davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-10-18
A DROP OF BLOOD.

In the summer of 1888 was employ
ed to look sfter Some legal business at
Boone Courthouse, W Va Leaving the
railroad at Brownstown and taking di-
rections and horse from my landlord
at that POINT, | set out through the
mountairs early III the afternoon. ex-
pecting to reach Racine in time for sup
per.
AS the afternoon wancd, however, l
noticed that the road became constant
ly rougher and apparently more unfre-
quented until it was little more than a
deserted pathway that crossed and re-
crossed the gravclly bed of dry creek
i'll mad effort to remain in the narrow
valley that wound circuitously among
the mountains, whose black timbered
SUBMITS seemed to stretch higher and
higher above me in the gathering twi-
light. 1t being clolSy day, l was
completely mystified as to the points of
the compass and it now became evident
to me that ! had in some manner missed
my way. | had already gone too far to
retrace my steps before nightfall, SO
that unless | speedily found shelter ]
would be obliged to pass the night in
the open air.
Being in nowise pleased with this
prospect | concluded to press on a lit
tie farther before abandoning the quest
and had barely formed this resolution
when bend in the pathway brought
me into full view of what appeared to
be a large, square, southern mansion,
surrounded by trees and situated lit
tie way up the slope of remarkably
lofty mountain that rose precipitously
behind it.
A nearer approach revealed an out
ward appearance of overgrowth and di.
lapidation The fence had fallen down
in several places. The open gate was
barely supported by its rusty hinges.
The yard was mass of weeds, The
condition of the house | could not de-
termine in the dim light made DINNER
tween the tall weeds and briers there
was wide stone walk leading from
the gate to the front door,
The prospect was not an inviting one
but as my situation had become some
what desperate l determined if possible
to obtain accommodations for the night.
My repeated knocks elected no re
Spouse beyond hollow echo, and con
Guiding the place to be deserted l trief
the door. Somewhat to my surprise, II
yielded, the rusty hinges creaking ter
ribly as pushed it wide open. As l en-
tered was greeted by that musty, life
less odor common to places long CLOSED
and uninhabited. l had matches with
me, and striking one looked about me
l was in wide hall. Before Inc {
dark staircase, partially whitened with
dust, led to rooms above. Po the lef
and right were closed doors, and attach
ed to the white easement of the latter
was little bracket candelabra contain
ing a cluster of six half consumed wa,
candles. Lighting two of these, l tool
one Of them from the holder, and open
ing the door at my right entered.
The room in which l found mysel,
was apparently the parlor of the desert
ed mansion. The dust covered hairclotf
furniture, which had evidently been fol
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-10-18
"Of my folly?'
"Of nv own.

vi my ApiA1
"Of my own. r
Your folly is over and done with.
Our engagement is broken of, =" he says
modify. Better forget it ever exist
ed
II cannot do that, with an irrepress-
ible little sob. Il am waiting for those
letters -
Take them, then - And he throws
them down OH the table Keep them
TO compare with Hornes if you like
don't care.
"How can you insult me so? What
right have you to think me so mean, SO
heartless?" | cry Indignantly. And
you cared foT me once, or pretended to. =
II did care, | care now, though l
know I'm only fool for my pains, :"
bitterly. "Heartless, do you say? How
can help thinking you heartless after
your conduct last night?"
my conduct? And what of yours?
If danced with Frank, and, yes. tiirt-
ed with him little, you were flirting
all the time with Celia and Mollie, and,
oh, there wasn't girl i'll the room that
you didn't flirt With You know there
WASH t. p"
Eyes, and you should know that there
is safety i'll numbers, =" he retorts, fixing
his dark eyes ON mine reproachfully.
but you, Maud, you fiirted with Frank
all the time, and no one but Frank-a
very different thing"
And what was ! to do when you
Jncarto6 ,,,o2 Cir cti IL opH loOlr pispra-
BILE? Thanks, no. Really, you are UNI
reasonable ~
"You forget that l did not desert
you, as you call it, till after you gave
me to understand that WASH t wanted.
You told mo to go, and l went. y
you did-on the instant. "
"And you blame me for that now
Did you not mean me to take you at
your word?'
"Not like that" slowly. You went
oh, yes-as if you We're glad to go,
dare say you were, but you neodn I
have betrayed your feelings quite SC
plainly"
81 haven't the smallest intention OF
betraying my feelings for your gratifi-
CdtloI, iiC says, WIN cohio N"i Ill eAi'
"You have treated me shamefully, but
/ see little use in discussing it now.
don't want to reproach you for jilting
me. You We doneit, and that's enough. "
"Jilting you! Oh. Jaokl"
Call it what you please" and he
turns away YEARLY "We won't quar-
rel about that Celia was right, l see. J"
"Celia?"
Eyes. She said would only make
matters worse if l saw you. l didn't be-
lieve her, butt
Cecilia tried to stop your coming?"
"If you like to put it i'll that way,
yes" with look of surprise. But
thought | ought to bring those letters
myself, so 1 came. -
Celia seems to have been unwarrant.
ably busy with my affairs, say cold
ly. ~ don't know, of course, what she
may or may not have told you, but this
l do know-that l have never trusted
her, and that trust her less than ever
now -"
''You are ungrateful surely. She tried
to spare you this interview"
Had it not been for her it would
never have been necessary. But go tC
her, since you'd rather take her word
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-10-18
SWEET PEAS.

sweet peas OF J..ny colors, pink and blue,
Md dusky purple mellow.ng to a hue
b brown veined crimson when look at you.
think my eyes have borrowed of your dew.
because l knew you long ago, mayh9p
four white face looking from purple cap,
md your fine bonnet with a modest flap,
md loved you as you lay upon my lap.
because like the dear old fashioned traits,
four stately carriage and your gracious ways;
because my heart can never cease TO praise
The tender beauty Of the bygone days;
'ecause you smell of gardens long ago,
h tn old world lilies standing in a row,
md dahlias with their gaudy furbelow.
this the reason why love you soT
oh, blossoms, you have read
ly secret heart, you seem to bow your head
'or piety and pity of the dead.
because perchance | leave "A name unsaid.
Frank Leslies Monthly.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-10-18
SNAKE IN THE GRASS.
l detest Celia.

detest Celia.
We were so happy till she came to
tay with Jacks people and told me l
ras spelling him. OF course it was no
business of hers if were-she admitted
Shat-but she was so fond of me that
jhe felt she must speak, being older and
bore experienced than |, aud implore
Ine to remember that it wasn't only my
lover was spelling, but my future hus-
band, and if l let him have his own
kay in everything now | should never
BE- able to have mine by and by when
I'VE were married.
So Jack and l quarreled at the Hornes'
banee last night.
l hardly know what it was about in
the first instance, but it grew and grew
hntil it seemed to me there was nothing
i've weren't quarreling about, and Jack
WAS soon terribly i'll earnest, Though
I'VE had been engaged for three weeks,
d dino idea he had it i'll him to be SO
|hngry. And of course l lost my head
|and got angry, too-really angry-and
said horrid things, and-and--I told
him that our engagement was broken
|off, and there must be an end of every
thing between us. and-and-Jack took
Ine at my word. l never thought Of his
doing that.
LAS you please" he said, speaking
Iquietly all of sudden. We were in the
and tho dance music in
| the drawing room must have drowned
the sound of our voices half dozen
yards away. you wish our engagement
| to end, Maud? So DO it. Your letters
/ shall be returned to you tomorrow, and
will at once leave you free to resume
your Irritation with Frank Horne. "
"But-Jack -
His face was set and white. He never
even looked at me. The music ceased.
Cecilia and several other dancers strolled
into the conservatory, and he left me.
Yes, he went away and danced with
other girls, and he never spoke one
word to me or came near me again the
whole evening.
Hark! Some one is crossing the hall.
Surely Jane won't be SO foolish as to
! show any one in here now
In another moment Mr. Dayton is
announced, and Jack himself stands be-
| fore me.
"Jack!' l started to my feet, and all
his treasured documents fall rustling to
the floor, but | never think of them
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-10-18

DO not know what time it was when
woke, tut 1t must have been very late,
for | noticed that the candle had burued
low and was faring wildly az from
draft. At that moment d fear CANT upon
me such az | had never known. An ici-
ness seemed creeping Oyer my holy, b.
Ginning at my feet and extending rapid
~ upward | was trembling a. with an
ague.
A slight rustling sound from the next
room attracted me, and turning my eyes
involuntarily in that direction | almost
expired from fear for into the chamber,
her head bowed and wriuging Ter HANDS
in evident distress Of mind, there gu.
tered the lady Of the portrait. The cJun-
terpart was exact-the dress, the pattern
of the lace, even the rings upon her
slender white fingers. That 1t was
spirit never for moment DOUBTED.
Slowly she approached the bedside
without noticing me at first and seated
herself in a heavy armchair few feet
away. still moaning and wringiug her
beautiful hands. Raising her eyes at
last, she seemed to become couci9uss of
my presence and spoke.
"Oh, pray for me, she moaned.
'pray for my soul Oh, pray FOR me.
know not what power possessed ne
at that moment but suddenly, III spite
of my abject terror, found myself up
right upon my knees in the bed pouring
! forth a PRAYER for the beautiful. dis
tressed spirit before me. A the words
fell from my lip,-words which seemed
to be uttered through rather than by
mel noticed that she seemed u grow
calmer and at last turned her -orrow
stricken face full upon me | noticed,
too, and with the utmost terror, that
the candle had burned down TO the
wood, and that in another moment We
would be in darkness. sal the earnest
words poured from my lips, and the
face before me seemed u b. growing
misty i'll the Pickering light Of the ex
piring candle. suddenly the figure rose
from the chair, and taking one step to-
ward me stretched forth her exquisite
arms above mine and vanished. As she
did so | distinctly felt something hot,
like wax from a dripping candle, fall
upon the back Of my right hand. AT
that instant, TOO, the candle gave one
final flare and Went out.
When Consciousness returned. l WAS
lying across the bed, and the sun Was
streaming i'll at the open window For
moment | was a little dazed at my
surroundings; then it all came back to
me. Seized with a wild paaic-sueh
panic as possesses stampedinr cattlc-1
caught up my clothes and my horses
saddle and fed. As passed she portrait
its eyes seemed to follow me- and added
to my terrors. Through the dusty
rooms, cut of the weed grown yard.
tore as one distraught to whare my
horse was quietly waiting. \ moment
later was urging him down the unfre-
quented path.
Not until | was far away did pause
in my frantic flight Then, suddenly
remembering, l glanced at the back Of
my right hand, ard there-round, red
and dry, like Crimson wafer-was a
drop of blood. Detroit Free Press
Cave dwellings Of elaborate cdnsuuc-
zion have been familiar!y known and
1sod in lapan from time INNER lrial
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-10-18

many years undisturbed, was Of style
massive and once much in vogue A
number Of paintings and cngayinRs
were upon the walls In tarnished gilt
frames A large chandelier suspended
In the center Of the room was Of elabo-
rate workmanship The floor was GOV
cred with a heavy mating, the exact
nature Of which | could hardly deter
mine, owing 10 the thick covering u
dust Passing on 10 the adjoining room,
| was not disappointed in finding it 10
be large bedroom with all the appoint
ments peculiar to an old time southern
home Of wealth 1 approached the tall
oanopied bed in the opposite corner and
drew back the curtains II was ready
for the guests for which it had so long
waited The bedding was yellow with
age, but the canopy had protected it
from the dust 1t had not been occupied
for years.
I confess | was possessed with a sense
of awe amid these surroundings, but
not being Of a timid nature | deter
mined to pass the night beneath this
roof i'll preference 10. enduring the heavy
fog that always gathers at night in these
mountains. Leaving my candle lighted,
l returned to my horse and arranged his
bride rein so that he could eat the grass
for a considerable space about him.
Then, removing the saddle, returned
with it to my strange quarters.
Frying open one of the creaking win
dows and its heavy shutters to let fresh
air into the musty apartment, / fasten-
ed back the draperies of the tall bed and
threw back the long unused bedding,
the odor of which reminded me Of cere-
ments. To relieve this somewhat | COW
cred the pillow with my coat, and re-
moving only my outer garments | lay
down, for was greatly fatigued with
riding, an exercise to which was total
ly unaccustomed.
My candle ! had with few drops Of
melted wax, affixed to small table
near the center of the room. and having
no desire to remain in darkness in this
lonely place left it burning.
As l lay there, wondering at my
strange surroundings and not altogether
free from sense of fear at the silenca
and shadows of the deserted place, | now
noticed for the first time that beyond
my candle and little to the left there
hung against the partition wall separat-
ing the two rooms full length portrait
of lady. The picture was an oil paint
ing and the execution admirable. 1t was
fully life size, and the frame that in
closed it wide and elaborate, although
now furnished and dusty.
But it was the figure itself that most
attracted me The face was that of q
woman not beyond 90 years of age and
beautiful in the extreme. Her hair was
wealth of glistening gold, her dress
that of a bride. The picture appeared &c
have suffered but little from age, and
the light as it fell upon it made the
view from my position remarkably good.
As l lay there in silent contemplation
of this beautiful portrait forgot any
incipient fears that had lowered about
me and fell to specializing upon the his
tory of this deserted house and the story
of that fair bride.
Twas too tired to muse long My eye
lids grew heavier, and | caught myself
mingling fact and fancy without being
able to distinguish them. Then l fell
asleaD
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-10-18

than NINE" passionately. "Go to her
and tell her that she has succeeded,
thanks to my folly and your
| break off, unable to speak for the
rising sobs that choke my utterances,
and turn away abruptly TO the window.
Succeeded? Celias' he repeats more
to himself than to me MAUD, what is
the meaning of all this? Is it possible
that Celia misunderstood" -
"She misunderstood nothing
speak in dull, eXpressionless way and
without turning round "She is far too
clever for that. 1t is you who lnisunder-
stood and l. "
"What have | misundcrztoad? Oh, Il
you won't tell me, | must fotp { lil
and"-
"Ycs, go to her. What a.e you stay
ing here for?'
"Nothing now And he wallis to
the door In another instant he will be
gone.
Can l let him go like this? No, a
thousand times no.
"Waitr' And l turn impulsively.
"You-you have forgotten something. -
"Have I? And what"
"Your ring. l have no right to it
now, as you say.
81 never said so, but'-he checks
himself-"gi it to me. then. "
Come and take it, y
mo dear, don't want it. If it is
to come off at all, you must take it.
at seems almost pity, doesn't it?'
say softly, and my voice is scarcely AZ
steady as it might be- He makes no re-
ply, but passes his arm around my
waist, and his hold on my hand
tightens.
I've got used to it, you see, and
should miss it. May | keep it, Jack2"
"On one condition.
"And that isl
"That you keep me too. "
ooh, Jack, how gladlyp
He is my Jack once more, and tell
him all, my head on his shoulder.
Our quarrel is over, and we both de-
test Celia She can never come between
us any more. -Gentlowoman.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-10-18

One of my first visits was to the jew
ish rabbi. / was pleased to hear from
him that his coreligionists in Samar-
kand are not under the same obiectiona-
bic sumptuary laws as i'll Bokhara. In
Russian Turkestan the Jew enjoys al.
most equal privileges with the Sart.
For instance, a Sart may open a shop in
the Russian part of Samarkmd, but a
jew may noe. Over a pleasant meal Of
pistachio nuts, rasins. bread and salt
fish the rabbi told me much about the
Jews of central Asia
They are Sephardini, it appears, not
Ashkinazim, as III Russia and Poland.
The rabbi and all his people i'll Samar-
kand are of the tribe Of Judah. When
ventured to speak to him of the hypothe-
sis advanced by some misguided people,
that the Jews of central Asia were rem.
nants of the 10 lost tribes, he secuted
tho idea I'VE all know he said,
that We are of tho tribe of Judah. y
Good Words,
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-10-18

Paul du Chaillu, who has studied
1,200 ancient sagas i'll Denmark, says
they record the description of five dis
tinet voyages of the Vikings from Ice
land to this country.
Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1894-11-16

again the most plosperou' in the world.
lie does not regard it as probable thPt
the present generation will again trust
the democratic party with the manage
ment of the government Once Is enough
for one generation.
1t is a source of much satisfaction that
the voters did not neglect, while depriv-
ing the democrats of the control of both
branches of congress, to give the popu-
lists whacks enough to make 1t clear
that there is no room in this country
for such an alleged party, The news
of the redemption Of Colorado and Kan
sas by the republicans was received
with as much pleasure in Washington as
was the defeat of Wilson and Tom John
son. he high priests of free trade II the
house. No thinking man can DOUBT JhaV
the populists have done lncaIcuIabIe IN
jury to the interests OF those states
which have had the misfortune TO De
even temporarily controlled by theIn'
l. Ike the democrats. the PopullS'S are ~
capable of wisely governing,
What the democratic chiefs OF oiVis
ions an bnreanX IN tue government oe'
partments think OF their chances lot re-
naming /" o'"'e "'''' 'D ~ $4,000,
80 - hrira nj.
d,tionaI Influence to bear upon Mr..
Cleveland for the purpose of getting
him to extend the civil service rules so
tha' 'ne a,o'es''' o"'''' ' WV.
.-l, nouo bean thorobt ~ sucb
Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1894-11-16
WASHINGTON CITY NEWS.
speoial Correspol deuee.

Special CorrespoI deuce
WASHINGTON, Nov 9, 1894.
Fxultant is very mild word to ex-
nress the state OF mind in which repub-
licans have been ever since the full re-
suits OF the elections became known
And the rejoicing isn't confined to re-
publicans, either. Busin ess men oil
Washington, who have always been
democrats, have not hesitated to publicly
say that they we're glad to see the dem
ocratic party so signally defeated be
cause they had become satisfied that IN
no other way could the property OF the
country, which a realization VI what
demoe cratic control Of the national gov
eminent meant had wlthered as quickly
as killing frost would the tiowe,s OF
midsummer, be restored. And there is
reason for for the belief that Mr., Cleye-
land also share, in the prevailing joy.
He has never withdraw the statement
made over bis own signature, that the
democracy was donncast under the
assertion that their party had failed IN
ability to manage the government.
Chairman Babcock, of the republican
congressional campaign committee is
the hero of the hour, Other republicans
had occasional doubts of the ability Of
the party to win enough districts to
overcome the enormous democratic ma
iority in the present house, but he has
never from the day he assumed the
craftsmanship Of the committee had a
doubt of victory, and he today has the
proud satisfaction, which few men III his
position have enjoyed. not only of see
ing every claim he made substantlated
by votes, but Of seeing his claims ex-
ceeded in every direction. He is recelv-
ing praise from all quarters, and he de-
ferves 1t all, for the intelligent work he
has done. A barrel would not hold the
congratulations which have come to HIM
by mail and by wire from the prominent
republicans of the country, but they
have not swellsd his head even a little
bit. He gives the credit for the great
victory to the people, and agrees with
Gen. Harrison, that "Ihe working men
voted their prejudices IN '92; this year
they voted their patriotism and their
love of home," and is confident that the
republican party has taken The first step
towards a return to another generation
of power, during which it will, by intel
ligent legislation, make this country
Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1894-11-16


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LOCAL |
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New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-06-21
REAL ESTATE.
p1-srvESs At THE EXCHANGES.

At the Trinity Saesroom yesterday Wiliam Men
ne,.y offered under partition No. IS Hester-s' d
three-story brick synagogue. The order was Haue
in an action brought by the Chefra kadiscHa lar
mud Thora against Catherine Graham Inc sd'c
was complicated by mortgage OF N'5p' given ny
+ Weinstein in 1854 II Is contended that me NOR
gage has been paid. and 1t Is now question io'
the Supreme Court to decide whether the mort
gage is a lien on the property or not. Inc property
was sold TO Simon Israel, representing the syna-
gogue for 5000 This price was low. owing 10 ''e
compications in the TITO. II Will have 70 ne CON-
nrmcl by the court. 80,
Han ] How g. co. offered Nos '2.Gl ana -'o''
Fiyhib-ave two nve-sjory stone Hats .o's -'Nl"
each They brough, 5000 each from I. ). NC
Ioughiln. W. W. Fogg offered Nos. lob l'9l anu
lO53 Pa-k-ave three nve-sforv brick apartment
houses. pot 81 Sxl02 The p.aintin was me ouye'
for $3.50 D. p Ingraham & co. onered MS
40 and "a West nc-hundrcd-and-tw twenty
two nve-story brick tenement houses ots -'NlV'
each. They sod to the paintin for VIZ" eio Il.
Lolor Brothers offered No. lib Madison-aVe'
was bid in M 500 800 All the other properly was
adjourned withdrawn. - - Ia. s,,1 O., q,
Il private sale Samuel Aufhousfr mas S Ss - ry
priyate party 80. 6i6 .CO.umhus-aVe' Nv o-,,iS
hat for about S33ooo The size OF the POT - -'N-'