Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 150, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 June 1912 — Page 2

The Truck Patch

By Jeanne O. Loizeaux

(Copyright. WX by Associated Literary IMU As the six o’clock stream of shop girls came from the side entrance of the big store, Mamie let It carry her along. She lifted her thin hands to pin the big, flamboyant hat to < her tously fair hair. Her thin shoulders stooped a little, and she walked with the weariness of the first enervatIngly hot days ed wring. It was Saturday night, and she was wonder tag If she could afford a really satisfying sapper. A big, browned, awkward young fellow came up from behind and fell into step with her. She started nervously, and some girls behind her gig 4" gled. "It’s only me, Marne. I wont eat you!” .------------- : - - - “I told you not to hang about for me,” she said. “I don’t ’hang about’ for any girt, and you know It I purposely got here just in time to catch you. When are you going to marry me 7” “Never, and you know it I've said it often enough.” She gave a backward glance and saw that the other girls had fallen behind. Williams, the floor manager, was with Flossie Peters. Mamie despised Flossie, v—— "Is It that little counter-jumper that’s worrying you?" asked the man beside her. “If you wanted a real man, one that had either good intentions, strength, or a prospect of a home to give you, I’d let you go. But I’ll take Williams by the back of the neck and drown him like a kitten if he doesn’t let you alone! I cant even tell yon what sort he is. You’d he fool enough not to believe me.” They still kept on her way home, and now turned up a quieter side street Young Graves was silent a moment “Look here, Mamie. Two years I’ve known you, and watched you get thin and pale at starvation wages and work you admit you hate. You know I cut take good care of you. You know I think a lot of you. I never wanted to marry any other girL I would make It easy for you. I’ve always had an Idea that you could —love me, if you would let yourself. Tell me why you won't It’s only fair.” She shrugged her shoulders, still evasive, ' “We’ve got to hurry. I’m going out tonight Do you think I want to get married to a hayseed and settle down on a truck patch?” She was a little fierce, as she turned on him. I’ve had enough work and commonness. I want some fun. Why —don’t you dress like other fellows? You’re all right—but the girls make fun of me about you. She paused and he gave a bard little laugh. 1 “So that’s It! Bay, have you seen raf ’truck patch?’ You never will go out there! Do you know I’ve a bouse, paid for, and a pretty place, and that the garden-truck you make fun of has put money in the bank for you to have everything you need on? Do you know how independent it makes me? I’m my own boss, not likely to have ray head cut off by the first manager that doesn’t like the looks of me. I don't have to dress and smoke up all my wages. And I haven’t the morals that allow a fellow to sport around and escape responsibility. You’d better think a little. I want a wife —not any girlhut just you, to take care of all her proposition. Say, do you think a cad like Williams intends to marry you? Do you?” The girl turned pale. “That’s not—your affair.” “It's my business to protect yon, whether yon choose to marry me or not, and I’ll do It Are you going to that cheap dance hall again tonight —with Williams r She shock her head. \ “I’ve got to dance and have some fun. I can’t sit in a hot little room all evening. I’m going with—some girls.” _■ - -- -•-—■ “So he can dance with you without even the bother of taking you there? I see. And, Mams, do you think I wouldn’t have spruced up if that’s all you wanted? Did you? What time do you start?” “Bight,” she said, at the door of her boarding house. He stopped a moment and looked at her. Then he said good-night abruptly and walked Ipfjlfly to the first car going downtown. The stores were still open and his bank book was in bis pocket He trotild have to harry and go without supper, but he did not mind that At eight Robert Graves was waiting on the little stuffy boarding house porch. He was shaved and dressed from neck to toes in new and very good dothes, a bit awkward, but broad-shouldered, square-jawed, bis dark eyes alight, almost angry. Mamie, unsuspecting, came down after her unappetizing, insufficient meal and hasty toilet pathetically XT her pale face. She started, dropping M. clis&k h*r awn ' “I’m going to Ake you to the he iifd *W# can taka tit#

She stared in astonishment and a sort of pride In him rose In spite of herself.'- ' "You have your—nerve!" As she spoke the slang made her ashamed. “Can you dance r* Her contempt made him wince. “I can do a lot of things, but I’m particular where and how I do them. What about your friends?”/ “They won’t wait If I’tlf not there. Come on!” This was better than he had hoped. He did not realize that Instantly she r had resolved to use him to make Williams jealous. His good looks were not lost on her. The dance was cheap. The men were cheap, the music, the movement The atmosphere was unwholesome. It was close and hot, and cheap perfume made the air heavier. Mamie and Graves swung themselves Into the waits then in progress, and she gave an Inner gasp of relief. He could dance! No one better I Other girls looked at him. At the waltz’s close Williams came up, suavely, leaving Flossie with a dark look on her face. “My dance,” said he to Mamie, and lied. Save for the presence of this big young stranger with the girl be would not have danced with her. He was too sure of her. The girl moved toward him, the slightest impulse of a movement, murmuring the men’s names to each other. Both bowed, but Graves put his arm around Mamie, catching the step. “You’re mistaken. This dance is promised me. So are all the others.” He swung away with her. She tried for a moment to be angry, but could not. Williams stood iowering a moment. Flossie also had deserted him. At the end of the music Mamie expostulated. It would not do. He must dance with some one else. She, would introduce him. She must dance with some one else —just for the looks of it! Graves led her to a window for a breath.

“There Is not a man in this room who looks fit for you to dance with. You’re half-exhaußted, over-heated — watch your own breathing! You didn’t take time for a decent sapper. Go back for your wrap—no. I’ll go, too—and we’ll get something to eat. Then if you want to come back” — He wrapped the cloak about her and together they went down the dirty stairs to the street Williams followed unnoticed. It was not more than nine, but a sudden storm was rising, dust blew in their faoes and a queer sultriness was In the air. He drew Mamie’s hand into his arm and held her closely. They walked a few blocks, and the darkness deepened. She clung to him. “Where are we—going?” “I’m trying to get on to a decent street where I think I can find a place where F would take you for something to eat Mamie—ls that place any real fun to you? ts that — cad—” Without warning, a shuffle of feet behind them and an angry voice made Graves push the girl in front of him. “Cad, am 1? I’ll show you—” Williams, and an ugly bulk of man beside him came up beside them. Graves did not slacken his speed.. He pushed Mamie around a corner where a street lamp burned dimly. A policeman almost ran into them. A car was coming along also, and he stepped into position to nail It, at the same time speaking to the officer. “Kelley," he said. “These fellows are drunk and annoying us. Wait till I take the lady home and I’ll come down to headquarters and give information.” But the two took to their heels, the officer after them. Graves put the trembling girl on the car, found her an Inside seat, and sat down, guarding her. He did not speak, knowing she was edge of tears. He handed ther^conductor the fares and took transfers. They would not take them near Mamie’s boarding house.

“Where are we going?” Her tone was childlike, questioning. “We.” he said, emphasizing the pronoun, “are going out to the truck patch, to our own home. My sister is there, arid tomorrow we are to be married. Grace will take care of you tonight. There has been enough of this sort of danger for you, Mamie. Hasn’t there?” His ear was quick, hut he caught no answer* She turned her head and looked where the sudden spring rain was beating at the car windows. Then she leaned close against the strong arm, weariness in every line of her slender body, yielding to his demand heart and souL They walked five blocks past vacant lots in a drenching' rain, be in his shirt sleeves after wrapping his new coat about her. As they reached the yard where far back stood his little brown cottage with the light burning in the window, he drew her very close to him. “Mamie,” he said, “you want to go with me, don’t you? With all your heart?" She nodded her head against his arm. “With—all my heart,” she said, through the rain. “With all my heart!”,- — - ' Robert’s . sister heard them, and opened the door with a lamp in her hand. “For goodness’ sgke, Mamie!” she said. “For goodness' sAkfe!”

Great Value of Publicity.

The possession of the news, the knowledge of the world's daily Ufa, thought, movement, constitutes the most effective weapon for the protection of society. Justice and truth Sourish in the light of publicity. Iniquity and wrong dread ft and are ultimately cured by the influences which flow from its illuminating rays.—Samuel Bowies. % • : . ; - • ' v

Up the Big Santa Anita

IT WAS a glorious morning. The rains seemed to have turned their attentions elsewhere for the time being. AH the mountains stood clear-cut against, . the . blue, with tops whitened by snow; -the foothills and the whole valley were wearing the new green mantle of spring. We had taken the early car for Sierra Madre, a ear always filled on "days off” with a merry collection of city -folk who love the wild and who yearn the week through for the higher places, the rocky canyons and the dashing streams, and for the racing blood, red cheeks and renewed energy that such retreats give to. those who seek them, writes H. C. Hurst, In the Los Angeles Times. Our objective point was the Big Santa Anita. Neither Henry nor I had ever been in this canyOn. We had seen . its little sister many a time as we climbed up the Mt. Wilson trail, but there is always an added sest in the unknown, in not knowing what is ahead around the next corner in _a new town, around the next bend in the trail, or what the next week, or month or year holds for us in that larger journey called Life. We questioned our nearest fellow-passenger, a young fellow in complete corduroy suit and mountain boots, who looked as though he bad always climbed mountains. Yes, he had been clear through the Big Santa Anita, and there were some ticklish places in it, but we could make it all right He himself was bound for the west fork of the San Gabriel by way of Mt Mllson.

It seemed no time at all before we were stepping from the car la beautiful Sierra Madre, and before the train crew would have time to turn their trolley pole the whole crowd was streaming up the road toward the foot of “the everlasting hills.” Most of these bearers of lunches and kodaks kept on to where the burros in their corrals watched with big, brown eyes at the foot of the Mt Wilson trail. We turned to our right and followed a roadway which led down hill, across a silver creek, and up a long grade through groves of orange and lemon, with now and then a bungalow showing about the green leaves. The trees were loaded with fruit, and a man who did riot look in the least like a grouch was carrying a large armful of signboards and planting them at frequent intervals along the edge of his golden acres, said boards threatening dire things to the person who dared to more than look at the yellow temptations on his trees.

atari Up Canyon.

We cut through an orange grove and came out on a high mesa overlooking the wash and heard the roaring of the stream as it dashed over the large boulders as though deadly eager to meet with the San Gabriel river out thore in the valley and compare notes on their respective trips through the mountains. A Jarg; party of boys and girls were scrambling down the bank when we arrived, and as they stopped to take a picture of the group we passed theta and started up the canyon. We realized at once that it was a time of high water and that travel up through those narrow passes would be a vastly different affair than in midsummer, when the streams are low. Indeed we kept dry from the start only by making almost impossible leaps from boulder to boulder, or by working • our way along the walls of the cliff by precarious handholds. Finding some better going, we pressed on and came at last to a scene of wonderful beauty, but one which seemed to block all farther progress up the canyon. Walla of solid rock towered high In the air on every side save that from which we had approached. At their base a vast pool was spread like a lake, probably 60 feet across, and of great depth, and into this leaped from a cleft In the cliff the whole river, a beautiful waterfall some 25 feet In height. Two bikers had preceded us, and we sat down and watched them cross the shallowest part of the pool and climb ap the very crude ladder which leaned against the ciiffjmd led to the top of the falls. It seemed to take them a long while to cross the stream at the top of the ladder, and when we followed them we did aot wonder, as we found ourselves standing on a shelf

NEARING THE CANYON

of rock a foot In width, from which place a flying leap must be made across the st&ream, with .only a sloping rock wall to land upon. Some way Henry made it without falling in, and with his. help I too got across, but slipped after safety was reached, and as a result I found it expedient to climb up the mountainside, which here sloped conveniently, and lie in the warm sun And dry out House of the Hermit. Soon the canyon narrowed and where the creek rushed between vertical wails we must needs wade the stream. Off came the shoes and stockings, and in we went It was a cold Job. I’m sure that ice water would be only milk-warm ,in comparison to that little river. Thus we went on, wading when necessary, and resuming our shoes and walking when we could. -- Later we sat by the big pool, churned by a plunging waterfall, and watched several trout as they darted about in thee liquid home. And when we went on again, Henry, with hiß usual luck, passed this pool dry-shod, and 1 slipped down the smooth side of a rock big as a house, and plumped into the sitting room of the trout From this time on I was not so particular about tniting off my. shoes and stockings before entering the stream. When the canyon opened out a little and there was at last a trail - through vines and trees and ferns high above the creek, we hurried along and covered some miles In short time, only to be confronted by a wall across the canyon, down which leaped a large fall in three cascades of tumbling silver. We saw the gAtae was up in that direction, but were glad to find a trail leading up the side of the hill and over a divide; and standing at the top, we knew we were about to reaeb our goal, for below us the stream ran circling through a valley and several stone houses or huts. Soon we were in the house of the Hermit, and were drying out before the wood fire on the hearth. Outside, the river roared along under the naked trees, and the wind tore by the cabin, shrieking that a storm was coming. But little we cared as we undid our lunch and accepted: at the hands of the Hermit tin cups of brack and steaming coffee. It mattered not that it wa# poured from an ancient sprinkling can, or that the room was not up to good housewife standards of neatness. Poor Hermit! For ten, years this room has been his library, granary, kitchen, wood-house and storeroom. But his hear? was kind as his black beard was long, and when he found a silver dollar in one of the returned coffee cups, the presence of which none ot ns could account for, his protestations were long and sincere. ~ \

At three o’clock that afternoon we left our shelter, and bidding the Hermit goodby, started up the steep trail to the top of the ridge. Soon we were above the noise of the Stream, but the wind was louder than ever, and rain started to fall, changing soon to a sleet “However, It was only the edge of the storm that we were hi; across the canyon and back on the far ther ranges we could see the clouds dropping their burdens of moisture in great sheets, and saw soon, too, the slopes whiten under falling snow. As we came Out on top of the divide snow was coming down upon us, also, and through its filmy curtain we looked out and saw the Ban Gabriel valley shining in the sun and the new green on the MBs on the farther sideappearIng like great crinkly folds in a doth of velvet, a rare and never-to-be-for-gotten view. W [ 7

The ancients found out hew to predict eclipses of the moon, but those of the sun baffled' them. They observed the lunar cycle of 18 Julian yean 11 days, in which the moon returns to almost the same position In the heavens, but they could not apply this to solar eclipses, although the period answers for both. The reason of the eclipses recur in a fixed order within the cycle, they are not visible again at the part dNthe earth's sur-

Ancients Knew About Eclipses.

BRIDES OF HAWAIIAN JAPS

They Are Usually Selected in Japan by the Parents pf the -—Grooms. ' 1 - "No more orientals of the laboring class are coming to Hawaii, and a good many of our white citizens who cultivate sugar estates are sorry that the faithful Chinese are barred under the law,” said W. P. Harcourt, a sugar planter of the island of Kauai, one of the'Hawaiian group. “They are our best workers, and before the exclusion policy was applied we could count on a certain regular Influx of brawny Mongolians to toil in the cane fields. “The Chinese now In Hawaii have been there for many years and most of them are getting to be old men. Not many of the Chinese have wives, but in former days not a few of them became the husbands of the native Kanaka women. It was a good cross, was this half-breed progeny, and so likewise the offspring of the Japanese and native women. In recent times, however, the Japs have been in the habit of sending back to their own land for wives. In most cases I think the self-elected bridegrooms get their parents back in the flowery kingdom to pick out wives for them. “The matter is finally ararnged through the Japanese consul, the man in the case putting up money for the passage of his intended spouse. The hour that she lands must also he the wedding hour, for the authorities will not allow the fair ones to remain unless claimed and formally mated according to some civil or rellgiouß ceremony that both parties, consider binding. “Every now and then a wireless message comes to my plantation which tells one of my young Japanese hired men that he may expect on the arrival of the next .ship at Honolulu the girl who has been picked out as his wife. Ido not think that in many cases the principals have ever laid eyes oh each other. On the receipt of the message the man gets permission to go to claim his wife, and pretty soon the pair are domesticated on the estate, and my understanding is they get on as happily as If they had known each other from infancy and been wedded in the conventional way of the Caucasians. • “Not long ago a ship from Yokohama arrived with forty or fifty socalled picture brides. Every one of them had been chosen through photographs forwarded to Hawaii some time in advance of the arrival of the originals. Occasionally there Is a pathetic ease, as when not long ago a very pretty young Japanese maid was forced to take the next ship returning to her old home. Inspection .showed that she had trachoma, and the rigid rule that ordered her deportation could not be waived.**—Baltimore American.

Champ Enlightens the House.

Speaker Champ Clark startled the houke during the consideration of the conference report on the Sherwood service pension bill by saying from the chair: “I have It, all unde, that President Taft will sign this bill If we get it to him today." The bill was agreed to and hurriedto the White House. Then friends crowded around Mr. Clark. “What does ‘alley unde’ mean?” demanded Representative Victor Murdock. ’1 know some Latin, but I never heard of that before.” “Yes, it’s Latin,” announced Mr. Clark. “It means ‘outside of the record.’ I learned In a roundabout way that President Taft is going to leave the city this afternoon and that ho was waiting to sign this hill. If he does not 400 or 600 aged soldiers might die before he is back.” 'lt means ‘grapevine* In Ozark language,” some one suggested. "Exactly,” said the speaker. Then the gathering fell into a discussion of Latin quotations, and the speaker demonstrated that lie knew more about Horae®, Cato and Virgil than all the rest —Washington Correspondence Boston Transcript

Slot Literature in Germany.

Penny in the slot literature Is the latest thing in Germany. A firm of publishers at Leipslc has patented an automatic machine which gives a choice of a dozen small paper covered volumes which are displayed behind glass. On a strip of paper across each volume la printed a brief description of the book, and a coin in the slot does the rest. These automatic machines are. to be placed inhotel lobbies, waiting rooms, theater foyers and other public places . The hope Is expressed that as the books offered are carefully selected and by first-class authors the venture may have a beneficial educative effect updri the masses and thus counteract the influence of the cheap and trashy, literature with which the country to flooded.

Chinese Smoking Cigarettes.

Use of cigarettes in increasing among the Chinese. An American And British tobacco company hires salesmen io distribute packages among the natives, giving away thousands, and then arranges with some native merchant to carry the stock in the goods. By this process has been built an enormous trade, which to steadily growing. „

Bank Founded by Republic.

When the Republic of Genoa, hecame embarrassed br a multitude of loans, in 1407, is consolidated them and made this heap of debt into the capital of aback, formed for the P«* - - -

’wanug D.NESPITj aEsaacssssaaßCOtMMja-aia'l eniM John Gilpin was a citizen of credit and jss^wnown Until his auto got him into rows all over town; He took the auto from Its place beside an empty stall And filled the tank with what is called denatured alcohol. The auto sputtered down the street in an uplifted mood, • A Jolly gait, a Joyous pace It was that It pursued; * But soon Its honks grew raucous and its Bputterlngs grew thick— > Instead of “chuff-chuff-chuff” it changed to “hick-blck-hlck-hlck-hlck I” The shades of dusk came on apace, the auto shrieked with Joy, And seemed to say: “Fill up xe tank anuzzer time, ol’ boy!” And though John Gilpin did his best to slow it up a bit The auto struck a gait that meant, “Lets make a night of It” And so It went along the streets, with people playing tag, With lamps aglow, now to and fro—an auto with a Jag! And then it tried to climb a tree, and then began to weep And leaned against a lamp-post and went solemnly to sleep, - ■»-# John Gilpin on the morrow found he could not turn its crank Until he’d put a quart of bromo-seltzer In its tank— But O, 'tis sad to tell about; It surely Is a shame— Although the auto had the Jag, John Gilpin got the blame.

HIS PLEA.

“Tour reputation/' ve said to him, in stern tones, “is spotted." "But," he explained, "you should remember that I freckle very easily."

The Helpless Victim.

The postman goes his daily round like to a slave in shackles bound; he has to tag ft. heaping sack that crooks his neck and bends his back, and in that sack: are urgent notes from can dilates -who want our votes. Insurgents and conservatives—each >ne his weighty reason gives why we should vote for Mike or Bill. O, what a lot of ink they spill to make us know and understand the way to save our native land! Waste baskets yawn for all such stuff, and still are never big enough to hold the heap that comes each day —. But see the postman trudge hie way with all this lot for us to scan, and he’s a civil service man!

Logical, Perhaps.

“The meek shall Inherit the earth,* said the Sunday school teacher. “Now, children, while we are oa this subject can any of you tell me who was the meekest man?" The scholars were silent, and the teacher said: “His name began with M. Don’t you remember! I wlll tell you the nrst two Jotters. iney ate m-o-.

The Theory That Failed.

through his stomach, the Fond Wife, who wanted a new Worth gown, refor a month.. - 1 Q€D *DC maue u“* njtjurou _>* ; __ ea m - Bat w mwb wwtsa “Can’t stand it grocery bill was too hctvy t||tM monm.