davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Irish standard., 1911-03-11

all? I know you can't do anything for
me, and so do your
Sam had dropped into his chair, I'M
able to stand before this storm; he
stared now, mute with amazcment. mt
this child who had SO long, so I'M
complainingly, shared his poverty and
prlyatiOns, grown suddenly to the stat
ure of woman-nnd tormcntcd,
passionate woman, stung to the quick
by the injustice of her lot. He put out
hand in n feeble gesture OF plaza
ton, but she brushed it away as she
bent toward him, speaking so quickly
that her words stumbled and ran into
one another.
~ can't understand It." she ragged
"Why is it that | have to be more
shabby than any other girl In town?
Why is it that the others have all the
fun and 7 all the drudgcry? Why Is
it that I can't ever go anywhere with
the boys and girls and laugh nnd-and
have a good time like the rest doY'
Sam bent his head to thc blast. In
his lap his hands worked nervously.
But he could not answer her.
at amt that | mind the cookin' and
dom the houscwOrk and-all the rest
but-why is II you can never give me
anything Mt all? Why must 1t be that
every one looks down on us and snerrs
md laughs ut us? Why is It that half
the time we haven't got enough to
eat? Other men manage to take care
of their families and give their chill
dren things to wear. You've got only
us two to look after, and you can't
even do that. It isn't right, 1t isn't
decent, and If ! were You I'd be
ashamed Of myself
Her temper had spent itself, and
with this final cry she checked abrupt
". with catch ut her breath for
shame of what she bad let herself say.
But, cllildlikc, she was not ready to
own her sorrow, and she turned her
back. trembling.
Sam. too was shaken. In his henrt
he knew there was justification for her
Indictment, truth in whit she had said
And he was heartbroken for her He
got up uuSteduAy dAu pue 6GAsiS
hand upon her shoulder.
"Why, Bctty-1"-
A dry sob interrupted him. He pull
cd himself together and forced his
voice to tone Of confidence. "Just
be little patient, dear. Pm sure
things will be better with us SOON
Just little more patience; that's all.
Why, there was gentleman here this
morning from Moo York city talkin'
about an invention Of NINE"
The girl moved restlessly. shaking
Off his hand. "Invention!" she echoed
bitterly. "Oh, father! Everybody
knows they're no good! You've been
wastin' time on 'em ever since / can
remember, and you've never made a
dollar out Of one yet"
He bowed to the truth of this. then
again braced up bravely. But this
gentleman seemed quite Interested
The Irish standard., 1911-03-11
"oh. you don't know! 1 heard the

"Oh. you don't know! heard the
girls ta.kin' In the postofiice--Angie
Tuthill and Name Garrison and Bessie
Gabriel. was round by the boxes
where they couldn't see me, but could
hear them, and they were laughin' be.
cause l was invited They said the
reason Josie did it was because she
knew didn't have anything to wear,
and she wanted to hear what excuse
I'd make for not goin' All. heard
them!'
"Oh, but Betty, Betty" he pleaded,
"don't you mind what they say.
DON'T
But do mind; can't help mindin'.
They're mean She paused, her fea-
lures hardening. I'm goin' to that
party" she declared tensely; I'm goin'
to that party, and-and Pm goln' to
have a dress to so in too! I don't
care what I do-T'm goin' to have that
dress!"
Sam would have soothed her as best
he might, but she would neither look
at nor come near him.
VIC IL SGC, Ac sulI ScAkly. we IL
see. I'll try
She turned on him, exasperated be-
yond thought. "rhat only means you
can't help me!'
ooh, no, it doesn't I'll do what I
can"
Have you got any money now?'
He hung his head to avoid her blaz-
Ing eyes. "Wcll-no-not at present,
but here's this new stock and
'"That doesn't mean anything, and
you know 1t. You owe that motto to
Mr.. Lockwood. don't you? And you
can't pay it."
"Not today, Betty, but he'll give me
q little more time, I'm sure. Hes
kind, very kind"
"You don't know him. He's as mean
MS mean as dirt-us mean as JOSIE"
"Betty!"
"rhen If you did get any money
you'd have to give it to him. wouldn't
your"
Eyes, but I'm sure-I think it'll come
all right"
"Ah, what's the use of talkin' that
way? What's tho use Of talkln' at
The Irish standard., 1911-03-11

affection through squirting at the ST.
yer dollar to make sure none of it's
milling had BEEN worn Off. | have
never known the man to wear any
thing but rusty old frock coat, black,
Of course. and black and shiny broad
ways coating Of dust so thick that it
seems notified gray.
He grunts his words. grunt to each
He grunted at Betty when he saw her.
where's your rather?'
She put down her glass and dish rug.
II don't know, sir'
Don't know, eh?" he asked in an
tndescribably offensive tone.
II think he went to the bank to see
you"
ooh, he did, eh? Did he have any.
thing for me?'
The girl took up another glass. 81
don't know, SIR" she said wearily.
"l'm afraid not"
well. If he didn't there's no use
SEEM me. 1t won't do him any good"
II guess he knows that" she return
ed, with little flash of spirit.
Does, Ell? Well, that's good thing
saves talk. You don't do no business
here. not to speak of. do yer"
"No, not to speak Of"
"Then what's the good Of all this
foolishness, fixin' up?'
II don't know"
N(rcto uoopar
IT guess So
"And that money belongs to me-"
"It's Mr.. Duncan's doing. Father
amt paying for it. He can't"
"What's he dom. then? sittin'
round foolin with his inventions, amt
hep
ayes"
"What's he inventin' now"
II don't know much about it." She
pointed to the model beneath the win.
dow. "That's the last thing. guess"
Blinky snortcd and stamped over to
the window. STOPPING to peer at the
machine "What's the good of thatY'
he demanded, disdainful. and without
waiting for her response went on nag
ging. "Foolishness! That's what it
is. Why don't you tell him not to
waste bis time this way?"
because he likes it." said Betty
hopelessly. cts the only thing that
makes life worth while to him. So
let him alone"
"What difference does that make? It
don't bring him In nothin', does it?
No, stree. It don't. What does he do
with them things?"
patents them"
"And then whatf"
"Nothin' that know Of"
"That's it-nothin'. nor ever will.
Well, he's been gettin' money from
me for those patents. I thought at
fust there might be somethin' in 'em.
But he won't any more"
She interjected significant "Huh!"
He broke of abruptly, pale with anger.
"Well, want to see him, and want
to see him before noon." he snapped
The Irish standard., 1911-03-11

I'VE GOT HERE.
an unknown ana penniless inventor
sues them? Bless you, mol They'll
fight to the last ditch. They'll engage
the best legal talent in the country.
You'll have to carry the case to the SUI
preme court of the United States II
you want a winning decision. And
that's going to cost you thousands
hundreds of thousands-a million"-
"Never mind. A thousands enough"
said Sam gently. II see what you
mean, sir. It's just another case
where I've got no chance"
"Oh, 1 wouldn't put it as strong as
that
"But have no money"
"Still. you never can tell. I'll think
it over if get time"
"Why, that's kind Of you, sir; very
kind"
1t was at this point that Roland rose
to the occasion like the noble ass he
is. Roland never could see more than
an inch beyond the end of his nose.
"Say, Mr.. Burnham," he foundered,
"don't you think you could help Sam
to-
IT think" said Mr.. Burnham. with
additional business of looking at his
watch, "I'd like to send that wire 1
spoke Of"
The Irish standard., 1911-03-11

advantages of every sort-only served
further to infuriatc the child
ooh, ! know why YOU talk that
way!" SHE said, rubbing her poor little
hands together.
"Do your he asked in wonder
Eyes, ! do-you"
Suddenly she found wOrds-poverty
stricken words. it's true, but the best
she had wherewitl to express herself.
And for a little they flowed from her
lips, n scaidIng, scathing torrent. cts
because you go TO church all the time
and try to look like a saint and-and
try to make ont you're too religious
for anything and like to hear yourself
givin' Christian advice to poor misera-
Bile sinners like me. You think that's
just too lovely of you. That's why you
said IT. IL you want to know. Folks
wonder what you're doing here. don't
they2 Guess you know that and like
it too. 1t makes 'em look at you and
like. could tell 'eni. You're only
here to sho,c off your good clothes and
yonr finger nails and the way you part
your hair and-and all The other things
you do that nobody in Moo York would
pay any attention to-
"a pretty good guess at that" he
acknowledged candidly
Eyes. it is, and l know 1t, and you
The Irish standard., 1911-03-11

.
I'll see it the right way for us. He's
kind, very kind"
Thus it was that he presently called
up the stairs in a very cheerful voice
"Betty, are you pretty near through up
there?"
The girls weary voice came down to
him without accent, eyes, father, al
most"
''Well, then, you keep an eye on the
store, please. Pm goin' to step out
for minute"
Eyes, father"
Sand tiff anybody asks for me I'll
most likely be down to the depot with
Mr.. Duncan"
He didn't mention that he contem-
plated calling on Lockwood, because
he feared it might worry Betty.
Betty knew, or, rather, OWNED. Ind
she had no hope, no faith such as
made Sam what he was. She came
down the steps listlessly. Only her
sense of duty sustained her. She owed
something to old Sam for the gift of
life, dismal though she found it. He
needed her What she could do for
him she would.
Signing, she went to work. In work
only could she forget The soda glasses
needed cleaning and the sirup jars re-
plenishing, for the new order of sirups
had come in the previous evening.
After time, to tune Of pounding
feet, Tracey Tanner pranced into the
shop with all the graceful abandon of
young elephant feeling it's oats. His
face was fairly scarlet from exertion
and his eyes bullying with sense of
Importance. The girl looked up with
out interest, nodding slightly in re-
Spouse to his breathless LILO, Betty"
Fathers gone OUT she said, hold
ing glass to the light, suspicious of
the lint from her dish towel.
II know-seen him down the street."
The boy halted at the counter, produc-
ing a handful Of square envelopes.
"Note for you from the Lockwoods,
Betty" he painted. "Josie asst me to
bring it round.''
DCltS puI uo"A SAuoS III SoIl-
sternation. "From the Lockwoods"
"Uh-huhT' Tracey offered it, but
she withheld her hand. dubious.
"For me, Tracey!"
"Uh-huh! It's a ninvitation. I got
four more to take" He thrust 1t into
her reluctant fingers. "Got five, real
ly, but one Of ems for me-"
"An invitation. Tracey!"
"Yeh. Hope you have good time
when it comes off, Already he was
bouncing toward the door, "Goodby."
"But what is it, Tracey?'
Jaw, it tells in the ninvitation.
s'long."
"From the Lockweods!' she whis-
pered.
Suddenly she tore 1t open, her hands
unsteady with nervousness.
The envelope contained square OF
heavy cardboard of creamy tint with
scalloped edges touched with gold. On
the face of the card round and form.
less hand had traced with evident
pains the information:
The Irish standard., 1911-03-11
MISS JOSEPHINE NAE LOCKWOOD

MISS JOSEPHINE MAE LOCKWOOD
Requests the pleasure OF your company
at a lawn fete and dance to be held at
the residence of her parents, Mr.. and Mrs.
George Lockwood. Saturday, July 10. at
The envelope tlutterea TO ,ne moor,
while the card was crushed between
the girls hands. For a moment her
face was TRANSPORTED with delight, her
eyes blank with rapturous visions of
the Joys Of that promised night.
''Oh-it 'ud be grand"
Then suddenly the light faded. Her
eyes clouded; her face settled into its
discontinued lines. She stuffed the
card heedlessly into the pocket Of her
dingy apron and took up another glass.
But can't go; I've got nothin' to
wear"
The Irish standard., 1911-03-11

res over to the Btgelow House now.
= l think I'll step over and have a talk
with him''-
You'd much better so and have a
talk with Bl1nky LOCKWOOD she told
him brntally. Hes waitln' for you
at the bank and said he wasn't goin'
to walt after ~ O'Clock neitherv
"Well. perhaps you're right. I'll go
there, It's after IL, but He start
ed to get his hat and stopped with an
exclamation. why, Nat! l didn't
know you'd got back!'
Duncan was at the back Of the store
clearing the last remnants of the old
etocl1 from the shelves. YES" he said
pleasantly, without turning. i've been
here some time cleaning up the cellar
to make room for the stuff that's COM
Ing in. came upstairs Just moment
ago, but you We're so busy talking you
didn't notice me-
lie paused, swept the empty shelves
with calculating glance and came
out around the end of the counter.
"Nverythings in tiptop shape" he
said. II checked up the bill Of laiins
myself and there's not thing miss
Ing, not Il bit Of hreakage Mr.. Ora
ham," he continued, dropping a gentle
hand on the Old mans shoulder,
you're going to have the finest drug
store in the state within six months,
With the stuff that Sperry has sent us
we can make Sothern s. Lee look
like 65 cents on the dollar We're
going to make things hum in this
old shop, and don't you forget it."
He laughed lightly, with note Of
encouragement But he avoided Ora
hams eyes even as he did Betty's He
could not meet the pitiful look of the
former, any more than that stare Of
hostility and defiance In the latter.
"Its good OF you, my boy" Ora
ham ouavercd "I-but I'm afraid 1T
WON'T
"Now don't say thatw Duncan inter
posed firmly. "And don't let me keep
you. I think you said you We're going
out on business? And I'll be busy
enough right here"
And, without exactly knowing how 1T
had come about. Graham found him
self IN the street. stumbling downtown
toward the bank.
When he Ind gone Duncan would
have returned TO the shelves for final
redding up. He desired least of all
things an encounter with Betty IN her
present frame OF mind With a sud
den movement she threw herself in
front of Duncan.
$50 you were lstening!'
"Tm sorry" he snid uncomfortahly.
II didn't mean to hear anything" he
argued plaintIvely 81 was in the
room before understood and by the
time I did II was too late--you had
finished"
ooh, don't try to explain II hate
you" she continued.
He held her eyes inquiringly. "Ycs,'
he snid in the tone of one who solves a
puzzling problem, ~ believe you do
She looked away, shaking with pas
sion "You just better believe it."
But" he went on quietly, "you
don't hntc your father, too, do you,
Miss GrHhnm?"
what do you mean by that, Mr..
Duncnn?"
II mcan," he said, fnltcring, ppm
going to give You bit Of advice
Don't you talk to your fnther again
the way you did Just now"
Wcll, You amt rne,' she cried snv-
agcly. "Yon amt me! Understand
that? When l want advice from you
I'll ask for 1t. Until do you let me
alone"
Every we'll" he replied so calmly
that she lost her bearings for a mo-
mcnt. And inevitably this. empllasiz-
ing as II did all that she resented most
in hm-his education. wit, address, his
The Irish standard., 1911-03-11

I'VE SLEPT ON PARK BENoHEs."
son said what ! did WAS because I'm
strong for your father and---well. I
wanted to do You good turn too"
II don't want your apologies"
"All right. Only think over what
said s0ue time"
II hn Il good renson for saying what
I did"
~ know you had"
"How do You know"
Because I'm not what you think I
am altogether"
~ guess you're not" she snapped.
But ] don't mean what you mean.
l mean you think I'm conceited and
rich and don't know what trouble is.
Well, you're mistaken. Mnny's the
time I've lodged round corners 10
avoid meeting men I knew would in
vite me to have dinner or luncheon or
drink-0f soda--0r something--for
fear they'd find out that I couldn't
treat in return. Many time I've gone
hungry for days and weeks and slept
on park benches until nm old friend
found me and took me home with
him."
She eyed him with attention.
But it's your father l wanted to
talk about" he hurried on '1'd bet n
lot he knows more than any other man
In this town, and. besides. he's fine,
square, good hearted old gentleman.
Anybody can see that. Only he's got
ono terrible fault--he doesn't know
how to make money And that's
mighty tough on you--though it's lust
as tough on him. But when you roast
him for it, as you did just now, you
only make him feel as miserable as
yellow dog, and that doesn't help mat
tiers little bit. He can't change into
sharp business crook now; he's too
old man. Before long he won't be
with you at all. and when he's gone
you'll be sore on yourself sure If you
keep on throwing it into him the way
] heard you, and that's on the level"
81 won't do it again." she fall
tered, twisting hcr hands together.
Bully for you" he cried and, with
an abrupt ii artificial resumption of
The Irish standard., 1911-03-11
Copyright. 1910. by Winchell Smith
and Louis Joseph Vance

ther showing on his nrstborn and
wound up with demonstration of the
illuminating appliance. Pm afraid,
though, he got little encouragement
from Mr.. Burnham. He considered
the machine with dispassionate air,
it's true, and admitted its practical
advantages, but wasn't at all disposed
to take roseate view of it's future.
EYES," he grudged when Sam put
match to the jet, chats certainly
very good light"
"All right, amt itT' chimed Roland,
enthusiastic.
"Oh, it may amount to something.
It's hard to tell. OF course you know,
SIR" he continued, addressing Ora
ham directly, you've got competition
to overcome"
Sans old fingers trembled to his
chin. "No-o," he said, 81 didn't know
that. I've got the PATENT
"Of course that's something. But
the Consolidated Petroleum crowd has
Ianother machine, Slightly different,
which does the same work and,
should say, does 1t better"
'Is-is that 500" quavered Sam.
"My patent
'Now, see here. Mr.. Graham" Burn
ham argued, "we're practical men,
both Of u.s.
mo, 1 shouldn't say that about my
SELF" Sam interrupted. Nov, you,
sir, I can see you're man who under
stands such things. But r.
Nevertheless you must know that a
patent isn't everything. You said a
moment ago a man had to have money
to make anything out of his inven-
,tions''
Ibid II" Sam 1nterjected, surprised.
Certainly you did. And dead right
you are. A patents all very well, but
supposing you're up against power
full competitor like the Consolidated
Petroleum company. They've got a
patent too. Granted, it may be an in
.fringement of yours even. What can
you do against them"
"Why, if it's an 1nfringement"-
"Sue, of course. But do you suppose
they're going to lie down just because
The Irish standard., 1911-03-11

Presently she reappeared. pinning on
her sad little hat. and left the store
1t was upward of an hour before she
returned, walking quickly and very
erect with her head up and shoulders
back, her eyes suspciously bright.
Even old Sam, who had returned from
the depot after missing Blinky ut the
banl-even he, blind as he ordinarily
was. saw instantly that something was
wrong with the child.
"Why, Betty" he cried in solicitude
as she flung into the store-"Betty,
dear. what's the matter|
For an instant she seemed speech
less. Then she tore the hat from her
head and cast it regarllesly upon the
counter. Father" she cried-"fa-
Their" and gulped to down her emo
ton. "Can You get Inc some money!"
MONEY! Why. Betty, WHAT
Her foot came down on the floor i'm
patiently. Can you get me some
money!" she repeated in breath.
"Well-er--how much, Betty?" He
tried to touch her. to take her to his
arms, but she moved away, her sorry
little figure quivering from bead to
feet.
Enough" she said. half sobbing-
"enough to buy dress-a nice dress
dress that will surprise folks
"But tell me what the matter is,
Betty. Wanting n dress would never
upset You like this"
She whipped the cracked and crum-
pied card from her pocket and pushed
The Irish standard., 1911-03-11

Eyes, Roland" Sam agreed meekly,
you mustn't keep your friend from
his business. I'm glad you looked in,
sir. You'll call again, hope"
THANK you," said Rurnham, moving
toward the door,
1t was too much for Roland's sense
of opportunity. He rolled in Burn
hams wake sullenly reluctant. Say,
Mr.. Burnham," he exploded as they
got to the door. eff you'll just offer
Sam five
''That will do" Roland collapsed as
If punctured Burnham turned to Ora
ham with wave Of his hand. I'm
leaving on the afternoon train, but If
I get time l may drop in again and
talk things over with you. There
might be something in that thrashing
machine you mentioned"
'sI'n be glad to show you anything
I've got here"
"All right. Good day. I'll see you
again perhaps"
This cavalier snub was lost on Sam.
an essential Of whose serene soul is
the quality of humility. He followed
them to the door as grateful as lost
dog for stray pat instead Of kick.
Good day, cir. Good day, Roland,s he
sped their parting cheerfully.
But i: was a broken man who shut
the door behind them and turned back,
lingering his gray chin.
perhaps Mr.. Burnham was right.
Only l was kind of hopin'- Now,
Mr.. Lockwood over there
He shook himself to throw off the
spell Of depression.
swell, well! He's kind. very kind.
With this young man in here and ev-
erything gettin fixed UP and new stock
comm in Pm sure Mr.. Lockwood
The Irish standard., 1911-03-11
CHAPTER. III

~HE was scrubbing blindly at the
A same glass when, quarter Of
w. an hour later, Blinky Lock
wood strobe into the store. his
right eye twitching more violently than
usual, as it always does in his phases
Of mental Instantaneous when, for
instance, he fears he's going to lose
dollar.
Lockwood is that type of man who
was born to grow rich.
In person he is as beautiful as a
snake fence, as alluring as stone
wall. Something over six feet in
height, he walks with stoop, one
hand always in a trousers pocket jim
Cling silver, that materially detracts
from his stature. His face, like his
figure, is gaunt and lanly, his nose an
emaciated beak. Els mouth illustrates
his attitude toward property-is a trap
from which nothing Of value ever es-
capes. His eyes are small and hard
and set close together under lowering
brows. He's grizzled. with hair not
actually white, but gray as the iron
from which his heart was fashioned.
Aside from these characteristics, his
principal popularity is nervous
twitching Of the right eve which has
earned him his sobriquet of Binlly
Legrand Gum said he contracted the
The Irish standard., 1911-03-11

"HE'LL COME PRETTY DARN QUICK"
It into his hand "LoOk at thatv she
bade him and turned away, struggling
with all her might to keep back the
tears.
He read, his old face softening.
"Josie Lockwoods party, eh? And
she's sent you an invitation. Well,
that was kind Of her. very kind"
She swung upon him In fury. "No.
It was not kind. It was mean! It was
mean
ooh, Betty" he begged in consterna-
don, don't say that I'm sure
The Irish standard., 1911-03-11

his businesslil1e air, turned away to
showcase TO spare her the embarrass-
ment of bis regard.
81 didn't think" said the voice be-
hind him: 81 didn't mean to. Some
thing happened that almost drove me
wild and
81 know" he said gently.
After bit she spoke again, "1'll 60
up and get dinner ready now"
He heard her footsteps as she
crossed to the door and opened 1t.
There followed pause. Then she
came hurriedly back. He faced about
Go Hnntinuedl.
The Irish standard., 1911-03-11

"Tm goin' over to the bank, an if he
knows what's good for him he'll come
there pretty darn quick"
He swung on one heel and sloucled
out as Betty turned to so upstairs