davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1911-10-03

waro Miss SELMA Lua. The quality q
Miss Selma Lues mercy she hsW
and that Of her mother she had fsegot
ten.
Give her back to ne. NiS TyaA
and I will put her II her sss11sn
while you al git unpacked. You es0s
jsst IN time fer the party. aad -
better git about nxing fer T. Thaah
you, Mr.. Alan-the valise are Aeavy
lead fer the children"
Az she stood ON tie groosry ses1s
and watched Mr.. Alaa carving ~
Tyne valise on down TO TIE fyns
front door With perfect courtesy. 10
spoke earnestly to Blossom. VIE ct
in split basket by the door. Dloe
som'B personality. though In the bud.
exhaled the fragrance Of sympathy
and made her . responsive mark fse
conversation.
Blossom" she said IN tones -
quiet Joy, 1T looks like the two nice0e
people in tho world are going 70 sis
married to each other. and Amt u
ans that they dispositions at ints oao
smother like the edges OF . pleoe q
paper tored In two? Sometimes whe0
I see Wives all wore out With
work and crossness, and husbaads NJ
bad and no buttons, aud sick cnijdP00
and too much beer at the eaioou. lse
alone . hard winter a-comins. gie
too much pleased with my condition.
and need test sech . thing q this
to remind me that the Lord do jotn
some folks. which let not man put
asunder. Amen!"
ITO he continued.
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1911-10-03
CHAPTER VI.

A Pin and propoaal.
Don't you know every Wonaa's hoAN
70 soft towards counting whether she's b
it or notr'
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1911-10-03

speed possible to the relief of thu
young Absalom. and Mrs. Kinney call
ed after her, BE sure and rub cam.
phire on the roots" whether Of the
vine or Ethel Maud's hair she did not
say.
When she returned to the grocery
half an hour later Miss Selma Lus
found Miss Cynthia smiling at her
from the back door. Miss Cynthia's
approach had been guarded. and in
stead Of coming down the public
street. she had slipped through the
garden and the chicken yard. Miss
Cynthia risked no encounters with
her erstwhile victim, and her move
ments were stealthy when approach.
ing his haunts.
well. II that amt plumb ha'nt-like,
to be thinking about you and then
turn round and find you a-smiling al
mo-" EXCLAIMED Miss Selma Lue de.
lishted1y. II was skeersd you was
clear wore out with your snack Of
housekeeping and baby-tending, but
You put me in mind Of that pink
morning-elory there. always fresheH
and fresher every sun-up."
And you are the sweet, warm sun
that comes every morning to cheer
up the little morning-slory that droops
until she sees you." answered Miss
Cynthia with 4 smiling blush. "Are
You rested from your trip"
"That am, honey-bunch! One day,
tired never lasts me overnight. ret
up every morning feeling like have
Jest been cut o1en the bolt. You see
I'm all muscle and heap Of it, but
poor Mis- Dobbs has 70 lift two hun
dred pounds out of bed every day be-
fore she can tell how she feels. But
she enjoyed the trip nightly"
Tell me all about It," said Miss
Cynthia, as she sat down on her favor
tie place on the steps, with cautious
eye looking out for possible invasion
Did you have good timer"
Eyes,. indeed, we did," answered
Miss Selma Lue happily. "And I'm Q
looking fer results In Mr.. Dobbs too
Course that kind Of meeting was sor
ter confusing to me. - was raised I'm.
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1911-10-03


SYNOPSIS.
CHAPTER Miss Selma Lue. spinster
grocery-store keeper OF River BLUM and
guardian angel Of the community. pre-
aides over an impromptu day nursery Tor
tho babies of the neighborhood In the
rear OF the place. Her charges are Kept
In soap boxes and are known a. the
''goap-Box Babies" The fact that she
10 single makes her somewhat OF an OBJ.
1ect Of sympathy to the mothers. although
than many OF them. One Of her init
mate friends 10 Miss Cynthia Page.
daughter of Widow Page. who lives In the
white pillared house on the bill.
CHAPTER II.-Cynthia visits Miss Sc
lima and learns that she has taken anoth-
er Soap boxer" in. Alan Kent. young
artist who wishes to establish q studio
In her barn. Their frst meeting IL none
too cordial when Blossom. Miss Lue's
fond Of. shows an evident preference Tor
Alan. When Cynthia leaves. Alan learns
more about her and hears that her moth
or. one OF the first families Of the place.
u land poor and In danger OF losing the
old Homestead.
CHAPTER I1I.-Alan IL struck With
Cynthia's beauty and sweet character but
she avoids him. Selma tells him how
she came to settle down on the Bluff
eight years before when she came from
Warren county and exchanged her mea-
veS awnings for the store 20 the former
6vaer might tape his consu.4tive wife
further west. She iumediatsly turned
ths store into haven for little oneA
CHAPTER Iv.-Cynthia tells Miss g.
lima Of an offer from Q land company Tor
their homestead which greatly troubles
her mother but she fears the oner must
b accepted. The heavy mortgage leaves
no other alternative In sight. They visit
Alan's studio in the barn loft during his
absence where Cynthia admires the paint
ings and finds one Of herself from
sketch Alan had made unknown to her.
Alan's father 10 q wealthy business man.
and the sons love for art instead OF
business is highly displeasing to the elder
Kent.
CHAPTER v.-Evelyn Branch, Gym
the phone that Alan Kent, the distin-
guished artist whom she met In WASH
inSton the winter previous. was IN town.
Evelyn disclOsea the fact that she Is very
much interested in Alan but Cynthia does
not intimate that she has met him or
knows anything Of his whereabouts. Gym
thia goes to visit Miss Selma ana finds
her all prepared for q days visit to the
Gospel boat With the Dobbs'. Miss Selma
for the care of her charges and Cynthia
offers to take care Of them. She learns
she must prepare dinner for Mr.. Kent.
and with no experience az a cook her at
Tempt at frying eggs and boiling potatoes
IL dismal failure. Alan bravely eats
the mess with evident relish and between
the two they manage to feed the babies
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1911-10-03

down here and oil eat the pie. an
going to clear on, 1.-The counters % they
can Get up TO them and b comfort
able. and an going TO put . bunch q
flowers In between each pile Of pies
Won't they oil have good timer
Something In Miss Selma Lus's beam
ing Hospitality smothered any missiv
tngs that Mr.. Alan might have had
about the arrangements. and his glow
Of anticipation matched her own.
WELL" she remarked briskly. Il
must be turning around II I am to 90
all that ready. Can't help you hx UP
none1 Don't you want any pants
pressed! I would admire to do It. J
could borrow the heavy iron Ms
Simmons presses Mr.. Simmons with
and do Il In NO time"
Miss Selma Lue's sweet solicituds
went to Mr. Alan's heart and he tool
her hand - he said:
IF my mother had been with me
Miss Selma Lue. she would have let
mo tell her-about-it all-and she
would have-asked about the trousers
I wonder II It is because you are nst
anybody's mother that you are every
bodysr
"Mr. Alan. you are the FIRST person
that amt put that to me pitying-liks
about not having no children. and
here you are giving mo the whole
world to mother. Well. my heart
amt crowded yet: they II room fer
EN- all. big, little and grown-ups too
Seems like sometimes grown-ups show
. mighty hankering fer = little moth
sring, and amt the one to hold II
back from en-. Lands alive. II there
Amt Mis- Tyne and all the family
como back! You pick up Pattie and
bring her out here, fer I know her ma
IL Jest dead to see her. and will run
and help ssmmie and Ella Virginia
carry that valise."
Al Mr.. Alan approached the group
that seethed around and against Miss
Selma Lue, the mother Of Pattie So
gregated herself from the mass and
without warning precipitated herself
on Pattie and so necessarily on that
young lady's new friend.
"Oh. please excuse me. SIR" she
painted. gaining her equilibrium and
her offspring at the same time. Il was
Jest that excited! Seems like could
eat her up. Miss Selma Lue, you
can't never know how good 1t is to git
back to one you've left" which seem.
ingly. only seemingly, ungracious re.
mark had the edge taken OF BY Pat
les emphatic souirm and whimpar TO-
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1911-10-03
Ayerts Awful Tragedy.

Timely advice given Mrs C. Willough-
Uy es dreadful Tragedy H and .!ved
two lives. Doctors had said her fright
full cough was consumption cough
many remedies failed. her aunt urged
her to take DR.. Kings New Discovery:
II haye been using it for some time"
almost gone. 1t also saved my little
boy when taken with severe bron-
chial trouble" This matchless medi-
cine has no equal for throat and lung
troubles. Price Soc and $l.O0. Trial
bottle free. Guaranteed by P. A.
Clemmer. T
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1911-10-03

a-talking about Mr.. Alan and he toto
her how high thought of he is among
the men up here, always ready to SIT
by the front doors and smoke pipe
with them of an evening. He said
If he was to run for sheriff he would
git the Bluff votes to man. and he
would too"
Then what did she say?" Miss Gym.
thia was feverishly eager to get at the
attitude of her friend on the discov.
cry of the whereabouts of the hunted
one.
well. let's see. Oh, she asked II
you saw him much and told her, yes,
indeed, had left you home with him
to tend tho store and mind the babies.
She said she was real pleased cause
she was sure you enjoyed each others
company Whatever is the matter.
honey?" Miss Selma Lue's exclama-
ton Of solicitude was caused by an
expression of CONSERVATION on Miss
Cynthia's face which was in turn
caused by the sight Of the artist CON-
ing from around the corner Of tho
barn. Miss Selma Lue was uncon-
scious Of his approach: 80 II Miss
Cynthia acted. she must act quickly.
Grasping the bow at the back Of her
waist, she gasped "a pin!" and van
ished toward the rear OF the gro
Gerry.
I'm my cushion. child" called Miss
Selma Lue. who thought catastrophe
threatened. and she turned to speak
to Mr.. Dobbs. who was coming up the
street with tin bucket In his hand,
evidently in quest Of some sort Of
provender. His errand attended to,
Miss Selma Lue started back to the
aid II Miss Cynthia, when she was n.
rested by Mr.. Alan's remark that he
had thought he had seen some one
sitting on the steps with her. Miss
Selma Lue's sense Of propriety for.
bade any mention of Miss Cynthia
and the pin. 80 she seated herself on
the steps to await that lady's reap
pearance.
WAS you sick last night?" she In.
quired interestedly. ignoring his 70.
mark. Il seen your light burning pre-,
~ late and l hunted up tho pepper
mint and campfire bottles before I
went to bed. for I kinder looked fss
you to be took down with 0 spoll o(
collie. Seems - II raw potatoes
might swell IN the stomik. Am sol.
~ Miss Cynthie's cooking did1t turn
out better. but OF course abe
meant for the best. Cookinx
don't always come to . woman Young
in life; Il has to bs sorter lived TO By
experience" Miss Selma Lao spoke
in an ordinary tone Of voice, for sAo
was under the impression that Misc
Cynthia had retired to the little bed
room. and she could see that the Aoor
vas shut. In reality the culprit Was
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1911-10-03
cASToRIA
For Infants and Children.
The Kid You Have AIvaJs besght
s' ss.ss the Of &f4ZzS;zx

You are not experimenting on your
self when you take Chamberlain
Cough Remedy for cold as that prep
aration has won its great reputation
and extensive sale by its remarkable
cures of colds, and can always be Ge-
pended upon. 1t is equally valuable
for adults and childl en- and may be-
given to young children with implicit
confidence as it contains no harmful
drug. Sold by all dealers.
A lazy liver leads to chronic dyspep-
STA and .constipation-Weakens the
whole system. Doan's Regulets (25
cents per box) correct the liver, tone
the stomach, cure constipation.
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1911-10-03

glad did, for it has cured me.
II know of so many cases where wo-
men have been cured by Lydia +. Pink
hams Vegetable Compound that / can
say to every suffering woman if that
medicine does not help her, there is
nothing that williams. JANETzKI,
1868 Arch St., Chicago, Ill.
This is the age of substitution, and
women who want a cure should insist
upon Lydia f. Pinkham's Vegetable
Compound just as this woman did, and
not accept something else on which the
druggist can make a little more profit.
Women who are passing through this
critica period or who are suffering
from any Of those distressing ills Pc
culiar to their sex should not lose sight
of the fact that for thirty years Lydia
E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound,
which is made from roots and herbs,
has been the standard remedy for fe-
male ills. In almost every community
you will find women who have been
restored to health by Lydia E. Pink
ha"'s Vegetable Compound
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1911-10-03

Eue; now can talk about 1t to you.
know I ought not to-aud ="
Young man, I've got q heap more
faith in the love that is so much Il
spills over than in the kind that don't
quite fll out the measure"
ooh, do you really think-could II
be possible that have Just chance
with her? IL"
WAIT q minute" said Miss Selma
Lue, and moved by a desire to settle
the matter then and there she hurried
into the store toward her room door.
but she was too late, for the bird had
flown from behind the molasses bar.
rel Miss Cynthia was stealing
through the garden and in her ears
there sounded soft-voiced echo
"She IL SO Beautiful do care"
my, that pin muster been . crook
ed one that she couldn't get to with.
out undressing" said Miss Selma Lus
to herself. Il do hope she will come
back right away" And she went out
to the steps a bit crestfallen, still
actuated by motives Of delicacy In not
mentioning Miss Cynthia's precipi-
tous flight.
did you ever see anything so love.
" 40 she IL. Miss Selma Lue?" And
the rhapsody began where It had been
interrupted.
"Yes, and her heart and soul are
Jest 40 pretty - she Is. was a-think.
ing the other day that they amt many
girls % would git into folks lives ~
she have done right here on the Blum.
She 10 friendly to everybody and they
husbands. It takes feeling and man.
aging person to know that the thing
to do Is to take up for . woman's hus-
band when she tells you how he's
been abusing Of her. Miss Cynthie
have stove of trouble fer Mr.. Kinney
moro times than he Knows
II don't know what l am to do. !
never can seem TO see her anywhere.
and she hasn't asked me to call on
her" Mr.. Alan's lugubrious tones
were symptomatic Of his condition.
well. anyway. there's the party
tomorrow afternoon and she'll be here
sure. Iwant to git your advice about
how to do things stylish. Would you
have the pie on plates. and knives
and iorts to eat It withf Or would It
Do to hand It around IN wedges to be
q Ike cake?'
II believe the plates would be safer. 7"
answered Mr.. Alan In a judicial tone
"she might get some on her dress"
In the throng to be At the entertain.
ment, In his state Of mind. he could
provision only Miss Cynthia
THAT depends on whether they was
made cross-barred. open.face or xiv.
cred. Cross-barred is the prettiest.
but they could all lean over and bite
kivered without making no mess" said
Miss Selma Lue, who was seeing the
question from all viewpoints before
deciding.
Suppose you have the plate for the
grown people and let the youngsters
take their luck" compromised Mr..
Alan. not liking the idea Of trusting
the ''kivereds" entirely.
That's Just what III DO" answer
"a Miss Selma Lue. Il think It viii
b best for Miss Evelyn to 90 up and
look at the pictures and then come
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1911-10-03

seated on . box Of cans behind the
lnolasses barrel, we'll within range of
the conversation.
why, Miss Selma Lue. I thought It
was an uncommonly fne dinner. I
am sure 1t was sweet Of her to bother
about me at ALL" answered the victim
Loyalty. Miss Cynthia's heart gave .
funny little start and then glowsd II
IN inexplicable way; she had o..
pected something different from hin.
perhaps. The situation was one that
might have been treated humorossly.
"Mr. Alan, l an afraid II was Miss
Cynthie you was tasting instead Of
the dinner. cause the looks Of what
was in the dish and hid away In tAo
frying pan under the stove was enough
fer me. Bless her heart! I doa't
guess there was any dog handy you
could have throwed It to. 90 you had
to eat 1t up to save her feelings"
"Well. my feelings were those ol
gratitude. I can assure you. Miss 90.
lima Lue. and II you ever want to 90
away again, just leave the babies and
me in the same hands: We like them.
those hands,"
That's just like your good feelinss.
Mr.. Alan We was artelling Miss
Evelyn Branch about how you was
friendly to every man, woman. child.
dog and baby on the BlufR. Mis- Dobbs
was special about your Kindness In all
Ethel Maud's accidents. She do feel
your interest So"
Everybody has been 90 kind to me
that / feel like had lived on the
Blur all my life," answered Mr.. Alan
with positive emotion in his voice.
I'VE all wish you could settle right
down here with us for life. OF course
we won't ever have money enough to
make the picture trade brisk. but Mr..
Jim Peters was a-saying the other
night he most knew he could git you
job with the 'lectric company to
help out. You would have all our
recommends fer anything you wanted
to git"
Miss Selma Lue." Mr.. Alan's vofce
was low and very gentle. Il may ask
your recommendation some day about
something-I-want- much. T.
am-afraid-"
Law, Mr.. Alan, don't feel that wey
about Miss Cynthia! She amt moth
ing but mite shy Of you, and amt
got bit Of doubt that she's Jest q
waiting fer you to pop the question.
For my part l always held with lit
tie waiting in girls. Minds made up
too quick are mighty apt to unmake.
same as a garmint sewed with = red
hot needle and a burning thread. 10
liable to come to pieces"
"Oh, Miss Selma Lue. didn't mean
you to guess-that is to say, have
no right to-" Mr.. Alan broke down
and commenced all over again with
shining eyes. 1T began two months
ago at my first sight Of her here In
the grocery door. She is SO beautiful
and-I-I do care-I-! How glad I
an that you know. dear Miss sslina
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1911-10-03

der the quiet Of the Twin Greek Cir.
cult religion. The drum and the horn
and the tammerine. with the rocking
Of the boat seemed mite queer. But
II 1t suits some folks to go marching
along the narrow road tolthe tune Of
brass band, why others can follow
to their salvation quieter by pipe or
gan. It's the right direction and the
keeping going that counts. to my
mind. Salvation Army is good name
fer them devoted people. and don't
hold It agin them that they sung
hymns to some Understanding tunes"
"You are not one bit strait-laced.
Miss Selma Lue." said Miss Cynthia
with an appreciative smile.
"Dearie me, child. they's q lot Of
trails ter Heaven. l say. But who do
you think We saw up on the river road
a.horseback! You had to hurry homo
20 yesterday after l got back that I
didn't git or chanel ter tell you. Il
was that sweet child, Miss Evelyn.
She Jumped often her horse. and the
hired man in top-boots. what was rid.
ing behind her to keep care, held him
while she come a-running over 70
where We set on the bank waiting fer
The down boat. She were Jest % dad
% see us ana made US all SO to hon4..
with laughing and joking with Bonnie
and Ethel Maud. We all had good
time fer most hour. She let Bonnie
ride her horse with Ethel Maud on in
front of the man. And Mary Ellen
was tickled plumb to death with her.
Honey. she Jest downright deserves to
be your friend: she is SO nice and
sochul. IT'S a mighty good thing to
pass one friend on to another and
thank you right here fer passing that
child ter me. and I'm going to hold
her to me tender"
We'll, know 1t gave her the great
est pleasure to see you. wish had
been there"
I'VE all wished fer you and we told
her ill the news about you. Then we
told her about Mr.. Alan and the pic
lures and invited her to come out
tomorrow evening and see 'em and
have Mr.. Alan explain 'em to her. We
can have one of them kinder after
noon parties fer her. thought about
making up some buckets of lemonade
and having some of Mis- Kinney's
apnle-pies. Won't you be glad to see
herr" Miss Selma Lue's delight was
something wonderful to behold as she
unfolded her plan to the paralyzed
young woman beside her.
What did she say?" Miss Cynthia
At last managed to ask.
"She said she would be delighted to
come and she was sure you would be
glad to have her. And, Miss Cynthie,
what do you think? She knows Mr.
Alan-got painted with him some
where last winter Now won't he be
pleased to meet a old friend? Maybe
she'll invite him to party over to
her house. l am SO afraid he gifts
lonely sometimes with Jest u.s.
Il am sure she will be-kind to
him." answered Miss Cynthia, with
great self-control. Evelyn's merciless
badinage already sounded In her ears.
Why, oh why, had she withheld that
information about the lair of the lion
on the morning Of Friday the thir-
tenth? lN-'%
Il know she will too" Miss Selma
Lue broke in on her ordinations of
herself. "'cause we all give him SIGH
a good name. Mr.. Dobbs was some
mortified at first and got red and
couldn't hardly answer when spoke
to. but he forgot htsself when We was
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1911-10-03


Il or notr'
-Mias Selma Lac.
Good morning, Miss Ssliny Lue! ]
lest run in to ct some nutmeg. .
pound OF sugar and Q quart Of ksro
sene to make up somo apple-Diss for
Mr.. Kennsys supper; he do love EN-
co."
"Thsrs nsvsr was such . hand q
you for pies. Mis- Kinney. honey. ]
recommended you about Il 70 Misa
CyntAio not week ago. told her
would g1t you to show her how whsn
well. W was a-talking that over
last night, mo and Mary Ellen Dobbs."
interrupted Mrs. Kinney. and W
think Il 10 dne fer Miss Cynthie ter
marry him. even II no = a painter:
cause when pictures 10 dull hs can
sit signs and SIGH TO DO to keep %
Ing. When VIII II be. Miss sellny
Lus1" And abe gathered tho bundles
In one arm and balanced tho oil-can
In tho other hand. ready to hurry on
a. soon a. she had extracted tho NOR.
sci Of news she had run upon.
why. Mis- Kinney, lnever heard"
Misa Selma Lue's eyes were wide With
establishment.
well. I think II was, to say thu
least. disrespectful in him and her not
10 have told you. him a-living In your
own barn and she 20 appearing to be
loving Of you all the time. hate to
think she's . deceitful girl. but mvst
say did mistrust that hower.gardsa
hat when I seen Il the other day -
by with Ethel Maud and Bsnnis
Dobbs."
II don't know what you mean. Mis-
Kinney. BY speaking 30 about Miss
Cynthie. They don't nothing in this
world hurt mo like hearing one Of my
friends make light Of another" And
Mss Selma Lue's Irish eyes snapped.
Law. Miss seliny Lue. I didn't
mean no harm! IL Jest"
II know you didn't. Mis- Kinney.
honey. but sometimes little criticiA
ings ny tho track and run into some
body that's easy hurt" said Miss Sc
lima Lue.
"Well. jest seen them setting here
in the door yesterday when you was
up the river with the Dobbses and
they was as thick as two peas In .
pod. her a-laughing and him a-talkine
fer all he were worth. You may not
know counting when you see It, Miss
Seliny Lue, not having ever been"
mis- Kinney. child. don't you know
every woman's heart is soft towards
counting, whether she's in 1t or not
and every mans. too, for that matter
though they tries hard to hide It? II
amt only on count Of my pitiful his
tory with Adoniram Millsaps or your'n
with Mr.. Kinney that We hikes to
watch the doings Of young folks and
talk EN- over-it's horned in women
to hatch out and hover lovers match.
ings and the clucking over 'em 10 part
Of the good times Of life. I was Jest
a-saying to-"
miss seliny Lue!" screamed Ben
ME from the Dobbs' front .stoop.
Como quick. come quick: Ethel
Maud's caught her hair in the grape
vine and's hanging by 1t. She was
eating EN-! Mas sicki"
Miss Selma Lus hurried with all the