davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1919-03-20

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by exercising your
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UP to Us.
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-08-30
hen H-e Came to the Rescue

eager for a change from the monot-
ony of silence and his book.
At supper there was n squabble be-
tween the Bostwicks. "A cat IN this
place. where there's hardly room for
humans" cried Mrs. Bostwick. well,
guess not!"
"And guess yes" Eaid her husband,
firmly. That little mite of kitten
won't be in anybody's way. Not in
mine or Minty's. anyhow. II he gets
in yours or Miss Snook's-why, you'll
have to make the best of 1t. II this
cats good enough for~a feIler to risk
his life for. it's good enough for us to
keep. That's how, Salena."
At half past 8 Minty heard her uncle
calling her from the top Of the stairs
which led into the workroom. Her
aunt was in the shop with a customer.
20 instead OF asking permission, she
simply laid aside her work and went
upstairs.
The man who had saved the kitten
was with her uncle. and he looked
quite different now that he was warm
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-08-30

He sent his love-" said she. reading
In the depths Of Gabriella's fadded
blue eyes a story of untitled hope and
patient resignation
Winter came to force Gabrielle from
the garden. Ibut she received Evan in
the sunny library where green plants
magically blossomed in the deep win
dows. And they were very happy,
those two. But one day Evan disturb
ed the sweet tenor Of things by an
nouncing: I'VE are going awayl"
Gabrielle breathed quickly. II SEEM
ed she was living over again some old
familiar hurt ITO stay Evan7" she
asked, her hand futtering against her
bosom.
mo. indeed" laughed Evan. finging
his little body In her arms. "I wouldn't
stay from you. love youl-
Gabrielle gased into the brown eyes.
why-why did she love the strange 1T
tie boy 80 welif'
You see." chirped Evan. shyiy, pat
ting her cheek. and relieved that GU
rious tension was over. I'VE are go
ing to see grandfather"
Grandfather His little grandsoni
Gabriella smiled happily as the sweet
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-08-30
The Sunshine Of Little Face

stood on tiptoes. peeping wistfully over
the odorous hedge. Miss Gabrielle
was giving directions to Peter. who
knelt stiffly beside a flower bed.
"I want to come inside" called Evan.
Dear mel" futtered Miss Gabrielle,
bending upon Evan the faded lowell
ness of blue eyes. "why, it's the new
little boy"
"I want to come inside" repeated
Evan
"Peter open the gate" said Miss
Gabrielle.
So with that Evan was ushered into
the garden and into the heart Of the
old lady. Pretty soon the span Of
years between them was annlhiiated
and they became inseparabie. this Mt
tie boy from the north and old Gabri-
ella. And. oh, the unbelievable sun
shine Evan brought into her secluded
life and Peters as welii
One day Evan was sick. and his
mother came to explain her boys abb
sence.
modern bungalow near the brick house.
No one interested him as much as the
old lady who lived In the pretty flower
garden. He called II the enchanted
garden. and one particular morning he
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-08-30
BY Abner Anthony

back. She brought the kitten 10 show
him. "See how warm and sleepy It isA
And I'm to keep It. uncle says"
81 say that cat,a mans risked hfS
life for is worth something" main
tained Mr.. Bostwick.
He began to talk about his ranch
and his wheat and the country In gem
eral. And the more he talked the
more interested Minty became.
After that II became settled thing
for Abram to stop in to see Mr.. Bost-
wick every evening. And Minty al
ways called upstairs for as long as her
aunt would let her stay.
One warm evening she found Abram
on the little balcony caressing the kit
ten that sat on the rail beside him.
Mr.. Bostwick was nowhere In sight.
This is a regular Alberta night
Abram said. I'm going back pretty
soon. Tell me, Minty. dear. do you
suppose you'd like to live where there
wasn't anything much to see but a
wheat field and a few ponies and a
dog and an old man and-and-mef"
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-08-30

Eliza sighed. but said nothing. She
had followed out some OF her mothers
ideas anent the treatment of husbands,
and they had not proved as successful
as the dutifui daughter had anticipat-
ed.
Didn't she offer to help you with
the housework? 2" asked Eliza.
YES was the reply. "but would
not let her. for knew II she did she
would spend lot Of her time after
ward putting stun on her hands and
lying down to rest as she called IL.
never see such doin's before. and
was afraid would have to speak my
mind If she stayed much longer. OF
course" she continued, 81 didn't say
anything to Joshua. but told your
father that doubted il he would ever
get on in the world with a wife like
that tied to him."
Perhaps II won't make much dif-
ference. mother" returned Eliza, rath-
er bitterly. Sometimes IT seems to
me as II those that worked hardest
made the least headway. For instance,
look at you and father. How hard you
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-08-30

both have always worked and now.
in your old age. you say you will lose
the farm unless that $4,000 mortgage
can be raised"
well. don't know as we would
have, had any more money II / had,
curled my hair, CREASED my hands,
stayed abed day-times. and worn ma
chine-made underclothes," snapped
Mrs. Ellison. who had no patience
with her daughters slight defence of
Joshua's wife.
But further conversation between
them was interrupted by Mr.. Ellison
coming into the room. He held in his
hand letter. which he gave to his
wife. saying drearily: "My last hope
is gone now Brother Ben writes that
he can not let me have the money. so
the place will have to CO." He sank
down in q chair with an air OF utter
despair.
Hasn't Joshua afiything savedr'
asked Eliza. after a moment OF pain
full silence.
''Not q cent" snarled Mrs. Ellison.
"He had a thousand dollars. but he
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-08-30
By Phil Moore

truth Of It dawned SO curiously clear.
And she kissed him very tenderiy, very
reverently, this little grandson OF his.
And Evan went away.
Peter did not bring the mail In a
sack as in former years. A postman
delivered 1t at the side door. So one
morning--it was Valentines day-Ga-
briella watched the uniformed person
turn in the gate and he was whistlins
a merry tune. as though his spirits
were In keeping with the day. Direct
ly Peter shuffied into the library. bear
ing a square envelope on an ancient
silver tray. The fragile fingers went
to 1t trembling as they carefully slit
the flap and the face Of Gabrielle waz
like family tinted flower. e-
II was nearly the sams. Tho years.
after all. make very little difference.
There were the delicate pink roses. the
dainty forget-me-nots and inside. 7
love you'll"
Do you know7 Well, she didn't. dear
old Gabrielle, serene in her dreams
and memories! And what Ia more. she
never knew, for who could shatter
such sweet belief? Frail bit OF Dres-
den china!
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-08-30

way connected with the family they
showered their warm hospitality upon
him.
And the boy and lovely Gabrielle
were thrown constantly together and
the days were STEPPED with magic
sweetness. They wandered In the
green woodland. roamed the blossom
ing countryside, gathered dewy roses
in the early dawn. sat on the steps at
dusk. singing snatches Of love songs,
laughing over mere nothings. thrilling
II their hands chanced to touch, and
time swept swiftly. exquisitely by.
Finally he grew SO strong that he
actually forgot he had ever been i'll.
Who could remain Ill in that habita-
ton of birds and trees and flowers? i?
Then one evening Gabrielle heard him
tell her mother that he could no long
er impose upon their generous hospi-
tality. With a huttering hand at her
heart she marvelled at his curious
composure, and choking a sob. she
few out to the garden. 1t was dusk
and trembling shadows lowered every
where. Any other time she would have
been timid. but the torture she was en-
during blotted out fear. and she won
dered how she was going to live with
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-08-30

and dry and well dressed. He was only
twenty-seven or eight, and Minty
thought she had never seen any eyes SO
pleasant 40 those gray ones OF his set
In his brown face.
Here's the girl" Mr.. Bostwick
said. "Minty's my niece. Abram. and
she's about the only thing that makes
life worth living TO me. Her aunt's
trying to make q milliner out Of her.
but Minty never was cut out for hat
maker. Minty. this here's Abram
Drew. Maybe you don't remember. but
when we lived up on Ogden street his
folks had the corner house. His moth
er's dead and he and his father are
ranching II out in Alberta Abrams
here for q few weeks OF business. Set
down, Abran1. and you. too, Minty.
want you young folks to get acquaint-
ed
'T feel as though we were acquaint-
ed already" said Abram. smiling at
Minty.
we ought to be after that adven-
ture OF yours" replied Minty. smiling
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-08-30

into the room a. though sure Of q cor
dial welcome.
"Joshua's wife," calculated Mrs.
Ellison, as she, too, rose TO greet the
newcomer. who put up sweet, cheer
ful face. framed in blonde curls, to be
kissed. and. at the same time said.
eagerly: "Oh, l have such good news
for you that Joshua-said I had better
come and tell IT myself. instead OF
writing"
Young Mrs. Ellison was so intent
on her pleasant mission that she did
not notice Eliza. who stood motionless
in a corner until her mother-in-law
said, coldly: "This is Joshua's sister,
Eliza, Elizabeth"
Then the glowing. happy face was
turned in the direction indicated. and
its owner cried, impetuously; II am
awfully glad to meet you. Joshua has
talked about you SO much that have
already learned to love you" A hearty
kiss sealed the introduction Of the two
young women.
Mrs. Ellison sat with her lips firmly
compressed and an expression Of dis
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-08-30

she added to the chubby girl AS she
stopped to open q drawer she breathed
tartly over her shoulder to Minty.
You get back into the workroom and
sew for dear life.s
Minty fed In the workroom Miss
Shook, the city trimmer. was taking
advantage of Mrs. Bostwick's absence
by manicuring her nails. She hastily
resumed work as Minty entered.
"You can finish this shirring, Min
ty, while do something else" she
said loftily and tossed the work to-
ward the girl.
Minty had been making hats for four
long years, and she had never yet
learned which was the right side to
trim nor why a wisp of straw, ribbon,
and roses should. when combined,
make or mar woman's happiness and
her aunt's fortune. Consequently Mrs.
Bostwick had no patience with her. 1t
was her desire that Minty should learn
the business thoroughly and be able
to take the place and save the ex-
pense OF the trimmer. and she was
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-08-30

thwartkd in her desire. She hated
Minty for her stupidity. you're good
for nothing" she said over and over.
Il wish I'd never bothered to bring
you up. but had sent you to the home.
You don't earn your salt. I should
like to know what you expect to come
to-"
A creek ran back of the store at the
foot of deep concrete wall. AS she
watched a man came running along
the wall. He had a long pole in his
hand, and now she saw what he was
after. A large box was floating down
and in the box sat a despairing kitten
that stretched its neck and apparently
mewed to succor. A little in advance
Of the box the man threw himself fat
upon the wall and poised his pole.
But an extra swirl took the box lit
tie farther away. and the pole was not
long enough. Then. with quick mo-
ton. he slipped down the wall into the
surly flood. A few strokes and he had
the kitten.
Minty gave cry and turned white.
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-08-30
BY Elsie .Endicott

approval at sucn an epuIirion OF fees-
ing toward a stranger. but Farmer FL
lison smiled, and looked already dve
years younger. while ELIAS careworn.
sailow face was alight with new in
terest.
"Now.". said Elizabeth. sitting down
and addressing none in particular, but
looking alphabetically at her father
in-iaw: "I will tell my news. ! have
draft for $4,000 to pay of that dread
full mortgage"
what" exclaimed Farmer Ellison.
sincredulously.
"Yes," said Elizabeth. 5oyfully.
"Since visiting you, have been left
$4,000 by the will of distant relative.
and I told Joshua that l should give
you s4.0oo--with my love-" she added.
with a sweet glad smile. handing the
draft TO Mrs. Ellison.
The old lady took IL. She did not
speak, because she couldn't; but the
eyes she turned on Joshua's wife were
full of love. together with . mute
prayer for forgiveness.
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-08-30

- Id Miss Gabrielle belonged 10
the last century, when little
side curls fell demurely over
shell pink ears, and when ladies were
looked upon as bits of Dresden china
Her world was the sanctuary of her
garden. where she dreamed dreams Of
what might have been.
Faithful black Peter, a relic Of those
bygone days. cherished Gabriella's
blighted romance as tenderly as did
Gabrielle herself. 1t happened In the
garden Of the Doric pillared, brick
house in the sweet springtime of Ca
briella's life. The garden is still there,
screened from the street by hedge OF
fragrant boxwood and lavish with the
perfume Of cabbage roses and mignon-
ette.
Down to Gabrie1la's maple shaded,
dreamy village came youth at the
close of the war His delicate consti-
tuition had prevented him from enlist
ing. and Gabrielle rejoiced in that fact.
Had he fought against her beloved
southland never could she have toler-
ated him So kind providence made
him a semi-invalid. Gabriella's peo-
pie were the sort to claim the remot-
est kin. and as he was in some vague
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-08-30

spent It ell furnishing up . nat APART
ment, she calls it, for that fashionable
wife of his She had to have all those
electric contraptions to save work and
keep her hands white. She" 4
"A thousand dollars wouldn't save
us, mother" interrupted Farmer Elii-
son. mildly. "I couldn't raise $4,000
any better than could $4,000, and
anyway Joshua ought to make his VIE
as comfortable as his means will al
low"
Means will allow repeated Mrs.
Ellison, with unnecessary emphasis.
why can't she work the same as
have done, and letJ Joshua save bis
money. instead Of making him spend
for vacuum cleaners. electric fandan-
giles and everything else to help her
do her housework quick and have time
to CAD around?"
A knock at the door interrupted
Mrs. Ellison's flow OF eioquence.
Farmer Ellison rose to admit the Wis
itor. and was speechiess with surprise
as a young and pretty woman tripped
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-08-30

marry" Eliza repressed a smile
Perhaps there would not be so many
divorces II, they did"
why don't you like her. motherY'
persisted Eliza. Wasn't she nice to
your"
Yea. very" admitted Mrs. Ellison.
Don't you think she is fond of
Joshua and will try and make him
happy and comfortabie!" continued
Eliza
well. guess you'd think so II you
could see them together once" re-
turned Joshua's mother. with consid-
cradle emphasis "She caters to his
vanity something fearful. and always
does Just exactly what he says. In
fact. shouldn't wonder q mite IL she
would sit and see him smoke and not
tell him the folly Of his ways"
But. mother" demonstrated Eliza,
''if man wants to smoke he will prob
ably do IT. His wife can't help it,"
well. she needn't countenance IT,
returned Mrs. Ellison. "And she can
scold so he win not want to do IL at
home.-
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-08-30
said Il love you'll" was supreme

said II love youl" was supreme
On the following Valentines Day
Peter brought her big. square enve-
lope. Gabrielle knew who had sent it.
not by the postmark. but by the &C.
static throbbing Of her heart. 1t was
a valentine exquisitely beautiful. with
pink roses and hidden from other eyes.
al love youl"
Faith7 Renewed now, q thousand
fold. Would not other Valentine days
come. when this one passed was not
there the next to anticipated Who
could ridicule such faithf Not Gabri-
elle's people. And the years swept
along and after a while they all pass
ed from her life; leaving only herself
and faithful Peter go there she re-
mained and faithful Peter. SO there
she remained in the brick house. sur
rounded by the garden Of golden mem
cries, and believing herself in some
mystical way welded to that sacred
moment when he had whispered, "I
love youi"
Then Evan came. He was a little
boy. with a grave, lovable face and as
many years as he could count on one
chubby hand. He had come from the
north with his parents and taken a
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-08-30

AS Miss Shook glanced up. startled,
Minty went out the back door. AS she
reached the wall the man came over
Il with the kitten against his drip
ping breast. His face was as white
as Minty's. He saw her and held the
kitten toward her. Minty took the
forlorn, shiyering, drenched little
creature, but her great concern was
for the man. The water was icy cold
and smart wind was blowing She
did not dare ask him into the house.
What could she do? From the pull
ley line near dangled a blanket that
had been hung out to air. She
snatched 1t loose from the pins.
'"Here!" she said to the man. "Put this
around yui"
He smiled as he wrapped himself In
It Take care of the kitten. I'll re-
turn this later" he said.
She went on upstairs with the kit
ten. The Bostwicks lived upstairs
over the shop. Her uncle sat by the
fire reading.
"what you got there7" he asked.
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-08-30

out him
After while he came down the
lockwood bordered path. Oh, the glo-
~ of that moonlit evening. laden with
the fragrance of sweet scented flow-
ers! From the woodland came the
ouivering cry of catbird and the
rythmical murmur of the strange lit
tie things of the night.
"Gabriella," he called, and the bird
In the distance echoed the love note
In his voice.
"Ye-es," came her huttering reply.
He made swift strides to her side.
II am going away" he said abruptly
as though anxious to be rid of an un-
pleasant communication II am going
tomorrow. Gabrielle"
She made futile EFFORT to quiet her
quick breaths, but of no avail. He had
observed, and with cry of Joy he
caught her hand. Suddenly their faces
leaned together in the soft dusk and
their lips touched.
'I love you!" he whispered.
? Loved her! Certainly he loved her.
And the next day, like the prince of
old, he rode away.
Promises? None were made. But
Gabriella's faith in the boy who had
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-08-30
How She Helped the Cause

But then said, "No I, am mott she
told me fifteen cents herself" Then
had to beside II Mrs. X ment to give
me the eggs for only ffteen cents, or
II she made a misteak, which really
seemed more likely, Mrs. x not being
the kind that gives twenty-five and
one-half cents worth for fifteen cents.
So IL she made a misteak was It my
duty to retern the money! But the
objecshen to that was that IL mis-
teak. Mrs. x would blame the mis-
teak on me, that being her nature,
which is not polite to say, but true
therfour I put 1t down. Granma will
not allow gossip of>coarse. but the
truth is not gossip.
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-08-30

was Just as bad of as ever what
to do with II when I remembered the
poster down at the store which said.
do your Bit and some more don't
remember and then American Red
Cross" So l knew right OF could
give 1t to the Red Cross, because if
mine It would be my bit, and If Mrs.
x's-well It's the only way they would
ever get II from her.
And then desided granma would
be wondering about the eggs, and
cross maybe, and I got up to go. Just
then an auto stopped beside the tree
with man and woman In 1T. So there
was a cross on the back Of IL; not red
but green. so thought II might be a
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-08-30

thinking about the wild roses, etc, !
could not remember twos in fourty-
four. So she looked kind of funny.
and she said, "oh. guess fifteen
cents"
took the eggs and started home
and then the existing part begins.
Just when / got to the big elm by the
corner and was looking at two robins
scrapping for q wurm, said right
out loud. "Twos in fourty-four are
twenty-five and one over. when /
didn't even know was thinking about
that but thought 1t was the robins.
well then sat right down by the tree
10 think II out So my Conscience said
Constance Ann. you are a theafi"
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-08-30

branch Of the Red Cross, and could
get rid OF the exter money right then.
So they were talking and waited not
meaning to lissen but being taught BY
granma not to interrupt.
She said You know your uncle in
tended that money for the Red Cross
and exspected you to go into the serv-
ice." And he said, well. IL wasn't in
the will" She said. you know how
he loved the country, and the army,
and how he would want you TO use the
education be pade for and the money
he left. Just because of rnisteak In
the will" He broke in, Am to pay
for his misteak7" Which Of coarse
made me think Of Mrs. x and the eggs,
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-08-30
By Joella Johnson

and l got ready to speak. but she said
Then allow me to return this" and
her voice sounded very quear. She
gave him a ring with shiny stone
and he said somthing which can not
spell II and would not write It any
way. because OF granma.
Then there was silence. and !
thought II was my chanse and said
will you please give this money to
the Red Cross society?" He said
"what7" so cross II scared me and
nearly cried. Then he said Hear,
don't cry" and she said. Tell me all
about it." So did, how got the mon
ey by misteak and my Conscience said
"theaf." and when said that the man
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-08-30

~uNE 80. 1917. This has been a
very exciting day. Hear it is
~ almost two months since my
twelfth birthday when I began this
journal. and now is my nrst opportun-
ity TO write something really interest
ing. II all happened because Of eggs.
This morning granma said: Nov.
Constance. here is forty-four cents.
You so over to Mr.. ks and see IL she
win sell me a dozen eggs Hurry"
When I got there he wasn't any
where around. mean the dog. and she
didn't have a dozen eggs. but only half
doEzen. So / said / would take a
half dozzen then. and how much are
they please7 Because for a minute
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-08-30

got red. and the girl smiled a little.
Then finished and said, "will you
give II to them please7"
And he said why I--er---I have
some funds for the Red Cross myself,
and er--I exspect to belong, 80 I
think It will get there safely" She
said "Ben!" and he laughed and said
Yes. Elizabeth and some more about
"the least Of these" Then he gave me
twenty-five whole cents for my sash
money and told me to run home, which
I did. remembering granma. and the
eggs she was In ahurry for. looked
around once, and he seemed to be Civ
ing back that ring.
Granma Is calling so must go.