davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-09-27

rarely drank beer, but that it had re-
Gently been recommended to her by a
physician.
While Mrs. Braddon was talking in
the strain suggested by the vision Of a
return of the stage, Mt. Allerton had
leisure TO observe her. 1t may have
been unfair, as he mentally admitted, 10
judge a woman upon her appearance
when taken so much by surprise; but
the lawyer could not help concluding
that neatness was not one Of Mrs. Brad
don's most conspicuous merits. Her
personal appearance was just what he
had expected; but her manner OF embel-
fishing it left much to be desired She
seemed to be dressed in her best as If she
had just entertained visitors before
whom she had wished to appear we'll;
and, indeed, she mentioned that several
acquaintance of the theatrical pro
fessiOn had been there that evening.
Her costume was at once magnificent
and shabby, and the shabbiness was not
carefully concealed.
Al the earliest possible moment tha
lawyer stated his business. The first
mention of John Benedict's name seem
ID 70 startle and alarm the woman; but
when the tactful old gentleman pro-
ceejed to explain the nature of his er-
rand. she became quite calm. He judged
it best TO tell her the truth, believing
that he could buy her silence and trust
in her promise.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-09-27

not admit that It Is Mr.. Benedict. Even
if il we're, how could you identify him"
by thisw cried Bancroft, and he pro-
duced the photograph which the lawyer
had sought Of Catherine Draddon.
That Il had been stolen the lawyer
knew we'll enough for the scream that he
had heard Mrs. Benedict utter could not
have meant anything else.
! "a very good likeness indeed" said the
lawyer 81 am glad you brought 1t here.
Mr.. Bancroft. more especially as l wish
ed to see you on matter Of some impor-.
lance"
You needn't try to bride me-" said the
detective
mo, indeed" said the lawyer suavely,
that was far from my intention. What
l wished 10 do was TO arrest you for the
murder of John Benedict"
You don't mean what you say" cried
Bancroft in a voice that betrayed his
fear The man isn't dead. And even
if he was"
Even if he were" continued the law
yer, Il could-and would-just as GER
tainly convict you Of his murder and
send you to the electric chair as l can
touch this bell and summon help low TO
take you into custody"
Bancroft's face was suddenly drenched
with perspira.ion. He was not a coward.
1t was not The accusation that frighten-
| ed him. II was the man who made i.
For Francis Aller;on had not risen to
eminence in his profession by chance or
favor but by a force within himself that
was potent TO convince, even TO over
whelm the mind OF another.
you met on that balcony" Allerton
continued You struggled there and
he fell. You had no right; he had every
right. Though you may not have meant
to harm a hair of his head, your act was
murder, and you snail die for il. Every
ability | possess, every power l can
WELD, and every penny have earned
shall be used against you"
Now the fact Is that Bancroft would
! have been afraid 10 stand trial for the
murder Of julius Caesar if Allerton were
TO be behind the prosecution; and when
it came to facing a valid charge such as
| that which had been presented, he was
utterly without hope. His adversary
! carried too many guns, for though he
was in the service Of great corporation.
he knew that Il would desert him in
stanty upon the public exposure OF MS
methods in the case.
While the detective paused in horror
there was another knock. Mr.. Allerton
went 20 the door as coolly as II nothing
unusual had happened. The visitor was
! Mrs. Benedict. He would rather have
seen anybody else in the world, yet he
received her as suayely as Il he could
have wished for nothing better.
oh, Mr.. Aller.on" she cried.
at has been stolen again
"And it has been recovered" said thd
cid lawyer kindly. This man is de-
tective VINO has been looking for the p.ct-
ure and ne has found it,
Mrs. Benedict had seen Bancroft in
disguise, and once before in his natural
aspect, but she did not recognize him,
though at the first glance she had felt
vague alarm at his presence.
You may givG Mrs. Benedict the pc.-
ure," said Allerton; and Bancroft me-
caauically obeyed
You shall nave the frame to-mor-
row" continued Allerton.
Benedict had disclosed The place where
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-09-27

1t was concealed in his miserable lodg-
ings. The woman was too happy In the
recovery Of the cherished possession to
be critical OF Allerton's explanation.
She accepted without question me theory
that the picture had been stolen the Sec
ond time for ransom. As soon as pos
sible the lawyer SEMI her home. for he
shuddered at the proximity to her nus
band.
And now, sir" he said to Bancroft
when Mrs. Benedict had Withdrawn. am
to be sure that this affair has reached
its end?"
"If Benedict IS dead" the detective
began
If he is dead" the lawyer interrupts
ed, at is a good thing for all concerned,
even for himself. As for her. there
would be no bened, in calling him back
from the grave. The conditions of our
life In these distracted days have devel-
oped men away from women. There are
no husbands for such pure and simple
creatures as she. Motherhood IS her
sphere; she will be happy as widow
with her boy Let MS be thankful that
the husband has taken himself out Of the
way"
you evade me-" s1;l the detective
stolidly. III Benedic, is alive. 7 will nor
allow you TO BLUM NE OF I'm ,ais wav II
he is dead. there IS nothing more FOR me
to do. the company could only sue for the
money and then pay right back again.
for the time covered by The las, pre-
MUM is not yei passed. Satisfy me that
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-09-27

that stretches ahead of me, but that which
is past.
We'll, that IS useless. was what a
dissolute life. such as many men think
good enough. had made me. I-couId not
appreciate Laura. Her goodness-ner alb
solutely childish iniessness-wearied me.
1 suppose the sight Of 1t was a constant
reproach, although I did not know H. She
wanted 20 make our lives one. She want
ed to know everything that thought and
did Just as she was willing to tell every
thing to me. And why In the name of the
pity Of heaven did not live that way? It
IS all or nothing. Why did I ever have n
thought or a deed that I could not tell her?
1 believe it began in my lying about my
business. l didn't dare 20 tell her that
was not prospecting. Especially. I dare
not confess that was neglecting 1t. So
there were worries that she could not
share. and lie 10 be acted that grew more
and more wearisome. That means new
companions: new kind OF acting; the
mask Of prosperity worn in the presence
OF men as hollow shaus as myself pleas
ure in the society of women who did not
see that I was a living falsehood because
they cared nothing that should be other
wiso.
well. you know what my business
finally became. l thought that l should
have to leave the city in order to avoid
going to Jail. for I was running very close
to the wind in my efforts to tide things
over Then came my meeting with that
woman. I must have been crazy; l
thought myself IN love with her Think
OF it, And yet why should I speak like
that? She is better than am.
"Of course. you understand the fire. I
hadn't any idea of throwing my life away.
It yyas just a plain case. There were those
people up in that place. and somebody had
to get them. When the fire drove me In
through the window I ran to the back Of
the house and the hair was burned off my
head and the clothes almost of my body
before 7 got to a window. How got down
heaven knows. l found myself in the next
street. having passed through one Of the
houses. I had left the rags Of my coat
and vest In the burning building. which
accounts for the finding Of my watch.
Somebody gave me an old coat and
wandering through the streets till at last
wandering through the STREETS TIL at last
got back near to the fire and heard a
man tell some others about my death.
Then the idea Of disappearing came to me.
It was easy enough. and the thought was
attractive. fancied that was gaining 4
liberty. Ny wife and child would be pro-
vidcd for. and would be free.
Free, The slavery of poverty and fail
ure: the bondage Of romorse and regret
that have labored in would make q pris-
oncr in n dungeon content with his lot If
he should hear my story.
q left the city and went wandering
into the Yves. Under a false name, !
was sill The same man. and failed in
everything. l drifted back here a
month ago, starving. / dared not go to
nv wife; | would not. Some lingering
remnant Of decency restrained me. And
even at that time had not fully waken-
ed: did no,love her. There was a man
you don't know him and his name had
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-09-27
CHAPTER "

Francis Allerton's apartments were fur
nishcd IN 81 style of somewhat aust,re cle-
gance, suited to the character of the occu
pant. IN the parlor, the dining room and
the bedroom everything bespoke wealth
and rare good taste.
1t must. therefore. have been very sur
prising to the unfortunate who had lost
consciousness upon the bricks Of n court
yard to find himself lying in the midst Of
such luxury whom next he opened his
eyes. He had little time TO wonder at the
change. A physician was already dress
iny his wounds. for he was grievously IN
iured. as if by a terrible fall. Pain claim
ed his attention during minutes that
stretched themselves out cruelty; then the
welcome end Of torture. and for time he
law alone. staring NJ n clock and wonder
ing why it licked yet did not seem to
move.
Curtains were drawn aside from n door
way and Mr.. Allcrtou appeared. The man
who lay in the great carved oaked bed
stead stared in wonder; then he tried to
cover his face.
Don't DO that, Mr.. Benedict" said the
lawyer, IL lS lbD l4t' ~ WIN l-~o 444Aaeii. o
and as for shame
q suppose it is 10 late for that also"
croaned the wounded man. Every good
thing that has come to me at all in this
world has come too late. especially death
THAT has not come yet" said the law
ver. gravely. Tt may not come for many
wears. Meanwhile It remains TO be seen
what we can do 10 make your life worth
living. But for the exieencios Of the case
I would not ask you to tell your story now;
but every moment IS precious. so If you
have the strength and the Will proceed"
1T is useless to conceal anything from
Won " said Ronc lict. To know that I am
alive Is to know the essential fact about
me: the rest IS detail. What in tho mis-
cradle life that I have led since I seemed
TO die IS worth your knowins?'
Everything in an experience so extra
ordinary would he worth my knowing. but
since time presses tell what led you back
10 the home that you had deserted
u Will tell YOU" was the reply; and In
order, 10 do fl fully must make my shame
ful confession. You know I was not hap
nv in nv marriage. I say that now for
the wonder of IT, Francis AIertOn. II I
vera sure of endless bliss in heaven l
would exchange it for time enough to
mend nv error in this world. Not the time
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-09-27

better not be mentioned-in whom I
dared 70 confda. He gave ne enough
money to keep me alive; and he coun-
seled me 10 get away. He said that Ban
croft. The insurance detective, had never
believed me- dead. and was still after me-.
Il seems that The lack Of any picture OF
me was one Of the things that hamperad
him in his search.
Hell get hold of the one your wife
has said my friend. and then every
policeman in the world will have a COPY
in his hat. That yellow beard that YOU
have raised won't protect you. You'll
be caught
"The idea frightened me. I resolved
to get the picture away. I went 10 The
house. and climbed up The fire escape the
evening when the room was dark. / had
my hand on the window when light
famed up Ny wife was there. I fell
fla, upon the balcony. While was there
she came to he window and pulled down
the curtain between Us.
yet could see into the room and
there on corner I saw ne picture You
know what she had done with It. God
help me- what am that any one should
remember me with kindness? saw my
child kneol down and say his prayers
before MS fathers face. DO you know
what ! did? ! went there every night to
see her and the child; and | grew to love
them so much that hunger and fear and
wretcheduess could no longer make ne
wish to die. because there was an hour
in the day when I was happy. You
think, perhaps. that I was fa,tered TO
see myself adored like Q saint. On the
contrary that was the only bitter drop
! in the cup.
"Yet. I resolved not 10 steal the pic'-
ure. seeing how she priced IL; bu; one
night I saw Bancroft hanging around
there, with a black wig over his red hair
and a moustache stuck on to his upper
LID. That decided me, and thCJgh It
nearly broke my heart, did IT, stole
the picture and the frame, though | ran
tremendous risk of being discovered, for
Mrs Wilton had been there with my
wife. and had only been gone half a min
ute when I got in. | would not have
taken the picture frame. but I could not
get the photograph out of H. When
went out. I fixed the catch Of the window
so It would fall into place behind me-,
hoping that my wife would not know
how the thief had got in, and that here
fore my place on the fire escape would
be safe. For I was resolved to 20 there
Just the same in order hat | nigh; see
her and my child To-night went there
again
Benedict paused in the attitude of lis
tening
whats that?" he cried.
ct Is someone at the outer door, said
the lawyer. Il won't let him in
He went 70 the door ard opened It
few Inches. \ mans shoe was instantly
intruded. then the door was thrust vio-
len.ly open. The lawyer stepped back
and looked az the visitor who had made
good his entrance so discOurteOusly. Il
was Bancroft, alias Smith, the insurance
detective.
You've found Benedict" he said 3D.
ruptly. 4 know all about il. I've been
pumping the cabman who brought you
here. I want 10 see him"
1T IS true mat have man in my
rooms" responded Aller.on. But DO
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-09-27

, det.royed. Now despite the compare
lively great intrinsic value Of the frame
70 IS the picture that Mrs. Benedict is
thinking Of She is absolutely ignorant
or the existence of this one. l propose
that we substitute it for the other. and
lead her TO believe that the thief threw
Il away and that l found it. l. the other
ever turns up, [ can suppress IL: but il
never viii l dislike the deceptiOn but
my rule is 10 regard an act in respect 10
i-s efec, upon the sum Ofhuman happi-
ness
And how Will my happiness be af-
fec,ed?' cried Mrs. Milton. DO You
think care nothing for this pic,ure?'
81 ask You 10 make the sacrifice"
And / refuse. She has everything
and l have nothing. Let her give me
her boy. Lee her give me the right to
remember John Benedict as she does"
you talk OF what is impossible" said
the lawyer. Let me reason with
you
at Will be useless. You cannot per-
sUade ME and YOU cannot force me TO
give up this portrait. But / like your
pan. Mr.. A,,srton. and l will tell YOU
how 70 carry it Cu,. know where there
..Tbs 1l9-cor57herE"
oh no. another woman. He gave
e. chen"
Nv Ausr.o, was conscious Of a deem
eaalirp of 9isrusr. and his face must
have betrayed IT,
she is wha, YOU would call an infer
i0- woman, said Mrs. Wilton; but
ought 20 admit at the outse, that know
uo.hing that is greatly to her discredit
In -bis matter she acted according TO
her Hgb.. I dare saw"
who is shaq What is she?"
she IS a dressmaker who was form
r~Iv an actress" replied Mrs. Wilton.
Airs. Aler,on groared.
81 have no objection To either profess
sion continued Mrs. Wilton. nor in
,ba n-esen, instance TO the Individual
She hos worked hard and has supported
her mother VINO lives With her. On the
s-so, She called herself Catherine
c~.r1 1r.- chs & really the wife of a
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-09-27

sleep in this yard. He was tall, thin,
hungry-ooking fellow. with a tangled vel
low beard ] didn't like the looks of him.
and wish. now. that ia handed him over
to the police. though ne hadn't done any
thing so far as I know
Mr.. Auerton surveyed the house from
the rear. and il looked safe enough. High
up i'm the wall he could see the lighted
window of Mrs Bancrofts room. No one
could climb to it.
The fire escape was on the side. and at
that point was the danger The lawyer
passed around the corner of the house, the
iauitor remaining behind to answer a
question that his wife had called out after
him from the basement.
The shadows of night lay moro heavily
alongside the house than in the rear. Mr.
AlIerton could dcscry the lower balcony
of the escape. but it seemed very high up,
and quite out of reach. Looking across
the passage ne could see a shadowy object
which might be the end Of one of tho
boards Crossing. he bent over it, and the
shadow resolved itself into n human form
\ man lay there on his face. his arms
awkwardly extended. the attitude indicat-
ing death rather than life.
Hastily the lawyer turned tho body upon
its back. He saw a pallid face, bearing a
tangled yellow beard. There was blood on
the forehead. Alerton bent down lower.
TO wipe II away Then be sprang up erect
with q low cry. ne next instant. far
above him. ne heard another cry. loud and
shrul
He loaped back from the wall and looked
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1896-11-21
nom eseekers, Excursions.

Agents OF Ohio Central lines will sell
homeseekers' excursion tickets to
points in Virginia, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Alabama, Florida,
Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missis-
sippi, Tennessee, Kansas, Nebraska.
Iowa, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Min
nesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota,
South Dakota, Arkansas, Indian Ter
ritory, Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona and
New Mexico at one fare for the round
trip on November II and December
and Is. tickets good returning within
2l days. For full particulars see agents
OF Ohio Central lines or address any of
the following agents: w. A. Peters,
Michigan Passenger Agent, No. w.
Fort ST., Detroit. Mich; FL. j. Rhein,
General Agent, No. 7 w. Fort ST., De-
troit, Mich; John Moores, Travelling
Passenger Agent, Flndlay, Ohio; j. Il.
Gamble, General Agent, Columbus,
Ohio; or address Moulton Houk, Gen.
Pass. Agent, Toledo, o. Decl5
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1896-11-21
A Brigh Business Man.

Has always his wits about him and
knows how to do the right thing the
right way. The wrong wastes money
and wastes time, which is an item OF
expense not appreciated. The business
man and Commercial Traveller will
always do the right thing the right ~"
in purchasing Buckeye Interchan
Mileaae Ticket of the Columbus, Hocn-
Ing Valley and Toledo Railway Cos
lssue. They are now being honored for
passage over the Big Four Railway,
The Monon Route, The G. H. & D. Il.
r., and the Baltimore and Ohio South
ern Railway and fifty other transporta-
tion lines. You will not waste money
Or time in investing in such mileage
ticket as they are always ready and just
what q travelling man needs. Write
the following agents: A. j. Richter,
Dist. Pass. Agent, Toledo, Ohio; L. w.
Buckmaster, City Pass. Agent, Colum-
bus: Ohio. or any other agent of the g.
Il. Y. g. L. Ry., for tickets and full par
ticulars w Fl. Fisher, G. p. & T. A.,
Columbus, Ohio.
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1896-11-21
HOW TO PREVENT GROUP.

SOME READING THAT WILL PROVE
INTERESTING TO YOUNG MOTHERS
HOW TO GUARD AGAINST THE DISEASE
Group Is terror to young mothers
and TO post them concerning the cause,
first symptoms and treatment is the
object of this item. The origin OF Group
Is a common cold. Children who are
subject to it take cold very easily and
Group is almost sure TO follow. The
first symptom is hoarseness; thisis soon
folio we'd by peculiar rough cough,
which is easily recognized and will
never be forgotten by one who has
heard it. The time to act is when the
child first becomes hoarse. II Cham
berlain's Cough Remedy is freely given
all tendency to Group will soon disappear.
Even after the croupy cough has devel-
oped it will prevenG the attack. There
is no danger in giving this remedy for
it contains nothing injurious. For sale
by A. II. Cnampney.
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1896-11-21

DIR. Arthur Macdonald, the Washing.
:, ton criminologist, thinks that every
man, woman and child in the country
should be measured according to the
Bertillon system and the resulting data
preserved by government bureau,with
branches in every township. This, he
says, would not only almost put an end
to crime by making detection practical
ly certain, but it would be of service in
scores of ways among perfectly respect
able people, like lawyers, bankers, in
surance men and all others to whou
questions of identity are OF great i'm
portance.
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1896-11-21

When our recent eminent Chinese
visitor-Li Hung Chang-criticised the
attitude of this republic toward Chinese
immigrants, he did not take into con-
sideration the fact that while his coun-
trymen are In this country they arc not
of this country. They have their own
semi-secret tribunals; they hold them
selves amenable to their own laws. and
not to our laws; their purpose IS 10 &c.
quire certain amount of money, and
then depart with 1t. Tho greatest OBJ
lection to Chinese immigration Is not
the cheapness of Chinese labor; 1t is
rather the dearness of it, for the Chinese
contribute only indirectly to the pres
perity of the country. They come here
not to stay and help build up, but to
exist while they get possession of some
thing to take away.