davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1921-02-27
Man
Illustrated by p Aezzy Ra1ezgA

then on to refuse to buy q single
cigar, thus leaving the plain dupes
of Joseph City to go on to their own
destruction.
On Thursday night the professor
was confronted by his very largest
audience, and every human being
there present had money in his
pocket which he intended to double
before retiring for the, night.
The air in the Opera House was
electrically charged Harmony was
in fine fettle. When he started SELL
ing the Ell Cabbajo cigars, all he
had to do was to open the box.
SIS there any liberal-minded citi-
zen within sound of my voice will
ing to pay me SIS for a five-cent
cigar?" he asked, and in the rush
that followed strong men were
moved down and seats strained at
their moorings. He disposed of
cigars with both hands, and then
retired smilingly to make way for
the Barcelona Bear Cat.
After that he reappeared and sold
New-York tribune., 1921-02-27

cluded, and Joseph City stumbled
out into tho darkness, trying to de-
eide just exactly what kind of q
lunatic Fl. Lhilds might be.
i y y y "
ON Tuesday evening the crowd was
a block long and it broke down
part of the Opera House before they
could get the doors open. SO far as
the performance was concerned, 1t
was identical with that of Monday
night. Harmony appeared before
and after each act, and this time he
began by selling half dozen five
cent cigars for 81 each. Then he
branched out. He plucked a hair
from his raven locks and held it be-
tween his fingers. The audience
watched him dumbly and had he
announced that he was about to hang
New-York tribune., 1921-02-27
WHEN opened eyes saoeet faced feeding
~ omar m5lE through tube. haze nerer seen q
s0dder spectacle

something. There was an aston
ished silence around me.
cat the hotel" Harmony contin-
ued cheerfully, "some one told me
that this was a live-wire town and
always ready to take a chance. We
shall see. Is there any gentleman
present willing to buy a cheap nickel
Cigar for the sum of 81"
Another silence followed, and then
hesitating voice was raised at the
back of the house.
"Ah," said Harmony, There is
at least one sport in Joseph City.
Will the gentleman walk down to the
stage and show himself?"
The gentleman would and did. He
was tall, raw-boned individual
with an open countenance, partly
concealed by all of that weeks
whiskers:.
"You are the gentleman who
wishes to pay me 81 for five-cent
cigar?" Harmony asked.
The man nodded and grinned
sheepishly. He held up his dollar
bill. Harmony received it and
handed him the smoke.
Examine it carefully and don't
lose it," the professor advised him.
"You can't tell but what I may want
that particular cigar again"
The buyer pocketed his cigar and
returned to his seat.
Harmony resumed his lecture and
presently introduced the Barcelona
Bear Cat in her passionate dances
Of the Southland. Following her
act Harmony came on again, and
l then Saw that he was really the
show, and the others were trim
mings. Finally Omar's turn came.
the singing act which wound up the
regular performance, and the less
said about Omar the better.
Harmony Childs wound up the
evenings festivities. He appeared
just as Omar sidled off, and he de-
manded to know, before sending us
all home, whether the man who had
bought the cigar was still present.
He was.
"Come down here in 'front.'" Har-
mony ordered, and the whiskered
citizen stumbled down the aisle.
"Haye You still got that cigar YOU
bought of me?" Harmony asked.
eyes, sir" said the fellow.
you bought it from me, didn't
you? 1t was straight out-and.out
sale, wasn't it?'
"sure," erinned the purchaser.
"AlI right" Harmony continued.
"Now I'd Ike to buy it back from
you. III ray you two dollars for
it,"
The man gulped audibly, handed
the cigar to Harmony and took the
two dollars. Every one present OBJ
served the transaction, and the won-
der grew. Harmony then bade his
audience good night and urged them
to come again and bring their
friends,
"Remember-it's q free show,
every night this week" he con-
New-York tribune., 1921-02-27

! corner of the hotel bar and informed
him that artists in his company
were never paid in advance.
:; Il
|ON THAT famous opening Mon
day night one Of the largest
crowds ever seen in Joseph City
gathered before the Opera House.
The performance began with piano
solo at the hands of young Bert
Coates, Bert being the entire orches-
ira. Bert was an earnest, well
meaning piano player and in need of
a haircut, which was his closest re-
semblance to Ignace Jan Paderewski.
| Then Professor Childs walked
out in front of the curtain and be-
gan to hypnotic those simple souls.
1t was a friendly little speech, in
which he hoped that one and all
would enjoy themselves, and he men
toned the lack Of admission fees.
"You wonder what I have up my
sleeve?" he asked smiling genially
down upon us. "You are puzzled by
this free entertainment, and no
wonder. shall soon show you, be-
cause we are all grown-up, sensible
people, and you know very we'll that
| cannot afford to rent this fine the
ater, pay for the various acts which
you are about to behold and thus
lavishly entertain you for nothing.
Whatever we get in this world we
pay for in some way, and ] assure
you with great frankness that you
are going to pay me for this ex-
cellent performance before the week
is out, although there will be no
admission charge on any evening
up to and including the final per
formanee on Saturday night. I
thank you for this noble turnout,
and would say on behalf of myself
and company that we will do our
best to please you. If you will now
watch the curtain rise you will OBJ
serve Kearney's Trained Dogs, the
most intelligent animal act ever
offered the public"
Then Kearney came on with his
dogs. 1t was a fair act, and when
the curtain descended Professor
Childs again strolled into view and
picked up his remarks.
He continued in a jocular vein,
calling attention to various civic
affairs and keeping his hearers in
high good humor, and as he rambled
on / saw very plainly that this Har-
mony Childs was gifted cuss in the
use of words and parts of speech.
"This is supposed to be mighty
smart little town." he remarked
after he had warmed up a bit, and
as he spoke he opened a box of
cigars and placed it on small table
beside him. "In all such towns there
is usually certain reckless spirit of
adventure if you can only stir it up.
propose to so stir it. have here a
box of a we'll known brand of cigars
that sell for five cents each. / sup
pose you could call this fair five
cent cigar. Is there any man in the
audience with enough sporting blood
in him to pay me 81 for one of these
five-cent cigars?"
He lifted the vegetable product
from the box and held it up. He
turned it gently between his fingers,
like schoolnaster showing his class
New-York tribune., 1921-02-27

his troop. 1t was learned in no T..
at ali that the Childs Road G.. @
including the Barcelona Bear ~
Kearney ard dogs, Hitler and I'm.
and the professor himself, had ..-
somewhere else, and that the .s..'. s..s
singer was practically all that ~. ~.
left. way
The scene that follows not o,,.
beggars description, but mursers ~. !.
and buries the body. Two do,.~
persons attempted to ann;bil,.
Omar at the same instant. ans ~
life was only saved because ~.
many can't work on such a snsn
man at the same time. / should.,.s
my way toward him and a la,s.
black object seemed to fall on -. =
That is all I remember.
c
THERE is a nice hospital in Tan.
pleton, the next town down -.
railroad from Joseph City. and s.
cause there are no accommodates.
for wounded in Joseph City We vers
removed. When opened my ewes !.
sweet-faced nurse was feeding omar
some warm milk through a tube. !
have never seen a ssdder gaectscls
than Omar Gill was on that sunr,
morning with the sun streauipr :
on his bandages.
He had returned TO consciounas,
ahead Of me, and the very first tbipg
he said referred to financial matters
George" he said wanly, ''therss
$50 we never will lay eyes on.
Never in this world. You we're
right, George. I ought to have got
that in advance
Huh I laughed hsrshly, aard
We said Harmony Childs was cyssv
At least you did. The trouble will
you and me, we're too sane alto.
gether."
"And," said Omar, noaains sof,
", "now I know why he was S.
darned particular about ME being ,
strong man with no heart disess,
and such. Now do know"
"Sure," I said. "He said his last
singer was ineligible. He's lucky he
amt inferred, too"
Naturally, the whole thing vas
easy TO see from "a couple Of sos
pillows in the Templeton Hospital
1t appears that Harmony and BIZ
road show had quietly sneaked out
Of Joseph City during the most in
teresting part Of the performance
They embarked on the 10:40 tran
going north, with Omar singing
them to safety, like old Horstio a
the bridge.
New-York tribune., 1921-02-27

himself with the said hair there
would have been no establishment.
, "This is hair from my own
head" he smiled. II value this hair
! highly. We're I to sell it I should
ask $5, and I would tie a knot in it
SO that [ would be able to recognize
it again. l wonder-I really Won
der if there is q sport in this audi
ence who would risk paying NE five
large dollars for this knotted hair?"
! Was there such sport? There
was a marching army Of such sports.
/ Twelve hurried gentlemen started
for the stage, reaching into twelve
pockets. Harmony sold his hair and
the vaudeville show continued.
Before the performance was over
Harmony had sold that delighted
gathering inconsiderable trifes of
all sorts. He wrenched small but
ton from his shirt and disposed of It
for Sc. At the end of the show he
| repurchased it for $12. He took,
toothpick from his vest, marked it
and retailed it for Sd. Then he re-
sumed cigar selling, and his main
trouble was not in making sales, but
in keeping the mob within restraint.
| About 10 o'clock Omar stumbled
onto the stage and sang his two
tenor songs, but the crowd was inn
patient and told him harshly to stop
singing and get off that stage, which
he did, looking very downtrodden
and unhappy. Then Harmony surged
forth and bought back everything he
had sold. 1t must have cost him
many fine dollars, but he did it with
q pleased expression, as though
nothing in the world could make him
happier.
| NEXT day the word spread
through Joseph City and
throughout the entire county that
maniac of most unusual and de-
sirable character was holding forth
at the Opera House.
That night the voters tore wear
ing apparel and bruised each other
trying to crowd inside. For miles
around they drove into town,
hitched, and hurried to the Opera
House. And the prices received by
Harmony for cigars and toothpicks
were more ridiculous than ever.
AS Harmony said, every town has
it's bunch of gay blades, who wear
mail order shoes and know about
what's doing in New York. In
Joseph City the village sports made
their headquarters in Kitter's Cigar
and Pool Parlors. 1t was the group
Of mental leaders that decided they
could see through the game Profes-
sor Childs was playing and make d
material profit by so seeing.
1hey concluded that Harmony
would continue to sell assorted
trifies until he reached the psyche
logical moment, after which he
would decline to repurchase for the
usual 100 per cent advance, or for
any advance whatever. The ques-
ton was, at what moment in the
weeks program would this satura-
tion point arrive? The smart Alex
anders Of Kitter's Pool Rooms de
cided that it might occur on Satur-
day night, which was the final per-
formance, or even on Friday night.
What they purposed was to outwit
Harmony by investing heavily up to
the last profitable moment and from
New-York tribune., 1921-02-27
ssrT'HERE's man looking for
you, Omar" he announced.
.,TIasS coroino, W fata,.v

you, Omar" he announced
He's coming in later"
ga man looking for me-" Omar
repeated, and we glanced at each
other sharply. / thought of the
bungalow and the groceries, and Of
the last town wherein we had re-
sided, and from which we had de-
parted late at night and under full
speed. Any man looking for us in
those days usually wore small
metal ornament on his vest.
F'He was in here while ago." Eli
continued, overlooking our alarm.
"Nice-eeeming man, too. He's look
,ng for q singer"
Whats his name?" I asked, still
coldly suspicious.
Professor Harmony Childs," re-
piled Eli, and that was the first
time in my life / ever heard Of the
genius who was to ally himself with
us and guide our destinies for all
these checkered years.
He's got some kind of show"
our host explained. 'You may make
some money, so you'd better see
him.
We fingered with Eli and decided
that any one named Professor Har-
mony Childs, owner Of road show,
would scarcely be hunting for us on
legal matters, and. in about fifteen
New-York tribune., 1921-02-27

, e hanQ1ul OF JoothpickS at prices
which would have made the Lumber
! Trust moan in its sleep Before
the evenings program was we'll
under way, Harmony Childs had
personal possession of most Of the
loose change in Joseph City and
environs, and the audience was sit
/ ting back with bated breath. stirring
nervously, and waiting anxiously
! for the performance to come to an
end. All looked forward to Omar
Gill, so that they could be quickly
rid of him and get to the pay car.
/ have never seen such a tense
looking, quiet-breathing crowd Of
mortals in one room as that au-
dience of Joseph City investors.
Presently Omar Gill, the untamed
tenor, walked out to do his share
/ In entertaining that vast throng.
Omar had definite orders each night.
His instructions were to start sing
ing and to keep on singing until
/ the professor ordered him to cease
and retire. He couldn't go wrong.
He had six songs in his repertoire,
but SO far he had never reached the
third one. Likewise, his singing was
always totally independent of ap-
proval or applause from the audi
ence. He merely finished one song,
looked at Bert Coates and began an
ether.
But on Thursday evening it was
plain to see that Joseph City was
thinking Of other things than Omar's
tenor voice. What those serious
faced people watched for and wanted
was the final appearance of Har-
mony Childs, with his pockets full
of money and the usual 100 ner cent
profit. And I figured that
if he did buy all that junk back it
would take enough money to dam up
the Grand Canyon of the Colorado
for two seasons.
FROM my quiet rear seat looked
at Omar, with his chin up in the
air, and wondered for his future.
After his third song the audience
began very plainly to show signs of
impatience, and at the beginning Of
the fourth song persons rose to their
feet and told him that now was the
time for him to quit making that
roise and be gone. Some one in the
gallery tossed program at Omar,
and he could toss it, because it was
wrapped around beet.
In his fifth song Omar was sweat
ing, and the audience was rising to
its feet with the vague notion that
the time had now arrived when some
thing must be done.
With Omar clawing at some extra
high notes, the audience seemed to
perceive the dastardly plot all in an
instant. Those who were not on
their feet gritted their teeth and
rose up, feeling that if murder must
be done it must be done thoroughly.
Citizens shouted for Harmony Childs
to step forth like a man and show
himself. He failed TO do so. Omar
was still singing, but there was no
noise except that made by Joseph
City.
saw the coming storm. The
poolroom slickers led the rush, be-
cause it was the last night they had
intended to invest, and In two min
utes the audience had left its usual
habitat and had climbed on the
stage, where it wandered about un-
easily hunting for Mr. Childs and
New-York tribune., 1921-02-27

teresring part Of the performance
They embarked on the 10:40 train
going north, with Omar singing
them to safety, like old Horstio at
the bridge.
WE WERE in the TempIeton Hos
pital FOR going on two weeks,
recovering slowly from wounds,
+ abrasions and sprains. Omar had
two ribs that healed rather slowly,
Toward the end of the second week
the door opened and a smiling gentle.
man entered. It was Harmony
Childs.
"Well, WE'LL" he said in the boom
ing voice that always distinguished
him. "They laid you out, did they!
rather thought they would"
Omar laid down his book. "Ein
him, George" he said. "Co on, kill
him. You're up, and IL .,pS any
! too we'll"
"Harken to me-" Harmony said,
still smiling and holding up bis
hand. "I'm your friend"
George" said Omar in the SANE
low tone, "afe we going to let this
man get away alive?"
"I like you, too" Harmony per
sisted. "I've taken q real fancy to
sou; that's why 1 came back here,
where, I might add, I hnger at spme
| personal risk"
George" said Omar, "you1l fad
a gun in the bureau
"My company" continued Har'
rnony, ais now disbanded and Of nc
further use. It likewise is in Ne
vada Jail and will remain until The
fall term of court. I escaped and
came straight to find out how yop
were getting on. The road shoV
business is played out, and / an
about to quit it and take up other
lines. AS say, / took q fancy 70
you two the minute ] saw you, and
/ need a couple OF partly intelligent
helpers If you had any trains you
might get somewhere, and ! AMI pre-
pared to supply the brains and tsE'
you in as partners. We shall form
a combination in which / shall do al
the thinking. II you care to JON
me we will all make money, and .
an evidence of my good faith shan
now hand YOU couple of hundred
each. Are you on or not?"
/ looked at the roll Of bills snG
then glanced at Omar.
"see II it's real money" he sus'
gested, and l did.
Harmony stood there smiling ahc
waggling his currency.
"Do we go in with him?" / III
quired Of the invalid.
Sure" Omar replied. ''0nly ir
all through singing. II we start :
partnership, it is hereby understoSS
that / don't sing"
"You never did sing" said hsf'
rnony, and then relieved him OF tns
cash before he changed his mind.
ROUGHLY, that is how we CANS
to link UP with Harmony Chilas
New-York tribune., 1921-02-27

that the time for us to annex that
thirty is right now
Omar tried for his weeks pay,
but without conspicuous success
Harmony simply backed him into a
corner of the hotel bar and informed
him that artists in his company
were never paid in advance.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-05-26
EARLY RALLY NOT
FULLY SUSTAINED
Holiday Influences Were
Dominating Factor in
Days Trading

New York. May 26.-Thc approach
ling triple holiday exerted considerable
influence in the continuation Of the be-
lated recovery movement In the first halt
Of today'S stock market The rallies
which started in the late trading yes
terday under the lead of the rails were
extended from | to 3 points in all the
active issues. The carriers retained the
leadership for considerable part OF the
| time and the marking up of this divt-
| sion was facilitated to a great extent
| by the excellent statement of earnings
| for April by some Of the more promt-
| nent systems. As long as the shorts
were kept on the run the forward swing
was well sustained when the demand
! from this quarter began to show signs
| of slackening the entire list became dull
! and irregular. Some shading occurred
on profit taking. while in some OF the
| industrialS there was rccurrent Selling
| pressure.
\ number of prominent Industrial
concerns declared their regular divl-
! dcnds which supplied refreshing
| chunge from the discouraging contra
| experience of the three preceding days.
! These incidents were entirely without
effect sentimentally or otherwise. The
| Improvement in railroad earnings was
| regarded with more significance, yet as
a market factor. did not cut much
weight This, however, was because
! technical. rather than outside condi-
tions for the moment, were the domi =
! mating influence. In other words. the
market had reached temporary over
sold condition. and the correction OF the
technique position was fastened by rea .
son of Il general disposition on the part
of the professionals to reduce commit =
! mcnts to minimum over the holiday
II was plainly apparent apart from the
requirements of the shorts the buying
power waE extremely limited. FIRM
ness of thc money market with cal
loans renewing at per cent and with
supply not over plentiful was suthcien
70 hold trading in check and discourage
extension of existing commitments.
Rails led the liSt to higher am
broader ground during the morning
Buying of those shares at gains OF
to points. Shippings moved Tor
ward with 'transportations and man
of the steels aud equipments increase
their early gains. The advance ais
comprchcndcd most of the populn
oils. motors and prominent miSrcl
lnneous issues. including metals, tex
tiles and utilities.
The advanc" halted at midday. profit
taking in rats. stcels and oils cauSin
reactions running from large fraction
to ~ points. There was further sell
ing OF rubbers and sugars. some
those issues showing actual losses 1
| to pig points. on adverse trade con
l ditionS.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-05-26
COAL STOCRS[EAD ]
/ BUSINESS ION CURB
Prices Established at Materially
Higher Levels--oil
Issues Heavy

New York, May 26.-ATherc was a
marked improvement, both in the vol
umc of business and movement OF
prices on the Broad Street Curb from
the beginning Of trading today. Wig :
orous advances were made in many OF
the leading issues and the market gcn-
orally was established at materially
higher level
The segregated coal stock assumed
the most prominent position. most in
tercst being attached to the trading in
the Lackawanna issues.
Dealings in Glen Alden were ON q
large scale and that stock moved up
from 38ia to above 40, and Lacka :
wanna rights also made sharp ad-
vance. Reading rights were traded in al
10. Commonwealth Finance was an
other strong feature, advancing to 3S.
Southern Coal and Iron was actively
traded in at 4A to Az. Cosgrovt
Brewing, a new stock, on the Curb, SOLD
ut 10h and 1885. Chicago. and East
ern Illinois was strong ut Ia and l4H'
Amalgamated Leather moved up from
1885, to IA. Acme Coal was quiet. sell
ing at 1as. Durant Motors continued
active on favorable reports regarding
choosing site for plant. ranging
from 24ha to 231s. Inter- Continenta
Rubber sold Mt 101a.
The oil stocks were heavy. Maracai
bo sold down to 27h and Merritt solo
at the new low OF 0Gi Elk Basin wn'
traded in at 73 to Ia. Omar Oil re-
gained it's loss of yesterday. STANDARD
Oil of Indiana yielded 721a and the
rallied !. point.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-05-26
FOREIGN EXCHANGE

New York, May 26.-Thcre was
further decline in foreign exchange rates
at the opening today, the reaction ex-
tending virtually throughout the. en-
fire list international bankers. how
ever, attached little Importance to the
drop. Sterling, in response TO con-
tinnpd heavy demand for dollars in
London. opened sharply lower. :,
Quotations were: Sterling cables
= 02a,. demand 392; French and Bel
pian cables $40, checks S.4S; Swiss
Sablcs II. so. checks 17.77; peseta ca
bIes 1922. checks 1920; lire cables
5.30la, checks 80; ,guilder cables
35.l3. checks 30 .Os: Stockhoim cI ,
bIrs 23.25. checks y %; Christiahla
cables 1927. checks l5.22 Copenhagen
cables 1890. checks 1880; marks
The rate of premium in Montreal
today on New York funds was IL 10 10
Der cent. The rate of discount IN SeW
York on Canadian funds was ~ ll-lo
central European exchanges We're IT.
regular as follows; Greek. o,45 Ru-
m9nian. III; bulgarian. 80; AVS
trian. 20; Polish, .l3: Czecho- So
vaka. Al. ,-
YESTERDAYS FINAL QUOTATIONS.
Sterling Francs k'sss Guts5eI: AZ
Demand I .... $.gt aSts, 81 81 SS.ssS 81 q
TopAY's OPENING QUoTATloNs
Sterling Francs Lire duaI9ers: "
t;Si5ieso CSbcs ...... SO23. $40 1.ssh So'lS