davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1912-06-13

TO swallow that little lump OF pr1ue In
your neck and come to. Aunt Maggie.
K you been a-coming all your life"
I'll ask mother. but l can't take
your money, Uncle Wesley. indeed I
can't. I'll wait a year and earn some
NJ enter next year."
There's n thing you don't consid-
er. Elnora,' said the man earnestly.
And that's what you arc to Maggie.
She's a little like your ma. She hasn't
given up to it, and she's struggling on
brave, but when we buried our second
little girl the light went out of Mag
g1e's eyes. and it's not come back. The
only time l yer see a hint Of it is
when she thinks she's done something
that makes you happy. Elnora. Now,
you go easy about refusing her any
thing she wants to do for YOU"
Uncle Wesley. you are a dear" said
Elnora-'just a dear! If 1 can't pos
sibly get that money any way else on
earth III come and borrow it of you,
and then III pay it back if I dig ferns
from the swamp and sell them from
door to door in the city. I'll even
plant them, so that they will be sure
to come up in the spring. I have been
sort of panic stricken all day and
couldn't think. 1 can gather nuts and
sell them. Freckles sold moths and
butterflies, and I've a lot collected.
OF course I am going back tomorrow.
can find a way to get the books.
Don't you worry about me. 1 am all
right"
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1912-06-13
PROLOGUE.

1t was in the woods that the
girl OF the Linberlost found her
education, her love, her happi-
ness and other good things, so,
rightly, the air of the trees is in
this story of her life. Here is a
tale for lovers of the woods and
for others who like a simple story
we'll told by one who knows the
forest, can tell about home
folks' and can find the interest
in everyday lives. Through these
pages Eutter the brilliant butter
fly of tangled romance, the more
sober butterfly, no less beautiful,
of noble, quiet lives, nell lived,
and the gray moth Of sorrow
borne needlessly for many years.
And if you listen closely you
may hear the buzz of the little,
busy existence of Billy, a young
ster' north your knowing.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1912-06-13
II.
Wherein Is Told Something Of EInora's
Family History.

Wherein Is Told Something of EInora's
Family History.
~1OWN the long corridor alone
among hundreds, down the
ID long street alone among thou,
~ sands, out into the country she
came at last. She sat on a log and
began to sob in spite of her efforts at
self control. At first it was physical
breakdown. later thought came crowd.
ing. She must go home to feed chick
ems. calves and pigs, veal calico and
coarse shoes and pass a library with
averted head all her life. She sobbed
again.
For PHYS sake, honey, what's the
matter?" asked the voice of the near
est neighbor, Wesley Sinton. as he
seated himself by Elnora. There,
there" he continued. smearing tears
all over her face in an effort to dry
them. "Was it so bad as that, now?
Maggie has been just about wild over
you all day. She's got every
minute. She said we were foolish to
let you go. She said your clothes were
not right and that they would laugh at
you. Were your things right, ElnoraY'
The girl broke into hysterical laugh
ter. right" she cried. Fright! Uncle
Wesley, you should have seen me
among them! l was a picture! They'll
never forget me. No, they won't get
the chance. for they'll see the same
things tomorrow!
"Now, that is what 1 call spunk, Ell
nora. Downright grit" said Wesley
Sinton. Don't you let them laugh you
out. You've helped Margaret and me
for years at harvest and busy times.
What you've earned must amount to
quite a sum. You can get yourself a
good many clothes with it."
"Don't mention clothes, Uncle Wes-
ley,' sobbed Elnora. II don't care now
how I look. If I don't go back all of
them will know it's because I am so
poor I can't buy my books"
"Oh, I don't know as you are so
poor" said Sinton meditatively.
There are 300 acres of good land, with
fine timber as ever grew on it."
"It takes all we can carr to pay the
tax, and mother wouldn't cut a tree
for her life"
"Well, then, maybe I'll be compelled
to cut one for her." suggested Sinton.
Anyway. stop tearing yourself to
pieces and tell me. If it isn't clothes.
wtet is it?"
'Its books and tuition. Over $40 In
ait"
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1912-06-13
doors nea by. She saw the girl over.
take the brown eyed boy and speak to

take the brown eyed boy and speak to
him, and he glanced back at Elnora.
and now there was a scowl on his face.
Then she stood alone in the hall.
Presently a door opened and a youE.g
woman came out and entered another
room. Elnora waited until she return
ed and hurried to her. Would you
tell me where the freshmen are?' she
painted.
straight down the hall. three doors
to your left" was the answer as the
girl passed.
Zone minute, please-oh. please" beg
ged Elnora. "Do I knock or Just open
the door,"
go in and take a seat" replied the
teacher.
"What if there aren't any seats?"
gasped Elnora.
"Classrooms are never half filed.
There will be plenty was the an
swer.
Elnora removed her hat. There was
no place to put it, so she carried it in
her hand. She looked infinitely bet
ter without it. After several efforts
she at last opened the door and, STEP
ping inside, faced a smaller and more
concentrated battery Of eyes.
"Be seated" said the professor in
charge Of the class. and then, because
he saw Elnora was desperately en-
barrassed. he proceeded to lend her a
book and to ask her if she had studied
algebra. She said she had a little. bur
not the same book they We're using.
He asked her if she felt that she could
do the work they were beginning. and
she said she did.
That was how it happened that three
minutes after entering the room she
was compelled to take her place at the
blackboard beside the girl Of the hall,
whose flushed face and angry eyes
avoided meeting Elnora's. Being com
PEELED to concentrate on her PROPOSE.
ton, she forgot herself. When the pro.
fessor asked that all pupils sign theil
work she firmly wrote "Elnora Com.
stock" under her demonstration. Then
she took her seat and waited with
white lips and trembling limbs as one
after another the professor called the
names on the board, while their own.
ers arose and explained their PROPOSE
lions or funked if they had not found
a correct solution. She was so eager
TO catch their forms Of expression and
prepare herself for her recitation that
she never took her eyes from the work
on the board until clearly and distinct
ly "Elnora Cornstock'' called the pro
fessor.
The dazed girl stared at the board
One tiny curl added to the top of the
first curve Of the ''m' in her name ha6
transformed it from a good old Eng
fish patronymic that any girl nigh,
bear proudly to Cornstock. Elnors
stared speeches.. When and how die
it happen? She could feel the wave o.
smothered laughter in the air around
her. A rush Of anger turned her face
scarlet and her soul sick. a hot an
swer was OIL her lips. The voice Of the
professor addressed her straightly.
This proposition seems to be beauti
fully demonstrated, Miss Cornstalk,'
he said. Surely you can tell us how
you did it."
That word Of praise saved her. She
was tall, straight and handsome as she
arose
"Of course 1 can explain my work.
she said in natural tones. what
can't explain-is how 1 happened to be
so stupid as to make a mistake il
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1912-06-13

"Did you really let that gawky piece Of
calico get ahead of you?"
writing my own name. 1 must have
been a little Please excuse
me-"
She went to the board, swept off the
signature with one stroke, then. with
out a tremor. rewrote it clearly. MY
name is Comstock," she said distinct
~. She turned to her seat and, follow
ing the formula used by the others,
made her first high school recitation.
The face of Professor Henley was a
study. AS Elnora took her seat he
looked at her steadily. 1T puzzles
me- he said deliberately. ''how you
can write as beautiful a demonstra-
ton and explain it as clearly as ever
has been done in any Of my classes
and still be so disturbed as to make a
mistake in your own name. Are you
very sure you did that yourself, Miss
Comstock?"
"It is impossible that any one else
should have done it." answered Elnora
steadily.
II am very glad you think so." said
the professor. Being freshmen. all Of
you are strangers to me. l should
hate to begin the year with you feel
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1912-06-13
ing there was one among you sn.a.i
enough to do Il trick like that. The

enough to do Il trick like that. The
next proposition. please"
When the noun was gone III, class
fled back to the study r",n. AL I'll
nora followed in drs.~;u..on because
she did not know yttlplt else to so.
She could not study ais she had no
books. and when the class again left
b room to so to ;nothnr professor
for b next recitation she went also,
At least tar. could lut her out if she
did no. eiOng there. Noon came at
last. -! she kept with the others I'M
til TIE. !. SDerSeu on the sidewalk.
She was 81 abnormally self conscious
h fancie:: all the hundreds of that
laughing throng saw and TESTED at
her. When she passed the brown eyed
boy walking with the girl Of her en-.
counter she knew, for she heard him
say. did you really let that gawky
piece of calico get ahead of you?" The
answer was indistinct.
After moor she returned to the high
school. followed some other pupils to
the courtroom. hung her hat and found
her way to the study where she had
been in the morning. Twice that after
noon with aching head she faced
strange professors in different branch
es. Once she escaped notice, the sec
ond time the worst happened. She
was asked a question she could not
answer.
Have you not decided on youl
course and secured your books?" in.
CURED the professor.
Il have decided on my course,' re.
Piled Elnora; Il do not know who tc
ask for my books"
ASK" the professor was bewildered
Il understood the books were fur
nished," faltered Elnora.
Only to those bringing an order
from the township trustee" replied the
professor.
No! Oh. no". cried Elnora. "I will
get them tomorrow" and gripped he
desk for support, for she knew tina
was not true. Four books, ranging
perhaps at Il dollar and a half apiece
Would her mother get them? O:
course she would not, could not.
Did not Elnora know the story by
heart? There was enough land, but NJ
one to do clearing and farm. Tax OF
all those acres, recently the new grave
road tax added, the expense of living
and only the work of two women tt
meet all Of it. She was insane to thinl
she could come to the city to school
Her mother had been right. The cir
decided that if only she lived to re
home she would stay there and leat
any sort of life to avoid more of thi.
torture. Bad as what she wished tt
escape had been, it was nothing Xix,
this. She W could live down thu
movement that went through the elias!
when she inadvertently revealed tn,
fact that she had expected her book.
to be furnished. Her mother woult
not get them. That settled the uues
ton.
But the end Of misery is never in {.
hurry to come, for before the day wa
over the superintendent entered tn
room and explained that pupils iron
the country were charged q tuition O
$50 a year. That really was the end
Previously Elnora had canvassed
dozen wild plans for securing the mon
ey for books ranging all the way from
Offering to wash the superintendent
dishes to breaking into the bank. Thi'
additional expense made the thing s,
wildly impossible there was nothing t.
do but hold up her head until she wa.
out Of sight.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1912-06-13

~ Comstock as she glared at
her daughter.
"Why, mothers" faltered the girl.
"Don't you why mother me!' cried
Mrs. Comstock. You know very we'll
what 1 mean. You've given me no
peace until you've had your way
about this going to school business.
I've fixed you good enough, and you're
ready to start. But no child of mine
walks the streets Of Onabasha looking
like a play actress woman. You wet
your hair and comb it down modest
and decent and then be off or you'll
have no time to find where you be-
long"
Elnora gave one %despairing glance
at the white face, framed in a most
becoming riot of reddish brown hair,
which she saw in the little kitchen
mirror. Then she united the narrow
black ribbon, wet the comb and plas-
tered the waving curls close to her
head, bound them fast, pinned on the
skinny black hat and started for the
back door.
Mrs. Comstock watched the girl
down the long walk to the gate and
out Of sight on the road in the bright
sunshine Of the first Monday Of Sep
TENDER.
II bet a dollar she gets enough of it
by night!n' Mrs. Comstock said posi-
lively.
Elnora walked by instinct. for her
eyes were blinded with tears. She left
the road where it turned south at the
corner of the Limberlost. climbed a
snake fence and entered a path worn
by her OWL feet. Dodging under will
low and scrub "a branches, she at
last came to the faint outline of an
old trail made in the days when the
precious timber of the swamp was
guarded by armed men. This path she
followed until she reached a thick
clump Of bushes. From the debris in
the end of a hollow log she took a key
that unlocked the paddock Of a large
weather beaten old box, inside of which
lay several books. a butterfly appara-
tus and an old cracked mirror. The
walls were lined thickfy with gaudy
butterflies, dragon flies and moths. She
set up the mirror. and. once more pull
ing the ribbon from her hair, she shook
the bright mass over her shoulders.
tossing it dry in the sunshine. Then
she Strengthened it. bound it loosely
and replaced her hat. She tugged vain
Iy at the low brown calico collar and
gazed despairingly at the generous
length of the narrow skirt. She lifted
1t as she would have liked it to be cut
If possiblea That disclosed the heavy
leather high shoes, at sight Of which
she looked positively i'll and hastily
dropped the skirt. Locking the case
again. she hid the key and hurried
down the trail.
She followed it around the north end
OF the swamp and thAn struck into a
footpath crossing a fl. ~ in the direc-
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1912-06-13
PERT PARAGRAPHS.

If we had to take the advice we give
probably there would be a great re-
vision in the matter handed out.
Be suspicious Of the man who e e
everything as you see it. 1t may be
that he is getting close enough to make
a touch.
The milk of human kindness should
yield a rich cream of goodfellowship.
People who have castles in the air
may soon be called upon to pay an air
tax.
Many a gown fits the wife a great
deal more satisfactorily than the bill
for it fits her husband.
There may be quite a difference to a
man between having a draft in his
pocket and a draft on his pocket.
A tall man is often short after mar
rage.
The man who doesn't invest money
In his own enterprises may E;ve n"a
charity for himself than faith in his
business.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1912-06-13
[To BE Continued
Provided For.

Provided For.
"You don't seem worried about the
results"
Il am not"
"Don't you think there is any doubt
about the outcome?"
"Plenty Of doubt"
"You don't seem to have taken any
precautions" =
ooh, I'm married. My wife will
take precautions and do all the wor-
rying."
The Angler.
"He Is a record breaker"
"That lazy fellow?"
eyes"
sat fishing"
"Naw."
"What record does he break?"
"Ananias'."
Mixed Fruit.
His daughter is the apple IF his
eye"
II can hardly understand that"
"Why not?"
"Any one can see that she is a
peach"
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1912-06-13
p |,

Wherein EInora Goes to High School.
"~1LNORA COMSTOCK, have you
lost your senses?" demanded
the angry voice Of Katharine
~ Comstock as she glared at
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-24

a certain car a certain number OF any
model he can pretty nearly do it.
THE man who accomplishes the most is
the one who undertakes the most.
IF the selling plan involves definite ef-
fort along definite lines it will succeed.
If there is no plan except TO do such
business comes along. that is about as
much business will be done.
"A great. big. brilliant plan is not re-
quired. Determination. going out after
something definite and keeping at ii Is the
plan that succeeds.
Making d decision and sticking to it
is what counts. The shifty scheme never
gets anywhere.
Conviction carries conviction with il,
but hustling is necessary.
Business hunted is business found.
Waiting for business only brings on more
waiting.
ANY bright man can look after de-
tails. The big man dumps the details
and lights on the job that counts.
Making the prospect see the thing in
the light of the salesman is Salesmanship.
That is easy if there is confidence, and if
the job is filled early in the morning and
all day long
In the setting Of Il high tension mag
neto che should first of al see that the
motor is in the f.r.GG position thai is
up to the highest point. where by the a.d
of d wire CT rod in The petcock the motor
is backed up cne-eighth of the stroke
thus five-inch bore would have five
cighths in advance. which is where the
magnetic breaks" when in the full ad-
vance position on the spark control lever,
says Charles Spltdorf. the magnetic eX-
pert If one would have the car throttle
very low the spark pug points should
be opened up until they are fully one
sixteenth of an inch apart Try this.
x ::
George G. Meeiey. manager of the
Washington branch of the FireStone Tire
and Rubber Company. came over from
Philadelphia last week and visited his
friends IN the LEGAL trade.
r. c. Ringeold, Everitt agent at Shep-
hefdstoWn w Va, was the guest of w
p. Barnhart & Co. on his visit here last
week.
w. B. McBurney, well known in local
motoring circles and for the past year
representative for the Mack truck line
left Thursday for Atlanta, Ga, where
he will make his future home.
Radiators on old cars, which are not
provided with flexible connections to pro-
tect them from the effects OF frame dis
prone to spring "a leak if pad of thick
rubber mating be inserted between the
bottom of the radiator Itself and its
Grade on the frame The eXpedient is
easily tried. and. whatever its other eff
feet. has the merit of dampening much
of the vibration to which the element
otherwise will be subjected
Messrs. Buyer and Painter, Phiiadei-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-24

present high level of perfection I am in
favor of the passage of such a law
II am an automobile owner and have
sold off my horses. realizing the wonder
ful development that has been brought
about in the art. but the reason for my
changed attitude is that | have given the
matter much patient thought as a citizen
OF New Jersey and the right and equity
or reciprocity have come home TO me.
The situation in New Jersey is differ
ent from that of any other state in the
Union. New Jersey is not a rich state
as compared with many others, but it is
attracted attention all over the land and
the state Is proud of them and its high
way system. To the north lies New
York city with its millions and to the
south is Philadelphia and it's suburbs
with other millions. New Workers over
run the northern half of the state and
PhiladelphianS make d practice of tour
ing in south Jersey. They appreciate
the good roads and use them literally.
1T has been estimated that four times
as many foreign automobiles tour in
New Jersey as Jersey automobiles tour in
other states. This is said to be true
even under the present law. and in case
the state were thrown open to all automo-
bilists the proportion would be eX-
tended.
If 100000 additional automobiles tour
ed New Jersey for, say, three days year
the amount of money spent would run
into the millions. 1t is a question in
my mind whether there would be any
actual profit to the state by allowing
such an influx of tourists, but the money
spent by the visitors would go some dis
lance, at any rate, toward settling for
the increased road appropriations Hotels,
resorts, merchants of all sorts. garages
and general business would be stimulated
by the inceased flow of money.
when ! was governor the automobile
had not progressed to it's present stage of
development High speed then was per
Sc recklessness. Today the cars are
higher rate of speed without so much
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-24
GREAT MOGUL DIAMOND.
How It Reached England and After
ward Came Into French Hands.

From lie Journal des Debats.
In his '.Feuiles d'Histoire' NJ Bioves
publishes mass of correspondence that
had not hitherto seen the light relative 10
the history of the diamond of the Great
Mogul. This correspondence consists of
letters of Thomas Pitt grandfather of the
Earl of Chatham.
In 1901 Pitt was governor OF Madras,
and at the same time he represented an
English company. One day a man came and
offered to sell for GS9.oOD a diamond of
an extraordinary size. evidently stolen
from the mines of the Great Mogul.
In his position of governor Pitt should
have denounced the theft: in his position
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-24

risk. If law could be framed and
enacted to prohibit reckless driving il
would be better than any maximum speed
law.
1.-The ideal law has not been discovered
80 far. We are cropping in the dark with
a real civic problem. The legal situation
briefly is this: We may all have our
IDEAS as to what should be done in the
way of statutory regulation, but the real
question is not what We want, but what
:an we get.
1t is predicted that more transcontinen-
tai motor car trips will be made this
year than in all the previous years com
bined.
X x *
On the first engines which could b'
styled internal combustion motors tho
ignition of the charge, whether powdei
or some sort of gasoline mixture, the
builders met with many obstacles in their
efforts to get quickly burning mixture
Until the time the hot tube was tried the
ignition of the charge was far from reli-
able, and many discontinued their expert
mentS with internal combustion motors,
being unable to devise means Of eXplod-
ing the charge.
:: !: - :,
Next year will show an increase in the
adoption of Sef-starters on motor cars.
:: + :;
New Everett agencies were established
during the pest three weeks by w. p.
Barnhart as follows: Shenandoah Motor
Company, Richmond, Va: LEM Motor
Company. Newport News. Va. Hampton
Garage. Hampton. Va; Greenbrier Motor
Company, Lewisburs, w. Va; Everitt
Auto Company. Weston. W. Va: Peters
Motor Company, Fairmont w. Va
Parkersburg Motor Company, Parkers-
burg, w. Va: Everitt Sales Company.
Grafton w. Va: Clarksburg Motor Com
papy. Clarksburg, ". Va: Speedwell
Motor Company. Moundsville. W. Va
lees Garage. Huntington W Va and
Z. f. Mckinley. Ravecs"ocd, W. Va.
X :;
Interest is focused today on the an
nouncement of the Prodigy Carriage Com
pany Of Georg clown, which has taken on
the Michigan line for this year The
new moCeis. which have been received
and are Tow on exhibition, include a
model II. thiyty-three horsepower, touring
car; model r. thirtythree horsepower.
fve-passenger touring car: model D.
th:rty-three horsepower roadster; model
NJ. forty horsepower. roadster: model
X. r-fiye-passenger, forty horsepower
touring car. all of which are considered
masterpieces by the manufacturers of
this line of motor ears. The cars are
built by the Michigan Buggy Company
which has been established over thirty
years and is one of the Oldest in the
country.
The Michigan Forty is equipped with
clutch of the multiple disc type, dry
plate. thernoid against steel II will
not grab in starting. nor slip under
any circumstances.
Sheldon aXieS are used, both front and
rear. The three-quarter foa ting rear
axle combines all OF the advantages OF