davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-09-10
The Impossible Boy
By NINA WILCOX PUTNAM
lcopyrIgh. by BObbs.MerrIll co.l

was tramp. He wanted my little
SILK purse but the bear fright
ened him away; he came so suddenly
the bear did, that is. In another in
stant that dreadful man would have
had my bag. Not that | would have
cared so much about the money, you
know" she added trifle apologies
cally, but | have registered letters
in II for my father have just come
from the post Office, and II they had
been lost but, perhaps, you
do not understand English?"
"Oh, yes!" said Pedro, taking his
eyes from her slender throat and
flashing brilliant smile at her "Oh,
yes, indeed, understand you!"
Then please let me thank you"
said she, her interest in him growing
every moment
But there is nothing for which ]
may receive thanks!" he protested.
Actually she seemed to consider the
bears introduction sufficient. Fun.
blingly he removed his wide, soft hat
and clasped 1t upon his heart with
both hands. How she stared! Wait.
ing for him to speak again, she gave
her chin tilt which accentuated that
heavenly line lnvoluntarily he pic
tured drapery behind II, his artists
soul longing to depict IT, Like Ma
donna.
1T should be blue!" he said aloud in
n queer, choked voice.
What did you say?" asked the girl
with a puzzled expression.
At realization of his speech his con.
fusion became complete, and suddenly
his one idea was to escape her watch.
ful eyes.
THAT is to say, er-it was Mr..
Jones entirely" he stammered. IL
did nothing, NADIA! 1t was all the
bear"
But he is your bear, evidently" she
replied, "and ! Insist that he share
the thanks with you"
THANK you!" said Pedro eagerly.
you do not know the exquisite de-
ight-er-ah-oh" Gasping, he
sought to extricate himself from the
awkwardness of the impulsive compli-
ment he had half-blurted out.
Forgive me, gracious lady, er-er-
l must 90 now!" he finished lamely.
We'll, give you my most grateful
thanks, whether you take them or
not" said she with a smile.
But he was now too embarrassed to
rally and did what one often does
upon attaining a desired situation: be-
came suddenly panicky and ran away
from It,
II shall hold your words In my
heart" said he, and then, with a ges.
ture half beseeching, half apologize.
and wholly graceful. he swept his hat
upon his head, and, calling the bear,
set of down the road
The wording of his speech was odd
and unexpected, and the manner OF
his departure so preclpitant that 1t
looked like a retreat. For as long as
he remained in sight she stood gazing
after him, her interest in him cement
ed by his fight. With sigh she was
conscious of uttering, so faint
II was, she reluctantly turned In at
the gate in the hedge and went slowly
along the little winding path.
The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-09-10
CHAPTER u.
A Belief In SiGns.

But Pedro walked rapidly, so that
the bear had difficulty In initiating the
pace. The youth had now definitely
made up his mind to take the new
course of action, for this second visioa
of the beautiful lady had confirmed his
resolution, and he felt he must get
back to the others quickly, in order
to tell them before he had time to
change his mind AS he walked he
kept muttering blue, blue!" and his
brows were knit furiously.
lie had to pass some villas with a
semi-suburban look about them, and
then an elmshaded street, where
commerce and conservatism rubbed
shoulders. Next, by switching off from
this neighborhood, he passed between
rows of frame houses. which dimin.
ished in their appearance of impor-
tance and prosperity the farther he
went, until finally the street, If such
1t could properly be called at this
point, was fringed only by shacks that
leaned inquisitively over the cutters,
or braced themselves at fearsome
angle against the slanting little gar.
dens at their backs.
When these humble hahltatlons came
to an end there stood an old barn
amid a stony field, scattered over with
paper, rubbish and discarded cans. In
the lee of the dilapidated building
fire was burning upon the ground, and
about II group of people had gath
cred. over the blaze kettle had
been hung, into which an old woman
was throwing green's from her apron.
Near her, his back against the barn,
lay a giant of man, with a patch
over one eye. This was Beau.Jean, the
mighty provencal, who at this moment
was engaged in carving an elaborate
design upon the base Of bear.stave:
while beside him lay the great animal
whom he ruled, asleep with its nose
tucked under it's paws. Two younger
women-Gunny, Beau-Jean's wife, and
sturdy Hermania, wife of Carlos (who
lay asleep near by)--were mending
their shoes. At little distance,
Anna, the pretty and irresponsible,
was weaving garland of bright,
golden maple leaves, Rico watching
adoringly, the while he pretended to
be busy nursing the wounded paw of
their animal. At sight and smell of
his familiars Mr.. Jones trotted up,
eagerly shifting as he came. Old Nita
aroused herself at his approach
Pedro, you have let him loose
again, oh, careless one!" she cried
some day he will betray you and
be Off or, worse yet, stolen"
Gross Old Nita!" replied Pedro,
stepping into the lighted circle and
smiling at her. "He is too fond of
me to run away--aren't you, old fell
The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-09-10

many laugh, and so many a coin
from the crowd on the market street"
MY shoes will not stand another
mending," said Hermania. III Pedro
can tell a plan to get others | will
heed"
"The lad has wit; did he not con
ceiye the praying trick for Koko"
mumbled Old Nita. Come, child
what has thy brain devised now to
help us?"
"Oh, don't, don't!" cried Pedro.
why do you say these things on this
night Of all nights? ] cannot endure
1t! Call me evil names. and abuse
me, rather! Please II is almost too
hard for me to do, and yet | must!
Amigos! 1t Is for myself only that /
am planning-my notion will not help
you, alas!'
He buried his face in his hands, and
for a moment there was an astonished
silence. Such an outburst of emotion
on the part of their joyous Pedro was
thing undreamed of by any of them
Into the silence the voice OF Old
Nita broke tremblingly.
Hast thou sinned, even as |. that
thou weepest SO? What is It, Pedro
of my hearth"
mo, mol" he cried, raising his head
81 have not sinned, but | have seen
a line-an exquisite curve from an
oval chin to the base of white
throat"
"Ah! In love!" exclaimed Rico and
Anna simultaneously
mo; again MOI" cried Pedro. 81 do
not love 1t, but I've got to paint it,"
There was another interval of puz-
zled silence, broken this time by Beau
Jean.
"Oh, little Pedro" said he, what do
you mean by paint it'?"
"Just that" said Pedro, striving to
conquer his emotion. 81 am going to
be an artist, a painter. Don't you
understand"
The little group stirred relievedly.
This was nothing so terrible, after all. |
Then for few moments all spoke at
once, voicing their relief. Hermania's |
query made itself evident above the
clamor of the rest.
But why does this distress you so? |
Always, always you have made pic
lures. Pictures of us all, Of every. |
where, of everybody; always, always |
scribbling little pictures upon bits of |
paper! Where is the trouble?"
THE trouble comes because shall
have to leave you ALL" said Pedro
sadly. 81 must 90 to the city, where
| can have the right things TO work
with, and -colors-colorsl
must learn about them. 1t will be
hard, but can do It."
Go away! Leave them!" Such a
clangor as they raisedl
81 have tried not to do this" he
said as soon as they let him speak,
but can't help 1t. The art-it
bosses me now!"
But where shall you go?" asked
Nita.
"To New York; It is nearest" re.
piled Pedro.
"And how will you live?" from Car.
los.
81 do not know"
"Who will teach you?" Queried Her.
mania,
81 do not know"
And those colors, where will you
get them7" asked Anna.
81 do not know"
"And knowing nothing, you are yet
determined to go?" Beau.Jean de-
YES" answered Pedro, stubbornly
"Then," said Beau.Jean, with a sigh
1T is our plain duty to help YOU"
The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-09-10

vile, Guneviere, and the great, grizzly
hoKo mad joined them. That made a
company of six, for already there was
Rico, his bear and his Anna, and
Nita-that wicked Old Nita, who
danced the "coquette" herself when
they, bears and all, went late one
night to the Bal Bodin in Montmartre.
How funny she had looked. dancing.
with her shapeless old mouth a.smil.
ing
Tramp steamers! The smell of
them came sharply across the autumn
WIND. Weeks Of motion and Of stencil,
and then at last the dying of the en-
gine-throb, the crowding and the Jos.
tllng, and the great rush out upon the
shore OF some new land. On such
voyage 1t was that Carlos and HERNIA.
MIA had joined them, bringing Gin
namon bear.
Where had not these eight been
what roads they had travelled together
under sun and moon!
This host of memories Pedro felt In
their essence, In single breath, as
1t were, bereft of detail save for some
picture-of small incident or two,
trivial, but never to be forgot. The
heart OF that past life he held for
moment in his own. No! no! he could
not give 1t up. And yet, this other
call, which had been with him, It
would seem, since birth, was now
grown too strong for resistance. Be.
fore his eyes he must see the thought
of his heart depicted by the labor of
his brain and hand lie must paint!
He was an artist, an artist!
81 will go!" said Pedro shudderingly.
Then, as If shedding the past, he
squared his shoulders.
Comet" said he to the animal. I'VE
shall return to camp and tell them
what we are going to do"
Not until he was within hundred
yards of the road did Pedro realize
that he had been trespassing on what
now evinced itself to be a country
estate of some pretensions; and at
this point the fact was made manifest
by the sight of cedar and fir hedge.
Near by was closed gate, ilanked by
pillars of old brick and soapstone, Civ
ing access to a narrow footpath which
wound along at the base OF the hill
he had just crossed.
Apparently he had been dreaming
away the afternoon upon the farming
section of the place. The sloping
ground which lay between him and the
hedge was smooth and soft, and tempt
ed by 1t, Mr.. Jones lay down and
rolled little way. Then he got up
and trotted on some distance in ad.
vance of his master. The road was
very near now, and there came
sound Of pattering footsteps from 1t
and the swish of light garments.
Through the somber evergreens Pedro
could see CLEAN of white, moving
swiftly. Then came the noise of heav.
ier tramping-a mans step this time
a man in haste at that. Then q wom
an screamed, her frightened cry ring.
ing out sharply.
The bear, moved to curiosity by the
sound, plunged through the hedge and |
disappeared, and Pedro, grasping his |
staff like a cudgel, set off down the
slope at a run, reaching the hedge |
The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-09-10

only a moment later than the bear.
The fragrant branches whipped across
the boys face as he rushed past,
emerging breathless upon the high
way. A dramatic scene awaited him,
Down the road thoroughly fright
ened tramp was speeding from the ter
rifying and wholly unexpected appa-
rition of the bear, cloud of dust en-
veloping his Mortified retreat. Close
to the gateway, her purse clasped fran
tically to her bosom, stood girl, be-
wildered and alarmed-a girl whom
the last sunbeams bathed in glory,
cleaning on her hair that was red
gold, like Toy" And to complete the
picture, there stood Mr.. Jones, erect
uron his hind legs, his tongue lolling
out and his clumsy paws waving from
her to Pedro.
1t was an introduction.
That she was almost as much
frightened by the bear as by the
tramp, whose attempted robbery the
animals sudden appearance had frus-
trated, was clear. At sight of Pedro
she screamed again.
ooh! the bear!. Help, help! Oh,
take him away" she cried,
"Abas!" said Pedro sharply, address
ing his pet. But Mr.. Jones did not
obey Immediately, and for moment
the three stood as If transfixed Then
the bear dropped to all fours, and the
spell of the tableau was broken.
"Oh, how fortunate that you we're
near!" she began breathlessly. 1T
The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-09-10

all generously. Then, just as the
weary Pedro was accepting cup Of
coffee and gigantic plateful of dough.
nuts from the hand of his patron, the
whir of an automobile caused him to
look around. All unperceived, 1t had
been standing near for some time,
and now bestlrred Itself at the ap-
proach OF the train 1t had come to
meet. AS it moved away. girl in the
rear seat stood up for last backward
look at the little crowd, and then,
against the clear, blue Of the sky, Pc
dro beheld a ileeting vision OF red
gold hair
CTo BE CoNTINUED)
The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-09-10

Dr. a. Lee Buddinger, Guy j. Hart
line and Harmon Welshons, the former
a dentist, and the others teachers in
the Mt. Carmel High School, were in.
jured by their automobile wrecking
near Trevorton. The front ankle broke
and the occupants were hurled to the
ground.
The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-09-10
THE NEWS TOLD
IN PARAGRAPHS
Latest Happenings Cleaned
From All Over The State.
LIVE NOTES AND COMMENTS.

XIII 151, 22t Files In 500
Miners Go On StrIke-Horse
Racer Killed In Wreck,
Daughter Dying.
The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-09-10

Euallen ]. Schwoyer, of Allentown,
the veteran lveryman and driver of
race horses in the fair circuits, was
instantly killed and his daughter,
Elizabeth, fatally injured when their
team was struck by an engine on the
Jersey Central Railroad at Newport.
Two men on the wagon escaped by
jumping. Miss Schwoyer was carried
400 yards on the smokestack of the
engine.
The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-09-10

The thirteenth annual reunion of the
Malin Family Association, comprising
the families of the descendants OF
Randall and Elizabeth Malin. who came
from Cheshire. England, about 1852.
was held at Lenape Park, Septem-
ber Z.
The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-09-10

The 1900 employees of the Price
Pancoast mine of the Scranton Coal
Company are on strike. They declare
they will not return to work unless the
six fire bosses at the plant returned to
the union. The six joined about
year ago, but withdrew several weeks
ago.
The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-09-10

How will you do so?" asked Pedro
eagerly.
81 do not know that. either" re-
sponded Beau.Jean.
Next morning the eight set out to.
gether for the city. Whatever strange
undertaking Pedro was considering
they would all go along and assist II
possible. And so, without any idea
save that of action. they set forth. de-
termined though indefinite.
The coppers OF yesterday were all
expended for breakfast, and the first
step toward the beginning OF day
being accomplished, they betook them.
selves to the railroad track and walked
beside 1t. But noon came and passed,
and still no granite towers loomed be-
fore their expectant eyes. Finally to
rest themselves, they turned from the
wearylng, shining vista OF rails, and
seated themselves upon the dead grass
beside the mile post that bore the dis
couraging legend:
N. Y. rs M.-Harrlson I M.
BY this time all we're tired and hun.
cry. Worse yet, the bears we're hun.
gry-a condition to be reckoned with
before the need Of the masters.
Let us 60" suggested Pedro. Into
the town which this dusty road leads
to, and dance the bears, pass the hat,
and eat, eh"
The suggestion needed no second.
ing. With groans and complaints they
got to their feet again, and set off for
the village.
But fate was not smiling upon them
just then. The town was almost de.
serted at this hour. Besides which,
near the end Of the performance, Toto,
who was supposed to Sing" raised his
voice from his usual growing mono.
tone to a hungry growl. That sent the
watchers running of in all directions
Ruefully Old Nita counted the earn.
ings.
"Only seven pennies in ALL" she
complained. Better to have rested
beside the railroad"
1T is not enough to feed one bear,
even," remarked Beau-Jean, "and am
as hungry as two"
Meanwhile Pedro was talking to
himself. You got them into this:
otherwise they would have travelled
the regular way. Now you get them
out" Then Pedro noticed a dingy
lunch wagon by the broken curb,
some fifty feet away. At the entrance
to II stood fat man with a dismal,
fabby face. His hands we're tucked
beneath an apron whose immaculate
whiteness shone out conspicuously
among the gray surroundings. The
man was motionless, as though he had
become petried while waiting for Gus
toners who never came.
"Ah!" said Pedro aloud, 81 have an
idea! Stay where you are. all Of you,
until | beckon."
Then, thrusting his hands into his
pockets, he strolled nonchalantly away
In the direction OF the lunch wagon.
1t was a dingy affair, as has been
said, and upon its tawdry sides the |
ettering had grown dim. Sull, It was
easy enough to make out the inscrip, |
ion:
The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-09-10

eyusIes and artists, society folk,
..,tless Bohemlans, bold consplra.
~. and a performing bear unite
;. keep this story pacing down
~. ~ road to Already. From the
~ .,,Afree life Of wandering syp.
.i.s along the highway you are
.,r,Ied to the stransest, gayest
~. .oo, in eotham's fascinating Bo-
henia.
The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-09-10

Harrisburg has cut down Its first I'M
proyement loan Of s1,O9O,OOO to $685..
900.
The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-09-10

The Board of Public Grounds and
Buildings arranged for the restoration
of Rothermels painting of the Battle
of Gettysburg and other war paintings
In the "War Gallery" of the State Mu-
scum. The paintings have not been
well displayed because Of the flag
cases which formerly occupied the
place.
The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-09-10

Sunbury Fire Company. No. 1. will
visit Harrisburg and York. Septem.
ber' II and is.
The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-09-10

The large barn on the Ard Yetter
estate near Lewistown, was entirely
destroyed by fire. The summers
crops and farming implements were
burned, the loss amounting to several
thousand dollars.
The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-09-10
The Elite
Pies, Coffee, Milk, Frankfurters

Pies, Coffee, Milk, Frankfurters
Over the doorway was an invitation
to walk in," and underneath this the
owners name-"Isaac Lovejoy, Prop
had been printed small, Pedro
sidled up to the individual who, II
would seem, bore this name and title
Business thriving bout hereg
asked Pedro conyersatlonally, by way
of an opening.
The man gave him glance, but
without moving to do so.
"Nope!" he replied.
"What! In place where travellers
must pass so olten?" Pedro exclaimed,
lifting his eyebrows.
"Yep!" said the man. still motion.
less.
what is the trouble? Are there
no travelers?"
Travellers, all right" said the fat
man, "but no customers! No one stops
here!"
whats the trouble. do you think?"
Pedro inquired.
"The lunch-wagon trust!" exclaimed
the man. "I'm an independent, am:
but everywhere ] go where there
might be good business doin'-say a
corner near a factory, or any such
real wide.awake place-one of them
trust wagons is there before me, ali
shined up aE covered with gold paint
an plate glass! A fellow like me
amt got no show"
"Why don't you spruce up a little,
then, eh?" asked Pedro.
"Why don't you buy somethin' SOS
I'll get the money for to buy the gold
paint WITH" retorted the other.
Because | have no money" Pedro
replied.
Same reason here, in answer to
your first" cried the fat man trium.
phantly.
"Supposing, now" said Pedro. that
could put you on the right track
" WIN Nhbpt llhSAb, Ell
What dyer mean% demanded the
man.
"Those wagons of the trust-they
are all alike?"
Yes" said Mr. Lovejoy, "all the
same; and very slick and fancy"
AHA! Then what you want is
something entirely different from
them; something to make people no.
tice you"
Sure, but what?"
That" replied Pedro, SIS just what
l can tell you. have a proposition to
make"
The man scowled at him for a mo.
ment, as though wondering at the i'm.
prudence of this whlppersnapper's Of
fering to deal with him. Then Pedro
looked at him, and smiled one Of those
vivid, startling smiles that were Pc
culiar to him, and usually took people
making them smile back at
The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-09-10

Building permits in Harrisburg in
August aggregated $1O1 900.
The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-09-10

b. N. Earle Wynn and 7. Harold
Jackson, of West Chester, are home
from an extended trip to Europe
While in England they We're arrested
on charge of being German spies, but
proved their identity by means Of let
ters and other papers in their posses
sion. Their cameras were taken from
them by their captors.
The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-09-10

Swatara Township opened two
schools in churches, due to overcrowd-
Ing.
The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-09-10

Steelton and Middletown report
large increases in number of pupils at.
tending the schools.
The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-09-10

Joseph II. Bone was appointed al.
derman of the Fifth Ward of Lancaster
city.
The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-09-10

Alfred Kllnger and boy friends, OF
Locust Gap, were mixing carbide and
water when a lighted match fell in a
can containing the carbide. Klinger.
who was holding the can, received the
full force of the explosion in his face
He was severely burned.
The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-09-10

Petitions by five hundred freeholders
of West Shamokin, Fairvlew and
Edgewood, were presented to Shame
kin Councils, praying for admission to
that place.
The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-09-10

Alton Meyer died OF tetanus caused
by stepping on a rusty nail at n farm
about two miles from Minlin. lie was
twenty years old.
The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-09-10

Two Germans and one Russian re-
nounced their claim of allegiance to
their native countries at York and
were given citizenship in the United
States.
The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-09-10

A man at the altar is worth two IN
the uarlor.
The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-09-10

Mrs. Susan Cadden, flfty-four years
old, of Lansford, is in a critical condi-
tion with a fractured skull suffered by
falling down stairs while walking In
her sleep.
The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-09-10

Large transfer sheds of the Pennsyl.
gania Railroad burned with their con-
tents at Cory. A freight house and
dozen cars were badly damaged The
loss is placed at $4,000.
The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-09-10

The fly-swatting contest conducted
by the Bangor troop OF Boy Scouts.
came to an end with a total Of l51 POI
flies killed
The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-09-10

Rev. w. II. Orr. for two and half
years pastor of the Waynesboro Pres.
byterian Church, has accepted call
to IIollidaysburg and will leave
Waynesboro about October l.