davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-04-29

gave him that juiceless appearance. He
must have kind heart-she recalled that
in all these seven years he had never found
fault with her, as the other tenants were
in the habit of doing And now here he
was offering her something no one had
ever offered Interpretation and care
For Mr.. Humphrey, taking courage from
her silence, began to plead his case. He
told her all about his financial standing
which was very good; about his family,
which was respectable; and about his
habits, which were above reproach.
Molly walked over to the window and
looked out. MIR. Humphry was offering
inducements now-California the Adiron-
dacks, Bermuda, Florida in the winter, a
Riverside Drive apartment if she liked.
And Molly listened.
SHE thought of the past seven years,
and she looked ahead to the next seven.
Seven first of Mays. Seven first of Octo-
bers. Fourteen moving days in the Van
Dyck Apartments. Complaints, bad-tem-
pered grievances TO adjust temperaments
to abase herself before, old Samuels to
submit to. Seven years of hearing the
alarm-clock 60 off at six-fifteen, seven
years of going without things girl longs
for, seven years of seeing the spring come
without any one to send her so much as a
bunch of violets. In seven years she
would be thirty-three. Molly shivered a
little No time to make oneself attractive,
no heart left to break loose, no youth to
buoy one up.
"You needn't be afraid won't be good
to you, said Mr.. Humphry.
"Oh, no; know you'd be good to me, 7"
whispered Molly
Mr.. Humphry's window was open, and
she leaned out little to let the breeze fan
her cheeks. She tried to weigh Mr.
Humphry and his inducements against
that hot protest in her heart. Hadn't she
some golden future? All, yes. But to
marry Mr. Humphrey! That she hadn't
contemplated. Well, why not? He could
take good care Of her. His financial
position she knew all about; he was re-
puted to be as steady as clock. Like his
cold-storage fowls, he hadn't much flavor,
possibly, but he was reliable. And he'd
take her out of the wrangles and routine
and disagreeable tasks that made up her
life. Why, she could walk right out, if
she chose, and let old Samuels run his own
i'll paid staff. She could walk out this
very minute-no need to consider her en-
ployer, after all the years he'd overworked
and underpaid her-walk out into the
sunshine and begin buying a trousseau.
Bermuda Riverside apartment
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-04-29

ayes, Mr.. Humphry; I'll send the
plumber right up. You want to see me?
Very well; I'll be up at once"
Eluding five pairs of outstretched hands
and lodging pirate with piano lamp
in his arms, she sprang for the elevator.
WHEN she had gained the darkness of
Mr.. Humphreys little hall, suddenly
the horrible conviction smote her that
she was going to cry. How humiliating,
to cry before tenant! Mr. Humphreys
voice came to her kindly:
al suppose they're all after you this
morning, Miss Jaffer?"
1t was the kindness that did it. Sud-
denly, to her inexpressible dismay, she
was sitting on Mr.. Humphreys sofa with
her face in her hands. She was aware that
she was spelling her eyes and nose for the
rest Of the day. But it felt so good, just
to break down and cry! And, by blessed
coincidence, Mr. Humphry was the only
one in the building she could weep before
and still keep her self-respect. Mr..
Humphry seemed to her an old, old man.
Probably that was why she stopped
weeping so abruptly, and stared at him
with her mouth open, when all at once
he asked her to marry him. For seven
years she had been collecting rent from
Mr.. Humphry, and she had never seen
his face anything but non-committal,
pale, and tightly closed. Now it was a
mottled red; his mouth, under his scrag-
ely iron-gray mustache, worked queerly;
and his pale eyes glared.
Works you to death-that's what he
does-old Samuels. Leaves you to do
all the dirty work in this house, while
he's getting rich. Old fat spider! Look
here, Miss Molly, you marry me. YOU
yes, l mean it! You marry me. I've
thought of it before. You're nice, sober,
competent girl. I've watched you.
You've run things in this house like a
general. But you're getting tired. This
spring you look all run down. You marry
me and"
"Mr. HUMPHREY
Molly's eyes were dry now. She rose
and tried to compose her features into an
expression that was not so unfatteringly
astonished.
"Of course | know I'm older than you
are, admitted Mr.; Humphry compla-
Gently. "But what's twenty years differ
ence? I'm as spry as l ever was. / can
appreciate you lot more than the aver
age young fellow"
al don't doubt that, Mr.. Humphry,'
murmured Molly sadly.
For the first time she really looked at
Mr.. Humphry. Possibly the fact that he
was in the cold-storage business was what
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-04-29

similarity in hair that had betrayed her;
but more likely there was another reason.
The day she showed that apartment to
the two temperamental ones was the day
she had read in the paper that John
Lloyd was going to Panama. Even as
she put the telephone to her ear, she re-
called how heavy her heart had been that
day, how dull her BRAIN He was going
away! She would never see him again
never again. What if this were he tele-
phoning now? She snatched the receiver.
@Miss Jaffer," snapped a voice at the
other end, 3all my radiators are leaking,
and there's mouse in my kitchenette. If
you don't have these things attended to
I'll"
Molly hung up the receiver. She faced
her cloud of prosecutors once more. The
elevator glided down again. Out of it
steamed a figure as impressive as the
Queen of Sheba.
where's the person that's running
this house? Whereof, there you are. y
The circle gave way before her deep pro-
fessional contralto tones. "Pve Just tele-
phoned Mr.. Samuels that you've allowed
those wretched paper-hangers to put blue
in my bedroom when | distinctly said
mauve. Mauve. In all my experience of
apartment-houses, | never saw one more
mismanaged than this one. l told Mr..
Samuels so. He said you We're to see
about it at once"
"But, madame, you said blue yester-
day. The day before it was mauve. l
showed you the samples
"Blue? Never! Blue makes me look
bilious!"
aThen you'll only look natural" trem-
bled on Molly's lips, but she caught back
the words in time.
NOT for nothing had she earned her own
living for seven years. But, deep with
in her, Molly began to have queer, trem-
bly, feeling. 1t was not fear. She had
weathered too many moving days in the
temperamental Van Dyck Apartments to
be afraid. No; rather, it was a desper-
ate, nauseated WEAKNESS of her job. A
little coaxing, provocative wind frisked
in at the door-a little wind that bore onits
wings vague sweetness and the hoarse,
faint call of boats whistle. Suppose she
walked right out that door. Suppose
she took taxi and was whirled down to
the Panama boat Suppose
"You've no spirit she thought bit
terly. "A man that doesn't care enough
even to say good-by!"
And the voice of Pauline cooed, "Tele-
phone, Miss Jaffer"
Molly took the receiver eagerly. Sup
pose this were he? Then she said sadly
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-04-29

afternoon three weeks ago-she and John
Lloyd; and then, because it was too raw
and cold to sit on the benches and there
was no sitting-room in Molly's lodging
house, they had taken refuge in the
Museum. Behind friendly statue of a
Roman emperor they had sat while John
Lloyd had told her about the appointment
he was to get. And she had been per-
fectly happy just listening and watching
the enthusiasm in his pleasant hazel eyes,
letting her glance wander from his face to
his lean young hands. Incredible that an
afternoon could be so short.
And then dinner in comfortable family
restaurant on 125th Street, and afterward
the walk back to her clearinghouse.
THAT was when he had told her she was
the first girl he had ever known he
could really talk to. And he had put down
her address so carefully in his notebook,
both the clearinghouse and Mr. Samuels
Office. They had laughed good deal,
breathlessly, as they shook hands twice
over and it was understood without
words that they would see each other
many times before he left for Panama.
But two days later his cousin told her he
had been suddenly called to Washington
And then not word from him until she
saw the bit in the paper about his sailing
the first Of May.
With start, Molly withdrew her gaze
from the strip of green.
"You must let me think it over, Mr..
Humphry," she said family.
But Mr.. Humphry insisted there was
Il, 4 -
him stop on his way downtown to see
about the license?
"You've got all the facts in hand" he
persisted. 4Why not make up your mind
now? YOU"
The telephone bell drowned out his
words.
"It's for me, probably" said Molly
She took up the receiver, and that faint
incorrigible hope that would not be killed
sprang alive in her heart. But
"Mr. Samuels to speak to you, Miss
Jaffer!"
eyes, Mr.. Samuels."
A strident buzz over the wire.
"But, Mr. Samuels, I'm doing the best
| can. You know how it is the first of
May. Everybody wanting everything at
once"
A long clamor Molly listened, her
face becoming whittier and CLEAN coming
into her eyes Then suddenly she spoke
crisply:
"That will do, Mr.. Samuels. | don't
want to listen to any more of that. If you
don't like the way I'm running things,
why don't you come down here and run
them YOURSELF"
She hung up the receiver.
"Ivegon perfectly crazy!" she thought.
Then she suddenly laughed aloud at sight
of Mr.. Humphreys astonished face. Mr.
Humphry made a move as if he would fain
have taken her hand; but she backed into
the little hall.
"They're all waiting for me. l must
CO., she cried. mo, no, please. I'll give
you my answer this noon, if | live through
the morning"
And the hall door closed behind her.
A SHORT time after the closing of this
door, the door of Mr.. Samuels' office
was besieged by tall young man of an
alert and cheerful countenance, who de-
sired to know of the office-boy if Miss
Jaffer was within. He was told that
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-09-26
FIRST HARD COAL COST SIS A ION
Brought Down From Head of Schuylkil to Falls
by Teams-Mrs. Dobson Altemus Organizing
Work for Men at the Front

UTHAT would you say 10 anthracite coal
w AZ 81 per bushel or S2s a toni That Ia
what u cost 20 bring the first hard coal
down by teams from the head Of the Schuyl-
kill River TO the Falls Of Schuylknl. Mr.
Josiah White and Mr.. Erskine Hazard had
rolling mill in which they were using
bituminous coal They were owners Of a
vast quantity OF this coal IN the coal region
Of Pennsylvania and conceived the idea that
the BLACK stone" could be utilized In the
mill, So they epent three hundred dollars
In experimenting. but without making Il
burn. The workmen were accustomed to
seeing the soft coal blaze up the moment
II was thrown on tho hre. and because the
anthracite failed 70 do likewise, they
scratched and poked without success. A
man is like boy in wanting to bang things
when he Ia eXasperated beyond measure.
So. bang went n lot OF black stones into the
furnace. and bang went the furnace door.
and bang went the mill doore. The work.
men went home for dinner, Later, one re-
membered that he had left his coat in the
mill and returned 20 get IT, Imagine his
surprise in finding such a tremendous fire
that the doors OF tho furnace were red hott
II was an important discovery. and Josiah
White began at once experimenting on a
suitable crate to be used in burning anthra-
cite coal for household use.
Then there came the problem OF trans
portation. The river was explored from
the Falls to the coal region At the latter
place they made arks. loaded them with
coal and sent them down with the freshets.
This plan was abandoned when Mr. White
originated and started the Schuylkill Navl-
CATION Company, which was chartered on
March s. 1915. There was some politics
in business in those days, too, for, notwith-
standing Mr.. Whites beneficial efforts for
humanity, he was not elected one OF the
managers of the concern. Later he was
instrumental in bringing about the LehIRh
Navigation Company lust think, White,
Hazard and Hauto procured lease for
twenty-one years on all the coal lands in
the vicinity Of Mauch Chunk, for which
they agreed TO pay annually, II demanded,
rent OF one ear OF corn, and obligated
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-09-26
KAFFEE KLATCH TO
BE ENTERTAINED
Northeastern Philadelphians Are
Visiting Friends in New
York

Mrs. J. Broadheld, Of 3131 Frankford
avenue, will entertain the members OF her
kafee Klatch at her home on Thursday
afternoon. The guests will be Mrs. Kellner.
Mrs Schumm, Mrs. Ayers, Mrs. Krumm.
Mrs. c. Seip, Mrs. +. Seip. Mrs. Ludwig
Mrs McGrory and Mrs. Stephen.
Mrs, Wilson Hallowell, and Miss Jane
Kennedy. Of 2300 Coral street, are spending
several weeks visiting friends In New York
Miss Marjorie Daniels, of East Mont
gomery avenue, is visiting In New York for
several weeks
Mr.. and Mrs. D. Atlas and their family,
OF 1919 North Franklin street, have re-
turned to their home after spending the
summer in Atlantic City.
DR.. and Mrs. Killian. 1899 East Cumber-
land street. have returned 20 their home
tfter spending the summer at their cottage
In wildwood.
lIr. and Mrs. winfred Summer. of North
wood avenue. Frankford, are still at their
summer home in Ocean City.
The Rev II. Gramm and Mrs Gramm. OF
Egg Harbor, and the Rev c. H. Gramm, OF
Reading, are the guests OF the Rev. G. A,
Hlack and family. Of Magee street, Frank
ford.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-09-26

themselves, after a certain time. to bring
down 20 the city for their own beneit forty
thousand bushels OF coal. less than fifteen
hundred tons We are indebted 10 the
blessingse that whom the war IL over. Il
might be good idea 70 oelebrate.
In the meantime Mrs. Elizabeth Dobaon
Altemus daughter OF Mr. James Dobson. IL
doing splendid work in organizing the
women OF the section into groups Of active
workers for the soidierA Last night In
ODD Fellows Hail there was an exhibition
OF all sorts Of garments ana surgical sup
plies, ana various committees have been
formed to direct knitting classes collect
magazines and provide extras and neceasi-
ties for all the Falls boys at the front Mrs
Altemus. who is chairman Of the Ladies'
Auxiliary OF the CitiRens' Patriotic Com
rnlttee, is working for permanent head
quarters for her association, ana IN very
short time the Falls will be keeping up IT,
reputation and will be FIRST In some new
relief plan.
On Friday evening there will be an ex-
ceptionally attractive entertainment in
America Hall in aid Of the Jefferson base
hospital No. 3s. The concert has been ar
ranged In compliment TO the work OF Mrs.
Altepps at the hospital by about twenty
woi1eh, headed by Mrs W. Gramer. Mrs.
James Lawson and Mrs J. Gray. who have
given one day week at Jefferson Hospital
making surgical dressings under the direc-
tlon OF Mrs. Altemus There will be forty
hve marines from the navy yard present
and the Marine Band will play A jolly
minstrel show has been arranged. Being
place noted for It's hospitality, there win
be good supper. One director, Doctor
Coplin sixty-flvs graduate nurses. twenty
hve physicians, 153 enlisted men, six motor
ambulanecs. two motorcycles. one large
truck. 500 beds or moro to be provided In
France This will take money. so all the
n m On Tha
Is 20 make this unit the largest and best
equipped OF all at the war front
Mr. Norman Ward, Mr.. Claude Hamp-
shire and Mr.. Harry r. Hess have enlisted
in the Pennsylvania Hospital emergency
unit
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-09-26
CARD PARTY FOR RED CROSS
GIVEN IN NEW FIREHOUSE
Oak Lane Review Club to Hold First
Meeting Next Monday

on Monday afternoon a large card party
vpas given by the Old York Road branch NO
I oT the Red Cross. A new firehouse In Oak
lane has Just been completed, and as the
engine has not been installed, the building
was obtained for the card party. The affair
was in charge Of Mrs. william c. Yerkes.
The money raised will be given to the
wool fund" of Branch No. l. as the mem
hers have agreed to knit into useful articles
ali the wool that can be bought.
The first meeting of the Review Club Of
Oak Lane will be held on Monday. oc-
tober 3.
Mr.. and Mrs. william Weaver. OF Green
wood avenue, Jenkintown, are spending some
time at Buckwood Inn, Shawnee-on-the-
Delaware.
Mr.. and Mrs. Henry Strauss have opened
thsIr new home in Jenkntown, Mr.. and
Mrs. strauss formerly lived in West Phila-
delphia.
Colonel Samuel d, Lit and Mrs. Lit have
returned TO their home at Mesdowbrook
after a prolonged stay in Maine.
Mr.. and Mrs. John Hammer have re-
opened their house on Medary avenue. Oak
Lane Park, after spending the summer at
Cape May.
Mr.. and Mrs. Herman Roll, of Glenslde,
are entertaining Mr.. and Mrs. F. Frederick
Haertrich,
Mr.. and Mrs, Robert n. Stinson, OF El.:inS
Park, spent the weekend in Atlantic City.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-09-26
PRETTY WEDDING IN
MOORESTOWN. N. J.
Miss Anna McChesney Married to Mr..
James Gallagher

MoORESTOWN-A very pretty wedding
Of interest took place at the Church OF Our
Lady Of Good Counsel. when Miss Anna V.
McChesney. daughter of Mrs. Anna Nc
Chesney. became the bride Of Mr.. James T.
Gallagher, of Burlington. ~ j.
The wedding took place on Saturday
morning, September 22, at $50, a nuptial
mass being celebrated. The Rev. James
itendrick performed the ceremony, assisted
by the Rev Henry Russi, of Burlington: The
Rev. George L. Callahan. Of Hammonton
the Rev. p. j. Kelly, of Mount Holly: the
Rev Edward A. Cahiil. of Florence, and the
Rev. Thomas Hennessey. of Salem.
The bride was given in marriage by her
mother. Miss Mary Z. McChesney, a sister
of the bride, was maid OF honor, and Mr..
John Queenan, Of Florence. n. j., attended
Mr. Gallagher as his best man.
The ushers were Mr.. John NJ. McChesney,
Mr. James +. McChesney, brothers Of the
bride; Mr.. Thomas O'Donell. of Burling-
ton, and Mr.. George Phillips, of Florence.
Tho bride wore a frock of white satin
with a court train of lace and a chiffon
overdress embroidered in chrysanthemums
with pearl trimmings. Her veil Of lace was
arranged In cap and held in place b.
orange blossoms. Her bouquet was white
orchids and lilies of the VALLEY. The maid
of honor wore froclI of pink embroidered
chiffon over pink satin and carried a huge
bouquet of pink chrysanthemums
The ceremony was followed by a break
fast at the home OF the bride, $50 West
Central avenue. Mr., and Mrs. Gallagher
after wedding trip through the New Eng.
land States. will be at home after Noverl-
Der at IL East Main street, Moorestown,
n J.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-09-26
FASHIONS ATTRACTIVE
SHOW AT GINIBELS
Display of Women's Gowns and
Accessories Presents Wide
Range of Choice

with the end of September comes the
| beginning Of the winter season. and with
It the necessity for new. good-loolSing
| clothes. It is bewIlderng 20 choose them
from the displays in the store windows, but
after a visit to Gimbels Fashion Show
any woman ought TO be able TO make a
choice.
Skirts have followed the trend of the
times and are economically narrower
Every skirt in the fashion show was mar
rover, although the idea of fullness was
carried out with accordion plRits In serge
and drapes in the softer materials. The
coats are full length with the usual huge
pockets of all shapes and vouminous col
lars, others OF fur or fur trimmed.
There was one coat of brick red, made
| with large sailor collar ending In two
long, loose points in front fasten the coll
lar up over your head throw the ends
around your neck and, behold, hood and
| muffler The materials most used are wool
velours and pon-pon, which Is on the order
| Of Bolivia cloth. Silver tones running
| through a plain color are popular. and the
furs are going TO be SEAL Kolinsly and
beaver.
The lines of the evening dress are essen
TALLY long and slender. One black one was
OF sequins. with a girdle OF robins egg-blue
satin brocaded in gold, All the girdles are
low. There was charming dinner gown
Of black chiffon. slit up both sides TO show
a white satin skirt. The long line was given
by straight panel down the back, while in
front the tunic came TO a point and was
edged with fur. An attractive dress which
also had the popular side slit was of black
velvet, showing white brocRded skirt
underneath. The bodice was opened across
the front to show the white brocade.
The accessories were interesting. All the
handbags are beaded. One that was car
red with dark suit was of black velvet
worked IN n lattice OF silver, with a clasp
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-09-26
PRESSER HONE WILL
HAVE FOUNDERS DAY
Interesting Program Arranged
for Celebration in Germantown
Home for Musicians

Invitations have been issued for Found
er's Day at the Presser Home for Retired
Musicians, at Johnson and Jefferson streets,
on Saturday at 2:30 o'clock. most in
teresting program has been arranged and
includes: Invocation by the Rev Matthew
II. Reaser. Ph. d. 4: an address by the Rev.
George Leslie Omwske, Phi. ID. BARI
tone solo, The wanderer," by Mr.. Horatio
Connell, ono OF Phlladelphias well-known
singers; an address by Henry La Barre
Jayne, ESQ, and two soprano solos by Mrs.
Marie Kunkel zimmerman
Mr. Franklin Spencer Edmonds will make
a speech and a duet will be sung by Mrs.
the last number.
Mrs. Morris Lewellyn Cooke, of Walnut
lane and Wayne avenue, will return from
Gloucester, Mass, the middle of october.
Mr.. Cooke is in Washington, ID. c., engaged
In directing the work OF storing supplies for
the army.
Mr. and Mrs Edward David, formerly OF
Germantown, now living in Enosburg Falls,
Vt, are receiving congratulations on the
birth OF a daughter, to be named Martha
Knight David.
Miss NJ McVey, OF Indianapolis, Ind. is
spending several days as the guest OF her
brother and sister-in-law, Mr.. and Mrs.
James s. McVey. Of Wayne avenue and
Harvey street,
minstrel snow Is 10 ne gwen on SAT"
urday night at the Germantown Boys Club
by some Of the members A sketch will be
given, entitled "Trommer's Barber Shop"
Instrumental and vocal music Will add
greatly to the attractive program.
Mrs. Walter Spofford, of S55 West Duval
street, returned on Monday from Harris
burg, where she spent several days.
Mr.. and Mrs. II. Evert Kendig and their
family, who occupied their cottage in Vent
nor during tho summer. have returned to
their home on Baynton street
Mr. and Mrs. Robert ]. Carson motored
10 Colmar on Sunday. where they spent the
day as the guests OF Mr.. and Mrs. L. c.
Cutler at their farm.
Mr.. and Mrs, George X, Beck and their
sons, Mr., Newton T. Beck and Mr.. Rodney
NJ. Beck. have returned to their home. 1898
Pulaski avenue, from Beach Haven, where
they spent the month of August and part
of September.