davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1919-12-25
1--WE Had to Wake the Family"

anybody cry like that. l went out to
the door and ratified the handle :.
sneaked back to her door again, be-
cause I didn't dare leave her-you
know-after the way she had been
feeling and talking. She had cried her
self to sleep with her arm out across
that doll. So I turned the
lights out and came away"
What are we going to do now?"
said Roberts after a while.
Il tell you what we're going to do"
said Cowles. you and / are going
down to the Metropole and get hold
of Ted Tonwill and make him give
Sadie Cargill chance-a good chance
i'm his new show. He'll do 1t if we
ask him, both of us together. And
she will keep steady and make good.
And we'll send her telegram about 1t
SO she will get it first thing in the
morning, before she gets to thinking
any more about long journeys"
Good! OF course that's what we'll
do" cried Roberts. "Only let's hurry.
Because am going over to Brooklyn
to get Rose and tell her what cad
I know am. And" (not without the
hurry of embarrassment, II don't
want to wake her father up any later
than is necessary"
Cowles reached out and took his
hand and gripped it, saying not
word. They turned toward the Met
ropole. In twenty steps Roberts
stopped short and pulled Cowles I'M
der a street lamp.
But look here, Charley" he said.
what are you going to do? We've
fixed Miss Cargill up all right. And,
bless her, she has fixed me up. But
/ don't see that either of us has done
anything for YOU
You have done just this" said
Charley. a little unsteadily. Instead
of taking to the rosy and thorny path
of graft, I'm going over to the sta.
ton to get the one o'clock train for
Statonville where I've got an aunt
Fwho has been begging me to come up
over Christmas. And when I've got
little rested and my nerves stead,ed
down, I'm going to take a night desk
on the Planet that's been offered me,
only was soured on the game. But,
Bobs-'
Through break in the roar of the
city's night came the far-off tinkle of
chimes ringing in the Christmas morn.
Cowles looked up at the sky So did
Roberts. The sky was dark, all but for
single star twinkling through the fly
ing clouds, over the dome of the Grand
Central station. They looked at each
other and then, because they both
saw things in their faces that wouldn't
quite bear looking at, turned their
eyes away and walked on.
But. Bobs," continued Cowles soft.
~ after a while. this has always
been day for beginning things over
again. rather. And it wasn't
who helped-or you-or even Sadie
Cargill. 1t was-a Little Child"
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1919-12-25
re between amazement and amuse-

where between amazement and amuse-
ment.
And is that all?" he began, that
"stop!' Miss Cargill said to him
sternly. It's enough! Let me tell
you two something. Now this isn't
to print" She looked at Cowles. He
nodded. that simple nod of the genu-
inc American reporter which is worth
all the gold bonds of Wall street. ut
never got out why left the Casino.
But it was because l was married on
the quiet" She looked up and saw
the waiter standing near. She plucked
a pencil from Cowles's waistcoat,
tore the margin from a newspaper
sticking out of his pocket and wrote
name on it.
Married to him." she said, showing
the slip to Roberts and Cowles in
turn. Cowles whistled in astonish-
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1919-12-25

den Of Eden. Honest! ;. And
when it was all fixed, the folks want
ed to go in and wake up the baby
and bring it out, and light up. and let
Sadie see the fun Sadie
wouldn't have it. She laughed little
said she didn't believe In
Christmas Eve trees. morning was the
time to have 'em. didn't laugh.
Couldn't / saw her face and
it most broke my heart. Then
they asked her to come down in the
morning; she said she couldn't. Said
she was going away on long journey
before morning-oh, no. Bobs. it's all
right; she may have meant to kill
herself think she debut she
won't now; it's all right. Wait till
tell you. And we walked up to her
fiat -. Oh, forgot to say, that
on the way uptown she got to crying
like little girl because she didn't
have any dolly Of her own, and I
bought her one; horrible thing; paint
ed china face and most as big as she
was we walked up to her fiat;
she had the doll in her arms with her
head down on it. lighted the gas.
She walked into her bedroom :.
laid the doll under the cover with its
head on the pillow and threw herself
down beside it.
II started to say something and she
lifted her head and told me to get
out and the quicker the better !.
then she fell down beside the doll
again and began to cry. never heard
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1919-12-25

any's today and did And she picked
out ring and l told her couldn't
come within five hundred dollars of
paying for it unless-unless | broke
my promise to increase my brothers
college allowance. And she was hurt
and then she was angry and she said
things. You don't know-but there
was mana rich man-an old man
over in Brooklyn and-when sac
first met me she had almost made
up her mind to marry him. Anyway
she said things and l said things
and both of us were nasty-and bit
ter This was all going uptown In
cab And when we got to the door
she said she wasn't going to get out
that she was going back to her own
people in Brooklyn-and said didn't
care And | don't!" His voice broke,
even on the defiant note. But it
hurts and don't you think
was right?"
Cowles was staring at him some
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1919-12-25

comedy out Kansas City way and that
she seemed to have hit BOTTOM
Yes" said Cowles, studying the
girls face, 1T is Sadie, all right. She
seems to have kept all her good
looks, too, except that her face has
hardened terribly. Don't you remem-
Der what a soft-cheeked, innocent,
merry little thing she always was?"
Roberts nodded and looked again
into the mirror. He shook his head
at what he saw. YES" he murmured,
she was. And now, before you rec
ognized her, you called her bronze
haired and brazen-faced,' and she is"
Il hope" spoke up the young wom-
an, with startlingly distinct voice and
with unlimited acidity of intonation,
that the next time you two see me,
you'll remember me! Take a good
look"
Both men sprang to their feet,
snatching Off their hats.
Il beg your pardon" said Roberts,
earnestly, but really / didn't realize
that you could see from the mirror
how | was staring at you I'm awful
ly sorry and very much ashamed.
Really | am-we both are
Miss Cargill looked him over with
approval and was obviously Modified.
oh, that's all right" she said, with
tired smile. I'm sorry l barked at
you that way. A woman is a good
deal of fool to make kick when a
man looks at her in Big Jimmy's.
But I'm sore on the world tonight and
kind of cranky. Come on over here,
both Of you. Perhaps you can talk
me out of it,"
Cowles and Roberts looked at each
other and laughed And because
Sadie. despite the hardening, was un-
deniably charming with the old gra-
ciousness of the Casino days, they
carried their glasses to her table.
Cowles smiled as they set them down,
still full, beside hers
1--WE We're afraid, too" he explained.
you in trouble. too?" She sighed.
well, I'm used to it. Better tell your
old auntie your poor little sorrows
Maybe / really can do you some good .
She turned to Roberts. First off,
what's biting you?"
Cowles interrupted precipitately
Let me tell mine" he urged. I'm
the worst case. I've just lost my job.
I'm newspaper man and I've never
been noted for my saving disposition :"
Miss Cargill nodded with smile
which seemed reminiscent. Almost
Involuntary she hitched her chair
over little closer to Cowles. The
instinct of the stage lady to cuddle
up to the youth who may some time
get her mans In the papers" is as
imperishable as the instinct of self
preservation.
well" continued Cowles my rent
comes due in week. Also all the
bills. Also it is the Merry Yule Tide
when the young blood gets square
with all the nice girls who have been
especially nice to him And I've been
canned! Fired! Lost my job! And
by the latest count have on my per-
son just thirteen dollars and forty
cents good and lawful coin of the
United States and nothing more COM
ing to me. That's all"
Roberts took up the story.
No. it isn't all, Miss Cargill-I beg
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1919-12-25

MEEsssS&
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1919-12-25

my crouch isn't with anybody ! care
a boot about, anyway But you,
Bobs-'
Drop it. Charley! Drop it," Rob-
erts laughed bitterly. Let us pro-
coed with that stirring melodrama
which I suppose you would call The
Souse's Christmas Eve" He
glanced again at the girl whose face
he could see in the mirror Il know
who she is. Charley" he said. "The
girl opposite you, mean. Do you
remember Sadie Cargill? The girl
who sang 'Coraline' and If You
Wouldnt-Then l Would at the
Casino about five years ago? Don't
you remember that everybody was
crazy about herr"
Cowles looked up cautiously.
"Sure!" he said. That's who she
is. But what in the world is she in
this place for? Sadie Cargill in Big
Jimmy's! Whew, what a come-down!"
81 seem to remember somebody was
saying the other day that she had
gone pretty we'll to pieces" said Rob
erts. Didn't take care of herself.
Whoever it was said he had seen her
in the chorus of fy-by-night musical
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1919-12-25

not fit to be married to a girl like
Rose, or any girl, anyway. Charley,
and II" his voice broke a little; he
caught himself and went on. Lets
drop it, Charley"
They both stared at the table, for
a moment.
"Bobs," said Cowles, after awhile,
speaking slowly and low you can
kick me for being fresh, if you like.
l know it's none of my business But
/ like you too much not to tell you
that ! hate to see you starting out on
tear because you've got a groucn on
your wife Now. I'm hopeless and
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1919-12-25

ment. Roberts stared at the paper
with dimmed eyes; they cleared and
he looked up quickly. 1T didn't get
out" she explained, because l really
cared. / didn't want any press agent
foolishness about him. Besides, was
going to quit the business, anyway.
did, all right, all right" She laughed
sourly and went on. He was just
out of college, and was lot younger
than l am now and different-I was
sort of different from anybody around
the Casino, guess" Her voice
caught, but she tossed her head and
continued: And that made him like
me. And l liked him and we were
married and went away. But as soon
as he came to know me better he
found (what I'd known all along)
wasn't up to his family standard He
knew he would have to tell them about
our being married, and that when the
time came and they looked me over
| wouldn't exactly stack up with his
people-manners, you know, and when
to do things and how to do them and
the sort of people l liked. And he
tried to tell me. And l got mad-and
we came back on different boats And
if I'd told him how much wanted to
learn to be the way he wanted me
if he'd told me that he wanted me to
try-why then-why then it would
have been just one of those funny
little married tiffs. But was mad.
said | didn't care Not even when
they came and took my baby. didn't
care. I've never cared.
"Well, that was just starter.
And after the very first, /
didn't care any more Something
broke and all the care dropped away
from me. You've got your troubles
of where to eat and sleep and drink"
she said to Cowles. And you've got
heart that's pretty near to break
ing-and maybe WILL she said to
Roberts. But as for me, I've had all
those troubles for years and l haven't
cared. Because l haven't any heart"
Her eyes began to shine and her
eyelashes became wet suddenly AT
least | thought didn't, until today.
Il live about twenty blocks uptown
You know what these New York flats
are. And in the fiat under me there's
some respectable married people, with
a baby. A little girl about five. And
she's been sick. And l guess the
father hasn't had job in a long
time. Anyway. the other day l saw
him taking china clock under his
coat-it looked like wedding present
and | guess people don't hook their
wedding presents until pretty near the
last. And the floors are so thin you
can hear everything that goes on
down there And the baby-anyway,
the little girl began asking two weeks
ago about Christmas tree. And yes
terday they told her that Santa Claus
was getting snob5ish nowadays and
wasn't interested in poor people--or
poor peoples little girls-not even
when they were sick. And she cried all
day. She was crying when came out
last night. She was still crying when
got home this morning. She's cried
all day today. And I'm broke I've
only got ten dollars between me and
the river. And my rents two weeks
overdue and I've got to pay that be-
fore | quit, because the landlords
been dead white to me. And I've
never cared before for four years, but
| i care now--l care-I can't help it.
do. ! do"
She dropped her hands to the table
ard her head on them. She spbbed;
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1919-12-25
ur pardon" he cried as he saw her

your pardon" he cried as he saw her
vince.
It's all right" she said YEARLY.
Don't bother It's all right. haven't
used that name for some time and
kind of hoped nobody would 'remem-
Der it. Fact, I'd rather like you boys
to call me that tonight. Christmas
ewes kind Of different. Go on"
Charley didn't tell you how he lost
his place. He lost it because he took
the blame for bad break made by
another mantle other man had a
flock of kids, and Charley wouldn't
see their Christmas spoiled-thats
why!"
Nice boy" she said softly. Mice
boy!" And then, after a moment:
And, anyway, this is the first job
you ever lost, isn't it? Thought so.
It's nothing when you get used to it.
l know Her voice was even; but
her foot was tapping the floor under
the table. Its when you get used to
it, and think you can always get an
other and one day find that nobody
will believe you when you say that
you're going to steady down and be
good-that's what hurts. This time
next year you'll be laughing at your
self for feeling down"
mo, I won't!" growled Cowles.
I've done my best for three good
years and I've been decent when I
didn't have to be decent and I've
been straight with myself and the
game. 1t don't pay. I'm going to
cut loose now and take things as they
come"
Miss Cargill studied the ugly blaze
in his eye intently and shook her
head. The hard lines in her face be-
came more rigid.
Cowles reached for his glass. She
stopped him.
NO" she said, Tets all start even.
I want to know your friends trou-
bles"
Never mind about mine" said
Roberts, looking away from them
both. He was almost, but not quite,
surly. Cowles shook his head at her
surreptitiously
Don't be afraid" she murmured.
II won't make any breaks. And he
needs help more than, you do" She
turned to Roberts again. Married p"
she asked him.
How did you know that?" he
asked, his face still turned away.
ooh, knew" she said.
.Well?" he said
you've been having trouble at
home?"
Roberts nodded.
'Tell me! What about?" She
leaned across the table toward him,
speaking very softly with misty eyes.
Roberts did not raise his head.
Christmas presents" he said
She drew back her head and
laughed, just three or four pearly
notes and then became grave again
sincerely grave.
Now, see here" Roberts blurted
out, looking straight into the woman's
plying eyes. Il am going to tell
you about it. know it isn't decent.
But haven't told anybody and l
know Pm right-anyway, more right
than she island you've been up
against things lot-and want to
tell you about it"
That's right" she whispered as
gently as though she had been petting
a curly head at her knee.
Well" he recited in a monotone,
"she asked me to meet her at Tiff
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1919-12-25

eager Roberts in the middle Of the
sidewalk.
Tell me about it," demanded Rob.
erts. How was it?"
Cowles' eyes We're Drumming.
I'VE had to wake the family up in
the fiat below" he said. AT first thew
were sleepy and kind of mad. Thought
we were patronizing them. But Sadie
was SO everlastingly tactful and sweet
pretty soon they began to
cry, and thought we'd never get
the darned old tree up. for the moth
er's hugging her. Say. it was the
grandest looking tree since the Gar
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1919-12-25

tful and good that most Of US have
come into the way Of thinking that his
memory and everything presence and
influence are exclusively the property
and the privileges of the righteous,
OF those who abide in ways and places
which are clean.
But it is nevertheless true that the
soft tug of the Little Childs baby
hands is felt today by folks who are
not very nice, and who live in places
far more deplorable than ever was
that Nazarene stable. Wherefore:
Cowles and Roberts watched the
waiter set down the glasses and turn
away Then they laughed, each at
the other, but without gladness.
"Bobs," said Cowles. you don't
seem to yearn for your medicine"
NO, Charley" sneered Roberts,
land don't observe an absorbent
haste on your part. What do you
suppose is the matter with us?"
"We're 'fraid, Bobs," said Cowles.
That's what's the matter with us.
i.
You've seen the kids on that slide
thing down at Luna park They
bunch themselves along toward the
start and then hang there until some
body from behind pushes them off,
That's the way feel. I'm waiting
for somebody to come along from be-
hind and give me a start Cause /
know, just as those kids know, that
/ am going to get bumped, and
scraped, maybe, good and plenty be-
fore l reach bottom"
Right" said Roberts. That's lust
the way feel, too" He looked around
the room critically "And as yet no
body seems at all inclined to start us
along on the descent. What's the
matter with the old place, Charley?
Here it is half past nine o'clock,
Christmas eve, and there are less
than twenty people here-and all of
them cross. What are you looking
at?"
There's a bronze-haired, brazen-
faced little person sitting right back
Of you, Bobs-don't turn; she's look
ing right at you. I've seen her be-
fore. ought to know who she is.
But ] can't remember for the life of
me-"
"One of those 'Where-have-1-seen
that-face-before situations?" Roberts
cautiously looked obliquely into the
mirror and studied the womans face.
I'll bet you know her, too" retort-
ed Cowles. She is probably the lady
cashier who used to smile across her
desk at us languishingly when she
gave us our change for our beef and
beans-before you got plutocratic and
married and shook all your friends.
By the way. how is the family? This
is lovely joint for a six-months'
bridegroom to be in on Christmas
eve But I've been SO long watching
you young men, reformed by mar
riage'-beg your pardon, old mani"
he cried, as he looked away from the
hauntingly reminiscent face of the
woman opposite and caught the hurt
look of his friend What's the mat
ter? You're not having any trouble
at home. are you? You haven't been
scrapping with Rose?"
why do you think I'd ask you to-
meet me at a joint like this, tonight
of all nights, if there wasn't trouble
with Rose9" groWled Roberts I'm
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1919-12-25

LONG about two thou
sand years ago a Little
Child came into this
world through a stable.
Probably stables weren't
very clean and sweet
two thousand years ago
not nearly as nice as
they are today. But the
things that Little Child
brought to the world
were so dear and BEAU
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1919-12-25
nnAuT nai lFEslan

tic s
nd d
$. lie
The l.
re AMI
The
Tce Of
Pel raj
RALPH
visit
own {
Bert
d hon
yes.
M. N
show
Mrs.
ay mig
ONE il
Berni
ON St
pend a
er par
fife.
Mrs.
he wee
Rntic.
Richs
listing
arents,
Herlo
listing
en-.
S. R..
Farload
on, the
Chris
|ick lis
[nnprovi
A rnt
night al
organic
Mrs.
calling
day.
These
for inc
They to
it to pei
They ac
els, Their
bowels t
you feel
give the
be pleas
the kea
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1919-12-21
Record Number of
 Packages Mailed

|s More Christmas packages were hailed at the postoffice yesterday han on any day of this season. Ind probably more were mailed
 han on any previous pre-Christ- a1as day, according to Postmaster jchn D. Wilbourne. All day bng, until the closing hour at 6 Iclock, people thronged the post lffice corridor, waiting in line pr their turn at the parcels post window, and one or two cases of prging ahead of the other fellow, lut of turn, were reported.
 | Despite the rush yesterday, here is no congestion, and none kill result in making deliveries of aackages coming to Pine Bluff. as
 wo more substitute carriers were fut on yesterday and deliveries of presents is being made promptly, hy officials.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1919-12-21
Relatives of Dead Victims of
 PrOfiteering

Paris, Dec. 22.-Relatives of soldiers who fell at the battlefront are being victimized by cab driv- CTS, hotel men, dealers in collins and grave diggers, according to LInformation. The newspaper says the "odious exploitation of grief is such that it cannot be passed over in silence" It is charg- ed that worst cases of imposition occur in the Champagne and Som- me regions where unhappy pil- grims are charged from 60 to 65 francs for six-mile drive. It is Said the carriage drivers, in agree iiient with inn keepers, invariably manage to miss the last train out of these regions so that the mour- ners are compelled to stay all night.
 "Coffins of the cheapest grade, 400 francs, while soldiers who it is said, are sold at from 300 to open graves charge 60 francs for bringing the coffin to the grave and in addition ask relatives to pay 40 francs for 20 minutes work in exhuming the body of a soldier.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1919-12-21
Police Warn That PickpOckets are
 Working Crowds

Local officers have issued a
 warning to the general public to beware of the pickpocket during Ehe holidays, especially when in public places, such as in crowded stores, on street cars or at the hnion station. Thieves have been St work in the city for several Bays and number of complaints Were made to the police yesterday. Frank Stnachota. who lives on Route 2, seven or eight miles south
 f Pine Bluff, reported to the po- lice yesterday afternoon that he bad been touched" for $G5 in kress department store.
 Mrs. Eunice Doris of Benton, eFho was at the union station Sun Hay, enroute to Monticello, report kd to officers that her purse was kobbed of about $25. Two ne- &roes in the colored waiting room At the. station yesterday were re- |fcved of $15 and $50 respectively, Officers report. No arrests have |Seen made in any case, as the |Sfficers do not have much clue to Work on.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1919-12-21
HOW DOCTORS TREAT COLDS
 AND THE FLU
First Step in Treatment Is a Brisk Purgative With CalOtabs, the Purified and Refined Calomel Tablets that are Nausealess, Safe and
 Sure.

Doctors have found by experi- ence that no medicine for colds and influenza can be depended up- on for full effectiveness until the liver is made thoroughly active. That is why the first step in the treatment is the new, nausealess calomel tablet called Calotabs, and which are free from the sickening and weakening effects of the old style calomel. Doctors also point out that fact that an active liver may go a long way towards pre- venting influenza and is one of the most important factors in enabling the patient to successfully with stand an attack and ward off pneumonia.
 One Calotab on the tongue at bed time, with a swallow of water that's all. No salts, no nau- sea nor the slightest interference with your eating, pleasure or work. Next morning your cold has vanished, your liver is ac-l tive, your system is purified, and you are feeling fine, with hear ty appetite for breakfast. Drug gists sell Calotabs only in ori- ginal sealed packages, price 35 cents.. Your money will be cheer fully refunded if you do not find them delightful. Adv.