davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1895-02-08

name in full. even if it was in Laura's
writing. l thrust the package ii my
inner coat pocket, not daring to open
it. washed up, patched the cuts and
scratches on my face with court plas-
ter, and having made myself respect
able went down to supper. As
waited for my order to be filled heard
some guests at the next table talking
of the collision.
"A bad look about it. said one, IS
that the conductor had large amount
of money with him sent down by an
agent up above at a station where the
passenger express did not stop to-
night. He put it in his own little
leather pouch in which he carries bills
and tickets. for he is a very careful
fellow, and locked it up in the caboose
closet, not caring to have much
money on his person on so dark night
as this. A suspicious-lookiny fellow
swung himself upon the train at the
next station. That fellow is MISS
ing. The money is missing, bag and
all. When this is all explained away,
the cause of the accident may be ez-
planned also. These gentlemanly ruff
fans. that are going back and forth
in the land, are at the bottom of
much mischief that is going on; for
money they will do and dare anything,
and even human life or suffering stands
not in their way
my head was off again. To hear
myself described as a gentlemanly
ruffian, was not fiattering to my vanity,
and the prospects of lodging in the
county Jail not pleasant-for how did
know whether that missing money
was in that bag or not? remem-
bered, strangely enough, as l looked at
ny watch, that a train left in fifteen
minutes for the east. l paid my bill,
took my valise. and left, and did not
miss a connection until l reached this
city three days ago. Finding myself
with couple o. hours on my hands
went to the Massasoit for breakfast
and there / have been ever since, al
though have been here to the station
every day without being able to sum-
mon up courage sufficient to step again
aboard the cars. At the hotel they are
charitable enough to think that l am
going through siege of the grip, but
1t is worse than that"
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1895-02-08

either of them. She can have her own
house in Paris, or live with my father:
only / ask that my child shall be
brought back to me and my father
shall be his guardian. You can see
yourself am fair and generous in the
matter. There is a great difference
between the heir of the De Restaud
millions, one of the finest names in
France q know / am not a worthy
representative of the family, mon
sieur). and the child of a divorced
woman in that frightful Maine town,
where they go TO sewing societies for
one pleasure and TO prayer meetings
all the week. You know my wife is
not fit to bring up a child. How did
she act with you? Was that right and
proper even in an American young
lady, eh?"
II iail to see anything in the con-
duct of Mrs. de Restaud that would
not stand the most searching investi-
gator" said Oliver. Your own case
would not be so clear; and warn you
an American jury is always on the side
of woman if she is good and has been
wronged."
"You are on a very high horse, Mr.
Oliver. Perhaps l can assist you to
dismourt. My wife's lawyer writes me
she will sue for divorce. Very well,
so shall I myself"
Really, Mr.. de Restaud. this Is none
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1895-02-08

of my affair" cried Oliver, inpatient
ly. Il refuse to listen to you any
longer"
lyon will, monsieur. because it shall
be your affair"
"How?"
81 shall name you the co-rcspon-
dent. Your drive with my wife that
night will have no romance for a jury
of sober-minded citizens. DO not be too
hasty. have listened to conversation
at club political here, and | have
heard you desire Office some time, to
be governor of the state. The scandal
which you cannot silence will hurt
your chances, eli? l find the world
eager to hear such things-the news
papers of the opposition most anxious
to publish ugly stories of an opponent.
You have made many enemies in your
professions; this will be their oppor-
tunity."
You are an Internal scoundrell''
said Oliver. white to the lips. IF you
were anything but a morphine wreck l
would throw you out of my Office"
Il do not desire to quarrel. l am a
sick man-much weaker than l
thought" De Restaud. paused and
wiped his wet forehead, breathing
heavily. This has been task. You
know the consequence; you persuade
my wife to come back to me, with the
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1895-02-08
Sc. Valentine.

st. Valentine, according to the
Church Standard, was j holy priest OF
the Christian church, who was impris-
oned by Emperor Diocletian, in con-
sequence of his having miristered to
otker Christian martyrs. He was inn
rrisoned for "a few days in the house of
Roman judge, and the sight of his
holy face and humble bearing and his
earnest words so impressed his Jailer
and all his family that they were con-
verted and were baptized. 1t is be-
lieved that the day upon which he was
beheaded was pagan festival, and
that perhaps afterwards when Chris
tianity became the religion of the
whole civilized world. it was kept by
the church in honor of this holy priest,
St Valentine
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1895-02-08

conductor, we can make up on this
gr2det,lI we lost at the Gliding and he
seated himself and began putting away
at short black pipe he had filled and
lighted while talking with the brake
man.
Il could not help noticing that the
conductor was ne-vously alert; that he
noted anxiOuSly every whistle, every
station and every side-tracked train as
we few past, and l drew a surety of
safety from the conviction that while
it seemed to me we were plunginG at a
fearful rate of speed into chaos, his
familiarity with the road was such that
ne was sure OF hiS position every mo-
mcnt. Noticing ny scrutiny of him,
after awhile, he said:
The fact is, stranger, we are rrn-
ming wild tonight. NJ orders are to
follow the express IN. and they were to
signal me, but there is 20 love lost be-
tween the express conductor and me
and | would much rather be in bed at
home than to be following him. and,
fastening on his oiljilk cap and trying
the door of the tool cupboard in one
corner of the ca boose, he went out.
The whistle sounded shrill shrek
of alarm. l saw lights far below me,
the rays struggling dimly through the
fog, and realized that we had reached
the city and were upon the high trestle
work by which the road approaches
the station. Just then there was a
shock and crash. For a moment l
thought the end of all things had
come. wa5 thrown forward through
the glass on the window, and 1T was
some time before l could extricate my
self. When l did SO ! realized that
everything was in dire confusion l
stepped off the rear end CT the car up
on the trestle Ioadbed and ran. Provi-
dence must have guided ard directed
me. iCr crossed safely ard descended
by foot path to the city streets
Il realized that there had been col
lisiOn, but my wits had forsGken me.
/ hurried on and on aimleEsly, for how
long l know not, through dimly-lighted
streets, feeling at every step that L
was walking upon trestle from which
| was liable to be plunged at any mo-
ment into a yawning abyss. If 1
turned to the right or left L fsncied 1
saw impish valentines. and the wind.
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1895-02-08

which had increased. and my own Ia
bored breath, sounded like taunts and
derisive explosives against man who
flew into an unprovoked passion at his
best friend.
After awhile became aware that I
was carefully carrying a small leather
bag, through the slim, strong strap of
which my right arm was thrust, so that
the bag hung beneath my arm like a
haversack. 1t was not my bag. All
my Light luggage had left at my hotel
before starting out upon my little run
into the country. AS thought of that
i was reminded of my hotel, but could
not remember the name of it, nor on
what street it was situated. could
not even remember the name of the
city where l was, nor, on an instant's
further reflection, my own name, Eor
where 1 belonged. Where has this
knowledge of identity gone? 1 said to
myself. What is this within me that
is reaching out after what is missing?
Will it ever be found again. The ques-
ton threw me into new CONSERVATION,
and l paused moment by corner
was now anxiously clutching with both
hands.
ION one side the silver clasp was en-
graved q name and address. why. that
is this city, said. l walked on, re-
peating the name and street and num-
Der | had just read. Soon l was at
tracted by a bright light shining
through a window of house near me,
and moved by an uncomfortable i'm
pulse l went to the door and rang the
bell. A woman soon appeared with a
lamp in her hand.
"'Can you tell me where f street tsp
l asked.
"'This is T street. she replied.
"'How far am from No. 81, pleaseT'
This is No. 81 and she held the
lamp SO l might see the number by the
door.
is Mr.. j imp l asked.
Not yet said the woman, scrutin-
izing me with more and more anxiety.
He comes on an express freight from
the north, and will be here soon for his
supper if there is no delay. | am Mrs.
j. Have you a message for me?'
"'You would better take charge of
this bag replied, thrusting it toward
her.
she caught it, held her light up and
gazed into my face, which was
scratched and bloody, although 1 did
not know it at the time.
This is Franks bag that he al
ways carries on the train. How came
you by it?' cried the excited woman.
oh, some dreadful thing has happened!
What is it? Tell me"
Instead of answering, could think
of nothing to say, and turning ran
down a long, narrow alley which took
me out upon n broad, handsome street.
l was near the railroad station and
could see there was an unwonted con-
fusion there. CHANGING up across the
street, l recognized the name of my
hotel upon the sign outside, and very
thankfully entered the office. The
clerk recognized me, handed me the
key to my room and package with
laughing remark:
"'Old as we are, we still are pleased
to get a valentine As went up in
the lift was grateful to learn my own
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1895-02-08

my unreasonable and ungovernable
| temper and recognized the fact that
was entirely unfit to be a husband or
at the head of household.
I'm Texas received orders from
headquarters to go north and west.
There was no reason why should have
made it a flying trip. In the state of
mind in which then was, leisurely
trip, studying the places and people as
went, might have been of great ad-
vantage to me; but, as usual, no sooner
was on board the cars that / caught
the spirit of hurry. Everything was
booming and / must boom with the
rest. Then, too, thought would
make IL impossible for Laura to reach
me with a valentine on February IA. I
would not know what she thought of
ME.
THE morning of that day found me
in a city in the midst of the Pennsyl-
vania coal regions, and soon learned
that the man most wished to see was
fol ty miles out in the country. Not
being able to reconcile myself to wai5-
ing day for his return, left my lug
gage at a hotel near the great passenger
station and jumping on board the next
train, ran out, found my man and
transacted my business before dark.
Refusing his cordial invitation to spend
the night with him at his fine country
residence, / raced the horse had hired
the three miles to the station, chuck
ling to myself at the way | was elud-
ing Laura. and reached the depot plat
form just in time to catch glimpse of
the outgoing express train which had
intended to take.
Il was very much annoyed, but drew
a morsel of comfort from the exclama-
ton OF goodnatured Dutch switch
man: Dot trains is markings oop times;
you joost vaits-you catch on dot
weight train-you run in the city init
him
1t came, sure enough, in less than
five minutes. having been waiting on a
siding Just below; it slowed up as it
passed through the yard. crawling like
great black serpent, and as the ca
boose drew near US my Dutch friend
exclaimed: Catch on, now, nit your
hands, und you gifts to the city right
away
so, just as the engineer put on more
steam, and the shrill whistle sounded
out the signal Let off the brakes and
the increasing speed ran like a great
shiver along the line of the train,
picking up the lost motion from car to
ear, | swung myself upon the rear plat
form of the caboose.
The conductor gave me an unneces-
sarliy sharp glance, 1 thought, as ne
took my ticket and said:
Missed the express, Ell? Well,
we'll not be far behind it. We have
got forty minutes to make up between
here and the city, but it is risky get
ting on board a moving train and /
would not advise you to try it again on
as dark night as this, and l wouldn't
advise you to ride on freight train.
would never ride on one myself if l
could help it. and he laughed grimly,
walked through the car, looked at the
tail lights and exchanged few words
with the brakeman-enough of which
/ heard to learn that their watches dis
agreed.
1--we will put her through said the
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1895-02-08
SOME ANCIENT PRACTICES.
Sacrifices to Lupcrcus-SIOrnInG Dew FOL
the Complexion.

Sacr.nces To Iupcrcus-SlOrninE Dew FOL
the Complexion.
It is a queer honor to be paid to Saint
Valentine, the martyr and celibate, the
Christian bishop who suffered death il
the reign of Emperor Claudius, A. D
go, that the day dedicated to special
love making, the day accorded to ma.
ting birds should be the day honored
by his name.
That it should commemorate the an
cient Roman feasts of Lupercalia on
! February 18th is more in harmony
with its tenor. Lupercus was the Latin
god of fertility and the marriageable
young men and maidens celebrated the
fete day with rapturous glee. They
decked their homes with holly and ivy,
and in Kent, England, for many years,
part OF the regular frolic was for the
girls to make and burn n holly boy, and
for the boys in turn to sacrifice to the
god girl of ivy.
Walks were taken in the early morn
before the sun had peeped above the hor-
lion, while the birds were singing their
morning songs to the birding of their
choice, while the dew was at its freshest
and heaviest on grass and shrub; the
beauty of the year lay in the clasp of
each rounded dewdrop, and applied to
the face, neck and hands, direct from
the leaves, would give complexion
that wonld rival the rare tints of
Venus. Large leaves were gently
gathered so as not to break the glob-
ules, and the precious heaven-given
drops were laid against the face and
pressed on from the leaves. How much
more dainty and romantic, than sleep
ing in a mask, or steaming ones face
through a funnel-shaped face cover, at
tached by tube 10 the kitchen tea
kettle! If the early rising and active
exercise deserved the credit given to
the dew, let it pass; it is the way of the
world to-day, to neglect the true, and
give unlimited praise where honor is
not due! Keziah Shelton, in Chat
auQuan.
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1895-02-08

WHAT IS THE MATTER, MRS. MINNY?'
In the early morning the man came to
his house. He had not found Dc Restaud.
but had learned and told such story
of depravity and vice that divers half
formed purpose became an instant de-
cisiOn.
"You see" the detective said, cOolly,
! when gent gifts down he's apt to be
a sight lower than jest horned tough;
and, as l can learn, this pertikler one
has set out to see jest how quick he
kin fling away what little life he's got
left in him, an how low he kin git
a-doin' it; an this amt harf I've
learned"
1T is enough" Oliver said, briefly,
as he paid and dismissed him. Then
he hastily ate breakfast, left directions
for his clerks, and took the train for
the east. He had written Mrs. de
Restaud what road to come to Chicago,
for he might wish to telegraph her
there, and he recloned there was yet
time to meet her before she took the
train for Denver. He would tell Miss
Patten the whole story and send her
and her niece back. He would advise
them to go direct to Paris. Annette's
advice was good. He was careless
never to have thought of it before.
Oliver shuddered at the prospect of
the case in court. He would have to
endure it if De Restaud would not
listen to reason. Perhaps he could
keep it out of the papers. But he
knew in his heart not; he was well
hated. "All for the Troublesome little
lady" he sighed. "A pretty mess l got
myself into, assisting distressed dam
sells. And vet what man situated as
was that night would have done other
wise?"
In the depot in Chicago a pretty
young woman was frantically search
ing for particular baggageman. She
had on a neat blue gown, seal-sllin
jacket, and jaunty hat set over her
curls. She was so sweetly pretty that
several iron-hearted train-employeS
were moved to interest and sympathy.
He was quite short and fat" she
said, anxiously. and Skye really
seemed to like him. and he said he
would take the very best care of him.
What is the matter. Mrs Minny?"
said voice Just behind her.
'Oh, Mr.. Oliverr'' she cried, de-
lightedly, giving him both her hands.
How glad am to see you, l have
been so worried! / hate travelling! I
can't find the man who has my dog.
Oh. there he isl
A fat baggageman came along the
platform at that moment, dragging q
disconsolate mass of wool tied by a
dispropOrtionatelyl large rope.
''Oh, thank you ever so muchr'
Minny beamed on him, hugging the
dog in her arms. Isn't he nice? he
knows everything"
"A sight" said the man, pleasantly,
land wasn't no particular trouble"
Here is my trunk check" Minny
said, giving it to Oliver. land my
satchel is somewhere: in that corner
set it down; it's a wonder did not
lose it. Oh. what a time I've had!
Now where shall we gc?''
ITO find Miss Patten," smiled Oliver
taking the satchel and umbrella, while
she followed carrying the dog, and the
small audience of train men looked
after her in open approval.
TO BE CONTINUED
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1895-02-08
"And how about the valentine?"

"And how about the valentine?"
81 haven't looked at 1t, can't. 1t is
a physical and moral and mental i'm
possibility"
Nonsense! that isn't going TO do. II
you made fool of yourself flying into
a rage about nothing-face the cense-
quences like man. Where is ito"
Here in my pocket" and the be-
wildered traveller drew out q large,
heavy enameled envelope.
Now open it."
The poor fellow obeyed like man
in dream. and read softly, in a voice
trema Sling with surprise:
i think of you just as I have done
for some months, as nay future hus-
band
DO you suppose she means ito"
''Of course she does. She is a sensi-
BILE young woman with the duty before
her of curing you of your diabolical
temper"
'Bu1 how could she send me that val
entine when Ibid not even know myself
mystery about it."
would rot tell you were you not
so broken up-but the fact is, told
her myself all your stopping places. 1
have been travelling for the same
house since New Year's-and she sent
out score or more-so it did not mat
ter where you put up-you were sure
to get your valentine, as she promised"
Us that my train? Well, old fellow,
put me on board and wire Laura to
meet me at the station"
TO be sure. but shall not lose sight
OF You until see you safely under her
wing. A fellow who loses his head
from temper, from love. from hurry,
from fright and from grip all inside n
month, needs to be looked after. Come
on!"-A. a. Preston, in Springfield Re-
publican.
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1895-02-08

house he had hired for few months
and he drove there. After some delay,
Annette, more corpulent than ever,
opened the door in response to his
ring. She seemed worried and tinOr-
Gus in her manner, and looked at him
blanlly as he asked her in English if
monsieur was at home. Then Oliver
remembered. and tried in imperfect
French. She frightened up.
No, monsieur" she said. eagerly;
''he is seldom here; and Louis is al
ways away. | like the farm better. 1
am alone always, always. Monsieur is
so bad, too-oh. dreadful! even Louis
is afraid of him
Oliver hesitated. The poor soul was
even friendly, she was SO lonely. Per
haps she was not bad-hearted.
do you think it would be safe for
madame to return?" he asked. slow
ly, recalling each word from an i'm
perfect memory. He repeated it, as she
did not comprehend; then her manner
changed.
"Oh, monsieur" she cried. in horror,
never, never. He has said he viii
kill her. lie walks all night. some
times. and raves about her. and looks
so dreadful. Louis said he did not like
madame. but for the generals sake,
she must keep away from monsieur.
There would be a crime; and the De
Restauds are so proud. think mon
sieur is quite mad now; and he is so
thin; he eats nothing, and some nights
there are two men to hold him, he
sees such things. l did not like
madame. she was not a French lady,
but / wish my worst enemy no. such
fate as to be here"
You knew" said Oliver, there was
a baby, little boy?"
Yes. monsieur, and am thankful.
Madame may have a good heart; she
loved the little dog. think she would
do right to go to France-to the general;
he is a grand man. and now there is
no one of the name; little AlphOnse in
Paris is dead, and his beautiful mother
is dying of grief. they write US"
Oliver slipped dollar in the won-
ans fat hand. You are a good SOUL"
he said, kindly. Il trust some day you
will be back in France and have a
farm of your own"
Thanks, mOnsieur-and the beauti-
full poultry had such comfort with in
the mountains; it was better there"
lie heard the bolts rattle behind him
as he went to the waiting carriage.
The poor soul was almost prisoner
from her fears. What should ne do?
Mrs. Minny had started, and he could
not reach her by telegraph. He told
the driver to go to the different gam
bling houses, and at each one he got
out and searched for the Frenchman-
He was not gambling, the dealers told
him, all knowing De RestauG only too
well, for the mad Frenchman had been
familiar figure in the night world of
Denver for years. At the police sta
ton Oliver could learn nothing; De
Restaud had evidently bought immuni-
ty from arrest. Sick at heart, Oliver
gave a description of the object of his
search to a detective and went home.
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1895-02-08
TIL. shoe Seemed tn Fit.

THAT Dodson is one of the meanest,
two-fsted fools in the universe. It's
my opinion that he is utterly incapable
Of approaching another mans ability
and thai his jealous nature makes it
impossible for him to read character
correctly"
What's the matter? Did you get a
valentine from him to-day?"
Yes"
What was the title of ito"
"a Backbiter. "-Chicag go Globe.