davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-05-07

said the young woman. knowingly:
"she don't know what it means, It's
Just that much play to hel."
This last was said with a Questl"A'
ing glance at Van Bibber, in who"
she still feared to find the disguised
agent Of Children's Aid Society.
Van Bibber only nodded in reply,
and did not answer her, because he
found he could not very well, for he
was looking a long way ahead a.
what the future was to bring TO the
cOnfiding little being at his side, and
of the evil knowledge and temptation
that would mar the beauty OF her
quantity sweet face, and its strange
mark of gentleness and refinement.
Outside he could hear Mis- frlend
Lester shouting the refrain OF his
new topical song, and the laughter
and the hand-clapping came in
through the wings and open door,
broken but tumultuous.
"Does she come Of professional
people," Van Bibber asked, dropping
into the vernacular. He spoke
softly. not so much that he might not
disturb the child, but that she might
not understand what he said.
YES" the woman answered,
shortly, and bent her heal to smooth
out the child's stage dress across her
knees.
Van Bibber touched the little girls
head with his hand and found that
she was asleep, and so let his hand
rest there. with the curls between his
fingers. "Are-are you her mother?'
he asked, with slight inclination OF
his head. He felt quite confident she
was not; at least, he hoped not.
The woman shook her head. mo"
she said.
who Is her mother?"
Ida Clare was her mother" she
said.
Van Bibber's protecting hand left
the child as suddenly as though
something had burned it, and he
drew back so quickly that her head
slipped from her arm, and she awoke
and raised her eyes and looked up at
him questioningly. He looked back
at her with a glance Of the strangest
concern and Of the deepest pity. Then
he stopped and drew her towards him
very tenderly. put her head back in
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-05-07

an effort to speak quietly and uncon-
cernedly: If the little girl is not on
IL this act, would you mind If TOOK
h,r home? have cab at the stage
,."..r. and she's so sleepy it seems a
ii.l TO keep her up. The sister you
IN Ike of or some one could put her
to rcd"
"Ies," t." woman said, doubtfully.
"Ada's hole Yes. you can take her
around, if ,,a mt TO"
She gave h.. q address, and he
gathered the 'rt NJ in his arms
and stepped orr tn =" stage. The
prima donna hal '.t tire Of 1t 10
herself at that MT - ". I'd all the
rest of the company %ting 10
90 on. hut when the little
girl In Van Bibbers arM 49," made
a rush at her. and the / l'"Hed
over and kissed her with = & y .-"''W
of rapture and delight.
Don't" said Van Bibber, he or
not tell just why. Don't"
why not?" asked one Of the gil.
looking up at him sharply.
"She was asleep; you've wakened
her" he said, gently.
But he knew that was not the rea-
son. He stepped into the cab at the
stage entrance, and put the child
carefully down in one corner. Then
he looked back over his shoulder to
see that there was no one near
enough to hear him, and said to the
driver, ITO the Berkeley Flats, on
Fifth Avenue" He picked the child
up gently in his arms as the carriage
started, and sat looking out thought
fully and anxiously as they flashed
past the lighted shop-windows on
Broadway. He was far from certain
of this errand, and nervous with
doubt, but he treasured himself that
he was acting on impulse. and that
his impulses were so often good. The
hall-boy at the Berkeley said, yes,
Mr.. Caruthers was In, and Van Bibber
gave a quick sigh of relief. He took
this as an omen that his impulse was
a good one. The young English SER
want who opened the hall door to
Mr.. Caruthers's apartment sup
pressed his surprise with an effort,
and watched Van Bibber with alarm
as he laid the child on the divan in
the hall, and pulled covert coat
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-05-07

! in his hand, set il carefully down on
the mantel beside him, and glrded
himself about with the rope. OF MS
robe. When he spoke, it was IN q
tone Of quiet politcness.
Mr.. Van Bibber," he began. you
are a very brave young man. You
have dared to say 10 me what those
who are my hest friends--what
even my own f'>mily would no.
care to say. They are afraiu
It might hurt me, ] suppose
But you have the courage OF your
convictions; you have no compunc-
tions about tearing open old wounds;
and you come here, unasked and un-
invited, to let me know what you
think Of my conduct, to let ME under
stand that it does not agree with your
own ideas Of what I ought to do, ana
to tell me how I, who am old enough
70 be your father, should behave. |
suppose l ought to thank you for 1t;
but l have always said that 1t Is not
the wicked people who are to be
feared in this world. or do the most
harm. II is the we'll meaning fool who
makes all the trouble. think, II you
will allow me to say so. that you have
demonstrated my theory pretty thor
oughly, and have done about as much
needless harm for one evening as you
can possibly wish. And so, II you
will excuse me- he continued,
sternly, and moving from his place,
Il will ask to say goodnight"
Van Bibber had flushed at Mr..
Caruthers's first words, and had then
grown somewhat pale. and straight
ened himself visibly. He did not
move when the elder man had fin
ished, but cleared his throat. and
then spoke with some little difficulty.
1T Is very easy to call man fool,
he said, slowly, "but it is much
harder 10 be called a fool and not to
throw the other man out OF the win
dow. But that, you see, would not
do any good, and I have something
TO say to you first. l am quite well
aware that l did an unconventional
thing in coming here. but the sttua-
ton is pretty bad, and | did as
would have wished to be done by IT
l had had a child going to the devil
and didn't know 1t. However, he
said. smiling grimly, there are other
kindly disposed people in the world
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-05-07

should be allowed to go on In that
business. A grown woman can go
into it with her eyes open, or gill
who has had decent training can, too
But it's different with child. she
has no choice in the matter; they
don't ask her permission; and she
isn't old enough to know what II
means; and she gets used to 1t ana
fond Of it before she grows TO know
what the danger is. And then it's
too late. 1t seemed to me that II
there was any one who had a right
to stop it. it would be very good
thing TO let that person know about
her-about this child, | mean; the
one who made the hit--before 1t was
too late. 1t seems to me a RESPONSE
bility / wouldn't care to take myself.
wouldn't care to think that had
the chance to stop it, and had let the
chance go by. You know what the
life is, and what the temptation a
oman" Van Bibber stopped with
-. lisp OF concern. and added, hur-
-. ", Il mean We all know-eyery
=. >nows."
-, Caruthers was looking at
h!is "a his lips pressed closely
tosa h"r. and his eyebrows drawn
into the .Eape Of the letter '. He
leaned . word, and looked at Van
Bibber iAtC ltlv.
What is all this about?" he asked.
"Did you come here. Mr.. Van Bibber.
simply to tell me this? What have
you to do with it? What have to
do with It? Why did you Gomez"
Because Of the child"
What child"
Your child" said Van Bibber.
Young Van Bibber was quite pre-
pared for an outbreak Of some sort,
and mentally braced himself to re-
ceive it. He rapidly assured himself
that this man had every reason to be
angry, and that he, If he meant to
accomplish anything, had every rea-
son to be considerate and patient. So
he faced Mr.. Caruthers with should
ders squared, as though it were 4
physical shock he had to stand
against, and in consequence he was
quite unprepared for what followed.
For Mr.. Caruthers raised his .face
without a trace Of feeling in it, and,
with his eyes still fixed on the glass
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-05-07

the corner OF his arm and watched
her in silence while she smiled
drowsily and went to sleep again.
And who takes care Of her now?'
| he asked.
The woman seemed relieved. See
saw that the stranger had recognized
the childs pedigree and knew her
story, and that he was not going to
comment on 1t. IL do" she said.
After the divorce Ida came to me. y
she said, speaking more freely. Il
used to be in her company when she
was doing Aladdin and then when |
! left the stage and started to keep an
actors clearinghouse, she came TO
me. She lived with us a year, until
she died, and she made ME the
guardian of the child. train chill
dren for the stage. you know, me and
my sister. Ada Dyer; you've heard OF
her, / guess. The courts pay us for
her keep, but it isn't much. and Pm
expecting to get what I spent on her
| from what she makes on the stage.
Two Of them other children are my
pupils; but they cant touch Made.
She Is a better dancer an singer than
any Of them. If it hadn't been for
the Society keeping her back, she
would have been on the stage two
years ago. She's great, she is. She'll
! be just as good as her mother was"
And her father" he said, hest
tatingly, docs he"
Her father" said the woman.
"he looks after himself. he does. We
don't ask no favors Of him. She'll
get along without him or his folks.
thank you. Call him gentleman?
Nice gentleman he Isl" Then she
stopped abruptly. 81 guess. though.
you know him." she added. per
haps he's friend Of yourn?"
II just know him." said Van Bib
Der, YEARLY.
He sat with the child asleep be-
side him while the woman turned to
the others and dressed them for the
third act. She explained that Made
would not appear in the last act. only
the two larger girls, 30 she let her
sleep, with the cape Of Van Bibber's
cloak around her.
! Van Bibber sat there for several
long minutes thinking. and then
looked up quickly. and dropped his
eyes again as quickly. and said. with
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-05-07

from the rack to throw over her.
Just say Mr.. Van Bibber would
like to see him." he said, land you
need not speak Of the little girl hay
ing come with me-"
She was still sleeping. and Van
Bibber turned down the light in the
hall, and stood looking down at her
gravely while tie servant went to
speak 10 his master.
"Will YOU come this way. please.
SIR" he said.
You had better stay ont here.
said Van Bibber. land come and tell
me if she wakes"
Mr.. Caruthers was standing by
the mantel over the empty fireplace.
He was a tall, handsome man. with
dark, reddish hair, turning below the
temples into gray; his mustache was
quite white. and his eyes and face
showed the signs Of either dissipation
or Of great trouble, or OF both. But
even in the formleSs dressing gown
he had the look and the confident
bearing of a gentleman, or, at least,
Of the man Of the world.
EXCUSE my CoSluHle, Will you! He
said. II turned in rather early to-
night, it was so hot" He pointed to
a decanter and some soda bottles on
the table and a bowl of ice. and
asked, "Will you have some of this"
mo, l think not. thank YOU" said
the younger man. He touched his
forehead with his handkerchief ner-
vously. Eyes. 1t is hot" he said.
IL was at the first night Of The
sultana,' this evening"" said Van Bib
Der, slowly and uncertainty.
ooh, yes" assented the elder man.
politely, and tasting his drink. Les
ter's new piece. Was it any good?"
"I don't know" said Van Bibber.
YES, think 1t was. l didn't see 1t
from the front. There were lot Of
children in it--little ones; they
danced and sang, and made great
hit. One Of them had never been on
the stage before. 1t was her first
appearance.
1T seems to me-" he said. that it
is a great pity" He looked up in
terrogatively at the other man, but
Mr.. Caruthers met his glance without
any returning show of interest. Il
say" repeated Van Bibber--"I say it
seems a pity that a child like that
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1921-06-16

|. y IS s 81 ''<@.z ,..:.o2 DESP Al
0' STACNATI(
H Could
H forward @Ad mates Thoesnoa
in
v AXE nlo nnnuhyb but fth
in e than III Others Somecom nunHew were
wa the when b
coeci shoulders vhedt
Of d inadoug
wa % ho dotehe dones Aft
foref vaton thus dAmrnu
/ m~ i Hdong rthaneer
his doors md said
i Americas nndnm
l|I|| at hs toe hasnn~
H HI cmn of cash
dhC get Americas hano his
it knew tina tina food
C he p up accounts
1@" Many these Peah has ebm
H@ STACNAIES Without and the mem
adn
H dear those wboha through Possibly
II f them there man wfoca yIaa eahdA
uannt ayaMB
You eonto He merchant otheankh
si nrr1ands where gamnst
is
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-26
Ron1pers.

The present generation romps thru
life with a freedom of dress unknown
to the spencer and white Marseil1es
childhood costumes of its grandmoth-
ers. The nursery age keeps to romp-
ers very generally for the playroom,
and even under a street coat. The
peg-top style is very quaint and is
made Of bingham, chambray, dimity,
seersueker, heavy cotton crepe, mad
ras linen finished cottons, cotton pop
lin, or cotton gabardine. The cat IS
one of a large circle of animal friends
that supply delightful pockets. They
can be worked in outline or applique
as a trimming, or in applique as pock-
cts. The rompers themselves have in
side pockets.-Decemb Delineator.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-26

to entice the shopper within the doors.
Another glance down the long aisle
bordered by, hundreds Of things that
He, She or the children desire, is the
second step toward a settlement of the
seasons eternal question.
This year special attention has been
paid to gifts for the children. A won
derful assortment of Juvenile books is
on hand-books that interest. instruct.
entertain and amuse Every mother
knows that when some toys fail to
please, the child finds a haven of en-
joyment in a book, a novelty toys or
a game.
And then there are other things
worlds of them. There issno end to
the possibilities at Halls
brand new line of stationery in
the gift boxes is ready for the holiday
buyers, as well as many choices of
kodaks, fountain pens and Eversharp
pencils. Xmas counter cards, the kind
that don't need to be engraved, are
ready for the purchaser.
10 Any Editor, on Receiving a Rejection
slip.
sent thee late manuscript
NOT so much hOnoring thee,
as giving it a hOpe-at last
That 1t might published be.
But thou thereon didst smile
And sent 1t back to me:
since when, 1 swear, its fate was due
Not to Itself but theei
-Shop-Talk, Atlantic Monthly.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-26

hose. several fine linen handkerchiefs,
and knitted silk ties. In mems jewelry
I saw cuff-nnks, sterling silver cigar
cite cases, little gold knives to be
worn on watch chain, silver belt
buckles all in the latest design.
One always hears of a woman's love
for dress-men love to dress up, too;
by shopping in the Mems Departm ent
at Pelletiers, you will find many gift
suggestions for "him."
A Notion.
Dear, have a notion when twilight comes
And. westward, Jordon sweeps his slow
shadow
From lake to crest of neighboring Pematic
And all the hermit thrushes on the slopes
Ring out their silver scales of broken
Song
have a notion a hundred lichened doors
Creak wide from the mountain caves
On eehOing elfin hinges,
And little brown men blink into the sun
And stretch and SMILE
casting their moOn-mad fancies.
Henry Chaplin in Vanity Fair.
advertisement
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-26

ton. The pure wool satin bound
lounging robes for men and dressing
gowns for ladies that are shown at the
Felix Clothing Company would de-
light any one.
These comfortable and attractive
robes are beautifully made in several
colors and have the silk cords to
match.
There are years of service and en-
joyment in each garment. The prices
are $40 and S25.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-26
.Qb61lf5bIs5 5531f|
( = W@ BethGk. COmteSeW TEf

chairs, pianos, kitchen cabinets, bed
room furniture, stoves, even an cleo
trie one with two burners and an oven
that will really bake, a telephone.
pretty little dishes, and all kinds Of
cooking utensils, including a really,
truly, little percolator.
For tn little lad, there are in Pei
letters Toy Department, mechanical
toys, wagons, drums, scOoters and a
lot of other dandy things
st. Nick remembered the babies
too, and provided Tinker Toys and
the prettiest little animals, ducks, rab-
bits. bears, cameIs. dogs and every
thing, made of gay colored felt;
wOolly little lambs that are water
proof and hence eligible to join in the
baby's bath.
There is also a very complete line
of juvenile books in the basement at
Pelletier's.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-26
DO YOU FIX
THE FAMILY FURNACE?

If so. are you sure that you do it
right?
1t is safe to say that 80 per cent of
our heating plants are not properly
cared for. They are coal wasting
plants.
You can save money by firing right.
The right way 20 fire a furnace is de-
scribed in a free booklet published by
the department of agriculture and
called Operating a Home Heating
Plant"
You can secure a free copy of this
booklet by filling out and mailing the
coupon below, enclosing two cents in
stamps for return postage. Print
name and address, or be sure to write
plainly.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-26
IN MEMORIAM.

In loving memory of our husband
and father, who left US one year ago
today. November 25, 1920.
When the evening shades are falling,
We are sitting all alone,
In our hearts there comes longing,
If you only could come home;
Oft our hearts wander
To a grave not far away,
Where we laid our darling loved one,
Just one year ago today.
Sadly missed by wife and daugh~
ters. MRS. J. NJ. JOHNSON,
MRS. HERMAN SEWELL.
MISS MAMIE JOHNSON.
ADV
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-26
Wrongly CataIogued.


The politician rushed past the Of
fetal Cerberus into the editorial
sanctUm.
What do you mean by insulting me
as you did in last nights Clamor?"
Just minute" replied the editor.
it to us-namely, that you had re-
signed as city treasurer ?"
ut did" admitted the politician.
But you put it under the head, Pub
lie improvements ''-Harper's Maya
zine.
DO you like Nut bread? Most every
body does. So often it is too much
trouble to make sandwiches, yet they
are no bother at all if you make them
of nut bread as no filling is necessary
and the Barker Bakery makes the
best Nut bread you ever tasted.
Party refreshments can be reduced
to the minimum amount of work if
you order patty-shells Nut bread or
rolls and cakes from the Barker Bak-
cry and Furthermore they will be so
good that you will be proud of them
yourself.
The real French pastries with deli
ciOuS butter and sugar icing, fresh
chocolate and vanilla macaroons, dainty
lady fingers and rich little mocha
cakes that are made at the Barker
Bakery will add wonderfully to the
success of the dessert course.
Just give your order to the Barker
Bakery a few days before the party
and the fresh pastries will be -deliv-
cred to you right when you want them.
Simple, isn't it, and satisfying, tool
What makes the people smoker so ?"
Said folks upon parade.
" Snickerbockers, don't you know"
The shameless punster said.
Boston Transcript.
RALPH S HOLLAND, who has
been giving Topekans a number of
good things in musical way this fall.
has a real treat in store. Anpa Case,
famous soprano. will appear at the
auditorium on the evening of Wednes-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-26

EVERYDAY A MD
Christmas shoppin g
opportunities in mems
wear are to be found
on the First Floor at
Pelletier's. No m a n
would be sorry to re-
ceive on Christmas
morning. a nifty silk
shirt, a handsome belt
with a sterling silver
buckle a few pairs of
silly or silk aud wool
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-26

Shall I tell you story, Baby dear?
think your bedtime is drawing near.
Wei then come sit on your Auntie's knee
Aud you shall choose what the tale shall be.
Shall tell you about the JOnes's divorce?
It's aMfully good and it's true of course.
or about Miss Smiths breach of promise
suit
Against the man she had threatened to
shoot?
OR the funny one, how the Ku Klux Khan
Made a mistake and killed the wrong man
What You've heard all those and lot
much WOrseS
You're a tiresome child. Run along to
Nurse
George *. Denny in Life.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-26

ONE OF the most
interesting shopping
places during the
holiday season is q
stationery st Or e.
Gifts for every mem
Der of the family
and most practical
and acceptable gifts
are obtainable in
such a retail institu-
ton.
A glance at Halls
windows, 623 KAN
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-26
Game Always.

Preacher solemnly)-Rastus, do
yo' take dis here woman for better or
for worse2
Rastus from force of habit)-Pah-
son. All shoots it all!-Wayside Tales.
AT SULLIVAN'S Art Store a SPLEEN
did line of pictures and Christmas
cards is being shown. In the small
and select aristocracy of gifts that en-
dure, such as original color etching
and Mezzo Tinstse and Genuine Wal
lace Nuttings, that we are all so fond
of, hold the enviabIe position. There
is the happy quality OF delightful
youth, maturity. old age and bringing
the smile of pleasure to the lips of all.
other gifts may pass in the glamor
of Christmas but artistic and harmon
ious framing from Sullivan's Art Store
will always please.
PA, what is the duty of a dry en-
forcement commissioner ~
ITO reorganize his staff every two
weeks, my son."-Brooklyn Standard
Union.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-26

day, November 80, at SIS o'clock.
Tickets are on sale at Jenkins Music
Store. The phone number is 1909.
The concert is a wonderful offering.
school for Manners.
The wife of the vicar of a fash
ionabie London suburb tells the story
of a new parlor maid who was a great
success. One day, however, she went
out wearing clothes very much above
her station" and got into a motor-car
which was waiting near the vicarage
gate.
When she returned a few hours
later, the wears wife, more in sorrow
than anger. suggested that domestic
servants who dressed fashionably and
drove off in mOtor-cars We're hardly
suitable for the ecclesiastical atmos-
phere.
Then the girl confessed. ooh" she
said, don't be alarm ed. The man with
the motOr-car is my father. He made
a lot of money during the war, and
now we live in a large house. But we
didn't know quite how things were
done by well-bred people. and so
took this job to find out."-Tit-Bits
Uondon).
"Have you heard today's gossip %
mo, I haven't"
"Then 1 guess there isn't any
Boston Beanpot.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-26

toaster or percolator or grill. or waffle
iron or other time savers as shown by
the Topeka Electric company, SIS
Kansas avenue
The reasonable electric light rates
have been a boon to Topeka homes
where the many table necessities may
be served without the minute runs to
the kitchen.
In addition to these appliances. the
Topeka Electric company is showing
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-26
LESS
T HAN

time to shop. AOu can make a won
derful start in your Christmas prepar-
sations by visiting the PelIetier Gift
Shop, second floor.
Polychrome book-ends and candle
sticks in attractive color designs, beau
tiful pOtteries, wrought iron candle
sticks, quaint Italian jewel and cigar
cite boxes, pillows of velour or change
able taffeta. handsome table runners
ini black and gold, are most accepta BILE
and attractive prospective gifts.
Often a man is ''stumped" to know
what to give his wife for Christmas.
It's a strange but true thing that a.
woman can scarcely have too many
lamps, and she would be overjoyed to
receive one of the wrought iron bridge
lamps displayed at the Pelletiers Gift
Shop.
In the loss expensive gifts there are
practical little articles. nicely decor
ated and prettily boxed; imported bas-
kets of every shape. yea verify, more
and more, youn find in the PeIletier
Gift Shop.