davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun., 1900-12-05
ISTHMIAN CANAL REPORT.
Commission Recommends Nicaragua
isoute az Most Practicable.

Route az Most Practicable.
Washington, Dee 4.-Thc report of the
isthmian canal commission, submitted by
the president to congress, gives as the
unanimous conclusion of that body that
'the most practicable and feasible route
for an isthmian canal under the control.
and ownership of the United
States is that known as the Nicaragua
route" The commission estimates the
cost Of This route at S200.540,000. This
estimate Is much in excess of any here
tofure made and is due to increased di-
mcnsions and other features not hefeto-
fore considered. The commission also
estimates the cost Of a canal by the PAN
anna route mt S142.342.JT9 according to
one route or $153,31S.25S according to
another route. AS between the Nicaragua
and Panama routes the commission sums
up Il number of advantages favorable to
the former. 1t states also that under the
concessions given by the government of
Colombia to the Panama Canal company
that government is not free to grant the
necessary rights TO the United States eX-
cept upon conditions made by the COM
pany.
The report is document Of about IT,
600 words, almost as long MS the presi-
dents message. Although the work of
the commission is not vet completed,
many OF the field parties still being out,
yet it has been sufficiently advanced to
make it practicable to present this pre-
liminary report giving the essential find
ings. a thorough investigation has been
made not only Of the Nicaragua and
Panama routes; hut of other possible
routes.
a detailed description is given of the
trip over the several routes Along the
-,-~,,.,.e> -; iul..l i, "-s iu1-4l t..... =.
shnrt section of partiallv constructed ca
The sun., 1900-12-05
rz-t.-sz- .ss1 l.fa-
2szlsl 4 aiIi;
CHAPTER VIII.
THE HOLLOW TREE.


Frederick Sutherland was a man of
finer mental balance than he himself
perhaps had ever realized. After the
first few moments OF stupefaction fol-
lowing the astounding alternative
which had been given him lie broke
out with the last sentence she pro oably
expected to hear.
"What do you hope from marriage
with me that to attain your wishes you
thus sacrifice every wom9nly instinct?"
She met him on his own ground.
"What do | hopeY" She actually
glowed with the force Of her secret de-
sire. "Can you ask poor girl like me,
born in a tenement house, but with
tastes and ambitions such as are usual.
ly only given to those who can crafty
them? | want to be the rich Mr. Suth.
erland's daughter, acknowledged or un.
acknowledged the wife of one who can
enter any house In Boston as an equal
With position like that | can rise to
anything. | feel that | have the natu.
raj power and aptitude. | have felt ii
since was small child"
"And for that he began.
"And for that" she broke in, :" am
quite willing to overlook any dark spot
on your record. Confident that you will
never repeat the risk of last night,
am ready to share the burden of your
secret through life. If you treat me
well, | am sure | can make it light for
you"
With quick flush, an increase Of
cA1 AZ In eli I,ol Il
ticipated, he faced her with despcr.
ate resolution that showed how hand
some he could be If his soul once got
control of his body.
woman" he cried, "they were right
You are little less than devil"
Did she regard 1t as compliment?
Her smile would seem to say so.
"a devil that understands men," she
answered with that slow dip of her
dimples that made her smile so danger
Gus. you will not hesitate long over
this matter; week perhaps"
II shall not hesitate at all. Seeing
you as you are makes my course easy.
You will never share any burden with
me as my wife"
Still she was not abashed.
at is n pity" she whispered, "it
would have saved you such unnecessa-
lry struggle. But week is not long to
wait. ] am certain of you then. This
day week at 10 o'clock, Frederick"
He seized her by the arm and, lost 10
everything but his rage, shook her with
a desperate hand.
do you mean it?" he cried, sudden
horror showing itself in his face, not
withstanding his efforts to conceal it.
II mean it so much" she assured
him, "that before / came home just
now paid visit to the copse over the
way. A certain hollow tree where
The sun., 1900-12-05
CHAPTER IX.
SIN LITTLE GRAVES.

There was but one topic discussed In
the countryside that day. and that was
the life and character of Agatha Webb.
Her history had not been happy
me. She ana Philemon had come from
Porchcstcr some 20 or more years he.
fore TO escape tho sorrows associated
Eith their native town. They had left
behind them six small graves In Port
chester churchyard, but though evil
dences of their ailliction were always
to be seen in the countenances of Ell
ther they had entered with so much
purpose into the life of their adopted
town that they had become persons of
note there till Philemon's health began
to fail, when Agatha quit all outside
work and devoted herself exclusively
to him. OF her character and winsome
personality we can gather some idea
from the various conversations carried
on that day from Porchester green to
the shipyards in Sutherlandtown.
In Deacon Brainerd's cottage the dis
cussion was concerning Agatha's lack
of vanity, virtue not very common at
that time among the women of this
busy seaport.
"For q woman so handsome" the
good deacon was saying, "and think
can safely call her the finest featured
woman who ever trod these streets, she
showed as little interest In dress as
any one / ever saw. Calico ut home
and calico at church, yet she looked as
much of a lady in her dark sprigged
gowns as Mrs. Webster in her silks or
Mrs. Parsons in her 1000 sealskin."
AS this was topic within the scope
Of his eldest daughters intelligence
she at once spoke up: 81 never thought
she needed to dress so plainly. l don't
believe in such show of poverty N.Y.
self. If one is too poor to 20 decent, all
right; but they say she had more mon
ey than most any one in town. | won
der who is going to get the benefit of
it?'
"Why, Philemon Of course. That is,
as long as lie lives. He doubtless had
the making of it,"
"Is IT. true that he's gouc clean out Of
his head since her dcath;" interposed
neighbor who had happened in.
$50 they say. believe Widow Jones
has taken him into her house,
"Do you think" asked n second
daughter, with becoming hesitation.
that he had anything TO do with her
death? Some of the neighbors say he
struck her while in one of lis crazy
| fits, while others declare she was killed
by some stranger equally old and al
most as infirm."
1--WE won't discuss the subject" OBJ
! iccted the deacon. "Time will show
who robbed us of the greatest hearted
and most capable woman in these
/ parts"
"And will time show who killed Bat.
syT' 1t was morsei of a girl who
spoke; the least one of the family, but
the brightest. I'm sorry for Batsy.
she always gave me cookies when |
went to see Mrs. Webb"
"Batsy was a good girl for Swede,"
allowed the deacon's wife, who had not
| spoken till now. "When she first came
into town on the spars Of that WRECKED
suip- We aii iSlleinDtr. tnere WAS some
The sun., 1900-12-05
secret Service.

The fact that "Secret Service" Will.
liam Giliette's great play, which IS to he
presented at the Opera House on Friday
evening, was played in New York +
seven months, does not adequately ex-
press the triumph which "Secret Ser
vice made there.
During all the time from the very first
night not asingle performance had been
given that did not find the Garrick
Theatre, where it made its run, crowded
to its utmost capacity; and no play ever
departed from the metropolis with more
sincere regret for its departure.
The sun., 1900-12-05
Professor starr,s Escape.

Chicago, Dec. l.Profess0r Frederick
A. Starr of the University of Chicago
had narrow escape from death while
attempting to board n Cottage Grove
avenue cable ear at Lake avenue The
car was going at full speed and with
his clothing caught in the rear step Pro-
fcssor Starr was dragged for 30 feet be-
fore the car was brought to II stand.
He was picked NJ by the conductor for
dead and was taken into store in the
neighborlood. where lie soon revived from
thp shock
The sun., 1900-12-05
cnrn1rr In Cnhn nnsx.

Washington, Dee. by direction of
Major General Wood, commanding the
division of Cuba. the cavalry troops sta
toned ON that island are nav engaged in
Il series of practice marches of not less
than two weeks din ti"n Commanding
officers have been ad TO give spc-
cial attention to the needs { actual serv-
ice in campaigns, loading aai unloading
of transportation. pitching md taking
down of tents, including The shelter tent.
cooking, signaling, field skctching, pack
ing and exercises in minor tactics.
The sun., 1900-12-05
IINGTON, DELAWARE, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER S, 1900

struggle between Agatha ana me as TO
which of us should have her. But
didn't like the task Of teaching her the
name of every pot and pan she had to
use in the Kitchen, so | gave her up to
Agatha. And 1t was fortunate / dia,
for I've never been able to understand
her talk to this day."
81 could talk with her right WE'LL"
lisped the little one. "She never called
things by their Swedish names unless
she was worried, and l never worried
her"
81 wonder if she would have wor-
SHIPPED the ground under your feet, as
she did that under Agatha 2" asked
the deacon, eying his wife with just
the suspicion of malicious twinkle in
his eye.
81 am not the greatest hearted and
most capable woman in town." retort-
ed his wife, clicking her needles as she
went on knitting.
In Mr. Sprague's house on the oppo-
site side of the road Squire Fisher
was relating some old tales of bygone
udyS. EHGW ARdIlla
when she was a girl" he avowed. "She
had the grandest manners and the
most enchanting smile of any rich or
poor mans daughter between the coast
and Springfield. She did not dress In
calico then. She wore the gayest
clothes her father could buy her, and
old Jacob was not without means to
make his daughter the leading figure in
town. How we young fellows did
adore her, and what lengths we went
to win one of her glorious smiles. Two
Of us, John and Jacob label, have lived
bachelors for her sake to this very day,
but | hadn't courage enough for that.
J married and Something between
q sigh and chuckle filled out the SEN
tence.
'What made Philemon carry of the
prize? His good looks"
Eyes, or his good luck. 1t wasn't
his snap, of that you may be sure.
James label had the snap, and he was
her first choice, too, but he got into
some difficulty. never knew Just
what it was, but it was regarded as So
rious at the time, and that match was
broken off. AfterWard she married
Philemon. You see, | was out of it
altogether, had never been in it per
llaps, but there We're three good years
of my life in which | thought of little
else than Agatha. admired her spirit,
you see. There was something more
taking in her ways than in her beauty,
wonderful as that was. She ruled us
with a rod of iron, and yet we wor-
SHIPPED her. have wondered to see
her so meek of late. | never thought
she would be satisfied with q brick
6oored cottage and husband of fail.
ing wits. But no one to my knowl
edge, has ever heard a complaint from
her lips, and the dignity of her afiiict-
ed wifehood has far transcended the
haughtiness of those days when she
had but to smile to have all the youth
of dorchester at her feet"
81 suppose ii was the loss of so many
| children that reconciled her TO quiet
| life. a woman cannot close the eyes of
six children, one after the other, with.
out some modification taking place in
her character"
"Yes, she and Philemon have been
unfortunate, but she was splendid
looking girl, boys. never see such
grand looking women now"
In little one storied cottage on the
hillside n woman was nursing a baby
and talking at the same time OF Agatha
Webb.
Continued in Our Next Issue.)
The sun., 1900-12-05

nal is perhaps in as good shape today as
it was when the work was stopped. The
buildings, however, are all rotten, and
the dGedgers, boats, etc, are worthless.
The commission visited President Zelaya
and other leading officials of Nicaragua
and found them greatly interested in the
project. The occupation of their terri
tory by the United States for canal pur-
poses did not seem to be regarded as a
serious obstacle. provided the sovereign
ty of the republic was respected. Along
the Panama route the commission found
a large force of workmen engaged upon
the canal line, about 1000 in number,
according to the Panama company. The
canal had been opened to some extent at
both ends. Immense quantities of ma
chinery. implements and tools We're found
along the route. Much of this property,
the commission reports, is ill adapted to
American methods of work, and all of it
is now from 13 to 90 years old, so that
no value should be given to the plant now
on the isthmus. A visit was also made
to President Iglesias of Costa Rica and
his cabinet and a strong sentiment found
TO exist for an American canal along the
Nicaragua route. Trips were also made
along the Darien route.
The commission submits the following
estimated cost of canal on the Nicara-
qua route:
Eastern division, from Greytown to
Boca San Carlos dam. $S2, ,G62 900.
Middle division, from Boca San Carlos
dam TO Las Lajas, S25, 5,425.000.
Western division, from Las Lajas to
Brito, SOL ,6S0,000.
Ninety-eight miles of railroad, $780,
600.
Total, $16T,11T.000.
Engineering, police, sanitation and gem
eral contingencies. $33, ,423,0O0.
Aggregate, $500, ,540,00O.
The sun., 1900-12-05
Messcprer,r Body Recovered.

Beaver, Pa. Dee. 4.-Thc body of Nj.
s. Casey, the Adams Express messenger
who was drowned Mt the wreck on the
Cleveland and Pittsburg railroad near
Beaver ON Tuesday night last, was re-
covered 45G feet below where his car
went down the bank into the river.
When Coroner White examined the
body, there were no marks ON the face
and hands. His watch was found TO
have stopped ut 12:0S, Central time,
which corresponds with the time the ac-
cident occurred.
The sun., 1900-12-05
The utnh senntorship.

San Francisco. Dec. 4.-George Can
non, head of the Mormon church, just
before sailing for Honolulu, where he
has gone fer the benefit of his health,
speaking of the Utah senatorship said that
o. j. Salisbury and Colonel Isaac Trum-
bo were the only prominent candidates
He was confident there would not be a
deadlock in the legislature and express
ed the opinion that the influence of the
MolmonS would be exercised in behalf of
Colonel Trumbo.
The sun., 1900-12-05
ADJUSTMENTS
Diamond brothers Minstr.Is


Thesprime tavorltes, Diamond Broth.
ers' Big Double White Minstrels, are
billed to appear at the Opera House to-
night. This organization has made rec
ord for excellence that is not surpassed
by any minstrel company, and is play.
ing to crowded houses everywhere. In q
number of cities hundreds have been
turned away nightly.
The first part is a marvel of beauty in
costumes and stage settings. The COM
edians have up to date witticisms, song 8
stories and mirth provoking sketches TO
round out an evening of unalloyed pleas
ure and uproarious laughter. Uncom'
monty goo1 speeialties are features of the
program,
Diamond Brothers. Minstrel's parade
takes place each day at,noon. Look out
for it. The band and orchestra is one ol
the largest and. finest traveling.ss
The sun., 1900-12-05
Sag Harbor.

EJames A. Herne's two daughters are to
appear with their father in the forthc COM
ing pt r.rrmance of that Herne play "Sag
Harbor," when it shall appear here at
the Opera House next Saturday, Dec
ember s. Miss Julia Herne, the elder OF
the two daughters, plays the leading
Harbcr" Though bnt 10 years old,
Miss Herne has bsen compared as an ac-
tfess with her talented mother, who as
Katharine Cochrane, was the original
Margaret Fleming,
The sun., 1900-12-05
r,he Cxnr sitting In.

Lvnda, European Russia. Dec. 4
The physicians of the car have issued
the following bulletin: The car passed
the last - hours very satisfactorily. In
the evening his temperature was 1905
and his pulse so. In the morning his
temperature was 96.6 and his pulse ti6.
His general condition is very good. His
majesty is now able to sit i'll IN invalid
chair at intervals during the day."
The sun., 1900-12-05
The TransyaaI wnr.

London, Dee. 4.-General Kitchener re-
ports from South Africa that the mount
ed troops of General Knox were engaged
all day long Sunday with part of Cen
eral De Vets forces north of Bethulie,
Orange River Colony, not far from the
border of Cape Colony. The Beers, he
adds, were headed off and retired in Il
northeasterly direction.
The sun., 1900-12-05
Murder In the catslsiIi..

Kingston, y. y, Dec. A.. Enraged be-
cause Albert Lane paid attentions to his
own half sister. James Hunlcy. who was
in love with the girl killed Lame in the
woods at Frost Valley, in the Catskills.
Later IIanlcy swore' ont Il warrant for
the arrest of a boy named .Ioslyn, to
whom he had admitted Ills crime
The sun., 1900-12-05
coun.iIor Sent IN J,u.

nd'anapolis, Dec 4.-John NJ. Higgins
a member of the city council, has been
sentenced 10 states prison for an indie
terminate term. lie was convicted on IL
charge of Offering TO accept Il bribe for
pushing measure through the council.
Higgins will be sent to prison pending
an appeal to the supreme court.
The sun., 1900-12-05
The Lo. AneeIes EIection..

Los Angeles, Dec. 4.-Complete re-
turns OF the election in this city show
that NJ. p. Snyder, the Democratic nomi-
nee for mayor, was elected by plurality
of 1000 over Herman Silver the Re-
publican candidate. The Republicans
elected seven of the nine councilmen and
five of the other eight municipal officers.
The sun., 1900-12-05
Connecticut Landmarks destroyed.

Naugatuck, Conn. Dec. 4.-One of the
oldest landmarks in this town, the Nan
gatuck hotel, has been totally destroyed
by fire. The origin of the fire is un-
known. fhcr" were about 30 guests
sleeping in The hotel NJ the time the fire
started, but all escaped safely. The loss
is ostimated at nhnnt Sl.000
The sun., 1900-12-05
big NEiIk WnR On.

Watcrown, n. u, Dec. A milk
war of gigantic proportions is being
wagcd at Antwerp, Jefferson county.
Baumcrt X Co.'S fancy cheese factories,
the largest in the world are located
there The American Cascin company has
begun the erection of mammoth fac
tory there and will fight the Baumerts
to secure the milk of the section. The
Baumerts claim to have secured contracts
from So per cent of the farmer patrons.
The sun., 1900-12-05
Little Egypt,

"Little Egypt" and her burlesque
company is attracting large crowds to the
Academy of Music. The engagement
closes tonight. ] he costumes used are
among the finest ever seen in this city.
Two funny burlesques are presented,
There are thirty people in the COM
pany.
The sun., 1900-12-05
The Kiipntricls At port said.

Port Said. Dec. 1.-The United States
transport Fitzpatrick. which sailed from
New York Nov 13 fer Manila. in COM
mand of Captain ID. w. Arnold. carrying
800 enlisted men for the regiments in the
Philippines, with Colonel Tuly MeCrea
in charge, has arrived here.
The sun., 1900-12-05
COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
Some Talk of increasing Amount oi
War Tax Reslucti0n.

? Washington, Dec. 4.-Thc Republican
members of the ways and meahs com
mittee had another meeting to consider
the bill for the reduction Of the war rev
enuc faxes. but no Important conclusions
were reached. There is some talk in the
: 80 tho r"1r t,ct'
over the $50 o00.0G0 at first agreed unon.
The sun., 1900-12-05
L,nra S. !snnith nxneIted.

Chicago, Dee. 4.-l.loyd j. Smith, who
was acquitted in the criminal court of a
charge Of shipping grain from the ware
houses OF the Chicago Elevator company
without canoeing the receipts, was
found guilty by The beard of directors
Of the board Of trade and was eyqelled
from his scat in that Organization. The
trial las.cd ] days.
Neat job printing zone Mt TINS oiiice.
The sun., 1900-12-05
AIIeued EmbezxIer cnught.

Chicago, Dec. 4.--Walter ID. Glenn,
wanted for cmbezzlement of nearly $780,
600, hns been arrested mt Rawlins. Wy,
and ain officer armed with requsition
papers is on his way to bring the pris-
oner back to Chicago for trial. Walter
ID. Glenn was II bookkeeper for the Me
chanics' Building and Loan association
of this city.
The sun., 1900-12-05
six KiIIe1 py an IGxpIosion.

Chicago. Dec. IA corrected list Of
the casualties i'll the explosion of Il boiler
in the lighting and heating plant of the
Chicago and Northwestern railway
shows dead and 16 injured, of whom
will probably die.
The sun., 1900-12-05

Woman, they acre right; you are little
Tess than q deUtl."
you and have held more than one
tryst conceals within Its depths pack
age containing over $1,000. Frederick.
j mold y01r life in my hands,"
The grasp with which he held her re-
laXed. A mortal despair settled upon
his features, and recognizing The i'm
possibility of further copcealing the eff
feet of her words upon him, he sank in
to chair and covered his face with
his hands. She viewed him with an air
of triumph, which brought back some
of her beauty. When she spoke, it was
TO say:
"lf You wish to join me in Springfield
before the time | have set, well and
good. am willing that the time Of ouI
separation should be shortened but it
must not be heightened by so much as
IL day. Now, If you will excuse me.
will 80 and pack my trunks"
He .shuddered. Her voice seemed to
cut through him like n knife
Drawing herself uD, she looked down
on him with strange mixture Of pas.
sion and elation.
"You need fear no inGlscretiop on my
part so long as our armiStice lasts"
said she. 'No one can drag the truth
from me while any hone remains of
your doing your duty by ME in the
way ! have suggested"
And still he did not move.
"Frederick."
Was it her voice that was thus mrr-
muring his name? Can the tiger snarl
one moment and coo the next?
Frederick, have final word to
say, last farewell Up to this hour ]
have endured your attentions, or, let
us say, accepted them, for ! always
found you handsome and agreeable, il
oct ~" nGrtcr of my heart. But now
-" =. - 49, 49,, fee., .3re. ..-l
L-a with me- is nn fancy hnt nas-
The sun., 1900-12-05

0yeters by the nuart At Rccl,eit's
restaurant, Seventh End 'hipley streets.
The sun., 1900-12-05
THE r1YSTERY
OF AGATHA WEBB.
BY Anna Katharine Green.

"The Leavenworth Case" "Iost Mans Lane"
Hand and Ring" Etc, Etc.
The sun., 1900-12-05

Nent job nrintiny Gone at TINS oiiica.
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1900-04-20

are dishinQ up In Montana TO induce
the people to again return to the pan
icky days when Groyer Glevelsnd was
IN the white house. But the InaepeD6,
eut entirely ignores the fact that tine
people Of Montana have been exceeding
Is prosperous during the reign Of the
gold standard. Prices for the products
of the farm and range IN many instances
have been more than doubled since the
American people deereed that Bryan
should not be elevated TO the presidency.
Failures have been few ana far between;
the bank statements Of M0DtaBa are IN
evidence that the people do not wish to
take up the free silver ~ 10 I aud free
trade delus,oD. The working men Of
Montana, who constitute the greater
body Of the electors of the state, are
wearing a smile of conteptulept and
happiness There are no longer three
men for every job, but instead we find
three jobs from every inan, Then why
should the people of Montana waDt free
silver Even the mere mlnfi0D OF such
o possibility makes the voter sbudder
They passed through the school 0f eKr
periepee during the last DationaI demo
cratic administration and the lessQD
there learned will be sufficient ~ last
the present generation, Free silver aud
the other idiDtie notions Of the demo
cratic party will not meet with the NJ
prevail Of the people of Montana uest
November any more than they viii ~
my OF the other states which we're
temporarily TORN from tbeir republican
moorngs -four years ago,