davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-11-27
dumor and
Philosophy
FINISHING TOUCHES.
~ DUNCAN N. SMITH

INDIAN summer.
= Marvellous queen.
Summing up and embodyfng
All OF the charms of the yenrl
Combination rare.
A poem, a picture
And q warning,
Dipping your brush
In the sunbearns.
You paint the forests
In the brightest colora.
While your winds.
Low and earnest.
Sing the requiem
OF the year.
You are there 4
with the big splash
OF carmine,
All right,
AS the grand finale.
You paint things red
That heretofore
Had been verdant
AS the tall and uncut
Grass.
The chrome OF nature,
Time Tor taxing STOCK
And brilliant prelude
To the melancholy days.
When on your good behavior
You make a hit
with one and all.
For we'll they know
And. knowing. shudder
That the worst
Us yet TO come.
For grim old winteg
Stands impatient,
Ready to apply
The whitewash brush
Soon as ever
You take your departure.
Glorious Indian summer,
As a scenic marvel
And a climatic wonder
You are there
With the goods!
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-11-27
Taking q Chance.

Taking q Chance.
81 notice you call every man yon
meet governor or Judge"
"Well, how do know but what they
arer
"You know well enough they arv
not"
Maybe / do, but with lots OF them
Il is good for one drink"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-11-27

Advertising today is looked upon, by
the readers OF newspapers particularly.
as news-in fact, the definition of adj
Vertising in the dictionary is that 1t
Is news.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-11-27
New Hats.

'Tast year we had to build addition
to our houses after our wives bad or.
dered their new hats"
"DidT"
yes"
well, we have to do worse thar
that this year"
How is that7"
"Have to mortgage them"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-11-27

Group is most prevalent during the
dry cold weather Of the early winter
months. Parents of young children.
should be prepared for It. All that Is
needed is a bottle Of Chamberlain's
Cough Remedy. Many mothers are
never without It in their homes and
It has never disappointed them. Sold
by ali druggists.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-11-27

No matter to what town you go you
are certain to find there the superla-
tive of one thing OF another and some
times of both.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-11-27
Welcome.

When you are 10 your eyes in work
1t often happens that
Your longest winded friend calls In
To have q little chat.
And when your cash is at the ebb
How often II befalIs
Just when you want to see him least
Tho bill collector callsi
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-11-27

A new line of steamers to Europe is
to be called the Planet line. That
name will do also little later for a
line Of airships to Mars.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-11-27

A Kansas woman wants O divorce
because she says her husband hurled
epitaphs" at her. That is ample cause
II the "epitaphs' were engraved On
stone
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-11-27

Bad habits are not necessarily ones
that give us pain; sometimes they only
pain other people.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-11-27
Pessimistic

Pessimistic.
'why is Brown so disheartened this
morninga" --f. . -4.. ..-a.
''He says life is so stupid"
ooh. he does?"
Eyes: he can't find a thing to kick
about, for it isn't sufficiently stupid to
justify a good hearty kick"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-11-27

1t is too bad that some Of us are so
good to ourselves that there Isn't
enough OF good left to stretch over
and touch our neighbors.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-11-27

The roller towel has come under the
ban as germ disseminator and dis.
ease breeder. 1t is gradually becom-
ing dangerous to live.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-11-27

Some men make calculations and
plans so smooth and slick that they
slip up on them and get the smash OF
their lives.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-11-27

II is all right to have great plans for
tomorrow, but the essential thing Is
to have fine plans for today that are
in brisk operation.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-11-27

II we had every single thing that we
want in this world we would be sure
TO want something else.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-11-27

Advice to be or any value should b'
accompanied with ability to act OF
itself
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-11-27
PERT PARAGRAPHS.

Plenty of persons would like to he
good IL It did not entail some self sac
rifce and wise II Il did not counsel
giving up OF foolishness.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-11-27

Busy.
you seem rushed"
T am-working myself nearly to
death"
els that so? WHIT are you doingT
''Hustling for job that gives good
pay and has no work"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-11-27

J It beats all how the cost of living
does so up. Even Panama canals are
$2Oo,O00oOO higher.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-11-27

NJ the feet"-Nahu H.
ftas its cloak IN the c,1rvtns shy TIL IT blots the
1t swings and sweeps with sornber sigh till IT
drives nights stars aNvays
It races with impulse swift, with an anger
all sublime,
giant btdes hts time
AS giant confident Of strength who viii calmly lift
TIL by silent force he may at length TO the
winning Of the field
It Will spread its they span the miles that
the mountains Vafr1iy bound.
And shouts its song IN the dim denies that no foot
has found,
hand Of has made.
But drives him back to his ta1n0St halls, as a
man who goes efraidi
For it seems that earth and the air and sky
held tn a hidden hand,
And man has fear, and he Knows not why for ne
not understand
When the wind sweeps out and the wind sweeps
the fail hvrls grain and Chah.
And hills fling back all the stormy dim. then
It there comes laugh
a laugh that rolls from q mystic place and that
SntteS the soul Of
A laugh that beats his uItIrned face as eternal
For man may seek the mystery Of the things
that come and &c.
OF the life and DEATH Of the land and sea, but the
not know
Aye the stor1nI The Of the distant
the marching clouds are called
Marks time for the storm that Will 60
though the way be bare or walled
And must bow thing that CraNls and he
not stop stay =
must heed the word that the mad wind calls
It bursts along the ways
For he knows that earth and the er and shy are
held a hidden hand,
And has his fear-and he knows not why, for
he may not understand.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-11-27
THE ARGUS.

Published Daily and weekly at 1924
Second avenue, Rock Island. Ill I'm
tered at the postoaice az seeond-ciass
inatterl -
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-11-27

Stick for the interurbans-and tn,
belt line. nee
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-11-27

Continued on Page six.)
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-11-27

BY THE J. w. POTTER CO.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-09-02

1t had all happened in the spring.
There was the day she bought her
wedding dress and that other when
it came home and she tried it on for
the last time before wearing it, and
Rfterward great furry until that
last evening. She had dressed early,
and most of the guests were there.
Everybody was laughing and talking
pnd expecting the tardy old minister.
Suddenly Gordon bent over her.
IF you don't mind, Cass, I'll just
step out for flve-minute walk. l.
I don't feel well, and the air may do
me good"
Then came the old minister, but
Gordon did not return. They waited
for him, they searched for him. Had
something terrible belallen him? But
Classy, calmest of them all, went to
her room and took off her wedding
Dress
.'Tell them to go home" she said.
HELL never come back. l might
have known-I might have known 2
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-09-02

forward to throw over Tho mo+or
It's no fun to wade around in ths
mud to correct the mistakes of . man
You pay to do things right .
He grasped the crank and gave
heave. Suddenly there was an ex-
ploslon and the car shot forward.
| Myra shrieked in terror and closed
her eyes while she waited TO- the iolt
that would tell her that the wheels
mad passed over Sidney's body hut
no jolt came and she opened her
eyes. Graves had leaped to the hon
| net when the car started and now he
was climbing over the dashboard
and had shut off the power.
The car slowed down with sud-
denness that threw Myra against the
dashboard, then it stopped, and
Graves slipped to the road and re-
garded the car with establishment.
could have sworn that shut
OF the clutch before got out of the
car he said in puzzled tones. cts
one of the first things you learn
You mean this lever?" asked
Myra. Sidney nodded.
I am afraid that might have
moved that" she confessed. "You
see don't dare try to handle the car.
it's so big and powerful, but while
you were working over it pretended
to be running it and l guess / didn't
realize that I left the car all ready
to start up when you cranked it,"
Graves chuckled at the explana-
ton. TITS all right he assured. "but
! never was so surprised in my life
as when the car jumped at me It
! was one lively half second, can as
sure you'
1T was wonderful thing that you
jumped on the car instead of aside"
she commented.
II knew that you did not know
how to run the car he said simply
as he climbed back to the seat. ri
knew that If it would only run
straight for moment / could climb
over the bonnet and stop the power
And in that moment you thought
of me?" asked Myra, wonderingly. 81
think I'd have tried to jump aside.
would not have thought of anything
else. 1t was splendidly brave thing
to do.'
mot bad for doll man. he said a
little wistfully.
"You heard that aickname?" she
! cried. ri think it's shame. I'd rath-
er be you than the man who gave you
that name.''
do you mean that you might learn
to care for me in spite of my size?"
he asked, ray of hope lighting his
face.
do you suppose that 1 go riding
with you just because I like the
auto?" demanded Myra, scornfully.
I Sidney shut off the power and the
car stopped. Myra looked at him in
/ quiringly.
81 did suppose that your preference
was for the auto-but I'm going to
find out he explained as he took
her hand in his.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-09-02

"You girls are getting too fresh"
went on the first speaker. '.Why don't
you stay over in your prison and play
by yourselves? Who wants to ply
with a boy who wears dresses?''
The orphan had sprung to his feet
at the first approach. There was cold
welcome to the orphans from the boys
in the fashionable apartments along
the drive and the first demonstration
of hostility was sufficient warning.
Now he faced his tormentors holly.
I'm no grill" he cried, "even if
do have to wear an apron. I'm not to
blame for that
You are girl" insisted the ag-
gressor. "You don't wear coat and
you do wear dress. Go on. could
lick you with one hand"
BY way of illustration his fist shot
out and bruised the pale cheek of the
orphan.
With a cry Eunice sprang up, but
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-09-02

and when he had wed another with
out even word to her, both love and
pride We're sorely hurt.
She would not stay at home and let
others coDdole with her. 1t was less
than week since the item had APP
peared, yet it seemed to her that
years had passed since her father had
passed her the paper at the breakfast
table.
The bugler blew the luncheon call,
the notes sounding soft and clear as
they foated up from the main deck,
but Mona gave no heed. She wanted
only OF be let alone, to sit back in her
chair and watch the fading of the
land. comparing it with the dying of
her hopes.
In review. she brought all of the
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-09-02

raised the bonnet. There seemed to
be nothing the matter with the
motors. The sparkling plugs were
clean and the flow was regular.
1t was not until he turned his at
tention to the battery connections
that the cause Of the trouble was
located. In putting in new battery,
his mechanic had neglected to make
proper connection, and the wire had
finally worked loose from the clamp.
We'll be on our way in a jiffy,
now" he promised. 81 shall have to
blow up John when we get back. He
is growing very careless"
Don't mind me-" protested Myra.
1--we been having perfectly lovely
time watching YOU fuss about the
machine without even swearing
once
ut isn't that 1 didn't want to-"
admitted Sidney frankly as he went
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-09-02


out over the water for moment, but
when he turned his head again the
pain had gone from his features and
he was again the Burke that Eunice
liked so well.
For long time they had been good
friends - Eunice liked to call it
chums - and more than once he had
asked for a reconsideration of his
proposal, but Eunice always shook
her head.
She liked Burke; liked him better
than any of the other men she knew,
but he seemed to lack tenderness and
that was the quality Eunice most adj
mired. She was sorry to inflict pain
and suggested that they might go in
if he wished.
No, thanks" he said evenly. cts
more pleasant out here on the drive"
1t was their favorite resort in the
hot days when the sun was low and
the heat Of the day had passed. He
leaned back against pillar and
watched the delicate profile Of the
girl beside him and the play Of ex-
preston on the beautiful face as she
watched the changing scenes along
the drive.
Across the road three boys We're
playing ball. On the curb sat an
other boy of about their age dressed
in the bingham apron that was the
uniform of the orphanage up the
! street.
How absurd said Eunice. "That
boy must be Il and yet he is wearing
an apron like little boy of g.
'"They all have to wear Them" ex-
planned Burke. They are easily
washed and they are cheaper than
coats. They wear them the year
i round
Not in winter" gasped Eunice.
Sure explained Burke. my sis
! ter's house overlooks their yard and
you can see them playing in the snow
! don't think there , an overcoat in
| the place. Mostly they tie the aprons
about their waists in a vain endeavor
/ to suggest shirt waist when they
are let out. It's the reward of espe-
cial merit to be permitted to come
over to the drive alone.''
| The ball slipped from one of the
players hands and came rolling to-
ward the orphanage boy. He sprang
| up to toss it back, but .ne player
1 came rushing up.
you leave that ball alone,'' he de-
manded hotly. I'VE amt goin' to have
you charity kids swiping our ball, are
we, felIows?"
The others had joined the first and
the assent was unanimous.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-09-02

feet. 1t was Cassy's protector and
best friend, the old white bulldog,
which she had take, in from the
street, a starving, manned puppy. He
thrust his nose against her cheek and
sat down on the steps teside her, his
cropped ears a-cock to catch every
sound.
But the street was almost as still
as if it were under enchantment.
Only one person was moving in it,
dark, indistinguishable figure,
which, as it came nearer, proved to
be man.
Classy did not notice him, but the
dog did, and when the man paused
uncertainty at the gate and then
turned in, he sprang UP with a pre-
| monitory growl. Classy caught him
! by the collar and @poke.
''Is that you, Mr.. Stearns?" She
thought the man one of her neigh
bors, but the dog knew better. The
man stopped almost timidly at the
sound of her voice.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-09-02

The thought only served to in
crease her bitterness of spirit, though
she had carefully planned to conceal
her departure that there might be
no one at the dock to see her off.
Friends at such time could only
serve to accentuate the self-pity that
had sustained her ever since she had
read that fateful telegram.
This was to have been her wedding
Journey. She and Graham Temple mad
planned to take the trip. 1t was to
have been Graham's first visit abroad
and they had laid out tour that
should cover the whole continent.
Then Temple had been called TO
New Mexico to look after some min
ing interests, and presently the pa
pers had reported his marriage to the
Sonora Mendez, who owned the mines
adjacent OF his, and who was reported
\ to be worth several millions.
\ Harry Vieland had often joked
Graham about his conquest of the
Mexican woman, lit Mona had not
taken it seriously. When the tele-
graphic dispatch appeared in all the
papers and Graham had not written
in two weeks, she faced what she
thought was the bitter truth.
Unable to bear the sympathy of her
friends, Mona had arranged to slip
quietly off to Europe. Her aunt would
join her in London, and by the time
they returned the broken romance
would have been forgotten.
She sat quietly ir the shadow of
the tunnels on the upper deck and
idly watched the preparations for de-
parture through tear-blinded eyes.
There were few on the upper deck.
Most of the passengers were crowd
ing the lower railr to catch last
glimpses of their friends as the huge
ship backed slowly out of the slip
and with the help of the noisy, pant
ing tugs headed for the opening of
the Narrows.
Slowly the impressive panorama OF
the harbor slipped past; the wonder
full sky line of the city, the villa dot
ted shores of Staten Island and the
more populous Long Island shore, but
Mona gave no heed. She was lost in
her thoughts, and her thoughts were
far from pleasant.
She had loved Temple with an in.
tensity that sometimes frightened
her, and her disappointment was the
more keen because she had trusted
him SO implicitly For nearly year
they had planned for their marriage
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-09-02

he came up and the newcomer hesi-
tated.
Those youngsters got what they
deserved" he said, shortly. Clear
out of here
What Burke said he meant, and the
negro crept back across the drive.
Burke turned to re boy and spoke to
him, then came back to Eunice, MAX
ing note on the back of an en-
velope
I've been wanting to see some OF
these young DULLES trimmed for some
time, he said with satisfied smile.
Those kids cannot help the absurd
fashion in which they have to dress.
and the young snobs know it. I'm go
ing to adopt that boy
Just because he is a good fighter?"
asked Eunice, contemptuously.
Burke turned to her with a new
expression on his face, a light in the
kindly blue eyes that she had never
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-09-02

Mono, it isn't" he stammered.
| Classy chung to the dog. Then who
| Is it. My dog doesn't like strangers. .
She shook the dog. 'tWill you be
| quiet, zack? Or shall / have to cuff
your ears?" 1t was an effective threat.
The dog, shamed and humble, sat
down again, and the man advanced.
Il knew your voice the moment
You spoke" he fssaid unsteadily.
Classy, it's-Gordon!"
The shawl which had covered Cas-
sys shoulders slipped away and fell
about her feet as she stood UP, tall
and straight, with face that CLEAN
ed white in the twilight.
WELL" she said. $50 you've come
back? Did you lose your way and has
1T taken you 20 years to find it?"
The man shivered 81 don't blame
you for saying that" he muttered.
well, blame myself" Classy said.
quickly. Get up, Jack" she pushed
the dog aside. 'Come and sit down
here, Gordon" she said.
She sat down again, and he took
lacks place beside her, but though
they We're SO near they didn't look at
each other
II always thought, Gordon" Cas-
sy went on quietly, chat if / ever
saw you again I'd tell you something.
had a feeling that night when you
went out of the house that you'd
never come back. And / had a feeling
before that you wanted to tell me
something and didn't dare. What was
the trouble?n
The man drew his breath hard. II
had wife, he said ri tried to per-
suade myself that she didn't matter
she was thousand miles away and
she'd never know it. And 1 did want
you so. Can't you see how it was?"
He turned to her almost fiercely.
What made you come back?" Cas-
lsy asked.
It's the first time I've had right
to. She died last month" He buried
his head in his hands.
Maybe you loved herr" Classy sug-
gested, strangely.
He flung up his head. Glove her!
| Why, l hated her. She married me
because | was boy and a fool and
never lived with her a day after
| found her out. But l had to take care
of her, and l did, for 20 years"
! Suddenly he saw that Classy was
! bareheaded. He picked UP the shaw
and put it about her.
81 had to come hack to tell you,
he said. 81 didn't expect you to for.
| give me, but wanted to tell you by
word of mouth. And-and l wanted
| to see you, too. l wanted to know j.
/, you were happy"
He twisted his fingers piteously
| eve told you about everything
came to say" he said. But there;
one thing more. Tiff you could for
give me, Cassy-I know it's a lot t.
ask after mans acted as have, bu
I'm going away and-I do wish"
| Classy looked at him. "Why dom
you wish by the moon?" she asked
"She's particularly amiable tonight
l made a wish and she granted ii
Maybe she'll grant yours"
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-09-02

the ultimate result of the rivalry ne
never was in doubt.
He knew Myra too we'll to think
that his greater possessions could Yin
her consent to masriage. She might
be glad to accept his attentions since
he never spoke of love, but he felt
that some day Branscombe would win
her hand and the motor trips would
come to an end.
Like herself, Myra was fond of mo-
toring, and they had planned a run to
Falls Village, some 20 miles away. 1t
could be done in an hour on the de-
serted road, but Today the machine
was acting badly, missing the spark
and finally coming to a stop alto
gether.
Patiently Sidney climbed down and
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-09-02

There was little sleep among the
guests that night, but if Classy did
not sleep, no one knew about it.
Next day she cleared the house of its
wedding show. and from that time she
never mentioned her lovers name.
Her parents died and left her fair
ly well off. She was charitably mind
ed, and her townsfolk thought much
of her. And everyone thought she
had forgotten and was happy.
But she was not happy and she had
not forgotten. There was something
in a spring twilight that brought it
back to her and made her think Of
the wedding dress upstairs, vain, yell
lowed thing which she had worn as
a bride whom no bridegroom claimed.
There was was sudden patter of
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-09-02

suggested lack of power, and Brans-
combe had contemptuously referred
to him as a doll man.
The nickname stuck, though it was
never used before Graves himself
And yet in some manner Graves had
become acquainted with his nickname
and his sensitive spirit writhed IN
der the slight he could not resent.
The nickname had done more than
wound his pride, it had in a degree
robbed him of confidence in himself,
and though Myra seemed to prefer
him to Branscombe, he only ascribed
this to the fact that he was the pos
SCISSOR of motor car and was wealthy
enough to crafty his love for automo-
billing by purchasing the finest ma
chine to be had
He took a mournful satisfaction in
delaying the day of Branscombe's vic
tory as long as possible. but as to
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-09-02

passengers were coming up from
lunch and a boy was pacing the decks
for her. Mechanically she stretched
out her hand for the envelope he held
and tore it open.
For an instant her heart seemed to
stop beating as she caught sight of
the signature, but she steadied herself
with an effort and read the message
through.
It was a long one from Temple, and
told of his arrival in the city just too
late to find her. His kilograms had
been delayed during the strike, and
the first knowledge he had of his re-
ported marriage was when his friends
had jokingly congratulated him.
A hurried inquiry had developed
the fact that Vieland's cousin was an