davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-15
A Change Tn His Perception

per he had tossed aside before she led the way to the table.
 The supper was excellent, but 1t was not an enjoyable meal. Ralph splashed a speck of gravy on the fresh cloth, which brought forth a borrifed exclamation from Ernestine. Jeffrey was awkwardly uncomfortable, fear ing like Inishap, with the result that he upset his cup of coffee. He longed to get up and run. He wondered kow he could spend an evening in this home. Home? Prison-house of cor rection. rather. At the thought whimsical smile twisted his face.
 But relief came. It slammed in through the front door in spite of Ernestine's Its muddy! Go to the back door!"
 T will not!" replied a ringing voice. "I never expect you to go to my back door, and won't go to yours. Hello, Ralph. Why" the color slow ly receded from the girls face and then flooded it full tde-"it's Jeff"
 Cleans of mist glistened on the hair that was still as frowsed and stub born as Jeff remembered it of old. Her blouse was loose and fell away from brown throat; her shoes were thick so1ed, low heeled-as great a contrast
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-15

send in camp"
 The, communication of which these words formed the substance had been sent from a southern training camp and was signed with five masculine names. Gertrude read the names re- flectively, trying to visualize their dis tant owners.
 Jeffrey Brinsmade," she said at last. "Jeffrey-I knew one Jeffrey long ago. I wonder where he is now" A smile of tender recollection curved her lips, and her brown eyes gazed dreamily at the printed page.
 If I were going to write to any of these soldier boys. 1t would certainly be to Jeffrey Brinsmadc If-and why not?"
 The thought grew to a desire, fer vent, compelling. Putting aside her own loneliness and wfstfulness, might she not through the power of friendly sympathy ard whimsical fancy con- tribute a little cheer and comfort to another lonely wistfuI heart?
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-15

"I guess I've kept every one of your letters. I know I wrote to you."
 But the other" faltered Gertrude.
 'Brinsmade? Why, he got other let ters. And when he showed me yours. I appropriated it for myself. You see l was lonesome, too. So all your let ters came to me and I answered them. But I didn't show your letters, Ger trude."
 And you didn't sign your own name," she retorted
 Tt was so pleasant getting acquaint- ed with an old friend"
 Then you knew. You remember me?"
 Jeffrey Dunn looked at her earnest ly. "I remember you, but I think I never knew you before, Gertrude. Your letters were wonderful to me-
 And yours" breathed the girl. Her cheeks were pink, her eyes soft ly shining. "Oh-" she said impulsive- ly, I'm glad 1t was you, Jeffrey Dunn!"
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-15
A n Appreciated Mistake

ly with Gertrude Tyler a laugh was very near the surface. I'll have a Eight and some dry clothes and then I'll make a cup of beef tea and see if life won't seem brighter"
 Later. cuddled upon the couch again, with a soft-shaded light beside her and new magazine companioning the evening paper for her diversion.
 T ought to be ashamed of myself" she arraigned, kindling beneath reac- ton. Think of the untirfng women in army service abroad. Think of the soldiers in the trench hes-and our own brave boys preparing to join them. But if I was even helping in this great cause. if could be of service to even one-to even"-
 As if in answer to her thoughts, a printed paragraph seemed to leap at her from a page of the evening paper.
 ''If any young lady wants to do her bit in heartening a soldier far from home, let her write to one of the un- dersigned. Cheerful letters are god
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-15
By J0ella Johnson

ping him. l didn't mean 1t, though" |"
 In her later letters, for this new correspondence grew and hourished. Gertrude expressed every phase of her whimsical spirit. She had come to enjoy this pastime deeply. But when 1t came to receiving word from her soldier friend that he was start ing for the city and would call to see her.
 There was no escape, however. One evening Gertrude, embarrassed and tremulous. crept down to the boarding house parlor to face a tall, sta1wart figure in khaki.
 She raised timid eyes from the brown outstretched hand to the bright smiling face. That square jaw, that shock of red-brown hair, those keen gray eyes-why should they all seem So familiar to her? Then, as the mans smile broadened, she knew.
 Jeffrey Dunn! But-I never wrote to you"
 Didn't you?" he answered heartily.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-15
The Result of Lost Temper

'Ethel's graduation-yes. I remem, Der she was looking forward to that event." mused the young physician. "Still. this invitation Is quite unexpect- ed. I wonder why she sent it.
 He recalled the girl as he had seen her a few months ago-alnlost one year ago. Vivacious, wilful, with bril- liant coloring to match her exhuber- ant spirits. Ethel Alden was a remark able contrast to her sister Emma. who had always lived up to the descriptive phrase. "a little lady"
 No ons could remember Emma Alden when she had been anything but slim and mild and self-possessed. Her nut brown hair was sleek as silk, severe ly parted and coiled low at the back of her small head. Her nut brown eyes reflected the purity and peace of the spirit witbin. Her voice was low and sweet like the haunting chime of vesper bells. She always wore soft
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-15

colors and an air of gentle dignity.
 pr. Birch Conway's attentions to the lovely Miss Alden had stirred mild gossip in the town until his sudden departure. nearly year ago, had end ed if. And no doubt now the whole affair was forgotten. But the young physician had not forgotten. Tic had not forgotten Emma Alden, or his wrecked hopes, or the bitterness Of the time when he realized that the girl of his choice cared nothing for him. He had not forgotten tho lively sister, Ethel, either; for they had been ve<y good friends.
 T won't go," declared Dr. Conway, thinking of Emma. who had slighted him.
 "I will go," he decided moment later, thinking of Ethel and her mys- terous invitation.
 Plover Hall, lighted and decorated for the commencement exercises of
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-15

ing beauty. was supposed to be en- gagged to Phillips. Ths chances are that she was just willing to be. for I 6oat think the man has 1t in him to do s dishonorable thing-he's just at tentive and rather overdoes the gal lant chevalier act, that's all. and the girls get w1ong idea. Then the first .hng anybody knew he had hiked of that trip to Japan and the Philip 2iues. you remember. The faznily had a at.'
 "Eut just wait till tell you about the" began Randolph. when little Chuck Wellington. sitting quietly in a big arm chair. sizes too big for him. leaned forward ana laid his cigarette T tray. Look here, fellows. you're all good friends of Sac'r's. I know tt, but an outsider would never guess it from the way you are gcssipsng. Nov 1.n soinS tD tell yoa all aonas-
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-15

tinued Ralph. T remember It. She sat down on her feet and wouldrt join in anything until I wormed out the reason. She said the buttons burst off when she was flung playing crack the whip. She didn't start out to the pie ntc that way"
 They stopped before a small neat house.
 Its muddy, so we'll go the back way" explained Ralph. That's rule 5. And clean your feet on this mat rule G."
 You seem to live by rule" jo1ed Jeff.
 T do," replied Ralph. And Ern- estine lives by ruling. Observe the slip of paper tackled to the kitchen door; likewise, there is one next to my chiffonier. Those are the Ernestine rules that shape my course of con- duct"
 For pity's sake, Ralph! What are you doing out there?" interrupted a high pitched voice that failed to re- call the Ernestine Jeff had been re- gretting. Are you scraping the mat to pieces? You've been there long enough to let the supper get cold"
 I've brought Jeffrey Blake with me, Ernestine," said Ralph, with the hint
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-15
By Abner Anthony

as ever to the immaculate Ernestine, he thought as he greeted her.
 You know my rules, Cis, and yet you track up the front way with your muddy feet complained Ernestine.
 "I don't give farthing for your rules, and my feet aren't muddy. I just came over for a second, so don't try to rule me, Ernestine. want to know if you will como to my house to- morrow to help sew on soldiers things
 Tomorrow my sweeping day, and I want to start on a silk dress for myself. You know I never let any thing interfere with my own work"
 Then. I'm off. I've got stack of work ahead of me tonight. There's so much real work for us women these days that Tn trying to get rid of my little personal tasks in the evening so as to leave a big chunk of the day free. It's good to have seen you again, Jeff.
 Not so fast!" cried Jeff, I've got to bo going, too, so let me walk on with you"
 For heavens sake tell me what are the rules?" he asked, drawing a long breath as he put her gloveless, cal loused little hand under his arm. I'm fed up on them. Am I dreaming or
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-15

N URELY if he had stopped to think. Ralph Cochran would
 not have asked Jeffrey Blake home with him, but running across him in the homeward surge of the great city's populace. he could not re- sist the temptation of having his old chun sp~-,i the evening with him.
 Under other circumstances perhaps Jeffrey also would have hesitated. Hs was uncertain how he would take it to see Ernestine, another mans wife, oven though that man was Ralph Coch- ren.
 "Unexpected companyi Rule three brohen," groaned Ralph suddenly.
 "w-,as in" egan Jeffrey.
 -The tragetJ and the comedy of my E,A!r+ui lifel It'd be mostly tragedy i. it wasn't for Cis. She's the only one that isn't afraid"
 You've changed some, old chap. Yo1 used to tals intelIigently. Has harp,oess gone to your head? And how ia Ernestine7" Jeffrey tried to make the inquiry sound casual.
 "Its this everlasting trying to toe the mark that's gone to my head" said Ralph. "Ernestine's never anything but all right. Now ask about Cis. have a suspicion that there's just one
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-15

of an apology In his voice. "I ran across hira just as I was boarding my train"
 Jeffrey's watchful eye detected the flash of anger Erne5tine sent her hus- band before she turned and shook hands with him. As he sat in the proper parlor while Ernestine made hurried changes in the supper, he heard her shrill voice raflingnt Ralph.
 Rule 3 says that you're never 10 bring company without my consent ' she nagged. Ralph's reply was in audible. Don't sit there looking at me. it's enough for you to bring home company and making me a lot of extra work without sitting there watching me and making me nervous! {! Cut some more bread-thin, mind you. and don't get crumbs all over every thing"
 Jeffery shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Gould this be the adorable, primly perfect little Ernestine?
 Hang 1t! I cant stay here" nut tered Jeff, starting for the door lead ing to the porch.
 Just then Ernestine appeared to an nounce seupper. She carefully set in place the chair Jeff had just vacated, strengthened a rug and folded the pa
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-15

thing!"
 There was an immediate hush. We'll tngtcn went on:
 T know Jack as well as know my self. And I've been with him on a great many of his sudden and unex- plained little journeys. I've promised secrecy. but there's a reason now why I can tell you little, Jack isn't heart less. and neither is he asbestos. He's been misunderstood. that's all. and if girls fall in love with him because he's E;ce@he was always a good spender; we all know that-why, that isn't his fault. The truth of the mat ter is there is Q girl and Jacks going to marry her when be finds her. He's been in love with her for i've years!"
 Wkat!" they cried in chorus.
 Wellington's knuckles strained over hts hnees. And think-I hope hs's found her tonight Poor JackI"
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-15

sworn he was interested in that cous- in Of n.le--dont you remember. Elois Duncan. from Portland. who v;s- itf,i us 1ast year? He took her to places and sent her enough flowers and candy to endow a hospital. She was crazy about him. too-you could see .hat with your eyes shut. One Gay they were going to motor to the Bur :.ingham Club for the tennis finals when Q telegram came from FhiIlipa- a wireless, rather. He was o.t in the middle of the Atlantic; just took q notion and went. He was cack in thrce weeks, but K1oise had gone toIns broken hearted"
 That's nothing" pnt M Spencer. Mother snd Sis were up at y4a1e Spin nnogee, ir the White tI0untsfns, two years ago. and .sere xes family &here-you kssDw :hern. but 1t doesn'r [ mnAte0-NA 1hn 1xaSaGt 0Gb . taAs-
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-15
It Had Him ScOrch h ed Brow

but I promised Aunt Laura to crop in tonight She's .uet got ho,ne." He wxs gone.
 Tho men smoked cnder tho low an- Der lights and no one spoke for a min ute. The old crowd had hung togeth- CT too many years to feel the necessity of speech. particularly inst now when sve-y enc knew exactly what WAS iii every one else's mind.
 "Tbe longer know him the more he puzzles roe," G3aji7 said the host. This brcu.b. 2 volisv sf repIaIks.
 He could have anybody for th~ sss- sngi"
 Most attractive fellow ever knewi"
 No heart!"
 "Thars . mistaS-ifs ssbessos. sfs1.i's ell. f1rs proof"
 That's ris1t, Charley, :t Is asbes- tAas" ~aizA Ah1 Atehse -gA -
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-15

night. I'm afraid I've made mischief; I don't know how much" Ethel was speaking in low, restrained tones, and with her eyes downcast. '1 hoped you and Emma would meet and b. friendly tonight But I've seen her-and I've seen you-and I know must fess up.'"
 She raised her eyes to meet his in quiring gaze with palpable effort and smiled weakly. Before you went away, Dr. Conway, you sent a letter to Emma. She never got it. I was angry with her just then and IT took the letter. I thought 1t was only an invitation or something-nothing i'm portant, you know. I was very angry. And then you went away, and Emma seemed-oh. was it important"
 "It was very important" answered the young doctor. gravely. And you destroyed it?"
 "Yes," admitted the girl. "Oh. I was
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-15

are they real?"
 They're real enough" replied Cis. "Ernestine thy eatened to leave him if he doesn't stop breaking them"
 Ralph needs a sympathetic wife," she went on. He's not awfully strong. There ought to be a restful living room full of worn easy chairs hollowed into shape from much sitting iE them and soft lights and a table strewn with books and papers and children around. He adores them. but Ernestine thinks they're too much trouble and get house too dirty! I oughtnt to talk so, but do get work ed up when I see what Ernestine's do- ing to Ralph!"
 And what if a fellow brought home unexpected company on a muddy then flooded 1t full tide-"it's Jeff"
 Well, what if he did? Is it the woIn- ans home alone? She has company when she wants it. The days are hers. Why can't she let the husband have the evenings? Lighted windows and open doors offering to share the home spirit Is what I'd want in my home!"
 "Oh, Cis, I see the gleam of such g. great happiness ahead of us that it makes me tremble," whispered Jeff, as he squeezed the calloused little hand.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-15

Gertrude reflected seriously. She knew a grl, younger than herself, who was sending letters and little gifts to an adopted godson in France. She called herself his "marraine" and had even sent him a photograph of herself in evening dress.
 Gertrude thought she liked the term friend" better than "hlluel" and that it would be easier for her to write let ters to an American soldier than to foreigner. And never would send my photograph" she decided. "It would seem too personal"
 It was that very evening, with the rain pattering on the window-panes. tbat Gertrude wrote her first letter to Jeffrey Brinsmade. Gertrude was one of those persons who write better than they talk. Brought into actual con- tact with people, she was shy and re- served; and only her most intimate friends were made aware of her really delightful mental resources.
 As she wrote her first letter to this
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-15

LUCKILY glancing through the U morning morning mail. young ;.s,a. ,1s; Dr: made his well-regulated heart to beat in accelerated time; just few hutter- ing palpitations due to tho leaping thought: "She has written to mel" Bu,, no. Second thought disproved this hopeful fancy. Emma Alden did no. write a hand so boldly angular. and Emma Alden would not have used xose-pink note paper.
 My dear Dr. Conwsy-I hear you are back again. and do hope you viii be interested in the news of my grad uation. The exercises will take place Thursday evening in Plover Hall.
 T shall be glad to see you there, sn5. of course. you will meet many other old friends at the same time Yours very sincerely.
 ETHEL ADEN.
 P. S.-Please come if you can"
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-15

man in the world for her"
 "Tbere's nothing so remarkable about that. Let's smoke"
 Ralph shook his head. "Dasn't Shed smell It."
 You've not given that up7 I say!"
 Rule one." grimmaced Ralph. But, Jeff, why don't you take an interest in Cis?"
 Frankly. Ralph, I never could ever see that shock-headed cousin oS Er- nestine's. I detest a woman who does mt keep herself up to the notch. Her hands are generally grubby. Why, I remember Cis coming to one of the pie nics with the top of her shoe fasten- ed with a safety pin where shed'd lost tho buttons off. And you can cham pion Cis when you have such model as Ernes.inei"
 "Ernestine never in all her particu- lar life had single hair of her head out of order. I suppose all the men were so crazy about her because she seemed to embody all the virtues of the model woman of all time. But, old boy, you don't have to live up to all this perfection"
 "More's the pity!" said Jeffrey in an undertone.
 But Cis was only a kid then" con-
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-15

the towns high school on Thursday evening. was crowded to the doors. Dr. Conway slipped into the gay scene as unostentatiously as possible. and took seat on the far side where his dark head silhouctted agains. the pale wall. was soon discovered by q pair c: bright eyes belonging to one of the white gowned girls sitting on the plat form
 Ethel Alden, vivid and impressive as usual, acquitted herself brilliantly. She read an essay on The Life Be yond" and a witty class poem which she had composed. While singing .n the chorus later she managed to eend q flashing smile to that side of the hall where dark head was silhou-, cited against the pale wall. And, a half-hour later, with ribpon-tied diploma in hand and an armful Of flowers, she dropped an ole-fashtoueo curtsey before pr. Birch Conway.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-15
By Elsie Endicott
est thing in the world to find.

est thing in the world to find.
 And then Jacks aunt-Mrs. Hay4 don-thought it was time to help him. I happened to know she talked his Ia ther over and did some investigating or her own responsibility. It's cost her lot She's just got back from Hartford today and"
 Wellington stopped.
 That's where Jack went tonight. isn't it?" asked Morley.
 "Yes. She brought Mary Gray home with her but Jack didn't know 1t when he left here" Wellington reached for his dead cigarette when the phone rang. He took it up instead.
 He's with her now." hs said in . few minutes hanging up the receiver. And. fellows. if you could hear him you wouldn't say he was aYbesto8 Loves tot him scorched brovar
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-15


 she looked the very personifcation of the weather.
 Gray and stormy the day had been; and now. lying in the gathering twi- light, disdaining moist shoes and clinging garments. Gertrude Tyler gave way to mood of mingled de- precision and rebellion
 "I hate it! The weather-the work. Such a dayi" she muttered. And what do I find at the end7 A dark. lonely room as ugly as the office. Nobody to talk to. Nowhere to go. Nothing. Oh. I'm so tired-so sick and tired of ev- eythingi"
 She burrowed into the soft pillows end drew together her relaxing limbs. Then she became conscious of her damp clothing and sat erect suddenly. Well! I don't want pneumonia Nnd hospital cot for a change. any say." She laughed shortly, for usual
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-15

- T was the last-tne last dinner at
 the club before No-ley's marri- s age. There had been a high old time, a lot of food--s lot of wine (but rot too mach)-and some singing Eut things qu:etcd down early aud about . halt d0zon had taken their leave.
 Then Jack Phillips shook Moriey's hrns long and warmly. laid a broth ersy Lana on his shouide- and wished Aira all tbe happiness ia the world. -vou'fe q lucky oid dog. Morley" he sa:s hslf sadly as he turned away. q dont ses why 1t shoJM be you though. -oc old pirate. Here's the rest pf us sounder.ng over our beads lpd DO Land In sight"
 'You .c tssx .hst e'ay." n.Aec lscr- ley. You can't 7cil tbat any saoye. old uaz. I'm Asra;d. We knsss sxn:"
 ?tillips ..SsgEcd a b:t bitterly.
 S0ood-hy. fa2.euA asGy ts t~7,
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-15
But who is she?" cried Max. Mary Gray!"

But who is she?" cried Max.
 Mary Gray!"
 Mary Gray! The little girl whose father kept the old antique shop in Hartford-the one his father stormed so much about when Jack told him about herr"
 Ye'that's the one. And when she heard of it she said she wasn't going to spoil Jacks nfe-so she slipped away when her father died and went to an old uncle-a trader-a roamer. who doesn't call any port home. It's the EsGuimaux in Greenland for few months. and then to Korea, Cape Town for awhile and the Colonies and then to. Argentine. She couldn't have hidden better in mountain cave than when she went with him. Jacks fol- lowed up every clue. only to find they'd gone a week or two before he'd get there. 4 tramp ship is the hard
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-15

5 she slowly closed the door of her dreary little room and
 flung herself on the couch
The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1919-03-14
THE CHILD.

She came to me, and looked into my
face,
And found there what she sought.
I was asleep, l think, but felt her
look.
Out of the world she chose but me to
be her child,
Because she wanted me-no other.
She passed them by with piyting gaze:
the other sleeping ones;
But over me she bent so long that he.
the man beside her,
Pulled at her sleeve, all lovingly, ano
called her back
From the dim world where, face tc
face,
In silence supreme, our spirits met.
"This one," she said-so low he bent
to hear.
"This one to be our child. Beloved
this"
And then she hid her face from hin
and me.
| Twas thus she came to me, wise-eyee
and empty-armed,
And made my life her life and he
, life mine,
Because she wanted memo other!
-Lucine Finch.
The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1919-03-14
NOTICE.

To all persons having claims against
j. S. Penson, or the National Surety
Company on contract for Special I'm
provement District Number Three;
Notice is hereby given that the
work of constructing sewers for spe-
cial Improvements District Number
Three in the City of Glasgow was
completed on or about the first day of
October, 1912, and all persons having
claims against the contractor j. S.,
or the National Surety Company, for
work done on said sewer construction
between the City of Glasgow and the
said j. S. Penson in said Improve
ment district, are hereby notified TIC
present them to the City Treasurer
of the City of Glasgow within two
weeks from the date of the first
publication of this notice.
NATIONAL SURETY co.
Date of first publication February
%, 1919.