davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1921-10-30

The strange adventure which | am going to
tell you would probably never have happened
to me if | hadn't had, even from childhood
a prediction for the mysterious, which led
me to consider what is behind persons and
things rather than the things and persons
themselves
| want to make it clear that what | mean
by mystery is not especially related to the
so-called supernatural world, but, on the con-
trary is related to life as it is, to our daily
and, to use the true word, common life.
You will understand that for me this word
common" hasn't the customary sense, when
I say that everything which lives fills me
with an astonishment from which have never
recovered and undoubtedly shall never re-
cover.
ask myself, for example, why, when peo-
pie talk of spirits, they always bring in the
idea of death, as if the living were not also
spirits, much nearer to US and much more
terrifying than those foisted on us by super
stition, religious faith or fear-those belong
ing, in a word, to the inviolable Kingdom of
Death.
Such tendencies explain why am dreamy,
silent young man, whom people in society
naturally consider an idiot, because have, as
they say, no conversation.
In spite of this irreparable blemish have
not failed to frequent some of the best known
salons in Paris. The eager curiosity which
have about souls explains this in part. For
the rest, they welcome me on account of my
name, my fortune and my elegance. And more
than one malicious woman who makes witty
remarks about my vacuity has wished in her
heart to have me for an adnlircr or q son-in-
law, and has let me guess more pointedly
than was necessary.
was then, one spring evening, among the
guests invited by the Duchess de l. to
little dinner, which she intended to be purely
intellectual and artistic
| suppose that my presence, like that of two
other titled persons of my class, had no better
reason than that we represented the arlstoc-
New-York tribune., 1921-10-30
By LUCE DELARUE- MARDRUS
Translated by William L. Mcpherson

racy. We were, without doubt, destined to
fatter the vanity of the other guests and to
spur them on to show off their wits.
For, on their side, there could be nothing
bat commonaty, yet commonalty of genius,
which in all epochs especially in our own,
has attracted as much attention the most
beautifully blazoned coat of arms.
The soup was hardly served when the duch-
ess began to exert herself to break that con-
straint which is never lacking at the begin
ming of dinner.
At her right sat the unchalenged dean of
contemporary French letters, whom every one
salutes as master" At her left was the
young and celebrated humorist who makes al!
the world laugh, or, rather, smile. Two
ladies then alternated. One that fash
ionable lecturess whom France has taken up
universally, as she would take up a new
style in clothes The other was one of the
titled persons of whom I have spoken. The
count her husband, found himself the second
neighbor of the lecturess. Then came
paintress, old and venerated, whose name is
OIL every lip and who was placed facing the
duchess. Finally, myself. poor mute, sat be-
tween the paintress and the countess
As the fish was brought in the master
finally started to talk. A silence Tell on tne
table, cutting off the little sallies of conversa-
ton which had timidly begun.
1t was just at this moment that | raised
my eyes and noticed that / had before
picture of the entire company reflected in
immense mirror which is one of the curiosi-
ties of the " establishment.
The electric lights, the glitter of the table
settings, the flowers, the peopleall We're
produced to the life in this glass 1t was
second edition of our own party. But that
other company. the one in the mirror, had an
aspect of attenuation Of palor, of don't
know what, which troubled and fascinated
New-York tribune., 1921-10-30

me and held my eyes and my thoughts to the
extent that | entirely forgot to eat, which no.
body perceived, for that matter because of
my absolute non-mportance Then an idea ia
truded itself into my fantastic BRAIN
I said to myself:
How I should like to be on the other side
of the surface of the mirror, which copies us
SO exactly
| had hardly formulated this wish when
chill ran through my body. l closed my eyes,
as if | were going to faint When I opened
them again l understood that l had, in fact.
passed to the other side of the surface of the
glass, among the doubles. l had replaced in
flesh and bone the reflection of myself, which,
as mute and negligible as I was, had taken
my seat at the real table.
1t was this silence and negligibility, doubt
less, which permitted me to introduce myself
thus among the images without their showing
the least bit of astonishment.
Here, the other side, the diners talked,
hut IN voices like those of specters. They were
the voices of spirits. This is what | heard
them saying:
THE DUCHESS: 1T was hardly worth
while to take SO much trouble and to 20 to so
much expense. This dinner isn't success.
Inc master IS shuItlng on everybody else with
his story, which I know already and which
isn't amusing. The others only pretend to
listen. These people make me sick. am
going to give myself raging headache and
get nothing else out of it. I'll never invite them
again
THE MASTER: why was so foolish as
to start to talk? One has to pay for his din
ner, suppose? Who are all these people? Are
they the aristocracy? It's the last time I'll
ever be seen here"
THE HUMORIST: The roast is coming on
and that old fossil hasn't got through yet.
However, it's better that way Here is this
New-York tribune., 1921-10-30

lecturess, who is waiting to snap up my wit
ticisms and use them all as her own later.
What queer dinner. There are only literary
people. Not the faintest show for me to make
real success. BAH III never put my feet
under this table again.
THE LECTUREsS: "she should have
chosen her guests better That old wndbag.
forgets that am also a talker. This humorist
looks at me if he'd like to poison me. All
these people here-what rabble I'll dis
pense with dining with duchesses hereafter
THE COUNT: What fuss for nothing
This good Yeyette wanted to astonish US But
l like my club better than this crowd. 1t will
be Geld day when you see me again at a liter
ary dinner
THE PAINTRESS: "She should have put
me elsewhere than between these two in1beciles
She has snubbed me, really. All these people
here are ugly, pretentious and stupid And
that old man babbles on. It's the last time III
be caught in places like this"
Suddenly the cold of the glass made me
sneeze When | raised my head ! had passed
back into the real company. The master"
had just finished his story. Dessert was being
served.
How amusing exclaimed the duchess,
clapping her hands
Stunning" replied the humorist
There is one like him. said the lectur-
ess, exuberantly.
What dinner, my dear!7 cried the
countess.
The count, smiling, nodded his head with a
knowing air.
The paintress said
Il should have liked to paint you while you
talked
AS for me- simply lowered my eyes
didn't want to see what was happening on the
other side of the glass, on the side which stood
for unreality. For | was afraid that after
having been guilty Of one impoliteness in
sneezing while the master" was telling his
story might commit second by bu1A AEing into
a laugh. -
New-York tribune., 1921-10-30

fore descends. And is Immediately confronted
with the backdrop scenery of ones story.
1t is a ramshackle house, older by decades
than the nation itself. 1t has fallen into some
disrepair, but stands soidly withal, for they
built stoutly in those days. It's portals are
guarded by small cannon on d stone base and
by garish, red gasoline filling station
blatant splash of modernty in the oid-fash-
ioned setting. The latter, considering the pres
ent quotations on iivver fuel, seems the more
effective weapon Of defense
Why the need for defense? You may ask
the proogust
Because this is a treasure house. Not once,
but thrice has it proved itself so. Three times,
recently, have buried troves been un-
earthed within and without it's walls
But let this be story of "Three Soldiers"
Let it be related by Colonel Homan, Major
Hicks and Captain Connor, good men and
ture, and whether their titles be of actual
New-York tribune., 1921-10-30

military origin boots naught They may not
be; in fact, the scribe conferred the last him
self, yet these men are the garrison of the
treasure house and soldiers Of fortune all.
Seated around stove which functioned as if
it, with the house, dated back to 1852 and a
toned by a tower of ham sandwiches and
can Of coffee, the three old Staten Islanders
began to spin their yarn.
well" Colonel Homan commenced by
seniority of rank, right as householder owner
ship Of the treasure and sovereignty over any
future finds, 1--WE been alvin in this house
since 1867 Man and boy"
That's long time put III Captain Connor.
1T is that agreed Major Hicks
Me now, I'm seventy-fve years Old said
the colonel, with pardonable pride
Would you believe it?" demanded the
captain.
No, you wouldn't" supplied the major
well, this house was built bout hundred
New-York tribune., 1921-10-30

Journey's end-and story's beginning, for
mat matter--are reached simultaneously with
tne end of the trolley line The undulating
steel rails, which have stretched so long before
one that one has been prompted to inquire of
sne motorman-conductor if one is certainly on
eaten and not Long Island, at last disappear
from sight, seeming to sink, to melt away into
'he sands The tired traveller cannot believe
as eyes and suffers a moment of apprehen-
son for fear the unruly vehicle Of his trip
VII follow the rails in a dive beneath the
ground with the combined versatility of
S'sam shovel and a subway. Performances
saereto incline him to believe that such q
isae would not be beyond its extraordinary
powers. Or perhaps the trolley will forge on
snsad In its wild dash inland from the coast,
.or what is mere matter of tracks to it?
rue 1t has not left them so far but on them
nss executed every possible maneuver and
aaac from a pas seal to shmmy, from the
p''ehing of the bucking broncho to sea-
trough roll.
out here the trolley halts it's wild course
:. a'u snadders to a stop, its hanks heaving and
- ar pumps painting. One understands SYM
ss'heVcally that it has reached the limit Of
- shuurance; that here it viii sink to rest
a 90 no further, fog it as you will. The
a,'''0rfnan-conductor begins to reverse it and
,s az apparent that he is about to resume again
's'ees half Of his dual function. One there
New-York tribune., 1921-10-30

"a ~
NJ gathered the other day, over on
n Staten Island. How they came to be
in that vicinity is a mystery. Per
haps, like the loyal Greek muses. they are
they had been en-oficio members of the COM
mittee to welcome Premier Venizeos, and, their
wings becoming tir~d on their way home, they
had made forced landing on the nearest
terrain.
Alghting, they looked about them curiously.
well, girls" remarked Thalia, with her
customary giggle. "a casual glance does not
seem to reassure me that this is the ideal
spot for miscellaneous musing'
Not so as you could notice it," Clio agreed.
Il must confess that l am not in the least
moved to smite my bloomin' Tyre"
What, WHAT Melpomene reproved them
with sad smile "You ladies fail to realize
where you are. This is Staten Island Staten
Island l repeat, where your comedy, Thalia,
will not be half SO much out of place as it
usually is. Staten Island, Clio, where your
early American history was much IN the max
ing. Staten Island, where even my depart
ment Of tragedy functions-and don't refer
TO committing hither, either."
Thus admonished, the two skeptcal muses.
seated themselves by the side of their more
serious sister and began to look around the
vicinity, which was the little town of Rich
mond, to be exact. Soon fine frenzy lit their
eyes, as they recognized the material ready to
their hands. Unslinging their Tyres, they began
musical strains of the trio which came to the
ears of the scribe, causing him to set down
this narrative
New-York tribune., 1921-10-30

years fore I was
BORN the colonel
continued. can
rot so long after
the house was
built they started
to fit th' Revolu-
shun round here.
T h e Americans
had laid out an
settled tn town
here
"a n d rig h t
here, " interposed
Captain c o n n or
Il have tn first
surveyin' instru-
ment ever used on
duced a. queer old
hewn wooden case.
New-York tribune., 1921-10-30

"No, you can't" the MAJ assured
We'll the colonel resumed, 9Th British
came in here ruther they sent them Hessianss
New-York tribune., 1921-10-30

"A ELPoMENE, Clio and Thalia fore
NJ gathered the other day, over on
"a Staten Island. How they came to be
in that vicinity is a mystery. Per
New-York tribune., 1921-10-30
The old stairway Where Pat Hyan found 900 British
soUereigns in the memorable year 1857

Staten Island He pro-
brass transit in a hand
Can you beat that"
New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1921-07-16
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.

The following statement is issued by
Acting Collector of Internal Revenue, ]
H. Hynson, Jr.:
July 81 is the last day for filing re.
turns of the capital stock tax. To avoit
penalty, the returns must be in the hand:
of collectors of internal revenue on OF
before midnight of that date.
Blank forms are available at the offic,
of Collector Of Internal Revenue, Custom
House Building, New Orleans, Louisiana
and the following branch offices: Shreve-
port, Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, Monroe
and Alexandra. Form 707 is required
for domestic, and 7O8 for foreign corpo-
rations.
The capital stock tax is special ex-
else tax imposed on corporations with
respect to carrying on or doing bust
ness" The tax on domestic corporations
is 81 for each $1,000 Or so much of the
fair average value Of its capital stock TO,
the preceding year ending June 80 as i.
in excess of $4,000. Foreign corporations
are required to pay tax at the rae Of 81
New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1921-07-16

membered young link who use to 60,
such letters lover there" from his mothe,
and sisters. He was only II and full Of
pep. link used to give me his ration Of
rum because he did not drink. gave
link his last drink of water and he never
came back to Norfolk thought Of Snow
who wrote to a girl 2 and times q day
tho he could not mail them and dreamed
dreams of Halifax. We'd never have
recognized Snow without his tag-jus.
scraps.
And I had quit on question of front
or back door.
Didn't have a wife that had stuck and
when I was all in sold collar buttons
Weren't my lungs still sound Hadn't the
Mayor allowed me the privilege of selling
waist pins The word was good.
That poor cripple unable to walk
never had chance to 60 to France and
do and dare, was the grandest preacher
in the world. I know I'm fortunate.
That's what he did.
And if you who want chance here
after have secondhand pony, I'll tell
the world after that cripple boy gets
through with it you can ride it straight
to Heaven.
"BUCKED UP"
New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1921-07-16

ment assessment may be- made, thus
avoiding penalty.
The penalty for failure to file 4 return
within the time prescribed is. ar added
assessment Of Is per cent of the amount
due, unless it is shown that the failure
was due to reasonable cause and not to
neglect.
In addition to the added assessment q
fine of not more than $1,000 is provided
for failure to make a return on time.
For wilful refusal to make a return, will
full evasion of the tax, wilful refusal TO-
supply information requested by the
Commissioner, or attempting in any way
to evade the tax and payment when due.
the penalty is a fine of not more than
$4,000 or imprisonment for az: more
than one year, or both
With view to the prompt collee ton
Of the capital stock tax, and for the con-
venience of The taxpayer as we'll as TIE
government, the Bureau suggests that
corporations submit checks WIFI the re-
turns for the amount of tax due. This
method is appealing to corporations as it
lessons liability to penalty
New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1921-07-16

for each $1,000 of their capital employed
in the transaction of business in the Uni
ted States without the benefit of the
$4,000 deduction. The tax is payable in
, advance, returns filed in July of this yea,
covering the taxable year beginning July
/, 1921 and ending June 80, 1922
The Bureau of Internal Revenue esti-
mates that approximately $4,000, such
returns will be filed, and that the amount
of revenue collected from this source
will be approximately $9o,OoO,000.
Returns are required of every domestic
corporation regardless of the par value
of its capital stock, and of every foreign
corporation irrespective of the amount Of
capital employed in this country in the
transaction of its business. Certain cor
porations, not organized for profit are en-
empt from capital stock tax. The class
of organizations entitled to the exemption
is described in regulations SO, revised,
copies of which may be obtained at the
New Orleans office.
Corporations claiming exemption are
required to file returns setting forth their
reasons for such claims, accompanied by
evidence in support thereof.
If, because of lack of complete data or
other reasons than illness or absence, it
is impossible to file q complete return
on or before July 81, tentative return
may be filed, reporting the approximate
fair value in order that an initial assess
New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1921-07-16
SURVEY Of Pine TIMBER
REVEALS QUICK GROWTH
STATE UNDERTAKES lNTGRgoC.
ING STUDY.

Alexandria, La.--How fast does Z
pine tree grown Does . shortlsaf
grow faster than = longleafi How
many cords Of wood will stand on IN
sore Of ground 1t the end Of fifteen or
twenty years? How long does It take
- grow . saw log?
These and Z number Of similar ques-
ltions Will Dc definitely answered, at
beast for Louisiana, when . field
Darty from the state Department
q Conservation completes . survey
covering most u the second-growth
pinsy woods OF Louisiana. The re
ieults of these studies. when combined
With similar studies being made In
ether Southern states. VIII be pub
Mshed for the use Of timber owners
throughout the South. The men now
~ work In this state are 8. A. Tru.
FAINT, Jr.. Of New Orleans. and w. n.
Thompson, Of Ola. LaSalle Parish.
During the past month they have been
nsasuring stands in Calcasieu, Beau
regard and Vernon Parishes, and are
now working out Of here. They report
Surprisingly rapid growth in young
1eands on old fields and cut-over land.
.zhs growth Of virgin timber u vesy
0neh slower.
New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1921-07-16
Communicatsd.
CUT THE GRASS ON THE BACK
STREETS.

r. - New Iberia, La, July 14th, 1921.
TO Whom It May Concern:
I think that the sidewalks and streets
Of the side and back streets are aedisgrace
to the community. What are strangers
opinion Of New 1beria7 Have you ever
spoken to one one and asked them about
our town. Yes! What are their
answer7 New Iberia wouldn't be such
IN eye sore if properly taken care of
That il their answer, and you know it.
For instance, Whist about the East End
Market and grocery stores in places.
What about the concerts, block dances and
o.her amusements given herea In your
advertisements you say, "Come one, come
all" We must smile 1t the nerve some
people have. It il impossible to move
out of our home. Why7 Because of
broken sidewalks. Many . child has
badly hurt themselves on it in day light.
Then you ask Us to 20 out At night?
Yes. Well, we are all taxpayers and that
is all. We paid our taxes promptly, but
we didn't get our sidewalks. If some
one down here were i'll, they would have
time to die before aid could be gotten,
because of our. beautiful walks. All! Did
you ever stroll down here and visit our
magnificent boulevards. Bring your cow.
There are fine grazing places here. You
won't have to buy food until winter, if
you do.
Respectfully yours,
A CITIZEN.
New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1921-07-16
END OF A LONG, OLD DAY.

Mr.. Editor-Yesterday was in Gretns
and it was hot, and l was feeling blue
and tough and discouraged. was selling
waist pins and the lady folks would not
come to the door when Iiknocksd. was
overseas 81 months with a Canadian out
fit and I was wounded and gassed and
all-together unfit for anything, but tc
peddle waist pins two or three hours a
day.
Sitting on a doorstep-thinking what q
hero I was two years ago and then hav-
ing q wood woman bawl me out for no,
coming to the back door, and-you know
plying myself. Anyway sure felt
blue That down and out feeling-no
friends-cruel world.
Along comes misshaped boy or man
about 8 feet tall, hump back, all out OF
proportion, homely and addressed, seated
in . soap box on two wheels and pro-
PEELED by small goat. Its pretty hot, y
he said with a grin. I've seen them in
bad shape in France-they weren't
pretty. But this boy or man had them
cheated honest-only his eyesthey were
big and clear.
Well, Mr.. Editor, he stopped and talked
to ME, and, man, he woke NE up. Was
he discouraged I'll say he wasn't
Cheerful That was him. And me
ready to quit because . woman did mot
want me to knock on her 'front.' door. He
minated this was grand old world, and
If BY some miracle be could ever get
hold Of pony he'd be the happiest per-
con in the world.
Well, Mister, when he said "geetup" to
HE goat and left me ! got mp. re-
New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1921-07-16
] LUMBER !! y! B! !. |. COMPANIES
',,,.-,-,.~-PR PREVENT FIRES
y. ~
'p1otHAr EXPERT coMpLiMGkjro
II. ..@s STATE.

New Orleans, LA.-Rapid improve.
0eat IN sparkArrssting equipment %
dummy and other logging engines o.
oratsd b. lumber, gravel and cen
strueties companies n Louisisns's
biney woods ID shown by reports Sub.
nittsA 70 N. L. Alsxandsr. State Gem.
nissIoasr Of CoassrvatloA. "Systs-
mate Inspections covering . period q
about eighteen noatAs." says Mr. ~
o1andsT. indicate . most satisfactory
increase in The number Of tramroads
yhisA ars hsartily cemplying With our
tlro Drevsotioa regulations. In that
s1ns Conservation AgsnE W. o. No
Curry he's reported tie condition q
~ ioeesesivss. skiddsr'oend leaders.
~ average a three times. The lest
inspection shows only - per cent oe
~ opesstors mot yet Substantially IN
Ne Win our regulations. After July
- ~ shall adopt . Dsaicy Of Ming
1AAsgO against all dslinlusnts In this
matter. Many companies have always
aee6~ proper devices 70 prevent fi9ea,
go now four out q i've nee them
We ase going 70 make this five cut
g I'VE. A government export study
Ing this subject was here last week
aal toll 40 Louisiana has dOne more
= tramloaA fire prevention than any
state he had visited"
New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1921-07-16

FOR SALE-One 'Kiddie
Koop," (child's screened Bed on
wheels) made to order, 50 inch
les long, in good condition. Mrs.
Vim. BaumaDn, phone AS.
New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1921-07-16
New Residence for Sale.

Ny house SEA Center Street, New Iberia, opposite
site of contemplated High School, Lot measures 100
100 it. in depth House contains bed rooms, hall, sitting
room, bath room kitchen Screened and electric lighted
Pecan and oak trees. Cost 100000 Will sell at loss
Part payment Z1KE FR1DLEY.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-10-19

Phoenix plain and fancy silk
hose in black and silk and wool
heather hose at LAS to 2.85.
McCallum full fashioned silk
hose, drop stitch and embroidered
clocks in all colors at $50 to $50.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-10-19

Kayser full fashioned plain, lace
and embroidered glove silk hose in
the desired shades at 3.75 to AIS.
Onyx full fashioned lace and
drop stitch silk hose in brown and
black at ESQ to $50.