davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1922-12-28
THE ANNUAL
ROMANCE
By Mary Graham Bonner
Ia, 1872, western Newspaper Union.)

g. 1922. Western Newspaper Union)
. OSALIND was engaged to be mar
~ ried. She was to be married the
day after Christmas. She couldn't
very well be married before then as
her fiance was SO especially, unusual
ly busy at Christmas time, and it
would have been cruel, too, not to have
waited.
For Bill, her beloved, took the part
Of a Santa Claus every Christmas for
one Of the big city stores. He was an
ideal Santa Claus. He wasn't too tall,
he was not too short; he was rather
inclined to stockiness Of build, and
extra clothes made him look an ideal
round Santa. He had ruddy face
and swapping blue eyes-and dressed
in Santa Claus costume he was per-
feet.
How the children did adore him
And how he loved them! They whis-
pered their secrets to him and their
eyes danced with rare happiness when
he waved goodbye to them and
called them:
"Sweethearts," and my dears," and
"Children dears," and other affection
ate terms. AZ,
Rosalind had been thrilled when
she had heard him first, in his deep
beautiful voice uttering such beautiful
words! For Rosalind had met him
first when he had been Santa Claus
and she had been an extra sales girl
taken on for the Christmas rush.
It had been her first meeting with
him. But she had been kept at the
store after the Christmas rush was
over, and Bill had worked for the
store for seven years now. Every De-
cember he was Santa Claus. The 9TH
er eleven months he spent in selling
kitchen utensils In the basement.
They had fallen in love with each 9TH
er, though, at this time when he had
been Santa Claus. And many time
when he had said: "Good-by dearie,"
to a child, he had been thinking Of the
pretty girl who was at that very mo-
ment selling dolls and giving her
smiles, her beautiful smiles to a moth
er or to children.
And now second Christmas was
coming around, and once more Bill
was Santa Claus, and as soon as he
was through being Santa Claus they
would be married.
tive always had lots Of romance in
my nature" she said to him one eve
ming. "I've always thought it would
be awful to be like some folks-some
know and some I've heard talk. One
lady who came to the store with
friend was telling how she and her
husband got along perfectly. They
each had other friends, and sometimes
they met and embarrassed others when
they told that they were married. For
one time the husband had been having
dinner with friend, and the friend
had been looking flirtatiously at his
wife who was also in the restaurant.
1.-THE friend had been much embar-
raised when he discovered he had been
The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1922-12-28

large opening in the forest, and then
the fairies and forest folk stopped
in amazement. They had never seen
anything like this sight before"
"What-what was it?" the children
chorused.
Gee! I almost dropped that great
big ornament" said Robert excitedly.
1T was great, huge pine tree,
decorated with little packages. These
little parcels were wrapped in paper
which looked like spiders webb so
fine, silky and delicate was it. Then
these were suspended from the tree
by string which shone in the after
noon sunlight like raindrops.
'Little stars had given their serv-
ices for the surprise and they
twinkled from among all the branches.
1t was too much for the little sub.
jects and they sat down about the
tree where they were to admire it.
"Then some Of the fairies began TAX
ing the packages off and giving one to
each member. There was honey for
Mister Bear. cheese for Mister Mouse,
corn for Mister Rat, berries and seeds
for the birds. Just everything that
they had wanted. It was great sue
cess.
"You know Santa grew up with these
fairies, and"
mo, I didn't know it," broke in
Jean and her eyes grew the size Of
saucers.
$50" continued Mrs. Martin, "when
Santa began making toys for children
he thought Of this idea of the pine
trees, and he took a tree for each child
and hung their presents on it.
, "By and by, though, his load grew
to such a size that he found it was i'm
possible to carry so many trees"
"Yes," said practical Robert, "they
took up too much room. and he wanted
to make toys"
Mrs. Martin nodded.
$50 the mothers and fathers agreed
to get the trees and trim them for
him, which helped him great DEAL"
'That's how they thought of these
ornaments, them" said Souzette. "This,
the last one to put on, too"
"Come on; let's get to bed quick now,
so Santa will come,' suggested
Robert.
"And they've been helping Santa
all these years." said Jean dreamily.
Ever SINCE" replied Mrs. Martin,
"Now let's see who will be in bed
first" N.
The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1922-12-28


boy. Jean and Robert, brother and
sister, and Souzette, little, bright
eyed, winsome girl.
Mr.. and Mrs. Martin (Daddie and
Mother, they had asked the children
to call them) and the three kiddies
were busy trimming the tree.
my, what beautiful ornaments" ex-
claimed Souzette.<
"What bully lights, you mean," cor
rected Robert, who was all eyes for
electrical things.
swell, like the tree BEST" put in
Jean. "It's wonderful. Did you have
a tree when you were little, mother"
queried the child rather shyly.
"Yes, had one every year, and
still have my tree, you see."
spears like they've always had
them doesn't it?" said Robert.
"They have had them for long, long
years. Haven't you ever heard about
the first Christmas tree?"
NO." burst forth Robert. "They
don't have time to tell us anything at
The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1922-12-28

was assembled before her, she told
them what she had told the fairies
and elves. They fairly scampered
away, they were SO eager to get ready
for the morrow"
"Do you suppose they were more
excited than we were when we got
ready to come here?" piped up little
Souzette. II don't think they could
be-"
Mrs. Martin smiled at her and gave
her a kiss. Brushing tear from her
eyes and steadying her voice she went
on:
1.-THE morrow came, even though
many Of the little folk thought it
never would come. They were all
there early. waiting, dressed in their
grandest clothes. At the time set
the queen came. She led them to a
The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1922-12-28
Have Breakfast Room Tidy.

Start the day right by having the
breakfast room aired and tidy, even
though more thorough sweeping and
busting is done afterwards. II the
table is set the night before light
cloth must be thrown over It.
The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1922-12-28

T WAS the Martins pleas
ure every year at Christ
mas time to 60 to some
orphans home and bring
back two or three little
children to spend the holi-
days with them.
This year their choice
LII h A. s-s,,la and a
The Washington times., 1922-06-25

the concrete. And on the floor beside the
block was another iron chain. The
maniac fnmbled in his pocket and brought
out another paddock. He passed the new
chain through the staple and then at
tached it by paddock to the chain around
the girls necks. This was done in such
a manner that the two girls were able
only to kneel or lie PROSTATE. If they
tried to rise the chain gouged deeper
and more unbearably into their flesh.
This finished, the lunatic took a seat
on a nearby block and began to giggle!
He held up the candle and booked into
their faces.
"You know why brought you here?"
he asked.
The two girls were too weak to answer.
'T'm going to kill your he went on.
Then paused. 81 thought you'd be sur
prised," he said after little silence.
"What have we done to your" cried
Mrs. Jenkins.
"Nothingw replied the lunatic, with an
air Of surprise. "Why should you do
CONTINUED on Next Psgs)
The Washington times., 1922-06-25

lunatic laughed and tangled the chains.
When they struggled, he pulled until the
rusty links cut into their flesh.
Rum" he commanded.
The girls stumbled toward the shack as
their prosecutor laughed and tugged at
their fetters.
The shack contained one bare and dirty
room, empty of furniture. Their abduc-
tor showed them into a corner of it and
then coolly locked the door, putting the
key in his pocket.
Now they saw that there was a trap
door in the centre of the plank floor.
The crazy man raised it with consider
able effort and stared into the black hole
that it covered. He rubbed his hands
briskly and chuckled. He rose and tip
toed like cat to the corner. The girls
clung to each other and huddled against
the wall He chuckled again.
His arm shot out and he seized the
chain. The girls clasped his knees and
begged for mercy.
"Save your tears until you see what l
am going to dor he laughed. He drag
ged them over the floor to the hole. The
chains cut so deeply that the young
women were forced to let 60 of his legs
and interpose their hands between the
chain and their necks.
The maniac stopped at the hole and
pointed.
"Get DOWN. he ordered.
Then, as they shrank back. "Do you
hear meT' he repeated. "Do you want
me. to throw you in?"
"Pleasew cried Mrs. Jenkins. "Please
let US gow
He shook her off and forced her into
the pit. She clung desperately to his
feet, to Miss Mcmahon, to the trapdoor.
The Washington times., 1922-06-25

brush. The maniac stopped the car.
"Now" he jeered. "Scream all you
want to! Yell! Holler! See if anybody
will hear your
Miss Mcmahon burst into tears. The
madman laughed so loudly that all the
echoes of that desolate spot were awak-
ened. Mrs. Jenkins screamed.
Louder" cried the maniac. "Here,
I'll help your'
Help, help, help" he screeched "Is
that loud enough for you? Help! Ha-
ha-ha-ha! He-he-he! Go on and yellw
The girls tried to run. Their kdnapper
whipped out his pistol and fired into the
ground at their feet. Miss Mcmahon
tainted. AS Mrs. Jenkins ran to her side
the maniac caught both of them with
the grip of gorilla and dragged them
back to the car.
"Run away-will you?" he chuckled.
"I'll show your'
He reached into the car and drew out
a heavy logging chain, about eight feet
long. He looped one end of this around
the neck of Miss Mcmahon and fastened
it with a heavy paddock. The other end
he wrapped around the neck of Mrs. Jen-
kins and snapped another paddock through
the links. The two girls were now bound
to each other with five feet Of chain be-
tween them.
Mrs. Jenkins remembered reading
somewhere that the best way to deal
with an insane man is to pretend that his
conduct is quite sensible. So she forced
smile and asked the madman If he was
enjoying himself.
"Yes," he replied, with leer. "But
not as much as I am going to! Waltz
He took the chain and dragged them
toward the wooden shack. Again both
girls cried out in pain and terror. The
The Washington times., 1922-06-25

down the hole. He pulled the trap shut
behind him-and all three were in utter
darkness.
A moment of silence and then they
heard him moving about. He struck
match and they could see his face leering
at them. He lighted a candle in bottle
and the cellar fickered into sight.
In the hazy light they were barely able
to discern the wet, muddy walls of their
prison and the contents of the pit.
Scattered about the floor were several
huge blocks of solid concrete, each weigh
ing several hundred pounds. Their alb
ductor found candle, which he lit and
set on one of these blocks.
Then he began to creep toward his
captives.
In the candle light his face was dis
torted, devilish. His eyes rolled. His
hair had fallen over his face. He
smirked, hideously. As he crept toward
them with his arms outstretched and
his fingers clutching, they realized for the
first time all the frightfulness of the
situation. They were in the power of a
maniac who meant to torment them, per-
haps to kill them. They could expect
The Washington times., 1922-06-25

now saw in his face caused both girls
to huddle back in the seat in terror.
Their drivers kindly expression had
vanished. In its place was a crazy grin.
He began to litter.
And suddenly the two realized they
were riding with an insane man!
Miss Mcmahon and Mrs. Jenkins clung
to each other in speechless fright as the
speeding automobile narrowly missed a
street car at the next corner Then they
screamed.
Without slowing down, the driver
turned his head to them once more. This
time the grin had vanished. Driving ex-
pertly with his left hand, he slipped his
right arm over the seat and pointed an
automatic pistol at the young women.
Zone more yelp out of you," he
shouted, "and III shoot you both"
The girls huddled in a corner of the
car, trembling. The man, driving reck-
lessly with one hand, kept the pistol be-
fore their eyes WI !e he drove fast and
faster toward the outskirts of the city.
The two sat rigid, hoping that some
one would be attracted by the speeding
car and come to their rescue. But the
people of Omaha are quite accustomed to
speeding automobiles and, beyond remark
ing that it would serve that crazy driver
and those two pretty girls quite right if
they had a smash-up, no one paid much
attention to the racing car.
Miss Mcmahon peered from the rear
window of the car, hoping that some
motorcycle policeman would be in pur-
suit. There was none. Except for indig-
nant pedestrians imperilled by the reck-
less driving, the streets were clear. Mrs.
Jenkins tried to signal to these with her
hand. They shook their fists back, ap-
parently thinking that after trying to kill
them, the occupants of the automobile
were adding insult to injury by waving
at them in derision.
Faster and faster went the car-fifty
miles an hour-fifty-five- e-sixty-sixty-
five-until with a sudden jar that nearly
upset all of the occupants it leaped from
the asphalt to a dirt road leading into
the country.
This road was deserted. The last
chance of rescue had passed. The two
young women realized that now they
were completely in the maniac's power,
II they wondered what their fate would
be, they were not kept in suspense very
long. With final look over his shoulder,
the driver slowed up and turned sharply
into a deserted lane, overrun with weeds
and vines. After travelling about a mile
farther they came in sight of a wooden
shack in the middle Of a elump of under
The Washington times., 1922-06-25

1.-TWO pretty young women were
standing on a street corner in
the heart of Omaha's business dis
trict the other day, waiting for trolley
car. One was Mrs. Jean jenkins, young
Omaha matron. The other was her
friend, Miss, Kathryn Mcmahon.
As the moments passed and no car
came the girls became impatient. It was
late in the afternoon and Mrs. Jenkins's
husband would expect his dinner. Miss
Mcmahon was also anxious to get home
early, as she had an engagement that
evening with her sweetheart. Still no car
came.
The girls had about decided to walk
home when an automobile drew up beside
the curb and the driver hailed them
pleasantly.
There's bad blockade down the line,"
he said. "If you happen to be going my
way, I'd be glad to take you along"
The man tipped his hat and smiled
genially. He seemed to be good-natured
farmer of early middle age, and his smile
was so frank that the girls hesitated only
a moment
They knew, of course, that accepting a
strange mans invitation for an auto
mobile ride was rather unconventional
and, perhaps, a dangerous thing.
But it was daylight, they were together,
they were in hurry, and the man was so
kindly that there seemed to be no ques-
ton of his motives. He was simply try
ing to do good turn, they thought, and
after thanking him and giving him their
address, both girls jumped into the rear
seat and the automobile started in the
direction of their home.
: As they came in sight Of their street
Mrs Jenkins and Miss Mcmahon gathered
up their packages and prepared to thank
the kindly gentleman for his assistance in
getting them home. But instead of slow
ing up at the corner, the driver stepped
on the accelerator and the car shot past
their street at forty miles an hour.
=: Miss Mcmahon became alarmed. She
touched the driver on the shoulder.
"We've gone past our block" she called
over the roaring engine.
The man huddled up in the drivers
seat. He did not seem to hear. Miss
McMahon shook him again.
You're taking us out Of our way"
she cried. "Do you hear?"
For answer the driver stepped harder
on the accelerator. His figure seemed
to stiffen. The now thoroughly alarmed
young women screamed to him to stop
the automobile.
The man turned his head What they
The Washington times., 1922-06-25
Terrifying Adventure of
Women Who Thoughtlessly
with a Stranger, Found They
Kidnapped by a Crazy Ex-
We're Tortured for a Night
and Forced to Look on While
Jeering Jailer Dug the Grave
He Promised to Bury Them

no help-no rescue. Those who would
miss them first-Mrs. Jenkins's husband
and Miss McMahon's t:ance-had not yet
had time to become alarmed and begin to
searcl.. Only miracle could save them.
AS the leering figure continued to
creep, foot by foot, across the floor of
their prison the shivering girls backed
farther and farther into the corner of
the pit.
Soon they struck the clammy wall.
They could go no farther. With a sob
of despair they clung to each other and
watched the stealthy approach.
AS the maniac passed the candle, his
figure became a crouching silhouette.
Closer and closer he crawled.
Suddenly he screeched and leaped!
The girls scrambled to their feet and
started to run. They had gone but a
few feet when the chain about their necks
The Washington times., 1922-06-25

The lunatic twisted her arm
until she released her hold
and dropped!
Fortunately the fall was
but a few feet. But the
weight of her body jerked
the chain taut. Miss Nc
Mahon was pulled headlong
after her into the pit!
Both lay for an instant
senseless on the damp dirt
floor. They awakened to
see the black silhouette of
the madman letting himself
The Washington times., 1922-06-25

frightened and both
were thrown to the
door. T h e maniac
pounced upon them
again.
Reason now almost
gone, the chained pair
ran about in the dark
like terrified animals.
They were followed
by the lunatic. Their
chain cut deeper into
their throats as one
lodged this way and
the other that!
The candle was up
set and guttered out.
The trap door, which
had b EN- propped
partly open, was
shaken s h ut. The
girls continued to slip
about in the darkness,
bruising their bodies
on the blocks of con-
crete, stumbling, fall
ing, the cruel chain
cutting deeper into
their necks. All the
time they could hear
the breathing of their
tormentor and feel
his fingers on their
arms, t h ir faces,
everywhere!
At last the clanking
c h a IN frightened on
both throats at once.
T h e ir pursuer had
found 1t in the dark
ness. He pulled until
their h e a ds ere
brought together and
both girls fell. With
difficulty he relighted
the candle. Then he
dragged his prisoners
to one of the largest
blocks Of all. An iron
staple had been set in
The Washington times., 1922-06-25

Continued on Next Psgs)
Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-08-31
FIRE ALARM BOXES

21-Gordon and Meade Streets
23-Madison Ave-. and Paterson Street
24-Market and Sheridan Streets
25-smith Street and Central R. r.
26-Market and First Streets
27-Raritan Copper Works
2s-High and Lewis Streets
34-Madison Avenue and Smith Street
s5-Smith and High Streets
36-New Brunswick Ave. and New Street
37-Smith and State Streets
41-Standard Underground Gable Co.
42-Atlantic Terra Gotta Works
4S-Buckingham Ave. and Hartford st.
4~5-Commerce and Front Streets
46-State and Washington Streets
47-High and Washington Streets
52-Cortlandt and Easton Streets
63-Division and William Streets
54-Stat and Buckingham Ave
55-Parker St. and Pull Xxi Ave.
b6-Hall Ave. and Char.>s Street
57-State and Wayne Streets
5s-Near Lead Works
9--Maurer
62-Washington Street and Park Avenue
63-New Brunswick Ave. and Elm Street
64-Smith Street and Watson Avenue
65-Commerce and State Streets
72-Front and Smith Streets
73-Water and Gordon Streets
74-Kearny Ave. and Gordon Street
S1-Brace and Hanson Avenues
s2-Smith and Herbert Streets
83-Amboy Ave. and Washington St,
84-Lehigh Ave. and Stanford Street
S5-Near City Hospital
S6-CleveIand and Brace Avenues
87-Amboy and Hall Avenues
92-Amboy Avenue and Inslee Street
93-Lawrence and Francis Streets
94-Neville and tombstone Streets
SPECIAL CALLS
13-Washington Hose Co.
14-McClellan Engine Co.
15-Protection H. & L.
Is Eagle Hose Co.
17-Liberty II. & L.
22-Lincoin Engine
44-Garfeld Hose
3-En Department
Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-08-31
CLASSIFICATION

ANNOUNCEMENTS
s-coming Events
e-Personals
& te-Lost and Found
AUTOMOBILES
: A-Automobile Agencies
Z il-Automobiles for Sale
i3-Auto Trucks for Sale
Accessories
8 i%-Garages-Autos for Hire
& i6-MotorcycIes and Bicycles
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES stations
Observation-Disclosures
BUSINESS SERVICE
ia-Business Services offered
acknowledgements
y 30-Cleaning. Dyelng, hehoVatihs
V9i-dressmaking-Millinery
= 33-Heating. Plumbing. ROOFING
a3-Insurance
4 3<-Laundering
< 2S-NovinE. Trucking. storage
38-Painting. Papering. Decorating
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
3S-Professional Services
a~s-Repairins
3o-Taiioring and Pressing
x ei-wanted-Business Service
q EMPLOYhEN
4 Hell wanted-Femal.
33-Help Wanted-Male
4bl-Heip-Male or Female
eS-solicitors Canvassers. Agents
sS6-Situations W~anted-Femaie
Z destinations Wanted-Mal
FINANCIAL
Ss-Rusiness Opportunities
rOS-Investments. Stocks. Bonds
4 AO-Money to Loan
N-Wanted-To Borrow
INSTRUCTION
N2-Correspondence Courses
t3-Local Instruction Classes
(4-Musical. Dancing.
sl5-Private Instruction
Observation-Disclosures
LIVE STOCK
.I7-pogs, Cats. Pets
llS-Horses. Cattle. Vehicles
sls-Poultry and Supplies
svO-Wanted-Lfve Stock
MERCHANDISE
J gi-Articies for Sale
Y SiA-Barter and Exchange
/ 62-Busiuess and Onice Equipment
00-oOAI8 II
S4-Buiiding Materials
N Et-Farm and Dairy Products
sgEFusl. Feed and Fertilizers
S7--Good Things to Eat
Ss-Home Mad Things
S~e-Household Goods
e0-Jewelry and Watches
el-Machinery and Tools
s3-Musicai Instruments
e3-Seeda. Plant and Flowers
S4-Speciais at Stores
sS-wearinE Apparel
ee-wanted-To Buy
ROOMS FOR RENT
e7-Rooms With Board
ss--Rooms Without Board
Ss-Rooms for Housekeeping
1o--Vacation Places
7l-where to Eat
T3-where to Stop in Town
observation-disclosures or BOARD
REAL ESTATE FOR RENT
p-Brokers In Real Estate
5l-Apartments and Flats
Ts-Business Places for Rent
7s-Farms for Rent
77-Houses for Rent
1S-Onices and Desk Room
7~s-Suburban for Rent
eo-Summer Places for Rent
t1-Wanted-To Rent
y REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
4 ea-Business Property for Sale
s3-Farms and Land for Sale
s4-Houses for Sale
Sb--Lots for Sale
Ss-Resort Property for Sale
e7-Snburban for Sale
s8-Reai Estate for Exchange
0S-Warted-Real Estate
Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-08-31
INSTRUCTION

Music. Dancing, Dramatic ~
GIBSON STUDIO-No play no pay: Tree
mandolin with 10 lessons, for SIS. Rog-
ers 224 Smith st, Tel. 1851.
GILL SCHOOL OF MUSIC-ViolIn in-
structions a speciality; instruments fur
nished free. 81 Smith St.. Perth Am
boy. N. j.