davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-07-22
By
Isabel Frost

iniscence. lie stayed a long time
around the corridors of the hotel
after dinner. and remarked in Days
hearing that he had promised the
colonel 10 turn in early that night.
But about $3.50 a wiry. 1.-the figure
crawled Indian fashion through the
tall timothy along the paddock
fence. and after a swift survey un-
locked the outer door Of Starlight
Bess's quarters and disappeared in
side.
The colonel was entertaining a
large party Of friends at the Grand
Southern hotel that night. Just in
the midst OF his after-dinner speech
he was called TO answer the long
distance phone. IL was the Bats
best girl at the other end OF the
wire.
Hello. hello" she called. breath
lessly. Colonel Connolly? You don't
know me, sir. I'm Denver Lou, the
Bats girl. They tried TO stab star
light Bess in the neck tonight. No,
no, I don't mean that. They tried
10 give her a hypOdermic OF some
thing 20 put her out of the running
Yes, sir. through the window above
her head The Bat was laying for
them and he Knocked out Eddie
Days trainer. but they've done him
up pretty badly. I've got him at the
hotel with two doctors. He's go;
three ribs crushed and a broken
nose. but he says he'll ride tomor-
row. sir. II you'll only let HIM"
God bless the boy" grasped the
colonel. Tell him I'll be there by
midnight"
The code OF honor is strange ir
racing circles The Bats injuries
were supposed 20 have come iron
bad fall in exercising. but Will,
the crowd were cheering Starligh
Bess and her winning jockey. tn,
colonel and Denver Lou watched th'
hnish side by side. Eddie DAILY anC
/ four other men had left on the moor
train in charge OF private detec
| tives
/ IF there's anything really serious
between Tommy and yourself. Mis-
Cassidy" the colonel remarked hap
PLY. I'D be wonderfully obliged /
YOU would permit me 10 offer some
thing besides CONGRATULATIONS Th'
lads won thousands for me. ant
I'll stake him 10 ten thousand"
Lou blinked her eyes. II had beel
n long while since any one hac
called her Miss Cassidy. She spok'
as befitted the bride-elect OF tn
4 Bat.
II promised him that I'd MARI,
him two days ago" she said. If he,
win the race. That's why I had Z,
get him up and in condition. Don
| you see. sir 90
Copyright 1910
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-07-22
The Bats Best Girl

The Bat had been riding for the
Connoly stables for two years, ever
since the colonel had picked him out
OF paddock down in Lexington.
Probably. 81 one could have taken
the soul OF the Bat and dissected II.
one would have found the old law
OF THY duty toward thy neighbor"
reduced 20 his duty 10 the colonel.
When they took Starlight Bess up
20 capture the sweepstakes at Mir
"a mar park. the Bat had no more
DOUBT OF the outcome than he had
OF his own existence. She was the
coionels best. and had never been
heaten. She was petted and pam
ipered like one or royal blood. as
indeed she was. 10 had been an
understood thing since she was
4hree-year- that the purse for
the sweepstakes was hers by right
Those who dared 20 dispute II al
ways got their answer when the
judges hung the horseshoe OF flow
ers around her neck
The week before the race the Bat
shared IN Starlight Besss honor.
~
crowd OF followers he was the chief
and small wonder that he fell un-
der the magic spell or Denver Lou.
She had come on with the toy bal
loon concession tucked under her
arm. so 20 speEk-hiring small boys
20 peddle her balloons for her and
putting up her own money I'm bets
on the races. She was about e, a
year older than the Bat.
He had a horror OF big women
ANY girl that goes with me has
got 20 weigh in with me at l19." he
would say. laughingly. And Lou was
Jos.
AZ the end OF the nth day before
the race she was wearing the Bats
lucky nugget scarfpin. and the col
onel admitted that he admired the
boys choice.
You'll be too heavy 70 ride in a
wear or two more. You'd better set
tie down as a trainer with a wife
of your own. Every man needs one.
sooner or later. and I like the looks
OF the Young lady, Tommy"
The Bat swung out OF the stables.
glowing with pride II was ALSO
lutsly true. and he felt that he had
met his fate. The only trouble was
he didn't have the money 10 swing
s. Here was "A girl whose father
had been a noted horseman In his
day After his death she had fol-
lowed the races all over the country,
placing a sure bet where Il was
needed and handling her concessions
ss she pleased.
she had an old aunt in tow for
conpany's sake and the looks 81
things. as the aunt expressed H.
And she doesn't know the sweep
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-07-22

Tom got out of his car at the gate
and went up the gravel path TO the
house. The great trees, arching
overhead. formed a roof Of bright
yellow green. All around was
spring. from the white and pink
orchard on the hillside 20 the
robins nest indi6erentiv hidden un-
der the caves Of the house.
Just as ne stepped on the porch
the front door opened and a girl
came out. Tom was very much sur
prised He had hardly expected
this. She was his next-dOor neigh
Dor i'm the city and their relations
may be guessed from what follow
ed. At first neither spoke. Tom
politely lifted mis- hat and the girl
raised her chin about two inches.
Then the silence became embar-
raising. Tom asked, us Mrs. Car
uthers at homer"
Eyes. she is" answered the girl
stiffly.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-07-22

II
II was only after bitter contro.
versy and a holly debated election
In which mere numbers had de.
cided the matter. that South Bend
so called because Of the great bend
Z taken by the river at that point
was made county seat Of the new
~ organized St. Joseph county
Mishawaka, then outnum bering heI
| sister city in population, was de.
feated only by the farmers living
west and north OF South Bend. BE
that as IL may. South Bend was
eventually chosen, and for that rea
son as much as anything else. set
tiers gave IL preference when look
ing for a place 10 live. AS a re
suit. South Bend soon Outclassed
her One-time superior. and readily
took on the lead Of the county.
Lem Harding. after living for
three years in the woods 10 the
northwest OF town. finally decided
that IL was better 20 live in the town
itself. and so. since his word was
law in the little cabin he had built
II was not long before his decision
was turned into action. and the
Harding family established in a city
residence.
BY leaps and bounds the popula
ton of the place swelled From 800
TO 500. from SEQ 70 1000. from
/. re TO 1000, the numbers mount
ed steadily higher The richness OF
the land had been proclaimed afar,
and the number Of the great white
covered wagons which entered the
country increased
IL was in 1886 that the Logans
came TO the County, Jim Logan, his
wife, two sons, and a daughter The
daughter was only a year old. but
the sons were big enough TO be of
considerable help 10 their father. in
the building of a house and the
clearing Of ground. The LoganS
settled in town, for the elder Logan
was by trade a blacksmith, and so,
of course. had 10 be with the other
business places.
So IL was that Lem Harding Junior
and Mary Logan met. as small chii-
dren, in the little town of South
Bend, on the banks of the river st.
Joe. She was only four at the time.
and he was seven. There were few
children in the place, and so il was
only natural that the small number
that there were should be drawn to-
gether as playmates.
In 1S43. when the first dam was
he fvxrn
many happy hours watching the
construction of the first part Of the
machinery which was TO enslave the
river-was TO make il work for the
white man who had driven the red
man out OF the land, and who had
subjected even the winds and wa
ters 10 his control.
The years passed on. the city
grew. new people came to live there.
and the childhood OF Lem and Mary
began to merge into manhood and
wOmanhood. They had been con-
slant companions. they had grown
up together. and now they became
sweethearts.
What would have happened there
is no way Of knowing, for. just at
that time gold was discovered in
California. and news OF it was pub
lished broadcast through the cOun-
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-07-22
By Louise Oliver

! slipped down the tree and dug up
the loose earth with her bare hands
The box, Of light pasteboard. came
up easily. its contents featherweight.
Now what in the world do YOU sup
pose? Bonds, maybe-or perhaps
paper money.
III go right down and tell Mrs
Caruthers." she declared. There
nothing 10 be gained by waiting.
Dear there's his car Wen call him
i'm and confront him with the evil
dence."
But Tom was already in the
house
II saw yo1 burying this in the
orchard. Mr.. Wilson" said Edith
accusingIy. coming into the living
room with the box, and I thought
Ia find out what il was You see.
we all think % lot Of Mr.. and Mrs
Caruthers and 7 couldn't run the
risk Of their losing anything" She
handed the box 10 Mrs Caruthers
You open it, dear ] can't see
very we'll"
do YOU mind if-if 7 go out on
the porch ." asked Tom "I' might
be better for everybody"
NO. ] think you'd better stay
here said Edith firmly, taking or
the lid.
Tom whistled and walked 90
window. Mrs Caruthers went on
quietly knitting
Edith picked up an envelope
only thing Ia the box Il was adj
dressed TO her Queer, She opene I
it and read:
Dear Miss Edith saw you 60
up into the tree 7 hope you WON'T
come down until 7 get this written
and posted. 90 Grandma says yog
But we Wilson's always get what wee
go after. and I've made up my
mind that 7 love YOU and am eoirr
TO marry YOU. 7 hadn't p chance ia
town with the families trapping but
with grandma on my side we're co.
ing 70 do what we can 20 get Won
If youIl only give mo little
hope I'll see that The uater digs up
the hedge in town and gives yours
the six Inches Surely chat is am
inducement. For further references
see grandma Yours dev0tedly.
Thomas Caruthers wilson
Ruth had a sense Of humor She
sat down and laughed hvstericaIIy.
i've fallen into my own trap"
she Acknowledged ruefluy. And
then. What do you think OF him.
Ms. Caruthers7 DO you advise ma
10 fight the case or give i'm az
once2"
"Suit yourself dear But. remem-
! Der. the Wilson's never lose"
Copyright. 1919
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-07-22
SAYS PASTOR URGED
FlANCE TO JILT HER,
SUES FOR $4,000

international News Service.
CHICAGO, July 81. - Charging
that Rev. Johnston Myers OF the
Emmanuel Baptist church persuaded
l. Seymour Haight. tenor in the
church choir not 10 marry her. Mrs.
Louise b. Allen. 80 years ola today
sued the pastor for $4,000. charging
alienation OF affections.
Mrs Allen. who also sang in the
choir. said she left $40 a week
position 10 prepare for the wedding.
which was set for June 2S last. and
that everything was serene until
Haight went to the minister 10 ask
him TO tie the knot.
Instead Of rejoicing at the oppor-
tunity to make two Of his faithful
choir members one, Rev. Myers
talked Haight out OF it, Mrs. Allen
charged
Haight is in for a suit. too. Mrs.
Aliens lawyer said.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-07-22

Whatever it is you can count on it
he'll come out ahead and you will
lose. so if were you l wouldn't see
him at all III tell him YOU are
busy if you like"
How do you happen to know so
much about him Edith"
They live next door 10 us in
town, and dad had an awful time
with them about the line between
the lots. Dad had 70 take IL to
court and the Wilson's acted awfully
mean about il. Just because they
had had a new hedge put in and
some shrubs they didn't want to
move them, but there were six
inches Of ground coming 10 us. faith
er said. But the Wilson's must have
done something. for the decfsion
was in their favor and dad won't
let us speak TO them now"
But why are you so hard on the
young man, dear? Perhaps. in fact
most likely he had nothing 70 do
with st."
1T doesn't matter. 7 don't ever
intend to have anything TO do with
any Of them. If I can help it, and
I really think you ought not 10.
either. You'll see He'll sell you
bogus stocks or something. But /
think I'll slip over home the back
way now Do you care if I 90
through the orchard and get some
blossoms
Certainly not, dear; help your
self. There, I must go down now
and see my visitor"
Edith could not reach many bios
SONS from the ground. so. since the
trunk OF an apple tree was crooked
and bent she crawled up into the
branches. What heaven IL was up
among the fragrant pink blossoms
She spied an orioles nest hanging
like a purse just above her head and
spent some time watching the father
and mother birds dart in and out
! with food for their babies.
Then suddenly she realized that
some one was below and, looking
down. she recognized that Wilson
man" He had a spade and a box
and was looking cautiously in every
irection-except up. He didn't
dream OF her uneasIness, evidently
Il knew it." thought Edith, tri-
umphantIy. Il knew he WASH Z
here for any good. Now. what do
you suppose il is-money or the fiat
silver? Hell come back some night
and dig it up. I'm sure he has
taken something"
Tom began 70 dig-nOt very deep.
| but a little hole just big enough
| for the box. Then he covered IL
over with dirt and departed.
Edith waited until he had gone
: and then. forgetting her blossOr--
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-07-22
Gro1Oth Of the Boy Scout
Movement IN South Bend

that time numerous camps and might camps
been enjoyed Much credit for the success Of the
in this city is due the untrng efforts Of
Frank Leslie. Although he participated in the
activities of the organization he has acted scoutmas
the past four years
The Boy Scouts popular in Mishawaka. No pub
fic demonstration parade IS considered complete
without the participating in their uniforms Two
encampments win be held this The are
at Camp Eberhardt Corey lake. having liked the
distance.
The Headquarters troop will leave South Bend July Is
part in Red Cross celebration which is be
held in Buchanan, Mich. Silver loving cups will be
awarded the troops making the best appearance
along with other prizes for athletic competition.
Members OF the Y. NJ. G. a. troop will leave for Camp
Eberhart August 4. The have working
hard All year collecting papers and selling theater tick
20 pay the expenses Of the who will
al pay way. other this city
are also expected TO attend the camp at this time
Great work has been accomplished by all OF the
through the country and in the Liberty
loan campaign subscriptions, amounting 20 $4,000 600.
was collected by the youths. This highly
recommended by Pres't Wilson in a letter Mt. West,
chief OF America.
All troops in this city and Mishawaka anxious 10
veil their ranks and If ans boy In either city will apply
for admttance the various ne viii doubt
be placed in Of these troops
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-07-22
THE HARDNCS

out. the travellers crept into the
wagon shortly after. and slept
Around them was nothing but the
deep virgin forest, practically still
untrod by the foot OF white men. No
railways stretched steel bands across
the country. along which ran trains
OF living steam and fire No great
factories belched forth clouds OF
black smoke. poIluting the fresh.
sweet air OF the Out-Of-dOOrs. No
motor cars whizzed by over the road
they had been following. which was
destined 20 become, In later years.
the Lincoln highway. Even Lincoln
was unknown as a national figure at
that time. And so the travellers
slept, slept in the great wagon which
was carrying their belongings 70 the
newer land-that which had been
the great northwest territory.
For many days they pushed on in
70 the wilderness, usually following
the faint wagon tracks OF the travel
ers who had gone before them. but
sometimes tracing the faint "blazes'
on the trees. and even. at times.
when both these failed. steering like
a ship at sea, by compass.
At last. however. they reached the
place for which they had set out in
the northern part Of the state. about
30 miles or so east Of the southern
most part Of Lake Michigan. With
in a day they had settled upon a To-
cation which seemed suitable. and
Lem lost no time in going 10 La
porte. which was then the location
OF the government land office. There
he purchased the land which he
wanted. paying the sum Of $1.25 an
acre for il.
Upon his return from the land
Office, Lem began the building of the
cabin which was To be their home
Under his untiring hands the logs
were carefully placed. one upon an
other, and. simultaneously with the
erection of the cabin. came the
clearing OF the ground in the i'm
mediate vicinity Before long the
cabin was completed. and the house
hold effects were transferred from
the wagon which had brought them
there 10 the building
Grain was purchased at the neigh
boring settlement. "A place of about
800 inhabitants, although il was the
county seat With this grain. and
few nuts which He gathered, Lem
planned 20 get through the winter
using. OF course, that staple article
OF food in the wilderness. wild game.
During the winter another build
ing was erected. for the housing of
the animals. "A lean-to against the
cabin having suficed temporarily.
With the coming of spring came the
sowing of crops. and the care of a
garden.
And so was Lem Harding and his
wife, Sarah. transplanted from the
east 20 the west, 10 ado 10 the great
commonwealth Of the United States.
to open the way for others who were
less boh. They. and the other
hardy ones who first entered this
part OF the country did more than
all subsequent corners have done.
for they gave birth TO the new land.
And i'm this new land. with the for
est and river as surroundings. with
Indians more common than white
men. Lemuel Harding Junior was
born. a year later
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-07-22

, lights. Where once was a stream
which flowed gently and smoothly
on from its source 20 its mouth, is
now a labOring river. the grimy,
streaked waters on which pass
through a hundred wheels on their
way TO the ocean.
That South Bend which we know
has not been erected like some Al
Iadin's palace. II has cost time,
trouble. labor. heart-aches, and dis
appointments. But we have II to-
day, some OF us little knowing or
caring how il has come about.
Romantic always. but like a
human being more so in its early
life. South Bend and the surround
ing country were a fit setting for
the love story Of Lem Harding and
Mary Logan. His earlier infatua-
ton had grown into a deep and last
ing love, strong as the very earth
itself. for the men Of that day could
not love lightly and pass on. The
demands Of their lives were for
whole and IT was a
whole-hearted love that the brown
ed Lem Haring gave 10 the tender.
motherly Mary Logan. Her eyes
sparkled with the light that only the
fame OF love can kindle, and every
part OF her being reflected that
light And. as usually happens, the
climax came.
Lem had taken Mary In his new
" purchased buggy. and the two
had driven off northwest OF the
town, towards the cabin I'm which
Lem had been born. The old place
was still we'll preserved, but the
vines growing over the door testi-
fed TO the fact that IL was unin-
habited. The clearing which the
elder Harding had made still re-
manned. and in the corner where he
had so carefully cultivated the maize
and potatoes and beans were now
rank growths. 10 seemed almost
like violating a sacred place, but
Lem pushed in the vine-cOvered
door. AS il swung open upon its
creaky wooden hinges, the musty in
terror of the cabin met the gaze of
the two young people. There was
the CRATE open fireplace, where once
had swung the great black kettle
the lad remembered, and over in
that corner was the shelf on which
had rested the family Bible.
AS the man held the door open
the girl stepped timidly in. A great
wave Of tenderness swept over him,
as ne realized what his father had
done. and how he must have loved,
to work so for his mother. And
with that realization in his heart, he
gathered the girl in his arms, and
told her the story which had been
trembling on his lips for many days.
II was not a masterpiece Of rhetoric,
the phrases were no doubt crude in
themselves. but they voiced the
meaning in the mans heart as well
as the honeyed words Of the hero
OF any best seller Of today. II was
an unnecessary story, for Mary
knew what was coming. Had not
Lem told her that story once before,
before he had acquired that brown
coating and that manly aspect, be-
fore his heard had become as rough
ana stir as Il was now?
For q long time they stood there.
her head resting on his broad
shoulder his great arms about her.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-07-22

try. As a result. many left their
homes and families and went to the
farfamed golden land I'm the west
Lem was young in body and spirit
but he had a mans ideals and hopes
When the news came. he was amone
the first 10 succumb 20 that deadly
malady, the gold fever. His mother
and father did their best TO con
vince him that at best il was a wild
chase. and only a game Of luck A
few OF his companions, young men
like himself, unhampered by any
family which needed their protec-
ton and support, were also stricken
These planned a party and began 10
make preparations.
Lem knew that he was taking a
chance. but he figured that he had
nothing TO loose, and everything 10
gain. The time he would put in
amounted TO very little and the only
cost of the journey was toll OF hard
ship and labor. But had he stopped
10 think OF the risks he would be
taking. Of the dangers Of the desert.
and from Indians, Indians which
were no longer peaceful and con-
tented as they had been in his
fathers younger days, but wild.
blood thirsty. ravaging. driven TO
bad practices by the example of the
white man and his fire water had
he stopped To think Of those dan
gers. he would doubtless have re-
manned at home.
But the young heart knows no
pessimism, youth is always gay and
Joyous. and il was with light heart
Lem completed his preparations for
departure. A scope of the towns
folks were going, with him. all men,
some leaving wives behind. in the
care of kind relatives. All kinds of
men were in the party, young men,
going for lark. with the prospec-
tive riches as secondary considera-
tions. old men. who. having been in
every corner Of the earth. were
ready for something else. men who
hoped to make a fortune and live
the rest of their lives upon the pro-
ducts Of one lucky strike.
Little excitement was caused by
the preparation, although in few
homes many tears were shed. A
few days before the start of the
Journey. Lem made a call upon
Mary. He was frank in his state
ments. his life I'm the open. with
events that demanded muscle first.
had left him without the polished,
circumlocutory manner which is so
common among folks today. He beg
ged the girl TO wait for him, TO keep
herself free. so that. if fortune fav-
ored him. and he was able 20 return
with wealth. she might be his wife.
Ii did not take long for her deci-
sion. and for the first time. she sur
rendered her lips TO him.
Already Lem was sorry ne had
agreed to go. but everything was
ready. and SO one bright morning,
the wagons and equipment of the
prospectors pulled out of the little
town on the Indiana prairies. and
headed west. across the rolling
lands beyond the great river and the
desert which had taken so many
lives as toll Beyond lay II Dorado.
the golden and the future seemed
ROSY. indeed. But things are not al
WAYS what they seem.