davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-03-14

told by aA oEilce boy that Mr. Van
derbilt wished TO see him.
The Big Boss?" breathed Collins
in surprise that was half dismay. He
walked briskly into Mr. Vanderbilt's
private office
Mr.. Collins" said the millionaire,
Il hear that you found a necklace
belonging to Mrs. Vanderbilt and re-
turned it. ask YOU il you would
rather have $500 cash or five one
thousand dollar bonds of the railroad.
I'D prefer 10 leave that to your
judgment, sir" said Collins.
We'll, here, then" said Mr.. Van
derbilt. handing the young clerk five
one-thousand-dollar bonds of the New
York Central.
Here is the $500" said Collins.
"Oh, you may as we'll keep that"
BY which token it would appear
that so far. at least, the talisman of
the Vanderbilt touch of gold held
good.
1t did for Collins. But what OF
poor little Mrs. Lillian Cough?
Hearken now TO what it brought to
her.
For ten years Collins had known
her, and all that time had loved her.
apparently made little impression
upon the belle of his neighborhood
in which they lived in Brooklyn.
He had many rivals From among
them she chose Joseph Cough, a mas
10 oh nict Nf al.
ago she welded him. Two years ago
a little daughter was added to their
home.
In business Joseph Cough pros.
pered. But in business, cards often
bear the inverse ratio to success
in love. There were rumors that the
Coughs were not wholly happy. He
was faithful. She was true. He at
tended 10 his business in the shop,
she to hers in the home. Yet there
was not perfect accord. Neighbors
whispered the long word. covering
much unhappiness, 'incom patibility.'
Meanwhile the clerk plodded stead
lily on in his office. He saved his
money. He hoped for happier times.
And now and then when Mrs. Cough
paid visit to her family or friends
in Flatbush he called upon her and
occasionally had the happiness Of es-
corting her 70 the theatre.
Then enter the pearl necklace.
Followed the catastrophe to the Mrs.
Joseph Cough.
She told me a fellow i'm Brooklyn
was going TO get tickets for Twin
Beds and on the way he found the
necklace. 1t belonged to Mrs. Van.
derbilt. and he got reward for it,"
testified her friend, Mrs. Nellie V.
Worldly. in the suit that followed.
For her husband master machinist,
liza ing found a letter written by the
clerk. waAed Indignant and ordered
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-03-14
'He Clasped 1t Around Mrs. Coughs Neck IT.. Clumsy.
She Said
She Said.

and have that sweet little smile on
your face Always.
AS I write this your ring on my
finger keeps staring me In the face,
and 1t seems as if the lion were say
ing. Your grille wants YOU And
that is just the way it is. Whatever
am doing, wherever | am, my first
thoughts are Whatever Is my poor
little grille doing now?'
But be Of brave heart and cheer
up. Things are bound to change, and
the sooner they do the better.
will be over in Newark to see you
tomorrow night. Will call you up
some time after p. m. r. you are
not in, will leave the telephone num-
Der where you can reach me. l had
telephone conversation with Mr.. c.
and it will be all right for you to see
him in his office tomorrow, Tues.
day. afternoon at o'clock.
so, grille. 60 down and see him;
explain everything to him and ask his
advice to the limit. Was talking with
your mother this Afternoon. The baby
Is fine and dandy. Heard her running
around and playing while ! was talk
ing. Everything and everybody else
is all o. X, SO don't worry on that.
We'll. my sweetheart girl, and
know you are mine and mine only,
and l am not afraid am In dream
and will be walked up. When those
sweet lips Of yours told me that you
loved me, then knew that 1t was no
dream, but reality, and was filled
to Overlooking.
Sweetheart, words cannot express
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-03-14

Tv7HY should the luck OF the
w Vanderbits, which is popu-
larly supposed to turn every
thing they touch into gold, have re-
versed its magic to blight the happi-
ness of a Brooklyn bride?
BY what token do talismans oper-
ate that this one, popularity the most
potent, should turn to dross the glad.
ness Of Mrs. Lillian Cough. OF Flat
bush. Brooklyn, New York?
When alchemy once starts working
backward. once the Philosophers
Stone is rubbed the wrong way, it
can turn things into trouble faster
than 1t ever turned them into gold.
Witness Mrs. Lillian Cough and
the Vanderbilt necklace.
The necklace, which holds some OF
Mrs w. X. Vanderbilt's favorite
pearls. lay on the doorstep OF the
Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Daintily shod
toes trod It's encasing envelope. Over
ii, through the rotary doors, streamed
the froutrou of fashion. While it lay
there young John Jere Collins locked
his desk in Mr.. Vanderbilt's New
York Central freight offices, few
blocls away. and then started down
town. BY the time he had reached
the r.. carlton the envelope con.
tanning l.A. pearls had been kicked
to the base ST the steps. The en-
velope had been torn also and the
diamond pendant flashed signal to
his eye. Collins picked up the envel-
ope and put 1t in his pocket.
Here was a situation in itself. An
honest young clerk from Mr. Wander
bilt's own New York Central Rail.
road office picked mp Mrs. Wander
bits lost necklace before Mrs. Van
derbilt knew it was lost, at the very
door OF the Ritz, where Mrs. Wander.
bits maid had dropped it.
But in the tangled skein Of human
fatcs interviewer around the fortu-
nate finding Of one OF Mrs Wander
bits most treasured possessions
there was another Situatlon-over in
Flathnsh, Brooklyn, where Mrs.
Cough lived, and where, it happened,
Collins frequently called For, from
afar, ever since his boyhood, he had
brought his friendship to the feet OF
the pretty young woman.
Even now as he threaded his way
through the inpouring throng Of
wealth Of fashion at the door OF the
Ritz, he was bent on an errand which
had her happiness for its object and
its aim.
ooh, so would like 10 sec that
play" Inc heard her say the evening
before when they were out together
with friends. lie had set out after
the days work ut the office was
over TO so to the theatre and buy
tickets.
How should he know that he was
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-03-14

the feeling. Neither can describe
1t. Will do everything l can to show
you in time to come. Much as
hate to say It, will have to say good
by until tomorrow night. sweetheart
grille of mine"
On the strength OF the affidavit OF
Mrs. Worldly and on this letter he
responded to her suit for separate
maintenance with counter suit.
OF course. it is hardly fair to blame
young Collins alleged infatuation for
Mrs. Cough on the Vanderbilt neck
lace, but If it had not been for the
necklace incident, and the repetition
Of 1t by Mrs. Wordley to Mr.. Cough,
the breaking up Of the Cough home
might perhaps have been averted.
This time the proverbial Wander
bilt luck has been reversed.
Undoubtedly the proverb OF the
Vanderbilt good luck held for Mrs.
Vanderbilt. Problematically for the
clerk. But it failed for the young
woman OF the 1iIlel homes in New.
ark and Flatbush.
For her the necklace was lie, IN.
doing. That young man found {,
necklace and, placing it about her
neck. took her to the theatre, was
enough evidence for the breaking up
of her home. Though the wife has
explained and the clerk has said he
will talk matters over with him at
any time, the master machinist Is
obdurate.
For Mrs. Joseph Cough the Van.
derbilt necklace was her undoing.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-03-14

going 10 stumble upon Mrs. Wander
bits pearl necklace? How should
he know that Fate. which has so
strange penchant for choosing
Jewels as emissaries OF undoing,
lurked in the sparkle of the diamond
pendant that his eyes caught at the
door of the Ritz?
Least Of all, how should poor little
Mrs. Cough, in her Flatbush home,
seek evil portents in her young ad-
mirers discovery.
Fortunate Mr.. Collins saw her that
evening.
"Oh, found this thing" he said
He drew the necklace from his
pocket.
Beads" said young Mrs. Cough.
BE careful how you handle them,
John. It's SO hard TO string them"
Try them on" he suggested.
She clasped them about her neck
and looked down disapprovingly upon
them. 81 don't like it," she said. IL
wouldn't wear the big, clumsy thing"
When she removed it they discov-
cred the clumsy thing" had a pen
dant encircled by shining stones.
The rest Of it is trash" she said,
but that may be worth something"
The pendant was a large oval, be.
meath which, on one side, was min.
iature Of very young man. scarcely
more than lad. On the other was
a lock Of hair, probably from the
thick, waving mass On the head OF
the original of the miniature. AS
matter Of fact, the portrait was that
Of Mrs. Vanderbilt's son, Rutherford,
who was killed in France some years
ago.
Better watch the Lost advertise
ments," advised friend who was
present. 1.-The thing may be worth
something"
at is worth something to some
body because of this" said the finder,
looking at the pictured face. "Who-
ever he is, he is manly chap"
The next day there appeared in
the Lost and Found columns an adj
vertisement by leading firm of jew
elers, describing the necklace, nam
ing the hour and place at which it
was lost, and offering $500 reward.
The jeweller looked up in surprise as
Collins presented the necklace.
81 am commissioned to pay the
$500 reward in cash." he said.
And he handed across the counter
five 500 bills.
by the way, how much is that
necklace worth?" asked the young
man. departing.
About 100000 was the reply.
Collins gasped his establishment.
But he was yet to learn ut how much
more than that Mrs. Vanderbilt rated
the value.
He was at work at mis- clerks desk
Int the big freight offices OF the New
Work Central next day when he was
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-03-14

her husbands home followed Jan
uary 5.
Joe thinks I wore the necklace to
the theatre. didn't. You know
perfectly we'll that after tried 1t on
it stayed in that cabinet. drawer until
John left, and then he had to be re-
minded Of it or he would have forgot
ten 1t" sobbed Lillian Cough. II
never thought OF wearing the old
thing"
You did say you wouldn't wear the
clumsy thing" affirmed friend.
But Joseph Cough was immovable
as one of the rivets in the machine
he operates. He produced n letter
written by the clerk, missiye which
he designated as "slushy, but con-
vincing'
This letter. which was signed
"Jere," ran as follows:
Dear Sweetheart Girlie-I am Just
aching to hold you in my arms again.
1t seems like an age since | saw you
last. Am trying to picture you over
there pining and worrying away, and
| can't bear TO think about it, 80
am coming over to Newark every
evening, If 1t is possible. even If I
can only see you for five minutes.
For you sweet grille, five minutes
with you Is like year in heaven, IL
we believe what is preached
But, for me, heaven is just you
and ]. and for me to see you happy
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-03-14
Mrs. w. K. Vanderbilt; the
100000 Necklace, Actual
Size, and Below 1t Mrs.
John Cough, Whose
Home it Broke Up.

his wife to leave his home and never
more return to it.
The Vanderbilt necklace had been
lost and found the first week in De-
cember. Her forced departure from
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-03-14

TV7HY should the luck Of the
w Vanderbilts, which is popu-,
larly supposed to turn every
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-03
Another "Glad" Book

Let everybody be gladder'n ever, yea
let the rejoicing be much, merry and
marked. That Is, everybody who rejoiced
exceedingly over "Pollyanna," the first
"glad" book, and that means most every
body.
Eleanor II. Porter has added 10 the
general gladness by "Pollyanna Grows
Up" CThe Page Comapny. Boston,. We
find her, in the opening pages,
standing with reluctant feet
Where the brook and river meet"
and we leave her on the threshold OF he:
own lovely romance. And Pollyanna's
grlhood and madenhood are Just as
CHEEKY, helpful and actively optimistic
as her childhood, narrated in the previous
volume, was glad She simply twnes the
tendrils of her affections about the read
er's heart and suffuses his soul with the
glorious sunshine of her nature as she
did to Mrs. Carew, the proud idle,
worldly-wise, disappointed woman. with
whom she lived in Boston. "Polyanna
Grows Up" is really Irresistible. Pro-
fessional pesslmlsts and just ordinary
grouches should order their copies now.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-03
Best Drama Book
in MANY Years

1t is literally impossible to say too many
good things about Chief Contemporary
Dramatists," volume from Houghton-
Mifhin, of Boston. edited by Prof Thomas
II. Dickinson of the University of Wis
consin. Even the moderately high price
S25O--Is phenomenally little for the con-
tents of the SO pages, Therein, but
tressed by photographers and study lists,
are printed no less than 20 modern plays
In these days, when II Is growing only
little less difficult 10 obtain the current
American plays in printed-but not novel
ized-form, 1t is a remarkable contribu-
tion not only to the drama. but TO plain,
everyday enjoyment to find Moody's
The Great Divide" Augustus Thomas
THE Witching Hour" Clyde Fitch's 8
THE Truth" and Percy MacKaye's "The
Scarecrow' all included in collection
that also holds the hest or at least one
of the most interesting. dramas of Wilde,
Pinero. Jones, Galsworthy, Barker, Yeats,
Synse, Lady Gregory. Hauptmann, Suder-
manu. Breux, Hervieu, Maeterlinck,
Bjornson, Strindberg and Tchekhov The
compiler frankly admits difficulties that
prevented the inclusion of Bernard Shaw
and j. NJ Barrie.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-03
Wars Sham and Horror
in Guise of Romance

1t was to be expected that viii Lew
ington Comfort, novelist. war corre-
spondent and soldier, would seize tho nm
portunity presented by Europe's titanic,
conflict to add to his already reasonable
large output of romances II was also
to be expected that he would not handle
the theme In any conventional manner
Mr.. Comfort, in all his books, has ever
been inclined to give the conventions tbe
cold shoulder and In "Red Fleece,
George II. Doran Company, New York;.
he adheres 10 his usual plan. This latest
book of hlsSis called n romance: I'm real
ity II is more nearly a sociological dis
cussion. 1t is not lacking in actlon-bat-
tie, bloodshed. peril, intrigue and hero
ism all contributing to carry the story
along-but the reader is left in no doubt
whatever of the writer's prime purpose
That purpose is to present an indictment
against war its sham and hypocrisy
quite as much as its horror and atroclty
and make an appeal for universal peace.
Mr.. Comfort pleads the cause of the
peasants, to At the locale of the Ntory-
who are led like sheep to the shambles
He glorifics the Russian revolutonists
who risk their lives in their vain efforts
to put a stop TO the curse OF militarisnk
From literary standpoint. the work is
very far from being the best that he
has done, when one remembers Down
Among Men" and Fate knocks at the
Door" 1t is ultra-modcrn in its style
spasmodic and splotchy, lacking alto
gether that continuity which an older
generation thought essential to the best
craftsmanship. But IL need hardly be
said that the pictures Of war are pre-
sented with vigor and abundant color
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-03
War Through Canine Eyes

Ouidas "a Dog of Flanders" by It's
imaginative charm and genuine human
feeling. has outlivcd her numerous and
hectic fictions and for precisely the same
reason Walter a. Dyer's very similarly
named "Pierrot a Dog of Belgium
Doubleday, Page & Co., New York;, will
be fresh and fragrant reading when the
second hand book stalls have become
the final refuge OF the multitudinous
"seasonable" books, fictional, descriptive
and military, evoked by the great con-
fict.
Plerrot is only humble dog. who
works hard in the fields and the marts
for his peasant masters and who love
their children with a great devotion. And
one day he is redustioned for the front;
becomes q factor in the great military
machine. His going causes heartbreaks.
but it is necessary to start the thrilling
story of his experiences as one OF the
dogs OF war"
These Mr. Dyer has rccOunted in simple
and sympathetic wise, realizing that to be
affecting he need not be sentimental. SO
his narrative Is gracious tender and APP
pealing. Part of the proceeds from its
sale is TO be contributed to the Belgian
relief funds.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-03
Phillpott's Newest,
"Brunel's Tower"

a boy who runs away from reform
atory and adopts the name Harvey
Porter is given employment by George
Easterhrook, the master of a pottery
known as Bruners Tower. Young Porter,
immoral and with pity for neither the
sorrows of the world nor his own, differs
from the usual individualist in possessing
q singular idealsm based on loyalty to
his benefactor.
Nelly Todd, the granddaughter of an
other pottery owner. tells the boy a
valuable trade secret. believing that he
intends 10 marry her. Porter's eXulta-
ton that he has at last been able to
repay his benefactor ends when Easter
brook learns OF the perfidy by which the
secret was acquired, He has grown to
love Porter like son, but he sends him
away in disgrace.
This crisis reveals or is supposed TO
reveal, that the boys character had been
subtly moulded by the influence of Easter
brooks personality and that his moral
sense had been developed. He leads
dreary and Tepentant life until Easter
brook becomes tolerant enough to forgive
him, but he never returns to the Tower,
because of an arbitrarily interpolato tod
tragedy which ends the boys history.
Harvey Porter is a unique book char
acter. His outlook on life Is consistently
presented-so consistently, in fact that
one wonders II the environment OF
Brunels Tower altered him so profoundly
as his well-wishers thought
In "Bruners Tower" macmillan. New
York;, Mr. Phillpotts goes to a daring
extreme in depicting the Nietzchean
hardness of a character for whom he
wishes the readers sympathy. Porter
sees an aged woman, a pensioner of the
Tower, preparing to commit suicide IN
'front.' of an approaching train. Aware
.hat he could save her. he deliberately
turns his back and walks away from the
place.
The background of the story is a typical
pottery district of western England. The
people who live rather colorless, matter
of-fact existence in the community are
adequately portrayed
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-03
CHORUS TO GIVE CONCERT
Strawbridge and Clothier Organiza
ton Will Sing April 26.

The annual concert of the strawbridge
and Clothier chorus will be given in the
Metropolitan Opera House April 26 when
two cantatas will be produced, "The
Swan and the Skylark' and THE Rose
Maiden" The chorus sang 1.-THE Rose
Maiden" an exceptionally tuneful and
sparkling cantata, several years ago, the
occasion marking one of the many sue
cessful productions given by the organi-
zation since its formation.
The sooists, all of whom enjoy distinc-
tion in their line will be Mrs. May Ebrey
Hotz Mrs. Clara Yocum Joyce, Nicholas
Douty and Lewis James Howell
The Philadelphia Orchestra will furnish
the Instrumental music. Mr. Herbert J..
Tlly, the general manager of the store,
will direct the entire production.
The firm will pay all the expenses of
the concert which in previous years has
been held in the Academy of Music, and
the entire gross receipts will he turned
over to the Strawbridge & Clothier PEN
sion fund.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-03
AMONG THE BOOKS
The Professor Who
Discovered the Country

Walter Prichard Eaton has written a
delightful book in The 1dyl OF Twin
Fires doubleday Page & Co, New
fine quality OF humor. Man does not live
by humor alone, true enough. but GER
tain kind OF It helps him live well-the
humor OF Lamb and Charles Dudley War
nor. THE 1dyl of Twin Fires" is not
an essay; It is a story of adventure in
country life yet II is like the best of
essays. for II has the rare flavor of
good talk. Evidently the author en-
joyed the writing of the book.
IT you had country boyhood, or II
you have ever felt that you have been
too long in city pent and would like a
few acres to call your own, or II you
have any fondness for firepaces and old
houses or for making roses and potatoes
grow, or if you have any playfulness OF
spirit, you will find that THE Idyl of
Twin Fires" is book to invite your soul.
Or II you have had none of these feelings
or experiences IL is hardly to be doubted
that THE Idyl OF Twin Fires will lend
you timely aid. II you like little
philosophy mixed in with your humor,
YOU Will find 1t here, and indeed good
humor Is always touched with philosophy.
But this Is tale of adventure. For
John Upton, instructor i'm English in a
college, bought a New England farm.
with an ancient house which he partly
made over TO suit himself. and a number
of acres which he made to pay where
they had never paid before. To help him
in planning his garden with its rose
arbor and bird bath and sun dial. was
the city boarder at Bert's. One day they
went to Bentford
THE girl was dressed iauntly in blue,
and I wore my last years best suit and
n hat and collar ! shifted the city smell,
and declared: Rather nice. Just for a
contrast. I've got an all-dresscd-u -up-in-
my-best feeling. Have your
1T Is n lark she smiled. T never
saw city from country point of view
before. 1t seems queer to meas If
didn't belong in it.
You don't said /; you belong in the
Finally he rescued her from the die
tionary she was working on in New York.
and they came home to Twin Fires" for
that was the name of the house, from the
open fireplaces in the south room
There are In the book some country
people and some summer residents and
some rural problems-all of them worth
knowing