davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1937-02-26
''Chirps"A
from the
Democrats Pen

Well, Sir, did any Of you people
1ead about that Chinee woman, who
had an overweening curiosity to see
iast how she would grace her own fu-
neral? Well, Sir, she dressed herself
all up in the nationally prescribed
grave clothes, hired q hearse, spread
herself out in the interior, gathered
together all her friends and hired
mourners, and proceeded in process
ION to the cemetery.
! looked in vain, tho, TO see wheth-
or she would 60 to the extent Of hav-
ing her remains" lowered into the
dank and gloomy four by six by five
hole in the ground. But her curiosity
didn't seem to carry her that far. /
just wondered whether she wasn't a
bit shy of the sincerity of the grief
apparently furnished by the mourners.
/ believe if had made such a monk
ey of myself as that, and had seen
some of the followers shedding a tear
Or two, would have been afraid they
were crying because wasn't really
dead. Further-some-more, they might
be seized with a fit Of mental abe
ration and dump me in whether I had
kicked the bucket or not. Being bur,
led alive is not the most cheerful
thing to contemplate that I can re-
call, but blest if I don't believe some
people would adopt the custom if ever
1t became fashionable.
But / think that stunt of this orien-
tai woman takes the bakery for nov
city. Who wants to dwell upon the
solemn thought of death-except a
heather Chinee. And yet / don't see
why they should. We are told that
there was a common belief between
the pagan and the Christian, when it
came to reasoning about future exis-
tenre. Both believed in world and
a. life after the soul had taken it's
flight; but, there was a difference;
the pagan believed that he was des-
tined to an eternity of woe after he
had shuffled off this mortal coil; that
the existence in store for him could
not offer a single attraction and there
fore he should taste of the joys of
this life to the full.
/ have often thought that was why
the graves of the old Egyptian Phar-
aohs were filled with all the trap
pings of royalty; gewgaws to enable
the sovereigns to retain in the dark
regions of the departed a semblance
of that grandeur which they dis
ported among their subjects while on
this mundane sphere. If that was
the reason, then those descendants
of Rameses, the Pharaohs, of Amosis,
of King Tut, and of Amenophis must
have been woefully disillusioned, when
the curious explorers of modern days,
laid bare the secrets of the tomb of
kings, and showed the relics of CEN
turtles lying untouched by the side of
their mummified rulers of past ages.
What became, then, of their idea of
a future existence?
The story is told of Chinese wo-
Continued on Page 12)
Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1937-02-26
SPECIAL PROGRAMME
In THE N. P. CHURCH

This Sunday, February 2Sth will
be observed as Young Peoples Day
in Bethany n. p. Church. A special
program will be presented at the
eleven o'clock service. Several young
people will occupy the pulpit with the
pastor and will take prominent parts
in the service.
A pageant will also be presented
and the pastor win make a brief ad-
dress on "The Challenge of Youth"
The public is invited, for the service
viii interest both young and old.
White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1937-02-18
SYNOPSIS
Frank H. spearman

Sleepy Cat, desert town of the
Southwest, is celebrating the Fourth
of July. Jane Van Tambel, beautiful
daughter of Gus Van Tambel, hated
owner of Gunlock ranch, has ar
rived from the East for the first
time. She watches the Frontier Day
celebration in company with DR..
Carpy, crusty, tender-hearted friend
of the community. Henry Sawdy of
the Circle Dot ranch, tricked in a
fake horse race the day before by
Dave McCrossen, foreman at Gun
lock, plans revenge. He enters Bill
Denison, handsome young Texas
wrangler, in the rodeo which Nc
Crossen is favored to win, and lays
heavy bets on him. Unknown to the
crowd, Denison is a champion horse
man. McCrossen and the young
stranger tie in the various events.
Denison drops a cigarette carelessly.
Racing down the track full tilt, he
picks up the cigarette. The verdict
goes to Denison when McCrossen re-
fuses to attempt the stunt. Entreat-
perform. another trick. Jane is
asked for her bracelet, and throws
it on the track. Just as Denison
rides to pick it up yell from Bar
ney Rebstock, a McCrossen bench
man, scares the pony, nearly costing
the rider his life. Gun play is pre-
vented by the intervention of DR..
Carpy. Back on Gunlock ranch aft
er two years in Chicago, because of
her fathers illness, Jane gets lost
riding in the hills and meets Deni-
son, now a neighbor, who guides her
home. Not knowing her identity, he
speaks bitterly of Van Tambel. She
tells McCrossen who brought her
home and he denounces Denison as
a cattle thief. Later she asks DR..
Carpy why her father is unpopular
and he tells her it is because Of Van
Tambel's ruthless and INSCRIPTIONS
character. Visiting her father in
the hospital, Jane is warned to be
wary Of McCrossen's honesty, but
her father urges her to be nice to
him.
White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1937-02-18
GUNLOCK RANCH y : :'I1sx4 Il
tFk Spear

might come up through the floor
boards"
Her response was chilly. "My feet
will be all right where they are"
30. K, Jane! But you're about
the sweetest girl 1 ever saw in the
world"
Suiting action to these words,
McCrossen put his arm swiftly
around the girl and pulled her to-
ward him for a kiss.
He failed to. get one. Instead, he
got smart slap from James gloved
hand.
"Please nina your business, Dave,
and attend to your driving" said
Jane collectedly.
The night was an unquiet one for
James pillow. The more she thought
about her surprise admirer and his
crude advances, the angrier she
grew. In the morning she break
tasted and ordered her saddle pony.
Oll0 mcdllb W IdAC a lung I1uO oil
by herself and rid herself Of her
annoyance in the morning air of the
high hills.
On and on, Jane rode. The pony
was spirited and seemed, like his
mistress, to enjoy the jaunt. The
farther she rode, the wilder the coun-
try grew, with only small punches
of cattle here and there to remind
her of her domain. At length the
hills grew too rough for pleasure
riding. With her spirits quieted
and feeling invigorated, Jane refined
about for the ranch house.
Covering considerably more dis
lance, Jane, having grown weary,
was rejoiced at last to see the dusty,
serpentine foothills roads we'll be-
low her. Having reached it, she
White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1937-02-18

her thoughts did Jane begin to feel
really frightened. This was the
man of whom she had heard lurid
tales of rustling, an enemy of her
fathers near-outlaw generally-Bill
Denison.
She drew a long breath, thinking
over her encounter with the re-
doubtable Bill; what she had said
to him and how she had said it;
what he had said to her and how
he had said it; recalling his gen.
eral appearance, his easy manner
in the saddle, his peaceable fea-
lures, and at last his brown eyes.
AS she drew near the ranch house,
she resolutely dismissed him from
her mind, or thought she did.
"Who was the man that brought
you home?" asked McCrossen.
"Why, nobody"
"Ben Page said you rode back
with man."
So she had been discovered. No
matter. ooh. that mani" She ex-
White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1937-02-18
CHAPTER lv-continued


II piled the house supplies in
the back" explained McCrossen, $50
you'd better ride with me.
Brought you an extra-heavy coat
over" he added. Thought you
might need it. Will you put it on
now?"
His voice, never harsh, sounded
solicitous. Jane thought she would
put the coat on. Her foreman, sit
ting beside her, helped her get into
it. His manner was tender. His
hands, as he Strengthened the coat
collar, fingered a moment on her
shoulders, Jane shook her shoulders
slightly to draw them away.
"Your fathers great man, Jane"
he said. "No use talkin'."
"I'm glad to hear some one say
good word for him." returned Jane
dryly.
"Oh, he's got his enemies, I know.
But from the irst minute | ever
saw you, girl, when you got off the
train that lnornin' in Sleepy Cat''
-McCrossen inclined in friendly
fashion toward his tight-sitting lit
tie companion to emphasize his
words from the very first minute
saw you, said to myself. There's
q girl with all the grit and sand of
her father"
Hadn't you better drive little
faster?" suggested Miss Tight Sit
ter. casually.
"1'm afraid to push the old buck
board over this part of the road. So
said to myself" he continued,
"'There's a girl with. her fathers
grit and her mothers beauty Jane"
he lowered his voice, becoming
ly-"are you warm?"
"Quite."
"And comfortable?"
"Perfectly. But should like to
get on faster"
McCrossen brought the horses 10
stop. whats the matter?" asked
his companion rather tartly.
"Fhis is Gunlock Ford. The creek
was runnin' kind Of high when
drove through after supper, and it's
been rainin' all evenin'. We don't
want to get caught in the water.
I'll get out and see how things look.
Take the lines minute.
"It's safe, l reckon" he reported,
returning soon to the rig. "But
you'd better put your feet in INV
lap till we get across. The water
White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1937-02-18
The Farther She Rode, the Wilder
the Country Grew.

reined into it and logged along, con-
fident Of reaching home soon. Pres
emily she encountered an Indian
family travelling toward her in a
wagon. She refined up.
"Am I heading right for Gunlock
Rancho" she asked of the man driv-
ing.
He nodded afirmatively. But
bright-eyed boy in the wagon box
made protest. He jabbered in low
tones to his father and, turning to
Jane, exclaimed, wrong way" and
pointed north. The father shook his
head, and the dispute grew. Jane,
now confused by the uncertainty.
thanked the party and rode on south.
A few miles farther she met a
horseman heading north. AS he
drew near, Jane thought she recog-
nized him as the man who had d.
rected her back to the ranch cou-
pie of weeks before, at the close of
long day of riding through the
Gunlock hills. Jane refined up in
quiringly.
Woodworking" ventured Jane.
"Can you tell me whether I am on
White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1937-02-18
"Who Was the Man That Brought
You HomeW Asked McCrossen.

claimed, tossing her head. "1Ie was
just somebody from the Reserva-
ton, going to Sleepy Cat"
In the meantime her rebuffs had
not shaken the constancy of her
foreman admirer, McCrossen.
Whenever McCrossen was going
to ride over the ranch, Jane was
not so riding. When he was rid
ing to town, Jane was riding over
the ranch. In fact, chiefly to be rid
Of him, Jane spent much time in
the saddle. And she developed
particular liking for the hill trail
to town; she usually rode that way,
either coming or going. What i'm
pressed itself on her was that rid
ing the hill road alone was not quite
so exciting as the first time she
had ridden it with a guide. But
what had become of her guide?
She controlled her Impotence I'M
til she could do so no longer. Start
ing one day to town with Bull Page,
Jane asked discreetly about their
neighbor, this man Bill Denison.
"Why, Miss Jane" answered Bull,
"'cordin' to what hear, BilPs been
down to Medicine Bend on his law
suit"
"But why need man go down
to Medicine Bend for a lawsuit,
when there are courts in Sleepy
Cat?"
"Well, this is before the o. S.
Land Office; that's different" Sud-
denly Bull, peering down the trail,
Strengthened up, why, there's Bill,
right now, on his way to town. The
critters back"
~"Where is he? Oh, l see. The
man that just rode around the
bend?" Jane did some fast and bold
thinking. She looked in her purse
"Bull!" she exclaimed in fancied
alarm, 'I've forgotten to bring
Quong's grocery list for the kitchen.
Pm afraid youth have to ride back
after it,"
She was soon within speaking dis
lance Of the horseman ahead.
Woodworking" she said stiffly.
(TO BE CONTINUED)
White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1937-02-18
wNU Service

at the girl silently. His gaze was
embarrassing.
He ignored her question and in
stead asked one himself:
FAren't you the girl who got lost
around here a couple of weeks ago?"
"Y- yes,' answered Jane. "And
aren't you the man who directed me
back?"
Guess l was," the man replied,
in an absent-minded way"
II realize that it's stupid of me
to lose my way again." she said,
"but can you tell me whether I am
heading right for the rancho"
He found his tongue and spoke
quietly: "Well you'd reach
the ranch the way you are going,
though probably not today"
"Not today?" she asked in amaze
ment.
"You want to- reach the ranch
house, I SUPPOSED"
II do"
"Then you're heading the wrong
way"
"Will you please set me right?"
YOU'D better take the back trail.
You're going away from the ranch
house now"
Jane exclaimed in surprise. "Why,
how is that? Are you sure?"
"Dead sure" A suspicion Of hui
NOR crept into the words.
Confused at being caught wrong,
Jane flushed. The man, silent, just
looked at her. She did not like it;
he might be laughing at her. Fac
ing him more sternly, she asked
with helpless annoyance in. her
words, "What am to do?"
"Back trail"
"What does that mean?" she
asked tartly.
Turn around"
"Where am I?'
"Pretty we'll. out on the Gunlock
Indian Reservation"
1--WE never felt so stupid in my
life," declared Jane, trying to act
at ease as she reined about. II
thought knew this country we'll
enough by this time not to get lost.
Pm certainly not tenderfoot."
The man smiled, but to himself
"There's been men here severa
years who get lost riding in the
hills. It's no disgrace for a two
monthser."
Jane did not relish being termed
"two-monthser." "Oh, I've beer
here BEFORE" she said airily.
He offered no comment. Tired
waiting for him to say something
Jane was nettled by his continued
silence.
II see you're wearing your brace
let" he remarked Of a sudden. Th
words came, so to speak, out Of
clear sky.
She looked at him just as sud.
denly as he had spoken; and in
alarm.
He was looking straight ahead
just as if she were not within miles
and with the impressive expression
of a man riding quite alone. Gould
he be, she asked herself in a flash
of fear, a bad man? Could he mean
to rob her of her bracelet and
watch?
For a moment she was too upset
to speak. But her silence seemed
not to move her companion.
Looking placidly ahead, and after
waiting for her to comment, he
spoke again:
II might be wrong. But thought
/ saw that bracelet about two years
ago, Fourth of July"
"Oh," exclaimed Jane for want of
something better to say.
Anyway" continued her even
speaking guide, II know I couldn't
be mistaken about the young lady
that wore it. Weren't you visiting
here around that time?"
tsYas" pnntured Jane STEALING q
White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1937-02-18

bracelet"
They were jogging along pleas
antly enough, and as the man didn't
actually demand her bracelet or
watch, her panic subsidized.
"Stopping over at the ranch for
while, are you?"
"For while, yes"
"Some of the boys over at your
ranch were telling in town they had
a young lady over at Gunlock that
used to ride in a circus. / suppose
it was YOU"
"1'm the only woman, young or
old, over there
what circus did you work
with?"
ooh, several circuses," said Jane
recklessly.
"What were some of them?"
Jane, growing Tightly, named one
IF the big ones whose shows she
had attended in Chicago.
what year were you with that
show?"
She was growing desperate. With
affected embarrassment she turned
full on him. "You mustn't ask me
that. Women are sensitive about
their age, don't you know?"
For the first time he turned his
eyes directly toward hers.
"I've heard some women are that
way" he went on, "but I shouldn't
call you woman"
ooh, my! Why not?"
"Well, I'd call you a girl. The
reason I asked was, because / was
with that show one season myself"
This was growing terrifying. Jane
made an effort to change the line
of talk; but her stranger was in
terested. "Did you ever happen to
ride in Madison Square Garden?"
"N-no! Did your"
II rode there one winter when
we showed there"
"Did you like circus work?" she
asked offhand.
"Can't say ] did. 7 never worked
in circus except that one season.
1t was only because I needed money
bad, and it was big money to me.
Then the lawyers got it all. Here's
the fork for Gunlock ranch"
He pointed. They were at the
parting Of their ways. A saucy
impulse seized Jane. She was given
to impulses and to doing whatever
thing flashed into her head. She
checked her horse, lifted her fore
arm, and unclasped the bracelet.
"Since you've been so kind"
The man had halted his horse.
Nothing at all !" he protested.
I'D like you," she went on,
paying no attention to his disclaim-
er, ito have a souvenir-this brace
let" She held it out to him. He
looked flabbergasted. "For what?"
he stammered.
His embarrassment seemed to
communicate itself to Jane-She
could not have told why. "I'm CRATE
full for yoEr putting me on my way
today, and that other night when I
got lost, If you remember" she
went on.
He swallowed. She was secretly
delighted with his confusion. "Well,
that certainly is mighty kind" he
said haltingly. "But I couldn't ac-
cept such a beautiful thing for do
ing nothing at ALL"
give got lots, of bracelets"
"But sometime I've got to find
something I can really do for you"
She laid the bracelet in his out
stretched hand.
II certainly thank you a thou
sand times" His slow response left
no doubt of what he felt. Her aim
now was to escape his protesta-
tions. He put on his hat. She start
ed to go.
"Please!" he exclaimed, raising
his hana. She stopped. Her guides
Evening star., 1937-12-23
OCH|LDRENGET
CHRISTMAS GIFTS
Many Have Tears in Eyes as
Bundles Are Given Them
at Capitol 7rheater.

approximately 1900 children whose
homes were destined to go without
visit from Santa Claus this year.
paraded across the Capitol Theater
stage this morning to receive colortul
Christmas bundles provided through
the Central Union Mission.
Many of them had tears in their
eyes as they thanked the attendants
Tor their packages and received
kindly pat on the head from CHEEKY,
red-nosed Santa, who in real life is
Homer Rodeheaver, aide to the famed
evangelist, Billy Sunday, for more
than 20 years.
For the first time since the mis-
sion started the custom of presenting
gifts to needy children nearly a quar-
ter OF century ago, the Presidents s
wife had no part in the distribution.
A call from the White House was re-
ceiyed backstage at the theater shortly
before the program began informing
the mission leaders that Mrs Franklin
d. Roosevelt had departed last night
Tor Seattle, West Coast, and express
ing her "profoundest regrets" at being
unable to attend the party.
Prior to the gift distribution, the
house full of youngsters applauded the
antics of Our Gang" and Oswald.
the Rabbit two comedy shorts
screened by the theater MANAGEMENT
Many of them left their seats to gather
around the orchestra pit and get a
first-hand glimpse of the Marine
Band, directed by Capt. Taylor Bran
SON
They cheered the rendition OF Mrs
Ruth Rodeheaver Thomas. sister of
santa Claus who sang more than
a half dozen appropriate melodies and
led the audience in singing several
Christmas carols. Mrs. John S. Ben
nett, who succeeded her late husband
as superintendent of the mission, was
the recipient of several cheers from,
the youngsters, led by Santa Claus"
A portion of the program was broad
cast over Station WJSV, Washington
outlet for the Columbia Broadcastinp
System.
Evening star., 1937-12-23
STATE CONTINUES
R.E. c. TAX FIGHT
Maryland Holds Congress
Can't Abridge "Sovereign
Right" of Taxation.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
BALTIMORE, Dec. 23-The State
of Maryland, seeking power to tax
bank stock owned by the r. F. c.,
continued its legal battle today with
the contention a States sovereign
right of taxation cannot be abridged
by an act of Congress"
The State Tax Commission assessed
for taxation stock owned by the r.
F. c. in the Baltimore National Bank
and the bank appealed the case to
the Baltimore supreme bench.
Yesterday. the attorney generals
Office filed an answer for the COM
mission, which announced some time
ago it would carry the case to the
Supreme Court of the United States
If necessary.
A similar case was decided in Mary
lands favor by the Supreme Court
about two years ago, but Congress
later. passed law specifically eX-
empting R. F. c. owned bank stock
from State taxation.
The answer filed yesterday con-
tends the State has right, protected
by the Federal Constitution, to i'm
pose a non-discriminatory tax on
everything and every person within
its jurisdiction.
'If Congress has the right to i'm
munize property or, conversely, if
the State possesses such power, then
by progressive exception, the taxing
power Of each may be whitfield away"
Evening star., 1937-12-23
AIR SAFETY GAINS
REPORTED BY FAGG
Progress Noted in Developing
New Devices to Reduce Mum.
Der of Crashes.

By the Associated Press.
The Air Commerce Bureau is max
ing rapid progress in developing safety
devices to reduce airline crashes, Di-
rector Fred D. Fagg, jr., reported to-
day to Senator Copeland, Democrat,
of New York.
Senator Copeland had asked for the
information for submission to the SEN
ate Appropriations Committee, Of
which he is member.
The Air Bureaus experiments have
included testing camera which
measures airplane performance near
the ground and work on fog -dispell-
ing device, Fagg reported.
An analysis of the pilot fatigue
problem. Mr. Fagg said, is expected
to be co-ordinated with a study of
the effect of altitude on flyers.
The bureau also is investigating the
effect OF ice on aircraft possible
changes IN plane design, elimination
of engine vibration, development OF
an absolute altimeter and correct air.
speed indicator, as we'll as the possible
use of plastic materials.
Evening star., 1937-12-23
MARINE WAR RISK
INSURANCE LIMITED
Underwriters to Terminate Pro.
lection After Is Days
in Port.
BY the Associated Press.

o' tue ASSoClaIeQ PreSS.
NEW YORK, Dec. 23.-Marine IN.
oerwriters decided yesterday to terni.
nate on February / war risk insurance
covering shipments beyond their ar
rl'al at ports of destination plus
reasonable time for unloading
Inc American Institute of Marine
Underwriters said its members had
taken this step only after careful con-
sideration and only because thev are
convinced that political and military
developments are not proper subject
OF marine insurance"
Members said the plan had been
contemplated for some time. and was
not the direct result of any current
international military or political
situation.
After February /, the announcement
SAID, marine insurance will not cover
war risk shipments prior to their be-
ing placed on vessel; after being dis
charged from the vessel at the final
port Of discharge. or following a l5-
day period in that port; or after the
expiration of 15-day period in anv
place or port Of trans-shipment to
another overseas vessel.
Some marine underwriters previously
nave provided war risk insurance to
cover shipments after their delivery
in foreign ports.
Underwriters, the announcement
said, were prepared to extend present
war risk insurance to sailings up to
March 81. 1899, where the circum-
stances of the transaction render such
protection necessary