davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-17

liava our mounts. Unmatched would better
describe them. Meisner's horse might nave
run with the captains, until crlppieo ~, Dy .,ie
bullets of the Sioux, but Bents and Fianni-
gan's were heavy and slow. and so IT re-
suited that the pursuit, though determined,
was not so dangerous to the enemy put that
they were able to keenly ENJOY IT, unll tne
swift coming of Kennedy and his captive
comrade turned the odds against them. FOR
then two of Blake's horses had given out
through wounds and weakness, and they
had the pursuers indeed in hole.
That relief came none too soon. Blake and
his fellows had been brought to stand;
but now the Sioux sped away out of range;
the crippled party limped slowly back to
the shelter Of Frayne. reaching the post
Icing hours after their spirited start only TO
find the women and children, at least. In
an agony of dread and excitement, and even
Dade and his devoted men looking grave
and disturbed. Unless all indications failed,
Ray and his people must have been having
the fight of their lives. Two cour1ers had
galloped back from Moccasin Ridge to say
that Major Webb's scouts could family hear
the sound of rapid firing far ahead, and that
through the glass at least dozen dead
horses or ponies could be seen scattered
over the long slope to the Elk Tooth range,
miles further on Webb had pushed for
ward to Rays support, and Blake, calling
for fresh horses for himself and two of his
men, bade the latter get food and field kits
and be ready to follow him. Then he hasten
en- to join his devoted young wife. waiting
with Mrs. Ray upon the piazza Dade, who
had met him at the ford. had still much to
tell and even more to hear; but at sight of
those two pale, anxious faces, lifted his cap
and called cut chserly, Il hand him over to
you, Mrs. Blake, and Will see him later,
then turned and went to his own doorway,
and took Esther's slender form In his
strong arms and kissed the white brow and
strove to think Of something reassuring to
say. and never thought to ask Blake what
he had in that fine Indian tobacco pouch
swinging there at his belt, for which neglect
the tall captain was more than grateful.
It was, woman's letter, as we know. and
that, he argued, should be dealt with only
in a woman's way.
discovery, he had been able on the long
homeward march-walking until in sight Of
Frayne and safety then galloping ahead on
the cerporaps horse-to think It out, az he
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-17
MR.. WHITES OPPORTUNITY.
Acting for This Country in Ambassa-
dor Choate's Absence.

President Roosevelt may be enabled to
execute sooner than he anticipated his
wish to elevate Mr.. Henry White, secre-
tary OF embassy at London, to the rank of
minister. 1t so happens that Ambassador
Choate left England some weeks ago for an
extended absence. Mr.. White is, therefore
charge d'affaires. and it is understood
that the State Department is availing itself
of Mr.. Whites services in the Venezuelan
trouble, having made representations to
Great Britain through the London en-
bassy, instead of through the British en-
bassy here.
Friends of Mr.. White are inclined to think
that Ambassador Croate, who is said to en-
terrain high regard for his secretary
made it convenient to leave London at this
time in order to give Mr.. White the op-
portunity Of evidencing the diplomatic abil-
ity which he is said to possess.
President Roosevelt has desired for some
time to appoint Mr.. White to ministership
but whenever the subject has been preached
rumors of opposition have been heard in
this country by certain elements who fear
Mr.. White is an Anglo-American rather
than an American.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-17
By GEN CHARLES KING !.

about. cut him Off. and, three on one. finish
him then and there; then speed away in
frenzied delight, possessors of a long-cov-
eted scalp.
They well knew Blake-almost as well as
they did Ray. Many year he had fought
them through the simmer and fed them
through the winter. They. their squaws
and pappooses. had fattened on his bounty
when the SHOWS were deep and deer were
gone, and their abundant rations had been
Toasted or gambled away. Many OF their
number liked him well. but now they were
at the war game again, and business is
business with the aborigines. Blake was a
big chief" and he who could wear at his
belt the scalp Of SO prominent a pale face
leader would be envied among his people
Long Legs" as they called him, however
was no fool. Brave and eealous as he was
Blake was not rash. He well knew that
unless he and his few men kept together
they would simply play, into the hands Of
the Indians. 1t would have been easy for
him, with his big racer. to outstrip his little
party and close with the Sioux. Only one
Of the troopers had a horse that could keep
pace with Pyrsnnus, but nothing he could
gain by such q proceeding would warrant
the desperate risk. AfAtchless as we have
reason TO believe our men, We cannot 30 be,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-17
Falls Church News.

Special Correspondence of The Evening Star
FALLS CHURCH, Va, December II, 1902.
Falls Church Lodge, No. II, L o. O. F.,
at the meeting on Thursday night elected
the following officers for the term commenc-
ing January 1, 1903: DIR. George B. Fadely
past grand; Walter Marcy, noble grand !:
H. A. Hunley vice grand; Rev. H. A.
Beach, secretary; J. Howard Drummer
financial secretary; c. E. Mankin, treas
urer; Rev. w. H. Wolf, chaplain; E. l.
Crump, organist: George A. Drummer, cap
tain of degree team. These officers will
be installed at the first meeting Of the lodge
In January by Mr.. ]. H. Drummer, district
deputy
A meeting of the board of control of the
public library association was held Satur-
day night a the residence of Mr.. George
w. Hawxhurst, with the president, Mr.
Pickering Dodge, presiding and the follow
ing members of the board present: DR.. c.
B. Fadely, George T. Mankin Prof. w. w.
Kinsiey, George w. Hawxhurst, Mrs. G. A
L. Merrifield and Miss B. c. Merriield The
provement Society was acknowledged, and
the purchasing committee instructed to in
vest the same in new books. The librarians
report showed total of 621 books In the
library The treasurer reported a balance
of 500 on hand.
Messrs George T. Mankin, DR.. T. c.
Quick and Prof. E. C. Sine of Kemper
Lodge of Masons attended the reception
and banquet given by Mount Vernon Royal
Arch Chapter, No. IA, of Alexandria, on
Friday night.
Master Guy Church, son Of Mr.. NJ E
Church, was quite seriously injured Mon
day by falling down the steps at the school
building.
The country store" at the residence of
Miss B. C. Merrif1eld Monday night for the
benefit Of the public library, was well at
tended, and success financially. Mrs. ].
W. Garner impersonated "Jerusha Ann"
and was an attractive feature of the even
ing's entertainment.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-17
Mouth Disease in Washington.

Secretary Wilson Ia personally, If not
officially, impressed with the fact that there
Is an epidemic Of mouth disease in Wash
ington at this time, but he is taking no
measures for relief and is not asking an
appropriation from Congress, where 1t Is
alleged to have started, to stamp 1t out.
On his way to the cabinet meeting yesterday
Secretary Wilson was asked in a jocular
way If the weather now prevailing was not
bad for the foot and mouth disease. On
answering that 1t was his questioner said:
II understand that the foot and mouth dis
ease has broken out in Washington" to
which the good-natured and witty Secre-
tary of the Department of Agriculture
quickly answered: II don't know so much
about the foot disease in this city, but /
am confident that the mouth disease has
attained such Roadway that it will be i'm
possible to stamp 1t out"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-17

black eyes staring straight into the imper-
turbable face of the old soldier. No one
had ever accused Dade Of cruelty or unkind-
ness to man or woman, especially to wo-
man, yet here he stood before this suffer-
ing girl and. with obvious intent, pictured
to her minds eye a warrior stricken and
left unburied or uncared for on the field.
Whatever his reasons, he stabbed and
meant to stab. and for just one moment she
then, with splendid rally, Strengthened up
again. her eyes flashing. her lip curling In
scorn, and with one brief. emphatic phrase
ended the interview, and -whirling Harvey
about, smote him sharply with her whip
and darted away.
'True!'' said she. Civilized warfare.'
IF that girl isn't more than half savage"
said Dade to himself, as Harvey tore away
out of the garrison on the road to the ford.
Il am more than half Sioux. Oh, for news
of Ray!'
Ray, indeed! II was now nearly o'clock.
kilograms had been coming and going over
the Laramie wire. 1.-The chief" as they
called their general, with only one of his
staff in attendance. had reached Cheyenne
on time. and, quitting the train, declining
dinner at the hotel. and having but word
or two with the Platform Club"-the little
bevy of officers from Fort Russell, whose
custom 1t was to see the west-bound train
through almost every day-had started
straightway for Laramie behind the swift
est team owned by the quartermaster.s de-
partment. while another, in relay, awaited
him at the Chugwater, nearly fifty miles
out. Driving stsadily through the starlit
night. he should reach the old frontier
fort by dawn at the latest, and what news
would Dade have, to send him there? Not
a word had he uttered to either the officers
who respectfully greeted, or reporters who
eagerly importuned him as to the situation
at Frayne; but men who had served with
him in Arizona and on the Yellowstone
many a year before knew well that grave
tidings had rea ehed him. Dade had, in fact.
supplemented Webb's parting dispatch with
another saying that Blake's little party.
returning. had just been sighted through
the telescope. nine miles out. with two men
afoot. But not until the general reached
him, saying that Webb's advance guard
could hear the distant attack on Ray. Not
until he reached the Chugwater in the
early night could he hopesto hear the re-
suit. ~
Il Nes nfehtfall when tie aMspl suspense
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-17

OF the garrison at Frayne was even meas
urably lifted. Blake. with three troopers at
his back, had then been gone an hour. and
was lost in the cleaning before DR.. Tracy's
orderly, with face that plainly told the
nervous tension Of his two hours ride, left
his reeking, heaving horse at the stables
and climbed the steep path to the Flagstaff,
the shortest way to the quarters of the
commanding officer. Despite the gathering
darkness, he had been seen by a dozen
eager watchers and was deluged with ques-
tions by trembling, fearful women and by
grave, anxious men.
There's been fight: that's all know"
he said. II was with the pack mules ard
the ambulances and didn't get to see It. All
l saw was dead ponies way out beyond
Ten Mile Ridge. Where's the major?-I
mean the captain?' No, the orderly didn't
know who was killed or wounded or that
anybody was killed and wounded All he
knew was that DR.. Tracy came galloping
back and ordered the ambulances to scoet
for the front and him to spur every bit Of
the way back to Frayne with the note for
Captain Dade.
All this was tod as he eagerly pushed his
way along the broad walk: soldiers wives
hanging on his words and almost on him;
officers wives and daughters calling from
the galleries or running to the gates. and
Dade heard the hubbub almost as quickly
as did Esther. who hurried to the door. By
the light of the hall lamp the commander
read the penci,ed superscription of the
gummed envelope and the word "Immedi-
ate at the corner. The same light fell on
a dozen anxious, pleauiuB laceS DeyOnQ the
steps. His hand shook in spite of himself,
and he knew he could not open end read it
in their presence. sOne moment, he said.
his heart going out to them in sympathy As
we'll as dread. "You shall hear In one mo-
ment,'' and turned aside into the little army
parlor.
But he could not turn from his wife and
child They followed and stood studying
his pale face as he read the fateful words
that told so little. yet so much
Reached Ray just In time. Sharp affair.
Dr. Waller will have to come at once. as
Tracy goes on with US to rescue stage peo-
pie at Dry Fork. Better send infantry es-
cort and all hospital attendants that can be
possibly spared: also chaplain. Sergeants
Burroughs and Wing. Corporal Foot and
Troopers Denny, Flood Kerrigan and
Preusser killed. Many wounded-Lieuten-,
ant Field seriously WEBB.
(Continued, tomorrow.)
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-17
WATER IN THE COAL MINES.
Recent Rains Interfere With Output
Baer on Coal Prices.

Baer on Coal Prices.
A dispatch from Shamokin, Pa, last night
says:
A rain storm which set in last night con-
tinued all of today. and there is no cessa-
ton tonight. Rain fell almost incessantly,
and the melting snow contributed to the &C
emulation of water. Upper levels of a
number of colieries are covered with water.
and if It rains extensively throughout the
night the mules at several of the Philadel-
phia and Reading Coal and Iron Company's
mines will be hoisted to the surface.
A dispatch from Tamaqua, Pa, December
10 says:
Nearly all the mines in this section are
flooded as the result of the heavy rain storm
which has prevailed in this section since
last night AS result it is expected that
the shipments TO the market from this sec
ton between now and the first OF the new
year will be small.
President Baer of the Reading railroad
made statement in New York yesterday
deprecating the course pursued by the In
dependent coal operators. who, it is al
legged have forced the price for their coal
to the consumer.
unfortunately there seems to be no way
to compel them to sell down to the level
fixed by the railroads." said Mr.. Baer IF
their sense of obligation to the people can
not deter them from asking prohibitive
prices nothing the puolic or the railroads
can do will be Of any effect The railroads
cannot refuse to transport their coal. The
law regarding the business of all public
carriers opposes it. The charge that the
are selling railroad coal to indie
pendents for disposal in the open market
is absolutely false. We are doing every
thing in our power to keep down the price
of coal and to get it to market quickly"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-17
DIsPosING DEWEY's SHIPS.
Vessels Likely to Go to Ports Within
Easy Distance Of Venezuela.

Disposition of the men-of-war Of Admiral
Dewey's fleet during the holidays Is to be
made under the direction Of the Secretary
Of the Navy. In view Of the increasing COM
plications arising in connection with Vene-
zuela and the wish Of this government not
to arouse suspicion unnecessarily by dis
patching large naval force to Venezuelan
waters Orders are now In preparation for
the various vessels and will be forwarded
to the admiral in the next day or two.
No reflection upon Admiral Dewey Is In
tended by the Navy Department In decid-
ing to draw up the orders for his ships In
stead of giving him free hand in the mat
ter, as it was expected would be done: That
there may be a thorough cooperation OF
the navy with the State Department In the
handling of the Venezuelan situation. how
ever. II seemed that the question could be
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-17

for luncheon" With that she vanished, and
husband and wife were alone.
.You must go. Gerald she sobbed-'I
know it, but-isn't there some way?-Won't
Captain Dade send more men with your
IF he did, Nan. they'd only hamper me
with horses that drag behind. BE brave.
little woman Webb has swept the way
clear by this time. Come, 1 need your
help"
And the door closed on the soldier and his
young wife. They never saw that Nanette
Flower, in saddle. was riding swiftly up
the row. and for the first time since her
coming to Frayne. without an escort. Dade
reappeared upon his front gallery in time
to greet her, but Esther. after one quick
glance, had darted again within. Dade saw
unerringly that Miss Flower was In no
placid frame of mind Her cheeks were
pale; her mouth had that livid look that
robbed her face of all beauty; but her eyes
were full and flashing with excitement.
what news, captain" she hailed, and
the joyous, silvery ring had gone from her
voice .'They tell me Captain Blake is
back-two horses crippled. two men hit in
Guiding himself.
His own share is a scratch he wouldn't
think of mentioning outside the family,
Miss Flower" answered Dade, with grim
civillty. He had his reasons for disapprov-
ing of the young woman. yet they were not
such as warranted him in showing her the
least discourtesy. He walked to his gate
and met her at the curb beyond. and stood
stroking the arching neck of her spirited
horse-"Harney again.
did they-were there any Indians
killed." she asked. with anxiety scarcely
yelled.
..Oh, they downed one of them" answered
the captain, cycling her closely the while
and speaking with much precision, "a fellow
who cursed them freely in fluent English"
Yes. she was surely turning paler. "a
bold, bad customer, from all accounts.
Blake thought he must be of Lame VOLTS
fellows because he-seemed to know Ken
needy SO web and to hate him. Kennedy
has only just come down from Fort Beech
er, where VOLTS people have been at mis-
chief"
but what became of him? What did
they do with him?" interrupted the GIRL her
lips quivering in spite of herself
sOh. left him. I suppose, answered the
could they do? There was no time for
ceremony His fellow sayages, you know.
can attend to that.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-17
CHAPTER TX.

1t might well be imagined that a man re-
turning from such mornings work as had
been Blake's could be excused from duty
the rest Of the day. He and his little party
had had spirited running fight Of several
hours with an evasive and most exasperat-
ing trio OF warriors. better mounted for
swift work than were the troopers He had
managed eventually to bring down one of
the Indians who fingered Il little too long
within short range of the carbines, bait 1t
was the pony not the rider. that they killed
Meanwhile other Indians had appeared on
distant divides. and one feathered brave
had galloped down to meet his comrades
and fire few shots at the pursuing pale
faces. But at no time. until near their sup
porters and far from the fort. had the Sioux
halted for a hand-to-hand fight. and Blakes
long experience on the frontier had stood
him in good stead. He saw they were play
ing for one OF two results-either to lure
him and his fellows in the heat Of pursuit
FAR round to the northwest. where were the
united hundgeds Of Lame Wolf and Stab
Der stalking that bigger game. or else
10 tempt Blake himself so far ahead Of his
0oalew6 a. 70 enable them to suddenly whirl
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-17

frequently ridden up the valley and visited
the Indian village across the Platte. Miss
Flower might easily have dropped that
note. and some squaw, picking 1t up, had
surrendered 1t to the first red man who
demanded II. such being the domestic dis
ciplihe of the savage. The Indian kept It,
as he would any other treasurer troye for
which he had no use, In hopes Of reward
for its return, said Blake. 1t was queer. of
course that the Indian in whose pouch 1t
was found should have been 80 fluent
speaker OF English, yet many Sioux
knew enough of our tongue to swear volu-
bly, and talk ten words of vengeance to
come. There were severafways,- as Blake
reasoned, by which that letter might have
got into the hands of the enemy. But at
any rate. with everything said. 1t was a
woman > letter He had no right TO read It,
He would first confide n his wife, and if
she said So In Mrs. Ray. Then what they
decided should decide HIM
But now came new ,proble4p. Despite
the long morning of pekif and chase and
excitement, there was -stiif much more
ahead. His men were in saddle. his troop
was af1eld; the foe was Ia force ON the road
to the north; the battle. n1ayhap. was on at
the very moment, and Frayne and home
was no place for him when duty called at
the distant front. Only, there was Nan.
silent, tremulous, to be sure. and with
such world of piteous dread and pleading
to tell her he must go again and at once.
hard ito have to bid her help him in his
hurried preparations, &hen she longed to
throw herself in his arms and be comforted.
He tried to smile as he entered the gate.
and thereby cracked the brittle, sundried
court plaster with which sergeant had
patched his cheek at the stables. The
would-be gladstone grin started the blood
again, and it trickled down and splashed
en- his breast. where poor Nan lenged to
pillow her bonny head. and the sight Of It..
despite her years of frontier training. made
her sick and faint. H saueht her in his
left arm, Laughing gayjy.i and drew her to
the other side. Got rs mats to that scoop
Of Bily's.s he cried h6lding forth his
Other hand tg.,4Fs Rsf. s".Taint 50 deep s!,,
crow over him tonight. Come In with US,
Mrs. Ray. live sonethine to show you. Z
"Qne minute" said that wise young ma
tron. Let me tell the 6hilAren where to
and me. Sandy and Billy are on Post at
the telescope. They Nouidnt leave 1t even
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-17
NOT DEEMED sEAWoRTHY.
Why the Venezuelan Vessels Were
Sunk by German Commander.

Advices Just received at the German en-
bassy relative to the sinking Of the Vene-
zuelan gunboats by the allied fleet bring
important details about that incident. It
seems that Of the three Venezuelan men-of-
war captured by the German squadron. the
Restaurador is Of 600 tons displacement
and the two others. the Totumo and
General Crespo, were Of 1877 tons, man
ned with German sailors. The Restaurador
now flies the German flag. The other two
vessels 1t is claimed, were not seaworthy
enough to make the voyage to Trinidad.
nor was 1t possible to tow them to port, as
the squadron was in search Of Venezuelan
men-of-war. The German commander. it
Is added. realizing the ships were Of no
value, decided to sink them.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-17

moro satisfactorily settled here. as the
Navy Department IL in possession Of all
the facts regarding the action Of the allied
powers, and danger Of conflicting with the
policy Of the State Department will be
averted.
to La Guaira, the feeling being that the
presence OF American Men!otwar at this
time might cause uneasiness among the al
lied powers as well as Odtr encouragement
attitude. On the other hand, the situation
has grown SO acute within the past few
days that both State and Navy Department
officials are agreed that Il VIII not be un-
wise to rendezvous the deets In ports within
easy range Of the Venezuelan coast