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About The Oregon daily journal. (Portland, Or.) 1902-1972 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 25, 1904)
K. THE OREGON SUNDAY JOURNAL. PORTLAND. SUNDAY MORNING. DECEMBER W. 1904. (Copyright. ISO, by W. B. Hsarst) PVBN for the Waldorf Astoria th corridors were unusually crowded. th carriage unusually numer ous. Upstairs the much heralded fair for the benefit of toe Stuyvesant Home for Crippled Children was In full wing, and the excitement of it rippled to the furthermost corners of the hug caravansary. The cafe Was full tb over flowing, and Augusts, only the blue Swiss eyes betraying the fires that burned within, hurried to and fro, listen ing eagerly, while he carefully served his patrons, for scraps about the mar vel upstair. If hs could only see It! His old dreams of sitting himself at a little table ordering drinks with a lan guid air and listening to the music at his ease, all these Idle fancies merged Into on desire, to see the (air, the mart women, the gorgeous clothes. But he might Just as well wish for ths stars to mak a coronet for his Julia, who was waiting for him so faithful y. Julie did not sympathise with Augusts' as - fl rations. Just enough money to bay a Ittla shop in which she could be mis tress and "deal out hr war to busy customer ' was her dream. She would enjoy daggling the neighbors yes. why not but thing more substantial ap pealed first. It was growing late In ths afternoon when Into ths csfe came Jerry Dela- flsld and several other young men. He held up hi finger for Augusta, who hurried to answer. ... -Five, and quick, please." was the order. Tom Hathaway, who was fairly bub bllng over with laughter, leaned across end struck D-lafleld on the back "Tes, you better; ISO for two chances en a bum motor car!" "On can't refuse a woman," Dolafleld began stiffly. "I'm sick of this rag ging. Dam ths otd tickets, anyway; I don't want them; hat motors, too; al ways running away or blowing up." "dive the tickets to somebody, then." Interposed Melton: "because you're beastly rich, the rest of us aren't." Delafleld shook bis head. "Not to any of you after the Cow you've made. I know. I'll glv them to Augusts." "To Auguste," echoed the crowd. "Sure.", with restored good humor. Here. August, her ars tickets (or a raffle." he explained, as the man looked puzzled. 'Ths winner will b drawn tonight. I hop you get It. Tb prize Is a motor car. August caught his braath. A motor car! And hs stood a chance of get ting It! His manner was mora smooth than ever as the evening advanced, but his mind was In a ferment. What number would com upf And then a horrible thought grew; should Jkl number be drawn, how wae he to know? The sight of Jerry Delafleld In the doorway glancing eagerly about the room, gave him a suddsn shock; for a lull moment his heart stopped beating, then It sank to bis boot. It could not be for him that Delafleld was searching. H glid.d quietly forward, and halted a few par away. Delafleld dashed for ward. Augusta, you sr wanted in the ball room." In the ball room! Auguste had never Oven been there but once when the lights were out and the boxes shrouded with cloths. Hs stammered and shook his "Uu fenrk Mr Oscar" Oh. Oscar will let you off for a mtn nte." Delafleld beckoned to Oscar and seeks a few words. Oscar smiled. "Anything to oblige you, Mr. Delafleld. But you won't keep him too longT" "Mo." The next minute Auguste found him self in fairyland. Oay booths lined th walls of th big room, beautiful women In shimmering satins and Jewels filled th boxes, whirling dancers slid over the pnilshsd floor. Augusta sighed with ravished aye, but Delsfleld steadily led the way to ths end of the wonder a great rd motor rar Auguste fslt his head pain. This, Ihen, waa the prise, his splendid thlnS with It gorgeous paint and glittering brass. How mag nificent. And people actually rod in uch things. He touched it with awe. But a man in front waa speaking, and August listened. What war th In credible words ha waa saying: "Th winner of this motor car holds th ticket Til. Will the winner please step for ward." A if in a dresm Augusts fait himself shoved along, whll th people broke into laughter and applauae. The man waved a hand toward the stupendous machine. "This Is yours." he said. Augusts listened in stunned sllsnoa. Hi 'Tank you, air," he said mechanic ally. The machine waa his; ha had won. They all aald so, cheering and clapping. These ladle and gentlemen were cheer ing him, his good fortune, hi unspeak able good luck. Suddenly the realisation of it all swept over him. He owned that thing; he could ride in It, he could take Julie In It He was almost overwhelmed. Del a field came up behind him. "if you should want to sell, Mr. Has tings, who Is waiting for his own ma chine, will take your and glv you a bonus of 1260. Hi will not bo finished for six month yet. and bs 1 anxious to get One." But Auguste shook hi head obstinate ly. Hs would not soil. He was rathsr frightened next morn ing when he learned the cost of boarding ths thing. Also, at first he would need a chauffeur. Tb price half staggered him. But b hsd his savings, and he could always sell the mschlne if neces sary. First hs would have soma fun. Ths brief spin through the park with the chauffeur went to his head Ilk cham pagne. Ah, that was living! He would tell Julie nothing until ho could run the thing himself and then! His Imagina tion soared to rapturous heights. Truth to tell, he was also a little afraid of Julie' practical Judgment. What would she eay to his reckless dipping into their fund? A motor ear was certainly an unnecessary luxury for s worklngmsn. But he smothered his misgivings. Julie would enjoy it ss much as he, and the poor girl needed a little pleasure. She worked , too hard at the milliner's. A ride would greatly freshen her up. He smiled Indulgently at the glorious thought, drawing In deep breaths ef osone. By Sunday Augusts considered that he bad mastered the intricacies of his new possession, and was quite capable of maneuvering the thing himself Accord ingly on Saturday night he broke the grant nsws to Julls. Her cries of won der fully Justified his proud expecta tion, H fait like the prince of a fairy tale as hs unfolded his plans. Yes he had a whole holiday th next day. They would go In the ear to Claremont, have luncheon and then go for a ride, Hun day dawned clear and warm, an Ideal day. Julia, in her well fitting buck gown and pretty bonnet, with the air of Styls that no Frenchwoman lacks, was finally Induced to enter the red monster. Auguste took his place beside her and smiled condescendingly at the men around. Hs put his hand on th lever and gav a shrill honk from the horn. Slowly, smoothly, th heavy machine rolled out to the street, accompanied by a lntle shriek from Julls. Augusts looked at her with a lofty smile. Did she doubt his skill? Up th boulevard they sped, dodging car. Just missing carriages, Julie cling ing wildly to the side of the machine. But for once Auguste was oblivious of hsr feelings. His spirit wa soaring high In the empyrean; mundane things held no place here; even Julie paled In Importance. The noble river, the radi ant blue sky, ths happy crowds, all lent their quota to his exaltation. As he turned in to the hotel at Claremont and the boys ran out to take the machine, while the people turned and stared, it was the proudest moment of his life. He felt that earth had no more to offer. Julie uttered a sigh of relief as her feet touched the solid ground, and In wardly gave thanks that no accident had occurred To Auguste the idea of an accident was unthinkable, and he looked regretfully after the machine. Then he led ths way to a table overhanging the river. What Joy to have th waiter hand him the menu! Hs knew well what to order: too often bad he planned it all out. First a cocktail, then oysters, clear soup snd a fillet of sole. He sighed for the sol of Franc; this wa truly but a poor substitute Then the meat. No crude mutton or raw beef for him. A properly cooked grouse, with crisp, whit celery and rich Jelly, waa selected ; lo a bottle of champagne. He gra ciously allowed Julie to choose the sweet and wound up with cafe nolr. Julie' ye opened widely at th extravagance but her experteno bad taught her th folly of remonstrating at prasent. Never In his life had Augusts imag ined that he could b so happy. The hum of conversation, th ' gorgeously gowned women about him. the sens of sse end comfort, fairly intoxicated him. Julie chatted gayly away, intent, wo manlike. In getting th most out of things once the plunge had been made. "Why epend money and regret It be sides?" she reasoned philosophically. Bo she at, and drsnk. and enjoyed herself to th best of her ability, charming Au -gust answ by her wit and vivacity. He seemed to swim In happiness, hs Irra diated It from every pore. Julie caught tb infection and yielded willingly to his suggestion of a llqusur for a finisher. She sipped her creme Tvette with a guy smile, sdmirtng the color After all. It was worth paying for such a day. Ths time slipped unnoted bv until Augusts Was suddenly horrified to learn the lateness of ths hour. ' L addition, 1 he demanded, sharply. Th size of it appalled him. Could they have eaten so much? He examined It carefully and compared It with the bill of fare. Tea it was exact. Never mind. He counted out the money, while Julie' eye grew bigger, then threw down a dollar for th Walter He would ao tnmg prop erly today. The waiter hurried grate fully to put on his coat, and Auguste waited grandly In the doorway until the car came around. He helped Julie and climbed after her, with the pleasant consciousness that people were watch ing and whispering. "They think I'm a millionaire," he mused, and his chest expended with pride. Julie looked doubtfully at him. "Do you think that you can steer it home?" "Steer!" he laughed, scornfully, and pulled a lever. To his horror, the ma chine spurted ahead uncontrollably, while he clung dizzily on. "Stop It!" screamed Julie. He reversed and the thing shot the other way dangerously near upsetting. Julia waa -shrieking wildly and people were springing up from everywhere-' With a great effort he tried to get hold of and pull th right lever. The motor ear sprang for ward and disappeared In a cloud of dust. "Thank heaven I'm not In that!" breatehed the waiter, piously, a he hastened back to hi table. Down the Riverside Hashed the mo tor car, and Julie asked nervously could he not go a bit slower. But Augusts smiled wonderfully. "Slower! Never! Faster If you like!" Through the Park, out on Fifth ave nue, and then August had an Inspira tion. He would go by ths Waldorf, gome one would be surs to see him In his glory. Hs told Julie, and perforce she assented. H passed the street where he should turn In for the stsble snd raced on down to avenue, escaping by a miracle the other vehicles. What happiness' What rapture! At Forty seventh street a cabman whom he nar rowly missed hurled violent language after him; st Thirty-ninth street a pe destrian shook an angry flat. But hs never heeded. And then came Thirty fourth street and the Waldorf-Astoria. He crossed the street safely, Just graz ing a trolley car and dashed by the windows of the big dining-room. The temptation to look was too great. Tes, there stood Alphons. snd Gustave was nearby. That hateful Ouatave, who was always so supercilious. Auguste' brain reeled with excitement The splendor of It! There was a sudden shrill scream from Julie, a sickening crash, a horrible Jar. Ths next moment both lay on the sidewalk, while an eli cited cabman danced up and down with rag: a cabman who seemed gifted with a truly Homeric flow of invective. Au gust and Julie looked stupidly at each other, then August struggled to hi feet and felt carefully of himself No bone were broken. But th motor car Th front was all smashed In, the wheel bent; there I lay, hopeless but Still beautiful. The agonised tear prang to his eye as he regarded the beloved wreck. The cab waa not sc badly hurt. A cry from Julie recalled him to her Julie! Was she much hurt? He sprang to where shs sat still on the sidewalk. rivalling ths cabman with her language "Animal, monster, assassin!" Auguste asked anxiously If she were hurt. Julie's eyes flashed "Ma's out. Why not? My svery bone is broken!" ths bystanders laughed. "I hope that you have an accident policy," remarked one heartlessly. Julie looksd up quickly. Have you?" ah demanded. August shook his head be wildered "Imbecile! Help m up." Th crowd which o rapidly collects In New York surrounded them, the hotel windows were full of grinning faces. August clinched his hand in despair. 'Tell me you're not really hurt, Julie." he begged. Julls. painfully rising to her feet, turned on him flroly: "No thsnks to you If I'm not!" Th poor girl was sore and bruised; shs had been badly frightened moat of th day, and, worst of all, she had seen their precious money squandered Her etore of accumulated wrath broke forth. "Am I hurt) A fine question to ask when you hay almost killed me! And you think I Will stay fiance to such a a for moment word railed her "a man who throws out hi money so foolish; who care ao little for me It 1 wall that my eyes are opened In time, monsieur. I have the honor to wish monsieur good day." August listened plteously. stunned by this new calamity. When she ceased he sprang forward. "Julie," he began, beseechingly, "ah. Jul!!" "Oood day. monaleur." returned th Inflexible Julie She turned her back and flounced Indignantly away, leaving Augusts staring blankly after her. Just as Delafleld, who had been in the cafe, hurried out. Delafleld looked at the crowd, at the excited cabman, at the retreating figure of the girl, at the Hear ing policeman, and at the wreck In the street. Then, in spite of himself he laughed. "Shifty Sadie has done It this time." But the sight of the polls n tapping Augusts on the shoulder brought to Delafleld a sudden sobering sense of responsibility. "Poor devil. It's really my fault." Ha spoke to the policeman, then turned to th cab driver. T will be responsible for th damage. Her Is my card." The cabman looked ugly, but decided to drop the complaint, and the police man, with a wink et Delafleld. turned away. That young; man carried August to the cafe and gave him a bracer. Then he put the dejected object In a chair. "Now tell me all about It" The recital wa decidedly Incoherent and took some time, but Delafleld man aged to listen without a smile. When It wss all over he looked gravely at Auguste. "What are you going to do with the car?" he asked. Auguste shook his head. "I do not know." "Hut you can't leave th machine there on the street!" A despairing ahrug of August' shoulder was the only answer. Dela fleld thought a moment. "Have you no Idea, at all?" he asked finally. "Ah, monsieur. I am a poor man. My savings are almost exhausted already. I can hardly pay Its board much longer. and as Tor repairs" he waved an ex By MutsuhltO, Emperor ef Japan. E My heart's st peace with all. and fain would I Live, a I love. In life-long amity; And yet the storm-cloud lower, the rising wind Stirs up th waves; the elemental strife Rages around. I do not understand Why this should be. IL 'Tie surely not our fault We've sought to be sincere in deed and ina to press sse, but all1n sees the hearts We have exhausted every A clear and truthful ci aln. Now may th Ood that of man Approve of what w de! . III. They're at th front Our brave young men; and now the mid dle-aged Ar .shouldering their arms; and In th fields The old men gather in the abundant rice. Low-stooping o'er th sheaves, all ages vie In oheeTful eelf-devotlon to the lend. Kyoto, Japan. . (The above translation of poems hy his majesty, th originals of which ap peared in th Kokumln Shlmhun for November 7, 104, seem to have been preserve hand. "U it had not been for monaleur' kindness shout the csb." His ton Was quit hopeless. "And Julie! She. too, has left mr The company might glv you some thing for the machine." euggested Del field, slowly. "But they would not be likely to give much " Auguste gloom, if possible, grew even deeper. "But." went on Delflld, T am ure that Mr. Hastings' offr till hold good." "But th mschlne 1 broken!" cried Auguste fearfully. "Not badly, I looked to see. The 1160 that Mr. Hastings offered would cover that, I'm surs. And you would get a thousand, or even, perhaps a bit mors." Tears of Incredulous Joy shone In Augusts' eyes "Oh, Monsieur Delafleld. your are too good, your ar a stint, a" h began brokenly. Delafleld checked him im patiently. 'Here, shut up. It' nothing; do atop." "But monsieur does not understsnd." persisted Augusts. "With all that money I could buy thg Itttl shop. And then Julie might forgive me. Tou think so. yes?" entreatlngdy. Delafleld smiled "I think it very likely." h ssld. cordially. He drew out a notebook and mad a short memorandum, then turned to Augusts. "I will see that you get your shop," he promised. "And I think I can safely aay that Julia will not only be willing but anxloua to forgive you. Such at leaat Is my belief." Julie was, and hsr dearest anticipa tions ar realised In the little shop where she ao proudly orders Auguste about as the customers Jostle each other to buy her delicious bread and cakes. And Auguste. cherishing fondly ths memory of that one glorious. Ineffable, forever unforgetable day of paradise, obeys meekly. And that I why you no longer see him at th Waldorf. composed gt different periods No. 1 evi dently was written before the war. when th emperor saw himself surrounded by ominous signs of a coming conflict. No. I date 'from the actual commencement of the war, when all peaceable mean bad been exhausted and th declaration of war had become Inevitable. No. I I what w see In Japan today. Only thla afternoon I passed a gang of women taking their husbands' and brothers' places In ths building of a bridge. His majesty has every reason to be proud of th ready self-sacrMc Ing spirit of hi people Arthur Lloyd In tb Independ ent of December From London Tit-Bit A worthy Olawgow doctor, while en joying a holiday In Arras, took the op portunity along with a friend to go whiting fishing. During operation the doctor' sinker came on and waa lost Here was a dilemma no sinker, no more flatting that day. Hat happy thought hi flask, no sooner said than done. Th bottle wsj filled with salt water, carefully cork id and sent down on Its mission. Aftsr a few minutes' Interval. "Ha!" quoth th doctor, "a bit," and up h polls at racing speed fine pair of whit ing, one on each nook. "Ha! doctor, twin this time." ex claimed hi companion "Tes." quoth the doctor, "and brought up on th bottle, too." 'Jit, 4 ':" .-TV' -