davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-03-26
By Maria Jeritza,

The Famous Primo Donna Of the
Metropolitan Opera Company
and One Of tho Most Beautiful
Women Of the Day.
"HE most contagious thing in
the world Il laughter and
the Joy It expressed. II
you doubt this 90 into Q room
filled with people who are en-
toying q good laugh. You, too
viii smile In spite Of yourself.
even though You may not know
what the Joke IL. You smile be-
cause you have caught the infec-
ton Of their happiness.
Often Q student Of dramatic art
n taught the mechanics Of laugh
ter-or what vowels and by what
action Of the breath laughter
n produced. In practicing this
merely mechanical laugh, stu
dents invariably 30 off into
peals Of genuine laughter because
Of the Irresistible quality Of the
laugh.
Nothing IL more beneficial to
health and beauty than spontan-
eous laughter. The person who
gives you q hearty laugh is doing
you good physically and mentally.
This IL one reason why 1t is good
for Us all occasionally to read
: humorous stories and listen to
jolly music and see comic operas
or to just have q nonsensically
good time.
So let US look for the funny
side. remembering OF course there
IL never fun in unkindness. The
unkind laugh is not a real laugh,
the unkind joke is never really
funny.
There Is not the least excuse
no matter how busy and impor-
tant we may be, for going
through life always solemn and
deadly serious. There is every
reason why the person who is
doing his best according to his
highest understanding OF what
- right. should be not only
happy but light hearted and
merry.
It has been said of a certain
great nation by critic belonging
TO another race. that "they take
their pleasure sadly" And there
IN some Justice in this criticism.
Some Of US have the maitland
Il 10 nothing more-of being dis.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-03-26
Syndicating Crime for Greater Profit
and the Harvest Reaped is the
Motif Of This Thrilling Serial

do SVou?n said the Clerk of
Arraigns gravely, .~.find-ti1e pris.
oner guilty or not guilty?"
''Not guilty"
This time nothing could stop
the applause. Seldom had such
an outburst been heard in the
New Bailey. When 1t died down,
the Judge addressed Joan.
mrs. Mottisfont." he said
gently. your innocence of this
charge has been established be-
fore the world. You leave the
court g free woman, and the SYM
pathy of us all is with you for
what you have gone through.
.sI have one more thing to say,
on n statement that has most
generously been made to me
though the police. Though their
work iii connection with Miguel
Casas has been both skilled and
valuable, yet it il admitted that
the chafn9of evidence which has
so triumphantly cleared the ac-
cuaed, was OWNED, collected, and
welded by Mr.. Philip Mottisfont
alone. Mrs. Mottisfont, ! congrat-
ulate you both on your defending
counsel and your husband.
MY Lord" said Phillips best
friend from Scotland Yard. rising
in the body Of the court, with q
smile, "a great detective was lost
in Mr.. Philip. Mottisfont. !"
And the great counsel gained
by the bar said the Judge.
In little .anteroom. tactfulIy
left empty by an official Of the
court, Joan stood waiting when
Philip entered, still in wig and
gown. In moment he had
caught her in his arms and
strained her to him.
'.My love-, he said s.l1oarseiy,
'sny love. At last"
"Free! slid Joan. her arms
tight about him as she looked up
into his face. IT never doubted,
Phillip don't think / doubted.
/ knew that you would save me.
Ny husband!'
He kissed her wildly. For a
minute neither Of them could
speak. Then footsteps approached,
there was a tap at the door. An
usher appeared, apologetically.
'Mr. Mottisfont,'' he said,
there's big crowd, and they're
cheering like mad all down the
street. I've got a taxi for you
at the side entrance; else the lady
and you would hardly get away"
''ExcelIentts said Philip. Joan,
let us get out Of here, for good
and all!'
They came quickly through the
entrance in the side street, where
only a few people were about,
but one Of these, q tall man in
a heavy overcoat, stepped forward
and opened the door OF the wait
ing taxi for the two to enter.
my congratulations, Philip"
he said in q gentle undertone,
as Mottisfont stepped in after
his wife. IA great day for you.
There is a greater to come"
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-03-26

Philip was too astounded at
the mans assurance IN showing
himself there to make any reply.
And as the taxi rolled away
Joan, startled, caught at his arm.
Philip" she calculated family.
ut was GoodenOugllg
Yes, Goodenough. ha an
swered mechanically.
''I thought-i1e was in America.
What does that meant
Heaven knows" said Philip,
butt know what this day means
to me, Joan" And he took her
in his arms.
John GoodenougI made his way
with leisurely steps around 70
the front OF the building, where
the throngs Of excited people
made passage difficult They
were hoping to see John Motifs.
font come out.
But it was Lady TaIlbois who
emerged from the main entrance.
She looked Iivid and dazed, like
one who has been through
rather roughly performed surgical
operation. There was d slight
outbreak of kissing from the
crowd az she was recognized, but.
the police made way for her to
the huge, luxurious limousine car
that was waiting.
AS she passed, q swarthy man
in the crowd, with a leathery face
and beaded eyes, watched her
eagerly. He was small of stature
and he crancd and tip-toed III the
effort to see. When the car had
departed he drew q deep breath
and turned away. 1t was then
that he caught sight Of Good
enough looking at him with
faint, enigmatical smile. The
swarthy man started.
"Dios!' he said. TT Is my
travelling companion of the San
Domingo. And how is the senor?n
well met, Don Iago Twas,
replied Goodenough blandly. And
so you have seen at last the
wealthy and beautiful Lady Tall
bois, Of whom You have heard so
much2 You were IN court, I
think?"
But yes, was there" said
the Spaniard. had nothing to
do, and my interest In compa-
triot make me come to see.
And what did you think Of
the case?''
1T was very interesting" NUT
tered Twas.
The dead poisoner. Miguel,
was also q compatriot OF yours,
/ Think" said Goodenough pleas
antly. A flash came into the
mans black eyes.
''So?" he murmured. Well,
the cur is dead, whoever he was.
mo one win miss him. One
more scoundrel who has come by
his punishment. Lady TallbOis
may be thankful. Her car has
gone, ! see"
The Spaniard glanced uneaaily
at Goodenough.
(TO Be Continued TonOrTOw.)
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-03-26
IL" HE glass of water begged
for Lady Tallbois. end

<<UHE glass of water begged
for Lady Tallbois, and
given to her by my
wife. was undoubtedly poisoned.
Who poisoned it? Was 1t MRS.
Mottisfont? And IL so, why! Be-
cause said the prosecution, MRS:
Mottisfont stole Lady Tailbois
pearl necklace.
gentlemen" said Philip con-
tennntuously, latter the testimony
vou have heard, I will not Insult
your intelligence by supposing you
believe that, for one moment.
refuse even to argue 1t.
"Who was 1t that, in cold fact.
desired the death OF Lady TaAbois,
and swore to bring about 1t? This
old admirer of hers, this sinister
figure, Miguel Casas, the Floridian
who followed her to England
who deserted his ship-who was so
hard pressed for money that ne
paWned his only weapon, O pistol,
which. doubtless, he was too great
n coward to use. You have heard
LADY Tallbois testify that ne
Threatened her-you have heard
from her own lips her estimate OF
his character - treacherous anu
cunning as q snake9
"where do we find him next? At
Knaytll Abbey, where Lady Tall
bois and her lover sit alone in q
room that opens on the grounds.
watching them il this patient ana
cunning assassin, Miguel. He has
laid his plans well; he is prepared.
Miguel knows, none better, the
hahits Of the woman against whom
he seeks vengeance. Her sudden
passions, her invariable greed Tor
water after q scene-you, sitting IN
the jury box. have seen that with
your own eyes, and it was no &C.
cret from Miguel. On that he
based his plan. He was content to
wait for the opportunity that
would bring him revenge with safe
ty to himself. Let Us briefly re-
construct the scene.
Miguel bursts In and confronts
the lovers. But they are two to
one against him, and the woman
the more dangerous Of the two. It
Is n wasp'g nest, indeed, that the
Floridian has struck his head into.
There IL a decanter on the table,
he grasps It as q weapon OF de-
Tense. And o weapon II Il. indeed!
What more simple than deftly to
slip the dose OF poison from the
palm Of his hand into the decan-
ter? He does 50, and, falling back
before the attack that threatens
him, makes his escape!
Lady TaIlbois, maddened BY
the fnsolence and the threat, had
never more need for water than
at that moment. But she does
not drink the poisoned water. Well
for her! Drummond, revoIted by
that sudden rage-eo he tells you
filings the decanter through the
window. It breaks, the water
flows and collects among the
flag-stones. Even in the morn
ing, it Is not dry. There IL, ho'
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-03-26
LIVING ON A
BUDGET
by LOrettO C.. Lynch
An Acknowledged Expert in All
MISUNDERSTANDING to House
hold MANAGEMENT.

hold Management.
4" HE young men who bewail
the fact the young wives Of
today are not like those
not so thrifty as those OF last gen.
Grafton. might stop and ponder
over the substantial little plan
whereby a little modern day bride
and her NAN are attempting to
solve the financial problem.
Says she-"We have in the
bank a total capital Of $77S. We
have no debt whatever on our
house furnishings. Ny husbands
weekly salary is 1915. When he
gets his pay we lay it on the table
and divide it as follows: Food, SO;
rent. $6.25; carfare, 81; pleasure, SIS;
building loan, $3.50; stock in con-
Germ employing husband, $1.91; gas
and electric power, 50. We have
5000 left for doctors, incidentals
and So on. We would like to in
crease our bank account go that in
case of sickness we would not have
to draw from the building loan.
What do you think Of our budget?"
My only suggestion is that the
wife and husband join some in
surance or benevolent association
which comes to the financial aid
of it's members in time of need.
1t Is too bad to worry constantly
about sickness.
I am glad to see that some
money is definitely put aside for
pleasure. Young folks, especially,
need some form of recreation else
life becomes very humdrum. But
is $40 per month too much for
pleasure?
What do my readers think of
this budget? I am glad that some
body is really acting on my sugges-
ton that about $40 week is suf-
ficient for food for two. Really.
l have received some letters ridi-
culing the idea of any young
couple being able to cover the food
bill of the week with a ten-dollar
bill. OF course, one cannot go in
for canary bird tongues and Rus
sian cavier in planning the menus,
but l know it can be done il one
sticks to plain American whole.
some food.
The idea of taking stock in the
concern employing the husband
seems most wise. 1t certainly
makes a man have a deeper con-
Germ in his employment.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-03-26

my own arrest and trial as an
accomplice would inevitably fol
low and my conviction almost
certain.
Now that this flood of evil
you will see that the finding of
the sham pearl necklace in Mrs.
Mottisfont's room is q further
proof, not OF her guilt, but OF In
nocence. it was clearly con-
trived by the same scoundrels
who evolved the typed letter-it
is a part, and q clinching part,
OF the plan. And with the trac-
ing of the letter to Theophilus
Bell, that plan falls in ruins.
"Can any sane may now be-
lieve," said Philip with scathing
contempt, that the gentle lady
before you in the dock stole the
Knayth necklace and poisoned its
owner for fear of punishment?
Or that I, the hardened criminal
who now addresses you, secretly
sold the pearls and had a copy
made OF them, which / was about
to take with me to America as
a souvenir"
A quick wave Of laughter greet
ed his words and swept around
the court.
AYE we laugh now" said
philip, but remember that Joan
Mottisfont has stood upon the
brink of tragedy. But for he
death of Casas, with the evidence
Of guilt upon him, and the clear
ing of this web of lies, the subtly
cruel PLOT would have succeeded
No effort of mine would then
have saved her." His eyes flash
ed, and his voice, rang clear. 1.-THE
truth is made manifest. Well was
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-03-26

to Lady Tallbois on the very day
after she missed the pearls;
though she has told us all that
she kept that matter secret until
then! say Bell, directly or in.
directly. was the thief!
His letter deceived Lady Tall
bois. Does 1t deceive. YOU? Who
but a guilty man would cOncoct
reilly such an accusation? And
it il Bells letter beyond all doubt.
why. you may ask should he
take such risk? Gentlemen.
those who prey on society live
by taking risks: they play for
heavy stakes. remind you that
Bell and his feIlow-scoundrel
Vaille were the men who first
offered Joan Tallbois the evidence
that enthroned her briefly in the
estates Of Knayth-and mulcted
her of forty thousand pounds as
their price! Later, it was they
who, under a clever camouf1age,
blackmailed her with the threat
Of publishing her dead fathers
record-a record that his child
could only wish forgotten.
After she had lost all, and
surrendered her place to the
present peerless Of Knayth, !
learned of this blackmail, and
Joan Tallbois, being then my
wife, commenced to set the law
afoot, that these scoundrels might
be brought to justice. They found
themselves in danger, and their
return thrust was this diabOlically
subtle and daring plot for the
destruction of Joan Mottisfont
and myself. It came within a
hairs breadth Of success. For II
Mrs. Mottisfont were found guilty.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-03-26

Miguel got in. I say that he was
there, the evidence has been laid
before you to prove It! Had he left
his signature, 1t could not be more
clear. And the devil had made
things easy for Miguel! There was
the water, ready to his hand. The
poison. he had with him. And Mi.
guel makes good his retreat.
1.-THE rest, gentlemen. you know.
Lady Tallbois appeared, and my wife,
in perfect innocence, ministering to
the woman who had insulted and
accused her. gave her the water
that her cast-Off lover had prepared.
1t was subtly done, and this time
the vile trick succeeded. Mrs.
Mottisfont was left to bear the
burden and the penalty.
EMO more OF Miguel, till he is
found dead, killed by an unknown
hand-I have not asked who killed
him: we are not trying the muir
deref Of Miguel. What concerns me
il that upon him were found the
lying letter and the remnants of
the poison he had used. And enough,
too.
ST have done with Miguel Casas.
Consider the question for q few mo.
ments-who stole the Knayth neck
lace. alleged to be the root of the
whole trouble? Who was the thief?
ASK yourself this question
who was 1t knew, even before
Lady Tallbois herself discovered
it, that the necklace was gone:
Answer. Theophilus Bell. the alb
seconded ex-lawyer on whom the
police cannot lay their hands!
Note that it was he who typed
the anonymous letter accusing
Mrs. Mottisfont Of the theft
and that this letter was handed
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-03-26

It written, Let the innocent have
faith, for the powers Of hell shall
not prevail against tI1env
His voice ceased SUDDENLY, and
he seated himself. Al l1ushed 81.
fence was followed by e. swift,
swelling outburst Of applause
which the ushers could hardly
check. When 1t was stilIed, the
deep tones Of the judge broke in,
as he turned his face to the jury.
Mr.. Justice Judd's summing up
was q short one. and every word
of 1t in favor OF the accused. He
marshaled the facts rapidly and
clearly, giving the testimony its
due weight.
gentlemen" he concluded, that
the prosecution has been able 10
produce no evidence that Mrs.
Mottisfont ever as much as set
eyes on the Knayth necklace
much less that she stole and sold
1t. And whether she knowingly
light of the evidence you have
heard concerning the man Casas,
is a question will leave to your
common sense, with no further
comment. That is all have to
say. gentlemen. and you may con-
slider your verdict"
There was a pause, and the
jury, instead of rising, remained
seated. For barely minute there
was rapid consultation among
them, and the foreman. in answer
to q question, rose and turned
to the judge.
: MY Lord, find there IL no ne
cessity for us to retire. We have
decided on our verdict; my fellow
jurors are unanimous"
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-03-26

j, FOAM AYRE, a London typist, is made the
Viscountess Tallbois Of Knayth through
- the Vaccinations Of a band of criminals
headed by CALLAGHAN. Joan is entirely
innocent of any wrongdoing and her case is
fought in the courts by PHILIP MOTIFS
FONT, a young lawyer, who helps to show up
the criminals.
Their former leader had been "SLIM JIM"
CAREY, but after his supposed death Callag--
black sheep and heir to the Tallbois family
estates, but because Of his crimes had fled to
the United States. There he married and Joan
was born. Later she. was taken to England
after her father had deserted her and her
mother died.
Carey suddenly comes to life" and manages
tort money from joan Finally CalIaghan
brings AGNES DE CASTRA and her mother
from the United States to London and sets her
up as the real Viscountess Of TaIlbois saying
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-03-26
BOBBIE AND
HIS PA
BY william, F. Kirk.

~ UR teacher was telling US
in school about the habit OF
~ putting OFF things. She said
it was the curse Of progress.
Yes, sed Pa, it is a deadly habit.
Many a yung man as brite as you
Bobbie, yes, even briter like I was
wen yung, sed Pa, has ruined his
career by that habit & many a
fair lady, almost aS fair as you,
sed Pa to Ma. is a slaiv to the
habit, sed Pa.
= 1t seems hard to believe. sed Ma.
But it is the truth, sed Pa. The
only way to git rid Of the eevil,
sed- Pa, is to be up and doing all
the time never putting off till to-
morrer what can be done today,
sed Pa.
Why in the world can't peepul
be sensibul & not form eevil hab-
bits? sed Ma.
Well, sed Pa, the wurld Is full of
so many differnt kinds Of peepul
that 1t is. hard to tell what sum Of
them will do.
see, @ed Ma.
Yes indeed, sed Pa. If every
body was wise & kean Of intelleck,
like me, sed Pa, thare wud be no
foolish habits.
Not eeven one teeny weeny fool
ish habit? sed Ma.
Not eeven one, sed Pa. This
wud be q CRATE wurld in wich to
live in, sed Pa, II everybody was
like me.
Did you git that, Bobbie? sed
Ma.
Yes, sed, herd what Pa sed,
amt Pa kind of swelled up, Ma?
! sed.
Now that you menshun it, Bob.
bic, sed Ma, | believe he is.
Is the swelled up Habit as bad
as the Habit that's the curse of
progress? 1 sed to Ma.
No, Bobbie, sed Ma, it Is jest as
silly but it is moar harmerless,
sed Ma.
I doant see why peepul has to
put off things, life is too 81 short.
Going to bed and getting up is the
only things I try to put off.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-03-26
YOUR BEAUTY
"A NEW SERIES OF. PRACTICAL VALUE

NAL. Laugh at yourself when
you find yourself getting blue"
and mentally soggy."
When you can't think Of any.
thing to laugh at, however silly,
and you can't find q funny paper
cor book to help you out, then
cheer yourself by practicing
laughter as an exercise. If you
do you will start really laughing
and win be happier and rested
and more interesting.
OF course, there Is q time and
a place for laughter as for all
things. I am not suggesting sud
den bursts of uncomfortable
laughter in the midst of business
hours or rehearsals of class
studies. But when there comes
a moment or two for relaxation,
you will really relax and help
others to do so If you look out
for fun and let yourself throughly
enjoy It when it comes along.
If you haven't much sense Of
humor-and very young persons
sometimes have not begun to de-
velop their humorous point of
view-help yourself along by
cutting out good jokes and anec-
dotes from papers and magazines
and learning them. Then repeat
them to your friends when you
wish TO brighten things up aslittle
or start the conversation ball
rolling.
Every one is looking for happi-
ness. Laugh and the world
laughs with you" a wise poetess
sang.
You will feel at home and
happy with others. and add both
to your own charm and the gen.
eral gayety, by looking for the
funny side. Catch the contagion
Of laughter If you would iron out
the first suspicious of wrinkles.
quirk the corners of your lips in
%Cupid's bow and fill your face
with that charm which is often
heralded by a twinkle in an ire.
sistible eye.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-03-26

Gocomeback, the travel eifin,
smiling at her side. "Oh, you
prefer eating with your fingers?"
Eyes, I do" agreed Betty. Il
never did like to use my fork.
know 1t seems dreadful, but l
can't help it. I wish we lived
where folks never had such things.
Then Mama wouldn't always be
scolding me-"
That's easy enough" said Go
comeback, scratching his head.
IT have a little friend who has
never seen a fork. Let's go and
call on"
"Oh, let's CO." shouted Betty.
land IL / like it there. maybe
Mama and Daddy will move right
away"
She grabbed the elfin by the
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-03-26

White furniture 10 best treated
with a little whitening dissolved
in warm water. Rub this on with
a cloth and 1t will resore the
Wilderness and help to preserve
the enamel.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-03-26

~ETTY was q dear little girl,
but she had one terrible
~ fault. Her mother could
not get her to use her fork when
eating. Every time she thought
no one was looking her way. in
would go her fingers. Then, Of
course, Mama would send her up
to the nursery to sit until she
could remember to eat nicely.
One morning while Betty was
eating her breakfast all alone,
she forgot her fork entirely until
a tiny hand poked it right up
near her plate.
Here it is. guess you thought
you'd lost your fork" laughed a
merry voice. Betty turned to see
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-03-26
This Day IN History

THIS is the anniversary Of the issuing BY CaxtOn in
- 1884, of 'tAesops Fables" in English This was
the first book printed with numbered pages though
books printed without such numbers antedated it.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-03-26
By Blanche Silver.

Betty Learns To Eat With Her
Fork.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-03-26
Swtn, Not, DrOlOn Not.

NUUINI NOT, UFOJCN VOC'
THE Mohammedan and Hindu families in Kashmir for
generations have taught their children that swim
ming an ungentlemanly art They argue that those
who go into the water a great risk of drowning.