davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1913-12-19

1T a shame, fellows, for able-bodied
men like you to annoy young girl
like that"
l felt so sympathetic about it, in.
deed, that the next afternoon l called
on Miss Galbraith to learn the facts.
"Is it true" asked, that the fel-
lows in my crowd come around here
constantly? suppose it must be so,
as l meet them here all the time.
That's the reason why l came this
afternoon" added softly. 1.-The even
ings are too crowded"
The dear girl looked tired.
Yes, it is true" she replied. You
know that twenty-five young men, con.
stantly succeeding one another, are
rather trying"
Its wearing on you, isn't it," l said.
"Dreadfully. l am going away"
l experienced a sudden shock OF
pain.
"Oh, don't say that!' I exclaimed,
I'll do something about it. Ill make
them pass resolution that they
al Oh W CdAl ~ oLlCA -ooy, Ouc Iudll q
week during the year. Anything to-
keep you here!"
"Oh, I'm only going away for
Christmas!" she said, lust for a rest.
Dear old New York! | hate to leave
it at this season, but I know how it
will be. They never could keep away,
and l shall break down if l don't get
a few days off,"
The thought made me boil.
by Jove!" l exclaimed. This Is a
pretty mess, isn't it? Here's a bach.
elors' club, sworn to remain single.
and all of us working nights to gO
back on ourselves and to bother the
life out Of you. We're actually driving
you away from town at the best time
of the year. It's shame!"
Never mind" she said softly. II
need change, anyway. l am going
to open up my country place, and have
real country Christmas" She looked
at me appealingly. How would you
like to run down there for the holi-
days?"
Her words went through me like
an electric shock. So I was the chos-
en- one! had suspected it for some
time. =. .s4 ..
DO you really mean it," l asked.
could see even then the magnifl-
cent stretches Of country surrounding
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1913-12-19

,, .A '@iei, who
came back. and sat down in front -,
his wife. VI
my dear girl" he said, Il am .,,a
that you have brought this up, becsu..
we may as we'll settle it now as at an,
other time. You know that for ve.,,
we have been doing this sort Of thins
every Christmas. About this time ~
both declare that we won't give e,ch
other anything; then, Just befo,.
Christmas, we sneak out. and each A,
US buys the other a present. This ve.,
1t will be the same. We will promise
faithfully not to do it; but, Just as sur,
as fate, we shall break our word"
DO you mean to say" declared Mira
Whittier, that we cannot stop such An
exhibition of weakness?"
Il am simply calling your attention
to the facts. Isn't that just what v.
have been doing?"
But this year"
"Ah! Just go back twelve month,
and you will discover that that va,
precisely what we said then. | remen
Der it we'll. l was sitting over there ,
lifted my right hand as If l were ad.
dressing a judge, and l."
Don't! l remember it also. In view
OF this alarming fact, that we are A.
parently the slaves Of yearly habit
what have you to suggest"
Simply this-that we each Of u,
agree now to buy the other present.
Il know that you will get me som.
thing l don't want"
And I know that you will do til,
same; but isn't that what we have
been doing all along?"
Then l don't see that we hsv.
gained anything"
Haven't we? Why not? Aren't vs
doing it openly? Think of the moral
uplift!"
Mrs. Whittier shook her head.
Il don't agree with you," she said
Il think it would be much better for
US 10 select ourselves the presents we
want. If you like, you can come With
me while l get NINE"
Nonsense! That won't do at ALL II
Is absolutely necessary for US to carry
out the element of surprise. There is
some sneaking, contemplate trait IN
human nature which makes US want
once year, to surprise others. That
is at the basis of all Christmas giving
It's kind of impulsive, irresponsible
attitude which impels us to buy some
thing that we delude ourselves into
believing the recipient is crazy for;
while all the time We ought to know
that it's probably the last thing on
earth he or she wants Would you rob
US both Of this fiendish pleasure!
Never! The only thing to do is to bs
natural. l therefore announce to you
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1913-12-19
thing important.

thing important.
It was just the faintest little mouse
like click, but it meant a latch-key in
the front door, not twenty feet away,
and Tom had to act on the instant.
The only refuge was a heavy plush
curtain suggesting concealed door.
and he darted behind its folds. The
door was locked On the other side.
The front door had opened now. and
any change OF position was impossi-
Bile. Tom blessed his leanness, find
ing that by standing straight in the
narrow space he made no perceptible
bulge In the plush. With his pocket
knife he deity slit peephole in lime
to see a young woman come With
quick, cautious steps into the room.
Obviously this was Miss Evangeline;
rose pink and pearls made dazzling
picture as she pushed back her long
white wrap and paused under the
chandelier.
She was painting little. her hands
pressed nervously together, her teeth
working at the lower lip. She began
to pace up and down, very softly, with
tense excitement in every line. Sud
denly she paused, listening, her eyes
directed straight at the plush hanging.
Tom, nerved for feminine shrek,
poised himself in readiness to set out
at the first note; but she turned and
went swiftly to the front door. An In.
slant later she came back with a
young man, very young man, In
evening dress, looking as perturbed as
herself s.'
FL. "Well?" said the newcomer quickly.
She drew away from the arm he had
put about her.
"Oh, / don't know! l don't know"
She beat her hands softly together.
His face fell. .,...
II won't urge you," he said.
She laid imploring hands on luis
arm. 8s5sb
But do you think father ts tyranni-
cal? That it's silly to wait three
years. when we're sure now? That
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1913-12-19

we have q right to do 1t. II we're WILL
ing to be poor and-and all that?"
He stroked the hands In silence for
q moment, then gently removed them
and turned away.
II can't tell what I think. ! want
you 30 much that don't trust my own
judgment. 1t has seemed to me that
he was--unfair. could be holder II
only l didn't realize how utterly un'
worthy"
DON'T"
She ran to him, and he took her into
his arms. Tom retreated from his peep
hole with a suppressed sigh OF ennui.
When he returned to it they were SIT
ting together on white and gold
couch. She lifted her head reluctant
ly.
Nov l will run and get on another
dress; you wait here" she said. And,
dear, am going to bring my jewels.
They are truly mine. and II we are
too poor"
81 hate to have you take them" he
protested.
Tom also hated to have her take
them. The case was at that moment
in his right.hand pocket, together with
several other trifles from her dressing
table.
III be back in ave minutes" she
was saying, drawing away reluctant
hands.
When she had gone as far as the
door, Tom took charge Of the situation.
He threw back the curtain, lifting
cautioning hand at her faint scream.
IL you want to keep this quiet from
the servants, no row. please" he said
with dignity. I'm sorry. young Teller,
but I'm a detective employed by the
lady's papa to stop this very thing
see? have to do my dooty."
The young man stared helplessly.
Miss Evangeline clutching at his coat.
"But-but-" he stammered.
You see, the old gentleman got
wind Of 1t and asked me to step
around" Tom explained. HE don't
want any fuss.
The young mans color had changed
from dismayed white to angry red.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1913-12-19

our minds.
If had been q reasonable being, l
should never have fallen in love with
Miss Galbraith. 1t was an illogical
proceeding, because it made my presi-
dency Of the Bachelors club, which
l had formed three years before, ex'
tremely uncertain-or, at least. 1t
seemed to make it uncertain.
Nothing was more desirable than
my club. We had every comfort, In
addition to good fellowship; and the
fact that We were all members did not
preclude us from the society of wom-
en-. Indeed, it gave zest to that So
ciety, for 1t seemed to surround US
with an additional safeguard.
Miss Galbraith's father had left her
several millions. She owned the
building in which our club was quar-.
tered. The agent had called on me
only three weeks before Christmas to
tell me that we must either sign an
other three years lease, or vacate on
the list of January. There were
twenty-five Of U.s. and We had already
agreed-it was in the constitution
that the club should be Immediately
disbanded if any member got mar
ried. We all knew Miss Galbraith,
and we were all in love with her; but
as yet no man had been sufficiently
disloyal-or successful-to break the
spell.
l caught Fenson, our vice-president,
calling on Miss Galbraith one night;
and afterward, in the club rooms, we
had 1t out.
Look here, old man." l said, 1T
seems to me that you are taking
chances. or course, you dor't care
about the money; but you can't play
around fire. Why, the future Of this
club depends on your keeping away
from that girl"
You're nice man to talk said
Fenson. What in the world are you
doing around there? You ought to
set better example"
"Of course, you ought" repeated
Van Olcott. coming up. why, I had
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1913-12-19

her beautiful estate, and the stately
mansion in the center. Everything
was there that the mind or heart could
wish, and was to be lord of it all.
Not that cared for the money! felt
that she knew that.
Certainly l mean 1t. You can run
down the day before and stay over for
few days. My aunt will chaperon
US. Now. you must 60, as have some
business to attend to-"
1t seemed too good to be true. For
the next week went about as one in
a dream. Luck was with me, even to
the elements. for the day before
Christmas dawned unclouded, and
gave me the opportunity to run my
car down to Miss Galbraith's instead
OF taking the train. which detest.
1t was only seventy-mile run. l ar.
rived at six o'clock. AS I stepped into
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1913-12-19

on the whole successfully, a burglar.
He did not take from the poor; he
had never found that worth while.
His victims were always those who
could afford to lose-and to have. 1t
cannot be claimed that he belonged
to the chivalric type that abandons
loot in order to save the baby. or,
touched by feminine gentleness, 70
turns gems by mail the next day. Nor
was he the burly ruflan for whom the
timid look nightly under the bed. A
little black grease, and he might
have passed for q plumbers assistant.
His most marked trait was his extra
ordinary thinness, valuable feature,
leaving much room on his person for
packages, and destined to prove OF
even greater service on this particu-
lar Christmas Eve.
1t was not ignorance Of the hours
kept by the rich that started him out
as early as ten o'clock that evening.
Tom read the society columns to good
purpose; he knew that II the Kilt
ridges were giving Christmas Eve
ball, among those present would as
suredly be Mr.. and Mrs. Douglas Whit
timore and their daughter. Miss Evan
geline Whittimore, who would proba'
bly, be charming in rose chiffon and
pearls. This meant that the Whit
more house would be empty Of the
Whittimores that evening. A careful
inquiry into the ways Of the Whit
more servants suggested that most OF
them would be of the moment the
carriage had left the door. 1t looked
such a pleasant opening that Tom de-
cided not to take confederate with
him, but softly let himself in by a
window In a Swallowed angle. selected
earlier in the day.
He found himself in a dining-room,
dark except for the light In the hall
beyond. Riches glimmered dimly on
the sideboard, but Tom seldom both
cred with plate. Crossing the room
with the noiseless agility Of cat, he
paused by the door, his head thrust
forward on it's lean neck, his eyes
lowered, his mouth slightly open, his
thin, uncurled ears seeming to dis
tend with the intensity Of his listen
ing.
The silence was absolute; not even
the ticking of a clock could be heard
After three minutes his head drew
back with somewhat the movement OF
a turtles, his jaws came together
and he deliberately scutfed one foot
along the polished floor. producing q
dull, indefinite sound that might mean
anything. Again the tense listening;
then, with a businesslike quietness
wholly free from sinking, he crossed
the hall and went swiftly up the great
dim stairs.
The Whittimore Christmas presents
still lurking in drawers and desks, Of
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1913-12-19

fered an unusual
ly wide selection,
and Tom browsed
peacefully among
them for half an
hour. Then, add
ing to his pocket
collection M l 8 8
Evangeline's jew
ell case and two
hundred dollars
from Mr.. Whitti-
more b QoSh, ne
slipped down the
stairs again and
made the mistake
OF pausing in the
dimly Zig b t e d
drawing-room to
see II he had
overlooked any
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1913-12-19

some sense OF hon.
or about 1t myself;
but when l saw
you going, l made
up my mind that
l might as we'll 60.
too"
That's the way
you fellows all
reason" l said hot
ly. why, during
the week, the en-
tire club is around
at M iss G a ! :
braith's! The 9th
err n 6 h t W e
couldn't get a quo
rum to discuss the
renewal of our
lease. At any mo-
ment some mem
Der may get her"
| said this with
out much fear. I
had reason to be-
lieve that If the
club was disband-
ed, 1t wouldn't be
anybody's fault but
my own.
She's bothered
to DEATH" | added.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1913-12-19
Christmas Proverbs,

Santa Claus makes the heart grow
fonder.
A fair exchange is no Christmas
gift.
The kissed girl doesn't dread tho
mistletoe.
One-half the world doesn't know
how the other half spends Christ
mas.
A pretty girl needs no mistletoe.
A Christmas present in the stocking
Is worth two in the store window
Woman's Home Companion.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1913-12-19

i Will uOl, AC
said clearly. III
he does that sort
of thing"
Exactly" ech-
oed Evangeline
proudly. I'VE will
wait till my faith
er comes home,
and have it out
with him. Detec-
tive, indeed"
They sat down
on the couch and
glared at Tom. It
made him uneasy.
"Lookee here"
he began conf
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1913-12-19

HE nursery rang
with the childish
voices.
"Hark, the herald
angels 8 l.
ing"
ct b q t 9 too
high. Wait a min
ute!"
"Hark, the her.
AID"
That's better.
Now, Seraphina!
Now, Thad!"
"Hark, the herald
angels sizing,
Glory to the new
born King
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1913-12-19
- ~ wv
EA1axAGxlZ1j
CHRISTMAS SURpRlSE
BY THOMAS /. MASON

AM you to prom.
ise me that VIM
won't give me anv
Christmas presen,
t h 8 year." Mr.
whittier looked At
her husband en-.
phatically. 81 mean
It," she asserted
Absolutely"
And you won't
give me any," "a
piled Whittier e,.
perimentally.
Positively. Nov
Is 1t understood,.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1913-12-19

that I am going to
surprise you with
a present.; and you
must promise to
do the same with
me-"
Mrs. w hit t Ter
considered.
WELL" she said
az last, Il suppose
that is really the
best thing for US
to do, and l here
BY agree to do 1t"
When Christmas
eve came, there
fOre-t h q time
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1913-12-19

r IS a common
mistake to sup
pose that we are
creatures CO n :
trolled by reason.
In reality, we are
the children OF
impulse. Our en-
vironment often
forces US to con.
illusions W h | c h
seem to be based
upon reason, but
are due to q null
tiplicity Of out.
ward sensations
impinging upo n
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1913-12-19

the hall, l noticed
an unusual COM
motion. Suddenly,
from behind a pill
lar, a form sprang
forth. 1t was that
of Fenson.
Hello, old man!
All the boys are
here!"
The boys!" l
exclaimed. What
the deuce do you
mean?"
At that instant l
gazed around me.
The hall was piled
with merchandise,
like q warehouse.
Boxes of candy Of
every conceivable
shape mounted to
the ceiling like a
pyramid. A mass Of
the latest, holiday
books tow er e d
aloft on the other
side, and in the
center were flow
ers, ranged in geo.
metrical masses.
Her C hri 8 TIM a 8
gifts.
Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1913-12-19
HLSDUSY
s. NMIT y
e8sssssasya SasSs's2U
juliet Vilbor 1o'nPklB!&

HRlSIMAS HNe
was always q
busy night for Mr.,
Thomas Patter'
son. He had in
variably done the
biggest business
Of the year at
that time, except
for three success
sive Christmases
spent under the
conservative reg.
ime of the peni-
Tertiary.
Mr.. Patterson
waa frankly and
Iditarod pioneer., 1913-06-07
RAILROAD BUILDING
 PROSPECTS BRIGHT

Washington May 30-The senate committee on ter1tores will tomorrow Saturday. take for consideration the Alaska railroad b opinion is expressed by many that the ra road legislation would enacted before the tariff b President Wilson and Secretary of the Interior Lane strongly favor govern ment owned railroad in Alaska
 Washin 6Ater thorough examination and con sderaon bills and operation of govern Alaska railroads the committee on territories the recommendation S4O0OOOOO be issued to for the amolsed through redemption fund.- which will of receipts for ae disposal or lease other public lands their contents The report recommends that the Alaska railroad com mission be authorized to determine the of the roads
 As Alaska railroad problem is looked an ad mnistlton chance that the bill will be during the present special session.
 Leaders and members of of representatives press readiness do everything possible to assist in open ing up Alaska.
Iditarod pioneer., 1913-06-07
? 'II'lL!ECRII;;l[;;kS

Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Loranger, of Willow creek, spent several days in Iditarod this week.
 Riley & Stetzer, of Otter, are hoist ing into the boxes, and more men are daily put to work.
 Mrs. Albright and Ms, Duffy, of Iditarod, visited the creeks last Thurs day,
 Mrs. Bennett James gave a dinner party to number of lady friends last Thursday.
 C. F. Peck, of Flat City, has remOd- eled his store. He is making the place harmonize with the fine new stock he is receiving.
 The creeks were well represented at the funeral services of George Bennett in Iditarod yesterday.
 Mrs. s. E. Patchell of Flat City, ar rived on the Tana last Wednesday, after spending delightful winter on the Outside, a goodly portion of which was spent with relatives at her old home in New Brunswick. Mrs. Patch ell has reopened her bathhouse and laundry in the creek town.
Iditarod pioneer., 1913-06-07

into law, and by the time tue sen ator had proceeded for an hour our residents became aware that a whole lot of work had been per formed by the Fitst legislature, and that the people of his section need not be ashamed of having sent him
 to the capital to represent them.
 Tue most of the new laws were explained by the senator. Of ln- terest to everybody, was the state ment made by him about the tempt uous passage of the eight hour bill, finally winding up with providing an eight. hour day for hard rock miners. The speakers was very strong in expressing the view that the "big interests y about which had been heard and said so much were couspicuously absent. Some persons appeared before the com mittees to file protests against the eight-hou bill for placer miners and against the abolishment Of the hshtraps. Those favorable to fish, traps were the independent can- nerymen from Southeastern Alaska who claimed that the abollshment of the traps meant certain ruin tor them. The anti-fshtrap bill tailed to pass, while the bill against hsh- ing by aliens i'll Alaskan waters passed both houses but was vetoed by the governor. The speaker ln- timated his belief that the governor was instructed to veto this measure by the authorities at Washington
Iditarod pioneer., 1913-06-07
HEARTY WELCOME F0R SEuATOR

at a time when the federal govern ment was involved in connection with the anti-aIen land bill then pending before the California legis- lature.
 The salient features of the new mining law and the miners lien law were touched upon by the speaker.
 Referring in particular to the things accomplished for this section of the territory, Mir. Roden ex- plained that a memorial had been forwarded to congress praying for the establishment of a mail service from Seward 10 Takotna and Idit- arod, and that strong memorials were prepared urging upon the federal government the necessity of establishing wireless stations ln the Kuskok kwim, Inroko and Koyukuk countries.
 The address of the speaker was of interest to the residents, and there are many now that are sur prised at the amount of work ac- complished.
 MT. Roden thanked the people of Iditarod for the kind support they had given him at the time of his election, and said that he was neither ashamed or afraid of any thing he had done or advocated while at Juneau.
 The reception rendered the sena- tor was hearty and sincere. and the people seem to like "Our Heinie" as much as ever.
Iditarod pioneer., 1913-06-07

When the 1ana arrived on last Wednesday morning early tie resi- dents of Iditarod were on hand to receive the old timers who had spent the winter Outside. Among those returning was Henry Roden one of the senators from the Fourth division and the representative, in particular, of this section of the country.
 Senator Roden, after the close of the legislative session at Juneau on May I, went immediately to Skag- way, stayed there a couple of days, and went to Whitehorse. At the foot of the lake a wait of II days ensued and finally tie staunch ship Tana, with the old reliable Captain Wallace Lang ley at the wheel, left for Idlta.od direct. No sooner had the senator landed than arrange ments were made for a meeting ill his honor and to give him all oppor- tunity to explain to the people what had been accomplished at Juneau.
 The entire community turned out. ]. D. Barues presided at the meeting and Judge Maltby, who also returned, i'll a neat little ad dress, introduced the popular sena, tor to his constituents. MT. Roder spoke at length of the personnel ol the territorial senate; the way they were received at Alaska s capital and what work was accomplished Altogether 84 bills were enacted
Iditarod pioneer., 1913-06-07
COPYING AND GOING

H. F. Hansen, formerly deputy |. s. marshal in this division, is now travel ipc for several wholesale houses, will arrive in Iditarod during the latter part of the month.
 Sam Butt, an arrival over the Sew ard trail late this spring and has since been conducting a tailor shop at Flat City. leaves shortly for his old home in Portland, Ore.
 Mrs. C. c. Chittick, of Flat City, has been spending several days in this city this week.
 Joe Jerman was on hand early this week to secure fresh goods for the pop uIar resort of Fontas X Jerman, at Dis covery.
 In Seattle on March 2l a son arrived to bless the home of Mr, and Mrs. E c. Lindberg, formerly of Iditarod.
 Charles J. Young and Billy Duffy have finished their wood contract on the Iditarod river for Dan Hartnett, and will shortly cut more wood on a new contract.
 Mr. H. Boas, the Iditarod merchant, looking all the better for his winters vacation to the States, arrived on the Tana this week, accompanied by his son Max. who will clerk in one of his fathers stores.
 Howard H. Porter, of Crowley & Porter, returned from his purchasing trip to the States on the Tana. While absent Mr. Porter visited his family in the state of Maine.
 Billy Taylor, the Flat City jeweler, was in Iditarod few days this week getting affairs in readiness to receive and display his new stock of goods.
 Among the arrivals this week from the Outside was Isadore Bayles, the merchant, after an absence of nearly