davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bolivar County Democrat., 1923-02-03
Germany Buys Cotton.

Dallas, Texas.-One bale OF Ameri-
can cotton has been sold at Bremen
Germany, for 4,595,625 German marks.
The Bolivar County Democrat., 1923-02-03

- np,aeement = of the death at
|. = 4 meridian Of Hon. Hillary
~ Ae well-known keeper of
i, seal Of the Knights of
o,d. ~ prominent in other fra
M caused much sadness
n ,s.. .spltal, | where Mr.. Quinn
ham, ssaued. Mr.. Quinn, in his
nIss was the editor of the
w,,'l 4 centreville, and rep
e Wilkinson :, !, county in the
n c,S, T. 'ae same time his cous-
ns,. ~ for years a member
usn the seventh district.
The Bolivar County Democrat., 1923-02-03

ihames, prison trustee
'uulnern district of Missis-
aslng supported by a number
papers and commended by
usn for his proposition to
N y sugar and syrup refinery
~. mississippi, to be operated
: .aoor, and to be owned by
! I, south Mississippi lands are
IN mOduce : better sugar cane
u 'uose OF Louisiana. While
many syrup refineries in
ss,sslssippi, they do not pro.
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-05-10

On her way down the corridor,
Kathleen stepped into the freshman
room to ask some questions about
the next days lesson Of Miss Lewis,
the English teacher, and, incident
ally, to catch a glimpse of Anna
belle Victorious. Annabelle was not
to be seen, so after she had secured
from Miss Lewis the information she
needed, Kathleen accosted Peggy and
asked her the whereabouts of Anna
belle.
II don't know where she u.s." she
answered GROSSLY. "Am I appointed
as a committee of one to seek and
We shall find? Well, I won't do<it.
I've decided to have nothing to do
with that crazy freshman. Neither
will the other girls. We've all sworn
to keep away from Annabelle Vic
torious Jones, and Annabelle Victori-
Gus Jones had better keep away from
us, too, if she knows what is good
for her." and Peggy stalked out OF
the room.
It wasn't until the noon recess
was nearly over that Kathleen saw
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-05-10
a7sSgYggUg@gIgYT2lgIgSg
Too Much IMAGINATION
TSyYaCGySXsYIs6N S2SSYsN@I

He caught her left hand in his. It
was slim and brown-and bare. He
froWned to hide his relief, and an
imp of mischief danced beneath Ursu-
las lashes. "It isn't there-yetm she
laughed. "But-you never can tell!'
She was sober enough, however,
when they parted, and she dropped
her hand on Irvings arm. I'll
hope you'll make Jimmie well, doc
tor. He's a nice boy and I'm pref
ty fond of him"
DR.. Irving stared long at his re-
Election in the mirror that night
and sighed. He looked old-and he
shouldn't. He was young. man still,
with the best of life before him. He
had had a precious cream. And
while he guarded it the years slipped
by. A little girl had grown to a
woman-oYer night it seemed. And
somebody else had quietly usurped
his place. So he buried the dream in
Never-Neyer Land.
"The garden behind DR.. Irving's
house fourished, and day by day
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-05-10

filed, DR.. Irying's with the spirited
radiance of self denial and renunci-
alton.
Peggy SHE'D as she came
ont of the driveway. and the doctor
pulled up sharply. A low laugh came
from the shadows.
"The moon is glorious! Take me
with you, doctor dear?"
He hesitated-wrestled with temp
tation, "Jimmie's got something to
tell you, Ursula" he temporized.
"He has? It can wait. Unless, OF
course-you don't want me"
Not want her! He smiled, grimly
as he tucked the shabby lap robe
about her.
They climbed the hill to a ram
shackle farmhouse. "The woman is
probably dying-it won't be pleas
ant" he warned. But she followed
him into the house.
She never forgot her first meeting
with Death, the wretched room, The
unkempt husband and wailing child
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-05-10

Annabelle. The poor girl was maxi
ing her way toward the darkest cor
ner of the room. She was a scrawny,
forlorn, shy girl of medium. height;
her dress, of coarse, plaid material,
was much too short; her shoes,
clumsy and hobnailed, could be heard
from the corridor, dumping over the
floor. Dull blue eyes cast frightened
chances from under light eyelashes,
and seemed out of place in the thin,
wan, sharp-featured face. But one
soon forgot all these minor defects
in the shining glory that crowned
her head. Fiery red, glistening with
gold, the silken tresses were pulled
tightly back from her peaked face,
and hung in two thickly- plated
braids, almost to her knees. Her
complexion was of that fine, white
texture. which usually accompanies
red hair -velvety and very pale, it's
only disfguration, freckles, across
the bridge Of the nose and upper
cheeks.
Kathleen watched Annabelle in 81
lence, until she was seated. Then
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-05-10

ried as passenger, Mr.. Horace Little
field.
"I can't get over it, speck, /"
chuckled the chairman of the board
of selectmen.
Cant get over what?" Intercepted
speck.
Mr.. Littlefeld gave vent to anoth-
er deep-throated chuckle.
"Why." he explained, "the way you
talked to the selectmen mat morn
ing. 1t was ell-binding, that's
what it was! Why, even my wife
was impressed. I tell you, Speck,
Demosthenes never made speech
that could compare with your little
Grafton on Labor'!"
Speck's eyes rested contentedly for
a moment on the broad back of the
gray mare and he shook the reins
gently.
well, now" he commented, char
itably, 'mebbe this Dem-that Teller
you mentioned-didn't own a real
good horse like Labor"
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-05-10
The Ugly Duckling

she approached and said in her kind
est tone: s"You seem very much
frightened. May 1 help you?"
Annabelle Victorious looked up
quickly. II am frightened" she
murmured in a musical voice, "but
don't think you can help me. You
see, am what 1 am, and nobody can
change me. That's the trouble. If
I were more like other people, maybe
the girls wouldn't look at me so
queerly, and laugh when my back is
turned-and sometimes when it
isn't" She smiled wanly. Anyway,
you're the first civil person who has
spoken to me, and want to thank
you. I'm so lonely"
Annabelle turned her face away
quickly, but not before Kathleen had
heard the sharp intake Of her breath
and seen the tears in her eyes. She
caught Annabelle's cold, little hand
with her own, and pressed it gently.
ooh, please let me help you," she
cried. II want to, oh, so much-and
and let's be friends"
All the sincerity in Kathleen's
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-05-10

with your imagination-you should
write scenarios, DR.. Irving. You've
made me a romance, you dear stupid
out of nothing, Jimmie is engaged
to the prettiest girl in the world
he's told me all about her. He'll be
married-just as soon as he can ar
range it. suppose But not
to me-"
The doctors tired eyes grew sud-
denly rested. Eagerly he gazed
down into the girls flushed face.
Could he believe.
IT'S been a mighty lonesome Sum-
mer, Ursula" he began, shakily.
He felt slender weight against
his side, warm hand upon his cheek.
He bent to hear the stamnering
voice.
at th-think you're very silly. You
you needn't be lonesome you
don't want to doctor, dear"
And then he drew her close, while
Peggy, her clever old ears tipped for
ward, made her way, unguided, down
the road that led toward home.
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-05-10
The Improvement Society


~ through almost quarter of a
century Merrimao Mills had
grown accustomed to the
sight Of "Speck" and his fat gray
mare. 1t was seldom, indeed, that
one was seen without the other. In
the days when the horse was nimbler
of hoof and jealous for toll, Speck
had christened her Labor" And
Labor she remained, in spite of bulg-
ing sides and an increasing tendency
to rival the pace Of snail.
At 8 O'clock in the morning, Speck
would start. on his round of the town
in his official capacity of ash COL
lector. At half-past four in the aft
ernoon his familiar blue cart would
be rumbling along the River road on
its way to the vacant lot, which serv-
ed as a repository for the days col
lection 1t was during the course of
one of these late afternoon trips that
Speck attracted the attention Of Mrs
Horatio Littlefield, president of the
Town Improvement Society, and pro-
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-05-10
0a2lSS sSa3G
By Parke Whitney
IlSS1s S7g3t5SSIS Ns55gl

heart shore in her eyes as she put
her arms around her new friend.
ooh, thank you, thank you," sobbed
Annabelle. "I thought God had
forgotten me, but I'm sure He hasn't
now" She looked up into Kathleen's
warm, blue eyes, and smiled her first,
real, heartfelt smile since she had
entered school.
Near the close Of the Spring term
prize-speaking contest was held.
Annabelle entered, and chose, for her
selection, a most difficult condensa-
ton of Shakespere's Macbeth. -
When the girls heard of this, nothing
but sheer force of will and Kath-
leen's daily encouragement kept An
nabelle from Withdrawing, so great
was the girls scorn.
When the time arrived, the plain,
awkward Annabelle was transformed
into a glorious radiant maiden, bud
ding into womanhood, whom nobody
could scarcely recognize. Kathleen's
mother had made for her a dainty,
pale green, organdie frock, and Kath-
leen had arranged her hair becom-
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-05-10
A Study In Contrasts

the essential-conveFsation? I knew
the grammar. Comet"
"Are you sure she isn't after the
money your father left you?" Mabel
asked candidly.
Horace frowned. She knew she
hurt him, but it was for his good. She
patted his shoulder then and picked
up the French book.
"The key to love-" she laughed,
"I'll do my best as a locksmith."
The lessons began next day-the
most disqdieting lessons maid ever
gave to man. When Horace STUN
bled, Mabel's' eyes softened She
watched his face when he spoke,
missing his pronunciation.
Sometimes he would return her
glance with the old boy-look crouch
ing in his eyes, then turn abruptly
away with jest.
One evening he sent word that
Aimee wanted him. The lesson must
wait. Mabel Lad a vision of Aimee,
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-05-10

This may lead to something else,"
the young man suggested. 1--WE
landed a job, too. Old Uncle Harvey
is to initiate me into his wooden
business. Pretty soft"
But Mabel did not respond with her
usual quick hair-pulling to the sud-
den jostle of the hammock that near
ly upset her.
II hope you'll settle down, then, !"
she scolded. "You never took life
seriously"
(which reminds me of my errand,
Mabs," Horace interrupted, sitting
UP, his arms about his knees. "I've
fallen in love-"
So quietly he said it, it did not
sink in at first. Then Mabel cried
out:
"And you just out of college.
When, pray, did you fall?"
almost overnight. You know
Aimee Dupont, the little French girl
who was here last Summer? She's
back, visiting her aunt. She's
bowled me over. Surprised"
Rather. And where do / come
in?"
Your French. The language and !
quarrel. Aimee chatters in it most
of the time, and haven't told her my
predicament. Can't you teach me
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-05-10
2eZgYgwMg2s1Y9@SN
cSZsYayzswSzSY sgSsy
gEHHE afternoon had been hot and rest

NHE afternoon had been hot and
DR.. Irving came home tired.
He Embarrassed old Peggy,
cast one longing look toward his
comfortable porch, and then-be-
cause he had been too busy of late to
see much Of his boarding patient"
and his conscience bothered-he
climbed the grassy knoll beyond the
orchard.
Before white tent young man
sat on the grass. He was still thin,
but the haggardness, the stoop, and
the incessant cough had vanished. A
wave Of satisfaction washed away
some Of DR.. IrEing's WEAKNESS.
Jimmie Dell sprang to his feet
AN hour off, Irving? This is treat.
Here's Ursula; I've got some lemons
and sugar; we'll have party!"
The brown-hared girl smiled up
ward rather gravely and patted the
hammock seat at her side. you look
tired doctor, dear" she coaxed. "You
work so hard-and always for other
people-won't you sit down, and
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-05-10
By Phil Moore
NaSAmS1 RlSIA1SkS

short, thick-set man brandishing a
whip. When the mare failed to aban-
don her position the driver brought
the whip down viciously across her
ears.
stop that, you ravin' idiot"
shouted Speck. He stopped the truck
and ran toward the offender, his face
turned ashen~ under it's habitual
brown. Don't you know any better
than to strike a horse on the ears?"
Mind your own business!"
snapped the man, purpling. tits my
horse, amt it,"
makes not bit of difference"
Speck interrupted his sentence to in
spect the mare. A low whistle es-
capped his lips. 1t was Labor! But
not the same Labor he had parted
with in the stable that night almost
a year ago. Shabby, unkempt, SO
thin that her ribs protruded like
barrel slaves, the old horse was
hardly recognizable.
But Speck was certain that he did
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-05-10

then, teaching him more in one min
ute with her eyes than Mabel could
teach in a lifetime from a book.
Aimee with her pale hair, scarlet lips
and foolish little heart, that could
not appreciate the wealth of mans
honest love.
When Mabel asked for Aimee the
next day in her best conversational
Horace replied in the curtest posi-
BILE English. He accused Mabel of
being peevish, and she told him he
was out of sorts. He was, and
showed it. Mabel missed his teasing
too-the surest proof of their good
fellowship. Aimee absorbed him
Mabel was rebellious means to the
end.
When the lesson was to begin that
evening. Horace was surprised when
Mabel threw the French book on the
table.
Are you Disguised with my
stupidity?" he asked.
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-05-10

vided her with another of her "big
IDEAS"
Il should, think the town would
get sick Of looking at Speck and that
dilapidated ash cart" she observed
disdainfully to Mr.. Horatio Little
field. "And as for that fat, lazy
mare-well, just look at her. Dis
graceful! What Merrimac Mills needs
is a truck"
'No doubt about it, my dear, "
agreed the amiable Mr.. Horatio Lit
tlefeld. "But you can't teach an old
dog new tricks, Laura. Speck would
be absolutely lost without Labor"
"Nonsense!" snapped his wife. "As
president I shall put the matter be-
fore the Town Improvement Society
and, as chairman Of the Board of Sc
lectmen, you are expected to do your
duty!"
Horatio did his duty. AS for the
board, they thought it unwise to op-
pose Merrimac Mills heaviest tax
payer. And in due course big
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-05-10

time an expert driver, but his re-
sentiment toward the big red truck
was unmistakable. He hated the
numerous bits of machinery that
were in constant need of attention.
When he creased the gears or filled
the tank he found himself thinking
Of Labor and he missed the joyous,
friendly whinny that was the reward
of his kindness to her. On more
than one occasion Speck decided to
go before the board and demand the
return of his companion. But he
was no longer young and the fear Of
losing his job weakened his deter
mination.
One evening as he was driving
homewards in the October dusk.
Speck was startled by a familiar
sound. 1t was the protracted whinny
of horse-a horse in pain. AS his
truck rounded bend in the River
road the ash collector caught sight of
gray mare lying in the dust OF the
highway. Over the animal stood a
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-05-10

shining red truck was presented to
the utterly bewildered Speck.
"But I never drove one of them
consarned things in my life," he pro-
tested. Besides, what is to become
Of Labor?" Is
"You can learn to drive" replied
Mrs. Horatio Littlefield majestically.
"The town will sell the horse, Of
course"
"Sell Labor" exclaimed Speck.
The thought aroused him and he
launched into a flood of bitter pro-
test. But the board-and Mrs. Hora-
ito Littlefeld-were adamant. That
night Speck put an extra carrot in his
pocket when he went to the town
stable. For the last time he fed the
old mare, washed her sleek coat and
combed the stringy name with elab-
crate care.
1t was some time fEfore Merrimac
Mills grew accustomed to the new
lash cart" Speck himself never be-
came reconciled to it. He became in
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-05-10

hard enough to lead me on. have
learned to count time by heart
throbs' rather than to murmur par
ici'; to carry away the memory of
your eyes, the tone of your voice
rather than 'je Wis en- espoir,' as 1
thought I did for Aimee. Mabs,
dear, is there the ghost Of a show
for poor, clumsy chap like me? Or,
are your ambitions beyond mar
riage?"
Mabel wondered if Horace could
hear her heart singing. Maybe,
after all, women are made to fill a
sphere that men can't, she admitted.
woman holds her place even
though she doesn't speak in Congress
or discover new mineral. Chill
dren are crying all over the world
for love, tenderness and a home.
That is woman's place-to open her
arms and take them in. My ambi-
ton is high enough, but when look
around, I'd rather be e1zB in my
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-05-10
By Monte Darrell
TSSaSI9gGeWS SZsI9y5seg

Jimmie Dell delved in it, while the
red blood flowed in healing tide
through his long frame. Autumn
came, and he waited restlessly for
DR.. Irving to give him his release,
but for some unaccountable reason
the necessary examination was de-
layed. The doctor was busy-kept
putting him off-until one evening
Dell forced the issue.
I I'm well, Irving" he argued. ct
don't know whether Ursula has told
you. but I've got a special reason for
wanting a clean bill of health right
getting into the game"
DR.. Irving interrupted him. He
looked worn and gray inAthe fading
light.
1--WE got to drive up on Long
HILL" he said, YEARLY, "but I've an
hour. Come into the office, Jimmie.
We might as well have 1t over with
now"
Both faces were shining when
they came out on the porch again
Dells with the glow of promise full
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-05-10

IT am disguised with everything, .
Mabel confessed. eve are wasting
our time, Horace. Why not give up
the lessons?"
This is new side Of you, Mabel.
I never knew this side in college.
Never really knew you. It's Like
getting acquainted with new girl. "
Woman, you mean, Horace" Ma
bel corrected, frozen little by his
formal use Of her name. you knew
the girl at school"
I'm bit afraid of the woman.
She's elusive. It's almost as if a
man could never offer you anything
worth while enough to hold you
away from the heights. Such a con-
trast!"
"To whom?" She half knew what
he would say by the food of warmth
that gladdened her.
Horace evaded. 81 might have
been engaged to Aimee this minute
if it hadn't been for you. She tried
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-05-10

generous heart and sympathetic ma
ture.
"She can't help how she looks"
continued Kathleen, her blue eyes
flashing with Indignation. ut is most
probable that her parents are poor
and can not afford to clothe%her bet
ter. I should think you girls would
be ashamed Of yourselves, laughing
at her poverty, because you are not
so unfortunate"
'"There you go again, Kahty," burst
out Diana, always defending the
downtrodden cattle of Edgburton."
"But does anybody know her
name?" inquired another girl.
II do" said Kathleen, "but I am
not going to tell you."
"Well, I don't blame Kathy for
wishing to keep the new girls name
secret" a newcomer jerked out be-
tween giggles. It's the funniest
name I've heard In blue moon"
What is it, Edith" the girls asked
in one breath.
Kathleen sighed.
II heard her tell Miss Lewis that
her name was 'Annabelle Victorious
JONES'" Edith made the odd name
sound very ridiculous indeed by
enunciating each syllable as she had
heard the unsuspecting owner say it
The girls, with the exception Of
Kathleen, laughed so loudly the prin-
cipal requested them to dispense.
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-05-10

rest?"
He shook his head. There were
careworn lines about his mouth. II
mustn't ston" he said. Gust dropped
around to see how my garden cure
was working. Pretty well, eh, Dell?
Getting the best OF those bugs, all
right. Fresh air, sunshine;
deep breathing and the healthy
scent Of the good clean earth
they're wonder-workers!"
Ursula rose. I'm going along
with the doctor, Jimmie" she said,
nodding Dell a sweetly impersonal
farewell.
DR.. Irving glanced curiously down
at the pretty, tanned face at his
shoulder. "It's queer" he unused
slowly. AZ never noticed before how
friendly you and Dell had grown"
Ursula smiled wisely. MANY
things happen beneath your very
nose, which you don't see, doctor,
DEAR" she said. I could wear an en-
gagement ring-and syou'd never
know it,"
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-05-10
rw1 HE allurihg

FN HE alluring promise of Fall
caught at the heart of a
young woman swinging lazily
in q hammock under the trees. A
book of French studies lay open on
the ground, for her mind had jumped
back on dream-broomstick to the
school day that had ended in June.
That morning she had received
an offer Of the position of French
teacher in the local High School. But
the first burst of enthusiasm over
that had passed. Now she was ask
ing herself whether it were wise to
settle down in her home town.
Would it mean putting ambition on
the shelf, where it might become
dusty and lose its fret to achieve?
The CHEEKY greeting of a young
man interrupted her thoughts. He
vaulted over the fence opposite, COW
cred the space between them in three
steps and sprawled himself at her
feet.
Hello, old bookworm," he smiled.
II hear you've landed position.
congratulations"
Mabel Turner nodded. wait, Hor-
ace. was just debating whether it
weren't ambitionless to take the first
offer-and that here at home"
"Why get city ambitions, Mabs
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-05-10


not mistake the expression in the
mares eyes when he called her name.
1t was flash Of sheer joy shining
through the pain. Rage and pity
mingled in Speck's mind. And at
such an inopportune moment the
owner Of Labor raised bis whip
again. In a second it was knocked
from his hand and he found himself
sprawling in the dirt Of the River
road.
I'll have the law on you!" he
screamed. Speck smiled grimly as
he began to loosen the traces that
held Labor in the shafts of the mans
heavy farm team.
az guess the law11 have something
to say about cruelty to animals" he
rejoined dryly. mot anxious to pay
a stiff fine, are you, Cyrus? No, I
thought not Well, you let me have
Labor at fair price and I won't pre-
fer any charges. That's right,
Cyrus-always act sensible. I'll be
around to see you in the morning
soon as I've had little talk with the
board Of selectmen. Good night"
At half past 4 in the afternoon of
a day two months later, Speck's
familiar blue cart was rumbling
along the River road on it's way to
the "lot." Besides the driver, it car
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-05-10

the gasping figure on the bed. DR..
Irving found her when it was all
over, in a chair by the Kitchen win
dow, the baby asleep in her arms.
Her frightened eyes chung to his, and
something caught in his throat.
1.-THE neighbors are here" he said,
gently. Come, dear"
Flooding down the hill she kept
very close to his side. She was pale,
tremulous, overweight. He set his
jaw.
"You have been my brave little
helper" he said. "And now you must
forget what you have, seen.
Come-Tll give you something else
to think about! II went over
Jimmie pretty thoroughly tonight
Ursula. Whatever trouble he may
have had has been entirely overcome
I'm very glad to be able to
tell you this. I've seen, of course
that his recovery had come to NEAR
your happiness"
She smiled wistfully, lids dropping
I'm glad for him, but" she SHOOK
her head-"my happiness, doctor
dear, as you might have seen if yor
weren't SO blind-depends on some
thing far removed from Jimmi'
DELL"
Bewildered, he stumbled on. But
thought-you said-he, said"
Hysterical laughter shook her