davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-03-13

ridiculed it. When | wrote at home I
7 could only do it in the still hours of
| the night when she was asleep.
Last Wednesday morning at the
| breakfast table my wife, who had been
| extrayagant of late, brought up the
| subject Of residence uptown. She
wanted to be opposite Central Park
| and to ride with the swells of Fifth
avenue. l opposed her and she re-
| torted sharply.
| You will regret this | said, as [
rose from the table. You may regret
i it sooner than you think. By God |
| cried, as the memory of the things she
| had said swept over me anew, L wish
l could go away and never see your
| face again.
| Of course, ! was sorry for the words
! as soon as ! had said them, and dur
| ing the day | squared matters with my
| conscience by sending a basket of
| flowers to her. | even notified a real
| estate manager that / was in the mar
| ket for an uptown residence.
| Il was detained that night at my of
| flee, and when | reached home the
church clock opposite was toliing the
! hour of eleven. ] went softly n at
the front door, and knowing that my
! wife would be asleep at that hour
walked through the long hall to a lit
tie study situated at the rear end of
the hail. Here stood small writing
desk and here I knew | could be alone
for an hour to quiet my mind from
the business events of the day and to
indulge in my favorite recreation of
story writing
"a plot had come to my mind as l
came up town in the cars. and | re-
solved to write it while it was fresh.
y tlattering letter from publisher
who had accepted my latest story
made me resolve to supply him with
| another as soon as possible
This time any wife shall know of
my work and be proud OF il. | will
enter society and court the literati.
while she enjoys herself with the but
terfiies, | said to myself. smiling as
l dipped my pen in the ink.
The plot of my story was a singu-
lar one. 1t was the Murder of a
Wife.
with accuracy | went into each
startling detail, and as | wrote down
the bloodthirsty words / saw that my
anger for my wife was melting away.
even as the beauty Of the story grew
underneath my fingers. When l had
finished | saw that | had achieved
what would be the greatest work OF
my life. and that honors would come
to me from the public who would read
my story.
when I laid down my pen, sighed
a sigh of relief.
Il could not do that again for a
thousand dollars, l said aloud. No
l repeated. as | walked through the
hall, still intent with the plot, no, 1
could not do that again for ten thou
sand dollars
Did you speak. sir?' inquired a
woman's voice.
Who is that?' | asked.
1T is Ellen, the cook I heard
somebody walking around, sir, and |
came TO see who it was
'fAll right Ellen said. 1T is I.
Go back to bed And Ellen, who
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-03-13

sleeps in the basement. went back
down the basement stairs.
Bounding up the staircase / threw
open the door of my wife's room and
stepped inside. A moment later, | was
pulling the bell frantically and shout
ing for help.
There upon the edge Of the bed lay
my wife, with the blood dripping from
her head and heart. She was uncov-
cred, with one arm hanging to the
floor. He countenance was fearfully
distorted. She had been cruelty muir
dered-stabbed in the head and heart.
Stabbed to death by the hand of a
midnight assassin!
"In a moment the room was filled
with frightened servants and | was
sending them in every direction-for
physicians, policemen, neighbors.
but there was nothing to be done.
She was dead. That much we all saw
at a glance Her head was slashed al
most beyond recognition, and the hand
that had done it was a desperate one.
Il was too dazed that night to con-
sider But the next day when the in
quest was held saw the awkward po-
sition in which | was placed. The cor
oner. in his search of the premises,
came upon the manuscript lying upon
the little table in my writing room,
and there, word for word, lay before
him the exact description of the MUIR
der of my wife, just as it was in my
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-03-13

week at time. Thus it grew steadily
on for the last five years, getting worse
and worse.
II will tell you now said he, hest
tatingly and half apologetically, that
for the last five years since our trouble
began I have been employing my spare
time in little amusement which |
have very rigidly kept from my friends.
/ have been writing stories. During
these periods when my wife and
were estranged and neither of us would
humble ourselves enough to make the
first approaches, | have Withdrawn
from home and, taking up my quar-
tiers in a hotel, have amused myself
evenings writing fiction. This has
been my pastime as other men drive
horses or seek the billiard table. My
stories have been in print, and doubt
less you, MIR Martinez, have read many
of them under an assumed name. My
wife knew Of my little pastime and
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-03-13
A WOMAN WITH A CHECK.

New York Sun.
a middle-aged spinster who wore
glasses and whose voice was thin,
stepped up to the paying teller's win
dow in a Brooklyn bank, holding out
a check, said imperatively:
Please give me the money for this
check
The teller saw that the check was
drawn on a Western bank and made
payable to Mary Eliza Smith, Or a
name like that.
What is your name, MADAME" he
asked.
rs that any business of yours, sir?'
returned the woman.
Certainly it is, or | wouldn't ask
it, said the teller, still in doubt.
well, you can read it on that check,
then
You are Mary Eliza Smith, then? 2"
said the teller, still in doubt.
Yes, | am, and a teacher in the pub
lie schools. | have no time to prolong
this conversation, young man, and |
wilLbe obliged to you for the $50 men
toned in that check"
Have you an account here?" asked
the teller.
Iuuttu maven l, 4 WOuiu HOT nav T
if | could. Why, ! never saw such an
inquisitive young man.
But | don't know that you are
Mary Eliza Smith
Indeed" said the woman, with
elaborate scorn. II have told you that
/ was several times. Now, young
man, want my money"
Il can't cash that check" said the
teller.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-03-13

enough for you to get ready to so with
me- l want you to go to the Tombs.
My client, in whose behalf / have
called to see you, is there. He is in
the shadow of the gallows. The moose
is around his neck"
1t is no unusual thing for me to be
called by a professional man, and
therefore I gave no thought to the case
as we were rafting through the streets,
but the impatience of the lawyer was
such that he would not allow the cab
man to slacken, even upon the slippery
pavements.
We were nearly there before he men
toned the case He seemed unable to
talk from nervousness. When the
shadow of the Tombs fell upon the
cab he turned to me and said:
81 can tell you only one thing about
the case; my client is innocent. That
is absolute. In his confession to me he
could explain nothing; he only knows
that he is innocent
With this brief prelude | followed
my guide up the stairs leading to the
Tombs and into the sombre gallery
that runs along Murderers' Row. In
the last cell, surrounded by not more
than ten square feet OF space, sat my
man. He occupied wooden chair,
and when the turnkey unlocked the
door he gave no sign except to bury
his head deeper in his hands and groan.
At a glance / saw that he was a gen
Yleman. He was man In the prime
of life, not over forty, well dressed,
clean-shaven and handsome This
saw in spite of the dark bloom upon
i his countenance, for never IN my life
had I seen such abject despair shown
in the face of a human being.
At the sound of the lawyers voice
no lifted up his head, and at the men
tion of my name a ray of hope seemed
~ come mon his countenance. He
rose shook hands with lis both, and
heckoned us to seats on his rude cot.
NEW said the lawyer, leaning back
ond leaving us face to face together,
"tal, Mr.. Martinez everything that hap
nened that night and conceal nothing
from him. Tell him just as you have
told me.
THE MURDERER'S STORY.
Looking me straight in the eve and
her;nning at the very beginning,
Franklin Jervis told me this story:
"J am a manufacturer of dress
goods" said he. MY business carries
me down into Barclay street and the
lower quarters of the town, and on that
account l rise early every morning.
Tor many years my wife has not
brealSfasted with me.
eve were married fifteen years ago
and our story is an old one. We mar
ried in poverty and were happy. We
grew to wealth and were indifferent,
When fortune began to smile upon us
NV wife became ambitious and longed
to shine in the social set OF which we
had read only a little and in gilded
paragraphs.
II opposed her and we quarreled,
sometimes gently but more often Bit
terly. Our words at times rose high,
and when. as on a recent occasion, she
showed great extravaganza in her at
tennis to get into high circles ! would
leave the house and not retrun for
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-03-13

through the hunt he galloped after the
little King, keeping close to the horse S
side. As they rode back Alphonso
turned to look at the boy, and to his
surprise found him weeping.
"Why do You cry?" he asked the
boy, putting out his little hand.
Il weep, Your Majesty said the lad,
"because | shall not be with you the
next time you ride, and there may be
dangerous spots in the road for you. =
Alphonso spreads love wherever he
goes. The kingdom Of Spain may be in
trouble, the Kings subjects may do
wrong, but Alphonso himself is sweet
ness personified.
Though he is far from being a
wealthy little King, every year he has
a donation day. On this day he gives
away old clothing and playthings
which he has enjoyed during the past
year He distributes his toys, his lit
tie caps and coats, and gives them with
his own little hands to the poor For
a month previous a donation day he
is busy distributing invitations to the
poor children he meets; and when do
nation day comes and they call to the
palace they are met by the little King
and given a present by an attendant
Alphonso also gives away many sup
pers, for it is his wish mat no child
should go to bed hungry.
Once, when the King was travelling
through remote part OF the country,
the train came to standstill through
some awkward hitch in the machinery
of the locomotive. They were COM
PEELED to wait for over an hour for it
to be repaired and for the first time in
his life little Alphonso felt the pangs
Of hunger. He wanted his evening
porridge and his evening drink. At
first he fretted
There are children" said the Queen,
'who go to bed every night without
their porridge and without their drink.
Now, my son, you know what hunger
is. At this Alphonso became very
sober.
rs this hunger?" he asked his
mother.
Yes, my SON"
Then no child in Spain shall ever
go hungry if | can help it."
At precisely o'clock, a side door OF
the palace opens and every poor child
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-03-13
TheMurder OF Wife.
BY AUGUSTA PRESCOTT.

One night, Just as IT was growing
DUSK and the lengthening shadows
pIougnt weird memories to me, | was
disturbed by the rafting of cab
. wnncn stopped at the door with loud
whoa from the driver and pull that
Drought the horse ON its launches.
a man sprung out Of the cab. and
nas.iiy running up the steps pulled
irantically at the door bell. Although
~ was nearly dark, I had time to dis
,insuisn the features of one of the
leading lawyers of the city.
AS my servant showed him into the
front parlor by whose window was
Standing, he came forward, and grasp
ing me by both hands, said: "Mr. Mar
slnot, we need no introduction; we
Dotn know each other professionally
50 we'll that a personal acquaintance
is unnecessary"
! motloned him to a chair IL will
pc seated said he, but only long
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-03-13

who presents himself at the door can
have a bowl of porridge. At first it
was limited to those who were of the
same age as Alphonso, but this was
long ago abandoned and all can come
and eat.
The little King has high hopes of
establishing national playground He
also talks about charitable toy en-
porium and other childish generosities
He may not be allowed to carry these
out, it is true, but the fact that he
longs for them shows that he has a
generous heart whether he frees Cuba
or not
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-03-13
why not? This is a han1 !.

!. ~, WY NY Inns is bank ism
yes. but YOU must bring some oro
here TO identify you" 0'7
Identity met Me! Wen uo,,
young man! Is the president bero J.,
Yes, madam; he is back III mis- 80
flee" And before the teller could -o II
warning to the president Miss Sn, ,''I
bounced into his office. She rold biLi
that she had been insulted. and t r',4
she should SHE the bank. LAT
You pretend, sir" she said ~.
this is a bank. A bank is r I'D.
where checks are cashed. I offer raq'V
check here and that fresh young NJ r,.s d
wanted me to tell him all about mys 'al
and have some one identity Ine in,o
the bargain. Why, l was teacher IL; Y
the Brooklyn schools before he Wa III
born "aS
But you see, madam, you x9vA -
account here" said the prasidoHt
and we don't know you. We bor1
no means OF knowing that the cbecl !.
good" N''e'A Is
Why, the idea,' calculated MI.
Smith. DO you suppose l am a f i1.ss
err" b" lorg-
NO, madam, but as a matter Of n-a
caution we must ask you for Soma s,
identification. -'u-s
Indeed. | would not so humble nv
self, said Miss Smith, haughtily ~
will go to another bank and see if :
can find gentleman who Will rss1oo4
lady and out she walked. N
The president of the bank was III.
man who told this story. and he bas
since learned that the woman h -
teacher in a Brooklyn school.
Some women have queer ideas
about banking" he added.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-03-13
MARRYING a sTIc1E

That's a curious custom they have ~
some of the South Sea islands" said NJ
Wallace, of marrying a girl to tree o-
some inanimate object, which y stlDposa5
to act as a sort of scapegoat for The
shortcomings Of the real live HUSBAND
1T is not unusual" said Mrs. Wallace
"for women in this country to bo married
to a stick"
But MIR. Wallace, with the CAIN supe--
iority if the masculine mind. refused r.
deem it a personal matter.-Pearson's
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-03-13

TESS how you have allowed an inno-
cent man to suffer for your crime"
Truly frightened now, the wretch
told how he overheard the quarrel on
the morning and how he had planned
the murder of his mistress. And how
and by what dastardly means he had
found the very description OF the muir
der before his eyes and had followed
il ont with awful correctness.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-26
CHAPTER $50.

CHAPTER 689.
AN ACT In Addition to Chapter 3es Of the
General Laws.
PASSED June u. 1891
It Is enacted by the General Assembly an
follows:
Section !. In time Of war. for each regi-
ment Of infantry there shall be major
and an adjutant for each battalion. said
adtutant to have the rank Of frst lieuteu-
ant and to be q mounted oficer.
seo 2. This act shall take effsot imusdS-
ately.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-26

the town OF Johnston ana snnsx 4 pofuon
thereof to the city Of Providence u hsrsby
smeaded 90 - 10 read a. follows:
Sec. &c. The municipal court OF the city
AL probate matters arising IN that portion
or the tswn Of Johnston whtph u BY this
act annexed TO the CITY Of Providence.
whsch were commenced prtsr 70 the adop-
tion OF this act. but the court Of probate
OF the town OF Johnston a. Il win bs oon-
\ Vsituted after the adoption Of this oct 4nsn
exercise jurisdiction In all probate mat
ters 91istng In the portion OF the town
which n not annexed BY this Rot. AL The
probate records and all books. documsnts
to the town Of Johnston, a. orsaniss6 BE-
ters the adoption OF this act. shaii belong
TO the oity Of, Providence a. odwnulzad BY
this act. and the town clerk OF Saia John
ston. - organized before the adopttsn oe
, this act. 10 directed to deliver to the clerk
Of the municipal court Of the city Of Previ-
6snoe exercising probate jurisdiction In
SAID ProRfdsnce. all such probate records
and books. documents and papers apDer-
tanning thoreto upon the passage Of this
act. But the clerk Of the municipal court
OF the city Of Providence a. organised by
this act. shan cause 10 much ef said rec
ords az shall include all wins admitted TO
PROBATE since the year l97b TO be tran
ecribed. at the expense Of the city Of Provt-
dence. copies and certified for the use Of
copies OF the transcripts and copies herein
provided to be made for said town OF
Johnston, shall have the same validity an
certified copies Of the original records.
Sec. z This act shall take effect immsdi-
atsly.
CHAPTER 5s7.
AN ACT In Amendment OF Chapter SEA,
Entitled IAN Act to Divide the Town OF
Johnston and Annex Portion Thereof
to the City OF Providence
Passed June Is. 1882
1t is enacted by the General Assembly .
follows:
Section l. Section Il Of an aot to dsvsds
the town OF Johnston and Annax poy-
ton thereof to the city Of Provideace is
hereby amsaded 30 as to read as fellows:
SEQ II. Said town Of Johnston as hereby
constituted shall provide books Or the reg
istry Of land titles apd such other records
as are required by the laws Of this state
10 be kept BY the several towns therein;
and all records. books. papers. and docu-
ments belonging 70 the town Qf Johnston.
as organised bsfosl ths Adoption Of this
act. not disposed OF by this ass. shall be
delivered to the city clerk OF tSs city Of
Providence upon the passage of this act,
but the city Of Providence shall furnish
the town OF Johnston. az organised after
the adoption OF this act. certified copies
of such records. at the expense OF the city
Of Providence as the commissioners here
matter mentioped shall determine, and GER
titled copies thereof shall have the came
validity an certified copies Of the original
records"
Sec. a. This act shall take effect on and
after hs passage.
certify the foregoing to be true copies.
Attest: CHARLES p. BENNETT.
Secretary OF State.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-26
CHAPTER so.

CHAPTER W.
AN ACT Fixing the Salary OF the Asslst-
ant Attorney General
Passed June 15. 1882
It IL enacted by the General Assembly ~
follows:
Section 1. The annual salary OF the as
sistant attorney-gsneral OF this state shall
be twenty-five hundred dollars. and the
sum Of three hundred dollars or 30 much
thereof az may be necessary IL hereby ap-
proprlated for the purpose Of carrying this
act into effect: and the state auditor 10
hereby directed to draw his orders upon
the general treasurer for said sum or 90
much thereof IS may be necessary.
Sec 2. This act shall take effect upon its
passage, and all acts and parts Of acts
Inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-26
CHAPTER 69l.

CHAPTER 6o1.
AN ACT Making an Appropriation 10 Pro-
vide For Certain Military and Naval
Expenses.
Passed June Is. 1882
IL 10 enacted by the General Assembly a.
follows:
Section 1. The sum OF one hundred and
nifty thousand dollars, or - much thereof
as may be necessary. IL hereby aDpropr1-
atsd to be expended under the direction
Of tho commander im-chief 70 dsfray Suoh
military and naval expenses a. may be
necessary by reason Of the existing con-
dttions between the United 6eAkss and the
Kingdom of Spain: and the state auditor
10 hereby directed to draw his order upon
the general treasurer for said sum. or %
much thereof as may be necessary. upon
receipt Of the order Of the governor.
Sec. q THIS act shall take effect from
and after its passage.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-26
CHAPTER 6ea.

CHAPJOh bSS.
AN ACT MakinG an Appropriation Yor
Clerk Iafre m tie OfDoe Of the Quarter
master 0sneyal.
Passed June Is, 1e99)
II is enacted by the General Assembly as
follows:
Section 1. The Quartsrmastsr general ID
hereby authorised and empow0red 20 en-
pioy such clerical assistance a. he may
require In the discharge Of his duties AZ
uuartesmastoy -Ucneral.
Sec. q The sum Of one thousand dollars
Is hereby annually appropriated to carry
into effect the provisions Of this aet: and
the state auditor In hereby DIRECTED 70
draw his order upon the general treasurer
for the said amount out OF any moneys In
the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
upon vouchers approved by the 0uartsr-
master general.
Sec. 3. All acts and parts Of acts incon-
sistent herewith are hereby repealed, and
this act shall take effect upon and after
Its passage.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-26
CHAPTER 5ss.

AN ACT In Amendment Of Chapter 306 OF
the General Laws. 'Of Prooe&0ings In
Criminal Cases"
PASSED June Is. 1852
II II enacted by the General Assembly -
follows:
Section 1. Section 90 Of chapter 2S5 of the
General Laws IL amended SO az to read aa
follows:
SEQ. 90. The payment Of costs In crtm-
inal cases may. upon application. be ro-
mitted by any justice Of the supreme
court"
Sec. q All acts and parts Of acts incon-
sistent herewith are hereby repealed. and
this act shall take effect from and aftsr
its passage.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-26
CHAPTER 5sa.


AN ACT In Amendment Of and In ADJ
ton 10 Chapter OF the General Laws.
"Of Canvassing the Rights and Correct
ing the Lists OF Voters.
Passed June 16 1882
II is enacted by the General Assembly ~
Section 1. Whenever the board OF cam
vassers OF any town or city, except the city
of Providence at any meeting holden for
the purpose 'of canvassing the rights and
correcting the lists OF voters" shall re-
ject, or shall cause to be erased from the
voting lists the name Of any person quail
ihsd to vote. the person whose pame said
board Of canvassers has rejected. or erased
from such list may Ale his petition In the
appellate division OF the supreme court,
setting forth his rssidence. his oualifica-
tions. and such other facts In connection
with tho rejection. or erasure OF his name
from such list. as he may deem material.
and praying that his name be added to said
list.
Sec. 2. Upon the Ming Of said petition
any justice Of said appellate division Of the
supreme court shall upon application.
forthwith cause the members and clork OF
said board of canvassers 70 be Cited TO als-
pear before said division at time and
place to be named In said citation 70 show
cause why the prayer OF said petitioner
should not be granted.
Sec. 8. II, upon hearing. said division
shall find that the name OF said petitioner
is not entitled to be placed or TO remain
upon said voting list. said petition shall be
dismissed. II, however. said division shall
find that the name Of said petitioner 10 en-
titled to a place upon such voting list. the
said court shall by decree order such name
to be placed upon said list. A copy Of such
decree shall be filed with the clerk Of the
board of canvassers and thsreupon said
clerk shall, without action on the part OF
said board. place said name on said voting
list.
Sec. l. This act shall take effect upon its
passage.