davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1914-11-13
By ARTHUR CHAPMAN
Copyright By Fmnk A Munssy Co

When a man has been chief buster
and kingpiD cleanup hitter Of a big
league for ten seasons he hates 10 ad-
init he's lost his batting eye. But
that's what /, Walloper Murphy. did
one sunny July morning. l remem-
Der the stage setting as wen rs II It
had been in the fourth act Of my favOE-
tte drummer.
1t was in a white and gold bridal SCOT
at the leading hotel In N Of the big
Rest cities on the circuit-for. az mon
arch OF all the worlds sluggers, didn't
Walloper Murphy deserve the best
there was on the road, and didn't he
always get TT
"Walloper Murphy" l Hamletizea to
myself. 'tt's come at last The thing
long dreaded has come TO pass, as the
novelists say. You're a cadaver-a can
didate for an oblOng box in the bush
league hearse. You have swatted nigh
your last swat in the big leagues.
Its been three months since you
lifted one of those home run things
into that small but select crowd on the
Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1914-11-13

shaped, faulty balanced pieceHOf wood
that had 10 place in anything bigger
than a high school league
I flung It into the corner, but Doc
rose and put his hand on my shoulder.
"Now don't go mp in the air like that,
Walloper," he said. "My experiment
isn't finished. You put yourself under
my care I'm going to give you a
curse in mental gymnastics from now
on and viii guarantee to restore your
confidence in yourself without any aid
from DinJir Meb or any other dealer in
the occult III have you hitting az
we'll as ever next season. and you'll be
Walloper Murphy for FIVE seasons to
come instead Of being embalmed In the
sporting ANNALS as an 'eK.'"
And after events proved that Doc
was right a. the nOVeli5ts say.
Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1914-11-13

rKR I LIKED IN"
roof Of the apartment house overlook
ing the home grounds. WallOper
Murphy, you are an out and dOwner-
a whispering reminiscence OF a great
epic.
"YOu have lost your batting eye. and
that's all there r to It You'd better
call a bellboy and make him a present
of your medals and silver sets and
Eour diamond horseshoe and your
automobeel, because them trophies Will
only serve to remind you OF giories
that are past and gone"
Just then. as l was thinking about
a bellboy dts wonderful how many
things happen in real life Just like they
do on the stage. where everybody gets
cues). there IN a regular belIboy
knock at the door.
When / opens It the hop is standing
there with a long package and a letter.
/ seen the letter was from my old
friend. Doc Bilstruther. and was post
marked Calcutta. India. Anaying the
terrible itch in the hops hand with a
cool piece OF silver, l dragged in the
letter and the package and opened
Docs message Grst Here Is what l
read:
Dear wanoper-I am pained to observe
by the home papers that have been fol
lowing ne around the world that you
show symptoms OF having lost your bat
ting eye / don't know OF anything In
materia medica that can remedy lost bat
ting eyes. but / have been making IN
quiries among the dealers In the occult
IN this benighted land. and I believe ]
have found something that h going to nj
your case I have a servant whose name
Ia DinIlr Meb. He can do all the faker
stunts there are In the catalogue and then
have enough left over for a broadway
show. He reaches 30 far behind the veil
that IL drawn Ia front OF us Occtdentala
that he gives me gooseiesh
Nov, my dear Walloper. 1 haV told
Dinjlr Meb about your case. He IL inter
ested. though no never heard OF baseball
until / enlightened him l told him how
you have been the star hitter OF the gams
for years and how your batting eye sud
denly seems TO ave left you. He said
nothing. but the other day he brought me
a baseball bat. which / am sending and
which ahould reach you with this letter.
i had explained TO him the general siAt
and shape OF baseball batA and from som
mysterious Bource he has produced this
one Maybe he turned Il out on a Aahat-
ma turning lathe. or maybe he Just reach
Cd out and plucked Il out OF the air.
think he could do either. Anyway DinjiI
Meb says this bat has mysterious quail
tiles hat will make up for any defcion-
Giles In your eyesight II will connect with
any spltball. inshoot or fadsaway tn,
greatest pitchers can ning you All yoJ
have TO DO 10 70 wait for something owe
The plate and strike IN its direction DIN
iir Meb say you will Be surprised AZ III
results. Swing hard and leave The rsal
20 DinJir Meb's bat
Now, my dear Wanoper. there n thil
proviso; The bat 10 not a gift. but a loan
when Dinjir heb wants Il returned h
viii Sond you word II you are not VIII
Tag % glvo Il up he win some for Il
don't think he has the price OF a coney
excursion ticket but such things dOn'i
bother When yOu can project POUR aatral
body around the world IN ten seconds. ]
Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1914-11-13

personally poured the fifth steaming
drink between Wards lips, while the
others tenderly rubbed the sdnened
limbs and wrapped the chilled and
emaciated body in the fur lined cloak
which the society editor herself insist
ed should be used
"HOw many men," said the city edi-
tor to the great mogul Of the outpOste
aesttn4es as the two chuckled Over the
Trfbune's hopeless "hubdub," would
have taken that last ehance-tO swim
300 yards in a twenty mile current to
grab that pier ladderTT
'The fortune Of war-and on your
first day. too" said the crippled broth
81 an hour later as he patted the hand
Of the breadwinner.
But the mother, like all good mothers
the world over, turned away her face
to hide the tears which filled her eyes
as she thought OF the mother anguish
which had come with the dawn 10 two
Borrowing women In palaces on Della
ware avenue.
Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1914-11-13

You could cut the pity with a knife
when Fred Ward first entered the no
porters' room at police headquarters
He was poorly dressed. Sunken eyes
testified to recent severe illness, and
his demeanor lacked the vivacity and
spirit popularity ascribed 20 a twentieth
century Newspaper a
He had just been engaged by the
outpost, a sheet notorious for the mea-
ger salaries IL paid, also for the tyran-
ny Of the city editor, whose exactions
were IKE unto the laws OF the Modes
and Persians, only more 30.
Yet the Outpost men were supposed
to cheerfully a~cquiesce and even ont
strip men on other papers whose edi-
Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1914-11-13

tors gladly paid larger salaries and
eagerly approved legitimate items Of
the same character.
Bonnie Wallace, the Herald man GOV.
ering police and the arbiter elegantia.
run Of the group. ratified the dice sug-
gestively as all hands gathered around
the table for their afternoon diversion.
The game lasted until 8 o'clock and
closed with Bonnie a good winner.
The afternoon men called their respec-
tive offices, gave go" for the day and
departed
Byron Thompson, police reporter for
the Tribune. the only other morning
paper, arrived a little Inter. introduced
himself and proposed that they split
the police trick"
Ward was willing. Six-thirty found
both men with all their fresh afternoon
copy and important rewrites from the
afternoon papers ready for the mes
sengers from their Offices.
Looks like a light night" yawned
Thompson as he lit a cigarette.
"LOts Of time for a big story yet"
suggested Ward, with some tlmidity.
Al hope 1 get It If It comes of"
Don't worry. The only thing ]
could scoop you on would be a big lake
d1saster-for which l would hire a tug
and get the news, while II you did that
for your paper they'd suspect you were
out to bust the boss, who has only a
paltry FIVE millions"
The evening dragged YEARLY.
It was nearly 0 o'clock when they
sauntered again to the desk OF No. ]
stntiOn.
Anything new. TomT' asked Thomp-
son.
"Some yacht capsized up at Mouse
point across the lake. RumOred some
Of the party are drowned"
Thompson tore up the stairs, three
at a time, and tusged frantically at
the buzzer IN the reporters room. He
chatted hastily With his night city ed
itor and turned TO Ward with a smile.
The fortune Of war. old man, and
on your first day tool I'm OF for my
tug-and here's where the syndicate
dissolves. There's a big gale on, and
it's twelve miles across the foot Of the
lake to Mouse point-but l ought Ia
be back by 2 with the full story foI
the city edition"
He was gone as Ward was tryinQ
fOr mis- own Office.
'"The boss win never stand for
tug" said Smith. the assistant city ed
itor, when Ward asked for instruc
lions. "But wen have to get thai
story somehow. Sayl The boat al
the foot OF Ferry street viii leave II
afteen minutes for Fort Leary. TAKE
a Yosemite car and catch 1t. II yoJ
don't. u car leaves ten minutes later al
this end OF the International bridgS
which wfl abo take you to For
Leary. On that side, phone or ride b
Mouse point We might phone from
here, but they close over there at 3
Swing US a dash II you can. somehow
for the hEst edition. But. anyway
wen hold an insert on page one 10
the city edition until 8 o'clock
Hurry"
And Ward hurried
The Yosemite street car reached Fer
y street on time. but the steamer wa
ever then IN midstream, and 1t wa tn
Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1914-11-13

The constable on the door let out q
couple Of warwhOUps.
Ward turned out the lights. hurried
ly raised and leaped through the Op-
posite window. He sped softly into
the bushes, crouching low. Just as three
more men surrounded the station and
began a cautious reconnaissance In
force.
''The fortune Of wur!'' growled tho
reporter as he broke into a run for his
car.
Again came the wild ride through the
forest. Again the strnnge sounds
smote his ears. Just as he lifted the
car over the Y switch n couple of hun
dred yards from the bridge he cuught
the throb OF n gasoline motor aud down
the road sped n big touring car.
''There he lsg' shrleked the strident
tones Of Constable Jonas.
Ward groaned.
They were running fifteen feet to his
one.
Before ne could reach the bridge tho
auto would intercept him just where
the highway crossed the railway line.
He glanced around desperately. The
night wind tore at his coat pltilpssly.
The swnsh of the Writer'S driving past
added II whisper Of sOlemulty to the
helplessness OF the situation.
But 1t was not Of himself he was
thinking. A hysterin Of ideas oppress-
ed him. but Ward was now running
mechanically toward the waters edge.
SubcOnsciously he had taken the only
step which could temporarily ndvan-
tage him. The rOnd parulleled the riv-
eF. To overtake bin the occupants OF
the automobile must abandon their ma
chine.
Into the fringe Of willows along the
bank the reporter plunged. He crouch
ed low, listening to the whir OF a
couple of bullets which the angered
peace officer had hurtled after him.
The reporter could hear Jonas VI
ciously crashing around behind him.
"Playin' n poor hand WELL" whiB-
pered the scribe fsverishly.
Then he tore straight for the river
bank and dove beneath the waves. His
battered derby hOated recklessly and
at a jaunty angle In a back eddy to-
ward the vindictive constable.
"Dern yO-take thatT'' cried the per-
~soniAcation Of the majesty of the law
firing at the headgear.
He was whirled under the slender
framework which spanned the mighty
river In its mad rush to Join the cata-
ract twenty miles lower down.
A glimmer Of white showed at its far
end.
'1The owl cart" was the last domi-
nant thought Of the newspaper man aS
a great wave slapped him over toward
mi of the cruelty pointed stone piers.
At the other end Of the structure a
cursing constable was stumbling in
and out Of the circle cast by the glare
of the acetylene lamps.
The city edition Of the Outpost rioted
In a "lrst page spread" carrying a
seven column line, a four column ac-
our OF the drowning Of two Of Buff
falo's most prominent and wealthy
young men. with their photographs.
and verbatim interviews with the four
survivors.
"By Fred Ward glared in blackfacs
over the snappy. spicy lead" which
whipped Its way down the column in a
verbal biograph Of the disaster and
tho tragedy which EMBODIED It.
"And we thought he lacked steam!"
chuckled the managing editor as be
Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1914-11-13

us your new cook wiRing 10 lsarnF'
asked the Visitor.
Eyes" replied the weary housewife.
-she has already learned to embroider.
and ! think II she stays a few months
longer she win know how TO play the
~iano."-Washington Star.
Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1914-11-13
Mhen the Time comoa.

Mrs. Gnaggs And just TO think
You used to nay you would die for
mel
Mr.. GnagUs-WeT. don't hurry me-
ny DEAR don't hurry me-JudgA
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-04-26
Miss Brown to CHICAGO.

Miss Eleanor Brown who is genef-
al chairman Of the missionary en-
hibit, "Evecywhese' to be given in st
Johns parish house in May, will go
to Chicago this week to see it's pres
entatfon in Christ's church ana IN
St. Paul's church. The Rev. John G..
Sage and Rev. Mr.. Long will also go
to Chicago some time during the
week for the same purpose. Mr.. Long
is director of the pageant THE Great
Trail" which will be presented in
connection with "Everywhere."
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-04-26
Return from HONEYMOON.

Mr.. and Mrs. George Dunlap have
returned from their honeymoon. They
arrived in Keokuk last night on the
1886 train Mr.. Dunlap is member
of the Keokuk fire apartment and the
men at the Sixth street station to
which he is attached are all waiting
to welcome him back
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-04-26

Mrs Chas. Sullivan and Mrs. Mcbride
who is visiting her sister Mrs. ]. c.
Sanders in this city spent the day in
Keokuk. = Mrs. Henry Wonder
basr returned Monday from a visit
with her mother at Keokuk. She
was accompanied home by her sister,
Mrs. VIM. Yocklin and baby. who are
visiting here.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-04-26
prixats DANCING Party.

Invitations have been issued by the
Racelle Girls club, Genevieve Crotty,
Helen Finigan, Mary Gredell, Grace
Kennedy. Marie Moeller, Ruth Miller,
Colletta Moeller Julia Moeller, Mil
dred Powers, Lucy Rovane. Catherine
Tigue Anna Welsh. who will entertain
their fri ends at private dancing
party at Hibernian hall, Wednesday,
April %.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-04-26
Last Travel Glass Meeting.

The Travel Glass will hold its last
regular meeting OF the year with
Mrs. Ira w. Wills on Saturday after
noon. A picnic later in the season
will close the years meetings. The
Travel Glass is little club limited
to fourteen members which has been
in existence nine years and has in
theory. travelled in many lands.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-04-26
ma.ried TUESDAY, EVENING.

Mrs. Anna C. Burke and Mr.. Thorn
as Keraghan were married last Tues
day evening by Rev. Father Gillespie
at his residence. About forty friends
and relatives were present at the
ceremony. Mr.. and Mrs. keraghan
are very we'll known in this city and
their friends have united in wishing
them many happy years of life to-
gether. They will live at 1921 Park
street.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-04-26
Mrs. LeEron to Leave.

Mrs. Frank LeBron Jr., will leave
soon to join her husband in New
York where they will make their
home. A number Of small parties
have been given in Mrs. LeBron's
honor recently. Keokuk regrets very
sincerely their departure from the
city.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-04-26
Mallum-Hayes.

at Bricker, Iowa. at 1880 a. m. Wed
nesday, April %, 1914. Mr.. Magnus
c. NAHUM of Fort Madison, Iowa. and
Miss Ruth E. Hayes, Of Broker, Iowa
Rev. G. w. w. Amick OF Fort Madison
Iowa. officiating
The bride is the youngest daughter
Of Mr.. and Mrs. w. T. Hayes and is
we'll known throughout this section OF
the county. They were attended by
the brides sister, Miss Jane G. Hayes,
and the groom's chum, Mr.. Arthur P.
Amick. the later of Fort Madison,
Iowa, but the past few weeks at
w ellington. Kansas.
The bride wore beautiful gown Of
white crepe meteor with medium
train and trimmed in silk chantilly
lace, pearl landings and pearl orna-
ments. Her veil was made cap eff
feet, ornamented with string Of
pearls and white brides rosebuds. The
bride carried shower boquet made
iup OF white brides roses and ferns.
The maid of honor. Miss Hayes, was
!attired in gown OF deep pink de
chine trimmed in lace, pearl band
ings. picked out with pink coral and
carried an arm boquet composed of
pink roses and ferns.
The ceremony took place In front
of bank OF ferns and smilax, in
and pink and white carnations. The
color scheme, pink and white, being
carried out in the decorations Of the
rooms and the tables, which we're
decorated with large vases, contain
ing roses and carnations in combina.
ton with ferns and smilax.
The ceremony was preceded by
vocal solo, 80 Perfect Love-" sung
by Mr.. Sep:imus Barbour; Miss Viola
Daube played the accompaniment.
The bridal party descended the
stairs to the strains of "Lohengrin
Bridal Chorus" played by Mr.. Sep
timus Barbour. Immediately after
the vows were exchanged, "Mendel-
ssohn's wedding march was rendered
by Mr.. Barbour.
Mr.. Barbour and Miss Daube rem
dered some beautiful four handed
pieces on the piano.
The groom is employed at the
Santa Fe shops in Fort Madison, Iowa,
where he graduated as a machinist in
the spring of 1911.
He is young man of sterling worth
and numbers his friends by the hun
dreds. as it were.
The young couple were taken to
Vtele, by their friend, Mr.. Will
in an auto. From Viele
they went to Fort Madison, by train.
At that place they took passage on
No. 9 for Los Angeles, California, for
q wedding trip Of several weeks. Re
turning, they will stop at several
points and visit with friends.
The bride wore travelling suit of
blue.
The following persons, from dis
lance, attended the wedding: Mrs.
J. H. McGoff and daughters, Louise
and Lillian McGoff. Topeka, Kansas;
Rev. and Mrs. w. NJ. Cooney, Kahoka,
Mo-: Mrs. W. P. Sawdon, Pennington.
Iowa: Mr.. Arthur P. Amick, yelling
ton, Kansas: Rev. and Mrs. G. W. w.
Amick: Miss Margaret Amick: Miss !
Viola Daube, Miss Rosalie Einspanger |
md Septimus Barbour. Harvey Greg |
IN and Howard Amick, Fort Madison,
owa.
The young couple will be at home
@ their friends after the first of June,
It Fort Madison, iowa.
Their many friends extend congratu-
ations and best wishes.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-04-26
Danced Last Night.

number Of the younger society
set enjoyed a dancing party In
Hawkes. hall last night. Clarence
sutherland and Ralph Hueston were
the sponsors Agnes orchestra furn-
tshed the music.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-04-26
PERSONALS.

Miss Nellie e. Wilcox. formerly a
teacher in the Keokuk high scnooi
I'D now OF Chicago. will be the guest
Of Miss Bertha Craig for several days.
Mrs. Emo Cole Spain is at Mons
with her parents for her spring vaca'
ton.
Fort Madison Gem City. April -.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-04-26

MINISTRIES held their rehearsal There
we're no absentees and none were
marked tardy 1t was bright, breezy
bunch and the END men were as
sparkling and juicy as an uncork 81
bottle of unadulterated grape juice.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-04-26
1aotist Ladies' Aid,

The Ladies Aid society of the First
BAPTIST church will be entertained on
Friday afternoon in the church par.
lors by Mrs F. E. Elting and Mrs. w.
j. Hubert.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-04-26
St Johns Business Meeting.

The annual business meeting Of st.
Johns parish will be held on Mon
day evening, May 4, in the parish
house. Beside the annual reports
and the election of the vestrN, So
cial hour will be enjoyed and re-
freshments served.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-04-26
4jo MAY Party.

One OF the big parties of the week
will be the May party to be give on
Friday afternoon by the Ladies OF
Charity in the Knights of Columbus
hall. from 2:3O to 6 o'clock.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-04-26
Mrs. Hobbs Hostess.

Mrs John w. Hobbs, 204 North
Second street, will be hostess to the
Fortnightly Whist club Tuesday af-
ternoon.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-04-26
e. .Iokn's Guild.

st Johns Guild will be entertained
A. Dunlap and Mrs. II. E. Radcliffe at
the home of Mrs. Dunlap, 902 Or
leans avenue.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-04-26
Guest Returns Home.

Miss Minnie Phillips who has been
the guest of Miss Madeline Marley
for week returned to her home in
Burlington late Friday evening.
While In the city she was guest at
a number of social functions.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-04-26
viii Entertain sooners.

Mr.. and Mrs. D. A. Collier will en-
terrain the Sooner club on Monday
evening at their residence on Fulton
street.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-04-26
Westminster Guild Meets.

The Westminster Guild will hold
the regular monthly meeting on Mon
day afternoon at the home of Mrs E
B. Newcomb at the manse.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-04-26
Dance at Armory.

Because of the large company ex-
pecting to attend the dancing party
on Tuesday evening. it will probably
be held in the armory. The house
committee of the Country club is in
charge with Mrs. D. A. Collier as
chairman.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-04-26
Woman's Auxiliary Meets.

Mrs. Eugene Maxwell of the Pond
ans Alliance on Monday afternoon.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-04-26

Hold Joint Meeting.
The Ladies society Of the Coagre
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-04-26
To Entertain Aid Society.

Miss Julia B. Schmidt of laos Elk
change street. will entertain the young
ladies' society of the st. Pauls Ger
man Evangelical church on Thursday
evening. April 80. The following will
assist: Misses Emma Wlrtz. Sarah
femme, Madeline Vollers, Carrie on.
Lulu Linnenberg, Kate Hilpert, Beulah
Utley.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-04-26

gational church and the Missionary
society will hold joint meeting on
Friday afternoon in the chapel.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-04-26
Mentor Club on Thursda'

The Mentor Reading club will be
entertained on Thursday afternoon
by Mrs. J. A. NJ. Collins.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-04-26
AInha Irist Club.

The Alpha Trist club will be enter
tanned on Monday afternoon by Mrs.
Phillip c. Hayden.