davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-21
Don't Read His Cettera

Dear Cynthia--I am n young lady OF
t",7,nr tiwen,N,four; For one year have been
years my senior. When I met him he
was entirely different toward me than he
Is now. In the last few months he has
lost both his parents and business is
poor. Can that be the trouble? Now.
dear Cynthia, what l am going to tell
you Is this: am very much in love with
this fellow and have been a good pal to
him In every way At times he wants
me with him all the time and makes a
Again he talks very mean to ME and
says he Is getting tired of me. If YOU
were In my shoes what would you do?
Sometimes go to his office and several
times have found letters to and from
they are very serious for n fellow to
write to a girl when he acts as though
he loved me. l spoke to him about this
AFFAIR, and he says he is only kidding
he has been treating me SO mean. am
heartbroken over 1t because I care so
much for him and love to bring him hap
piness; But can you tell me his reason,
He often speaks of US getting married
never want you, You could not be true"
mother. I am settled and mean to do
! right by him. Shall give him up and
try to forget or shall try again and
ask him what his intentions are? But
I he will not allow me to talk seriously to
him and passes It on and says. you
are the only one I love and we are going
! to be married" He often says he
wished he didn't care for me.
| f. McC.
Whether he loves you or not, my dear,
you should not go to his office unless you
have to go on business. And whether he
Is truthful or not. you have no right to
read his personal letters, 1t Is no wonder
| he is disagreeable to you IL you do this
| or course, the death of his parents and
his worry about business would have
some effect upon him. and you cannot
expect him TO be lust the same as ever.
Just go on being friends with him for a
while until he seems to be feeling bet
| ter. DO not let him make love to you.
! Then ask him what hi" intentions are,
! and IL he puts you off again give him up,
! II you do not feel that you can trust
/ him you could never be happy as his
wife. But whatever happens, don't read
/ his letters.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-21

bnt, on. inc heartaches when there was
no new doll forthcoming. and no plum
cake and no outing"
"That',s just the point" agreed
Paul Soberly. Its the impossibility
of making good that reacts disagree
ably upon the victims. and the strang-
est thing about these insincere folks
who are forever promising is that they
dodge their responsibility without a
pang, and Justify themselves by imagin-
ing they have used tact or diplomacy or
some other equally vicious dodge
Gratuitous deception. individual insin.
cerity, cant be lodged as easily as
that
Gertrude means we'll, though. Paul !:
she is tremendously good hearted, I"
insisted Virginia warmly.
Paul sighed.
Yep. You know that winter resort
that's said to be- paved with good in
tentions.' he grinned. "Nlost of the
vacationists there are we'll meaning and
good hearted, I'm afraid"
TOmorrow-Hclen Bakers Case ..
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-21

other folks happy. he admitted. "but,
Lordy. what method she uses"
Method: Why. think her method.
II that is what you must call it. is
harming. Goodness knows. my dear,
that Gertrude goes out of her way to
please everybody, There's not n thing
in thc world that she'll no, promise to
do for any body. You--''
He smiled grmly.
YES, Virginia. that's just it. Ger.
trude is type. The world is full of
we'll meaning blockheads who will
promise anything just in order that
others may be temporarily happy. They
haven't the slightest chance in the world
of ever making good on tile promise
but that means nothing in the lives of
these ready little promisers. tell YOU
that sort of individual is a type, n
representative of certain kind of
character which contributes n whole
lot of misery and unhappiness in this
world. Now. personally. I've no time
for people who imagine that tact is Il
short cut. Il compromise. with reality"
Virginia nodded understandingly.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-21
"E. ]. S." Is Lonesome, Too

Dear Cvnthia-Although | am a con.
stant reader of your wonderful column,
this Is the first time l have written to
It. ! have read all the wonderful let
ters that people have written to your
column, and at last have decided to
write one nice letter to one who is lone
some.
I am a young man who is lonesome,
too, and would certainly wish to get
acquainted with poor Lonesome. Poor
Lonesome. would never kiss a girl II
I didn't intend to marry the girl. Lone
some don't let your glasses worry you.
the looks don't count nowadays: and
for my looks, | am perfectly satisfied.
No one can help the way n person 10
born.
Give me good plain girl any day.
Lonesome. Lonesome. I'd love to meet
you or write to you. but Cynthia could
not give me your address, and how
can two lonesome ones like you and
me meet to make good friends? Hop
ing to hear from Lonesome. Il. j. s.
Much as Cynthia would like to help
two lonesome people she cannot bring
about meeting through the column.
But 1t will surely be a help to Lone
some to read your letter and get
your sympathy Any time you want to
write to her through the column, Gym.
thia will be glad to publish your let
ters
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-21
The Unconscious Sinner: BY raHsHh1Ss aAsHH DHy0

"You know what I mean. You asked
me to stay ns If you depended on me to
help you out of a situation. My God.
Cleo. I'm human. you know, and in
spite Of the fact that l want to play
the game, It isn't fair to ask me to
stay here tonight. not unless there 8
some very good reason for ii. =.
Cleo found herself shaking miscrably.
She fel; suddenly very tired. The situ-
alton was getting beyond her. but she
seized desperately at an explanation
that might do.
Dick. | couldn't bear it IL anything
happened to spoil the friendship between
you and Carey. Carey loves you. he
cares more about your happiness than
anything else in the world. You must
believe that. Dick. because l know
what I'm talking about
Dick was silent.
Won't you believe me. Dick?" Cleo
blundcrcd on. ITS because of that
that | wanted you 20 stay. l couldn't t
bear to have you leave with any mis-.
understanding between YOU. | want YOU
and Carey to be friends always. and IT
| thought that | had anything to dc
with breaking up The friendship that
has always been between YOU. | could
never be happy."
Her voice shool; on the last words.
and Dick. who had been watching her
narrowly, was seized with a sudden con-
viction.
You're not telling me the truth. :"
he said, suddenly. There's something
behind all this. something you haven I
confessed. Tel me what it is Cleo, or
I'll demand the truth from Carey
lie had caught her unaware. and
l,n t,1 D.,
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-21
WHAT'S WHAT
BIZ Helen DeCie

While manners-even filial manners
are not so reverent as they used to be
in former age, still there is a limit
beyond which no well-bred girl or boy
cares 10 venture, certain well-defined
line which marks the division between
the now familiar comradeship Of Young
and old and the brutal vulgarity which
manfests itself in Outspoken disrespec,
for the aged and helpless.
When a girl shocks all observers by
the cruelty OF her rude and selfish be-
havior TO her grandmother. for example,
she Is proving herself not only migrate.
full and ungracious. but common" In the
lowest sense of the word. She may
mistake her under-bred manner for
''modern freedom" but nobody else
makes that mistake. The most up-to-
date Of really educsted "Gsppers'' know
where TO draw the line between freedom
aud saNagery.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-21
The Lady Patient Can Always
Find Amusement in Situation
Those Who Are Blessed in This Way Should Be Thankful
Indeed That They Can Invariably Get Some
Fun Out of Everything

convalesccnts just as II you were gazing
in ut something marked Dangerous.
DO not approach this cage you can
easily think of some remark that will
just wilt the starers to the ground In
modification.
And get not only relief. but also so
much fun out of 1t yourself.
VIIHY. the memory of those childish
w faces turning gradually from stupid
curiosity to half shamed, half amused
surprise would be entertainment enough
for several days! Ill.
1t might even help its pcrpetrator
through an interval Of pain and discom-
fort.
Oh. be thankful for that blessing. II
you have that power of finding amusc-
ment where they really isn't any.
1t isn't everybody who is gifted that
way, and those who are, are blessed, in
deed!
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-21

THE hospital grounds are delightfully."-
i open, so that patients who are con-
valescing can get out into the air ana
have that extra aid to speed their cure.
But of course there are drawbacks.
"A hospital in a city cannot avoid
having its grounds bordered by city
streets, and patients in robes and
blankets are a never failing source OF
wonder and interest to the children OF
the neighborhood.
They came, day after day. to stare
in at the little group on the. lawn.
pressing their faces close up to the iron
grating of the fence.
Until ut last one of the patients. with
n whimsical turn Of mind. spoke to
them as they stood outside the bars.
"Well," she began, inquiringly,
haven't you u'any peanuts
They stared in blank embarrassment.
1t had been their custom to regard
these things as patients, not as real
people who talked and asked imperti-
nent questions.
Their custom was outraged.
"T think you might bring some.
went on the lady inside the cage. You
come here to look at us. why don't you
bring us some peanuts!'
THEY tried to outgazc her. but her
L delight in their predicament was too
much for them.
One by one they skunk away, apollo
getic smiles beginning, to creep around
their mouths as they taught the merry
gleam in the Lady Patients eyes.
No doubt they talked loudly of other
things to hide their embarrassment until
they separated for the night.
And no doubt each one told his fam
lily of a lady at the hospital who was
little off
WHAT fun you get out of life when
w you are in possession of n nature
that can pull amusement out of any
situation. however hard to bear.
Probably this was the first time the
''animal gazing" children had been
challenged.
Certainly it was the first time they
had been shot with their own ammu-
milton.
So many cOnvalescents. good hearted,
pure minded. admirable souls, but ir-
revocably grown up, would have hest
tated to condescend to the level of the
street urchins.
And so would have had to bear their
gaze and endure their silent scrutiny for
long. weary hours.
Children can stare longer and harder
and more silently than any sight given
creature in the world.
But when your heart is so young that
you know yourself how interesting It
would be to hang on the outside of an
iron barred fence and gaze in at the
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-21
7wo Minutes
of Optimism
BY HERMAN j. STITCH
Are You Nursing a Tigers
Cub?

Should an aviator fall from his air
plane. he would drop sixteen feet the
first second. forty eight feet the second
second. eighty feet the third second. 1l2
feet the fourth second. and during the
tenth second. if he should still be fall
ing. he would hurtle through 3O4 feet
OF space.
When n man begins to 90 down, h"
drops fast. faster and faster.
Habit, like the speed Of falling
body. is cumulative: it creates its own
momentum.
Stealing goes against the average
mans grain; but many an average man
stea''. gets away with it; and steals
again.
He may continue TO cludc the law and
escape its clutch: but all the while he
is lik" tho tabled Fate who spun strands
So fine thar they were invisible. and
who finally became victim Of her own
cunning by binding herself incxtricably
with her own threads.
The average crook is a jalbird. and
the average jaibird is repeater.
When social workers for the first
time visit certain OF our courts. they
are appalled, by what they see and hear
the second or third time they become
somewhat Injured. and should they
chance to com" again and frequently
all thar they would SEE and hear would
be- H. | heard on" man express it
Just one d---n case after another 49,
So. "Nico. monster OF such fright
full ncn. as to be hated needs but to
be seen Yet seen too oft. familiar with
her face, we first endure, than pity.
then embrace
Habit makes man or breaks him
this IS because right thinking and right
living are merely matters of right
habits. bad thinking and bad living
matters Of bad habits.
According TO an Oriental fable. an
animal trainer once trapped a tiger :
clb-pcucd il. coddled Il, reared it
and on" day. it tore him to tattcrs.
In this fable azincss. shiftlessness.
immortality. rnroleSsncss, irresponsi-
bility. ambitionlcssness. discourtesy
trrcy"renc" and many others such were
depicted as tiger cubs which, in time.
would destroy their Observation-Disclosures
nurse.
Are you quite sure you are not fool
ing with tiger cubs?
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-21
The Woman's Exchange
TO nE. Il. So

You should have your full vacation
Of two weeks, and be paid for the time
YOU take, for you've been with the firm
long enough to deserve this. Speak to
your employer now about 1t, and ask
him when 1t would be convenient for
you to take it. If your particular work
will not allow you to be absent two
weeks at once. take n week at one time
and week at another, as you sug-
gested
When you\are introduced to the lady
YOU speak Of. say How do you do?''
in the regular way. and then mention
something about feeling as II you knew
her already through having written to
her so often. | hope you have a good
time on your vacation.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-21
Please Tell Me
What to Do
BY CYNTHIA
he Stopped calIIno on Her

Dear Cynthia am twenty wears OF
age and have known a young man Tor
about three years.
one year. when over q small dispute
he ceased calling. ] loved him, but
tried my utmost to forget him. Within
a year he started to get my attention
by calling on the phone. Although
I tried to avoid him. he finally sue.
ceeded in obtaining my permission to
call.
There had been an understanding
between us to marry next spring Now
he stopped calling some time ago with
out any reason or explanation, SO please
tell me what to do. HEARTBROkEN.
Write him note. asking definitely
whether he means to go on with the
marriage or not Don't let him play
with you this way. II he does not an.
swer YOU satisfactorily break off all
relations with him and try to forget
that you have cared for him.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-21

Virgi MIA acknowl-
edged with a dimpling
of her smooth cheeks.
II remember Aunt
Ella was forever
promising. If I fused
or was unhappy for n
moment, it was Aunt
Ella who always in
vented some delightful
thing. the promise of
q new doll. or q plum
cake. or an outing.
And this dried my
tears for n moment,
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-21
Bracelet G!Ores

The style for wearing bracelets has
hecomc so popular among the Frcnrh
women that the latest fad is to have
thcir gloves decorated with beads and
rings to give the effect of bracelets. One
air IN particular, which has the gaunt-
lot cuf. Is edged with two rows of
@ea(b both AZ the wrist and at the top.
hnx giving the appearance of two
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-21

= I trlC or twlned
around her neck .
It's all in get =
ting used to pets,
and shedding our
ancient supersti-
tions. according to
Mrs. Eustace. the
African explorer.
She draws the line
at a poisonous
snake, but n ! !
ot hers have n very
nice nature and
are as delightful
for household pets
as cats and dogs.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-21

w ny, yes ION I
YOU think she is aw =
fully full an d
agreeable, and SO anx :
ious to make every :
body happy? ! think
: he G has a splendid
character.
But Paul shrugged
doubtfully and indi-
tie d his disagree
ment.
''Shc does appear to
have n desire IN mokp
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-21
Paul and Virginia By HELENA "orr GRANT

Yes. dear. I think know what you
mean. remember when ! was
THANK you. darlin'. for not saying
L iddie " he interrupted her gravely.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-21
Mexican Brides

IN Maylc" no sensible gill would
consent to be married on a Tuesday. as
thar i believed to be the uuluckiest day
e IT," week for weddings.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-21

Jun" brides should remember that.
according to ancient superstition. it j.,
unlurkN for n bride 10 choose brides
maids who ar" not younger than her
self
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-21

On going 10 be married bride must
il an unlurEy omen Is to be avcrtcd
sit fncing front in the carriage. On re-
turning She takes the opposite seat.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-21
Woman S Life
and Love
Hare You a Little Boa Con-
StrictOr in Your Home?
BY wINNIFRED HARPER COOLEY

IL woman who just loves TO feel
nice, big python or a cute boa con-
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-21
XAIE URGE that women are tender

WYE URGE that women are tender
w and shrinking. Bur think Of the
murderrsses Of past and present. from
Lady Macbeth and Iucrezia BOrgia to
the amazing Nadine BeN,arabia and
her daughter.
This Frerrhwoman is said 10 have
killed her first husband and put him
in a trunk then, hayin: surcrrdrd 50
well. to have murdered her second hus-
band and fitted him into another 'runk
IA few years later with the aid Of
her young daughter. Til" two women
ate lunch between different ieatS rnu-
nected with the murder and the dis
Dosal Of the body. Truly some women
are cool and without tenderness.
One does not wish to discredit the
good qualities aScrIbed TO our sex. pre-
viously--but in this scientific age It Is
well TO be exact.
The truth seems to be that men and
women are chiefly human beings. They
lave more similuriticS than differ
"nces. Some people are cold. blood 9.
I'd and severe and cruel, while
others are tender and lovely. 1t j.
not n matter of sex, but of tcmpcra- :
ncnt. II We have been trained 10 be
afraid of snakes. it is quite possible for
n brave and sensible member of our
.ex TO east of the inherited supersti-
ton, and learn to like them.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-21

Our June bride is going to need some
dainty undcrthings, the kind of extrav-
ngancc in which one simply must indulge
when filling hope chest. French
underwear is n thing of beauty and n
Joy forever, but quite expensive. But
there is shop kept by n perfectly
charming little Frenchwoman where
can be bought the loveliest of hand
made lingerie, perfect copies of French
models and at prices much lower than
the price OH an original model. Lnven-
dor crepe de chine. with hemstitching,
soft rose georgcttc, with bits Of frilly
lace and floating ribbons--such things
as 10 fill The bride with joy to own
them--spccially made to your order il
you so wish and quite within the reach
of a pocketbook which is expanded bi.
to meet certain occasions.
For names Of shops sddvsss Womsn's Pas.
Editor Or phone Walnut 5000 OF Msia 1901
Between tbs hours sf sn1 D. 4
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-21

TT WE have been trained to think
j that all men are godlike, and our
natural superiors, why, It is possible to
change even that dslusion.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-21
" eH.Meaning Gertrude

is so tactful, too.
~ observed Virginia.
Paul granted.
rs that what you call it--tact?"
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-21
TOmOrrDw--COlOr s,cheming
Adpentures With a Purse

THOSE of you who must wear bras
i sieres in the summer time will GER
tainly be interested in one that ] bought
last week. I wanted one cooler than
the satin ones and yet which could br
worn with the feeling that one looked
quite nice underneath. This is made
of heavy linen lace, but airy and cool.
silk lingerie tape straps over the shou J.
dcrs will launder nicely, as will the
lace. The brassieres sell for 81 80.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-21
Things You'll LOve to Make

Here is captivating QUILLED
BATHING CAP. The cap itself is
made of two colors of surf satin or
rubber. For the Guills, cut two quill
shaped pieces of oilcloth. Wire them
through the center and around the
odges. With rubber cement cover each
piece Of oilcloth with rubber of any dark
color that will look well with the cap.
With oil color or white wool make the
slanting lines on the qui!ls. Uf you use
wool you will have to stitch very care
fully. so as not to tear the rubber. }
A QUILLED BATHING CAP looks
stunning as the head bobs up out Of the
water. FLORA.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-21

vantage of graceful and pliable figure.
that can coil itself artisticaily and COM
.softably around your neck. whereas a
collie or a setter or a St. Bernard could
not drape himself around you so well.
Even a large tomcat has disabilities in
that direction, BUT
It's nice feeling 10 hav" snake
~draped around you. with its little head
resting right down in the hollow of your
neck declares Mrs. EuStace.
Most Of us are fooIiShlY prCjudiced
and somehow cannot get up any en-
thusiaSm over scrpontine attractions.
But that. doubtless. is an inhibition
due to centuries Of instruction rs TO
Ewes misconduct and indiscretion. We
are prejudiccd against the serpent. be-
cause it was the first creature to lead
woman down the primrose path.
However. when a dainty woman de-
clares her prediction for snakes, we
are shaken in our deep-rooted beliefs
that ladies naturally loathe reptiles.
and are tempted 10 inquire Just what
is the nature of woman:'
A GOOD deal Of silly generalization
"A usually is talked regarding the
real nature of men and of women. We
are apt TO assert that men are brave.
and women are fair-whercas every one
over six years old, with eyes to see,
must know that some men are cow
ards, while women are brave. and some
men are handsome, whereas women may
be excessively ugly,
And so we 60 on. asserting things
that are not borne out by facts at all.
We declare that women are modest.
when-oh. boy, have you seen the high
skirts and low nccks of the last sea
81?
q We insist that women arc timid aul
terror Of the sight Of blood: yet
b wonderful work f the nurses in
,ope during the ghasily World War
es the lie 10 This.
! We say that Indies wait tin they
4e asked-begged--t marry. But ask
Gerhard Shaw and the modern novel.
ysts or any eligible bachelor and you
viii learn few things.