davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1898-03-04
CHAPTER VII.

The probability that l had a rival III
the field. and one who had a free road
while l was handicapped by the suspi-
ciOn of crime, filled me with despera-
ticn.
Had l only followed my first i'm
pulse, and not allowed a whole year to
intervene without making an attempt
to clear myself! If you want anything
of consequence done, do it yourself,
was a maxim / had always believed in,
and as far as possible followed out.
But in this one most important in
stance, where the circumstances affect
ed my whole life and promised to annul
all possibility of future happiness, l
had held aloof with a supineness for
which could not now condemn myself
strongly enough.
| knew the bank officials had used
every effort to recover their property.
L knew the shrewdest detectives had
been put on the case. Notwithstanding
this, nothing had been discovered.
How could /, then, hope to succeed!
Where could l begin? There was not
the least sign of clew to work on.
l soon drove into Twineburgh, and
had no trouble in locating Mr. Sonn-
tags Office.
An understood old fellow with brist-
ling gray hair was seated at a desk,
his back toward the door. He took
no notice of me, and, after standing
for u few minutes gazing at the back
of his head, made known my presence.
Il wish to speak to Mr.. Sonntag,"
said.
Take a chair; be at leisure in a
moment" came the answer, in quick,
ierky tones. He did not even turn his
head, but went on with his work.
l sat down and looked around. 1t
was a typical small-town lawyers Of
flee 1 was in. There were a few law
books in a small, rickety bookcase on
one side of the room, a few rough
wooden chairs, warranted to cause a
backache only to look at them, a few
old maps and calendars, most of the
latter of former years, hanging on the
walls, a wooden spittoon filled with
sawdust on the floor, a rusty stove,
from which the discolorations of the
| fires of the last winter had not been
removed, standing in one corner, and,
lastly. the desk before which was seat
ed my agent and lawyer.
thought the old fellow, Judging
from his back, was in complete har-
mony with his surroundings; but
soon found had misjudged the man.
For when he finally arose, turned to-
ward me and favored me with a search
ing glance from pair of the keenest
steel-blue eyes had ever seen, it was
very evident Mr.. Sonntag was not as
rusty as his surroundings.
There was something familiar to me
about him. Had / met him before
could not remember.
Arising, / was about to make myself
known, but before / could utter word
he stepped briskly up to me and with
smile extended his hand.
- am glad to see YOU" he began
The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1898-03-04

''Of course you are my client, Mr.. Mel
son Conway"
Eyes, that is my name," answered,
somewhat surprised. But, as you have
probably never seen me before, al
though your face does seem familiar,
L should like to ask how you knew"
Nothing remarkable about it at all.
You wrote me from Paris, you remem-
her, stating the probable time of your
arrival home. And, although l have
been here only six months, have got
to know, by sight at least, every one
about this place. Therefore 1 knew
you were stranger. that Mr.. Conway
was about due. and-well, there you
have it. Have you just arrived?"
II came yesterday noon"
Indeed. And where are you stop
ping?"
"Over at the old house, of course.
Where else she Lid 1 have gomez"
"Oh, supposed you would have put
up at the hotel here in Twineburgh
until we could get things in little
better shape for you at the homestead
How did you find things?"
considering that the house has been
vacant so many years, was very agree
ably surprised to note the good state
of repair it is in," replied.
81 have tried to follow out the plans
of my predecessor as far as possible.
You think you will enjoy yourself in
Nelsonville?" he asked, flashing an in
r.11iriOn ClaO0a of mo
'Oh, yes. L hope to have absolute
rest and peace, at any rate 1 replied,
somewhat hesitatingly, for my sojourn
at the old house had certainly not be-
gun restfully. had slept but little the
night before.
Nothing about the arrangements 1
have made for your comfort to prevent
it, is there?' he asked.
mo. You have done we'll. want to
ask you, before L forget it, why did you
have the cellar off of the old store
room walled up?"
A look of perpleXity came over his
face, and. as he did not seem to COM
prehend my question, I went on more
explicitly:
ing to the storeroom and the other
leading to the outside. Both these door
ways have been built up with solid
masonry to correspondence the founda-
ton walls. 1 simply ask out of curios-
ity what your reasons were for having
it done-not that 1 have any objection"
Ny question was a simple enough
one. Mr.. Sonntag seemed to think it
necessary to ponder over it, however.
LET me see. The cellar you have
reference to is directly under the room
you proposed in your letter of instruc-
ton to me to occupy" he finally said.
Eyes, and there used to be two doors
| to"
."And they have been built up?" he
broke in.
eyes. Do you not know about it?"
asked, in surprise.
NO." he replied, shortly.
''Then you did not have it done?"
Certainly not. had nothing to do
with it. Know nothing about it." he
The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1898-03-04

answered, decidedly. eff they are
built up, it has been done within six
weeks. For when received your letter
announcing your intention to occupy
the house for time, went all through
the place, and those doorways were not
built up then. I even went into that
cellar. 1t was damp, musty hole, and
1 intended to call your attention to it
and ask what you wished done about it,"
well, that's strange! Who could
have done it," / exclaimed, thoroughly
perplexed. "How did you get into the
storeroom I had to kick open the door"
'Oh, had a key to the outside door,
and got in that way. HIM! 1t is, as you
say, very strange, indeed. But resume
your seat, Mr. Conway
Again the thought occurred to me
that had met Mr.. Sonntag, or at least
seen him, somewhere before
did ever meet you?" asked, voic-
ing my thought.
He glanced quickly at me, and then
smiled as he said: "Look like some one
you know. do I? One often meets peo-
pie who put them in mind of some one
else. Now, regarding this cellar affair.
Is there anyone you know who is in
terested in your property?" he asked,
in brisk, business-like manner.
mo one" l replied. 81 am the last
Of my race-a lonely man, and one
who is sick at heart, I was about to
add"
Mr.. Sonntag's face became serious,
and thought there was touch of pity
on it.
"Cheer up. Mr.. Conway. The tables
will turn some day, and you will for
get the time of trouble and desponden-
cy," the old lawyer said, cheerily and
hopefully; perhaps sooner than you
have any idea of. Now, then" he con-
tinued, returning to his brisk, business
like manner, "some one has walled up
those doorways. Who was 1t. and for
what purpose? If it was done with the
idea of hiding-place, what was the
thing to be hidden? Something which
The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1898-03-04

was never again 10 be reproduced, evil
IDENTIFY, or the room would not have
been wholly sealed. Perhaps there was
"a secret entrance provided. But then,
why should your property have been
selected? Were you alone when the
discovery was made?"
mo, sir. A woman who used to act
as nurse girl when was a young one
was with me. and also Mrs. Snyder, the
widow who takes care of the house."
eyes, I know. 1 believe the old
widow can be relied upon to say moth
ing about the circumstances if she is
told not to. How about the other, your
old nurse?"
''She would do anything possible for
me. l was her idol when a child, and
now devotion for me seems to have
been augmented in proportion to my
stature. Sarah is wholly trustworthy,
and if requested her not to mention
the matter she would have her tongue
cut out rather than breathe a word
of it,
That's good. The discovery had best
be kept secret" the old lawyer said, re-
hectively.
THERE'S another thing Iwish to men
tion, though perhaps it is hardly worth
dwelling upon. Mrs. Snyder thinks
there is something strange about the
house. And she has so succeeded in
impressing my Old nurse with the idea
that Sarah is quite concerned about my
staying. She seems to be imbued with
an inexplicable fear that something
harmful threatens me-"
Indeed! What do you mean when
you say there is something strange?
You mean mysterious?" the old lawyer
asked, IN the manner he would have
used in cross-eXamining a witness.
eyes; Mrs. Snyder claims to have
seen mysterious lights at night, and
heard strange noises"
Mr.. Sonntag's eyes lost their shrewd
expression for a few moments; he re-
lapsed into deep thought.
fro BE Continued
The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1898-03-04

Eyes. [ am much obliged to You for
directing me to him." said. shortly.
Il thought mebbe he would"
Having said this. he shifted mis-
weight to the other foot. I patiently
waited.
Nice country around Nelsonville,"
he finally went on. Some of the city
folks beginning to find it out and go
there for the summer. Mr.. Morley's
been there six months now Know Mr.
Morley?"
81 am slightly acquainted with him."
replied.
Then there's another teller comes up
from the city. Let's see-what's his
name, now? He's got little hut mile
or so from here, and comes up to hunt
and fish. Guess he don't shoot very
much. Iinever see him take any game
back to town with him. Oh, yes, now 1
remember. His names Jackson
1 started in surprise and became
little more interested.
what? Not Horace Jackson?" I
asked.
Eyes, that's his name. Acquainted
with him?'
81 used to know Mr.. jackson quite
WE'LL
Seems to be a nice fellow" the agent
remarked, refectively.
GA very pleasant gentleman. Oh, by
the way" I went on, sis there a tele-
graph instrument at the depot?"
ITO be sure
"And 1 could send message when
ever I want to?"
Eyes; that is, whenever I'm here"
well, but supposing 1 had an i'm
pOrtant message to send when you are
not here?" 1 asked. "Where could I
find yOu?"
Il live up the track about a mile" he
replied.
This direction?''
Yes, The house is right by the
track, just where the switch begins"
'And what's your name?"
ASK for Hunter"
It appeared to me that the fellow did
not relish my questioning. He seemed
to be i'll at ease under it.
docs Jackson go to Mr.. Morley's
house when he comes up here?" I asked
Il guess he does, sometimes He amt
been up lately; not for five or six weeks.
At least | haven't seen him.
Does Mr.. Morley stay at Jacksonville
all the time?" asked. COR does he 90
to town every day."
He goes to the city three days in the
week; sometimes more'n that He takes
the morning train here at Sidington,
and comes up to Twineburgh on the
afternoon train"
bowed my head and drove on.
The fellows words gave me food for
thought. Horace Jackson a frequent
visitor at the Morleys, or at least I'M
til recently-why? Iknew he had some
! business relations with Mr.. Morley;
jackson himself had told me so. But
then why did he not transact his bust
ness at Mr.. Morley's office in the city
No doubt he did, and therefore visited
Jacksonville for another reason. Flor
ence Morley was the attraction. Re
membering that she had passed me by
without greeting, my heart grew
heavy with doubt.
The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1898-03-04
ITo BE Continued
THE RETIRED BURGLAR.
His Professional Instincts Submerged
In Patriotic Emotion.

His Professional Instincts Submerged
In Patriotic Emotion.
"Poking along the side of the house
one night looking for the handiest Gel
lar window" said the retired burglar,
Il brushed against string hanging
down the side of the house. Looking
up I saw that this string disappeared
over the sill of a second-story window,
and then 1 realized that it was Fourth
of July morning, and 1 knew that the
string was tied around the big toe of
boy who was then sound asleep, but
had made a solemn contract with
neighbours son to come and pull that
string and wake him up at exactly
When? That was the question. Two
o'clock? Three o'clock? Four o'clock?
When? didn't know, and there wasn't
any way of finding out.
1T was then about quarter of two. Of
course it would have been the part of
common sense for me to go away, but
1 didn't. / took the chances and looked
around the house. But didn't find any
thing that / wanted bad enough to
carry it off. l didn't look very hard.
To tell the truth 1 never came so near
to feeling mean about my business as
did that morning.
cit wasn't because l was working on
a holiday. In my business we don't
pay much attention to holidays, any
way; we work right along just the same,
but somehow this Fourth o July BUSH
ness, string out of the window, and all
that kind o. touched me up.
II went up to the boys room amt
found him sleeping sound as a nut,
Fourth o July things spread out on a
table. Humph! Three or four packs of
firecrackers not opened. One pack loose
in a saucer, all ready to begin. Three
or four pieces of punk. Two or three
pin wheels, and two or three little bits
of rockets. Pretty small outfit, take il
altogether, but the boys heart was
in it. Very likely he didn't real
ize what Fourth O. July meant;
don't suppose he did; but it was great
day, all the same.
81 looked out of the boys window
This was in the country, or rather in &
country town, and off in the distance
could hear guns now and then, and
now and then a pistol; sometimes ]
could see the flash. Men celebrating
Drunk, maybe, round some tavern, but
celebrating; celebrating their country.
mine too, and I was around robbing
people.
when I won't past the string agaiL
gave it a yank; 1 thought
ought to have that much fun
out of it, anyway. and hid be.
hind a currant bush and waited to
see him poke his head out, which he did
in about a quarter of minute. But
he didn't see anybody-how could he
when there wasn't anybody there; and
suppose ne must have thought he
dreamt it. But he didn't-the string
was pulled pulled tn. Y. Sun.
The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1898-03-04
IN FOG AND MIST.

Morning gray as any nun,
Not hirt of coming sun,
Fog and mist, across the dawn.
Have their heavy curtains drawn.
Dripping branches, bare and brown
Shall we smile or shall we frown?
Hear the voices faint and far:
All unsightly as we are
Every tree heart holds within
Faith in natures discipline.
So we welcome skies like these,
Welcome all her mysteries"
Rose trees, shrouded in the gloom,
Do you ever hope to bloom?
What of dreary mists outside?
Happy secrets do we hide,
All the glory of the rose,
Do our folded buds inclose."
Robin, in a world forlorn,
Do you frown away the morn?
Shake of wing and swelling throat
Nay, l sing my gayest note;
Dear old world, it needs my Law.
Under skies so dull and gray"
Shall I then, when clouds arise,
Meet them with despairing eyes?
Let my heart forget its faith,
And my hope go down to death,
While the world, the clouds among,
Needs all faith and hope and song?
Z. Woodwork, in Chicago Advance
The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1898-03-04
NAV Purchase a Tug.

New YORK, March a-The ocean
going tug Sanford, of the Delaware,
Lackawanna & Western Railroad Co.,
will be sent to the Brooklyn navy yard
Thursday at the request of the navy
department. 1t is rumored that the
government will buy the Sanford, arm
her with Driggs-Schroeder rapid-6ring
guns, and send her to Key West for
service as dispatch boat.
The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1898-03-04
Proved Seli-Defense.

VANCEBURG, KY, March 3.-Constable
Charles Chopper and Postmaster VIM.
Thatcher, who killed Mrs. Mary Crow
while attempting to arrest her and her
daughters few weeks ago. were dis
missed here upon preliminary exam
ination. They proved that thcy had
fired in sclf-dc tense.
The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1898-03-04
Lexington Man Commits suicide.

LEXINGTON, KY. March edward
L. Price. aged ~, a prominent anal
wealthy business man. committed SUI
eide Wednesday morning. hy shooting
himself in the forehead. lie was de-
spondent over i'll health.
The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1898-03-04
bones Screening BIN a Law.

COLUMBUS, O., March 3.-The senate
Wednesday evening passed the Jones
bill to require coal to be weighed be-
lore screening and it is now law.
The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1898-03-04

Female spiders are much larger
and more ferocious than the males. and
often devour their husbands.
The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1898-03-04

Potatoes in Greenland never g-;w
lzrger than marble
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1898-02-03

feeling and deep sympathy with such
still. and for no class does He eylnce n
Greater tenderness in His word than FOR
them.
In the Poor Hous of our daythe ar
rangements are of a kind that tend to
contribute TO the comfort and well be
ing of their inmates, in them they have
comfortable rooms in which to sit
and sleep. And they have measure
Of social enjoyment which they would
not have at the freside of those who en-
tertain them solely for reward. | think
moreover, these houses have libraries
and papers to which all can have ac-
cess and they have either stated
cbaplain to attend TO their spiritual n
terests. or if in any case this be lack
ing. the local clergy do so in turn. Ana
I might add that the entire establish
ment is under rigid government by a
board of directors, and presided over by
competent superintendent and matron
who live in the building and see that
everything is done and kept as II
snould be.
Fellow citizens viewing TINS matter
either from a financial ors moral stand
point the weight of evidence Is on the
side of a change, and hence II Is WIS
dom and a solemn duty that we owe 70
ourselves and to the poor OF the county
TO cast our votes ar the coming e'ectlch
for that change. Let us do 1t.
SAMUEL KERR,
Harrisville, Pa.
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1898-02-03
SaNonburg.
Sleighing'
Zero weather,

Sleighing
Zero weather,
Get out your Portlands.
Mr.. Jacob Neher Is slowly recover
ing.
Mr.. Geo. Wilson has left the town
perhaps for Klondyke. Goodby George.
The girls want Billy to give them
a sleigh ride.
No regular services will be held in
the St. Lukes Ev. L. Church, next
Sunday.
The weekly choir meeting was held
at the residence of James C. Gray, last
Thursday.
Miss Leah Horn is spending a few
days in Tarentum and Pittsburg.
Mr. Marion Crawford will give an
entertainment at the Jefferson Centre
school house, Friday evening.
Chas Rothweiler, the tailor, has NOV
ed TO the house formerly occupied by
has taken up his residence m the house
vacated by Chas. Rothweiler.
No entertainment was given by Ma
rion Crawford, the elocCtionist, last
week. on account of the bad weather
but Is talking of holding one at the
school house at some future date
The Misses Smith entertained a mum
her of the English choir last Wednes
day evening After the guests had al
arrived they took part in some very
pleasing games and theI
delicious refreshments were
then served, after which they all en-
gagged in conversation. The party afte-
singing some beautiful good night
songs departed for home very vel
pleased with the evening pleasure anC
enjoyment.
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1898-02-03

The first item what II takes 70 care
for our poor Is subject TO times and
events. In times like the present $50,
600 Der year is what the Commissioners
raise for the support Of the Home and
outdoor relief. We have a very good
four story brick building and If | do
not err. il cost 800. OGO, the land l22Ol
acres has barn and necessary out bnlld-
ings. the Home mines its own coal; the
Home has been run for S2S, GOO per year
all expenses. The worst feature IN
connection with any home IS the abuse
Of ont door relief too much Is given 10
unworthy at times and it Is a duty for
the directors TO see that only the
worthy are provided. For instance
temporary relief Is given in cases where
ii would be cheaper 10 keep them AT
home for a time as III cases OF sickness
wherein large families We're involved
then again parties odd should be taken
to the home. that Is the place tor them
and when once there they forget tnelr
adherence to the name OF Poor House
and hnd indeed that 1t Is good for them
to be there where every comfort Is at
their service. The superintendent Is
paid $500, per year; the matron S3OO;
nhysician 54lj. baker $3.50; hospital
nurse S-Oi. EHS4littA G'NN S'fhAiiSAANt'9
S3 90 Der week: farmer 1920; cook 1913
and insane MUSE 1920 per year. Inc
| inmates do all the necessary help IN
| farming and work about the Home
| The cost per capita per week is in the
neighborhood of Sl.25. The assessed
value for our county is about SO, 600, 600
we do not lay any poor tax, the dlrec-
! tors place a requistion on us as com
missioners and we III laying our mlliage
embodv it in our estimate for the year.
| Our millage for county purposes Is ~,
| Our system Is very simple, II person be
| comes a charity he or she IS taken to the
| Home and there maintained by the peo-
Dle. they are compelled to aid IN the
| work Of the Home, do what they IN
| tha;r condition can, outside OF the sal
! aried PARTIES named no hired help Is IN
! or about the place, all the rest OF the
! work is done by inmates. To give you
| an idea will say that in 1897 the number
| maintained in the year was 431, this IN
| cludes the number admitted during the
vear l22g. number born in home 90
| and number remaining i'll Home March
| 'g6 2l2). The number discharged dur
| mo the wear was los, died 30. The
Home is migratory to an extent and we
| have fewer in summer than winter
II shall take pleasure in sending
YOU a report as published for last year
which will answer many questions that
YOU have not thought of. Trusting
that you may be able 10 do much good
in this grand move for right ana Justice
in the interest of the unfortunate OF
vour county. l have great pleasure
in signing myself,
Your friend,
w. d. REAMER.
Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1898-02-03
WASHINGTON.

After a debate which occupied the
greater part of last week, the Senate by
the vote of A. to 30, passed the Teller
concurrent resolution. The resolution
is a practical reaffirmation of that of
Stanley Matthews in 1873. and is as fol
lows:
That all the bonds of the United
States issued or authorized to be issued,
under the said acts of Congress herein
before recited, are payable principal
and interest, at the option of the gov
ernment of the United States, in silver
dollars of the coinage of the United
States, containing 412i grains each OF
standard Silver; and that to restore 10
its coinage such silver coins as a legal
tender in payment of said bonds, prlncl-
pal and interest, is not in violation OF
the public faith nor in derogation OF the
rights of the public creditor.
All efforts to amend the resolution
were voted down by majorities ranging
from to 80. Mr. Lodges gold standard
substitute being defeated by the latter
majority. The vote on the Lodge
amendment was: Ayes, "a; nays 53
On Monday the House killed the
Teller Resolution by a vote OF le2 10
1872.
Mr.. Dalzell rep, PENN declared
that the resolution was meaningless
unless its purpose was to open the
mints to the free and unlimited coinage
| of silver 1t was a proposition tna'
J the United States stamp its legend on
| a cents of silver and declare that II
was 81. 1t was the proposition oi
national reputation. and against II
all the forces of national integrity and
honor were arrayed. More sacred thar
the centuries of history, its tradition
and its heroes, was its honor, and ne
thanked God that the party in power
had been and always would be the pro
tector of that honor
Pensions G. y. Reed, Chicora s.
Robert Cooper. Brownsville: Margare
Henderson, Harrisville.
Representative Showalter introduces
bill granting an increase of pension Il
Mrs. Mary w. Townsend, of New
Brighton, at $24 per month.