davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-28

Ile would be arrested and dragged
through the streets by United
Stetes Marshal or Post Office In
spector, and the newspapers would
print columns about it and publish
his photograph and talk about gen.
tile swindiers" who stole from
widows and orphans"
IN the nope that perhaps lie had
hneu mistaken. Travis, read the sub.
pucpa for the fifteenth time. No it
did not call for his personal appear
ance !! it lad he would have
hnown that he was safe. for no man
about TO be indicted is ever sum
Woned before the Grand Jury. To
do that would grant him immunity
from prosecution.
1rayl2.was an artist of note lie
bad become acquainted with the at.
fable and amiahle Colonel Carleton,
president OF the lntercontinenta
Mining Company and the latter had
induced him to lend his name TO tho
sale OF intercontinental stock in ex.
change Tor an interest In the corpo-
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-28

OF German failed TO express his
gratitude he poured forth his feel
inGs in his own beautiful language
until he remembered that she did
not understand him. Then he let
go her hand. which he had pressed
TO his lips, and looked at her with
the same dreaming expression in
his eyes as before.
She tried to give him some money,
but tho expression in his face made
her feel as if she were about to
commit crime.
Come back in a week. she said,
as she let him out.
And he murmured with happy
smile: Beautiful, beautiful Sig
nora"
He got his usual beating from II
padronc, but he did not feel tho
blows, and when he was sent TO bed
without supper he laughed.
a week later Giuseppe again en-
tered tho stately mansion. and this
time he did not have to wait, for two
soft hands drew him gently inside
Then he was placed at the table and
the beautiful signora placed COW
cred dish in front of him and told
him TO guess what it was, and when
he could not she removed the cover
and he saw small mountain OF de-
licious Steaming macaroni.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-28
ton. should say. to the general

ton. should say. to the general
mirth."
What an impudence!" Turn him
outl" Poor devil. It's Christmas
Eve. Give him q drink"
The chorus OF voices rose shrilly.
Pierrette herself said nothing, hut
she headed the gay band that strag.
gled toward the hall door, curious,
amused. impatient, for some new
sensation.
"Au clair de la lune,
Mon ami Pierrot,"
sang. In a cracked falsetto voice.
the shabby man. all white In tn,
moonlight. they found sitting upon
the doorstep when they opened tho
door
Mon Dieu! Mon Dieu!" P,crrctto
wrung her hands. Bring him in
here. some of you. before he dies"
They stared. surprised. at the
sudden tears upon her face. the
sudden terror In ter voice. But
tney Drought him In and laid him,
in his wet rags. upon yellow satin
sofa. and somebody ran and brought
a glass Of amber cognac. But it was
Pierrettc who tried to force the
spirit between his teeth. 1t was
Pierrette who drew a little sobbing
breath OF relief when. after long
time. he opened his eyes.
For moment he stared vacantly
into tho pretty. painted face down
bent. and then. "Pierrette. want
Pierrette! Where Is she?"
"Pierrot don't you know me-"
Her tears fell warm upon his face.
like rain. 81 am Pierrette"
"You!" He raised himself feebly
upon an arm and considered bel
with eyes that were already blurred
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-28

boire."
1t was very happy little dinner.
on the whole. and If kisses had to
tale tho place OF dessert. well, the
sausages had been very satisfying.
Tho world isn't such a bad place
after ALL" Pierrot admitted grudg.
ingly from his seat by the stove.
But Pierrette was looking out OF
the window at tho frosty world and
did not seem to hear.
How cold, how cold" she said
presently. turning away with lit
tie shiver.
But not In here" Pierrot drew
her down TO the floor beside him. ut
can never be very cold in this room.
cheric. Think OF all the love that
has gone to make it warm"
Kisses don't keep out draughts
or prevent the rain from coming in
through the roof said Perrette.
pursuing UP her Redeemed lips. But
she Struggled cozily beside him.
Love is quite NICE" sho murmurod
presently, even though it doesn't
keep out the rain"
These were the last words he
heard her say. for the heat Of tho
stove made him drowsy. and he
vent to sleep.
When he woke up he found her
some. Stabbed by Il pin to the heart
OF the staring holly was a note:
My little one, | go from you. be-
cause must. One can only be
young once. and am so tired OF he
ins poor. You cannot afford to keep
mo and you will not let me work
1t is best for us both should so"
And then the pitiful little lying
postscript:
Have no fear. shall remain
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-28

and pressed il into her arms. 1T
costs nothing" he said. and dream
ing expression came into his big
brown eyes.
She nearly dropped the figure in
her surprise.
Doesn't II cost anything?" she ex-
claimed.
"Niente!"
why not?"
The young lady blushed, but she
could not get angry with him. as he
stared at her as If she were a statue
of the Holy Virgin.
surely you are not permitted to
give it away?"
No, signora." he admitted with
smile.
And when you get home?"
Then il padrone will beat me-
He told this in the most matter OF
fact way. and his thin, palo face
beanled with pride. She took the
basket away from him and drew him
inside, led him out into the kitchen.
cndcavorinS TO appear offended.
though her eyes we're full of tears.
a plate Of food was placed before
him and the boy ate as If he had not
bad meal for week. and his eyes
heamed when she brought bottle
of Chianti. real italian Chianti. in
the aW-covercd flask, and poured
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-28

Where have you been?" Pierrot
demanded severely.
"Out to see the shops" Pierrette
sat down upon the Invalid chair aud
nursed slim foot In ridiculous
shoe thoughtfully. 81 felt SO hungry.
couldn't stay in" she added cross.
ly. It's so horrid. novcr having
enough to eat 1t makes you feel
bad all over"
"My little one"-Pierrot kne,t be
side her-"you know. II could. you
would have silver plate to eat on
and new frock for every day il
the year"
Il know. l know" Pierrette patted
the top of his head affectionateiy.
III isn't your fault, mon vieux. 5ut
all the restaurants smelt So de.
llcious, and all the people going TO
Reyeillon looked so smart and gay
i'll their furs."
"Pierrette.' he drew long
breath, and his hold upon her tight
ened suddenly. promise mo this.
that, whatever happens. however
poor we may be, however shabby
and cold and hungry. you will al.
ways remain honest"
How ridiculous you are:" Pier
rettc. suddenly rosy, twisted her
shoulders from his grasp and lcaped
to her feet. Then, as she caught
sight of the unwrapped paper on tho
table, she gave littlo shrek.
"Sousages! Oh, Pierrot, how do
Iightful!"
Il bought them for our dinner to.
morrow" said Picrrot, pleased. but
ii you're very hungry. cherie. and
know am, let's have them tonight
Something may turn Up tomorrow,
tho patrono may give mo- q pour.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-28

Presently he centured to ask if II
were true that his friend lived at
Coventry Mansions.
Yes. rumor, for once. was correct.
He did live there.
Did he know Mrs Grant?
Great Scott! he should think he
did, indeed-one of the most charm.
ing women IN London
Would he introduce him?
Certainly. Was Buchanan going to
Lady KS reception tonight? She
would be there
The very thing! He was going to
Lady KS.
Ten O'Clock found him standing
near the door of his hostess drawing
room. The minutes seemed hours.
He was clean gone" this time. How
soon dare he propose. All sorts O,
ridiculous notions kept running riot
III his brain, when-she entered.
Sho-his goddess! His dear little
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-28

basket IN horror.
The beautiful signora stood leaning
against the wall as pale as a sheet
holding her hands in front OF her.
and facing her stood a masked man,
evidently burglar with a knife in
his hand. The floor was covered with
broken brio a brac as II there had
been struggle.
"Malcdctto." Kissed Giuseppe. anu
with the agility of a cat he made
leap for the mans throat. caught
him from behind and threw him TO
the floor. unpreparcd AS he was for
this sudden attack. Suddenly he felt
a pain In his chest and everything
turned black before his eyes.
When Giuseppe recovered con.
sciousness. he knew that he must die.
He was lying in a big bed and the
s!gnora and her husband stood at his
bedside. The tears were running
down her cheeks.
With his last strength Giuseppe
raised himself little and held out
his hands toward her.
DO not cry. signora This is the
happiest hour in my life"
She threw herself down at the
side of the bed and sobbed.
You are so beautiful"-
And he gave up his young life with
smile on his pale lips.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-28

ration. TOO late Travis had learned
that the mine owned by the Inter.
continental had long since been
worked out. He had Intended TO re.
sign his position, but somehow he
never got around to it. The income
Of an artist did not nearly approach
that OF a promoter" and Travis
had realized that 1t would he hard
10 return to his former financial
state.
a violent ring at the door tell
brought Travis out OF bed all
.a.shiver the next morning. He had
slept scarcely wink and he felt
the strain Of the sleepless night and
the ceaseless worry. From the hall
way below he heard the deep voices
Of several men telling the maid
they would like TO see Mr.. Travis.
Post Office Inspectors. thought
Travis. az, trembling, he FASTENED
into his clothes and descended to
the parlor.
'Mr. Travis. presumc?" said one
OF the strangers. rising as Travis
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-28

with. Mr.. Travis.f he said. 81 just
have little Chri3tmas present here
for you from Uncle Sam" And,
smiling at his owA joke. he reached
into his pocket and drew forth a
legal looking document. The war.
rant. thought Travis. And they
wouldn't even permit him to say
goodby to his wife After this she
would have to talk to him through
prison bars, for Travis had heard
that Federal Judges often hold mall
swindlers In ball as high as $4,000
or $4,000. and such bond in his
case would mean staying In Jail until
the trial. and then probably trip
to the Federal Penitentiary.
Castletop had risen and approached
Travis. Mechanically the latter held
out his hand and accepted tho war.
rant Slowly he opened 1t to read
the words that spelled his ruin.
"And the said Waiter Travis, sec.
rotary Of the Intercontinental Mining
Company. Is hereby directed to ap.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-28
frosty hand tina. gripped ono's

frosty hand that gripped ones
throat.
"B'r'rr." shivered Pierrot-his
real nane was Armand, only think
we shall have to call hir: Pierrot.
He made haste to deposit his violin
case on the floor and crossed the
room. He lit the little charcoal
stove and warmed his fingers at its
Srateful red. Then he withdrew
from the pocket of thin and mil.
dewy-looking overcoat a paper par.
eel and regarded the sausages that
emerged from it with satisfaction
ITEMS! the good Ideal" he slapped
his side suddenly. Why not have
our Christmas dinner tonight"
But n Christmas dinner without
Pierrette, Ii was unthinkable.
Never before had he found her out
upon his return. Always she had
said there was no need, that her
world lay here-upon his heart.
Impatient, he dragged the bit OF
red drugget that served for blind
from the narrow window, and thu
moonlight tumbled in and lay upon
the floor and across the ceiling like
yards OF silver ribbon Far down
below the lights of Paris danced,
and the unceasing traffic rumblel
by like dull thunder. From the
room next door there came the sound
of voices, aud suddenly Il woman's
laugh.
Ii made Pierrot feel very lonely.
Disconsolately he turned from the
window, and even as ho did so
there came the tap of high hoes
upon the stairs, the door was flung
open. and Pierrctte, snow upon her
coat and the little fur cap set askew
upon her fair curls, came rushing in.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-28

pear before this Grand Inquest of the
United States to be held in and for
the Southern District O! New York
at the General Post Office and United
states Courthouse Building. In the
City of New York. on the twenty.
eighth day OF December, in the year
With a gasp Travis allowed the
paper to slip from his fingers.
subpoena. thank God! lie was safe.
NO arrest. no warrant! Through q
haze he saw tho postal inspector
smile. and realized that he was saw.
ing something.
"And-and-now, Mr. Travis, IT,
you-will-be SO kinG we will start
downtown SO you can go over-this
matter with the District Attorney
to be prepared to give your testi
mony"
Yes. quito right" murmured
Travis stupidity. quite SO. by love,
1t was a Christmas present from
Uncle Sam, after ALL"
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-28

she lived, if she was married. She
was not exactly young-no, he should
think some few years over thirty.
She was going!
Hastily he swallowed his tea and
rushed down the stairs In time to
see her get into taxi.
Quickly he hailed mother. and,
giving instructions to the chauffeur
10 keep the other cab in sigh. he
jumped in, his pulses beating with
excitement.
Would she drive up Regent street?
No! Piccadilly. All. Green street or
Cur1on street, perhaps?
no. On they went. past st.
Georges Hospital. and now Knights
bridge Her cab was stopping at
some flats,
Quickly ne dsmountcd, and. dis.
missing bis taxi. waited a few mia.
utcs before entering the mansions.
Could the commssiouairc (slipping
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-28

entered the room. and vaguely It
occurred to Travis that such Il limo
was somehow connected with a cri.
sis in The life OF a great explorer.
Il am Mr. Castleton of the Post
Office Department" went on tho
stranger. in response to Traviss
nod. and this gentlemen indicat.
Ing heavy set man with "a bris,ling
mustache who lounged III an arm
chair. is Sir. Hogan. Deputy United
States Marshall"
Travis sank weakly into chair.
Why couldn't they have waited?
Why did they have TO arrest him on
Christmas Day? The Government,
the ever vigilant Government-tie
very sound of the word had made
travis shudder for weeks didn't
even rest on Christ's birthday
There was silence for n moment.
broken by a suggestive cough from
Inspector Castlcton
"Of course. you know why we are
here. Mr.. Travis?" he ventured.
Yes" groanCd Travis. IL know.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-28

Gentlemen, am sorry to have
brought you out on Christmas Day.
should have been quite as willing
TO nave accommodated you to-mor.
row."
oh. we don't mind" said the In.
sspector heartily. TO which the Deputy
Marshal gave approval with a Wig.
orous nod. I'VE work every day. |
only hope we haven't disturbed you
too much"
What cruel sarcasm" thought
Travis He cast quick glance at
the speaker, in search Of q sheer, but
the man appeared to be genuinely
sorry that he was forced 10 arrest
anyone on a holiday, especially such
holiday as this
Il am all ready for you," said the
secretary at last, ''if you will permit
me to see my wife for just q mo.
ment"
Inspector Castleton appeared sur.
prised. why. 1t won't take us
minute to have our business over
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-28

two-and-si& into his hand) kindly tell
him if lady in green had just come
in?
Yes. lady in green had just
come"
Could he tell him her name?
oh. yes-Mrs. Grant"
Married. OF course?'
NO. sir; a widow"
With proluse thanks he was just
leaving. when his eye caught the
board on which were written the
names of the other occupants.
by Joye. Carver living here! The
very thing"
He hailed Il hanson and drove to
his club.
Here he ensconced himself in a
corner. apparently engrossed with
his paper. Would Carver never
come? An. there be was!
Never had Carver received such a
erecting
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-28
A u clair de Ia lune,
~ Mon ami Pierrot.

A U clair de la lune.
~ Mon ami Pierrot,
Prete moi Ia plume.
Pour 'amour de Dleu
Ma chaudelle est mortc.
Jo mai plus de feu.
Ouvre moi ia porte.
Pour l'amour de Dieu.
The man sang the little immortal
verse gaily under his breath as he
ran lightly up the steep. creakins
staircase to the garnet under the
roof he and Pierrette shared to-
gcthcr.
When ne reached the top, ..PIer.
rette!" he called TO her through tho
door that stood iuhosptahly closed
10 the dusty, box-laden landing.
There was expectation in his voice.
Unquestonably he hoped to see it
flung suddenl! open and Pierrette's
white arms flung Us suddenly round
his neck.
But there came no tap-tap of high.
hecled, shabby shoes across the un-
carpoted floor, and only the silence
answered his call.
'"Christmas. Eve-our first Christ
mas Eve together; she might have
waited UP for me-" lie grunblnsiy
thonght
But there vas 10 Perrette at all.
asleep or awake, TO be discovered
in the garnet when the match he
struck lit the gas into !, little squirt
of blue. There were the box that
served Tor table, the chair with the
broken back. the cracked jug and
basin. the trucklc bed-hu no Pier
rette. Over ull the cold lay like a
The Washington herald., 1913-09-08
Uv FRANCES sHAFFER.

Awhile ago in this column reference
was made to "a son and his mother
and to a woman who figured in the story
no more than to recall her impressions.
She told how she had read between the
lines of this young mans talk that his
mother was a woman keenly alert to the
world about her-the world Of pohtlcs
and the world of human events. And how
she had gathered from his proud al
lusions to his mother that, in way,
she had broadened his outlook on lie,
and, possibly unconsciously, had helped
mold some of his opinions. And the as
sertion was ventured that scarcely
woman on earth would fail to be proud
of such handiwork and its gracious re-
suits.
But the morning mail brought protest
ing proof that, if not woman, at least
one man counts her work failure, tine
finished product a bit of mere putty
fashioned TO her Iiking-'tnothing more
than a splendid doll" Because. as he
looks upon it, the highest service, parent
10 child. is that which earnestly inspires
personal thinking, without the bias oil
another mind; and he seems to nave
gathered the impression that If thar
young mans opinions, his Judgment MS
logic, and all had been his own, from
start tc finish, he scarcely would nave
referred to the mother-mind in the back
ground.
The Washington herald., 1913-09-08
Frances iShaffer AnSWerS
Washington Mans Criticism
Shops that He Is Altogether Mistaken in His
Idea that Women Like Beautiful
DolP' Type of Man.

matter. For when it comes to a question
of forcefulness, of virllity and of inde-
pendence among menfolk, whether they
are sons or the merest strangers, the
average woman would sacrifice much
else before she willingly would see thos1
qualities go by.
But it is rather pleasant to believe
that all over the world there are men,
big, sturdy, independent men, the kind
to whom one is glad and proud to pin
her faith. who have been helped along
by the opinions of women who have sat
in the background.
Because the woman who figured In the
story was very pleased indeed to read
the criticism of her Interpretation Of the
young mans talk. she is hoping she may
have set him Alright in the one way Of
believing that the majority of women
want their sons TO grow in ways OF
marked virility, and that IL they cannot
influence them TO think and to act for
themselves then they count the part they
have had in their molding nothing moi e
than a failure.
The Washington herald., 1913-09-08
CHAMBERLAIN FAVORS
MORE EFFICIENT ARMY
Oregon Senator Believes Public SENT
ment Would Sustain Congress in
Making Radical Changes.

That the policy of Secretary of War
Garrison to better the preparedness of
the army and the nation for possible
military emergency will receive sub
stantial support in the Senate was in
dicated here last night in an inter-
view given out by Senator George Z.
Chamberlain of Oregon. chairman of
the Senate Committee on Military AZ
fairs.
Senator Chamberlain declared that
the country was sufficiently informed
of the necessity for more adequate ma
tional defenses to sustain Congress in
making such changes as would seem
necessary.
Il am earnestly in favor of placing
the army of the United States on a
better war footing" said Senator
Chamberlain. "As long as we maintain
! the Monroe doctrine, retain the Phil
dominate the Pacific, which is our
manifest destiny, We must have an
army adequate to care for these con-
ditions and meet emergencies.
mo one advocates large standing
army in this country. but we ought
| to have as a military organization an
army of efficient officers and drilled
men which can be augmented by
| trained men from a reserve and sup
plemented by the National Guard OF
| the States.
AT the regular session of Congress
the subject Of increasing military ef-
\ ficiency must be considered. The Secre-
| tary of War has taken a pronounced
position on the subject. and we will
await his definite recommendations with
a great deal of interest ] am not pre-
pared to say what should be done. The
plans and details must be worked out by
men of experience and Judgment, buI
1t is plainly apparent that improvements
must be made and the army put In
The Washington herald., 1913-09-08
FASHION NOTES.

The oblong buckle of chiffon or silk
flowers, similar to those worn on hats
four or five years ago, is now quite in
vogue for evening slippers.
A stylish material is an extremely
finely woven cotton crerc, which is
termed cotton crepe de chine. 1t is as
pretty for evening gowns as for those
for afternoon wear.
White dresses, trimmed with fancy
silks printed in the gay colors, will
solve the color problem for many women
who realize that they cannot array
themselves in costumes OF many colors.
Red and white appear in many mod
Ish materials. In voile and maTquisette
and summer silk varying shades Of red
from a cerise to a deep maroon are Ia
mode. The patterns are small and neat
and the grounds well covered. Charm
ing are the small posy patterns.
Some charming evening cloaks are
made OF beaded net and brocaded silk.
Many coat suits are made of chamois
colored ratine.
On many pretty garden hats appeal
frills OF plated tulle.