davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-07

feats were mere tricks; but here was a
cold-blooded proposition to shoot a man
with his permission Nobody seemed to
care about making the test and each look
ed inquiringly at his neighbor. Finally
Holoman spoke up.
pose I shoot at you and kill you.
Whatd be done to me-"
Nothing at ALL" responded Bancroft.
cheerfully IAN these gentlemen here will
be witnesses to the fact that l give you
permission to shoot at me and agree to
abide by the results"
Then I'll do the shootin'," said Hollo-
man, and there was an evil look on his
face as he spoke
King Carver's gun was borrowed for
the purpose and breaking" the barrel,
Bancroft extracted the cartridges and
placing them in a little tin box passed
them around for examination first chin
plng OIL a piece from each bullet for pur-
poses OF identification as he explained
The box was replaced upon the table and
in fun sight of the boys, Bancroft dropped
the cartridge, one by one into the cham
bers. Then the weapon was handed to
Holloman with instructions to keep the
muzzle pointed downward until called
upon to Ere
Divesting himself OF his coat and waist
coat Bancroft took up a position at the
lurther corner OF the room, and prepared
Up to that minute the boys had believed
that some"catch' trick was to be perpe-
tratedi but seeing the young man make
all preparations to carry out his promise
there was considerable nervousness ats
played They could look with more calm-
ness upon square fight with guns hut
here was a case where man deliberately
offered himself as a target and from ali
appearances was doomed TO certain death
Even Mr.. Roberts who knew Bancroft bv
reputation, began TO manifest alarm.
Hadn't you better quit now?" he ask
cd The Joke Is going TOO far"
No joke about st." replied Bancroft
II am ready to carry out my part Of the
agreement " that gentleman u.s." indicat-
ing Holloman. who stood tapping his foot
nerNously and looking as though he regret
ted having volunteered to take part
I'm see IL through he muttered dog
gedly, and backed up against the wall To
await the signal
Bancroft. amidst deep silence, WALKED
over 20 the further corner OF the room
and folding his arms bade Holloman get
ready. The cowboy took the pistol in his
left hand and held IT close to his waist
the muzzle of the gun pointed In a direct
line for Baucrofts chest. Understand
now" he said. half savagely you take
all the blame II YOU get hurt / don't pro-
pose 20 shoot over your head"
shoot away" retorted Bancroft COM
posedly. you can't hurt me-"
well. by c.. III try to-" snarled
Holoman as the memory Of the trick play
ed upon him earlier in the day came upon
him. lie was deadly pale now. as was
everyone In the room except Bancroft,
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-07

corted by Mr.. Roberts, made his appear
ance and stood behind packing case jUst
under the only window In the room. I'm
doubleday IL was the strangest audience he
had ever faced. There was King Carver,
the best pistol shot in the southwest and
record Of having killed four men IN as
many shooting ARRAYS; beside him sat
Tim Darlington, the shortest cowboy in
New Mexico and the widest rider; loung-
ing In a careless attitude on a nearby bunk
was Lee Wells, a college student and an
expert lassoer. Sulky Ben Holloman sat
where he could hear and see everything
and fixed determination to expose every
trick he could see through. About the
room were grouped men who had faced
death without a tremor yet they were
cowed by this stranger who seemed 10 pos
sess an uncanny art
Now boys, I'm going to show you how
to play poker first" announced Bancroft
tearing the wrapper from pack of cards
as he spoke. If any of you think you
know how TO play the game, come up
here and try hand with me and I'll prove
that you know little about the game"
There was a smile of incredibly at this
and King Carver who had reputation of
being card sharp" advanced to The Ia
BILE with the Bald-faced Kid, who aatter-
ed himself that he knew thing or two
about the game The cards Were .hufiied
In the usual fashion and couple OF hands
were dealt, the players making bets ac-
cording 10 the value Of the cards they had
I'm their hands Then 81 came Bancroft
turn 10 deal I'VE will imagine that there
Is a big Jack pot at stake" he said. as he
shufiled the cards and began to deal The
Kid opened the pot. Carver promptly rails
ed and Bancroft stood in" The Kid had
drawn two cards; Carver stood pat and
Bancroft took an entire new hand. Fab
ulous sums were wagered and finally Ban
croft said smingly: "Well. ] don't want
TO win all your money. so I'll call" The
Kid had four jacks; Carter an ace fun
and Bancroft a straight flush.
Then followed a series OF tricks that
caused the eyes Of the cowboys to hang
out with amazement. Cards were made
70 appear and disappear In the most mys-
terious manner, anu one of the "grcasers"
with a pious ejaculation crossed himself
deVoutlY. VIII Chisums watch was
smashed 20 pieces IN tin pail and was
later found intact In tie pocket OF Car
rington's coat. Knots tied IN q handker-
chief disappeared when Bancroft blow
upon It, and coins were found hanging
about In the air. Bancroft had 10 depend
upon sleight Of hand almost entirely. as
he had no apparatus to work with. After
keeping the crowd interested for an hour.
Bancroft prepared to spring his greatest
surprise.
"Will any OF you gentleman condcscend
TO shoot az me2" he asked lightly. Il
mean for one OF you to take his revolver
and at the signal shoot straight at my
heart six times. 1 will guarantee 60 catch
the bullets and remain unframed"
There was a silence at this proposition.
The boys knew, Of course that the other
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-07
ABBO
MediG0I Gli Surgical Institute,
100 and 1872 Hull Street west,
Between Whitaker and Barnard.
who stood with quizzical smile on his

who stood with a quizzical smile on his
face.
Pressing the forehnger of his left hand
tightly against the trigger of the weapon
Holloman brought the edge Of his right
hand against the hammer with a sharp
blow. This he repeated six times in rapid
succession, the reports of the weapon
sounding like the rolf of a giant drum
The boys, who had remained standing
during the firing, rushed forward, expect
ing to find the stranger a corpse on the
floor. He stood there smiling as ever.
and in one hand he held the six marked
bullets. That was too much for the
"greasers," who had taken such an inter-
est in the proceeding. With subdued
howl he fled from the 'dobe. exclaiming.
Est diable." followed by his comrade.
who showed every evidence of fear
Perhaps the most surprised man in the
group was Holloman, whose face showed
the nervous strain upon him. "Wen we
won't have to bury you" he remarked,
with forced smile. But I'd give a lot
to know how you did the trick" Then,
in half-shamed manner, he held out his
hand. Shake. pardner," said he, you re
the nerviest man I've ever met, and I've
been on the Pecos river for thirty-three
years. But say, you're the last man I'll
ever shoot at, unless he's got gun, too,
and means business. 1t amt healthy for
me-" and the big cowboy rung the hand
hand Of the man whom Mr. Roberts then
introduced to all hands as the famous ma
gician, who was travelling for his health,
Bancroft stayed at the ranch for two
weeks, and during that time he had no
better friend than Ben Holloman, who
showed the magician every kindness. In
return, Bancroft initiated Holloman into
many of the simpler tricks in his roper
tory, and long after the magician had
left, Ben was wont to amuse us In the
evenings with tricks. in which he showed
no little dexterity.
OF course, the secret OF the shooting
feat lay in the tin box, which contained
a false compartment in which was con-
cealed the six blank cartridges. He had
previously extracted and marked six bull
let's to show after the trick. r. A Lane.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-07
GOOD LUCK ROSES.
They Bring Happy Marriages TO
Those Who Wear Them.
From the washington Star.


There Is a good luck rose bush down
at Mount Vernon whose benehcent infiu-
ence upon affairs Of the heart dates back
as far as the time OF Nellie Custis Its
wonderful qualities were first discovered
by visiting friend of Washlngton's fos-
ter daughter, who, it is said. brought her
timid lover to the point through the pres
entation of beautiful white rose from
the charmed plant.
Mr.. whelan Of the Mount Vernon man.
agement vouches for It that none of the
efficacy Of tho flower has been lost through
the lapse of time. and his romance con-
corning Il is Of very recent date.
It appears that last spring a party of
visitors were being shown over the his
toric grounds. and when in the course
OF the tour the white rose tree was reach
ed the usual charming tale OF its power
as a love fortiher was told There was
among the group a dainty maiden, who
listened with shining eyes TO the recital.
and at its close asked with great earnest
ness for the solitary bud that grew upon
II. In presenting IL there WAS only one
stipulation made. and that was that "a
report of its mission oe sent to Mount Yer
non.
This reached here a few days ago In
the form Of the wedding cards OF the
young woman and an accompanying note
10 Mr.. Wheiap certifying that on giving
IL TO her lover she related the old-tlme
story. and he. who had been shy before.
became bold and ardent wooor, and
the wedding bells rang at Christmas.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-07

jackson Jordan, for some 's
valet Of Charles Dickens, ceieoia' ,icl
seth birthday on Jan. s. Dickens Vas
him up in New Orleans ana s,n
the service of the author ,s,er
American Notes" were written land nd
companying him home 70 sstsanis
present he Is steward or W. Franci
and China. and he expects t"r,nsfn
many a day yet,<though he c9n In
when there were only two So had
Francisco. and when gold mime
been begun.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-07
HAIR PINS NEW ROE.
1t Takes the Place of Safety -
in a Trolley Car.
From the Hartford Post

TUTI TTTg IIdT TTVTW a.
4 fuse burned out in one OF inc "
ershcld cars the other evening, anu
car at once came TO a standstilL Ais -,
moment the motorman opened Tue H., H.,
door. and, putting in his head ~ ul9-'
"Can any lady lend me hairpih "a
His singular request was at 0nyS
piled with, and in a short time '''
was again under way. -, 20,
what did -" wafd that nais' -
asked the young woman who haa 'u asr
II of the conductor when tha'
came to collect the fare. h,
"'Fo make fuse out Of wa, .,ssd
ply; "and / guess you are enu", IN
ride free this trip" And she u' ur,,.rr
the other passengers applaudeu "''
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-06-03
Lightning at Holland.

HOLLAND, May Sl.-About six
O'Clock Friday evening terrific rain
storm swept over this section Of the
country; late corn is probably dam
aged. During the progress Of the
storm lightning struck the house Of
j. J, Ryan, while the family were at
supper, tearing a large hole in the
north end and stripping a number Of
shingles from the roof. No other
damage was done and the occupants
experienced no i'll effects. 1t was a
fortunate thing that the bolt did not
enter the structure but passed along
the spouting to the ground.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-06-03
DICKINSON GETS TWO.
Manchester and Industry Postmasters
Are Appointed.

Capt. j. S. Winans was Thursday
appointed postmaster of Manchester
to succeed James Glenn. Mr.. Winans
was born in Ohio in 1888, moved to
Pennsylvania in 1916, where he re-
mained until IA when he settled on a
claim in Ottawa county, Kansas.
Then he came to Manchester. He
was educated for physician, but the
war arousing his military spirit, he
enlisted as a private in April 1861, in
company which was afterwards in
corporated in company Fl of the ninth
regiment of Pennsylvania Reserves.
Serving two months as a private, he
was promoted to first sergeant. In
November he was promoted to first
lieutenant and in December Of '62
was promoted to captain, and later to
brevet major for meritorious service.
He is staunch Republican and re-
gent of the State Normal school.
NJ. Price was appointed postmaster
Of Industry to succeed Isaac Gibbs re-
moved. Mr.. Price is one of Indus
try's leading Republicans and will
honor the place.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-06-03
Entertained at Chapman.

A party Of l3 members Of the Abb
lene O. y. 5. was entertained Thursday
most Hospitality at the home Of Mr..
and Mrs. P. L. Pennings at Chapman,
Mr.. and Mrs. M. p Sanborn assisting
in the entertainment. 1t was intend
ed to go on the local freight but at
the last minute it was found that the
freight would not carry women. So
the drive was made through the mud
and rain. But the delicious supper,
the pleasant evening and the meeting
Of Chapman people amply repaid them
for the difficulties Of Of the drive.
Those who went were: Messrs. and
Mesdames j. G. Lands, John Johntz,
c. Johntz, Jos. Spangler; Mrs. R.
Waring, Mrs. 0. l.. Moore, Mrs. Nc
Collam, Miss Lulu Hallam, Miss
Beatrice Waring.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-06-03
PROMPT AND COURTEOUS.
Wyandt's Insurance Agency Receives
Testimonials That are Valuable

G, c. WyanM, Agent SprinQfcld Fire
am Marine Insurance Company.
DEAR SlR:--lt affords us pleasure
to acknowledge the very prompt set
tlement by your company of the loss
we sustained through fire on May 25.
Everything was djusted satisfactorily
and fair and we have no kick what
ever
HUFFMAN 4 ETHERINGToN.
WyanN Bros. agents Sha,cnee Fire
Insurance Companp
GENTLEMEN:s-lt affords me pleasure
to acknowledge the very prompt set
tlemeht BY your company of the loss
by fire of the Adam Hees and j. 7.
Prendergast building. Your COM
pany was prompt and courteous In
settlement and recommend 1t to
those desiring insurance protection.
G. G. STERL,
President American Investment n
Loan company.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-06-03
All Doing Well.
ailces.

D, +. shirk brings back pleasant
reports from the Abilene folks in
Chicago. NJ. II. Bert has fine posi-
ton as bookkeeper for an insurance
company, Mrs. Bert spent the winter
in the East. Simon Rothschild has
prosperous clothing store. Near him
is +. l.. Hirsch also doing well. Mr..
Hrsch is just back from a tripto
Europe for his health. Frank Curtis
and W. B. Smith are with the Meth
odist Book Concern in good positions,
Frank being foreman OF the Epworth
Herald The Bakers, G. A. W. and
Dan, are janitors in the Monadnock
building and have good positions.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-06-03
DEMOCRATS LEFT OUT.
Morgan's Name to Have One More
Trial.

For a tolerably hot lotlof peopl,
just size up the Democrats Of Dickin'
son. They put up two candidates fol
county offices opposing that the Pop
ulists would fall over each other in
order to endorse them. But the Pops
did not fall. They passed by on the
other side and let the Democrats alone.
The vote shows that there was no vii.
lingness on their part to help anybody
but Pops. j. H. Glenn, the Demo.
cratic nominee for register, was bur
led fathoms deep. The city gangs
candidate was 0. l.. Bates with whom
1t was intended to kpock out James
Dunlop.
For treasurer viii Matteson had a
majority Of all the votes reported at
Saturdays committee meeting. I'M
der the rule adopted he was entitled
to the nomination without further
vote. But at that time Herington's
report had not come in. When it ar
rived Morgan had about30 more votes
and Matleson lacked a majority over
all. He has consented that both
names go back as he feels certain that
Morgan will be badly defeated, as Of
course he will.
The Democrats are commencing to
realize how the Pops look at them and
they don't feel real well over it. A
leading Populist remarked today,
''The Democrats ask too much. We
would be willing to give them high
school trustee" Think of that for
generosity!
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-06-03
Talked Of Free Homes.

j. S. Crawford made talk on the
street Saturday afternoon to a large
crowd on the attractions Of the Can
adian northwest as farming country.
Dickinson county farmers are doing
too well here to want even "free
homes" up north.
However, a club was formed to re-
ceive literature and Information, with
Samuel Bricker as president and c. j.
McAlister secretary and there will be
another meeting at p. m. next Sat.
urday in Abilene. A committee may
be chosen to investigate the new
lands.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-06-03
DRAGGED TO DEATH.


Special to the Reflector.
HOPE, June IA terrible accident
Sunday night resulted in the death
yesterday Of Mrs. Kelzow, one Of
south Dickinson's old residents and
widow of the late John Kelzow who
died several months ago. She was
driving in cart, returning from the
home Of her daughter, Mrs. Charles
Neis, and when mile east and II
miles north Of the city her dress
caught in the wheel throwing her to
the side. The horse went on drag
ging the poor woman fort mile. One
ear was torn off and one side Of her
head pounded to jelly from contact
with the wheel. She lived until
yesterday morning but never re-
gained consciousness. The funeral
services were held today at the Ger
man Lutheran church, leaving the
house at | p. m. Mrs. Kelzow was
the eldest daughter Of Mr. and Mrs.
Peter Rich and leaves 7 children to
mourn her death. She came here in
1870 and was highly respected by
wide circle Of friends and acquaint-
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-06-03
Dickinson Folks Abroad.

Miss May Bruckhart Of this city
was on Saturday reelected as teacher
in the Lathrop school, Kansas City,
Mo-, where she has taught very sue
cessfully during the past year.
J. J. Chambers Of this county was
one of the graduates at the Mid,
land theological college Atchison,
Friday. The subject Of his theme
was 1.-THE Armenian Church" He
will be ordained at the next session
of the Lutheran synod and become
pastor Of the church at Sabetha.
Ralph N. Gorden, son Of D. X. Cor
den OF this city, one Of Abilene's
brightest boys, took the highest hon
ors in a class Of 100 which was grad
uated at Ann Arbor University last
week. In consequence he was APP
pointed house surgeon for the hospi-
tai connected with the university.
This appointment is given to the stu
dent that passes the best examination
in bis class and is the great prize Of
the school. He takes charge June 10,
and will receive $1,000 year. Ralph
has made a splendid record and one
that promises remarkably brilliant
future.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-06-03

exercises were given they returned to
the hall for more flowers and then
went to Prairie Mound cemetery.
Twenty-Five soldiers graves were dec
Grated. At 2'SO the friends and FAM
lilies Of the post and corps met in G.
A. R. hall where they listened to short
talks by members Of corps and post
and by Rev. Mr.. PAISLEY.
CHAPMAN CHOSE MONDAY.
CHAPMAN, May Sl.-Memorial day
was celebrated here today. Services
were held in Assembly hall and the
program included addresses by Rev.
J. F. Leary, s. NJ. Cook, John Cline,
John Cunningham, H. G. Boles, DR..
McShea. Rev. j. F. Leary delivered
the address at Hiawatha on Saturday.
ENTERPRISE REMEMBERED VETERANS.
ENTERPRISE, May Sl.-The citizens
Of Enterprise gathered at the school
house Saturday and procession Of
about 200 marched to the cemetery
and decorated the graves Of veterans,
rendering song service in honor of
the soldiers memory.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-06-03

ka 2; hits Abilene 10, Topeka 10; 2
base hit Lott; errors Abilene I; To-
peka IA.
Batteries, Abilene, Meyer and
Brandt; Topeka, Bryant and Grote-
wohl.
Official scorer, c. A. Snider.
The Abilenes goto Manhattan Wed.
nesday. The gate receipts Saturday
were $l07.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-06-03
District Court.

A brief adjourned session Of district
court was held on Monday. A bill
Of exceptions in the McNaspy cases
was filed. The supreme court has
fixed McNaspy's bond at $1,000 in
each case during appeal. G. W. Hurd
went to Topeka to file the appeal.
Bond has not yet been given.
Minor business was transacted and
court adjourned sine die,
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-06-03
Enterprise Academy's Closing.

The Enterprise academy will begin
its commencement week exercises to-
night with a lecture by Rev. j. G.
Leist, Of Higginsville, Mo. Tomor-
row evening will be a musical pro.
gram and a literary entertainment
will be given Thursday evening.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-06-03
Mt. St. Joseph's Commencement

Mt. St. Joseph's academy will have
its commencement exercises June 22
and diplomas will be given to 10 grad.
yates. The report that none would
be held was erroneous. The school
always gives a splendid program and
all will watch for it eagerly.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-06-03
ABILENE GETS TWO.
T0PEKA'S BASE BALL PLAYERS
DEFEATED.
Holly Contested Games Witnessed By
Large Crowds Good Playing on
Both Sides,

The Abilene base bail team added
new laurels to its record Friday and
Saturday by winning from the Tope-
kas two games. The visitors includ-
ed some tip-top players and though
they were defeated they held Abilene
down close nearly all the time. They
lacked somewhat IN drill and had.hard
work to hit Abilenes pitchers, but
kept the home team guessing. A
more gentlemanly party Of young
men never visited the town and they
won many words of praise.
Tho l;pn ~ Gov u, IA o,,,e ,,n,,, :, ,,co.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-06-03
Flambeaux Again.

The hambeau club met last night
and reorganized for the Fourth OF July
celebration with these officers: G. A.
snider, president; Tell Mutt, socre-
tary; W. D. Harger, captain. The club
meets next Tuesday evening for drill.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-06-03
Murphy vs.. Murphv,"

j. S. Smith, C. M. Worth and Frank
Lemaster will start next Monday with
a medicine tent show for the Fam.
lily Medical company. Their play
will be "Murphy VS.. Murphy"
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-06-03
The line up for Fridays game was

The game was marked by the most
even and accurate playing the team
had shown this season. Bouldin
pitched fine balls and while except in
the Sth no big score was put up in
any single inning the visitors were
clearly outplayed both in base run
ming and fielding. Bouldin made the
only home run but there were fine
flies by other players that counted.
Bryant was bit badly in the Sth and a
change Of pitchers was made in the
9th by the visitors. The only score
of Topeka was by Chamberlain, a
member Of the Topeka Capital staff,
at the close Of the 9th. The score
was:
Abilene. Il. 2 OO2 2O015 PIP
Topeka. 5000 900 20 l. /
Struck out by Abilene s, by Topeka
1; hits Abilene s, Topeka 4; 2 base
hits Abilene /, Topeka l; errors abb
lene 2, Topeka 5.
Saturdays game was witnessed by
the largest crowd Of the season. 1t
opened with whirlwind by Abilene,
Strother and Price sending the ball
over the fence with their first mo-
tions. Three more were let in in
that inning. Topeka played better
game than the day before and gave
Abilene five goose eggs. The visitors
put up better pitching and had it not
been for some bad fumbles in the field
and reckless base running, honors
would have been even. Barnes sent
it over the fence. Abilene was rat
tied in the 4th but no other time.
The last inning was foot race for
the home team. The score was:
Abilene 500 002 001 7-15
Topeka. ... 0002 0004 2-8
Struck out by Abilene 3, by Tope.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-06-03
Nav Was Cold.

The past month has been the cold
est May in years. Yesterday the
temperature dropped to "A. The hot
test was "a on the Goth, coldest SO on
the l4th. The rainfall was 2.47 inches.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-06-03

Boarders wanted at the old Car
penter house. Terms: $3.50 per
week. MRs. H. GERTH,
lsctf Proprietor.