davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1921-12-18

ding her head from time To time
with the toneless yes" or mo" Of
monosyilabic sympathy.
David stood ut the foot Of the
steps with one hand upon the crazy
balustrade. lie was half turned
from Rama, so that she could not
see his face, but from his very at
titude a s.btle yet unmistakable
something radiated outward. There
was a change-dennite, but indefn.
able.
Several ragged. tousled children
stood at gaze, listening and watch
ing. At the square hole Of q VIM
dow whose wooden shutter hung
open, the sellow ace of a woman
looked out and down. After a few
moments she made way for a sec
ond woman and the two listened
together
"Oh. the shame Of It! Oh, what
shame to bring upon your fathers
name! He's dead and buried.
thanks be to the Most Merciful!
"This1l be my DEATH. You've
killed me-you've killed your own
n other, David!--that bore. and
sucked and shaved for you! oh.
there's no gratitude--no proper
feeling! Am your mother-or am
a dog?
"A dancing girl-a Gentile-a
wicked woman! You have cast
filth on my head-and when you
were six years yld l told everyone
that you would be a rabbi!
Poor We are, but respectable We
have always been until this day!
And the neighbors can bear wit.
pess that your praises were never
out Of my nouth-your name was q
WEAKNESS to them"
The torrent of words went on
like a stream In freshet. David made
no sign at all, bat the girl with the
child on her hip saw how his hand
clenched on the rail- Of the balus-
trade as the widow flung her shrill
words of insult at him.
A miserable feeling of embar-
rassment woke in her. Above all
things she desired that he should
not see her-and seeing her know
that she had heard and seen. And
at any moment he might turn his
head. She made little movement.
meaning TO gain the doorway she
had come from.
The two-leaved door at the head
OF the steps opened. David faced
round on the instant, looking up.
The widow checked In mid speech.
her yellow hands raised, her mouth
half open, like an arrested mario
nette. All the eyes In the court
looked one way.
In the dark gap OF the door a
figure stood, dropping, holding to
The Washington times., 1921-12-18

Rama raised her eyes from the
knife, and they met. David's for the
first time, She did not speak
there was no need to.
A querulous whine came from
Tobias, who had awakened to q
sense of neglect. One Of the wo-
men who looked down from the
window turned her head. speaking
to someone In the room behind her.
Without a word David passed his
arm under the girls shoulders. rails.
ing her. and set his lips upon the
lips that were unresponsive now as
any stone. Rama's quick tears fell
like drops Of rain.
shes dead" said Dinah, in a
dull, matter-of-fact voice, speaking
to the widow.
A ragged. sallow boy. wearing a
red skull cap, dashed into the court,
nearly upsetting Tobias.
"Hi!" he called shrilly. There's
a man who works miracles coming!
They're bringing out all the sick
brats, and old Ell, who's full of
boils. I'm going to watch"
He was of and out OF the court
again like a stone from a sling.
Dinah turned half-round, her
mouth open as though to speak.
Tobias, who had been frightened by
the boy. began to howl. The two
women at the window had disap-
peared, and their raised voices,
muffled by the stone walls, were
audible, imparting the boys infor.
nation TO house-mates and rela.
tives.
Rama's tear.wet face was turned
now toward the street. The boy
had said that miracle.worker was
coming. There had always been
miracle workers. Everyone had
some story of such things. Per.
haps-perhaps he could awaken the
girl on the mattress.
In the street there was a cessa-
tion of traffic, hubbub Of voice
and the monotonous. hoarse appeal
Of leper. II was infectious.
David" said Rama, "a man who
works miracles is coming. Perhaps
he will bring her back"
He might or might not have heard
her, but there was no change in his
face.
Lift her up. I will take the
mattress"
He obeyed her. and the dead girl
lay In his arms like broken lily.
her sightless eyes half open, her
lips aoart. II was apparent that he
was stunned, acting automatically.
Outside in the street that was too
narrow for sunlight and as crooked
as a dogs hind leg, an uncons cious
woman. In the last stage Of blood
poisoning. and an old man afflicted
(Contfnacd on PAGE 10
The Washington times., 1921-12-18

the doorframe with one slim hand,
upon whose forennger was q notice
able gold ring.
It was q girl. whose marvellous
red-golden hair almost touched the
threshold. A length of supple vio-
let satin was wrapped loosely about
her; her feet were bare, and her
arms and shoulders.
She was like a vision seen in a
dream-as incongruous as queens
peacock in a hencoop. But the
beautiful face was bloodless-
tragic-and 1t was apparent that
her knees arembled under her.
David" she said. David! l.
I am M"
"Astarte!"
He sprang up the steps and was
beside her. his arm about her. sup
porting her.
Not one of those in the court
uttered a single syllable; they only
looked.
Il can't see-it's all blurred.
don't know what II is"
Her voice appeared to TAIL her.
She was upheld by him wholly now,
for every vestige of strength
seemed to have deserted her.
"A cold sweat had damped her
forehead. Her head lay back
against his shoulder. A swift
spasm Of pain passed over her face
and her closed eyes opened.
oh" she gasped. 1T was like q
knife. can't breathe-I'm sitting.
David"
In her sudden deadly and increas.
ing faintness, sharp anguish and
difficulty Of breath. she cried to
him In whose arms she had slept
from midnight till morning pitt.
full appeal for human help and re-
assurance from a child-soul whose
hold upon all familiar things was
slackening swiftly.
David, In an agony Of bewiliered
anxiety. had watched her death
white face without the flicker Of an
eyelosh. As she uttered his lame.
turning her head ever so slightly
toward him. a great stab OF knife
edged mental pain transfxed him.
Was she about to die, here in
his arms, on the very threshold of
unimasined beauty and passionate
joy7
"Astarte! Don't leave me-live
for me, SAstarte!"
Her etelids, which had lowered,
fiickered open and a strong con-
vulsive shudder passed over her.
Then her eyes closed again, and
she seemed to relax still further.
Her parted lips were blue. David
caught one of her hands In his
own. II was as cold as marble.
A darkness came between him
The Washington times., 1921-12-18

He gathered her up, bear
ing her without effort. II
seemed to him that the de-
sire OF the whole world incarnate
lay in his arms.
Let me walk. am not child:
! am too heavy to be carried" said
Astarte presently.
Should man separate himself
from his own hearth" said David,
very low. 81 have everything that
the world contains as long as hold
you"
The house-court where Naomi and
Dinah had stood and talked that
morning while Rama bore Tobias
upon her hip was empty under the
white moonlight. save for a trio OF
mongrel dogs-scarecrows Of skin
and bones-that slept in the cor.
ners,
The curiously twisted acacia tree
that grew at the foot Of the flight
of stone steps leading up to the
two-leaved door cast light, lace
like shadow.
David ascended the steps, pushed
the door so that 1t opened inward
with scarcely any noise, and set
Astarte. very gently, upon her feet.
Then he closed the door, bringing
the two leaves together carefully
(. so that there was no chink between
them.
2 Moonlight entered through the
lattice OF a single window.
The room, Of moderate size. was
bare save for a mattress upon the
matted floor. David came close to
the girl and spoke.
This is mine. wish with all
my soul that l could have brought
you to a house of gold with rafters
OF cedar!"
.Astarte did not answer him di,
rectly.
"Oh-you are hurt" she said.
There is blood on your hand!"
1T is nothing. The man threw
had knife"
Nothing! See how much 1t has
bled! 1t has stained my arm where
you held me-"
ut is nothing" said David again
In a lower voice 81 would give all
the blood that is in my body II It
was in your service-for YOU"
There was a pause.
"You--you will need to Sleep"
said David. p
He turned his face instinctively
toward the door.
Astarte put out her hand quickly
and touched him. This place was
strange, she did not want to be
alone, and she wished that he would
kiss her again.
do you love me?" she asked.
He turned his face to her like a
fash. II was face Of hunger
hunger OF flesh and spirit.
II was evident that he held. him
self In check with difficulty-like a
rider fighting with an unschooled
horse.
IL worship youl"
Astarte shivered slightly, for the
The Washington times., 1921-12-18

frolh side 70 sSds.
across which
hung various garments. Some outcry
came to her indistinctly from with
out, but she paid no attention to II.
"Rama!"
"Yes." said the girl. lifting her
face.
Dinah had entered. She stood
Just within the room.
TITS dreadful" she said. "Naomi's
in a terrible way. Didn't you hear
herr"
'Hear what? What's happened"
"David's brought home Gentle
dancing girl and he's told his moth
er he's going to marry her. It's
dreadful. must 60 down again.
He won't listen to his mother and
she's taking on So"
Her dull voice had not frightened,
nor her sick eyes. She turned slow.
ly and went out.
Rama got up. For some moments
she simply stood looking toward
the doorway where Dinah had ap.
peared.
Tobias began to grizzle. tugging
at her garments. His brief shirt
exposed his fat. handy legs which
were marked, with the tiny red
punctures of flea bites. She turned
and zi0ked, him up-automatically,
as med-''ttins him A'tT'd'
A single lamp, burning pure and
perfumed Oil, had lit the narrow
room Of her life shut right away
from the warm sun of Joy; and that
lamp had been suddenly extin-
guished.
She went across to the doorway,
bearing the child. and down a gritty
stair, descending carefully from
step to step with sort Of dazed.
solicitude.
= David had brought home a dane
ing girl and he was going to take
her for his wife! She believed It.
but she could not realize 1t yet.
Al the bottom of the stair an open
door gave access to the house-court
where the twisted acacia grew, and
the drainage of the common refuse
heap trickled across the damp paw.
ing stone. and beyond the arch the
clop-clop\ of hoofs blended with the
sing.song of beggars.
Not conscious Of any special pur-
pose Rama passed out into the
cour., dragging her feet as though
she were tired, and went little
way, and then stopped. II
Naomi's two clenched hands we're
raised; she shook them, then
pressed them against her temples,
rocking as she stood, then raised
them again. She resembled a fig.
ure worked by strings.
Near her was Dinah, her hands
crossed on her high stomach, nod
The Washington times., 1921-12-18


for there was nothing upon her save
g spangied loin belt and the almost
transparent skirt Of silver gauze.
She found the cedar-wood door;
1t opened readily, and they stood in
the moonlight on the exterior gal
lery whence the flight Of Hs6a ned
down Into the court of the orange
trees and myrtles.
There was no sound hSse save
the fiutter of a whispertns night
wind IN the leaves, but the I'M
clouded ivory moonlight seemed
flood Of peril to the GIRL She was
afraid--not coweringly, sickeningly
afraid, but possessed by an alert
and breathless fear that put an ex.
quisite, edge on all her senses.
Very, quickly and quietly they
went DOWN the flight Of steps. hold.
ing each others hands. and across
the court Of the myrtles; and in
this manner, by Towering tree, and
fountain, and cypress, and lawn
pausing and waiting. and listening,
and going softly forward--they
gained the small door in the outer
wall that David had forced good
two hours before.
A soldier was stationed there.
The head of the lance on which he
leaned cleaned in the moonlight.
Astarte's quick beating heart
seemed to stop. They were in the
ebony shadow Of a cypress and
this shadow fell almost TO the sta
tionary soldiers feet. q ~
wait" said David keneath HIS
breaths Don't scream. It will be
all right" Is.. go
He lowered himself until he was
prostrste upon the icjoseshorn
grass, then crept forwsrd snake
like. lAstarte followed FshiM with
widened eyes that were nxed like
those Of q cat stalking q bird.
WITHDRAWING crawled to within
a few yards of him-David rose up
out of the shadow and sprang upon
the soldier, graphing with him,
she uttered no sound.
The soldiers lance fell clatter.
ing upon the paved path and the
two rolled together. David's hands
were at the mans outlet. so there
was no cry for help.
They seemed to struggle for many
minutes. thrashing this way and
that. but actually the time that
elapsed before DaviG rose from the
pavement where the other lay and
came across the grass to Astarte,
breathing heavily, was very short.
ITS all right" he said. II don't
thing Eve killed him. but he won't
move tor "A while. We must go
quickly"
YOU'RE not hurt7"
mo. I could kill any man with
my left hand tonight"
Then they went through the door
In the wall and the tainted night
smells Of the city we're In their
nostrils.
II will carry you" said David.
Your feet shall not touch the stones
of the streets"
The Washington times., 1921-12-18

night had become colder and the
supple satin stuff that sheathed her
loosely slipped from her should ,rs,,
and SO downward. lying shout her
feet. :
In the shattered moonlight she
seemed Beauty's very, self IN the
flesh, with hair like - aataract Of
red gold.
She looked at him without any
coquetry, but with a sort of breath
less, childlike anticipation, for she
wanted his kisses and she felt. In
stinctively, that she was irresistible.
''Oh, God! You are a miracle!"
She was in his arms again. cling
ing to1him, yielding, love-hungry.
simple as Nature in her desires
the desires Of the Spring-and
equally innocent of shame.
The rein broke-the unschooled
horse threw up its head and
plunged forward, free.
you are mine!" said David. and
it seemed to him that golden FIRE
ran in HIS veins and that flesh and
spirit drank from the cup of i'm
mortal-of supreme-attainmen
The Washington times., 1921-12-18
CHAPTER VIII.

TT was morning. Early sunlight
gilded the shabby two-leaved
door at the head of the fight OF
unswept stone steps. To the door.
post was affixed little metal cyl
inder containing text from the
Law of Moses, written on a frag-
ment of parchment.
The door opened and David stood
on the threshold. The young sun
light met him and he blinked for a
moment. Then he drew a deep
breath, looking directly into the
level gold Of the new day.
He was conscious of a sense Of
strength, winelike pride, such as a
young god might have experienced.
A woman came out into the court
from the doorway where che ragged
curtain hung-Naomi. the widow.
She turned her head and saw David.
vi tuoIc yOu are! Hdu IIesH
lettuce and lentils ready for you
last night. Where were you? It's
not right to treat your mother So"
81 am sorry. mother" said David.
speaking quietly from the top of the
steps. "You don't understand"
He came down toward her, In.
vested her with an indefnable, set.
tied assurance that was unmistak-
able. Yesterday he had been a boy;
to-day he was a man.
Mother" he said, very much
has happened since I saw you.
There are several things that you
must know"
Rama was on her knees putting
a shirtupon the fodder. Tobias. A
tame pigeon pecked about the floor
of the half-lit, dishevelled room.
The Washington times., 1921-12-18

.NIV DuLcieD edrner

and the light. II cleared. and he
saw again, but the sunshine seemed
to have gone gray. Bearing the
girl he slowly descended the steps.
Then 1t was that Rama woke to
the situation. She set Tobias on
the ground. darted past Dinah and
the widow--neither of whom had
made any movement-and dragged
one of the frayed mattresses from
the den-like basement room in
which the widow cooked and slept.
laying it out on the floor Of the
court by the acacia tree.
David did not seem to see her
his face had a curious stony look.
but he laid the girI-upon the mat
The Washington times., 1921-12-18

ueSos ku0It U0-
side her; and
taking one Of
her lax hands
began to chafe
It between his
own.
Tears sprang
to Rama's eyes.
Some intuition
laid its finger
upon her. She
drew a small,
bright steel
knife from q
fold OF her raj
nlent. a knife
such ay women
had need Of in
kitchen tasks,
and went down
on her knees
b e 8 1 d e the
mattress a n d
laid the knife.
very carefully,
a & ain st the
blue lips of the
girl.
A n U m b er
of m o m e n t s
passed. David
made no sign,
but she knew
that he under
stood. She lift
Cd the knife
and looked at
II.
t. he bright
steel was IN
dimmed by any
faintest bl ur
of breath. The
death.ring had
done its work!
The Washington times., 1921-12-18
(Contipwed from
Last Snndoy)

CHAPTER VII.
(Continued)
A 3 T A r T e
~ ght his
hand and they
passed from the al.
cove Into the pitch.
dark, deserted cham.
bers Of the dancing
girls.
Here she tripped
over b dropped
length of satin stun,
which she wrapped
deftly about herself,
The Washington times., 1921-12-18

"she lifted the knife from the ss blue lips and looked
it. The bright steel undimmed by any faintest blur
of breath The death-rins had done its workl"
The Washington times., 1921-12-18

(Contfnsed on Page 10
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1921-04-28
COZ WALKER NAMED Cm,IRMAN

In fhe -pld Kentucky Home" Week
drive which is to he made during the
week from MAY to May "a. Governor
Edwin 4 Morrow has named col a.
T. Walker chairman FOR this commune
ty This odd Kentucky Home" Week
Dr. to he observed throughout the state
to raise Sioo0oO fo pay for and remod-
ei Federal Hin the home ~ stephen e.
Foster who wrote My old Kentucky
Home" and other airs that viii ENDURE
as long as time The last session ~
rhe Kentucky legislature passed law
providing Tor commission known a.
the -pld Kentucky Home Commission
nud This commission has secured an op-
tinn on Federal Hiu
May win D.. known as Churchman'S
Day ana 400 minister's are requested 10
preach sermons on fhe home May q
81 ODD re kunuu us school children. IS Tsav
and school children viii he asked 10
take an active part. Ma 10 viii DO
Nomnn's club Day. MAJ N viii h.
Moving Picture Day. May L. Old Ken
lucky Home Day. May Il stephen Fp--
ter bay and May - will he stephen
Foster Day. on an ~ which DAYS spec
ial programs viii he used in sn effort
Or raise money for this work
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1921-04-28

r. 4. stanley handed us this wees
an article ciipTsd from Cupper'- Week
" purportiug ro D. % copy ~ au odd
sale bin of antc-bcllum times % FOL
lows.
Having sold my farm and Intending
o. move o. Missouri. . will sell ut auc
tion I mile west and four miles south
Of Harrisburg by. ou saturday Sep
temher ~ l~iu the following de-
scrihed property. tuwif. cone buck mig
ger - years old weight 2lO pounds .
Niger weuchcs from ~ to "a years old
3 uigger boys q wears OLD IL niger
hoe. One pine sled. Is yokcs Of oxen we'll
broSe. ~ uV yoEe- with hickory boys.
one saddle pony > years oil OK
carts with six inrh Tires. one side sad
DIE. 3 double shovel pi0ws two stump
plowt. 10 and t-iucl. ~ one gallon
YLi-Aey jugs. ino -nliuus 90 apple cider
DHA one barrel of good sorghum.
,AS-Sls of soap. . barrels Of kraut. one
extra good Niger whip.- two tons Of
tobaccs-ss years old sale viii start at
10 80. Terms cash. I need the money
cor. II. W. JOHNSON. Auct
Joe Cooley. owner
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1921-04-28

ON Friday evening of last week Miss
Carrie Maize Reid entertained the
Bridge Club from : 20 10 10 ~ There
were three tables. and after the gume~
"a salad course and punch were served
The guests were Mcstnme~ Karl Tai
ley. Swayne Walker. W g. Reed x u.
Coffee. Chester Barnes Dewitt Reid.
Mitchell Wright. , Mack Reid g. T.
Bondurant. and Misses Mary Hollan.
Mary Moore. Nell Bondurant and Jane
Binford.
Navy. brown and red satin camisoles
at 9Sc and up.-Dobsons.
r.. DObsOn. who purchased the old
Hubbard property over n year ago. has
torn down the brick kitchen 20 the rear
of this building and l. building "A small
addition To the main building. extend
ing the full two stories. This adds
more room % the upstairs and down
stairs apartments and much 10 the ap-
pearance Of the house This leaves a
nice lot between his property and II. C.
Barretts. which will be- cleaned of af-
ter the razing Of the kitchen and the
completion OF the new addition.
Buy your suit az Dobsons We have
cut the price on all ladies suits.
Am now taking orders for Sweet Po-
ttto GiduiS-tnt real ioflda l0mS. M
you buy In big quantities will make
special price. Will be al Reid Bros.
store each Saturday afternoon aud dur
ing the week will take orders over tel
ephone or by mail.-Miss Frankye Reid.
Mrs. Leighton Shelby. Of Charleston.
Mo. who has been visiting her father.
John Greed. and family. left last week
20 join her husband, who is taking vOca-
tional training at Navoo. Ind He is
studying law and expects to be trans
ferred to St. Louis In September.
Ladies' suits at cut prices.-Dob<Ons
Miss Nettie Howell. Of Paragould.
Ark. after spending a week with her
aunt. Mrs Sabe Choate. and family. re-
turned 10 her home "Wednesday morn
ing. She attended school here about
eight years ago and will be remembered
by many Of her friends.
Bungalow aprons. Csc each at Dob
sons.
Miss Mary Berendes and Mrs. T. A.
Doyle returned the latter part Of last
week from Nashville. where they visit
ed relatives and frienda
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1921-04-28
BETTER FARMING
OUTING WEDNESDAY
''"ers and Merchants Get Together
Picnic. May Ith

Every farmer and business man ut
/ "toh county il cordially invited 10
NHoeA OF and john the BETTER Farming
'"sdne which will leave Fulton NJ = 30
I" IN ana tour through tll.. county and
ar uihe OF big fish dinner on fb.
yu'e. This il our greatest event of
ne year and every Indication points
I" the greatest day vet We will bav,.
a'ions from Graves. Bbiou. A..
rackei. Hickman and CnrIi~i. conn
'ies- II l. up 20 Fulton Counfirn- 90
one ont la such numbers aud ~bo,,
l'e>e Visitors that we have plenty of
i'ep and enthusiasm and send Them
way thinking that Fulton county has
ne best farms the best people, AMI rli,.
"iuest awake II amy 80 the state We
want you 10 show your interest ia ID
.iusf Fulton County ht coming oar
'"u DfihSlhs some one with Won u
f"u nave 81 automobile WON'T won De-
Aiha as 10 invite some of vaur neigh
DOTS Who haven't onrt That's The prom
spirit fhr trip this wear viii h.
liade over an entirely different raiff.
from last year and viii consist 81 ,I.i,
ihS the interesting demonstration. afr
q IRVING 20 some point wherc we win
i"uuige M biz free for an fish din
u">ifes 20 ask thar SON come and Show
y our appreciation Of The occasion hv
making me entire route with r~ Th. /
i'ii"w That takes % near cuf fo flc dim 4
iief 70 see h"w much fish Do can get -ap 4
ne ouisi'i'. of and then leaves ~ soon /
n MS appetite Is satisfied is an uuin I
fed gic~t and b. requested 10 take
Inner az home that day Your hu>i
iesS y not 80 important that tou snu-
iot leave for one day and Oh. way Won
oine and stay with us throughout the
iAS VIII measure your appreciation 81
he event
We will have four 81 the best -pcaI,-
- IN the state and their mcssuet~ RUN /
y hne things for us They are Nor
;an Hughes. If Lexington James Speed
diiior Of The southern Agriculturisf
Godfrey Morgan. secretary 81 the
state Farm Bureau and n Sehyveif-
~ OF the J. e X Il This b. ID real
reat for us so come ont iu car load
'ts and eat drink and he merry for one
ay az least
All people Tea wing from This end 81
ne county are requested 20 meet 80 the
arm Bureau office ar 70. m and e.
yer % Fulton boz a body