davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-02-27

teller Is going to get trimmed and
trimmed good, Hen lose all his chat
tells including his brass watch
Zig Sill kept his eye on the young
man for little while, and then sAun-
tered up 10 where he stood.
II say. young teller." he said kindly.
you're looking for some one. l cucss2'
The stranger drew back with an "N-
preston Of alarm. and bujtoncd up his
ulster quickly, as if fearful Of being
robbed.
"Oh. I'm on the level" said Biz Bill:
you needn't be afraid OF me--Im a
Policeman
Policeman. echoed the other, with
slight smile of scorn. You're not a
constable, You amt got any brass but
tons, nor any belt. nor any big club.
Why. you ain't even got badge on
your coat.
NO. young rellcr." laughed Conuor.
II wear mine underneath, on my vest
and he displayed his gold shield.
n The stranger eyed the detective curl
ously. What mad lIc Ia fear from this
big ruddv-faced, bIue-oyed man Hc
had nothing to fear. anyway, since he
had done no wrong. and the law was not
seeking MIN. And this man who wore
the gold shield under his coat might
be really a friend In need. and the young
man needed a friend very badly. So hc
looked into Big Bllrs eyes frankly and
honestly. and the glance carried with ii
a mute appeal for human sympa thy
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-02-27

all right: but tho folks who lived there
moved away. and ihc woman | saw don't
know a Thing about Lizzie
Connor nodded as the young man con-
tnued
You soc. Lizzie and me were engaged.
and when she came down 10 the city,
wear ago last summer. to learn drcssmak-
ing. she said just soon as 7 got money
enough to pay i years rent for The Plum
mc- farm we'd get married and start
right 10 housekeeping.
YES" draWled Connor sympathetic
ally.
well, I've rented the farm" said Rudd,
with show Of pride,
"She's a fine girl. Lizzie is," he went
on. "Scc-here's her picture" ic took
tintype from his pocket and handed II
TO Connor
The detective studied the face I'm the
picture. Then, AS he handed back the
likeness. there was a peculiar expression
~ think I've seen the lady" he re-
marked, slowly, 'and, perhaps, / can help
you find her
Henry Rudd was fumbIng in his coat
pocket. and. as Connor spoke. he drew
out an old envelope, which he carefully
opened.
Here's her last letter" ne confided.
simply, land ! want to show you some
thing else Mister Connor. This is an
old rosebud that Lizzie pressed In her
little Bblo the last time we sat to-
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-02-27

| saw instantly that she must have
been promoted in recognition of her
COUP d 'ctat-madc Il shopper for
o 'Hara, possibly for the very reason
that she had been clever enough TO trap
the shopper OF rival concern, serv-
ice the department store seldom fails
to recognize She was new at it. that
was certain, new as 10 blue serge and
imitation lynx hat, new in tho open dis
cussIon OF her business, new even unto
the polishing Of her English.
Z" You 90 up TO CRANKY s today and
sec for YOURSELF she was insisting.
81 Versus s4.24.
The other nodded and ] chuckled. She,
then, was also one OF the O 'IIara shop.
pers. Two birds paggcd with one stone,
/ told myself. 1rippcd after them,
anxious for some cline as TO The nature
OF the article that was selling at Gran
bys for less than al O'Hara 5, impa-
tient TO discover what department the
colorlcss one intended TO visit,
But their conversation driftcd into
other channels. Of which certain
'.Tom seemed 10 he the main cur
rent: The girl in The lynx hat lapssed
comfortably into the story of how she
had drought him 10 shc center
through y Irritation with another man.
ii was evident from The confidence dis
played thai the two were either rela-
tives or intimatcs. But / had ceased
to be interested.
When they disappeared into a white
tiled lunchroom ! found the nearest tel
ephone booth and called pp John Col
vert. the commanding officer of G. Gran
by & Go. S whole regiment of workers.
''What are We advertising today at
81 60 | asked abruptly go 'IIara is
selling the same thing at Si,21, and
they re sending in shopper TO examine
our goods. / overheard conversation
but never mind hurried on with
my description, - she's drab. skin and
eyes and hair Just plain mud color;
thin, medium height. and about 30 has
on navy blue tailor made. a little gray
hat with blue wing. and a squirrel
mufl. stopped short. Our "Big
Chief Colvert was laughing. | could
see his broad shoulders heaving as dis
tinctly as if the telephone hadn t come
between us,
81 said you ought TO be Il detective. -
he sent over the wires. .'That would
make satisfactory police description.
What department did You say?i
THAT S Just what ] couldn t find out
We told YOU all know. Now catch
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-02-27

her If you can. She S going TO look up
something we We advertised at 81. Bet
ter keep a watch wherever there are
special sales. [ II have more TO tell
you later. -
As matter of fact, it was the girl
in the lynx hat who held my particu-
lar interest | wanted 10 trap her
and o 'Hara 5 with her-as she had me.
She should see that CRANKY, too, had re-
sources when NJ came 10 cornerlng q
suspect; for though Mac-short for
Mazda. ono OF the few legacies be-
qucathed by the Warren Bcntleigh an
Bentleigh 10 the society col
umns and the world. and Miss Beutleigh.
professional shopper, to my bank ac-
count, / was still very much woman,
with both society and business lesser
considerations when 1T came to satisfy
ing a personal grudge.
There was nothing indefinite, depend
upon it. IN my description of the girl
in the lynx hat. It all went down in
my report that afternoon. compiled from
notes both mental and iotted down while
/ had my unconscious victim in sight.
After / had dutifullv recorded the fact
that llenshaw IS imported gauze ribbons
were arranged to make n better showing
than ours; that a particular French face
powder was being Sold at Ceilings for
TWO cents below the standard price; that
Rose Brtohcrs had a greater variety Of
colors in new dress material than we
had obtained. ] allowed myself the lux
ury Of telling about the girl in the lynx
hat, Not one detail did / overlook, from
the apparent height of her yellow POM
padour 10 the tilt OF her nose. the SOU
brette slimness of her waist, the cut of
her coat. the shape of her black suede
shoes
The Young woman answering to the
above. ] ended, dcclsively, ''is a shop
per for O 'Hara s. No matter what she
may say to the contrary if caught, this
is Il certainty
The Drab One
SO there were two of them OBJ
served Mr.. Colvert, looking UP from
the report as l entered his Office next
morning
Yes. Did Won get the drab one?'
He looked at me from the corner of
an eye and twinkle danced behind his
glasses. ''She was after painted lamp
shades, the wizard of Cranky IS
promptly announced; "new lot. We
had first choice. o 'Hara got the, rest
We re selling them special at 81.
| o 'IIara has them in regular stock at
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-02-27

knew all oG tnom by sight, ani nc most
of tllcm by ug.uc
But one O!=ht id February 3 stranger
driftcd into bobby'S. lie was 4 tall.
angular young man WILL nigh chcek k
bones. square jaws. In] u tired ip~k IN
his rugged face. He wore a fur cap.
covering u heavy sho,N or brown. curly
hair and a big ulster and a coueh suit
OF plaid. .And hr wore uliltens--old-
fashioned mrisns Of sr1y yarn.
Detective Couupr. rTho sal Dlun|hjn@
crackers while warinG Ior niS Stc% al
the next table. noticelN PARTICULARLY t:le
mittens. Foreman ioln Daley ot Truck
-Four. who had lust finished his supper.
also took note OF The nlttens. and Savc
sly wi;k for Conpor'S benefit
There was no mistakins tho fact that
the strange young man was not al home
OF the Bowery. HIS very manner be-
traycd him. as he shyIy ate a sandwich
and drank his coffee in long sulps. Con-
nor studied him with more or less inter
est and carried on Il mental debate as 10
what part OF New York state the stran-
ger hailed from Orange, Ontario. Oneida.
Onondaga. perhaps Orleans or Oswego-
at all events he came from some county
up The state
The next afternoon Connor met the
young countTyman on the BoWery. An
hour lattr hc saw him standing on the
corner AT Third street. The next day
he was lettering along Blocker street.
and on the Ihird day the detective be
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-02-27

Copyright. 1910, by the New York
Herald. All rights reserved.)
This is the, fourth installment cf the
series OF true stories in the life OF Miss
Bentleigh Professional Shopper" as told
to Miss Weiman by the young woman
whose experiences are being set down-
with, OF course, names and places changed
from real 10 fancied
The mention Of my own firm attract.
ed my attention TO the women ahead OF
me. Otherwise ] probably never should
have noticed them. They were just two
of tho conventional blue serges one
meets by the score any day in the shop
ping districts. But tho minute that
"Granby' driftcd back TO me my ears
shot up. eagerly keen as foxhound s.
i drew a step nearer.
-. But / tell YOU CRANKY S selling the
same thing for So one of them was
saving. 81 seen-saw it myself.
The other politely remarked that she
didn Z believe ii.
"Well, they were advertised this
morning, and [ had look when was
in there. They've got some nicer than
the ones we have out at four twenty
four. YOU can believe mc or not II S
the first time | ever seen-saw any
thing cheaper at Cranky than with
us
.. Did you buy one!' Was tie immc-
diate question.
''No; why should j. You can 90 up
and look them over Yourself and see #
] ain tt IN not telling the truth. Then
report it. that S ALL
| strodc hastily forward and glanced
back as j passed them. One was as non
descript as her dress, just one color, and
fchturcless, but when ] saw the other
the chief speaker, | ierked my muft up
10 my face, first TO hide the face and
second 10 conceal its expression Of cc-
stasy. For under the furry shadow OF
her hat | recognized at once the sales.
girl at O'Ilara s who had ''spottcd' me
some weeks before, whose whispered
word of suspicion had prepared for me
my first repast of humble pie.
go 'Hara s." / slipped back a ster
and swung my arms outward to kceI
them from hugging me. Those two in
front of me-they embodied a sweet re
venge. How long had ! promised my
self the pleasure OF making O'Uara &
Sons pay for my humiliation Was il
likely I d forget tho girl who had solo
me a rhinestone hair ornament and then
caused my investment 10 be ,ransforme,
into, a. tidy wad OF tissue paperl Well
hardly.
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-02-27

manding. uncompromisine glaune That
she could not meet.
She turned her head away. Her
fingers played 4 tattoo on the table
Then there was a noddinG ol the black
feathers in her hat, ana she arose to
her feet. She shook herself like Il big
dog, and Strengthened all her muscles. II
was again the hard, cold face that Bill
saw.
cut it out, Forget it, she cried
and with tauntiug wave of the hand,
she turned her back and moved TO an
other table where two smaller girls and
u marine in uniform were drinking beer
Detective Connor passed through the
barroom out into Fcll street. At the
BowcrY h" stood on the corner mcdltat
ing. as iC uncertain where TO 60 He
heard the gong of an approaching up
town car.
MS a ID shame" he cried. cIench-
ing his fist, and then. with long, heavy
strides. he ran to catch the car.
shes nearly reached the limit he
muSed. ~ step more, and The Chiuks
will get her, It's the old story. which
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-02-27
The Lamp Shades and the Girl With the Lynx Hat

| Another man, whom / could not see,
followed
81 am more than sorry, - Mr.. Col
vert was saying, with Il suavity that
pcrched uncomfortable on his great
shoulders, "that YOU havo been sub
iccted to any unpleasantness.
"Unpleasantness! ihe voice under
the lynx hat burst forth. If Won only
call that unpleasantness | asked her
the price Of Il skirt and when [ said
I'd take it she stared me in the face
and laughcd-ycs, laughed-and then
turned TO another girl and asked if l
looked like a pink silk petticoat. In
suit, | call itl'' There was no longer
hesitation as To the correct noun and
verb-they tumbled precipitatcly after
one another
stifIed a laugh. though I was as
tonishcd 10 find the girl such easy
quarry She had been cnught son the
first bait set up 10 trap her,
Her Very Good Guess.
She probably guessed that YOU were
q professional shopper Mr.. C0lvcrt
put in quietly.
girl dartcd mp, 81 a shopper Well,
like that!
$50 do J., came back Big Col
vert promptly.
- But [ IN nothing Of the sort -
'Thcn how do YOU know what II
shopper is?'' was the immediate qucs-
ton
''G guess / haven worked in dry
goods store for six years without know
ing more than want to about them
And how does it happen that n girl
who works behind the counter can visit
another store at 10 o clock in the morn
ing?"
''Oh, but ] m not working now,' she
corrected, hastily,
''Quite so-not behind the counter.
Now You re buying Sl2 silk skirts for
your firm.
She Jlamed scarlet under the cross
questioning. g Nothing of the sort. |
wanted that for myself. -
g Pardon me if ! suggest Mr.. Col
vert s voice was not without kindness
. that it S an unlikely extravaganza
for Il Young woman-'
The girl was wrlthing in her chair.
" Ii S no extravaganza, she interrupt
ed, ''if she S going To marry u rich
man who S paying for it,.
This time | could scarcely choke back
the laugh. Marriage and consequent
trousseau had once been my own de.
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-02-27
BY RITA WEIMAN

fense under similar circumstances Mar
riage and trousseau. in fact, seem to
he Il woman s first solution Of every
difficulty.
Come. Colvert.N - the other man here
put IN, and ] recognized the voice as
that of Robert Crlmmins one of the at
tachcs of CRANKY & Co., who always
managed 10 be on hand when trouble
was afoot, What S the use of vast
man buy her silk skirts in future at
'Hara S, where they know her.
"The young woman, . who had borne
with no i'll grace Big Colvert S
process of inquiry. now wheeled about
brIstling with Indignation. IL don t
like Your impudcncc She leaned far
forward, unmistakablc menace in her
eye. There are reasons why | can {
shop at o 1larn s Just now. II S none
of your business: bul YOU II find out
before long WHY | IN buying silk skirts
and who s paving for them. Then YOU
viii take notice ana have something to
say To yourselves about losing my
trade. She made the announcement
with Il fine show of pride, very much rs
she had told the other girl, the day
followed them. how she 'd brought
loving the scene hugely. The girl was
putting up a good play. She had awak.
cncd to the possibility of sowing q seed
of doubt SO that at least they should
MT be sure of her.
Bat ] was amazed at Mr. Colvert 5
reply. - II we we made mistake
he began at once.
~ should say YOU havc' she lost
no time in assuring him. - You II find
II ont soon enough. You think [ IN
shopper, do youp Well, shopper or no
shopper, you needp { worry about my
coming here any more. Now, have You
finished with me2'' She was on her
feet facing them both.
! could sec only Mr.. Colvert. \
puzzled question hesitated behind hls
glasses, a half apology on his lips.
He came TO me tho instant the door
had closed with sharp slap behind
her, ''Do you think it at all possible
that we have made a mistake'' he
asked, apXiouslY.
Men Are Gullible.
'.Oh, You men.' ! retorted. "Thc
clevercst of YOU are the most guIible
when the game is n woman :. | saw
the Girl at the store something like SIN
weeks ago. is it plausible that she S !
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-02-27

Bobby Haven's oyster palace WIS on
the Rowery. four doors from Great Jones
street Robhy's WAS an old landmark;
John Haven had served oyster slows ana
clam fritucrs and boiled lobst.r5 under
that same roof before his SON Bobby was
born.
tIaven took a personal pride i'm The old
place-I 'uthcr small room with "w
ceilings and antlquarcd windows. Even
the battered wooden sign over the door
was a primitive affair. Bobby himself
was out Of date with his mutton, chop
whiskers and his old-iashioned' 'Shcckerea
apron that came TO the knees.
Strangers seldom Ventured INTO the
ovstcr place Bobby's trade was with
the regulars-policemen off duty iirenen
from Tho house Of Truck Four. III the
next block, cabhies who stabbed their
horses IN the nciehborhooa. and The bar
tenders from mp and down th" lfowyry;
Connor mot when nc dropped in at l1d-
Vcn'S place Tor oyster stew, ard nc
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-02-27

since made arrangements TO marry
money! -.
.'But if in our zeal 10 be quts viii
the O OJIaraS for the trick they DlaYe'
you-' hr insisted. :,
/ disdained To answer. There WASH
any doubt in my mind 1t was too ap
snrd. his hoSitancv in the face OF suen
absolute evidence And a bit disap'
pointing-I had hoped he would ENJOY
my victory with me.
, ooh. by The way, he said careless
" as | dropped into his Office one morn,
inc some time later. seen ANYTHING ,I 81
the O Hara girl since The affair mere;
.eLast week. - replied with touen
of malicious satisfaction. at Cohs1am, nar
tine s. pricing French matinee. fei'
hops YOU still think
'sWen. he reached out slowly 70 ,i
side table. took up n newspaper Anio.u,
ed rcfolded and placed II with lnfnl,o
conccrn directly III front OF me. - mere
the reason. / thought you might DO
Interested.
| followed his movements wonneLinss
Iv then glanced down NJ the open ynee''
The headlines ilared bright yeiioS nj
.ePnpa O'Hara stops elopement' a%" ;ss
yonnc Tommy faces breach or proLm,vt
snit Son of big dry goods mefcnass ~
picked pretty salesgirl with an G eye ave ,s
romance Papa steps IN win au
to business, >, :,
Parallel ran n. picture of the g. glrl for 1r
the lynx hat, ''posed especially ,,fnl
The paper. Below was told ,.tc ,ca''ott Of
tale of how Tommy O hara4 r lara IIap &
Yale. but now of the firm OF y lla,h ll1,,Iy
sons, had NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. uaG., 'ioG.
haunting the fact-to ill the dcnc,en5i an5
cies in the young lady 5 edncatfGth S tftted df tc
wardrobe so TINT she might be nl'.n aas ii
t,kc '"'b~ her Mace as his wife; how papa
fsd' had discoverod H" the damage to his treas
mry. W and how the girl, in, conseqhe1%vs, te %e,
was about to sue for the damage 10 n''
When ] had finished reading ! ,I IoVsell VSol.
mn I lis tongue in his cheek, Mr. VV''
Vert Vert was watching me dGeerou511S- ,SnS back
hs nm. Liner This This is is satisfactory proc, %a
t that / IN having my revenge on all 0V'
ccrncd ! thank YOU,
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-02-27

Lizzie married., repeated Rudd,
daZed and bewiIdered.
Yes" said Bill with show Of END
rhusIasm. she struck il right Now
don't You care. boy, Just YOU go back
home and pick out another girl Thu
woods arc full OF EN-
Henry Rudd slowly stirred his cof-
fee and swallowed something hard ID
his throat Once again Bills han
touched him gently on Tho shoulder,
Just You pack your duds and go bacl
home quick rs YOU can. my boy. You
can't blame Lizzie. and women are queei
things-you never know what they ars
going 10 do
Il suppose not, MI. Connor % said Rudd
slowly, II think you're right. But
don't want the Plummcr farm now that
Lizzie is gone. and I've got no use for
the housekeeping stun. Do YOU think
| can sell IT, Mr.. Connor?'
"Surel replied Bill with a forced
laugh. But don't sell ii. boy. Keep II
for the other girl.
No" said Rudd sadly There is only
ons Lizzie.
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-02-27

I've seen YOU around here looking for
some ono" remarked Connor. and IL
struck me you didn't belong here In New
York, Maybe | could help you find thc
lady you're looking for. eh?'
We'll. you might. mister. You sec,
came down 10 the city on purpose to save
hcr--and-'
The young man besitatcd.
Now, look here. remarked The man
from the sixth precinct station. let
US be good friends, you and !. My names
conpor-Btll Connor, I'm detective in
this district. Just you tell me all about
It, Mr-Mr-
Henry Rudd OF Bnrllcrvillc. mp near
OsWcgo. that's me- replied the young
man growing more al case And l
came down to the city TO get Lizzie and
take her home with me"
ITO get Lizzie! Yes! ycs!' repeated
Conpor- slowly, And how do YOU know
you'll find Lizzie around here"
Cause she wrote me last fail from
that house over there on Third street
near the corner, oh, | found the house
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-02-27

held the angular young man again
standing at the Third street corner. as
If waiting or watching for some one,
'That young icllcr's getting on my
nerves" unused Connor. What's lie here
for? He ought TO bc home milking the
cows
Late on the following afternoons when
the big detective met the stranger for
the sixth time. he gave an exclamation
of mingled wonder and disgust
Hes "A puzzle 10 me. Something is
wrong somewhere" muttered Connor
"But he seems TO keep sober and he
don't bother any onc-thats Just the
troubc-hes mindiug his own business.
whatevcr that may be-
Al that very mome"; group OF shop
girls crossed the street and the strange
young man eyed them curiously.
Connor gave II low whistle OF salts
faction
$50 It's a pclucoat he's looking for
ne grunrcd. "and IL she Is one of Ger
tain bunch of ladies I happen TO know
in this immediate vicinity, that young
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-02-27

row But he must face Tho .n,,,,, III
WI VIZ lo escape. And there was NOT ~
T,e r,,Si9 lr2c" OF the coward's blood "a
Thieyc.sa The ..ad he'd real work to do that j
Bond street shop; cartod t,ss's'
WaSon. Just at daybrcak. aino.," -" y
p5,. Tmc . nose OF the man ON post. SIS So "a 2
nor mind was occupied ,,.,n9o 90 p
Other than Henry Rudd's os,IIih I'M
ne kept his word, ana al I; ;rs; air1.,
met III" Soung man. shool; boe,ock
I'in! InL, and then he told him aI''s sIi " "
It's Ike this" he beror
.r'cna Lizzie struck bit Of Mo,. ft
month ago She got acqnai%tSs amy !, hot
RroaG n"Tn n,., chsp,: who owns store stVn oyo% "
!l nloa dWaF Wcll. ne fell head oyar oVer
III ioNe WIN her, and being me ne
sor,' ne proposed In the regulsr sau'
arG LlzZie married MIN three wecys va!
! ding trip" y" 'heir w
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-02-27
Detective COnnOr's Heart Adventures

There was Il slight trcmo: of the hands
There was just the shadow Of Il CULVER
on the lips.
whine ."Thcy mm.'n.t Enow They ali
must forget IL, Don't YOU tell. You re
Il good. old duffcr-no one ever said a
nasty thing about Fig Bi-not since
Eve been around here. Forget it, and
don't tell him anything
Her face was hard and cold again.
The rlppcs and the CULVER had gone.
Connor said not worI i.e cleared
his throat and slowly rose from HIS Cnalr.
He turned TO 20 She caJghL his ann
as If 10 hold him.
And you saw Henry" sn, whispered.
lest the nciGhboriDC cars might hear
Bill looked down at the woman in sur
prise.
Yes he said. "and To showed me
your picture hc carried In his pocNct--
and q lettcr-and-and m old. faded
rosebud. And then Bill Gcanor looked
hcr squarelA i'm lhe face. u storm COM
The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-02-27

The old. ocIagoall clock at Bobby
Ilavcn's plac" struck Q as Bill Connor
dropped in aud looked about. Henry
Rudd. from up Oswcgo way. who was
dining on doUghnuts and coffee, saw the
big follow enter and waved his hand In
salutatlun,
Conuor walked slowly over TO him He
saw AN air Of expectancy on the young
mans face, Gould Ge tell him the truth .
Why not? The sooner il was told the
better.
Bill had carefully planned Il sympa-
words Of advice. He had mentally re-
hearsed the story for the last hali hour,
He would tell Henry Rudd the truth. the
whole truth. and nothing bat the truth,
but ne would let the young fellow down
GasN--as eeSY as possihle