davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1899-03-04

was ailing. Philemon had been telling Il
good story and we were all laughing
when Sairey came in. l Agatha
now. She always had the most brilliant
eyes in the county, but that day they were
superbly dazzling. They changed, though,
at the sight of Sairey's face, and she
| jumped to meet her just as if she knew
what Sairey was going to say before ever
a word left her lips. My baby,' q can hear
her YETI Something is the matter with
the baby" And though Sairey made haste
| to tell her that he was only ailing and not
at all i'll, she turned upon Philemon with q
look none of us ever quite understood; he
changed so completely under it, just she
old happiness ever return, for the child
died within a week. and when the next
came it died also, and the next, till six
small innocents lay buried in yonder old
graveyard
Il know; and sad enough it was, too
especially as she and Philemon were both
| fond of children. Well, WELL the ways of
Providence are past finding out! And now
! she is gone, and Philemon
"Ah, he'll follow her soon; he can't live
without Agatha"
Nearer home, the old sexton was chat
| tering about the six gravestones raised in
PortcheSter churchyard to these six dead
| infants. He had been sent there to choose
spot in which TO lay the mother, and was
! full of the shock it gave him to see that
| line of little stones, telling of a past with
which the good people of Sutherland town
found it hard to associate Philemon and
| Agatha Webb.
I'm a digger of graves" he mused half
| to himself and half to his old wife watch
| Ing him from the other side of the hearth
| stone. Il spend good quarter of my time
| in the churchyard; but when l saw those
| six little mounds, and read the inscriptions
Think of this! On the first tiny headstone
I read these words:
Evening star., 1899-03-04
Suicide in German Schools.

from Ine Cnlcago chronicle.
During the ten years ending in 1896, 4o7
school children (331 boys and &c girls) in
Prussia alone succumbed under the strain
of education and took their own lives be-
fore they had arrived at the age of fifteen.
1t is extremely significant that without a
single exception the children were pupils
Of elementary schools and schools where
training for particular profession is given,
The German educational methods and in
stitutions are held up as models, and right
ly so, to the other commercial nations of
the world. To them is undoubtedly due in
a large measure the commercial success
which Germany has attained. The question
is, has this success been attained by sap
ping the heart blood of the nation?
The sons OF the sturdy victors of Sedan
and Graveiotte had stamina enough to
overcome and profit by the strain of such
a school education as their statesmen pre-
scrabed. Whether the present generation
can stand 1t seems to a foreign observer
doubtful. The pale faces and generally
weakly-looking bodies of the youth of Ber-
lin. for example Il refer entirely to the
working classes), are not wholly accounted
for by town life.
In an article In the current number of
the German Imperial Gazette on National
Economics" 1t is stated that in Prussia, out
OF total population of nearly 32O00 0OO
$4,000 heads Of families and persons with
an Independent existence with their fam
lilies. representing nearly 20 per cent of the
population) do not earn f45 G225 per an
mum.
This shows that the ordinary working
man is very poor, and as meat of all kinds
is terribly dear in Prussia, 1t is evident
that the pupils of elementary schools can
necessary to sustain them during their hard
school life.
Evening star., 1899-03-04

looked so superior to any other woman 1
had ever met that did not know whether
to hide my face in her skirts or to follow
my first impulse and run away. She saw
the emotion she had aroused and lifting up
my face by the chin, she said: Little boy,
l have buried six children, all of th.m
younger than you, and now my husband
and myself live alone. Often and often
nave l wished that one, at least, of these
darling infants might have been spared u.s.
But had God given me- the choice of having
them die young and innocent, or of grow
ing up TO swear as / have heard you to-
day. / should have prayed God to take
them, as He did. You have a mother Do
not break her heart by taking the name of
the God She revers in vain And with
that she kissed me. and strange as it may
seem to you, In whatever folly or wicked
ness l have INDUCED, 1 have never made
use of an oath from that day to this-and 1
thank God for it,
There was such unusual feeling in his
voice, feeling that none had ever sus-
pected him capable of before, that Miss
Halliday regarded him with astonishment
and quite forgot to indulge in her usual
banter Even the gentlemen sat still, and
there was momentary silence, through
which there presently broke the incongru-
Gus sound of shrill and mocking laugh
1t came from Amabel, who had just fin
lshed gathering her bouquet in the garden
outside
Evening star., 1899-03-04

many said it would never have happened
for no girl could stand the admonition or
rssist the pleading, of this cffildless mother
1t was reserved for M. Halliday and Mr..
Sutherland to talk of her mental qualities
Her character was SO marked and her
manners SO simple that fewbgave attention
to the intellect that was the real basis of
her power. The two mentioned gentlemen,
however, appreciated her to the full, and
it was while listening to their remarks that
Frederick was suddenly startled by some
one saying to him:
you are the only ''persoh in town who
has nothing to say. about. Agatha Webb.
Didn't you ever exchange any words with
her, for can hardly bflieve, you could hav,
met her eye to eye without having some
remark to make about her beauty or her
influence?"
The speaker was Agnes. Halliday. who
had come in with her, father for a social
chat She was one OF Frederick's earliest
playmates, but one with whom ne had
never assfmilated and who did not like him
He knew this, as did every one else in
town. and it was with some hesitation he
turned to answer her.
II have but one recollection" he began
and for the moment got no further, for in
turning his head to address his young
guest he had allowed his gaze to wander
through the open window by which she sat
into the garden beyond where Amabel could
be seen picking flowers. AS he spoke ANA
bel lifted her face with one of her sug-
gestive looks. She had doubtless heard
Miss Hallidays remark.
Recovering himself with an effort he re-
peated his words. II have but one recollec-
ton of Mrs. Webb that 1 can give you.
Years ago, when l was lad, l was play
ing on the green with several other boys
We had had some dispute about lost ball,
and / was swearing angrily and loudly
when l suddenly perceived before me the
tall form and compassionate face of Mrs
Webb. She was dressed in her usual simple
way. and had basket on her arm, but che
Evening star., 1899-03-04
Chapter X.

Meanwhile, in a small room of the court
house, still more serious conversation
was in progress. Dr. Talbot, Mr.. Fenton
and certain able lawyer in town by the
name of Harvey were in close discussion.
The latter had broken the silence of years,
and was telling what he knew Of Mrs.
Webb's affairs.
He was a shrewd man, of unblemished
reputation. When called upon to talk he
talked we'll. but he much preferred listen
ing, and was, as now appeared, the safest
repository of secrets to be found in all that
region. He had been married three times,
and could still count thirteen children
around his board; one reason, perhaps, why
he had learned to cultivate silence to such
degree. Happily, the time had come for
MN to talk, and he talked. This is what
he said:
Some fifteen years ago Philemon Webb
came to me with a small sum of money
Wiilch ne said he wished to have me invest
Tor MS wife. 1t was the fruit of a small
Internationally to her without her knowl-
edge or that of the neighbors. l accord
ingly made out deed of gift, which he
signed with joyful alacrity, and then, after
que thought and careful investigation,
put the money into a new enterprise then
pelng started in Boston. 1t was the best
stroke OF business I ever did in my life. At
the eno or year 1t paid double, and after
terest had reached such sum that both
Philemon and myself thought it wisest to
let ner Know whatsshe was worth and
What was being sTdor1e with the money.
was IN hopes it would lead her to make
some change in her mode of living, which
seemed to me cut Of keeping with her ap-
peafance and mental qualifications: while
ne, imagine, looked for something more
important still, smile on the face which
had somehow lost the trick of merrment
thouSh 1t had never acquired that of i'll ma
tufe. But we did not know Agatha; at
ieast, dld not. When she learned that she
was ficn she looked at first awe-struck and
then heart-pierced. Forgetting me, or ig-
norlng me, 1t makes no matter which, she
threw herself into Philemon's arms and
Wept, while he. poor, faithful fellow looked
as distressed as If he had brought news of
failure, instead of triumphant success. I
suppose she thought of her buried children,
ana what the money would shave been to
her II they had, lived; but she did not speak
her thoughts, when.s after the first excite
ment was over, she drew back and said
quletly but in a tone of strong feeling, to
fnliemon: You meant me a happy sur
heart money; we will use 1t to make our
townsfolk happy 1 saw him glance at
her dress. which was purple calico. I re-
member 1t because Of that look and be-
lowed his glance. Can we not afford now
ne ventured, a little show of luxury or at
least q ribbon or so for this beautiful
throat Of yours? She did not answer him;
compassion, strange to say, that seemed to
pc expended upon him, rather than upon
herseif. Philemon swallowed his disap-
pcintment. Agatha is right he said to
know how 1 so far forgot. myself as to
ention it. That was ten years ago, and
every day since then her property has In
creased. did not know then, and do not
Evening star., 1899-03-04

so I groped about in the dark and found
him a stale loaf, which / put into his
arms, with a short, There. Now tell me
what your name is.
himself, and muttering something that
might pass for thanks he stumbled toward
the door and rushed hastily out. Running
after him. listened eagerly to his steps.
They went up the hill.'
And the money? What about the
money!" asked the coroner. Didn't he
come back for the changer
mo. put it in the till. thinking it dol
lar bill. but when / came to look at IL in
the morning 1t was twenty. Yes, sirs, a
twentyi"
This was startling. The coroner and the
constable looked at each other before look
ing again at him.
And where is that bill now?" asked the
former. Have you brought it with your
Il have, sir. It's been in and out of the
till twenty times today. 1 haven't known
what to do with 1t. / don't like to think
wrong of anybody. but when 1 heard that
Mrs. Webb God bless herr was murdered
last night for money l couldn't rest for the
weight of this thing on my conscience.
Here's the bill, sir. 1 wish / had let the
old man rap on my door TIL morning before
/ had taken 1t from him.
They did not share this feeling. A dis
tfnct and valuable clew seemed to be af-
forded them by the fresh, crisp bill they
saw In his hand. Silently DIR. Talbot took
1t, while Mr.. Fenton, with a shrewd look,
asked:
What reasons have you for calling this
mysterious customer old? / thought 1t was
so dark you could not see him?'
Ihe man, who looked relieved since he
mad RID himself of the bill, eyed the con-
stable in some perplexity
didn't see feature of his face" said
ne ana yet IN sure he was old. / never
thought of him as being anything else"
wen, we will see. And is that all you
have to tell us?"
HIS nod was expressive. and they let him
An hour or so later Detective Knapp
made his reappearance
Well, asked the coroner, as he came
quietly IN and closed the door behind him.
what's your opinion?'
Slmp.e case, sir, Murdered for money.
ihd the man with a flowing beard"
(To be continued \
Evening star., 1899-03-04
THE HARPOON GUN.
Ingenious Plan for Removing Dam
gerous Ruins of Fires.

gerous Ruins of Fires.
From the San Francisco Chronicle.
A daring and ingenious plan for the de-
molishment Of the high brick walls which
stand in the center of the Baldwin Hotel
ruins-a menace TO the lives Of workmen
and pedestrians-was invented and given a
successful trial yesterday. 1t was at first
thought that It would be necessary to re-
sort to the use of dynamite to wreck these
walls for removal, but a small whaler's
two-pound cannon, a liberal quantity of
cable and the application of the simplest
laws of mechanics in the use of the block
and tackle have been found to be as effica-
cious and quick remedy without the at
tendant dangers of the use of explosives.
A small harpoon gun was secured yester-
day morning and mounted upon a platform
built from the annex roof. 1t was loaded
with a rig after the fashion of a life line
consisting of slug attached to stout
cord. The piece was aimed at a window at
the top of the rear wall of the old theater
which stood about hundred feet high. The
slug was fired through the window, trailing
the cord after it, A clothesline was then
attached to the other end of the cord and
pulled through the window. A cable was
then drawn through after the line and
passed around the outside of the wall and
back to the roof of the annex, where it
was secured to a chimney. A block-and-
tackle arrangement of eight pulleys was
made, and twelve men were put on the end
of a rope for q tug-of-war with the wall
When all was in readiness the street cars
on Market street were stopped. and all Pc
destrians were warned away to a safe dis
tance. At the first strain on the cable the
high wall trembled II disturbed by an
earthquake. Successive tugs caused II 10
wave through an area OF two or three feet
before It gave way with a roar, and the tons
Of brick, mortar and timbers fell with a
crash and cloud OF dust TO the ruins be-
low. A man with an ak had been stationed /,
on the outer walls. and as the mass fell n
was his dangerous part to cut the cable so .
as to save the blocks from being dragged
into the falling mass. The remainder OF tha
walls VIII not be pulled down until the de-
bris has been cleared away.
Evening star., 1899-03-04

the storm has blown by? I cannot see my
way down the hillside
With a bursting heart 1 looked up. A
woman was standing in the doorway, with
the look of an angel in her eyes. l did not
Know her, but her face was one to bring
comfort 10 the saddest heart. Holding my
baby up. | cried:
" My baby is dying. I tried to go for
the doctor. but my knees bent under me-
Help me, as you are a mother-I-
Il must have fallen again, for the next
looking up into her face, which was bend
Evening star., 1899-03-04

her sister Sairey came running in with the
news that the baby she had left at home
wasn't quite right. That was her first
child, you know
es, yes. for I was with her when that
r"by came broke in the other, and such
joy as she showed when they told her it
was alive and well L never saw. I do not
know why she didn't expect it to be alive
but she didn't, and her happiness was just
wonderful to see.'
We'll, She Giun't enjoy 1t long. The poor
lite fellow died young. But I was telling
you Of the night when she first heard he
Evening star., 1899-03-04

At present 1t Is estimated that there are
in the worlds oceans 7.0O0, 900 cubic miles
Of salt. and the most astonishing thing
about It is that II oil this salt could be
taken out u q moment the level of the
water would not drop one single inch,
Evening star., 1899-03-04

Tumblers resembling in shape and dimen-
sions those employed today have been foun d
made of gold. silver. glass, marble. arafef
and of precious stones.
Evening star., 1899-03-04
synopsis of Preceding Chapters.

NJust after a ball at the Sutherland mansion
Agatha Webb and her servant are found dead.
and Philemon Webb. Agatha's husband. who
fer years has been growing demented, is dis
covered asleep at the dinner table. A trace Of
blood on his sleeve points TO him as the muir
derer. Mr.. Sutherland and the local marshal.
FentOn. investigate. Agatha Webb is known
TO but few rich woman. The key TO her
money drawer is found clutched In her hand
Miss Page. the niece of SutheTiands house
keeper. persists in remaining about the Webb
premises. and discovers blood the grass.
The money drawer is found to be empty and
robbery is added to the mystery. Frederick
Sutherland. wayward youth, calls his father
TO witness his determination to be better
man and promises not to marry Miss Iase. by
whom he has been fascinated. Miss Page tells
Frederick that she followed him the night OF
the murder and knew where he had sccrcted
Thousand dollars. She gives him a week TO
decide whether TO marry her or be proclaimed
as the murierer Of Agatha Webb.I
Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1899-08-25
TO THE GRAHAM-BLUEFIELD
ELECTRIC LIGHT AND
POWER COMPANY,

A CORPORATION. AND To HOWARD s. Ora
HAM, AND MARGARET THAYER
GRAHAM,HIS WIFE.
On the 9th day of January 1897, you
jointly executed to Frederick NJ. Leon
ard, trustee, n deed of trust by which
you conveyed to him certain real estate
and personal property, which is fully
mentioned and described in said trust
Deed and the kinds and respective de-
scriptions of the property SO conveyed
by you respectively. may be seen by
reference to Deed Rock N o. II. Iis1,
etc, Tazewell County Clerks Office, of
Virginia, and to which deed reference is
here made
Andwhercas, the said Frederick NJ.
Leonard, by paper made by him on the
10Th day of June, 1899, resigned his
said position and Office of Trustee in
said deed of Trust, and thereby declin-
ed and refused to execute said trust and
Whereas, an affidavit has been duly
made upon behalf of the undersigned
showing aprOper Case to proceed against
you and each of you by publication of
this notice, us required by law.
Notice is now, therefore given to you
and each of you that on the
10TH DAY of SEPTEMBER, 1899,
that being the first day of the Septen-
Der term OF the County Court OF Taze
well County, Virginia, to be held ut the
Court House of said county, between
thehours of the ope ing and adjourn.
ing of said Court on said day the under
signed, corporation, duly chartered
under the laws of West Virginia, and
which is the holder and owner of all the
mortgage bonds secured by the deed
of trust aforesaid, will move said Court
to appoint a trustee in the room and
place of said Leonard, and that the
undersigned will recommend for said
position of trustee w +. Alexander.
This Sth day of August, 1890,
Respectfully
EAST RIVER ELECTRIC COMPANY,
a Corporation.
by Counsel,
r. G.. 81 BERNARD MCCLAUGHERTY.
Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1899-08-25

We beg to inform you that we are ready for
the fall business, having a line of 5000 sam
pies, containing all styles Imaginable for
gentlcmens wear
Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1899-08-25
SALE OF HOUSE and LOT
IN TIE TOWN OF GRAHAM, VIRGINIA.


BY virtue of ii Deed of Trustexecutcd
on the 18th day of February, 1892, by
Joseph T.. Kennedy and Sarah Jane
Kennedy, his wife, to Bird NJ. Robin
son, trustee, which is recorded in the
Clerks Office of the County Court of
Tazewell county. Va, in Deed Book 33.
on page $50, which Trust Deed was Civ
en- TO secure tho Holston National Build
ing and Loan Association in certain
monies therein eet forth.
And by virtue of an order of the
County Court of Tazewell county, Va.
substituting me as Trustee, in the place
of the said Bird NJ. Robinson, Trustee.
who resigned as such, in the before
mentioned Trust Deed.
And the IIolston National Building
and Loan Association having directed
me SO TO do. | will OH the
10th DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 1899
i'll the eastern portion OF the Town of
Graham, Va, ut 10 o'clock, M, pro
coed to sell at public cutlery to the
highest bidder, he real estate set out in
said Trust Deed. and known as the
Joseph f. Kennedy property. The sale
will be made on the premises, and will
be sold for CASH Amount then due
to said Association, S542.l0
j. w. HICKS,
July26-4t. Substituted Trustee.
Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1899-08-25
The j. F. Hurt
Insurance
Agency,
TAZEWELL,TA.
SALE OF HOUSE AND LOT

IN THE TOWN OF GRAHAM, VIRGINIA.
BY virtue of II Deed of Trust executed
on the 9TH day of August, 1895 by Allen
Saunders and Julie Saunders, his wife,
and Jas. FIRTH to NJ. 7. DEFAULT, Trus-
tee, which is recorded in the Clerks of
flee of the County Court of Tazewell
county Va, in Deed Book IS page l9S
which Trust Deed was given to secure
the Hoist National Building and
Loan Association in certain monies
therein set forth.
And by virtue of an order of the Coun-
ty Court of Tazcwcll County, Va sub
shutting me us Trustee in the place of
the said NJ, 7. Default, Trustee, who
resigned us such in the before mention
cd Trust Deed.
And the Iolston National and Build
ing and Loan Association, having iii.
rected ne SO to do, | will on the 10th
day of September, 1899, III the town OF
Graham, Va, at o'clock Il. M, pro.
coed to sell at public cutlery, to the
highest bidder, the real estate set out
III said Trust Deed, and being the house
and lot known rs the Allen Sanders
residence. The sale will be upon the
premises, and will be for cash. Amount
then due to said association. S50S.57.
}. W. HICKS,
Juiy26-4t. Substituted Trustee.
Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1899-08-25

To the Unknown Heirs of James
Firth,

On the first day of the May Term,
1899, of the County court of Ta2ewell
County, Va, the following order WINS
entered, on the motion Of The Holston
National Building and Loan Association
in the said Court
The Huston National Building and
Loan Association, II corporation.
VS.. Notice to substitute Trustee.
Allen Sanders, Julia Sanders and james
Firth.
On motion Of the plaintiff by its
Attorney. this notice is ordered to be
docketed, it appearing that the same
has been duly served on Allen Sanders
and Julia Sanders, and it further an
pearing from affidavit filed with said
notice, that James FIRTH is dead. and
that his heirs are unknown, and will
have to be proceeded against as parties
unknown, it tx ordered that they b
thus proceeded against against by order
OF publication published four con-
secutive weeks i'll some News paper
published i'll TnZewell County Va. and
on motion of the plaintiff, the estate of
James Firth is committed to the Sheriff
OF this CoLi ty, the sama having been
dead for more thar 60 days and no one
having applied to administer upon his
estate and this case is continued -
1t is therefore ordered that the heirs
at law of James FIRTH who are proceed
ed against herein as parties unknown
as appears from affidavit filed in this
motion, appear here within fifteen DAYS
after due publication of this order and
do what is necessary to protect their
interest herein. \ Copy Test.
t. Il. George Clerk.
j. w. Hicks p. q.