davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-10-20

Our aunt, Miss Ellen Weathersby
lived and died in & Weathersby
homestead in StrangetoSn, wsich is
about so miles from the city where we
then lived.
At the time Of her death Aunt Ellen
was old, wealthy and eccentric; how
eccentric we did not fully realize until
we had learned, through her will, OF
the strange conditions which prevent
ed us from at once entering upon our
inheritance.
AS mother had been quite i'll at the
time Aunt Ellen died, none of us had
attended the funeral. But week Ia
ter. when the package arrived contain
ing copy of the will and Aunt Ell
lens letter, mother was well enough
to appear at the breakfast table.
OF course, the will received our first
attention, Caroline reading it aloud.
Like all documents of the kind it was
written in legal form and was prop
erly signed, witnessed and attested.
The paragraphs which especially in
terested us were as follows:
81, Ellen Weathersby, being of
sound mind and memory, do will and
pequeath my entire estate to that one
of my three nieces. named, respective
", Caroline Weathersby, Ellen Ann
Weathersby and Mary Weathersby.
daughters of my brother the late Will
liam Weathersby, who shall find the
proofs of said estate during the year
following the date of my death. Said
proofs are in a small iron box, and
consist of deeds to my real estate,
bonds, mortgages, certificates Of stock
in various mining and manufacturing
concerns, the family jewels and sum
of gold.
Furthermore. I will and decree that
said nieees with their mother, Mary Ann
Weathersby, shall reside, rent free, in
my furnished house in Strangetown for
one year. beginning with the date Of
my Qeatn, IN ordeF NAT my nleCeS Shall
have abundant opportunity to search for
said proofs in said box. If, at the end
of said year, no one of my nieces shall
have found such proofs, then Caroline,
ELLEN Ann and Mary Weathersby and
their mother, Mary Ann Weathersby,
shall move out of my house and relin-
oil l.i, IN NV aetofo
In such case a second will made by
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-10-20
Ann, or even talk nonsense with me.

Ann, or even talk nonsense with me.
In this pleasant way winter slipped
into spring, and the hiding place 1f
the iron box still remained a mystery.
One morning, Ellen Ann appeared be-
! fore US, her clothing covered with
dust, and zigzag line Of SCOT run
ming from chin to eyebrow.
"The sign Is in the cellar; hurry up"
she exclaimed.
We hurried up-and down. There in
plain sight laid on end in the hard
cement floor, were two circles Of bricks,
and within the other. We looked and
looked and looked again. To be sure;
, how blind we had been.
Then three young women who had
once refused, respectively, to milk a
cow, to piece quilt, and to cut grass
with shears, now took hammer, chisei,
crowbar and spade, and pried up those
bricks and dug tine earth out from I'M
der them. After two days of this, we
collapsed and took to our beds.
Before that mother had maintained
position of strict neutrality; she now
asserted her authority and said such
foolishness must stop. We must use
reaon or give up the search alto
gether.
"Mr. Otis called this evening" she
added, "and l was forced to invent ex-
cuses for you. was ashamed to give
the true reason why none of you could
receive him.
Our answer to that was one dismal,
triple groan.
However, we received motner's adj
monitions with becoming meekness
and refrained from further research
for time. Meanwhile judicious use
of liniment restored our muscles to
their normal condition.
AS spring advanced the crocuses came
up in rings of two; the tulips and daft
fodils followed suit; and circles of IL
les of the valley peeped forth from
wreaths of fern. In truth, the whole
place presented tantalizing arrange
ment of circles within circles.
A mania for transplanting seized
upon us. More horticultural atroci-
ties" were perpetrated that summer
than were ever dreamed of in Aunt FL
lens philosophy. Old ladies calling on
mother remarked that her daughters
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-10-20

With that | looked into his face, our
eyes met, and-I really cannot write it.
But we came 10 perfect understand
ing; those strange forebodings and
that vague unrest left me, and be-
came singularly calm. knew now
that life was worth living, box or no
box.
II seems that Oliver had loved me
from the very first. though he had not
INTENDED to tell me so until after the
search had ended. For ne did not be-
lieve we would find the box, and he
did not want my family to think he
was a fortune hunter. tThe very idea.)
But finding me alone that evening and
the time so nearly up, he threw caution
to the Withstand there we were.
Gratitude welled within me that
had been spared the discovery OF the
box. Then the startling thought came
suppose l had found it! What then?
/ solemnly propounded this question
10 Oliver. But before he could reply
my sisters came in, and to this day
40 not know what his answer would
have been.
The next morning mother was stiii
quite misera0ie and sent word that she
did not wish to be disturbed. The girls
came to breakfast with red eyes and
an aversion to cheerful subjects OF
conversation. They realized, poor
things, that this was to be the last day
in the dear old house. i tried my best
to be solemn, too, but the joy within
me would bubble up.
An hour after breakfast / slipped
out to take a walk toward the busl-
ness part of the town. / said that /
wanted to buy some thread, then tried
to feel sorry as | thought of the time
coming when even thread would be
considered luxury by my family.
To buy the thread I was Obliged to
pass a certain Office; of course | did
not dream of seeing Oliver, and to pre-
clude such a possibility | kept on the
opposite side of the street. But when
| got just opposite the office / timidly
raised my eyes to see the place where
my beloved passed so many hours each
day.
There I saw some thing which first
turned me to stone, and then sent the
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-10-20

| shall not record. For even I did not
recognize the malady which had s2id
me low.
Mr.. Otis, too, seemed changed in
some unaeeountable way. He no long,
er chalted with me, but eyineed a fe-
yerish desire to sing duets with Caro-
line, or to discuss physiology with Ell
len Ann. Yet often when he was in
the midst of song or discussion
would find his melancholy eyes flxed
upon me with so inscrutable an eX-
preston as to send my pulse duttering
high into the nineties. More curious,
still, he who had hitherto been, appar-
entity, so Indifferent to the hiding
place of the iron box now became pam
fully anxious as TO its whereabouts.
Not a day passed but he asked each OF
us in turn If we were any nearer the
solution of the mystery. The sicken-
ing thought came to me that perhaps
he wanted to marry one of my sisters
but waited to see which one should win
the prize. Then | cast the thought
from me. | would not believe that he
was SO mercenary.
One year of probation was almost
over; only two more days remained.
We held family conelaye that morn
ing, and agreed that we might as well
abandon the search. That we might
break the will did not occur to us; be-
sides, we recognized Aunt Ellen's right
to do as she pleased with her own.
That evening Ellen Ann attended a
meeting of the Shakespeare club and
Caroline went to chair rehearsal.
Mother kept her room with nervous
headache. CIeartless as it sounds, |
shall never cease to be thankful that
the poor dear was Sc ill that night.)
/ was idly drumming on the piano
when who should come but Mr.. Otis.
I was intensely surprised to see him,
but, of course, tried to be polite. | Of
fered him a chair; then we said moth
ing for several minutes. When at last
| looked up, there were those eyes gaz-
ing at me with that melancholy ex-
preston which | knew SO we'll, and
which seemed to read my very soul.
you have not found the box yet,
suppose?" he asked.
That box again. Like the sting of
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-10-20

me and left with Cyrus Clifford, presi-
dent of the First National Bank of
Strangetown, shall be opened, and my
estate settled according to its provis-
ions.
Furthermore, decree that the con-
tents of this will shall be known only
to my three nieces their mother, the
two witnesses and the executor herein
named, until after the expiration OF one
year from the date OF my death. Other
wise this VIII shall become null and
void, the second will becoming the true
will
81 hereby appoint Cyrus Clifford ex-
ecutor under both wills, he to furnish
customary bond"
The explanatory letter. which was ad-
dressed to mother, ana which accom-
panied this unique document, was char
scteristic of Aunt Ellen, showing, as it
did, her hatred and distrust of men, her
petty economies, and her firm belief
that her way was the only way.
Caroline read:
Dear Sister-in-Law:-T time has
come when / cannot reasonably expect
to live much lopxer, therefore l have
made such disposal of my estate as will
enable me to die with clear conscience
and peaceful heart.
have made two wills, both OF which
are held in trust by Cyrus Clifford
whom I selected as executor bscalse I
am convinced that he is toe cowardly
to be otherwise than upright, he being
a prominent Methodist, and afraid to
follow those impulses natural to all
men.
! have thought of leaving my worldly
goods to some noble charity; but after
all. blood is thicker than water" and
as near the end my heart turns 10 my
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-10-20

ing done to us; for then he was bou,
by the conditions of the viii, and W
Obliged to let events shape our futur,
Which they did to my entire sat
faction.
The second will? Everything "
to go toward founding an institute
for the Discipline of Refractory Oh
dren. The document was even mo
awe inspiring than the first one, wi
whereases ana wherefores to throw
the birds; a sad waste Of red tape,
my opinion.
Yes, Caroline is going abroad wi
mother, Ellen Ann is going to cole
and am going to be married.
And we all hope to live long a
happily.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-10-20
Novel Conception of Death.

Some curious doctrines in regard
life and death have ong been popul
among the natives of Madagascar.
"They believe" says Remisiafy, o.
OF their learned men, chat the box
contains a soul, but that DIT is not ind
spensable, and that a person can Il
for some time without it. The soul TOD
can live without the body, at least d
certain time and in hazardous mai
ner. In order to continue in life u
body must sustain itself with food, AMI
in like fashion the soul, in order to war
off death, must sustain itself with III
soul OF that food. The most populd|
doctrine is that the soul separates itsel
from the body of a man a short tint
before his life ends-11 months sal
some, 10 months say others. The soul
however, does not go forth Of its owl
accord, and sickness is ascribed to th|
malice of some magician.
at becomes necessary therefore 1
nullify the magician's evil work, AM
for this purpose the aid of soothsaya
is sought The latter utters incanta
tions in order to discover some trac
of the fugitive soul, and soon he an
nounces that he has tracked 1T to som
valley or to some mountain, and ina
it must be pursued at once. Everyon
then goes on the hunt, and a baske
with cover lis taken along, so that tn
soul when captured may be imprlsone'
in it and brought home.
when the spot is reached a dillgeh
search begins. and meanwhile the soo'a
sayer takes great care of the sick man
freely supplying him with chicken, SOU
and other dainties. If the sick man IN
proves the cunning soothsayer in au
time announces that he has discovers
the place where the soul is hidden al
that it will surely be captured.
with this object he lays some honey
comb on a large leaf anr close beside
he places the basket, the cover OF whl''
is raised. Then he shouts the most te'
rible words, with the intent to orln'
confusion on the evil spirits when az
impeding the souls return home SUI
denly he becomes silent, his eyes d..
fixed on the honeycomb, his mouth
open, his arms are extended. the SOU
which IS only visible to him, comes iO'
ward, shifts at the honey and tastes
The sweet morsel intoxicates 1t SO '"'
it sees not the soothsayer, VINO IL
twinkling places it IN the basket 'D'
there imprisons it. ,
"At this good news the relatives y
the sick man hasten hOmeward IN oiu.
to prepare a joyous reception lot w.. 49,
Behind them come the sick man. ~
soothsayer and the soul, and oy -
time they reach the house all the p'Nf
arations for bounteous meal have O''.
made. They enter, and in the pres'A =,
of a great crowd the soothsayer Up :,
the basket. The soul, however u -.
longer there, and the soothsayet -
plains that during the journey :. =,
escaped and returned to its own Nv ss.
in the body Of the sick man. Al "
news there is great rejoicing anr 1,.
splendid feast follows, at the e0'1 -.
ion OF which handsome slfts aio
sented to the all-powerful sootnSS'
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-10-20

blood racing through my Veins like
mad. This is what I saw painted in
gold above the Office door:
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-10-20
Uncle Eph'm.

Some men," said Uncle Epi, ~. In ontel
fish. Dey don never come 10 oe
dey die. '-Chicago Tribune.
The age-herald., 1901-01-20
QUEEN VICTORIA LIES AT DEATHS DOOR
 WHILE GREAT BRITAIN AND THE WORLD
 AWAITS NEWS WHICH SOON MUST COME

London, January 20.-4 a. m.)-The of- fieial bulletins regarding the Queen posted at the Mansion House and Marlborough House, Saturday were read with evident anxiety and eagerly discussed by the large crowds constantly surrounding them until a late hour of the night. At the clubs the last bulletin saying there was slight im- provement' was received with some incred- ulity as more than one private telegram was shown expressing the most unfavora- ble view of the progress of Her Majesty's s illness.
 Among the ominous of news of the even ing was the statement that the Rt. Rev. Randall Thomas Davidson, D. D., bishop of Winchester, had been summoned and had reached Osborne late last night.
 Some of the newspaper issued editions as late as Il o'clock and these were eagerly bought They contained, however, nothing to satisfy the pained interest with which they were perused. The Duke of York was at York House late in the evening, when 1t was announced that he was not going to Osborne until today. Besides giving col umns filled with the latest scraps of in- formation concerning Her Majestys condi- tion, the movements of members of the royal family and persons connected with | - ~
The age-herald., 1901-01-20
THE NEELY CASE.
Order of Arrest in Civil Suit Vacated
 By the Judge.

New York; January 19.-Judge Lacombe in the United States Circuit Court today signed an order vacating the order of arrest in the civil suit against c. w. Nicely under which he was held in $50, 900 bail. The motion was made by John D. Lindsay, counsel for Nicely and United States District Attorney Burnett Later they appeared before United States Commissioner Shields and moved for dis misal of the case before him in which Nicely was originally arraigned on charge or larceny in stealing postoffice funds at Ha- vana. He was arrested in Rochester on this charge in May last. Nicely deposited s2O.OO0 cash bail with the clerk of the court and was released. That money is still held by the clerk, but it has been attached on behalf of the government. Commissioner Shields granted the motion. Nicely Is now in Ludlow Street Jail on an order Of arrest issue. under the special extradition act passed on June last. Judge Lacombe or dered that he be sent back to Cuba for trial. An appeal was taken to the United States Supreme Court which recently confirmed the decision of the lower court. Nicely will remain in the custody of United States Mar shal Henkel until formal order is received from the state department at Washington directing his return to Cuba.
The age-herald., 1901-01-20

about o'clock this afternoon accompanied by home Secretary Ritche, and the arrival of the Princess of Wales at 10 o'clock to- night occasibrled no scenes of any Kind. They embarked upon the Royal yacht Al berta and went up the little river separating Cowes from Osborne.
 Entering royal carriages they were driven through the half gale which prevailed straight to the royal residence.
 Fearful sorrow unmixed with expectation is written broadly upon every face That official secrecy which stops all callers at the lodge gates does not serve to mitigate the general dread that pervades the islands. Located almost as Key West is to the Uni ted States they hold on their bosom the most precious and revered personality that a nation eyer worshipped and it is the gen. eral impression that forty-eight hours will bring the crisis of that feeble life upon which so many international threads hang. The country women paused in their Satur- day night shopping tours to pray that the hand of death might be stayed from falling on the big house over the Medina river, but their prayers find little echo in hope, for those who have seen the Queen down there say she was only shadow of death. Yet the policemen on duty at the gates re- spectfully refers all callers to the last bulle- tin and says mechanically:
 Slight Improvement
The age-herald., 1901-01-20

loss of her faculties appear to be the chief causes for anxiety. Stimulants are being freely administered. In the opinion of those best qualified to judge, the Queens present serious condition was precipitated by intense worry over the losses and hard ships suffered by the Britih troops in South Africa. Frequently she has re- marked to the court attaches that another war would kill her.
 In this connection Reuters Telegraph Company learns that she was seriously i'll while last at Balmoral in the autumn. No word of this became public, but it appears that she was then almost dying though that rigorous etiquette which she imposed alike upon her family and attendants pre- vented her condition from being even spoken of as dangerous. The present stroke is a sequel to that which occurred at Balmoral
 If she survives it she will not only be the longest lived monarch in England s history, but also the posse ssor of the most marvellous constitution with which a wo- man was ever endowed. Locally it is taken to be sad coincidence that Sunday is the anniversary of the death of Prince Henry of Battenberg, for whom special memorial services are always held.
 Prince of Wales Arrival.
 The arrival of the Prince of Wales at
The age-herald., 1901-01-20
TWO REPORTS.
The Committee Will Not Be Unit in
 the Bailey Case.

Austin, Tex, January 19.-The Bailey in- yestigation committee is not unit in the matter of the report they are to submit to the Legislature They all agree as to the complete vindication of Bailey and the oth- CT State officials in the matter of having perpetrated no fraud in assisting in secur- ing a. permit for the Waters-Pierce oil Company, but Representative Decker of the committee, objects to paragraph in the majority report censuring all those who have criticised the defendants prior to and during the investigation. MT. Decker says he considers it the privilege of any one to criticise a public official and his contention will result in two reports being submitted to the House on Monday.
The age-herald., 1901-01-20
WE sE1- TOR CASH oe EASY

her way to Guano~>-. nezueia, the nears est port to the scene of the trouble between the rival asphalt companies. She recently left Laguayra, the port of Caracas, and brings the latest news of the Venezuelan troubles. The situation is described as be- ing serious. It is said that the emphatic protests of the government at Washington have been defied and bloodshed at the lake of the Bermuda Asphalt Company was feared The most hot headed foreigners in Venezuela go so far as to say that if the Washington authorities do not take steps to protect American citizens now all for- eigners may as well leave the country.
 The officers of the Scorpion are quoted as saying that the diplomatic corps at Caracas is unanimous on this point as are all the foreigners. They admit, however, that the United States minister at Caracas, MT. Francis B. Loomis, is working vigorously in the effort to arrange matters.
 The more recent developments in the trouble in Venezuela were the seizure by tn authoritis at Ciudad, Bolivar, an im- portant commercial town of Venezuela and capital of the State of Bolivar, situated on the right bank of the Orinico, thirty seven miles by water from the sea, of two steamers belonging to the Orinoco Com pany. This concern is an English corpo- ration, but 90 per cent. of the capital is American. The manager of the company is MT. Morgan of New York. The Orinoco Company has large fleet of steamers used for navigating the Orinoco River. Two of these steamers were seized by the Venezuelan authorities during the last rev- olution and it is said they were ruined. was recently annulled on the ground that it was illegal and the opinion prevails that it will be driven from business and all the money invested by the shareholders lost ments intervene. MT. Loomis is using his good offices to save the two steamers re- gently seized. The United States legation at Caracas. however is overwhelmed with 
 stopped. It is asserted that the company has unpaid claims against the government for s5o0, ,OOO.
 It is further asserted that hundreds of legitimately conducted foreign enterprises have been ruined in Latin America during the last thirty years by footing officials and revolutions and it is alleged that an amendment is now being made to 'soueezep the Bermudeez Asphalt Company for about s5Oo,O0 and according to the ships which reached here today. if the company dees not pay this amount to the Venezuelan of4 fcials its property, said to be worth severv al million dollars, will be taken, unless thh United States government intsrvenes fl the most recent Venezuelan reports are ts be believed. the anu-gQvernmspt dt1 tarbances there are confined to small fsvs olutionary movements in the eastern part of Venezuela
The age-herald., 1901-01-20
kapna Alpha convention.

Richmond Va, January 19.-The nation al convention of the Kappa Alpha Frater- nity in June will probably be held in this city.
 The most interesting feature will be the presentation to Lieut.. Richmond P. Hob son of a handsome uamond fraternal pin.
The age-herald., 1901-01-20

 dwell at length upon the love and reverence which the people cherish for the sovereign who so long has guided the ship Of state.
 Thrill of Anxiety.
 The Sunday Times says:
 ''The news from Osborne house in the last few hours has sent a thrill of anxiety not only throughout those realms, but wherever the electric wire has flashed the intelligence There will be keen suspens and anxiety among her subjects until it Is known that she is out of danger. Queen Victoria is not only reverenced by her own people, but without exception, is the most universally beloved living monarch. Even the coun- try's present enemy Kruger the conse- auences of whose fatal ultimatum caused no small part of Her Majestys sufferings, has frequently spoken admiringly of her. What ever may be thought on the continent about our countrymen, the Queen is an object or veneration and respect, and it would excite universal sorrow were Her Majesty now to pass away.
The age-herald., 1901-01-20
Not Authorized in Washington.


 Washington, January 19.-It was said to- night that this government has not au- thorized Minister Looms to present a formal note to the Venezuelan government and it is certain there is nothing in the form of an ultimatum. The secretary of state said that Minister Loomis instruc- tions so far have been telegraphic and have directed him to protest to the Venezuelan authorities against any despoilation of American rights or property. Further than this, the state department has not sent any definite instructions as to the next step to be taken in the-event that the ministers representations do not obtain satisfactory cognizance and compliance.