davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-23

unmeiodious voice. while the singer lay
propped against an empty barrel en-
deavoring in the intervals OF song TO
snatch a bite Of dinner. The other sol
diers. To the rumber Of a dozen. lay
about addressing interesting remarks TO
Berthe.
The men were much embarrassed and
sheeplshly got up and saluted. Berthe
got up. too. and did exactly as he saw
his new friends do.
Your honor. he followed the regi-
ment from the city, and 1t is impossible.
we find II. to ascertain his place of resi-
dence.'
Where do you live. my little mann"
questioned the colonel.
"A home amiably replied BERTHE.
And that is all the colonel could find
out from the runaway except that his
name was BERTHE.
I'VE will send a message to the police
station. Some one Is sure TO call for
him." said the officer.
No one came. however, for Susan was
not a reader of the newspapers and
had not sense enough to apply to the
police. She was so frightened over the
disappearance OF Berthe that she locked
up the house and went home to spend
her time In weeping. She supposed the
little boy had been kidnapped and had
not the courage to go to tell Berries
Aunt Helen.
When Tim reached home. he found
the place deserted and let himself into
the house with his latchkey. thinking
that Bertie's aunt had taken Susan to
help in housekeeping. which he had
heard her say a week before she was
in the midst OF.
On his way home from Philadelphia
Mr.. Lawrence read In one Of the news
papers the story of a little boy who had
been adopted as the mascot Of one of
the regiments then in camp on the out
skirts of his city.
Dear mel" said Mr.. Lawrence. That
little boy. from the description OF him,
might be my BERTHE. Really people
ought to take better care OF their chill
dren."
When he reached his deserted home
and began to look about for his scat
tered family, he discovered that BERTHE
had most mysteriously disappeared.
OF course he went to the police at once.
THE description you give, sir, seems
exactly to At that little boy the soldiers
are making such a fuss over Perhaps
you would better conn over and look at
him..
When Mr.. Lawrence reached camp.
the regiment was going through it's
daily drill. Right at the n Of the line
was a very little boy wearing a soldier
cap and belt and carrying a toy gun
yer his shoulder.
There's my papa.' screamed Berthe.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-23

II suppose that means they've got the
regulars after us!"
All day the watch was kept up I'm ev-
cry direction. Shortly before dusk a
score of cavalrymen came In sight over
a ridge on the Mesa Verde and halted
just out OF rifle range. A man dressed
in buckskin rode forward to the foot of
the first rise and. ~dismounting, started
to climb the rugged bluff.
There was a flash from up among the
ruins. and a bullet sang SO closely to
his head hat 1t stirred his long yell
low hair.
Hey! Let up on that, will you?' he
shouted, waving his hand i'm apparent
protest, but continuing his upward
climb.
There was a second sharp report, and
something clipped the top of his big felt
hat.
"Amuse yourselfi' he roared, never
stopping for a second. Pop away, only
don't spoil my usefulness! I'm the
sheriff of La Plata county. and I've got
warrants for Rucker and Fent and
Morely!"
well. IL you take another step" said
the last named individual, raising his
head above an adobe wall, you'll be
the deadest sheriff this county ever
sawi"
"Pshaw! You don't say SOL" And the
man in buckskin kept straight on. mop
ping his moist face with a yellow silk
handkerchief. Without a seconds warn
ing Merely fired. and the sheriff pitch
cd to the ground without a groan.
"D-n you" Rucker cried wildly. why
did you kill him? DO you want to have
US strung UP for murder? I've a notion
to blow your worthless head on"
Save your charge" replied Merely,
coolly placing three fresh cartridges in
the magazine of his gun. Don't waste
a shot on me. Look over there!"
All that Rucker could see was a cloud
Of dust rapidly rolling toward the
butte. but he knew IL enveloped a squad
OF United States cavalry. A moment
later the blue uniforms were out Of
their saddles and climbing up the steep
slope.
The three white men and the dozen
Indians opened FIRE with murderous ef-
feet. The soldiers replied and strove
bravely TO reach the summit. hut II
was a hopeless undertaking. and as
night closed In they retreated, most OF
them badly wounded and three dead be-
sides the sheriff.
1T Is kind OF tough business" Fcnt
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-23

admitted to Rucker as they buried the
victims OF the encounter, "but II can't
be helped. You'll get used to IL in time.
like me and Merely. There's one thing.
t~hough-they amt likely to disturb US
again for some time"
After the failure Of the expedition
against the train robbers the officials
held a consultation at Durango. A re-
ward of IS. 900 was also offered for the
capture of Rucker. Merely and Fent.
One morning a week after the killing
Of the sheriff Rucker was fairly par
alyzed by the sudden appearance of a
stranger inside the old pueblo. He nan
aged to let out a yell. however. hat
brought Fent and Merely to the spot.
Good morning, gentlemen" said the
intruder, carefully adjusting his eye
glasses and bowling to the little group.
Can o give me any data relative to
these ruins? Are they Moki. Navajo or
some extinct race? / am preparing a
work on the Pueblos OF Arizona, New
Mexico and southern Colorado. and any
information will be gratefully received"
(Which direction did you come from?''
asked Merely abruptly.--
From the south. sir" was the reply.
II was able to see these overs from
Carrizo mountain. I've done the Rio
Grande valley and also the Zuni pla-
teau. II you will excuse me. / will lead
my burro here and show you a part of
my collection OF Pueblo Indian pottery.
II Is very unique"
Never mind" Merely growled. "I'il
send for It,"
"Oh. thank you" replied the stranger,
stroking his mustache and seating him.
self on a convenient roll of blankets.
I'm the meantime will you join me?"
And he produced a flask of the finest
whisky that had ever reached the banks
of the Rio San Juan.
Several days passed, and the ethnoIo-
gist continued his explorations and
notations, apparently oblivious to the
constant guard that was kept over his
movements.
Rucker approached him at last as he
was earnestly engaged in exhuming
some Indian remains.
Il don't suppose you'd like TO change
places with them bones," Rucker DID,
served.
There was a sharp glance from the
strangers glasses. but he continued his
digging.
"why?" he said.
Because Whispered Rucker. "Fent
and Merely are goin to kill youl They're
on TO your game-spy or detective.
somethin like that. I don't wan any
more murder done around here my
self"
Your friends must be very much
mistaken" said the stranger quietly.
Sec here" Rucker continued, you
clear out before it's too late. The In
dams have trailed you back over the
Mesa-Nerde. You never anne from the
south. Amt that right?"
There was no answer from the man
In the grave.
q tonight" persisted Rucker. and he
sauntered away to meet his compan-
ions.
The following morning the ethnoIo-
gist was missing. Merely and Fent ad-
mlnistered kicks and curses 10 the whole
dozen Indians for permitting the mans
escape.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-23

tonight and give them devils the slip.
They'll cut your throat some day to
get that money. You've got 1t all now.
amt your
YES. an said Rucker. patting the
belt nervously.
This amt no place for a man like
YOU" she persisted. And the horse Is
Owe there all ready. He car take two
of us. Come on"
Half reluctantly Rucker permitted
himself to be led down the steep path
way. The horse followed noiselessly,
for Pink had carefully muffied his
hoofs.
At the foot Of the bluff they mounted
and turned the horse out across the
Mesa Verde. A few moments later the
sound of pursuers was clearly borne to
their ears.
How many horses have they?' said
Pink.
only two" Rucker answered. The
Indians will come on foot"
'Rucker!" cried a stern voice that
made him sway in the saddle. "Rucker.
I've just taken your money and gun!
Don't move. or I'll kill you!" And
straightway a pair Of handouts snap
ped over Fuckers wrists.
'Pinkl" gasped Rucker.
'Pinkerton!' was the espon of the
captor. He then continued: 'Rucker. 1
want you to ride to Parrot and give
yourself up. You can drive all right.
and the horse can get away with only
one OF us. Swear that youn do IL. or
II swear!" cried Rucker quickly. and
he Immediately felt the figure behind
him slip TO the ground.
For Gods sake. stop" screamed
Pink as Merely and Fent galloped up.
He stole me way n now's pitched
me off his horse. Take me up. won't
your"
Take her up, Fent," said Merely as
they drew rein. I've got to get Ruck-
err"
Merely rode ahead. while Pink slowly
mounted behind Fent.
"All right. there 2" asked Fent.
Hands UP there" growled Pink and
placed a revolver against Fent's neck.
Fent was so shocked that he permit
ted himself TO be relieved OF all arms
without a word OF protest.
Now. whip up" Pink said. We've
got to overhaul Merely"
Merely was a heavy man. mounted
on a poor animal. and they came up
with him just at dawn. Pink took care
full aim and fired. Morely's right arm
fell Imply at his side.
Get Oft and go over 60 him. Fent,"
Pink commanded. Throw his gun away
and get UP behind him
Having seen a sample OF Pink's
Workmanship, Fent thought IL best to
obey implicitly.
Ride on. now" said Pink, "and don't
forget that sudden deaths right at your
heels.'
In this fashion Pink and his captive
rode into PARROT. Rucker. true TO hi
oath. had given himself up. and the
whole town was wild with excitement.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-23

Captain w. L. Pitcher Of the Eighth
infantry, son of General Pitcher and
brother of Captain Pitcher of the First
cavalry. has been telling a reporter
some interesting facts about the hero
of Manila. Pitcher was once in tho
navy, a midshipman. and cruised
der Dewey In the old frigate Constitu-
tion.
Looked at from the standpoint Of .
mildly" Dewey was at once soldicrly'
in his instincts and ways and yet tha
gentlest OF men. Born in Vermont. he
looked like a Spaniard. was popular
with men above and below him In rank.
had the good will of all and a hSppy'
faculty of controlling the restless boys
who did not take readily to discipline
He was thoroughly educated in the
theoretical and practical features Of hin
profession. a splendid sailor and did not
know the meaning of the word fear.
Most tars are very poor horsemen. but
Dewey was a notable exception to that
rule. While on duty at washington ho
would every evening. arrayed In fm-
maculate corduroy. mounted on q Ken
lucky horse, go across country. taking
walls as he came TO them.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-23

forgetful Of discipline. and. dropping his
gun he leaped right into Mr.. Lawrence's
arms. The soldiers looked disappolnt-
ed. They had come to the conclusion
that BERTHE had no friends to claim him
and that they could adopt him as the
mascot of the --th." taking him with
them wherever they went. There was
not a man i'm the regiment from the
colonel down who was not devoted to
the new mascot.
rs that your little boy. Mr.. Law
rence?' asked the colonel as he rode up
on his graz horse. GLAD TO see you,
sir, but I'm afraid there will be a gen.
eral rebellion in camp when you try to
take that young man away. He and
my men are as wrapped up in his going
to war as IL he were a regularly enlisted
recruit"
"Ah. good morning. Colonel Hamp-
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-23

Captain Calhoun formed a line to cover
the retreat of their comrades to anoth~
err ridge in the rear of the first. After
killing the brave captain and all hiS
men I'm their tracks the savages rushed
on to the second ridge. AT that point
Captain Keogh had halted his compa~
ny. facing Calhoun's battlegrounds
while the other companies reiterated.
BY the time the Indians reached Ke~
ogh's position they had spread out in
curved line, which inclosed the lighting
troopers on three sides. This gallant
company shared the fate of Calhoun'o
to a man. Meanwhile Custer. leading
three companies. found his march dis
puted by a swarm of fresh savage9S
coming from the hills. He formed =
line with his back to the river and to
Keogh's battle-ground and fought until
overpowered. Custer and his brother.
Captain Tom Custer. and also Captain
Yates were killed in this fight, which
is fitIy named Clusters last rally" Be-
sides the general and Captain Tom, q
younger brother OF the family fell there,
also a nephew. The dead Captain Cali
houn was Clusters brother-in-law.
There fell with Custer 80 soldiers, ana
the rest. led by Captain Smith. retreat
ed toward the river. which fortune had
placed In their rear. On this march -
more were killed. and at the banks Of
the stream the survivors made their
last stand. All were killed. According
to the Indian story of IL, h battle last
ed some hours. Custer. 1t was gaid.
died sword in hand. lighting with saw
ages who had cut hin of from his conn
rades.
Dead, Is II possibie7 He. the bold rider, "a
Custer. our hero, the first in the fight.
Charming the bullets Of yore to- fly wider. .
Far from our battle kings ringlets Of
light.
Dead. our young chieftain. and dead. All
forsaken!
No one to tell US the why of his fall!
Slain In the desert and never to waken-
No. not even to victory's call!
GEORGE l.. KILMER-
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-23

Where two states, two territories and
the Rio San Juan draw to a point Of
meeting and where towers. cliffs, caves
and abandoned pueblos afford a verita-
BILE city of refuge for the law bounded,
there Rucker, his two cutthroat COM
panions and a dozen renegade Navajoes
intrenched themselves and defied cap
ture.
The cause Of Fuckers enforced isola-
ton was directly traceable to the I'M
fortunate slipping OF his mask during
4 successful hold up on the Denver and
Rio Grande railroad. In the words of
Rucker himself, 1T give the whole durn
snap away"
For up to that time he had been a
trusted employee OF the railroad, serv-
Ing as agent at Wagon Wheel Gap and
,ater at Silverton.
1t was Fuckers Official position that
enabled him to ascertain the contents
of the express messengers iron box, so
he was not forced to work blindly. He
and his companions secured even more
than they had expected, but his identity
was revealed and his promising double
career brought to a sudden close.
Looks like they weren't goin to try
to take u.s." Rucker observed to Fent
and Merely a week after the hold up.
BLAMED IL I'm not tired OF this layin
around"
They'll be after US all hot, and don't
you reckon they WON'T" said Fent.
And with somethin more %persuadin
than a summons" Merely added, draw
Ing his hand suggestively along the bar
rel of "a heavy carbinc. But don't wor-
~. Eucker. They can't even scratch us
up here, and when this business auiets
down we'll have another 20 Mt the ex-
press. What's the matter with that
,ool half breed anyways"
All three started to their feet and
gazed in the direction OF an old tower.
from the top OF which an Indian was
g~esticuiatlng wildly.
"I guess he's eeen signs OF our
friends" laughed Tcnt. Come on.
Fucker! There won't be any more lay
In round for a SPELL"
They were soon standing beside the
Incian. straining their eyes to the
north.
II wish we had q glass;" Fucker said.
Don't need II. See that fash?" And
Merely pointed TO a small spot OF daz.
sling brightness on the top Of Sierra
RI Late.
"a Telegraph" exclaimed Ruckcr.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-23

ton, replied MIR. Lawrence. recognizing
in the tall handsome officer an old ac-
quaintancee I'm not sure but I'll have
to get out a warrant for the arrest OF
the whole regiment on the charge OF
abducting my little boy and clap you
all into jail instead of sending you of
to war"
Then they both laughed, and the colo
mel invited MIR. Lawrence TO stay for
dinner N see the men drill.
BERTHE was just as glad to see his ia
Their as he could be. but to this day he
regrets that he was so unpatriotic as to
interfere with his marching on to Gu
ba with the -th. Every soldier OF the
regiment. however. carried in his breast
pocket a photograph OF the little boy
who was the real. original little boy
mascot in the army.
ALICE ROGERS.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-23

that doesn't belong 10 you. Let the
matches alone and don't poke the fire
or chase the kitty or tease Carlo, and
when i come back I'll bring you a beau
tifui big stick or molaSses candy"
Bcrtie listened attentively and prom
Used to obey. He got out his drum and
his soldier cap and gun and banged
about. making all the noise he liked
and having a most charming time. until
he heard the sound OF drums outside.
BERTHE ran to the gate. climbed up on
owe the palings. A regiment of SOL
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-23
BERTHE LAWRENCE,
REGIMENTAL MASCOT.

Berries papa had been called away
from home on business and had left him
in charge of Susan. who was cook and
housemaid In the Lawrence household.
Berthe was a very little boy. just 4
years Old. Ind had no mamma to look
after him and see that he did not get
Into mischief.
Until q few months before the time OF
which ! tell Bertie's aunt, Helen. had
lived with them and taken good care OF
the little boy. but now that she was
married and had a home OF her own
she could not well devote SO much time
TO her brother and his little boy. She
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-23

tic ran along with the other boys for
awhile. the became SO interested in
watching the soldiers that he did not
pay much attention to his companions.
When he looked around. the grocer's
boy was gone, and quite a new set of
children had fallen In TO cheer the SOL
diers. BERTHE was not much frightened.
He felt pretty sure that he could find
his way home alone long before Susan
returned with her marketing. for the
little boy had no idea of distance.
After awhile h soldiers got out into
the nice green country lanes. Some Of
the men in the regiment began to no.
tice him.
Going to enlist. younsster?v asked a
man in a magnificent, tall fur hat.
whose business eemed to be to wave
a long. dangerous looking club at the
soldiers to keep them in order. He
was the drum major. but BERTHE did not
know this. The little boy was not sure
but he was the bogy man of whom
Susan sometimes told awful stories. He
kept out OF the mans way, but the
drum major, who. far from being the
fierce and dangerous creature which
BERTHE supposed, was a very kind
hearted man. with several lively chill
dren OF his own at home. was inter-
ested in the bright. merry little boy who
had been following the regiment for
several miles and whom he rightly sus-
pected had lost his way.
liz tIarnn~1 Triad e. lenvo /, frfA~aIx,
eye on BERTHE and managed. with a
great deal of diplomacy, to allay the
little boys first suspicious of him and
strike up quite a friendship.
The regiment was on its way to camp
to await the orders of the president for
moving on to the national camp at
Chickamauga. When they reached the
great open fields in the suburbs where
they were to pitch their tents, BERTHE
was a very tired little boy in spite of
the fact that now and then a soldier
had given him a lift over stony places.
Guards having been posted, the round
of the camp was made by the COM
handing officer. The colonel was great
ly surprised and amused when he reach
ed the drum majors quarters. for that
worthy officer and several OF the men
were busy waiting on a very contented
little boy. who was ~devouring soup and
meat and potatoes and bread and but
ter as IL he had never had a bite to eat
before.
What is this child doing hcre?" de-
manded h officer. The soldiers were
disporting themselves in highly uncon-
ventional style in order to keep BERTHE
from crying. The drum major wore
a long apron and held the little boy in
his arms while he fed him great spoon
fuls Of soup. Another soldier vas troll
ing a popular song in a very loud and
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-23
SOLDIERS FEEDING BERTHE.

diers was marching down the next
street. Berthe could not see very well.
and he jumped down and cautiously
pushed open the gate.
For awhile he stood discontentedly
watching them, but at last temptation
was too much for him. and he trotted
Town to the corner. A lot Of little boys
were following the soldiers. n of
them was Joe, the grocer's lad. whom
BERTHE knew from visiting the store
with Susan.
Joe said "Hello!" In a friendly way
to Berthe, and BERTHE responded with a
rather bashful 'Hello!" for the grocer's
son was quite a big boy to BERTHE. Ber-
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-23

II reckon he found II too much OF a
job to tackle single handed" Merely
laughed after he had got over his i'll
humor. "Tll bet my head he don't
come back soon again."
This little event. however. was speed
lily driven from the minds Of the fugi-
tives by a N occurrence of much greater
Importance. A young woman had been
found mounted upon a fine horse. rid
ing aimlessly about the valley. Both
she and the animal were promptly cap
tured n taken to the old ruins.
The girl was a big. rawboned crea-
ture, with stringy. dust colored hair. but
a remarkably pretty face. AS the In
dams brought her into the presence Of
the three white men she burst into
tears.
Cheer up. sis" said Rucker awk-
wardly. I'VE amt goin to do you no
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-23

Judge" stratton. who died recently
at Santa Barbara, CAL. was something
of a wit. He had been defeated several
times in his ambition to sit upon the
bench and never succeeded In attainino
the coveted honor. However. every =
called him judge. and as Judge no W.
known. In 1879 another candidate for H.
dicial honors came UP from Santa Bar
para county. who, unfortunately 90
himself, was defeated. After the cleo
tion stratton hunted up the defeato6
candidate and. stretching out his han1
solemnly said:
Good morning. Judge"
GOOD morning. Judge" responded ~
man who had lost, with = special on<
significant emphasis on the tttulor
word
"weII." expostulated stratton. II hov1
more right to the title OF Judge the
,u."
IND how IL thai, pray?" Inquired q
80 er. -
i've been Dictated oftener than ~
have" declared Stratton.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-23
is your pap. INV beauty? p.

who is your pap. my beauty?"
Hes Yaller Jaan," the girl announc-
ed, and they're after him. I'm tryin to
ind him to give him his gun and some
cartridges. He left ~suddenlike."
Reckon she's a half breed" Merely
said behind his hand. Her old mans
the worst horse thief in ten states.
Your pap's got an eye for horse
hesh." he continued, turning TO the
girl n motioning toward the animal
h had been riding. What's your
name, now" he persisted, trying to
get her to speak.
Pink" she said and was gone In a
food Of tears.
"S'pose we kind of make her COM
Portable here n then clear OUT sug-
gested Merely.
And see that you keep away from
her yourself" Rucker said with, mean
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-23

came over several times a week to see
that everything was going right. and in
the meantime Susan and Tim, the gar
dener and man of all work. ran the
house.
On this particular morning Bertie's
papa had started for Philadelphia to be
gone a week on business. Tim. the man
OF all work. had gone down town on an
errand. and Susan. after giving the little
boy his breakfast. picked up her market
basket and said:
Now. Berthe Lawrence, i want you
to play roun in the garden until I
come back. Don't dare to put our
nose outside the gate or touch anything