The Jewish Herald (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 3, No. 15, Ed. 1, Thursday, December 29, 1910 Page: 1 of 8
eight pages: b&w; illus; page 10 x 13 in. Digitized from 35 mm microfilmView a full description of this newspaper.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Tiiird Year
A HOUSE OF CARDS
By Mrs B Lurle
I stopped him long enough to inquire Vlmt
wiib your object in doing this How would
tills help mutters
1 had a wild idea Unit I might bo ablo to
scrape up enough to take up sumo of tiio
cheeks myself especially the last one
I opened my eyes wido in surprise How
wudld you huvo donu that witnoul getting
yburselt into further tioublu
Ho unswered dejectedly enough Why I
hit dn the plun of going out iiinong the small
farmers mybulf and buying up whatever 1 could
llrst hand without waiting lor Ilium to bring
the stuff in to the general store Monday aft-
ernoon I hired u big wagon and stuteu Out
I told no one of my plan but Tucker Bros
niust have caught on and got jealous So they
roiiorjtpd roc Their boy hud told them all
about it 1 > took plenty of money along and
camo bark with my wagon overflowing Tho
fitrhiqrs wero ghul enough to sell for less for
cash At the stores they had to tuko it out
ill trade I did not tell them whom I wub
ldpresenting and few inquired I was afraid
it might disgiaoo the linn I havent slept
since lastjSundny as Id travel around to reach
tliq different towns at night and rido around
all day stopping only long enough to get the
stuff itr Bhape and mako shipment What I
wanted for tho cars for Chicago Id fiolght to
Neosho Tliq rest Id ship direct to ICudbus
put on my account ut market quotations wiiich
was only fait as Ivo paid above quotations
to tho stores in inuny instances I have cleared
over two hundred ami fifty dollars for myself
this week but Im still u long ways oft from
tho 880 and I couldnt keep up such hurd
work very long I feel I have the houses
six hundred dollars against mo yot
His head dropped on his hands as ho fin-
ished I hardly know what to say It hail all
colno about so naturally and his ivjixioty to
mako restitution at any cost wus so great that
I could not help nduiiring him
Werent you afraid this would reach your
mothers cars Simon
Ho jumped up as if shot My God Mr
Clemens dont lot her hear of It It will
surely kill her I will work day and night
< P l y Jou back Ill try to keep up my
strongth till that is done Then Ill get out
of hero Youll novor seo mo nround hero again
Ill only toll her I lost my job and must find
other work I can thon go out maybe and
buy ml some stuff for myself jiiBt as Ivo
boon doing for you But I promise not to
travel in your territory or intorfero with your
shippers Only please dont tell my mother
Just give me a show
I savv ho was dcodly in earnest and now felt
sorry thlit I had acted in haste I could hear
his sister softly sobbing in her hiding place
Ho lloiud the bound also and looked around in
surprise tryjlig to locate it I am sorry to
tell you that your mother mid sister nlioady
know Your sister Is hero Mrs Winthrop
would you kindly coino forward I called
slightly raising my voice Sho camo forward
Simon lbpked as if about to faint After a
most affecting scano which will always leave
u painful Impression I told him that ho might
go bnck Monday morning und attend to busi-
ness on tho old basis Also that iT would
writo to Tuckor Bros and others wlioso jeal-
ousy ho had aroused and allay all feelings of
inimosity towards him und us I stilotly for
hade his wagon excursions into tho country as
Incompatible with tho dignity of tho firms
standing It was after six beforo thoy loft mo
to ponder on what I had hoard and seen Dur-
ing their conversation I gathered that tho daugh-
ters murriago to a Christian had been tho
real cnuso of their fathers untimely doath This
seemed almost incredible to me I had prom-
ised to let her know my decision Monday
morning Her brother would bo in Neosho by
that time
CHAPTER VII
Monday is always n very busy day down
here Sometimes tho force hurdly gets timo
to sunt oh iw lunch I know the noon hour
would find tho Jiouso still crowded lrivocy
even in my office was out of tho question Tho
men wore constantly passing in and out And
I wanted tho whole hour with ltor ull to my-
self On this I had determined I lilt on a
plan I telephoned to her that I would bo
too InisV to sponk to hor at tho appointed time
but would lot her know later when to come
I hoard tho anxiety and disappointment In hor
voice but sho seemed afraid to inquire too
HOUSTON TEXAS DECEMBER 29 1910
closely Sho only answer that she awaited
my summons
1 did not got through till nearly 2 oclock
I went to tho hotel ouiered a light lunch and
then cariicd out my little plan for beeiug her
alone It was not long till I had jumped oft tho
street car near her homo A few steps more
and I stood before tho door of a tidy cottage
ringing tiio door bell I had to wait but a few
moments when tho door was opened and sho
stood before mo tho personification of beauti-
ful motherhood Sho held ono baby in her
arms while tho other two clung to her skirts
Sho never iculized what a pretty picturo they
made I bowod and smilingly passed into tho
hall
Sho seemed completely overcome I sup-
pose sho imagined my errand boded them no
good Sho plainly showed tho consternation
sho felt At a motion from her I walked into
tho small parlor lit mdor to put her at cube
1 exclaimed admiringly So this is tho little
family 1 No wonder mother is glad to get hack
to her uehtlings And what is your name
young man addressing myself to her oldest
child n little boy of live My name is D R
Winthrop was tho leady leply Well an-
swered my boy and how old are you 1 am
five years old sir Ho was a lino littlo fol-
low with his mothers eyes and bright golden
hair quite an unusual combination I put my
hand in my pocket and took out a silver dol-
lar saying to him I wonder if littlo sister
wouldnt liko this bright wheel to play with
Ho looked at his mother inquiringly Slid
ilfly ButnhesTulf I bouBh ip so theap I uwvuradlus ihuicahastlly No noraJtoU < 5yt
tho for little sister
you nuiKnt tnko money
She doesnt noed it and may lose it beforo
mum u is through talking Go and find her some
piuttios
I was startled to hear her call the boy by
my name It fell most agreeably on my ear
Let tho baby play witli it Mrs Winthrop
It wont matter much if sho loses it
No no You really mustnt Mr Win
throp would be very angry if his babies ac-
cepted money from n stranger
From a stranger Mrs Winthrop I said
in a hurt tone I really felt as if 1 had done
enough for tho family not to be classed as an
entire stranger And then I was not offering
tho money as a bribe but simply to amuse tho
littlo ono so that wo could talk undisturbed
But sho amended hor statement only n
stianger to Robert and my husband of course
To this I had nothing to say
Tho littlo boy brought out somo toys and
tho two woio soon ongrosscd in play Tho
baby was on hor lap
Sho looked up anxiously into my faco May
I know what you havo decided sho asked
gently hut anxiously
I can hardly soy that I havo arrived at a
full decision yet Unfortunately tho check for
500 turned up this morning Tho man who
held it did not keep his promise to Simon Tho
bookkeeper brought it to mo for investigation
ns tho Neosho report for last week did not no
count for it I told him not to trouble him
helf about it any further as I would givo it
my perbonol attention I cautioned him to say
nothing to Mr Dibbiow
Sho thanked mo heartily although sho tin
dot stood this new development was not very
favorablo for hor brothers cause no matter
how anxious I might bo to shield him
You seo it is most important that wo
kc p this from reaching Mr Disbrow Ho is
very kindhearted but heis also a strictbusi
ness man I am afraid ho may prove n littlo
hind to manage if ho takes tho notion to bo
disagreeable about it I suidj trying to put it
as mildly as I know how
Ho will most likely demand tho ontiro
amount replaced at onco And Simon will un-
doubtedly lose his position I felt I was tell-
ing tho truth for with Mr Disbrow business
wns over business Ho novor allowed sonti
mont to influence any transaction This had
always bpon my attitude till I fell under tho
influence of Mrs Winthrop In my thoughts
I called hor by tho name I hoard her brother
tiso Saturday Henceforth sho woh Bess my
Quoen Bess and Mrs Winthrop no longer
My roforenco to Mr Disbrows possiblo
treatment of tho caso raised a stoim for which
I was all unprepared I sow her arms tighten
about the tiny form in hor arms Sho buriod
hor faco in tho babys protty curls and began
to sob Tho othor two looked up startled
Littlo Hobert jumped up and stamped his littlo
foot Tho manly littlo fellow looked angijly at
nip nnd exclaimed You stop making my pretty
mama cry Through hor sobs which ho tried
to control for her babies soke I heard her
moan Oh if he only knew If ho only knew
Kiglit hundred and thirty dollars I Wo couldnt
possibly ralso that sum at once oven if I
dared let my husband know of Simons trouble
which 1 dont daro do Mama used up every
cent to meet last months note
I rose and with a stride covered tho dis-
tance between us I was gonuinely distressed
And thon it seemed so hard that slo should
havo so much to contend with t bent over
her and pleaded softly Please please dont
cry I begged I would other lose teir
times tho paltry sum than havo a tear dim
your eyes Ill rather replace tho whole amount
myself than bCo you grieved any longer In-
deed believe me 1 would I went on trying to
gain possession of her hand
Oh I am so thankful to you sho an-
swered her voice still husky with emotion
And I feel you aro doing nil in your power to
help us But Mr Disbrow may not prove so
lenient And now it will soon bo impossible
to keep him from knowing much longer I
had thought what a great kindness it would
bo to us if you would both consent to let us
loplaco tho money in installments till it was all
paid back We would not object to your charg-
ing intorost That would only bo reasonable
That would do very well as fur us I am
concerned but I know Mr Disbrow well
tho arrangement I am also anxious to retain
Simon in our employ Ho has had his lesson
and I think it is well learned Hell profit by it
as long as ho lives But Mr Disbrow will con-
sider that ho has lpwered tho firms standing
in tho country bolides misappropriating its
fdnds With him it will mean instant dis-
missal and I am almost afraid to say it prob-
able prosecution If possible it will bo best to
ropUc u the entire sum at once and settle Ik
afterwards outside the office
Sho looked up at mo in despair as sho ro
poated in a frightened whisper The entire
sum at onco I At > if overcome by tho very
thought her head fell forward onco more Tho
nape of her neck showed bowildoringly white
against hor dark blue house dress A great
longing to kiss her almost overpowered me As
I bent over her I shook from head to foot My
mouth almost touched her ear as 1 whispered
with yewiing tenderness Mrs Winthrop Bess
let mo straighten this tangle out for you
Sho looked up at mo in surprise Thon sho
stood up in her agitation Tho baby was
clasped tightly in her arms Ah me what a
fair pictmo sho made and how my heart loft
my keeping as I gazed on her and her babies
My lovo seemed to oncloso the four of them in
an allporvading embruce I felt that by right
of my love for hor they wero as much mlno as
if sho were my wife and I tho father of her
childron As 1 writo Harold I wonder if your
lovo gives you tho understanding to comprehend
how I regarded and still regard tho woman
whoso fato became so unexpectedly linked with
mine I assure you I havo not been tho same
man since meeting hor
But she moved a stop away from mo and
asked in n strained voico How will you
straighten it out for mo
Onco moro I approached her and whispered
softly I will replaco tho money ut once
And what will my mother Mr Disbrow
nnd my husband if they find opt and Simon
himself think if you do this for roe you say
laying special stress on tho pronoun me
I felt sho had mo at a disadvantage but I
continued You need apprehend nothing ugly
arising from this I will replace the bum wipa
out at onco Simons connection with it alto-
gether then to shield you I can make out
notes just as you suggested yourself in such
sums as not to tux your mother to meet them
I will raise Simons salary so that tho increase
will help meet tho payments and really bo in
the end as if thoy had paid nothing at all I
assume Simons debt
And youre prepared to do this for us
simply for
Sho hebitatod and I supplied tho word with
infinite tenderness Yes simply for your sake
Sho looked mo full in tho faco without
oven blushing as I thought sho would Sho
shook hor head and said drearily putting up
her hand as if to ward off a blow I am too
bowildeted to think now I foel I cannot talk
coherently Plouso glvo mo till tomorrow May
bo I con think out another way out of this
Hor voice was pathetic in the extreme and
sho looked qulto exhausted
You know wo must act boforo it is too lato
And there is your mother to consider I urged
gently
She nodded Yes I know that My poor
mother must not suffer any moro if I can pre-
vent it Tho prico I pay wont much matter
No sho mustnt suffer as if repeating i
thought that preyed on hor mind
I folt it would bo unwlso to press tho mot
tor further so roso to go As I was leaving
her little boy askod abruptly Whut is your
iiamo I smiled down athim and answered
No 15
Bitlto Robert my name too is Robert Isnt fc
that nice
No ho replied stridly I dont mako
mama cry
I made no answer only whispered to her to
caution tho littlo fellow against speaking of
my visit beforo his father Prom her look I
knew sho would take euro that ho Bhould not
This gave me fresh hope But I saw her
thoughts wero not of me Almost without
realizing what she did she opened tho door
and with her babies about her waited for mo
to pass out I took no offense bowed rever-
ently and left the house
CHAPTER VIII
The next day u littlo before noon I was
heied with a desire to finish up the business in
her own home I wanted to seo her in the sur
loitudings of the pievlous day The domestic
aspects of her humble life drew me iiresisttbly
to her 1 felt 1 would miss tho baby from her
arms the little ones from iier side 1 hey had
ull become dear to me as a part of herself
So I phoned when ulone in my office I
know I btartled her from the tone in which
she returned my greeting Then 1 asked her
trying to control the tenderness which stole
into my voice May 1 como over this after-
noon and bavo you tho trouble of a trip down-
town The question seemed to throw her into a
perfect pinic of fear No no Mr Clemens
sho exclaimed pleaso dont come Really
really you mubt not I will be at the office in
a littlo while I am getting ready to como
right now
I hearfrom jour tones that you arc just
trembling with fear 1 dont understand of
what you uio afraid Surely you feel that J
mean no haim to jou or yours
Oh Mr Clemens I know that but it is
best for me to come to the office
But suppose 1 insist on coming out will
you give mo your leasons for forbidding my
doing bo i
Dont you understand Mr Clemens and
I felt she was trying to keep her voice from
fullering that this is a very closely settled
neighborhood and your visits may create un-
favorable comment Yours is no ordinary per-
sonality and you will surely attract attention
to the house i know you would not willingly
lay me open to gossip So please do not como
out I havo just thought maybo mama could
conic over and finish thu turuugementb you in-
tend to mako Her voice brightened consider-
ably as sho made tho suggestion But this
would not have suited mo at ull So I answered
decisively No indeed I will consent to no
proxy If I may not visit you then I will await
you hero at noon You must not disappoint me
No bir I will not bhe replied in a tone
of resignation Is that all Mr Clemens
I still have a few minutes There is no
ono hero In tho office Are you too busy to
talk to mo a littlo longer If you only knew
how much oven tho sound of your voico means
to me you would hesitate u littlo before cutting
mo so short
O Mr Clemens please dont say that You
know it is all dreadfully wrong und you cant
imagine how you frighten mo
Poor littlo woman my words came to her
as a tender bieath Dont conjure up any un-
necessary fears Ill not worry you any longer
Bo Mire and como at twelve
I will Goodbye
Goodbye my darling Tho parting words
weie hurdly moro than a whispor but I knew
sho heurd and understood
Sho told me afterward when wo wero better
acquainted that after my visit sho was so
taken aback and bewildered that sho neglected
all hor wonted tasks To her husband sho ex-
cused her nervous excitement and abstraction
by telling him that ho mother was not feeling
well and had sent for her He let this pass
without comment But the now turn aflairs
had taken loft her ull at sen as to how to meet
my advances
Had sho been of a naturo less frunk jjnd
pure I know she would havo been exceedingly
lluttored by the attentions I desired to sliowjiffis
But knowing only undivided uttuch7nratKt tiqj2
family tics she felt as a bird ciis nart d 5ivl
said 1 seemed to have set topla hdl
a trup
sho snw no way out But sho cou fosisedwUUK
n blush of confusion that was vory dear to mo
that try as sho might to put me out of her
thoughts all through that night I seemed to
stand beforo her and plead that for the suko of
my love for her sho should let mo assume all
responsibility of extricating her hrothor from
his difficulty Sho was relieved to sea day
dawn ouoo more so that hor household tasks
would help to obliterate tho thought of mo for
n time But my telephone message upset what
littlo composure hIio hud mustered up in prepar-
ation of her visit to my office
st
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Matching Search Results
View three places within this issue that match your search.Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Goldberg & Ruppin. The Jewish Herald (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 3, No. 15, Ed. 1, Thursday, December 29, 1910, newspaper, December 29, 1910; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth69031/m1/1/?q=Lamar+University: accessed June 9, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .