davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-10-01
CHAPTER v.
A Sunday Morning Call.

AS a boy, Arthur Lanstron bad per-
huences CT both heredity and environ
ment. Though his father and both
grandfathers were officers who be-
neved theirs to be the true gentle
mans profession, he had preferred
any kind Of mechanical toy to arrang-
diers IN formation on the nursery
floor: and he would rather read about
the wonders of natural history and
electricity than the campaigns of Ma
poleon and Frederick the Great and
my Lord Nelson. Left to his own
choice, he would miss the parade of
the garrison for inspection by an ex-
ceIlency in order to ask questions of
a man wiping the oil off his hands with
Cotton-waste, who was far more enter
tanning to him than the most spick-and-
span ramrod of q sergeant
Upon being told one day that he was
to go to the military school the follow
ing autumn, he broke out in open re-
belhon.
Il don't want to go to the army" he
said.
"Why?" asked his father, thinking
that when the boy had to give his rea
sons he would soon be argued out o:
the heresy.
IT'S drilling a few hours day, then
nothing TO do" Arthur replied. "All
your work waits on war and you don't
know that there will ever be any war
1t waits on something nobody wants
to happen Now, if you manufacture
something, why, you see wool come
out cloth, steel come out an automo
bile If you build bridge you see ii
rising little by little. You're getting
your results every day; you see Youl
mistakes and your successes. You're
making something. creating some
thing: there's something going on al
the while that isn't guesswork.
think that's what want to say. YoJ
won't order me to be a soldier, vii
your
The father. loath TO do this, called il
the assistance of an able pleader then
Eugene Partow, lately become chief o
staff of the Browns, who was an oiC
friend of the Lanstron family. Partov
turned the balance on the side of fila
affection. He kept watch of the hoy
but without favoring him with infiu
ence. Young Lanstron, who wanted Il
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-10-01

that the world thinks she ought to be
called Maggie"
Proceeding 1eisurely along the main
path of the first terrace, Lanstron fol-
lowed it past the rear Of the house to
the old tower. Long ago the moat that
surrounded the castle had been filed
in. The green of rows Of grape vines
lay against the background of mat
Of ivy On the ancient stone walls, which
had been cut away from the loopholes
set with window glass. The door was
open, showing a room that had been
Chased in by a ceiling Of boards from
the walls to the circular stairway that
ran aloft from the dungeons. On the
floor Of flags were cheap rugs. A num-
Der of seed and nursery catalogues
were piled on round table covered
with brown cloth.
'Hello!" Lanstron called softly
louder.
Receiving no answer, he retraced his
steps and seated himself on the second
terrace in a secluded spot in the
shadow Of the first terrace wall, where
he could see anyone coming up the
main flight Of steps from the road.
When Marta walked she usually came
from town by that way. At length the
sound Of slow step from another d.
rection broke on his ear. Some one
was approaching along the path that
ran at his feet Around the corner of
the wall, in his workman's Sunday
clothes Of black, but wearing his old
straw hat, appeared Feller, the gar
dener. He paused to examine a rose
bush and Lanstron regarded him
thoughtfully.
AS he turned away he looked up,
and a glance Of definite and unfalter-
ing recognition was exchanged be-
tween the two men. They had the
garden to themselves.
"Gustavei" Lanstron exclaimed IN
der his breath.
"Lanny!" exclaimed the gardener,
turning over a branch of the rose bush.
He seemed unwilling to risk talking
openly with Lanstron.
'You look %he good workman in his
Sunday best 20 T." said Lanstron.
Being s.one-deaf," returned Teller,
with trace of drollery in his voice,
Il hear very well-at times. Tell me"
his whisper was quivering with
eagerpess-"sh shall we fight? Shall we
fght7'
We are nearer to it than we have
evsr been in our time" Lanstron re-
Piled.
TIE hat still shaded Feller's face,
his stoop was unchanged. but the
branch in his hand shook.
'tHonest?" he exclaimed. ooh. the
chance OF it! The chance of It'll"
"Gustave!" Lanstron's voice, still
low, came in a gust of sympathy, and
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-10-01
CHAPTER lV-Continued.

Then impulse broke through the
restraint that seemed to characterize
the Lanstron Of thirty-five. The Ian
stron of twenty-five, who had met
catastrophe because he was wool
gathering" asserted himself He put
his hand on Stransky's shoulder. It
was a strong though slim hand that
looked as if it had been trained to do
the work Of two hands in the process
of its owners own transformation.
Thus the old sergeant had seen a gen
eraI demonstrate with a brave veteran
who had been guilty Of bad conduct in
Africa. The old colonel gasped at such
a subversion Of the dignity of rank
He saw the army going to the devil.
But young Dellarme, watching with
eager curiosity, was sensible Of no
familiarity in the act. 1t all depended
on how such a thing was done, he was
thinking.
I'VE all have minutes when we are
more or less anarchists" said Ian
stron in the human appeal of one man
to another. But we don't want to be
judged by one Of those minutes. l got
q hand mashed up for a mistake that
took only a second. Think this over
tonight before you act. Then, if you
are of the same opinion, go to the col
onel and tell him so. Come, why not?"
All right, sir, you're so decent
about it," grumbled Stransky, taking
his place in the ranks.
Hep-hep-hep! The regiment started
on its way, with Grandfather Fragini
keeping at his grandson's side.
Makes me feel young again, but it's
darned solemn beside the Hussars,
with their horses bits a-jingling Times
have certainly changed-oficers'
hands in their pockets, saying If you
don't mind to a man that's insulted
the flag! Kicking amt good enough
for that traitor! Ought to hang him
yes, sir, hang and draw him!"
Lanstron watched the marching col
umn for a time.
'Hep-hep-hep! It's the brown of the
infantry that counts in the end" he
unused Il liked that walleyed giant.
He's all mani"
Then his livening glance swept the
heavens inquiringly. A speck in the
blue, far away in the realms of atmos.
pheric infnity, kept growing in size
until it took the form of the wings
with which man flies. The plane vol
planed down with steady swiftness
till its racing shadow lay large over
the landscape for a few seconds before
1t rose again with beautiful ease and
precision.
Bully for you, Etzel!" Lanstron
thought. as he started back to the
aeroplane station. You belong in the
corps We shall not let you return tc
your regiment for a while. You've q
cool head and you'd charge a church
tower if that were the orders"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-10-01
OVERSIGHT THAT WAS FATAL
Light-Fingered Gentleman Might
Have Got Away With the Coat
But for One Thing.
CTO BE CONTINUED

A fellow stole a coat hanging in
front of a clothing store the other aft
ternoon But the proprietor was on
the job, and before the thief was half
a block away he had the police and
most of the neighbors on his trail.
The poor fellow who had taken the
coat was really coatless before the
crime. And as he ran he struggled
into the distracted article. which fit
ted him pretty well, all things consid-
cred. And when he was apprehended,
about four blocks from the starting
point, he protested his innocence
stoutly.
What dye mean l stole the coat?"
he said I've had this coat all sum
mer. Why, amt had it of my back
for a week."
You amt, amt you?" sneered the
policeman. An have you wore that
there coat hanger inside it acrost yer
shoulders all that timer"
Saying that the arm Of the law
grasped the iron hook projecting
above the collar, dragged the victim
to the corner and called the wagon.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-10-01
Johnny's GeooraphY.


In the geography study period John
ny aroused the suspicion of his teach
er by too frequent scratching of his
slate pencil. When the schoolma' am
investigated she found that Johnny
had evolved his own method of mem
orizing troublesome names as follows:
Arkansas Dela-wear a New Jersey
when she went to See-Attle. On the
way she bought Minn-a-soda. Every
one had name for the baby, but
Uncle Sam said he would Colorado
because that is what the United States.
Mississippi, Georgia and Missouri
were sent to help Idaho and come
back with Oklahoma again. Instead
they Rhode Island hilariously about
the field until Old Virginia went out
and screamed
Stop that Illnoise. I've told you
once; won't tell you Ore-again. I'll
knock your I-oway.' "-Rehoboth Sun
day Herald.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-10-01
PLAYWRIGHT AND PRODUCER.

A good theatrical story was told by
Jerome K. Jerome last night at the
0. P. club dinner to dramatic authors.
I spoke to an eminent producer not
long ago." he said, about a play a
young friend Of mine had sent to him.
He remembered it.
All, yes he said. Not at all bad.
There's an idea in it.
Later On it was produced, and after
the show I went behind.
" Well,' said the eminent producer,
what did you think of it?'
"tOh, all right l said. 1t seems
all correct. But what about that
idea?"
He didn't seem to understand.
The idea l reminded him; you
said there was an idea in it.
He remembered then. 'Ah, yes he
said. Yes. We had to cut that out +"
Pail Mall Gazette.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-10-01

the pocket which concealed his hand
gave a nervous twitch as if it held
something alive and distinct from his
own being. "The trial wears on you!
Do you want to go?"
mol" Feller shot back irritably.
mol he repeated resolutely. 81 don't
want to go! l mean to be game-I-"
He shifted his gaze from the bush
which he still pretended to examine
and suddenly broke off with: Miss
Galland is com;ng!"
Lanstron started toward the steps
that Marta was ascending. She moved
leisurely, yet with a certain springy
have come on the run without. being
out of breath or seeming to have made
an effort.
Hello, stranger!" she called as she
saw him, and quickened her pace.
Hello, pedagogical" he responded.
As they shook hands they swung
their arms back and forth like a pair
Of romping children for moment.
I'VE had a grand session OF the
school this morning, the largest class
ever!" she said. And the points we
scored off you soldiers! You'll find
disarmament already in progress when
you return to headquarters. We're IT.
resistible, or at least" she added, with
flash of intensity, we're going to be
some day"
so you put on your war-painti"
1T must be the pollen from the hy-
drangeas!" She ficked her handker-
chief from her belt and passed it to
him. Show that you know how to be
useful"
He performed the task with DELHI
crate care.
Heavens! You even have some on
your ear and some on your hair; but
I'll leave it on your hair; it's rather be-
coming. There you are!" he concluded.
"Ot my hair, tool"
Very we'll. I always obey orders"
Il oughtn't to have asked you to do
it at ALL" she exclaimed with a sud-
den change of manner as they started
up to the house. But a habit Of
friendship, habit of liking to believe
! in ones friends, was uppermost. I
| forgot I oughtn't even TO have shaken
hands with you!"
Marta! What now, Marta?" he
| asked.
! He had known her in reproact, in
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-10-01

triotism, but it just happens that the
poles are not for flags but for meat,
Knik. is on the trail to Iditarod and
the Kuskokwim valley, and in the
summer the sled dogs and the flies are
so thick that It is impossible to keep
meat in ordinary caches near the
ground.
There is no butcher shop in Knik
and the only fresh meat is moose or
Alaska sheep brought in by the hunt
ers. It's very handy for the house
wives of Knik to have the meat sup
ply of the town up in the air. If
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-10-01
Missionary Work,

At an evening party a very elderly
lady was dancing with young part
ner. A stranger approached Douglas
Jerrold, who was looking on, and said:
Pray, sir, can you tell me who is
the young gentleman with that elder
ly LADY,"
Zone Of the Humane society,
should think" replied JerroId.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-10-01
Showing the White Feather.

'Why didn't you come back last
night when you were leaving? Didn't
you hear me call your" said the sweet
young thing
ooh, yes, heard you
'SWell, why didn't you come back?
Papa wanted to see you"
Eyes, l know; I always think 1t un.
lucky to go back to a house after leav-
ing"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-10-01
CHAPTER VI.
a Crisis Within a Crisis.

Following the path to the tower
leisurely, they had reached the tower.
Feiler's door was open. Marta looked
into the room, finding in the neat ar
rangement of its furniture a new sig
nificance. He was absent, for it was
the dinner hour
"On my recommendation you took
him." Lanstron said.
Yes, on yours, Lanny, on friends!
You"-she put cold emphasis on the
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-10-01
Deceutive Weinhts

Here is good trick to play upop
the fellow who knows it all" He will
be surprised when shown that he is
wrong. Initiate Il large empty paper
bag and tie it up alright. Place thu
bag on the palm of one hand, and into
the palm of the other hand take such
a quantity Of coin or other metal as
will seem to equal the bag in weight
If the observer does not know of the
Illusion or suspect ii, the paper bag
will be found to weigh ten to twenty
times as much as the metal With
which it was matched.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-10-01

The convict had dug a tunnel to
freedom. Gazing lovingly at the cell
he had occupied for 20 long years. he
grew sad. He recalled the many kind
nesses of the warden and felt qualms
at leaving without some explanation.
So he took stub of pencil and wrote:
Dear Warden: / crave your par
don for the liberty I am about to
take" but hearing footsteps of the
guard, he ended abruptly and depart
ed henceforth, soforth and etcetera
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-10-01
An Investigator.

The young man in the bureau of in
formation laid the railroad guide down
and looked reproachfully at the woman
who had turned in a volley of ques-
tons.
Madam he said, you can't posi-
bly, take all those trains you are ask
ing about"
know it." she replied, serenely;
but as long as didn't have anything
else to do I thought I'd just see for
myself how much you railroad men
really know about your business"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-10-01
Gcopyrigft. 1914. By Charles scribnes's s0ns1
SYNOPSIS.

At their home on the frontier between
fhe Browns ami Grays Marta GalIand and
her mother entertaining Colonel Wester-
ling Of tEe Gr@ys, see Captain Lanstron,
STAFF Intelligence officer Of the Browns
injured by a fall in his aeroplane. Ten
wears later. WesterIing, nominal vice but
real chief Of staff. reInforces South La
Tir, ueditates on war. and speculates on
the comparative ages Of himself and Mar
ia, VINO Is visiting in the Gray capital.
WesterIfug calls on Marta. She tells him
of her teaching CHILDREN the fOllies- of war
and martial patriotism. begs him to pre-
vent war while he Is chief Of staff, and
predicts that If he makes war against the
Browns he viii not win. On the march
with the SD Of the Browns Private Stran-
sky, anarchist. decries war and played
out patriotism and IS placed under arrest
Colonel Lanstron everheartng, begs him
nrF
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-10-01

healthy children since. For female trou-
bles | always take Lydia E. Pinkham's
Vegetable Compound and it works like
charm. l do allmy own work. Mrs.
A. F. KREAMER, 1874 Electric Avenue,
Lackawanna, N. Y.
The success of Lydia E. Pinkham's
Vegetable Compound, made from roots
end herbs, is unparalleled. 1t may be
used with perfect confidence by women
VINO suffer from displacements, infam-
nation, liberation, tumors, irregularities,
periodic pains, backache, bearing-down
feeling, flatulency, indigestion, dizziness,
or nervous prostration. Lydia E. Pink
hams Vegetable Compound is the stan
dard remedy for female ills.
Women who suffer from those dis
tressing ills peculiar to their sex should
be convinced of the ability of Lydia E.
Pinkham's Vegetable Compound to re-
store their health by the many genuine
and truthful testimonials we are con-
stantly publishing in the newspapers.
If You want special advice write to
Lydia e. Pinkham Medicine Co. Conf
dentiaD Lynn, Mass. Your letter will
be opened, read and answered by a
woman and held in strict confidence.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-10-01

the British army in the vicinity of Nj
agara Falls assumed the aggressive.
Two distinct movements against the
American forces were undertaken by
the enemy. General Drummond, in
command of a force of about 5000
British and Canadians. laid siege to
Fort Erie. which was successfully DE-
Tended by the Americans under Colo
mel Ripley. On the same day a df-
vision of the British Army under Lieu
tenant Colonel Tucker crossed the
Niagara river, below Black Rock, to
attack Buffalo, but was net By Ma
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-10-01
FORCING a Sale,

Rough Customer (accosting gentle
man on lonely road)-Excuse me, sir
but would you like to buy nice little
dawg?
Mr.. Slim-No thinks very much. He
looks as though he would bite.
R. &c won't bite yer if you buy
i'm, uv'ner-Punch.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-10-01

Another perfectly good reason for
pure shoes legislation is that it is so
disappointing tc an arctic explorer to
bite into a boot which he bought at
cowhide prices and find that II is imi-
tation misunderstanding Courier
Journal.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-10-01
Motor Mate.

NO wonder they get along so well
together. She's true helpmeet."
in what respect?"
she knows as much about mend
ing punctured tires as he does and
her proficiency with monkey wrench
is marvellous"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-10-01
Mo Miracle

F'The Boston Globe tells of calf
with no tail having been born up in
New Hampshire"
Nothing wonderful about that. Now
If tail with no calf had been born
that would have been something re.
markable."
THAT very thing happened right
here in this town recently"
You're crazyl"
mo I'm not; the tail had a puppy
attached to it."
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-10-01
3 ankrupt.

Penelope-Now that Polly Pittysing
has lost her money she viii have to
get married
Percival-In other words, she viii
be driven into the arms Of a
receiver
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-10-01
ASKING Too Much.

Vicar-You know, Thomas, you set
the younger men of the parish a bad
example by going into public houses
on Sunday. Why don't you take your
gallon of beer home on Saturday night?
Thomas-Ah, sir, A couldna gang
house.-London Taller.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-10-01
Making Matters Worse.

'Twpson wants to separate from
his wife"
con what grounds?"
He says she deceived him before
he married her by making him think
she could win money playing bridge
to pay for her clothes"
she loses, eh?"
Eyes. She not only fails to win
enough to pay for her own clothes,
but she loses the money Twpson needs
to buy his clothes
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-10-01
Followed Short Skirts.

Bacon see vacuum cleaners are
coming into use in New York for
cleaning sidewalks.
Egbert-Well, something had to be
done to clean them after women dis
carded the skirt which swept the
ground
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-10-01
WILLING to Do the PRESSING.

81 called to say that my brother will
be unable to keep his engagement to-
night" said the young man, entering
the parlor Of the sweet young thing.
I'm sorry" said the girl.
I'm here to see if can do anything
for you," the man continued, as he
walked over and turned down the
light; you see, am his press agent"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-10-01
Where the Soft spot Was

Gladys-Jack really has soft spot
in his heart for me.
Muriel-How do you know?
Gladys-He says he is always think
ing of me.
Muriel-Why, a man doesn't think
with his heart. The soft spot must
be in his head.-Judge.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-10-01
MEAT REALLY I'm THE AIR"
Alaskan Housewives Have Good Rea-
son for Making Display of Their
Supply az Provisions

very patriotic lot of people live
mere, I see" is the remark made by
almost every new conner to the from
tier town Of Knik. Alaska, at the
head Of Cooks inlet, when they see
that almost every house is supplied
with fiagpole.
And they are right about the pa
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-10-01
To BE Sure.

A factory owner complains that
when the girl employees hear tango
music on passing steamers they quit
work
They merely want to exert them
selves in a different way. Tangoing
is work"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-10-01
Farming Literature.

f'The agricultural department issues
some interesting and helpful bulletins"
Anything new about handling sum-
mer boarders?" inquired Farmer Whit
fetree.
Mine gimme a lot Of trouble last
year"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-10-01
Clever ADVERTISING.

1.-The sale of the average novel in
this country is less than 1000 copies"
yet, after reading the publishers
announcements. / seem to hear their
presses roaring night and day to ill
the orders"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-10-01
After sinews of Vacation.

Bacon-Has Mugs sent his fam
lily away to the country Tor the sum-
mer yet?
Egbert-No, but guess he's sending
them today. / saw him going into
the bank with long face this morn
ing.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-10-01
The Indications

Take the baby's temperature, dear,
By the way, what sort Of weather is
coming?"
Judging by the effect Of this Their
mometer, there are evidently squalls
ahead
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-10-01

First Shark-It was a great poker
game. We cleaned out three Holsters
and a crab.
Second ShaTk-Lobsters are always
easy, but how Gid you ever get the
crab?
First Shark-Why, you see, he was
a soft crab
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-10-01
PoIiceman's Badge of Authority,

In equipment the policeman varies
from walking arsenal, such as the
Jericho policemen, TO the ciubless pa
trolman of one or two American cities.
The club, however. is recognized as
the policeman's badge Of authority. n
Darjeeling the policeman carries a
reed pole about six teet long. in
Seville the night police are armed
with long spears, such as the knights
of old used