davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rural Retreat times. [volume] (Rural Retreat, Va.) 1892-1918, 1912-03-01
1zz1zDNc5z4xMz0SHzH AQSDaT

right of me was an extensive grape
arbor. completely covered with vines,
the fresh green leaves forming de-
lightful contrast to the deep blue sky
beyond AS | came opposite an open
ing leading into this arbor suddenly
caught the futter of drapery and
stopped instantly, my heart throbbing
like frightened girls. 1t was quite
dark beneath the vine shadow, and |
could make out no more than that a
woman stood there. her back toward
me, busted at some task. Possibly
she felt my presence, for all at once
she glanced around and upon per-
ceiving me gave vent to quick ex-
clamation of terror
Pardon me-" | said hastily, and re-
moving my hat. but you have nothing
to fear"
There was moments hesitancy on
her part. and knew was being scru-
tinized. by pair of bright eyes
Surely" said familiar voice, Il
cannot be mistaken-you are Captain
WayneiS
Before could even answer she
stepped forth from her partial con-
cealment and advanced toward me
with cordially extended hands 1t was
Celia Minor
Well of all menu she cried gay
~. her dark eyes smiling most kind
ly welcome And Edith and | were
Rural Retreat times. [volume] (Rural Retreat, Va.) 1892-1918, 1912-03-01
DIDN'T THINK SHE WAS TIRED
Mr.. links Mean Inslnuatlon When
Young Lady Dispossessed Him
Of His Seat.

THAT was adding insult to injury"
said Representative Mann, the minor
tty leader of the house, apropos of q
political squabble. 1T reminds me OF
young Jinks.
Late one night young links sat In
a crowded trolley car and, when a
girl he knew got aboard and stood d.
rectly in front of him, he made no
sign. His face hidden by his newspa-
per, he pretended that he didn't know
the girl would like to have his seat"
After awhile she spoke.
Good evening. Mr.. links
Why. good evening"
I've been to the Primrose social
dance
indeed
Then, after a pause, she added:
It's wonder, Mr. Jinks, you
wouldn't offer me your seat!'
links then got up. He was very
angry. He said, as he hooked himself
to a strap:
Il thought you wouldn't want it:
for, as you said you'd been to dance.
knew you must have been sitting all
the evening"
Rural Retreat times. [volume] (Rural Retreat, Va.) 1892-1918, 1912-03-01
Got Back at Critic.


81 was walking up Sixth avenue in
New York." says Capt F. j. Archi-
bald, accompanied by James Nielsen
of Sweden, who was over here on
visit There is big Swedish employ
ment agency up there about Fortieth
street, and the sign is spelled in Swed-
ish fashion:
Heipj wanted
Il asked Nielsen what in the world
that extra j. was doing at the end of
the word, especially as, even in Swed-
ish, 1t is not pronounced
oh, it is just there, l suppose,
said Nielsen.
But now that you don't pronounce
the letter why don't you people drop
it altogether? 1t looks so silly to have
letter there you don't pronounce
Well said Nielsen, i suppose We
keep it there for the same reason
you hang on to the "p" in pneu-
monia' New York Herald.
Rural Retreat times. [volume] (Rural Retreat, Va.) 1892-1918, 1912-03-01

speaking about you only yesterday.
That is, was. for really do not re-
call now that Edith made any remark
apropos of the subject You have no
idea, Captain Wayne, what hero
have made you out to be. 1t would
make you positively vain If ! should
confess; why. Arthur has actually be-
come SO jealous that he has almost
forbidden me even to mention your
name in his presence. So when
want to talk about you am compelled
to go to Edith She hasn't power to
stop me. you know, but I'm sure
must bore her awfully. And then to
think that when you stood there just
now, and | saw your gray uniform. /
actually thought the guerillas had
come. My heart beats so now can
hardly talk But how pale and bag
gard you looks it that horrible
wound which troubles you still?"
Il have been discharged from the
hospital only short time.' an
swered, as she paused to take breath.
Indeed, this is my first military serv-
ice for several months. yet am feel
ing quite strong again. Mrs Brennan,
then, is still with your"
"Oh, yes; we have been here all
winter long. 1t has been SO dull. for
really nothing has happened, and the
valley is quite devoid of inhabitants
even the negroes have gone hunting
freedom But Major Brennan and Ar
thur are to be here this afternoon,
and sometime tonight We are all OF
DIS going away together"
Eager as | was to meet Brennan. /
mad no desire that We should meet in
the presence of his wife. Better. far
better. would 1t be for me to leave at
once and without even seeing her
You say you a,e about to depart?"
| asked. determined to learn all pos
sible regarding their plans. DO you
go North?"
Yes. to Baltimore and WashiL gton.
The guerillas are becoming so desper.
ate in this neighborhood that we are
actually afraid to remain here longer
They attacked the Siyler plantation.
only ten niles from here. two weeks
ago. killed ord Mr.. Cuyler, turned ms
Rural Retreat times. [volume] (Rural Retreat, Va.) 1892-1918, 1912-03-01

See what | mean?" And placing one
slender foot upon a slat OF the trell1s
she lifted herself up until she could
barely reach the refractory branch.
Now" she said. smiling down upon
me. please just hold me here for
moment until secure this end"
My hand was scarcely upon her in
support when the slender Stat snapped
beneath her weight AS she fell
caught her with both arms. For a
moment she lay. painting and startled
on my breast; then. as with little
laugh she disengaged herself from my
embrace. we stood there hand In hand
and face to face with Edith Brennan.
Shall | ever forget the look within
her eyes? How plainly | saw it. al
though she stood half hidden beneath
the shadow of the vines, Amusement,
incredulity, scorn were expressed
there, yet even as marked them all
became merged into proud uncon-
seriousness. She would have turned
away without word. but my com
panion stopped her
Edith" she cried eagerly, do you
not see? This is Captain Wayne"
She turned toward me and slightly
inclined her head
Il recognized Captain Wayne" was
her calm answer land regret greatly
having intruded upon him 1t was en-
tirely unintentional. and | have no
desire to remain
| could not have spoken at that mo-
ment to save my life 1t fairly stunned
me to realize the construction she so
plainly placed upon the scene just
enacted. Not so the girl at my side.
Her. cheeks flushed with indignation.
and her audacity gave her speech
which made matters even worse than
before,
You are exceedingly free with your
criticisms. Edith" she exclaimed
sharply. as the latter turned her back
upon us Perhaps it would be as well
for you first to ascertain the truth
You wholly mistake was the calm
reply =. nave not presumed TO cr1ti-
else Why should /? II is not a mat
ter which interests me in the least.
| presume you have 40 luther Cd
Rural Retreat times. [volume] (Rural Retreat, Va.) 1892-1918, 1912-03-01
SYNOPSIS.

The story opens in a Confederate tent
at critical stage of the Civil War. Gen.
Lee fmparts to Capt Wayne an important
message to Longstreet. Accompanied by
Sergt Craig. an old army scout, wayne
starts on his mission. They get within
ness Wayne is taken for a Federal Of
ficer and a young lady on horseback Is
given in his charge She is northern
girl and attempts to escape. One OF the
horses succumbs and Craig goes through
with the dispatches. while Wayne and My
Lady of the North are left alone They
seek shelter in hut and entering 1t In
the dark a huge mastiff attacks Wayne
The girl shoots the brute just In time.
The owner of the hut. Jed Bungay, and
horsemen approach. They are led by.
man claiming to be Red Lowrie, but who
proves to be Mai. Brennan a Federal
officer whom the Union girl recognizes.
He orders the arrest of Wayne as a spy
and he is brought before Sheridan who
veals the secret message. Wayne believes
Edith Brennan to be the wife of Maj
Brennan He Is rescued by Jed Bungay.
who starts to reach Gen. Lee, while
Wayne in disguise penetrates to the ball.
room, beneath which he had been inn
prisoned. He is introduced to a Miss
Minor and barely escapes being unmask-
ed. Edith Brennan. recognizing Wayne.
says she will save him. Securing a pass
through the lines. they are confronted by
Brennan who Is knocked senseless Then.
bidding Edith adleu, Wayne makes a
dash for liberty. He encounters Bungay;
they reach the Lee camp and are sent
with reinforcements to Join Early. In the
battle of Shenandoah the regiment is
overwhelmed, and Wayne, while In the
ing detail
Rural Retreat times. [volume] (Rural Retreat, Va.) 1892-1918, 1912-03-01

wife out partially dressed in the mid
die of the night, looted the house OF
everything 1t contained of value. and
then set 1t on fire. You see we have
no men folks acre, except two ne
groes, who have chung to us because
they were so aged they were afraid
to leave-just mamma, Edith, my old
nurse, and myself 1t seems so lonely,
and Major Brennan and Arthur both
insist 1t is no longer safe. So they
are coming with cavalry escort to
take us all North. | am sure we shall
have splendid time"
You have experienced 40 trouble.
then, thus far?"
On. none at alive have not even
been bothered by scouting parties. oh.
do not mean you; you are no bother
But yesterday there was a horrible
man here; he came to the kitchen
door and asked all sorts of impudent
questions. Mrs. Bungay actually had
to threaten him with a gun before he
would leave"
is Maria Bungay here. then?"
Why certainly; do you know her?
Isn't she delightful old dear-just
as good as man"
Her husband Is with my party"
Jed really? Why. do you know,
Maria has got it into her head that
he had run away from her. should
so love to witness their meeting: it
would be most interesting. But you
must come into the house. Captain
Wayne; Edith will be overjoyed to see
you again. although you know she is
never demonstrative. as am. 1t must
be awfully nice to be always cool and
calm, don't you think?"
Determined that | would not be
tempted. | yet hesitated. and my vi
vacious companion too everything
for granted at once
"Oh. before we go in, won't you do
me favor?" she asked. But of
course you will | was trying to tie
this grapevine into place when you
surprised me. but could not hold on
with one hand and tie with the other
Rural Retreat times. [volume] (Rural Retreat, Va.) 1892-1918, 1912-03-01
CHAPTER XVII.
An Embarrassing Situation.

An Embarrassing Situation.
1t was we'll into the third day when
we came down into the fertile valley
Of the Cowskin. 1t had proven an un-
eventful ride thus far, for we had met
with no adventures and had observed
little worthy OF consideration from a
military standpoint
While constantly observant of those
points regarding which had been dis
patched, my one overmastering
thought during all those hours was the
possibility of again meeting with Edith
Brennan and proving of some assist
ance to her. Her greeting of me in
the Federal hospital had been SO
sweetly gracious, so marked with ten
der sympathy. whilo the memory OF
her words. and even more of the look
which accompanied them. had SO re-
manned with me in encouragement
that longed to encounter her again.
God knows what | hoped for, for |
knew well II must all inevitably end
in de pair. YET IKE the moth ! must
r~nr'nsiA TO ~',g. - wings until the
Rural Retreat times. [volume] (Rural Retreat, Va.) 1892-1918, 1912-03-01

lection to my returning TO the houHer'
She did not so much as deign to
look again at either of us, but as she
moved slowly out of sight Miss Minor
turned and looked into my face with
questioning eyes. What she may
have read there | know not, but she
sank back upon bench and burst
into merry peal of laughter
Isn't it perfectly ridiculous!" she
cried, as soon as she was able to
speak only | do hope she won't tell
Arthur"
Rural Retreat times. [volume] (Rural Retreat, Va.) 1892-1918, 1912-03-01
Wonderful Luck.

Rook-Taylor was always a fortu
nate man, but doesn't 1t seem wonder
full that his luck should stay with him
to the very last?
Raleigh-How was that?
Rock Why. he was operated on for
the removal OF pearl which he had
accidentally swallowed while eating
oysters. and when the pearl was ex
amined it was found to be valuable
enough to pay for both the operation
and the Observation-Disclosures
Rural Retreat times. [volume] (Rural Retreat, Va.) 1892-1918, 1912-03-01
CHAPTER xxvi.-continued.

He looked at me in surprise Il
reckon, cap, as how We don't know
much bout whut's a goin on in Their
valley fer Their las few months" he
said soberly. rubbing down his mule
as he spoke Tell We what thar list
haint no plantation houses left thar
now, thet's a fac, ieastwise not north
O. Their lines we uns sorter hol' onto
yit. Sheridan he played hell with his
cavalry raids, an whut the blue bellies
left Their burned guerillas an bush
whackers wiped up es clean es slate
Durn If a crow wudn't starve ter death
in Their valley now. Why cap, them
thar deserters an SIGH truck is or
ganized now till they're mighty nigh
an army. an they don't skeer fer nuth-
In les ner regiment. | see more ner
hundred an fifty In one bunch up
on Their White Briar two week ago. an
they're worse ner a parcel err pirates
reckon as how they got Marian out
I'll bet she Civ 'em hot OIL time afore
she done quit
Rumors of this state of affairs to
the north and west of our defending
lines had already reached me-lndeed,
the veriication had formed part of my
Instructions; but Bungay's homely yet
graphic description made the situation
appear terribly real, and my thought
went instantly forth to those | knew
who might even then be exposed to
this great and unexpected danger
The very conception of Edith Bren-
nan in such hands as these was agony.
felt could never rest until assured
OF her safety. and since my order
granted me full authority to proiong
my journey, | might ascertain whether
or not she yet remained within the
valley
Jed" | asked, my mind finally set
tied. do you know the old Minor plan
tation?"
''Ol' ledge Minors place? Sure; it's
skin"
Have those fellows got down that
far YETI"
Wal, reckon not. out durn If /
know fer sure. cap"
How long would it take us to reach
ehere?"
Bout two days, | recken&
turned and looked at63 men in
some perplexity. They ~ Uttered
along the edge of the n NJ only
one group had taken thu lion to
build fire. The sera( 81 fiat
upon his back on a grass
''Ebers." said sternly 80
He arose ponderous. and came for
ward with a decidedly halting gait.
''Vos ! sent for?" he asked
YES" ! said: Il want you TO have
the men get their supper at once as we
shall be obliged to ride a good portion
of the night Get the men to their
supper. We shall go on In an hour"
How often since have smiled at
the expression upon his solemn round
a. EN-.
Rural Retreat times. [volume] (Rural Retreat, Va.) 1892-1918, 1912-03-01
Felt Rather Fat.

Mamma, / had the incest dream"
said little Mary, age six. just after
waking in the morning.
what was it," mamma asked
why, dreamt was young lady,"
the child explained
THAT felt pretty good, didn't it,"
the mother remarked.
YES" was the reply. But l felt
rather fat
Rural Retreat times. [volume] (Rural Retreat, Va.) 1892-1918, 1912-03-01
He OUGHT TO Get 1t.

"On what grounds do you seek d.
vorce from your wife?" asked the law
yer
Simply because of pun." replied
the long suffering husband. you see,
she's sculptress, and it gets on my
nerves to hear her remark twenty
times day, Will you love me when
mold?''
Rural Retreat times. [volume] (Rural Retreat, Va.) 1892-1918, 1912-03-01

All the worlds stage, and all the
men and women are merely kickers.
The Elbert County tribune., 1912-03-29

stripes fioated in American waters
and over American lands seventy-three
years before any such device was Of
ficially recognized as typically Ameri-
can. The writer saw this flag at the
Louvre, Paris, in 1900, the exhibit be-
ing marked East India Companys
Ensign, London. 1704." In 164s, on
February 20. just eighty-three years
before Washington's birth, the Eng
lish parliament decreed that ships
at sea shall display new flag consist
ing of a red cross In union, and in
blue field yellow (or) harp, repre-
senting Ireland"
As early as 1854 the colony of
Massachusetts attempted to establish
distinctive colony flag. In letter
to Capt. Thomas Noyes of Newbury,
Mass, N. Sallonstan writes:
I'm ye major generals letter. / have
ordered also to require you which
herein do, with all convenient speed,
to provide flight of colors for your
foot company to be green
with red cross, with white field in
the angle"
WI ycdiS idttT, uuueT Iue TlBlQ
rule OF the Colonel governor, Sir Ed
mund Andross, this green flag of Mas
sachusetts was ordered hauled down,
and the flag of King James l., with the
British crosses, was re-established in
New England The green flag was, ac-
cording to English heraldry, a Sign
of hope" and this is the earliest and
first reference regarding 1t. The flag
was actually made and displayed, of
which there is no doubt, as in an old
English work on heraldry 1t is de-
scribed as "Colors of Capt Noye's
Company, Massachusetts Bay. 1854"
The New England people did not
like the idea of submitting tamely to
the tyrannical orders of the governor,
but their weakness impelled obedience
to the czar-like attitude of the British
officials. Moreover. the Puritans of
New England were naturally averse to
the worship and display of the cross.
or emblem of Christ. Therefore. in
the confederacy which was formed of
the New England states in 1913 they
voted to "Take off the cross, because
1t is an idolatrous symbol, and place
instead a rose. tree. or other natural
object in place of the cross" Hence
in many of the early Colonial flags
which waved over our possessions un-
der the rule of the Puritans, the cross
The Elbert County tribune., 1912-03-29
NO WORDS WASTED
A Swift Transformation Briefly De
scribed.

About food, the following brief but
emphatic letter from a Georgia wom-
an goes straight to the point and is
convincing.
My frequent attacks of indigestion
and palpitation of the heart cul-
minated in a sudden and desperate i'll
ness, from which arose enfeebled in
mind and body. The doctor advised
me to live on cereals, but none of
them agreed with me until 1 tried
Grape-Nuts food and Postum.
"The more used of them the more
felt convinced that they were Just
what / needed, and In a short time
they made different woman of me.
My stomach and heart troubles disap-
peared as II by magic, and my mind
was restored and Is as clear as it ever
was.
i gained flesh and strength SO rap
idly that my friends were astonished.
Postum and Grape-Nuts have benefited
me 30 greatly that am glad to bear
this testimony" Name given by
Postum Co.. Battle Creek, Mich.
There's reason" and It is explained
IN the little book, THE Road to Well
ville," in Pkgs.
Ever read the above Ietterf A new
one appears from time to time. They
sre genuine, true, and full of hunas
The Elbert County tribune., 1912-03-29
The Young Housewife.

A quartet of market men had gath
cred in the Faneuil Hall market and
were discussing the probable famine
in butter, when pretty young woman.
whom they adjudged to be a new
housewife. interrupted the convention
by the statement that she had come
to buy some butter"
T wish to get three pounds" she
said.
"Roll butter, ma'am?" the individual
in charge of the butter and cheese
stall asked politely.
NO" answered the shopper prompt
ly, 1--WE wish to eat it on toast; we
seldom have rolls"
The Elbert County tribune., 1912-03-29

and the same flag noated over the Pill
unfurled In the new world, for the
banner of Columbus had the symbol
blazoned on his voyage flag" which
he displayed on reaching the land.
August 10. 1892; and in the name of
this emblem he took possession of the
strange shores.
England's standard also bore the
sacred token. and consequently when
Sebastian Cabot landed in Labrador in
1897, at the end of his voyage Of dis.
covery, 1t was under the Red Cross
Of st. George" that he took possession
OF the new domain. The planting Of
the red cross resulted in grim years of
hard-fought battles took place between
the French and English over the dis
puted territory. For one hundred and
nine years this Christ emblem was the
British symbol OF American discovery
and possession. But In 1906. one year
before the settlement OF jamestown,
Va, new English flag was devised,
which contained. besides the red cross
of st. George, the white cross of st.
Andrew In honor of the Scots who had
Joined the British nation These
crosses. of Saints George and Andrew,
we're placed on a blue square. while
the remainder Of the flag was red.
Under this union banner began the Ia
bors Of the Virginia settlers in 1907,
grims at Plymouth. Mass, in 1920.
The East Indian company, which In
1914 intended to improve and settle
America, displayed flag of four
stripes, two red and two white, and in
white union there was blazoned a
red cross. In 1902 the same company
devised new banner. with the cross
In the union still In evidence, but
four more stripes added, making five
white and five red stripes Oddly
enough in the light of subsequent
events this company In 1904 ordered a
change in their standard which re-
suited in the production of flag with
thirteen stripes, six white (argent)
and seven red (gules). Now this ban
ner may be said to have been prac-
tically the same as the present Amer
lean flag as regards number and tine
ture of the stripes-more heraldically
denominated "bars"-since stripes"
are perpendicular while bars" are
longitudinal. The union of this re-
markable flag was red cross on a
white field or union, and its thirteen
The Elbert County tribune., 1912-03-29
Better to Teach Child as a Baby Rath-
er Than When His Habits Have
Been Formed.

There is nothing more beautiful
than a baby Just learning to talk and
beginning to run about. He has SO
many charming ways, and each new
accomplishment Is SO absorbingly in
teresting. At the very worst his mis-
demeanors do not irritate us. and u.s.
ually they are amusing. 1t is far pleas
anter and easier to divert the child's
attention than to take him seriously;
and so, since there is no good stop
ping place, he is coaxed and indulged
until he is no longer a baby. But the
habits chat were amusing in the two
year>old cease to be funny at four and
i've, and at seven and eight they be-
gin to be unendurable; and 1t is a
sad fact that punishment usually be-
gins at an age when there should be
no further occasion for It, and when.
to confess the truth. 1t often does
more harm than good AS the baby
faults grow more and more irritating
the child himself grows less and less
appealing. We can punish now, and
we do. We are sure that a child Of
his ago ought to know better"
though Just why It might be hard to
tel. It II certainly no fault Of Ids
that ssvenysar-old naughtiness is less
attractive than the baby variety, and
habit II a powerful antagonist.
It In perfectly safe to say that
The Elbert County tribune., 1912-03-29
Well paid.

A lively-looking porter stood on the
rear platform of a sleeping car in the
Grand Central Station, when a fussy
and choleric old man clambered up
the steps. He stopped at the door.
puffed for a moment, and then turned
to the man in uniform.
Porter" he said, I'm going to Chi
cago. I want to be well taken care
of. / pay for it. Do you understand 2"
Eyes. sir; but"
''Never mind any butts You listen
to what l say. Keep the train-boys
away from me. Dust me off whenever
want you to. Give me an extra
blanket and if there is any one in
the berth over me, slide him into an
other. want you to-"
But, say, boss, L"
young man, when I'm giving in
structions prefer to do the talking
myself You do as l say Here is a
two-dollar bill. I want to get the good
of it. Not word, SIR"
The train was starting. The porter
pocketed the bill with grin, and
swung himself to the ground.
"All right. boss!" he shouted, "You
can do th' talkin' If you want to. I'm
powerful sorry you wouldn't let me
tell you-but l amt goin' out on that
train"