davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-31

store wherein was displayed barrel full
Of Guaranteed brand new records at five
cents each, while they last" 1t was like
finding money and Billings entered There
were no names on the pasteboard jackets to
denote the character of the selections but
the dealer promised to exchange any dupli-
Gates, so Billings joyfully parted with half
OF his last dollar for ten of the waxen
voices His pathway homeward was IL
lupained by the anticipation Of the joy which
would swell the bosom of his family when
he displayed his treasures.
He was more than once tempted to go
back and squander his other fifty, but not
wishing to be considered a plunger re-
strained himself. Then he fell to wonder
ing what the records might contain, which
reflections were good for another thrill of
pleasure. He himself was partial to talk
ing selections, such as Uncle Josh in New
York. Casey Joins the Masons," and min
strel stunts. but he generously allowed him.
self to hope that there might be a Sousa
march. whistling solo or something like
drta," for the sake of the rest Of the family.
He could scarcely wait to get home. In
turning corner suddenly he stepped on a
dog and nearly had heart flop as he
barely saved his precious bundle from fall
ing.
"Sumpen s dom, pops got bundlep'
yelled both of the children when Billings
entered the house.
.It's records" screamed Johnnie, poling
his finger through the wrapper and pulling
out a box.
.Yes." said Billings. bIandly, 'It's lit
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-31
ssSAAo Cop1TyCIfT ioO2. by T C. MdIIE 60

PROSTATE man. A single glance was suf11-
cient to show that he was dead. His eyes
were closed, his hands clenched and his
body was bent, as though he had expired In
a final paroxysm of agony. The teeth, TOO
were hard set. and there were certain fea-
lures about his appearance that caused me
to entertain a grave suspicion from the
first. His thin, consumptive face, now
blanched, was strangely drawn, as though
the muscles had suddenly contracted, and
there was an absence Of that composure
one generally expects to find In the faces of
those who die naturally.
AS a medical man very soon noted suf-
ficient appearances to tell me that death
had been due either to suicide or foul play.
The former seemed to me the most likely
''Well?" asked Amber, rising from his
knees when l had concluded the examina-
ton of the dead mans skinny. ill-nourished
body. Whats your opinion. Ralph"
He's taken poison" l declared.
Poison? You believe he's been poisoned"
'It may have been willful murder, or he
may have taken it voluntarily" l answered.
are those of poisoning"
|. Amber gave vent to a low grunt half OF
satisfaction, half of suspicion. l knew
that grunt well. When on the verge of any
discovery he always emitted that cultural
sound.
Wed better inform the police" I re-
marked. That's all we can do. The poor
fellow is dead
Dead, Yes, we know that. But we must
find out who killed him.
WELL I said, Il think at present, Am
bier, we've quite sufficient on our hands
without attempting to solve any further
problems. The poor man may have been in
despair and have taken poison willfully."
In despair echoed the old man. mo
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-31
CHAPTER XVIII.
"Poor Mrs. Courtenay."

Amber appeared to be much concerned
regarding the poor mans death. When we
had first met beside his vegetable barrow
in the London road he certainly seemed a
Woodworking. respectable fellow with
voice rendered hoarse and rough by con-
stantly shouting his wares. But by the
whispered words that had passed I knew
that Amber was in his confidence. The ma
ture of this I had several times tried to
fathom. -s-.- '-.-,-- 8
His unexpected death appeared to have
upset all Ambler's plans He grunted
and took a tour round the poorly furnished
chamber.
Look here! he said, halting In front of
me- There's been foul play here. We must
lose no time In calling the policemen that
they are likely to discover the truth"
ny do you say that?'
Because the poor fellow has been .he
Victim OF a secret assassin"
Then you suspect a motive?'
>, peiieve that there is a motive why his
lips should be closed-a strange and remote
one. Then turning to the old man who
mad been the dead mans friend, he asked:
DO you know any one by the name of
''Slade?" repeated the croaking old fell
low. "Slade? No. sir. 1 don't recollect
any one OF that name. Is 1t a man or a
woman"
Either"
mo, sir
DO you know II Lanky Lane ever had
visitors here-I mean visitors not of his
own class?' AS
Il never card of none. Lanky wasn't
the sort o chap to trouble about callers
He used to spend is nights in the Three
Nuns wiz us: but ED sit ours over two a,
gin; e saved is money. e did ',
But look here" exclaimed Amber c..
rfously. Are you quite certain that Won We
never seen him with any stranger at
Never to my knowledge"
Well" my companion said. "yop'd bet,er
go and call the police 'e''ei
When the old fellow had shuff1ed away
down the ricketty stairs Amber. turnsnS
to me. said abruptly: ie
That fellow Is lying: he knows some
thing about this affair" e
l mad taken up the empty dram hattie
and smelt 1t. The spirit it had conta ind
was rum-which had evidently been dr,nE
from the bottle, as there was no glass near
shght quantity remained, and this I
placed aside for analysis IL necessary.
Il can't see what this poor fellow has TO
do with the inquiry upon which we a "a on
gagged, Amber" 1 remarked II do wish
you'd be more explicit. Mystery seems 70
heap upon mystery" -
Yes You're right" he said refiectiyely.
Siowiy-very slowly. / am working out
the problem, Ralph. 1t has been a long
and difficult matter. but by degrees I seem
to be working toward conclusion This"
ana he pointed to the man lying dead "is
another of London's many mysteries but
1t carries us one step further"
= II can't for the life of me see wl1at con-
nection the death OF this poor street
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-31
THOSE NEW RECORDS
THEY MADE A LOT OF TROUBLE
FOR BILLINGS.
Needed Them for His Photograph and
Got Them Cheap-How It
ALI Happened.

Billings bought his two children a graph
ophone for Christmas, recorder, reproducer
and horn. complete. Billings income is pre-
scribed and the buying of new records has
recently been the subject of many family
conferences. The half dozen selections which
were included in the original purchase had
grown very monotonous and the efforts
Of the children to improve them by sur
reptitiously bawling, How would you like
to be. the ice MANI" on to the cylinders con-
tanning Mendelssohn's Spring Song" and
Say Au Reyoir' were not artisticalIy
successful.
During his walk home from Office a few
evenings ago Billings attention was at
tracted to the window of a secondhand
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-31
Failure as Rare as Success,

HAoiA tHc ooStOu
There is much said in the periodicals OF
the day about success. what it is what
commands it, when 1t comes, how to use
it and What not. It is quite evident that,
in the truest sense, few either merit or OBJ
tain 1t; but it does not follow that the
many who make up the automatic sum
equal to all its parts, fall. It Is true that
the many succeed only in a measure; and
L. Is the only in measure that so de-
tracts from the quality of the prize gained.
There is still another few at the other end
OF the ladder who are supposed to know
failure. What is failure? Like all other
terms Of human life 1t must be a relative
one, and so no absolute failure Is possible.
Shall we define 1t as the disappointingly
small remainder left after a subtraction OF
the use of chances, of talents, of genius,
OF opportunities, from the attachments pos
sible? To the individual and his contem-
porary judges 1t might seem as such, but
values rise as well as decline, and posterity
sees things differently for one reason and
another. How often the years show sue
cess written over defeat and vice versa!
In reality we neither succeed nor fail,
and We both succeed and fail; those Of US
who come out about square, as 1t were.
may be accredited with half and half
mixture. Now, If we could idealize the two
terms properly, making the one so great
and high 1t Is almost beyond the reach Of
mortal endeavor, and the other so great
and far down that 1t Is below human scorn,
We should be doing a sensible, practical
thing, annihilating the paralyzing element
and putting the uplifting one where 1t has
better leverage. 1t is neither good for men
to be intoxicated with success nor dis
heartened from defeat. and failure; the
pride in the chance to do and be and bring
forth what Is in the personality should oc-
cupy the consciousness between the period
of youth, when one should be under train
Ing for life. and old age, when one should
rest gladly and enjoy retrospection.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-31

found a tonga. the same one we had arriv-
ed in, with it's pink calico roof, awaiting
US, and bullock cart for the luggage,
two-wheeled skeleton of a cart, drawn by
two white bullocks, their horns and hoofs
a bright green, and the reins fastened to
a stick passed through the nose Of the
animal.
ton, and as we got out we caught a
glimpse Of the bullock cart on hill top
Of the road, with Abdul seated on top Of
the piles Of luggage, smiling as usual, l
dare say, we said to each other. An hour
later the luggage, Abdul and all, appeared.
and when asked if the bullock cart was a
comfortable mode of travelling, he answer
ed with his usual sweetness and vagueness,
Eyes, sir, please, sir thank you, sir"
MARGARET STERLING.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-31
Garden and Temple.

There Is fine public garden at Ooodey-
PORE and the Hindoo temple in the town
is one OF the beet in India, with its dado
OF elephants. heads in deep relief: but. as
at Ajmere, the natives are not especially
friendly, and one is not allowed to go very
near to the temple, so we felt II prudent
not to spend nearly all the time necessary
to see all the wonderful carving with which
It Is literally covered.
As It was very hot while We were at
Oodeypore we were forced to remain in our
cool rooms from IL until 8 clock, and SO
confine our hours to. those from 8 till IL
and from. to g. but we drew our chairs
to the doors, and while trying to read.
found our eyes continually wandering TO
Early on the last morning Of our visit we
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-31

"Is he working now7" Amber inquired.
Eyes. saw i'm in Farrn'don street yes
terday."
"Ah!" remarked the constable eve shall
probably want to have a chat with him.
But the chief mystery Is the identity of the
writer Of these letters. At all events 1t Is
evident that this poor man Lane knew
something to his detriment, and was prob
ably trying to make something out of that
knowledge"
mot at all an unusual case" 1 said.
Jevons grunted and appeared to view the
letters with considerable satisfaction. Any
documentary evidence surrounding a case
Of mysterious death Is always Of interest.
In this case, being Of such a suspicious
nature, 1t was doubly so.
Are you quite decided not to assist me?"
another letter ran. 1t was likewise type
written. and from the same source. Rec
ol1ect you did SO once, and were well paid
for it. You had enough to keep you In
luxury for years had you not 80 foolishly
FILTERED 1t away on your so-called friends.
Any of the latter would give you away to
the police tomorrow for Il ive-pound note.
II you help me shall give you one hun
dred pounds. which is not bad payment for
an hours work. II you do not, then you
will not hear from me again. e."
Seems bit brief: and to the point" was
the elder constable's remark. 81 wonder
what Is the affair mentioned by this mys-
terious correspondent? Evidently the fell
low intended to bring on a robbery, or
something, and Lane refused to give his
aid"
Apparently So" replied Amber. finger
ing the last letter remaining In his hand.
But this communication Is even of greater
interest,"" he added. turning to me and
showing me writing in well-known hand.
at know that writing!" / cried. why
that letter is from poor Mrs. Courtenay!'
'It is" he said quietly. ibid not tell
you that we were on the eve Of discovery
and that the dead man lying there could
have told US the TRUTH"
Go be continued.)
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-31

From the Chicago News.
He-.That ancient joke about the scarcity
Of men at the summer resorts is still doing
a stunt. see''
F. She-''WeH. 1t may be in the antique
class. but it's no joke"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-31

The first issue Of medals to British troops
was in 1913 by Charles I.
After Venice, Berlin has more bridges
than any other town in Europe.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-31

had the misfortune fall very heavily the pave
ment, causing injury to my back Having read
of the wonderful effected by the of Omega OIL
purchased three bottles of it, and used directed.
had been suffering four with constant pain in
spinal column but not benefited by the many
dies tried surprised to find that the bruise from
the fall disappeared after using Omega Oil, and the
pain which had suffered from many years also
removed. / would not be without the Oil In my home
Mrs Z. J. WARDEI, 221 Sherman St, Jersey City, n J.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-31

soaked up the whole quart of cheap fizz
at sitting, which was quite feat for
strictly temperate man.
Billings has since made everything all
right with his chief, who is at heart of q
forgiving nature. CHAN
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-13
TO TEST PECULIAR WILL
Document Is Missing and widow Re-
lies for Her Rights Upon
st~enOgraphic Notes.

CINCINNATI. Ian. ia peculiar con-
test began here in the probate court today,
when the widow Of the late millionaire,
John Mccormick Gibson Of this city, who
cied at Asheville. ~. c., a few months ago,
presented for probate a copy Of his Will,
made from st~enographic notes alleged to
have been preserved by Attorney Wells Of
Asheville.
The original will, IL is asserted, has never
been found since the death OF Mr.. Gibson
II beQueaths his entire estate to his widow
to whom he was married a few hours before
his death.
His legal heirs, his mother and a brother
contest tho probating Of the will, and q
legal argument Is in progress on the ques'
ton whether a will OF this description ii
valid or not.
Mrs. Gibson, the widow was Miss Cecilis
Wolff OF Providence. She was called by Z
telegram to AsheviIle when Mr.. Gibson wal
critically III and was married on her ar
rival. Mr.. Gibson's first wife was one o.
the victims Of the Windsor hotel FIRE IL
New York.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-13
south Oak Divorce LesisIation.

SIOUX FALLS. S. d.. Jan. 1~2.-(special.) J..
The agitation for an amendment to the
divorce laws. increasing the period Of time
necessary for residents of other states to
establish a residence in South Dakota, re-
ducing the number OF causes for which
divorces may be granted and otherwise
making It more dlfhcult for eastern people
to secure divorces in South Dakota. is not
taken seriously here. The agitation is con-
fined solely to those who are envlous OF
Sioux Falls because this city, without any
effort on the part OF its citizens. has become
the divorce center Of the state. While the
divorce business is a source Of revenue to
some attorneys and 10 some OF the local
hotels, II does not financially benefit the
people of the city generally, the vast ma
jority OF whom do not care in the least
whether the legislature amends the divorce
laws OF not. However, 81 is a safe predic-
tlon that the legislature. which is now in
session. . will absolutely refuse to tamper
with the present divorce laws. which are
as stringent as those OF many other states.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-13
ROYAL ROMANCE Is OVER
Count LOnysy Leaves his Prince . When
Poverty Becomes Oppressive.
DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS MAY FOLLOW
Couple strive 20 Keep Up Position
on Small Income and Failing
Agree 60 Part once
for All.

VIENNA, Jan. 12.-Serious differences, ac-
c%ording, to Die Zeit, have arisen between
the Countess and Count de Lonyay, form
erly the Crown Princess Stephanie, during
their stay in the south OF rance. The
count is reported to have suddenly left his
wife and to have since given no intimAtion
as to his whereabouts. The nature of the
alleged differences has not, developed.
The count left his wife at Mentone on
January Z and his present whereabouts is
not known. His friends assert that in ad-
dition to financial difficulties the count has
found his position in, society as the hus-
band OF the former crown princess of Aus
tria-Hungary exceedingly uncomfortable
and unpleasant and will seek a divorce.
The disagreement between the couple has
long been evident and 1t Is believed that
pecuniary troubles underlie the affair.
AS a widow the former crown princess
enjoyed an income of 1925, 900 and had free
residence at the imperial palace and the
use Of carriages and servants. II is re-
ported that the couple married in the be-
lief that Emperor Francis Joseph and King
Leopold would contribute to their mainten-
ance. In this. however, they were disap-
pointed. The emperor gave the countess
2 5000 a year. while King Leopold stopped
hSI iOTmeI aiiu"dhce VI SAV'VVV diloSelhST'
The countess consequently tried to meet
all the expenses Of maintaining her house
hold with one-ffth OF her former income
and found the task impossible.
She used the influence Of her daughter,
Archduchess Elizabeth Marie, who is a IA
vorite with the Austrian emperor, to secure
additional money and to obtain permission
to reside in one of the imperial palaces,
where she was out Of reach of her creditors.
She was granted the use of the palace at
Hetezendorf, near Vienna. but this priv
ilege expired upon the marriage of her
daughter to Prince Won windischgraetz on
January 3. 1902.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-13

wYMORE. Neb., jan. 12.-(Special)-
Mrs. ]. w. Roberts, the wife of a prominent
farmer living south of town, died this
morning, from the effects Of a burn. Mrs.
Roberts had been washing a waist in gaso-
lene Saturday evening and had gone near
the stove with 1t. The article took fire and
before she could help herself the flames
had enveloped her. She threw a piece of
carpet oye her head and ran out of doors,
where she fell in an unconscious condition
and was In that state when the family re-
turned from town late in the evening.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-13
Acer ur senrch for nodr.

WEST POINT. Neb.. Jan. 12.-tspecisl.)-
Uncoosihg efforts have been and are being
made TO recover the body Of George Ruehl,
who was drawn under the ice at the dam
nearly = week ago. but without success.
A mass melting Of citizens was called and
a committee appointed to supervise the
work Of the volunteer searchers. Nearly
the entire membership OF the local lodge
of the wodmen Of the World, of which de-
ceased was treasurer. have turned oct and
are cutting the ice away and searching the
bottom Of the dam. The weather being so
cold and the water being fifteen feet deep
renders the work very difficult. The search
will not be abandoned until the body is
found. His wife is Frustrated with grief.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-13
Held for AssauItIng Girl.

YORK, Neb., Jan. 12.-lspecial )-George
w. Bonner, for the past twenty years q
resident OF Bradshaw. and who during that
time has run a drug store, was bound over
to the district court charged with assault
on little wilhelma Reachuel, a 6-year-old
girl living south Of Bradshaw. who with
her brother, s years old. was in Bohner's
drug store, in which place II was claimed
the assault was made. Witnesses testified
to the good character and standing of
Bonner during his twenty years. residence
in Bradshaw. The trial occupied two days
before the county court and was bitterly
contested. .
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-13

to its utmost capacity with women and old
soldiers. Comrade Mullin then. in a neat
address in behalf Of those present. presented
him with an elegant rocker; and Mrs.
Kohler, in behalf Of the women. pinned a
large bouquet upon the lapel Of his coat.
The judge was taken completely OF his
guard and the surprise was so complete
that Il took several moments for him to
respond to the presentation, but he finally
pulled himself together sufficiently TO ex-
press his appreciation Of the remembrance
so kindly rendered him, A collation. was
then served and all present wished the
Judge many returns Of his natal day.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-13
Mutual Insurance Prospers.

YORK, Neb., Jan. 12.-(Special)-The
large supervisors room in the county court
house was filled to overlooking at yester-
days annual meeting Of the members Of
the Farmers Mutual Insurance company OF
York county, who met for the purpose OF
the annual election of officers. The secre-
tary reported money in the treasury, no
losses during the past year and no as
sessmehts made, and over $500, 900 OF insur-
ance in force. The following officers were
elected: d. Zimmerman. president; Henry
scheele. vice president; w. l.. Kirkpatrick,
secretary. The three directors elected
were: R. B.. Price of Thayer, Commodore
Beaver OF Waco and W. S. Freeman OF
West Blue. But one assessment OF 10 mills
has been made in the past seven years.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-13
LEGISLATURE Rl'IHING WORK
South Dakota Lawmakers Lose No
Time in Transacting Business
of Session.

PIERRE, S. D., Jan. 12.-(Special Tele-
gam.)-The senate today passed a bill ced-
ing land at Hot Springs to the United States
for the purpose of a national sanitarium.
Among the principal bills introduced in
the senate were one by Dillon appropriat-
ing IS 200 to the payment of the expenses
Of the state fair, and one relating to the
establishment and vacation of highways.
while several bills were introduced relating
to legal practice.
A message from the governor was read
including a letter from the management
OF the st. Louis exposition. asking the leg
~islature to take action as to the desired
design OF a statue to be erected at the ex-
position to typify the state.
The first bill to- pass both houses went
through the house today as senate bill
No. 2, which provides for the holding
Of terms OF court at other than county seat
towns
The first house bill to go through was
also passed today, 1t being to fix the terms
of court In the Fourth circuit.
Bills introduced in the house were: BY
Nelson, to amend the law relating to the
collection Of delinquent personal property
taxes by the sheriff; by Hutchinson OF
Beadle, to appropriate $50. 900 to erect an
armory and arsenal on the state militia
grounds at Huron, and by Koening, prohib-
iting the killing of quails in the state for
five years.
The senate capital removal bill went to
first reading in the house under suspension
Of the rules, being taken up out of order
by a vote of II to IL.
In joint session Hon. Bartlett Trip OF
the code commission took up an hour ex-
plainng to the two kouses the changes
made in the laws by the, commission, which
are mostly changes in phraseology, making
more clear the evident intent OF laws in
existence. He perpetrated what might be
called a Joke in stating that the commits
sion found that under existing laws one
of the circuit judges Of the state was re-
oeiving a less salary than the other judges,
which was undoubtedly a discrepancy which
had crept into the laws and which the
commission took the liberty to correct.
Another change which was made provided
for the qualification Of county auditors Mt
the same slime with other county officers,
January 1.
At the close OF the session the speaker
announced the placing Of Representative
Welch on the committees of live stock, ap-
preparations and Insurance, he having Just
taken his seat after a successful contest
before the house.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-13
Plenty of Coal at Leigh.

LEIGH, Neb., Jan. 12.-(specia1.)--Th
coolest wave of the winter struck here Sat
urday evening and kept steadily increas-
ing until this morning. while the street
thermometers registered all the way from
10 TO 16 degrees below zero. People as
a general rule are we'll prepared and there
is plenty OF coal at the local yards to sup
ply the present demand, although it has
been very scarce at times during the early
fall and winter