davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Springfield herald., 1914-10-23
FOUR MATRONS IN REUNION
Each One Is Accompanied by Two
ChiIdren-They Meet as Planned
Years Before.

st. Louis, Mo.-Four women wear
ing blue bows and accompanied each
by two children met in front of the
Grant monument in City Hall park at
two o'clock one afternoon recently
in accordance with an agreement
made 10k years ago.
On March /, 1904, Mollie Peters.
Lulu Storck, Agnes Herr and Media
Weber, chums employed by a skirt
makers firm at No. 1923 Washington
avenue, the oldest of whom was twen-
ty, were lunching together.
Il wonder where we will all be ten
years from now" Miss Weber mused.
After few minutes pleasant con-
lecture some one suggested that they
meet in 1914 and see how the fortunes
of each had changed. Accordingly an
agreement was written and each
signed it, promising to appear at the
Grant monument, August L. 1914,
Media Weber's thirty-first birthday.
The Springfield herald., 1914-10-23
BULL WRECKS A RED CAR
Animal Had Put Up With Its Offensive
Color as Long as He
Could.

Olathe, Kans.-A large bull, angered
for months at the red cars on the
Strang interurban line between Kan
sas City and Olathe, wrecked lin
tied car six miles south of Olathe.
Motorman j. G. Dinton was thrown
through the front of the car and seri.
ously injured. A telegraph pole at
Common road crossing is all that pre-
vented the car from plunging over
30-foot precipice. The bull was killed.
The bull had been an antagonist of
the car line for several weeks. He
had broken through the fence and
caused the cars to stop on several oc-
casions. When he made his appear
ance the last time he showed up SO
suddenly that Motorman Dinton could
not stop the car and the collision oc-
cured.
Running at good speed the car
left the rails after passing over the
bull 1t was headed directly toward
the precipice when it collided with
the telegraph pole and stopped The
conductor, who was standing on the
step, was thrown from the car. but
was not injured.
The Springfield herald., 1914-10-23

in and cop fat order away from tho
old man and his skirt buyer. Vim
.wise. Say. he may be an oyster. but
he knows . pretty woman when he
sees one. By the time she's through
with him he'll have enough petticoats
on hand to last him from now until
Turkey goes suffrage. Get met"
II get you." answered Jock.
Il say. this Is business. and good
manners be hanged. When a woman
breaks into a mans game like this,
let her take her chances like man.
Amt that straight"
you've said something" agreed
Jock.
Now. look here. kid. When that
door opens get up. See? And
shoot straight for the old mans Of
flee See? Like a duck See? Say.
may be fat, kid. but I'm what they
call light on my feet. and when see
an order getting away from mo l can
be 80 fleet that have Diana looking
like old Weston doing a stretch of
muddy country road in coast to
coast hike. See? Now you help me
out on this and Ill see that you don't
suffer for It. Ill stick in good word
The Springfield herald., 1914-10-23
Battle Cruiser.

In the British navy the fast armored
cruiser of the dreadnaught type has
now been definitely distinguished from
other classes by the name battle
cruiser" The Germans, on the other
hand, retain the name "Panzer-kreuz-
err for all armored cruisers alike. But
the functions of the battle cruiser, as
understood in Great Britain, are spe-
cific. She is neither heavily armed
cruiser nor a lightly armored and
speedy battleship. She Is sometimes
traced to Italian influence; but she en-
bodies the very antithesis of the 1tal-
ian conception of including battleships
and armored cruisers alike under the
title of nave di battaglia."
The Springfield herald., 1914-10-23
think this was going to be-a flag

think this was going to be-a flag
drill?"
With = whoop of pure Joy Jock Nc
Chesney turned and fed.
They dined together at one o'clock.
Emma McChesney and her son Jock.
Suddenly Jock stopped eating. His
eyes were on the door.
there's that fathead now." he said.
excitedly. THE nerve Of him! He's
coming over here"
Ed Meyers was waddling toward
them with the quick light step of tho
fat man. His pink. full-1owled face
was glowing. His eyes were bright
rs boys. He stopped at their stable
and paused for one dramatic moment.
so, me beauty. you two were In
cahoots, huh? That's the second low
down deal you've handed me. haven't
forgotten that trick you turned with
Nussbaum at DeKalb. Never mind,
little girl. I'll get back at you yet"
He nodded a contemptuous head in
Jocks direction. Carrying packer?"
Emma McChesney wiped her fingers
daintily on her napkin. crushed 1t on
the table, and leaned back In her
chair. Men," she observed. wonder
The Springfield herald., 1914-10-23

for you, believe me. You take the
word of an. old stager like me and
you won't go far"
The door opened simultaneously
three figures sprang into action. Jock
had the seat nearest the door. With
marvellous clumsiness he managed to
place himself in Ed Meyers path.
then Redeemed, began an apology,
stepped on both of Eds feet, jabbed
his elbow into his stomach and
dropped his hat. A second later the
door of old Sulzberg's private office
closed upon Emma McChesney's
smart, erect, confident figure.
Now, Ed Meyers hands were Pc
culiar hands for a fat man. They
were tapering, slender, delicate. blue
veined temperamental hands. At this
moment, despite his purpling face. and
his staring eyes, they were the most
noticeable thing about him. His fin
gers clawed the empty air. quivering,
vibrant, as though poised to clutch at
Jocks throat.
Then words came. They spluttered
from his lips. They popped like corn
kernels in the heat of his wrath; they
tripped over each other; they ex-
ploded
You darned kid, you'll" he began,
with fascinating fiuency. You thou
sand-legged, double-joined, ox-footed
truck horse. Come on out of here
and I'll lick the shine off your shoes.
you blue-eyed babe, you! What did
you get up for, huh? What did you
The Springfield herald., 1914-10-23

ingly, ARE the cussedest creatures.
This chap occupied the same room
with you last night and you don't
even know his name. Funny! 1ftwo
strange women had found themselves
occupying the same room for a night
they wouldn't have got to the kimono
and back hair stage before they would
not only have known each others
name but they'd have tried on each
others hats. swapped corset cover
patterns, found mutual friends living
in Dayton, O., taught each other new
Irish crochet stitch. showed their
family photographs, told how their
married sisters little girl nearly died
with swollen glands, and divided on
the mirror into two sections to paste
their newly washed handkerchiefs on.
Don't tell me men have genius for
friendship"
well, who is he?" insisted Ed
Meyers. He told me everything but
his name this morning. l wish had
throttled him with a bunch OF Bisons'
badges last night"
His name," smiled Emma McChes-
ney, sis Jock McChesney. He's my
one and only son, and he's put through
his first little business deal this morn
ing Just to show his mother that he
can be help to his folks if he wants
to. Now, Ed Meyers. If you're going
to have apoplexy don't you go and
have it around this table. My boy is
only on his second piece Of pie. and
won't have his appetite spoiled"
The Springfield herald., 1914-10-23
THE CHICKENS CAN'T SLEEP
Consequently DeIuded Duck That
Wants to Roost Is Imprisoned
of to Himself,

OFF to Himself.
Los Angeles. Cal.-Mrs. Grosvenor
Marshall member of the famous
Marshall family of Virginia, now resid-
ing in Glen Albyn drive. has duck
with the firm conviction that 1t is
thoroughbred, sure 'nough chicken. 1t
has been necessary to ostracize him
to prevent the death of the whole
brood of chickens from loss of sleep.
His name is Clarence and he was
Matched through the kindness of
mother hen. There was otherwise
nothing In the early life of Clarence
to distinguish him from other MEM
bers of his species on the Marshall
hacienda.
But Clarence suddenly turned
against the other ducks on the place.
He even deserted the little pond con-
structed especially for their benefit to
Join In with the chickens.
1t was observed that Clarence in-
sister on taking the top perch VIXEN
the chickens went to roost. He found
1t an uneasy resting place and his noe
turnal antics banished sleep from the
chickens. The brood became emaciat-
ed and several died. So Clarence was
given stall to himself
The Springfield herald., 1914-10-23
REFUSED TO SWEAR TO LIE
Dawson Citizen, Considered "Hard
Case" Found to Have High
Notions of Honor.

That there Is so much good In the
worst of US" is illustrated again by
a story that Mr.. William Oglivie tells
in his book. EARLY Days on the
Yukon" While he was making
survey In the Klondike region, he
had to take the affidavits of prospec-
tors who desired to locate
Each man was obliged to take this
oath as to HIS claim: Il solemnly
swear that have discovered therein
deposit of gold" I remember that
man once came to me to have his
affidavit taken, who bore the reputa-
tion of being the toughest citizen OF
Dawson. / did not look for any con-
scientious scruples on his part. When
his affidavit was written out l read
n over to him; as soon as the words,
.I have discovered there in deposit
of gold" were spoken. he stopped me
sharply with his exclamation: but
I have not! I did not look for any,.
"Then YOU cannot take this oath"
I said.
He explained that he did not under
stand the requirements, and thought
he had only TO Stahe the 6iouha.
had about forty-eight hours In which
to return to the claim, prospect It,
find gold and complete the recording
by making his affidavit. If he failed
he might lose it altogether, for an
other party, knowing 1t was not re-
corded, had staked IT,
He started Immediately. reached the
ground the next evening, after travel
ing all night, fed and tied up his dogs
eathered dried wood. built a IRE,
thawed the Ice of the gravel built
another fire to thaw the gravel itseif.
washed all he had thawed. and did not
fin6 a color!
de selected another place. thawed
again. washed, and found three small
colors. unmistakably gold. He started
hack and reached Dawson about
eleven at night. showed me the gold,
made his oath. and saved his title by
an hour. 1t was ION the jump for
A hours without rest, and with very
uttle nourishment. When 1t was all
over he said: Mr.. osilvis. 1 am con-
The Springfield herald., 1914-10-23
ROCKING STONE OF 1INDAL
Famous South American Rock 10 No
More, Having Fallen Some
Time Ago.

Buenos Aires.-Everyone has heard
of rocking stones-masses OF rock so
delicately poised as to move backward
and forward upon the slightest i'm
pulse. Until quite recently the giant
among these curious phenomena was
the famous Rocking Stone OF Tindal.
In South America, which fell. for what
reason IL. unknown, few months ago.
Existing rocking stones were mere
marbles compared to the Tindal. It
weighed something like 700 tons. was
composed of granite. uparaboloid in
shape. and measured some five meters
In height. 1t was ingeniously poised
upon a knob of rock in low range OF
The Springfield herald., 1914-10-23

sat- This spot on my coat is where a
Bison drank his beer"
Emma McChesney folded her paper
and rose, smiling "It is sort OF try
ing, / suppose, if you're not used to
it."
Used to it!" shouted the outraged
Jock USED to it! Do you mean to
tell me there's nothing unusual
about"
Not thing. Oh. Of course you
don't strike bunch Of Bisons every
day. But it happens a good many
times. The world is full Of ancient
orders and they're everlastingly get
ting together and drawing up resolu-
tions and electing officers. Don't you
think you'd better go in to breakfast
before the Bisons begin TO forage?
I've had mine"
The gloom which had ogerspread
Jock McChesney's face lifted a little.
The hungry boy in him was upper
most. That's SO. I'm going to have
some wheat cakes. and steak, and
and rolls
why slight the fish," inquired his
mother. Then, as he turned toward
the dining room, I've two letters to
get out. Then I'm going down the
street to see q customer. I'll be up
at the Sulzberg-Stein department. store
at nine sharp. There's no use trying
to see old Sulzberg before ten. but
I'll be there, anyway. and SO will Ed
Meyers. or I'm no skirt salesman.
want you to meet me there 1t will
do you good to watch how the over
ripe orders just drop, ker-plunk. into
NV Ian"
The Springfield herald., 1914-10-23


"Well-I-she does look familiar
but"
HOh. come now, quit your blufflng.
II you'd ever met that dame you'd re-
member 1t. Her names McChesney-
Emma McChesney, and she sells T.
A. Bucks Featherloom Petticoats. I'll
give her her dues; she's the best lit
tie salesman on the road. Ill bet that
girl could sell a ruilled. accordion
plated underskirt to fat woman who
was trying to reduce. She's got the
darndest way with her. And at that
she's straight, too"
II Ed Meyers had not been gazing
SO intently into his hat. trying at the
same time to look cherubically be-
nign he might have seen quick and
painful scarlet sweep the face of the
boy, coupled with certain tense look
Of the muscles around the jaw.
"Well. now, look here" he went on,
still in a whisper. We're both skirt
men, you and me. Everythins's fair
in this game. Maybe you don't know
It, but when there's a bunch of the
boys waiting around to see the head
of the store like this, and there hap
pens to be a lady traveller in the
crowd, why, it's considered kind of
professional courtesy to let the lady
have the first look-in. See? 1t amt
SO often that three people In the same
line get together like this. She knows
it, and she's sitting on the edge of
her chair, waiting to bolt when that
door opens. even If she does act like
she was hanging on the words Of that
lady clerk there. The minute 1t does
open q crack she'll jump up and give
me a neeting. grateful smile. and sail
The Springfield herald., 1914-10-23
Maybe you know sulzbers . STEMS

Maybe you know Sulzberg STEMS
big storef Not That's because you've
always lived In the city. Old sulz.
berg sends his buyers to the New
York market twice year. and they
need two floor managers on the main
floor now. The money those people
spend for red and green decorations
at Christmas time. and apple-blossoms
and pink crepe paper shades In the
spring must sbe something awful.
Young Stein goes to Chicago to have
his clothes made, and old Sulzberg
likes to keep the travelling men walt
ing in the little ante-room outside his
private office. .-
Jock McChesney finished his huge
breakfast. strolled over to Sulzberg &
STEMS, and inquired his way to the
office, only to find that his mother
was not yet there. There were three
men in the little waiting-room. One
of them was Fat Ed Meyers. His huge
bulk overfiowed the spindle-legged
chair on which he sat. His brown
derby was In his hands. His eyes
were on the closed door at tho other
side of the room. So were the eyes
of the other two travellers. Jock
took a vacant seat next to Fat Ed
Meyers SO that he might, in his minds
eye. pick out a particularly choice
spot upon which his hard young fist
might land-if only he had the chance.
Breaking up a mans sleep like that.
the great big overgrown mutt!
Whats your liner" said Ed Meyers.
suddenly turning toward Jock.
Prompted by some imp-"Skirts.'
answered Jock. Ladies' petticoats.
Gas II men ever wore 'em!" he gig
gled inwardly.)
Ed Meyers shifted around in his
chair SO that he might better stare at
this new foe in the field. His little
red mouth was open ludicrously.
Whore you out for?" he demanded
next.
There was a look of Emma Nc.
Chesney on Jocks face. "Why-er-
the Union Underskirt and Hosiery
company of Chicago. New concern
Must be-" ruminated Ed Meyers.
81 never heard of 'em, and know 'em
all. You're starting in young, amt
you, kid! Well. it'll never hurt you
You'll learn something new every day
| Now me, l."
In breezed Emma McChesney. Her
quick glance rested Immediately upon
Meyers and the boy. And in that mo-
ment some instinct prompted Jock Nc.
Chesney to shake his head, ever SC
slightly. and assume Darkness OF
expression. And Emma McChesney
with that shrewdness which had made
her one of the best statesmen on the
road. saw, and miraculously under
| stood.
How do. Mrs. McChesney." srinned
Fat Ed Meyers. You see beat you
to it."
so see.' smiled Emma, cheer
fully. 81 was delayed. Just sold a
nice little bill to Watkins down the
street" She seated herself across the
way, and kept her eyes on that closed
door.
| "say, kid" Meyers began, in the
husky whisper of the fat man, I'm
going to put you wise to something
seeing you're new to this game See
that lady over there?" He nodded
discreetly in Emma McCresney's di
rection.
Pretty, isn't she?" said Jock. ap
| preciatively.
Know who she is?'
The Springfield herald., 1914-10-23

he came toward his mother you mo-
ticed stain on his coat, and sun
burst of wrinkles across one leg Of
his modish brown trousers.
"Good-morning. son!" said Emma
McChesney. WAS it as bad as that?"
Jock McChesney's long fingers
curled into fist.
Say" he began, bis tone venom
GUS. do you know what those-those
those"
Say III" commanded Emma Nc
Chesney. I'm only your mother. II
you keep that In your system your
breakfast will curdle In your stom-
ach."
Jock McChesney said It, know no
phrase better fitted to describe his
tone than that old favorite of the
erotic novelties. 1t was vibrant with
passion. 1t breathed bitterness. 1t
sizzled with savagery. It-Oh. ALTER
alton is useless.
Well" said Emma McChesney. en-
couragingly. go on"
"Well!" gulped Jock McChesney.
and glared; those two double-bedded,
bloomin'. blasted Bisons came in at
twelve. and the single one about If
teen minutes later. They didn't sur
prise me. There was herd of about
ninety-three of 'em in the hall, all
saying goodnight to each other, and
planning where they'd meet In the
probable weather conditions. For that
matter, there were droves of 'em
pounding up and down the halls all
night. / never saw such restless cat
tie. If you'll tell me what makes more
noise in the middle Of the night than
the metal disk of a hotel key bang
ing and changing up against a door.
I'd like to know what 1t is. My three
Bisons were all dolled up with fool
ribbons and badges and striped paper
canes. When they switched on the
light l gave a crack imitation of a
tired working man trying to get lit.
tie sleep. breathed regularly and
heavily, with an occasional moaning
snore. But If those two hippopotamus
Bisons had been alone on their native
plains they couldn't have cared less.
They beloved, and paved the earth
and threw their shoes around, and
yawned, and stretched and discussed
their plans for the next day, and re-
viewed all their doings of that day
Then one Of them said something
about turning in, and / was SO happy
l forgot to snore. Just then another
key changed at the door, in walked a
fat man In a brown derby, and the
stuff was off,"
That" said Emma McChesney
would be Ed Meyers of the Strauss
Sans-silk Skirt company"
/ None other than our hero" Jocks
tone had an added acidity. 1T took
those four about two minutes to get
acquainted. In three minutes they
had told their real names, and II
turned out that Meyers belonged to
an organization that was second
cousin of the Bisons. In five minutes
they had got together deck and q
pile of chips and were shirt-sleeving
1t around game of pinochle. I would
doze of to the slap of cards and the
click Of chips, and wake up when the
bell-boy came in with another round
which he did every six minutes
When got up this morning l found
that Fat Ed Meyers had been sitting
on the chair over which trustingly
had draped my trousers. This sun
burst of wrinkles Is where he mostly
The Springfield herald., 1914-10-23
coooIes Caused Cows Death.

Putnam Valley, n. Y.-A prize COW,
valued at s12.50O. upon which its own
er, Homer F. Rollison, of Putnam Val
ley, placed colored goggles as pre-
scribed for eye disease, was struck
by train and killed. The goggles, 1t
is believed, prevented the COW from
seeing the train in time to save her.
self
The Springfield herald., 1914-10-23

sidered hard case here. and there
are more want to pass me than speak
to me, yet l would not have taken that
oath to save my claim, not for all
the claims In the Klondike." And 1
believed him. 1t is poor ground, in
deed, where there is not some pay
streak.-Youth's Companion.
The Springfield herald., 1914-10-23
Driven to II.

"Do you want work." yep" re-
piled Plodding Pete. 'If you'll gimme
somethin' light an easy, I'll engage.
believe kin get more rest as regu-
lar hand than to go on bein' waylaid
an pestered by people that's tryin'
to hire me-"
The Springfield herald., 1914-10-23
Almost SYNONYMOUS

Mrs. Malaprop-I gave Jim some OF
that compulsion OF cod liver oil today.
Mrs. Highbrough - Emulsion, you
mean, do you not?
Mrs. Malaprop-1t seemed Just the
same.
The Springfield herald., 1914-10-23
Her Advantage.

"A ship has one paradoxical advan-
tage in a storm"
What's that?"
NO matter how she may lose her
grip she generally manages to keep
her hold"
The Springfield herald., 1914-10-23
The Reason.

climbing records are fakes"
Well, now. you couldn't expect
mountain-climbing to be on the level
could your"
The Springfield herald., 1914-10-23
One Certain Exception.

Some people believe in contrasts,
but no man can have a light heart and
The Springdale news., 1914-11-06
WOODIAWN.
{ Afedea.)

Apples seem to be about all garner ed at last.
 Mrs. Wm. Vandiver is on the sick list this week
 Bert McMaster, who has been away selling a ear of apples, return ed last week, but says he thinks he can say the same things again which he told about the apples he sold, so he left again with another car to dispose of.
 Dewey Vandiyer has been enter taining case of sore eyes for the past week or SO
 Mir. Saxton, who represents The Morley Granite & Marble Works at Fayetteville, was in this locality the first of last week.
 Last Wednesday evening between 5 o'clock and dark, MT. Haney s barn burned down No stock was destroyed, but the barn was pretty well filled with hay. They hadn [ gathered their corn yet, so there was only about 50 bushels of corn burned. No definite conclusion has been reached as to how 1t caught fire. Neither Mr Haney nor his son uses toacco. so that does away with the smoking theory Some think il was eaused by combustion. The friends and neighbors of MT. Haney met at his home last Friday and cut q nice lot of logs for the rebuilding Of his barn.
 Mir. Zardains have recommended work on their new house and now have it ready for roofing. This residence will be nice when com Dleted
The Springdale news., 1914-11-06
DEATHS. House.

Mrs. Rachel House. nee Penning- ton, died at the home of her step daughter. Mrs Needham, Friday morning of last week at eleven o'clock, at the age of S3. Deceased has been resident of Springdale a number of years and had many friends, who sympathize with the relatives in her loss.
 The following lines were penned by Rev. A. L. Cline, pastor of the M. E. Church, South. of which church Mrs. House was a member
 Rachel House tnee Pennington was born September 31, 1881. At the age of seventeen she was converted and joined the NJ E. Church. South, where she lived for sixtysix years, giving evidence of God s power. not only to save, but to keep that which is committed unto Him.
 In her last illness she said to the writer, Il have not always been as faithful as I might have been, but I have never lost sight of my Savior and I know I could not have over come the world, had it not been for His saving grace.
 Sister House was married 10 J. A. House in 1866, and the Lord blessed this union with two children. Mrs. Emma Joyce. of Greenwood, Ark. and Mrs. Annie Needham, of Shaw nee, Okla. Brother House, her hus- band, preceded her to the crossing