davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1913-01-24
MOST S | Tin TIMELY Z |: help :
How a NyctaIops Repaid a Favor
Shown Hin, J, by q Young i; :
Bank Clerk. : 1
BY FLORENCE LILLIAN HENDER.
SON.

With the magic of a smile Walter
Davis ruled all the little world of
Millville. he had started IN 1T the
bank as messenger, and at twenty-five,
bright, intelligent, energetic, had
worked his way into the favor OF ev-
cry person connected with that insti-
tuition from the president down to the
janitor-save one.
The exception was Bruce Lowell.
He seemed always to have envied Wal
ter his rapid advancement and popu-
larfty. IIe was dark-featured, sinis-
ter-appearing man, secretive and surly.
II the light-hearted Walter had more
closely scanned the surface Of affairs,
he would have noticed that Lowell
scowled at him most particularly when
he was in the company of Viola Mer-
ton, the daughter of the president of
the bank and the belle Of the town.
Walter was always doing kind
things and making other people happy.
1t was no marvel to anybody, there
fore, when one day, going home to sup
per from the bank, he stopped to
speak to a blind man slowly making
his way along the street.
Can I help you, friend?" inquired
Walter, in his warm-hearted, impulsive
way.
why, yes,'' replied the beggar. II
want to be set right on the road to
Clyde"
why, that is fully ten miles away,
and darkness will overtake you before
you reach your destination" observed
Walter
"Oh, I'm all right in the dark, -
rather systematically explained the
blind man.
"Why don't you take the train?"
asked Walter.
Because have no money" was the
blunt response.
But l have, and there you are!"
cried Walter. handing the mendicant
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1913-01-24

I 'dago' and the negro a SMOKE and
| their mission in life is to furnish fun
ny stories about themselves for him
to tell. That's proud mans sense OF
humor-and l wish somebody could
tell me where the sense comes in. A
woman can't see anything particularly
| mirth-provoking when people are
butted by goats or kicked by mules;
it takes the fine perception of the mas
culine mind to properly appreciate the
ludicrous element in the casualty
ward"
1T was only yesterday morning
that you laughed when l burned my
my front with the curling iron," Aunt
Jane accused
Mrs. Merriwid giggled at the recol~
lection. Il know l did, dearie,' she
admitted, "but it wasn't so much this
calamity as the way you looked, and
besides, didn't bray. There's diff
ference between a musical cachin"
natory tinkle and haw-haw. I
haven't got red face and bullying
buttermilk eyes, hope. I don't wear
| fancy waistcoats and patent leather
shoes with scalloped tan cloth tops.
don't shave my neck or drench my
handkerchiefs with cologne or brush
a six-inch strand Of moist hair across
a bald spot"
Il don't see what that has to do
with it," said Aunt Jane.
Then you must be suffering with
astigmatism, myopia and stra bismus,'
replied Mrs. Merriwid. Il don't take
anything back about the disadvantages
of chronic cut-up from social aud
matrimonial points of view, but a
man can be perfectly killing, the life
Of the party and even sad wag-if
he's the kind that can get away with
it,"
Then l infer that your objection to
Mr.. Motley is based rather upon his
personal appearance and manner than
his characteristic propensity to jest"
with it, said Aunt Jane.
"VO1 NAV not have keen sense Of
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1913-01-24
To Properly Applv Powder

TO produce the best effect in the
use of powder for the face it is nee
essary to first place a foundation Of
some good cream. Apply it gently,
massaging it into the skin, rub of
the remaining portions with a soft
linen cloth and then dust the powder
over the face and neck, taking care
that the spaces beneath the chin and
about the ears are we'll covered. Next
rub the powder we'll into the skin
with soft piece of velvet until it
is evenly blended. With damp brush
remove all traces Of powder from the
brows, lashes or the edge of the
hair
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1913-01-24
Swapped Loot for Pie

His feast on good, old-fashioned
pumpkin pie came near being the un-
doing Of a burglar who entered the
residence Of w. w. Martin in Bellevue.
When the burglar had ransacked the
lower floor and piled up lot of plates
and jewelry, he decided to eat. Find
ing pumpkin pie in the pantry he
sat down and devoured it. Not being
satisfied with the pie, jar Of peaches
was cleaned out. Mr.. Martin, how
ever, awakened while the burglar was
RECALLING himself, and hearing noise
in the dining room made his way down
without his booty-Pittsburg Tele-
gram to Philadelphia Record.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1913-01-24
MELISSA WOULD SiDESTEP THE
CAP AND BELLS.

Mrs. Merriwid, sitting before her
mirror, dipped her dainty finger into
a pot of Creme Diane, and smearing
the thuriferous compound on the low
er part of her face, began to rub it in
with considerable yigor. Her ma
ternal maiden Aunt Jane, finding her
thus employed, expressed some sur
prise, the hour Of the operation being
untimely.
"Too much of it only makes 'em
deeper, Melissa. my dear" she OBJ
served kindly.
Makes what deeper?" demanded
her niece with some asperity.
Aunt Jane coughed a deprecating lit
tie cough. Excuse me-" she said.
I'm doing this because my face
aches" explained Mrs. Merriwid. do
you understand, auntie? 1t isn't be-
cause of any waste Of cellular tissue
attributable to senile decay and riot
GUS living, as you seem to sweetly in
sinuate; it's because I've overstrained
my cheek muscles smiling at Mr. Mot
ley's merry jests. That's what a
person gets for being polite. l feel as
If Id just emerged from a protracted
gum chewing contest and had lost out
on technicality. Kindly hand me a
towel. That man is pest
Il thought you liked him." said
Aunt Jane. You said he was such
good company, if l remember rightly
mot stock company, however" said
Mrs. Merriwid. For one night
stand he's all right but he's no attrac-
ton for a long run. He pals, dearie,
and I'm no pallbearer if am still in
mourning. | can take joke as we'll
as any woman, but lack the capacity
Of the comic section editors waste
basket"
you're the most changeable wom-
an l ever saw" remarked Aunt Jane.
II like a little variety 1 admit, but
continuous vaudeville is something
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1913-01-24
COW FALLS INTO DEEP SHAFT
Ore PROPRIETOR In California
Mine Field.

Oroville, Cal.-After ten days. i'm.
prisonment In the bottom of a forty.
foot prospector's hole, left in the early
days, a dredger the other day com
pleted the task of digging COW from
the hole, which at the opening was
only three and half feet wide. The
bovine was the property of James
Edwards Of Thermalito, and a year
ago a dredger performed a similar
feat for him, when one of his horsea
fell into pit on the same land.
For several days the disappearance
OF the COW mystif1ed the owner, and
his son and another man. were sent
on search. The sound Of breathine
coming from the hole led to tho Az
oovery.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1913-01-24

else again" said Mrs. Merriwid. You
see how it's beginning to affect me,
don't you? After a session with that
Motley individual I feel as if l wore
large checked. high-water inexpress-
ibles and red whiskers and had to
talk up to them. Believe me, sweet
Aunt, it's demoralizing. l pity his
wife-if he ever gets one"
II don't see any reason why he
shouldn't" said Aunt Jane.
II do" replied Mrs. Merriw1d. He
couldn't pay a lady any serious atten-
ton. AS between funny man and a
fat man, dearie, the fat man stands
the best chance Of being loved Mr..
Motley would say he couldn't stand a
slim chance. but, thank heaven! I'm
not Mr.. Motley-or Mrs. Motley. You
know, pet, we like to be taken seri-
ously. Perhaps because we haven't
any sense Of humor. I'll tell you
about that, Precious: If what Mr..
Motley and others Of his noble sex are
afflicted with is sense of humor, let
us offer thanks that in all our close
association with them we havn't
caught 1t. III say for poor dear Hen
ry Merriwid that he hadn't any to
speak Of. If told Henry all at once
that the girl we had engaged the day
before had departed at three 2. NJ.
with my souvenir coffee spoons and
that the water front in the kitchen
range had burst and that the moths
had got into my furs and ruined them
and that I'd been omitted from the in
vitations to Mrs. Swellup's reception
and spattered hot fat on my arm fry
ing the potatoes and that the dress
maker had sent back my skirt with
Fuckers all down the seams, Henry
wouldn't have leaned back in his chair
and whooped with merriment. That's
what Mr.. Motley would do He'd in
stantly see the funny side Of it, and
the next thing you know I'd be trying
to make a good impression on a SYM
pathetic jury. There's one thing: If
I made plea of justification on the
aforementioned grounds. it would
tickle their sense Of humor to such
an extent that they'd aquit me without
leaving their box
How can you talk so, Melissa? ~
said Aunt Jane, reProachfully.
"Dearie," replied Mrs. Merriwid,
men like Mr.. Motley ought to be ex-
terminated. Life isn't anything more
than a joke to them-at the other
fellows expense. It's a scream when
fellow being slips on something and
fractures his spine: and when some
bodys new five-dollar hat blows off
end rolls in the mud, he bowls with
joy. Language is something for him
to play on, the Jew Is 'kike,' the
freshman Is a harp the Italian a
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1913-01-24
One-Sided Couture.

The hair is being dressed low. II
there Is pompadour at all it is
brushed smoothly over pads that are
somewhat higher at one side than
the other Often the hair is parted
and drawn back over the ears with
a cluster of curls escaping from under
the bands. Coils of hair arranged in
two stranded plat are seen curled
low at the back, and there are chignon
effects also, while sometimes one may
see surviving the older fashion of
draping the hair round the head till
it resembles nothing so much as a
cOcoanut.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1913-01-24

two-dollar bill. Keep right on as
you are headed, and you'll reach the
depot"
Hold on" spoke the blind man,
with queer grateful catch in his
voice. "A little silver will do"
mo, no-you are welcome to what
I have given you," declared Walter.
Il can spare it."
Il want to know your name, any
how" persisted the mendicant
Walter Davis"
"I'll remember it. This is the most
timely help have ever received"
Glad Of it." said Walter heartily,
and went on his way, Immediately for
getting his kind deed, but followed by
the ardently.expressed wishes of his
pensioner that "he would have all
kinds of good luck"
The parting benson of the blind
man, however, did not follow out. In.
stead, bad luck. indeed, came to the
young bank clerk. The following day
the manager of the bank called him
into his private office, serious-faced
and somewhat distant in bis manner.
Davis" he said, Il am sorry to tell
you that you will have to take leave
of absence until the return of the
president of the bank, Mr. Morton"
why, what does this mean?" ex.
claimed Walter, staring vaguely.
Just this: Only yourself and Mr.
Marion no IN fho
ing from another town late in the
morning, I have found no use for one.
Last night some one entered the ban.:::
and removed the money and notes we
keep in the cashiers box. 1t is not
usually locked up in the vault, as the
sum it holds is generally small. How
ever, the notes and some two hundred
dollars are missing"
DO you dare" began Walter,
flaring up instantly, but the manager
silenced him with the words:
mo one suspects you, but the bank
directors hold you responsible as the
possessor of key to the institution
They demand an investigation, and
your temporary resignation until Mr.
Merton returns
The matter was plainly put and
Walter could not rebel. The story got
about town. No one accused him
openly, but there were limited suspi.
cions, and to say the least he felt un.
comfortable.
Old Mr.. Merton was grabbed, sus.
picious man, and Walter wondered
how Viola would take 1t. He went to
a lawyer, but the latter advised him
not to stir things up.
Walter kept up a brave front. In.
nocence armed him against real fret.
ting, and hope made him CHEEKY and
bright as usual.
u have good newa for ycu," an.
nounced his lawyer, appearing at the
Davis home Just after dusk one eve.
ming. He was quite excited, and he
had a companion at whom Walter
glanced curiously and then recog.
n:zed.
why, I've seen you BEFORE" said
Walter.
Eyes, you gave me some help about
a week ago." replied the blind man.
Il happened in tow today. I learn
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1913-01-24
Coon Isn't as Comfortable az z
Cushion.

until the perspiration poured from his
dusky face. The tree fell, and then
the negro really became intent on the
work. The coon was buried pretty
deep in the stump hollow. But not
so deep that Joseph couldn't get that
precious animal out.
The coon weighed about thirty
pounds. He was beauty and he had
the usual set of fine, sharp teeth. Not
until Joseph was sitting on the animal
did he suddenly realize that the
Dukes brothers had left him.
Now, a coon isn't quite as COM
Portable as a cushion, especially If he
is sat on by somewhat heavy negro
boy. The coon wanted to get away.
He heard the cries Of Joseph calling
for the Dukes brothers.
The 'coon's teeth sank deep into
Joseph's thighs. And squirm and
wriggle as he did. the coon always
found that there was one of the
negro's legs that he could pierce with
his worries. 1t was getting unbearable
for the negro, who was about to per-
form the unheard Of cowardly trick Of
leaving the coon to take care Of him.
self, when Tom and John sauntered
along.
Joseph was not calm. He said manN
things. and to get even with those
Dukes brothers set the coon up on
exhibition in the Dukes bicycle shop.
Joseph is eating meals as if he had
been riding horseback for the first
time-from the mantelpiece.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1913-01-24

E3E
ed OF your trouble and / found your
lawyer. You called me .friend'--slo
you remember" asked the mendicant,
| with noticeable huskiness in his
throat =. = - >
well, aren't we fr1ends?" smiled
Walter
I'm going to prove it. Go ahead,
Mr.. Lawyer. You've described that
fellow, Lowell. He TALES. Give me
| assight of him" = ) >.
whats that? A sight Of him."
cried Walter.
You will understand later, Walter"
promised the lawyer: "Just run VI
against Lowell, some, way .-1-~~->>,
Walter felt that there was some
thing mysterious in the proceedings.
He noted also that the blind man &C
companied them at quite brisk gait
and without guidance
1T was moonless night. Suddenly,
as they turned a corner, they came
face to face with Bruce Lowell,
strolling along by himself. The blind
man took step forward, bent his
glance on the approaching figure, and
cried out sharply.
THAT is the man." s'*
lawyer. ...
I'D swear to him anywhere"
avowed the mendicant. THAT. man
was one Of two men whom l saw en-
ter the bank at midnight on the night
of the robbery. His companion un-
hinged one of the iron gratings and
forced up window. The fellow with
him had wooden leg"
Hello! hello! hello!' exclaimed
the lawyer ir three different tones of
voice, evincing in turn wonder, sus-
picion and then triumph. you didn't
tell me that before. You have given
me final clew."
What is this NONSENSE" demanded
Lowell Indignantly, but pale and trem-
bling.
This man Identifies you as one of
the bank robbers, he says" replied
the lawyer.
why! but he is blind" exclaimed
Walter.
Eyes, day times" said the mendi-
cant. II am what is called a nycta-
lops-1 can see at night"
The next morning the lawyer, Wal
ter and the mendicant had an inter-
view with the bank manager. Then
the lawyer made hurried visit to a
neighboring town.
He had remembered that Lowell
lad a relative there, an ex-corvict,
who had but one leg. The man con-
fessed to the crime when he learned
that otherwise both he and Lowell
would be arrested
Lowell was given his walking pa
pers and disappeared. Somehow the
story got out. When the banker and
his daughter returned to Millville. it
was to learn the whole story. Against
his wishes Walter had been put up
as candidate for a public Office, and
| was more popular than ever.
"You seem always making people
happy" said Viola few evenings
later, referring to the blind man.
whom Walter had sent again on his
! way rejoicing. Il wish l was as for
tunate as you"
DO you really?" asked Walter
earnestly. Then begin the good
work, by telling me that you will
make me the happiest Of men by re-
turning my love-"
ooh, Walter" confessed Viola i'm.
| Dulsiyely 81 did that long aeoi"
Copyright, 1912, by w. G. Chapman)
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1913-01-24

Most appropriate for this season Of
the year, becoming dark colors have
precedence in millinery. In the We
lours, browns and similar fabrics
which are so much used, the darker
colors are always most beautiful
These are frequently accentuated and
relieved from too extreme somberness
by q touch of white. The hat in the
drawing has char1aingly rolled brim
Of unexaggerated lines, but with the
modish extension Of brim of the side.
This hat is of black velvet, with high
square crown, against which a beau
out In bold relief Two supplementary
wings increase the length Of the sides.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1913-01-24
When the Principal Tainted.

A certain school principal was very
busy. Into the office came a tiny,
eager-faced lad who respectfully ask
ed leave to put IAN important aues-
ton"
I've studied and studied about it.,
and 1 can't find any answer in the
books he explained.
'All right, John" replied the prin-
cipal. Go ahead"
And this was Johns problem:
please tell me, If you had f1eas on
you and you had shock of electric
tricity sufficient to kill you, would
It kill the f1eas?''
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1913-01-24
SAT on 4 COON
sTANDs.ERECT.N0N
New Jerseyites Longing for Ex@
element Found It in the
Chase.
ANIMAL WAS A BEAUTY
Joseph, a Negro, Who Aids the
Valiant Hunter In Chase, Is Sore!
and Angry, and Now Eats Meals
From Mantelpiece.

East Orange, N. fittings were
quite here the other evening. Thomas
and John Dukes couldn't see anything
that was interesting. and they didn't
feel in the least sleepy. There
weren't enough persons in town who
were willing to make up six or q,
seven hand poker game. The moving:
picture show was not open and the
night was still, creepy and chilly
The snow was on the ground, dirty
and smudgy. So Tom and John just;
sat and looked at each other and
were wishing they were in some noisy
place like Red Bank, when Johns
eyes frightened.
Let's go after 'coons," said he.
Just the thing" said Tom.
So OF they went, ready to catch and
take the life Of any coon they could
find.
And as luck would have it they
spotted coon. They set the dogs on
the risky animal. But those hollow
trees are boon to the coon. There
was lively chase. in which the
Dukes brothers forgot the stiffness
and the chilliness of the night. The
coon seemed to know that vicinity
pretty we'll, and he knew just where
there was a fine hollow tree that
would battle any dogs to get after
him.
John Dukes climbed up the tree af-
ter the raccoon had disappeared. He
couldn't just see how they were going
to get that coon that night. The
dogs were not able to get after the
animal. So the two men crept around
the tree and stuffed up all the holes in
the bark with anything they could
find.
So back they came to East Orange,
having marked the tree so they could
find it easily the next morning, John
and Tom are said to have slept
beautifully. Soon after sunrise, &C.
companied by a negro, who for the
sake of convenience and because he
is mentally and physically sore shall
be known only as Joseph, and the two
dogs, the hunt was resumed. il,
The tree was found. Joseph was in
structed to chop it down. He worked,
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1913-01-24
New Dress Materials

AT the outset Of every season a
multitude of new materials for gowns
IS thrust upon the market, and by
gradual elimination we soon know
which will prove becoming and make
up suitably. This years fashion is
particularly specializing in several
neW materials which come in charm.
Ing display Of colors and changeable
effects. The most fashionable mate.
risl is the much-worn brocade. and it
is sought by dressmakers for eyerv
conceivable type of gown from street
suits to the most elaborate evening
gowns and wraps.-Harper's Bazaar.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1913-01-24
Ribbon Wreath

A lovely hair ornament for evening
Is made by braiding loosely silk cord
Of three different shades the neces.
sary length to crown the head, says a
writer in the Woman's Home Compan-
ion. Make two rosebuds of silk to
match the cord, and sew these to one
end of the cord. This ornament is
fastened together by a hook and eve.
A pretty color scheme is to have the
cords Of pink, green and gold; the
rosebuds of pink-and-gold shaded rib.
bon, with green velvet leaves as 4
background for the roses.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1913-01-24
Collar Braid

When the lining next to the COL
lar Of your wrap begins to show signs
of wear, get few inches Of wide silk
military braid, matching the color, and
sew it neatly over the worn part. By
pulling a thread at the edge, the
braid will be perfectly smooth and the
garment will not look patched.-Gcos
Housekeeping. %
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1913-01-24
Novel Cord Bao,

A cord bag can be made quickly at
small expense. Make it so as to cas-.
lily hold an ordinary ball of Irvine.
Gather at the bottom and sew around
a brass ring, so that cord can pass
through. Put drawstring in top of
bag and arrange a loop to hang the
bag up by. Trim top with bow Of
ribbon.-Harper's Bazaar.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1913-01-24

humor, auntie DEAR" said Mrs. Merrl
wild, but you're a great little inferrel
at that. A lady's sutton may be some
thing of a joker, but he mustn't be a
joke"
You mean too jocular, don't you
Melissa?" asked Aunt Jane.
Il mean Oh. what's the use!"
said Mrs. Merriwid.
Copyright. 1872 by w G. Chapman)
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1913-01-24

The splendid and gorgeous fabrics
brought out this season can only De
worn to best advantage when they
are made up into ample draperies that
fall about and ershroud the figure.
They have proven an inspiration to
designers. Fabrics have for years
indeed outdistanced styles. When we
look at these marvels from the loom
we realize that they are fit for god
desses to wear.
Perhaps, for this very reason, cloaks
are long but full. Materials are so
supple that they incline to fall to the
figure and to aid theAn they are provid-
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1913-01-24

When a man pays his wife's bills
without grumbling, her establishment
at his generosity is only equallad by
her suspicion as to what he has been
doing.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1913-01-24
Take His Away.

Man, says a French savant, has
six times more lung capacity than he
needs. How about the artist who
plays on the slide trombone?-Chi-
cagO Record Herald
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1913-01-24
BOYS Essay on the Ostrich.

Boys Essay on The Ostrich.
Ostriches are different from geese
Geese can swim and lay eggs but can
not kick, while an ostrich can kick
and lay eggs like horse. "-Woman's
World.