davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-11-22

harm, that I'll swear said lie earnest
ly. what should he do 1t for? Folks
don't carry much Of value about them
when they 20 on the tramp among the
mountains. and Merricks been going
on as ever since that time. If he'd
robbed your brother. he would have
gone on the spree. and we should have
noticed something. Don't you see,
sir?'
Before he answered Mason happen
ed to catch sight Of the ring on his
hand.
"You promised" said he. ito tell me
how you came by this"
81 found 1t about half mile from
here at the foot Of steep bit Of rock
In the side Of one Of the hills" replied
the farmer. 1T was covered with
mud. and shouldn't have seen 1t. but
| slipped on 1t and looked down."
"When was thnt?" asked Mason.
"a matter of three or four weeks
back now. SIR"
"You didn't remember having seen
1t on my brothers handP'
81 hadn't seen it. sir. should have
remembered II II | had. being so un-
common to look at. The gentleman
wore gloves. fancy"
Mason nO.ltpil and was silent.
81 can take you to the place where
found the ring. and you can search
about rs much as you like. hut there
was no sign Of any accident there. I'm
certain. Finding this thing made me
keep my eyes open. you may br sure"
"If could see this Merrick." cried
Mason abruptly.
''Sir. to lie sure you can. I'll 60 and
have him out" said the farmer prompt
ly. 81 must just get my lantern, for
it's some little way off. He sleeps in a
loft over the cowhouse. And don't be
afeared. sir; We'll find out the truth Of
this for you, however dark 1t may be
and however hard we have to work to
get at 1t, for the sake Of what you're
going to do for my little girl"
AS he spoke the little man put his
hand up to Masson's shoulder and
locked up into his face with his keen
black eyes moist with feeling.
THANK you. thank you thousand
times" said Mason huskily.
Then the farmer wrung his hand
warmly and in silence. and taking up
a lantern from the corner of the dress
er lighted 1t, put on his coat and hat
and disappeared into the darkness of
the clubhouse, closing the door behind
him.
TO BE CONTINUED.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-11-22
CHAPTER VII.
COCH TAI AGAIN.

The doctor, now fully aroused anu
conscious that there Were dangers uh-
der the shelter he hod found quite Us
great as those he lad encountered on
the mountains outside, followed the
wet footmarS across the floor and
opened VIE the door to which they
led.
At efst he could see nothing on the
othf side Of it; 1t was cold, 1t was
d.1fty, 1t was dark. but he knew that
NE was not in the open air. He went
back into the kitchen, lit one Of the tai
low candles and carried 1t out into the
cavernous blackness, into q moldy,
damp smell, and into wide, covered
space, the floor Of which was partly
boarded and partly paved In the rough
est manner with broken stones. A
storehouse this evidently. There were
stacks of wood and peat; there was n
built up mound Of roots, partly covered
with straw and earth. There was lum-
ber of all sorts besides, giving to the
place so many hooks and corners and
hiding places that Mason knew 1t
would be unwise If not impossible to
hunt out the person or persons who, he
felt sure. lay hidden there. watching
him as he moved.
For he could hear those slight, hard.
ly distinguishable sounds which be.
tray the presence Of living creature
In concealment. He looked up and
saw that the roof was Of rough beams
and boards, through which the snow
came here and there.
"Any one here?" he asked.
But no voice answered.
He repeated the question in irmer
almost menacing manner, and then d
figure appeared In the doorway behind
| him.
He recognized in a moment the farm
er himself.
"Why. sir, what are you doing II
here?"
The question. uttered in n genial. hos
pitable tone, struck warmth into Mas
sons heart. He rctreated ut once into
the kitchen and turned toward hi.
host a face which betrayed some ol
the sensations he had just expert
enced.
"Why, sir, you look as If you'd had {
fright. that you do" said the farmer
as he took the candle from the doc
tors hand and lit the rel& lining ont
on the mantelpiece. You haven't go
over your adventure on the hills. all
thinking. It's made you nervous"
Some one has been In the room
while | was asleep" began Mason il
a voice which was hardly steady.
But his host answered him at once.
"Yes. | came down very soon to tel
you my girl had fallen asleep. But a
you were having nap yourself b!
that time thought it better not to dis
turb you. as you were going to sit up
So went up stairs again and waite'
till heard you moving about. or. rath
er. till | heard you call out"
Although the farmers manner an'
words were reassuring. MasSon ha'
the evidence of more than his eyes t
counterbalance the effect of this state
ment. Pointing to the wet footnlark
on the floor, he said:
"Those are not your footsteps. ar
they"
The farmer glanced down at the we
floor and shook his head.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-11-22

these Prophecies Have Startled the
Inhabitants of This Old Earth From
ms Far Back as the Yenr 1oOo-The
Fear Of Comets.
In 1921 Jean Stoaer. a German,
plunged Europe into terror by predict
ing a universal deluge In 1924 owing
IN the conjunction of several planets IN
q watery sign"-the watery signs are
Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces. At his
ominous words thousands fed to the
mountains, and others took refuge IN
boats. Awinol, q doctor of law and
canon Of Toulouse, even built sort
of ark on four pillars as haven or
refuge. There was no need OF such
excitement. No food came. On the
contrary, the season was even calmer
and drier than usual. Stofer had, In
deed, made q serious blunder and one
for which many Of his fellow astrol-
ogers, including Cardau, never par
doned him.
Stofler, however, Is only one In long
list of prophets whose predictions III
regard to the end of the world have
nroyed utterly false. AS far back as
the year 1000 many communities IN
Europe were driven half distracted by
rumors that the day of judgment was
close at hand, and again, in 11SG, whole
cities were paralyzed with fright for
the same reason. Now and again dur
ing the latter part Of the middle ages
the same extraordinary phenomenon
was witnessed, though In lesser de-
gree. and ever since the modern re-
yival of occultism there have not been
wanting erratic prophets of the Jean
Stofer type.
Years ago n Mr.. Baxter created a
sensation in England by his prediction
that the world would certainly come to
an end In 1887. Thousands believed
in him, and great was their surprise
when they discovered that he was mis-
taken. Yet such is the credulity OF
human nature that their faith In him
remained unshaken, and, no matter
what year he selected as the final one
of the worlds existence, they accepted
his prediction as gospel truth.
Equally bold, though doubtless not
as popular as Baxter, Is the Able Du-
pin, cure of the village Of Dion, In
France, and author Of book with the
following extraordinary title: 1.-The
grand coup or universal cataclysm will
ravage the world between the 10th and
21st of September, 1896, according to
the Scriptures. The prophecies Of the
Old and New Testaments compare
with those Of the fathers and with
the secrets Of La Salette, in which Is
foretold the great war which will de-
stroy nine-tenths Of the human race
the coming Of antichrist and his
reign, after which the church will
triumph over her enemies and the
reign of Christ begin on earth" The
author fixed September, 1896, as the
time when the great 4coup," as he call
ed it, would take place, but he added
that If it did not take place then II
would certainly occur before the close
Of 1890.
The appearance Of comets has fire.
quently given rise to similar predic
tions. This was the case when the IA
nous comet Of 1850 appeared. Whis
ton ascribed the deluge to it's former
appearance, and such an excitement
did it cause among all classes Of tho
people that Bayle wrote treatise tC
prove the absurdity Of belief founded
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-11-22

"Whu, sir, tDtdt are you doing in heTef'
and suspicious which he had not enter.
tanned before. He began to walk
quickly, with short, rapid steps, up and
down the tiled floor, just as he had
paced up and down the little tableland
outside when Mason first met him.
Suddenly he stopped in the middle OF
his walk and stared fXedly at the
amethyst ring on Masson's finger.
Frowning more deeply than before, he
presently looked up and met his guests
ewes with the expression Of one who
has made new and strange discovery.
"Was he a minister-your brotherT'
he asked quickly.
"a clergyman, yes, yes!"
"Then | saw him myself" said the
farmer. "Merrick brought him up here;
nothing would serve but he must see
the ruins of the old church,
"Yes, yesT
"And so he did. He examined them
in every part and then Merrick set
him on his way and left him."
Left him? Is that what he said =!
Left him? But then, why should the
man be troubled at the sight Of me, at
the sound of my voice, which evidently
recalled my brothers to him. If he had
only set him on his way safely"
"Ah! That Is more than | can tell
you," said Tregaron gravely. 1--WE
must ask the man himself"
"He won't tell the truth"
"Why should he not?" retorted the
farmer, with some warmth. 81 don't
care much for the fellow. but l have
never found him dishonest. And what
motive could he have for telling you
lies about your brother?"
Mason was silent, but his looks be-
trayed the thoughts which were in bis
mind.
Tregaron looked at him intently with
his keen black eyes.
"He never set finger on him for
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-11-22

Worn out by fatigue both of mtrad and
body, hc sunk into Il doze.
he had brought from the hotel at Ire.
coed. The rest Of the pockets con.
tents were equally valueless. and moth
ing had been taken away.
Nevertheless he felt q chill run
through his bones at the certain knowl-
edge that some person or persons had
come into the room while he slept and
had begun an examination Of his
pockets, which would probably have
resulted In robbery If he or they had
not been disturbed.
Robbery! Would they have stopped
at that?
For. putting up his hand to his neck,
he found that -.Dl.iA~--ili--:----6
w6Tch ha had wound about his neck
In place of his wet collar. had been un-
tied.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-11-22
mo, sir; they're not mine. By the

size or them tney re Merrlck g..
And he went back to the door anG
peered into the darkness beyond. Aft
er q few moments. however, he came
back into the kitchen without having
called to any one.
"He must have come through to have
q peep at you, sir, out of curiosity u
said he. But he's gone back to his
own place. now. l expect, for there's
no sign of him In the outhouse."
Reginald Mason was standing by
the fire. with a frown Of perplexity on
his face. That remark of the farmers
about the size Of the footmarks had
engendered a fresh suspicion In his
mind.
rs the man you call Merrick," he
asked abruptly, Fever known also by
the nickname of Coch TalT'
"Yes. sir; that's what tney call him
by reason Of his height and Of his col
or" said the farmer In some surprise
at the question.
And you are Mr.. Tregaron. and this
Is Monachlog farm?" went on the doc
tor.
Eyes, sir" The farmer stared at
him with more surprise than ever and
added after a short pause: "And how
did you come to hear Of me, sir? Were
you coming to see me or to see my lit
tie place" {
Mason nodded. For the moment he
could do no more. Presently, when be
had recovered himself a little, under
the searching gaze of his astonished
and puzzled host. he said:
81 was coming here to find this man
Coch Tai. He vas engaged by my
brother. the OWNER of this ring" and
be pointed to his finger, on which the
amethyst was now placed, Ito guide
him over the mountains, starting from
Trecoed. six weeks ago. My brother
has never been heard Of since"
he paused, and the farmer, who was
listening with vivid interest, uttered
an exclamation.
"Do you suspect Merrick, sir, of foul
play of any sortf' he asked in q low
voice.
Il can scarcely say l did until this
afternoon" answered Mason In the
same tone. "But;I was naturally anx-
ious to find him, 10 interrogate him, to
try to get some Information to put me
on the track of my brother, alive or
dead"
"Yes, yes. Of course"
$50 started this morning for this
place In order to find and question
him. and chance, or rather Providence,
helped me to stumble upon the very
spot wished to reach"
"Of course you must see him at
pnce," said the farmer, turning toward
the door, but he had hardly reached 1t
when he turned and said in an anxious
tone: You must see him with an open
canse he w uoI come In to supper.
He ia c great rough oaf as ever was
borr and shy Of strangers always. You
rustn't think that looks like guilt.
That was only his awkward. country
ways"
81 shall think nothing Of that" re-
turned Mason readily, 'if he Is willing
to meet me now. But he will not be
paused, while the farmer
looked at him earnestly-"for he has
met me already this afternoon"
What"
"On the road from Trecoed, soon aft
er the snow began to fall. At the first
sound Of my voice he ran away, and
nothing would induce him to turn
again and face me-"
Mr.. Tregaron frowned and presently
shook his head. 1t was clear that this
last information had awakened fears
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-11-22

s6- 1t will require $4,000 enumera,
tors to take the census of the United
States in June next, for it must he
completed by the first week in July.
That means that about 5000, 600 peo-
ple must be recorded in 80 days, or at
the rate of 100000 day.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-11-22

pS- Chicago engineers have under
taken to construct an earthquake
proof palace for the crown prince of
japan.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-11-22

rB Faith may move mountains, but
man continues to tunnel them just the
same.
The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1899-09-22

more than 1000 tenantless build
mrs in Baltimore. And the same
is 1rne tenantlesS houses, stores
and offices in the towns and other
cities of the State.
4 $1,000 mortgage will pay a
tax. provided there is slx-per-
cent. income, of $3.50. A 1000
farm paws a county and State
tax in Carroll of S6.274, and a
much higher rate in every other
comfy. reaching the highest
point in Somerset, where the tax
is s11.25.
Not only is the law discrimina-
ting in its provisions in favor Of
wealth. but it is full of ambigu-
tiles and is differently construed
throughout the State. The Dem
ocrats of the Senate, particularly,
made a strong effort tie have a
fair and equitable law, but they
we're outvoted and had to sanction
the act and the supplementary
bills or be placed in the attitude
of having accomplished the de-
feat of an assessment law.
The law is a failure entirely in
meeting public expectation. The
assessors seemed to. have nursed
their jobs, as the assessment cost
fully sixty per cent. more than
the assessment of 1876. The cost
in a few counties will illustrate
this: The cost of assessment in
Dorchester county in 1876 was
$500. The cost in 1896 WIS 50,
100. In Washington county il
1876 the cost was S7,S35.25 and
in 1896. S2O,622.51. In Prince
Georges county in 1876, IS, 591 SO,
and in 1896, S12, $1,000. In Wi
comico g. 900 in 1876 and 81, 943.
IS in 1896. In Carroll in 1876
SS,011; in 1896 nearly $4,000
In Allegany in 1916, So, 1929; il
1896, IS, 1921.
The assessment was stretched
out over seven months in the
counties and much longer in the
City of Baltimore. The new ba
sis was first used in 1890, and the
very next year over $4,000, 00(
had been taken from the books
The table below will show the
basis in 1886 and in 1898. 1t will
be seen that the increase wa.
about $63, 900, 900; about all of il
in Baltimore City.
The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1899-09-22

AS usual, the Republican press bowls
about bosses" aud ring maden
ticket, apparently seek ng false conso-
lation over their miserable fiasco,
called a Conventions" held some
weeks ago. 1t is the usual cry aud it
would be The same no matter what the
result was. This time they deceive
only themselves-and we are sure
they know belter-for never was
fairer or more thoroughly Representa-
tive political convention ever held in
Frederick County, than the last one.
Every candidate had as much chance
before the delegates as another, and no
intimidation coercion was used in
any manner, shape or form. We say
this with as much au thority as prompt
contrary sentiments, put forward by
our adversaries, and that surely is
more than they can say about their
own Boss" and his arbitrary course at
their convention. But this opens up
"A channel that may be travelled over
at another time. Ask the Hpffner
people and they will tell you, if they
have not been seen by the BOSS, " that
their faction had no show at all. Only
the Boss" friends were placed ION
guard" What about the "mysterions
tifteen' in CutshaIPs case? How d. es
! ex-senator Norwood feel at being
shelved at the last moment for "rep.
resentative citizen" to head and
strengthen the ticket? How do The
Delaader people feel at the way the
Boss" dumped them, after giving
them assurance Of his friendship? II
this is what the Republicans call al
unhampered convention and theil
ticket one not influenced by "bossism'
and ring methods, then these terms
are surely not what they seem to con.
vey. The old cry may be set up, but
no one will heed it this time. 1t has
saved the day for the Repu blicans be.
fore, but that party is in sorry straits
now for campaign thunder, aud like
all things that roll and wallow in the
mud holes Of corruption, they seek to
scatter their filth broadcast, letting the
innocent suffer alike with the guilty
Their game is called and we trust the
honest, intelligent fair-ninded and IN.
biased public will lutte this fall in ad
mlnistering well.merled rebuke tc
the enemies of good government
which suffer their journals to indulge
In caarse, viIifying and alb olutely un.
true and misleading statements fol
/ partizln benefit and personal gratifi-
cation
The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1899-09-22

WHAT do the hundreds Of honest
and upright foreign born citizens OF
tbs community think Of the proscrip-
ton ideas advocated by this man
Harp, WHO mas been nominated by
the Republicans for State's-Attor ey?
Should such men Dc entrusted with
public positions? Are they not dan
gerous to any community? No matter
what party they belong to they should
meet with overwhelming defeat when
before the people
The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1899-09-22
FOR SURVEYOR.
JAMES TROXELL.
To the Democrats ofMaryland.

On the seventh day Of next Novem-
Der the people Of Maryland will have
an opportunity to choose their Govern.
or and other State and county officers.
Whether or not the present administra-
ton Of affairs in this State, with its
record rs current history known to all
men, and with the opportunities Of a
retention Of power, shall be continued,
IL the question that is brought face to
face to every voter.
That it is the duty of every citizen Of
this State to exercise the right Of fran
chise i. "a ruth that cannot be too fie
queutly reiterated That many of
those best qualified by education,
knowledge ard experience for an ill.,
telligent exercise ofthis right, are those
most prone to neglect it is a fact that
calls forth this appeal to every man
who believes in efficient public ser
wants aud honest and capable conduct
of affair. to lay aside-sacrifice if need
be-his personal interests for a few
hours and devote that time to the ser
vice Of his county and State.
Prior to the exercise of this high
right Of citizenship, registration is
necessary. In the counties of this
State there Is no general registration
this year, but for the purpose ofsupple-
mentary registration the registers will
sit in the several election precincts Of
your county on
TUESDAY, October 3, from a. m. to
Up. m. and
TUESDAY, October 10, during the
same hours
For the purpose Of revision only. at
which date no new names will be adj
ded, they will sit on TUESDAY, Oc-
toher II. Remember these dates.
Not only is it the duty of every citi-
zen to register himself and, through
the regular channels Of his party, to
see that his friends and neighbors are
registered, but ii is likewise his duty
to see that the lists are purged of all
names that by reason Of death, removal,
crime, illegility or fraud should be
stricken therefrom.
Let every Democrat interest himself
in this important matter aud the cause
of good government 50 auspiciously in
agurated in the city of Baltimore in
May will be continued in the State in
November.
MURRAY VANDIvER,
Chairman Democratic State
sep. 15-5t. Central Committee.
The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1899-09-22

The nomination of Mr.. Worthing-
ton for States Attorney is one that
should be regarded by all CLASSES as a
irst-class nomination Between him
and this man Harp who Was nominat-
ed by the Republicans, there should be
no hesitation on the part of the voters
Of this county. In the first place this
man Harp is absolutely unfit for the
place. He is not competent t. dis
charge the duties Of the position. He
cannot administer justice with fairness
or impartiality. He is not the kind of
man that the people should put in so
responsible position. His nominal
ton over high toned, honorable men in
his own party was complete surprise
and his defeat should be urged
as a public necessity. His cleo
ton would be disgrace to
the rich and intelligent county of
Frederick. The Democrats had sew
eral names for this position. The con-
test was a fair and friendly one in every
respect. The magnauimous action of
Mr.. Wood won for him admiration
from friends and enemies. They will
give Mr. Worthington loyal support
and our people, irrespective of party,
should see that Worthington is our
next State's-Attorney. He is worthy,
competent and honest.
The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1899-09-22
Gov. Lowudes Denounced by Sen
ator WeLngto.

The ope4 deuunciation Of Governor
L wnies by Senator Wellington has
ooly culuiusted s. Wa q, orally sup
posed would be the G -. For some
time it mas been generally known that
: ieep-laid plan was being worked up
against Senator Wellington by Gov
ernor Lowndes ana Senator Me- 'omss
TIE open rupture has come Weliiug-
ton openly accuses them Of treaehery
and trying TO sell him out; he says his
party cannot stand such betrayal Of
g Cd faith and that they will be hope
lessly defeated.
The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1899-09-22

DREYFUs has been pardoned! TIE
honor OF the French army has been
sstisfi- and vindicated and the pris-
oner restored to liberty and the bosom
Of his family Rather incongruous
facts, but that is the way they admin
ister justice in France. a tra tor is
never psrdoned by any nation, and so
Dreyfus clearly is not thought guilty,
even by the authorities Of France.
The whole matter was one OF Shielding
tue corrupt practices in youge in the
army. among even the very highest
officials, and Dreyfus was the unlucky
mark. He will survive his trsducers
and see triumph over military humil-
iation and despotic racial discrimina
ton.