davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-18
She Was a Cripple,
But She Won
Her Point.
CHIVAlRY OF FEUDAL DAYS.
Her Tenantry Had the
Land She Crawled
Around.

Part of the land on the Tichborne es-
tate in England is known as the Itch
borne Crawls." 1t received its name
centuries ago from an act as charac-
teristic of the times as the ordeal of
Lady Godiva of Coventry. Much Of
the admired chivalry of the feudal
days was chivalry anywhere but at
home. In their families even the hu-
NOR of the knights and barons could
be coarse and unfeeling.
According to the story told in the
London Times some fifty years ago, the
English lord who owned this land had
a humane and sensible wife, who took
sorely to heart the condition of their
wretched tenantry, and made every eff
fort in her power to help them; but she
was a cripple.
The peasants, owning nothing, lived
idle and squalid lives being simply
'retainers" of the immortal house. If
they had one inspiration or superior
feeling, it was love for their mistress.
The lady could see they needed the
spur of industry and responsibility
and she often besought her husband to
set off to them a tract of land, giving
each laborer a life lease of the soil and
the annual proceeds of his tillage. Her
! opportunities finally tired him out and
he told her, half in anger and half In
jest, that he would set apart to the
! tenantry for nine hundred and ninety
nine years as much land as she would
travel around alone in G. month, be-
rriY,f tn h., Nf h. g., -,
church yard.
The crippled lady was resolute, and
she surprised her husband by taking
him at his word. Carried by her at
PENDANTS to the Churchyard corner, she
began her severe task. The servants
kept watch hut she could not allow
them to assist her. She persevered
Every morning, excepting Sundays, she
was set down at her last finishing point
and made her painful days progress in
all Weathers, till, at the end of the
month, she had surrounded number Of
acres that astonished herself and ev-
cry one else.
With her bent body and feeble limbs,
her motion was little more than a crawl
but she won the land, and the tract
has been called 'Tichborne Crawls" ev-
er since. ,I7W
When the poor tenantry, who with
pity and shame witnessed their good
lady's sufferings for their sake, had
begged her in vain to desist they re-
solved to make themselves better worth
the sacrifice, as far as they could. They
went home and washed themselves.
and their children, cleaned up their
dirty cabins, and contrived ways to
keep their hands and heads honestly
busy. The day the land came into
their possession was a double jubilee,
for it found an eager people ready to
improve and enjoy it.
1t is added that the neighboring gem
try became kinder to their poor de-
pendents in consequence of Lady Itch
bornes deed.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-18

Captain Halliwell, want to intro
duce you to a young lady who is very
anxious to make your acquaintance"
My hostess led the way across the
drawing room to dark, eXquisitely
lovely girl. She watched us eagerly
and, without waiting for any introduc-
ton, sprang to her feet, and said:
Are you Captain Halliwell?"
I admitted the truth of the charge,
Il am Edna Doughty" she said, with
a slight air of defiance.
Edna Doughty?" l said, holding out
my hand. Il am proud to meet you"
The name of Edna Doughty was in
everybody's mouth in connection with
what the papers called THE great
Label case"
Lord Epworth was found dead in his
bed. It transpired that he was secret
" addicted to the practice of taking
choral. He had received a bottle Dy
post from Messrs. Perott and Menson,
the well-known chemists, from whom
he usually obtained it, and had taken
one dose out of it, a moderately strong
one.
It killed him. 1t was taken for grant
ed at first that his death was either
the result of accident, or a case OF sui
eide. But at the inquest MeSSTS. E'eTott
and Menson positively denied having
sent the bottle to Lord Epworth It
was certainly wrapped up in their Ia
bel, and packed in one Of their boxes.
But they had not sent it.
The label was of course examined. 1t
bore the postmark, Hampstead, Sl5
p. m, Z, 8, 81"
1t was obviously improbable that
Messrs. Perott and Menson, whose
place Of business is in Bond street,
would post medicine In Hampstead.
The choral was analysed and pro-
nounced a strong poison.
Lord Epworth had been poisoned,
and the crime mao Deen committed ny
somebody who was perfectly acqdan-
ted with his habits.
So far as known this narrowed the
circle to about ten persons-his house
hold servants and a few relatives.
The question arose, who would BEN
eft by his death? He was a married
man, but separated from his wife. She
had been an actress in her youth. ana
had a handsome allowance from her
husband whom she had not seen Tor
fifteen years.
Lord Epworth's estate was immense.
The family property, which was of
great value would pass to his nephew,
Dalton Humphrey, a man who was
well known and very popular in So
ciety
/. was on him that public attention
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-18
Their DAILY BREAD,
How Women in Eng
land and America
Earn 1t.
THEIR STRANGE OCCUPATIONS.
The Domestic Round Does
Not Interest
Them.

In the United States four million
women earn their daily bread, and some
one has noted certain of the unusual
ways by which they accomplish it.
Women teachers ard professors num-
Der over one-quarter of a million, eN-
elusive of teachers of music, who are
34,519 strong, and 10000 artists and
teachers of art.
There are 1143 women clergymen.
journalists number SSS, with 2725 au-
thors and literary persons.
Of chemists, assayers and metallur-
gists there are two score lacking one.
Lawyers who are not men are POS.
Feminine detectives are 279 IN num-
Der,
Nineteen women brave the dangers
of wilds and forests as trappers and
guides.
Only two women have been dis
covered who are veterinary surgeons.
In Texas a woman has the contract
for carrying the mail from Kiffe to
Seirnal Hall.
Georgia has a woman mail carrier
she travels Il 40-mile route triweekly.
Inns yOull5 NCAAlS'iA SASC Al4S'-4S'S 49, -
farm.
The chamber of commebrce, Cincin-
natl, has the best restaurant in town;
it is run by three Scotch women and
they clear about 200 yearly, all
though there annual rental is $4,000
In New Orleans one of the finest
crchestras is composed entirely Of Wo-
men.
In Astoria, L. l., many Of he largest
hothouses are managed by women.
In New York a blacksmith's shop IS
managed by three young women
All the sailed almonds sold by one of
New YOrk's largest groceries are pre-
pared by a woman, who is conducting a
profitable business thereby
A fact foundry or an agency for sup
lying facts upon any subject at a short
NOTICES the industry of two Chicago
damsels.
Packing trunks is a St Louis wo-
mans industry.
The most lourishing conservatory
and rose garden in Elmira, n Y, is
owned and managed by a woman.
ISOLATION, Philadelphia, two young wa-
men are in charge of the elevators.
Women writ-servers are MI lOyad
with great success.
Buffalo boasts a woman contractor,
who is also a quarry owner; she is the
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-18
Many Dainty Fabrics
are Discarded When
SOiled.
HOW TO CLEAN CHIFFON.
A Little Time and Know
ledge VIII
Do 1t.

Chiffon, crepe de chine, embroidered
mousseline de sole and similar fabrics
are usually thrown away when soiled,
under the impression that they are
done for, but by careful washing and a
little pains they can nearly always be
revived. Enormous quantities of these
f1imsy materials are wasted even by
economical people every year. There
are conditions under which it is cheap
er to buy afresh, of course, and the
parable of the new wae in old bottles
is one that the housekeeper should
early take to heart, but all the same, it
is often convenient to know how to res
uTreCt a bit of dainty stuff.
Make a lather with best white soap
and let it stand until nearly cold, then
soak the material in 1t, shake it about
and pass it gently through the fingers
for a few minutes until thoroughly
clean, then rinse in cold water until it
leaves the water quite clear. Dissolve
a pinch of gum arabic in half a cup of
water, add a few drops of white vim
egar and dip in the muslin. Put it af-
terWard in a soft towel and pat it to
press the water out of it, iron at once
OIl the WRONG sue Only, WIN tissue pa
per placed over it, using an iron that
has cooled down a good deal
Larger pieces of embroidery, such as
90 not require the foundation stiffened,
should be pinned on a frame after the
rtnsing water, has been pressed out of
them; all the parts of the design
should then be brushed over on the
wrong side with cameps hair pencil
dipped in a thin solution of gum and
vinegar The frame should then be set
at once in a strong current of air, as it
is important that embroidery should
be dried as quickly as possible.
Worsted and soft cotton embroder-
les are best cleaned in bran water
baths" Add one quart of fresh bran
to three quarts of water, and let it boil
for half an hour, then strain and pour
the boilings into two basins Add cold
water to the larger quantity Of boil
iEgs to make 1t lukewarm, put in the
embroidery and rub it well with the
fingers till clean. Rinse in clean warm
water. then stiffen the article by dip
ping it into the second basin of bran
water. Press out the moisture and
dry quickly.
When there is much shrinking, the
Philadelphia Press suggests it is a good
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-18

the prisoner himself. He would ans
wer no questions and render no assis-
tance. All ne would say was:
Il don't care, Let them do what
they like"
I felt it was not quite fair to infer
the worst from this obstnacy. 1t
might not arise from a consciousness
of guilt. 1t is conceivable that a man 5
mind might be somewhat unhinged at
the gravity of the charge.
l examined the evidence carefully.
The handwriting on the label certain
ly resembled his, but not so exactly as
to be conclusive.
The question was. who would or
could initiate it? Was it done out of
malice? Above all, was it possible that
there was a woman in the case? Some
one, perhaps, who was jealous of Miss
Doughty.
I knew many Of his friends, and
made careful inquiries, but could find
no reason to suspect anyone of con-
spring against him.
But one curious fact was ELECTED.
Humphrey had left a west end club
at $40 o'clock on August s. He drove
to Hampstead in a cab and arrived at
the links late.
If that was the case, how could he
have posted the package at 3.15?
It was an odd discrepancy, but not by
any means sufficient to clear him. A
cunning man might have arranged
things so.
I obtained a photograph of the label
and distributed copies among his
friends.
But accident suggested a curious pos
sibility
A friend of mine was interested in a
benefit" which was being organized
for an old actor.
He called to let me know how It was
progressing.
Il have had such a bit of luck" he
said. Il wrote to Lady Epwortn.
When she was on the stage she was a
pal of old Burrows, and I thought
perhaps she might fork out a flyer
However, to my surprise, the old screw
has sent five-and-twenty pounds
Here's her letter"
While reading her letter, I noticed
that there was at any rate, some re-
semblance between her writing and
that on the label.
1t seemed to me that the writing on
the label was about midway between
that of LadyEpworth and Dalton Hum
phrey If he had tried to initiate her
handwriting or she had tried to imi-
tate his, one could imagine that this
would be the result
l submitted the three specimens to
an expert.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-18
AN ENGLISH BEAUTY.
Lady Helen Vincent is Called the Most
Beautiful Woman In England.

The most beautiful woman in England,
according to Mrs. Harlow Williams, in
Cassell's Magazine, is, without doubt
Lady Helen Vincent. There has never
been any one to compare with her since
she first appeared in society, and she was
the most beautiful bride ever seen-in
white dress brocaded in lilies, with golden
yellow stamens and palest green leaves.
She is eXQuisitely fair, almost fragile and
some of her freshness doubtless is due to
the fact that she never wears herself out
with late hours, as so many other Lon
don women do. Even when staying in
other peoples houses she manages to live
her own life in her own way walking out
and resting during a portion of the day
while every night, no matter what the at
traction In the way of dancing or playing
cards. she invariably says goodnight soon
after IL o'clock. No one in my time has
made a greater sensation than she-not
even her beautiful sisters, the late
Duchess Of Leinster, who was an ideal
duchess, so splendidly handsome and with
such a proud and yet so gracious an air;
Lady Cynthia Graham, who, with her
rich coloring is like Rubens picture, or
the unmarried sister, Lady Ulrica Dun
combe, who is most like Lady Cynthia,
but taller, simmer and with a purity of
expression and graceful girlish dignity
which lends an added charm to her young
beauty.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-18

was fixed. His uncle made him very
small allowance, and he was known to
be in financial difficulties. The death of
his uncle would make him a rich man.
Further inquiries produced two start
ling reVela .ons-the handwriting on
the label closely resembled Mr.. Hum
phrey's, but appeared to be disguised;
also, Mr.. Humphrey had certainly pur-
chased a bottle of choral three days
before his uncle's death, and it had
been sent to him from Messrs. Perott
and MensOn's establishment by post.
Doubtless he had removed the wrap
pings carefully, substituted the poison,
replaced the wrappings and sent it to
his uncle knowing that it would be
consumed without suspicion.
In addition to this, Mr.. Humphrey
was known to have played golf at
Hampstead on Aug. s, at about 3
o'clock in the afternoon-the time the
package was posted.
He was, of course, arrested. He
seemed to be somewhat dazed when the
warrant was read 10 him, but not eX-
actly surprised, and said:
well, it served the brute right"
In the teeth Of such evidence, and
what sounded like an admission of
guilt, it was difficult for his best friend
to believe him innocent.
but OllC DtISOll DGllEhtu III 4llllls III
spite of all. although he seemed not to
believe in himself-the girl he was en-
gagged to, Miss Edna Doughty.
She was a wealthy girl, and consid-
cred one of the catches" of the sea-
son. In spite of all protests and ar
guments, she stood by her lover, and
testified her complete confidence in
him.
Public opinion was unanimous-Dal-
ton Humphrey was guilty of a most
treacherous and cowardly murder, and
altogether unworthy of such a trump
of a girl as Miss Doughty. As for her,
for the moment she was the popular
idol.
I must explain, too, that her reason
for desiring to know me was that at a
country house where l was visiting a
few months previously, I had been in
trumental in clearing up a family
scandal.
Miss Doughty wanted my help. Would
I join hands with her in clearing Dali
ton Humphrey? She could tell me
nothing about the case beyond what the
papers reported, as the accused was
obstinately silent. All she could say.
with tears in her eyes, was that she
believed him innocent.
At the bottom of my heart I firmly
believed in the mans guilt. But it was
impossible to refuse the request Of such
a noble minded girl.
Our first and greatest difficulty was
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-18
QUEER HONEYMOONS,
One Couple who Lived
a Week In An
Ice Cave.
ASCENT OF MOUNT BLANC.
A Wedding Trip That
Was a Walking
Match.
ASCENT OF MOUNT BLANC.
(Philadelphia Times.)


A short while since an adventurous
eouple spent their first DAVIS of welded
ne, 49,, .,,,,,,,,i+ Of Mont Blanc
49, VA ''Ae
Inc ascent extremely hazardous ny
reason of terrific snOWstorms, being
ea,ceAssfullv ACCOMPLISHED the bride
.,-,,..----. Ia.
groom III me plese4Ioe u the S"'ue9'
embraced his young wife, TO whom he
swore eternal fidelity. and received
f.o,,, ,or lin, 80 o,,,,,1,,, ea,,,a,,+ ,ssnr-
- -'4 iiei ups a. 4"''''' ~ S-+'
ance.
In the neighborhoOd of DObsChan, a
small Hungarian town, there is an eX-
traordinary ice cave, says the Phila-
dephia Times In this cave. some six
teen years ago, a couple named Kolc-
sey elected to spend the week immedi-
ately following their marriage. They
took with them a plentiful supply Of
rugs. blankets and warm clothing, but
Notwithstanding all precautions, their
experience was not of a sufficiently
pleasant nature to tempt imitators
A walking tour may make an endura-
Bile honeymoon but to convert the lat
ter into a walking match. seems sadly
incongruous with the rites of Hymen.
Such. however. was not the opinion Of
one James Muir and his young bride,
who were united in wedlock last au-
tumn. While counting they had taken
MANY n long walk together during
which a contention had arisen respect
ing their 0edestrian ability So hish
did this pickering run that they re-
solved as soon as they were married. to
put their respective claims to the test
bv walking from London to Exeter, the
bride being allowed to go by train to
Basingstoke. a distance of AZ miles.
No sooner had the knot been tied than
the newly welded wife took a cab to
the station while the husband started
off westward at good mace. In the
result the latter was ungallant enough
to win bv over two miles. though the
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-18

His report was unfavorable.
In his opinion, the address had not
been written by Lady Epworth. He
was satisfied that the label was ad-
dressed by the person-whOever he was
who had written the third specimen
That person was, of course, the &C
cused.
Messrs. Perott and Menson told me
that they knew Lady Epworth by sight
but had never seen her in the shop, and
began to lose what little confidence
l had ever had in the case. But not
so with Miss Doughty. She didn't
believe experts" nor in fact anybody
who had anything to say against Mr.
Humphrey, and suggested we should
try another interview with him.
At first ne was as obstinately silent
as ever, but I mentioned the discrep-
ancy in the time of posting. Instantly
his attention was aroused.
do you mean to say" he said bit
terly, that you don't take it for grant
ed that l am guilty?"
Il don't take anything for granted, IS
I replied sharply. And if you would
only pull yourself together like a man,
we might do some good"
What can 1 dO?" he said, coloring,
Answer a few questions. Whom do
you suspect?"
Nobody. It is that which bewilders
me-"
What about your aunt? Would she
benefit by Lord Epworths death?"
indirectly she would" he said
thoughtfully. when my uncle mar
ried, he was wildly in love. and made
eXtravagant settlements"
But she has an annual allowance ."
1 said.
Yes; but she doesn't always get it."
he said, with a smile. because En-
worth's affairs were in such a pickle.
But now that he is dead nobody could
prevent her stepping into a large prop
ertv-"
What kind of a woman is she?"
"a thoroughly bad lot" was the
prompt answer.
Does she know your handwriting?"
1 asked.
Certainly, She has had letters from
me-" - ''''
Thls gave us something to work on.
Further conversation brought to light
the fact that there lived with LADY
Epworth a Miss Denton who seemed
to be half lady's maid, half compan-
ion. Humphrey said he believed she
was relation-probably a sister II
was possible that although Lady En-
worth herself had never entered D..
rott and MensOn's shop, her Creature
might have done so.
With some difficulty 1 procured ,
photograph Of this Miss Denton and
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-18

| placing it among a number Of others.
took it to Messrs Perott and Menson.
They picked it out Immediately. The
lady was regular customer. She pur-
chased choral, They knew her name.
and she gave the address of a small
shop in Lady EpwOrth's neighborhood.
Moreover, they had transmitted
through the post a bottle of choral to
the woman few days before Lord
EpwOrth's death
She or Lady Epworth had evidently
initiated Humphreys handwriting
watched his movements and posted the
poison at time when suspicion would
inevitably fall on him.
Having proceeded so far with the
case, now thought it right to hand if
over to his solicitors to complete il. as
l had no wish to pose as a detective.
Mr.. Bennett, instead of consulting
the police and taking steps to have the
women arrested, or al any rate
watched, simply wrote to Lady En-
worth requesting her to call at his Of
flee. AIS VI
Evidently she and her "ladv's naido
took alarm, for the effect was starring
ly tragic.
Next morning London was electrified
to learn that Lady Epworth had died
py poisoning by her own hand. and baT
dCCompilce had disappeared
Inc expert on handwriting had HIM
Qered, as experts sometimes do. but we
mad no difficulty in obtaining Hmm
pnreys release at the next mapista-
Ilal inquiry. There was, however, stil
one point which had not been cleared
up. and in Miss Doughty's presence 7
puI TWO questions to him.
Why, had he purchased a. bottle ~
chloraI, and above all why had he to-
lily admitted his guilt?
ms answer was a painful one
nave been secretly addicted +o tho
naDlt OF taking choral for tbe 1agt
three years he said. II sI,rTll-, i -
tendency is hereditary. Nobody knew
oI H. and l was constantly trI.in.- ~
oreak myself. When I vas $50, Us "a
~, " az more or less under its influence
9 ai-'I scarcely knew what I was SAVING
G L1. When l found myself in iaiI on a
SnaIge OF murder. l honestly bs1iaI,sJ
my. guilty. l believed / had baep
out of my mind" i'''O Oeeii
won dwell on the scene that fol
luNeu. Humphrey declared that tbis
~ LIeGce mad cured him of the vice
ana ana Pledged his word of honor never 10
mis- promise mas hsp1
1 rear that the account I have gi,-er
OF lhe affair has necessarily show -
l. DAD light But he is really 80
49,. ~ pest and I know no hammer
g I-,,,,... Ihan the present Lord and LADY
--' " Oi'Ii'-Chicago Times Herald.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-18
REFRESHMENT TABLES,

Refreshment table is the euphonious
name given to a fashionable new ad-
junct to the dining room. 1t consists
of mahogany box IS inches deep, oval
in shape and lined with zinc. Four
futed legs and three bands of brass
fitted into the wood, for ornament,
complete the handsome piece Of furni-
ture, which opens at the top. 1t is
filled with ice and intended to hold
fruits, wines, ices, or anything that
1t is thought desirable to keep chilled
These valuable acquisitions come in
two sizes and sell at $35 and $50.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-18


only lem IeInaie i''''''ON
eAeha 4Insav citv woman makes her liV-
iro Nv PAINTING signs.
"'6 ~ Tyo1isiana woman supports herself
~, - ,.1,sInp mint.
~ MA b"'9 ,,'anan manager of a California
LHe Mo'I comnanv is credited with the
,lse''t soIoI,v Maid to any WOmat-
largest sa.aa py pa'N ~
$lo'o0V Ee"i' ,,..-.- Ian. hooks vo-
AS agents for selllIls '@ o,,+iro feld.
men occupy Almost ItiG gjrI is
A pretty frehc3 o', nohbIinS shoes
making her breau ny N0'
at Lewiston Me .,., -,
1,a nc s'l is a woman; not over % years
oL aeg, L / laI1 there is no interest, no
INC. III +,.ada and no deal with
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-18
FOR GRADUATION.

Nothing is daintier for the young CIR!
graduate than white organdy. 1t is
prettiest to keep 1t all white, using
white satin or white taffeta-the former
preferably-with lace or embroidery for
trimmings. Shirrings and tucks are
high in favor and may be employed in
any manner of different ways. The
skirt is usually made up without a lin
ing, and the freshest of white cambria
skirts. much tucked and trimmed, Is
warn under il.