davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-08

that followed, the woman with him
threw up her head and laughed horrid
shrill laugh.
''Be STILL fool" he snarled, "or you'll
laugh another way if | tickle you with
my knife"
"Pouf!" she said, "there is no use in
squabbling, partner. This is the sixth
we have helped to hell tonight, and not
broad piece amongst them. Holy
Virgin, This is field of paupers-let
us be" mel" and to my joy she made as
if to go.
"Stay, Babette! what shines there?"
and Mauginot ran forward couple of
PAGES, and bending low wrenched some
thing from a body, and then stood up
holding it to the light.
| saw his face clearly, and saw also
his prize. 1t was poor de Leyva's collar
of the Golden Fleece, and the blood
steined hand of the croquemort held
it up to the lantern, and clinked the
ieweled links, whilst he feasted his eyes
on the gold and gems. Over his shoul-
ders peered the pitiless features of his
partner, and in her eyes blazed all the
bad light of avarice and murder. ! al
most held my breath as l watched the
eyes of the woman leave the jewel and
turn on the man with death in their
look. AS for him, he was unconscious
of the knife quiTering in the nervous
fingers behind him, and he chuckled
over his find
That is the collar of the Toison dor,
7
will buy an estate and settle down, and
you will be Madame de Mauginot-hey
That carrion there must have been a
great prince-a field of paupers-bah!
Give me more paupers like this. / am
sorry he is dead, Babette, / would like
| to have-Ah, mon Dieu!-you devil!
| you devil" for as he babbled on, his
| words were cut short by Babette's knife,
which she buried to the hilt between his
shoulderblades, and he fell on his knees
and then lurched on his face stone dead.
The murderess made n snatch at the
| Jewel, which | saw her conceal, and
then with a mocking "Adieu, NJ. de
| Mauginot!" to her victim, stepped over
my body and moved out of sight, swing
ing her lantern, and laughing low to
herself.
AS l watched this hideous scene, l
for the moment forgot the pain of my
hurts but they soon began to assert
| themselves in such manner that ]
longed for the relief that unconscious
ness would afford. So the long hours
Of the night passed, and at last it was
dawn once more, and morning came.
Lying with my car against the
ground, heard the dull beat of horses
hoofs, growing louder and more dis.
tinct as they approached, and in a
little time the party, whoever they
were, rode into the cornf For q
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-08

black charger and flew at the king.
For an instant two bright sword blades
crossed in the air, and then the black
horse plunged riderless into the gray
spate of smoke that the wind was bear
ing westwards, and u groan as of dis
pair fell on my ears.
"Vive lie Roll" Once again came the
full-throated cry, and the bay horse was
ealloping towards us, followed by the
line of swords, no longer shining, but
dulled and red with the slaughter they
had made.
The next moment the enemy were on
u.s. We met them with row of pixies;
but what could we do, for we were few
in number, weary with the long strug-
gle, and weak with wounds? The issue
was never in doubt, and they broke us
at once. L have a vague memory of
fighting for dear life amidst a thuBder
of hoofs, and the kissing sweep of
swords, but was ridden down by some
one, and all became dark around me.
When my mind came back, it was with
the consciousness of rain that was fall
ing softly, and the cool drops FLASHED
on my burning head with a sensation of
relief that cannot describe. l suffered
from an intolerable thirst, and strove to
rise that ! might find means to quench
it; but found l was powerless to move,
and writhed in my agony in the rut
amidst the corn stalks wherein L had
fallen. The rain was but passing
shower, and when it ceased n light but
cool breeze sprang up. 1t was night,
and fitful moon shone through the
uneasy clouds that hurried to and fro
overhead in the uncertain breeze, which
shifted its quarter as often as a child
might change its mind.
A half-hour or so may have passed
thus, and the moon was now almost en-
tirely obscured. Occasionally / could
hear, through the darkness around me,
the moaning of some poor wounded
wretch, and now and again rose the
shrill discordant shrek of n MANNED
horse, an awful cry of pain, the effect of
which those only who may have heard
it can understand Soon a number of
twinkling lights began to hover over
the plain. Gradually two of these lsn-
thorns came closer to me, stopped
about ten PAGES off, and when | saw who
bore them / knew at once they were
death-hunters, and that in few mo-
ments the knife of one of these ghouls
might end my suffering. There were
two of these fiends, a man and a woman
and as they halted the man stopped;
there was a choking cry for mercy, the
blow of dagger, and a groan. The
robber busted himself in searching the
dead mans person, and, in the silence
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-08
MARKETING WHEAT.
Iowa Alliance Advises Western Farm
ers to Hold Their Crops for an
Advance In Price.

The Farmers alliance of Wapello
county, Ia, has issued the following ad'
vice to farmers of the state as to hold
ing wheat for higher prices: Within
short time a steady advance up to the
75-cent mark al northwestern shipping
points is certain rs death; and the farm
ers have the game in their own hands
if they play with little caution. The
reason upon which we base our faith in
the better price for wheat is that when
the crop of 1898 was harvested the
worlds supply from former years was
practically exhausted, and the bread
eating world is now drawing its sup
plies from the crop of the present year.
In other years, and for many years, the
old stocks amounted to hundreds OF
millions of bushels when the crop OF
any given year was harvested. and in
reckoning On the worlds supply the
gamblers counted the old wheat as well
as the new. This year there is no old
wheat on which they can reckon. The
low price of wheat during ten years
preceding 1897 was due not to a surplus
in any given year. but to the accumula-
tions of preceding years. The chief
cause has now temporarily disappeared
Again the acute distress which for
three or four years afflicted many farm
ers in the northwest is no longer In
sight. Farmers generally are in better
shape to protect themselves against the
vulgar wiles of bulls and bears; and
those animals are perfectly aware OF
the situation
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-08
SYNOPSIS.

Chapter I-D'Auriac, commanding out
post where scene Is laid, tells the story.
DE Gomeron has been appointed by Gen.
de Rome TO examine into a charge made
against him. Nicholas, a sergeant brings
in two prisoners, man and a woman who
are from the kings camp al lie Fere.
D'Auriac, angeredby insulting manner of de
Gomeron toward the woman, strikes him.
= duel follows, and during the commotion
Che prisoners escape. De Rome happens on
Ehe disorderiy scene, and d'Auriac, upon
Swing his parole not to attempt escape,
hears this remarkable sentence: "To-mor-
rOw....you must die on the field. Win or
tose, II l catch you at the close of the day,
/ will hang you high as Haman." After
q few hours rest he rides back toward the
genera,'s tent
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-08
COULDN'T BEAT A RETREAT.
How n Brave French Drummer boy
Saved the Day ut Ma
renBO.

Tout est perdu; sauve qui peut!"
("All is lost; save himself who can!")
shouted the soldiers of Marshal Victor
at Marengo, when, after sustaining with
Lannes for hours the fierce onslaught
of superior Austrian numbers under
Gen. Melas his men gave way and fed.
But Lannes formed his men into hol-
low squares, they slowly y fell back, NOV
ing like ''living citadels" over the field
of battle, sinking by hundreds under the
destructive fire Of the enemy, but still
shielding Victor's disorganized troops.
At this iuncture was seen advancing
over the plain, with banners waving.
and trumpets sounding, the head of the
column of Desaix, who had heard the
cannonading a score of miles away, and
in advance of orders had fastened to
the aid Of Napoleon.
"Beat a retreat" said an officer to one
of the drummers of DesaiX, who had
just reported to his chief.
BEAT retreat" repeated the drum
mer, as ne looked upon the French
army rolling back in broken mass and
noted the impatience of some of the SOL
diers at the silence of his drum. II do
not know how to beat retreat. Desaix
never taught me that, but l beat
charge-oh, | can beat a charge that
will make the dead fall into line! | beat
that charge at the pyramids. I beat it
ut Mount Tabor. / beat it at the bridge
of Lodi. May I not beat it here?"
"What think you OF it?' asked Ma
poleon of Desaix, whose 5000 men were
halted not far away.
"The battle is lost" replied the hero
OF Egypt, "but it is only three o'clock.
There is time to gain another"
Forward, them" commanded Ma
poleon. Hold the enemy in check
while rally and reform the army be-
hind you:"
Riding arong the demoralized men
of Victor, he shouted: SOLDIERS you
have retreated far enough! You know
it is always my custom to sleep on the
field of battle!"
Meanwhile the boy was beating that
stirring charge, and Desaix with his
5000 was charging the whole Austrian
army. GO" said he to the aid-de-camp,
tell the first consul | am advancing,
and must be supported by the cavalry"
4 moment later he fell moI-tally
wounded, but the drum only beat the
louder, and his men rushed forward to
avenge him. Kellermann's cavalry
charged to support them. The Aus
trian columns gave way and were soon
q turbulent mass of fugitives.
Thus was Marengo wrested from the
victorious Melas by the cool grit of the
devoted Desaix, and by his prompt, in
telligent anticipation of orders. He, in
Grouchy's place at Waterloo, or
Grouchy, acting like him. might have
changed the fate of Europe
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-08
NerIect Means Great Loss.

A thoughtful farmer soon learns that
there is no money in neglect or in suf-
fering. If cow goes hungry or gets a
drubbing from the cross hired man, she
records her woes in the milk pail. If
the horse has sore teeth or nail in his
foot or is fed poor hay, his endurance,
condition and constitution show the eff
fects. Even a sitting hen if badly
treated and illfed while breaking will
show her feelings by her slowness in
getting back into laying condition
There is a money value in comfort
which becomes more and more appar-
ent as we study into it. Nine out of ten
farm animals will do the hest they
know how; they will work like ma
chimes for the skilled operator who
keeps the bearings oiled with comfort
Dakota FIELD and Farm.
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-08

second my eyes were daZzled hy tho
reflection of the sun on the silver-plate
of their armor; but recovered myself
with an effort, and watched eagerly, in
tending to cry out for help as they
passed me, for my voice was too weak
to reach where they were. There were
two ladies amongst them, and all APP
peared to be looking with much con-
Germ for some one. AS they came closer,
l saw it was the king himself, with
Nine. de Beaufort, and another lady,
doubtless of the court, and a numerous
retinue. Henry was mounted on his
famous bay charger; and, as he lifted
his hat and looked silently around him,
had good opportunity of observing the
man who was without doubt the most
heroic figure of the age, and who united
in himself the most opposite extremes
of character. | saw before me spare
figure, the head covered with short
black hair, long hooked nose that fell
over the upper lip, and sharp, pro-
truding chin, half hidden in a beard
tinged with gray. His long curled
mustaches were white as snow. Under
his DuSlly eyebrows his Keen, EtSIltSS
eyes glittercd like two beads, but for
the moment they seemed dilated with
n soft light, and there was an infinite
sadness in them as he looked round the
bloody field.
81 am afraid we search in vain, ma
DAME" and tall cavalier mounted on
big bay addressed Nine. de Beaufort.
She nodded her head to him sadly, and
turned to the king.
1T is useless, sire, and I can bear this
no longer-it is too horrible-let US CO."
"You are right-this is no place for
you. Roquelaure will see you and your
little friend there back, and | will come
to you soon-but now | have letter
to write-ijust a few lines to Bearn."
The king spoke with a strong southern
accent, and as he spoke leaned forward
and caressed Nine. de Beaufort's hand.
The lady with Nine. de Beaufort COM
ing nearer at this time, / recognized my
unknown madame of the outposts, who
had evidently found her way back to
her friends. But it was with bitter
disappointment that / saw her in the
company of the duchess, and evidently
in attendance on her. Madame was
nothing to me, thought, but I could
not associate her with the fallen wom-
an who was the mistress of the king.
lTo BE Continued
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-08
THE DAYS OF OLD.

Tets go back, o brother mine.
To the precious ways of the days gone
by
Back to the gieam of the glad sunshine.
When we were children, you and L.
We are growing old, but long so much
For the grasp of q mothers hands to
Ne away from sin ard its soiling touch
As they used to do in the days of Old
d'm tired of dogma of church and state;
Let's trail with our feet the dust of the
lane,
As we wander down to the pasture gate,
And bring the cows for mother again.
And see once more the woodiark dip
From stake to stake of the ridered fence;
And feel the old-time Fellowship
We felt in our boyhood innocence.
let's climb TO the rafters overhead.
And build a swing on the old barn floor.
Let's hide and seek" in the wagon shed.
And be knee high" again once more.
let's part the weeds where the truant hen
Has stolen her nest; then stoop and fold
The sheltering weeds DER the nest again
AS we used to do in the days of Old.
oh. the endless Joys of the days Of old
With the path that led to the fruited
trees,
Where the dandelions their coins of gold
Had scattered to bribe the bumblebees.
Down in the grass was the cricket's chirr,
And overhead was the dragonfy;
And round about US everywhere
Was the dreamy gleam of the days gone
by.
And oh the yecrs and tears since then!
The miles and smiles that have lured us
on!
The graves we have passed and the mo-
ments when
The cradle and coffin seemed almost one!
So let's go back, brother mine.
Forgetting tonight our greed Of gold.
And talk awhile of the glad sunshine
That gllded the ways of the days of old
Alfred Ellison. in Chicago Record
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-08
CHEAP RABBIT TRAP.
II Placed I'm the Orchard in Cold
Weather 1t Is Sure to Make N
Good Catch.

Select four pieces of ordinary six
inch fencing board 20 to "a inches long.
Nail them together so as to form box,
closing one end. The top piece should
be an inch shorter than the others. Nail
the bottom and top boards to the side
boards, thus making the opening six
inches perpendiculariy and four inches
horizontally. A sliding door is then
ma6e to fit neatly into the open end and
two pieces of lath nailed against the
ends of the perpendicular boards, pro-
pecting one-half inch inside. The door
then slides down between the shorter
upper board and the projecting edges
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-08

for as / started the old trooper gave q
loud neigh, fiourished his heels In the
air, and galloped off towards the enemy,
with his name and tail streaming in
the wind. A touch of my sword freed
Nicholas, but it was a narrow affair,
and he lay gasping on the ground, and
as he lay there / noticed that his ears
had been cropped close to his head,
and that the wounds were quite fresh.
He recovered himself in about min
ute, and was about to tell me how he
came in such a plight, but, sincerely
sorry as I was, had to cut him short.
keep the story for another day,
Nicholas" l said, "and follow the ex-
ample of your horse, who l see is a
loyal subject, and has gone straight
back to the king"
With these words I spurred onwards,
leaving Nicholas to follow my advice
or not, as he listed. | had gathered
enough, however, to find out that he
was a victim of NJ. de Gomeron's hu-
NOR. Little did think, however, when
I saved this poor fellow how amply /
would be requited hereafter.
l reached the ford just before the
general, and saw that our right flank
had already crossed the river in the dis
tance. Opposite us the Royalists APP
peared to be in some confusion; but in
moment they were restored to order,
and moved steadily on. AS they reached
the mound whereon the royal guidon
was displayed, we heard the opening
bars of the Pont d'Audemer march, and
as they ceased a red tongue of fame
licked out from behind a cornfield and
masked battery opened on us.
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-08

a, trap set ready for rabbit; b, trigger;
d, hole for trigger with piece of hoop iron
for catch e, top view of door and door
slides; {, lath support for door when trap
is open.
of the lath. To support the door piece
of lath is nailed on each side of the door
and notched at the upper end. The sim
pie cross shown at supports the door
One end is tied to the door by means of
Il string and one end is fastened to the
trigger which is the small notched
stick shown at b. This passes through
the hole shown in d and when the trap
is set supports the door.
These traps are placed in orchards
during cold weather. The rabbit IN
running about the orchard finds the
trap and seeing that it is hole which
will afford him protection, backs into it,
pushes against the trigger, causing the
notch to slip off the catch and drop the
door. No bait is necessary, The trap
must be made of old weather-beaten
boards, for the strong odor of new pine
will keep rabbits away. The traps
should be placed near the rabbit runs
where they come into the orchard. 1t
is more successful on cold quiet, clear
nights. An orchardist in central Hi
nois caught more than 1000 rabbits in
these traps during one winter.-Orange
Judd Farmer.
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-08

An author who had been unsuccess-
ful in getting a story accepted, though
he had kept it going for three years,
noticing that the manuscript was badly
worn by constant transmission in the
mails, forwarded it by express to the
last available publication on his list,
valuing it at $75.
He was in luck this time. The story
was lost en- route and no trace of it
could be found.
Some time afterward friend, who
knew the unfortunate history Of the
story, asked:
"Did you ever get that article of yours
OFF,"
"Just sold it!" rep;isd the joyful
author.
"And how much did you get for it?''
"Seventy-five dollars. 1t was bought
by the express c0mpany!'-Atlanta
Constitution.
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-08

Instead of feeding wheat every day
the grain may be varied by simply al
lowing one kind of grain elch day
Oats may be given the first day, corn
The next and wheat the next. The cost
of food will be about the same as if but
one kind is given. but the fowls will
enjoy the changes of grain and keep in
better health. If meat, milk and bulky
food are also added to the ration the
hens should lay, provided they have
warm quarters and are not overfed. Va
riety should always be the rule, for
even the grains olffer in their compo.
sition.- Dakota Field and Farm.
Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-12-08
CHAPTER II.
Nj. DE ROME CANNOT READ A
CIPHER

NJ. DE RON h CANNOT READ
CIPHER.
When l reached the generals pavilion
de Rome was just mounting his horse,
n iackey standing near with sputter-
ing torch, and his staff in n little clump,
a few yards away. l saluted, and he
gave me keen look, saying:
$50 you have come, NJ. .d'Auriac-take
your place with the staff ! will give
YOU your work later on-and remem-
her."
II am not likely to forget, NJ. ie Mar
~quis," and | moved off in the direction
ludicated.
was recognized and welcomed by de
Eelin. the young Tavannes, de Cosse-
Brissao. and others of my acquant
:auce. | replied as best 1 might, but
there was no time for much talk, as
the general was moving onwards at
rapid pace, and we We're compelled to
follow at once. I dropped a little to
the rear, to husband the strength of
my horse as far as possible, and was
Joined by another rider.
''Is that you, Belin?"
MA fol! Yes"
Il was surprised to find you here.
thought you were with the archduke
and de Maycnne."
What have you not heard?"
What in the devils name could
hear OH those cursed outposts?'
"Thcn III your ear--the Remois have
gone from us, and de Mayenne and the
Guisard have passed over to the king.
My news is certain. and the archdulie
l.
Tim retreat al once on Amiens."
But this does not look like a re-
treat"
NO; de Eoue has lost the key of the
cipher"
We both laughed, and Belin went on {:
alt was droll. | saw him receive the
message, which the old fox must have
read at a glance. But he turned it this
way and that. and looking at Egmont,
said as calmly as possible: Ride back
to Amiens and fetch me the key. !
have lost mine and cannot follow the
cipher'-but harlt!" and Beln inter
rupted himself, "there Is de Rethelois'
good morning"
De Rone's voice stopped any fur
Gher talk, and | spurred to his side.
MY compliments 10 tOHue ue Ley va
and ask him not to waste time splitting
at de Rethelois-tell him to leave a suf-
6cient force to hold the garrison in
check, and move across the river
towards St. Gobains-report yourself to
me at the ford"
galloped off, and when l reached
tie Spanard, whom found with some
difficulty, ] discovered that he had al
ready anticipated de Rone's orders, anI
had besides almost cut off sortie from
the city. There was nothing for ii
therefore, but to wish de Leyva pleas
ant day and to go on to the ford.
by this time had come to the out
post, and as | trottcd past the thorn
hedge saw, about so PAGES or so to my
f'jght, single hcrseman under tree
His hands were tied behind him. and {
cord, which hung from a branch over
head ended in a moose secured lightly
but firmly round his neck. His position
was such that if the horse moved ava
from beneath him he would hang, anC
the poor wretch was absorbed in coax
ing the animal to remain steady. An
other look showed me it was Nicholas
the sergeant, and knowing there wa.
little leisure to lose if the knave was t.
be saved. put spurs to my beast anC
iheaded towards hlm. | was just III time
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-12-24

Unable MEN, sKETCHED OUR ARTIST ABROAD.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-12-24
SNOW IN CHRIsTENDoM.

It is a singular thing to note the
close relationship between ice and
Christendom and, incidentally. Santa
Claus. Nearly all the Christian coun-
tries are covered with snow at this
time Ireland. the deVout, enjoys its
winter now. Scotland is bitter cold.
England, one of the most pronounc-
ed of Christian lands, has a snowy
Christmas. Russia, the land Of, some
say, bigotry, but a Christian land, is
treated to its deepest snow at Christ
mas time; and so through almost all
the Christian countries of the earth.
One of the exceptions is Australia,
which is warm at Christmas time.
Heather, or Pagan, countries, are
hot. Turkey, the land which knows
no snow, knows no Christ. The great
tropical belt of the Indian and Pacific
Oceans is the home of most of the
heather countries of the world. The
Soudan is unchristianized, and not
though southern France, where the eli
mate is as cold as here, is as Christian
like; and so through most of the coun-
tries you can mention. The exceptions
come in our own southern regions
and in the lower parts of North Amer
lea, especially in Mexico, where 1t is
bathed by the Gulf. But here the diff
ference is merely climatic and acctden-
tai, not one of country.
AS rule it will be found that there
is a singular affinity between ice and
snow and Santa Claus.