davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1910-11-27

moral standard, I left. thinking deeply.
My errands finished. started 70 go
home only to find the east-bound cars
blocked and to be told that they prob
ably wouldn't move for an hour ] was
cold and hungry, and so. to put IN my
time. went into TulIey's for some cake
and hot chocolate. It was just 8 o'cIock
and the place was filing up. I had a
table down at the end near the row OF
cunning little private dining rooms I
sat deep IN my reveris on the wicked
ness OF earth, when suddenly I heard a
familiar voice, and I raised nv head
just IN time to see Mr.. Elson usher his
stenographer into one OF these privats
rooms!
My cup OF moral indignation was full.
and resolved that here was a case
where "EveIine Hustead Clark Jones"
would 40 her duty. for dear Mrs Elson
was so truthful. so unsuspecting My
chocolate was finished I ordered the
table d'hote. for must see this thing
out II I would do my duty well, I was
rewarded an hour later They both
arose. as I judged from the scra ping OF
the chairs. Too much engrossed IN each
other were they to notice the crack IN
the door. and I was horrihed TO see Mr..
Elson put his arms around the stenog-
rapher and kiss her-oh, several times.
I snatched my check and fed. full OF
zeal and righteous wrath. I had met
Mrs. Elson only once. but she had TN
pressed me as charming. and. though ny
heart smote me to think of the anguish
her husbands perhdy.' I said over and
over to myself.
The maid showed me into a coy fire.
lit library and carried up my card. The
door opened and splendid boy of about
came IN, bearing Mr.. Elson's features
unmistakably He darted out quickly
when he saw a stranger and left me
saying to myself. And to think he is a
father. too!'
Mrs. EIson entered and was aHability
personifed- so glad to see you. Miss
Jones' I wish so much you had called
earlier. for we have had such a charm
ing guest. Mr.. ElsOn's pet sister has
been here; IN fact. Mr.. Elson Is taking
her to the train tonight. Really a
charming girl. and so capable. She has
helped me with the house and Mr.. Elson
with his typewriting. etc
She talked on and on. I did not ex-
plain, and she was too wellbred to evincs
any surprise at my most unconventional
hour for a social call. The call. how
ever, was a success. for ] found her a
fascinating hostess: so much so. indeed
that 7 had no further fears for Mr..
Elson's conStancy.
! promised TO call again. but al the
same time registered an oath silently
that I would not sleep until I had writ
ten and posted my resignation as chair
man Of the uplift COMMITTEES.
DOROTHY MARX.
The San Francisco call., 1910-11-27

self, for instance. Two or three times
a day he leaves his desk, walks to the
cheval glass which is the chief orna-,
ment of his office. takes out powder
puff and carefully brushes it over his
not. I have never been able to ascertain
but l have my suspicionsi
Next to him is the old gentleman
with nothing to do At least that is the
way have figured it out. He arrives
at II. sits down in an easy-chair by the
window, reads the newspaper and goes
TO sleep. He wakes, goes out to lunch,
returns at 3. sleeps till and goes
home. I wonder sometimes if his rela-
tives simply hire the office to keep
him out of the way for part of the
time at least
The lawyers Office is particularly in
teresting. There are probably dozens
Of lawyers offices in the big building,
but this special one have christened
the divorce court. 1t is thronged al
ways with anxious couples, who con-
fer for while, weep or rant around a
bit and then go out separately-lad
first and gentleman perhaps five min
uteS later. 1t is quite possible that they
are only settling their grandmothers'
wills or preferring charges against the
street car company; but to me they
seem always participants in the great
unhitching match OF America.
That is a cataloging firm, am sure.
on the eighteenth floor; it employs some
eight or nine girls, all busily engaged
at filing index cards. 1t is when
parade comes by, however, that they
blossom out perilously. Sweet crea-
lures They are just at the silly age
when they think 1t is smart to stand
up on the windowsilI. at that reeling
height. and lean over; or to lie fiat
across thin glass ventilator and look
downward to the Street below. When
they are not engaged in this pleasing
The San Francisco call., 1910-11-27
Write to Mother

There is so much to do" the girl
excuses herself, "and so many inter-
ruptions. And mothers not inter
ested particularly in what / am doing.
She doesn't know any Of these peo-
ple"-and so the mental apology runs.
But none OF this is true, as deep
down in her heart the girl knows.
Mother is interested, and II 1t were
only few lines that were sent to say
that all is well. mother would be the
happier for getting them. 1t is i'm
possible for q girl to realize the lone
illness OF the home nest when the
young folks fit away; impossible to
know the ache in the mothers heart
when the children grow up and do not
seem to need her any more. This is
The time when they should pour the
treasures of their daily life back into
the mothers emptied life; when they
should fill it with interest and en-
rich it with all that is happening to
them. all their new interests and
friends. And they should let her
know that none of these equals the
mother love, that nothing fills the
place of the mothers care. and how
much they appreciate all she has done
for them now that they are away
from II.
Tack e Write to Mother sign up in
your room and tell her every little
incident OF your daily life in the big
city. Tell her Of your work, your
pleasures, your new friends. your new
clothes Mother likes these things
Nothing is too small or too insignifi-
cant TO interest her.
And you'll not only be making her
happy. but you'll be helping yourself
20 remain the pure, sweet girl that
came away from home. When you
know that you are going to tell her
everything you do, you won't want to
put down in black and white things
1t would pain her to read. Somehow
the thought OF that letter home will
guide your feet past many unwise
stopping places.
The San Francisco call., 1910-11-27

goodl" To Increase my enthusiasm l
reread our noble constitution. beginning
with the virtuous preamble; we. the
uplift committee Of D. realizing thaI
in our midst there exists much to be
condemned In the light of the pure
standard of morals which we have
raised for ourselves" etc. etc, and
ending with. our meddlesome resolve
that "sparing ourselves no personal
inconvenience or embarrassment, If
need be. we will impress upon the
community of which we are a part the
ideals for which we stand
The reading worked like charm
and I determined to leave no oppor-
tunfty-"no, not one" Just then.
Jim, my lawyer brother. who was laid
up with the grip. called me. Are
you going down town. Sis?" Yes.
1 answered Near the Saynes Build
ing?" Yes" s'Well. will you stop in
Mr. Elson's office with these papers?
I'll be very much obliged. He may
have an answer Sure" I said
and started.
When knocked on Mr.. Elson's
private office door, few minutes later,
I heard a distinct "seurry." I waited.
I knocked again. Come, from inside.
On entering 1 saw Mr.. Elson. with a
very red face. at his desk-and across
the room, arranging some carbon
papers in her machine. his stenogra-
pher 1 delivered the packet. and Mr.
Elson, most cordial in manner, IN
quired for Jim, and asked if ! minded
waiting a few. minutes He offered me
chair. and began consulting some doc
uments The phone on his desk rang
He answered. heard-"No. dear I'm
sorry, but 1 won't have Z minute TO
come home. 1t will be fully 10 O'Clock.
o! I'll get something to eat. All right;
goodby!"
1 had gotten up TO look at picture
but Just as l turned 1 saw a smiling
glance exchanged between Mr.. Eison
and his stenographer. Not until then
did 1t dawn upon me. but then ] be-
gan to catch on to what the scurry
and the red faces signifedi
In few minutes Mr.. Elson had fin
ished the note for Jim and with a
good afternoon" the frigidity Of
which was born Of his injury to my
The San Francisco call., 1910-11-27

spring cleaning. Agnes had a cold.
and had wrapped a white shawl
around her; and Hal said the whole
effect was positively ghostly and
awfully depressing. Somehow he
couldn't help thinking what II would
mean to belong 70 that family. and he
thought he'd better not call on Agnes
any more.
''She told me about It. too, and cried
when she said II wouldn't do any good
to try TO modify things in the least.
Mother had evolved what she believed
to be a perfect system OF housekeeping,
and besides. she had theory that as
long as children lived under a parents
roof 1T was very dislOyal and III bred
and everything else reprehensible to
dissent In the slightest particular from
the rules and methods established by
that parent. She prides herself on tho
way she looks after her house and her
family. and nobody denies that she's a
wonderful manager. But I wish she
could hear some of the things people
do say about her heartlessness."
And yet" said Angelica, hopefully,
"she must have a softer side. Plants
ansd and nowsrs bs dent dont grow o that & way for
Exactly; that Is the puzzle I spoke
Of at first Why does such a stern,
hard-featured Martha succeed best OF
uAl Will tAl5 Dldulo WHICH dle all QTOOO
and daintiness, and which need so much
actual tenderness The cyclanen. the
oxalis. the maidenhair fern. the exotic
unwilling things-one can see that these
are her favorites. Is her sOftness OF the
kind which is called out only by objects
too weak and dependent TO answer
back? / believe she would care ten
derly for pet animal or a brood OF
little chicks. and she may have been
tender to her babies when they were
too small TO be anything more than will
ing little satellites Of her own. But
anything with individual character and
opinions antagonizes something in her:
she lavishes all her tenderness on her
unresisting plants. They are absolutely
dependent upon her for existence. and
respond cheerfully to her commands.
without dissent. criticism or reproach-
ful lassltude- Yes. I think have her
CLASSIFIED now" decided Marcia. with
sigh OF relief
yet she's a good. conscientious
woman in her church and charitable
work" mused Angelica; "a speckless.
shining house, q husband whose ma
terial comfort is perfectly looked after;
daughters handsomely dressed and sup
piled with everything money can buy;
well-cooked meals. well-trained serv-
ants-one can't say she neglects any
thing
Excepting snapped Marcia. the
minds and hearts and souls Of her
family"
The San Francisco call., 1910-11-27
| Remember
r REMEMBER. L remember.
The house where l was b

r REMEMBER, l remember.
The house where was born,
II The little window where the sun
Came peeping in at morn;
He never came a wink too soon,
Nor brought too long a day;
But now 1 often wish the night
Had borne my breath away.
| remember, remember,
The roses. red and white,
The violets and the lily cups.
Those flowers made of light;
The lilacs where the robin built.
And where my brother set
The laburnunl on his birthday
The tree is living yet!
I remember. I remember
Where / used to swing;
And thought the air must rush as fresh
To swallows on the wing;
My spirit flew in feathers then.
That is so heavy now.
And summer pools could hardly cool
The fever on my brow!
I remember, 1 remember,
The fir trees dark and high:
I used to think their slender tops
Were close against the sky
1t was childish ignorance.
But now tbs little joy
To know I'm farther off from heaven
Then when 1 was boy.
Thomas Hood
The San Francisco call., 1910-11-27
COMMENTS FROM OUR READERS

at cafes. hotels and IN their own. homes.
of course. everybody knows that It is
often necessary to both hands when
eating. but why does almost everybody,
while slipping tea or eating with the fork
the table? Just look around and notice.
Some double this left hand like fist,
others gently wave the fingers and take to
themselves attitudes most curious. Observe
for yourself.
why this iIl-breeding. when every child
IS taught that hands not used must be hid
den In their laps and not shown on the
table?
Men and women that DO know better circle
their soup nlates with their left hands, pile
their dishes on the table. thinking to assist
the waiter and spread and double up their
left hands on the tablecloth, have thought
sometimes TO show their rings, but sim
cerelv believe these people have never been
corrected. lack observation and are often
quite unconscious of their ill-breeding.
once knew a distinguished army man.
who so abhorred unused hands spread out
on a tablecIoth that he kent his left hand.
when not needed in his trousers pocket
MADAM ETIQUETTE
The San Francisco call., 1910-11-27
Don't Forget the Heart

QUESTION please you the heart of ife2 In
hr of neecng that which IS
essential deep, and worthy living? Business cares IN
the world the world the home many; ouoes
bn and often forget that deep down below
of OF human interest
page Every topic chosen with the end
tha appeal be hea The sings
The hearts,
Blu Mi and ~.
the Variety theme and treat
attitude amenabe
and HUMAN INTEREST the guiding
thoughts that reading these arcs There's
line that should be missed We forgetting the heart Are youf
There's and from Office windows Look
of then
variety chairman of certain committee speaks
for herself
To point "The Forgotten Heart print
while brutal unasked the
your Song But the main this little
appealed
something that, isn't thereP
The San Francisco call., 1910-11-27

6<VKYHAT a well-kept house. and
wv what a beautiful conserva-
w toryi' exclaimed Angelica, as
she and Marcia were returning home
after call. Did you ever see hap
pier looking plants?"
OR an unhappier looking family" ?"
supplemented Marcia That woman is
a puzzle to me- She's as hard as nails
where any human sympathy is con-
cerned: rules her husband with rod
of iron. The girls, poor things,
daren't move a chair or a rug two
inches from the original position
without being called to account The
piano player must never be used
without her consent. No impromptu
happens to be there at the right time.
no coZy bedtime snacks, no confiden-
tial chats with mother--in short, no
pleasant little informalities in the
family life Oh. yes. they keep holi-
days and birthdays. and give hand
some things to each other, for there's
plenty of money; but everything is so
cut and dried that there isn't much
fun about it"
rs that so?' murmured Angelica.
sympathetically I've noticed that
the girls were sort of queer and sub
dued. wonder if that hasn't some
thing to do with their having so few
outside friends, men especially"
,"Of course it has. Here's an in
stance of the sort of thing man en-
counters in that family. The house
is prepared early in spring for the
summer f1itting-parlor first. because
that's a part of her system. Maud
and Agnes and their callers have to
make the best Of it, OF course. girl
friends can be smuggled of TO their
bedroom. which really has some in
dividuality; but it's hard on the men
/ knew one sensitive youth who was
actually scared away, though he was
really quite fond of Agnes. He told
me about it, and said the atmosphere
was so spooky he couldn't stand It,
He called one chilly evening in May,
and the furniture was all slippery linen
covers, with papers underneath, that
rustled when you sat on them: the
pictures and tables were draped in
white mosquito net. and the heat was
turned off, so that no furnace dust
should defile the sanctuary after its
The San Francisco call., 1910-11-27

sinister motive that woman has no dlf1culty IN
recognizing. but of which poor. deluded man is
hopelessly ignorant
ITO be frank with you, Eleanor. 1 think that
your hair much pretter the other night" does
two things. First, it rnagnanimously admits that
there time when the hair was pretty. But
that is merely prelude to the suggestion that II IS
at its worst The adoring lover marvels at the
kind frankness of friend. and is persuaded that
she is right.
Whenever q woman shows friend In an un-
complimentary light when she has not been invited
to give her opinion, feel like saying, kitty, kitty
kitty For under her soft, velvety exterior there
The San Francisco call., 1910-11-27
The Value of Wisdom

TT WAS remarked by Seneca that a
wise man is provided for occurrences
u of every kind: the good he controls,
the bad he vanquishes; in prosperity he
betrays no presumption. and in adver-
sity he feels no dependency. The wis
dom he possesses enables him 70 bear
up with heroism under all reverses.
The San Francisco call., 1910-11-27

I toast some other fair.
But when I ask my heart the sound
Thy name is echoed there.
And when some other name I learn.
And try to whisper love,
Still will my heart to thee return
Like the returning dove.
In vain! never can forget,
And would not be forgot;
For I must bear the same regret,
Whateer may be my lot.
Fen as the wounded bird will seek
Its favorite bower to die.
SO. lady, 1 would hear thee speak.
And yield my parting sigh.
Tis said that absence conquers love-
But. oh, believe 1t not;
I've tried, alas its power TO prove.
But thou art not forgot.
Frederick William Thomas.
The San Francisco call., 1910-11-27

hardness, it IS pleasant to see the old
gentleman above this. He is not so old,
either-perhaps 60 or so-but his face is
as beautiful as is his silver hair. Re-
Gently he became member of the
knights Templars. and all afternoon his
Office was filed with crowd of con-
gratulatory friends, admiring his new
regalia, trying on the hat. with It's white
The San Francisco call., 1910-11-27

TROM the desk where I sit I can see.
without moving. over 100 windows
Il of the big office building opposite.
wonder sometimes If the people be-
hind those windows knew that l was
looking at them and storing up copy
TO write about them. whether they
would not conduct themselves differ
emily.
There IS the man who powders him
The San Francisco call., 1910-11-27
ES, 1T looks dis

ES, 1T looks dis
;ingue." 1 COM
mented to myself.
Then 1 wrote 1t out
in full; "Eveline
III u S I e a d Clark
Zones. chairman OF
the uplift commit
tee, and viewed 1t
even more compla-
Gently. and brought
my fist down with
the enthusiasm OF
my seventeen sum-
mers. murmuring,
IT S h all make
The San Francisco call., 1910-11-27

One thing Is to be said In favor Of frank
friends. They give salutary balance to the lionz-
ing of admirers and offer the other point of
view that is about the only for the unsoic-
tied outpouring of a candid mind sometimes
wonder If a woman who is perfectly frank to the
hurting point realizes just how much harm she
accomplishes. Perhaps not She is frequently
able to be perfectly candid with herself Cruel truth
in the mouth of extravagant purveyors sonnet times
embitters the listeners and warps the genial
Portable ground that is the only successful
the great superstructure of friendship.
Well, TO be perfectly frank with you. 1
very enthusiastic when hail cruel candid
of a friend. BARBARA LEE.
The San Francisco call., 1910-11-27

her best friends urges her to tell you of the mis-
take You are making in doing what you are. ETC.?
Then her love for you proceeds to tear you
into little pieces and to throw you to the winds
She deals freely and harshly with your erring
ways; she rounds you up into pitiless light of
public opinion and beats you into wreck Of
your former self Then she leaves you with the
conscious and exasperating air that she has been
truthful and has done her best.
Understand me. please. like the sincere. truth
full friend. abhor deceit, and any trucking to me
by everlasting hattery I will not permit. I want
the truth when / want it,
There is generally middle way. The golden
road of silence has led to a more delightful goal
frlendships than The thornv path brutal candor
The San Francisco call., 1910-11-27
The Chldless Woman VS.. the
Mother


Mother
7 an interested IN the answer 90 the
article on the childless woman. I am OF
a 6iferent opinion from this writer OF
course, she says she has no child to bring
sorrow on her head. but she must con-
si6er that all children are not the same.
i am the mother Of two a boy Is years
and girl aged s. and when an IN sor-
row there IS not one of your clubs or SO
cieties that Will come 10 me and put its
loving arms around me and say. Dear
mamma. what IS wrong Can I help you %
she does not think that she was a child
herself once, and OF ali the sacrifices her
own mother made FOR her I am a plain.
home-lovng little woman. who has sac
riaced her health FOR the last I'VE years.
The little ones IN time OF trouble. make
the home ties stronger. as they have done
Ny husband's salary is very small-i,
sverages only $50 monfh-so i ind II
sexes plenty Of time TO manage things.
- think that this writer is very selfish /.
she thinks only Of herself. / think some
times my cross IS very heavy. but when
think OF the Almighty. and my reward
hereafter 7 consider. my sacrifice not in
vain. Ny girl and boy are al in all to
me. When I am old perhaps they viii do
Ike the rest OF the children and go away
but the Lord can keep me. trust in him.
Tor without his help we are nothing
DEVOTED MOTHER.
The San Francisco call., 1910-11-27

sTT IS said that absence conouers love
But. oh, believe II not;
L I've tried. alssi its power to
prove,
But thou art not forgot
Lady. though fate has bid US part,
Yet still thou art as dear.
As fixed IN this devoted heart.
As when I clasped thee here
7 plunge into the busy crowd.
And smile 10 hear thy name;
And yet. as II / thought aloud.
They know me still the same;
And when the winecup passes round,
The San Francisco call., 1910-11-27
A Protest

Social customs interest everybody. One
point seems never 20 be touched upon
when thew eat / derive no end OF amuse-
raent watching people on ocean steamers.
The San Francisco call., 1910-11-27

are the claws that can
scratch and dig l speak
from the heart. my friends.
Have you ever received a
perfectly candid letter? The
kind that gives you prelude
of how the writer has your
own good at heart and how
the fact that you are one OF
The San Francisco call., 1910-11-27

Continual wincing is hard good nature.
No woman has right to make others unhappy by al
unreserved criticism of her friends If being perfectly
candid that other peoples feelings hurt
The San Francisco call., 1910-11-27

vades the realm of your opinions your loeais 10
your actions, and after firmly seating herseil ~
the way of any possible egress proceeds TO oe7
labor you with the club of sincere but unsoushe
truth.
admit that there are times when the truth
ful invader wields the iconoclastic club with
beneficial results Well and good. But you can
convince me that she is running popularity
marathon with any possibility Of gold medal
Elsie meets you and scans your new suit. ITO
be frank with you she by way of opening
the conversational DOORS Il don't like suit
Now. matter of fact, you are wearing your
winter suit because you had to choose the cheaper
one of two or because you do like it, and nasmuch
min ,dad Elsie has NJ invited
The San Francisco call., 1910-11-27

contribute the critics resent It, And long
live backbone and agile wit and
these perfectly candid ones that they
the beings who not IN the
beloved class by shot.
Perhaps frankness cloak that conceas'a
The San Francisco call., 1910-11-27

~ ONT you love her? Isn't
she the sweetest thing
~ in your circle OF friends?
I refer to your friend who in
sists upon telling you the bru-
tai truth-unasked That last
word is the important part of
the subject. Unsolicited the
nerfectlv candid fiendess in
The San Francisco call., 1910-11-27

SGVTTHAT well-kept house. and
w what. what a 3s beautiful a.,af ,o51.a eonssrva.
The San Francisco call., 1910-11-27

The heart is like the sky. part of heaven,
But changes, night and day. too. like the sky.
The San Francisco call., 1910-11-27

e Is the man WHO nowders aim