davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-10-26
~ THE BRIDGE OF .SIz

among the prize packages within.
"By hoky. turn tn Jack: fust
timer A two-dollar bill. a near-gold
sapphire ring and cake of soap were
revealed to the crowd, and the rural
purchaser tapped his arms and gave
q close imitation of a morning
rooster arousing his barnyard help
mates.
"An' golly. me. too" cacklcd his
companion, digging new bill from
his envelope. hastily assuring him
self of it's genuineness and then
tucking it into a wallet the dimen-
sions Of which caused Soapy to iron
the folds out of his features and
gaze ~full-eyed on the edges Of
roll which he afterward declared
seemed big enough to dam the Platte.
But. though many others. money
mad from the largess they had
seen bestowed, came to buy of Soapys
wares, the luck was strangely over
p for that day. No other bills were
drawn. In fact. the very soap seemed
to have dwindled in size and the
rings, unennDeiHSHeu ny CURRENCY,
took on tawdry, furnished aspect.
Thus. trade languishing, Soapy fold
ed his tripod, snapped his grip and
teetered his rotund body toward the
rear and strictly Private" room of
the Saddle Rock Cafe.
= H..
UDUT, Jupiter. my boy, you should
- have sat on that bundle of
green goods like little Miss ,Muffet sat
on her tuffet." t,t., -,ts...,. .
Soapy gave up counting the pro-
ceeds of his mornings sleight-of-
hand to gaze sadly through the cafes
rear window into yard piled with
boxes, bottles and barrels. Fixing
upon the open top of an eX-whisky
barrel, he smiled weakly as though he
had at last found something the roll
would fill. and repeated the criticism:
mo, you ought to have stayed by
him like a brother. Jupe. It's plain
to be seen the man is an investor
from the way he risked his two fbits
with me. But. unprotected in this evil
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-10-26

town, he's likely to fall into the hands
of the Philistines." .-.' -. p.
Nothing stirring" lamented Jupi-
ter Jordan over the back of the chair
which he straddled, facing Soapy.
1.-THE hick Is as tight as a new style
skirt. l believe he swallows that roll
at night for safekeeping, with q
string attached. and I've about de-
cided he can't be pried away from it
with anything less than hydraulic
winch. There's $4,000 in It, too.
Think of that" 81 ',t- c
And Jupiter Jordan. true to his
name, gave every appearance Of be-
ing about to rain tears g..
TN ashamed Of you. Jupiter--to re :
pine thus early in the game. The man
doesn't live who can't be lured from
his cash by the right proposition. A
good workman like you, Jupiter. who
won hie Industrious name trading on
the elements and selling lightning
rods to farmers, which Jupiter Plu-
'vius contracts afterward turned up in
bank as promissory notes for from
$500 to $1,000, surely should be able
to devise ways and means to part this
spinach-chn from his hoard. Who is
he, anyway?
Fairfield. Neb.. rancher, as near as
/ can make out, Soapy. Met up with
him on the train while / was looking
for prospects. I've sounded him out on
half dozen different leads, but he's
either wise as Solomon or cold as a
stone. Wire tapping, foot racing,
dollar matching. dead brother in the
baggage car and sight draft, green
goods--all fail. I'd about decided to
get Brick Evans and try the lock
trick and let him go for about $780,
000."
"Jupe, Jupe. you shock me-" sor-
rowed Soapy., turning from the barrel
and Its visions to stare at Jordan's
weeks growth Of beard, and bucolic
makeup. ITO hear you talk like that
leads me to think you have lost your
pick somewhere. Who was,it said.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-10-26
sOApY SMITH HELD ALOFrT tn

yes. it was Bob Fitzsimmons-'the
bigger they are the 'arder they falls
Same in our business-the harder they
are to push over the duller is the
sickening thud.
do you know, Jupiter. when I saw
that clod alongside you this morning
I thought he was one Of US. made up
for part. His face looks like evap-
Grated fruit, and outside Of Shore
Acres or Way Down East never
came on such whiskers. Even his
hair is sunburned. and his hands, look
like they were kiln dried. And con-
slider his toys, and his name-Phineas
X. Hoskins. suppose the X is for
xenophon. Why, Jupe, he isn't real"
And Soapy returned to his barrel,
bordering.
"oh. he's real enough. old man." adj
mired Jupiter Jordan. I've been with
him three days now. He's real. all
right; likewise as close as the first of
the month to bankrupt storekeeper.
pass him up" 20
You mean you pass the buck to
me-" interrupted Soapy. 1.-THE buck.
of course. being Phineas x. Hoskins
of near Fairfield Neb. So be 1t, then;
I'm in on it. 1 intended to trail and
help. rather than lead, but the buck
having been pushed to me elect my
self Mr.. Hoskins' goat-herd hence
forth"
We'll sell him something" ambled
on the bally-hoo soap vender. Some
thing he'll like! The courthouse, the
capitol, the new post ofiice--some
1000 per cent investment. Attend.
Jupe! Lend me your ear. You know
the walls are said to possess them.
but when you give up a succulent case
like this you prove yours are long
enough for all purposes, SO lend
them"
For ten minutes the pair whispered
and argued; then Jupiter Jordan.
lightning rod artist, returned to guard
the Hoskins person and roll and pre-
vent sitheru beipg,g struck By alien
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-10-26

"a
n a.dis4 If there are any
n Of those fair users OF
soap in this throngl You
Zee here the solid gold ring with It's
genuine white sapphire setting-and
mere the soap that would wash the
spots of a leopard, clean the police
record Of any in this crowd. or
cleanse the reputation Of q Colorado
politician or New York gunman
with successful celebrity"
Soapy Smith--nnk. slick. sleek,
spdsy and full 99.44-100 per cent as
soapy as the article he hawked on
Denver's 18th street corner - held
aloft the articles he described, casting
o. rowing eye over the motley group
tinued:
around the pair of bargains
wrap a 81 bill-or it may be a Ave-
spot, just as my pocket gives 1t up.
The three. gentlemen and ladies, I
place in this plain envelope, and put
1T In this open grip that all may see.
Another package. with the bill-ring,
ooeUb SdhA ChSS VI Sho AS"AAHs AhSo VIZ
grip! A third! A fourth! And SO on
ad infinitum ad lib. ad damn. Your
pardon, ladies; meant BAN! The
thing is done. We are ready for the
anxious buyer. For 25 cents, a quarter
of dollar. you may reach in. select
your envelope and go your soapcd,
washed. bejeweled and prosperous
way. But. remember. good people, the.
soap alone is worth the price of ad-
mission"
The vendor paused in his peroration
and with a tri-colored silk handker-
chief wiped a few trickling beads OF
perspiration from his forehead, while
his white, pudgy hand, flashing two
diamond rings, tugged at vest OF
vociferous hues, which persisted in
following the line of least resistance
by crawling from an ample stomach
toward narrower chest. Then he
awaited the Quarter-laden hands
which he knew his speech would in
duce to drop their silver on his tray
before they attempted to outwit fate
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-10-26
The Green Note Book

NJ. Bermide was surprised to see
green notebook on the desk. He got
up and went over to examine it. 1t
was a large sized book. with green
cove.s and black back. He opened
it ant. recognized his wifes hand
writing. Curious, he resumed his
place under the lamp, read some lines
casually, failed to understand them,
and then turned to the. opening pages
of the volume, which was about one
third filled. ...
On the first page there was this
inscription: "Fourtcenth section of
my diary"
We'll! Well! She keeps a diary!
1t is Incredible" said M. Bermide.
He wondered where the other sec
tons could be hidden. But the most
urgent thing was to find out what
was in the one which he held in his
hand. He turned a page and read:
April 12-This is our marriage an
niversary. He has said. nothing to
me about it. and have said nothing
to him, because now it Is a matter of
Indifference to me. He made a scene
at breakfast because of the omelet,
which he wanted to have au frontage.
Last year he was away on a journey
The year before l brought him. some
flowers, and he said, as noted in my
diary on that date, that it was
ridiculous idea and quite out of
fashion 1t is fourteen years since
we were married. I am thirty-si
He is forty-seven. He dyes his hair
and thinks nobody notices it but me.
l don't count. 1 have loved him SO
much! / have admired him so much.
And he has taken every advantage Of
me. He has always been sure that
shall never rebel; that shall remain
loyal to him all my life. Now I don't
cry when he makes scenes; am used
TO Them"
The first entry stopped there. NJ.
Bermide, too upset to analyze his own
feelings, turned another leaf The
pages which followed contained only
brief notes-visits made or scenes
gone through. II am bored" APP
peared frequently, along with other
comments. Nine. Bermide kept her
diary very irregularly, and often let
several days pass without writing
anything.
M. Bermide, astonished beyond
words, perceived that his wife never
referred to him by name. She wrote
simply "he" or him"
He read further:
May IA trip to the country, to
Garches. to see his sister. She detests
me and was insolent to me all day.
Her children are insupportable and
tried to tear my dress. On our re-
turn he reproached me for not liking.
his family t-ts ~ 10 ,tt-tl, d, u i.stf'
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-10-26

i ~ whom he had invited for din
r :! ner. It was d habit of his to
be late, and the dinner was not quite
ready. Impetuous and despotic. he felt
irritated and said so forcibly. 1t was
incomprehensible! What were they
thinking about. They knew that. he,
broad minded and liberal though he
was in all things, was yet infiexible in
the matter of .punctuality.
Strengthening up his figure, which,
an increasing embonpoint made more
majestic, and tossing back from his
brow his thin, black locks, he strobe
up and down the salon. The two
guests-M. Valochou, professor
without pupils, and M. de Bivar. an
actor without theater-said moth
ing, knowing that they were going to
dine eventually. Nine. Bermide, full
Of contrition, tried feebly to appease
her husband. .-
why, my dear Adolphe, dinner will
be served. / assure you that it will.
Why, my dear Adolphc," she repeated
In, a voice as quiet as her countenance,
with its smooth, placid features; as
quiet as the look in her gray eyes or
the tint Of her ash-colored blond hair.
And as the servant announced din
nef NJ. Bermide consented to be ap-
peased.
At the table the two guests ate
heartily and talked much. At first NJ.
Nalochou and M. de Bivar-the first
bald. jaundiced and rancorous; the
second pale, oily and vehement, both
of them seedy and unappreciated-
engaged in an argument, each cele-
brating his own genius. But M. Ber-
mide had not invited them for that
He raised his voice and spoke Of him.
self authoritatively, in phrases care
fully weighed and\ somewhat top
1oftical. which presently became more
and more enthusiastic. Since he was
their host the other two listened.
Mime. Bermide discreetly looked after
the wants of the diners, carved
and poured the wine, all the time
hanging, as it were. on the lips of her
. husband, who occasionally sum-
moned her as witness.
Moreover, as Madeline knows"
And she responded loyalty:
"Yes. my dear Alphonse."
about IL the two guests went away.
Mhie. Bermide entered her bedroom
and M. Bermide remained in the salon
to-finish his cigar.
He was smoking beatificaily when his
eyes fell on a little desk standing OPP
posite him. which belonged to Nine.
Bsfmide. She had permission to enter
:, i,er husbands study only to keep 1t
slnsou1ss.,sistsl ass'tis,sfr
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-10-26
A French Story

June AT breakfast he talked
to me very solemnly about political
economy. He is going to devote him.
self to it. That will last some weeks
some months, at most. AS always, /
pretended to be interested in what
he said. 1t isn't hypocrisy on my
part. 1t is habit which for a long
time was genuine and can't break
myself OF 1t. Only in the last four
or hVe years have l really ceased
TO believe that he is superior man.
Now I know better. He will never
accomplish anything. Never. He has
tried everything. ! don't even re-
member what he was doing when we
were married. Mon Dieu! The adj
miration which I had for him then!
He said that I should share in his
work and would be proud of it! His
work! He will never do anything
and if we didn't have our little in
come! But, fortunately, he is miser-
ly: and IL he wastes his life and
mine. he. at least, knows how to hold
on to our money" ...r. ,s..r ..,>ss-
monotonous and melancholy. The last
entry was of the current date:
September 26-He invited to din
ner Valochon, who is untidy, and de
Bivar, who shouts, and who almost
brushes my fingers. :. He can endure
only the society of failures He Is
too jealous of the others He brought
them. half drunk. from the cafe. If
Ire is ahead of time he makes scene
because dinner is late. If ne is be-
hind tfmo he makes a scene because
the roast is overdone. In either case
1t will be incomprchensible.' And he
will talk of himself uninterruptedly
and enthusiastically. calling on me as
witness: Madeline knows it. And
l answer: Yes, my dear Adolphe.'
Mon Dieu"' cried a frightened
voice. .,.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-10-26

Nine. Bermide entered, in her
dressing gown, with her hair down.
Having gone to bed, she remembered
with alarm that, having been called
away by the servant, she had neglect
ed to lock the diary in the secret
drawer of her secretary.
Motionless. she looked at the green
diary; open in her husbands hands.
She was seized with terror and re-
morse. She suffered because Of the
cruel distress which he must feel to
be thus enlightened about himself.
She also hoped confusedly that now
he might change.
M. Bermide had lifted his head on
n hearing his wife's cry. Indignation,
at once painful and noble, was pic
tured on his countenance. But he
merely said:
> 'So--I am unappreciated by you,
too" - - =
li@. ~. X Copyright. 1921 ,.s ,':sr
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-10-26

ND now. gentlemen--and
ladiea II there are any
OF those fair users Of
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-10-26
TRANSLATED BY WILLIAM l..
MCPHERSON.

1880 O'Clock M. Bermide came
home with the two friends
\ whom he had invited for din
New Britain herald., 1919-08-15
SEVEN PLACES SELECTED
 FOR SELLING ARMY FOOD
Committee Holds Special Meeting This Morning and Fixes Prices of Goods to Be Sold at Cost to People to Help Reduce the High Cost of Living-Ship- ments to Be Made Monday.

Details covering the sale Of the gov ernment food in this city was taken up at a meeting of the special com- mittee this morning. Tn the absence of Mayor Quigley, chairman of the committee. Secretary Francis w. Pinches, presided. Councilman M. T. Kerwin was unable to attend the meeting. Offers from Aaron Daniel son and Philip Gagnier to assist as volunteer workers were. presented to the committed.
 Seven Places Selected
 Secretary Pinches stated that the following seven places have been se- lected as the stations for the distribu- tion of the food Station No. 1, cen tral fire station on Commercial street, entrance through the alleyway ad- joining the Bollerer block; station No. ?. engine company No. 5. on East street, entrance at the side of the building; station No. g. Elm street school house: station No. 4, engine company No. 4, corner of Myrtle and Curtis street, entrance from the side; station No. ,. engine company No. 3, North Main street; station No. 6, Northend school portable school build ing, Bassett and Trinity street; station No. ', Monroe school, entrance from east side of building. The committee desires that purchasers use the en- frances designated in order that there will be no confusion.
 Goods to Be Shipped Monday.
 J. F. Atwater explained his trip to New York yesterday and said that the goods would be shipped next Monday. He also said that the visit of Mayor
New Britain herald., 1919-08-15

George sS ~Quigley to New York a few days aga, made it possible for the city to secure the foodstuffs. A num- Der of influential men from other cities were present yesterday and were turned down as the supply has been exhausted. He explained that the hams and bacon should be here by next "Wednesday.
 While no definite plan has been made relative to the hour of sales, it has been suggested that the stations open at o'clock in the afternoon and continue until all but 10 per cent. of the apportioned goods to the station has been sold. The remainder will be kept for sale after the factories have closed at o'clock. A limited amount will be sold each day, and it has been definitely decided to dispose of one strip of bacon and one ham, one can of syrup to each purchaser.
 Prices of Goods
 Considerable time was consumed in figuring out the prices of the goods Careful attention was given this de- tail in order that the city of New Britain will not be subject to any loss through the purchase of the goods. The prices recommended today and which are subject to change before the opening of the sales, are as fol- lows: Ham, 34 cents a pound; bacon. 37 cents a pound; syrup, 50 cents q can of 10 pounds; 15 cents a can for pork and beans. One can of svr,1p and three cans of pork and beans will be limited to each purchaser
 The Landers, F'rary & Clark Manu- featuring company has generously do- mated the use of scales for the weigh ing of the goods at the stations.
New Britain herald., 1919-08-15
MGR, CORMICAN WINS
 BATTLE FOR TAEATER
Judge Markham Denies Mo- ton of George Levitt to
 Dissolve Injunction.

James Cormican, manager of the Cormican Players, scored a triumph in the legal battle for the possession of the Lyceum theater until Septem- Der 1, when Judge Markham, pre- siding in the court of common pleas, this morning denied the motion of Judge F. B. Hungerford, counsel for George Le Witt, the owner of the theater, to dissolve the injunction secured against Le Witt Wednesday night. The decision brings to a close a matter that has occupied the lime light for several days.
 The entire story hinged around whether or not Cormican by an- nouncements made from the stage that last week was to be his last. broke the contract. MT. Le Witt has maintained that it did, while Mr. Cormican took the other side of the question. The court session today re- vealed the fact that Cormcan as lesee of the theater had not notified Le Witt personally of quitting.
 MT. Cormican's case was handled by Lawyers John F. Forward and M. A. Sexton. He was accompanied in court by the members of the com pany, Edward Madden and A. O. Rigler, the scenic ~@artist and his sister, Miss Rose Cornnican. MT. I1e Witt had John Glacken, E. ". Bennett and w. c. Mason as wit nesses. ..1. #..
 The court listened to the claims of MT. Le Witt that the lease had been broken. MT. Bennett who publishes the theater magazine, stated that John Hogarty had told him that last week was to be the last one for the company at the theater. w. c. Mas son, director for the Cormican Play CTS was used as witness and while on the stand he admitted that he said: Like HI they will, if they do it will be in the park, :" when MT. Cormican announced that he intended to open again next week at the theater.
 AS the matter now stands, the Cor 1nican Players will appear at the theater next week in .It Pays to Ad- vertise," the injunction against Mir. Le Witt forbids him from interfering in any way with the presentation of plays at the theater until the Cor mican lease expires.
New Britain herald., 1919-08-15
TO WELCOME PERSHING
General Etna Ordered by the Italian
 Government to Receive Commander z of American Forces in France.

Rome, Aug. 14.-General Etna, commander of the Army Corps Of Turin, has been ordered by the Italian government to go to Modane to receive General Pershing when he comes to visit Italy. The American commander-in-c chief will also be greeted there by General Luca, spe- cial representative of the minister of war, and five officers of the general staff Colonel Mervyn c. Buckley, military attache at the United States emb bassy, will also go to Modane to meet General Pershing.
 The commander of the American armies in France will travel on his own train and will bring the coal which will be used in his engine dur ing his trip through Italy. Thus his visit will not deplete the present low stocks of Italian coal. A military re- view in his honor has been arranged here and he will be entertained by King Victor Emmanuel, General Diaz, the Italian commander-in-ch and Lieutenant-G General Albricoi, minister of war.
New Britain herald., 1919-08-15
BUILDERS THREATEN STRIKE 1,500,O00 Workers to Be Affected
 by Walkout
 12o,ooo ClGARMAKERS QUIT
Painters, Plasterers. Machinists, Brass Workers, Shirt Makers, Furriers, Umbrella Makers Demaid Higher Wages in New York.

New York, Aug. 15.-More indus tries are affected by strikes now going on or threatened in this city than ever before in the history of labor unions, according to figures compiled by labor leaders and made public today.
 List of Strikers.
 Besides the actors and railroad shopmen, those now on strike in New York city include painters, plasterers, machinists, carpenters, shopmen of the Brooklyn Union Gas Co.,, cigar makers, brass workers, shirt makers, furriers, brass bed makers, umbrella makers and art lamp workers.
 Although it has attracted little pub- lie attention, the cigarmakers' strike is the largest numerically. According to union estimates 12O,O00 cigarmakers are on strike.
 Other Strikes Threatened.
 Some of the strikes threatened are by Interborough carmen and shopmen workers in the entire building trades, workers in the entire clothing indus try, postal clerks and letter carriers, Jteamsters, rag pickers and mattress workers.
 Contractors In Trouble.
 A nation wide building strike, talk ing 1,5O0,OO0 men out of work was threatened in a statement issued yes terday by 27 international heads of labor unions. The trouble is the out growth of charges that building con- tractors employ non-union labor.
 5000 Painters Strike in Brooklyn.
 Brooklynl has several strikes. Be- sides the gasmens strike for higher wages 2000 workers of the Julius Kayser Co. are out, the entire person nel of the Knox Hat Go. has walked out, 4,400 wiremen at the Waterbury wire factory are striking and there are strikes at Wards bakery and the American Machine & Foundry Go. The painters strike has spread to Brooklyn and 5000 painters in that borough went out today.