davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-08-05
CHAPTER |
The Message in the Night


Doggy tossed restlessly on her camp
tent high up among the hills that her
sleep was fitful and broken. She half
awoke as the wind rustled through the
trees and tapped bit of loose canvas.
The sound had the suggestion of crea-
lures being abroad in the wilderness
animals. perhaps. or Indians. Peggy
reused up and listened.
Away off in the distance a train rum
bled through the valley. From not far
away came the gurgling murmur of a
shook the leaves and tapped the canvas.
A dead twig fell upon the tent with
startling loudness. Peggy knew that 1t
was only a harmless bit of wood. bu,
she couldn't help giving a big jump She
wondered If there were beasts or savages
in the forest. The rocky hills would be
splendid place In which to hide. Seem
ingly the region was as wild as in the
days when the pioneers forced their way
through the trackless wastes.
Now came a new sound from a tree
above the tent. 1t was a weird voice
in a weird chant:
Hoo-pet-y. hoo-pet-y. hoo!
have come for you.
Down-it-y. down-it-y, down,
We must save the town.
Gracious, that sounds like Judge
Owl" thought Peggy. Again came the
weird chant:
Wak-et-y. wak-et-y, wake!
Come for goodness sake.
Howl-et-y, howl-et-y. howl,
Reds are on the prowl =
at is Judge Owls voice." declared
Peggy, creeping quietly from her cot, so
that she would not arouse the grown-ups
In the tent. The moon was shining
brightly, SO Peggy had no difficulty MAX
ing out Judge Owl perched in the tree.
You are wanted quickly" he hooted
to her. Billy Belgium Is waiting for
you. He says to bring megaphone."
That request seemed strange to Peggy,
but the megaphone was close at hand
So were her khaki suit and her shoes
In a moment she was all equipped for
was calling her. Just so she would feel
bit safer, she picked up her air rife
as she silently made her way from the
tent.
This way" softly hooted Judge Owl,
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-08-05

i,IH ! knew s', how. Indians are red. aren't
Peggy felt little shivery chill run
Indians p she whispered. do you
mean that Indians are on the prowl?'
That's just what l do mean" in
sisted Judge Owl.
Real. wild Indians?"
The realest, widest Indians I ever
saw or heard Of" declared Judge owl
Come on quickly, Billy Belgium is keep
ing guard over them"
Peggy crept forward. She had seen
plenty of Indians since she had come to
the mountains. but they were all tame
1ndians-farmers. store-keepers, work.
ers In factories. They were disappoint-
ingly unromantic-looking and Peggy
could scarcely picture them as the sons
and daughters Of the savages who had
once roamed the rugged hills. Could
this be some tribe that had kept itself
hidden all theSe years?
might hear u.s."
The whispered warning came from in
in their path. He took Peggy by the
hand and led her through part Of the
hills with which she was unfamiliar.
Soon she found herself on the edge Of
a cliff, Leaning cautiously forward she
looked down to where Billy Belgium
pointed.
Below her was large basin followed
out In the hills. High rocky walls shut
1t In on all sides except one, where a
ravine afforded an entrance. 1t lay in
such way that it was like a hidden
pocket and would be very difficult to
find unless one stumbled upon 1t by
chance.
In this basin was pitched camp-a
camp of wigwams and tepees. In the
center blazed a fire. around which were
grouped dozens of shadowy figures sit
ting silent and brooding.
Suddenly there came the throb of TOM
toms. Half naked men near the fire
leaped to their feet and began an odd
dance. They stamped the ground hard
with their feet. bent over low, then
mournfully. The sound sent shivers
through Peggy.
What are they doing?" she whisper
ed to Billy Belgium. He gripped her
hand tight as he whispered back
TITS a scalp dance They are Indians
on the warpath."
THE nert chapter ,oiH tell of the
Indian plot 1ohfch Peggy aud Billy
Belgium OUerhear.)
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-08-05
CHAPTER TX
"Dp1r Cousin Stanley"

TT WAS very early in November that
| Mr.. Smith, coming home one after
noon, became instantly aware that
something very extraordinary had hap
pened
Frank Blaisdell, his wife, Jane. and
their daughter. Mellicent. Mellicent's
cheeks were pink and her eyes more
starlike than ever. Mrs James cheeks
too, were pink. Her eyes were excited,
but incredulous. Mr.. Frank was still in
his white workcoat, which he wore be-
hind the counter, but which he never
wore upstairs in his home. He held an
open letter in his hand.
1t was an ecstatic cry from Mellicent
that came first to Mr.. Smiths ears.
"Oh, Mr. Smith, Mr.. Smith, you can't
guess what's happened You couldn't
guess in million years ~
NO? Something nice, ! hope Mr..
Smith was looking almost as happily
excited as Mellicent herself
"Nice-nice!" Mellicent clasped her
hands before her. why, Mr.. Smith, we
are going to have a hundred thou
sand
"Mellicent, I wouldn't talk Of it
yet" interfered her mother sharply .
But. mother. it's no secret. 1t can't
"Of course motif it's true. But 1t
isn't true, retorted the woman, with ex-
cited emphasis. mo man in his senses
would do such a thing"
"Er-ah-w-what?" stammered Mr.
Smith, looking suddenly little less
happy.
leave a hundred thousand dollars
apiece to three distant relations he never
saw"
But he was our cousin-you said he
was our cousin" interposed Mellicent
"and when he died"
THE letter did not say he had died. .
corrected her mother. He just hasn't
been heard from. But he will be heard
from-and then where will our hundred
thousand dollars BET"
But the lawyers coming to give II
to u.s." maintained Mr.. Frank stoutly
Then abruptly he turned to Mr.. Smith
Here, read this, please, and tell us IL
we have lost our senses-or II somebody
else has"
Mr.. Smith took the letter. A close
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-08-05

THE DAILY NOVELETTE,
BARBARA'S ANSWER
BY MILDRED C. PEASE

ssVLJHICH do you think would be
w prettier. mother" queried Bar
bara Stone, green voile, with white
trimmings, or a gray and coral combina-
tion?"
Both were pouring over fashion
sheets, and scarcely heard the sweet
martial music which announced big
patriotic parade in the street below.
well; sea-green does sound'-Mrs.
Stone was in the middle Of a sentence
when peal of the door bell that
startled her to her feet sent Barbara
flying to the door.
A military man was impatiently tap
ping his brown leather boot on the
stone steps. and upon being admitted
quickly made known his errand.
young soldier who had come on
from one of Uncle Sans training camps
to participate in the parade had been
thrown from his horse in such a man
ner as to render him unable to proceed
further, and would they please accom-
modate him until the parade was over? :?
why certainly, right this way" and
Barbara led the way to her mothers
sitting room and turned down the divan
bed. Her mother was equal to the oc-
casion and started right away to make
their unexpected guest comfortable.
on his arrival advised him not to move
for week. at least, as his foot had
received a very bad sprain.
Having introduced himself as Jack
Carter to Mrs Stone and making a
very good impression on that estimable
lady. it was not surprising that her
daughter should do all %. in her power
to add to their visitors comfort So
accordingly. Barbara brought UP a tray
laden with dainties that would tempt
the most fastidious.
Being rather shy. she laid the tray
down beside the bed and, thinking the
young patient asleep, was tiptoeing out
or the room, when he startled her by
saying: "Oh, I say. Miss Stone, would
you spare poor fellow few minutes? !?
1t Is rather dull. just looking up at the
ceiling and watching the sun flicker
up and down the wall"
She tuurned hestatingly, wondering
whether or not to stay; but he did look
so boyish and dreadfully lonesome that
she decided to read to him a bit. She
him rather interested when she felt a
magnetism which seemed to draw her
eyes away from the book and look in
the direction Of her listener
she finally laid down the book, and
ne thanked her heartily. She then with
TO continue later
Each day found her reading or chat
ing; until one afternoon, about four
weeks from the date of his arrival.
S JACK stood suitcase in hand, bidding
eyes were downcast, he bade her ,ool,
up but she refused. and upon closer
view he discovered that her ewes were
iuil or tears. "Oh, Barbara, Dear liz.
tie girl; you are really sorry that am
soihe am sorry. too. dear, that I
am going-alone. Could you consent to
be my nurse always, dear?"
we do not know her answer but suf-
nee 1t to say that next day found Rar-
para and her mother busiiy addressing
long. white envelopes, and a beautiful
noted her answer. "e
TomorrotCs Complete Nouelette-
"A GOOD IMPULSE REWARDED"
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-08-05
A Matter cf Conscience

As sat on the porch and smoked I
heard the nice old lady tell this story:
I'll never forget the first time I put
up ounces. didn't know a thing about
1t, but Mrs. Brown. the neighbor next
door, was going to put some up, and 1
thought I might just as well follow
her example, as ounces were cheap that
year. So ! pared them and put them
with pears in the pan and boiled them
and sugared them and waited And
then Mrs. Brown called to me and
asked me how they were getting on, and
1 told her. and she said, you didn't mix
them with pears right away, did your"
YES" said I. And sugar them?" she
said. YES" said I. WELL" she said,
you've ruined 'em. ounces should
have been first boiled in clear water
till you can stick a straw in EN-.
Well, I was beat, but didn't let on !;
but called in Mrs. Green. the neighbor
on the other side, and we held con-
the pant was an awful job, separating
'em from the pears, 1 mean--and
washed 'em off and boiled 'em In clear
water till I could stick straw in 'em,
and then returned them to the pears
And they were just beautiful
And in a day or two Mrs. Brown
called to me to come and taste her
ounces, and I did. They were very
good" I said. but I don't think they
are any better than mine" So she
came over and tasted them and she had
to admit they were just fine.
But you never cooked them the way
you said you did," she said.
II put them with the pears and
sugared them" I said.
well, I can't believe IT," she said.
We'll. here's Mrs. Green" I said.
She'll tell you
And Mrs. Green said. Yes, Mrs.
Brown, she put them with the pears
and sugared them
We'll, that beats ALL" said Mrs.
Brown.
And, Of course, 1t did And you'll
notice I didn't tell anything but the
truth. And I've never let on to Mrs.
Brown from that day to this that I
didn't tell her all the truth. Is that
sin. do you think?
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-08-05
ANYTHING She Wants

Mother, nurse and baby were taking
the air in the park Mother was absorbed
in an illustrated paper. and when baby
began to cry peevishly she said without
looking up:
"Give it her, nurse"
The crying went on. and mother said
imperatively:
"Oh. give her what she wants. can't
stand the noise"
Suddenly the cries rose into a howl.
The mother sat up and glared at the
nurse.
why don't you do as tell your" she
inquired angrily. Give it her at once"
She's got 1t. num-" said the nurse
quietly. Its a wasp."-Answers.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-08-05
"THE WILD INDIANS"
Gracious, that sounds like Judge
OWL" thought Peggy

Topping ahead down the side of the
mountain. Peggy knew the path, so she
ran along rapidly, in spite of the fatt
that the moon had disappeared behind a
cloud, and 1t was dark under the trees.
Soon she had to go slow. for she knew
that the path came out on the top Of a
great rocky cliff. fall from which would
mean death. Pausing a moment to get
her bearings, she saw the glow of fire
far below
What's that fire?" she asked. HAS
some one pitched a camp there?"
Howl-et-y. howl-et-y, howl
Reds are on the prowl.
repeated the Judge.
THAT doesn't mean anything" said
Peggy Indignantly. why don't you an
swer me?"
Il am answering you," protested Judge
Owl. I'm answering just as plainly as
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-08-05
Jokes Britishers Chuckle AT

jokes br1tlsners Chuckle AT
From London Ideas.
MA wants another h'ox-tail," an
nounced the small boy in the butchers
shop.
"Oh!" said Brlsket. Did she like the
one she 'ad yesterday, them?
Yes"
well, my little man, I'll give you an
other nice one today"
You'd better" said the small youth
"in fac, ma said she wanted one off the
same hox as yesterday's!
Everything was ready for kit inspec-
tion, the recruits stood lined up ready for
the officer, and the officer had his bad
temper all complete.
He stalked down the line, eying grimly
each mans bundle Of needles and SOFT
soap. and then he singled out Private
Mactootle as the man who was to re-
ceive his welcome attentions.
Toothbrush? he roared.
Yes. SIR"
"Razor?"
Yes. SIR"
''Hold-all?"
Yes. SIR"
HIN! you're all right. apparently"
growled the officer; then he barked:
"Housewife?"
"Oh. very well, thank ye." returned the
recruit, amiably. "how's yours?"
"Emmerline," said Miss Caustic, you
must learn to address me properly. You
must say, If you please, madam and
sometimes man. or for the most part
The backsliding Emmerline duly d.
gested all this, but, unfortunately. she
was not quite clear about it. Anyway
she rushed to Miss Caustic few days
later, saying:
IF you please. madam. and sometimes
nam. and for the most part mum, mas
ter's fell down in a fit!"
This story comes from a Y. NJ. c. A.
hut, so If it isn't true-well, 1t ought to
be.
Lights out !" had sounded, and most
Of the Tommies were asleep, when a mill
itary policeman pushed his head through
the flap in the tent and bawled:
Hi you lot O. blinkin' idiots! Amt
yer heard Lights cut ="
WELL" retorted an indignant private,
they are out, amt they?"
Swift and bitter came the answer:
"oh! are they? Then you'd better
cover up yer nose!'
The reverend gentleman had tried and
tried to get his congregation to call at
his house for tracts, but always they
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-08-05
Natural Mistake

The Duchess of Westminster tells a
story about an ex-Shah of Persia who
was very fond of paying compliments
to English ladies. When the Duchess
of Westminster was presented, he greet
ed her heartily. II have heard mucn
about you," he said. your worthy
name is well known even In my country"
The Duchess was surprised at first.
then a light dawned upon her. Gracious
me! I do believe he mistakes me for
Westminster Abbey" she said. What
was more, she was right-Tit-Bit
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-08-05
Expected Too Much

Abinidab Blunt was manager Of a
hotel in Kittanning-or 1t may have been
Punxsutawney. A Philadelphia man
having business in the western part or
the State put UP there one night.
Approaching the manager he said. "Mr
Blunt, Mr.. John Green, of Philadelphia,
told me to introduce myself to you and
here I am."
Blunt. busy with his books, kept on
being busy.
The Philadelphia, thinking he hadn't
been heard. said, MY name is william
Smith Mr.. John Green, of Philadelphia,
told me to look you up
Blunt never looked up and never said
q word.
Smith made another attempt. "Mr.
John Green, Of Philadelphia" he said.
told me ifI introduced myself to you
you would see that I was given good
treatment"
Then Blunt put down his pen What
the dickens do you want me to do?" he
demanded. kiss your -..
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-08-05
What the English Laugh Al

al
From Pearson's Weekly.
A kind-hearted lady was procee6inG
along tho main thoroughfare when HI
feelings were reused by the hesrtrsn6s
ing sobs. howls end boos Of . llttie,
urchin.
The lady approached a girl. somewhnk
older than the boy. who was standing W
lecturing and promising the urchin the
terrible times that would transpire wilsnI
she got i'm 'ome." .sl
But surely something must be hrf1
Ing the poor little chap!' remonstrsf0I
the lady; "or he wouldn't 70 on jikI |
that"
"Garn." replied the girl, "'e sin4I
'urt! It's is rotten temperament,
| amt never seed anybody like i'm sfst]
looking on the dark side Of things ss1I
a reg'lar pessimist"
Delivering an address at SundaSI
school recently, visitor spoke on 'fhG]
moral development of children.
There is boy here" he said. .;an6I
a girl there. What will they becoms1
| when they grow up?"
In loud whisper one Of the schomrs5
turning to his teacher, supplied an an.
|
| A weIl.known H,1b,.rd a-,r. -
horse to an Enpli.hman
A few days afterw.rd ~. ,,,.,..
turned IN hin,
You said that horse had =, ,.r,.. =
''weel. no MAR bad h.n
| "He,s nearly h,,nd -, ..,.
nant Englishman.
why, mon. that's no, b,s r.,.t-.h.s,.
his misfortune
|
What do you want? demanded mol
Newlywed, as he confronted the tra.,t1
| tage down In the country. "Rrea akSa -
or work?'
Both. SIR" replied the tramp i
Him. said Mr.. NewIywed. and ALL
appeared momentarily into the Mons.
Presently he returned CARRYING a Iar.y
piece of his wife's homemade hr..S
Then eat that" he exclaimed sav.,.,-3
and you'll have both"
| -
Freddie had been sent to a dancins
school SO as to be ready for any invil
tatiohs to parties that might come hioI
way. he arrived home jubilant after|
MS nrst lesson. for Freddie had anY
eye Tor beauty and he found. contrary
girls also attended the class
well. Freddie" said his father. .hov
did you like your first dancing lesson
did you find 1t difficult to learn ~,
step?"
1T was jolly fne," declared Freddisl !
II didn't know there were going "a s,
girls there. too. enjoyed myself. I cal
tell you. Why, all you've got to do n
to keep turning round and wipinr vo,,,9
feet on the carpet!"
|
Most blind and deaf peonIe ara rcd.
merely SO sensitive about their afflictiona1
as We think they are. The Deaf TimeeN
for instance, tells this story: The raill
way chairman was explaining his reorl
ganization OF the staff, and came "a
spriggs. The chief shareholder gasped|
"Spriggs! What on earth can he do
thunder What post have YOU eiverl
|
II think you will agree" returned tn
chairman stiffiy, that the directors uni
derstand their business Thoroughly NIL
Spriggs will attend each day and hesi
all complaints from passengers
| -
Patience and perseverance will -
complish all things" was the favorit5
saying Of an old farmer.
He had just made this remark in =
train one day on the way to marked
when a pcmpous individual in the next
seat turned to him and said:
Nonsense, sir! can tell you q grsS1I
many things which neither patience nelI
perseverance can accomplish"
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-08-05
Willing

The following notice recently appeared
outside the office of a busy London firm !;
Boy Wanted.
."One Who Knows the City Well"
Presently a bright youth presented
himself for the job.
do you know the city welr?" asked
the manager.
mo, SIR" replied the young hopeful.
but I could find it."-Pearson's Weekly.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-08-05

Great demand for the EVENING
PUBLIC LEDGER may cause you
to miss an instaIlment of this very
interesting story. You had better,
therefore, telephone or write to the
Circulation Department or ask your
new sdealer this afternoon to leave
the EVENING PUBLIC LEDGER at
your home.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-08-05
That Did II

When he arrived home she met him
with frigid glance.
John" she said, In a voice imported
from the North Pole. you gave tina.
cake l made to the dog; you ungratefui
creature! !!
But the monster was unperturbed
Il know I did: but, really, didn't
know you were SO gone on that dog ~
Ideas. ASEIA
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-08-05

I'm precious adventures Pcggy has
met Billy Belgium, Lonesome Bear,
Judge OlUl, and pariouS forest
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-08-05
0opvrfohf, 1918, by Eleanor II. Porter ard
bU the Public Ledger Co.
~ Permission Of HouDhton MiGHn Co. All
RiQhfS Reserved.
THE STORY THUS FAR

Stanley @. Fulton. multimillionaire. mas
querading as John Smith," is studying
relatives to whom he has arranged to
give large sum of money. His lawyer,
Edward ID. Norton, has been instructed to
send six months after the arrival of John
Smith in Hllerton. a check for 800. 900
to James Blaisdell and check for an
equal amount to Frank Blaisdell and to
Flora Blaisdell. Smith wishes to study
them before and after taking" wealth.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-08-05

Tomorrotc's Complete Novelette,
"A GOOD IMPULSE REWARDED.'
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-08-05

THE nert chapter ,ciH tell Of the
Indian plot 1ohfch Pe90y aud Billy
Belgium Operhedr.)
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1918-09-21

permanent Improvement and the best
investment that the city could make.
In all, the bond issue would rep
resent $150,000. Quite a large
amount on the face of it, but consid-
ering that these are for permanent
improvements and that these bonds
would cover a period of 80 years ii
would mea to the taxpayers only
$1,000 per year, with interest, which
Is much less than Is nov being spent
outright yearly, with not much to
show for it.
In conclusion, the commissioners
wish to state that when the bonds are
carried that it does not mean an inn
mediate sale or expenditure of the
proceeds thereof. However, when
normal conditions have been restored
they wish to be ready to carry out
the above plans at once.
The commission will act on the
above issues next Monday evening
and are ready to listen to any sug-
g~estions that may be advanced.
Joseph Henkin,
Commissioner of Finance.
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1918-09-21
At The FRONT
MINNEHAHA COUNTY SOLDIER
PROUD OF HIS COMPANY.

Sioux Falls, Sept. 21.-Corp. Ros-
coe oKontz, son of Mr.. and Mrs. G.
r. oKontz, route No. s., writes un-
der date of August 9 that he is hear
the front and that 1t looks like "Hea-
ven, hell or Hoboken by Christmas
He says:
Just a few lines to let you know
that / am well and safe SO fas. We
are at the front trying to do our Int
and I guess we are doign 1t. too. We
sure have a fine regiment. Every
man is proud of the old 18th. I am
on the combat train. We have quar-
tiers back of the lines a few miles and
haul ammunition up to the guns.
The paper tonight says Heaven, hell
or Hoboken' for us by Christmas,
andthe way we have the Germans go
ing the last two or three weeks Ho
boken looks pretty f%avorableto me
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1918-09-21
THE MEN IN
CLASS Al

A sound, healthy man is never a
back number. A man can be as Wig.
orous and able at 70 as at 20. Con
dition, not years, put you in the dis
card. A system weakened by over
work and careless living brings old
age prematurely. The bodily func-
lions are impaired and unpleasant
symptoms appear. The weak spot is
generally the kidneys. Keep them
clean and in proper working condi-
ton and you will generally find your
self in Glass AL. Take Gold Medal
Harlem Oil Capsules periodically
and your system will always be In
working order. Your spirits will be
enlivened, your muscles supple, your
mind active, and your body capable
of hard work.
Don't wait until you have been re-
jected. Commence to be a first class
man now. Go to your druggist at
once. Get a trial box of Gold Medal
Harlem Oil Capsules. They are
made of the pure. original. imported
HARLEM Oil-the kind your great
grandfather used. Two capsules each
day will keep you toned up and feel
ing fine. Money refunded if they do
not help you. Remember to ask for
the imported Gold Medal brand. In
three sizes. sealed packages.