davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-31


 done 1t an injustice I always thought iv it as place where English gintlemen wint to sleep off their dinners an where there'd be no more iv an openin' f'r statesman with a punch thin at meetin' iv tn directors iv the Home fir Decayed Gintewomen. In other counthres par lyninthry govermint was carried on in way to me likin'. In France whin tn riprisntatves iv that fine people get together there's always rite members whack each other with parasols, tn speaker rings bell an jumps through win- dow, an tn nex' nlornin all tn dep'ties havin' snt their dyin' wurruds to tn newspapers, wrote their wills, made arrangements with tn undher- taker f'r funra iv tn sicond class an laid in a supply iv arnica an stckin' plasther, are out on tn bicycle coorse poen away at each other with little soords an horribly mutlatn tn rs- bands iv their doolin shirts In Austhree tis tn custom to open tn proceedns with a hard right firm tn leader iv tn deep centher on th' jaw iv tn leader iv tn exthreem left. Tn Eye talyan solon, as Hogan calls thin puts on woven steel vest 6efure he offers a risolution, while sh our own splndd gathern' iv intellechool joynts down in Pennsylvania avnoo how often ar-re tn grave deliberations marred an made nthrestin' be disgraceful scene whin some pathrite firm tn sunny southland thries to catch tn eye iv the speaker or tn ear iv tn house with tn stationery provided be a gin'rous govermint
 "Me talents as a debator wud be useful in amy iv these here assimblies, Hinnissy fr I'm as good a shot as tn next man with an ink bot tie, an I've so long sarved as an umpire fr earnest thruck dhrivers that I've picked up what ye might call good workin' knowledge iv par iyninthry language But firm what heerd about tn English parynint I figured out that it was no place fir me. I'd pick up the pa-aper and read. Balfour gives Askith tn lie. Pre- mier's savage retort.' But whin I'd square mesilf away contintedy fir an inteechool threat I'd read that Misther Balfour havn been nudged be collague. slowly unbraided his legs, grajooly rose to his feet, smoothed his hair, curled his lnustache, put on his cyegass, an in voice rendered almost inaudible be passion said that much as it paiped him to speak at amy time, he was more pained thin he cud say be havin' to speak in criticism if he cud put it so fr lack iv luilder wurrud, iv tn right. honra gintle- men whose sarvices in behalf ivth empire he wud be tn last to underestimate, but he (Mr. Bal iour) felt that tn crisis in tn affairs iv tn nation was such as to compel plain. an aven brutal frankness, little as he relished it, an he must declare, if it was with his dyin' breath, that tn hon'rabe gintlenan was, he cud think of bother wurrud, incorrectly informed. Loud oppostion cries iv Plucky wurruds, be gad,' and hoarse governint murmurs iv indignation.1
 Afther tn usual recess fir tea th prime 'nnsthcr leaped to his feet an with his face con- ynlscd be emotion replied that he was hurt to tn heart be tn attack iv tn right honrable gin-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-31

<<T HELL, sir," said Mir. Dooey, if knew w way to go about it I'd apologize to
 tn British parlynlint. l wud so. I've
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-02-01
CHAPTER XIII.

The day came out of the East with
a windy swagger; as Quick had fore.
told, a series of thunderstorms swept
the sea before dawn, so that 1t, like
the sky, seemed newly washed, clean
and brilliant.
O'Rourke relieved Quick at four
bells of the morning watch and kept
the deck for the remainder of the day,
his meals being brought to him on
the bridge. His duties were simple
enough, requiring little more than a
display of the habit of authority
which sat so we'll on his broad snouH
ders. 1t was no great trick to keep
the crew In order: they went about
their work peaceably enough and
showed no signs of desiring to renew
their disputations. Otherwise he had
to keep an eye upon the helmsman
and see that he held the Rance to the
course prescribed by Quick; and that
was nothing difficult to man of av-
erage intelligence Naught but deep
water lay between them and Bombay,
so long as a direct course was shaped
and maintained.
AS the sunlit watches wore out and
nothing untoward took place,
O'Rourke's grim apprehensions dissi-
pated into shadows. He began to be-
lieve with Quick that the affair Of the
winged knife was merely hapchance
accident, quite unprecedented.
Below decks, Dravos and Danny
we're standing watch-andwatch, with
clockwork regularity, where the for
mer's beloved engines were justifylng
his confidence and pride in them and
clicking off their twenty knots with
out a hitch.
Now Danny happened to have "off"
the first afternoon watch. O'Rourke
from the bridge saw him come up the
engine-room companion ladder, dive
into the messroom for his dinner, and
later emerge, picking his teeth and
grinning self-complacency until his
master could have kicked him, had
such a course been polite before the
crew, or even consistent with the dig
nifty of his office.
"a word to say to We, sor, if may
make so bold"
O'Rourke glanced at the helmsman,
and having long since made up his
mind that the man was competent,
left him in possession of the bridge
for space, and Joined Danny below.
"What is it,"
Danny lowered his voice to q hoarse
whisper. "Kape yer eye on thot black
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-02-01

ly. Every nicely, I thank you"
He shook hands, sat down on the edge
of a berth with the. manner of one
who. fears he intrudes, and glanced
searchingly at Quick. IF you're 60
ing to serve the drinks, cap'n," he
snapped acidly, hump yourself!"
He accepted his glass with dis
passionate air and drank hastily after
a short nod to the guest, as one who
sacrifices his personal inclinations to
the laws of hospitality. But from his
after-glow of benevolence, O'Rourke
concluded that the drink had not been
unwelcome.
What brings you here?" demanded
Quick in a subdued roar.
i've a job for ye, If so be it ye're
not otherwise engaged-and if We can
do it." ..
Quick slapped a huge thigh delight
eddy. II knew it-could have sworn
! to it,"
"Can do anything" asserted Dravos
with asperity.
"'Tis merely a question of speed
explained the Irishman. "Can We make
Bombay in four days-be the tif-
teenth?"
"Dravos," roared Quick, chow much
speed can you get out of those
damned engines?"
Twenty knots" snapped Dravos.
'When can you sail?"
"To-night," said Dravos.
eff" stipulated Quick, II can pick
up crew in Aden."
"'Tis settled then"
well need bit Of money in ad"
vance,"
"Ye shall have it, within reason"
Dravos rose and sided towards the
door, faraway look in his pale eyes
"You strike the bargain, Quick" he
said; "Ill have look around the
engine-room."
"Right-O, Bobby. Yourself
alone, l s'pose, O'Rourke?
And three. others. Danny
eyes, yes" MI;
/ "And two ladies'; an EnglishWom
an and her maid
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-02-01

OF them might not q woman serve bet.
ter than MANI"
"True enough. Yet it's unprece.
dented-at least, yell admit, most un.
usual. l begin to understand. That
lascar, for instance-?"
'Believe me, Colonel O'Rourke, I'm
at liberty to tell you nothing"
"Tell me this, at least: would We
know him if We saw him AGAIN."
"Truthfully," she said, looking him
in the eye, 81 would not. will say
one other word: I had anticipated his
attack, although had never seen him
before"
Faith, tits yourself that has your
courage with ye Mrs. Prynne!
But good night, madam! Your serv.
anti"
Good night, colonel" she said softly
and as she watched him swing away
laughed lightly and strangely. Later
still standing outside her door, she
sighed, and an odd light glowed deep
in her eyes of grayish-green. Signing
again, and with another low laugh
that rang thought derisive, as
though she were flouting the man
whose service she accepted so gladly,
she turned and vanished within her
stateroom.
AS she did so, the opposite door
that Of an inside stateroom on the
same gangWay-was opened cautious
ly. A turbaned head peered out, it's
eyes glancing swiftly up and down the
corridor. Long since, however, the
excited passengers had been reassur-
ed and had returned to their berths;
the coast was clear
The lascar stepped noiselessly out,
shut the door without a sound, and
sped swiftly forward: a long, brown
man with an impassive cast of coun-
tenance in which his eyes shone with
curious light.
AS he swung into the space at the
foot of the saloon companionway, he
collided violently with an understood
and excessively red-headed Irishman,
nearly upsetting the latter, to say
nothing of a glass Of brandy-and-soda
which he was conveying to a certain
stateroom.
"Phwat the divvle, ye domned nay
CUR! Pwhy dye not look where ye're
going?" demanded Danny with some
heat
The East Indian backed away, bow
ed profoundly, mumbling something in
articulate, and sprang up the steps.
Danny looked after him, for moment
hesitant, then put down the tray and
pursued. He caught the flicker of the
lascar's cummerbund as the latter es-
capped to the deck, and himself arrived
at the forward end Of the promenade
just in time to see white shape dis
appear into the steerage companion
way.
I'D take me OATH" s: d Danny re-
1ectively, "thot he's the naygur thot
came aboard at Suez IT'S meself
thot wishes I'd had a betther peep at
the ugly mug av him. I'm thinking
I'd betther be after tellin' himself"
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-02-01

roar. snow who the divvle might We
be-" he wondered. "Ananias, me
friend"-to the boatman-"row to the
steamer yonder where the noise comes
FROM"
Whereupon the stout man, seeing
the boat alter it's course, put aside the
megaphone. And again peace brooded
over Alden.
On nearer approach to the tramp
0Rourke's smile broadened to a
pleased grin, and airily he waved a
hand to the man with the voice.
Jimmy Quick!" he observed with
unfeigned delight. Faith, l begin to
believe that me luck holds, after all!'
From the bottom step Of the tramp's
ladder he tossed a coin to the boat
man, then mounted to the deck. In
continently the stout man fell heavily
upon his neck with symptoms of ex'
IRENE joy. A lull succeeding his first
transports, he wiped his eyes, beamed
upon his guest and suggested insinuat.
ingly: DRINK"
"Brevity's ever the soul of your
wit, captain" said O'Rourke. 81 will. y
And he meekly followed Quick's bare
heels forward to the officers quarters
beneath the bridge.
Having set him in chair, Quick,
still a-gurgle, wandered off, unearth-
ed bottle, beamed upon his visitor,
asked a dozen questions in as many
breaths and, without waiting for an
answer, waddled off again to return
with brace of dripping soda-water
bottles. "schweppe's," he said, pat
ting their rotund forms tenderly;
land the last in our lockers-all in
your honor, colonel"
"So?" commented O'Rourke. Hard
up, is it? IT'S not the O'Rourke who
would be wishing We i'll, captain, dear,
but, faith, meself's not sorry to hear
that word this day. I'm thinking me
luck is sound, after all"
Quick had again vanished. Present
ly O'Rourke heard his mighty voice
booming down an engine-room ventila-
tor. "Dravos! Dravos, you loafer!
Come up and see strange sight"
He came back, still vibrant with an
>elephantine, sort of joy. "O'Rourke, -
he painted, hopping damp brow with
the sleeve Of his jacket, you're a
good sight for sore eyes. Never did
we meet up with you yet but there
came run of luck.'
F.; "'Tis good hearing" said O'Rourke,
smiling.
A slight little man slipped bald
head, relieved by ragged patches of
gray hair about the temples, apollo
getically into the cabin door.
1.-THE top of the day to We, Dravos!"
said O'Rourke loudly, for little Dravos
was partially deaf. "And how are the
engines?"
The engineer carefully hitched up
his trousers and regarded the wander
er with temperate geniality.
"Good afternoon, Colonel O'Rourke,"
he replied, clipping his words mincing-
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-02-01
CHAPTER XXI.

BY nine o'clock the Rance lay with
steam up, ready to weigh anchor.
1t is no praise to Dravos to state
that his engines were in admirable
condition. Such was their invariabSe
state. For an assistant he impressed
into service none other than Danny
Malone, to Danny's intense dismay.
O'Rourke took upon himself the du.
ties of first officer under Captain
Quick. The Irishman cared little for
the sea, knew less of first officers
duties; but it was patent that Quick
could not stand every watch, end
O'Rourke was not to be daunted by
any such slight matter as nautical in.
experience.
In the knowledge that they were
safely off at last there was poignant
relief to the wanderer, as he stood by
Quick's side, on the bridge, with mid.
night imminent and the ship still and
peaceful. "Ill stand the night watch.
es," the captain announced. "By
morning We'll be far enough out for
you to take hold without spraining the
art of seamanship. G'dnight."
THANK ye," said O'Rourke. In fact,
he had long been sensible that he was
very drowsy; the night wind in his
face had something to do with that.
Good night" he returned and went
down the ladder to the deck.
At it's foot he paused, turning curl
ously; it seemed that surely there
must be some serious trouble afoot In
the crew. The Irishman could see in
the glimmer of the forecastle lantern
a confused blur of naked, shining,
brown bodies and limbs, apparently
inextricably locked. A scream rang
shrill and there followed the sound of
a heavy fall.
Overhead, on the bridge, Quick was
roaring himself hoarse, without effect.
The sounds of shutting, Of blows,
harsh breathing, stifled cries, contin'
ued. A knot of the contestants swept,
whirling, aft, toward the superstruct.
ure. Something shot singing through
the air; the wind of it famed
O'Rourke's cheek.
With an unconscious, surprised oath,
O'Rourke stepped aside, his hand go.
ing toward his revolver. The missile
struck a stanchion, glanced and fell
gathering into the scuppers. Revolver
in hand, he went forward to the rail
overlooking the struggling rabble on
the deck below. But they seemed In
tent only on their private differences,
and Quicks roars were bringing them
to their senses. Gradually the tumult
subsidized, the contestants separating
and Sinking forward to their quarters.
1T may have been chance"
O'Rourke conceded bit doubtfully.
He swung about and moved aft SLOW
ly, examining the deck intently. In
moment or two he stopped and picked
up a long, thin-bladed knife, double
edged and keen as razor. The point
was broken, having doubtless been
snapped off at the moment of contact
with the deck.house. O'Rourke turned
it over soberly.
Faith, 1 don't like to think 1t was
intentional-but me head would have
been split had it come two inches to
the left"
He returned to the bridge, calling
Quick aside. you're armed?"
"Certainly-alwaysa armed when I'm
dealing with these devils. Why"
O'Rourke showed him the knife.
Quick laughed at his theory. Moth
ing in It," he was pleased to believe.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-02-01
CHAPTER Xxx.

O'Rourke's first fears were for the
woman, his first words lie designed
to reassure her.
"What-what does it mean?' she
aasped family her face as white as
marble. her eyes wide and terrified.
"Sure, I'm thinking tits nothing at
ALL" he answered readily, with smile
amending, nothing of any great con-
sequence, that is to say. Permit me to
escort We to your cabin"
'I'm not afraid Mrs. Prynne inter-
jected
Faith, see that, madam. But your
maid, now? Would it not be we'll
to return to your stateroom and quiet
her, whilst I'm ascertaining the cause
of this trouble? l promise to advise
ye instantly, whether there's danger
or not
you're very thoughtful she re-
turned I'm sure you're right. Thank
you"
He escorted her to her stateroom
and left her at the door, remarking its
number and renewing his pledge to
return in ten minutes-more speedily
If possible. He was back in five, with
a long face.
Mrs. Prynne answered instantly his
double knocked summons and, STEP
ping out quickly, closed the door tight.
In the fraction of a second that it was
wide, however, O'Rourke saw one side
of the stateroom warm and bright
with electric light, and sitting there,
( CeG:,S the maid. completely dressed,
~ 49, axe and vigilant. The girl was
4 I'D sullenly handsome after
nsf Alno' 'Rourke got an impression
= : iesoA Ae chin and resolute eyes
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-02-01
CHAPTER XXI.

Lurching drunkenly into the harber
known locally as Alden Back Bay, the
Panjnab came to anchor
O'Rourke, from the lower grating of
the steamships accommodation lad
der, signaled to one of the swarm Of
lowering dinghys, and waiting for it to
come in. reviewed the anchored ship
ping, gathered transiently together in
that spot from the four corners of the
earth, and shook his head responding
ly.
A yellow-haired Somali boatman
shot his little craft in to the grating.
O'Rourke dropped upon the stern-seat
and took the tiller "Post Office pier"
he said CURLY. The dinghy shot away
with dipping, dripping oars, while the
1rishman continued to search among
; the vessels for anything that seemed
to promise the speed necessary for his
purpose, and failed to discover one.
otis hopeless" he conceded bitter
ly as the boat wove a serpentine wake
in and out among the heaving bulks.
And, I'm thinking, tits the O'Rourke
who will presently be Sinking back to
confess he Dragged beyond his pow
ers. The fool that We are, Terence,
with your big words and your fine
promises, all empty as your purse!
TITS out of patience I am with We en-
tirely!"
Doubtless he made the very picture
of unhappiness.
So, at least, seemed to think a man
lounging in dilapidated canvas deck
chair beneath a dirty awning in the
stern of a distant tramp steamer;
who, raking the shoreward-bou with
pair of rusty binoculars, had CHANGED
to focus upon ORourke.
Looks as if he hadn't friend In
the world" said the man audibly.
Looks as if a letter from home with
cash draft nd about fill his little bill"
He grunted in pleased appreciation
of his own subtle wit. A short man
he was, stout, very much at home in
grimy pajamas and nothing else, with
eyes small, blue, informed with twin
king humor and set in florid coun-
tenance bristling with three days
growth Of grayish beard.
He swung the glasses again upon
O'Rourke, and, HE'LL" he exclaimed,
sitting up with stimulated interest.
well, by jinks!" said the stout man.
who'd a-thunk it,"
He got up with evident haste and
waddled forward to the bridge, where
he came upon what he evidently need
ed in his business: huge and bat.
tered megaphone. Applying this to
his lips and filling his lungs he bel
lowed with a right good VIII, and his
hail, not unlike the roaring of an
, amiab1e bull, awoke Aden's echoes:
"O-o-Rourke!"
Good morning" murmured the IRISH
man, lifting his head to stare about
him with incredulous curiosity
who's that barking at me?"
The pajama'd person continuing tt
shout at the top Of his voice, by dint
!, of earnest staring the Irishman event
.ually located the source Of the up
The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1912-09-26
COULDN'T HAVE DONE BETTER
Marriage Arrangement Seemed Some
thing Of Bargain, but II Turned
Out Happily.

George A. Birmingham, the widely
known writer. says there is no coun-
try in the world where marriage, at
least in the peasant class. is more a
matter of bargaining. and yet shows a
higher average of stability and con-
tent than Ireland. Sometimes the
man has never seen the woman be-
fore they are brought together, the
precise number of pounds, sows. or
pigs to be handed over having been
by that time settled
This is illustrated in personal recol-
lections just published by an Irish
woman. She was visiting with an
aunt a cottage in the neighborhood.
and admired fine mahogan- chest Of
drawers.
Twas for that | was married"
said the mistress of the cottage. A
young farmer had also seen and ad-
mired. A bargain was struck. There
was no money, but the bride was to
have couple of sheep. yearling
bullock and the chest. The prudent
young man measured it, and then
turned and asked:
AN which O. thin little girls is it?''
She was the oldest unmarried
mkt the doore," as the phrase was.
An SO I whit" she said, land was
happy ever afterwards. Tit Bits.
The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1912-09-26
/zzx~S1z
MADE THE WRONG QUOTATION
Nervous Swain Meant Weli, but 1t
Was Not Likely He Won Love
Of Fair Maiden.

He was diffident and IMMERSED In So
.ciety's ways, but he was badly smitten
with a reigning belle, and had nerved
himself to WOO and win. So he Sc
cured an introduction. and in due
course went to pay his first call.
He thought it would help him out a
bit if ne took her some flowers, so
he bought superb bouquet for her, AS
tie reached the house, however. he re-
membered that she had splendid con-
servatory, and he tried to think Of a
way out Of the difficulty. Suddenly he
recollected the saying anent taking
Goals to Newcastle" and determined
to make use Of It. But he was dread
fully nervous. He broke into cold
sweat as he rang the bell. and when
the divinity appeared in the recep-
ton room he didn't know whether he
stood on his head or on his heels.
'1-I-thought," he stammered,
that would bring you bouquet
b-bL it's like casting p-p-peSrls
before swine!"
The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1912-09-26
First Floor Plan.

and it lands In good position on the
upper floor, leaving a splendid front
room ten by fifteen and a half feet,
over the lower hail. that may be used
as sewing room or bedroom
A sewing room Is 'one of the Deces-
stiles where there are children grow
ing up. 1t is very unsatisfactory to
have sewing going on in one of the liv-
ing rooms. 1t seems to interfere with
the proper working of the whole house,
but having room like this, large and
airy, the work may be carried on to
advantage by having the proper ma.
terials, tables, sewing machine and
other tools all together in the work
shop. A woman can sit In bag via
dow like this and sew and drop the
work at a moments notice to be TAX
en- up at some other time without the
necessity of putting every little piece
away. The door may be shut and lock-
ed Unnecessary, so she knows nothing
will be disturbed.
A house as large as this should
have both front and back stairs. The
back stair arrangement. In this house
In especially good. as it leads directly
from the cellar to the attic with an
easy entrance from the kitchen and
grade entrance from the side of the
house. II makes the third entrance.
but they are all needed In such
house, you may be sure each one will
be used frequently
The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1912-09-26
HOW TO TREAT PIMPLES AND
BLACkHEADS

For pimples and blackheads the fol,
lowing is most effective and eco
nomical treatment: Gently smear the
affected parts with Cuticura Oint.
ment, on the end Of the finger, but
do not rub. Wash off tine Cuticura
Ointment in five minutes with Cuti-
cura Soap and hot water and continue
bathing for some minutes. This treat.
ment is best on rising and retiring
At other times use Cuticura Soap
freely for the toilet and bath, to as
sist in preventing Inflammation, irrl.
tation and clogging of the pores, the
common cause Of pimples, blackheads
redness and roughness, yellow, oily
notify and other unwholesome condi
tons OF the skin.
Cuticura Soap and Ointment sold
throughout the world. Sample Of each
free, with 32-p. Skin Book, Address
postcard "Cuticura, Dept. l., Boston.
Cuticura Soap and Ointment sold
throughout the world. Sample OF each
free, with 32-p, Skin Book. Address
postcard "Cuticura, Dept. l., Boston
Adv.
The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1912-09-26

sion window seats. They add to the
size of the room to the extent of the
seat, but they add more to the appear
ance Of the room because these win
dows may be dressed up very nicely
The seats are usually fitted with cush
ions having attractive covers of bright
colors.
a little ingenuity will make snch e
seat very comfortable and the light is
so good that they are preferred fol-
reading and the children like such
places for studying. 1t requires lit
tie care to arrange them to LOOK well
and at the same time have them serv
iceable so that you do not feel nervous
when the children appropriate them to
their own purposes, especially the