davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-10-08

been heard of Mrs. Loring and her
niece, who, for all knew, might be in
Europe. Asia, Africa, or America. Let
ters had come from Mrs. Peck, telling
me that she was at her home in Maine,
awaiting the return of her husband
from another voyage round the Horn.
Her health, she was happy to add, APP
peared to be reestablished.
AS has been set forth, the test Of
endurance went on for more than Il
twelvemonth. 1t was ended in strange
manner, without warning. and at a
time when was near 10 despair. The
landlord had attempted again to col
lect a paAt of the money due him-he
could scarcely be said to have bounded
me for it, inasmuch as he had suffered
SO undesirable a tenant to fall several
months in arrearS-and once more he
had been put off with excuses and apol-
ogies. He had not been harsh in his
replies, but it was easy to understand
that his patience was fairly exhausted.
He had left me still in possession, but
I feared that a few days more would
see me turned into the street and al
most as hopeless as shipwrecked sail
or on barren island. In either case
starvation would be quite among the
possibilities.
After a frugal supper tried to read,
but with yer! slight success, my
thoughts wandering repeatedly from
the book to the approaching crisis in
my affairs. 1t must have been for
hours that sat brooding over my per-
pleXities. At last, more discouraged
than ever by the unvarying trend of
the reflections, started to my feet,
and, crossing to the window, raised
the curtain and peered out. 1t was
later than I supposed, for the lights
had disappeared from the houses across
the way and the pavement seemed to be
deserted. Turning back to my desk,
I filled pipe. Tobacco was the sole
luxury left to me, and the stock in
my pouch was running low.
There came a knock at the door, a
light tap thrice repeated. As 1 an
swered the summons man stepped
into the room, and, with a quick mo-
ton, closed the door behind him. He
faced, hooked-nosed, with crisp, black
hair and mustache shot with gray.
Or. Alfred Morris?" he asked.
I bowed and motioned him to chair
Disregarding the invitation, he drew
a letter from his pocket.
For you-this," said he.
The envelope bore no address. Break
ing the seal, I drew out sheet of
paper on which was written: LET the
bearer command all good Offices" In
place of the name of the writer was a
Greek cross with three dots beside it.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-10-08

A second glance at the words above the
device satisfied any doubts as to the
identity of the man whose hand had
penned them.
''This is the best of introductions,' -
said /. Pray be seated. In what way
can assist your"
cit is n matter of a confidential char
acter," he answered, with a glance
about the room.
'You may speak freely. There is no
one to play the eavesdropper."
''That is well. I VIII endeavor to
trestoass upon but little of your time -
He spoke with peculiar slowness,
almost hesitancy (as if picking his
words with great care), and with a
that English was not his native tongue.
You may command me- said L.
"But pardon me, your name is not given
in this note.''
"My name? All, you may call me La
mar"
He came closer and fixed a pair of
piercing eyes upon me.
''Dr. Norris" said he, ST request YOU
to suffer me to pass by my reasons for
coming here"
your credentials are enough said
[. REST assured I shall question you
on no point you prefer not to explain
"And L may request also secrecy, in
any event, regarding this meeting ?''
81 give you my word, as I have said,
that you may command me-
He paused, as if to reach a decision
in some matter of great moment. I
studied him with increasing curiosity,
my interest fred by the strange cir
cumstances of his visit.
II make you. then, proposition, -
he said, at last. 81 wish to obtain the
right of Jour time and attendance
ITO BE Continued
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-10-08
ne Won HIS CLIENTS CASE.
successful Venture OF . Broker IS Grim
inaI Advocate at the Bar.

sn,c..sru, Venture Of y Broker IS Grim
inaI Advocate at the Bar.
Jacksonville broker, while travelling
IN the Alabama mountains, was invited
by friend, local judge, to attend the.
trial of cracker" for shooting a mig
rer." and the prisoner having 10 money
10 hire a lawyer, the judge appointed
The broker to defend him. alleging that
ifthe brokerwas not lawyer "he was an
IDIOT because he wasn't ones-a 1udg-
ment amply supported by his conduct
of the case. The broker, says the San
Francisco Argonaut, cross-examined
the witnesses briefly, sending in now
and then q discomfiting trajectory.
When he came to make speech he said:s
Gentlemen of the jury, l have taken
great pains TO show you that my client
was a respectable citizen. Ten wit
nesses have asserted-on oath. mind
you-that he stands high in his COM
munity.' The defendant was six feet
three inches tall. and the jury smiled
The stood high IN the community, and
that is sufficient. Now for the law. We
find that the Both verse of the 10th chap
ter of 'Chitty on Pleadings -Chitty,
gentlemen, was one of the braveSt gen.
erals IN the confederate army-this well.
established principle of law" Here the
broker adjusts his glasses, holds the
book far off, elevates his chin and reads:
"'No respectable white man can be
guilty of crime That. gentlemen, is
enough. Ileave the case in your hands"
Each juror changed his guild, looked at
his neighbor, nodded, and, without leav-
ing their seats, rendered loud and en-
phatic verdict of mot guilty" and then
joined in three cheers for the defendants
and his lawyer.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-10-08
GLOOM AND CLEAN.

He sighed Ger wintry scenes and said:
1.-THE sun is hid, the skies are lead,
The world is cold and dark and dead,
And am weary of it all. 30
With hopeful eyes, she smiling told
How leaden skies were lined with gold
And blossoms waited meath the mold
Fair springs sweet resurrection call.
"A1as"' said he, flair, tickle May,
That brings the apple-blossom spray
And cherry bloom, bears both away
Sad type of youthful hopes soon slain"
''And YET said she, departing spring
Removes the bloom that fruit may cling
Sweet type of hopes that, dying, bring
Fair virtues fruits and golden grain
t'June's roses all have tIlorns," he cried.
THE faireSt flower is barbed with pride;
Tomorrow will the rose have died,
And naught but thorns remain for me-"
How sweet" said she, 1.-The thorn bush
grows
So fair blossom a rose;
The thorn from recollection goes;
The rose blooms on in memory"
With autumn winds he sighed in grief:
THE life of beauty is SO brief
The hectic flush upon the leaf
Shall fade in gloom and earth forget
She plucked a bit of red and gold
who knows next spring we may behold
The spirit of this leaf unfold
It's glory in a violet
His world was filed with dust and doom,
And yawning graves and cypress gloom,
Because his cynic soul had room
For only deaths philosophy.
Her world was arched with summer skies,
And filled with flowers and glad surprise,
Because life smiled through all disguise,
And death to her had ceased to be.
Gala Harcourt, in Chica go Inter Ocean.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-10-08
Nv.

lanOeQ IN New Ork on the third
day of the new year, woefulIy lacking in
projects for my future. The metrop-
oils seemed to offer no promising field,
and soon gave up my idea of adding
another unit to it's hundreds of thou
sands. Then came thoughts of the
west: but chance meeting with an
old classmate, who had ventured into
that Ell Dorado of impoverished youth
and had returned even poorer than he
went forth, was taken as a warning
against initiating his example. So, at
last, accepting Hobson's choice, L re-
appeared in the city from which Capt.
Peck had lured me, and once more en-
tered the crowded ranks of it's ply
sicians. 1t was growing, busting, &C
tive community, but my share in its
general prosperity seemed destined to
be sadly limited.
I secured cheap quarters in one of
the poorer residence districts, thereby,
perhaps, handicapping myself greatly.
but at the same time reducing expenses
to point made advisable by Iight
purse. Still, in spite OF the most rigid
economy, the outgo constantly eX-
ceeded the income. From a small mar
gin to the good passed to a small bal
ance on the wrong side OF the ledger.
Worst of all, this balance grew, not rap
idly, for thought twice before spend
ing a penny, but with the steadiness re-
sulting from an unseem1y dispropor-
ton between earnings and expenses.
None of the old patients returned to
me-though thatwas hardly matter of
regret--and new ones were few and far
l,c4
case-what a keen eye I kept upon
buildings in course of construction in
the neighborhood! then perhaps call
to attend some stranger fallen IN fit
on the pavement; then a sufferer from
some chronic malady, even deeper in
debt than I, and changing physicians
simply because the charity of the first
was worn out: such was the shadow
of practice which appeared never like
~ to round out into reality. My
garments of decent black became shiny
with use, while my bell-pull lost its
polish through rust. If I looked as
hungry as I often felt, it was no wonder
that the ailing passed me by. Little
by little the few articles in my posses
sion of which there was not absolute
need disappeared. Some were sold out
right; others were lodged with pawn
brokers.
This state of things continued for
more than year, my lot growing more
miserable day by day. At long inter
walls letters came from Perez. My re-
plies were mailed with the promptness
of man whose time hangs heavy on
his hands. There was no attempt in
my letters to conceal my troubles;
there was a certain relief in setting
forth an Indictment of the world in
general and my neighbors in particular.
More than once I was sore1y tempted
TO seek loan from him, but pride
stood in the way. 1 had not quite
reached the point of utter defeat, but
was very close to it. Not word had
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-10-08
III.-CONTINUED.


''Why this bastc?.' But I rose with
ont delay, as he might have observed,
had he not been busy with his own
schemes.
cts something like this, you know
he went on. THAT splendid Great ure
with a name can't pronounce is with
Miss Gray now, and until I get some
body to look after the little Yankee,
you know. 1 can't have the splendid
creature to myself. l don't speak much
of her lingo, you sec, and she can't
make even a stagger at mine. and so
our conversation is rather embarrdss-
ing before y third party, don't you
know? I'm counting on you to help
me OUT
Lead the way said I. I'm a willing
sacrifice
In five minutes 1 found myself talk
ing to Miss Gray, while at a little dis
lance Burroughs and the fair Brazilian
were progressing famously in spite of
the lingual limitations. Still farther
away the buXom mother of the splendid
creature was playing discreet chape-
ron and discoursing with one of her
countrymen.
There was glorious moon overhead,
and the steamer ran smoothly over the
tranquil sea. These details come
back to me far more distinctly than
the words of folly, commonplace, or
wisdom we may have exchanged. Prob
ably we talked of the ship, the officers
and the passengers, of Brazil and the
United States, and, last, but not least,
of the beauty and charm of the night.
The girl had something white and fluffy
thrown over her head, and her light
Jacket was buttoned about her trim fig
ure, for the evening air was cool, in
spite of our latitude. The moonlight
was kind to her, as it is to many of
her sisters, and had I attempted to
revive my afternoons opinion Of her
face, my new finding, 1 fear, would
have been far less severely critical.
In that first evening I came to like
her exceedingly There was nothing Of
the coquette in her; in fact, there was
hardly a touch of frivolity. She seemed
grave rather than gay, although one got
from her no suggestion of nlorose dis
position. In short, there was something
in her manner to bring to mind the
solf-repression one often notes in per-
sons long accustomed to close attend
d1SO UPON Gil C-NsASliAiSo rs IL
happened, she came rightfully by this
air, inasmuch as her aunt was chronic
searcher for the health which she be-
lieved herself to lack. With this aunt
Miss Gray had been travelling for sew
era1 years.
When she babe me good night gave
an hour to tobacco and Burroughs, who
chartered enthusiastically about the
flower of Brazil. Incidentally, he eX-
planned that he had met Mrs. Loring
and her niece but once before the
Bedouin sailed, and that he knew next
to nothing of them.
1.-THE old lady's queer one, though"
he added. Eff you confess that you're
doctor she'll make your life a burden,
you know. Shun her, old chappie, shun
her."
Events proved that, even had I been
disposed to accept his advice, it would
have been extremely difficult to put it
into practice. Mrs. Loring gave me no
option in the matter. No sooner did
she discover my profession-and that
she did speedily-than she sent for me.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-10-08

"JAMIE," called out his mother. sharply.
you've been loafing all day Satan al.
ways finds some work for idle hands to do,
Take this basket and bring in some kind
lings.''
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-10-08

Mrs. JABBER Ito Mr. Jabber)-sAre you
aware that you talk in your sieepa" Young
Jabber twho has just been silencedJ-
what other chance does he getz''-Tit-Bits.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-10-08

"WHAT is this mental poise that women
talk so much about nowadaysl' 1t is be-
ing able to look at caterpillars without feel.
ing them crawling all over youn
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-10-08
An Enectual Method.

First Westerner-Did We hear that
Tornado Pete committed suicide?
Second Westerner-How did he do it I?
First Westerner-Stole q horse
Puck.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-10-08

CAN recommend Piso'S Cure for Con
sumption to sufferers from Asthma.-E. D.
TOWNSEND, Fit. Howard, Wis, May 4. '9i.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-10-08

eff I should die. you would never get
another wife who would look after Won as I
have done" mo, not if could help it,
Chicago Record.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-10-08

"DoN'F you think there should be music
in every homer" by all means; what I
object to is music next door "-ChicaCo
Record
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-10-08

"JoHNNT,' asked his teacher, ''what
must we do before our sins can be for
givena' ''Sin,' replied Johnny.-Bostop
Beacon.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-10-08

FoRTIFY Feeble Lungs Against Winter
with Hale's Honey of HorehOund and Tar
Pixies Toothache Drops Cure in one minute
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-10-08

WHEN bilious or costive, eat Cascaret.
candy cathartic. cure guaranteed, 1Oc, 25c
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-10-08

CAsCARETs stimulate liver, kidneys and
bowels. Never sicken, weaken or grippe.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-10-08

JUST try 10c box of Cascarets, the finest
liver and bowel regulator ever made.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-10-08

NOAH was an expert with the gloves. He
boxed everything in the ark.-Texas Sitter.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-10-08

Hairs Catarrh Cure
Is a Constitutional Cure. Price 75c.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-08-20
MERE MERCHANDISE.
Royal Favors Are bestowed In Pay ment
for Services Rendered..

Royal Favors Are BESTOWED In Pay ment
for Services Rendered.
The ordinary mortal when he travels
bestows tips on servants and small
presents of one kind and another upon
those of higher position to whom he
feels kindly disposed for favors re.
ceived, out royalty has different way
of showing its gratitude. Almost every
sovereign has within mis- or her gift q
decoration which is especially designed
as a mark of personal favor. These
decorations they distribute as they
travel about in foreign countries and not
infrequently to members of their own
household when at home.
Singularly enough the queen Of Eng
land has stood almost alone until re-
Gently as being without this decoration.
but now she has filed the want by Gre
sting the Royal Victorian order. On
her recent departure from Nice her
majesty honored NJ. Arsene Henry, pre-
feet of the department of the maritime
Alps. by comforting ~pon him the digni-
.y of knight grand cross of the new
order. To the Comte de Malaussena,
mayor Of Nice, the queen gave the cross
and star of knight commander, while
the cross of a companion was conferred
on NJ. Pao,i, the officer of police charged
with safeguarding the Grand Hotel de
Cimiez during the queens residence
there.
The insignia Of the order can hardly
be commended for artistic beauty. The
cross is of white enamel of by no
means ncutely pointed maltese pat
tern, the edges being beveled and gilt.
The center is formed of an oval, enam.
eled red, bearing the interlaced mono
gram: "V. r. L." within a band enam-
eled dark blue, inscribed with the words
"Victoria" in gold letters and sur
mounted by royal crown in gold, the
cushion red and the stones enamelcd
in red and green. The star is shaped
like that of the garter, being OF eight
points of nine rays, silver, the cross be-
ing placed upon it. The riband is dark
blue bordered by two narrow bands OF
red separated by one of white.
1t is probable that the three honored
gentlemen will not long be so lonely
in their decorations, as sovereigns are
usually disposed to be very open-handed
with these crosses.-N. Y. journal.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-08-20
PIKE CATCHING BIRD.

dragged overheard and devoured every
thing eatable that appeared. The gulls
and other birds which were in the habit
of alighting on the water now became
victims. Several were seen to sudden
ly disappear, jerbed down from below
to be torn in pieces by these hounds OF
the sea. In some instances q bird would
escape with the loss Of leg, and doubt
less numbers were caught by the vora-
cious fish. ........ ..
The most voracious bird catcher In
the pike or pickerel-a sly fellow who
turks beneath overhanging limbs or
rocks and watches for some duclling
or birding that stuys from the brood.
The pike attains a large size and has
been known to attack good.szed birds,
even looms, though whether it could
successfully carry away 80 urge bird
is doubtful.
A naturalist was once watching n
pool that was surrounded by willows
whose graceful foliage fell over the
water, casting deep shadows. Dragon
flies and other insects were darting
about at the surface, and coursing back
uuu loILii, IOilOWilb tntiu III turn WeTo
q number Of swallows. which now and
then touched the water as they darted
at some insect. Suddenly, without
warning, from the dark pool the hidden
observer saw huge pike leap at one Of
the birds, the latter barely escaping by
a quick movement, while the fish fell
heavily into the water. Again 1t tried
to catch one of the swallows, then gave
up the attempt.
| Another observer was fishing in a
small lake when he noticed not far
away three young sand martins sitting
on n limb just over the water, the
mother futtering about them, endeav-
oring to induce them to ny. All at once
an enormous pike dashed out of the
water and seized one of the birdlinga
from the limb, the poor mother darting
about In the greatest alarm. Soon came
another leap, and in less than half an
hour this voracious fish had carried Off
the three young birds.-Chicago Inter
| Ocean.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-08-20
Truly n Hclpmate.

The young physician was tired when
he returned from his evenings calls, but
as he settled back in his easy chair, and
his pretty wife of only month or two
took seat beside him, he asked, alice
tionately:
"And has my little wife been lonely?''
"Oh, no." sbe said, animatedly. AT
least not very. I've something to busy
myself with"
Indeed" he said. what is it?"
/. "Oh, I'm organizing class. A lot OF
young girls and married women are in
it, and we're exchanging experiences
and teaching each other how to cook
"Wha. do you do with the things you
cook ?" he asked, interestedly.
"Oh, we send them to the neighbors
just to show them what we can do
There's one lodging house gets most OF
it. It's great fun"
"Dear little wife," he said, leaning
over and kissing her. Thoughtful OF
your husbands practice; always anx-
ious to extend it."-San Francisco Ar
gus.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-08-20
HUMOROUS.

-"Don't you think Joskins is very
attentive to his wife?" "Yns; people are
beginning to remark it."-Detroit Free
Press.
--'lInve you bicycle, Willie?" mo,
sir; not quite" what do you mean by
that?" II have bicycle button."-
Washington Post.
Overheard in the Lobby.-"I'm GO
ing home" But there are two more
acts" 81 know it. That's why ara 60
ing home. Texas Sitter.
Modern Croesus-"Money to burnP
Dear, no." said one who knew him Of
whom they spoke. Far beyond it.
He has money to buy icc."-Indianapo-
lie Journal.
-She-"When 1 marry, / hope my
husband will die young--I want to be
widow" He-"How cruel!" She--"Oh.
don't worry; it won't be your funeral"
Truth.
Wise Neutrality-suspicious.
your wife laugh when you tell her a
funny story?" Braggs-"Oh, yes. I
always tell her beforehand that it is
y."-Indianapolis Journal.
There is going to be a wonderful
eclipse of the moon next week" "Well,
keep quiet about it. If my wife finds 1t
out, she will insist on having new dress
for the occasion. Texas Sitter.
II should think it would irritate
you, DIR. Founder, 10 see members of
your congregation falling asleep during
your sermon" Not at. all, madame"
replied the preacher; ION the contrary.
it delights me. Sleep is sign of an easy
conscience. Those who can sleep do
rot need sermons. "--Harper's Bazaar.
"A Novel in Miniature. -"Henrietta,"
said Ethelbert, as our story opens,
what do you think of Shakespeare as
poet?" Nothing, Ethelbert," replied
Henrietta. 81 have no time to think of
anyone but you" The rest of this en-
tertaining romance can be more easily
imagined than Observation-Disclosures
Bazar.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-08-20

among the men, and envy among the
other boys because it did not belong
to them. The first night Tommy owned
the bird he wanted to take it to bed
with him. His mother allowed him
to do this, but boy and bird both slept
In the woodshed. Tommy hns since
made up his mind that the bird can
sleep by itself in the woodshed. He
said he was not afraid-of course not
but it was lonesome out there, and
his pet wanted TO play with him and
wouldn't let him sleep.
There are a great many peculiar
things about the appearance of Tom
my's bird. 1t looks like combination
OF ostrich, eagle and owl. 1t is very
young, and yet it is at least IS inches
high, or larger than baby ostrich of
the same age. 1t is covered with soft,
white fuzz, like young duck, and has
feet that look to be about twice the
size they ought to be. Passing down
the sides of this creature are stripes
of brown color like a zebra; and its
hcad--it's nightmare. Projecting
from a dark circle on its face is the beak
of yulture, while the eyes are small
and ~icked-looking. The birds wings
are dark In color, and most of the time
hang down at it's sides. 1t cannot fly
vet and is not able to walk much. 1t
looks as heavy as a big turkey, but
really does not weigh more than three
pounds. A strange pet for a boy, don't
you thinki