davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1911-08-01
= 3 57k}saa!i;::Ip

fully earned, catching Ruffes"
~ see. This view of the matter
ministers materially to my self-re-
spect."
wait here until return" COM
inanded Selsa authoritatively.
She hurried back with covered
basket. "These are the shoes.
couldn't bring the other things, be-
cause one OF the maids might report
to grandmother--of course the maids
wouldn't want me to give things
away. I could bring these because
they we're in covered backet. Sit
down"
Selsa remov d the cover and poured
the contents on the seat. What do
you think OF them?"
II think they are great"
81 knew you would. Here's every
conceivable kind OF color--sorne I've
never worn but once. I'm awfully
cranky about shoes"
80 should Judge"
"Of course you'll take these?" and
Selsa began to pile them back In the
basket
"I don't think ought to take all.
! I might take this one pair" He
picked up a dainty pair Of suede slip
pcrs.
Selsa looked hurt.
Il mean | couldn't take them all
until have earned them. This one
pair is ample return the slight
service | rendered. Perhaps In time
! can earn more"
81 suppose II is better for your self
respect to do that way Grandmother
says It. demorallzes folks to beg"
hot
Then why did you beg of grand
mother?"
t'1 didn't. I only offered fair ex-
change-the devotion OF a son for a
sordid return in money"
You're queer. You must have
studied sociology"
Selsa hid her basket under the
vines and they walked down the hill
together.
"When will you come for the other
thlngs?"
""The other things seem to be be-
yond me for the same reason I've
made no return. Some time | may
see my Way
They were at the foot cf the hill.
and they parted. "Goodby. he said,
regretfully. as he stood with his cap
In his hand. ~ can't help feeling
that we shall meet, again" ~.
'sGoodby," said Selsa. "Who
knows?"
She walked slowly up the hill, busy
with her truant thoughts. Az she
neared the house she met thu exritsd
Haley. ~ ~ ai'ii N"f 'rN
ifNow what do you think. Miss Sci,
sa? Your grandmother telephoned "a
Judge Hopkins. to ask him whYehe
sent a lunatic to her and what dp
you think he said? He called In his
son and made him confess all of II.
They're college fellers and doing some
iinin' business. This one was. being
lined. He's no orphan. His father
is a big lumber man and his name is
Girard Ramsey"
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1911-08-01
..ssmESA ~ o. ~
S@gz3)p9 S > GU

through the pickets in an endeavor to
escape and very foolishly | tried to
do a good thing and catch her and
return her to her owner, but | find
that he only succeeds who serves
himself / am caught as well as the
bird. branded as criminal, brought
to a speedy trial and here am.
with no defense except my poor word,
awaiting che verdict of an unjust
Judge"
You talk pretty we'll for a slum-
mer. Maybe you've been to night
school. Night schools are n grand
thing for the aboring classes. What
about? | can tell you she Is In no
good mood this morning this is the
morning she has to sign checks.
told Haley there must be a bushel."
That's what wanted to see your
grandmother about--to ask to sign
her checks for her"
Selsa looked disturbed again.
please don't say those things. You
remember Judgment isn't yet passed
and the nature OF 1t will depend a
good deal upon how truthfully you
talk"
Its plain that can't tall, Mt all,
for when | speak the truth you won't
believe me and l don't want to tell
lies"
"Ill give you one more chance.
What do you want to sec grandmoth-
or about? who knows but you mean
to sandbag herr"
That's n matter which IS impossi-
bic for me TO state except to the lady
herself. | bear upon my person, not
a sandbag, but letter of introduc-
ton" and he extracted an envelope
from the pocket Of his shabby. but
picturesque corduroy norfolk jacket.
Selsa glanced at the signature.
Judge Hopkins-that's where | am
going for n Weekend house party to-
morrow of course Judge Hopkins
wouldn't give you letter II you are q
real bandit, would he? Does he
know what you want to see grand
mother about?"
Judge Hopkins doesn't but his
son knows and he asked his father
TO write this letter. His son is in
terested in me and wants to help me
to-to get on my feet, you know"
81 should think Judge Hopkins son
WOulu KNOW RrdnunoJner wei enough
to understand that she isn't looking
around for chance to put people on
their feet--she Is n philanthropist
and has loads of money and intends
to serve posterity."
so / have heard"
"Well! The unjust judge Ia ready
to pass sentence" and Selsa stood UP
in mock solemnity. 81 find the pris-
oner to be n man quite beyond my
power to understand, but II he has
the courage to go and ask grand.
mother Buford to put him on his
feet'-he 8 entitled to the mercy o.
the court and | declare him to be {
| free man."
The young man bowed low, one
hand upon his breast and the othel
! holding a ragged cap. MAY l prove
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1911-08-01
SNnSaSlAssSti sSsia StsssSsAs !
$2Iz&l& lZSASl1Gl

Colby had at least seen that his
persistence was making her extreme
ly unhappy and he had gone In sor-
row and detection. No sooner had
the door closed upon him, however,
than Justine flung herself on the. d.
van and gave way to grief far more
poignant than his.
"It's Justine's PRIDE" Harriet ex-
planned. "She just couldn't bring
herself TO reveal the family skeleton
to Mr.. Colby. Don't you see, Fred
she has had to decide between the
honor of her name and her love for
him. And the saddest part of IL Is, y
Harriet added, that the sacrifice Is
perfectly absurd. Her father doesn't
deserve 1t. Her family name isn't
worth 1t, and we must prevent It,"
And so | went to Colby's office
again. This time ] found him at his
desk. His naturally sunny coun.
tenance was clouded with gloom, and
his response to my greeting was an
inarticulate growl.
Presently induced him to unbur.
den himself. What he told me con
firmed my wife's theory OF the sit.
uation. But more than that, II made
evident to me that Justine's re.
fusal had struck at something deep.
er than his vanity. He was griev.
ing less over his unrequited love thar
over her unwillingness to confide in
him. They had always been the best
of comrades until her father lost his
money.
"I've done something or said some
| hn 10 ho
lose faith In me-"
another man. What Is her father
doing?"
FLOATING gold mines. That is an.
other thing that worries me. If he's
not careful he will get himself into
trouble with the postal authorities.
Who are his associates?" asked
We'll. there's Wollford. and Sib
"Ah, Sibley, Who is he?"
THE silent partner. He supplies
the money"
"Married?" continued.
II don't know. haven't heard,
Colby replied listlessly What arr
you getting at?"
Gould anything be plainer?"
cried. Her father, impoverished
and eager to recoup his fortune---i
charming dutiful daughter
wealthy banker" / got up prepara
tory to departure. Look up Sible!
and don't let any more grass grow
under your feetp'
"Jove, Fred" Colby responded
you're a wonderi"
Nothing Of tho kind" / dis
claimed Simply married man
Which reminds me-" | added IN.
wife wants you to dine with is Mon
day evening, Dinner at 0:30. M,
wire INSISTS on punctuality. But yol
VIII md her rather clever at SOLVING
puzzles like yours.,'
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1911-08-01

Here! Ruffy, Ruffy. Ruffy--herel
Ruff" but she was frightened out
of the last syllable, for pushing back
a clump Of elder bushes she came face
to face with a mana young man,
He held Rufilcs. apparently un-
harmed, her head tightly wedged un-
der his arm so that she could not
protest.
"O she isn't cooked then--is she?'
asked Selsa iOyfully. 81 am so glad
| caught you i'm time. Come with me
and we'll give Ruffles her dinner and
then III ring up the police. We have
a phone right here in the carriage
house. But the mush is gone--those
greedy creatures ate It all and Haley
was so sure you had cooked Ruffles
that she never saved bit. But we
can take some corn out OF Paducah's
box she Is my riding horse-corn
will do, don't you tnink?"
They were walking up the hill, and
her companion ventured only a nod.
"Will You open the gate-Mr.-
what shall call you?"
call me anything you like. I'm
not particular I was out looking for
J. a AANAiAt W hlNn ! lNhhh hhio b'''Fh
squeezing between the pickets at the
back of the lot"
"Now don't add nbbing to your
other sin. Your best chance for safe
/ ty lies in telling the truth and throw
/ ing yourself on the mercy OF the
court. Here's Paducah's box. Put down
| Rufnes and she'll some-it hurts
my fingers to she'll corn" and Selsa
L = Aa g. hox a
loft while her companion tossed the
/ Kernels to tho truant bird.
"She's pretty. don't you think SO?
| She took blue ribbon at the poultry
| show"
/ shes n peach. Peaches seem tC
| grow on the hills" lie said 1t with
/ a twinkle in his eye.
These aren't peach trees" an
| swered Selsa. Cant you tell pear
| trees? But probably people in the
/ slums don't know different kinds of
/ troes--or anything good, for that
matter. Grandmother says it's ele-
waiting 10 study nature. That's the
reason she wants the poor to have
gardens and raise things. Did you
ever raise things?"
Il guess raised something when I
caught this chicken. I've shelled
enough corn. Why don't you tele-
phone?"
because" returned Selsa quietly,
'ycu seem to be too nice to put In
jail. ! mean to give you one more
chance 10 confess. and maybe the
court will declare light sentence II
you do what is right"
40 you want me to tell lie tc
free myself?"
mo. indeed; just the plain un-
vanished truth"
"Well, Here It isl intended tC
steal into the domain Of Nine. Bufort
| by means of the back fence like the
nameless person that | am, and In.
terview that lady upoa matter oi
business. When / neared the fence
came upon this winner squeezing
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1911-08-01

and am worse than ruined"
Very well, father" the girl re-
piled, wearily. when Mr. Sibley
comes, you may tell him what you
please. But" with a little shiver
of repulsion, don't ask me to see
him" She passed quickly into the
next room.
1.-The poor thing" Harriet whis-
pered to me. "What a horrid man!
I'm glad he's not my father"
But was too troubled just then by
a sense OF our own undignihed posi-
tion to express my sympathy for JUS
tine.
MY dear" / said to Harriet,
we've been eavesdropping!"
Don't be absurd, Frederic" my
wife easily dismissed the charge.
"Our overhearing is providential.
Anyway, If they desire absolute pri-
vacy, why don't they lower their
voices and draw down their shades?"
One of my wife's charms Is her
logic. IL injects such a delicious ele-
ment OF surprise into our discussions.
yes" | allowed, ",hey might
draw their shades. But beyond that
| don't follow you"
"Of course not. You're a mani"
Harriet excused my denseness. but
any woman could rec at once that
this girl Justine Is secretly in love.
She is going TO sacrifice her happi-
ness and marry Sibley because her
father has done something dreadful"
"All very interesting. my dear. But
how does IL make our eayesdropping
proyidential?"
Were going to help Justine"
Harriet announced.
Before could reply to this
astounding statement, our attention
was drawn TO the "horriG man"
across the area. He had risen from
| the chair and left the room.
/ In q moment he returned, accom-
/ panied by clean shaven man OF
middle stature, rather portly, and
very deliberate In his movements.
where's Justine?" the visitor
asked.
"Shes indisposed, Sibley," his host
replied. "But she has left the mat
ter to me-"
Look here, Bullard," slbley said
suspiciously. II didn't come here tC
listen to eyasions came for 6
definite answer"
~ know you did" Justine's father
replied petulantly. "But you needn't
snarl at me because my daughtel
doesn't feel equal to seeing you. II
isn't my fault I've DONE"
'\What is her answer?" Sibley In
terrupted.
"Oh she consents, just as told yol
she would"
Good" exclaimed SIbley. ant
Harriet and | saw his smile of tri
umph. and hated him for II.
His smile quickly gave place. how
ever. to n crafty expression.
III I'm to get you out OF you
scrape. Bullard," he went on. "w'
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1911-08-01

You next. father" said Justin~
Her father did not stop to sreas
the order OF their goingf Like SiDisy
no seemed quite willing to intruss
Justine to Colby.
Justine followed him. and stasa
came Colby. AS they began to de-
scend Colby glanced up and recog-
nlzed us. He smiled broadly and
waved his hand, A
1t flashed upon me then that ne
had exaggerated the extent OF the
fire to suit his purposes. 1t was, as
I learned later, small affair which
the firemen had confined to the base-
ment OF Billiards. house.
"Well." l said to Harriet. that
ends our part" 4sra
But 1t didn't. There remained the
wedding. Harriet was matron of hon
or, and was best man.
Sibley was not present. Colby had
Cooked him up" so effectually that
he had found II expedient TO take a
long vacation In Europe.
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1911-08-01

the discussion.
"And what did grandmother say?"
Haley shrugged her shoulders. "She
looked a minute, then she reached for
the broom and called out 'Scatl' I
finished my work about that time. Y
Poor fellow" said Selsa. Did
grandmother have her glasses on?"
Sure and don't Know"
Because II she did and looked at
his eyes, she couldn't have treated
him SO cruelly."l
Selsa hurried out Of the back door
in time to see the retreating figure of
the young man. walking despondently
down the hill She hurried after him
and reached his side just as they we're
back OF the summer houses
'T didn't thank you for bringing
Ruffles back. Was grandmother very
cross?
81 don't think you could say
cross That doesn't exactly express
It. She treated me as you might q
splder--just brushed me aside and
went OH
Signing checks?--yes. know. It's
her day. | knew how It would be.
II you had taken me into your conf
dence | could have advised you, but
you wouldn't, and of course you had
to take the consequences"
Cant you appreciate my condi-
ton? Can you wonder that n man
doesn't like to confess to woman
that he is down and out? Isn't II
manlke to keep up the brave pre-
tence OF prosperity as long as possi-
BILE? | could not ask you for n loan,
and II would have amounted to that"
81 wish could help YOU" said
Selsa impulsively. "Sit down in this
summer house. don't like to ask
you how you came to this, for am
afraid IL will tempt you % prevari-
cate again. But I've an idea" and
Selsa emphasized the statement with
an emphatic nod. could you use
clothes?"
He looked deprecatingl at his cos.
tune. could | use clothes? | sup
pose you mean evening clothes.
have a business suit. you see."
Selsa laughed. 81 mean women's
clothes. don't mean wear them.
mean sell them. have just loads ol
clothes. and wouldn't mind the least
bit In the world clearing out my clos
ct. And I've no end of shoes ant
slippers of all sorts. GRANDMOTHER
wouldn't know. often give them tC
the maids. Would you take them?'
81 never have been forced to accep
charity, and It would be steI
down"
But 1t wouldn't be charity" Sci
sa warmed to her subject. ut would
be merely a return for Ruffles. ant
Rufhes Is worth a great deal o
money. You see really owe you |
debt, but I can't pay money, To-
! grandmother would know. She sign
all the checks--" ...
"Yes, I know. Anyway, | oouldn'
bring my mind to accept money"
"But clothes would b different"
"Yes clothes would be different"
and the money they would brinl
would be only what you had right
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1911-08-01

The final act In our little drama
was brief, but full of surprises.
At quarter past on Monday even
ing Justine, already dressed for her
wedding journey and looking far
from happy, lighted her !, irlor gas
and--very carefully pulled down the
shades. This was a contingency
which neither Harriet nor had fore
seen, and our CONSERVATION quite be-
reft us of wit.
Before we had recovered sufficient
ly to discuss so serious a miscarriage
of our plan with the calmness Il de-
manded, we were further appalled, TO
find that a full quarter OF an hour
had elapsed and that Colby had not
yet appeared ts ttt.
Then Harriet saw two shadows.
Enthusiastically masculine, pass across
the Billiards window shades.
cts sibley and the minister" she
exclaimed 81 know It is! Frederic,
II Mr.. Colby does not come in three
minutes, am going over and tell the
minister"
Now, my dear" demonstrated,
you mustn't get excited"
went to the window and craned
my neck in futile effort to get a view
OF the street. | was inwardly an
athematizing system of architec-
ture which so brutally limits tho OUT
LOOK from a rear apartment to the
walls of the adjacent buildings, when
became aware of an unusual stir In
the neighborhood. Glanoing Upward,
| saw a cloud OF smoke rising from
the next street and spreading, above
the roof OF Billiards. apartment.
Harriet" ] called. There's fire
In the next street. 1t may be the
front apartment in Justines house"
What time Is it?" Harriet asked.
Quarter OF T."
"And Mr.. Colby not here!" Har-
riet gasped. "He will be too late.
know he wilt" She looked at me with
sudden determination. Frederic.
Throw 1t hard, and then we'll both
cry Fret We must gain time some
how"
turned to pick up a book. But
Just as ] drew back my arm to hurl
IL, Harriet exclaimed: There's Mr.
Colby--coming up the fire escape''
He'made for Justine's apartment on
the top floor. once on her balcony
he flung open tho window and
plunged into the room, Two men
stood staring at him-Bullard and
Sibley.
Where's Justine?' Colby painted
"Quickl House afire-staircase cut
oh-go down fire escaped"
HIS voice brought Justine For a
brief second the fourNmade a tab
leau Then Sibley awoke to the sig
nificance OF Colby's warning. His
| eyes turned furtively from Colby Il
tho window, and with q rush hs
galned the balcony and fairly Slid
down the ladder.
His frenzisd exit aroused the 9th
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1911-08-01

that he would be detained uptown all
day.
This information, must confess.
AFFORDED me no little relief. Z l went
TO my office secretly resolved never
again TO meddle in the affairs of 9TH
ers- But on my return home that
evening my resolution was swept
away by my wife's greeting.
ITS too awful, Fred" she cried.
"Mr, Colby came this morning and
Justine has refused him!"
Colby, 1t seems, had presented
himself to Justine and had invited
her to spend the day with him in the
country. But Justine, for reasons
that were obscure to him, had re-
fused. This had involved them in a
discussion tho outcome OF which was
an impassloned DECLARATION OF love on
Colbys part and an amazing anxiety
on Justine's partito get him out OF
tue' uouses
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1911-08-01

myself worthy of your generosity"
Selsa watched his retreating fig
ure. "iIe has the handsomest eyes
| ever that's the reason |
couldn't ring up. I adore fine eyes"
and Sclsa slipped up on The other side
to the Kitchen door.
"Haleyl" she called stealthily.
"Haleyl I've caught the man with
the chicken and he has gone in to see
grandmother. Make an errand into
the dining room so you can hear what
is going on in the office and come
and tell me at once. Grandmother
may nefd help" she added apologet-
ically.
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1911-08-01

lately?"
mot since forbade Justine to see
him" said Bullard. 81 think, though,
Sibley, that you're mistaken about
Leonard Colby. He's an old friend Of
ours"
Hes mighty inquisitive-fo a
friend" sneered Sibley getting TO his
feet, "and we can't afford TO take a
chance. What d'you say to drive.
Bullard?" he went on. "It's uncOm-
monty close here"
We watched them go. Then Har-
riet whispered TO me: Leonard Col
by. That's the man Justine loves" Z
Impossible / protested. "Why,
] know Leonard Colby. He is one Of
our coming lawyers. And anyway,
Harriet, It's his affair, not ours"
But don't you see, Frederic ?'
Harriet exclaimed. 'Mr. Colby
doesn't suspectr what a predicament
Justineiis In" - !.
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1911-08-01

turned the unconsOiing Haley as she
shoveled potato and bran mush onto
the ground for the flock OF greedy
chickens.
who is to know II If every blamed
bird was taken off It's legs and land
ed in a pie. while we be snoring
peaceful in our beds. IT, small com
fort, take It, Twin with your front
door on q grand avenue and your
back yard falling of like a CRATES
neck for a half a mile Until the next
thing you know you be llvin' In the
slums."
Haley gave q contemptuous motion
with her spoon, toward the despised
population below the hill. Just step
down and ask some Of them If they
be after havin' chicken for dinner"
stop. Haleyi" Selsa gave little
shrek OF dismay as she sank into a
convenient wheelbarrow "The
thought OF Ruffes in pie makes me
quito faint"
But where is Rufncs If she amt
in q pie?" persisted the cruel Haley.
"Sho amt eatin' mush."
81 Cont have to answer. Haley.
but because I can't answer II doesn't
provo that she Is I'm a pie. She may
be under some Of those bushes. far
ther down the hill; she may have
slipped through the fence: she may
be hidden somewhere. sick"
And she may be dead and cooked,
too" interrupted the PERSISTENT Ha-
ley
1--WE must find her" said Selsa.
jumping up with sudden energy and
leaving Haley In triumphant posses
sion OF the last word and an empty
pan.
"I'll run down the hin and search
among the bushes, but don't tell
grandmother until we are sure she Is
lost. Grandmother was unusually
busy this morning. She had as many
as n bushel Of checks 10 sign"
Haley knew that this meant that
grandmother Buford WAS In one Of
her unapproachable moods. when It
was not favorable for the bearer Of
the subscription blank. and 1t might
be an act OF charity to prevent the
entrance OF any such Individual and
thus save friction all around.
Haley turned toward the house,
still discoursing on tho futility OF
hunting for q "hen in n rascal's stom-
ach." while Selsa opened the gate
and started down the mill in quest of
Rufiles
She flew from one covert to anoth-
er. calling in an enticing voice:
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1911-08-01

What did he want, Haley? Is
grandmother alive? don't believe
he is chicken thief--he seemed more
like home missionary"
Hes a lunatic," announced Haley
solemnly "He wanted Nine. Buford
to adopt him"
Adopt himl" cried Selsa. What
YOURSELF"
"Sure, ma'am-it's small pay, get
for my pains-playing spy" The OBJ
duratc Haley turned to her cooking.
Selsa lost some time placating her
before she could be induced to resume
her narrative.