davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-01-22
CRAAACAC1 6AcNC<WNVgNN
e FORGIVING HER

filled with tulips and daffodils. 81 new
er dreamed of anything so lovely! And
there is a piano in the sitting-room
and real stained glass windows in the
library, and
And a spare room IL my mother
should ever wish to spend the sum-
mer with u.s." said Mr. Vernon, caress-
ingly.
Minnie's countenance dropped. the
roses and daffodils carelessly drifted
10 the ground. She came closer to
Harry and began nervousiy playing
with the middle button-of his coat.
Harry" she said. II don't want you
to think me ungrateful, bht-but, per-
haps it is best to have an understand
ing on this question at once"
lon what question:" said Harry,
somewhat bewildered
ION the mother-in-law question"
courageously answered Minnie.
Harry burst out laughing.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-01-22

still with her eyes closed She had
made no cutlery. With each breath she
expected to feel pains of death assail-
ing. but she kept on being ID remark
ably comfortable that she looked up
And there stood Mrs. Forker.s
well. Eliza Purplei" said Mrs. For
ker. She held out hand. Come.
let me help you up. You've split a
whole section of my fence. It's lucky
for you / had my mattress out airing
and forgot to bring II in. ! remember
ed it when I'd got half way to the con-
certc and turned right around and
come back and-here you were"
Mrs. Purple got up. She was shaken.
but sound. She stared down at the
mattress and up into Mrs. Forker's
face.
We'll said" she exclaimed. "And
I might have been all smashed up
Deeking into your garden"
Mrs. Forker laughed. Never mind
Eliza. IT might have happened to me
l peeked over your fence t'other night
after / knew you'd gone upstairs to
bed. But / couldn't see mulch In the
moonlight. Eliza"
yes. Jenny"
Now you're in. suppose you stay
in"
She held out her hand. And Mrs
Purple grasped IL.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-01-22

tique piece of furniture vanished over
to look like new. Minnie had never
been in sympathy with her fashionable
mother.
She had married decidedly in oppo-
sition to her mothers wishes, and was,
to tell the truth, not especially pleas
ed at her appearance at this particu-
lar moment.
But what am I to do?" she said to
herself. 81 certainly can't turn her
out of doors, though I'm sure I don't
know what Harry will say after all
those disagreeable things 1 said about
his mother
But Harry was too much of gem
tleman to be anything but a Sir
Launcelot" under any circumstances.
He welcomed his mother-in-law with
genuine hospitality and did not even
notice Minnie's appealing glances
when the old lady incidentally let fall
that since she liked the situation of
Sunnybrook cottage so we'll she should
perhaps remain all summer, "just TO
keep Minnie company. you know"
at is so good of Harry not to fling
back my silly words into my face"
she thought, with thrill of gratitude.
But toward the end of the week the
mother was taken ill.
81 hope it's not going to be very
serious" said she. illness does age
ona so"
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-01-22

Mrs. Purple how to SOW peoples. The
two old women werefairly infatuated
with her. And yer. naturally they
soon grew jealous.
Mrs Purple began to suspect that
Bertha Belle favored Mrs. Foraker and
when she discoverel one of Bertha
Bellies satchel plants in Mrs. Forker's
bed she became actually jealous, for
Bertha Belle had given her no satchel
plant Thus the friendship of years
was spoiled by so trivial thing as
plant a finger high, which bore per-
haps two smelly redblossoms nobody
would have plucked other out of Curl
osity or admiration.
The next thing thai happened was a
fence of sedate whit boards as high
as a mans head witch Mrs. Purple
raised between her pemises and those
of the Amhursts. Itcost her consid-
cradle and it shut hG in to neighbor
with Mrs. Chaplain q go lonely.
The summer wore On.
Have you seen Ms. Torker's flow
ers?" Mrs. Hess asked of Mrs. Purple.
She was Mrs Forkers next door,
but having mainland strict neutral
ity, she felt at libert to visit where
she chose She was al that moment in
Mrs. Puppies back yard admiring the
luxuriance of some fyerfew.
mo, / haven't seei them, replied
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-01-22
HT@=-E8
~, IN THE MOONLIGHT ~

man, the milk, the meat, baker and
grocer cart drivers were perfectly fa-
miliar to her. She had borrowed some-
thing of everybody on the street and
she was on Intimate terms with both
Mrs. Burple and Mrs. Foraker.
These ladies no longer met under
the catalpa tree, for Mrs. Amhurst had
planted the space around it with YER
benas. She was mad about flowers, she
declared.
The two old ladies became interest
ed when she called upon them to help
her. They hunted up seeds and slips
for her Moreover, they, too. caught
the fever and began to make flower
pots of their own. Mrs. Amhurst had
a lot of foreign seeds and plants which
she had brought with her. and she di-
vided with them. She was very gen.
erous. very willing. She taught Mrs.
Foraker how to set her bulbs and
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-01-22

Mrs. Purple, primming her mouth.
They're a sight" went on Mrs
Hess.
Are they so? Well. / don't pretend
to be any great hand with posies." re-
piled Mrs. Purple.
II don't say they're any nicer than
yours" Mrs. Hess FASTENED to say, but
they are different. Her holly hooks
may be a mite higher, but your sweet
william has a richer bloom. They'd
compare up pretty well if they were
on show for a prize. / don't know
which I'd decide in favor Of" Mrs.
Hess laughed. She was a CHEEKY soul.
Mrs. Purple had worked early and
late over her flower garden. She
wished it's fame to go forth and fill
Mrs. Forker with envy and dismay.
Mrs. Forker was more to her now than
an old friend who had become her
enemy-Mrs. Forker was her rival
July came and suddenly, most un-
expectedly, too, to Mrs. Purple, the
Amhursts fitted. Bertha Bellies gar
den had come to naught, because Mrs.
Puppies high fence shaded the best
part of 1T, she said. She was glad TO
leave it and, anyway, Tom was tired of
Westmore.
No sooner had the Amhursts gone
than Mrs. Forker raised a high board
fence, similar to Mrs. Puppies, along
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-01-22

the prancing little white dog and the
baskets that We're being unloaded from
the enormous yet rather worn looking
touring car.
William carried out chairs and the
kitchen table and from the baskets
was spread what looked to Susan like
a feast. She had the seat of honor and
how she did eat. although 1t was only
about IL O'Clock and her regular din
ner hour WAS 1890 Not until the
meal was over did she remember that
she had never once thought of count
ing the sandwiches.
A farmer came by as they finished
eating, and William hired him to pull
out the car. And then Susan was per-
suaded to lock up her doors and go for
a ride. She had never been In q car
before; she had never in her life rid
den faster than old Tom could draw
her. and the sensation was SO pleas
urable that she forgot everything in
the world save the motion and the peo-
pie around her and the familiar fields
that went spinning by.
81 never had such a birthday in my
life" she murmured unaware of con-
fession.
Birthday" cried Elva. Us it your
birthday"
She leaned over and whispered to
her brother. The car fed on. And
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-01-22
HAPPY RETURNS

that. / wonder how many times that'd
make? And when it comes to keeping
track of the pancakes I've turned and
the steps I've taken doing it all She
clapped her hands to her head and
stood staring down at the worn boards
of the clean floor, dazed with the i'm
mensity of her calculations.
The door was pushed open and jim
my Bean entered with two great pals
of steaming milk, which filled the room
with pleasant odor. Here We be-" he
said. Didn't get as much as 1 did
yester mQxning. Old Bess Is letting up
on her mink. bet I'll have to sell her
yet"
Susan did not speak. She took the
milk into the pantry and strained it.
This duty came twice a day. How
many days There it goes again."
she thought, "I can't get away from it.
It's count, count, day and night till
my heads worn out. I'm going to be
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-01-22

carriage, and then, lifting her ewes
to the tender nurse beside her. said
wistfully: You will not leave me.
will you. mother?"
NO, dear. not unless you send me
away" said Mrs. Vernon tenderIy.
And that will never be-" said Min
ME. closing her eyes with a sigh OF
relief. How good you have beer TO
mel ] should surely have died with
out you"
That evening when Harry came
home she opened her heart to him.
Harry" she said. "can you forgive
me?"
Forgive you, dearest?"
For what / said about our dear
dear mother" fervently uttered Min
ME- she 10 precious beyond expires
sion to me now. She has saved INV
life by her courage and devotion. And
feel that cannot part with her any
more. Would she stay here with us
always. do you think, Harry"
Harry smiled gravely.
II am her only son. dear sssd he
Yes. think she will--if you AK her.
Minnie made her confession to her
mother-in-law ct once.
Il was 50 rude-so selfish" she can
didly acknowledged. but l did not
know you then"
And Mrs. vernon's tender kiss was
seal OF the most loving forgiveness.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-01-22

After she had done the mornings
work and Jimmy had gone to town
with the apples and butter she went
into her room and lay down upon her
bed. The old creepy, brown wallpaper
filled her with sudden loathing and she
drew a corner of the spread over her
head to shut it out.
Susan, with her poor brain moving
in weary circles with all the futility of
a squirrel in a cage, thought of her
long life and feared the future. She
had once seen a picture of the state
asylum and had been told that 3S per
cent of it's inmates were farmers
wives. What would Jimmy do without
her? There came quick, summoning
rap at the front door-a rap so loud
that it seemed to jar the walls of SUI
sans consciousness. She sprang up
startled. Outside was brilliant sun
shine and upon her doorstep stood a
blue-eyed girl in a scarlet coat and hat
who smiled beseechingly upon her and
said: "Our car has got into a rut
down here beside your orchard and the
engine isn't strong enough to pull us
out. Can you loan us team, please?
my mans gone to the village with
our team and i doI't know where
you'd get another" susan answered.
She put her hand to her head in that
vague, troubled way which was be-
coming a habit with her.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-01-22

crazy as bedbug fore I know it,"
Tears gathered and rolled down her
tired, plain face. She dabbed them
away with a corner of her apron. 1t
would not do for Jimmy to see them.
She made the breakfast, which was
quite as usual, but Susan could not
eat it. She sat staring at the buttons
on Jimmy's knit waistcoat. There
were seven and she sewed them on
about once a fortnight. Above the
waistcoat Jimmys face.was round and
red, a trifie like a Scotch terrier in
contour, but essentially the same face
1T had been when she married him for
love forty years before. But forty
years proves love, as it does marriage.
When one has cooked a mans break
fast and eaten it with him for-Su-
san suddenly got up from the table and
began to fuss about the sink. 1t came
to her helplessly that she was trying
to run away from herself.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-01-22

the side of her premises. She was
heard to say, "If Eliza Purple wants
to set under that catalpa tree she can,
but she'll not see into my garden"
That is exactly what Mrs. Purple
wishes to do-to see into Mrs Puppies
garden. She made up her mind to do
so.
One lovely evening, whensit was still
light at half past z, Mrs. Purple sat on
her porch and watched the neighbor-
hood go past to the band concert In the
Bennett park. Mrs. Forker trailed bv
with the rest. Behind her trundled
Mrs. Hess, who laughingly called out
to Mrs Purple to accompany her. But
Mrs. Purple shook her head
Her opportunity had come As soon
as the last petticoat had wisked round
the corner she rose and entered the
Amhurst yard. The bench that had
once reposed under the catalpa tree
set against the Forker fence. Mrs.
Purple looked up and down. All was
quiet. She stepped upon the bench.
She peered over into the still visible
depths of the garden below.
Mrs. Purple was heavy woman and
the bench was aged. She felt 1T giving
beneath her feet and clutched at the
fence. Then with horror she felt her.
self going, headlong, into the Forker
garden. She fell with a thud and lay
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-01-22

the hour There were no boundary
fences and the catalpa tree was ex-
actly halfway between their two back
doors. 1t was so much pleasanter to
meet there in sunbonnet and apron
than to dress up and go round in the
sight OF all the neighbors TO each
others front door.
The Amhursts came back on a love-
ly April morning. Mrs. Amhurst was
a stranger in Westmore and differ
emit" That one word different" pos
sesses a variety of meanings, although
Westmore folk did not know this until
they got acquainted with young Mrs.
Tom Amhurst. She was very young
and almost Wickedly pretty with the
kind of prettiness that makes ribbon
or a rose more decorative on one wo-
man thaa an armful of laces and jew
elry on another. Within week she
knew everybody by name. The post
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-01-22

my dear child" said he, "who has
been filling your innocent little head
with nonsense?"
at isn't nonsense" said Minnie "I
have made up my mind never to have
our domestic peace imperilled by such
an element as this. And IL can't
consent to receive your mother here,
Harry. You won't ask me to, will
you, dear?' coaxed the young wife in
her sweetest accents.
IF you only knew my mother, Min
ME-" he began.
But / don't know her." pleaded
Minnie, land l don't want to know
her"
I'm sure you would like her, dearie,
and l am positively sure you couldn't
help loving her.
Il never shall try. No. Harry. it is
too dangerous an experiment to med
die with. You will let me have my
own way in the matter, won't your"
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-01-22

then suddenly Susan found herself In
Danton, which she had not visited
since she was a young girl. She could
not believe they had come that far.
They stopped before a store and Elva
and her married sister went H.. When
they returned they carried "a huge
package. which Elya tucked without
comment under the seat.
When they reached the farm they all
got out and entered the house. william
leading the way with the parcel Thes
placed the parcel upon the table.
whipped off the wrapper and there
stood a little talking machine Elva
did something to 1t, and IL began 10
sing Home, Sweet Home"
Susan could not speak. She stood
gazing at the machine In motionless
pale amazement. Then she began 20
cry like a little child or an old wo-
man who has never been so happy or
so surprised before in all her life.
They taught her how 70 set tire CYL
inders, to wind il and care for H.
II guess you won't be lonely after
this" Elva said. "We'll come TO sec
you again some day. and. IL we may
have Another picnic in your orchard
Then they all shook Ler hand and
wished her many happy retlrns O. tae
day and went away and left her. while
"Old Folks at Home" filled the air
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-01-22
dress on my way to the opera"

dress on my way to the opera"
When, after a solitary dinner, Mr..
Brainard was again settled in his linn
CUISINE, he looked at the parcels piled
on the floor and wondered why he was
taking all this trouble. Yet Louis was
stupid and certainly lacked the dis
erection necessary on mission of this
kind. The trousseau represented
many hundreds of dollars, that could
be seen by even a bachelors inexperi-
enced eye, and one must make quite
sure that it really belonged to the own
er of the little black bag,
The car drew up before a shabby
brownstone house Mr.. Brainard
mounted the high stoop and pulled the
doorbell. A janglo in some remote
corner met with no response. A sec
ond ring was more successful-there
came the sound of heavy footsteps on
an uncarpeted floor and the door was
opened by large, red-faced woman
Does Miss-er-Florence Carter
live here?' asked Mr. Brainard, con-
sulting the card in his hand.
"She boards here" corrected the
woman, as though to imply that you
could hardly call it living.
May / speak to her minute?"
81 guess So" answered the woman,
reluctantly opening the door 10 ADMIT
the visitor and closing it after him
with an Unnecessarily loud bang.
What Manner
You needn't give any name; just
say a gentleman to see her on bust
ness"
Take a seat in there" directed the
woman, and creaked her way upstairs.
I'm there" proved to be small
room to the left of the front door Mr..
Brainard mad never seen a room just
like it before. He had always avoided
all spheres of life except the very
narrow one in which he existed. He
was unfamiliar with the smell of the
hot Gil stove in the corner, with the
feel of the worn brussels carpet I'M
der foot. The life-sized crayon por-
trait of the deceased master of the
house was an atroeity that he had new
er even dreamed of in his philosophy.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-01-22

she added caressingly. cit is the first
favor / have asked ofVou.
"Of course-you re the mistress
here" said Mr.. Vern1, feign1ng an
indifference that he id not feel
And Minnie, for hi reward, stood
on tiptoe and kissed him.
Two or three days fter a carriage
stopped at the gate, lden down with
trunks, and a notwithstanding elderly
lady, very much powdeed and frizzed.
with an 1S-year-old bonet and a silk
parasoI which any shoolgirl might
have envied. Minnie started up 10
amazement from the osey little nest
in the hammock whereshe mad been
busily examining her NJ COOK DOCK.
Mammal" she exclaimed.
.vos 5.rl;no it's ne," said her
,,o,har ar w.s On nv ray to the city,
so thought would stc . it.ie "niie
and surprise you ootn
And she gave Minnie succession OF
,-,ssas ,rh;oh we're yer strongly ia
800 ,,r;+t, rosa mower, and beck
$3.50 .ha sri,-ar to brinsin the trunks.
.sT. - .ba And a bonnet
49, 80 ~ umbrella and two trav-
49,. Relieve tat is all. My
darling child, what ny ne -
have here. And the dooi Says so 'n !,
try air is what need ro 9
She was one of hos 5ouns-oiu Ia
dies who remind one fo'nH oi al IN
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-01-22

ooh, dear!" pouted the girl. Isn't it
a shame? You see, we have lunch
baskets with us and we intended to
picnic in some nice place beside the
road. And then the car had to get in
to a rut. We all got out, but that didn't
help. And there 1t is" She laughed.
"But your orchard looks to be a very
nice place to picnic in and if you don't
mind we could go there"
Susan was responding family to
that irresistible joyousness. "Of
course, you can go there. And you
can have some seats and a table,
The girl clapped her hands. Then
she caught Susan about the waist and
kissed her. ooh, you dear, little, old
aunty woman!" she cried. "And you,
too-you'H be-our guest2 Mother is
out there and my married sister and
the twins and William, my grown-up
brother, who runs the car-father
couldn't come, he's too busy--and
Bobby, our Spitz dog. Now will you
come with me and tell them that we
can have a happy time just where we
are? For they're all waiting and they're
all beginning to feel hungry Motor
ing gives people such appetites. you
know"
Susan found herself following the
girl. She felt more dazed than ever
when she saw the flock of gay people,
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-01-22

"how this came to be in that package
The girl gave little cry and sank
on the sofa.
"oh might have known it'll might
have known it" she sobbed. Tits
all over, yeu knew all the time! What
are. you going to do with met"
My dear young lady. I really don't
understand! Do with your"
Yes. You've hunted me down. made
me confess, what are you going to do
with me?
81 think" said Mr.. Brainard, that
you had better explain matters a lit
tie more clearly; I am quite at sea.
Some packages were delivered at my
house by mistake. In one of them /
found your name and address. There
was no question of hunting merely
called to see if they were your prop
property. You must realize that 1t is
rather puzzling-you treat me as
though / were accusing you of some
crime. / think you owe me an expla-
nation"
The girl raised her head Two very
large tears rolled down the pretty pink
cheeks. The man watched them with
some interest.
Then you aren't mad with me?" she
asked, as though bewildered.
II can't see that 1 have any cause
for anger" said Mr.. Brainard.
II suppose had better tell you the
whole thing" sighed the girl.
Il think you should certainly tell
me-" urged Mr.. BTainard There has
evidently been some mistake. I will
be glad to be of service IL / can"
There hasn't been any mistake"
said the girl in dull, hopeless voice.
But didn't mean to do wrong; 1 was
just silly"
Mr.. Brainard chose the more sub
stantiai of the armchairs and drew it
toward the sofa. He disarranged one
of the crocheted "tidies" and replaced
1t with preciseness.
"Well?" he said.
II reckon you know I'm a Southern
er by the way I talk" Miss Carter be-
gan YEARLY. 81 was born and raised
in Virginia; I'm the oldest of right
big family, and pa died four years ago.
/ took course in Stenography and
went to work In Richmond. A girl /
knew there came up to New York and
she wrote me that I could earn more
up here. The family scraped up
enough money to pay my way, as
sort of investment. / was mighty
lucky, I got a position right away in
the account department of Tyler and
Cobb-I've often addressed communi-
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-01-22

had scarcely slept at all, she emerged
to build the kitchen fire.
"One-two-three-four," she count
ed as she laid the sticks and started
at the sound of her own voice in the
silent room. my land, I count every
thing lately What's got into me? 1
wonder If I'm going crazy. Every SIN
gle thing is getting to be just a num-
Der to me. I'm "a today, and I've been
building this fire for 2S7 times so far
this year. And for forty years before