davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1909-06-05
"THl TIcxErsi" oAspEo MRS. PRATT,

dull, weary voice. and without turning to
the stove; I'm too flustered to set down.
Besides, I'm alone in the world and no.
body cares whether 1 stand or not. My
errand il soon done" And what was be-
gun as a jeering laugh at fate quickly
faded into moan and her fingers desisted
from a futile attempt to unroll her parcel.
The storekeeper made as II to speak,
but unable to frame. an appropr' ate
query, he changed his mind and the
muscles of his face. and only stared at
her in perplexed impatience.
She, In turn, bowed her shoulders as one
bereft Of all earthly help. and cried
"Why is 1t, Mister Jessup, you're telling
folks can't go on the excursion?"
The storekeeper stepped back in amaze
ment and turned an imploring, question
ing gaze upon his gravely attentive
friends
Il repeat" she half sobbed, now domi-
mated by a moist indignation. "why?"
Good Lawd. Nellie, What dye mean?
1 don't understand" he exploded
"Ye might have said 1t in fun" sug-
gested Mr.. Currier amiably. not at all
chagrined to behold Mr.. Jessup blindly
on the defensive
''Or said 1t before We knew she intended
going" added Bige Pratt, with no idea
where the situation was leading to.
Il don't care when he said It," protested
Mrs. Peevy, as two big tears made little
paths down her dusty cheeks. What ]
want to know is. why did he say It? How
does he know can't go?'
"If Aaron has wronged ye, he'll make
it right" kindly assured Mr.. Curriers'
hired man.
But the storekeeper, now rallying from
his stupor, pounded the counter with his
fist to hold attention. and loudly ex.
claimed. II never said any such thing, ]
tell you! I never said a dod-rotted thing
about anybody. or any excursion!" Then
In forced calmness and with a coaxine
tone. Now. Nellie, what makes you think
1 did?'
Mrs. Peevy controlled her trembling
lips with difficulty long enough to explain
II dreamed three different times last
night that you was laffing at me and say.
ing couldn't 60 on the excursion"
The storekeeper glared helplessly at hel
for nearly a minute before his astonish.
ment would allow him to expostulate
"Well, snum! I-I-and dye mean
you're pulling mo over the Goals on the
strength Of dream?"
aBut why should dream 1t three times
II 1t want so?" she wildly demanded.
Dreams amt all bosh," observed Mr.
Pratt. staccato. as he gazed vacuously al
the ceiling.
The storekeeper darted a malignan,
look at the stove. and. reverting to his
accuser. cried, why in sin, Nellie, should
Evening star., 1909-06-05

Of q triumphant exit. Then she con-
tinued: But we've met today to make
our last plans. If it Is rasping to Nellie.
she can leave. Wen wait"
ut would be kinder to yourself. Nellie,
to co." shrilly whispered Mrs. Weeger.
mo, I'll stay" groaned Mrs. Peevy.
Next to being on that train I'd rather
hear the plans talked about. But
changing cars and
Very we'll, then" interrupted Mrs.
Pratt sharply, she's picked her path, let
her lie in 1t. Now, I've arranged to have
Elder Witham buy the tickets. You're
to give your money to me and I'll give it
to him; then all we have to do is to be at
the station in the morning"
But why should he fuss to buy them?"
gasped Mrs. Peevy. for the moment for
getting her isolation. I'VE could-oh,
dear! To think must be only an audi
ence!'
Mrs. Pratt turned a long chilly gaze
upon her, and as others in the circle be-
gan to look dubious, the dominating fac
tor hurriedly decreed: 1--WE must have a
man buy the tickets. Elder can git 'em
quicker than we can, and also be sure OF
the change. I've arranged for it all"
4
This effectually stamped out any revo-
lutionary spark, and the members of the
the matter OF food This topic furnished
material for an enlivening debate for sew
eral minutes. and was only interrupted by
the widows reminder:
But that makes three who say they'll
bring doughnuts. Why don't Mrs. Weeger
bring tarts instead?''
Nellie" demonstrated the president,
compassionately. why don't you try to
forgit?'
II know. know" feebly admitted the
disconsolate woman; but If / hadn't
bought them electric belts 1 might have
squeezed out the money
Belts, Nellie! What did you want of
'em?" cried Mrs. Weeger. eyeing the
others portly form in amazement
''Oh, don't know why 1 bought 'em!''
lamented Mrs. Peevy. rocking her body
In a minor display Of emotion. But the
agent let me have 'em forty cents cheaper
II I'd take six-and 1 took 'em. They're
good for rheumatism. you know
''Lawd Mellie! ! never knew you had
rheumatic" said the president
II ain'." sniveled Mrs Peevy; "bu,
they seemed such bargain!'
Nellie Peevy," reproached Mrs. Pratt.
discordant voice. "by your own words you
prove we've been wasting our sympathy"
And her bony features assumed the ex.
preston OF one who has been cheated, as
she glared at the fearful countenance OF
the offender. Here we've been trying to
arrange for your happiness. and it seems
that all the time you've been wasting
your pension money on sewgaws. Mel.
lie, how much did you pay for 'em?'
Jest three dollars n sixty cents" con-
Evening star., 1909-06-05

care whether you go or~not? I tell
you. it's all nonsense
Its hard to hear you say you don t
care she sobbed. leaning far over the
counter. And it's pesky hard to be
talked about when amt got any chance
OF going
'Mebbe Aaron is kindern' ye think.
Mebbe he's thinking up something for yer
good" suggested the hired man.
Then 1 was mistook in him." whim-
pered Mrs. Peevy. With this conclusion
she unroIled the parcel and allowed six
metal disks to jangle out on the counter
Mr.. Jessup started back in a semblance
of alarm. What be they?'
They're electric belts" she explained
II give sixty cents apiece for 'em, and
you can have 'em for a dollar EACH
But I don't want EN-" suffered the
storekeeper
why. you said you'd take emf
Mr.. Jessup closed his eyes and rumpled
his coarse hair with both hands, and
finally. in artificial calmness, said: ri
give eight pounds of sugar for the lot
Something of metal dropped to the floor
on the storekeeper's side Of the counter
and eave forth a sharp clink. Az Mr..
Jessup angrily stopped to recover 1t his
scowling eyes detected a fat, round coin,
enbellished by all that characterizes q
silver dollar, while as II carved from
flame stood out the figures 1904
When he stood up again the men at the
stove did not know he held in his hungry
hand what he believed to be worth some
two thousand dollars.
He coughed, and then said:
Nellie. guess the boys was right
Good for We, Aaron!' indorsed Mr.
Currier warmly.
"You mean-whatr' choked Mrs. Peevy,
paving at the scales.
II mean, Nellie, that I'm going to buy
the belts" he announced. I'm going to
give you dollar and half apiece. Nine
dollars for the six. Here's ten-and I'll
keep this that you dropped and call 1t
square,"
"oh. thank you! thank you for your
noble deed! Butt she timidly warned.
'it's SO old don't believe It's worth a
dollar
Tut! tut!' he said hurriedly. We'll
say no more about IT.
The uneasy activity Of the excursion
lists gave the station platform an unusual
touch Of color and life at an early hour.
One woman repeatedly sounded . ner-
vous laugh without apparent incentive.
Mrs. Pratt. cast In sterner mold, reso-
lutely maintained a rigid posture on a
crippled baggage truck and only evidenced
her perturbation by continually pulling
on her gloves. Whenever she shifted her
position an end of the truck would de-
scend with much clamor
lis the train on time?" hoarsely de-
Evening star., 1909-06-05

manded Mrs. Pratt, removing the right
glove as she drew on the left.
The station agent, mildly dazed by the
circles insistence in treating him as q
stranger. despite his lifelong residence In
the neighborhood. consulted his watch
Evening star., 1909-06-05

critically. and informed: She's whisuins
at the cut now. ma'arp."
Then. Mrs Pratt. come over here and
stand with u.s." begged the president
Mrs. Pratt banged the truck down
smartly and pulled on the other glove al
she explained. I'm waiting for Elder
WItham. He has the tickets"
There he comes with Mrs. Witham"
cried the station agent "And-yas, by
Judas! Nellie Peevy Is passing 'emr'
Mrs. Peevy. painting and apprehensives
inquired. BE In timer
"You can see we are here. Nellie" re.
piled Mrs. Pratt in her deepest throat
tones. Then she cried. why. mercy
sakesl Nellie. what have you got? 4
box?'
Mrs. Peevy smiled radiantly. and
gasped. Yes; sat up late cooking"
BE you soing7" demanded Mrs Pratt
sternly. rolling her gloves in ball.
VI COuI 90 ! III 6OlHSp cdiu mis-. ItcNss
3oyously Didn't Bige tell you? l sold
the belts to Aaron Jessup for ten dollers.
Wasn't he kind? He even Joked when
buying EN- and said he'd give only nine
dollers and made me throw in an old
souvenir and pretended 1t was his change.
It looked like q doller on one side. you
know: and on the other side 1t tells you
to buy x L thread and git doller's
worth for q Nickel
The exigency OF the moment precluded
any comment on the widows fortune.
Il bought my ticket last night" painted
Mrs. Peevy almost Historically.
''step lively!" bawled the brakeman.
But, to the amazement OF all. Elder
witham's faded eyes blinked stupidity. as
his shaking fingers searched pocket afteR
pocket.
'The tickets" gasped Mrs. Pratt.
The elders head sank. ~ In muffied
voice he confessed. II amt got 'em. Nor
amt got no money. They're In my wall
let in my other clothes"
"Al1 aboard for the last timer SANG
the brakeman, and the engine coughed.
II can so!" cried Mrs. Pesyy. II can
80. ana ber' Before It could be real-
lied she had passed inside thA car and
; was settling herself at an open window.
AS the wheels began to move she
leaned out and called back. "Picter cards
for all-if I CAN And the rest was
lost in the escaping steam.
Copyright, ioos)
Evening star., 1909-06-05

HE sour visage OF
Mrs. Weeger was
turned on Mrs.
Peevy In q diluted
stimulation Of pity.
az In q pulpitical
voice she declared:
"Of course, Mel
lie, were sorry for
you. But as q wid.
der. with only your
Evening star., 1909-06-05

For mahogany or any rich dark wood
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1909-02-21
SMOKING AT HOME.
Nothing viii Promote Matrimonial
Harmony Like a Good Cigar.

Colonel John Sneed, having dined
ure to his wife. lighted a cigar and
strolled around the corner to the modest
cottage in which his son-in-law had re-
Gently established himself
where's William" he inquired, after
he had paternaIly pecked at the pretty
lips presented 10 him and accepted the
comfortable seat in the living room.
Hope he's at home"
Yes, he's at home, papa" the daugh-
ter replied, and a roster flush came into
her cheeks as she added: Hes just
gone to the woodshed for moment"
Colonel Sneed noticed the heightened
color. and his curiosity was aroused.
It's a pretty warm day." he re-
marked, with a twinkle in his eye. Il
don't reckon he's goin' to build a fire,
is he?"
mo, papa, it isn't that I told-he
thought-I-I-he went out there to
smoke"
What exclaimed the Colonel.
Gone to the woodshed TO smokei What
in the world! Why don't he get on the
roof or sit on the gate-post? Why don't
he come into the house or-say, little
girl, is this some of your doin's2" And
he looked at his daughter sterniy
through the incense that arose from his
cigar.
"well, we'll. papa" she replied, fall
teringly, ''I don't want him to smoke
in the house, and 1 thought we ought
to begin right and"
HUH grunted the Colonel, that's
A fine way to begin. Turn your hus-
band out of doors just because he want
ed an after-dinner smoke. Force him
to r,a oh 7,
templates the vanity of life in general
ana of matrimony N particular. Go
and tell him to come here-no, wait a
minute. little girl. Just let him keep on
roostin' for little bit while I tell you
something.
This world, honey, wasn't fitted up
as a habitation for cheTubims and
things of that sort. 1t was made for
mortal men and women. and you can't
turn man into an angel without calm
in the undertaken. I believe everybody
ought to be good, but there's such a
thing as bein' too good to be interest
ing. It's the faults I'm tall1in' about,
you understand, the failin's that all of
us have, more or less of, and wouldn't
be exactly human without. I don't
know whether it's exactly right to call
'em blessings, but it seems to me that
they act kinda like safety valves, an
keep us from doin' worse things. Any
how, it's been my experience, an I've
been here long time. honey, an kept
my eyes open-it's been my experience
that man who don't appear to have
any faults had better be watched. The
natural-born cussedness III pile UP in
side o him until some day he'll bust out
an 'stonish the natives. That's why 1
say, honey, that it won't do to bottle a
man I'D too tight Unless Won have an
outlet for the meanness that's in him
you're likely to have trouble, an 1 don't
know of any better outlet for masculine
depravity than a good cigar.
Now, little girl, you've married a
man. I've been watchin' William pref
" close since I came home, an I'm toll
erably well satisfied that he's the real
thing He's got some rough edges that
might be sandpapered down with ben
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1909-02-21

| the mead IN a very attractive manner. or
LOON equally well when resting on the
In ready made petticoat models. Jersey
! cloth Is most used for tops. since it gives
| mess. juan
The button counters now have gilt orna-
| ments IN the way of slides and tasseI tops
LOT the 1lnlsh of the narrow satin and vel
vet scarfs
The vogue of the moment is for the eIas-
seal tailor-maGe suit with the long train
and the heaping folds of fabrics at the
Paris believes that the Merry Widow
Will be directly succeeded by narrow
orlmmed hats with the high crowns of the
Henry Ill period.
Handbags are immense and many are
fooled in elaborate designs to suit the
fancy of the owner; some of them have
monograms burned in.
1t is the fad to send handiwork as en-
Sagement z its; the fashion of giving tea
cups ana spoons, once so popular. has
quite gone cut
Stripes OF the rev linens are of the
herrinsbone sty.e in Write with A s.,ior
and these stripes alternate with white
ones Of the sarue width
Sklrts continue tc be raised high At
the tack Tut many rev ones have come
down at the front. some even to .
slight point below the belt line.
Metallic eaUZe is Icing employed more
anu mere by the Smartest of dress de-
SiSheiSf anu IS 81 beautiful that il de-
serves perpetual Place in fabrics.
DAINTY butterfly bows for the neck are
SHOWN IN two tones of soft old blue suede
The upper row is embroidered in floss
SILK and in contrasting color
ostrich feather neck collarettes wide
ana close OF fit. come in all colors and
shades, and are one of the best liked neck
finishes when fur is not used
Bead necklaces are in great favor and
there is a very wide range in their de-
signs and richness. Some are exceeding
simple; others are very deliberately
Many of the most fashionable bodices
are draped and terminate I'm one or two
ehos that tail well toward the hem of
the skirt, knotting, looping or hanging
straight.
Soutache, employed in close fine lines
forms the distinctive feature of some of
the delightful little dance gowns of sat
~ tne soutache applied on groundwork
OF chlrton for the incidental corss &c that
Is completed by the highest most measer
or ehamoise sleeves
what is aptly termed the conrosee cos
tune, consisting of a smart long COAT of
SILK or velvet, worn over gown of
matching color, but contrasting material
Is popular feature of smart fashions
ana Dds fair to retain its hold on fernT-
nine IaNor until the season is so adj
Nenced that coats can be laid aside
The influence Of the dfrectoire and ON,
pire periods in the world of dress has az
tended from the domain Of the eroV-n-uns
10 that Of the little folks. Its effect Is
strongly marked upon the seasons coats
ana is manifest in the little dresses i'm
point or decoration as well as their gen
eral lines. o."
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1909-02-21

Infants all pure silk Hose. in black.
white and colors; sizes to s; the best
wearing 75o quality. en-
on sale at NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. - - =
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1909-02-21

Wayne Knit IndestructibIe Hosiery:
guaranteed for wear; a guarantee that
means what it says, if they are not
perfectly satisfactory, return the old
and well exchange them for new; all
sizes in light OF medium weight at
The Seattle Republican. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1???-1915, 1909-12-24

thing up there that resembled
the halo President Taft put on
Speaker Cannon?"
Yes; the midnight sun with
out the sum-"
The examination of the two
alleged explorers was here inter-
rupted by the receipt of a cable
gram dated 'Kapiti Hills, South
Africa" which read:
Chairman Board of Arbitra-
ton, care Gridiron Club, Wash
ington, D. C. Your assumption
of authority is a gross, impudent
and unwarranted usurpation. |
shall settle this case myself.
"Bwana Tumbo."
Undeterred by the INTERRUPT
ton, the court continued it's
work. Asked whether he could
discover a means of convincing
Clifford Pinchot that Theodore
Roosevelt is not now president
of the United States, DR.. Cook
replied:
Il fear not. President Taft
and Secretary Ballinger have
both tried it. j"
Matt Henson, did you dis
The Seattle Republican. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1???-1915, 1909-12-24

Washington City's Gridiron
Club recently held its annual fall
dinner and 230 guests were
present. The club is made up
largely of some of the cleverest
newspaper correspondents in the
United States and these ANIMALS
are given, to which the leading
figures about the national capitol
are invited, as a bit of recipro-
city for the innumerable favors
the correspondents expect and
verify get from the office holding
army during the ensuing year.
At the recent annual the Cook
Peary north pole controversy
was made the paramount is
sue," the settlement of which
showed up the political standing
of many of the nations leading
characters. On this point the
following questions and rejoind-
ers served as political morsels to
the assembled guests:
"How far was it, DR.. Cook, to
the pole from where you left the
land7
about as far as President
Taft found it from the insurgent
The Seattle Republican. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1???-1915, 1909-12-24

cover the pole?" inquired DR..
Torp, suddenly turning to Com
mander Peary's aid.
Il did, and here it u.s." declar-
ed Henson, and he planted a
huge barber pole in front of the
party.
Matters now moved rapidly.
A member of the club produced
the real explorers and denounced
the men being examined as
frauds. They were ordered
shaved. Matt" Henson pro-
duced a stage razor and in a
minute they stood revealed as
Ira E. Bennett, of the Washing
ton Post, and E. L. Keen, of the
United Press, the two new mem
bers of the club. The club laid
claim to the honor of having
discovered the pole, neverthe-
less, and the new members were
admitted.
In order to provide appropriate
dishes for the guests with par
tlcular appetites, the club util-
lied the talents of a restauranteur
and chef who had come down
from Nome to get pointers for
entertaining President Taft when
The Seattle Republican. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1???-1915, 1909-12-24

Cannon and a lump of coal from
Ballinger. After furious mix
up of about two minutes there
was a general scramble to get
out of the ring, Cannon being
the last to limp away. The con-
test was declared a draw.
Parodies on the popular songs
of the day, of which the follow
ing was a fair sample, were
sprinkled through the dinner:
Now oosevelt once was President,
0 yes, he was;
But Mister Taft now RUS the job,
Oyes, he does;
Roosevelt now has gone a hunting,
Shooting with his might and main;
SO the politicians sing
Thi, musical refrain:
We love, we love, we love Roosevelt,
But oh you Taft
He's gone away to Africa,
But oh you Taft!
He said he would come back again
And thereupon we laughed
We 1--we, we love- we love Roosevelt,
But on you Taft!
President William Howard
Taft, Vice President Sherman
and great many of the diplo-
matte representatives from for
eign countries, senators, repre-
sentatives in Congress and lead
ing business men were present
and enjoyed the tongue fest as
we'll as the excellent menu.
The Seattle Republican. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1???-1915, 1909-12-24

wigwam to the stand pat igloo. "
Can you discover what is the
matter with Collector Loeb at
New York;"
my notes of observation in
dictate excessive modesty. He
spends too much time trying to
keep out of the newspapers.
"Mr. Peary, do you think you
could discover the wickedest man
in American"
He has already been discov-
cred by Senator La Toilette. ="
What is his name"
Uncle Joe"
well, then, could you discover
the man in the country who most
nearly approaches perfection?'
La Toilette has discovered
him, too"
What is his name?"
La Toilette"
Doctor, did you see the au-
rora borealis up there?"
Eyes; many times"
What did it look like?"
Just like the halo President
Taft in his Boston speech put on
Senator Aldrich. "
"Mr. Peary, did you see any
The Seattle Republican. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1???-1915, 1909-12-24
Washington Ci4s GIidiIOn Club EntetanS

he visits Alaska next summer.
Secretary Knox asked for large
hot bird, and the chef promptly
served up Crane.
When Speaker Cannon said he
wanted something that would re-
mind him of Victor Murdoch,
the restaurant man bawled out
to the chef: Zone red headed
duck, and let the blood drip!'
Deviled lobster with the claws
removed was the order of Attor-
ney General Wickersham. "One
busted trust" shouted the boss
of the Nome restaurant. "Oh,
sugar!" retorted the chef.
Captain Butt, President Taft's
military aid, thought he'd like to
have a dish of hash with red
peppers and tobasco sauce. "One
order of Roosevelt policies, was
the direction of the chef.
When Secretary Wilson put in
a plea for scrambled eggs, the
order, as passed to the kitchen,
was "Ballinger-P inchot for one. "
During the dinner messages
were received by members OF the
club from various managing edi-
tors, who apparently were not
aware that their correspondents
were temporarily "off the job"
Interview Taft at once" said
one, whether he isn't going to
start something. If not, why
not? Washington stuff too tame.
Must reduce expenses Washing
ton bureau unless you can keep
up to mark of last seven years. "
Another read: Interview
Taft, Ballinger, Hitchcock and
Chief Justice Fuller on Roose-
welt conspiracy. Get signed
statements from Taft and Fuller.
Hurry fiashlight photographs of
conspirators' meeting.
One of the more strenuous
stunts of the evening was prize
fight in which the participants,
as announced by the clubs
sporting editor, were:
Battling Nelson Aldrich, the
Rhode Island Terror, who has
put the wallop over on every
nut he's ever gone up against;
Kid Cummins, the Iowa De-
mon, fresh from the corn fields,
out for a reputation; Achilles
Ballinger, the Siwash Sirocco,
Bully Boy of the Alaska Coal
Fields; Gift Pinchot, the Fight
ing Lumber Jack, who fears no
foe-not even the Constitution,
and Joe Cannon, the Danville
Bantam, fresh from his finish
fight with the W. G. T. U. Ready
to take in all corners. "
Among the articles removed
from the gloves of the fighters
by the clubs referee, after they
entered the ring, were a piece of
steel from Aldrich, an axe from
Pinchot apparently intended for
Ballinger), poker chips from
The Seattle Republican. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1???-1915, 1909-12-24

After wasting six years teach
ing the children absolutely moth
ing Prof. Frank B. Cooper having
gotten a severe jolt in the late
school election is now advocat-
ing a return to the old methods
of teaching children. Cooper
has been a costly experiment for
Seattleites.
The Seattle Republican. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1???-1915, 1909-12-24

Defaulter Charley Warner will
serve six years in state prison
for having stolen $643,OO0. In
round numbers he will earn
something like $4,000 a year.
Now if he had the money laid
away he would be some pump
kins when discharged.
The Seattle Republican. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1???-1915, 1909-12-24

Not content with keeping the
world in hot water while he
lived King Leopold left his af-
fairs in such condition that,
the water in which the world
works will be even more hotter"
than it was when he lived.