davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The day book. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1911-1917, 1917-06-23

u llES-COkbS GkAF j
INTENT CONTRACT
cred a good enough antidote against
graft, but the men who drew up the
contracts for the government went
further.
The contract schedule provides for
a diminishing profit percentage. but
calls for lump-sum payments within
certain limits. For example, where
the cost is between 100000 and
$4,000, a lump-sUm fee of $4,000
goes to the contractor.
These lump-sUm payments provide
an automatic check on the level of
the cost. Suppose a contractor is on
job that ought to cost around
100000. He can make his $4,000
profit if he gets the job done for
100000; but he doesn't get a cent
more unless he pads the cost to run
over $125,O00. And after he reaches
Sl25,OOO he drops down to an 8 per
cent profit basis. He wouldn't get
any considerable extra graft unless
ne ran costs up around $15O,OOO.
II is easy to pad contract to in
crease the cost by a quarter or a
third, but when it comes to jumping
the cost a half or twO-thirds it is too
easy to detect and brings a man just
little too close to the doors of the
penltenuary to be comfortable.
AS final check it is provided that
no matter how high the costs run,
Uncle Sam will in no case pay a con-
tractor more than $25O,OOO profit.
Just as effective as these automat-
&c checks against graft, however, is p
the scrutiny given the records of ev-
cry applicant contractor. If there is
shady spot in his record, he doesn't
get the job.
1t is possible in the rush some
grating will be done-for there is no
known method of making angels out
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-02-03

Owing 20 the taxing of he capacity Of the Ass0cla
ted Press wires today by the Of the international
break no market quotations were fuushed.-EditoT
Argus.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-02-03

par "nr1 r insertion word
ua. Insertion.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-11-25
By Anne O'Keefe

ANY trouble. was there is
there?" Dick asked blankly. q was
awakened by some screams coming
from your apartment. Miss Miss
He stammered for want Of her name.
Miss Rommerly." Howard sup
piled, Mr.. Merriweather." ne com
pleted the introduction.
A light ripple of laughter broke
from her rich. red lips before Dick
went any further in his explana-
ton.
Guess we owe Mr. Merriweather
an apology" she said, turning 10
Howard. You see. Mr.. Merri-
weather, we are rehearsing our new
him drama, and Mr.. WiUoughby,
who wrote the play phoned me this
afternoon asking if I might allow
him to give me some special coach
ing. Mr. Willoughby and 1 only met
today. but I'm sure" she finished
dimpling, that ne is an excellent
coach"
you old roue," was all Dick
could say as he looked at the mis-
cheviOus twinkling eyes Of Howard
WillOughby, his old college chum.
so that's why you're running all
over town 10 movie companies,
never having a moment for an old
friend" This was not the place for
Towards explanation. so Dick turn
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-11-25

which be motioned her.
The interview was over I'm a few
minutes. Helen Meredith was hired.
She was living alone now in a
barely furnished room. just on
Chestnut street. she had learned
tipping at one of the agencies ina
town. and after meekly accepting her
share of what was left OF the Mere
dith fortune. after Mrs Meredith
had spent TO her fun capacity. she
had esta bEshed herself in her pres
ent abode and started out in search
OF work.
= a few weeks Grant Wright was
a hanged man The lines Of care
had disappeared from around his
mouth and in their place was the
indentations of a habitual merry
smile.
Thank YOU, old top" ne said en-
Enthusiastically. one evening a little
later, as he sat i'm the drawing room
of the clubhouse Thank YOU again
for your precious advice" ne re-
peated, gripping the elder mans
hand gratefully. Il took your ad-
vice" he went on. and waited-and
patience, you know, always has her
reward. I've found her now and
I'm going TO keep her-forever.'
The older man looked at Grant,
the big man in some things. the lit
tie man in the very things. for which
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-11-25

ed the conversation by spologizing
for his disappearance.
Perfectly all right, and do come
over again Mr.. Me-riweather" Car
olyn invited when he took his de-
rarture a few moments later.
I'll surely do that-with pleas
ure" he emphasized and he and
Howard turned down the corridor
and took the lift to the lobby.
You're wiz How" Dick
chuckled. whereupon Howard e1-
explained how the deed had been
done.
Il looked up her address after /
left you, found It TO be our movie
star in the company where I sold
my last scenario, then proceeded 10
meet her myself Took her 10 din
ner then decided to do "a little coach
ing so she'd be prepared for that
gruff manager"
Il only inserted those special lines
you heard temporarily" Howard
chuckled in conclusion. knowing
only too we'll you were laying in am
bush across that air-shaft waiting
for an opportunity 20 play hero"
There's no favor too great 10 ask
In reciprocation." Dick said. as he
saw Howard into a cab at tho curb.
and that holds gOod-even II she
does turn me down"
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-11-25
THE GIRL IN APARTMENT 81

worry. Howard suddenly realized
the compliment. then leaned for
ward in a confidential manner as
though for the first time setting
down to the seriousness of the situa-
ton.
What's she do for a living %
Howard asked, pickering his brows
a little. You say she goes out every
morning and comes back at in the
evening She must work at some
thing. What's she do-know?"
Hanged if / know" Dick replied.
she's plain, very plain, but there's
a grace to her body that doesn't last
when one works at a desk all day"
he volunteered by way OF a clue.
"She must do some kind of physi-
cal work-and yet she is always so
blue tailored suit Then, too, she's
got-weH. yes-I've noticed il with
out ever having spoken TO her. she
has that little artistOcratic air about
her that bespeaks success"
Howard Wfloughby sat thinking
over the facts as Richard had Civ
en- them 10 him. His reverie was
interrupted only while ne stopped
to flip the ashes from the half
smothered glowing end of his Gig
aret. In a moment a smile broke
over his face. Then he looked at
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-11-25

Richard Merriweather leaned far
out the front window of his apart
ment on the third floor and watched
lac neat hgure slowly retreat around
the corner. Then ne drew himself
lack. glanced at the clock and has
tened into his overcoat and hat
within a few minutes ne was out
.he door and down into the street
going al pace which scarcely kept
Time with his rapidly flowing
thoughts.
His housekeeper gazed after him
with "A knowing twinkle in her Irish
Ilue ewes. then she shrugged her
shoulders and chuckled 10 herself
"Shure hes gone clean daffy over
The little thing. so he has. And for
Inc life o. me / can't see that shell
ever even speak 20 i'm
Tier eve wandered toward
r;oud of dust that had settled on the
piano and that ended her musings
outside the practical things of her
Job.
Richard FASTENED toward the end
Of the street and looked sheepishly
around the corner. The little SLIM
black-cved beauty had disappeared
Maybe. ne thought, if ] had hur-
-ied "a little and not taken those last
Few seconds 10 see that my derby
was on straight. 1 might have been
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-11-25

his Fellow clubmen before he had
spoken of marriage TO Margaret,
somehow il all seems like force OF
habit"
Old married Moorham. his chum
from early college days. slapped him
on the back good naturedly, Well
you'd better not go into il With that
idea in mind. old man" he remark
ed with a tone assured by exper-
fence
And the words had set Grant TO
wondering. He tried for a week to
analyze his affections for Margaret
then suddenly something happened
which solved his problem.
Grant had inserted a small al in
the morning paper for a typist to
take the dictation of his new novel
A lady answered the ad, and as Ro-
berts, his butler, had just announced
was standing in the reception room
waiting an interview.
When Grant saw this beautiful
wax-Eke creature, with brown eyes
deep as great mysterious pools. his
heart gave a sudden bound.
Come right in" he invited cor
daily, and the tall. slim girl, clad in
plain black, a band of white. soft
material around her throat TO re-
lieve the sombre line around her
well-rOunded white face. walked
gracefully toward the big chair TO
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-11-25
THE FAIRY GODMOTHER

You know I'd get along all right. -
Her elder sisters eyed her hope
fully Pipes would be the best 20
go. after all. she was just between
fifteen and sixteen-what Dick cali
ed a fine pattern of a 'fiapper.' She
would enjoy the mountain life and
even the loneliness, and IL would
leave the others free 10 do as they
pleased.
So the letter was sent back accept
ing Mr.. Caldwel's invitation for one
OF the young Prestons 10 spend the
summer up at his camp in the Cat
skiUs. And one week later Miss
Constance Eleanor Preston. other
wise Pipes. found herself deposited
on a little platform at Indian Leap.
She wore a dark blue pleated serge
skirt above her shoe tops. a shocked
white MILDLY blouse, and a big white
Panama hat. AS a concession TO the
heat she had pinned her red curls
up from her neck. and looked almost
seventeen. All the way up in the
train. she had made up a mental
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-11-25

the airshaft into his room. He lis
tened, then heard voices. Silently
he creDt toward the open window of
his living room and crouched down
to eavesdrop.
Douglas, Douglas, can't marry
you, 1 can't. Don't you see / don't
love you. It's impossible. I'm in
love with There was a choking
noise that made Richards blood run
cold. I'm in love with a stranger,
strange man whom I see watching
me from his window every day. l
don't know him, but II was just
enough for Richard.
He slipped into his clothes, threw
his heavy over1oat over his shout
ders. and in a jiffy was in the lobby
OF the next apartment bribing the
doorman TO let him up to apartment
IA.
In response 10 his knock the door
was thrown open and he found him
self face TO face with his black
eyed beauty and Howard Willough-
by
Come right in Dick" Howard
greeted him. That is'-he turned
TO Miss Rommerly alphabetically
IF you don't mind my asking an old
friend Of mine"
Not at ALL" she said sweetly,
cycling Dicks confused toilette.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-11-25

house, then out on the lawn, but
when the maid announced she could
not be found Mrs. Meredith shrugged
her shoulders impatiently and NUT
tered 10 herself, Little fool, she
doesn't know when she's we'll Off.
Let her GO
Mrs. Meredith, clad in her decol-
lete gown and bubbling with enthu-
siasm at the many eligible men who
had responded TO her invitations,
played the hostess graciOusly. She
had espied a very successful au-
thor, one who had his name in the
press more than occasionally lately.
and toward this very eligible young
man she led Margaret. Having in
troduced them, she tactfully re-
verted her attention 10 some other
couples sitting out the dances and
with a graceful wave Of her hand
and a come. come, now, no time
for spooning." she gestured them 10
the dancing floor.
1t had been a wonderful evening.
Mrs. Meredith was delighted. Mar
garet had made a very favorable inn
preston on Grant Wright, the au-
thor, and IL looked as though the
friendship would progress nicely.
Once secluded in her own newly
furnished bOudOir. after the guests
had departed, she saw Helen sitting
on the wicker couch in the corner,
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-11-25
inns PIANO

groups to gossip ,-er their adven-
lures while on ,fe investigating
committee Jane Cow ell fingered for
"a few moments near the platform
where reports and tucking odd bits
of memoranda into pigeon holes Of
the massive oak desk
After a moment Jane stepped up
on the platform and. with a smile,
asked, Mrs. Hartsook, may l look
at the reports for a second? I think
there's some one listed whom |
know before she had time TO
go further in her fallacious explain
alton. Mrs. HartsOCk. with a pleas
ant condescending smile. handed her
the tabuiated booklet. saying why
certainly, Miss Colwell-help your
self"
Jane ran her finger quickly down
the list of names Then when she
came across that of Martha Collins
Kenmore, she drew out her little
note book and hastily scrubbed the
address into one Of the back pages.
Something in the GOODNESS of Mrs.
Carey Brockton's manner when she
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-11-25

able to see at least in what direc-
ton this mysterious little puff of
feminism had gone. Then he jibed
himself for being a fool
lie drew out cigaret from his
gold initiated case. struck a match
10 it, and ambled aimlessly along
the avenue in the direction OF his
office He found himself peering
longingly into the face of every
woman who passed him.
None like her" he muttered to
himself. then swung into the CORR
dor of the office building where ne
maintained his very prosperous es-
adjustment
All during his mornings work the
pale face with its dark. hollow eyes
kept haunting him. Every now and
then ne would find himself gazing
at a typewriter sheet blankly. He
was looking straight through the
slip on which was typed the most
prodta BILE order of the entire year
at Carolyn Rommerly's face lie had
10 use all his strength to keep his
mind sufficiently on his work TO
wade through the mornings mail
IF I could only get 10 know her"
he explained 20 Howard Willoughby
at lunch that day. I'D be perfectly
willing TO let fate put her hand in
the game and then humbly accept
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-11-25

MRS. MEREDTHS RS

Mrs. Meredith's youthful training
came to her rescue at once.
II tell you. Margaret. just what 1
can do. I'll invest H. I'll get you
up In fine shape, give a big party.
invite all OF the eligible men of the
town and the city near by. and then
well. you know then it's up to YOU
90 take care Of your poor old moth
err"
Margaret kissed her mother with
delight and rushed of 10 tell her
more serious half-sister Helen the
good news.
But the plan did not sparkle TO
Helen. She had been Guys little
girl by his first. serious-minded. au-
thor wife-and the shams Oi life
had no place i'm Helen's beautiful
mind
Don't you like it," Margaret
queried in surprise at Helen's ex-
preston. why. Ellie, YOU little fool,
think it's the brightest thing
mother has ever done yet for u.s.
she added decisively
And although the plan did not
meet with beautiful Helen's approx
al, Mrs. Meredith went right ahead.
She invested heavily in new fur
nishings for the house, then the rest
Of the money was spent lavishly on
wonderful gowns-for the girls. or
rather the latter was what Mrs.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-11-25

went on.
I've come TO try and help you
out understand you need help"
Really, miss" the old lady was
about to refuse, but Jane broke in
upon her surmise with NO, I'm not
from any Of the charities-no, in
deed simply heard from a friend
of mine that you needed some help.
and I'm here to offer you whatever
/ may when L know what you really
need. Money. of course, but isn't
there something ] can do TO make
you comfortable ?"
The old lady's face was beaming.
such a sweet, innocent expression on
her much weathered but fine old
face.
You are so kind" she said meek
~.
They talked OF trivial but cheer
ful things when Jane, her eyes row
ing slowly about the room, spied
the wonderful musical instrument in
q little alcove to the side. II had a
dark tapestry cover over il, but the
slight parts of the legs that showed
at the bottom were beautiful carved
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-11-25

Il was sent down 10 meet Miss
Constance Preston. from New York.
You see" he added. Il thought
you'd be about twenty-five"
Il am sixteen" replied Pipes with
her best air Of aloofness. Perhaps
YOU were thinking Of my eldest sis
ter Christine. or the next one Eve
lyn. We call her Eve-she's twenty
one. Dicks seventeen. I'm the only
member of the family that they
could drag up here 10 this forsaken
place. But l rather like il. don't
YOU ."
She liked il better as the weeks
went on. The camp was in the hem
lock belt on the south side Of Indian
Leap. The lodge was a big one
storied affair surrounded by a wide
veranda Miss Eunice Caldwell. a
dear little old lady who slept most
of the time. was chatelaine and hos
tess. Mr.. Caldwell. himself was like
nothing so much as a big. shaggy
mountain bear He was out all day
long. following his pursuits as a nat
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-11-25

Meredith had planned TO do, but she
found the money would not 20 far
enough 20 purchase an original crea-
ton for each OF the girls. and, blood
being thicker than water, and Mrs.
Meredith being a very selfish WON
an. spent most of the money on Mar
garet's outfit. giving Helen the re-
mainder Of the clothes money with
which TO purchase materials and
make her own gowns herself.
But / don't want 70 have any
new gowns at all" Helen had pro-
tested: III we are that poor. why
can't / go 20 work. 1 can learn
nursing or teaching or something
and keep up the family pocketbook
that way" she expostulated impa-
tiently But Mrs. Meredith scorned
the suggestion.
Work? My dear child, no wom-
an in the Meredith family ever work
ed. Why. how can you think OF
such a thing. It's either marry or
starve for you"-and with that she
turned. in the exclusive shop, TO ex-
anime bit of scintillating cloth
more closely through her lorgnatte
The night Of the reception, when
Mrs. Meredith had planned TO in
trOduced her daughter Margaret
Helen mysteriously disappeared
for the evening. Mrs. Meredith had
her veteran servant look about the
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-11-25

II don't see how We're ever go
ing TO choose which one OF us is 20
20. I do think that he might have
deicned TO designate some one by
name. For my part I don't care
whether 1 go or not. IL will be aw-
fully lonesome.
Listen 90 Teen prepare for "a
diet a. sour grapes It's never the
princess royal who is chosen. IN
l,et cookie Eve goes"
Eve glanced up from the pattern
she was stenciliug on PONCE sun
shade
NO. 7 thank YOU she laughed.
Il have none OF the back 90 nature
impulse al all I'm going with the
B.rchbys for four weeks down %
A-bury and il Will take me four
more 10 recuperate before 7 have 90
go back 90 school"
We'll. I wish he'd ask me. Dick
returned. "Tll bet the old duner has
dandy place up there boz the noun
tains. I've always wanted 90 De a
naturalist"
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-11-25

the result. AS it is / feel as though
I'm missing a wonderful adventure
If I don't even get to meet her"
Howard was a dreamy idealist who
lived on his income and only turned
his hand in the direction of literary
pursuits whenever inspiration jibed
him.
Don't you know some mutual
friend?" Howard had begun TO sug-
gest. but Richard cut him short with
a gesture OF impotence.
Mutual friend be hanged. Did
you ever hear of any two people hav-
ing a mutual friend in this big
lonesome town? Why, man alive
she is my neighbor--that ought 20
be enough-and yet it isn't. because
people in this big old town are too
conventional. An Introduction is
necessary, and L simply can't find
one to bring il about"
Howard Willoughby looked at
Dick with a sympathetic expression
You know what you've always said
about where there's a will
It was beginning to be disturbing
to Richard, this idle parrying. Dick
was man of facts and he had
brought Howard into his confidence
that he might help him bring about
a solution 10 the problem that was
beginning to be a real source OF
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-11-25

Mrs. Carey Marshall Brockton re-
turned To the club house of the As
sociated Charities more than a little
pceved at the evident advantage
taken 10y one of the so-called suffer
PRS fro.n the war who had written
.o the charities for help.
As she mounted the platform that
afternoon to give her report there
was "a stecly CLINT i'm her hard. blue
eyes
The very idea of It," she finished.
that old lady pleading poverty and
owning a three-thOusand-dolla
piano. The audacity Of it, she went
uu. thuuderingly. Ito attempt 10
take advantage Of our organization
that way. suppose II / hadn't
made a very careful investigation she
might have got away with it,
The secretary poised her pen In
air for "a brief second then, as or
dered. struck thick. black line
through the name OF Mrs. Martha
Collins Kenmore.
When the meeting was over and
the women scattered about i'm little
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-11-25

Richard with a curious light spread
ing over his allwise features.
Maybe | can find a way" was
all he said. I'll see you tomorrow
and have some news-maybe." Dick
was puzzled but he let his all wise
companion have his own way. Then
the two men left the fashiona bic
restaurant together.
That evening Richard watched for
the familiar figure coming down the
street His window faced her liv-
ing room and Richard sensed a wild
happiness in his veins at the antici-
patton of at least catching a glimpse
of her as she lolled about, as was
her custom after dinner.
lie was disappointed! Tonight
she did not come home Richard
sat down TO dinner, a depressed
feeling surging through him and
sitting the happiness that he had
felt only an hour or so before. He
retired early.
He had not been asleep long
when he heard a sharp cry. He
glanced at his watch, found il 10 be
half past nine, then sprang from his
bed. He listened intently. 1t was
not a nightmare, as he had at first
supposed; it was real 1t sounded
again. II was coming right across
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-11-25

yes. YOU have. laughed Eve.
Your fancy as a naturalist has
never lighted on anything smaller
than a circus elephant"
Hush. here comes Dad" warned
Christine, as the study door slam
med and the doctors quick step
sounded along the hall
He looked the group on the YER
anda over with shrewd. kindly eyes,
drawing on his motor gloves.
Have YOU chosen the victim vet ?''
Dick wants 10 go" said Eve. but
I'm sure Mr.. Caldwell expects one
OF us girls. Don't YOU think SO.
Dad You see. he SAYS his sister Is
staying with him and he wouldn't
have mentioned a chaperou if it had
been just case OF Dick. I can't go
and Teen doesn't want 10"
suddenly from the army ham
mock al the end of the veranda,
there bobbed a tousled head Of red
curls
81 want 20 go" called Pipes. con-
hdenty I'd just love TO go. Dad
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-11-25
By Daniel p. Johnson

his novels had made him famous
and smiled.
1T was beautiful soul compan-
ionship 1 crayed." Grant said. a lit
tie more seriously than he had be-
gun. Those wealthy debutantes
are nothing more than slaves in the
modern slave market. Instead OF
selling them outright, they are sold
under the guise Of lavish display 90
the masculine eye" Grant expostu-
lated vehemently. and would have
kept on had not Moorham beckoned
one OF the walters and ordered two
highballs which were promptly set
before the prominent members.
You're a great fellow. Grant,
fine fellow ne added after his first
swallow OF the tinkling drink, "and
good luck 20 YOU both-with my
congratulations
Two weeks later there was a
startling announcement in al the
newspapers.
Grant Wright marries Heller
Meredith. his secretary. etc" t
read
And when Mrs. Meredith spied g.
she turned her big luminous eyes on
Margaret scornfuuy. saying. And
YOU let her get him from YOU, But
maybe''-she added hopefully
maybe we can go now and get
help from her"