davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1932-11-20

HCHE's certainly a humdinger, amt she?"
~ Old Luke demanded of Bob one after
noon.
She'll make a great runner" Bob agreed
quietly.
Alice was coming toward them striding
swiftly along the old track on which Blue
Button had trained. In her running togs she
was taller than Old Luke had realized In her
stride there was breath-taking rhythm which
told of perfect coordination. 1t was beautiful.
And Alice herself never looked more lovely
IF Pydias had had the chance to model
Alice" remarked Bob slowly, "this world would
be worshipping her perfection in a dozen mu-
seuns today"
So it's Alice. is it? Old Luke grinned. and
on sudden impulse cut away to Huntsville's
biggest bank. 1t had occurred to him that
with Bob and Alice increasingly friendly. Alice
and Platt. Just possibly, might be cooling to-
ward each other
"Gday, Platt." he said guilefully Flows
things?"
Platt creased and shining, smiled from be-
hind his desk. His hands rubbed together
softly, palm to palm
Splendid" said Platt Splendid! I'm con-
sidering a most attractive offer for my stock
in the bank"
GAS if you'd SELL" snorted Old Luke.
Frankly" said Platt, 'I might. I've been
criticized little lately Luke, and don't like
it. 1t might be very good plan to sell and
go in business in Los Angeles after Alice and
I are married"
You'll have plenty of time to think it over"
Old Luke said skeptically, 'if you wait until
the wedding"
"I guess you haven't heard" murmured Platt
complacently, that Alice has promised 70
marry me as soon as her events in the Olympic
games are run off,"
Old Luke got away as quickly as he decently
could. Returning to the old Lathrop place.
he arrived just in time to witness an imprompt,i
celebration.
Alice was the focus of it, and all the other
girls on the team circling about, laughing
and doing exuberant jig steps. Alice herself,
Old Luke perceived on drawing closer, had wet
though happy eyes.
Whats all this about?" he demanded of no
one in particular
"a hundred meters in 1915, that's ALI" Bob
cried. Tied the Olympic record for the dis
tance, old timer
It was plain that Bob meant Alice, SO Old
Luke looked to her for elaboration.
Isn't it wonderful?" she asked. when Bob
first gave me my suit and shoes I never thought
I'd get anywhere at all But today it all began
to come beautifully clear. didn't start any
too well, I'll admit. For the first half trailed
three of the girls. But then my spikes began
to dig in, and my knees came up just the way
Bob said they should. And one of the girls
started coming back to me. And then another.
Evening star., 1932-11-20

graphed from Cumberland, who gave orders
that he should be inferred without robbing him
of any of his natural ornaments.
Hannibal was the largest animal ever ex-
hibited on this continent. His height was ii
feet inches. and his weight was ascertained
to be 001 pounds. or 7l2 tons. He consumed
800 pounds of hay, bushels of oats, and 46
gallons of water per day. He was supposed to
be in his Goth year at the time of his death
For So years he traversed this continent, at an
average of 5000 miles per year, the greatest
curiosity ever exhibited to the wondering
millions"
OF course, a person does not have to be
~ very old to remember Jumbo and the
baby elephant mentioned and of course
thousands of people recall when the block
between Ninth, Tenth, S and T streets was the
circus lot but few, if any, can remember when
Walkers Great Southern Circus had its Winter
headquarters on C street between John Mar
shall place and Sixth street, to the rear and
east of the old National Hotel.
We are told that the performance was carried
on for three months in the Fall and Winter
after it came in from the road at the closing
of the tenting season, and that it was regarded
as a very fashionable place to go in those days.
'In an amusement way" an old-timer tells us,
"it bore about the same relation to the Summer
circus that an opera troupe bears now to the
ordinary theatrical troupe While to all in
tents and purposes the performance was
circus show there were other things added to
make it more attractive, in the way of stage
performance. The stage was a folding affair,
which could be pushed out of the way when
the time came for the ring show. remember
seeing Joseph jefferson ard his father and
mother playing il Walkers circus, as well as
many others who, in after years, reached great
prominence in the theatrical world Mr.. JET
ferson's mother, besides playing part in the
circus, was kept busy during the day in looking
after. mending and restoring the circus players
costumes, while the elder Jefferson was also
very much in evidence in business way about
the place There were generally three acts
in each of the plays produced there, two being
on the stage and the closing act in the circus
ring.
"It wintered in Washington for several years.
The building used was originally livery stable,
and it was kept warm enough except during
very cold weather, when the performance was
suspended for couple of weeks at a time. In
those days, the downtown hotels and boarding
houses were the headquarters for Congressman
and their families, and it was handy for them
to go around to walkers circus. There were
Evening star., 1932-11-20

~ course" Platt Moore was ex-
p,aining to Alice Lathrop, lit
4 won't be as though you were
keeping a boarding house.
Naturally I wouldn't let the
girl I'm going to marry do
that You'll just move into the wing OF your
old white elephant give these-er girl athletes
the main section, and collect lot of money"
Old Luke who was present in his double
capacity of trustee for Col. Henry Lathrop's
sadly muddled estate and Of lawyer for the
late colonels listening, family doubtful daugh-
ter didn't like the way Platt's plump features
frightened at that word money.
Why in time did man who owned bank
want his girl to make money, especially when
two of 'em were going to get married scon?
Alice, for those of you who do not keep up
with the sport of kings, was the girl whose
Blue Button was the about favcrite to win
the Derby a year or so ago. You must have
read reams about that magnificent roam. OF
his mistress who brought him on from Cali
fornia where the colonel lay i'll. And OF how,
prancing onto the track to start the race,
Blue Button was kicked and had leg broken,
and so sent the already shaky house OF Lathrop
into bankruptcy. Alice had stood by without
turning a hair while they shot Blue Button
and then had gone to her hotel and cried all
night She returned to Huntsville, Calf, and
salvaged what she might and nurSed her dad
through his last days. And last, but not least,
she was SO darned pretty you thought you
were dreaming the first time you sighted her.
CHE had the sort OF shining dark hair and
y wide-apart blue eyes and delicicusly fresh
color and long-limbed grace which inspire
young men to hunt up flower shops.
~ And how did such girl become engaged
to Platt Moore? Now you're doing Platt an
injustice He was only &c. even if it was
plumpish 49, Within the limits Of Huntsville
he was as eligible the Prince of Wales is
in London. BY reason of his own industry,
almost as much as that of his fathers. he had
plenty Of what it takes. Every month so
he had to run down to Los Angeles to look
after his growing affairs.
It was a trip to Los Angeles which had ac-
quaintcd him with the needs of the womens
Olympic team. The associate he was seeing
was member OF the Municipal Olympic Com
mittee and when the committeeman mouTned
the lack of training site Platt Immediately
thought cf the old mansion Col Lathrop had
left behind with its adjoining practice track.
Absolutely IDEAL" he assured the committee
man.
And now, while Old Luke grunted disap-
proval Platt repeated the verdict to Alice
Absolutely ideal. Aunt Sally Maken can
come in to run things. You'll have nothing on
your mind but the fat check you'n collect every
week"
"AI right" said Alice cbediently. She was
acutely sensitive about her lack OF money and
numbly gratefully to P,att for helping her to
Evening star., 1932-11-20

make some. But what kind Of girls are they,
Platt?"
Good Lord" said Platt. "You don't think
tried to see any of 'em, do you? Runners
mostly if that means anything. But guess
their moneyll be as good anybody elses."
"Runners!" Alice picked out the word which
pleased her most That's what Blue Button
was, runner And that's what I'd like to be,
I've often thought"
Piatt conceded tolerant smile for this little
girl whimsy.
Tell me'-Alice was becoming interested
"who trains these girls?"
"A coach" Platt told her Anyway think
that's the word. fellow named Bob Harper"
"I certainly like thati" snorted Old Luke.
Bob Harper's the lad who holds all the world
track records from the quarter-mile down. But
even if you didn't know that, you ought to
know the smart lawyer Harpers become since
he quit running. He's only 90, but Los Angeles
amt got many better And on top of that,
good-looker too, if his pictures amt all liars"
Platt lit cigarette in a manner which regis
tered stable indifference to gocd-looking
coaches
"Tn telegraph Les Angeles" he told Alice.
'rThe whole outfit ought to be here in the morn
ing"
1t was. Arriving at the spacious old white
house shortly after 10, they were out on the
track, hard at work, by midafternoon.
Alice had promptly decided Bob Harper, tall,
lean, was certainly likable. He had, it seemed
to her, such a pleasantly humorous mouth.
She liked hi9 deep and as she described 1t to
herself, sort of rumbly voice.
Every girl on the Ram, Alice further con-
Guided, was thoroughly nice. She liked their
costumes, too
These were black running trunks, SO short
they seemed to stop almost the instant they
started blouses open at the throat and breezily
short as to sleeves; and, finally. rolled socks
inside running shoes.
Old Luke also voted the costumes great
DANCED healthyi Elsewhere there was less
approval HuntsWie was town which fat
tered its chief banker by accepting his shrewd
but narrow outlook Platt made bones
about being soundy shocked at the galaxy of
bare legs twinking around Col. Lathrop's
rambling cid home. And initiative little groups
collected all over Huntsville whispering their
sympathy that Banker Moore should have been
misled by that slcker of an olympic commit
teeman down in L. A. 1t was all going to be
pretty terrible for the towns reputation
WEEK later, Platt Moore found himself
facing Old Luke, Bob Harper and Alice
at an unexpected conference in his Office.
Bob Harper sat off in one corner of Platt's
softly-carpeted, highly-polished Office. He
sumped in a manner sharply contrasted with
Platts stiffy-erect posture. Your first impress
sion was mdeniably unimpresSive. But then
your eye began to take in details. You sized
up the lean, wiry muscles which sinewed q
The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-12-12
CITY TO SEIZE AUTOS FOR UNPAID TAXES
Operators Of .-- Business Houses
 Face Like Fate
Sheriff and Six PoIicemen to Act Within Five Days Unless Obligations Are Met-0ne of Most Drastic Moves in History of Municipality

Furthermore, 1t was pointed out today, Christmas shoppers may find themselves greeted by the city sheriff or one of his assistants in some of the local store as they pro- ceed about their holiday shopping for gifts. For in cases where taxes have not been paid on store fix lures and inventories the city sheriff will assume charge pend- ing court orders. The warning Of the tax collector also included the inventories of factories and other business establishments, with the exception of real estate.
 According to the tax collectors warning. the charter of the city-of Waterbury provides: "For any un- paid taxes on personal property. the collector shall, within 120 days after the same shall become due, institute, through the tax attorney. appropriate legal proceedings for the collection of the same, and, any failure so to do, he shall be fined not more than $200 for each offence.
 Therefore, Tax Collector Ennis pointed out today, he is acting to comply with the law and also to protect his own bond. He pointed out that payment of delinquent per- sonal property taxes at his office immediately will save all delin- quents embarrassment and extra costs.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-12-12

Owners of automobiles and op- srators of stores and other busi- ness houses in the city who have failed to pay their 1881 taxes, which fell due on May 1st and Oc- t0ber 1st, last, are now in line for one of the most drastic prosecu- fions ever instituted by the local tax collectors office, it was learned today. Tax Collector William A. Ennis today issued notice noti- flying all such delinquents that un- less the bills sent them for the 1881 taxes are honored with in five days steps will be taken immedi- ately to take possession of the property under the alias tax war rant act.
 In five days, it was stated. City Sheriff William J. Roach will be handed the names of all delinquents. He, assisted by SIX police officers. will immediately proceed to take possession of the property on which taxes are due without any further notice,
 It was learned today at the City Hall that complete list of the number of automobiles and names of their owners in Waterbury has been obtained from the motor ve- hicle department. This informa- tion will be used by the city sheriff and the six policemen in locating the vehicles and taking possession of them.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-12-12
France Is Very
 Much Excited
(continued from Page n

5. Payment without reservations.
 6. Payment with reservations.
 Herriot pointed out that default Is dangerous and he refused to it.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-12-12
United States Has
 Rejected Debt Plan
tcontinued from Page il

and stenographers were called from Sunday maps.
 Stimson and Mills puffed at their cigars and dictated. Stenographers made draft after draft.
 At 7:35 p. m., Stimson and Mills finished the final draft.
 They summed a trip over ice- covered ground to the White House, just across the street. and telephoned the text to President Hoover. He approved 1t. The secre- taries, relieved. hurried into their overcoats and left for belated din- ners.
 Stimson. meanwhile, had tele- phoned Lindsay to meet him at Woodley. There = less than six hours after the. British note was received-Stimson placed the re- ply in the ambassadors hands.
 Two reasons for Sti1nson's rush seemed apparent. First. the dead line on payment is only three days away and he wanted to apprise London of his decision in time to permit 1t to reconsider. Second, he wanted the French Chamber of Deputies, meeting to-day to con- sider it's $20,000,000 debt payment also due Thursday, to know it would be useless to offer payment conditionally.
 Stimson's note, while cordial, left no doubt that the United States would not accept Britain's money if so doing implied scrapping the present debt agreement. It remind ed London that MT Hoover had promised reconsideration of the war debts. But it intimated that the change should be seemly and in order. It also pointed out that only congress could change the debt pacts.
 Tt would seem to me to be un- desirable," Stimson said, "that steps be taken which, by causing misunderstanding, would increase the difficulties that must be over- come in finding an ultimate solu- tion satisfactory to both nations"
 Congress appeared to agree with Stimson. Some typical comment:
 Senate Democratic Leader Rob. inson: "I do not see how we could consider such a proposition. Any consideration of the war debt ad- justment. course, is subject to negotiations.'
 Senate itepublican Leader Wat son: Ordinarily such reservations as are in the British note would not bind us to any specific future action"
 House Democratic Leader Rainey: T do not think we should .cept payment under such condi- tions."
The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-12-12

caught fire. About S:30 o'clock the second floor of the building where a number of cars were parked col lapsed. Tho roof had given away earlier in the evening. The weight of the. roof, the flooring and the wreckage of the cars forced the wall of the building on the State street side to bulge dangerously.
 Bremen were ordered away from this section until the situation was studied as the possibilities of the
 wall collapsing. From the West Main and State streets sides the fire lighters kept several lines of hose trained on the building. A study of the building today indi- cated that the fire was more in tense in the center and west side than on the east or south sides, a fact, which saved adjoining build ings from more serious damage. Actual fire failed to reach the apartment block facing State street, although many windows
 were ruined. The paint on the
 Stewart funeral home was badly
 scorched.
 Dense clouds of smoke and the
 smell of burning rubber added to the discomfort of the. firemen through the early hours of the fight. Through the kindness of
 Rev John N. Lewis, rector of St Johns church hot coffee and sand
 wiches were served to the firemen during the night. Notwithstand- ing the weather and the hard-fight- ing necessary, the slippery condi- toin of the ladders and the streets and the network of fences in the rear of the buildings no casualties resulted.
 Attempts were made today to learn the identity of the owners of the cars. Employees of the com pany accounted for a number of regular patrons, James Hanley, Police Commissioner Pasquale Per- relli, Rawson Haddon, director of
 the Mattatuck Historical society, Thomas J. Jackson of Young street, James Holland, a vaudeville actor, who played at the Strand theater over the weekend and one or two others. but had little or no information concerning others. At least ten had been parked there by persons going to New York on the excursion train or attending the  evening performances at the vari- ous theaters, It is known that several were without insurance. The owners of the garage are fully
 protected. so 1t is believed, but their policies do not include cars parked in the building or left for repairs.
 Among the thousands attracted to the scene were Mayor Frank Hayes, Superintendent of Police Joseph H. Mclean, fire officials from Naugatuck and Woodbury and members of the local board of fire commissioners. Two or three of the commissioners desiring closeup experiences donned some of the departments rubber goods, coats and boots and of course the helmets. They were in the front lines during the excitement.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-12-12

of the Waterbury diviSion of the Connecticut company, Stated that no derailments of electric cars and no damage to motor busses had been reported. Of course, he ex. plained, the buses found going hard in some of the hilly portions of the Waterbury division but aside from sliding around a little they did not meet with any acci- dents and were not in any great danger from the ice and snow on the roads.
 One feature of the storm was that 1t did not result in any in. crease in work for the unem- ployed. Superintendent of Streets Thomas J. Fleming stated that he was using his usual employees, shifting some from sewer and wa- ter work to the snow removal ac- tivities.
 Early this morning the street department devoted its time to scattering cinders on the hilly streets. Then men went to work clearing and sanding the cross- walks. This afternoons work com prised mostly the task of remOv- ing snow from the central streets.
 The Connecticut company had sleet cars out through the night Cutting the ice off the rails and sanding the same. Crews were also kept on the go keeping switches from freezing up.
 N The bus companies plying be- tween Waterbury and other cities reported slight slow-up in travel but no mishaps. The railroad com pany was running on schedule. \
 Motorists found travel quite dangerous this morning and pro- ceeded at greatly reduced speeds. Most cars had chains on but many had none.
 Pedestrians out early in the morning found the walking very dangerous and several persons were known to have fallen: How ever, the police department and the hospitals received no reports of injuries to pedestrians.
 Superintendent of Police Joseph H. Mclean to-day notified his po-.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-12-12
Still Picking
 Roosevelt Cabinet
tcontinued from Page Iy

NSOAItuucQ IEOUI rage
 Governor Roosevelt was said to be especially anxious to have Sen- ator Glass as his secretary of the treasury, some of these friends re- ported.
 Senator Glass, as champion of the Glass banking reform bill, is the last man that leading finan- cial interests in New York would want to be in control of the gov- ernment's fiscal policies and the federal reserve machinery. Glass intends to press his banking bill in this session. Wall street already is discussing strategy to defeat the measure.
 Information hat Roosevelt wants Glass as his secretary of treasury pointed, in the opinion of some, to a readiness to break new ground in economies and banking. In general economic views, Glass is labelled a conservative demo- crat. But in banking, he stands as challenge to Wall street views just as he did in 1912 when he championed the federal reserve act against the powerful Morgan bank ing group.
 Governor Roosevelt, in accord ance with his decision to defer final cabinet selections until after January has made no formal of- fer, 1t is said here, but has made known to Senator Glass that ten- der will be made. Glass was repre- scented as being reluctant to accept but willing to serve.
 Democratic leaders reported that former Governor Harry F. Byrd of Virginia, a brother of the ex- plorer, would be appointed to the Virginia senatorship should Glass go into the cabinet. If Glass at the last moment should refuse to serve, 1t was said. Roosevelt contem- plates bringing Byrd into the cab- inet. possibly as secretary of war or navy.
 For secretary of state, Newton D. Baker of Ohio, and John w. Davis, of New York. are in the center of the picture. Should Baker go into the No. cabinet job, Davis would be at the top of the list of prospects for attorney
 Miss Frances Perkins, New York state industrial commissioner, con- tinues to be favorably considered for secretary of labor.
 Jesse Isidor Straus of Macy & Co. New York, has been mentioned for secretary of commerce. He vas active in the Roosevelt pre- convention campaign.
 A long standing personal friend of the president elect. Governor George Dern, Utah, continued to be favorite for secretary of the interior.
 Speculation pointed until recent 1y toward Governor Woodring of Kansas as secretary of agriculture. If he does not go into the cabinet. Woodring will be certain of ap- poiutment to some other post.