davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-08-19
By Archie Cameron NeU

a sheriTs sale is ordered. Your
birds escaped Never showed up
this mornin'. an your Iunchroom's
forfeited"
What's an this her brother
yelled: but. with hands shaking with
fear, she commanded him 20 be quiet
and turned 20 the officer.
There must be some mistake. %
she said vehemently There must
be. He's A gentleman. 7 know that
Re must" she gritted her teeth
determinedly. eco ahead. Take
possession. But I'm sure he'll turn
up today-sOme time
But noon came and went and
there was no udings Of Brent All
through the tedious afternoon she
kept her vigil az the front door. but
no sign Of Brent appeared 70 soothe
her feverish ewes AT o'clock she
was alarmed when another officer
entered the lunChroom and went up
20 Giles and spoke 20 him ln a low
voice. then both started 20 leave.
They've called me of Miss
Lucy" volunteered Giles II don't
know what's happened
Her brother was I'm the kitchen.
and she was adjusting the fire under
the big coffee steamer back Of the
long counter, when the door opened
and Brent rushed IN.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-08-19

When Clay Stimson received the
appeal from the secretary OF his
class at college for contributions
TO support the aviation corps that
WIS 20 be sent 10 the front by his
alma mater he began to figure, first
IN HIS own head and then on paper.
lie figured when he was sitting at
lis desk in his office, at a time
when his business conscience told
him he ought 70 be attending to
his correspondence, and all the way
home I'm his limousine that night he
was still figuring. To the men
with whom Clay had gone through
college # would seem easy enough
for him 20 give a liberal check
thousand dollars at least for Clay
had more capital 10 begin with than
most Of the men and his thriving
business had increased his income
largely. Perhaps Clay looked at
himself with the eyes of an outsid-
or when he made out that check for
a thousand dollars, but before he
signed II he thought of Peggy. Peg
gy made all the difference in the
world
IL wasn't that Peggy was selfish
but Peggy was the sort of wife that
needed TO be financed generously.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-08-19
By Earl Reed SilUers

lattered, at the implied invitation,
and when he suggested that they
take another ride the next evening
she had readily consented. In the
afternoon she had gone into the
orchard to think about II all. And
then Edgar had come. There had
been a light In his eye which she
had never seen before. a huskiness
TO his voice which gave her a vague
premonition that something was
wrong He had stood before her as
she sat on the bench.
What time did you get in last
night" ne had asked abruptly.
She had looked up, surprised.
Before r." she had answered
'why?"
Were you out riding with Ned
Howell all that time?'
Yes
Edgar had cleared his throat
Don't you know" he began calm
" enough. that Ned has changed
lot since he went away"
"Of course he has; he's a college
man now, and he talks Of different
things. and acts more like an east
erner"
Il didn't mean that"
II meant that he fen I'm with the
wrong kind of men at college; that
he's used 10 girls who drink cock
tails and stay out all hours Of the
night"
80,
1--WE heard ii, and 1 can tell that
he isn't any good by the way he
shakes hands
Anna had idly plucked an apple
blossom which hung near.
I'm sorry you don't like him, -
she had answered. I'm going rid
ing with him agin tonight"
What" Edgar's face had grown
suddenly white.
And he's asked me TO so to a
college dance this winter, and I'm
going" Anna had continued.
tt was then that the hurt look had
come into Edgar's eyes. For a long
two minutes he had been silent.
I'm sorry" he hau said finally.
II don't want YOU TO have anything
10 do with Ned. But what 1 want
doesn't make any difference, but I'm
going 20 tell you something Just the
same I'm not much at saying things.
but ever since I was a little kid I've
thought all the world OF you. And l
had hoped that in another year,
maybe YOU would promise to marry
me and-and that we could live on
my place, and be together all the
time"
She had looked at him wondering
ly.
Why. Edgar" she said finally. II
never cared for you like that"
He had searched her eyes for a
brief moment and then had dropped
J his head.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-08-19

A bang in the dining room out
side was heard and the young man
turned on his sister quickly.
stop your hoTerin'." he ordered.
That's Joe now"
As Joe lurched into the lunch
room and staggered past Brents
table the latter disgustedly shrank
away from him Then the drunken
Taxi joe skunk into a seat. and,
grasping in his hand a salt cellar.
he beat tattoo on the table.
Soon the girl emerged from the
kitchen with Brents order. and as
she passed Joe she stepped out OF
his way as he made a grab for her
arm Brent noticed her agitation
as she set the dishes down in front
of him and his fists clenChed under
the table. In response to her polite
and musical query If ne would have
anything else. he absently gave a
negative nod and she started back
FOR the kitchen
This time. as she passed the
drunk's table. she was not quick
enough 10 dodge his restraining
hand and ne pulled her over TO
him.
Please, joe she pleaded. but her
whisper reached Brent's ears, and
he started involuntarily 10 his feet,
then waited, as she added; What
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-08-19

II would have been as alien 10 Peg
gy's nature. thought CLAY. 10 at
tempt any sort OF economy, even
iu war time. as IL would be alien to
the butterfly's nature 20 start I'm
storing away the honeyed sweetness
that it gathers from the flowers
as the thrifty bee does Clay ra-
ther liked the metaphor He had
made innumerable lists in innum-
Der memorandum books and on the
backs Of letters that he carried in
his pockets Of possible expenditures
that might be cut down or eliminat-
ed. II would seem easy enough TO
most men to dispense with chauf-
feur. especially as the chauffeur
then employed was about 10 depart
for training camp and the task
OF replacing him would not be an
easy one. But that would mean
putting away the limousine and us
ing a roadster. And Clay would
have liked it himself. but whoever
would have the heart to ask Peggy
to make that sacrifice
IL was quite out OF the question
70 discharge any of the house ser
wants. Clay had felt from the first
that it was almost an injustice TO
ask Peggy 10 be the mistress of his
household on the paltry four ser
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-08-19
APPLE BLOSSOMS

phere IN other words, he had
fallen in with the wrong crowd
and had become fast" His vaca-
tions had been spent mostly in fash
ionable seashore resorts, but after
his junior year his father had in
sisted upon his return to Glendale,
for a week at least. And so he had
come back with his college pipe, his
Haunting ties and his big red racing
car.
Glendale hadn't known exactly
what 10 make Of him. The older
people had looked him over rather
obviously and had suspended judg
ment; the young fellows who had
always nourished visions of New
York and Broadway took him up
eagerly and listened open mOuthed
70 his tales Of social adventure; men
like Edgar had shaken his hand and
marveled at his clammy grip. and
had thereupOn placed him in his
proper category. But the girls, spy
ing him first as he raced by the
church i'm his car one Sunday morn
ing. had instantly proclaimed that
ne was wonderful" and had hoped
err heart OF hearts that they
might sometime ne his companion
in that big red car.
Anna had first met him after
prayer meeting. He had come in
the car evidently in search OF
amusement, and had sat in the back
seat, a bored expression on his will
| full face Anna had glanced at him
/ out OF the corner Of her eve and had
/ caught his gaze full upon her. She
/ had blushed prettily and had turned
I her attention at once TO the hymn
/ book. but when the meeting was
/ concluded Ned had come up 70 her
I at once and had asked if he might
/ see her home. Edgar. she knew.
/ was waiting at the door, as he had
done for the past two years. but she
/ had nodded a happy acceptance 20
I Ned's invitation and had passed Ed
I gar with the barest smile.
I Ned had taken her home i'm the
/ car, but they hadn't gone directly %
] her house.
] " II ltAhN a lANAAt SPIN III lAdN
| said It's much too early TO 90
/ home vet"
And so they had rolled along the
I country roads while Ned told her OF
| the life at college Of dances, foot
/ BAN games and weekend house par
. ties. He had been perfectly decent
about il all. and although his glance
/ had often searched her appraisingly
/ he had given every attention 70 the
I car
/ Perhaps YOU might be able "a
/ come east 90 one Of the dances" he
/ had remarked just before ne left
her. ct would be pleased 20 have
| YOU come. YOU know
She had been Aattered, immensely
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-08-19

treatin g fine little lady Joe never
answered. Never had no front
teeth left Q answer with"
Lucy thought quickly.
Mr. Giles" she asked, hurriedlv
How much collateral do you want
10 let that young man out tonight p"
Then she checked a reply from the
policeman's lips no. I mean IT,
He-he came in here TO Kill tine
till his train came He-I know he's
too nice 70 be locked no. How
much? can I pledge this place It's
mine"
The officer again demurred. but
finally melted before her winning
eyes and accompanied here 20 the
station house. where she pledged
her lunchroom for Bren'ts appear
ance IN The morning. Rather than
accept thanks, however. and par
tally ashamed because she was the
innocent cause OF his confinement
she left hurriedIy before Brent was
released and returned home.
About II O'Clock the following
morning Lucy AIarston was taken
with sudden panic when PatrOlman
Giles entered and approached her
with a paper.
Sorry. Miss Lucy" ne began.
apologetically. but have orders {
take possession of Ia receipts til
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-08-19

do YOU want tonight"
a kiss-a sweet little kiss
came the maudlin answer. "Cmon
now. An. now, you don't wanta
scream! It'd ruin your pace y'znow
IT, Tn least little bit OF noise an
the cops'd pinch y in a mint. Now
v gonna kiss me or scream ." And
he leered into her face
Wait" pleaded the girl. her face
ashy-white I've got 10 get this
gentleman something. When I come
back I'll kiss YOU" And she darted
away 10 the kitchen. and once in
safety she sank Quivering into a
rocker and cried openly Her broth
er. drowsily dawdling on a nearby
couch, began 10 snore loudly
Ten minutes slipped by before she
rose hastily from her chair and hur-
ried into the unchroom AT the
door she paused In establishment.
for both the stranger and Joe were
gone. Returning 20 the kitchen she
reused her brother and they ran
together TO the door. but the
stranger. with his scarcely tasted
meal yet unpaid for. was nowhere in
sight. nor was Joe. But the quest
OF the watchers was brief. for a new
gust Of rain drove them inside. and
locking the doors they extinguished
the lights and retired
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-08-19

! Il see. Easy as pie
When walking, carry the bar
rel across your left arm
u will. "
Now put the gun up to your
face, like this, and aim at that old
stump You must squirt along the
sights and have both in line
Yes"
You won't fire now. because
your sister would hear it; but when
you do want to just curl your
finger around this trigger and pull. %
How many cartridges have ]
got?" was asked.
Seven"
Give me at least seven more.
When 1 get to shooting don't
want to have to stop"
But there were no more avail
able, and Nan was told that if she
| brought in seven rabbits they would
make a pie big enough to last a
week. IL was after the MONDAY
meal that she slipped out with the
gun, and the hired man whispered
TO her:
You can pile the seven dead
rabbits up somewhere and viii
come and get 'em,'
1t wasn't at. all singular that
Burt Robbins, of the big fire in
/ surance company in the city, should
be stopping at a country inn a
mile away. He had elected to take
his vacation in the fall. He would
have a quiet time. he thought. He
would hunt a little, fish a little
and take long walks through the
woods, with their carpets Of gold
en- leaves
Young Mr.. Robbins had been at
/ the inn for three or four DAYS,
when the landlord said
There are more rabbits around
this fall than I have seen for
years before. Did Won bring a gun
lalong?"
Il had none to bring
Then I can lend you one. It's
rifle, where YOU ought 10 have a
shotgun but you can have some
fun with it"
It did not follow that because
/ the hired man had seen several rab-
bits in the lower orchard In the
morning that they would still be
! there at an hour after noon and
waiting to be shot by a cookbook
/ ing girl.
/ Miss Nan reached the hunting
grounds and looked about her.
/ Not a bunny
Have they gone TO there cav
( erns2" she asked herself
Echo answered
In hunting rabbits, If they won
come 70 you, YOU must 90 10 them
After wasting half an hour peer
ling and peeking, the huntress
adopted this rule, and climbed a
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-08-19

No" he had said softly, Il don't
think that you do"
That was three years ago. Ned
Howell had not come 10 take her
auto riding; instead, he had gone
away 10 visit a friend without so
much as a word 10 her. And Edgar
had left two days later for California
10 take charge Of a farm his father
had bought.
For three lonely years Anna had
not heard from him directly, nor had
she written 70 him. Each spring, at
apple blossom time, il had seemed as
if she could not bear il a moment
longer. And this year, just 10 days
ago, she had swallowed her pride
and had sent him letter. It was
only a note really, and ended some
thing like this:
IF you still care as you did when
you were a little kid. you might
come to me near the old orchard
bench"
She had written 10 days ago: there
had been plenty of time for him 10
come. and each afternoon she had
gone to the bench and waited. Il
seemed as if ne had forgotten.
Sitting now with her face In her
hands. Anna reviewed the whole
wretched affair The scent Of apple
blossoms brought TO her poignant
memories. A single tear escaped
from her tightly shut eyes and rolled
down one cheek.
Suddenly a footstep sounded near
by and a figure stood before her.
Anna" some one said
She caught her breath sharply,
hardly daring TO look up. But when
finally she gained the courage, Ed
gar. slightly older, but with the same
frank blue eyes, smiled happily at
her and held out his arms.
Il still care as I did when I was a
little kid" he said softly.
Copyright, 1910
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-08-19

ed his order. then disappeared in
the direction Of the kitchen in the
rear Brent settled himself in a
chair and opened the magazine. and
did not notice a young man, who
appeared at the rear door. scovled
az him and then withdrew again.
Huh" grunted the latter in a
low tone to the young girl at the
stove. Looks like he's settled
down for a stay 7 was goin' TO
close down after Joe came. What'd
he order. sisc"
I'm glad ne came" answered the
girl dropping an egg into the steam
Ing pan and ignoring his question.
Now I won't have 20 wait on that
bum
All see here protested her
brother peeIshly "Joe's no bum.
Besides look at tn trade he brings
in And darn 10. We need III mon
ey bad enough"
81 don't care IL NE brought the
whole town in." snapped the girl.
Hes a beast and YOU know IL.
Tries his best go kiss me every time
hc comes in- II YOU were any kind
of brother you'd beat him. And
he's always drunk II he comes in
tonight you'll wait on him"
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-08-19

Half an hour later just as the girl
had slipped off 20 sleep. a loud rap
ping at the front door beneath her
room summoned her, attired IN a
simple dressing gown. dowstairs. At
the front door a beeSy policeman
accosted her
Mis- Lucy" he said. shaking off
the rain, we got a young guy up
at tn lookup. who says he owes
yeh 40 cents. Here II is" and the
officer slipped some coins in her
hands SAYS he was eatin' IN here
while ago Big, handsome young
Teller brown hair. an all dressed
up Know i'm 10"
Yes" she faltered But why
lis he-locked up?"
Fer fightin'" was the brief reply.
"I caught EN- down tn street. He
had his coat around Joe's mouth
and was beatn' tn life outa him
YOU know joe tn one that runs a
taxi. He's AZ tn hospittle."
At the mention OF Joe" the color
.receded from Lucy's face leaving il
deatbiy pale.
Dido you know what they
were lighting about2" she inquired
nervously.
Bout a woman. I guess" re
piled the bluecost- "'Th' young IN
was calm Joe e skunk fer mis-
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-08-19

The scent OF apple blossoms per-
vaded the orchard, bringing to Anna
Smith poignant memories of late
afternoon three years ago when in
that very orchard Edgar Gillian had
said his last goodbye. The scene
came back to her with startling Wv
idness; the plnk-white blossoms
making a veritable bower Of each
low-hanging tree, the moss-covered
seat in the very center Of II all.
and Edgar standing before her his
n-browned face suddenly white. a
look OF infinite pain in his frank
blue eyes. Anna sank down upon
the bench and covered her face with
her hands.
She and Edgar had grown up to-
gether. Living on adjacent farms. 1t
had only been natural that Edgar
should drop over OF an evening 10
sit on the broad porch OF the Smith
residence. Their relations had al
ways been impersoral, more like
brother and sister than girl and boy
friends. and Anna had begun to look
upon Edgar very much as II ne had
been her brother
The Gillian farm was one OF the
most prosperous in that section Of
the state. the Gillams themselves
were all that could be desired social
". and Edgar. as the only son and
heir, was much sought after by the
girls of the village He was a tall,
outstanding young man, with light
curly hair which invited stray fin
gers. and blue eyes which looked AT
one with a fearless frankness which
was almost disconcerting
But there had been a deep hurt in
those eyes when ne had last said
goodbye TO Anna The day had
started off much as other days, but
at noon Ned Howeu' had phoned
over from the village and had asked
Anna II she would go auto ridine
with him that afternoon Ana Anna
rather fiattered by the invitation had
accepted. Ned had been east to col
Iege for three years and was spend
ing his first vacation in his home
town He had gone from Glendale
rather nice young chap. lookius
forward 90 college as place for
study and companionship. But dur
ing his freshman year he had found
that study was only a small part
OF the life of the university. and he
often drifted into the kind Of com
partnership which is too often asso-
clated with undergraduate atmOs-
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-08-19

, fence for a tramp in a bit Of wood
land Mr. Robbins had been out
almost an hour and had not caught
sight of a rabbit. The red SOUR
rels chartered at him and the chip
hunks Knocked him, but he let them
go. IL was when he was scuffing
up the leaves and his mind far
away that rabbit ran out of a
! brush heap and scuTried away. In
his confusion. the hunter ran after
/ it, for a few steps and as it crossed
open ground he fired
At the same instant his cap was
dashed from his head and he
realized that another gun had been
fired When he had advanced
twenty steps he saw a girl holding
up a dead rabbit by the leg and
heard her exclamation:
"Oh, I've killed him, I've killed
him.
CT beg your pardon. said
Mr. Robbins.
"WhO2 What"
II killed that rabbit. If you
please.
You didn't do any such thing, %
was the prompt retOrt.
And then they stepped back and
scrutinized each other
'I don't want the game, said
Mr.. Robbins. but il was a long
shot and a lucky one for me"
81 saw him and fired and he
fell and-and kicked, replied
Miss Nan.
The young man walked back and
recovered his cap and brought il
to her and said:
You have a shotgun. You fired
high Some of your shot knocked
the cap from my head. A bit lower
and I'd have got them I'm the face.
AS a matter of fact. Miss Nan
had shut her ewes when she fired.
As a matter Of fact. she could see
that the rabbit was only bleeding
from one wound instead of a doz-
en-. but a sudden wave Of perVeTse-
ness swept over her and she eX-
claimed
Sir, YOU are no gentleman TO
claim the rabbit ] shot,
Mr.. Robbins saluted and turned
on his heel and walked away. and
after watching him ont of sight the
girl picked up the game and walk
ed 70 the house
Jewhittaker. but YOU have kill
ed Onel' exclaimed the hired man
At the first fire, and a long
shot. too I had quite a time over
il. too A young man who was
hunting claimed that be shot him 20
What sort of gun did he
have"
"A rifle
Say. said the man after he
had carefully examined the rabbit.
''vOu never killed this"
Why didn't To-
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-08-19

Guess you think I'm worse than
drunk" he gasped hreathlesslv.
Don't you. Miss Mars-one I came
back 90 thank you. It may have
looked bad for me 90 leave ar 7 did.
but I had no leave FOR Sew York -o
put through q big deal there this
morning But 7 hurried right back
squared things up az The station
house and came right here r thank
you-so much
Don't" came Lucy's whispered
answer as she dropped her ewes
I'm the one % thank you. III
guess Pm silly. hut knew you'd
come back"
Miss Marston-Bucy. he said.
reaching across the counter and tax
Ing her hands IN HIS ct thank Won
for that But don't thank me. r
couldn't let the beast kiss you-znd
7 couldn't let him ruin your place.
SO 7 dragged him out first then beat
him But-I-T can't blame him
much for wanting 20 kiss you Td
Ike 20 make a life job OF that NV
self How about one now-for col
Iateral7"
Wen" she whispered. you're
different wouldn't mind kiss.
but he stifed her sentence With his
lips.
ccon9riEht 1919
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-08-19
SHE WENT HUNTING

Mother 1 am going down to Sa-
rah's today, was the announce
ment made across the breakfast
table by Nan LenOx to her widow
ed mother at their home in the
city.
Down" meant a few miles out
in the country; Sarah" was a
married sister living on a farm.
But the summer has gone" pro-
tested the mother.
Glad OF it"
What kind of a time can you
have down there at this season? 2"
Much better than in the sticky
hot weather. with its flies and
mosquitoes. When / got disgust
ed and left in July, sister made me
promise to come back in autumn. -
But it Will be lonesome. The
folks are back from the country
long ago"
All the better. Last summer
you couldn't stir out doors with
out humping into someone.
1t will ruin your complexion
for the winter, but if YOU must
GO"
of course I must, and the com
plexion must take care of itself"
And go she did. She found the
ripe apples being gathered; the
hired man getting in the pumpkins;
the hazelnuts ripe; glorious sun
rises, and the days a tonic and not
an insect to annoy, and the quails
as fat as butter.
tanned the colt, talked with the
pigs and warned the gander that if
he bit her she would so right home
when she had picked and eaten
a peck of hazelnuts. made a pump
kin jack O-lantenr and tried her
hardest 10 milk. the hired man"
said TO her:
It's a pity you don't know how
10 handle a gun
Why"
Because YOU could 90 rabbit
hunting. saw a half dozen
down in the lower orchard this
morning If I'd had a gun with me
we'd had rabbit pie for dinner"
But I never thought of rabbits"
was the exclamation. Il shall go
( hunting right away
But YOU can't shOOr a gun
But You must teach me
Hurry up"
The shotgun was Struggled out
\ of the house and behind the barn
land the lessons began with
! Now. I work this lever-so. and
/ it throws a cartridge into the bar
Irel ready for firing