davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-06-02
% And Kitty Was Glad

then she'll sail In and try TO catch him.
She's wanted him ever so long, you
know" Clara was bookkeeper for Mr..
CrieT. who kept the big general store
In Watts and whose numerous chill
dren overran the neighborhood. What
a blue Monday" suggested another
little demon. Another called her at
tenUOn to the fOggy morning and the
indications OF rain. Still another
pointed out the blocks and blocks OF
cheap little shacks that made up
Watts-little homes bought on the
Dollar Down Dollar-a-Week" plan
and the general undesirableness of the
suburb as a place Of residence. An
other
But just then the Watts Local came
in sight. and sure enough. there was
Walden Bixby in his machine just be-
hind But Kitty, with grim resolution.
was ready, and just as the young real
estate mans car reached the corner
ready 10 swing west on Pacific View
street toward her house, and he caught
sight OF her and stopped. she was
calmly mounting the steps OF the LO-
cal She didn't look al him. But she
knew he was looking at her, and she
felt that the conductor OF the Local
and several other Wattsites wers en-
joying his discontinue All. how
sweet is revenge! Did he think he
could speed his machine IN open day
light right on San Jose avenue itself,
in company with another woman, and
not hear from her? Huh
But the sweetest revenge soon pals.
And Kitty Lumsden had no sooner
seated herself more or less uncom-
fortably IN the rigid car seat (she
couldn't help comparing II with the
luxury OF Walden's tonneaul and OBJ
served the young mans machine shoot
ahead OF the electric car without his
so much as glancing at the window
the girl was looking out OF. than heI
mood changed. No she didn't relsnt
What else could she have done? He
had taken another woman riding
without excuse or explanation. and
this. in an engaged man. was unpar-
donable. No, she had 10 keep her
self-respect And of course. all that
was left now was 10 give him bach
his ring-she was tempted 70 take or
her glove and look at it--dismiss him
and forget II all-when she could.
But In spite of her the little devils
came trooping IN again and took pos
session OF her thoughts as the Watt:
Local ratified along. taking the dus
of Waldens machine They mali
ciOusly reminded her OF the many
many rides she had taken with younI
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-06-02

mind-telephone calls, the other wom-
an. even Walden. Fire! And her in
valid mother was confined in their lit
tie board cottage, and Bob was away
at school. And Watts was one i'm
mense fretrap, with no fire protec-
ton to speak Of!
Kitty. with quick presence of mind
made the connection and called, Fire
double three" thus notifying the city
fire station. Then she removed her
ear pads and rushed from her switch
board and into the managers office.
1t took but a moment 10 explain 10
Mr.. Crosby the situation and 10 be re-
lieved from duty. And in another mo-
ment Kitty had seized her hat and
wraps in the restroom. and was ia the
street looking for the Watts Local.
Her heart sank as she realized that
her mother and all Watts might burn
up long before that numbering coach
would reach the suburb.
Good morning. Kitty Get right IN.
l know where you're going. Heard the
alarm you turned in on my line.
Quick, there's no time 10 lose!"
There was Walden BiXby in mis- ma
chine right by her side. He was half
standing, and. holding the car door
open. was almost Commanding her 10
enter She oSeyed There was no
other cholce. And in one brief
instant Kitty forgot the other
woman. forgot her personal pride,
and the affron; that bad been
pat upon her. and in a nomsnt Wal
den had thrown his motor into the
high and was breaking the speed laws
in the direction OF Watts.
They caught up with and raced do
tor Fire Engine No. 6, which, leaving
q trail of burning cinders. was whizz-
ing through the air on its way 10 the
FIRE at Watts like a meteor trying 10
make up lost time. They overlook
and passed an electric repair wagon
which in some way had gotten the
start Of them.
The speedeTs going 70 the fire al
Watts gathered numbers and excite
ment as they went by the law OF &C
creti0n Motorcyclists. either through
curiosity and the free-fOT all race. or
having interest ar Watts. threw on
speed. removed their muf1ers. and
added their smoke and their smells
and their din 10 the avalanche de-
scending upon Watts Doctors with
patients at Watts, bill collectors with
accounts there, idlers with no bust
ness az all there; everybody Ia short
who could possibly get 10 Watts while
he excitement was on. rushed pell-
nell il that direction The street cars
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-06-02

omen. The hypothesis that "if dog
bowls II is a sign OF death in the fam
ily' Is so old and so vel! established
as fact in the minds OF some per-
sons, that nothing short Of death itself
would result In the destruction OF the
most absurd OF all omens, for dogs
have howled ever since dogs were on
the market
Thirteen clubs have been established
for ages. II seems. and no hostess will
ingly Will set thirteen persons at her
hospitable board The thirteenth per-
son will decline the seat. and laugh
off his superstitious fears, yet il is
shown that he does not wish 10 BE- the
unfortunate person 70 be seated AT the
table.
The harmless, or partially tanned do
nestle cat, which purrs softly in ones
lap during the day. Is loathed by many
women If IL prowls in the sanctuary at
night The touch OF a cat is most dis
agreeable 10 most persons. I, myself.
cannot touch any animal without be-
ing almost overcome by a very pecu-
liar sensation. / am not the least
fearful OF a cat. yet I cannot bring
myself 10 touch even the most play
ful kitten.
The world expects more of the edu-
Gated person than the ignorant, that
Is true, but these pet mental torments
are everywhere, and while accusing
others of their peculiar belief, | con-
fess that ] am exceedingly wary of %.
although for more than four years I
drew a weekly salary of S25. but l
finally lost my position on the 25th of
the month. / consider II my "hoOdoO"
day. simply because have kept an &C
count OF the many peculiar happenings
which have been somewhat distressing
and they all date 10 the 25th, of GER
tain months. ] stop there, for II is my
mental gem OF superstition. ] do not
believe in ghosts, spirit talks, getting
out OF bed with the left foot first or
putting a garment on wrong side out.
One time. possibly two years ago, l
was walking down the boulevard IN
the city of ST. Louis. My companion
was a highly cultured young woman
OF thirty. Suddenly she sprang ahead
OF her. swoOped TO the pavement and
as, suddenly leaped back. laughing as
she held up a crooked. rusty hatrpin.
"a new beau" she estatically exclaim-
ed
was amazed, for IL seemed so
idiotic. especially for her 20 do any
thing so silly. / noted she was look
ing about her, up and down and all
around. I inquired what she was
looking for and she said that ii was
necessary to hang the hairpin on a
nail or the beau would not arrive.
Did you never observe the haiIpins
hanging on telegraph poles?" she ask
ed. l had to admit that did not; but
when she hung her pin upon a nail. II
had four rusty compartment We then
amused ourselves looking for hairpins
on telegraph poles. and am most GER
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-06-02

tain I saw hundreds. so il goes TO
show that more persons than this
charming young woman believed in
the new beau when the wire haiTpin
was found A straight wire haTpin
denoted a lover: a crooked one. 3
woman; a small pin. a child After
this incident. noticed many persons.
from time 10 time, picking UP hair
pins. Did ]? Certainly. for | am a
woman. When I found a new pin.
net a fine little lawyer that week.
and he was a grand rascal; the pin
/ picked up on Olive street was hung
on a nail in new building A work
man sang out 10 me, Hello little girl.
I'm single, will you take me-" I had
the good grace TO laugh. but I felt
mighty foolish, and went my way in
a hurry 1t was the last pin l ever
picked up from the sidewalk
Possibly there is nothing which
takes a frner grip upon womankind
than that erroneous belief that some
departed soul. the disembodied spirit
that has escaped the toll and turmoil
OF life, can come back 10 earth and
communicate with loved ones
Imagine, IL you can, the horror that
a young mother experiences when she
communicates" with the spirit OF her
beloved babe The death was cruel
enough. and IL was hard TO see the
baby slip out OF her loving arms that
cuddled the little body each night;
and il was doubly hard 10 see the lit
tie form lowered into the tiny flower
voice speaking to the bereft mother.
lined grave, but imagine its lisping
o, that such belief could be forever
destroyed, If 1t were possible for the
person TO communicate with loved
ones, God in His infinite wisdom would
make II possible for those persons 10
soothe the broken hearts Of loved ones
that mourn in the deepest OF all hui
man grief Never was a greater fake
perpetrated on q sane and sensible
world; and nothing in the omen world
has had a more faithful audience. II Is
such a temptation to go. even though
one may go without belief. and return
with brain OF wonder.
This fake has been unearthed IN
many cities. and the perpetrators have
been harshly dealt with by the law
yet so cunning are the workings Of
many. that their methods seem truly
marvellous, and many of the worlds
greatest scientists have tried TO dis
cover the peculiar theory of their
trade, yet are bafied at every turn.
Not long ago a magazine, and a good
one. too. had the bad policy 20 publish
a series of articles to the effect that
there we're ghosts. A good ghost story
is readable. and likable by a person
whose mind is sufficiently well poised
TO Re a non-believer. but bless hearts
and spades, a believer will lose breath
and cuddle all up in a tiny kno: in
bed, at the mere recollection of that
story.
! can recollect when l was a mere
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-06-02

ried. I see" Naturally I said I was
not She then told me OF light man,
also one medium dark and saw a
wedding in the distance. She saw
more than I did. for at that particu-
lar reading the Only man who was IN
my life was a married man, my man
ager. and I mentally called him sit
ting Bull" so I was Quire certain her
predictions were meaningless. Of
course. like others, she said / soon
should hear OF a death, a wedding. q
great surprise and l would be fl.
think she predicted ptolnsine poison
ing. AS l was boarding at the time.
I believed her, for I had enjoyed ey-
erything else in the various boarding
houses, and was not going TO miss any
thing my money could procure; but /
never had IL.
While this article was 10 deal with
women and their pet superstitions, It
goes without saying that they are not
alone in their mental happiness or
misery. for men are as proSo 10 super
stition as the sparks ly upward.
There is the farmer who studies the
fat-faced moon OF his Dutch almanac.
He has a deep-rooted belief in his
brain pan that IL he plants beans in a
certain period of the moon that those
beans will not climb the pole; and II
he happens to plant them at the Prop
Ell, period.-why those beans excel the
neurological story OF Jack the Giant
killer. He claims that II cucumbers
are planted when the signs are
twins" that there will be a double
crop OF cucumbers. Women plant
flower seeds when the signs show the
woman holding the bunch Of flowers
in her hand. That is the sign of Virgo,
the bowels.
weaned their babies when the signs"
were below the heart. The modern
mother weans her baby at the start
and allows it to yell its lungs out or
dies. 1t is UP to the nurse. the COW
and the pacifer 10 do what mother
used to do. 1t is not known what
sign IL is that made most present-day
mothers withdraw the natural feast
from her babe. but put II down as
a sign that something caused a dis
turbance in Natures own dining room.
Some men were undoubtedly born
or weaned when the signs were in
Pisces, the feet, for they are natural
born kickeTs. l once worked in an
office where / am quite certain the
man was born or weaned under this
sign. for there is no record on earth,
or above the earth. or even below il
when that man smiled. He was mar
ried when the signs were in the heart,
l dare say, for never did a man live
who 80 heartily regretted that early
morning frolic az Dan Cupid's altar.
The devout Catholic makes the sign
OF the cross. 1t is a pretty custom and
there are many occasions for it. He
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-06-02

child that a neighbor woman had the
lack Of good sense TO tell me that II l
were mad the devil would sit or the
footboard OF my bed and some night
OF course. when I least expected it,
he would get me; however, II / we're
good. obeyed my mother and did ev-
erything according 70 what she said,
and what everyone else said, a beau
tiful angel would sit there and watch
over me in loving vigil throughout the
night AS I was not very good, ] liv-
ed in eternal torment expecting the
devil 10 get me every night l was
glad when footboards went out OF
style, for now l have none on my
lowly couch wherein his satanic
majesty may perch his unholy self. II
he gets ne, and he may, for added
years and hard work have not sub
dued my fun-loving spirit nor spells
OF spontaneous deviltry. he may claim
his own and I will come into my own
hot estate, as hot as the hinges there
Of
The love-lorn Will flock 70 the for
tune-tellers. ] have gone myself, but
I cannot say they ever impressed me.
I am something OF a character reader
myself, and can understand full well
how an lntuitive mind can read most
persous.-not all-but a few. II the
reader is clever, skillful and sympa-
thetic, there is every hope Of drawing
from the visitor sufficient material 10
work on. Still, I must confess, that
I have been puzzled at some clair
voyants l visited a renowned medium
at one time and as soon as I was seat
ed before her. she called my name. II
made the hair raise straight up on my
head My name is anything but COM
mon one, and the mere fact that she
called il was a shock She followed
by telling me / was a married woman.
l am single, but permitted her 10 say
her say. and l said nothing 70 encour-
age her on. She spoke OF the death
Of my child. the uufaithfulness Of my
husband, a certain married man who
figured scandalously in my life, and
she made a furious attack upon my
chastity. and saw before me great
calamity, for l was standing on the
precipice OF great danger. | wondered
how on earth she could tell my name,
and go so far astray on everything
else, for | would almost commit muir
der IL anyone attacked the honesty
Of my wOmanhood, and was not en-
tangled In an affair de amour with
any married man. and never shall
be. Then l looked down az my hand
bag and saw cleverly carved across
the latch was my name! l paid her
my money and left.
AT another time 1 went with a party
OF young persons and this woman was
genuinely clever in character reading,
although she understood the trick of
leading her subject on 10 reveal GER
tain important features to work on.
For example, she looked at me and in
terrogatively said: You are not mar
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-06-02
By Elsie Endicott


70 enter the house hrst on tbesNew
Year. The open House was said
TO be adopted by mothers with elia-
bic daughters 10 interest men IN call
ing on New Years Day. No douof
many pretty romances have been en-
acted as fair lips slipped the New
Years beverages. and merry eyes
laughed across the punch bowl but
history does not record anything I'M
usual when a woman was the frst
caller.
The countless festivities oocasioned
at HAllov Fen are not without some
hidden belief that the mystic charms
and fun-provoking smusemsnts are
not q wee BIT truthful Happy, indees
is the gtrl who finds the ring. for vel
she knows Il fortells ,hsr coming mar
riage.
In foreign countries where rale
birth Is so important and the sppesT-
anoe OF little girl 60 sadly 6eplored.
there Is any amount OF witchcrsft
practiced IN hope that the little child
will be a son. Even among royalty
the omens have been cast magicians
have been paid enormous sums 70
make certain the sex OF a child. L is
considered most fortunate when al
heir is born to any kingdom
IN the professional world arc many
peculiar beliefs. sono too absurd 10
chronicle. others az reasonable asanv
II any are TO be considered within the
bounds OF good sense or judgment
We have long wondered why e was
80 40
come true. whatever IL is or 10 not
yet we sill know OF persons who have
had presentiments and they actually
occurred. In the occult world they
describe II as the swapping OF the
chain between two harmonious bodies
Many women have awakened from
their slumber conscious OF the fact
that some great danger had befallen
their husbands. II we are 10 believe
these stories. they are often founded
upon facts.
Dreams are either most delightful.
or else they produce profound gloom.
and many persons are morbid as long
as the dream remains in mind. So
sure are some dreamers that what
they dream means something signif-
cant in the occurrences of the day that
they keep a book Of dreams that they
may interpret them as sooD as they
awake. II keeps them in a continual
state OF worry or they enjoy a b.ari-
Gus condition OF mind which fortells
coming happiness which may or may
not occur.
Taking It all IN all Americans are
superst;tious, and If you have read
this article from start TO finish and
feel that absolutely nothing has touch
ed your life, then you are a non-be-
lever: II however. you smile bit
and admit to yourself that you are
guilty you are In the same row with
we women and cur hairpin beauX.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-06-02
By Annette Angert

lemonade and-the balloon. II is ris-
ing Yes. yes. il is going 70 heaven.
Jen. Yes. there is = man in H. You
will see him In a minute. Look! No
that isn't a sunshade. that's a para
chute
We will walk over here a little and
watch that elegant young lady in pink
ride the tight rope on her bicycle.
Amt she splendid?
Well, Mill, what did the old woman
say? Oh. well. that's very fine. but
don't believe all you hear. Told you
your name. did she? Pity you didn't
know that already.
Yes, get one II you want 20 Here.
now Jen. you can't have any mustard
on yours. Mile. tell the man not 70
put any mustard on JenDie's. No.
thanks, bring me ham sandwich.
Oh. there goes .he woman. that's
dangerous business. Oh. gee, did you
see? Look. she's all right now-turned
a somersault In the air in an auto!
Oh gee.
Where is Bobbie? On. what shall we
do? Stop crying. Jsn. Mile. you 90
down Takers row and I'll go this way.
Come back TO the corner OF the grand
stand. What shall We do. n he is
lost? Oh. what will ma say? Stop
crying, Jen, Mile, Mile! Here be
is Robert Edward Robbinsl Where
have you been? You bad boy. answer
me at once. Didn't I tell you 70 keep
away from the Wild man? Wait TIL
you get home. Just wait
Now. while I go up on the ferris
wheel with Hazel, Mile Will take you
in 10 see the mermaid that lived -
days under water and whose hair is
sea-weed.
Hush, Hazel, you said you wanted 70
90. Two tickets Hop il. sis. This
is awful. ., hush up. were all right
Now see. we are coming down all
right Well, Mill. how did you Ike
the mermaid?
Now we are going home. You shall
each have q balloon and bag OF pea
nuts. Bobbie. what are you doing!
Oh. so you have given your nickel 10
the monkey because be cried Well
il didn't do him any good. you see. The
man that keeps him has got II now and
where are you going 70 get your pea
nuts, Hush now. don't cry. Jen. give
your little brother some OF your pea
nuts. Mile, you take care OF Hazel
Boboie and Jennie. don't let go my
hand. No. We can't stay 70 see the
alrship 20 Up. II is growing dark and
there Is such a mob. We must 90
early 10 avoid the rlsh-Come o.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-06-02

away as soon as possible. The crowd
shouted and roared, and then fingered
TO shout and roar some more. But aft
er a while the mcb and the fun melted
away. and then kitty ventured out 10
find Walden waiting and smiling.
It's all right, Kitty" Walden said.
Mistakes will happen. ] made mis-
take, too. I ought to have told you
that II was my cousin, Miss Gibbs, who
was in the machine with me yesterday.
She's a trained nurse. 1t was an
emergency call. you know" and Wal
den blushed. Let's go for spin"
And Kitty was only too glad.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-06-02

temple: the sign OF the cross is made
al the festive or humble board, and II
is symbolic Of what is pure, holy.
eternal in the Christian sense. In itself
II is nothing. yet beautifully significant
Of what is good.
After the awakening OF misty and
dreamy existence of spiritual bodies,
thought waves, astral figures and 9th
er peculiar ideas OF an existence not
seen with the naked eve. many learned
persons delved as deeply as possible
into the rev conditions. II n not
based so much on superstition as
theory THAI there Is a fluid Of iDdu-
ence which each learned person may
use 10 his advantage. It empraces ev-
erything pertaining TO thought waves
wireless telegraDhy. etc. As yet so
ponderous is its purport that not many
persons have adopted II in the com
mercial world as q means OF making
a living 1t is confined almost Who'll
ly 10 societies and circles"
Perhaps there is no place where the
belief IN the uncanny is SO carefully
nourished as right upon the American
playboards where we might naturally
look for it's complete elimination, ospe-
cially among persons Of rare talent
and highly developed intellectual at
tainments.
May things are considered harding
ers of good luck Most ell actors and
actresses retain some article OF cloth
ing they wore upon the night OF their
crowning success in the play-world
Their bad omens are so numerous
that. at first glance OF the entire list
one is inclined TO wonder whether they
believe in anything real. They avoid
certain yellow shades, which they con-
slider casts certain evil spells. The
cat that follows them as a mascot is
beloved and petted so long as the fe-
lineship member of the troupe does
not scurry across the stage. That,
alone, Is trouble without anything else
10 support the belief What a man
ager won't DO, and what he will 90 70
the person who whistles In the theateT
Is most interesting, for It brings
trouble as surely as the Growing OF the
chanticleer brings company " be
crows in the kitchen door.
An actor who has been on the stage
long enough TO acquaint himself with
certain superstitions will never, never
go on the stage where there is the pic
ture of an ostrich. Peafowl feathers
are considered as worse than Ill
omens, and one famous actress posi-
lively refused TO take the leading part
in a play where the stage settings
were a wonderful development Great
ed wholly in lights and gauzes OF
these brilliant tints; nor would she
adopt the attire. CONSERVATION reigned
supreme. the play went on. and. as
the good actress now says. l knew ii.
I knew it," for the play was a com
plete failure.
It is considered fortunate for a man