Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 267, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 November 1913 — Page 3

ALL THERE WAS TO IT

By GRACE KERRIGAN.

When Miss Lizzie Carford entered upon her duties as stenographer and typewriter with Ames & Co. she didn’t look for any social side of it- There couldn’t be any o in a business office. She would ask for the respect that is due any girl or woman, no matter whether she has money and social standing or must earn her living. Ames & Co. were middle-aged men and both married. Both were workers, and both quiet men. They had a small business, but a paying one, and their bookkeeper was also their cashier. He ■ w'as a young man of twenty-four, and the newcomer was not favorably impressed with him. It is hone of the stenographer’s business whether the bookkeeper in his den is young or old — good-looking or ugly—social or surly. Neither Mr. Adams nor his partner were good at dictating, and they put the work off on the bookkeeper. Again, they would be the only occupants of the business for hours at a time, and if he was surly and gruff it would make things lonesome. Mr. Watler Bardsley, the said bookkeeper, wgs in his den when Miss Carford called qnd was hired. There had not been a girl in that office in the five years he had been there, but he never turned from his desk to look v She had a pleasant voice, but he didn’t seem to hear it. After she had gone, and he was told by Ames that she was to take the place, his only comment was: “Very well, sir.” She was waiting for him next morning when he arrived. Mr. Bardsley did not bow. He did not Introduce himself. He did npt lodk at her. He picked up the morning mail and carried it into his den and the girl was left for half an hour to twiddle her thumbs. Then he came out and .sat down by the machine and started off with: “Mr. H. O. Wharton—Dear Sir: Your letter of the 9th inst. at hand.” Miss Lizzie picked up pad and pencil and wrote. There were five letters in all. He never paused to say “comma,” '“period” or “paragraph,” but drove Btraight ahead/ and when finished' got up without a word and went back to his den. She typed the letters and laid them on the desk and whan Mr. Ames came in they were signed and sent out to be mailed. “Very well done,” said Mr. Ames, and that’s allthere was to it. At noon Mr. Bardsley went out to lunch. - When he had disappeared Mlbs Lizzie went out to lunch. She was back first, and when he came in she did not look at him nor he lit her. He could have said: “Nice day, Miss Carford?” And she could have answered: “Yes, very nice.” But he didn’t say and she didn’t say. * From her place by the machine she could look into the bookkeeper’s den and she his back —always his back. After she had surveyed that back for three mortal hours, and could have drawn a war-man of every line and wrinkle, 6he turned and looked out upon the roof of the adjoining building. There was a clothes-line stretched across it, and on that line hung an old red flannel shirt. It flapped in the breeze. It fluttered like a wounded bird. There were moments when it almost ceased to breathe, as it were. That shirt when new was a bloodred in color. It was now faded to the color of an old brick houke in Tarrytown —the one where General Washington once stopped after licking the British to ask the owner for the temporary loan of his boot-jack. The shirt had four patches on it to cover four holes. The buttons were missing and with increasing age it had shrunk. What w-as the romance —what the mystery of the old red shirt? “Why, I thought you’d gone.” It was the voice of Mr. Ames at her elbow. The girl had fallen asleep. The bookkeeper had departed without awakening her. Wasn’t that the trick of a mean man? Each day for the next month was like every other day. Outside of the dictation not ten words passed between the stenographer and the bookkeeper. They* went without noticing each other. It vexed and annoyed her for the first week and then “she said to hereelf: “He’s probably mad because some one he recommended wasn’t taken on instead of me, but if he thinks he’ll get rid of me by playing the bear he’ll find himself mistaken. I’m real glad to find one man in the city who isn’t smirking around and bragging how smart he is!" Then a son of Mr. Ames’ partner came home on his vacation from college. He was a very fresh young man. He wanted to be a high roller but his father was tight with money matters. He hung about the office a good deal, though neither the bookkeeper nor the stenographer was more than barely civil to him. At the end of a week. Miss Lizzie noticed that the two partners were anxious and perturbed and held consultations. Some excitement also seemed to have got hold of the bookkeeper. There were three 1 days of this, and then he disappeared and Mr. Ames took his place. It wasn't for the girl to ask why, but she naturally wondered over it. The routine continued about the same. At noon all went to lunch. The door of the bookkeeper’s den, in which was the safe, was locked at such times. ’ At noon one day, instead of going out to lunch, the stenographer munched a big apple and buried her nose An a book she hid brought down. A

quarter of an hour had passed when the door briskly opened and the fresh young man entered. He looked towards the den but not around the room. When he was sure no one whs inside he produced a key and entered the den. He was inside not over two minutes, and when he reappeared he was stuffing greenbacks into his pockets. He locked the door behind him and then passed out of the office without having glimpsed the watcher. For a moment the girl reasoned that he was the son of the partner, and had a right to go and come. Then scented something wrong and put o& her hat and hurried down to the street. The young man was just entering an auto in which sat waiting another young man. “Get it?” queried the latter. “You bet!” “How mucbi|’ “Two hundred!" “Bully! We’ll have a devil of a time! ” The stenographer was in the office when Mr. Ames returned from his lunch. He smiled amiably and passed into the den, but a moment later reappeared, white-faced and trembling. He looked at the girl and tried to speak, but could only stammer. •>. “Have you missed some money?” she asked. * “Y-yes!” “How' much?” “Two hundred dollars! I counted it out just before going to lunch. Were you out to lunch?” “Not today.” “Then —then —” j “Then I saw it taken! Had you missed money before?” “Three times. Didn't you know that was why we turned away Mr. Bardsley? We couldn’t say he embezzled it but we were forced to suspect.” * “As that son of your partner took the money today he probably took the others. He has a key to the den. I sat right over there and saw him operate.” The partner was called in and informed of what had occurred, and together the two men took up the chase. The young man was run down and he made no denials. In fact, he laid the blame all on his father. Miss Lizzie took the half-day off. In going home she saw Mr. Bardsley in a doorway. He looked at her but did not bow. She walked straight up to him and said; “You are the big-' gest cad and snob in the state, but you come along with me!” He followed her to her home without asking a question, and when they were Beated she asked: “Were you miffed because they gave me the place?” “Why, I was glad of it!” he exclaimed. “But you never spoke to me.” “You didn’t ask me to lunch.” “I—l dasn’t!” “I was afraid you’d snub me!” “Couldn’t you have given me a good morning?" • , “I wanted to awful bad, but—but—” Mr. Bardsley dared not look her in the face. He was, blushing like a maiden over a marriage proposal. He was fumbling his hands—and moving his feet as if he would run away. “I see,” mused the girl as she studied him. “I have found a shy man—the only one in the world! That changes everything. You will get your place back, and in time —if you are not too. shy—" And in time she became the wife of _a shy man, and he was not exhibited at a museum. (Copyright, 1913. by the McClure Newspaper Syndicate.)

FORCED TO DECLINE OFFER

Distinguished Professor Must Have Thought He Was a Victim of Leap Year. An undergraduate at Balllol having fallen ill, his sister came to nurse him, and the master of Balllol paying many visits to the young man’s rooms frequently met the sister. There were numerous other visitors during the patient's convalescence, and the young lady was greatly attracted by, and finally became engaged to, one of her brother’s friends. When her brother recovered and the young lady was about to depart the master came to say “Good-by.” She thanked him warmly for his kindness to her brother, and concluded by saying that she had a great favor to ask of him. The master said that he would be delighted. Without thinking that her remark was capable of two interpretations, she replied at once, "I should like you me,” meaning that he would officiate at the ceremony. The master, in a state of great agitation, hurried from the room, exclaiming, “My dear young lady, it would be utter misery for both of us!”-rLondon Answers.

Waitress Had Not Aged.

He had just reached the philosophical stage when he slipperd into a restaurant between bdrs for a bit to eat. He ordered. Then he sat staring ahead, quietly thoughtful in expression, and waited. * It la admitted he did some waiting, too. What happened to his order couldn't be understood outside the peculiar convolutions of a restaurant kitchen, but he spent half an hoar sitting there staring ahead of him. At last it came. As the waitress put the order before him, he started from his deep study, as if he had forgotten he bad an order coming. Then, looking up at the fair transporter' of edibles, be said^w”You don’t look a day older!”—l* erybody’s Magazine,

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, IND.

CZARINA OF RUSSIA AND HER BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTERS

This photograph of the czarina of-Russia and her daughters was made by special order of the czar. The mother is seated In the center and the girls, from left to right, are: Grand Duchess Olga, born November 3, 1895; Grand Duchess Titiana, born May 29, 1897; Grand Duchess Anastasie, born June 5, 1901, and the Grand Duchess Marie, born June 14, 1899. ' ...

MIDDIES ON CRUISE

Discomforts and Hardships of of Former Times Unknown. First and Second Class Men of Annapolis Enjoy Themselves When on Big Battleships—Methods Are Changed. New evening there may be seen In the theater district some of the midshipmen from the United States ships Delaware and Arkansas — the former at anchor in the North river at Eighty-sixth street, the latter in the Brooklyn navy yard. They are On theater liberty, says the New York Sun. On each battleship of the Atlantic fleet, with but two exceptions, are ten middies of the first class and fourteen of the second. Those of the first class when in blue service uniform may be identified by the two gold etripes on their sleeves, while those of the second have only one. When in white service uniform there is no way of distinguishing between them. Until last year the three classes remaining in the Naval academy at Ann-_ apolis, after June week had disposed of those graduating, were stowed away in three of the smaller ships and sent on a practice cruise. Often they went abroad; sometimes they made only “crab cruises” up and down the coast. The Massachusetts, the lowa and the Indiana were usually choeen for this painful operation, and in time have become famous in speech and 6ong. One spng in particular gives vent to the midshipmen’s feeling in

MISS SHEN PROVES A TARTAR

Chlnece Suffragette Pummels Editor Who Criticized Her—He Makes Retraction. Pekin, China. The Kuomlnakungpoa newspaper recently criticized Miss Shen Pei Ching, leading suffragette of China and former leaders of the Amazons, for abandoning the seclusion pre-

Miss Shen Pel Ching.

scribed for oriental women, ( and receiving gentlemen callers. ' The paper questioned the morality of such a custom. Miss Shen thereupon went to the editorial sanctum of the publication, severely pummeled the editor, overturned desks and tables and forced him to publish a retraction.

regard to the Massachusetts. It is entitled the “Ballyhue Mhssie.” Seasickness, drudgery, wearisome drills, unrelaxing discipline, food pf a precarious nature, hammocks to which they were unused and little water for bathing were only a few of the hardships the midshipmen had to endure. Spice was frequently added by the coaling of the ship, at which every one had to help and which lasted from early morning till well on into the next morning, with only a few minutes ofT at different times for coffee and sandwiches. When it was at last finished every vestige of clothing worn had to be thrown overboard or given away. Port and the liberties that they ifligbt make therein were the only things the midshipmen had to look forward to, and even the last of these was longed for the most Usually, however, they had a glorious time in each town, and it was with a sigh that the anchor wae weighed and the ship headed toward sea* The last foreign port touched was usually Funchal, and then only three weeks lay before them before they would reach Annapolis and disembark. At last the cruise would be over and they would start on September leave in a run-down condition. Finally some one high up saw that the whole system was wrong—that they were making automatons instead of officers from midshipmen. A new scheme was devised. Last summer it was tried for the first time and worked so well that they are continuing with it. Now only one class, the youngsters (past plebes), are sent on a cruise of the old style. This year their cruise is exceptionally well planned, taking in Antwerp (Paris}, Cadiz, Seville, Gibraltar and Funchal. There is a possibility of their touching at Kiel after leaving Antwerp. In the meantime the first and second classes, having passed through this stage, are distributed among the various ships of the fleet, where they serve in the capacity of Junior officers. Tbe general range of knowledge thus gained is wide, for they become accustomed to the real way in which things are done. The ships on which they are stationed may at any time be sent abroad, to South America, to Panama or to Narragansett bay for target practice. At the present time, while part of them are in New York, others are in Newport, some are in Mexican ports and some at our southern drilling grounds. Thus, through the three Bummer months the midshipmen are placed in such a position that they acquire real experience as officers. They stand watches, sdrve as aids to the executives, tbe navigator, etc., drill the men, take command of a turret during gun drill and in general learn to aseumsf responsibility. In port their duties are somewhat lightened and they are allowed a certain amount of liberty. On weekdays, of those in New York, each may go ashore every other day. They start at 4:00 p. m. and must report their return to the officer of the deck by 11:00 p. m., unless it is theater night. Two nights of the week are theater nights, and the liberty then continues till midnight To reach the ship by twelve it is necessary that one leave the theater at eleven. In this way the middies may be nerved up awaiting the climax when some one in tbe party nudges the others and whispers, “Time to go,** and the whole thing is spoiled in a few minutes. On Saturday and Sunday the liberty runs from twelve to twelve and every one may take advantage of it. This all sounds wondrously find, but

there is the money to be taken into consideration. The middies are allowed to receive hone from home and are given only $6 upon coming to New York. The first night is glorious, but it is short and is soon only a dream. Then there are days of idling away the hours that they might be spending ashore, days of eating beans, hash and slum gullion.

TILLMAN IN POET’S ROLE

Senator Recites “Girl With One Stocking” in the United States Senate. Washington.—A little protective pastoral entitled “A Girl With One Stocking” enlivened the senate proceedings when presented by Senator Tillman, who recently illuminated the pages of the Congressional Record with cartons of his Income tax cow. Mr. Tillman claimed no credit for the contribution, but acknowledged It was

Senator “Ben” Tillman.

originally presented by Senator Zeb Vance In the tariff debate of 1889. “Our Mary had a little lamb and her heart was most Intent,” It rhymed, "to make Its wool, beyond Its worth,'' bring 56 per cent." ~ The classic went on to tell that “where e’er the poor girl went, one leg was warmed with wool and one with 56 per cent.” "Now, with free wool,” said Senator Tillman, “Mary will have to let her women friends wear stockings on both legs, instead of one—something they have not been able to do in twenty years.”

'HUMAN KANGAROO’ IS CAUGHT

Wild Man, With Hair and Beard Foot Long, Found Living in Water and Mud. Jersey City, N. J.—The "human kangaroo” that bis been frightening residents of Secaucus and fanners who drive through that borough at night, is in captivity at last and will' not scare anyone for a long time unless he manages to break out of jail. All summer guests have been frightened out of their wits by seeing a form similar to that of a kangaroo, only larger, leap across the road iir front of them. It got so bad that women would not go to church of an evening. The “human kangaroo” was captnred In his hut make of meadow grass half filled with water.' His head rested on u mud bank while his body was entirely submerged In water, t His hair and beard are more than a toot long. To the police ho gave the name of Louis Jarchlmaco and said he came from Akron, Ohio.

STORIES of AMP and WAR

BOY ESCAPED REBEL PRISON

Irishman in Charge of Cooking Department Aids Youth to Pass as Drummer Boy—Lied Decently, My experience has been that under certain circumstances in the army a little decent lying is a mighty convenient and good thing, and the following incident shows how I made good use of that Idea: I was a member of the Fifty-first Pennsylvania regiment at that time, August, 1864, commanded by Col. William I. Bolton of Norristown, our old colonel, J. F. Hartrantf, having been made brigadier general, writes Thomas J. Dunbar in an exchange. On the 19th of that month. In the battle of Weldon Railroad, 1 was taken prisoner and marched to Petersburg, and was taken to Richmond on the cars and lodged In Libby prison. There I was searched and robbed, as all my comrades were, except in a few instances, the fortunate ones preserving their money by stratagem. One of my comrades, “Pety” Jardine of Norristown, had a flfty-dollar bill, which he inclosed tightly in a piece of tinfoil, surrounded the foil with tobacco, and exactly at the time of hie search slipped it in his mouth, chewed away, and thus preserved his greenback. After we were relieved of what We had we were sent to Belle Island, and there I met a friend belonging to the Fortieth New York, a little Irishman, who had charge of the cooking department. He told me that if I would follow his advice he would get me in his gang of about fifteen men; by that means I could escape being, sent to Saulsbury prison, to which point the men then there, between seven and eight thousand, were des; tined. I was about the same size then as now, which was not much to brag of, but was young* and boyish looking, In fact, I was (he youngest member of the regiment, just seventeen. He told me to say at the proper time thdt I was a drummer boy, and had been captured in that capacity, and shortly afterward he brought Lieutenant Boisseu, commander of the island, and we talked through the fence to the following effect: He asked me if I was a drummer boy, to, which I replied “yes;” he then wanted to know how I was taken prisoner. I told him I had been detailed to carry wounded men and ammunition, and while so engaged was captured. He then took me to his tent, and handed me a drum and told me to smack away at it I told him I couldn’t do it. At that he opened bis eyes and wanted to know how it was. I informed him that I had only been detailed a few days before the battle, because I was too small to carry a gun, and didn't have time to learn to play it. He took it all In, administered the parole d’honneur, and I went to work a» cook, seeing the boys leave for Saulsbury, poor fellows, thousands of never to return. The lieutenant said if I would do the square thing he would treat me well, and when the first parole or ex--change was effected, 1 should be among the fortunate number. He kept his word, and one night about twelve o’clock came running to our quarters ih his night clothes, and informed us that there was to be an exchange the next day. That morning he took us to private quarters in Richmond, went with us to the boat, and bade us good-by, stating that as was going to the front soon he hoped to meet us there, and if he did that the feeling of friendship might be continued. l

PRYOR’S ONE AWFUL MISTAKE

Helped Himself to What He Thought Was Brandy, But Which Proved to Be lodide of Potassium. During the attack on Fort Sumter In 1861, Roger A. Pryor of Virginia, ex-member of congress, was one of the second deputation that waited upon Maj. Anderson. He was literally dressed to kill. Bristling with bowie knives and revolvers, like a walking arsenal, he appeared to think himself individually capable of capturing the fort. Inside the fort he seemed to think himself master, and, in keeping with this pretension, upon seeing what appeared to be a glass of brandy, drank it without ceremony. Surgeon (afterward General) Crawford, who had witnessed the act, approached him and said: "Sir, what you have drunk is poison—it was iodide of potassium.” . The representative of chivalry Instantly collapsed; bowie knives, revolvers and all. Surgeon Crawford immediately took him in hand, and after several hours’ hard work brought him around all right Pryor left Fort Sumter a “wiser if not a better man.”

Broadbrim’s Method.

A secession minister cornea into the store kept by a Quaker, and talks loudly against the country, Broadbrim tells him he must stop or leave the store. The clerical brawler keeps on, till the Quaker tells him he will put him out of the store if he does net go out# t "What,” exclaimed the minister. “I thought you Quakers did not fight.** “The sanctified do not fight, but I have not been sanctified yet; and I will put thee out of the store in a minute!" The minister fled from the wicked Quaker.