davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-06-26

AS usual, Edward +. G"ers, dean Of
the harness turf, has big stable this
spring at the'BilIngs track, Memphis,
Tenn. Ia all GccrS has forty-siX ami
mails in training, record number even
for the man who made the Village
farm famous.
1t Is natural perhaps for the "silcnt
man" to hold the seasons record. lie
believes in ascertaining early what a
horse can do. 50 he searches his
charges sooner than any other trainer
in the business. When the majority
are working out around 2:2O Geers Is
setting down his hopcfuls in 2:10.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-06-26
CHAPTER VII.

r. n ANDY had secretly enjoyed the
I" cOmmutiOn caused 10y the III
tie circus rider being left In
0 the parsonage at first Ice
cause of her Unborn love of mischief
aud later because Polly had become
second I'm her heart only To the pastor.
She went about her work, grooming
softly during the days of Pol!y's con
valcSccnCc. The deep steady voice OF
the pastor reading aloud in the pretty
window overhead was company. She
would often climb the stairs to tell
them some bit of village gossip ana
leave them laughing at Il quaint COM
mcnt about some inQuisiivr sister OF
the church who had happened to incur
her dispcasurc,
As spring came on Douglas carried
Polly down to the sunIit garden be
meath the window. and Mandy hut-
tered about arranging the cushions
with motherly solicltude
More days slipped by and Polly began
to creep through the little, soft lcaved
trees at the back OF the church and to
look for the deep, blue, sweet scented
violctS When she was able Douglas
took her with him to visit some of the
outlying houses of the poor. Her
wOmnn's instinct was quick to per
ceive many small needs in their lives
that he had overlooked and 10 suggest
simple, inexpensive Joys that made
them her devoted friends.
] ,,i
making plans for these unfortunates
and reading aloud from the Bible or
other books.
When Polly gained courage, Douglas
sometimes persuaded her to read to
him, and the little corrections that he
made at these times soon became
noticeable in her manner of speech.
She was so eager so starved for
/ knowledge that she drank 1t as fast
as he could give 1t. 1t was during
their talks about grammar that Mandy
/ generally fell asleep In her rocker, her
unfinished sewing still In her lap.
When letter came from Jim and
Toby 1t was always shared equally by
Mandy and TASTY. Polly and the pas
tor. But at last a letter came from
jim only and Douglas, who was asked
to read It, faltered and stopped after
the first few words.
ITS no use my tryin' to keep it from
you any longer, Poll" the letter began
1--WE amt got Toby with lis no more
lie didn't have no accident; it wasn't
that. He just seemed kinder Sick an
ailin' like ever since the night we had
to leave you behind. | used to get him
warm drinks an things an try to
pull him through. but he was always
a-chillin' and a'achin'. If it wasn't one
thing it was another. / done all
knowed you'd "a wanted me to- an
the rest OF the folks was mighty white
to him too. | guess they kinder felt
how lonesome he was. He couldn't get
no more laughs in the show. so Barker
had to put on another man with him.
That kinder hurt him. too, | s'pose,
an showed him the way that things
was a-goin'. 1t was just after that he
wrote the parSon a-telIin him to never
let you Gene back. He seemed te "a
got an ideC in his head that you was
happier where you was. He wouldn't
let me tell you bout his feeliN' rocky,
cause he thought 1t might mebbe
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-06-26
Rse.nt RasebaII Decisions.

In announcing two decisions on
cases of free agents" the national
baseball commission warns the clubs
under the national agreement that
they should protect their interests 10y
making all players sign contracts. Jcv.
sey City sent Arthur De Croft tn
Wilkosbarre. Jersey city wanted the
player back, but De Croft claimed ne
was Il free agent, The player has prov,
ed his case, but the compassion says
that clubs in the future should put no
player on the payroll without making
him sign Il contract. De Croft had
none with either club.
W. B. Kay, who was turned adrllt
by the Washington club some time
ago, also put in Il claim that he was It
free agent. The commission. however.
refused to allow his claim. Kay was
ordered TO report to the Washington
club at once. Kay IS at present play
ing with the Troy On. " club, at
though he has been with several other
teams since Washington sent him back
to the minors.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-06-26

as ridln act. The rest OF the bunch
has got It easy alongside Of us, Take
the fellows on the trpeHe They al
WAYS get their tackle NJ I'm jcs the
same place, Take the halNncin' acts,
There amt no difference I'm their lay
outs. Take any of EN- rs depends on
rcgulur props, and they ainN got much
chance a-goIn wrong, lut, say when
YOU have to do Il ridin' act there AIM
never no two times alike, If your
horse Is fcclm good, thcS ground Is
stumbly; II the ground amt ON the
blink, the horse Is wobhly, There's al
WAYS Sumclhn' wrong somewhcreS,
md you amt never KNOWN how It's
Coin to end, especially when You GOT
10 do careful act like mine, There's
n girl Eluisc, in our bunch what does
II SNOWY act on n horse what BARKER
calls Barbarian She goes ON IN my
place sometimes, and, say, them Rubes
applauds her as much MS me, an her
stunts is baby tricks alongside of nine
It's enough to make you sick OF art.
She shook her head dolefully, then SAT
40 with renewed interest
"You see. mine is careful balancin
nm all that an YOU got to know your
horse an your ground for that Now
Won get wise to what I'm a-tcllIn' you
and don't YOU never 90 into anything
which depends on anything else"
THANK YOU, Polly, | won't Doug
that hn NnHN
much indebted to her,
II seen church show once" Polly
said suddenly.
"You did," Douglas asked, with new
interest.
Yes" she answered, closing her lips
md venturlng no further comment.
"Did you like i?" he questioned aft
or pause
"touldn't make nothin' out Of it.
don't care much for roadn'."
"Oh, it isn't all reading" he correct,
ed.
"Wer. the guy saw read all of
his'n. He got the whole thing right
out OF Il book"
"Oh. that WAS only his text" laughed
Douglas.
Text"
"Ycs. And later he tried to interpret
70 his congrcga"-
Easy. Easy" she interrupted.
"Come again with that, will YOU"
He told them the meaning of what
he read"
well. | don't know what he told
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-06-26

I'VE got a girl named Ruth in our
leap Of death stunt Some OF the
folks Is kinder down on 'er, but l
mint"
She might have told Douglas more
NJ her forlorn little friend. Int just
then Mandy came to th2 ud m--.'E
Il large, old fashioned EInlr, and DuuH-
las helped to place the pIoGorouS book
before the inv0lld,
"Sce honey, dar dcy is" the Old wo-
man said, pointing to the picture OF
Ruth and Naomi,
"Thcm's crackGrJacEs, amt they
Polly gaspcd, and her eyes slone with
wonder. (Which ones RuthF
Dis one" said Mandy, pointing with
her thumb.
"Why, they're dressed just like our
rharlot drivers. What does 1t say about
'em"
You can read it for yourself" Doug
las answered gently. There was some
thing pathetic in the caGcmcss OF the
starved little mind.
well, | amt much on readin'-out
loud" she fatered, growing suddenly
conscious of her deficiencies Read it
for nte, will you"
| Certainly" And ne drew his chair
nearer to the bed one strong hand
supported the other half of the Bible
and his head was very near to hers MS
4 his deep. full voice pronounced the sol
/ emn words IN which Ruth pleaded so
many years before.
"'Entreat me not to leave thee he
read, "'or to return from following
after thee, for whittier thou goeSt | will
go, and where thou lodgest | Will lodge.
/ Thy people shall he my people and thy
God my God !"
lie stopped to ponder over the poetry
of the lines,
"Kind of pretty, amt IT." Polly said
softly. She felt awkward and con
strained and little Overawed.
There are far more beautiful things
than that" Douglas assured her en-
Enthusiastically as the echo OF many
such rang in his ears.
There areY And her eyes opened
wide with wonder.
Eyes. indeed" he replied, plying
more and more the starvation of mind
and longing to bring to 1t floods OF
light and enrichment.
81 guess I'd like to hear you spiel,
and she fell to studying him soIemly.
"You would?" he asked eagerly.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-06-26

"Is there any more to that st"ry|'
she asked, ignoring his question.
Eyes. indeed"
would you read me little morc|'
She was Sery humble now.
"'Where thou diest will | die, and
there will I be buried The Lord do SO
to me- and more also, If aught but
death part me and thee
Their eyes met. There was a long
pause. Suddenly the sharp, sweet
notes Of the church bell brought John
Douglas to his feet with a start of
surprise.
Have you got to co." Polly asked
regretfully.
Yes, must, but I'll read the rest
from the church. Open the window,
Mandy" And he passed out Of the
door and quickly down the stairs.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-06-26

'Gm, but it didn't mean anything to me.
But maybe your show is better'n his
was" she added, trying to pacify him.
Douglas was undecided whether to
feel amused or grateful for Polly's
ever increasing sympathy, Before he
could trust his twitChing lips to am
swer she had put another question to
him.
Are you goin' to do II stunt while l
am bere|
81 preach every Sunday, If that's
what you mean. I preach this morn
Ing"
as this Sunday" she asked, sitting
up with renewed energy and looking
about the room as though everything
had changed color.
YES"
"And you got n matinee?' she eX-
claimed incredulousy.
1--WE have services" he corrected,
gently.
I'VE rest up on Sundays" she said
In a tone of deep commiseration
"Oh, / see" he answered. feeling 1t
no time to enter upon another discus
zion as to the comparative advantages
IF their two professions.
"What are you goin to spiel about
today?"
About Ruth and Naomi"
ruth and who?"
Naomi" he repeated.
Naomi" she echoed, fitting her head
from side to side as she listened to
he soft cadcnreS of the word. II nev-
Or heard that name before. 1t nd look
fwful swell on billboard, wouldn't
IT,"
ITS a Bible name. honey" Mandy
laid. eager to get into the CONVERSE
ton Oars buful picture bout her.
{ seed It,"
81 like to look at pictures" Polly an!
;wcred tentatively. Mandy crossed the
-oom to fotch the large Bible with its
steel engravlngs.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-06-26
CHAPTER VI.

IrATl HEN John Douglas uncle Of
M fered to educate his nephew
V for the ministry the boy was
- less enthusiastic than his
mother. He did not demonstrate how
ever, for 1t had been the custom of
generations for at least one son Of each
Douglas family to preach the gospel
If Calvinism. and his fathers career
Is an architect and landscape gardener
had not left him much capital.
Douglas senior had been recognized
as an artist by the few who under
stood his talents, but there IS small
demand f6r the builder Of picturesque
houses in the little business towns Of
the middle west, and at last he passed
away. leaving his son only the burden
Of his financial failure and an ardent
desire to succeed at the profession In
which his father had Jared 50 badly.
The hopeless defeated look on the de-
parted mans face had always haunted
the boy, who was artist enough to feel
his fathers genius mtultvely and
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-06-26
Pirates Win storke on Contention.

The application of Player Alan H.,
Storkc of the Pittsburg National
League club for reinstatement has been
granted without the infection Of any
penalty by the national baseball com
mission. The player did not report to
his club this spring. having obtained
permission to finish his studies ut Il
law school The commission also an.
nounced ruling in the case Of Player
Justice, who made Il claim against tho
st. Louis American League club FOR
back salary. The commission found
that the player was entitled to the sal.
airy due him. and the st. Louis club is
directed to pay the same, after deduct
ing $50 advanced to him and what
ever moneys they paid out for doctor
and nurses during the time he was i'll
while with that club.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-06-26
Early Football For Yale.

A new plan OF the Yale football man
agement is the calling to the preim
mary football practice in the autumn
Of members of the incoming freshman
class who are proficient in football and
candidates for the freshman teau,
They will be called on the goth OF Sep
tember. The new men will be trained
with the university football squad will
the idea Of giving both the university
men and the freshmen early practice
and Sitting out the best men for ~
freshman team,
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-06-26
COPYRIGHT, 1903, BY DODD, MEAD .
lContinued Nom last week.l


She wondered what Jim ana Toby
would say if they could see her now
sitting like queen IN the midst Of her
soft cOvcrcts, with no need to raise
even finger 70 wait upon herself
"Am't it the limit" she sighed, and
with that Jim and Toby seemed 10
drift farther away. She began &c
see their life apart from hers. she
could picture Jim with his head IN
his hands. She could hear his sharp
orders to the men, He was always
short with the others when anything
went wrong with her
"In bet 'Muvver Jim's' in the
dumps" she murmured as a cloud
stole across the tlowerlike face; then
the tired muscles relaxed, and she
ceased to rebel.
"Nluvver Jim?" Douglas repeated,
feeling that he must recall her to Il
knowledge Of his presence.
THAT'S what | call him." Polly OK
planned, 'but the fellows call him Big
Jim You might not think Jim could
be a good mother just to look at him,
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-06-26

make you come back. She's diff'runt
from u.s. he was allus a-sayin'. 4
never spected TO keep 'er,' :"
Douglas stopped. Polly was waiting,
her face white and drawn. He had
not told her Of TOby's letter because
with 1t had come IA request to SAY
nothin' ter the kid"
He felt that Polly was controlling
herself with an effort until he should
reach the end of Jim's letter, so he
hurried on.
THE parsons promise didn't get to
him none too quick" he read. THAT
seemed to be what he was waittn' for.
He give up the night 1t come, an
got him little room In n hotel after
the sho& an let one of the other fel.
lers get the stuff out O. town, SOS
could stay with him up to the finish
1t come round mornlp, There wasn't
(To be continued next week
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-06-26
= a So . E IA
8! Bear. tho Nv 0 .%1 Wv Hay! AWAY: S''g''
signature at HAIz<a

Rev John Elliott Bowman Of Bos-
ton, who formerly held pastorates in
Vermont, has accepted the call to the
Congregational churches of West
field and Troy. The Methodist
churches in both places have wor-
shipped with Congregationaists the
past year and plan to continue the
arrangement the coming year.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-06-26

Tommy Ryan, the former middle
weight champion. will again enter the
ring. He has hurled challenge at
Stanley Ketchel Ryan states that be
will not be ready to take on mattel
before October, but that by that time
he would be in excellent condition.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-06-26

"LOrdH no, cate. lie dmt nCbbGr ScC0
none Oh dem tngS"
but he is, only sometimes you can't
tell him things you could real
mother" she added half sadly
"And your real mother went away
when you were very young"
NO, she didn't go away"
Mop There was puzzled note in
the pastors voice.
"She went out" Polly corrected.
"Outw he echoed blankly.
Eyes; finished-lights out"
"Oh. an accident" Douglas under.
stood ut last.
81 don't like to talk about it." Polly
raised herself on her elbow and
looked at him Solemnly, as though
fbout to impart bit of forbidden fam
Ny history. 1t was this look in the
round eyes that had made Jim so often
declare that the kid knew everything
"Why, mother d IA been ashamed II
she'd IA knOwcd how she wound up,
She was the best rider Of her time
everybody says So-but she cashcd in
bv fallin' off a skate what didn't have
no more ginger an kitten. If you
can beat that" She gazed at him
with her lips pressed tightly together
evidently expecting some startling eN'
preston of wonder.
"And your father?" Douglas asked
rather lamcly, being at a loss for any
adequate comment upon tragedy
which the child before him was too
desolatc even to understand.
"Oh, dads finish was all right. He
got hiS'n in Il lions cage where he
worked. There was nothin' slow about
his end" She looked up FOR his APP
prevail.
"For de Lords sake" Mandy
groaned as the wonder Of the child
conversation grew upon her.
AN now Pm down an out" Polly
concluded, with sigh.
But this is nothing serious" said
the pastor trying to cheer her
Its serious enough with whole
show a-dependin on you, Maybe you
knock off work"
"Oh, yes, do" Douglas answered
quickly. Il was i'll a while ago myself.
had to be in bed day after day, think
Ing Of dozens of things that ! ought to
be doing"
WAS you ever tlooredE" Polly asked
with touch Of unbclief as she studied
the fine, healthy physique at the side
of her bed
"'Deed, he was, chile" Mandy cried,
feeling that her opportunity had now
arrived, AN | had the wOrs time
a-keepin' him in bed. He act jrS like
you did
did hep Polly was delighted to
find that the pastor had "nothin' on
her" as she would have put it.
you ought to have heard him, "
continued Mandy, made eloquent by
Polly'S show Of interest. "'What will
dose poor folks do| he kept n-sayin'
jos yo' lay where yo' is tolc him
Dem poor folks will be better off dan
dey would be a-comin' to yoah fu-
neral"
Poor folks?" Polly questioned. "Do
you give money to folks? We nrc nj.
ways itchin' to get 1t away from 'em.
Before Douglas could think OF words
with which to defend his disapprovcd
methods Mandy had continued eager.
ly:
can den on Sunday, when he can't
20 to church an preach She got no
further. A sharp exclamation brought
both Mandy and Douglas to attention.
Preach" Polly almost shouted. She
looked at him with genuine alarm this
time.
THAT will do. Mandy" Douglas com.
manded, feeling an unwclCOmc drama
gathering about his head.
"Groat Barnum and Bailey" Polly
exclaimed. looking at him as though
he were the very last thing in the
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-06-26

The students from Vermont in
Harvard university held meeting
recently to take steps for the organ
ization of a "Nermont cmb.'
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-06-26

In a mill pond at West Berlin w.
II. Cooper caught 4 trout measuring
FL inches and weighing four pounds
and two ounces.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-06-26

ifornnn has offered $4,000 for Il for
ty-hvc round contest between the pair
AS Kctchcl has practically admitted
that he cannot make the middlcwCight
limit any more, Papke has now claim
ed the title.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-06-26
THE SPORTING WORLI

Papke May Fjgu, L1ngford
Jim Conroth the premier Di-M o.
motcr or California, Is DrNug Mnr"
,1lnrh match between i'IiN IH
who recently defeated Uueo Isl,
and sam luuarord, the hard M,u
light hcavyWcight Of Boston The G.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-06-26

Nearly all of the $4,000 inhabt-
ants of Mathematician, Saxony,
are engaged in violin making
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-06-26

"WclL you take my tip Don't Vou nCUey
90 in tOr ridtn'."
air Of condeScension. "only there amt
so much danger In your act"
"I'm not so sure about that" he
laughed.
We'll, you take my tip" she leaned
forward as though about to impart
a very valuable bit of Information
Don't you never 20 in for ridin',
There amt no act on earth 50 hard
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-06-26

Eugene c, Sleeper Of TunbridGe
was a member of Co. II, 2d Reg
and the first volunteer to enlist from
the town of Stanford. He was taken
prisoner and confined in Andersen
vile and other prisons for Is months,
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-06-26

{ To be continued next week
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1909-12-02

Oklahoma IS introducing new ideas
on prison reform These advanced
reforms in prison government viii be
put into effect when Oklahoma has
the state convicts within the walls OF
the new prison now rapidly approach
ing completion al McAlester. Many
important changes IN administering
the affairs of penal institutions have
been brought about within the last
decade. These reforms have result
ed In innovations that are revolu-
tionary in character. Prisons are
now considered places wherein so-
cietv endeavors 10 reform its erring
members
Warden Dick has many advanced
ideas on prison reform. He has
studied the perplexing problems Of
prison life and proposes TO establish
ideal conditions within the new pgls-
on A system OF prison government
Is being established by him taat
promises much good for the state and
which will result IN great benefit 70
the Oklahoma convicts u is his pol
icy to surround the men with the
best Influences and give them every
chance for self Improvement The
convicts viii be permitted to have
music al the new prison A hand and
orchestra viii be organized A we'll
equipped school viii be established
A weekly newspaper edited and
printed By tho convicts win be one
Of the many educational features. Al
present al that can be done for the
reformation OF the inmates is being
done A day school for the benefit
of the young men and boys has been
established at The old Federal Jail
The school work viii be extended SO
as 10 embrace he older men when
The removal is made 10 the new
prison At present the crowded con
Z diliOn Of he prison does moi permit
Of any extension The school is an-
der the management Of Chaplain
Naylor. james O'Neil. convict from
ArdAore acts As principal teacher.
William Rhea from III Reno acts as
Instructors OF. the cclofed mon The
studies range from primary work to
the sixth grade and embraces ariih-
metic, reading writing. geography.
history and civil government The
ground floor Of the cen house IS used
for school room The school work
Is classified into four Glasses. The
-. rs,srrcs 49, &c ser~zr'.
ed. The school hours are from S a.
m uidl II . m. and from p. m
to p. m The school Is held i've
DAYS In the week. Monday. Tuesday
Wednesday. Thursday and Saturday