davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-06-08

Ia HE church bells were ringing
their first warning for the
morning service when Mandy
~ peeped into the spare bedroom
for the second time and glanced eau
tiously at the wisp Of hair that bespoke
a feminine head somewhere between
the covers and the little white pillow
on the four poster bed. There was no
sound from the sleeper, so Mandy ven
tured across the room on tiptoe and
raised the shades. The dropping
boughs of autumn foliage. lay SHIN
mering against the window panes, and
through them might be seen the gray
outline Of the church. Mandy glanced
again toward the bed to make sure
that the burst Of sunlight had not
wakened the invalid, then crossed to
q small, rickety chair laden with the
discarded f1nery of the little circus
rider.
"Lawdy sakesr' she cried, holding
up spangled dress admiringly. "Ain't
dat beautiful She drew near the
mirror, attempting to see the refec-
ton of the tinsel and chiffon against
her very ample background Of ging-
ham and avoirdupois. You'd sure be
swell niger wild dat on, honeyw
she chuckled to herself. "Wouldn't
dem deacons boiler If dey done see
dat?"
The picture Of the deacons' aston
ishment at such spectacle so grew
upon Mandy that she was obliged to
cover her generous mouth to shut in
her convulsive laughter lest it awaken
the little girl in the bed. She crossed
to the old fashioned bureau which for
many months had stood unused against
the wall. The drawer creaked as she
opened it to lay away the gay. span
Yled gown.
It'll be a mighty long time afore
she puts on dem things ag'in," she said,
with a doubtful shake Of her large
round head.
Then she went back to the chair and
picked up Polly's sandals and exam
med the beadwork with great deal
Of interest "Lawdy, lawdy" she cried
as she compared the size Of the san.
dals to that Of her own rough, worn
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-06-08
THE
SIXTH WIDOW
By M. QUAD
Copyright, 1910, by Associated Lit
erary Press.

There were five widows in the vii.
age of Glen Head when the sixth ar
rived. Her name was Tompkins.
There was one widower in Glen
Head to Offset the five widows. He
was Thomas Jordon.
The good natured Tom Jordon helped
10 unload her furniture and wrestle
the bedsteads and bureaus around He
bought lime and a whitewash brush
and hired boy to whitewash the eel
lar. He took a hoe himself and cut
The Widow Tompkins. was thankful
and affable. but she held Mr. Jordon at
a distance. He had been told all about
the husbands of the other Widows
when they died. how they died and
their very last words. He knew the
financial resources OF the house to a
cent He even knew that one of the
widows had sore heel and that two
others had corns. In his fatherly way
he questioned the sixth widow. but he
was turned down at every point Baf-
fed curiosity kept him thinking of her.
The more he thought OF her the more
be wondered If Providence hadn't sent
Mrs. Tompkins along to become Mrs.
Jordon. In month or 50 be decided
that it was so. See how easy it was.
See how those five widows had neg.
lected logic for years and years:
The Widow Tompkins sized Mr.. Jor-
don up for fatherly man and good
fellow. but logic came in here again
Fatherly men and good fellows are
slower than molasses In January about
getting around to propose marriage ii
things are left to their natural course
The five other widows hadn't figured
this out An event must happen. Prov
1dence was right around there to help
1t to happen
At the end Of three months the IA
therly man was quite at home In the
house Of the sixth widow-just neigh
borly. you know; just dropped in to
say If she wanted the kitchen door
painted or the ceiling whitewashed
he'd see about it for her. On this par
ticular day we have in mind he was
in want of a couple Of empty barrels.
1t struck him that he had seen three
or four in the widows cellar when the
withdrawing was doing. He found
the kitchen door open and walked in.
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-06-08

'.An' you will show me how So SIS.
Indeed, WILL"
"How long am I in fort" she asked.
1.-THE doctor can tell better about
that when he comes"
'"rhe doctor! So-it's as bad as that,
ehY'
"Oh, that need not frighten YOU
Douglas answered consolingly.
II amt frightened" she bridled
quickly; II amt never scared of moth
in. It's only cause they need me in
the show that I'm a-kickin'."
: "Oh, they will get along all right"
he said reassuringly.
"Get along" Polly flashed with sud
den resentment. Get along without
my actr' 1t was apparent from her
look Of establishment that Douglas had
completely lost whatever ground he
had heretofore gained in her respect.
''Say, have you seen that show r. She
waited for his answer with pity and
contempt. ~@~
mo-" admitted John weakly.
"Well, should say you amt or you
wouldn't make no crack like that I'm
the whole thing In that push" she said,
with an air Of self complacency, IAN
with me down an out that show will
be on the bum for fair" -.
II beg your pardon" was all Doug
las could say, confused by the sudden
volley of unfamiliar words. - =.
you're kiddin' me-" she said, turn
ing her head to one side, us was her
wont when assailed by suspicion. "You
must "a seen me rider"
mo, Miss Polly, have never seen
a circus" Douglas told her, half regret
fully, sense Of his deep privation.
stealing upon him.
"What" cried Polly incredulously.
"Lordy. no, chile. he amt nebber
seed none OBJ dem t'ings," Mandy In
terrupted as she tried to arrange a
few short stemmed posies in a varie-
gated bouquet
well, what do you think Of that!''
Polly gasped. you're the first Rube l
ever saw that hadn't" She was look
ing at him as though he were a curl
osity. -.
80 I'm Rube!' Douglas shook his
head with sad little smile and good
naturally agreed that he had some
times feared as much.
'"That's what we always calls guy
like you." she explained ingenuously
and added hopefully: well. you must
a seen our parade. All the pikers see
that. 1t don't cost nothin'."
''I'm afraid l must also plead guilty
to the charge Of being piker." Doug
las admitted, half sheepishly, "for did
see the parade"
'Well, I was the one on the white
horse right behind the lion cage" she
began excitedly. you rememberT
cts little confused In my mind
he caught her look OF amazement-"just
at present." he stammered, feeling her
wrath again about to descend upon
him. f..
"Well, I'm the twenty-four sheet
stand" she explained.
sheet" Mandy shrieked from her
corner.
Eyes, the billboards, the pictures"
Polly said, growing impatient at their
persistent stupidity.
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-06-08
kCoNTINUED.1
COPYRIGHT. 1908. BY.DODD. MEAD AND COMP

CONTINUED
"A parson peeping" cried the thin
Tipped Miss Perkins.
II was not parson them" corrected
Douglas good naturedly.
"You were going to be-" persisted
the spinster
II had to Ike boy first in spite OF
that fact"
The sudden appearance of Hasty
proved a diversion. He was looking
very sheepish.
"Hyar he is, Mars John; look at
him" said Mandy.
"Hasty, where have you been all
day" demanded Douglas severely.
Hasty fumbled with his hat and
SPARED for time. did yo' say whar's
I been. sAh?'
Oats what he done asst yo'." Mandy
prompted threateningly.
II bin 'ceived, Mars john" declared
Hasty solemnly. Mandy snorted in.
credulously. Douglas waited.
"A gemmen in de circus done tole
me dis mawnin' dat eff carry water
TO- de ELEPHANTS he'll let me in de cir
Gus TO- muffin, an make 'greement
wild him. Mars John. did yo' ebber
seed an ELEPHANT drink?'' he asked,
rolling his eyes. John shook his head.
'Well. sab. he jes' put dat trunk a
his'n into de pail jes' once an'-swish-
water gone.''
Douglas laughed, and Mandy NUT.
tered sullenly.
"Well, sah," continued Hasty, IT tote
water TO- dem ELEPHANTS all day long,
an when l cum roun' to see de circus
de gemmen won't let me in. An when
try to crawl under de tent dey pulls
me out by de laigs an beats me-" He
looked from one to the other, expect.
ing sympathy.
Scarves you right" was Mandy's
unfeeling reply. IF yo's so anxious TIC
be a-totin' water, jes' yo' come along
outside and tote some TO- Mandy
II can't do no mo- carryin', Mandy"
protested Hasty. "1's hurted in nah
arm"
"What hurt yo'?"
'Tiger."
"a tiger?" exclaimed the women in
unison.
"Done chawed it mos off," he de-
clared solemnly. deacon Elyerson, he
seed it. an he says rs hurt bad"
Deacon Elverson" cried the spin
ster. "Was Deacon Elverson at the
circus?"
Gle was in de lot. a-tryin' to look
in, same as me-" Hasty answered in
nocently.
you'd better take Hasty into the
Kitchen" said Douglas to Mandy, with
a dry smile. Hes talking too much
for wounded man.
Mandy disappeared with the dis
graced Hasty, advising him, with fine
scorn, "to get de tiger to chaw off his
laigs, SOS he wouldn't have to walk
no mo-"
The women gazed at each other with
lips closed tightly. Elverson's be-
havior was beyond their power of ex-
preston. Miss Perkins turned to the
pastor as though he were somehow to
blame for the deacOn's backsliding,
but before she could find words to ar
que the point the timid little deacon
appeared in the doorway. utterly un-
conscious Of the hostile reception that
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-06-08

shoes. She was again upon the point
Of exploding with laughter as the
church bell added a few final and
more emphatic clangs to its warning.
She turned, with start, motioning a
vain warning out Of the window for
the bell to be silent, but the little
sleeper was already stirring uneasily
on her pillow. One soft arm was
thrown languidly over her head. The
large blue eyes opened and closed
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-06-08
Il know he does. I ask you right

And Mr.. .Jordon will want the mar
rage to come off next mouth"
II want It to come of next week"
Well. there you are: Five widows
fooling away their time for several
years. and along comes the sixth and
plays the joker within three months!
Yes. sir. and that couple are living to.
gether In the same nest today and as
happy as clans. It's as easy as grease
when yon know how, and widowhood
all the rest OF your days when you
don't. *-.~.< ...s*. =.
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-06-08

~ W Ot.
er an jes' about everything to that
little one. She wasn't much bigger'n
a handful of peanuts when we begun
a-worryin' about her."
well, Mandy will do the worrying
now" Douglas laughed. "She's been
dying for chance to mother some
body all along. Why, she even tried
It on me-"
Il noticed as how some of those
church people seemed to look kinder
queer at me-" said Toby, IAN been
a-wonderin' If mebbe they might feel
the same about her."
"Oh. they're all rightw Douglas as
sured him. They'll be her friends in
no time'
"She's fit for 'em, SIR" Toby plead
ed. "she's good. clean into the mid
die of her heart.'
I'm sure Of it." Douglas answered.
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-06-08
Tho Bar to Human Proaress.

Tho Bar to Human Progress.
Civilized people have come to a real
1ation Of the fact that disease consti-
tutes the greatest bar to human prog
ress, and that nation which first frees
Itself from the bondage Of disease will
dominate all others. In that land the
superman will first be born. Two con-
ditions are essential before any nation
can free itself from disease. In the
first place, It must possess an educat-
cd, scientific medical profession; in the
second place, the nation as a whole
must be guided By the advice Of til
best medical men,. Professor Victor G.
VanOhan IN Science m. B s*=s= :.ss
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-06-08

'She suah am funny talkin' thing!"
mumbled Mandy to herself as she clip
ped the withered leaves from a plant
near the window.
"You are dead sure they know l amt
comm on?" Polly asked, with a linger-
Ing suspicion in her voice.
Dead sure" And Douglas smiled to
himself as he lapsed into her vernacu-
Lar.
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-06-08
TO BE CONTINUED
Styles In Bald Aaada.

Styles In Bald Heads.
Il never saw SO many fashions In
bald heads as see here tonight" said
she at the theater. Nov, look in
front OF US. Look at that triangular
one. that oblong one. that square one.
that pointed one. that one that goes
all over in u globular way, just a rug
ged fringe all round. just can't
watch the play" she sighed, '.for look
ing at them."-New York Press,
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-06-08


Excuse me-" he said. IT just
brought some of her little things. She'd
better put on her coat when she goes
out. It's gettin' kinder chilly"
He looked again into the blank
faces. Still no one spoke. He stepped
forward, trembling with anxiety. A
sudden fear clutched at his heart, the
muscles Of his face worked pitifully,
the red painted lips began to culver.
1T ain't-lt amt that, is it?'' he fall
tered, unable to utter the word that
filled him with horror.
Even Miss Perkins was momentarily
touched by the anguish in the old
mans voice. Il guess you will find
the person you are looking for up.
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-06-08

A Long Time Open.
In Vienna. Austria. there is q res
taurant that has never closed it's doors.
night or day. since 1745.
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-06-08

Arms and the Girl.
Il She--What is it you like best about
a girl? " s.
He-My arms.-Judge.
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-06-08
CHAPTER v.

l~4 HE church bells were ringing
their first warning for the
morning service when Mandy
neened info the snare hedrOOm
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-03-20

as black as your hat. Seth says in
loud voice. Il see you through this
knot hole and you might jest as well
give up peaceable, becuz you are under
arrest" There was no answer TO this
and then Seth with pistol in each hand
started into the hen house, but he never
got clean inside The others heard him
holler for help, but they stood back and
encouraged him by loud yells, to take
the thief dead or alive Finally Seth
managed TO make them uudeEstsRde 55bas
pole cat. Then they come to Seth as
close as they could stand it 10 do so.
They said the language he used wasn't
fit to print and after they got a Whit
of him they departed in disgust As for
Seth, he went back home. but before he
entered the house, he undressed in the
woodshed and the next day he buried
his clothes he had on out in the orchard.
Seth says he would ruther meet !
dozen chicken thieves in battle to the
death, than one pusillanimous pole cat
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-03-20

Aprile will soon be here. Then
it won't be long after that until
spring sets in, follored soon by
summer, then ottum and winter
agin. Amt it jest terrible how time
flies We are glad to see spring
approach, however. We have looked
forward to it for some.months with
a keen-edge anticipation, as you
might say. Often when we have
got out of a warm bed before day
light to build the fires during the
past winter and have stepped onto
a chunk of stove wood in Our bare
feet we have sighed and wished in
our heart for spring. When we
have been out on the streets hunt
| ing UP news items and it so cold
that our breth would freeze fast TO
our whiskers and we had to keep
rubbing our ears TO keep them
from a-getting frost bit, we have
yearned for spring with a deep
yearn.
Yes, gentle reader, we long for
the time to come when we shall
hear the little birds carolling their
LAYS and likewise the hens. We
can hardly wait for the buds to be-
Igin to bust open and the flours &c
bloom. Our eyes ache for the sight
of the innocent little lambkins gam.
boiling on the green and the voice
of the kinghsher and the fly-up-the.
crick.
We have had long hard wintei
in our midst and we long for th'
gentle refers of the summer time
Heck Barclay saw two robbins las
week or the week before which h,
SAYS is sure sign that spring ain
fur off. Let us hope so. We hav'
been shet in long enough. We Ions
for the blue sky and the greer
fields and new subscribers.
How would it suit some of yor
dead-beat subscribers to pay u
something on subscription thi
spring? We would take it yer
kindly.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-03-20

Samantha Deevers. while settin
mouse trap tother day, ketched her
thumb in the trap and squoze it tur-
rible. Samantha says that is a powerful
good mouse trap and she has never
set il yet that she didn't ketch some
thing in it.
Sam Skinner says that IL the party
who stole six of his chickens from his
henhouse some time last Saturday
night. while he was asleep, will call on
him and pay for said chickens, no ques-
tions will be asked-otherwise the law
must take its course.
Hen Weathersby, prop. Of our general
store. SAYS that when spring sets in he
is going to have a new sign painted
and put Up over the front piazza OF
the store with his name on it. The old
sign is so weatherbeaten and cracked
that YOU can scarcely read what's on It.
Deacon Butterworth is saving his 10
bacco tags from the tobacco which he
buvs at Hen Weathersby's store. Hen
offers a choice betwixt a monkey
wrench and a iong-handled shovel to
zuVDuQQV WHO Will save INV tags AiaC
Deacon is chewing for the long-handled
shovel-he has got Il tags already.
Miss Phoenicia Watkins has tur-
rible bad cold on her chest. Phoenicia
attributes this TO the fact that she re-
Gently changed from wool to cotton
stockings. This ort to be warning TO
anybuddy not TO change from wool TO
cotton stockings until the weather gets
warmer. ,
Hen Smiley, when he went to wind
the clock tother night knocked his old
CLAW pipe often the mantel shelf, which
| fell on the hearth and broke all to
snithereens. Hen says he will miss that
pipe powerful, being as he has smoked
Il for seven years past and was very
much attached TO it.
Ras Slocomb has his hair sheared by
Harve Hines, our tonsorial barber, last
week. Well, it was time-Ras's hair
was almost long enuff to braid before
he had it cut.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-03-20

running down the Bugle to outsiders.
We don't see what Brent has against
the Bugle, being as he has took II steady
every week for the past II years and
has never paid US a red cent. Brent IS
one Of the tightest wads in Bingville.
He is so stingy that he never eats a
meal that he don't begrudge il TO his
self.
Mrs. Hame Miller of Millerville was
guest Of Mrs. Cy Hoskins. one day
last week. but didn't enjoy her visit
headache and spent the most OF the day
in bed. Mrs. Hoskins says she wishes
TO goodness Mrs. Miller would pick out
a day to come on visit when she hasn't
got the headache.
Phebe Hildebrande, our fashionable
dressmaker. is making new dress for
Miss Emily Dewberry. Emily has had
two fits already and will have several
more fits before the dress is finished.
II is rumored that Emily is going 10
be spliced before long to a teller down
Snake Bend way. Is this true, Emily
While rendering lard in the out
kitchen last week Mrs. Brand Hinsley
| left the kettle a few minutes to go into
the house, and while she was gone the
lard billed over and ketched IRE and
might have burnt down the out-htchen
Oh which there is no insurance, but II
didn't
Abe Witherow got a letter recently
/ from his brother Sam, who lives away
out in Dakota, wherever that town IS
This is the first time Abe has heard
from Sam for Is years, but he says
Sam is prospering in spite Of IL va
calkilate if Sam was TO make visi
TO Bingville he would find this towr
some changed-Bingville has groweC
sinst then.
Gid Smalley. while lifting mill log
at his sawmiil tother day, got orici
in his back and has been laid up eve
sinst. Gid can't even bend over 10 pull
on his boots, and he says he wouldn'
want a snake 20 have such a crick Il
its back as he has got,
Tim Hendricks perdicks that we vii
have a late spring this spring: You ar
little mite slow in your perdickshions
lint is a late spring now.
Subscribe for the Bugle, before W
make an assignment for the benefit o
creditors,
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-03-20
Odd Pills for Sale

Doc Livermore, our expert veterinary
and human specialist, desires us to an
nounce to our subscribers that he is
offering a batch of pills for sale at
bargain. These is odds and ends In
pills which Doc has been accommodating
in his possession for several years.
Some of these pills is for one thing and
some for another, but Doc has dumped
EN- all together and will dispose of EN-
for the Insignificant sum of two dozen
for 10 cents to anyone in need of pills.
They are different colored pills-some
Is pink and some Is white. some Is
brown and some Is red--and they make
a very pretty ornament In tea cup on
the ,nantel. or tbs children can use them
to play marbles with. These pills IL
good for every III to which the human
flesh Is heir. Here Is a chance TO get
pills cheap which may never come to
you again. .lAdveFtissmsas.l
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-03-20

terms and probably won't be until
Samantha gets over her grievance She
had jest scrubbed the front steps when
Anne come home from the P. o. and
dumped up on the front piazza with his
muddy boots, leaving a track wherever
he set down his foot Just at that mo-
ment Samantha appeared from around
the corner of the house, and when she
seen what Anne had did, she never said
a word-all she done was to hit him a
NIX nm on hrs Ieer 1ansr -tneu~egfilit
goes in and out of the house by way OF
the back door, and he allus sees that
there amt any mud on his boots. too.
Well. we are never 100 old TO learn.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-03-20
Hanks New Boots

Hank Dewberry made trip TO the
Co. seat last week and purchased new
pair of gum boots at bargain sale for
81. 50, but the first time Hank wore these
boots he stubbed a hole in the right one
and now it leaks like a sieve. Hank is
a good cal put out about it, but Hen
Weathersby, prop. of our general store,
saws It serves Hank right for not pa
tronizing home trade. Hen says any,
buddy who would take their trade to the
Co seat when he carries a full line Of
drv goods, groceries, noshions, boots,
shoes and hardware, OFT to get BIT.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-03-20
New Suspsnders for Barth

Barth Wilkins recently purchased a
pair of new suspenders at Hen Wealth
ersbv's store at bargain sale of sus-
Denders which Hen had. They was
some he has had on hand for ten or
fifteen wears, and he offered them cheap
in order to make room for new goods.
Barth. he only paid 5 cents for the pair
he got, but he says he calkilates they
are dear at any price. being as their
amt no gum in EN- any more, and they
have got about as much stretch to EN-
as leather strap. Barth says they amt
long enough, and that they keep his
pants girthed up so high that he can
hardly keep his feet on the ground when
he walks.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-03-20
Personals

It looks like thaw or a freeze, as we
20 to press, but we amt sure which.
You can't never tell this time of year
what the weather is agoing to do.
Mrs. Ham Wilson, while trying to
rush through her spring sewing on her
sewing machine tother day. sewed thru
her finger, by accident Mrs. Wilson
was good cal surprised and panied to
do this.
Il has come to our ears that Brent
Williams, who we have allus referred
TO as being one of the most respected
citizens Of Bingville. has seceutH been
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-03-20
SpecIaI Notice

We regret 10 report that as We go
to press we amt received no country
correspondence for this weeks issue Of
the Bugle. Some weeks we have more
country correspondence than We can
print, and then other weeks we amt
got none. Why is this? ANSWER
We don't know why it is-it looks al
most like fate.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-03-20
On the Outs

Ame Hillyer. our talented loryer, legal
light. notary republic, ]. of the P, in
surance agent, ct cetery. had another tilt
with his wife Samantha last week, and
sinst then they amt been on speaking