davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1945-05-06

tainted during the earlier basic training. 1t
wasn't until the twelfth mile on the fourteen
mile night march with full pack - and what
pack - that his right foot somehow glued
to the ground behind him. and the dusty
road rose up and smacked his face
At the hospital the next morning the young
doctor after poking around his chest with
stethoscope, asked his age.
Thirty he said
Il thought So said the Young doctor
You old birds mean we'll - but you Just
get in the way
Jed glared at the young pipsqueak. Old
bird! Why, the young whippersnapper,
Why don't you write a letter asking to
Be discharged?' the young doctor went on.
Mention your age. and this breakdown
Jed managed to tell him where to 60 with
out using profanity. But it did no good He
was rescreened, detached from his company
and given a soft, heartbreaking job typlng
little cards. The whippersnapper doctor said
1t was nothing to worry about; nothing or
ganic. 1t was just that old folk weren't as
resilient as youngsters. And, after months
of typing little slips, some power decided the
Army couldn't even use him at that: 50 Jed
got neatly engraved paper proving he was
honorably discharged.
So Jed rode back to New York, went to live
in the same suite at the Harden House, and
was kissed - fguratively speaking - on the
brow by his board of directors
Miss Bates, the lovely efficient secretary,
who'd given notice, changed her mind and
agreed to stay.
= But while he went through the same old
motions, he wasn't the same Jed R. Robbins.
He looked into the polished mirror as he
knotted his tie and wanted to look away,
quickly, from that artifcially tanned face -
blatantly artificial; he saw an old fool trying
to look young with the assistance of sun
lamp. Undeniably, his brow was growing
wings. Undeniably. there was a salting of
white - well, anyway, four definitely white
hairs on the right side. just over the ear
HE FELT suddenly, shockingly old He went
to his own doctor, very expensive one. The
doctor said, You're tip-top. Jed, abso-
lutely." But he continued, after Jed told
him about the whippersnapper Army doctor,
'O course I've always disapproved of this
Professor Terry. You're not as young as you
were. Jed. Why not take up golf, instead?"
After that Jed gave up the sun lamp and
Professor Tery's gymnasium He walked
not dashed, to his Office - slowly, as beftted
a man of advancing years.
1t dawned upon him that his eyes no longer
IAN nimbly down the columns of figures on
The financial pages. He went to an eye spe-
;ialist, who discussed the hardening of eye
enses with age. and after that he wore horn
Evening star., 1945-05-06

They looked at Jed, frowning, then turned
their backs on him. Since they fanked Miss
Bates between them, and showed no sign of
weakening their line, Jed stood helpIessly.
How about it. Sis?" said one Got a girl
friend?'
Jed interrupted by tapping him firmly on
the shoulder IF you don't mind -"
One said. ivan. beat it. bud"
The one who was tapped said hostilely,
Who va shown. Mister?"
You" snapped Jed. getting angry.
oh, pickin' fight. eh?" said the one who
was tapped He moved on Jed with glare
calculated to face down any impudence. He
raised his right hand with the clear purpose
of returning the shove, with interest.
OUITE without thinking. Jed parried the
shove with his left. and with his right poked
the soldier in the nose 1t wasn't too hard a
poke, but it caught the soldier by surprise.
and he lurched back. knocked over a table
with a great crash of silver and glassware.
and sat on the floor. surrounded by clutter
of napery. overturned chairs and broken glass.
From the far end of the bar, two house
detectives started bearing down swiftly
Far more swiftly, though, the other CT
advanced upon Jed He loosed a haymaker,
of terrific power that an elephant would
have had trouble avoiding but hardly one
of Prof. Terrys pupils. Jed let it miss his
chin by good six inches. and drove hard
right to the GI's jaw. The CT reeled back.
knocked over three chairs, four Manhattans
and table. then crashed.
The bar was in a furry, with women squeal-
ing and running for the door, men jostling
for closer look, and the two house detectives
pouncing on the GI's Before it was over.
two soldiers with MP armbands were in the
bar, collaring the CTS, and city policeman
was there, too.
up. you two" growled one MP.
The other MP said, Sorry" looking at
Jed What did they do, sir?"
Hurt, Mr. Robbins?" asked house de-
tective
NO. not at all, Glarnan." said Jed
What did they do, sir?" repeated the
MP. Well turn EN- in on charges
Jed had moment of panic He had fash
mental picture of the two CTS up on charges,
serving time in the guardhouse or prison
camp for this
"Do?' he said. DO? Why, nothing
'Nothing?" said the MP, frowning.
What d'ya mean, nothing?" demanded
the municipal policeman You socked EN-,
didn't you? What for?'
HE two firtatious CTS were on their feet
now, red-faced, embarrassed
Because felt like it," said Jed
That's no reason" said the policeman
Il didn't like their faces said Jed, care
fully impudent
Evening star., 1945-05-06

He looked upon Miss Bates. coolly eff
cent nimble, graceful and very lovely -
also very young And he knew he'd been mis-
taken on that night of the company dinner.
She was. he knew - by consulting the COM
panys employment files "a mere twenty
SIX girl who could have no reasonable inter
est in an old. washed-out dodo like himself.
HE LOOKED upon her while she moved grace
fully around his Office, while her long white
fingers efficiently made little swirls and pot
hooks on the blue-lined pad, and regretted
his wasted youth. He'd always meant to
marry. when he found time to meet lovely,
gracious girl. and have children He'd always
meant to. but with the rush of business he
hadn't found time. And now here he was. an
old discard, with nothing to look forward to
except a crabby, frustrated old age
Once he said tentatively. hopefully. Il
suppose you're busy today Miss Bates"
She crushed him Yes" she said, coldly.
Il am"
Decreplt old fool, Jed thought of himself
When, on this magnificent spring day. he
awoke with severe case of sniffles he didn't,
as in the past, leap briskly out of bed. swallow
a couple of vltanin pills and forget about it
on the way to the Office. He remembered
that he was old now. and had to be careful
So he ordered hot lemonade sent up, tee-
phoned the Office that he couldn't make it
today, put on his glasses and spent the day
In bed, reading
AT THREE pm. Miss Bates phoned. Those
ordnance contracts" she reminded. were
to be signed today, Mr.. Robbins
Weakly, Il just can't make it to the office,
Miss Bates" he said Send them over"
No Office boys" she said briefly "I'll
bring them, Can you make it downstairs?''
He groaned feeby. I'll have to- Meet
me in the lobby - no, better make it the
bar. III probably need drink to see me
through. At four o'clock"
At few minutes after four Jed tottered
into the bar. feeling older and feebler than
ever Only then did it occur to him that it
was mistake to suggest the Harden House
bar as meeting place. For it was crowded
with healthy, hungry-looking servcemen,
and two CTS were bringing heavy pressure
to bear on Miss Bates, who stood there wait
ing and saying, as he approached, NO, thank
you. I'm just waiting for someone Really"
Which made no impression whatever on the
two GI's
Jed coughed politely to indicate Miss
Bates protector had arrived; a cough that
suggested, courteously that the two CTS
should now sink away, disappointedIy. Miss
Bates said, brightly, "Oh, there you are"
to confirm the suggestion.
But these two CTS were of stern stuff.
Evening star., 1945-05-06

HE two flirtatious CTS were on their feet
now red-faced, embarrassed
Because felt like it" said Jed
That's no reason" said the policeman.
Il didn't like their faces" said Jed, care
fully mpudent.
The MP's were hostile now. Fresh guy,
eh?" said one
Just minute" said Glarnan. the house
detective. Mr. Robbins is a guest here ~
Just because he's got a lot of dough
doesn't give him the right to sock soldier
the policeman said angrily
But -" Glarnan started to say.
Mind your own business, Glarnan," Jed
said warningly.
Glarnan looked baff1ed, but he shut up.
'Okay, you two," said an MP to the two
GIs. BLOW"
Blow nothing" growled the policeman
They're going to sign complaints against
this bird"
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-07-31

he finds it easy to get lost in the woods with Esther.
 Thrill of Romance" is a thrill-icious story, with superb supporting cast and glorious cast and glorious music. Lauritz Melch for, renowned Metropolitan Opera tenor, makes his film debut, and Henry Travers, Frances Clifford, Tommy Dorsey and his orchestra, Spring Byington and Vince Barnett help the fun-fest proceedings.
 Thrill of A Romance" has brand new, grand new team in Van Johnson and Esther Williams, team that you will surely love. The film is chockful of entrancing music provided by Lauritz Melch- for, the Metropolitan Opera tenor who makes his debut in the film as singer on vacation who finds him. self playing cupil; and Tommy Dor sey and his orchestra. To inject both G. I. and civilian appeal into this newest tunefest, Dorsey has compounded a unique musical for mula. He boiled servicemen audi ences after each of his countless camp and hospital shows to de-
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-07-31
!. IN HOLLYWOOD

to write one of his immortal com- positions CD Murder at Peyton Hall" Yes, it was based on a party Charlie threw at the Holly wood apartment hotel, Peyton Hall, which Claudette. Colbert owns. Over 100000 records of the tune have been sold but Charlie, remembering the. party, still mutters, Murder"
 Hold onto your hats for here's a typical Barnetism. I asked him about his last wife, the beautiful Harriet Clark.
 "Oh, Harriet" he said. well, we weren't speaking the last time I saw her so I hired her to sing with the band. No, that didn't make us friends. gave her a mink coat for Christmas but we still didn't speak. She was made because I kept telling her she couldn't sing"
 Director Mike Curtis, noted for murdering the Kings English, was showing Jane Wyman how he wanted her to two-step across the floor while Cary Grant played the piano for a scene in Might and Day" Frank Heath, the directors assistant, watched silently for a few minutes, then muttered:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-07-31
W AT oW N
WATERT OWN Correspondent: Scott Phone 10O6 Warning Is Issued Concerning Mail Boxes
Newly Painted By Staff Members, Notice of Fine
 Posted for Tampering With Property

school, where he was well-known as an athlete, he attended BoWdoin College, Brunswick. Maine, before he entered the service in February, 1944. He wears the Asiatic-P Pacific ribbon with one bronze campaign star and the Philippine Liberation ribbon with one battle star.
 His brother, Francis, has been serving in the Pacific area with the Marines.
 Important Meeting
 All members of LeRoy G. Wood ward Post, American Legion are re- quested to attend the Post meeting to be held in the Legion club rooms in the Community building, Friday evening.
 The election of officers for the coming year will take place at this meeting.
 Costume Show
 A costume show will be held at the Civic Union playgrounds We'd nesday afternoon. There were no special contests held at the play grounds Monday, as due to the rain the grounds were not open in the afternoon.
 Personals
 MT. and Mrs. John L. Beach o1 Litchfield road, MT. and Mrs. Lester O'Dell of Chestnut avenue and MT and Mrs. Herbert S. Dayton of Wild CT street attended the party giver Sunday in Easton in honor of thu
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-07-31

long as they did speaks eloquently for their devotion to an idea of producing and acting unit that would be different.
 The fact that Group vanished from the scene in 194l with the treasury empty does not mean that it was a failure It contributed great deal to the theater and it's influence is still felt, for the stal- warts who kept 1t going for de- cade are to be found now contrib uting their matured talents to Broadway, the screen and radio.
 ANOTHER theater book of an entirely different type is There Goes an Actor" (Doubleday-D Doran). by the late Alexander Granach. He died last winter while playing the role of Tomasino in A Bell for Ada mo-" Granach was Galician peas- ant and his st ory is concerned only with his youth and up through the first World War, in which he was in the Austrian Army. He want ed so desperately to be an actor that he had both legs broken at the, knee in order to get rid of his knock-knees and thus be able to appear in classic roles that required the wearing of tights. Granach's book is written in a florid and old world" style that becomes cloying after a time.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-07-31
POLl'S

Playing for the last time today at the Loew-Poli theater, Mob Hill" which stars George Raft, Joan Ben- nett, Vivian Blaine and Peggy Ann Garner, is the newest of the lavish technicolor excursions into the lighter side of Americas rich and colorful yesteryear. It is set in the rowdy and roisterous hey-dey of San Francisco's fabulous Barbary Coast-when girls kicked, fists crashed and blood ran hottest. On the same program is the eerie mur- der mystery Fog Island" with Lionel Atwill.
 Van Johnson (that loving man) and lovely Esther Williams are CO., starred in Metro Goldwyn-Mayers $ new Technicolor musical treat, Thrill of A Romance which opens Wednesday at the Loew-Poli the atre. Esther marries a millionaire business man Carleton Young) who leaves her alone on their honeymoon to put over big busi- ness deal-and along comes Van. Van managed to find his way out ot jungle in the South Pacific, but
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-07-31
By ERSKINE JOHNSON
 NEA Stan Correspondent

Hollywood-Pretty versatile this movie-making band leader Charlie Barnet. Five times married. engag- ed to half the beautiful women in the country, listed five years running in the national poll conoucted by Downbeat Magazine as the top tenor sax player, and now the ultimate a role in films without his band in Warner Bros, Why Was I Born?"
 Born to the purple, the actor maestro rebelled almost innmedi- ately, had a couple of run-ins at military school and ran away to form a band on a ns-Atlantic liner. Boats have played an inn portant part in Charles life.
 Some years ago, when his third wife was chasing him to serve alimony papers, running a dead heat with reporters, Charlie stood on the deck of a Havana bound boat and uttered the now famous and deathless phrase:
 Millions for defense, not a
 cent for alimony!"
 Hollywood also has played a rather important part in his life. It was here that he was inspired
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-07-31

Watertown, July 31-Postmaster D. G. Sullivan has announced that all outside letter and relay boxes on the city delivery route have been given new coat of olive green paint. The work has been done by members of the post office staff during a slight let-up in the regular post office routine work, which has been unusually heavy during the war years. The freshly painted boxes add to the appear ance of the town, and placed on each box is a notice to the affect that there is fine of 5000 or three years imprisonment for any, one found tampering with the box or the lock.
 In several instances mail boxes in various parts of town have been tempered with and rubbish of diff ferent sorts has been thrown into the boxes. In winter, snow put in the mail boxes causes big prob lem for postal employees as the melting snow can cause great dam age to the mail.
 Officers Announced
 A meeting of the World War II Honor Roll committee for raising funds was held at the town hall Friday evening.
 Col. s. Kellogg Plume is chair man of the committee with Charles Kelly of Oakville serving as vice. chairman, Mrs. Virginia Burnham as secretary and Douglas O. Burn ham as treasurer.
 Another meeting for organizatio tior planning will be held soon.
 Tommy NeverdauSki Promoted
 Thomas H. Neverdauski of the U s. Army. son of MT. and Mrs Frank Neverdauski of Porter street has been promoted to private first class. He is a wireman in the com munications section of the 38th h. fantry Division. serving in combat in the Sierra Madre Mountains east of Manila.
 A graduate of Watertown High
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-07-31

Most books written by people of the theater are full of sweetness and light. Let an actor pen his memoirs and it's rare one who will have anything but kind words to say for producer so-and-so and star such-and-such, although you know that in real life the author hated the gizzards of same.
 Now, in The Fervent Years" Clurman isn't engaged in blacken- ing regulations, but he does give one of the most unvarnished pic- lures of the theater ever commit ted to paper, and side by side with the strength of his associates he places what he regards as their weaknesses. And he doesn't spare himself either.
 Figuring prominently in the his- tory of the Group, of course are Franchot Tone, born and reared to wealth, and Clifford Odets, the poor actor who became, first, a play wright hailed as a genius the cham pion of the common man. and then a well-heeled Hollywood writer-pro- ducer. According to Clurman, Tone felt that the others in the Group sort of regarded him with suspicion and he held aloof, seek ing friends elsewhere. Eventually he went Hollywood, but he came back once and was always willing and able when the Group needed some financing. Odets was more complex character and Clurman feels that he never quite fulfilled his early promise. In this he agrees with the majority of New York drama critics.
 A good deal of the glamor that some people still imagine enshrouds the theater is stripped away in Clurman's book. The Group put on some good and profitable plays in its 10 years, but such was it's set- up that it never was able to stay ahead of the game. Financing each play was a battle, a scramble for $1 .O00 here and 5000 there. Sal aries were modest and the fact that most of the Group actors stuck as
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-07-31

termine their lasting song favori- ties. Song of India" led the race, with Because" hot on its heels. You will hear these songs in the picture, plus some brand new num- bers-"I Should Care" is one of the brand new numbers"
 The second attraction is the shocking and sensational drama Within These Walls" starring Thomas Mitchell, Mary Anderson and Edward Ryan with an out standing supporting cast. It is an exciting story flaming with the fury of dangerous men with vengeance in their hearts.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-07-31
WHOOPING COUGH CASES
 ON CITY'S BULLETIN

Three cases of whooping cough are the only communicable disease listed for Waterbury for the week ending July 30, 1945. Three cases of lobar pneumonia are listed for Southbury.
 State totals are as follows: whooping cough, Il; meningitis, l; scarlet fever, 5; measles, 12; lobar pneumonit, 6; infantile paralysis II; chicken pox, Ia; humps, fl; gonorrhea, 32 and syphilis, g.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-07-31
Band Leader ChorIie

My gosh, Mike even dances with an accent"
 BRIEF BITS OF NEWS
 Dorothy LAmour has turned song writer, composing T Had a Techni- color Dream with TuneSmiths Norm Berens and Jim Carling. Cowboy star Tex Ritter is scheduled to do series of lectures on Amer ican folk music in New York, Bos- ton, Washington, Philadelphia, and Chicago next fall Bandleader Spade Cooley spotted this sign in Hollywood shoery: "These are the times that try mems soles."
 Cass Daley, whose physical antics before a mike are laugh riots, has been named an honorary member of the International Association of Acrobats because of the con- tortions you go through while singing"
 There's more than red points involved in that prize bull Ginny Simms gave her parents for a wedding anniversary gift. Under her fathers supervision, Ginny is breeding prize cattle on her 63- acre San Fernando Valley farm.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-07-31
EARRING FANCIER

Audrey Young, who is seen in Out of This World" musical star ring Eddie Bracken, Veronica Lake and Diana Lynn, has one of the largest collections of earrings in Hollywood and frequently rents some of the more unusual ones to studios.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-07-31
EGYPTIAN ACTRESS HAPPY

Amira Moustafa, the former Egyptian screen star who makes her Hollywood bow as John Carroll's bride in the comedy, "A Letter for Evie." expects her parents and her brother to join her in Hollywood within the year. Her brother is an executive of British Airways in Cairo.
 Amira came here a year ago as the bridez of Walter E. Beck, who represented Douglas Aircraft Co. in Cairo.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-07-31
CERTIFICATES FOR ,~ FORMER SERVICEMEN
To Wed Saturday

Distribution of certificates to dis charged veterans in the city will be discussed at meeting of Beth 1arael Synagog. The certificates will be presented at the first meet ing of the Breakfast Club following the High Holy Days in September Louis Franken, president of the ex- ecutive ''oard, will lead tomorrow nights discussion.
 e President Murray L. Grossman will preside. Rabbi Seymour Gewirtz will attend.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-07-31
THIN GIRL MAKES GOOD

For her first appearance on the screen Edith King, Broadway ac- tress, wears padding under her clothes which makes her look as if she weighs 300 pounds. Actually. she weighs hardly more than 100.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-07-31
SONG TESTS

In between scenes of Paramount's Our Hearts Were Growing Up" Gail Russell and Diana Lynn staged hot boogie sessions, Gail singing and Diana at the piano.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-07-31

Mrs. Leo Neikirk, Sr., and her daughter, Mrs. Gertrude Miller, with Mrs. John Mitchell of South Bri- tain are in Morrisville, Pa, where they are visiting Mervin P. Mitchell.
 Lieut.. (jg) William J. Shea, Jr., son of MT. and Mrs. William Shea of Colonial avenue, will leave this week after spending a 30-day leave here with his wife, and his parents. kk. Shea recently returned from overseas, having served for 16 months as PIT boat skipper in the Mediterranean area.
 Mrs. H. E. Hill of North street, has returned from South Casce, Me, where she visited her daughter, Miss Anne Hill, who is spending the sum- ner at Little Wohelo Camp.
 It. Frederick Bit7er, AAF, and his sister, It. Bertha Bitzer, WACS. are both on leave at the home of their parents, MT. and Mrs. Hugo Bit ger.
 Wednesday Aug. will be the final day to pay current year taxes with out addition of interest from due date, July l. Bernice c. Stevens, tax collector. will be at her office on North street today and tomor- row, through days and evenings to collect or taxes may be mailed in, but all letters must be postmarked not later than August 1.
 Mrs. Thomas w. Weldon, Yonk- CTS, N. Y, is house guest of MT. and Mrs. H. E. Hill at the Rose anne, of North street, for few weeks
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-07-31
Up And DorDn BroddUdy
By JACK GAvER United Press Drama Editor

New YorkUP)The recent announcement by Oscar serln that Hollywood production play called "Begga publication Knopf rousing book titled
  Group but forgotten
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-07-31

Susan Schatzki of Prospect street, and Carol Coon of Hillcrest avenue, left Sunday for Camp Alice Merritt. Octavia Smith of Seymour street and Ruth Meyers of Main street, who have been spending the past two weeks at Camp Alice Merritt re- turned to their homes Saturday.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-07-31
MIDDLEBURY COrresondent: Nancy Riley;
 Telephone 4-641O.
CHARLES DELANEY
 IN CANTON, CONN.
It. William J. Shea Leaves This Week for New York City

Middlebury, July 3l.-Charles Delaney, Jr., son of MT. and Mrs. Charles Delaney of Began road, is spending the month of August with his uncle and aunt MT. and Mrs. John Delaney of Canton, Conn.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-07-31

It. Leslie Brennan, son of MT. and Mrs. John Brennan of Chris tian road has arrived home for a furlough. It. Brennan has been overseas with the American Air Forces for several months.