davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Delta independent., 1898-03-18

fssbss 6as almost killed Sse."
ait 10 certainly No paaes for yoa."
ssid Mr.. Hastings. stssnly. ''a.i ]
have come 70 take yoa 10 yosr aln'a
The morning papezs shall = lsast ~
that You have gone. IWiu not havs Il
any other way"
"Yol arc not ny guardian. II yoa
arc my uncle. replied Aias Hastings
with spirit II shall not desert my test
friends at such . time just to sratify .
whim Of yourA"
The banker grew rcd with anger.
"You arc in love with the young
scampi' he cried fuxioasly. "Yoa need
not deny it"
81 am engaged TO M. Ralph Ben
ton. was the cold reply. "snd the en-
gagemept il - sacred to mo - mar
riage. You will not now expect me to
prove false at such time"
Mr.. Hastings took . deep breath.
Docs your father know Of thisi" bs
asked.
"No. Ralph wanted to write to him
o week ago. but as he intended 10 90 to
Boston on business in few days per-
suaded him to wait and ses papa per-
sonally."
"well. you have got yourself into .
pretty pickle IL all have to say" re-
turned the banker. rising to his feet.
"You have too much Of your fathers
stubbornness 70 be moved BY any argu-
ment, 20 shall not make myself Eidio-
ulous by persisting in trying 10 bring
you to your sensea No young man Of
any true feeling would allow . young
lady to remain here under such circum-
stanoes
HE hinted to me only half IN hour
ago that IL might be well for mo to 90
to you," answered Miss Hastings. "but
told him it was my desire TO remain
with his sister, at least till some one
could take my place a. her companion. +"
II shall write your father as once, T"
said Mr.. Hastings "H he should come
over. presume"-
"I should not leave here now II all
the relatives nave ON earth should i'm
plore me on their bonded knees" was
Miss Hastings' ultimatum, and, white
and red BY turns from suppressed an
ger, Mr.. Hastings left the house and
stepped into q cab at the door.
Mis- Hastings sank into . chair,
overcome with weakness from her en-
counter with her uncle and the excite
ment Of the past 10 houFa She won
dered what was to become Of hef. OF
one thing she was sure. and that was
that she would stand by Ralph Benton.
Poor fellowi By this time he must
know what the papers were saying. Az
II be had not had enough TO bear with
out thati Thinking Of Ralph reminded
The Delta independent., 1898-03-18

Wh0 - your pnyS1ct0nF
she rose to go 70 her. The door Of Mis-
Benton's room was not entirely closed,
and a. Miss Hastings drew near she
recognized Ralph's voice. He was
speaking excitedly.
"You are silly to take ON so," be was
.nying. Hendricks and his gang may
search till doomsday and never know
the truth. have fixed that Nontcsstle
will help"
Miss Hastings paused. The carpet
1ad muflied her footsteps. They did not
NOW she was near.
II never had such an awful feeling
ny life." said Miss Benton. "Oh, /
can't stand is any lonssri It will kill
meP'
"Boshi Look at me. The papers are
even going over my record and limiting
that did 1t. and yet defy
"Hushi Somebody will hear you,"
cautioned Alice, and the door was sud-
denly closed. Miss Hastings retreated,
white and quivering, to the library and
sat down again. She covered her face
with her hands and tried to reflect. No;
ahe would never entertain that thought.
Ralph Benton was her ideal her con-
ception Of all that was manly and noble
in man. It might seem to Others that
be was guilty, but she would never be-
ieve IT. And yet how strangely he had
scted when he came down from his
room just before the body had been
foundi And then the words which she
had lust overheard-whak could he have
meant?
Miss Hastings happened TO glance in
70 . large pier glass which reflected
part of the hall in the direction Of Alice
Benton's loom and saw Ralph sp-
preaching. Il was the first time she
had caught his face in repose aince the
murder, and the sight Of It shocked her
inexpressibly. He was white and hag-
gard, and his eyes were beginning to
Be bloodsbot.
He came into the library. started
slightly on seeing he1 and then ad-
vanced, with . smile.
II am % sorry for you, dear Julia" {"
he said tenderly. 1T 10 not often that
. fellow getr his fanoee into such an
awkward situation - this. As rule.
the great truubles come after marriage,
not before"
"Youf trpubls 10 mins. Il would bs
Just - great II wo were separated, !" the
girl returned sadly.
He nodded and turned his face from
her. Sbs fancied his lip wss quiverine.
''Do you know what the pepen are
limiting st Julis-I mean sboat me,''
q
The Delta independent., 1898-03-18

soossns TO allow 20 10 remsin unless
you knew It."
''Noshing On earth coald mako mo
think yoa vers gailty a such . crime."
aid 0io Hastings. "and ] intend to
stand BY yoa."
He sat down By her and took her
hand in his
~ saw your uncle drive mp. and
knew what hs came for" said he.
"and II you bad deserted me should
have given mp. ! could stand . GOOD
deal. but to lose you now. in addition
10 all the rest, would be moro than ]
oould bear. Really. am In earnest"
Mis- Hastings covered her fsce with
her hands and heaved deep sigh. She
Was thinking of tho words shs had
overheard just . moment before. She
wanted to ask him II he were not keep
Ing back something from her. but such
. question would imply . lack Of faith
In him. and she remained silent Steps
were heard In the hall Some men car
rying large bouquets and wreaths Of
flowers were reflected in the pier glass
- they passed to the drawing room 10
lay them on the comm. Ralph followed
her glance to the mirror.
"Poor old manP' be said. II have
not yet realized that he II really desd.
Sister acts - II she did not either. We
shall mis- the dear old governor in
spite of all the rowa"
The power Of articulation seemed 10
The Delta independent., 1898-03-18
CHAPTER Z

That afternoon M:si 6astings had 3
caller. It wss Mr.. Richard Hastings, .
New York banker.
~ am 20 glad to see you'll" she ex.
claimed impulsively - she came into
".
81 thought you would b." said the
banker, taking . seat II read the news
at lunch. and my wife and both
thought it was my duty to hasten out
at once. presume You would like to
come over 10 N. Your room II always
ready, you know"
Miss Hastings moved uneasily In her
ehair.
''Uncle, I don't 80 how I could
leave Just now under the oiroum-
stances," she said. "You know Alice
and arc great friends, and it would b
cruel to desert her at such time when
wen her aunt il away"
Mr.. Hastings gavs her . cold glance
Of disagreement.
''But," he said, "suspicion has fall
en- ON the family. The papers are full
Of speculation and dark hintA I am
sure your father would insist ON my
taking you home II he knew the situa-
tion. I want to do, you zee. ~ should
like him to act for me under similar
circumstance"
"Suspicion has fallen ON some one
herei" gasped Miss Hastings Surely
you are mistaken. Why, who''-
at il very vague at present." an
swered the banker, "but IL looks very
sQuslly for the son-what's his namef-
Ralph. You see, his father was heavily
insured-more than $3.50, 900, IL IL said
and the young man 10 his heir and
badly in need Of ready money They
say he IL pretty wild and sort Of come
easy. go easy chap. with . good many
debts hanging over him."
II don't believe . word Of it." Tho
young lady clinched her hand and to
give emphasis to her words almost
stood up. He may be-Mf. Benton
may be in debt-most young men are
but be is the very soul Of honor. You
don't know him. The public does not
know him, else IL would never dream
Of accusing him. The ideal It's alb
surd."
''That may all be - you say," ~
piled the banker, somewhat nettled.
"but suspicion has fallen on him, and
until he has got from under IL do
not intend to have . Hastings MIXED
up in it Why, have already besa
asked three times today II you arc .
relative of mine, and IL bas been en-
barTassing 70 admit that my own niece
10 visiting family about which there
10 70 much unpleasant gossip. Il n said
that old Benton and his children nsve
could agree and that they lived ILL
cats and dogs'
80 they have even got that into ths
paper" said Mis- Hastinea Nothing
IL sacred nowadays know this, uocle-
Ralph-Nr. Benton-has had world
a trouble with his father. who was
really losing his mind, end the tsoabls
Altce has had with hsf suut and hss
The Delta independent., 1898-03-18

from The dogs neek and with his hAnd
touahed ono Of ths foosprinta Instantly
~ animal lowered his nose md smeilsd
TIE eroand. Then with his nose to ths
sand hs ran quickly to the spot whsls
the tracks had ended. Here he stopped
He ooald 20 NO farther. Back be came
10 The spot where the corpse had lain.
made . little circle and then with .
glad bark darted over the graas toward
the gate at the side Of the grounda
''No good, /" muttsred Hendricks in .
tone Of disappointment "He will lose
the scent ont there where % many
people have passed to and fro"
The dog rxn On to the gate. They
saw him spring over the wall and dart
here and there - IL bewildered in the
street. Then he set up dismal howl Of
defeat.
Hendricks whistled 10 him, and Nebo
trosted back. looking quite detected and
ashamed.
Poor fellowr" said the detective ~
be clasped the end Of the chain on to
the dogs collar. even you are puzzled.
Take him home, johnson"
Just then Ralph Benton emerged from
the back veranda and started toward
them. but seeing them he turned and
disappeared in the house.
Lampkin.
Zone reason sent for the dog" he
said-''I wanted to see who'd be afraid
Of him. Allen il either afraid or is sick.
and Ralph found he had forgotten some
thing the moment he laid eyes on the
animal"
"Do you think Mr.. Allen was really
ill?" asked Lampkin.
~ don't know. I'm going to get
Kola to look mp all the Dr. Burtons in
New York and SEQ II he can find one
who went to sec Allen in the city last
night. I'd like to catch him in . mis-
statement"
''Kolaf' said Lampkin. "Who's her"
"Ah. that's . facti You have never
met him. I have known him only about
two weeks. He il an East Indian, .
very sagacious young man. He came all
the way from his native land to take
lessons under me and has thrown his
whole soul into detective work. shall
write . message for you to send to him
after you get over in New York"
lyon are going to dispense with my
Servicesr' asked the doctor.
Until this afternoon at 4 O'Clock,
was the reply. Hendricks took from his
pocket . piece Of paper and . pencil and
hurriedly wrote . few lines. Then be
put the paper into an envelope and Id
dressed it "send it by . messenger
from the first Office" he said. ~ am
going to take . room at hotel over
here. 20 - to be on the spot till ! catch
this thing BY the tail. Go over and ses
how your Office il getting ON and then
meet me at the hotel nearest the sta-
ton. You know where 1t il We passed
IL coming out"
"That will suit mo exactly" replied
Lampkin. LOOK for me-"
"Take good caro- Of Nebo, Johnson"
Hendricks called out TO the man, who
had gone on ahead Of them. $50 long,
doctor. I'll sec you later. am going
10 get something to eat the asst thing I
do"
The Delta independent., 1898-03-18

~ A4eSsssss8S R<SSS
have left Miss HastingsL She tried 10
peak. She attributed the failure to her
mental condition.
Poor Aunt Marthar' sighed Ralph.
releasins her hand. ''It will kill her.
I'm afraid. II you only knew her. you'd
understand. She 10 peculiar, but she
hes bean . mother to sister and me and
has already suffered too much"
"Does she kpowy' asked Mis- Has-
tings. finding her voice At last "Has
she heardr'
mot yet" replied Ralph. II tels-
graphed DF. Gibson at the sanitarium
70 keep TIE pspsss from her. I hope b
Wul b oaatioaA Il 10 On hse scoount
that We are % particular. but''-hs re-
0ected . moment-'.l forgot you don't
understand. Some day shall tell you
the whole gloomy story. We've have
Dur skaletou, you see.'
''All families have tbem," observed
The girl wonderingly.
"Ours 10 one, however, that can b
ione away with BY plentiful use Of
common sense, and sister and ! are do
Ing all we can in that direction. II hes
been uphill work. and now IL will be
harder than ever"
The Delta independent., 1898-03-18
CHAPTER II,


CHAPTER n.
Tnas afternoon az o.ciocs Ii. Lamp
tin called ss tho hotel designated ~
hendricks and was informed BY tho
'lerk that the detective was In his room
and had iefs orders Tor him to como up
V once.
Inc room was % tho need Oh the nfss
f'Rhs OF staira Lampk,n raped.
Come anF Inc doctor sssrteo' TOT
~ WORDS seemed 70 come from sos
ofack beneath the door. Lampkin tu1nsd
the knob and pushed. The door opened
about six inches, struck somethins
and stopped. It was the head Of the de-
tective, for when Lampkin bad looked
through the narrow opening he found
Hendricks ON his hands and knees on
tie door.
"Oh. I beg psrdouy' b laughed,
rising clumsily. IL forgot that I was
blocking the way. Look outi Don't step
On that thing
"What in thunder arc you doingf"
aaked the doctor, stopping cautiously
over . black suit Of clothes which the
detective had carefully stretched on the
door.
"Shi" Hendricks closed the door.
"Old man Benton's," hc went ON with
Q grin. "I presume you think I am
mad, chr"
"Nethod in IL: I'd bet On that" re-
Aurned the doctor.
"Don't quote. Be original"
Hsndrioks sat down on the side Of .
The herald., 1898-01-20
THE PARTY LASH
To Be Laid on Maryland Republican
Backs

~ SS A<oAo OA1 k401 4uAASA AsCP0O14CdA
Backs
ANNAPOLIS, Md. Jan. 19.-The senate
and house met in joint session today and
after casting one ballot for United
States senator to succeed Arthur B.
German, adjourned until tomorrow.
The ballot resulted McComas, So;
Shaw, IL; Shryock, 2; Milliken, Q; Bar
ber, 6; Fourner, 1; German, "A; F'indlay,
Q; Parran, 6; Lowndes, /; total, 113.
Necessary to choice, 81; absent, 4.
The vote cast for Judge McComas
shows an increase over that received by
him yesterday The outcome Of the
days balloting was distinct disap-
.pointment to the followers Of Judge Nc
Comas, they having confidently expect
ed a gain of at least eight more votes
than they got. Their failure is now
thought to indicate the possible reap
pearance of Postmaster General Gary
as candidate, as these votes are looked
upon as his whenever he wants them.
A caucus of the Republican majority
will almost certainly be held tomorrow
night and an attempt will be made to
force the recalcitrants into line. Thirty
one signatures have been appended to
the CALL and it is asserted that six more
will be added before midnight Thirty
four are necessary to secure majority
of the Republican members and sena-
tors of the general assembly. 1t is said
that Postmaster General Gary has re-
quested his six supporters who have
voted for Thomas Parran to go into
caucus and abide by the decision Of that
body.
1t is claimed that a majority of the
six have signified their willingness to
do so Tonight's developments indi-
cate that tomorrow's ballot will be u
repetition of today's. Indications Of an
attempt at coalition between the
faithful eleven" and the Democratic
members for the purpose of electing a
Baltimore city man are growing strong
er every hour. Such combination
would probably mean Shaw or Malster.
The herald., 1898-01-20

was bribery and extortlon and those who
confessed themselves guilty have de-
clared in positive terms that webb's was
the master mind that inspired and guild
ed their crooked deeds. and that he prof
tied by them.
The fact that Webb has thus far been
able to avoid legal punishment for his
corrupt acts only emphasizes the me-
cessity for his removal. The investiga-
tion is now drawing to close and the
board will soon be called upon to render
its decision on the evidence laid before it.
1t will ignore its duty, trample upon the
facts and encourage bossism and COR
ruption in office If it does not summarily
declare vacant the Office now held by
Webb. His vindication is not to be
thought of in the face of the facts pre-
sented, and his retention in Office will
not be meekly tolerated by an outraged
community. If Webb seeks a vindica-
tion before this community let him offer
himself as a candidate at some future
election. He will then be able to find
out what the public think of him.
The herald., 1898-01-20
A SIGNIFICANT TRIUMPH

The war of the combined department
stores of Denver against the newspa
pers of that city, which forced the latter
into a temporary offensive and defensive
alliance, has reached an ignoble ending,
the combine surrendering upon condi
tions altogether favorable to the local
journals. The demand for horizontal
reduction in advertising rates, ranging
from twenty to thirty per cent, is aban-
doned, and the fourteen factors con-
stituting the combine agree to scale
considerably higher than that against
which they so foolishly protested.
Several important principles have
been vindicated by the controversy,
which was short, sharp and decisive.
One is that advertising in public jour-
nails is not only valuable aid to the
merchant in the extension of his busi-
ness, but to many an absolute neces-
sity. To the large dealer carrying
heavy stocks of goods it is indispensable.
This class, in many instances, depends
almost wholly upon the discounts offered
by the wholesalers, rather than upon
advances over the prices paid for mer-
chandise for it's profits, and to realize
these the goods must be turned over
quickly. Great stocks must be rushed
off Within thirty, sixty or ninety days,
and to effect this every legitimate trade
adjunct must be employed. 1t is not
sufficient that the commodities be la
bled with attractive selling prices and
that the show windows be converted in
to bazars. The great body of consumers
must be speedily advised of the induce
ments held out for the prompt invest
ment of cash in the necessities to be sac
rificed. A single weeks experience was
sufficient to satisfy the fourteen big es-
adjustments of Denver that the price
they were expected to pay for space in
the daily newspapers was an inconsider-
able factor compared with the advan-
tages obtained from the employment of
those utilities, and they speedily capitu-
lated.
The unfriendly attitude of the public
toward the allied stores was speedily
developed in the Denver controversy by
the alignment Of the great masses of
the people upon the side of the news
papers. The practical boycot of great
public utility, ranked as an estate
seemed to justify boycott of the boy
cotters, and it speedily followed with
telling effect.
The success of the department store
combine meant the material reduction
in the size and value of some Of the pa
pers and the wiping out of others, and
this was contemplated by all classes as
a menace to the common good. The
unanimity of sentiment and spontaneity
of effort Displayed by the people Of Dem
The herald., 1898-01-20
A FUTILE POLICY

The studied efforts of the San Fran
cisco Call to malign and misrepresent
the League for Better City Government
in Los Angeles, in the interest of man
whom nine people out of ten in this city
believe to be a corruptionist and
boodler, stimulate inquiry as to the mo-
tive that lies behind such a shameful
policy.
The League for Better City Govern
ment is composed of the best people in
Los Angeles. In it are men of widely
differing political views. Some of them
are rich and some are poor. There are
business men, professional men and
workingmen among the membership
and the cause that brought them to-
gether was a common desire to rid the
city of the corruption that had crept
into various departments of the city
government, and to help elect the best
men to fill the offices. 1t is non-parti-
san, non-b -boodling organization.
The motives, the policy and the work
of the League for Better City Govern
ment require no defense. They speak
for themselves, and are endorsed by all
respectable citizens. But what must he
the motive that inspires and induces the
San Francisco Call, published five hun
dred miles away, to ally itself with the
corrupt element in slanderous and abus
i've attacks upon everybody and every
thing connected with and conducive to
good government?
The Call, finding that the leading
newspapers of this city are in favor of
exposing and Furnishing corruption, and
against policy of injustice and confis-
cation in connection with the transfer of
the city water works, has, with the in
stinct of yellow journalism, enlisted in
behalf of corruption and the push" and
allied itself with demagogism, in the
hope of increasing it's circulation and
influence. Opinions may we'll differ as
to the value of such circulation and such
influence. Gained through the agency
of sensationalsm and abuse, they are
sure to be ephemeraL 1t pays best to be
decent and honest.
| The Herald does not know how the re-
suits of the Calls Los Angeles campaign
are viewed in the business office of that
paper, nor does it care; but this it does
know-that the Call has destroyed every
vestige of respect the decent people of
Southern California may have had for it,
and that it has lost any influence it may
have had among respectable classes.
Is it strange that the people of Los
Angeles should resent the efforts of
newspaper published five hundred miles
away to uphold corruption and weaken
their local government?
The herald., 1898-01-20
A NATIONAL FIGURE

A special dispatch from Washington
this morning states that after consider
ing many names. Senator White of Cali
fornia has been decided upon for the
chairmanship of the Democratic con-
gressional campaign committee, which
selection will be ratified in caucus to-
night. This new and significant honor
that is being awarded Our Steve only
emphasizes The Herald's frequent con-
tention that Mr.. White, by his talents,
energy and experience, has achieved a
position in national politics from which
it would be folly on the part of the state
he so ably represents to dream of ousting
him.
The herald., 1898-01-20
Stop the Paper

The editor of the Louisiana (Mo) Press
had at least one subscriber who did not
appreciate the paper, and who wrote In
the following fervid fashion ordering the
discontinuance of 1t:
"Bryson / rote you to stop my paper
want you to stop it am getting enough of
your old scheme to make me take your
paper. state once more don't want your
dog gon old paper the post Mrs. has noti-
fed you and she has got record Of 1t and
If you don't stop the dam thing will give
you piece of my mind. Stop that paper
/ haven't taken none of them out Of the
ofes ~
The herald., 1898-01-20
REMOVE HIM

Walter L. Webb is not a fit man to be
on the board of education. SO long as he
remains a member he will be a constant
and dangerous menace to the education
al system Of the city and to clean and
honest municipal government generally.
He is boss Of the worst sort so long as
he has vestige of authority and power.
Public sentiment and public safety, de-
mand his retirement to private life.
The evidence in the investigation that
is being prosecuted by the board Of edu-
catidp showed that the affairs. of the
board We're run by the Solid Six. and
that the Solid Six was controlled by
Webl. It has been proved that there
The herald., 1898-01-20
Chautauuua Affairs

ERIE, Pa, Jan. 19.-The board Of trus-
tees of the Chautauqua assembly met at
the Reed house today, with representatives
from all parts OF the country. The reports
showed total receipts of $4,000. The ex-
penses were about $4,000 less than this
amount. The schools will continue under
charge Of President Harper Of the Univer-
sity Of Chicago. Officers for the year were
elected as follows: President. Louis Miller
OF Warren, o.; vice-president. c. M. Stude-
baker. South Bend. Ind; secretary and SUI
perintendent, DR.. w. A. Duncan Of Syra-
cuse, N. r.; treasurer, e. A. Skinner Of
Westfeld, KY: executive committee, w.
s. Short, J. T. Edwards, VIM. Thomas.
Wilson A. Day, r. A. Miller and p. w.
Hydge; finance committee, VIM. Thomp-
son, VIM. Dusenbery and w. HydEe.
The herald., 1898-01-20

yer emphasizes the fact that, notwith-
standing the all too common proneness
to criticise and complain at the press
for its attitude upon this question and
upon that. its existence is regarded as q
necessity. its usefulness is conceded,
and its general aim to be honest, loyal
and self-sacrificing is appreciated.
The allied stores have at the same
time learned valuable lesson, and one
that promises to be lasting in its in
fiuence. They and all others have also
had occasion to observe that the boy
cot is a dangerous weapon.