davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-12-23

and climbed into the front seat,
next to Blackie. leaving me to oc-
cupy the tonneau in solitary state.
Peter began to ask question
dozen of them, which Blackie an
swered patiently and fully. Sud-
denly Peter made a gesture in the
direction of the wheel, and said
something in a high, sharp voice.
Blackie's answer was quick and
decidedly in the negative. The
next instant Peter Orme rose in
his place and grasped the wheel
that was in Blackie's hand. The
car swerved sickeningly. | remem-
Der leaning over the back of the
seat and trying to pull Peter back
as | realized that 1t was a mad
man with whom we we're dealing.
"Sit down, Orme!" Blackie yell
ed. You'll ditch us! DAWN"
We shot down a little hill. The
machine was poised in the air for
a second before 1t crashed into
the ditch and turned over COM
lpletely, throwing me clear, but
burying Blackie and Peter under
its weight of steel and wood and
whirring wheels.
l remember rising from the
ground, and sinking back again
and rising once more to run for
ward to where the car lay in the
ditch, and Juggling at that great
frame of steel with crazy, futile
fingers. Then / ran screaming
down the road toward a man who
was TRANQUILITY working in a field
near by.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-12-23
CHAPTER XIII.
A Turn of the Wheel

From my desk l could see Peter
standing In the doorway OF the
news editors room. I shut my eyes
for a moment. Then I opened
them again, quickly. No. 1t was
mot a dream.
The thing had adjusted itself.
AS Norah had said It would. And
now I was back in harness again,
and Peter was turning out brill
liant political stuff at spasmodic
intervals.
Norah had found quiet and COM
Portable quarters for Peter in a
boarding-hous a square from my
clearinghouse. He hated It cor
daily, as only the hxury-loving
can hate q clearinghouse. and
Threatened to leave daily.
Let's 60 back to the big town,
Dawn, old girl" he would say.
We're buried alive In this over
grown Dutch village. I came here
in the first place on your ac-
count. Now It's up to you to get
me out Of It. Think Of what New
York meansi Think of what I've
beeni And | can write a. well as
|svsr."
But l always shook my head.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-12-23
CHAPTER XIV
BIackie's Vacation Comes

In some miraculous manner
Blackie lived on for two days after
that CHASTITY ride. Peter had been
killed instantly, the doctors said.
My escape with gut a few ridicu-
lous bruises and scratches was due
they said, to the fact that had sal
in the tonneau.
Norah and Max came, and took
things in charge, and l saw Won
Gerhard, but all three appeared
dim and shadowy, like figures in a
mist. In the midst of the black
ness I heard a sentence that clear
ed the fog fran my mind. and
caused me to raise myself from my
lpillows.
Some one-Norah, I think-had
said that Blackie was conscious,
and that he was asking for some
of the men at the office, and for
me. For me! l rose and dressed,
in spite Of Norah's protests.
/ met them in the stiff little
waiting room of the hospital -
Norberg, Deming, Schmidt, Holt
men who had known him from the
time yhen they had yelled, Hey,
boy" at rim when they wanted
their pencils sharpened.
Awkwardly we followed the fleet
footed nurse, and came at last into
a very still and bright little room
where Blackie lay.
The fact that tried to smile at
us from the pillow was strangely
wizened and old. Only the eyes
were the same. They glowed in
the sunken face, beneath the shock
of black hair, with a startling lus-
ter and brilliancy.
"Sa-a-ay, boys and girls, cut out
the heavy thinking parts. Don't
make me do all the social stunts.
What's the news? What kind of
a rotton cotton sportin' sheee is
that dub Callahan gettin' out?
Who won today-Cubs or Pirates?
Norbeng. you goat, who pinned that
purple tie on your"
He was so like the Blackie We
had always known that we were
at our ease Immediately. The sun
shown in at the window, and some
one laughed a little laugh some
where down the corridor, and
Deming, who is Irish, plunged
into droll description of brand
new office boy who had arrived
that day.
A nurse in stripes and cap ap-
peared in the doorway. She looked
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-12-23

Here! Ernest! Take me home!
Oh, / can't do it! / ought to be
happy, but I'm not. ! ought to be
thankful, but I'm not. I'm not.
The horror of having him there
was great enough, but IL was moth
ing compared to the horror of hav-
ing him here. / used to dream
that he was well again, and that
he was searching for me, and the
dreadful realness OF it used to
waken me, and | would find my
self shivering with terror. Once
l dreamed that | looked up from
my desk to find him standing in
the doorway, smiling that mirth-
less smile of his, and heard him
say, in his mockjng way: Hello.
Dawn, my love- looking wonder
fully well. Grass widowhood
agree with you, eh?'"
Dawn, you must not laugh like
that. Come, we will go. You are
shivering! Don't, dear. don't. See,
you have Norah, and Max, and me
to help you. We will put him on
his feet. Physically he is not what
he should be. | can do much for
him"
"You!" / cried, and the humor
of 1t was too exquisite for laugh
ter.
For that I gave up Vienna"
said Won Gerhard, simply. you
too, must do your share"
MY share! | have done my
share. He was In the gutter, and
he was dragging me with him.
When his insanity came upon him,
] struggled up again. Even Norah
never knew what that struggle
was. Whatever / am, | am in spite
of him. tell you ! could hug my
widows weeds. Ten years ago he
showed me how horrible and I'M
clean thing can be made of this
beautiful life. was a despairing,
covering girl OF twenty then. ! am
a woman now, happy in her work.
her friends; growing broader and
saner In thought, quicker to ap-
preciate the finer things of life.
And now-what?"
I rose and ran down the path
toward the waiting machine. There
in the darkness / buried my
shamed face in my hands and
prayed for the tears that would
not come.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-12-23

keenly at the little figure in the
bed. Then abe turned to us.
You must 60 now" she said.
"You were just to see him for
minute or two, you know"
Blackie summoned the wan
ghost of a smile to his lips. Guess
you guys amt got tn stimulatin'
effect tn ia bunch of live wires
ought to have"
They said goodbye awkwardly
enough. Not one of them that
did not owe him an unpayable
debt of gratitude.
Suddenly Blackie beckoned the
nurse in the doorway. She came
swiftly and bent over him.
Gimme two minutes more,
that's good nursie. There's
something l want to say t. this
dame. It's de rigger t hand out
last messages, amt it,"
And SO, when the others had
gone, | found myself seated at the
side of his bed, trying to smile
down at him. | knew that there
must be nothing to excite him. But
the words on my lips would come.
"Blackie," | said, and | strug-
gled to keep my voice calm and
emotionless, "Blaekie, forgive me.
1t was all my fault-my wretched
fault"
Nov, cut that" interrupted
Blackie. II thought that was your
game. That's why | said | wanted
t talk t. you. Now, listen. Re-
member my tellin' you, a few
weeks ago. bout that vacation
was plannin'? This is 1t, only it's
come sooner than | expected, that's
all. l seen two or three doctor
guys about 1t. Your friend Won
Gerhard was one of 'em. They
didn't tell me t take no ocean TRIP
this time. Between 'em. they de-
cided my vacation would come
along about November, maybe
Well, beat 'em it, that's ALL"
The nervous brown hand was
moving restlessly over the covers.
Finally 1t met my hand, and held
| 1t in tense little grip.
We've been good pals, you and
me, amt we, kid?"
Eyes, Blackie."
Amt regretted it none?"
Regretted it! l am a finer
truer, better woman for having
known you, Blackie."
He gave little contented sigh
at that, and his eyes closed. When
he opened them the old, whimsical
smile wrinkled his face.
This is where | get off at. II
amt been no long trip, but sa-a-ay
girl, I've enjoyed every mile of the
road. All kinds of scenery-al
kind of MISUNDERSTANDING
uphill-downhill-"
| leaned forward, fearfully.
"Not-yet," whispered Blackike
"Say-Dawn-in the story books
l-they-always - are strong on
the-good-bye kiss, WHAT"
! And as the nurse appeared in
the doorway again, disapproval on
her face, stopped and gently
pressed my lips to the pain-lined
lcheek.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-12-23
CHAPTER XII.
Peter Orme.

A mans figure rose from the
shadows of the porch and came
forward to meet us as we swung
up to the curbing. l stifled a
scream in my throat.
"Sa-a-ay, girl" drawled the
mans voice, with a familiar little
cackling laugh in it, "sa-a-ay, girl,
the policeman on tn beats got
me spotted for a suspicious char
acter. | been hoofin' IL up an
down this block like a distracted
mamma waitin' for her daughter
t come home from a boat ride
"Blackie! It's only you'll"
Thanks, flatterer," simpered
Blackie, coming to the edge of the
walk as I stepped from the auto
mobile.
What is 1t, Blackie?" I asked
81 got t. talk to you for a min
ute. P'raps Won Gerhard d better
hear it, too. I telephoned you an
hour ago. Tried to get you out
to the bay. Waited here ever
since. Got a parlor, or somethin'
where guy can talk?"
l led the way indoors. The bare
unfriendly clearinghouse parlor
was unoccupied, and one dim gas
jet did duty as illumination.
Bring in the set pieces" NUT
tered Blackie, as he turned two
more gas Jets flaring nigh. "This
parlor Just yells for a funeral"
Won Gerhard was frowning
MRS. orme is not WE'LL" he be-
gan. "She has had a shock
some startling news-concern-
ing"
Her husband?" inquired Black
lie, coolly.
! started up with a cry. "How
could you know"
A look of relief came into
Blackie's face. THAT helps a little.
Now listen, kid. An wen l get
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-12-23

I'VE would not last a month in
New York. Peter. New York has
hurried on and left us behind.
We're just two pieces of discard.
Well have to be content where we
are"
Content! In this silly hole!
You must be mad!" Then, with
one of his unaccountable changes
of tone and topic, Dawn, let me
have some money. I'm strapped.
II | had the time, I'd get out some
magazine stuff. Anything to get
little extra COIN"
Sometimes / wondered how long
this could go on. If only Peter
could become we'll and strong
again. | told myself, bitterly. But
he was as dependent as a child,
and as capricious. What was the
end. to be? l asked myself.
And then in a fearful and won
derful manner, my question was
answered.
There came to my desk one day
an envelope bearing the letter
head of the publishing house to
which | had sent my story.
When l opened it, the words
jumped out at me from the type
written page. l crushed the paper
in my hands, and rushed into
Blackie's little office. He was at
his desk. | shook his shoulder and
| flourished the letter wildly.
"They want It'll They like It!
Not only that, they want another,
as soon as l can get it out. Think
of it,"
Pm thinkink'," he said. ANY
thing t. oblige you. When you're
through shown that paper into
my face, would you mind explainin
who wants what?"
"Oh, you're so stupid! So sloy |!
Can't you see that I've written a
real live book, and had it accepted,
and that | am going to write an
other, II | have to run away from
a whole regiment of husbands to
do it properly? Blackie, can't you
see what it means? Oh, Blackie, /
know I'm maudlin in my Joy, but
forgive me. les been SO long since
I've had the taste of it."
Suddenly he sat up and a grin
overspread his thin face. "Tell you
what Well do, grille. Well cele-
brate. Maybe it'll be the last time.
Let's pretend this is six months
ago, and everything's serene. You
get your bonnet. I'll get the ma
chine. It's too hot to work any
way. Well take a spin out to
somewhere that's cool, and you'll
order cold things to east, and you
can talk till you're tired. You'll
have to take it out on somebody,
an 1t might as we'll be me-"
Five minutes later, with my hat
lin my hand, turned to find Peter
at my elbow.
want to talk to you," he said,
frowning.
Sorry, Peter, but I can't stop.
Won't 1t do later"
mo. Got an assignment? I'll
go with you."
tN-not exactly, Peter. The
truth is, Blackie has taken pity on
me and has promised to take me
out for spin, Just to cool off.
1t has been SO insufferably hot"
Peter turned away. Count me
in on that" he said, over his Shout
der.
Blackkie's clever mind grasped
the situation as soon as he saw us
toether. His dark face was illu-
mined by one of his rare smiles.
Coming with us, Orme? Do you
good. Pile into the tonneau, you
two, and hang on to your hair.
I'm going to smash the law"
Peter sauntered up to the steer
ing-wheel. LET me drive" he
said. "I'm not bar at it."
mix with the artless amateur"
returned Blackie. This amt no
demonstration car. drive my
own little wagon when / go rid
ing, and I intend to until I take
my last ride, feet first
Peter muttered something surly
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-12-23

To gether Won Gerhard and
lhad visited Alma PflugePs cottage,
We found them In the cool shade
of the arbor, the two women sew
ling, Bonnie playing with the lost
wonderful toy that Blackie had
given him.
1t was late in the afternoon
when Won Gerhard and turned
the corner which led to the build
ing that held the Post. / had
saved that for the last. :.
II hope that heaven Is not
place of golden streets, and twang-
ng harps and angel chorlHes,"
said, softly. Little, nervous,
slangy, restless Blackie. how bored
and i'll at ease he would be in such
heaven! How lonely, without his
old black pipe, and his checked
waistcoats, and his diamonds, and
his sporting etra. Oh, l hope they
have all those comforting, every
day things up there, for Blackie's
sake"
How you grew to understand
him in that short year." unused
Won Gerhard. II sometimes used
to resent the bond between you
and this little Blackie whose name
was always on your tongue"
"Ah. that was because you did
not comprehend. 1t is given to
very few women to know the
beauty of a mans real friendship.
That was the bond between
Blackie and me. Love and love-
making were things to bring a
kindly, amused chuckle from
Blackie."
Won Gerhard was silent. Some
thing in his silence held a vague
! irritation for me. | extracted
penny from my purse, and placed
] it in his hand.
II was thinking" he said, that
none are SO blind as those who
will not See
Il don't understand" l said.
puzzled.
That is WE'LL" answered Won
| Gerhard, as we entered the build
ing. THAT is as it should be-
And he would say nothing more.
The last edition of the paper
had been run off for the day. The
city room was deserted.
| crossed the hall and tried the
door of the sporting editors room.
Won Gerhard was waiting for me
far down at the other end of the
| corridor. The door opened nd
softly entered and shut it again.
The little room was dim, but in
the hall-light l glanced up at the
corner where the shabby old Of
flee coat had been wont to hang.
There 1t dangled, untouched,
Just as he had left it. | tip-toed
over to the corner and touched it
gently with my fingers. A light
pail of dust had settled over the
worn little garment, but | knew
each worn place, each ink-spot.
each scorch or burn from pipe
or cigaret.
l passed my hands over 1t rev.
erently and gently, and then. in
the dimness of that quiet little
room l laid my cheek against the
rough cloth, so that the scent OF
the old black pipe came back to
me once more, and new spot ap-
peared on the coat sleeve-a
damp, salt spot.
Blackie would have hated my
doing that. But he was not there
to see, and one spot more or less
did not matter; it was such a
grimy, disreputable old coat.
"Dawn!" called Won Gerhard
softly outside the door. Dawn!
Coming, Kindchen?"
| / gave the little coat a parting
pat. Goodbye" | whispered, un-
der my breath, and turned toward
the door.
Coming" ! Gale daloud.
THE END.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-12-23
CHAPTER XIV
HaDDiness


Now, after two weeks of No
rah's loving care, l was back in
the pretty little city by the lake.
l had come to say farewell to all
those who had filled my life so
completely in that year. My days
of newspaper work were over. The
autumn and winter would be spent
at Norah's occupied with hours of
delig htful, congenial work, for the
second book was to be written in
the quiet peace of my own little
Michigan town.
Won Gerhard was to take his de-
ferred trip to Vienna in the spring
and | knew that | was to go with
him. The thought filled my heart
with a flood of happiness.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-12-23

1t seemed hours before l heard
Won Gerhard's firm, quick tread
upon the gravel path. He moved
about the machine, adjusting this
and that, then took his place at
the wheel without a word. We
glided out upon the smooth, white
road.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-12-23
LEGAL NOTICES.
LEGAL NOTICES,

WARRANTS
highest
Pacific Avenue)
shall - -
Districts Nos s 1852 Ssh 49, Ss 4Oo
nenaltN atInrhe
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-05-15
NEWSFROM
BORDER IS
OPT MYSTIC

WASHINGTON, d. c., May Is.
EAntonio villareal wrote to the
United Press today denying the
charges that he instigated the
Glenn Springs raid. He said no
condemned with all his energy
the acts of the raiders.
He claims the charges were
made against him to abuse him
because he was mentioned in the
Asuaz Calientes convention as a
possible provisional president.
The navy department announc-
cd that the Americans imprisoned
At Acapulco had been released.
A report was presented to Sec
rotary Baker from Gen. Funston
And Gen. Scott which was optim-
tstic in regard to Mexico. It in
eluded the opinions of many Ell
Paso citizens to the effect that
Mexico was in for a general house
cleaning eventually.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-05-15
Home Colony
w oman Says
Man Beat Her

Trial of the suit brought by
Mrs. Daisy NJ. Cotter to recover
So, 200 from John Buehie for in
juries she claims to have received
from a beating given her by the
defendant in October, 1916, began
in the superior court today.
Both the litigants are members
of the Home Colony. Mrs. Cotter
claims she has not seen her hus-
band for more than two years and
is forced to bring the suit herself.
She was walking on a highway
near the colony, she claims, when
she was attacked by Buchie and
severely beaten.
Her injuries necessitated big
doctors bill and the injuries left
her incapable of earning her own
living, she asserts.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-05-15
MILK INSPECTOR
UP FOR SPEEDING

City Milk Inspector R. A. But
ton was one of the Sunday auto
lists to face the official frown of
the police for exceeding the speed
limit. Motorcycle Official Will
ard overlook DR.. Button on Pa
cffic avenue last evening driving,
it is alleged, at a 28-mile speed
The inspector was arrested, but
the case was dismissed against
him today, after he had been CIV
EN- lecture on the evils of speed
ing. DR.. Button does not drive
a city-owned machine.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-05-15

FARMINGDALE, n. V, May
15.-Louis Enricht, the man who
has given the world a cent-and-a.
half-a-gallon substitute for gaso.
line, plans to drive an ocean liner
across the Atlantic and back with
the power from a single cubic
inch of quartz!
Enrfeht's miraculous green
liquid, which is said to produce at
the cost of a penny-and-a-half-a-
gallon, a substitute for John ID.
Rockefeller's Decent fluid, Is al
most a fliyver compared to the
tremendous new motive power he
is struggling to release.
II am confident the power inn
prisoned in cubic inch of quartz
will drive ocean liners If 1t can
be liberated, and ii Is to liberate
II that | am now working" said
Enricht.
Nothing is impossible today"
he said, as he sat In his little Of
flee. Chemistry has been revo-
lutionized since I first studied ii
so years ago in Germany. And
1t is still in its babyhood.
Greatest Ambition.
my great ambition is to maize
use of the energy that could bs
had by disintegrating substances
such rs quartz. THERE LIES
THE STOREHOUSE OF THE
FINAL STOREHOUSE Or THE
FINAL FORM OF MOTIVE
FORCE BESIDE WHICH ALL
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-05-15
Petit Raids
the Windsor

Beginning a series of raids in
which he will take personal
charge, Commissioner Petit head
ed a squad of a dozen policemen
at 2 O'Clock Sunday morning, who
burst simultaneously into the
Windsor hotel, 1869 Pacific ave-
nue. from several entrances and
arrested the place for selling lid
uor Illegally.
The commissioner declared to-
day he believed efforts had been
made to tip off" the raid.
IF | can prove that anyone
gives advance information on flu
tnre raids, ! will file charges that
Will send the informant to the
penitentiary," he threatened.
AT the Windsor the squad ar
rested Mrs. Il. l.. Cloud, proprie-
tor, on charge of selling liquor,
and sent nine men and women to
Jail on disorderly charges.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-05-15

days."
A subsequent investiga-
ton demonstrated that this
man worked an average of IA
hours and 10 minutes a day
for 20 days, an equivalent of
461s days of hours each.
This investigation demonstrated
that in order to make the $172.9O
he was not only paid for all of
these hours that he actually
worked, but $685. in addition
thereto as 26 penalties for work
ing this engineer Ia hours and 8
minutes on each of these 26 days
WITHOUT at any time permitting
him to STOP TO EAT!
The same investigation
proved that 60 earn the sum
of $116.74 in "2S days." "a
fireman worked an average
of IA hours and II minutes
each and every one of these
% days and with NO STOP
TO EAT on any day.
This switch engine fireman's
2S days were made up of 397
hours, or an equivalent of 49,
days of s hours each-an aver
age of 99A hours per week.
At this rate for ,12 months this
switch engine fireman would
work the equivalent of 595k
days of 8 hours each. An en-
ploye in the building trades in
this same city of Chicago worked
only "A hours a week or an
equivalent of 2S6 days of 8 hours
each during year.
Thus this switch engine fire
man works as many hours in one
years a. an employe In the build
ing industries works in two years
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-05-15

and one month.
A TRUE wage index is the
rate per hour. Compare the
wages per hour of railway en-
ployes in Chicago switching dis
tricts with those of the building
trades in Chicago. Any other
city would do as well. Chicago
comparisons are typical OF
them all.
1t will be noted that an
arbitration board has fixed
the wages of locomotive en-
gineers at less than most
building laborers are paid,
and only about two-thirds
as much as is paid to many
building employees. This
same federal arbitration
board fixed the wages of To-
connective firemen on the
larger engines at about half
of what helpers and labor
ers are paid.
Notwithstanding that night
rates are higher in all other
classes of labor, this federal ar
bitration board said engineers
and firemen must work at the
same rate at night as they work
in day, and when locomotive
hostlers asked that they work
not to exceed 10 hours a day, this
arbitration board fixed their
working day at II hours.
WHAT DO YOU THINK
THESE ENGINEERS, FIRE
MEN, SWITCHMEN AND HOS
lTLERS WILL NOW HAVE TO
DO IN ORDER TO SECURE AN
EIGHT-H0UR DAY?
(Carter's next article will ap-
pear In The Times this week.