davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-03-07
unworthy OF the Leust Mercy.

We live in hopes of witnessing the
day when not an omnibus or road car
will remain to atflict the eyesight, OBJ
struct the progress, destroy the
nerves, or try the temper of the long
suffering Londoner. There is not the
smallest occasion for tender-hearted-
ness in the matter. There never was
threatened institution less deserving
of sympathy than the London bus. Ii
is not even as if it were good of it's
kind. From its nature the bus must
necessarily be slow, clumsy, space-fill-
ing, tiresome. 1t need not, however.
be the abominably lighted and
atrociously ventilated Cor unyentilat-
eu) vehicle which in point of fact il
is. In short, the bus as we know il
is impossible and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-03-07

of the testator apparently secured his
interests, even should Louise be rash
enough to carry out her threats of eX-
posture. This, however, he felt assured
she would never attempt. Terror of
the law had already proved itself pc
tent to control her. In his hurried and
frequent visits to the hotel he had as
certained the fact that she was for the
time being completely in his power
Reaction from her fierce excitement
had set in; she clung to him. helpless
and penitent. That she had seen a man
at midnight in the wing-room of the
Brookin house and had shot him, he
did not doubt that she believed. AS
for himself. there We're times when
he had thought her simply insane
the victim of an illusion; and yet the
facts seemed to support her statement
that she had visited the premises.
Clearly his best course lay in the sup
port of the illusion.
This. then, was the invention which
Holbin carried to the ears of the mis-
erab BILE woman: The man she had slain
was indeed the lover of the woman in
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-03-07
CHAPTER VII.

The influences of established prin-
ciples and correct associations may
carry an ordinary man to success in
proper channels. but the successful
villain is necessarily an intellectual
being. In his room Holbin gradually
evolved from his discoveries the con-
clusion that he. had an active enemy,
near at hand, and that plot was
thickening about him. Yet who was
there in Richmond that knew enough
of his history to place finger upon
the blacklist spot in his. life? And
why the enmity? Two theories pre-
sented themselves and only two
love for Frances Broolsin and love for
the Broolin wealth. Since it was
clear that the girl had been too long
secluded, and too recently grown to
have formed many friendships in Rich
mond, evidently the money was the
potent influence in the secret opera
tons about him. But who had been
shot. and why?
Holbin labored under the immense
disadvantage of a man without init
mate friends. He had gravitated rap
idly during his short stay in the city
towards the fast set; men classed
him quickly as "snortN." and women
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-03-07
Poor Tom my Atkins.

Miles away from succorsw near the
road, lay British Tommy, with gis-i
tening eyes and burning fever, his head
propped up on a deserted sandhill. and
the hot sun of MONDAY pouring into his
upturned face. "They told me. sir, the
wagons 'nd pick me up, out hain't seen
no wagons, sir" Eyes. l feel bad; I've.
mortal pains, sir. in my back and head ~
Poor devil, he had no water and no;
food, not that the latter mattered
much for he was too far gone to eat.
We left him water and cheered him up
little with the hope that wagons
would pass by. All night long, alone on
the empty veldt, saturated with the
heavy dews and chilled to the marrow,
with biting winds of darkness, and now
under the searching sun of day. He
did not know if they would find HIM
all alone, so far away, and yet he ans
swered, uncomplainingly: 'Yss gfraI
! Am glad Of that, sir!ssss
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-03-07

fallen flashed upon him. He affected
to understand that the doctor was
making the statement as to himself
taken as earnest but to be construed
as refusal to explain the mystery.
AT this moment, when Holbin was
taking up his hat and cane to depart,
the Doctors assistant within the pri-
vate room threw the door wide open,
and Holbin discovered a man propped
in an armchair with his head ban,
daged The mans back was turned
towards the departing guest, and he
saw him but one instant. DR.. BrodnaE
hurriedly closed the door.
"This, SIR" said Holbin in rage, sis
infamouss l demand the name of that
person"
ASK your mother, SIR"
81 shall have satisfaction for this.
DR.. Brodnar! l shall publish these
facts!" Brodnar looked upon him with
| inexpressibie contempt. Then a grim
smile came and dwelt upon his lips. e
"As l understand it," he said, you
| must marry to obtain fortune. If
you find satisfaction in blackening the
! name of some woman, indulge yourself
as much as you please; but II you value
| your life don't venture to handle the
| name of Frances Broolsin in public. If
l have no objection to being shot at by
mistake while discharging the duties
of family physician, l don't see why
you should be rushing around trying
to find some man who is not a family
| physician and who was shot with
malice-aforethought. Take my advice,
Mr.. Holbin," and the doctors voice lost
its playful tone; don't turn comedy
into tragedy"
Holbin left the room without word
more. The physician stood moment
in deep thought. The smile returned
to his face. poor DEVIL" he said, his
hands are tied" Notwithstanding this
decision, he Immediately sent a note to-
Frances informing her that Raymond
Holbin had discovered some of ths
facts connected with the tragedy. He
assured her that she had no reasons
for apprehension, and outlined his in.
terview with Holbin.
(To be Continued.)
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-03-07
CHAPTER vi.

In all the throng that followed to
the grave in Hollywood the remains
of the wealthy and once distinguished
family servants, but one sincere
mourner. The slender figure of his
daughter Frances, supported by the
strong arm of DIR. Brodnar, shook
with an agony of grief. She had not
looked on death since her mother
died, aud the passing of the sanity
woman had been but as sleep pro-
longed into eternity. But here was
the consciousness of great wrong;
the discovery of an error beyond rem
edy; here was the end of a tragedy
in which she had been made to act
fatal part. Her rightful protector
had been stricken from her
Courage, my child!''-she heard the
doctors voice and felt his arm press
upon her hand-'courage Save your
strength for the struggle to come. Live
now TO defeat the enemies of you. ia
ther." Her frail figure strengthened
and grew steady; she no longer leaned
|
Dust to dust, ashes to ashes" The
minister's voice rang out the sad and
solemn words; the clay dropped and
clattered solemnly upon the coffin
box.
The prayer that followed was marked
by dramatic incident. Frances knelt
by the open grave with moving lips that
uttered no sound. DR.. Brodnar alone
understood that her petition was no
prayer, but pledge that would never
be forgotten The wi W stood oppo-
site, yelled in deepest black, the apothe.
osis of grief.
1t was matter of general comment
that Raymond Holbin was not present
. at the funeral. 1t was given out that
a sudden indisposition had detained
him at home. But the indisposition OF
Raymond Holbin was fiction pure
and simple. There would have been
no more discreet and well-behaved
nourner by the grave than he; but
there was nothing to be gained in at
tending the funeral, and there was
matter of vital Importance which mus
be settled in the deserted residenc
of the deceased.
For Holbin was bewildered an
unhappy man. Not that he feared Lou
Use. The Br9okin will and the dealt
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-03-07

years ago. You knew nothing then!
You know nothing now! You took
her from Washington because she
fascinated you as she had fascinated
all those other men. You believed
in her, because she knew intimately
the great politicians. She was smart,
too smart for an honest, honorable
Virginia gentleman. Oh. my eyes
have been opened to-day; the son is
worthy of his mother. j do not know
who Louise is, but a friend has just
told me to say to you this: Ask
Raymond Holbin what he has done
with Louise; for he is the man who
betrayed her by mock marriage and
took her abroad ~
Motionless, but with straining eyes,
the old man sat gazing at his daugh-
ter.
"Who-told you-that?" he gasped.
She made no reply, sudden anxiety
for him banishing every other emo
ton. With mighty effort, and be-
fore she could prevent him, he arose
and staggered forward. The group
dissolved and hurried towards him.
Designating the physician and the
woman, he leaned forward. and
thrusting his face near to Holbin said
with frantic energy:
Sir, where is my niece? Where is
| Louise?" Holbin drew back Speak,
you coward!' Holbin did not reply,
but stood with eyes cast down, his
face as pale almost as that which
challenged him. The old man tore
at his throat and gasped in mighty
struggle for breath. My will!-my
Wilt" he cried, moving feebly towards
his wife. She retreated, keeping just
beyond his hand. "Give-me-back-
the-ah-!' A look of unutterable
horror rose to his face; he wavered,
plunged forward, and would have
/ fallen, but Brodnar took him in his
arms and laid him on the floor. For
a moment not a sound broke the
silence of the room.
'Who-will = protect my daugh
ter?" he whispered. Frances, his
hand in hers, knelt in agony by his
side.
iidNC ho ledi VI lie, my ldlHeTi
God has raised up defender!" Hear
ing this, Brodnar suddenly thrus,
back the group, leaving the girl alone
with the dying man, to whom sh,
whispered earnestly and rapidly. A.
he lay looking into her face new
light came for brief moment to hi.
and vanished. Brodnar, kneeling
placed his ear above the motionles
heart. The moments passed.
Dead" he said at length, ant
arose. Raymond Holbin had paused
at the door. He turned and ex
changed glances with his mother ant
) passed out.
Frances lay with her face upon thu
: dead mans breast.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-03-07
SYNOPSIS.

CHAPTER I-Story opens in Richmond.
Va, on day Fort Sumter surrendered.
DR.. Francis Brodnar makes remarkable
request of his friend, Dick Somers, to
which Somers finally agrees. He is to
marry. blindfolded. a woman whose
dons and finally, when she is out of
the power of certain enemies, is to grant
her an honorable divorce.
CHAPTER II-Accordng to the agree
ment, Somers is nysteriously married to
young woman. who is called Frances,
and being left with her, they fall in love
with each other. Upon her insistence he
lights match in the dark room, that
they may see each other. A pistol shot
rings out. Somers falls with a scalp
wound just as Brodnar comes to take
him away. He is conveyed to the doc
tors office.
CHAPTER III-Somers, on his recev-
cry, receives telegram to report to war
Office Immediately. He learns Frances
Richard Somers passes out of her life
to serve his country. His duty done.
please God, and she needs his arm, he
will follow her to the end OF the earth"
CHAPTER IV-Woman named Louise
Is visited by Raymond Holbin, the fa-
Their of her child. who has not kept his
promise to marry her, and who bears a
osAANAhe ASSSAhpi1AASS W A|iSh 9oAASt d
She tells of having, in her desperation.
shot man who she thought was he.
CHAPTER v-Frances' father, John
Brookin, makes his will bequeathing her
certain property upon condition that she
marry Holbin, his stepson. Just before
he dies she disillusions his mind of no
ton that she had been disloyal to him
and tells him friend has wished hel
to say to him: ASK Raymond Holbir
what he has done with Louise Cthe dy,
ing mans niece); for ne is the man who
betrayed her by mock marriage, ane
took her abroad"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-03-07
CHAPTER v.-continued.0

z
" must! She was always-heedless
-of advice-self jealous-And
then slie-disappeared leaving a
note--and disgrace! / let her go.
She is dead to mel" After pause he
continued: II have seen you drifting
away-Frances! disobedient-unlov-
ing-I would save you-if l could.
Weep no more-I have forgiven; 1
have forgiven" The girl lifted her
face quickly, indignant and agonized.
ssYou have been deceived, father; oh,
30 basely deceived. / am not way
ward-I have never yet disobeyed you.
If you had permitted should have
been with you night and day."
"If had permitted"
ayes. 1t was you, they told me-"
she brokenly said-''it was you who
sent me among strangers to school
you wished me never to come into
your room"
"Frances"
st is too late now she said in
anguish, but cannot part from you
without telling you the truth. i love
you. father. I would have been
your dear daughter if you had not
put it beyond my power"
"Child! What is it you are say
ing?"
do you not understand, father?"
she said, passionately, "do you not
know that that woman has for years
deprived you of your +independence-
of your freedom? Now she has taken
your property! Can't you see it? You
have been robbed of everything and
l.! Oh, she has proved upon your
hottest feelings; she has turned you
against your own child-the child to
whose mother you promised to guard
and guide!"
He raised himself in his chair. A
look of fright was upon his face.
'.See!" she cried, there is the WON
y an with her son dividing your prop
erty before you are dead. Oh, they
think am harmless, now; / am not to
to be feared! the die is cast, the will
is signed, and you, father, have be-
trayed your only child into the hands
Of her bitterest enemy"
He was speechless and pale. His
dull eyes were fixed on the girls.
"But no." he said family, this can
not be. it cannot be! My child, YOU
are wronging good woman-ant
Raymond--he has been very kind, 81
i, very kind!"
you are blinded, father; you ar,
unsuspecting. Tell me, have the,
a ever said that for months have beef
y l>o
You, Frances! Why, you refused
over and over" She sank her heat
upon her chair.
"And you believed that of me?
was untrue-a cruel, cruel invention.
Mother and son caught the sount
Of her agitated voice and would hay
come over from the bay window, Blu
DR.. Brodnar, drawing the sofa aroun
as though to sit with them, stoe
with his Hand resting upon it, CON
pletely blocking their way.
..To-day and tonight" he said, "h
must have absolute quiet. Continu
the powders ! have left, and see tina
he does not attempt, under any Gil
cumstances, to walk about the room.
fde continued rapidly to give diree
tions concerning the treatment of tn
!. patient, and disregarded the woman
efforts to pass him. Frances lowere
her voice and continued earnestly:
"You do not believe me, father, 20
do not realize what you have done
Nou do not know the man ito3,who1
you have consigned me, nor ljhe won
e = whom you gaFs zeaF nam
The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1901-12-03
Saved Graves Brink.

i know would long ago have
been in my grave" writes Mrs. >. II.
Newson, Of Decatur, Ala IF it had
not been for Electric Bittels. For
three years suffered untold agony
from the worst forms Of Indigestion.
Waterbrash, stomach and bowel
Dyspepsia But thi, excellent med.
icine did me world of good. Since
using it ! can eat heartily aud have
gained 30 lbs For Indigestion.
loss Of Appetite, Stomach, Liver and
Kidney troubles, Electric Bilters are
a positive, guaranteed cure. Only
soc a. the Arnoldsbmg Pharmacy,
and w. O. Umsread's, Mt. Zj.n.
The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1901-12-03
n Million Voices.

Could hardly express the thanks of
Homer Hall, OF West Paint, Ia.
Listen why: A severe cold had set
tied ON my lungs, causing most oh.
sunate cough Several physicians
SAID hc had consumption, but could
not help him. When all thought he
was doomed he began to use DIR.
Kings New Discovery for Consump.
ton and writes, cit completely cured
me aud saved my life. | now weigh
277 lbs" It's positively guaranteed
for Coughs, Colds and Lung trou5.
les. Price SOC and 81 90. Trial
bottles free at the AruoIdsburg Phar.
macy and w Q. Umstead, Mt Zion.
The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1901-12-03

Hereafter, all naval vessels must
keep an accurate record of all signals
receiver or transmitted by them,
whether 10y flags, lights, wigwags,
megAphone or word of mouth. If
this had been the rule during the
Spanish war, the Schiey case wpuld
have been greatly sinplifed.
The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1901-12-03

President Roosevelt has come to
the conclusion that ability to run a
party machine that is annually de-
teated at the polls. does not necces
sarily qualify a southern politician
to hold an important government of.
fce-and the politicians are all am
azed at his per>picacity.
The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1901-12-03

The South African war has been
costing Great Britain dearly, just a.
cur civil war cost %, dearly, but, so
far, the financial strain mas not seri.
ously troubled rhs government. On
the contrary, her trade is constantly
increasing and work is plentiful for
all.
The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1901-12-03

No ore would suspect Ohio boys or
men Of being Shy, hut nevertheless, a
country editor in that state has found
IT advisable to announce that he
knows several Young ladies who are
looking for husbands and that he will
arrange matters for bashful swaius
for small fee.
The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1901-12-03

Were 1t not for tools in the world
the wise guys would have to turn
to honest labor.
The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1901-12-03

Courlship is merely the prelimina
~ skirmish before the regular battle
begins.
The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1901-12-03

The Republican gain in Mel raska
this year was about 5000. Now,
The Newspapers ont there are dis
putting as to whether this shows that
he Cammoner ho, 81 very large or a
very small circulation in the state.
The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1901-12-03
Editorial Chat.
Abdul Hamid seems To- have lost
all his pull except Cous'antlnople.

Abdul Hamid seems Ia have lost
ali his pull except Cons'antiuople.
Possibly Gen Urlhe Tribe may de
eide to reverse his name as la Seton
Thompson.
Strange = SAY. Turkey seems to
object to being stuffed with French
chestnuIs
Mr. Carnegie seems To- have deter.
mined that his libraries shall have
cause Tor Thanksgiving
Probably Alabama really voted in
favor OF her new CONSTITUTIONS any.
how, it has been adopted
Henry Watterson should rke i'm.
mediate steps to have his rresideu.
tiaIy boom dramatiled The "Stai
Eyed Goddess would make a great
hit on the Stage
The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1901-12-03

I've invented temptation, but men
have monnpoli1ed it ever since.
The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1901-12-03

1t ism! Bankrupt Mortgaged Kan
sas' any more. The people of that
state have I early ninety millions on
deposit in the saving banks.
The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1901-12-03

Woman is less suspicious of hattery
than any other animal.
The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1901-12-03

After the Prince of Wales has got.
ten his new titles to fit, he may de.
eide to emulate his father and sci the
fashion i'm clothes.
The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1901-12-03

As in good many other conven.
tions, the Delegate $ to the Pan Amer.
lean Congress started out to get the
best of the situation After awhile,
they will resign themselves to a des-
porate effort to avoid getting the
worst of il.
The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1901-12-03

WANTED - case ~ bad health chat RIP. A,g.e mi,
s2 g'nent Beg banith pain sHd proonF Hs One vys.
..,l Nole ihe VOID lPA'h s on the packsre and
,. re- n snj drug stove Ten samples and ono thousand
1um9niaia wi b mailed io any address f1r az. r-,t.
forwarded 20 fhe Ripana Chemical co. No ~ p,l
Sweet New York 'F'-e
The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1901-12-03

According to Muk Hlnuah, the
country will make monumental"
mistake itit tries to erect two
memorials to President Mckinley.
The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1901-12-03

No, Anxious Reader Mr. Croker
Is not going 20 Bulgaria. While he
probably realizes that there are open.
ings there for young, earnest aud en-
ergetic brigand~, he thinks that he is
too old to begin work in Il new couu.
try.
The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1901-07-18
LOCAL NEWS.

Miss Dora Korup visited friends
IN Payette last week
Alex Houlahan came down from
Heath yesterday.
Moses Hopper was down from
Cambridge this week.
Peaches-the genuine local pro-
duct-sell at &c per pound
Miss Bess Venable, of Payette,
visited the Misses Taylor last week.
Idaho cherries are the finest that
have been received at the Buffalo
exposition.
Miss Linnie Lockwood is in Canyon
City at the home of her mother leav-
ing here Sunday
Those who haul icordwood into this
place find ready market at from
S. to Sc per cord.
Miss May McGlinchy visited with
the Misses HAWTHORN Saturday and
Sunday of last week.
The county commissioners have
asked for bids for building bridge
across the Weiser river
The subject for the Sunday even
inc discourse at the Baptist church
will be 1.-The Fall of Man.
The youngest daughter of Mr..
Hitler has been very sick with
spotted fever for the past month.
E. A. VauSicklin, who purchased
the handsome Kurtz residence, has
had 1t fenced and a sidewalk laid
around it.
+. D. Ford has been employing
men to 60 the Seven Devils to shove
snow out of the road leading to mines
of his company.
Our glove dealers should get d,
corner on some of those undresset
kids that are so numerous along thu
river bank these days.
w. S. Evans has disposed of hi
poultry on the LOCKWOOD ranch ant
will hereafter make his home witt
Mr.. Lockwood in town
AS is the custom here, all VIII
can get away from work or bushes
are spending as much time as posi-
BILE in cool mountain retreats.
The city council is going to com
pei delinquent property owners
build sidewalks at once, and th
city clerk is instructed to give thel
fair warning.
R r. Lockwood has been in til
Salmon River country this week, whel
the commissioners of the state WACO
road will meet to let the contra'
for the completion of the road.
James Shaw and family are con
bining business with pleasure tn
summer. They are camping out c
upper Monroe creek, where they a
making butter and at the same tin
enjoying life in the mountains. The
milk twenty COWS.