davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Nevada County picayune. (Prescott, Ark.) 190?-current, 1920-10-28

fnop Tee only time . man would
4,Hse have the upper berth than n
l4,t ID unr Is when he dos
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1920-06-26
By JocIIa johnson

box Of candy and pass 1t to her
friends. Carol turned her head away
as she saw the beautiful box start on
its rounds among the guests, and with
freezing coldness refused her share as
it passed her.
Isn't this just glorious candy?" vir-
ginia asked as she nibbled at large
caramel.
II should say So" a pretty girl Of
16 replied. "I'd like to see my sister
giving me box her friend gave her.
That's right. Amy" came another
voice, my sister wouldn't give me q
piece, let alone a boxful."
We'll. you ought to have my sister,
Virginia struck in again. as she took
another piece Of candy. Then she ex-
claimed. "Oh. goodness. what have
got!" Gracefully taking out the piece
of candy she drew a hard object into
sight. Excuse me a minute" she add
ed as she left the room.
In a second she was back and called
her sister to the door. Pressing some
thing into her hand. abe said. Take
this upstairs. It's something found
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1920-06-26

each knew his role and played it to
perfection. They were bold and didn [
even attempt to put on masks!
One of the stenographers, a petite,
attractive young girl. kept her eyes
riyeted upon one of the men. He soon
felt her gaze, and he returned it..
Angel" Jim Clough, as he was known
by his Eighteenth street pals, felt un-
usually i'll at ease, and the more he
looked at the girl the more convinced
he was that he knew her OF at least
had met her somewhere. The girl.
too, seemed to be trying to recognize
or place him, and he was quite as pos
tive that they had met at some time.
Neither could understand it, the draw
ing to each other, the almost uncanny
influence which one seemed to WELD
over the other. The girl appealed to
Angel" Jim like an old friend or pal
"a girl he had once known, and the
impression she had made upon him
was SO strong that he forgot for the
moment his purpose in the office of
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1920-06-26
Getting the Miser's Coin


only sound that was heard was the
hooting of ap owl out In a nearby tree,
and the slow ticking Of a clock on a
mantle-piece.
Cabin" wilkins smiled. Young
men," he said, in the trembling voice
OF old age, Il take IL you have come
to steal from an old man--to take
from him the accumulations Of life
time, to leave him penniless and help
less, alone in these woods, without
friend or relationi Boys. you do not
look to me like thugs or bandits or
criminals. You are just young men Of
the village. take II, and this is the
first attempt of this kind you have
ever made. May the good God see TO IT
that it is the last.-and that you re-
pent-and resolve TO live honest and
upright lives!"
Jim Pruitt moved UP a little closer
70 the old man That's enough of that
bunk. Cabin" he said roughly. I'VE
didn't come IN here tonight to hear
you preach a sermon, or to listen to you
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1920-06-26

cabin. They located the rear window
Then, Jimmying it quietly, slowly. they
succeeded in getting It open without
disturbing the old miser. His mind
was concentrated on his regular
nightly sport the counting and re-
counting of his boarded gold.
Priitt was the first to crawl through
the window and into the cabin. Two
others followed him Pruitt drew his
gun, and waited for the other members
of the gang TO get into the room. Sud
denly Cabin" wilkins looked around,
and either saw the intruders' shadow
or sensed their presence. for he
sprang to his feet catlike. and grabbed
a cane which was close to his chair.
Then. turning around. he faced Pruitt
and his four companions. His face
was like that OF a hunted animal, and
his breath came in quick, short gasps.
He was hooking into tho muzzle Of
Pruitt's gunl For an instant nobody
spoke The cabin was as silent as the
woods which were around it, and the
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1920-06-26

look different In the .morning) she
realized what she had done Her per-
fectly discreet past and her husbands 8
absolute faithfulness TO her made her
see the terrible mistake she had made.
She hurriedly sent a note to Captain
Trevers and kept to her room all that
day. complaining of severe headache,
She must get back to have the house
in readiness for Mr. Judson's return,
she had told Mrs. Lee in answer to her
urgent request to stay few days
longer.
So the day following. Mrs. Judson
left Washington without seeing Cap
tain Trevers again, and hoping that
her husband could not detect the
thought Of guilt in her face.
The train was half hour out Of
Washington before she thought OF the
bag she had found. She almost wished
she had not picked 1T up. 1t must
have belonged to that rude woman
who rushed past her in the station.
The bag contained some bills. a ticket
to New York and some letters. Casual
ly picking up the letters. she found
that all were open; one was addressed
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1920-06-26

"FNellers. don't know why am here
but know l don't belong in this
bunch or in this line of business! I'm
switched off somehow. There was a
slip somewhere in my reincarnation,
that's ALL" And then his companions
would laugh, and ridicule him. Angel -
they would say, "If you doped consid-
cradle we'd say that that was what
was the matter with you, but as 1t is.
we'll you're just plain batty. that's all
there's bats in your belfry!'
There was a knock at the door. Two
of the fellows jumped TO their feet.
Opening the door cautiously. they ad-
mitted DR.. Golthwaite, who came in,
set his medicine case down, and turn
ing to the cot, went to work method
ically upon his patient
Angel" Jim opened his eyes. Doc
tor" he whispered, I'm pretty well
shot up, but I've got a note in my
pocket-there-read it to me-quick.
l must know what 1t says before l.
croak!"
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1920-06-26

in that piece Of candy"
Carol hurried upstaid. and then
opened her hand. There cleaning in
the sunlight was the most brilliant dia-
mond she had ever seen. Gradually
her color deepened. and then with a
cry she flung herself on the bed.
"Oh, Russell" she murmured, ~ see
it all now. What a terribly selfish girl
l have been" Then with one spring
she hurried to the telephone and left
a message for Russell 10 call imme-
diately when he arrived In town. She
didn't have long to walt. for that night
Russell came in answer to her call.
"Oh, Russell, I'm so ashamed Of my
self don't know what to say. But I'm
going TO tell you the truth and not try
to spare myself. was very angry at
you for giving me that box OF candy
for my birthday, especially after our
talk the other night" she added shy
ly.
II know, dear, and don't blame you.
After telling you loved you so much.
and then asking you to marry me, OF
course you thought ! would give you
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1920-06-26
By Phil Moore


What shall we do. fellers?" he
asked, turning to his companions.
This is like taking milk from babies
bread from starving children! Shall
we -"
Old Cabin" wilkins fell heavily to
the floor, and on his knees he looked
imploringly up into the eyes of Jim
Pruitt. He presented a strange spec
tacle an old man. feeble with age,
with shaggy white whiskers. crouching
there in his cabin. trembling with fear
in the presence OF a band OF robbers!
"Ah, hell. let's tie the old man and
get out of here with the money!" said
one Of the gang. decidedly. I'VE need
IL more than old Cabin does! He's
been a miser here for a couple Of
years. Nobody knows anything about
him-and why should we"
A terrible, savage look came over
the face of old Cabin" wilkins. He
sprang TO his feet like a panther,
grabbed the gun out Of Jim Pruitts
hand, and opened IRE into the crowd!
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1920-06-26
The Candy Box Camouflase

must go, and with a careless good
night, Carol ran up the stairs to her
own room. The astonished Russell
left the house trying TO remember what
he had said to make Carol feel like
this. but soon began to think he had
done all he could, and would have to
leave the rest to her.
Meanwhile Carol had gone to her
room and f1inging the box in her sis
ter's lap hurriedly began to undress.
why, what's this, Carol?" asked
Virginia, as she united the wrapper.
"Russell's birthday gift to me.
why. Carol Dodge. do you mean to
tell me that you didn't even open it?"
well, Virginia, that's exactly what
I didn't do, and I wish you wouldn't
ever say another thing about it. And
tell mother Russell won't be coming
here any more"
Virginia opened her eyes in perfect
bewilder1nent- Then she united the
gold ribbon and lifted the cover of the
box.
"Oh, my goodness, look at this won
derful box of candy" she exclaimed,
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1920-06-26

as she passed it to her sister. But
Carol, under cover Of the bed clothes,
only shook her head. Carefree Vir-
ginia calmly selected the biggest piece
in sight and began to eat with delight.
Then she recovered the box and crept
into bed with her sister.
The next day failed to bring any
thing to light. Carol refused to eat a
single piece of candy and no one in
the house could imagine what was the
matter with her and Russell. Even
Russell himself, as he sat at home
near the telephone, was wondering
why he had been treated SO cody.
Finally. he closed his lips with stub
born snap, She'll Just have to come
to me first. this time." he resolved, and
Immediately called up her house to
say he was going away on q business
trip. Even this failed to bring any re-
sponse, and he left the city with a
heavy heart, for after all he knew he
still cared for his beloved Carol.
The next Sunday Virginia had three
girl friends at the house. The first
thing she did was to bring out the
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1920-06-26
By Parke Whitney

The doctor fumbled in the mans
pocket, and pulled out piece of pa
per. He read aloud. Il don't know
where I have seen you, but l know
you. You must not follow this busi-
ness-you will break my heart.
Edith"
MY Cod" Angel" gasped, and in
the dim, fickering light of the candle
the men could see their pal sink into
unconsciousness, but with a wonder
ful look of happiness upon his face.
They stood over him. with the doctor.
and were silent. One of them took the
crumpled piece of paper out of the
mans hand and laid 1t on the old
rickety table.
Men. he is DYING" said DR.. Golth-
waite
Suddenly. Angel" Jim seemed to re-
cover consciousness and he looked up
into the anxious faces OF his pals. and
smiled. "Fellers," he said, 81 know it
all now-I understand. have been to
the shores of the other world, and
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1920-06-26

the far end OF the conservatory where
Captain Trevers had led Mira. Judson
before the waltz was quite over.
viii you go with me for a canter
to Chevy Chase tomorrow? have q
wonderful riding horse for you. My
sister gave him to me when returned
from France" Mrs. Lee. who had
been looking for the couple, came up
in time to hear the conversation. "I
will answer for her, captain, she sure
ly will go-and turning to her friend,
she said, "Gladis, dear. you will find
Captain Trevers a wonderful rider. and
the nights are ideal now" The fol-
lowing evening the moonlight lit the
road far out of Washington. 1t was
nearly midnight when they turned
their horses heads toward home
and somehow the wonderful night, the
moon and Captain TrAvers' love-mak-
ing cast such spell over Gladis Jud-
son. that she forgot everything but
that she had promised TO elope with
the captain the following night
When she awoke the next morning.
the sun was shining in her windows
and the birds were singing (things do
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1920-06-26

everyone who had spent an hour in his
company knew of his perfect devotion
to his wife. At present. he was some
where on the Gulf coast, looking after
his interests IN orange groves.
Mrs. Herbert Lee of Washington had
insisted on Mrs. Judson making her a
visit during her husbands absence.
"Gladis Judson is entirely too attrac-
tive to spend her time alone while Cor
don is away" Mrs. Lee had told her
friends-so the two women who had
been girl friends and room mates at
school were again under one roof.
One the hostess, the other the guest.
Theater parties followed dances and
automobile trips. and always Captain
Trevers. who had won many honors
and as many loves. was with the par
ty.
The Judsons had been married for
nearly three years and though belong
ing to the gay and wealthy set, there
had never been the slightest scandal
attached to their name.
Mrs. Judson, who was considered the
most beautiful brunette In Baltimore,
was also known as the most cfrcum-
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1920-06-26

The men instinctlvely ducked, and
Pruitt sprang upon the old man s
shoulders. but was thrown heavily to
the floor.
General rough-house ensued. and
somebody clutched Cabins" whlskers
and peeled them off. and they reveal
ed-a man not more than forty. having
the hardened. desperate face Of a
criminal!
who are you. anyhow" Jim Pruitt
exclaimed, looking straight into the
black eyes of the prisoner. The man
smiled grimly. mo matter who l am, I"
he said. "You fellers have won-now
take the money and get outl"
Others Of the company we're picking
up gold and silver pieces and cur
reney from of the floor, and piling
them on the table. Take the money.
damn YET" hissed the prisoner. But
-er-leave me a little change-to-
er-"
Clear out OF The countryl" one Of
the fellows finished.
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1920-06-26
BY Jennie Slater

to Mr.. Bert Hammel. rwenty-third
street, New York, and read as follows:
Washington. D. c.. June 9th, -.
Dear Bert: thought I'd send back
the letter you copped from Mrs. Aid
well, but as l had tiff with Mrs.
Frizzell yesterday. just up and tells
her was going to quit. Funny. isn't
it. when was cleaning up Captain
Trevers' room the's her brother, who
has just come from France). | finds
letter under his pillow with the
same name signed to it.as the one
you sent me. II Mrs. Aldwell pays
we'll for that letter, we can skip
somewhere and she Will. for she never
would want old Aldwell to see It. II
Mrs. Prizzell won't let me go tomor-
row. I'll send this and the other two
letters. Yours. MOLLY.
With trembling fingers another let
ter was taken from the bag:
Jacksonville, Fla, May 27th. -
My Dear, Dear Mrs. Aldwell: I am
SO miserable since you left, why did
your friends in New York take you
from me just when I had discovered
how adorable you are? I am leaving
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1920-06-26

spect who is that charming woman
dancing with Captain Trevers?" asked
Mary Nell Lewis. one OF the younger
set, who's mamma at least had her eye
on the handsome Captain for her
daughter.
"She is some one from Baltimore
who is visiting Mrs. Lee. and can't
help but notice. my dear. how she con-
tinually makes eyes at Captain Ire
vers." This last remark was from
Betty Healds mother, who's husband
died some years before, and the fam
lily purse had dwindled down to the
point where Betty. a cute little blonde,
was expected to marry well and re-
plenish It
Betty wasn't particularly worried,
as long as she could laugh, dance and
have ell the chocolate bonbons she
could eat. The dance was given by
Mrs. Clark Frizzell, Captain Trevers'
sister. widow with fortune which
would be the captains some day.
The ball room of the New Ballard
Hotel was ablaze with lights and fiow-
ers. The beautiful strains OF Lional
Slater's orchestra could be heard at
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1920-06-26

hand out some fatherly advice. We
came in here to get our hands on that
coin there on the table, and we're 60
ing to get 1t, and"
But wait-wait!" the old man in
terrupted. wait! 1 had boy once
he was just like you, loving adven-
ture and excitement, and he heard his
country's call in England when the
German emperor tried to lick the
world, and he Joined the English army.
and now-now-he lies out there in
No Mans Land in a soldiers gravel
He was my own son-the only relative
I had in the world-he paid the su-
preme pTice-and nov-now-"
The old mans eyes flled with tears.
and he took a soiled bandana hand
kerchief out of his pocket and sobbed
bitterly.
We'll, I'll be blowed." exclaimed
Pruitt, lowering his gun. and almost
forgetting that he had it, still keep
ing his eye on the glitterin gold that
laid on the table
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1920-06-26

In a few days for Baltimore. My wife.
who 10 tho most devoted Of wives has
been visiting her school chum. Mrs. Lee.
she will meet me In Baltimore on my
return. So we met and parted. and
must forget. remembering. my dear.
that you have an ador.ng husband and
I wife who's every thought is for mo
alone. Au revoir, GORDON JuDSoN.
Mrs. Judson remembered the sub
stance Of her letter to the captain:
Washington. 8 a. m.
Dear Captain Trevers: This beau>-
tiful morning makes me realize how
indiscreet / was when promised to
elope with you. You were charming
company. and was foolish woman.
l am leaving Immediately for home to
meet my husband who is returning
from Jacksonville, Fla.
A soldier and a gentleman will sure
ly forget this little affair-and me.
GLADIS JUDSoN.
The bag slid slowly to the floor.
The letters so strangely brought to-
gether lay In her lap. One by one. bit
by bit she tore them into tiny pieces
and threw them out Of the window.
"All out for Baltimore" shouted the
porter; Mrs. Judson arose, adjusted
her hat and as the smiling face OF her
husband appeared through the win
dow. she started toward the door.
well--she thought. it's an even
break.
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1920-06-26

day, but not one in the house noticed
how eagerly she waited for night to
come that would bring Russell to the
house. Not one even noticed that she
took particular pains with her hair
and dress. except with casual remark
that she looked very pretty with her
twenty Summers.
Six o'clock brought the florists boy
with the largest bunch Of roses that
had ever been brought into the Dodge
household Carol carefully selected
three Of the daintiest blossoms and
pinned them In her waist
Finally her patience was rewarded
with the coming OF Russell. Hardly
had he entered the door when he hand
ed her large box with the words,
MANY happy returns, Carol"
With one look Carol set the box on
the table.
Thank you. RUSSELL" and with this
she seated herself on the opposite side
of the room.
Russell tried In vain to coax her out
Of this sudden change. but not a word
did the least good. Finally he said he
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1920-06-26


up" he answered. One of the men
was straightway sent to summon DR..
Goldthwait, who was an old physician,
living in the same tenement house, a
man who dispensed dope quite freely
and practiced largely among the
criminal classes of the city.
Angel" Jim was in fearful pain,
and though he remembered the note
that the girl in the offices OF R. Davis
G. Co., had handed him. and he wanted
to read it the worst way, his arms
were paralyzed and he couldn't move.
Gradually he sunk into a stupor or
Inconsistencies.
Angel Jim was both a mystery and
a source of amusement to his pals.
They had nicknamed him Angel" be-
cause he was repeatedly talking about
death and about angels and spirits.
and was never so happy as when
discussing the future life" He
read books continually about spirit
communication and about reincarna-
ton, and more than once he had said,
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1920-06-26
The Failure of Angel" Jim

Z
r. Davis & Company.
The safe was quickly robbed of its
valuables, and the money and secur-
tiles were deposited in a bag. Sud-
denly the girl who had SO mysteriously
appealed to Angel Jim took a short
hand notebook out Of a pocket in her
dress. and scribbled something on a
sheet of paper and handed it to the
astonished robber.
Their work completed, they were
out of the door in an instant.
Recovering their senses, the men in
the offices found their guns and opened
fire upon the feeting bandits. Angel"
Jim got a bullet in his body, and fell
over. His companions picked him up
and they managed to get away.
Getting into their room, they laid
angel" Jim upon an old cot in a cor
ner. The room was, dark. having no
window. and they had to light candle.
Angel" said the boss of the gang,
"We1l have to get the doc, eh?"
I'm thinkin' I'm pretty well shot
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1920-06-26

r T was II o'clock In the morning,
and the brokerage offices of R
Davis & Co, on the twentieth
floor OF the Hayden building. were
humming with activity. A dozen stenog-
raphers were pounding typewriters
and Mr.. Davis himself was having an
important business interview in his in
terror of1ce
Three men entered the door leading
from tho hall They were young. very
well dressed, and rather professional
looking. They swept the entire office
with one glance, then approached the
gate, and asked II Mr.. Davis was "in."
"Mr. Davis is in, but busy Just now"
said q Stenographer. viii you be
seated and waIt?'
Cannot wait! Must see him at
cncei- said one OF the men. And
pushing through the gate he strode IN
70 the presidents office. The other
two fellows followed their companion
behind the rail. Then. suddenly and
simultaneously. they pulled revolvers,
and tho first robber covered the aston
tshed president and his business call
er. while another backed up the clerks
and stenographers against the WALL
It was all methodically done. The
safe was cleaned Of considerable cash
and a bunch Of Liberty Bonds and
other securities. The men were cool.
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1920-06-26
AROL DODGE came into the
room where her mother and
sister were sitting.


sister were sitting.
Russell went home q little latar
than usual, didn't he?" her mother re-
marked as she put up her sewing.
why. yes. a litt1e." Carol replied.
but only few minutes, think"
well. you better be going to bed.
II you are going to do so much tomor-
row. Good night" she added, as
Carols younger sister left the room
Carol was not long in following her
Eister. and In the privacy of their
room she appeared very much awake.
Her sister, Virginia. Immediately sur
missed that the bright eyes and flushed
cheeks were the result of a serious
talk with Russell. But without a sign
of interest she slowly began to pre-
pare for bed.
At last Carol could resist no longer.
''virgie. do you like Russell?" she
asked.
"Oh, yes, Carol. of course do. Is
that what all the excitement is about?"
Carol wheeled suddenly. Did you
notice anything the matter7"
why, no, dear, but I know some
thing was on your mind. But you'd
better go to sleep now and dream on
it," and with this she dismissed the
subject.
Three days later was Carols birth
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1920-06-26

angels have told me the whole story
about myself. ! am a failures mis-
cradle failure!" He gasped for breath.
II was once IN love with a girl-in
heaven-and her name was Edith! 7
loved her. but could not have her
because had been a murderer in my
last incarnation! Edith loved me, but
she could not give herself to me un-
til I had paid for my sin--until had
made good-made good! / begged for
another chance, and / was permitted
to return to the earth to prove that I
could go straight and live a decent
life. Ediths love was so great that
she too, returned to the earth, to be
near me. But upon taking physical
bodies again. our spirit liferwas for
gotten-and we couldn't remember
though we have been continually haunt
ed by our shadowyf other self And
nowhere am-dying-still a GRIM
inal! have faiied-failed again
miserably!"
The man fought for breath. gasped,
and his eyes stared into space. He
was dead
Edith! Edith" repeated one OF the
gang. "I never knew that Angel had
a girl! Goodby. old pal"
and he touched Angels" forehead
tenderly, "Goodby. and here's hopin'
you'll hare better luck next time