davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-27

ley to the Potomac river and westward.
The tree occurs singly and in groups.
but among the wild willows 1t Is never
the predOminating species. 1t has
been planted and successfully grown
over q large area extending through
the northern states. south to Virginia,
Kentucky and Tennessee and west to
Missouri. Kansas, Colorado and the
DakOtaS.
Like everybody else. the willow farmer
has his troubles With the exception
of. the oaks, the willow is said to be
infested with more insects than any
other tree in North America. Most OF
these are leaf-eating insects. but there
are also borers. gall producers and
scales. Willows are also subject to
various fungous diseases, among these
being rust" and red rot" A mildew
covers them with a web. and they are
infested with a fungus the spores OF
which will blacken ones hands.
Willow has other uses than in the
weaving of porch furniture and
baskets. 1t is used for cricket and
base ball bats. Charcoal made from
willow is used in gunpowder.. In the
west it is grown for windbrakes and
used for fence posts and f1rewOOd
In visiting out-of-the-way places one
should not overlook trip to Wash
ington's willow farms.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-27

cargo winches, presently to join the shah
billy dressed idler abaft the deck house
sheltering the auxiliary steering engine.
"Old friends, once-eh? dis
rupted romance, yes?? :" Perez
keenly attentive to the man
ner of their meeting. But that told him
nothing.
He saw Crittenden lounging over the
rail, his pose distracted, wholly un-
aware Of the approach Of Cynthia; and
then he saw him swing round with a
start Even at that distance the ANNA
ton Of both at meeting was discernible.
and the cheerful friendliness OF their
handclasp was not to be disputed. But
1t was q brief and quite unloveriike for
mality; and their subsequent attitude one
toward the other furnished no further
clue to the enigma-at least. to the I'M
imaginative eye and mind. Cynthia, with
back to the rail and elbows resting on it,
trim white shoes near together as she
braced her body against the slow rolling
Of the boat. white linen skirt whipping
in the breeze, hair Of gold burning in
the evening light like a frame for the
brilliant miniature of her bright, young
face: Crittenden. at little distance.
standing without support. his dark. lean,
thoughtful countenance Bonded attentively
over her; this did not convey any i'm
preston Of a reunion of disparted sweet
hearts.
"Or a romance in the making, eh?'
said Perez. softly. "Quien sabe?"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-27
CHAPTER K.
Contretemps.

"Mr. Crittenden!' said Cynthia. sharp
~. having stolen a strong. strategic po-
sition in the rear of the young man..
whose wits just then We're all with his
vision, wandering indolently over the
distances Of a sea that shone like a
sheet Of sapphirine satin. softly undulant.
mr.. Crittenden!'-and there was a
brave ring of indignation in her accents.
when he faced her. startled. II want to
know what you mean by it!'' she de-
clared. and held her chin high and
clasped her hands behind her. meanin g
him to infer she would not shake hands
until he had explained himself.
But there were incorrigtble imps In
her eyes to give the lie to her show OF
ire; and as he recovered from the sur
prise Crittenden's slow smile deepened in
diligently.
How d'you do?" he inquired. with
bow OF quaint punctilio. III be only too
glad to have the privilege of making plain
what I mean by whatever 1t may be.
. But" he added. his eyes openly
critical. you're SO changed-every day
one hardly knows YOU"
lis that the reason you've been avoid
ing me all day." demanded the young
woman. with spirit
Avoiding your. he repeated in a tone
so whimsically persuasive of injured in
nocence that Cynthia laughed outright.
Impulsively she whipped q hand from
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-27
CHAPTER IX.-Continued.

us that impudence Mr.. Perez she
asked, with a direct look into his face.
He composed his features to a gravity
commensurate with hers. Not SO
meant" he said, soberly. You surely
can't blame me for thinking you require
protection on this ship. this voyage"
Why" she demanded.
Don't you know" he countered. in
surprise-whether real or simulated she
could not tell.
Il am told she said. after a moment.
that the Cynthia is being taken to Rio
de Janeiro for delivery to an Argentine
shipping concern that has purchased her
at second hand. Isn't 1t true?'
Perez regarded her with amusement.
so they told you that said he. softly,
clapping his hands together on the rail.
Isn't ii true?' she insisted.
Not wholly" he answered. still with
his gentle, derisive smile. But 1t is a
GOOD lie.'' he added. generously.
Then what is the truth?'
I'm not sure have the right to say,
Perez replied. cautiously. why not ask
Nine Savaran?'
She doesn't know
5000" said Perez. again bringing his
.ands gently together.
She knows-has given me to under
stand-that there's something strange
utre-
That is the right word-outre, agreed
the man. gravely. There is. in fact"
he added, with an appearance of spOn-
taneous candor more to this voyage
than a simple transfer Of the ship from
North to South American hands. /
should think you'd have been told.
However, matters as they stand, l can't
say more. except, senorita-pardon, Miss
Grayce-that In event OF any-ah-time of
stress and discomfort-I trust you will
! remember your obedient servant. Hippo
lyte Perez. believe me. yours to COM
mand.''
From an after door in the main deck
superstructure. beneath their feet. tall
young man appeared. and-unconscious
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-27

roadmaking. OF mistakes to be avoided.
of the results OF expense or experiments
the benefits of which are at the disposal
of the entire country. He presents IL
Illustrations to show the processes OF GOOD
roadmaking and the foliies OF bad road
maintenance. A copy of this book ought
to reach every farmer In the country
and every maker of laws in the states.
THE TEN-THOUSAND-DO ARM
and Other Tales Of the Big League:
BY Charles F.. Van Loan author or
The Big League" illustrated by
Wallace Goldsmith. Boston: Small.
Maynard x CO.
In these days of pennant hopes ana
daily struggles between aspfrants Tor
championship honors these short stories
of base ball adventure will be good read
ing for a great number of people. The
characters in these tales are in large
measure identical. all being participants
in the great game. Some OF them have
appeared before in Mr.. Van Loans previ-
Gus story, THE Big League" which re-
vealed q close intimacy with inside base
bali and delighted the hearts Of thou
sands OF fans
OBSERVATIONS ON BORZOIs Called
I'm America Russian WOlfhOunds.
In series of letters to friend by
ton Miffiin Company.
Borzoi means Russian wolfhound, as
stated I'm the necessary subtitle OF this
volume. Mr.. Thomas has devoted him.
self, as lover of fine dogs. to the work
of popularzing and developing this ami
NAL In the United States, having inn
ported large numbers of fine specimens.
He has Travelled extensively in Russia
hunting with the Borzoi and studying the
history and type. so that he is well quail
fled to present this account OF the dog.
with his practical suggestions for its
breading and care. The book is excep-
tionally attractive In its illustrations
possessing marked artistic merit in the
frontispiece portrait OF q champion Bor-
zoi drawn from life by Harper Penning-
ton. The text is in the form of letters
to the author by friend.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-27
LOUIS JOSEPH VANCE

Of those above him-a cigarette dropping
from his lips-strayed in leisure toward
the stern. Something's fiutter OF recog-
milton, she thought t-stirred IN Gym
thia'S bosom; but she STOOD sun anu
made no sign
"Then you think she said in low
voice, that matters may become $3.50
complicated that the women on board
might need protection" ;,
Il trust ii won't be as serious as that,
returned the man at her side; but II
anything SO deplorable should come about.
Id be glad to know you depended on
me-
Cynthia Strengthened up and stood back
Il presume I should thank you." said
she, with her most bewildering smile.
ITO have you remember my offer in
time Of need will be my thanks" said
Perez. making her little. semi-srave
bow.
I'll try not to forget" she assured
him, lightly. But I'm half convinced
you incline to exaggerate. However.
she added. moving of toward the com
panion ladder. with little nod indicating
the one she named-"however. there $
Mr.. Crittenden, and I'm going to ask him
what he thinks
Momentarily surprised out Of his as
surance. and discounted to be deserted
In SO cavalier a fashion, the Brazilian
stared and stammered blankly as the girl
began to descend.
You know Mr.-ah-Crittenden-
Cynthia showed him over her shoulder
her most provoking smile. "Oh. yes: We
were old friends-once."
And she left the man to fret his wits
over the reading Of that riddle. Indeed.
lacking both her apology for the abrupt
dismissal and excuse to accompany her.
to wonder was all the Brazilian could do
about 1t.
After that initial flash OF chagrin, how
ever, II Perez felt resentment, he failed
to show II. curious smile lurked be-
meath the soft. plump, brown fingers that
caressed his purple-shaded mouth and
chin, while he fingered, watching the
slim, whitehead figure move along the
after deck. picking "a gingerly way be-
tween coils Of tarry cable and greasy
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-27

while. however. there comes along a per-
son or book fitted to linger In one
mind by some gift Of grace. some n,.. essence Is nee
of these calculated to hold the reader in
| pleasant thrall.
| Just enough has been written about the
shut-in folks of the southern mountains
] to whip ones wish for more. This story
| is set in the lower Blue Ridge. off North
Carolina. Mr. Erskine appears to UNDER
stand the life Checking him off by
what is already known about this
strangely belated region. one finds him
certain of his facts and quick to their
| appearances and meanings. Upon this
good groundwork he builds like an artist.
A natural and believable family and
lneighborhood group is chosen to show
| how place and circumstance work into
| human fiber and character.
A lifelike mountain community devel-
ops. Exclusive, hostile toward the out
side. fiercely loyal or vindictive as the
primitive. proud. these mountain folks
stand here in the perfection OF their
kind. Shining out in their midst is the
mountain girl herself-casting back to an
cess of biologic law, for her charms Of
body and mind. This is. OF course,
love story. something like the one made
by King Cophetua and the beggar maid.
lordship-pursuing health in these noun
I tains is the hero. If hero he may be
called. The girls love is Of the rare and
sanity sort. 1t is homage. devotion ask
ing no return. service, self effacement,
faith. The beauty Of this character
and the life OF these mountaineers con-
stitute the charm OF Mr.. Erskine's story.
THE TURNSTILE. BY a. f. W.
Mason. author of THE Broken
Road" etc. New York: Charles
Scribner's Sons. Washington: Wood
ward & Lothrop.
Like Mr.. Mason's other novels. this
one, too. makes a warranted claim to
substance workmanly building, good
drama, interesting people. 1t is book
Of wide geography. Echoes Of Argentina.
where the adventure opens, pervade 1t
throughout. color 1t. give 1T what OF mys-
terry it can hold, and finally point 1t as a
retreat till the stile takes another turn.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-27

concealment and placed it in his. Il am
glad to see you.' she said. emphatically.
though | have got every reason in the
world to be displeased with you
But why?' he insisted. dropping her
hand with more reluctance than he per-
mitted to be apparent either to Cynthia
or to the observant Senior Perez. AS for
himself, il indicted for that reluctance.
he would have entered an honest plea of
not guilty.
For dereliction of duty" Cynthia i'm
peached him: for gross discourtesy and
for plain. downright unkindness.''
'Whew." Crittenden whistleS. dis
mayed. do you mind giving me bill
of particulars? I'd no idea I was SO
hopelessly uncivilized."
Very we'll" Cynthia backed up to the
rail and reckoned the several counts
upon the tips of her fingers. "Dereliction
of duty because as purser you should
look after your passengers. and you
haven't taken enough interest to find out
whether we were comfortable or not.
Discourtesy. because you should have
done SO, anyway. ex oficiO. Unkindness.
because You haven't given me the ghost
tell you how happy I am as Nine. Sa-
varan's companion, which l wouldn't be
but for YOU
I'm sorry he said. penitently-"sorry.
I mean. that I've been SO busy trying to
be a regular purser. ever since / came
aboard. that l hadn't taken the time for
this-this talk with you that I've been
looking forward to all day. Honestly
have. only"
go on; I'm rapidly becoming placat-
ed said Cynthia. demurely.
He laughed quietly. 1.-THE fact of the
matter is. he confessed, II would not be
here myself. II 1t wasn't for you 1 had
no idea you were to sail with us until
nearly midnight-long after you had come
aboard. and. / presume, were asleep.
80 You see. all yesterday / was in two
minds about this business; first I was
for 1t. and then again I thought. per-
haps. I'd better try bit longer to stick
1t out at the old stand. Finally, late last
night something brought me to the point
OF making the trip to Brooklyn to find
out what 1t was all about. Then Rhode
got hold of me-and-well, he'd set his
heart on having mel don't In the least
know why. | was trying to insist on be-
ing let in on the knowl mean. told
what all this was about-and he was
just as determined he wouldn't tell; and
in the end he cinched the matter for me
by informing me you were on board
YOU" Crittenden amended hastily, with
Nine. Savaran and her maid
DO you mean me to understand you
gave in on my account alone?" demand
ed Cynthia Of the straightforward eyes.
(There must be no hint of nonsense be-
tween them: she has made up her mind
on that pOintD
That's about the truth Of the matter .
he conceded. 81 felt responsible, In q
way-having been the agent-unconscious
enough-who involved you in-well, what
ever all this nonsense is about
Ills earnestness impressed the girl
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-27

its equivalent. 1t is clever and bril-
liant story. however, given up in the
main to matchmaking and matchbreak-
ing. an enterprise whose completely and
de.icacy make a way for all sorts of
swift turns and exciting situations. The
invention plays adeptly between farce
and fancy. 1t revives Outmoded adven-
lures and converts them to modern uses.
It works out a delightful romance with
this comic motley of events. 1t is made
to fill an hour with thorough enjoyment.
THE ACTOR-MANAGER. BY Leonard
Merrick New York: Mitchell Ken
nerly.
Clearly revealing the inner life OF Eng
lish stage favorites, Mr.. Merrick presents
character study of exceptional i'm
portance and interest in 1.-THE Actor-Man-
ager." On the one side is Royce OIL
plant, who has been struggling UP the
difficult line toward metropolitan recog-
milton and is possessed Of high ideals
of stage management and play produc-
ton. On the other side is Blanche FL
lerton. who stars in the first drama OF
his writing. and whom he makes his
wife under the mistaken idea that he
loves her. These two are exactly oppO-
site in their concepts of life. The wom-
an is narrow, selfish, calculating. The
man is broad, aspiring and self-Sacrinc-
ing. The matrimonial miSjudgment that
results is complicated by the trouh' es
that ensue in an effort to finance a the
alter project for Olphant and enables
him to produce high-class plays in &C
cordance with his ideal. Steady failure
at the box office results in a change of
plan and the production of an altogether
unworthy but popular French farce. Out
of this comes establishment both at the
theater and at home. One cannot read
THE Actor Manager without feeiin g
somewhat saddened by the dramatic sit
uation at this time.
THE SENTIMENTAL SONG BOOK. BY
Julia A. Moore, 1.-THE Sweet Singer
Of Michigan" New York: The
Plat & Peck Company.
About forty years ago this country was
given a great treat by the publication OF
a book of poems. written by the author
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-27

who had achieved some little local fame
in the middle west as the sweet singer
Of Michigan" Mrs. Julia A. Moore was
the sweet singer" She had been dis
covered by a Detroit newspaper man,
through whose articles her verses had
been conveyed to an eagerly appreciative
world, and at whose advice they were as
sembled in this delectable volume. That
book has been out Of print for long
time. and 1t is q real service that has now
been rendered In its reprinting. with an
introduction that does full justice to the
peculiar merits OF the poems. For the
benefit Of those who have now to read the
songs of the sweet singer OF Michigan
for the first time this preface may be
given as a faint clue to the riches that
await them in this altogether joyous
work:
This little book is composed of truth
full pieces. All those which speak OF
being killed. died or drowned are truth
full songs: others are more truth than
poetry They are all composed by the
author
Il was born in Plainfield and lived there
until 1 was ten years Of age Then my
parents moved to Algoma, where they
have lived until the present day, and
live near them, one mile west of Edger-
ton
THE FARMERS PRACTICAL IL
BRARY-R ADS, PATHS AND
BRIDGES. BY Logan Waller Page.
DIIcCloI' Shiteu states oniSC "
Public Roads. etc. Illustrated. New
York: Sturgis & Walton Company.
Washington: Ballantynes.
1t would seem to be needless to con-
tinue to preach tho doctrine OF good
roads to the people Of this country. SO
often has the false economy OF bad
roadmaking, and especially bad road
maintenance, been demonstrated. Yet so
little has been accomplished and so much
remains to do that it IS always crafty
ing to find some new presentation OF the
good roads argument in compact and eff
fective form such as that which is now
given publication. Mr.. Pages work as
director of the United States Office of
good roads Is widely known, and he
therefore writes as an authority. He
tells in this work in brief manner of
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-27

Then you. too. really think there's
something under the surface-?''
Crooked" he gave her the final word
cant OF the hour, like many of its kin,
inevitable In its expressiveness. Yes,
do think-pd hope not. but I'm sure of it
there's crooked work at the bottom OF
this. Everything points that way
And there'll be danger"
Il don't know. Perhaps not-probably
not l was afraid at first there might
''What?'
well = filibustering = gun running for
some South American revolutionary
junta. But don't take much stock In
thinking and looking about since / Joined
the ship. and-well. matters don't look
that way. for a number of reasons"
You don't mind telling me-?
Certainly don't. To begin with.
there's little incentive for gun running.
just now. Things are quiet all down
the coast. It's funny. but it's SO. There
not even a cloud the traditional size Of
a mans hand on the political horizon.
And then-as nearly as l can make out,
purser-were not carrying guns or am
munition. The manifests show practi-
cally nothing that could disguise that sort
OF thing. We carry practically no ma
chinery. The cargo's rich one-sus-
piciously rich to my mind-but all goods
of a domestic class. Finally, Rhode has
pledged me his word we're not filibusters;
that wouldn't mean SO much, perhaps,
without the burden Of proof In It's sup
port. He's probably telling the truth"
II see," said Cynthia, slowly. intent to
follow his exposition. But still one must
believe there's something wrong"
You can't get away from II" Critten-
den declared. Its in the air: the ship
fairly smells of It, To begin with. IL. as
they've been pretending. the Cynthia
were really being taken down for deliv-
cry to an Argentine frm-why all this
mystery and mOonshine? Why recruit a
crew on the quiet? Why was Rhode SO
keen to get me-of all Incompetence
instead of q purser who knew his bust
ness? Why single out a member of the
Down and Out Club when there are any
number Of capable men to be had for
Griscom for boatswain? That's the chap
you remember. Why is he himself so
interested and anxious? Why does Nine.
Savaran insist on coming along to see
that he doesn't play horse with her stake
in the venture? He's been telling me
about that, by the way. . . And then,
again. no sane firm OF shippers would
have bought this tub: she's fit for moth
ing but to be broken up for old iron. L
understand. They say Youngling fairly
weeps over the condition Of the boilers
and engines. Apparently not a dollar
has been spent on sorely needed repairs
she's had not a lick OF paint put on her
beyond those necessary to change the
name Cydonia to Cynthia. The only
thing about the ship that has been put
In decent working order is the wireless
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-27

outfit and that, Thurlow. the wireless
operator. tells me is the most complete
and expensive installation imaginable:
the sort of thing you'd look for on the
of something less than 1000 tons. like
this. If 1t wasn't for that immensely
rich cargo. I'd suspect they intended to
throw her away for the insurance money.
But, remembering that. it doesn't seem
plausible. And, finally. there are two
distinct factions on board-the reds and
the blacks. you might say-Rhode's party
and PereZ's. Neither trusts the other an
inch. Rhodes nominally the leader, but
Perez treats him as a nonentity and
somehow generally manages to get his
way when 1t comes to show down.
i, Lobb and Claret Bergen, Murray, Spell
vin-they're all blacks Rhode has on
his side Youngling, Griscom, Greenaway.
low seems to be Independent. A
queer kettle Of fish. e.
Crittenden wound up q long speech
with an impatient shake OF his bewildered
head and a half inaudible and wholly
threadbare reference to that putative de-
cadence obtaining In the state of Den
mark
1T sounds a good deal like my WALL
paper" observed Cynthia, from profound
deeps Of abstraction.
Sounds like what?'' cried Crfttenden.
astOunded.
mean, OyDInla TRANSLATED, fnuch
diverted by her blunder. 1T reminds me
of the wallpaper in the room / had in
that dreadful lodging house.
''Oh-h ." said Crittenden. still CROP
ing.
1T was so old and stained. and faded
and worm" the girl explained. that at
first it seemed impossible. 1t was posi-
lively inhumanly incoherent- The more
you saw Of 1T the more ii seemed like
something suggested by q rather instpid
looking and puzzling. after while. sud-
denly, you'd catch q glimpse of the first,
awful, hideous design, and then you
could easily enough make 1t out In all its
ugliness. 1 mean that this affair
may be like that: you watch it pa
tiently enough and puzzle your brains
until you're weary. some sort OF de-
sign will show up through the superficial
meaninglessness-"
She smiled disparagement. That's a
pretty labored comparison. I'm afraid,
and hardly worth while"
Its vivid enough" Crittenden assert
ed, land I've no doubt pretty apt.
At all events. We won't be long In finding
out. now. The farther We leave New
York behind us, the nearer we draw to
the revelation. whatever 1t may be.
That's certain.
He spoke mechanically, his eyes
thoughtfully narrowed in the Obession OF
this problem. Fumbling absentiy In a
stuck between his lips a wrinkled cigar
cite.
Go be continued tomorrow.l