davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1900-03-01
Admiral Dewey at wheeling.

Wheeling, w, Va, Feb. 24.-Wheel-
lng's ovation to Admiral Dewey was
enthusiastic, The parade was prevent
ed by the weather. Rain had been
falling almost continuously.
The exercises took place in large
hall at which time the sword subscribed
for by the citizens of Wheeling was
presented to lieutenant Doddridge by
Admiral Dewey and the orations in
cident to the dedication of the tablet
concentrating the siege of Fort Hen
ry, or the last battle of the revolution
were delivered.
At night Admiral Dewey was ban
quoted by the Sons of the Revolution.
Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1900-03-01
A PIcI, ND for Oncrntorn.

Kansas City, Feb. 26.-The Fourth
Of July is holiday. A telegraph OPP
orator may be called upon to work on
any holiday, but he is always paid
extra. The holding Of the democratic
National convention on the Fourth Of
July will affect not less than 10000
operators all over the country. A good
operator gets 80 q day for day of
seven hours, 1t would require two
shifts to take care of the business of
one day. The enormous expense the
holding of the convention on the Fourth
of July will entail on the telegraph
companies will be readily seen.
Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1900-03-01
All Knock on Germany.

Chicago, Feb. 27,-Western sausage
makers have protested to the agricul-
tural department against the sweeping
exclusion of American sausages from
Germany, thus cutting off an important
and growing branch of trade, and at
the same time casting most injurious
aspersions upon the purity of the Amer
lean product. One condition as to inn
ported fresh meats alone is regarded as
impracticablc, that the slaughtered
animals must be sent over whole, and
with the intestines attached.
Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1900-03-01
Curtis Congratulated,

Washington, Feb. 24.-When Repre-
sentative Curtis went to his committee
room at the capitol he found twenty
nine kilograms, They were from
friends in the First Kansas district and
they congratulated him upon his
victory in the primaries in Ills district
in Kansas, Members of congress who
have watched the contest greeted him
cordially when he went on the floor.
Washington papers printed Topeka dis
patches concerning the fight and mem
beers were aware of its character.
Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1900-03-01
HEROISM IS EVER ADM IRED,
Labyrinth Has Not Been Relieved
Yot.

London, Feb. 2O,-Great Britain does
not withhold admiration for the valor
OF a losing fight against such odds,
"Englishmen feel something like
pride in Cronje, even as foe, says the
Daily News, I'm position covering
only square mile, hemmed in on all
sides, circled with n chain Of fire from
rife, Maxim and howitzer, played on
by deadly lyddite, bursting in its own
sickly green light, his hastily built
trenches enfiladed by stream OF lead
sweeping down the river from the
north bank, General Cronje still elects
to fight. II is n magnificent courage
General Cronje's wife Is described by
the prisoners as urging him to sur
render In order TO save the lives Of hi
men, but he would not.
Ladysmith had not been relieved
when the latest news left Natal. The
Beers had then retired half way be-
tween Ladysmith and Colenso. If only
5000 went to the Free State, as both
the Boer and the British accounts
assert, the $4,000 who are left may
purpose to maintain the siege and
resist General Butler within contracted
lines, although the impression at Gen
eral Buffers headquarters is that thu
Beers are merely covering retreat.
Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1900-03-01
Gas Famine In Indiana.

Muncie, Ind, Feb. 27.--A fall Of ~
degrees to five below zero throughout
Eastern Indiana is causing untold suf'
fering in the entire gas belt. The gas
pipes are frozen, and little or no fire
can be had in many homes, there being
no wood or coal at hand. Many homes
are abandoned and hotels resorted to,
while families in hundreds Of cases are
leaving home and crowding to houses
where there is gas or wood fires,
Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1900-03-01
AguInaldo In Japan.

Hong Kong, Feb 9i.-United States
Consul Wildman has information that
three members OF the Filipino junta,
Luban, Ponce and Agoncillo, brother
Of the envoy, left recently for Japan to
meet Aguinaldo, This gives credence
to the story that Aguinaldo escaped
from the island OF Luzon to Formosa
when hunted by General Lawton's
expedition through the northern part
Of the island.
Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1900-03-01
Whore Democrats will Meet.

Kansas City, Feb, 24.--The building
in this city where the democratic Ma
tional convention will meet cost $225,-
900. 1t occupies 3l4x9Oo feet of ground
is two stories high and is built of ma
tive stone, cream brick and terra Gotta.
The first story is Of the renaissance
style Of architecture, and the second
story in pcristyle form with groups
and columns The building is of bridge
construction without q column, the
roof being supported by great steel grid
ers that span its 200 feet Of breadth.
Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1900-03-01
Increased Demand for Small Notes.

Washington, Feb, 26.-The issue
division of the treasury department
has put on double force to increase
the supply of notes of small denomina-
tions-ones, twos, flves and tens. About
4s0 900 sheets of four notes each will
be turned out each day. This action
is taken with a view to meeting prompt
ly the increased demand for small notes
which has been much greater this year
than ever before in the history of the
country.
Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1900-03-01
Train blown Forty Feet.

st. John, N. b., Feb. 27.-A train on
railroad in Newfoundland was run
ming very carefully owing to the hurri-
cane then blowing. The locality is one
noted for violent squalls A furious
effort of the gale lifted the train OF
four cars bodily and hurled them from
twenty to forty feet away, clear of the
track. These ears weigh fifteen to
twenty tons each, and their surface OF
wind resistance is very limited, SO IL is
easily figured that the wind must have
been blowing lao miles per hour.
Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1900-03-01
Tho Philippine Commission.

Washington, Feb, Eft is officially
announced that four OF the five mem
,ers of the new Philippine commission
lad been selected. They are: Judge
Taft of Ohio; Luke E. Wright of Ten
lesee; II. C. Ide of Vermont and Dean
Worcester of Michigan. The fifth
member will be announced later, 1t
Is generally believed he will be Bcr-
aard Moses of California,
Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1900-03-01

Chicago, Feb, 27,-The col'lOSt
weather of the year was experienced in
Chicago Friday night, Before mid
night the mercury which began drop
ping in the afternoon, after having
risen seven degrees since daylight, fell
to ten degrees below zero and this low
temperature was accompanied by .
brisk northeast wind.
Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1900-03-01
Cages Estlmato of Macrum.

st. Louis, Feb, 26.-Lyman T. Gage
secretary Of the treasury, while in this
city last week said of the case Of ex-
Consul Macrum and his charges against
the English government
1.-THE administration thinks of Ma.
crum exactly what every reasonable
man must think-that he is an ass, |
am convinced that his charges are alb.
solutely without foundation and have
been made in spite to embarrass the ad.
ministration, SO far as l have been
able to ascertain there is not a scintilla
Of evidence to support his charges. |
do not believe that the officials Of the
English government violated the Sec
recy Of our communications to our ac'
credited representative and l think the
investigation to be made will show as
much. AS the case now stands, Ma.
crum is not troubling the administers
ton. II will not give him the slightest
notice until he proves his charges"
Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1900-03-01

Chicago, Feb. 27,-All hopes of ticket
agents that dissensions would lead to
resumption of commissions have been
been destroyed. The Canadian Pacific
and its 500 line agreed at Montreal to
act in concert with the other American
roads and cease all commissions after
March /. The Grand Trunk had agreed
some time ago to stop paying commits
sions in the United States and now that
the Canadian Pacific has agreed to join
it will cease to pay commissions in
Canada.
Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1900-03-01
Ask u Change Of Date.

Chicago, Feb. 27,-At meeting Of
the executive committee of the West
ern Passenger Association, it was de-
cided to issue instructions to the
various passenger agents at Kansay
City to wait upon the citizens com.
mittee in charge of the Democratic
national convention and urge that tho
convention date be changed.
Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1900-03-01
MnfokIng Dug Outs.

London, Feb, ga dispatch to the
Daily Mail from Mafeking says; q
GAN business here is being conduct.
ed underground, The resident com.
missioner has sumptuous apartments
in subterranean bomb proof.
"The Cape police have a large hall
with a piano. The Mafeking hotel din
ing room seats forty. All these have
been dug out and are impervious to
shells
Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1900-03-01

The house committee on public lands report
cd fayorably on the bill TO swap desert iands In
wyoming, held by that state for other lands
port on the bill 10 put In force In Indian Terri
tory certain corporation laws OF Arkansas
Debate on Puerto legislation llled tho session.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-11-22
g e p m t y
c TT tn II s. g
T. ry

swell" said the banker, ''if you can
make anything out of that gibberish,
your imagination is more active than
NINE"
ut is not question of imagination,"
said Sturgis; "let US proceed systemat-
ically. Here is a telegram blank de-
tached from & pad / found on Arbo-
CASTS desk. Compare its size with the
outline of the marks on the blotter,
and you will see, in the first place, that
the message would just fit snugly on
this sheet. Next, you will probably
admit that the first line of marks on the
blotter probably contain date; the
second, name; the third, an address;
the last, a signature, and the interme-
date lines, a message"
81 am quite willing to concede SO
much; for no business man would be
likely to write telegram differently"
Every well. Now, then, let me hold
this blank SO that the reflection of its
vertical rulings may appear just above
the image of the message. These lines
remember, separate the words of the.
message. Extend them mentally, and
note how they divide the letters of the
blotter. Will you hold these sheets
while transcribe the result?'
In few minutes more the reporter
had drawn several lines on his copy of
the reflection in the mirror.
II don't see that you are any better
off now than you We're BEFORE" re-.
marked Dunlap, examining the result.
wait a minute. These vertical lines,
we say, divide the words of the message.
There are five words to the line; only
two on the last line before the sig-
nature; that is to say, 12 words in
the message. Now, consider the first
word. Evidently the C. begins this
word since it is capital; and the flour
ish on the tail of the se' tells us plain
ly enough where the word ends. Note.
the space between the 'G' and the e.
Have you ever taken the trouble to as
certain how constant in any giveD
handwriting is the space occupied by
the different letters? Try it some time.
Count the characters which you have
written in a number of different lines,
reckoning spaces and punctuation
marks each as one character, and OBJ
serve how closely the results will
tally. Basing my conclusions on this
fact, may safely affirm that the
first word of the message is Game
Gave Give or some other word of
four letters beginning with g and
ending with e. shall proceed to fill
up the balance of the message as I
read it between the letters
Sturgis wrote slowly and carefully
for o few minutes.
There; behold the result"
The message had now assumed this
form: -
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-11-22

that these various marks which you
have called trails were made by the
feet of three different people; admit
ting even that one of these indi-
viduals was Arbogast. who often
stays here after banking hours, do
not see that you have established by
any satisfactory evidence your as
sumption that the other so-called
trails are those of Chatham and a
stranger. For aught know to the
contrary, they may have been made
by some of the bank employees in the
discharge of their regular duties.
Chatham's coat may have caught on
nail in the telephone closet last
week, while he was here in his legiti-
mate capacity of expert accountant.
The change of the combination of the
safe may be the result of an error;
for we have no direct proof whatever
that Arbogast is defaulter. And,
then, whenft comes to Your interest,"
ing description of the alleged shoot
ing of Arbogast, it strikes me that
you are entirely carried away by your
enthusiasm; for, in your minute de-
scription of the path of the bullet, at
a certain angle, of which you seem
to know the measure almost to the
fraction of a second, you overlook sew
eral important things. Two shots
We're fred yesterday in or near the
Knickerbocker bank In, say you,
because here is Q revolver with two
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-11-22
CHAPTER XII.
A RECONSTRUCTED DRAMA.

"A lIttaNfa.
AS he spoke, Sturgis handed Dunlap
the sheet of paper upon which he had,
traced plan of the Knickerbocker
bank.
From this point on" he continued,
st have indicated the various trails on
the diagram. The dotted lines repre-
sent Arbogast's footprints; the con-
tinuous lines show Chatham's trail"
"How can you distinguish between
the two?" inquired Dunlap.
"There is no difficulty about that"
replied Sturgis. "The differences are
very marked. I know Arbogast's foot
because have seen it; and l know
that the other one is Chatham's be-
cause you recognized the man from
the description gave of him."
Eyes, know. But how could you
describe him so accurately when you
have never seen him?"
81 shall come to thatpresently," said
Sturgis, smiling; you must let me
tell my story in my own way, if am
to tell it connectedly''
Every well" said the banker, resign
eddy. Hold on, though" he ex-
claimed; you speak of two sets of
trails; but what is this third set of
lines. marked by alternate dots and
dashes?'
''They represent the traces of third
individual, who will appear upon the
scene later on. He has not yet re-
ceiyed his cue. But, since you mention
him, we may put him down in the cast
as * the unknown quantity of the
problem; for | do not yet know his
name. Now, then; let me see. Where
was 1? Your interruption has made
me lose the thread. Oh, yes; the men
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-11-22

Those are his very Words contin-
ned Interpreter; "thosehe telegraphed
to Chatham yesterday, as you will see
If you hold before that mirror this
sheet of blotting paper which found
on Arbogast's desk"
Dunlap, with an unsteady hand, took
the blotting paper; and, holding it be-
fore the glass, studied the reflection
intently.
what do you make out?" asked
Sturgis.
Nothing whatever replied the
banker, promptly.
WHAT" exclaimed the reporter;
do you mean to say that you do not
distinguish any marks on the plotting
paper?"
Il mean to say that do not see any
thing to which can attach any sem
blance of a meaning. The blotting pa
per has been used, and, of course,
there are ink marks upon it; but, as
far as / can see, these are wholly dis
connected. They are entirely void of
sense to my eyes, at any rate"
I1AdihiAe VIC DloIlef again CaTeIul-
ly in this direction" said Sturgis,
drawing an imaginary line upon the
mirror, "and pay no attention to any
other marks which seem to cross these
lines. Now do you see anything?''
The banker examined the image in
the mirror for some time before reply
ing.
IF I allow my Imagination to enter
into play, can complete several iso-
lated letters"
"Will you dictate these while note
them here. Be careful to distinguish
between capital and lower-case letters.
Also separate rhe lines, and state
whether letters come close together
or are separated by a space
Very we'll" agreed Dunlap, who
then proceeded to read off the letters
he saw in the reflection of the blotter
| in the mirror.
When he had finished, Sturgis hand
ed him the paper, upon which were
Transcribed the letters he had dictated.
They presented the appearance shown
below:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-11-22
SYNOPSIS.

CHAPTER 1-Scene of story Is in New
York city. Time, early evening, last day
OF year. Gable train collides with cab.
ger also seated outside. Latter disappears;
then. inside the cab. body of man shot
dead is discovered. Stuigis, reporter. ex-
amines cab and surroundings.
CHAPTER II-Later that evening. at
discussion, maintains reliability of cir
cumstantial evidence. DR.. Murdock, IA
nous chemist, wagers in reply 5000 to 500
that from any daily paper he can select an
unsolyable riddle. Sturgis takes bet.
CHAPTER III-Case selected is Of two
mysterious shots fired that afternoon in
or near Knickerbocker bank. Man had
been seen running from bank with valise
and arrested. Man said he stole valise
from bank steps and was shot at. Valise
contained nothing of interest.
CHAPTER IV-Sturgis secures appoint-
ment with Dunlap. president of bank, to
visit scene of shooting early next morning
then induces his friend DIR. Thurston to
come to his rooms while he arranges data
of the two strange cases.
CHAPTER v--From observations made
thus far and inductive reasoning thereon
reporter has concluded: ~ dead man In
cab was bookkeeper about so years old re-
ceiving good salary; (2) wound caused by
have shot himself; a. shooting had not
occurred in cab; (5) right arm broken by
heavy instrument; and (6) cabman was
OEuSS6u, anu young ltldII WHO eSCdpeQ III
volved In some way in crime. Cab mys-
terry also noted as possible sequel to bank
mystery.
CHAPTER VI-Sturgis calls for Sprague,
artist friend to get his company during In
vestigation at bank, but artist has appoint
ment with some fair sitter whose portrait
he Is making.
CHAPTER VII Agnes Murdoch lin
charge of her fathers household since her
mothers death) finds her father in his
study. She, in reply to question concern
ing attentions of Thomas Chatham,
shows her dislike of the persistent sutton.
Her father intimates she shall not be fur
ther bothered. -
CHAPTER vIII-Miss Murdock's final
sitting for portrait induces artist to ask
privilege of calling at her home, which she
readily grants. Bellboy brings note for
Agnes. This Is read with evident annoy
apce and she drops 1t. It remains forgot
ten when she leaves studio.
CHAPTER Ix-Promptly at time agreed
Dunlap meets Sturgis. Reporter begins
long and careful examination.in bank, Re-
volver In bookkeeper's desk shows two
empty cartridges.
f CHAPTER determination completed,
eturgis questions banker regarding relia-
bility of Arbogast. head bookkeeper. then
announces Arbogast to be defaulter with
Chatham. accountant who has frequently
examined condition of books. as accom-
plfce Message Arbogast sent Chatham
deciphered from marks on blotter.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-11-22
CHAPTER X-Continued.

When the reporter came within sight
of the safe, Dunlap was closely inspect
ing the lock. Presently he uttered an
exclamation of surprise.
What is it?' asked Sturgis.
II don't understand it, said Dunlap.
VI cannot open the safe. The lock
seems all right; but 1900. =
Perhaps the combination has been
changed"
Apparently it has," admitted the
banker; "but howcame it tobe changed
on q week day, and without my knowl-
edge?"
"That is rather significant, isn't ftp"
suggested the reporter.
Significant? What do you mean?"
exclaimed Dunlap, excitedly.
II mean that Arbogast was de-
faulter. What his system OF defraud-
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-11-22
CHAPTER KY.
THE pooKKEEpER's CONFESSION

TIE BooKKEEPER'S CONFESSION.
Late that same evening Sturgis re-
turned to his lodgings, after busy day
spent in working upon the Knicker-
booker bank cnse. He was tired and he
was perplexed; for, with all his unflag-
ging energy, his quick intelligence and
his Flooding perseverance,. he had come
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-11-22

AAASs oioO ASuAl4 Oil CtAS I'll Ills ClOUu.
ing which caught on projecting nail
as he fell; and infer from these his
taste for loud dress. He recovered
himself before Arbogast was ready to
fire a second time and ran into the
clerks room, probably hoping to make
his way to the street through the
Exchange Place door. But at the
same time, Arbogast rushed through
the reception room and this office,
reaching the vestibule in time to head
off Chatham, who then turned back
and ran through the secretary's room,
with Arbogast in pursuit. In the
meantime X to whom I have al
ready alluded, was waiting in Ex-
change place, where Chatham had
cab. Upon hearing the pistol shot he
went to the accountants assistance.
He passed into this office, which he
probably reached in time to see Chat
ham rush in from the secretary's
room, closely followed by Arbogast.
* seized that chair over there in the
corner and sprang between the hunt
ed man and his pursuer as the latter
raised his arm to fire. Our anony-
nous friend is probably man of
great strength; for with one blow of
the chair he broke the bookkeeper's
wrist. The hammer fell, but the
weapon was DETECTED and the bullet,
instead of reaching its intended VIC
tim, passed through the upper lobe
of Arbogast's left lung and out at
the back at an angle of about 60 de-
grees. The bookkeeper was standing
not far from the mantelpiece yonder.
Do you see that broad black line on
the hearth? That was made by the
bullet. Its direction and the angle
| enabled me at once to see that it must
have ricochetted into. the fireplace;
and there, sure enough, found it in
the SCOT in the bend of the chimney.
Here it is" a
Dunlap had listened to this nara
tive with evident interest. But now,
recovering from the spell of Sturgis'
persuasive conviction, his skepticism
regained the ascendancy for a mo-
ment.
| "Mr. Sturgis, you have missed your
vocation" he said, laughing good
1naturedly; "you ought to have been
a playwright. You have most con-
vincing way of presenting both your
facts and your theories. While you
are speaking, one is ready to admit
the FEASIBILITY of every statement
lyou make. But now that you have fin
ished, l have become hard-headed
banker once more, and ]. beg. to sub
init one or two facts-since we. are
Iseeling facts-4which it seems to me
are enough to demolish all your elabo-
rate structure"
go on" said sturgis;. st goes with
out saying that any theory is worth
less unless it takes into account and
eSplains every existing fact. If there
are any in this case which have es-
caped me-a contingency which is
quite possible, for l have no preten-
sion to infallibilty-I shall be glad to
hear about them; and, naturally, if
lmy conclusions do not tally with the
facts, the conclusions must be altered,
since facts are absolute"
"Well, them" said Dunlap, "assum-
ing, for the sake of the argument,