davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1915-12-23
Okolona and Preparedness

With the whole country think
ing and talking Preparedness,
it is well to think and talk some
of preparedness" at home
The English. French, Russians
Italians. Germans and Austrians
will eon be upon us with al
their forces, not military we
hope. but the forces of their
wants. indeed several of these
nations are already here with
their goli and credit asking for
and taking over our products
and others will come just as soon
as ships are allowed to pass to and
from there countries now barred
from our markets.
So much gold has already
come to us that the u. S. now
holds little more than one
fourth of all the gold
of the world, and the end
is not yet. Our money centers
are literally flooded with real
money and it has gradually de-
clined until now prime mercan-
tile paper is quoted at 3 g 81
with a excess idle reserve of
nearly a. billion of dollars. The
country now forces a deluge of
cash the like of which was never
seen before.
But the point is this-money
is not going to lie idle long. 1t
was mode to use and is more
worthless than chips when idle.
Something is going to happen to
put this idle money to work up
to its capacity ~and this some
thing is going to make brisk
trade in Almost every line of
industry In fact the lumber
and metal trades are already
booming and dragging others up
with them, Too, nearly every
spendIe in the country is turning,
many of them up to their capaci-
ty. With this much already an
accomplished fact it is time to
get ready for the boom for
Okolona to think preparedness,
talk preparedness and act in a
way to be prepared-to meet that
wealth producing activity which
is even now knocking at our
door.
We do not like to mention the
bat it is a known fact
that much of the farmers bust
ness which should come to this
city goes elsewhere. This is no
theory. 1t is a condition our
people now face, and
one they must solve if they wish
to hold their own to say nothing
IF gaining back lost trade and
inroads into new terri
,ory. There can be no good
'eason why nearby towns pay
more for farm products than can
)kolona. That they do so is
certain, the evidence is too
strong to be doubted. But why?
This is the question that must be
correctly answered and in
answering it we go to the root
# the evil that Preparedness"
must remove that we may join
he army of hustle" now so
apidly mobilizing. What are
We going to do about it?
Don't all answer at once" but
end in your answer whether for
or otherwise. 1
Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1915-12-23
OkOl Ohh HISS DEC % 1915

Senator Vardaman has declared
his intention of using his whole
influence toward defeating Pres.
ident Wilson's program of pre-,
paredness.
1t will be remembered that
our junior senator shortly after
he was indicted into his pres
ent office, made a trip with one
of the East's millionaire in his
private yacht. Just what was
said and done while the Senator
was such a guest the public has
not yet been informed. That he
was invited for a purpose seems
certain.
1t, too, will be remembered,
that later, Senator Vardaman
voted against the present bank
ing law, said ty be the greatest
piece of constructive legislation
put on our statute books within
the last half century. His vote
simply meant that he wanted
the Money Trust" in Wall
Street to retain control of the
finances of the whole country.
His vote against the repeal of
the Tolls Exemption Clause"
in the law governing the Pana-
ma Canal was another vote for
one of our rich trusts, and d.
rectly against the interests of
the taxpayers who, under the
old republican act would have
been taxed to provide free
water way for the coastwise.
shipping interests. But the
GROWING vote of Mr.. Varda-
man against the interests of the
people of this State, was that
against the Ship Purchase
Bill" This he succeeded in de-
feating. The Government went
into the insurance business and
only insured a few cargoes,
when insurance rates went
down and cotton went up more
than a cent pound notwith-
standing a decline across the
water. Had the Ship Purchase
Bill" passed doubtless ocean
freight rates would have de-
clined to a point whereby mil
lions of dollars would have been
saved to the cotton farmers of
the South without the purchase
OF more than one or two ships,
if, indeed, single purchase had
been required to accomplish this
end.
The Dilemma of Senator Yard
aman calls to mind a story the
late Adam Byrd used to tell on
an old friend of his, who lived
in the North Bend community:
Uncle John, as was his Gus.
tom to do occasionally, went to
Pearl river, a fishing. He pro-
ceeded to catch a few minnows
and put some of these in his vest
pocket for use as occasion
required, forgetting these, he
returned home. In a few days
a very unpleasant odor was
noticeable when Uncle John was
around. Aunt Jane complained
and several of her suggestions
were acted upon. She finally
ordered Uncle John take a bath
which he did. but without result.
Whereupon little Sarah remark
ed, Ma, | can tell you what's
the matter with pa. He's dead
and don't know it. -
Senator Vardaman may not
be dead to democracy and don't
know it; but he evidently has
some dead republican minnows
IN his pocket-rAental pocket.
Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1915-12-23
Sport Before Schedules.

What time will this train reach
Perkins Junction. asked traveller
on short line railroad. There amt
no telling" said the conductor affably
me and the engineer are goin' ter get
of down the road piece an hunt
rabbits for a spell"
Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1915-12-23
AS 1T WORKS SOMETIMES.

''Misery loves companionship."
"Thats right. When dad feels
miserable he wants all the rest of UP
to feel miserable"
Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1915-12-23
THE WRETCH.

Ethel-Did you tell the reporter
that your engagement was secret
Marches, and the horrid thing
never put it in the paper at all.
Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1915-12-23
Wonderful Alaskan poos.

The principal means of transporta-
ton in Alaska is dog sleds. A good
dog is worth $3.50 to 5000. He has
wonderful endurance and can Live on
Alaskan atmosphere.
Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1915-12-23
NOT If IT'S LIKE HER.

He (11:3O p. m.)-Well, misery
loves company, you know.
She (stifing a yawn)-Not at
this hour, | think.
Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1915-12-23

She-I intend to run for alder
woman as soon as we get our rights.
He-Well, it is to be hoped that
the styles change, and that wom-
en- do not wear hobble skirts when
they start running for office.
Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1915-12-23
DR.. B. F. Jackson, Celebrated
Physician

handed down to posterity his
famous prescription for female
troubles. Now sold under the
name of "Femenina." Price
SOC and $1.00 adv
The Marietta journal and courier. (Marietta, Ga.) 1909-1918, 1915-03-12
CHAPTER III.

Ia ILBERT BLYE suavely ap-
IL preached June, and Mrs. vii
MI lard went into an adjoining
~ office to talk with Mr.. Pink
nam. Following Blye came Grin Gun
bingham, Tommy Thomas and a white
haired man with heavy lidded eyes.
Then June received the great shock
of her life-Blye offered her a trip on
a private yacht He had a photo of it
with him. She gasped in amazement
and refused it.
Then Cunningham drew out a check
book and asked her how MUCH money
she needed. June's cheeks paled. She
burst into the Office where Mrs. Willard
sat with the iron Pinknam.
did you bring me here to be tor
mented by those peOple?'' she demand
ed. Her cheeks were flaming, her eyes
swapping.
Mrs. Willard hesitated a moment
did your" insisted June IF so I
shall resign"
why, no, child" returned Mrs. Vii.
lard rising and holding out her hand.
The Marietta journal and courier. (Marietta, Ga.) 1909-1918, 1915-03-12

and by the time they reached ~.
ground floor she had consented TO 70.
turn to Pinknam's with Mrs yiIlard
She would not talk to the Others. how
ever, and they very wisely held thai,
peace.
AS they emerged on the main floor
however, Cunningham turned to her
with twinkling joTiality in his ewes
and leaning over. whispered sometime
into her ear just as she was about to
step into the adjoining upward bound
elevator
At that very instant Ned Warner
strobe into the rotunda, closely follow.
ed by Honoria Blye. He saw his beau
tiful bride in the company of the black
Vandyked man. who was watching bar
with that suaye smile upon his dark
handsome face, while a debOnair
white mustached man bent over her
Familiarity and whispered in her ear
He saw June blush; he saw her stem
back; then the lady with her drew her
into the elevator. Blye and the others
crowded after her. and as Ned raced
vengefully through the corridor, with
the shrieking Honoria behind 4, m, the
door closed with a bang. ana SAe car
shot upward.
They rushed into the next car. Ned
black brOwed and silent, and the shril
Honoria jabbering necessarily. The
car had scarcely started to move when
sudden idea came to Ned, and he
turned to Mrs. Blye with the first
words he had spoken to her.
I'VE might miss them" he snapped.
They may have seen lis and not go to
the Office you named. I'll go back
down ana wait"
AS they left the elevator at the
eleventh floor the door of a down car
changed. If Ned had got out at the
first stop, which was the ninth floor
he would have caught that down car
The Marietta journal and courier. (Marietta, Ga.) 1909-1918, 1915-03-12

eyes had come to life and on his lips
smile.
why, my dear" ne said, this is an
unexpected pleasure. May l ask you
to wait just a moment?" And he
glanced appEehensively toward his pri-
man, with his gloved hands cIasped on
cane, sat nervously.
II don't think | shall need to wait"
And the woman glanced around the
reception room. Her glance swept just
above the head of Mrs Willard, but it
swept downward as it came to June
She calmly lifted her pearl handled
lorgnette, opened it with Il snap and
surveyed the girl from head to foot
with cold appraisement of that beau
tful young PERSONS charms. She
swept her gaze to her beaming hus-
band. II shall need some money" she
remarked. and there was an additional
insolence in her having made herself
oblivious to the fact that there were
strangers present.
with pleasure. my dear" And Mfr
P1nknam was as obsequious as if he
had been salesman whom the wo-
man had just favored with a large or
der. How much shall it be?'
Ten thousand" she said caimly.
The impatient little man leaned for
ward and started to talk as Pinknam
sat down at his desk, but no attention
was paid to his eager renewal of the
conversation, and he died into Tuning
silence while the check was written.
Mrs. Pinknam stood in disdainful re-
pose.
Il have made it twenty" Mr.. Pink
nam observed. using the il$atiating
tones as lie tried to smile.
THANK yOu," she said and, folding
the check, dropped it into little gold
purse as if it were a trife of vulgar
lns1gnificance. If the man had thought
by his eagerness and generosity to
strike from her any spark of gratitude
or affection he had been mistaken. for.
having thanked him in a manner which
made the thanks themselves an insult,
she babe him goodby and swept from
the office. And the man? He beamed
after her!
Mrs. Willard and June breathed
sigh of relief. They were invited into
handsome inner office. The insolent-
ly handsome woman! In Mrs Pink
nam the runaway bride had recognized
another and startling phase of her
own problem. Here it was again-the
same, never ending condition of the
man owning all and the woman none,
of the man giving and the woman re-
ceiving.
Suddenly June gave u start of min
gled surprise and fright. In the door
way stood the darkly handsome, suave-
ly smiling Gilbert Blye!
The Marietta journal and courier. (Marietta, Ga.) 1909-1918, 1915-03-12

ing, and her kindly face showed i'm
mediate concern when she learned that
June must not come home to the Wild
ow O'Kecfe's.
"WhyY she naturally wanted to
know.
We'll. you're friend of hers, aren't
you?" hesitated Marie.
"Of course" smiled Mrs. Willard. and
before her rose the fresh young face
Of pretty June.
well. then I'll tall you" Marie
threw her thick black veil oyer her
shoulder for the twentieth time, and
II drop Of perspiration trickled down
her nose. I'm her maid Marie, and
she mustn't come home"
But she's already started" worried
Mrs. Willard. She's probably there
by this time. Why mustn't she come
home:'
Has she:" And the voice of Marie
cracked oh, Goodby! How am |
TO get her away from there"
wait minute!" This seemed to be
no time for asking questions. I'm
come down in my carr
"Gh. yes, do gasped Marie, nearly
pulling the transmitter off the wall
"Goodby! | have to hurryr'
Wait minute! Wait. Marie! Where
am to Gomez"
"Oh, yes" And Marie gulped. Its
the Widow O'Keefes. at the corner of
Deshley street and Duck alley. right
The Marietta journal and courier. (Marietta, Ga.) 1909-1918, 1915-03-12

"My wife is herer' declared Ned
Warner to Mrs. O'Keefe, with convic-
ton. ~ want herr
Come right in and get her." invited
the widow, hinging wide the door. IF
you take her along this time you won't
be a nuisance to me any more today"
But their second search revealed
nothing.
At last the discouraged party left the
house of O'Keefe.
In the meantime Mrs Willard had
stopped in front of Gilbert Blyes mag
nificent club. A short, wide, fat man
was leaning against the lamppost
smoking short, thick cigar when Mrs
Wizards chauffeur jumped down and
ran into the club, but he paiG little at
tention until Gilbert Blye came out;
The Marietta journal and courier. (Marietta, Ga.) 1909-1918, 1915-03-12

across from Tim Courky's saloon. Any
policeman can tell you the place. Hur
ry!" And Marie, starting another
seam in the Widow O'Keefe's mourn
ing dress, plunged out of the telephone
booth, battling for air.
Mrs. Willard stood at the phone Il
moment, with musing smile growing
upon her lips; then she gave the mum
Der of u magnificent club. The man
whom brass buttoned page brought
through the marble corridors from the
leather hung library to answer the call
wore a suave smile and black Van
dyke.
This is Mrs. Willard, Gilbert" came
the low. sweet voice. 81 have some.
thing very important to tell you.
June"
"Oh!' Gilbert Blye strokeI his black
Vandylle with his long, lean, white
fingers. "Tll join you Immediately
wherever you say"
'Shall l stop at your clubY'
'Please." Gilbert BIye walked out
Of the telephone booth, sent for his hat
and sat in the reception room near the
door
The family limousine Of the MOores
had no sooner rolled away from the
widows house than Sammy O'Keefe
unlocked the closet door in proud self
approhation
"What was it," June asked.
"Your husband, miss" And the Wild
dow O'keefe laughed her cackling tri
umph and rubbed her gnarled hands
over each other. "It's small satisfac-
ton he got out Of me and Sammy with
his pryin' and inquisitive"-
Ned cried June, ana she clutched
at the baniSter rail "He was hcre"'
Fright where you're standin', miss
And your father and mother and
Daddy! Mummy The tears gath
cred
Don't you mind darlin'," encour
aged the widow heartily. "They got
nothin' out of either Sammy or me.
Sammy, I'm proud of you. boy. l
didn't know You could lie so good. and
I'll never believe anything YOU tell me
again And there was a couple of
your friends. miss-hearty soul of Il
young woman that never left off talk
in or lauGhin' or cryin' or somethin
one minute after the other and her
husband. henpeckpd little fellow
that'll be no trouble until he gets
walked ~ some day; then watch out
for bis l1nl. My Dan was that way
could hH !yrag that poor devil night
and day I'll | see the CLINT begin to
come in his eye Why darlin', what's
the mgt,er: Sammy, you big simple,
ton, why don't you get Miss JUNE a
glass of water. And be quick, will
you?"
Jabbering out all her pentup excite
ment, not word of which June had
heard, she helped the coIorless half
fainting girl up to her own rooms and
mothered around her with Il so!icitude
which was fully as lively as her tongue
and far more sincere
June might AZ well have been alone
for NIL that she was conscious OF the
oKeefc mIaistrations They bud been
here, he!- N these yesy room5, Ned.
The Marietta journal and courier. (Marietta, Ga.) 1909-1918, 1915-03-12

her father and mother! How she long
ed for them! How she wished they
had found her! And great food Of
love surged up in her She must see
them! She must go to them at oncei
She must give up this foolish fight for
a romantic ideal and be just girl, and
return to her own people, aid be pet
ted and forgiven, and be clasped in
Ned's strong arms. never t. leave them
again. She rose with a wild impulse
to hurry straight after them, but her
knees bent under her. She had not
known how much this sudden emotion
had taken away her strength. The
Widow 0'Keefe pressed her tenderly
back in her chair, and Sammy held a
glass to her lips and spilled a trickle
OF water on her chin. She smiled at
them both. for she was very fond of
them; then the widow drove Sammy
from the room and put June on the bed
and took off her little shoes, and drew
the blinds, and left her alone to cry it
out. And the Widow O'Keefe rasped
her OWL eyes with lumpy knuckles as
she closed the door.
June sat suddenly bolt upright and
dried her eyes and hunted for her
shoes. How bare everything looked in
the room! Why, everything was gone!
And where was Marie?
Marie had just turned the corner of
Officer Dowd's post when there came
swiftly toward her family limousine
which she remembered with a jump in
her breast.
Suddenly there was loud yelp of
JOY from a handsome collie sitting be-
side the driver, and Bouncer, who new
err left his seat when in the city, was
halfway to the curb in one spring
With shrek Marie headed for the
nearest alley, Bouncer barking happily
at her heels.
Five voices yelled for Jerry to STOP
but it was unnecessary. That good
chauffeur had used both brakes, and
the Moores, the Bletherings and Ned
Warner all tried to crowd out of the
door. While the agitated Bobby block
ed the doorway Ned rushed after Ma
RE, but he suddenly found himself
breastbone to breastbone with Officer
DOwd
Excuse me-" said Officer Dowd, still
breasting him. WAS it you or me
that's in the road"
II want to speak to that young wo-
MANI And Ned tried to pass around
Officer DOwd as that young woman"
accompanied by the leaping Bouncer,
turned swiftly into narrow alley.
The last fash of her was a red and
white striped stocking.
Officer Dowd was at this moment one
of the most awkward men on the
force. He had tried to shove around
Ned, and now they met again. breast
bone to breastbone.
Get out of my way! yelled Ned.
"Who you orderin'" retorted Officer
Dowd.
"She was servant of mine," said
did she steal anything?" demanded
Dowd.
mo"
Then it's none of my business"
And Officer Dowd looked toward the
alley with twinkle dawning in his
eye. Marie knew every turn and twist
within ten blocks of the Corners. Go
on and speak to the lady"
They went down to the alley mouth
and looked in. There was a wilder
ness of crooked byways and no Marie
visible
Where to, sir?" asked Jerry.
1.-The Widow OKeefe's!" declared
Ned.
The Marietta journal and courier. (Marietta, Ga.) 1909-1918, 1915-03-12
Gilbert Blye Was Enjoying That Chase
Immensely.

Immensely
But more than that. He would have
come face to face with June and the
one person whom of all the people in
this world he most longed to meet, Gil
bert Blye.
June, who had burst from her tor
mentors at the ninth floor, stepped into
the down car which Ned two floors
above had just missed. Mrs. Willard,
still pleading, followed her. and Blyes
audacious crew laughingly joined them.
Two down cars shot by Ned, and by
the time he reached the main floor the
faces for which he was watching were
lost in the throng at the door. He
might even then have distinguished
his runaway bride and the man with
the black Vandyke had he looked IN
that direction, but he did not expect to
see them there. He expected to see
them coming through the open door or
an elevator, the girl whom he loved
above everything in the world and the
scoundrel whom he intended to stran-
gle to death.
June meantime had hailed d taxi
She saw standing in front of the door
the luxurious limousine of Gilbert Bye
and understood why Mrs. Willard had
dismissed her own car.
80 Mr.. Blye was to take us home'
she holly charged.
Don't, child!' begged Mrs. Willard,
beginning to be as much distracted as
June. Lets go home" And, stepping
in the taxi with June, she gave sharp
direction to the driver. Don't you
dare follow" she ordered Blye and his
companions.
The tormentors laughed and walked
forward to Blye's car.
Uptown on busy Broadway sped
June and Mrs. Willard, and by the time
they had reached Columbus circle
June's suspicious Of Mrs. Willard were
allayed.
Through beautiful Central park with
its branches interlaced against the
wintry sky, and now June was begin
ming to feel little more kindly to-
ward the vivacious brunette, Tommy
Thomas.
On Spuyten Duyvil parkway a lux
urious limousine had halted, and as the
taxi passed it rolled out and followed.
In it sat June's determined pursuers,
and on the dark. handsome face OF
Gilbert Blye was again that suaVe
smile. June turned chill with nervous
apprehension.
Gilbert Blye was enjoying that chase
immensely, and he watched the weay-
ing. swaying taxi with always that
Suave smile
Suddenly Blye leaned forward with
an oath, and there was shrek from
the vivaciOus brunette. SomethinS
seemed to be wrong with the steering
Wheel Of the taxi, for, as it went UP the
nil ahead of them, 1t wabbled TO ana
tro uncertainty, dangerously near tue
crumbling bank which was protected
by tllmsy rail. and there was a curve
ahead!
There was D cry of horror from them
all rs the taxi at the curve ran up the
embankment, paused Mt the brink Tor
a moment and then with It's precious
burden inside crashed through the raj
and plunged down the hIlll
The Marietta journal and courier. (Marietta, Ga.) 1909-1918, 1915-03-12

and Asked Her How Much Money!
She Needed.
4 only want you to do the things best
for you to do"
m going!' June suddenly decided
The iron man bowed. There was no
CLINT in his metallic eye, no smile on
his unbending lips.
June, followed by Mrs. Willard. sailed
through the magnificent reception room
and into the hall. Blye and his com.
panions followed them.
At that moment Ned Warmers taxi.
CAB drew up in front of the Bond So.
curities building. and close behind IL
came the electric Of Honoria Blye. that
lady driving IT herself, bolt upright.
June darted into the first elevator
ana her pursuers crowded in after her
MRS. Willard put an arm around June
IN corner of the elevator, and there
were tears In her eyes as she talked
10 the distracted girl. 1t was that
winch brought sympathy to June. II
was her greatest weakness, sympathy.
The Marietta journal and courier. (Marietta, Ga.) 1909-1918, 1915-03-12

- don't think shall need to wait"
Mrs. O'Keefe hide us. They're com,
ingr'
Coming" June was startled
I'M hide YOU" offered Sammy from
the doorway Come right here!'
And he rushed across to the side win
dow.
1t was but few seconds work to
transfer June across the fire escape
platform connecting with the McPher-
son house. The family limousine, con
timing the Moorcs, the Rletherlngs aud
Ned Warner, came spinning around the
corner!
The Marietta journal and courier. (Marietta, Ga.) 1909-1918, 1915-03-12
CHAPTER n,

n KlARIE dashed into the O'Keefe
M house as fast as her red and
III 1 white striped legs would carry
- her. Fast as she was, Bouncer
was six springs ahead of her, and she
had no sooner started to open the door
than he burst out of her grasp and
was across the floor and up on the
bed and trampling all over June, bark
ing in her ear.
"Bouncerw sobbed June. "Bouncer!'
Twill you be stillY' screamed Marie
to the dog. Miss June, dear, get up!
The Marietta journal and courier. (Marietta, Ga.) 1909-1918, 1915-03-12
SEVENTH EPISODE.
The TOrmentOrS.
CHAPTER |.

fr~1HE Widow O'Keefe stopped
IL quickly and snatched some
thing from the floor while Eve
SfrapyorS raarad into aVaTV nh