davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-12-08
CHAPTER MI.
HAD SIZE ANY FOLLOWERS:

There might have been q curse oyerhang-
ing the house, so dismal wasi its aspect. On
" a faint light glimmered here and there.
The servants crept close together round the
kitchen fire, and the housekeeper, Mrs. Gee,
making the shallowest excuses for desert
ing the solitude Of her " apartment, came
and kept them company.
Her ladyship had recovered from her
sw0On. had ordered the carriage, had been
to town TO the Government oflice-into the
room where her murdered husband lay, and
had returned, and was locked in her bed
chamber, having given strict instructions
that She was not to be disturbed.
The servants, by this time, all knew Of
the second tragedy. Mrs. Gee, with an ashy
face, wondered what the world was coming
TO. The servants shuddered, but could af-
ford no precise information On the point. 1t
might have been obsery Il that everybody
carefully avoided the bGca.- ard. In an
unused harness-room there, ri9n an extern
porised couch, lay the body Of Hester Par
fridge, the sheet covering it showing white
and ghastly in the faint moonlight filtered
between the bars of q tiny window lighting
the place.
The two c~oroner's iuquests wcreEc!d with
but little delay. Round one--the inquiry
into the cause Of the death Of Sir Richard
Fordyce-the interest Of all London centred.
Scarcely ever had the newspapers lighted
on a more fruitful theme-a more fascinat'
ing scandal by the aid Of which to sell
special ditions.
The political world, the official world, the
fashionable world, the musical and theat-
real world, were athirst for particulars,
| whilst the religious word, d .cply Mortified,
bought the latest news quickly, and groan-
ed.
There was no mystery about the crime or
the motive for it. The assassin confess cd
fully. The ddnsc,;Sc, who was to some eX-
tent the cause of the calamity, had asplen-
did engagement upon the Continent offered
her. which She was u Iulal rs soon as legal
formalitics would permit her 20 leave Lon
don.
No one ii e Sir Richard, of co"rN? Yes,
one; one who w,p; 2; ~ for his io-y.
It's n strange world" said Mr.. Green
graves, hjW,eif q witness at the inquest,
after watching Lsdy Fori yc', c.,oain- Ter
sobs. leave the curt leaning Oh tAo aym Of
her legal adviser.
The other inquest-that on the obscure
s%ervant-girl at Fulham-passed with hardly
the occurrence of an incident worthy Of re-
cord. Mrs. Gee, poor Old lady! In conse'
| quence OF the agitation OF her feelings, gave
her evidence in such q confused manner
Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-12-08

| that the coroner twice cautioned her. Mr..
Charles had his say, and was also affected.
Nobody could hazard any suggestion as to
the cause of suicide.
Had she any followers" asked the coron.
or.
NO, sir--none. A most quiet and respect
able young woman"
mo relations"
mo one but her aunt"
where's her aunt? Is she here?"
mo, sir"
"Why is that?"
Here the policeman stepped forward to
explain that every inquiry had been made
with respect to the aunt, and that nothing
could be learnt of her whereabouts. The
deceased's box had been searched, but not y
single scrap of paper had been found in it.
After some discussion as to whether the
aunts presence was necessary or not, 1t was
decided in the negative. A verdict was then
returned to the effect that the deceased COM
mitted suicide whilst in a state Of temporary
insanity; the coroner departed in a cab, and
the majority Of the jury had glasses round
before taking their departure.
Now them" said one of the policemen toa
tawdrily-dressed, slovenly, middle-aged wo-
man, who had evidently been drinking;
''now then, what are you piping your eye
about? You take my advice, and get home.
What's it got TO do with your
whats it got to do with me?" cried the
other, turning ON him savagely. Then as
suddenly chan ging her tone, she added
meekly: Nothing, sir" and, turning her
head, crept slowly away.
Thus ended the last act Of the miserable
drama of Hester Partridge's life.
Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-12-08
CHAPTER ri.
"Uow DID YOU MAIN YOUR HAND"

"How III YOU MAIM OIL HAND"
Mr.. Greengraves took his way to Fulham
slowly and thoughtfally. 1t seemed TO him
that he might have played his cards rather
better. Indeed he might have done at first
what he was going t. do now. Would it
now be too late?
The detective had volunteered to convey
to Lady Fordyce the intelligence of her
husbands terrible death, an unwelcOme
duty which the messengers Of the Govern
lnent Office and the policemen at the station
where G~recngraves had made his dep0sitlon
were only too glad he should undertake.
He found Lady Fordycc in her drawing
room, sitting rs she had sat the night before,
with the same air Of qucenly repOse, but
now wrapt round with soft velyctS and rich
turS, for the day was chilly.
What j. your business with mc"' she
asked co.dly, and without alte.ing her attl-
tudo.
Equal to the occasion, Mr.. G~recrgraves
drew from his pocket a crump,ed sheet Of
paper and handed it to the lady.
II am. as my card has already Informed
your ladyship, a detective officer. This let
ter, bearing on the death OF Hester Par
fridge, has come into my hands UnacrSome-
'''HN ~ ~ WIN
be my duty t. hand itover iotlie authorities
i ought properly to have Gone SO at once,
but upon reflection / decided that / would
bring it first to YOU"
How does it concern me? To whom isit
addressed? Oh, Hester Partridge! 1t is she
WHO wrote it them"
And with q faint shuddcr Lady Fordycc
commenced the perusal Of the words that
Iatsn a1rnnI,- hnny ,.yfftn, EpaA1lr thn
detective watched the changes III her face,
and saw the color come and 20. As she
reached the last PAGE she gave a violent
start, and rose trembling from the sofa OH
which she had rec!ined.
us it necessary tia; this should be made
publ c?' She asked in a low voice.
1t ought said Mr.. ~Grerngrayes, with
the tone Of a man to whom sucl a though:
Is thai OF Suppressing it il II were made
worth his while, had never before occurred;
lit would certainly facilitate the inquiry liz
10 the tstnsc of death. should any body sug-
gc,t anything else t,ian sG!c!dc."
Anything else But surely there IS no
doubt' You you;s L.
Il myself know Il; was suicide, even with
ont the aid Of that letter"
IF there is no need OF It's being known"
ut IS, of course, a dangerous thing for me
u do" said Greengraves, land | am a poor
man with only my character TO look 20, and
ii / lost my employment in c0nSequence?.'
IF the contents OF tAis letter can be kept
secret, ami that by SO doing no one will sus-
tain any injury, | VIII gladly give you a
hundred pounds"
1T is worth more, pat:ing the lost dia-
mOnd ont Of tie question:
Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-12-08

OTTAWA. Ont, Dec. 1.-Remi Poulin,
engineer and surveyor, of this city, has
returned from Brazil whittier he was sent
with other surveyors by a syndicate
which contemplates carrying out a vast
railroad project promoted by the present
emperor. Mr.. Poulin and party made
extensive surveys of the vast country
which it is intended the railway will
penetrate. The emperor, owing to the
difficulties Of railway construction, offers
valuable concessions to any syndicate
willing to carry out the project. Plans
will be sent to Brazil for the approval OF
the Brazilian government. The syndi-
cate includes Mayor Abbott of Montreal
and American capitalists.
Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-12-08

New YORK, Dee. THE steamer nrinZ
Frederik Heinrich, which arrived here
from Port au Prince today, had as pas
sengers twenty-onc Of the officers and
crew of the American steamer Haytien
Republic, which was recently seized by
the Haytiens. These men complain bit
terly Of the harsh treatment they re-
ceived from the guard Of seventy black
soldiers, who were put on board the
Haytien Republic after her capture by
the Haytien gunboat Dessalincs. The
blacks, the American soldiers say, behaved
like Il lot Of savages, and many
of the steamers crew claim to
bear makrs Of bayOnets on their persons
for not having obeyed some slight order
quickly enough. Even the wife Of Capt.
board the I"laytien Republic, were not
free from the insults of the Hayticn sol
diers, and were subjected to many indig-
mites during the seven days they were
compelled TO remain on the vessel. Com
plant is also made that the officers of the
United States cruiser Boston, which
arrived in the iiarbor during the captivity
of the Haytien Republic, treated their
appeals for assistance with indifference,
and even refused to aid them in making
comfortable one of their number who
was suffering from a slight attack Of yell
lew fever. Capt. Compton did not come
with his crew. He Is sticking to the ship,
which is a Haytien prize. His crew says
he goes armed and sleeps on deck all
night. Stories differ as TO whether he
still manages to keep the American flag
flying at the peak. The crew say he
does, and that every time one of the
Haytien guard tries to pull down the flag
the captain pulls III his pistol, but
the captain Of the Prinz Frederik
Heinrich says he looked for the
flag in VAIN the day he sailed.
Gen. Guillaume Manegat who was
also a p passenger on the Prinz Frederik
Heinrich, stoutly insists that the flag was
flying on the 10Th. Capt. Rodernakel,
OF The Prinz Frederik, says the repre-
scntatives of the French and English
governments at Port au Prince were to
leave on the Goth inst. for the north OF
the island to hold "a conference with the
insurgents. They went with the consent
of Gen. Legitime to arrange for peace If
possible. Capt. Rodernakcl Inn that
by this time the two armies have met and
fought a battle. Two thousand govern
ment troops left Port au Prince to march
on st. Mary just before he sailed.
Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-12-08

LONDON, Nov. 30.-At the sitting of
the Parnell commission today SIR Charles
Russell, counsel for the Pernellites, asked
an opinion Of the bench regarding the
placard converting a meeting to hear ad-
dresses by witnesses Mitchell and Norah
Fitzmorris. two Times witnesses. Justice
Hammer said the placaId was unjustid-
able. and he would serve notice upon the
publisher of it. A land agent Of the name
of Hussey was called and he deposed
that the Irish tenants paid their rents
secretly or did not pay az all, owing 10
their being shot by intimidators.
Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-12-08
Beware Of Ointments for Catarrh
that Contain Mercury.

As Mercury will surely destroy the sense of
smell aud completely derange the whole sys-
tenn when catering II through the mucus sur
except on prescriptions from reputable physi-
clans, as the damage they will DO are ten fold
to the good you can possibly derive from
them. Halls C'tarrh Cure, manu'scturel
~ + j. Cheney x Co., Toledo, O., contains
no mercury, and is taken internally, and acts
directly upon the blood aud mucus IN faces
Cure he sure YOU get the genuine. it IS taken
Internally and made In Toledo, q by L. j.
Cherey & Co.
sB Sold by druggists, price 75c per bottle.
Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-12-08
OPPOSED TO A NEW ORDER
Democratic Veterans OF Philadel-
phia on Gen. Palmer's Resigna.

ton.
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 1.--Thcrc does
not seem to be many supporters in this
city OF the proposed withdrawal of Dem
Ocratic members from the Grand Army.
Col. Robert u. Dechert, the Democratic
city comptroller, and "A member Of George
G. Meade post, said today of Gen.
Palmer's resignation: Il Go not think
the withdrawal of one man from a great
body like the Grand Army can cause any
dissention in the ranks. No doubt Gen.
Palmer, grieved over his defeat for gov.
ernor, resigned thinking that the
soldiers were the means of e~lecting the
Republican candidate. Politics never
enter into Grand Army matters, and !
think the general has no reason to believe
the soldiers were treaCherous to him"
DR.. Kingston Goddard of Post No. 2, is
another Democrat who is opposed 10 the
formation OF Il separate organization. He
says it would be folly. AT a recentmeet-
ing Of the Hancock Veterans association,
the body that attracted so much atten-
ton in the New York parade which Presi.
dent Cleveland reviewed, Col. Charles E.
Upton, its commander, said of a rumor
that his organization was TO start the new
movement: 1T is false in every particu-
lar, and | want you officers to say to
your companies that every rumor that
they hear about such an undertaking
must be treated with the contempt it de-
serves. If Gen. Palmer has a grievance
with the Grand Army Of the Republic
the affair is not ours. We have just
buried u hero, have gotten back from
Salt river and are feeling in pretty good
shape. Nearly every oneof our associa-
ton belongs to the Grand a my, and we
wish it every success. No, one of our
members has q right to drab the name of
the hancock Veterans association into
any such schemp'
Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-12-08
A OF TRADE.

Business the past week has been good In
some lines and others rather dull. The de-
preston incident to the presidential election
has about disappeared and trade In all lines
Is easier.
The anthracite coal trade continues brisk
In spite OF the mild weather.
Wheat, corn and other grains renal about
steady with last week.
In hogs and hog products a decline OF
II zoe is noted. At most packing centers
the supply has exceeded the demand. The
daily receipts at Chicago have been large and
prices there as well as at other points have
registered a decline.
Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-12-08

ST. LOUIS, Dec. 1.-The special car
bearing the remains OF Mrs. Gen. Sher-
man and funeral party arrived here at s
o'clock this morning. The party was
met at the depot by several Of the St.
Louis friends of the family. The re.
maines were conveyed to st. Francis
Xavier's church, and after low mass and
a simple funeral service, the remains
were taken to Calvary cemetery and de-
posted in the family vault.
Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-12-08
A ~SCandnliu Court.

LONDON, Nov. 2S.-Horace Walpole,
heir TO the earldom Of Oxford, will short
ly figure as the defendant in Il salacious
scandal. A German goyerness has sued
him for breach Of promise to marry, also
for libel damages being placed at $50, 600
The governess alleges that Walpole met
her in Bulgaria and after Offering to
marry her betrayed her. He then dis
carded her and repudiates the paternity
Of her child.
Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-12-08
The Calumet and Hecla Still Burn
ing.

CALUMET, Mich, Dec. 1.-The fire in
Hecla mine is still burning fiercely and is
apparently beyond control and will con
sumo the timbering in a large part of the
mine. No hopes are entertained of the
rescue of the eight miners who were cut
off from escape at midnight Thursday
night. The mine officials are preparing
to fight the fire with carbonic acid gas,
in the same manner rs last year. An i'm
mense volume Of smoke is issuing from
the shaft and c~revices though all are
covered.
Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-12-08

Nothing"
"Nor that Sir Richard possessed such an
artlcle-had recently purchased it?'
Again she appeared to be deeply moved.
"ltccently purchased it," she repeated.
Yes; he gave u hundred and fifty pounds
for it,
Her lips moved as though she were re-
peating the words after him, but she uttered
no sound. and her eyes, that had been fixed
upon his steadily, slowly dropped. lie
stood for a while silently waiting for her to
speak. Then, finding that she was, as it
were, lost in thought, he resolved TO bring
the interview to a close, with as little loss
of time as might be.
might / trouble you for that letter, my
lady?"
won't you take the money!? she asked,
and as she spoke, opening a desk, produced
ten t|en-pound notes.
Without 4 word he stretched out his hand,
and the next moment had slowed the cash
away in a pocket in the lining of his waist
coat.
Now go"' she said.
But he hesitatcd.
MY lady" said he, 81 have one other
duty TO perform, and it is, | regret TO say, a
painful one"
he spoke. however, he secretly felsthat
the news he had to impart would, after all,
be received with tOlerable compOSurc.
He had argued to himself, "She didn't
love him. How could she? 1t will, il any
thing, be rather a happy release"
For mere forms sake, though, he used
the words set down, adding:
Pray compose yourself. l came just now
from Sir Richards office"
"You-you said he did not instruct you to
come here
"Nor did he. He has met with an acct
dcnt-a serious accident"
She spoke not-made no movement. In
the gathering twilight he could not see her
tightly clenched hands, or note the work
ings of her face.
The detective continued:
Pray compose yourself, my lady. Sir
Richard was shot dead this afternoon"
4 wild piercing shrek, such as he had
never heard before, burst from her lips, and
brought the servants running TO the spot.
She fell backwards like a stone upon the
| couch, and when the lights were brought
into the ROOM; her eyes were found to be
fixed, the eyeballs slightly turned inwards.
Her limbs were stiff, and her hands tightly
clasped. There was n Slight mark Of blood
| upon her lip, where she had bitten it.
The doctor was sent for, and it occurring
to Mr.. G~reengraves that, perhaps, he might
as well take his departure before there was
any more bother about anything, he quietly
slipped away.
AS he took his place upon the box-seat of
the omnibus he smiled.
IL shall chuck this little job up as far as ]
am concerned" thought he to himself; IF
Gripper wants to go on with it he can. For
my part | don't see where the ley coins to
come from. This hundred l don't consider
to have anything to do with Gripper. ]
could not, in safety, mention even to Grip
| per how ! got the letter, and so the least
said about it the soonest mended."
And with this reelection our philosopher
lighted a cigar.
Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-12-08

New HAVEN, Conn, Dec. 1.-The
mysterious murder case by which John
b. King, a prominent society man, lost
his life has had a very dramatic ending.
The body of George Donovan, who killed
King in a fit of jealousy over a woman,
was found in the reservoir this morning
where be had thrown himself after muir.
deripr his rival.
Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-12-08

CHICAGO, Dec. Henry Parker, who
has been on trial IN Judge Jamieson's
court charged with the murder Of Chas.
Broadhurst on May "a, at Hcdgewich,
was found guilty this morning and SEN
fenced to fifteen years in the peniten-
tiary.
Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-12-08
The Spider Will Fight.

BosroN, Mass, Dec. 1.-Director Vice
Of the California athletic club has offered
Weir, on behalf of his club, to
give a purse of 81, $50 for a battle be-
tween Weir and Tommy Warren. Weir
declined but said he would accept if the
purse was made up Of 81, 900 and his ex-
penses paid. Mr.. Vice will inform the
Of the clubs action.
Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-12-08
The Steamer Allentown Lost.

COHAssETT, Mass, Nov. 2S.-AI doub.
concerning the supposed loss Of the
steamer Allentown is dispelled this morn
ing. The North Scituate beach is COW
cred with wreckage consisting of fish
buckets. tables, chairs and other furni-
ture. all marked Allentown. No bodire
have as yet been discovered, althouge
diligent search has been made.
Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-12-08
Heavy Penalty.

LONDON, Nov. 30.-It seems incredible
that in a civilized country like Hungary
such a barbarous punishment as five
years imprisonment in a dark cell should
be judiciously inflicted. A special dis
patch, however, says that two convicts
have just received this sentence for TAX
ing part in a mutiny in prison. The ring
leader, who had committed murder, was
never fully sentenced to death.
Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-12-08

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-Mr. Cleveland
today appointed Joseph G. Mccoy of
Kansas, register Of the land office at
Wichita, Kan, Frank T. Randolph re-
ceivcr Of public moneys at Watertowp,
OAK, and Samuel +. Levi, Of Kentucky,
Indian agent at Yankton agency, Dakota.
Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-12-08
An odd Dispute.

Wilmington, n. c., Star: Two darkies
got into loud dispute and almost came
To blows in front of the Seaman's home
yesterday morning. disputing in regard to
the social standing and personal qualifi-
cations of their old masters when they
were slaves.
Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-12-08
A Kansas Postmaster Missing.

TOPEKA, Kan, Dec. Up. Hinton,
late postmaster at White Church. is miss
ing. His accounts with the government
are so badly mixed that his bondsmen
fear they will be called upon to make up
a deficiency. Several suits against Hin
were begun yesterday by men who
had iudcrsed his notes.
Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-12-08

BERLIN, Dec. 1.--Emperor William is
recovering from his recent indisposition.
He is still confined to his bed room, how
ever.
Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-12-08

Offensive breath vanishes with the use OF
DR.. Sage's Catarrh Remedy.
Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-12-08
Lost diamond 7! she repeated in evident

Lost diamond !" she repeated in evident
astonishment. What do you allude to?'
You ask that?' retorted the detective.
10 did you MAIN your hand?'
sac staggered back with a ha.f-stiled cry.
My llaad? llow-how do You know%
II was waiter here last night. | saw
you Gld not recognize me just nov when /
came IN. | noticed last night, when that
military gentleman took your hand in his,
that you WINGED, and turned dead sick. /
had noticed before that YOU dined with your
right hand gloyed. l had also noticed that
there were spots of blood upon the lid of
the safc.'
Suddenly she turned upon him.
Are you in the pay of my hu band?"
no" he replied, after a momentary hesi-
tation.
Us he aware that you are here at this in
Stant?'
Mo-"
What do YOU mean, then? BY what right
do You question me?.'
The detective felt that his locus stnadi.
Is the lawyers call it, was momentarily
growing more and more unstable. He there
tore deemed it advisable to hurry matters.
IF ! have said anything to give offence to
YOUR ladyship, | humbly beg your pardon.
You knew nothing, then, Of Il valuable dia-
mOnd being misscd?."