davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-05-03
A Safe Fire Escape.

Most of the fire escapes installed in
hotels and similar buildings, where
they are required by law, are simply
makeshifts, hardly suitable for wom
en- or children to manipulate, as they
usually require some dexterity and
considerable muscular eXertion on the
part of the user. In fire escape re-
Gently invented by Louis N. Duquette
of Southbridge, Mass. the descent to
the ground from window or other
egress opening can be made comfort
ably and without eXertion. All that
is necessary is to seat oneself on a
bench which has previously been
hooked to the window ledge or other
convenient point, and grasp two
handles at the sides. Mechanism con-
cealed in the box underneath plays out
the rope from two reels or drums,
which are so arranged that the rope
on each side will be played out at a
uniform rate to prevent the fitting of
the boxing or casing. The gripping
tubes at the sides of the box, through
which the ropes pass, permit the con-
troll of the rate of descent.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-05-03
attempt would be made. Even per-
sons arrested after the attempt was
discovered received the same punish

attempt would be made. Even per-
sons arrested after the attempt was
discovered received the same punish
ment.
NO one was tried, but when the bull
pen was full. those whom the military
thought had been sufficiently punished
were released in order to make room
1or new prisoners, and sometimes a
man was arrested second time, his
first Imprisonment not being sufficient
to satisfy the wishes of those in au-
thority. Gradually the number Of
prisoners decreased until all were re-
leased, yet no man can today tell on
what charge he was arrested or for
what he was punished except to graft
fy within of the governor, the re-
venge Of the Bunker Hill Company or
the malice of the negro soldiers.
Gov. Steunenberg has never been
able to explain satisfactorily why he
called for United States troops or why
he ordered these wholesale arrests or
why he forbade men from working
without permit. The civil power
was at all times able to control the
s1tuation;. the courts were competent
to punish. all violations, of law and
competent to enforce their DEGREES.
The case Is one of the most remark
able in the history of the country, and
the report of the committee investi-
eating 1T will tell story that people
will find difficult to believe.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-05-03
Thu Ice Monanolx.

The price of ice to consumers this
season will be double what it was
last. The newly formed trust, which
absolutely controls the supply, has de-
termined upon an additional profit of
$12,000,000 year for ITSELF In other
words, it will levy tax upon every
household in Greater New York, and
particularly on those which are least
able to stand further exacticns.
The Ice Trust ought to be brought
into court as an unlawful combination.
Its object is the restraint of trade in
a certain commodity, and this places
it under the ban of both the common
and the statutory law.
Ice, during the summer months, is
practically necessity of life, and the
welfare of the people demands that
no combination Of sordid capitalists be
permitted to put a prohibitory price. on
it.-New York Times.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-05-03
.Ki..ed Mrs. Clexeland,s Hand.

ct has been my pleasure to meet
newspaper reporters in all the cities
Of America that l have visited since
my residence in this country, and but
once have had any occasion to regret
my contact with them,' said Rt. Hon.
Charles B. Cahusac. This was in
Washington, D. c., when, by some
chance that to me is still dark and
unfathomable mystery, reporter
learned that was presented to Presi-
dent and Mrs Cleveland, and that, ig-
norant of American customs, for it was
the first time that had been present
ed to the executive of a republic, ]
went down on my knees before Mrs
Cleveland and kissed her hand. Imag.
inc my chagrin the next day, when
upon picking up the paper, my eye fell
upon headline reading. He Kissed
Her Hand. A Titled Englishman
Kneels Before Mrs. Cleveland Now
as l say. did not know but the Gus.
toms of Europe prevailed here. Den,
yer Republican.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-05-03
Prosperity In Full Blast.

During this full year of prosper
ity" under Mckinley the men and wo-
men employed in these Massachusetts,
concerns received in wages an average
of $50 every week, working from
nine to twelve hours day. That was
The measure of their prosperity. This
magnificent wage earning was about
seventeen cents week more than it
was in the year before That is, the
wage earners of Massachusetts would
have been something more than two
PER cent better off than they were the
year before, had not the trusts adyanc-
ed the cost of living fifteen per cent,
leaving the wage earners about thir-
teen per cent worse off than formerly.
But the trust magnates were not worse
off than formerly, no indeed. They
waxed fat and sleek, and are in easy
condition this year to contribute liber-
ally to the republican slush fund when
Mark Hanna comes around with his
hat out. II Mckinley is reelected
the trusts will be in position TO cut
down wages and increase their profits
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-05-03
A COLONIAL SoUPHousE,

Compared with the present condition
OF the Puerto Ricans. their future fate
causes shudder to come over every
American citizen, and that shudder
| codes i'll to McKinleyism and it's at
| tendant benevolent assimilation. The
addition of colonial pauper territory
to our home pauper institutions is
something unpleasant to contemplate
except to an utter imperialist. Thirty
thousand women and children, says
the last report, are in such a condition
oil nakedness usually attributed to the
newly born. So naked, indeed, are
the children starving for food and
education that the modest pedegogue,
through shame, can not permit them
to attend their schoolhouses.
Mr.. Charles M. Pepper, correspond
eat "a me NC" York HERALD $500
that journal with the
statistics of the misera BILE on 81
that once happy island. Their pitfful.
poverty-stricken misery would bring
sadness to the heart of everything but
an Oxnard sugar beet Trade stagna-
ton is widespread There is little le-
ultimate trading and few goods are
being brought into the island except
such as are sent to relieve the starv-
ing. This condition has been existing
for months" says Mr.. Pepper land
the poor and Nhe laboring classes are
in state of restitution"
The Kansas City Times summarizes
the situation as "idleness and demora-
lization for the unemployed poor and
bankruptcy for the mercantile and in
dustrial classes. Had the president
had any backbone and followed hi;
plain duty Puerto Rico today would
have been a beehive Of industry ant
the abode of prosperous activities in,
stead of a souphouse and the breeding
place of disaffection and hopelessness
that the Republican party's obedience
to trust magnates has made it.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-05-03

That is true, also.'' said Torrevo,
with an imperturbability that was
amazing. She married Senior Clever
dale after my brother died"
But this boys name is Cleverda1e.' -
Eyes, they gave him that. He was
only year old when my brother died"
But you sent him to me to spy, and
report all to Horton"
Captain, you are mistaken. did
not send him to you at all. You saw
his handwriting and took him. Did l
say for you to take him."
Enough Of this talk" exclaimed
Starne. "You have told us pack OF
lies. know that Horizons sister was
never married but once, and that time
it was to Cleverdale. Torrevo, you are
traitor and you must pay the penalty.
Where is that boy?''
THAT is what I was going to- ask
you. You took him. want him back.
He is very valuable to me on the
schooner
You will never see the schooner
again!" shouted Starne.
Torrevo's quick eye saw the CLEAN
of pistol. He had none himself, but
In the twinkling of an eye he had pro-
duced long knife. and sprang upon
Starne. Starne was still in the saddle,
and all Torrevo could do, was to slash
at his legs. Starne aimed and sent a
bullet into Torrevo's heart
zone traitor less," he said, calmly,
as Torrevo- fell on the ground dead.
What glorious liar that fellow was.
He would have been worth something
If he could have been trusted"
But we are in fine fix!" said Elvin.
'4The Black Cat was due at Monte
video in two days to, bring over Cen
eral Quesada. Now we have no one to
take command. We must have Que
sada."
It'll bring Quesada.. The crew o., the
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-05-03
HARVESTING ICE.
Cakes Pass Through Many Hands Bs-
fore Reaching Consumer.

AOAo AsCaChAuS SOhsuHoEs
The cutting of the ice on pond is
an interesting process, and the equip
ment is peculiar and varied. All the
fall and winter, until the harvest is
closed, men and horses, after every
snowstorm, scrape tie ice to the glare
ting begins a horse draws a marker
across that portion of the pond i'm
mediately to be cut, leaving light,
straight incision along the surface.
This is repeated until the surface is
all marked off one way, each line be-
ing "a inches apart Then the groov-
er goes over the same course making
the incision deeper and broader. The
process is repeated, except that this
time the mark goes at right angles to
the lines drawn first and at distance
OF 36 inches apart Then the course
is gone over by the plows, until the
lines each way are cut to a depth OF
nine inches. The ice gone over for the
last time is ready for the canal"
After the last passage of the pillow
which makes the narrow goove, a few
quick, well directed blows from an ice
chisel In the hands of skilled cutter,
and large float" containing 100 or
more of the ordinary 24x36 cakes is
broken from the field. Ready men
with pixies at the end OF long poles
push it through the open water to the
vicinity of the elevator. The canal"
of course, is longer the farther away
from the elevator the men are cut
ting. The course must be kept open
and should it freeze during the night
the new ice must be broken. The first
men who receive the float at the ele-
vator break it with their chisels
lengthwise, and the smaller piece is
sent under the plank bridge, where
the cross sections are broken off, each
cake is then at hand ready for it's up
ward journey. The feeder drives it
with his pike to the proper position,
when it is caught by section OF the
endless chain and up, up, UP 1T glides.
The feeder must Sc careful and quick
OF eye to see that every piece of the 40
each minute that passes through his
hands is whole, OF the right size, and
gets its correct position upon the
chain. A cake askew might wreck the
whole elevator. The cakes are kept
stored in rooms until wanted.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-05-03

Black Cat know me, and will obey
me. l shall be missed In Buenos
Ayres, but that won't matter. We will
be masters there in less than week.
will take the Black Cat after Que
sada. You lead my horse back. But
you must find that boy"
He must have gone toward Buenos
Ayres.'
mo, he will try to find the Black
Cat Torrevos anxiety proves that
there was an agreement between them
whereby the boy was to return. Tor
revos own safety depended on his
keeping the boy with him and shar-
ing the glory when we were all cap
tured.''
cit looks so. Well. will have men
out after him in the morning. He
may even now be on the Black Cat
If so, you will know what to do with
him."
will mott" replied Starne, with an
evil laugh. "I'll kill him with his eyes
open and looking at me-"
The two men parted, Starne going
on foot toward Black Cat Bay, and Ell
vim returning to his headquarters,
leading Lemuel's horse.
But where was Rob Cleverdale,
while Elvin, Starne and Torrevo were
looking for him in vain?
/ He was on his way to the BLACK
| Cat" as Starne suspected, but, being
ignorant of the road, he had gone a
little out of his way, and thus missed
Torrevo.
EARLY in the evening, when Elvin
| thought he had gone to bed, the cour-
ageous young American had slipped
out of the window, which was not
more than five feet from the ground
and had fortunately chosen moment
when there was no one around to see
him. Finding all clear, he had shaped
his course as we'll as he knew how
for Black Cat Bay, and started off on
run. He kept up this gait for some
time and then rested. There was nc
sight of pursuers, so he trudged on
again, keeping the direction, as he
thought, straight to the river But hi
did not travel as straight as hi
thought he did. He made quite de
tour to the north, thus missing Tor
revo, but toward morning reached thu
river short distance above the bay
There was an island, quite noun
tain, out in the river, which coule
be seen from the entrance to Blacl
Cat Bay, and Rob could see it from
the point where he met the river. From
it's position he knew he was too higl
up, and went down toward the anchor
age.
ITO be continued.)
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-05-03
LOTTERY for tho Minister, Too.


In Cripple Creek sturdy miner
drove up to the minister's house with
young woman, to whom he desired to
be married. When the ceremony was
concluded and the minister's fee came
up, the happy man discovered that he
had left his money in his other trou-
sers.
What's your usual fee?" he asked.
Sometimes we get 81, sometimes
So said the parson.
Then thar amt no usual about 1t,
decided the happy man, quickly add
ing: Tell ye what I'll do, mister; I'll
gamble with yer. Ill wait year, an
II this pans out o. K. I'll give We $40.
an if it doan't-" He smiled,-San
Francisco Wave.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-05-03
CHAPTER XIII.-(Continued.)

CHAPTER XIII.-(Continued.)
Drunk! Not bit of it. Did you
ever see Torrevo drunk? / did not. l
tell you 1t was put up job. Torrevo
knew you always looked at the in
voices and tally, and he played this
little game for you to see how we'll the
boy wrote. He knew your anxiety to
get the work done well would do the
rest. But what's the use standing here
talking? He's gone. and getting farther
away every minute"
rection?"
I'm which direction? Why, in what
direction would he go but toward his
ally, Torrevo, the traitor? He has
gone back to the Black Cat"
HE may have gone toward Buenos
Ayres.''
Not he. What could he do there?
tell you, the bargain included the
safety of Torrevo. The boy has gone
back to join Torrevo, and the Black
Cat will sail for Buenos Ayres with
these two precious fellows on board"
Il will order horses. We can reach
the Black Cat before morning. They
will not sail till then. We may even
overtake the boy"
Now that his stupor was over, Elvin
could think and act quickly. He re-
allied the danger in which he and his
son stood as long as this intrepid and
Intelligent young American was alive
and at large. He ordered horses to be
saddled, and, after drink to brace
their nerves, father and son sat out on
their errand-two men, to run down
and kill boy.
There was a moon, and the way was
easily made. The horses were put to
their utmost, and mile after mile was
covered, but no Rob was SEEM
Suddenly Starne drew up and called
to Elvin.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-05-03
A Fine Natural Harlan

The finest natural harbor in Puerto
Rico is at Jobos, on the southeast
coast. 1t is large enough and deep
enough to accommodate ships of any
draught, but it needs an improved en-
trance. In addition to the commercial
value of Jobos harbor. it has a strate-
gic Importance not surpassed in this
part of the world 1t is perfectly shell
tered and screened. A naval fleet sta
toned there might block any Euro
pean expedition directed toward Cuba.
the isthmus canal, or the Pacific coast.
Its strategic position in Puerto Rico
corresponds to that OF Malta in the
east.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-05-03
xCHAPTER XIV.

Elvin and Starne rode toward him
slowly.
BE ready for treachery," said
starne. Have your pistol in your
hand. This fellow must be up to mis-
chief"
Torrevo saw them coming. but
walked on as if he feared nothing.
Even had he stood in fear of his life
there was no place to hide.
"Well,'' said Elvin, maintaining an
outward GOODNESS he did not feel.
what are you doing here? l thought
you were to go to Montevideo."
True, Captain Elvin. l am going.
But / thought perhaps my nephew
would be done with his new duties by
now, and as he has become very valu-
able on board, am taking walk out
to your place to get him."
Your nephew! Ha! That's good.
And have you not seen that dear
nephew of yours tonight?'
81 have not, captain. Else why would
be walking out to see him now. I
have not been near your place this
night"
"No! And neither has he! Look
here, Torrevo, what is this game you
are playing?" H..
Game? What game? What do you
mean?"
Torrevo's black eyes glistened with
suspicion as he looked from one to the
other. He readily saw that something
unusual had happened, and from their
words he believed they had discovered
Rob's identity and his own duplicity.
You know well enough what /
mean. You are a. traitor"
THAT is what the judge said when
was convicted. That was five years
ago."
Yes, you were traitor to your
friends then, and you are traitor to
your friends now. Did you think you
could hoodwink us? l knew that boy
was Horizons nephew
$50 did 1" said Torreyo. stolidly.
"But you told me-" said Elvin, chok,
ing with rage, and made worse by Tor.
revo's GOODNESS; you told me that hi
was your own nephew"
Certainly and, so he isl
Both Elvin and Starne stood aghas
at this. This was the most monument
al cheek they had ever seen.
"He is Horizons nephew and mine
Also" said Torrevo, as If it was mat
ter Of no Importance. "You see, cap
tain, Horizons sister married m,
brother"
"Liar!" shouted Starne. Horton
had but one sister. She is now in New
York, and her name is Cleverdale.'
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-05-03
upsettlng Ar,tnmetical rr,d,t,o-

Jack-How did you come out on
that bulldog pup you bought?
Dick-Lost over 100 per cent on the
transaction
Jack-Oh, 1 guess mot. A hundred
per cent is all you can possibly lose.
Dick-Think SO, do you? Well,
paid $40 for the pup, and then l had
to give a boy dollar to take him out
and drown him. If that isn't a hun
u '.ew va R Ten per asafii it eS d ilke 70
Sun
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-05-03

Hist" he said. There is a man
coming this way on foot"
Elvin refined in his horse and sat
looking in the direction indicated by
Starne.
by Jove!" he exclaimed. That's
Torrevo!"
And Torrevo it was, making his way
on foot from the BLACK Cat to FL
wins headquarters.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-05-03
When Hanna Signals.

Our able generals have knack of
changing their minds when Hanna
holds up two fingers. There's Gener-
al Davis of Puerto Rico. He was for
free trade awhile ago, but now he's
hot foot for taxation without repre-
sentation.-Atlanta Constitution.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-05-03
Roasted Numbsrs,

Rowland Rant ME lud, l. remem-
Der when we had 200 people on the
stage"
Roxey-"That is nothing! Why.
down in Texas we had 500 people on
the stage and we would have had
1000 if some of the mob hadn't rushed
outside to head US off."-Chicago
News.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-05-03
ITO be continued.)

"wow"
Mrs. Nobbs-"What funny name
that nurse of the young Archduke of
Austria has"
Nobbs-"What Is it?'
Mrs. Nobbs-'. Her name is Wowse.' .
Nobbs- Well, every nursery is full
Of vows at times. isn't it?"-Balti,
more American.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-05-03
A Mere Social Grace.

Dobbs-"This would be a pleasanter
world if people put more warmth
genuine warmth-in their letters
Robbs-"Oh, l don't know; l don't
like warmth in business letters. Chi
cago News.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-05-03
On a Different Plan.

On Different Plan.
you've cheated me out OF my
watch, sir" he cried.
No Christian, old man, would ever
have done it,"
All, my friend" the honest pawn
broker replied,
I'm running this shop as Moses
would run it,
Chicago Tribune.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-05-03
Mistaken identity.

what did that woman in the mex.
block say when you called to get her
order this morning." asked the gro
Ger of his new delivery wagon driver.
Il didn't see her; the hired girl
came to the door"
Well, what did she say?"
She said, Mrs. Brown, here's q
tramp Indianapolis Sun.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-05-03

Squire-"You say he's a good re-.
triever, Jorkins?"
Jorkins-"Yes, SIR
Squire-"Well, 1 wish he would fetch
the money I paid for him, then!'-
Ally Sloper.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-05-03
SOME GOOD JON1
AND SELECTED

A Good Retriever-Why tho Monocls
Is Used by the Average Young Man
Lottery for the Minister-on Dir
ferent Plan.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-05-03

who is Just 50 Years Of age, is the
Legitimate queen Of these realms,
and her eldest som Prince Rupert, the
"pretender" of the Jacobites.
STILL. he will some day rule the
solid, beer-drinking Bavarians. and.
like his mother, does not seem to as
pire to the honors thrust upon them
by their Jacobite partisans.-London
Sketch
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-05-03
SHOULD BE KING OF ENGLAND
AT Loast That Ts What Jncobites Claim
for This Bride.room-to-

az A4oAol luAI IN w nAC JACODlC00 Claim
for This Bride.room-to- Be-.
The bethrothal of the handsome
Princess Mathilde of Bavaria to Prince
Louis of SaXeCoburg and Gotha is Of
double interest, inasmuch as the prin-
cess is the daughter of the Stuart
queen, Her Christian and Catholic
majesty Queen Mary ". of Scotland
and III. of England" las her adherents
contend), and the prince a member of
the royal house to which our prince
consort belonged, now represented by
Duke Alfred. Prince Ludwig of Ba-
varia, who should some day ascend the
throne as king Ludwig ILL.," is the
eldest son of Prince Luitpold, the
prince regent, and was born Jan. T.,
1916. He is a general of Bavarian in
fantry, and married at Vienna, Feb.
20, 1868, the Archduchess Maria
Theresa of Australasia, who is the
lineal descendant of Henrietta Maria,
eighth child of Charles l.. while Queen
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-05-03

1t Must Have Been Open Toward Him.
Snarley-"How did lingo get run
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-05-03

Yow-"He was STOPPING to pick up a
horseshoe. Syracuse Herald.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-05-03
what's In q Namee

What's In Name?
Mr.. Adams-"My wife and l were
particularly gratified over letter re-
.eived from our boy the other day.
announcing that he leads his class" s
College Professor All! yes. The
boys march into class in alphabetical
rider. Philadelphia Press.
Sambo WHO is this Jobson yoir
work for. anyhow? " 'nh. well. eh.
ae's his wife's husband. =.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-05-03

lumber and without windows. The
roof leaked and the cold winds of
night blew through the cracks between
the boards.
The soldiers furnished by the presi-
dent. We're negroes. and, if the sworn
evidence of goou citizens can be be-
lieved, their conduct was not only Of
fensive but brutal towards their pris-
oners. The language they used in ad-
dressing them was too profane and
filthy to be repeated, and their threats
to shoot and stab were constant and
emphatically uttered.
An order was issued forbidding men
from working in the district without
procuring permit from the governor.
Men were arrested for working on
their own claims, and even profession
al men were forbidden to practice their
professions without the governors
permission. The sheriff of the county
and majority of the members of the
county board were imprisoned, and
many of the best citizens of the coun-
ty, in no way associated with the out
RACES, were arrested by the negro
soldiers without excuse or warrant and
driven at the point of the bayonet
into the bull pen, there to remain I'M
til the military officers saw fit to re-
lease them.
One of the prisoners attempted tc
escape by making a tunnel, and, being
discovered, he and all the other pris-
oners in the pen were kept on bread
and water for nine days; he for at
tempting to escape, and the others fol
not notifying the guards that such ar