cried. It's
all true! You couldn't stay for my
dinner, but you could come down here
and
She covered her face with her hands
and burst suddenly iato tears. Ver-
non gazed at her in establishment.
why, dearest!" he said, leaning
over, and trying to take her in his
arms. She drew away from him and
sobbed. Vernon glanced about the
room helplessly He pleaded with her,
but she would not listen; neither
would she be comforted, but continued
to sob. Vernon, in a mans anguish
with weeping woman, stood up.
Amelia! Amelia!" He bent over
her and spoke firmly. you must not!
Listen to me! We must go over to"
Suddenly he stood erect, and jerked
out his watch.
"Heavens!" he cried. Its half-past
ten!"
She tried to control herself then.
and sitting up, began to wipe her eyes.
(TO BE CONTINUED)
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1909-08-18

"fun," of Jim's catching his horses
bride and demanding payment for
the worthless runt; and then of the
cruel, singing back-handed cut
across the face with Billiards. buggy
whip and Jim's sullen threat ito git
even with the damned stuck-up eff he
had to fill him full Of buckshot."
And there was the evidence Of Bal
lard's often walking home past Jim's
house and through the timber, when,
with the open-heartedness that was
one of his many weaknesses, he had
loaned the mare and buggy to some
one of his cherished town compan.
ions; of the finding of the body just
beyond the Dismukes fence corner;
yes, even the marks of feet that Jim's
boots fitted so exactly.
Then the states attorney sprung
the star witness, a mute one but with
a story so plain that duller jurymen
than these II could have read it
from afar. 1t was but a circular bit
of newspaper probed by the doctor
from the wound in Arthur Billiards.
breast. Alone it meant nothing.
Fitted into the newspaper found un.
der the Dismukes family bed, with
every indenture interlacing with a
nicely that could never have been &C.
cidental, it was as damning as the
warrant of death itself. Then there
was the muzzle loading shotgun be-
hind the door, freshly fired, according
to the firm opinion of we'll qualified
experts in the person of local sports
men and the village gunsmith.
What had Jim Dismukes to offer to
all this crushing weight of evidence?
What mattered it though he declared
in an aggrieved tone to the Judge.
whom he persisted in addressing in.
stead of the jury:
"Jedge, found that paper the
mornin' I went to look at the corpse.
l fetched it home fer Bills jest learn.
in t read an I thought as how he
mought spell out some. O. the news
t me an his ma. I jest showed It
under the bed an forgot all about
it.. AS fer shootin' the gun, reckon
that parts kerrect I shot her ena-
most every day, an we he'd rabbit
tibet evenin' by reason of me shootin'
it. But amt never kilt nothin' but
critters an varmints 18th tibet gun.
Honest, I amt jedge.'
Of what avail was the evidence of
young Bill that on the night in ques.
ton his father had not left the house
but had sat up nearly all the night
blowing tobacco smoke into young
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1909-08-18

spoiled and sodden supper and the
double cost to the county in another
trial. He mentioned only one of these,
however, in his scathing rebuke to
the IL men that stood before him. He
reminded them that they had failed
in their sworn duty and were IN.
worthy to bear the name of citizen.
Then stood forth Amos Watson, the
ideal juryman.
MAY l have the. permission Of the
court to say few words" he be-
gan. Eleven men on this jury are
not deserving of this rebuke. One
man deserves it all and more. I am
that man. I have held out in this
case for acquittal and as my fellow
jurymen labored with me to bring me
to their way of thinking have fought
out battle with myself and my
maker It has been fight that has
extended beyond this court room back
six months to the time of the death
of young Arthur Ballard. It has been
with me waking and sleeping. But
now, thank God, I have won the vic.
tory and I am ready to tell this court
why could not consent to the con.
viction of Jim Dismukes for murder,
1t is only because he is innocent. !
killed Arthur Ballard!"
There was hush, and then a muir.
muir and then roar which it took
the combined rappings of the sheriff
and all his deputies to quell.
go on, Mr.. Watson, tell what you
have to TELL" sternly commanded the
Judge, as the Ideal juryman' stood
and mopped his brow.
Eyes, judge, I will tell it Ill. ]
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1909-08-18

when she was angry. 1t was intended
to show the last and utmost personal
unconcern. In such circumstances the
tune was apt to be an improvisation and
was never melodious. Sometimes it
made her easier to deal with, some
times harder; he could never tell.
Il don't exactly see what we are
here for he ventured, stealing look
at her. She had no reply. He fidgeted
a moment and then began drumming
with his fingers on the arm of the
sofa.
please don't do that she said.
He stopped suddenly.
If you would be good enough, kind
enough" he said it sarcastically, Ito
indicate, to suggest, even, what I am
to do-to say"
I'm sure l can't" she said. "You
came. I presumed you had something
to say to me-"
well, I have something to say to
you,'' Vernon went on impetuously.
why didn't you answer my letters?
Why have you treated me this way?
mat S what want to KNOW.
He leaned toward her. He was con-
scious of two emotions, two passions,
struggling within him. one of anger,
almost hate, the other of love, and
strangely enough they had striking
similarity in their effect upon him. He
felt like reproaching, yet he knew that
was not the way, and he made des-
perate struggle to conquer himself.
He tried to look into her face, but
she only turned farther away from
him.
1--WE spent the most miserable week
I ever knew, doomed to stay here, un-
able to get away to go to you, and
with this fight on my hands,"
"You seemed to be having a fairly
good time," the girl said.
Nov, Amelia, look here" said Yer
non, Tets not act like children any
longer; let's not have anything SO fool.
ish and little between u.s.
His tone made his words plea, but
It plainly had no effect upon her, for
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1909-08-18
CHAPTER XIII.

Vernon found Amelia in one of the
hotel parlors, seated on a sofa by a
window. She was resting her chin in
her hand and looking down into Cap
itol avenue.
Amelia" he said, bending over her.
What is it? Tell me-
He sat down beside her, and sought
to engage one of her hands in his own.
but she withdrew it, and pressed it
with the other and the handkerchief
In both, to her lips and chin. Vernon
glanced about the respectable parlors,
maintained in instant readiness for
anybody that might happen along with
his little comedy or his little tragedy.
She continued to look obdurately out
of the window.
Amelia" he said, aren't you going
to speak to me? Tell me what I have
done"
Still there came no answer. He
flung himself back on the sofa help
lessly.
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1909-08-18

Bills ear for the ear ache. But then
what match was young Bill for an as
tute and ambitious states attorney.
1t might have been some other night
that young Bill had the ear ache.
He had it many times, and young Bill
wasn't very strong on the calendar,
anyway. The evidence of Sally Ann
might have corroborated that of her
first born, but wise and beneficent
law holds such evidence prejudicial
to the minds of jurymen, and a wife
cannot come to her husbands aid in
such dire extremity.
The usual character witnesses, the
last ditch of tottering cause, put in
the usual evidence that Jim Dis
mukes had always borne a good rep
utation in his neighborhood for
peaceableness and quiet, and this evil
dence was duly torn to pieces under
the cross fire of the prosecution.
When the arguments came at last
Jim again sank down as far as pos
sible in his canebottomed chair and
stared in wonder and admiration at
the ambitious young states attorney
as he writhed and perspired in burst
of oratory that painted Jim Dismukes
a terrible, blood-sucking monster 20
ing up and down the earth seeking
whom he might devour; as he threw
back his long black hair and raised
his trembling hands to the cracked
geance of high heaven upon the foul
murderer of Arthur Ballard.
Jim wondered if God could see the
states attorney through the cracks
in the plaster. Sally Ann Rugged Bud
dy to her breast and wept softly. Old
Tom Robinson hoped the jury saw
her.
And then everybody wept when old
Tom rose and got his foot on the soft
pedal. Even the judge buried his
head in the record before him
and blew his nose tunefully. The
states attorney began to wonder if
being the stern avenger of an out
ragged law was such an honor, after
all.
Jim listened intently to the judges
instructions, but could make neither
head nor tail of them. Something
about mallets, he thought, but he
couldn't remember anything about
mallets, and he had understood all
along it was shotgun. But the Judge
knew better than he did, perhaps.
When the jury filed off into the
little room back of the judges ros.
trum, the tension broke and the court
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1909-08-18

when the wife has gone out for the
day. The reports of the school say
nothing about cooking lessons for the
fathers, but no doubt they will be
taught this, and sewing, too.
Men are called the lords of creation.
but nothing is less like lord than a
man whose wife is sick or away and
who cannot afford to hire servant.
He burns the meat, and cannot find
the bread knife, the baby gets the
collie and he buttons Tommy's apron
up wrong, and the fire goes out, and
his home IL scene Of woe and dea-
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1909-08-18

olation. If that man had had lessons
at St. Pancras and learned how to
steer the domestic ship, probably his
wife would feel more respect for him
and not half SO much anxiety to take
the ballot out of his hands. What is
there about man, anyhow, that he
should be exempt from the duties of
the fireside and the training of the
family he brought into the world? Let
workman lose his Job, and his wife
goes forth and launders or chars. and
In between times she continues to
take care OF his children and the
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1909-08-18

bathed In tears when Old Tom Rob
lnson returned to this motif in his
closing appeal.
And the evidence began to pile up
that sent Jim farther and farther
away from the little log home and
the ten acre patch. Circumstantial all
OF 1t, but each link forged and pol
ished into a perfect chain that it
would take a stronger hand than
Jim's to break. There was the quar-
rel over the sucking pig that young
Ballard killed while driving over the
big prairie farm in his light top buggy
to hit it up with the boys in town.
There was the story of Jim's way.
laying him, as with companion, he
dashed back again late in the night,
and much the worse for his evenings
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1909-08-18
Wild Figs for California.

California is to try acclimating the
Korean wild fig. The fig, growing "a
a hardy vine, on trees, trellises and
hedgerows to height of 30 feet,
bears delicious fruit. Some of the
seed has been sent to the department
of agriculture. California state uni.
versity. The fig grows wild in Korea
and has proved of great value th9la.
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1909-08-18

out. l knew that another jury would
hang Jim. And then, thank God, the
victory was given to me and il you
knew the load of remorse and agony
that the telling has lifted from my
shoulders you would not wonder at
my GOODNESS"
But, Mr.. Watson, you had a mo.
tive, a strong motive?" queried the
Judge.
yes, Judge, had a motive, q
strong motive. You have daughter,
Judge. So have I. You would not
want to see your daughters name
dragged in the mire of case like
this. Neither do l. But had a
strong motive"
James Dismukes is discharged
from the bar of this court, and the
court regrets the injustice that has
been put upon him. The sheriff will
take Amos Watson into custody.
I'm sorry for you Amos. I'm glad
for you, Jim," said the Judge, hastily.
Il knew Mr.. Robinson would fetch
EN-" cried Jim Dismukes, loyal to
the last as he lifted Buddy in his big
strong hands and kissed the dirty.
chubby face.
1t would not be becoming in tho
author of these narratives to mention
the reception accorded by the Calf
Skin club to Judge Sturgis' story.
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1909-08-18
WHEN MOTHER GOES TO WORK

bids fair to leave meals uncooked and
babies INTENDED and the homes of the
nation desolate by and blythe St.
Pancras School for Mothers is teach
ing fathers how to perform domestic
duties. At course of classes and
conferences just ended workingmen
have learned all sorts of useful things
about hygiene of the home, and how
to mix the milk for the baby, and the
way to keep the children amused
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1909-08-18
When WASHINGTON Swore,

1t was at the battle of Monmouth
that Washington aroused the admira-
ton OF an officer who overheard few
pungent and suphurous EXPLANATIONS
from the father Of his country. Eyes,
sir; ne swore on that day till the
leaves shook on the trees-charming.
delightful! Never have enjoyed such
swearing before or since. Sir. on that
ever-memorable day he swore like an
anger from Observation-Disclosures
Ledger.
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1909-08-18
School Established in England Where
H1en Are Taught to Take Care
of the Home.

The st. Pancras School for Mothers,
In England, is wise and far-seeing
institution. Perceiving that women
are going forth more and more every
year to get votes, and clerkships, and
places in shops, and so on-that, in
abort, Q movement is beginning that
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1909-08-18

HAVE attempted to
vary these stories
Of cumstantial
ev i d e CO." s a l d
Judge Sturgis at
the weekly meeting
of the Calf Skin
club, "by putting in
my little contribu.
ton tn thio cvvo.
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1909-08-18

house. The man doesn't do it-unless
st. Pancras has had hold of HMM.
Y. Tribune.
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1909-08-18

"And were you the judge?" quer
led half dozen members in unison
mo, gentlemen answered Judge
Sturgis. Il was the ambitious youns
states attorney"
Copyright, 1909, by w. G. Chapman.)
The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-10-12
The Fired Man.

Neither Of the partners had arrlv-
ed. and the clerks that morning were
indulging in their usual bout of gos-
sip.
did | tell YOU, chaps, that | Was
leavine?" drawled the languid swell
OF the staff, whose incompetence was
as palatable as the splendor Of his al
tire.
"Heard you got the sack re-
piled the spectacled cashier grutfly
u answered an advertisement yes
lerday for what looks like a first
class job,' resumed the overdressed
one, ignoring the remark. I've pitch
ed rather a strong yarn, but you've
got to do that if you want to keep
up with the times.'
Just then the senior partner enter
ed and ali wrote intently.
Within five minutes the "old man"
who had been opening letters, called
the last speaker into his room, and
the following dialogue became plain
ly audible to those outside:
"Ilave you beel ia our service
seven years?'
"No, sir; only fifteen months
"And is your salary four pounds
ana ten shilGngs a week."
"Eh, no, sir; 80 shiilings.
land are you i'll entire charge Of
the counting house?"
No reply.
"Anu are You leaving us because
Of a difference with the firm regard
ing the management Of our colonla
branches?"
Dead silence and a short pause.
You should be more careful II
in your statements, sir. This IS q
small world. The advertisement you
answered was for the situation you
are leaving on Saturday. That will
do.'