davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-12-23
LETTERS AND LAURETTA

When Lauretta's parents bought
the old farmstead in "a suburb in
Long Island. on the main road TO
the city, and moved bag and bag
gage out TO il, Lauretta herself was
perhaps even more delighted than
they were.
Although she was "A city girl and
fond Of city life and music and all
the arts. still nature. as revealed in
the country, lent much toward COM
pleteness in life 20 her. She loved
prowling about lanes and ancient
landmarks. and finding out. as far as
possible. what kind of people inhab-
tied the regions she explored before
she had found her way there Lau-
retta had visions OF one day becOm-
ing "a famous writer and was con-
stantly on the lookout for plots and
mysteries 10 solve. The country,
she felt. might afford many possibil-
tiles II she just kept her eyes open
and her brain from going 70 seed.
The old farm was more or less
6uipidated when the Carsons took
possession of il, but the grounds
were lovely and the place would in
time be wonderful! home.
The small. broken-down mail box
that stood on a post at the gate was
the first thing that attracted Lau-
retta's roaming eyes. 1t was so for
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-12-23

on the envelope She thought it
would be far better TO let the send
er know why the letters had not
reached their destination, so she
wrote a short note with each one
telling of the strange way in which
the missives had come into her pos
session. Lauretta hoped all the peo-
pie were still in the land of the liv-
ing and that nothing tragic had hap
pened because of the failure Of the
letters to reach their destinations.
From five Of the messages Lauret-
Ia received most charming answers
y correspondence began with one
of the young men, which later RI
pened into warm friendship. He
had posted his letter while rushing
along the highway and had wonder
ed at its fate. He told Lauretta all
about it in his reply, but, urged by
curiosity regarding the girl who had
been interested enough 70 renal
the letters, he stopped 10 see her
the very first time his machine
skidded along the Cedar swamp I'd
Lauretta and her parents were al
three delighted with Frank Joyce
Lauretta's romantic spirit had pro-
duced many such episodes in the
Carson household.
They were all four sitting out
under the great gnarled apple tree
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-12-23

looking into the old mail box. The
farm was already beginning to look
inhabited, and Lauretta's mother and
father were happy strolling about
the garden one afternoon. Lauretta
went out to the roadside, and with
quick jerk dislodged the small box
from its ancient resting place on
top of the post.
Her heart beat quickly. She felt
letters shaking about inside, and
felt the coming of much interesting
material for her imagination 70 play
with. She took the box 10 the wide
porch and sat on the steps TO open
it, Lauretta seemed to be opening
a tomb or something that was sacred
but she continued nevertheless.
There were some half dozen let
ters in the box. Some were Of very
ancient date, while two had been
recently mailed. Apparently there
were still people as ignorant as to
country mailing systems as she her
self was. Evidently motorists had
stopped to mail those two letters,
thinking they would be collected on
the first route of the village mail
man.
Lauretta decided to return the
letters to the writer's rather than to
the persons to whom they were writ
ten. The address in each case was
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-12-23

floor. I suppose you'll get to be like
all the resi- in time"
"Of course she agreed, and
laughed again.
They talked for while. about
things thac did not matter, and then
another partner came to bear her
off. Ellen was conscious of feel
ing Of bitter disappointment Murray
was friendly enough; but the girl
loved him; she was conscious only
Of something within her that cried
out for more than friendship. more
than admiration.
why didn't you say you knew
Murray Andrews?" accused Dorothy
when they got home. He told me
about it himself. and asked if he
could call some day. I'm, glad one
member of our family captured the
cele brity"
The girls were going to a tea next
afternoon, but Ellen, conscious OF
her inadequate wardrobe, pleaded 3
headache. and stayed at home. In
fact. she did have a headache. or a
heartache. which is usually defined
in terms of lesser physical ailments
She could not help thinking about
Murray Andrews. She hated her
self for weakness; she wished for a
chance T. do hattie with herself. and
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-12-23
LITTLE PIE LADY

When Company b left Stantown
YOU might have supposed the great
est procession Of the war was that
OF the khaki-clad young men Of
company b. with their splendid
band playing, as they marched. in
the glorious autumn sunlight.
through the main street OF that old
town. True enough. II was a spec
tacls for which farming folk from
the adjoining county. and perhaps
some folk from larger cities. as Well
journeyed TO old Stantown. But
other companies just as splendidly
drilled and equipped as Company 3
had left other old towns, just as
proud as Stantown; so there was
nothing exactly unique in that pro-
cession.
The really remarkable PROCESSION
was the procession Of pies; or, ra-
Their. the procession Of the pie
laden ladies Of old Stantown through
the main streets an hour o. so
earlier than the marching OF Com
pany q. AS a last farewell 20 the
boys CT Company b, a feast was 10
be spread on rough. impromptu
board tables in the largest hall in
the town Though a caterer had
been summoned 20 supply the main
courses OF this feast, 10 had been
decided that the ladies of Stantown,
for generations noted for the crisp,
delicious apple pies, should contrib
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-12-23

ness she couldn't very we'll have re-
fused his invitation TO the theater
that evening. After the theater they
went 10 a cabaret. He was the
brightest boy she had even known,
and his sense of humor appealed to
her
The next summer they had their
vacation at the same time. They
met again at a seaside resort. The
moonlight nights helped a lot, and
before they had been there a fort
night they had decided that they
couldn't very we'll get along with
out one another Their happiness
was brought TO an abrupt ending
when Tommy was sent for 10 take a
position he had applied for in the
north. 1t meant a much larger sal
airy. he explained to Margaret, and
would be quite a comfortable one
for two. Margaret had had a siren
uOus. nerve-racking winter; so had
been granted a two months vaca-
ton. Tommy promised TO write
regularly TO her beach address.
When no letters came the first
week Margaret supposed the posi-
ton was a little harder than he had
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-12-23

ute the sweet course of the ban
quet
And so the pies came. They were
baked bright and early the day OF
the banquet. and scarcely had they
cooled before they were on their
way in the hands Of their house
wifely bakers, maids or children
20 the hall were they were later to
be devOured. To carry one pie is
comparatively easy, even when it is
still warm. But 10 carry two, or
even three pies, requires caution
and gingerliness Of gait that could
not fail 20 mark its possessOr that
morning as "A pie contributor. Most
of the pies were delivered at the
hall without mishap but here and
there a scattering OF Grip pie dough
and apples that sent up a tempting
savOry fragrance. even in its ruin.
showed where mishaps had occur
red
Two belated pies were carried in
the outstretched hands Of Madge
Maddox. crisp and sweet in holiday
white, and flushed with the excite
ment of the great spectacle that the
day had in store and her own Won
derful part in il. For Madge,
though 20. had had few breaks in
the mOnotony Of her life with her
old maiden aunt and older grand
mother. Now. though she knew
none of the boys in Company 3.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-12-23

Ellen Emery. on the train going
10 visit her cousins in the city, was
Worrying about her clothes. She
had not a great many. and her
dresses were very simple They
.vere in good taste-she felt sure
that no one could find fault with her
dark blue silk or her white evening
frock on the ground OF taste-aut
they lacked i'm style" that indehn-
able quality which seemed fairly TO
ooze from the garments worn by her
citv-bred cousins She did not wish
them 10 be ashamed OF her, nor did
she wish 20 be pitied. but she simply
could not afford 20 buy more dresses.
Il hope there won't be many par
ties" she told herself as the train
pulled into the station. And ] do
hone they won't notice my things
much What is there about the city
that always makes one think cloth
ese I'm glad I live in the country -
The cousins met her with their
car-two tall. fashionably attired
voung girls. with white furs and
very correct ookiug hair and COM
plexions. Ellen was not unaware
that there quick eyes swept over her
plain "ready-made suit and hat
apraisingly or that they exchanged
meaning glances over her shoulder
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-12-23

anticipated, and that he was prob
ably too busy getting things in
shape TO write letters. She wrote
him every day. As the days grew
into weeks and no letters came, she
realized that she was waiting in
vain. 1t took a long time to become
reconciled to the thought that he
wasn't going 10 write and hadn't
been sincere. she did not stay out
her full time at the seashore, but
returned to her work.
Margaret couldn't help running
this all over in her E'ind as she
worked 1t dawned upon her that
she was doing just what she had
come TO Wattsville to avoid. Could
she never forget, she wondered.
The editor of the Advance stop
ped in front Of the Echo office. The
blind was up and the door was
partly open, but no one was in view
in the office. His opposition had
arrived, he thought. He was aDout
TO pass on when curiosity reused up
within him. 1t wouldn't be out of
place 20 call on this Miss Spur. He
could find out what she thought of
the Echo plant.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-12-23

peared, she thought, as she started
10 get things in better shape. AS
she worked over the type cases her
mind went back TO the city and the
life she had left
1t was 10 find an occupation &c
take her mind off the biggest dis
appointment of her life that made
her give up her position on the
Times in the city and invest her
savings in the country newspaper
that proved to be so unpromising.
The winter before she had been in
troduced to Tommy Mckay at the
ironworkers' convention. He was
representing the Tribune and she
was reporting the convention for
the Times Tommy had a pleasant
and attractive way, and as they sat
side by side, chatting gaily. she
couldn't help thinking that perhaps
all the girls that wrote 10 her
Advice to the Fair Sex column
were not as silly as she had
thought. The next day she missed
her car and was late. Tommy lent
her his notes, so that she would not
miss the important points of the
mayors speech After that kind
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-12-23

them at the banquet, she had warn
ed her emphatically not TO smile at
them, even if they smiled at her.
Her aunt warned her especially not
to speak to them. except, of course,
as il was necessary in waiting on
them, and then but briefly.
But the pie was slipping, and
when the tall. well-built man in
khaki stood beside her with out
stretched hands TO take it just as
it would have slipped TO the dusty
ground, Madge had TO smile, and
before she knew it she had thanked
the man. and they were walking to-
gether toward the hall as If they
had known each other always.
As Madge and her companion
walked through the streets in town
she felt with pleasure the eyes of
neighbors and townspeOple who saw
her walking with one of Company
b. Now. she was like the other
girls who really knew and could
talk to one of these brave soldiers.
You have been very good TO help
me. I've liked talking 10 you. too, -
said Madge simply, as they neared
the hall where she supposed she and
her soldier would part forever. be
cause 1 don't know any of the other
men in Company +, and it makes
me happy TO have talked TO one OF
them on the eve OF departure"
And / don't know another young
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-12-23

having cooling drinks, when a huge
yellow car stopped at the gate.
Lauretta's father went forward TO
see who the new arrival was. He
smiled senially when he discovered
the good-looking stranger to be on
the same mission as Joyce.
Jimmy Gains glanced swiftly over
the group under the apple tree, and
approved most decidedly of Laurel
Ia He cast an unappreciative
glance at the recumbent Joyce and
pondered darkly as to his identity.
Lauretta smiled when Jimmy
Gains joined the unconventional
circle and confided his reasons for
coming
The letter that 1 posted in that
box" he said, frankly, was a pro-
posal TO a girl. l was mighty upset
at getting no reply, and have been
dashing all over the country trying
TO forget the girl"
There was sympathy in Mrs Car
sons motherly expression, but jim
my's eyes seemed happily forgetful
now that they had rested upon Lau-
retta.
Il wish there had been dozens
and dozens of letters more in that
box" laughed Lauretta.
And a couple of dozen cars
blocking the highway" Joyce in
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-12-23

eign to anything she had seen in the
city that she fell straightway to
wondering whether or not the dis
trict had free delivery and whether
or not that old box was obsolete.
Perhaps there were letters in it..
Lauretta resolved to make that
wooden box one of her first inter
ests. She would have to watch con-
tinually 10 find out if a postman col
lected from it and whether or not
people dropped letters in it. There
was no sign 70 tell if il were or were
not still used by the town people.
The house was so far from a post
office that Lauretta was inclined to
think the wooden box on the post at
her gate was still a part of the mail
ing system.
And while Lauretta was wonder
ing abou. the old box, Jimmy Gains
was fre.ting and Tuning because
Blanche Markham had answered hts
letter of love with silence. Six long
weeks ago he had mailed that letter
while motoring on Long Island.
Blanche had given him every reason
10 suppose that his proposal would
meet with an affirmative reply, but
no reply had come.
Girls are a rummy lot" was Jim
my's comment at the end of the
seventh week of silence. In the
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-12-23

lady in Stantown. That's why I
felt so out OF sorts when I had TO
come out"
Why, that's strange!" commented
Madge. Il thought all the men in
Company b were from this section. -
Company B-yes, so they are, d"
agreed the man in khaki, and then
changed the subject as he followed
Madge into the room where the
pies had been received.
A near neighbor Of Madges, who
was receiving the pies, eyed Madge
narrowly, and then the man in
khaki. Madge colored, and the man
seemed to guess the cause of her
confusion.
You're thinking that those ladies
Will wonder who I am, and perhaps
you are wondering yourself. May I
present myself? I'm Bob Fairfax"
1t was just in time. The critical
neighbor had eyed Madge with
such disapproval that Madge turned
her newly acquired information TO
account. and introduced her compan-
ion, adding, with a pretty little
laugh, MIR. Fairfax was just walk
ing out the lane 10 see my aunt
and grandmother, when he met me
with the pie. and I'm so glad for l
never could have managed alone"
Somehow the usually timid Madge
mustered up courage enough 10 ask
her soldier TO come home with her
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-12-23
WHAT'S IN 4 NAME

broker had told her it was in splen-
did working order, and her aunt
had verified his statement. She was
foolish TO take the world of either,
she thought She should have visit
ed Wattsville before making the
purchase, as she had intended to
do. The real estate man was try
ing 10 make a sale, and her aunt
didn't know any more about news
papers than she did about auto
mobile manufacturing should
have known that. Then there was
this opposition paper. 1t was just
like an unfeeling man to come and
make things miserable for her. as if
they weren't miserable enough.
Why couldn't he stay out? But
what good would it have done even
if he hadn't come. with a white
elephant like the Echo plant on her
hands, She asked herself this
question asain and again.
If Margaret had belonged 10 an
other profession she would have
wept but her newspaper training
had fortified her for just such dis
appointments as this one. Perhaps
the plant wasn't as bad as it ap-
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-12-23

meantime he decided upon a short
twp south in his machine. Perhaps
speeding along the country high
ways would restore his brain to
something like its ordinary run
ming order. she might at least
have replied" he told himself, and
was glad that he would soon be up
at Plattsburg training for the Off
GERS corps. NO time for girls, any
way" he decided. Jimmy was fine
10 look upon. fine as to character
and an all-around fine young man.
Blanche Markham might still regret
her silence.
Lauretta waited each morning at
her window to see if anything re-
semtling a postman stopped TO col
lect letters from the box, while
Jimmy Gains motored through the
country because Of a letter that had
reposed for seven weeks in the very
box that Lauretta watched with so
much interest. Strange bits of
thread were weaving a quaint pat
tern for Jimmy and Lauretta.
Neither was as yet aware of the
others existence, but the tiny imps
of destiny were very, very busy
working and planning their way for
them.
Lauretta waited for one whole
week before she felt justified in
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-12-23
By Dorothy Douglas

simulated, and Lauretta had the grace
10 blush.
Jimmy Gains ylowered at joyce.
Jimmy had an odd feeling that
Lauretta was going 10 be the next
and last recipient of proposal
from him. Things happened sudden
~ with Jimmy. Already he had
thanked the imps of fate that had
failed to give him Blanche Mark
ham. He had known only a pass
ing love for her.
We'll, 1 am lucky that ignorance
led me to posting my letter in your
box" Joyce said. Il say, why don't
YOU put the Old box back again o.
You may catch some more mes
sages an, have sort of private
mailing sy stem and friendship-m
er combined"
Bright head" laughed Lauretta
Il will put it back at once"
1T is using government property
for fraudulent purposes Jimmy
put in. peevishly fearful of whom
Lauretta might draw next into her
net
If this is the result of fraudu-
lent purposes" laughed joyce. gaz-
ing at Lauretta, may we all be-
come frauds. I'm sorry you're not
satisfied, old chap" he added by way
of rousing Jimmys wrath.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-12-23

Weedport.
There's a perfectly wonderful
new man coming to this dance" re-
marked Dorothy. "All the girls are
crazy about him, and if they aren't
careful you'll cut them out His
name is Murray Andrews, and he is
an artist or illustrator or something;
awfully handsome. Be sure TO make
Bob introduce him"
Ellen dropped the brooch she was
pinning into her dress.
Murray Andrews" she repeated.
And she looked at herself in the
glass again. her color rising. She
was glad. glad. that Murray Andrews
would see her this way-among
these gay, sophisticated people He
had been in Oldport the summer be-
fore. on a sketching trip. and they
had become very good friends. only
he had gone away without saying
anything. Ellen had imagined that
there must be another girl in the
city. She had long ago resolved 10
forget him.
Her cousin Rob opened his eyes
wide when he say Ellen. and when
they arrived al the club he acted the
part OF "a very gallant and proud es-
cort IL was new 10 Ellen, this
feeling that people were proud OF
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-12-23
BLUE CHIFFON

was too small for either one OF us,
so we thought OF you right away.
1t was so lovely we just had TO buy
it"
Louise danced away 10 get the
dress. and Ellen felt tears of morti-
ficat.Jn come 10 her eyes. OF course,
they had known she would come
without proper clothes, they knew
she was a country cousin" and
they had bought her a dress to wear,
so that they need not feel ashamed
Of her. However. they meant TO be
kind. and she could not refuse.
Indeed. the gown was so lovely
that il would have taken a Spartan
mind 10 refuse it. OF blue chiffon.
with flowers Of pink and mauve and
yellow. il was irresistahly charming
with Ellen's golden hair and delicate
coloring. The girls blue eyes grew
starry with delight as she looked at
herself in the mirror. After all. she
was chic" and far prettier than
either Dorothy or Louise. She had
never in her life looked so we'll be-
fore. She let Dorothy arrange her
I hair i'm a very modish fashion, and
| consented 20 borrow "A necklace of
I Iouise's. so that when she was dress
ed she looked like a different person
from plain little Ellen Emery. of
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-12-23

her, but it gave her unaccustomed
courage and ease of manner. Dor
othy and Louise smiled at her when
they passed in the dance, Rob pick
ed her the very incest partners, and
saw more than one young man look
ing at her with a glance that was un-
mistakably admiring. Indeed, she
was the prettiest girl in the room,
and quite the belle Of the occasion.
Murray Andrews was presented
after a while; he was 10 have a
waltz with her He looked very
different here in evening dress from
the rather young artist Of the sum
mer before. They waltzed for a
while in silence, and then he spoke
abruptly.
Lets go and sit in the conserva-
tory" he suggested. We ought TO
be talking together-not dancing"
They found a secluded spot, and
he at once began to ask her about
herself.
How did you come here. YOU lit
tie wiIdfower? I never could have
imagined you in such society"
.'Why?" she asked. a little piqued.
You're too good for II, too fragile
and unspoiled. However. I can't
say that you do not grace the room
better than any other girl on the
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-12-23

for luncheon, and while she left
him on the front porch she had a
hasty interview with her aunt; ex-
planned how they had met and the
reason she had introduced him to
the critical neighbor, and it was for
that reason perhaps that she re
ceived the young stranger in khaki
into her house and invited him to
share their dainty luncheon.
The young soldier got on famous
ly with Madge's aunt and grand
mother. vowed that he had rather
stay with them than JOIN in the fes-
tivities in the armory. and when
Madge went to don her Red Cross
apron and veil preparatory 10 serv-
ing at the banquet Mr.. Fairfax was
still dallying with the old ladies
walking leisurely through their gar
den pa rs and admiring all Of the
aunt's favorite flowers in a way that
convinced her that he was "a per-
feet gentleman" And being sure he
was such, she had no objections to
offer when he suggested that he es-
cort the pretty Red Cross waitress
10 the hall of the banquet.
They parted at the door of the
hall, and Mr.. Fairfar held his hand
out for a farewell.
If I never see you again. little
apple pie lady, may I tell YOU that
this has been the sweetest day of
my life" and as Madge murmured a