davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-06

never before met with this expe-
rience.
She had always had her own way
about everything and everything she
ever had from clothes 10 accOmmo-
dations at a hotel was the best
Nothing else would have suited her.
Emile was a born snob. She had
been born and reared under the
yoke of snobdom.
Her father. having suddenly got
rich after his baby daughters ar
rival had always argued that she
must &C kept away from the cOarser
things Of life. She was. and in her
extreme eXclusiveness Emile had
lost a good bit of the lustre and
zest for living which comes from
association.
Her parents had since died leav-
ing their entire fortune TO their only
daughter. Emile was wealthy and
she expected 10 be catered 10 in pro
portion TO the title of her role. She
was one Of the wealthiest heiresses
in the southern part of that country.
She travelled for pleasure and il was
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-06
ODDS AND ENDS

not Mr.. Cummings. He's always
nice TO me-to US"
The little motherly forelady smil-
ed sadly. What could she do? She
couldn't explain the real situation
TO Mr.. Cummings. Pride forbade
that course. So she merely asked
the girls 10 give her time, and may
be she might find a way. Faithfully
they returned 10 their tasks, leaving
their fortune to her.
Day after day Dempster persisted
in his opportunities to Edith, and
each day added to his smouldering
anger as she continued to repulse
him. He knew well her unselfsh
interest in the welfare of the other
girls. and played upon this chord.
Finding her implacable, again he
sought Cummings in his underhand-
ed way.
THE girls are wasting hundreds
of dollars worth OF materials" he
complained. You ought to put a
stop TO it,"
Cummings regarded him thought
fully. then rose from his desk and
started out of the office. He de-
pended heavily on Edith Major
He'd see her.
That's all right, Mr.. Cummings. e"
spoke Dempster. hastily. Just sign
an order, warning them, and I'll
post it,"
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-06

But l want to look into this" re-
piled Cummings, sterniy.
Cant YOU take my word for it p
demanded the other, with a whine.
Perhaps" was the curt reply
But l have an interest in this place,
don't forget that"
Ten minutes later Cummings re-
turned to his office and slumping
into his chair pondered long and
deeply. Memories of that unselfsn
girl who had defended her COM
rades with such warm ardor float
ed across his vision and haunted
him peculiarly. Then he sought out
Dempster.
Il think I'll wait awhile on that
waste business" he announced to
the manager.
But Mr.. Cummings" protested
the other, chagrined at his defeat.
yet still hopeful, surely you won't
stand for them taking away all the
dress goods that they do?'
What 90 you mean?' demanded
Cummings, sharply.
"Just what l said" continued the
other The girls are taking silks
and worsteds home with them by
the yard. 1t ought to be stopped"
An argument ensued. but finally
Dempster won his point, and later
the girls were Mortified TO find an
order forbidding them TO take home
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-06
HER NEW WORLD

the first time in her much petted
i:fe that anyone had thrown cold
water on her in this unpatronizing
way. Sorry. indeed" she Knocked
resentfully. Il guess there are lots
OF other hotels in this town who'll
be only too glad 10 have my pres
ence."
She motioned 10 a boy 20 pick up
her grips, then, with a little air of
disdain. walked from the hotel lob
by and stepped into a waiting taxi
AT the curb.
ITO the next best hotel, please, &"
she ordered the driver. and mo-
ment she found herself whirling
along toward the Grand.
Emile met with the same courte-
Gus though Notwithstanding air
there. She turned from the desk "A
trife weary. the boy set her bags
down once again. Then she took
a seat just off the open lobby and
began 10 think.
What in the world shall 1 do -
she asked herself. II was begin
ming To grow dark and Emile had
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-06
DOROTHY'S WAYS

"Billie." otherwise Mr.. William
Holton. made his way unseeingly
through the crowded streets. milling
with its thousand of Christmas
shoppers. With that extra sense OF
the cityite. given for the aid Of dodg
ing automobiles. wagons. etc. and
allowing "A bred bone son OF
the city 10 escape danger and not
miss "a thought. Billie stepped over
around and between the various me-
chanical toys sprouting on the ce-
ment walks. But Billie saw none
OF il. heard none OF the noises, for
his mind was occupied with a much
weighter matter than the mere saw
ing Of life and limb. He and Dor
othy had parted last night. if not in
anger, under cloud. for he had
discovered flaw in his peerless girl.
Dorothy was stingy,
III there's a worse thing than
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-06

she thought. And as she unused,
Dempster was facing Mark Cum
mings, the junior partner, a 1.-the,
athletic appearing young man of so.
whose clean appearance and mas
terful manner contrasted strongly
with the sneaking approach Of his
heavy jowled manager.
It's just as l tell you, Mr.. Cum
mings." Dempster was saying. The
girls abuse their privileges. They
hang around that rest room for
hours at a time. And with our busy
season coming on we need 'em every
minute"
HUH" Mark Cummings face
bore a thoughtful expression. I
don't like the idea of taking away
their little comforts. Dempster"
They abuse EN-" snarled Demp-
ster. enormously. It's either shut
down the rest room or the place.
What shall it be?"
Later with triumphant leer on
his face, Dempster posted a notice
in the work room. When he had
left the girls ran TO read it. then
charged down on Edith Indignantly.
MIR. Cummings has ordered the
rest room closed their their bitter
outburst The mean. contemplate
thing!"
Il expected it." Edith answered.
quietly But it's Dempster's work,
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-06

1t was almost night when they
returned laden with mysterious
parcels Of every size and shape. The
contents Of one of those bundles
were quite evident when Anne Den
ton, the dowdy little thing. appeared
in a rainbow gown that certainly
eclipsed the clothes Of every other
woman in the room. Anne was no
longer an outsider. She was the
attraction for all eyes. AS all wise
men know, while clothes do not
make a woman, they surely CLASH
fy her.
Sulking, Jimmy, because you lost
a perfect day with US while you
trotted off with Bob?" demanded
Mrs. Havemeyer when dinner was
over and the guests went up TO the
big ballroom on the fourth floor of
the handsome Hunter home. You
are d right loyal friend and I ad-
mire you for it," she said softly.
Jimmy whirled around and faced
her. angrily. II didn't go to do any
David and Jonathan stuff. | went
because / was sorry for that little
kid from the west, and hanged if
| didn't find out that she could
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-06

any odds and ends" When Edith
heard of this it was the last straw.
I'm through" she said, tensely.
II will not be here tomorrow. How
many OF you girls Will follow me
out?"
A chorus of us" greeted her an
nouncement, and later, when she
was summoned into the showroom
downstairs TO demonstrate some
dress goods to an austere lady buyer
from Kansas, she passed Dempster's
office with head erect and a content
ed smile on her face.
How often a mere trif1e causes a
great upheaval in the order Of
things.
AS the buyer. two hours later,
said goodbye to Cummings, she re-
marked casually, Your Miss Major
is a fine little lady, Mr.. Cummings. 4"
Yes" answered Cummings. abb
sently.
But her clothes don't speak well
for the establishment" continued
the buyer It's a mass of odds and
ends-patchwork, I'd call it. Is
wonderful how she manages to look
neat" And she left.
Cummings returned to his office
slowly. odds and ends-patchwork.
The expression haunted him. and at
the close OF the day he sent for
Edith.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-06
By Archie Cameron New

me?'' cried Edith. ashamed, and he
turned and looked at her with blind
admiration, then slowly rose and led
the way into the show room.
Look" he said, gently. pointing
down one long table heaped high
with dress goods, Of different
weights and fineness. I've judged
you by their standard. Here's a
cloth OF wonderful sheen. resplen-
dent in color. but il fears without
warning. And here's a rough piece.
sturdy in wear, but not pleasing TO
the eye, or the touch. And here's
the silks-See they're smooth and
shiny now, but if you rub them
hard, through their deceptive sur
face there'll come a rent and a tear
and the things of beauty now be-
comes naught but a useless rag.
They're odds and ends, in a sense.
But here-at the very end-we find
something real 1t reminds me OF
you. See its soft COHORTS perfect
weave Into IL has been NEEDED the
best Of the best. II costs more, but
it's worth il. And as the fabric
grows older, it won't tear, or rip or
break. But its surface Will be finer
and smoother with age, more cling
ing to the touch. and at last its long
association and service will entitle
il TO be laid away with reverence.
It's at the very end Of this table.
as II Il were intended that we should
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-06

on this bent she had decided TO
take a flying trip north TO visit the
big state camp.
Emile. pretty, tall slim and
blonde, had been led TO believe there
was no one in this wide world like
her. It was under this self-opin-
toned idea she had kept herself
away from all companions. No man
had ever spoken tender words 20
her. He hadn't dared under the
cold. calculating look she would give
him before he had even begun. No
girl companion, in her opinion, had
ever come up to her standard, hence
she Stunned them also. Her life
was one of exclusive seClusion.
Today her egotism received a ter
rible Jolt. The idea OF being re-
fused accommodations at a common
ordinary hotel Had she known this
she might have wired for accom-
modations. but ever before. no mat
ter how crowded. she had always
received special attention and invar-
iably room was found for her. But
today it seemed like fate, or some
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-06

thing.
Emile impatiently went through
the various papers in her beautiful
gold mesh bag. drew out a worn
time table and spread il on the mar
BILE table top before her.
Not one" she said aloud the
next train back doesn't leave until
tomorrow morning That means
that I've simply got TO find some
place before nightfall."
Emile arose, beckoned a taxi, and
stepped into it lightly, the bell hop
right at her heels with her bags.
Take me TO the Y. ". c. a. head
quarters. please" she gave her or
der. and the driver whisked her
away from the curious stares at her
beautiful face and well groomed fig
ure
Cant you find me some place to
stay tonight" she asked the host
ess with little note of appeal in
her voice. 1t was the frFt time
Emile had eyed had that note.
why. dear, there's a little family
down here a ways who's got a rath-
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-06
BY Archie Cameron New.

As Henry Dempster, general man
aEer OF Sterett x Cummings, left
the workroom in the ladies dresses
department, his face twisted into an
angry scowl. two OF the young girls
in the room glided over to Edith
Major. their forewoman, yet scarce
" older than those under her loving
care. and put their arms affection
ately around her.
What's the matter with the old
pig Miss Major?" they sympathetic
ally inquired. "Peeved because YOU
won't marry him?"
That's just it," answered the
girl. petulantly- i've stood about
all I can of his abuse You know,
girls. il 1t wasn't for your sakes. I'd
have never let him take me around
10 the theater and dinner Ii was
just TO keep him in a good humor-"
Then her lovely brow clouded. i
guess he'll try TO get even now"
And Edith's fears were not
greundless. Beloved by all her
charges. this dark haired, dark eyed
winsome little Edith Major had SUI
fered the unwelcome attentions of
Dempster until forced, by his sheer
ing attitude OF ownership. to refuse
all future invitations. The conse-
quences might be severe. but there
was a limit to human endurance
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-06
AN ABSOLUTE ALIEN

possible love stories. How fine OF
Jimmy Gaines to stand up for his
friends principles. How splendid
of both those men TO try TO keep
her from feeling that she was an
absolute alien, as Mrs. Havemeyer
had said. She and Mary Hunter
had been schoolmates in Miss Free
lands select school, and when Mary
had written and asked her 10 come
on east for a two weeks visit she
had been wonderfully happy over
the prospect. The subject of clothes
had never entered her mind. She
simply packed up what she had and
wired her acceptance Was she
dowjy? Her ears burned with the
hooking words of Mrs. Havemeyer.
When Stratton and Young Gaines
came upon her, quite Unexpectedly.
they thought. and asked her to go
on the river, she accepted grateful
ly. urging them to take her to the
city, a mile or two away, in their
launch. they were delighted to be
Of aay service, and away they went.
to the obvious discOmforture of the
fair Divorce. whose word had been
law in the little circle for a long
time
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-06

Emile Wicke strolled up 10 the
desk at the opposite end of the
marble and gilt hotel corridor with
the usual grace with which she
swept along through life.
Room and hath. please. she an
nounced with a little lofty air as
she reached for the pen lying near
by the register.
"Sorry. madame. bat there's not
another room in the house" the
desk clerk returned apologetically.
.svou see, we're all filed up on &C
count Of the weekend visitors 70
The camp. There's not even a room
where could put you 20 double
up"
The Mortified expression that came
over the snobbish features Of the
nampered Emile cut the clerks
suggestion short.
I'm sorTy." he finished. his bust
ness-iike air returning instantly. he
turned his attentions 20 something
else.
Emile Wicke was so angry she
could scarcely speak. This had been
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-06

hand it to the rest OF you when it
comes too. we'll, everything nice.
sugar and spice, that it takes to
make a regular girl. Maybe she
can't dance. but who cares for a
little thing like that If she we're
mine" this fiercely. 4 wouldn't
want another fellow TO go much as
lay his finger on her. She's got my
number all right"
why. Jimmy Gaines, are you in
love with herr"
Yes. and I've got about as much
chance with her as a SNOWFALL in
you know where. She wants a man,
not a hanger-on and a pink tea
dandy 1 can balance a frail china
tea cup in the most approved fash
ion. but 1 couldn't balance a book
at the bank to save my worthless
life"
With that he was gone, flinging
himself out of the house into the
cool night air There was a roof
garden outside the ballroom and
Jimmy. Juggling savagely at a big
cigar. looked out on a flood
ed earth. The same old moon had
beamed on him for years, but it
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-06

was a new earth. for Jimmy Gaines
was in love Ii mad taken just six
hours for Anne to win him. Poor
little thing. He pictured her face
when she confded TO Bob and to
him that she would not be dowdy
any more for those women 10 laugh
at her if it took the last cent she
had in the world. And she had
gone gamely to a big store while he
and Bob waited and when she
came back a boy was carrying about
two dozen parcels. He wondered If
she had the money to pay for them.
He had wanted terribly TO loan her
some money. but had not known
how to go about such a delicate
matter. Perhaps she worked some
where for her living Perhaps she
would be in debt for a year 10 pay
for those clothes that the Launts of
fool women had forced her to buy,
How had he ever admired Mrs.
Havemeyer? Why, the woman was
a shrew!
Far down below. in the great
sunken Italian gardens. Jimmy
caught sight of a rainbow gown
and a little fluffy head that would
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-06

Miss Major" ne spoke kindly as
the girl seated herself beside his
desk, Il don't mean to be personal.
but where do you get your clothes? ?"
81 make them.'' she answer; then
added, defiantly, "out of the odds
and ends from the workroom."
why do you have to do THAR"
he asked, quietly.
Because of our small salaries, &"
she answered, matter OF fact. we
all have 10 do that"
Cummings flushed to the roots Of
his hair, and for an instant, was
silent. Then he turned resolutely to
Edith.
It's a crying shame" he said,
hOarsely Miss Major. will you
tell the girls for me that from to-
morrow there will be a 10 per cent
increase"
"oh. Mr.. Cummings!" she ex-
claimed. horror stricken. Il
they won't be here tomorrow.
They've left. advised them to do
it"
you advised them" achoed
Cummings. "Why?"
Because Mr.. Dempster posted a
notice. saying we shouldn't carry
home any more odds and ends. L
I told them I'd take the blame"
"Dempster--did that?" Cum
mings clenched his fist menacingly.
"Oh, what must you think OF
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-06
By Mara Crawford

Just reach about as high as his
heart Bob was walking slowly
away from her. something told
him that Bob had asked her 10 mar
~ him and she had refused. Jim
my fairly ran down the stairs, two
at a time. schoolboy fashion He
was quite out of breath when he
reached her.
Startled. she looked up from
where she sat on a stone bench be
side a splashing fountain. lie drop
ped down beside her and threw his
arm behind her shoulders on the
bench. See here. little girl. I am
in love with YOU. No hand ever
thrilled me until today when ! took
yours as YOU stepped in the launch.
II want TO take care Of you. Mar
~ me now, and let me pay for all
that finery those fool women made
you buy. / know that ] am not
your kind of a man, but I am go
ing 10 begin all over again and try
for your sake. You can't make
me whatever you want me to be,
girl"
Ask Mary Hunter who I am and
then come back" she insisted
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-06

have been so quick TO plead for the
pleasure Of taking DOrrie home. just
because he. Billie. had not been
quick enough to see when Dorrie
was ready. What if they had been
cool after the little-event. 1t
was Marie Brady who had proposed
that the girls chip in and buy Mrs.
LOGg a handsome pair of opera
glasses. Mrs. Long had been so
kind chaperoning, and Marie had
proposed that the 10 girls each give
five dollars. II was then that Dorrie
had spoken, after many throat
clearing attempts. Billie knew he
would never forget the looks on the
faces of the bunch as Dorrie spoke
Cant We" she had begun, and
then paused and looked around with
her wistful little smile asking for
sympathy and understanding
Cant we just give Mrs. Long some
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-06

er large. though old house, and
maybe-well maybe if I got Mrs.
Armstrong on the wire she might do
something for me"
In a moment the plan was COM
plete. Emile found herself on the
way, reluctant and depressed, to the
little tidy though tumbling cottage
a few squares down.
Emile was peeved. She courte-
ously acknowledged the introduc-
tons TO the mem bers Of the family
and withdrew to the room she was
TO share with Margaret, Mrs. Arm
strong's eldest daughter.
That night as Emile prepared
for bed Margaret addressed a few
hospitable words 70 her and opened
a conversation. Emile. as was her
custom was very reticent about
conversing at first, but the light.
breezy personality OF this little
brown. clear-eyed girl made her
strangely want to talk Ii was the
first time she realized what a girl
companion meant She wanted 10
pour out her heart. her longings.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-06

wrong way 70 see one woman give
herself airs over another woman
just because she happens to run
with a silly set like we constitute
and the other one is as yet I'M
known to Us. 1t simply isn't fair,
and when you made that girl feel
badly last night about the way she
danced / decided 10 voice my senti-
ments in regard 10 the matter when
the opportunity came. I think the
other fellows feel just Ike / do only
they are too timid TO tell you So
Well. / never heard anything so
impertinent in all my life. Bob.
You are positively insufferable this
morning. If you like this dowdy
little thing. 90 look her up and
amuse her. Jimmy, drop that
newspaper and take Bob's hand
while he goes after a better dispo-
sition!"
NO. thanks said Jimmy. brief
ly. Bob and I are taking Miss
Denton out in our launch. It's
eleven now. old man. We will be
late If we don't hurry"
Anne drew her breath sharply,
and her hands closed convulsively
over the magazine filled with i'm.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-06

When he had found his hostess
and made his query Mary laughed.
NO wonder YOU are getting inter-
ested. dear old Jimmy" she an
swered- ..Anne's father is the cop
per king. Denton. worth about ffty
millions"
He went back slowly. like a tired
old man. and sat down again be-
side Anne. Then he bent over and
put his face in his hands You
must have laughed at ne, h1
whispered brokenly. You must
have laughed at all OF as. II neE-
or dreamed '-
You see. western girls are not
like the kris here I did not know
that clothes played such an inn
portant part ] don't dance very
well. as YOU know" she told him,
but L can ride any horse that
ever saw. We just have different
accomplishments ont there" She
waited for "A minute. but he did not
speak. Then she leaned over and
whispered in his ear. Ask me that
question again, Jimmy Gaines, I am
ready 10 say yes"
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-06

Anne Denton did not belong 70
the smart set that was being enter
tanned by the Hunters for the week
end. She was an outsider and she
knew IL all too well, even before
Mrs. Herbert Havemeyer. the pref
ty little divOrcee who was trying 20
captivate Jimmy Gaines and his
fathers hard-WOn millions. mildly
asked. who is Annie Denton? She
IS an absolute alien. apparently.
Nice alliterative title for a little tale
II anybody has the literary germ
and II is working"
Anne was idly turning the pages
CT magazine when Mrs. Haver-
meyers little query sounded from
the porch where a group of bridge
enthusiasts were having a morning
game.
That's the only thing / don't ad-
mire about you. Mrs. Havermeyer."
came Bob STATIONS big bass voice
You're such an attractive little
body until you show your claws
Then you make me think OF a cat.
and a streak Of the feline in a wom-
an is to me what a yellow streak is
IN a man. / am sorry If I appear TO
be rude. but 1t rubs me a little the
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-06

little thing. something that would
cost about ten dollars? That would
mean only one dollar each. and
there are so many things-and at
this season."
Never would Billie forget the look
on her face when she realized how
they were taking it. Never would
he forget the quiet dignity of her re-
uly to Marie's THAT would be too
cheap. and you can count me out Of
that" Then Dorrie had said Il am
sorry then, but / shall drop out.
cannot afford ten dollars just now
there are so many!"
Billie hated himself fiercely that
he had let himself be swayed by the
feeling of the others, and he hated
Ted Walpole more that he had
jumped to Dorrie's side when she
was leaving Three times today he
had tried TO get Dorrie on the phone,