davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-04

magnifying glass; but when used in con-
nection with-what? All, that was just
what Uncle David failed to say, possibly to
know. Yet this was now the important
point, the eliminating fact which might
lead to full understanding of these many
tragedies. Could hope to guess what pre-
scented itself to Mr.. Moore difficult if
not insovable problem? No; guessing
would not answer l must trust to the in
spiration of the moment which suggested
with almost irresistible conviction:
The picture! That inane and seemingly
worthless drawing over the fireplace in The
Colonefs Own, whose presence in so rich
room has always been a mystery!
Why this object should have suggested
itself to me and with such instant convic-
ton I cannot readily say. Whether from
my position near the bed, the sight
of this old drawing recalled the restless
nights OF an who had lain in face of its
sickly smile. or whether some recollection
of that secret law of the Moores which for
babe the removal Of any of their pictures
from the ume-worn walls, or a remem
brance of the curiosity which this picture
excited in every one who looked at it
Francis jeffrey among the NUMBER no
sooner asked myself what object in this
house might possibly yield counsel or suS-
gest aid when subjected to the influence Of
magnifying glass. than the answer. which
l have already given, sprang instantly into
my mind: The picture!
Greatly excited. sprang upon chair.
tooh oOWh litC IA dWiA6 AiOLl tHC wall dii0
laid 1t face up on the bed. Tnen placed
the glass over one of the large coils sur
rounding the insipid face, and was startled
enough, in spite of all mental preparation,
to perceive the crinkly lines which formed
1t, resolve themselves into script and the
script into words, some of which were per-
fectly legibie.
The drawing. simple as 1t looked. was a
communication In writing to those who
used magnifying glas to read 1t. I could
hardly contain my triumph. hardly find the
self-control necessary to a careful study of
its undulating and often conflicting lines
and to the slow picking out Of the words
therein contained.
But when had done this. AMI had copied
the whole OF the wandering scrawl on a
page of my note book the result was of
value.
Read. and judge for yourself
Coward that am, am willing to throw
upon pOstertty the shadow of crime whose
consequences dare not incur In life. Con-
fessiOn must make. To die and leave no
record Of my deed is impossible. Yet how
tell my story SO that only my own heirs
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-04

or some of his many flatterers. I ransacked
the southwest chamber on my own behait
for what certainly 1 had little reason u
expect to find there.
It seemed hopeless cause from the first,
but l acted as if no one had hunted for
this object before. Moving every article.
I sought first on the open floor and then
in every possible Granny for the missing
trinket. But / failed to find 1t and was
about to acknowledge myself defeated.
when my eye fell on the long brocaded
several windows to hide every CLEAN of
light from the street. They We're almost
free from folds. but / shook them well,
especially the one nearest the ,table. ana
naturally with no enect.
"Folly," I muttered. yet did not quite
desist. For the great tasseis still hung at
the sides and Well! you may call it an
impossible find or say that If the bauble
was there 1t should have been discovered
in the first search for it, will not say no.
I can only tell you what happened. When
took one of those tassels in my hand. I
thought, as 1t twirled under my touch that
I saw something CLEAN in its faded old
threads which did not belong there. Star
tied, and yet not thoroughly realizing that
I had come upon the object of my search.
picked at this thing and found 1t to be
morsel of gold chain that had become en-
tangled in 1t. When had pulled 1t out 1t
showed a small golden ball at one end. fill
greed over and astonishingly heavy for its
size and apparent delicacy.
How 1t came there-whether 1t rolled from
the table, or was swept Off inadvertently
by the detectives hand. and how 1t came
to be caught by this old tassel and held
there in spite of the many shakings 1t must
have received-did not concern me at this
momentous instant. The talisman of this
old family was found. 1 had but to dis
cover what it held concealed to understand
what had baffled Mr.. Moore and made the
mystery he had endeavored to penetrate SO
fnSOlvah 1a Rp10icfn0 in my trf,ynnt hut
not wasting moment in self-congratula-
ton. bent over the candle with my prize
and sought for the clasp or fastening which
held its two parts together. I have a knack
at clasps and curious fastenings. and
was able at first touch to spring
this one open. And what did I find
inside? Something so different from
what expected something so trivial
and seemingly harmless. that 1t was
not until recalled the Anal words of Uncle
Dayid's memorandum that realized its
full import and the possibilities 1t suggest
ed. In itself 1t was nothing but a minute
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-04

his search for this object? It would be
great relief to believe so. What was the
reason then that my mind refused so en-
phatically to grasp this possibility and set
tie upon him as the murderer of Mrs. JEFF
frey? I cannot tell. I hated the man. and
likewise deeply distrusted him. But
could not, even after this revelation of his
duplicity. connect him in my thoughts with
absolute crime without shock to my in
buttons. Happily, my scruples were not
shared by my colleagues. They had listed
him. Here felt my shoulder touched, and
newspaper was thrust into my hand by
the man who had just addressed me.
look down the lost and found column"
said he. THE third advertisement you will
see there came from the district attorneys
office: the next one was inserted by Mr..
Moore himself"
l followed his pointing finger and read two
descriptions Of the filigree ball. The dispro-
portion in the rewards offered was appar-
ent. That promised by Uncle David was
calculated to rouse any mans cupidity and
should have resulted In the bauble's imme-
date return. ~
He got ahead of the police that time"
a laughed: -! did these advertise
During the days you were absent from
Washington" 4y'
and how sure are you that he did not
get this jewel back?so
"Oh. we are sure. His continued anxiety
and still active interest prove this. even II
our surveillance had been less perfect"
and the police have, been equally unsuc-
cessful?" ~ ~
Equally"
after every effort?'
Every
WHO was the man who collected and
| carried out those things from the south
west chamber
He smiled.
You see him." said he.
1T was your"
Myself"
And you are sure this small ball was
among them?"
mo. I only know that have seen 1t
somewhere. but that it wasn't among the
articles delivered to Mr.. jeffrey
How did you carry them?"
I'm handbag, which locked myself"
| Before leaving the southwest chamber
YES"
Then 1t is still in that room"
Find 1t, was his laconic reply.
Here most men would have stopped, but
| have bulldogs tenacity when once lay
hold. That night went back to the Moore
house. and. taking every precaution against
being surprised by the sarcastic Durbin
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-04

the small gold charm you were talking
about, but you have done some good work
in this case and 1 don't mind telling you
what know about 1t. That little gold ball
has caused the police much trouble. 1t Is
on the list of effects found in the room
where the candle was seen burning; but
when all these petty belongings of Mrs.
Jenreys were gathered up and carried
back to her husband. this special one was
not to be found among them. 1t was lost
in transit. nor has it ever been seen since.
And who do you think it was who called
attention to this loss. demanded that the
article be found? Not Mr.. Jeffrey, who
seems to lay little or stress upon
it. but the old man they call Uncle
David He who. to all appearance
possessed no interest in his niece's
personal property, was on hand the
moment these things were carried into her
husbands house, with the express inten-
ton, 1T seems. of inquiring for this gold
ball, which he declared to be a family heir
loom. AS such it belonged to him as the
present holder of the property and to him
only. Attention being thus called to 1t, it
was found TO be missing, and as no one
but the police seemed to be to blame for
It's loss the matter was hushed up, and
would have been regarded as too insignifl-
cant for comment, the trinket being In
trinsically worthless If Mr.. Moore had
not continued to make such a fuss about
much to a Moore as all the rest of his
property which was bosh. you know; and
the folly of these assertions and the depth
of the passions he displayed whenever the
subject was mentioned have made some of
us question If he is the innocent inheritor
he has tried to make himself out. At all
events. know for certainty that the dis
trict attorney holds his name in reserve, II
the grand jury fails to bring in an indict-
ment against Miss Tuttle."
1.-The district attorney Is wise." re-
marked, and fell a-thinking
Had this latent suspicion against Mr..
Moore any solid foundation? Was he the
guilty man? The memorandum had come
across in the book which had been lately
pulled down from the library. shelves
showed that, Notwithstanding his testimony
to the contrary. he had been in that house
close upon that fatal night. II not on the
very night itself. 1t also showed his ex-
IRENE interest in the traditions of the fam
lily. But did 1t show anything more? Had
he interrupted his writing to finish his
query in blood. and had one of his motives
for this crime been the acquisition of this
filigree ball? II SO. why had he left 1t on
the table upstairs? A candle had been lit
in that room-couid 1t have been by him In
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-04

may read and they when at the crisis OF
their fate? 1 believe have found the way
by this drawing and the injunction L have
left to the holders of the filigree ball.
No man ever wished his enemy dead
more than / did. and no man ever spent
more cunning on the deed. Master in my
own house, l contrived device by which
the man who held my fate in his hands fell
on my library. hearth with no che near and
no sign by which to associate me with the
act. Does this seem like the assertion of
a mailman? Go to the old chamber famil-
iarly called THE Coloners own" Enter
it's closet pull out it's two drawers, and in
the opening thus made seek for the loophole
at the back, through which, II you stoop
low enough. you can catch glimpse
of the library hearth AMI lis great
settle. With these in view. slip your finger
along the wall on your righ. and when
it touches an ObstructiOn-pass 1t IL ii Is a
handle. for that is only used to rewind the
apparatus and must be turned from you
until it can be turned no farther; but If it
is a depression you encounter, press and
press hard on the knob concealed within
it But beware when any one you love Is
seated in that corner of the settle where
the cushion invites rest, lest II be your
fate to mourn and wall as 1t Is mine to
curse the hour when / sought to clear my
way by murder. For the doom of the man
Of blood is upon me. The hindrance Is
gone from my life. but horror has en-
tered 1t beyond the conception of any
soul that has not yielded itself to the
unimaginable influences emanating from an
accomplished crime. l cannot be content
with having pressed that spring once.
mania is upon me which, after thirty years
of useless resistance and superhuman
struggle. still draws me from bed and sleep
to rehearse in CHASTITY fashion that deed
of my early manhood. / cannot resist 1t.
To tear out the deadly mechanism. un-
hinge weight and drum and rid the house
Of every evidence of crime would but drive
me to shrek my guilt aloud and act In
open pantomime what I now go through In
fearsome silence and secrecy. When the
hour comes. as come It must. that can
not rise and enter that fatal closet. shall
still enact the deed In dreams and shrek
aloud in my sleep and wish myself dead
and yet fear to die lest my hell be to go
through all eternity. staying over and over
my man. In ever growing horror and re-
pulsion.
do you wish to share my fatef Try
to effect through blood q release from the
difficulties menacing you"
Go be continued Monday
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-04

"Ah, yes" sighed Mr.. Higgintop, laying
down his morning paper; bad news travels
FAST
"Abner." sharply interrupted his wife,
take your mind of the races, if you can
This is Sunday"
II was not speaking of the horse of that
name sharply retorted Mr.. Higgintop. but
of the Post Office Department scandals.
Keep your mind off the races if you pos
sb1y can, Amelia. Chicago Tribune
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-04

acres, in which there are eighteen miles of
drives and walks. This palace was built
by Catharine the Great. one of the most
extravagant as well as one of the greatest
of Russian rulers. When the buildings
were first constructed She ordered some
of them covered with gold leaf. and as the
story goes it took 5000. 600 worth of precious
metal to gid them. After a while owing
to the dampness of the climate the gold be-
gan to peel. Catharine then proposed to
cover it with paint, whereupon some specu-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-04

New York, with 3.437 .oO2 inhabitants. has
only one public BATH but has three others
under way. London. with a population Of
A. 536. 063, has thirty-eight.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-04

whole kingdom, and intend to hang them
when / get back"
This car killed his ON son and divorced
his wife. He then married a peasant girl.
who ruled in his place after his death.
FRANK G. CARPENTER.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-04
If the Sun Dies.

Or, some day the sun becomes dark.
Not as the result of a harmless eclipse
Its spots have been growing alarmngly.
In that day the veil will not lit at all. A
cold rind has formed over the kissing
hearth of the giant.
Then. to the eyes of distant observers on
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1903-06-10
Death Of Willie T. Neetze.

The sad news of the death of Mr..
Willie 81. Meetze was received in
this place last Friday afternoon. He
died in the city of Columbia last
Friday from the result of stroke of
paralysis and his remains were
brought to this place and inferred in
St Stephens cemetery Saturday, in
the precence of a large gathering Of
relatives and friends. The funeral
services being conducted by the Rev.
J. G. Graichen.
Mr.. Meetze was the eldest son Of
the venerable Major Fl. A. Meetze
and was born in this town nearly 81
years ago, and resided here until
few years ago when he removed to
Columbia.
Under the call of Governor Pick
ems be enlisted in the services of the
State, in Capt. Gibbes' Company,
afterwards he was transferred to the
7th Cavalry and served with marked
distinction, daring bravery and gal
lantry.
He was prominent in public life,
having held several prominent posi-
tions and was Supervisor Of Registra-
tion almost from the establishment of
this Office until his removal to Co.
lumbia. He was a kind hearted,
noble N An, faithful in the discharge
of his public and private obligations
and true to his friends under all cir
cumstances. The remaining members
of his immediate family are a wife,
son and a daughter who have the
heartfelt sympathies of all our people
in their sad affection.
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1903-06-10
The Best Way.

MIR. James L. Shealy dropped in to
see US while in town Monday. He is
sn industrious farmer and genial
fellow. We were pleased to learn
that he and Mr.. Jssmes Langford
had settled their differences out OF
court. This is the best as we'll as
the cheapest way for friends and
neighbors, when they fall out, which
is often the case. to do. Going to
law to settle difficulties among neigh
bors is not at all satisfactory. It
generally adds fuel to the flames and
aggravates the already..infamed pas
sions. Good results always follow IN
amicable settlement of differences.
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1903-06-10
a New Doctor for Leesville.

Leesvjlle is now the possessor of
another physician, DR.. L. Julian
Eird, who has just located there and
has already commenced his practice.
DR.. Efrd comes to Leesville highly
recommended and is high up in his
profession. He is graduate of The
University of Marylend and has been
practicing in a Baltimore Hospital
for two years. Two of his speeialties
are that of surgery and female dis
eases. Leesville can feel honored to
have such brilliant young physician
in her midst and, too, a Lexingtonian
by birth. His father, Rev. J. K.
Efrd, will be we'll remembered in
many homes in Lexington county, as
well as the Doctor. We wish him
much success in his wide field of
labor. K.
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1903-06-10
From Around st. Matthews.

To the Editor of the Dispatch:
The health of this community is
very good at present.
Rain, rain, every day and some
trash movers TOO. II it don't soon
stop Gen. Green will get good stand
and will be hard to get to surrender.
Mr.. Henry Steele has the finest
corn that I have seeo anywhere.
MIR. s4ele is one Of our best farmers.
He also runs turpentine farm and
manufacturers naval stores.
The farmers are now busy harvest
ing their small grain, which is some
better than expected.
Mr.. JEFF Smith is getting his
thresher ready to thresh the golden
grain. We can already hear the keen
shrill of the whistle.
We are glad to know that Mr.. H.
S'eele will furnish one of the best
cues of this season at his place on
the Ath of July. He willlhave. every
thing up-to-date on thht day.
Messrs. Ollie Boozer and Sidney
McCartha have joined the Lewiedale
Brass Band. Hope them much suc-
cess.
Sunday school at St. Matthews
next Sunday at nine o'clock. Also
preaching at eleven o'clock by Rev.
A. r Taylor, the pastor. Singing at
St. Matthews on the third Saturday
and Sunday. The church has been
greatly benefited by this singing
school. Tommie Humpback.
June s, 1903.
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1903-06-10
No Court.

The June Term of Court "opened
and closed in short form" On &C.
count of the absence of Judge Town
send, who was water bound at his
home in Union and could not pos
sibly reach this place, we had no
court. There were large number
of Jurors and witnesses present and
the attorneys were prepared togo to
trial in a number of cases. Judge
Townsend telegrapbed the Clerk OF
Court to discharge all jurors and
witnesses and allowed the attorneys
to fix date for hearing equity cases,
and Saturday the 20th instant, was
named. All criminal business was
continued until the September term.
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1903-06-10
Ee Cal, Please You.

We rise to inform you that Fitz-
maurice, the Colnmbis Dry Goods
merchant, is clever gentleman and
will treat you white every time, and
he wants you to know that he carries
a carefully selected stock of dry goods,
notions, etc, which are admirably
suited to the wants and necessities of
the people Of Lexington, which he is
offsring at such prices that you have
never heard of before. He does not
expect to sell you everything but will
feel grateful for q share of your trade.
When in Columbia be sure to call on
him and inspect his elegant line OF
goods. See his advertisement.
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1903-06-10
Hail Storm.

Avery severe and destructive hail
storm fell near Edmund on Monday
afternoon of last week. Mr.. D. M.
Sox brought to this office Monday
some black jacks, which were taken
from track, about two miles long
and a half a n ia wide, over which
the hail passed. All the bark and
leaves were literally beaten from
them and in some places the limbs
we're beaten into shreds. Mr.. Noah
Shumpert says that on last Monday
he went out and gathered a bucket
full of hail stones and there still
remains, covered up with leaves and
debris several car loads of stones.
It is said it was over three feet deep
in some places.
Mr.. Dunbar of the same section
has sent to this office samples of
tobacco, which had been destroyed
by hail on the same day. The leaves
are a perfect mass of shreads. He
bad six acres of the weed in fine
growing condition, which was more
or less Injured by the hail. The
storm visited other sections doing
much damage to growing crops.
We are informed that the same
section was visited yesterday after
noon by another severe rain, wind
and hail storm, but failed to learn
the damage.
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1903-06-10
strenses Than Ever.

There was meeting of the Board
of Trustees of the Palmetto COL
legiate Institute last Thursday. The
plans for an aggressive campaign in
the interest of the institute for the
coming session were laid and the out
look fully canvsssed. Among the
business transacted was the election
of teachers, which resulted as follows:
Prof. O. D. Sssy, President; Prof.
James II. Hope, Superintendent OF
the intermediate department; Miss
Mary Wiugard, principal of the pri-
mary department, and Mrs. Fannie
Roof, director of the musical depart
ment.
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1903-06-10
a Marrow Escape.

This town made narrow escape
from being wiped out by fire last
Saturday night. During the rain,
lightning struck the telephone wires
and followed them to Mr.. W. P.
Roofs large store and the current
entered it setting fire to the walls.
Fortunately it was discovered by
some one who had taken refuge from
the rain in the vestibule and the
alarm was given before the flames
could make any neadway. No dam
age was done.
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1903-06-10
Barbecue.

r WILL FURNISH A BARBECUE AND
L refreshments at Leesville on Saturday,
June 9th, 1903 A number of intere sting
speeches will be made and there will be
music By band A good dinner aud
pleasant time for all who may atterd
NJ. G. MAILMAN.
May 27, 1909. I'd.
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1903-06-10
n the. e.suprene Court.

The Mcdaniel appeal case was
argued Friday in the Supreme Court.
Solicitor Thurmond could not be
there ss be was engaged in a muir
der trial at Camden, and Mr.. W. e..
Townsend, the assistant attorney
general, and Senator W. e. Sharpe,
represented the State. Mcdaniel
was represented by Col. G. T. Gra-
ham, Gen. Leroy F. Youmsns and
Mr.. C. M E6rd.
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1903-06-10
Aid to the Sufferers.

Lexington raised in a part of day
Sl33 35 for the sufferers from the
food in the Piedmont section. This
amount was raised through the
efforts of Revs. J. G. Graichep, W E.
Barre, W. D. Quick, and Messrs. W.
P. Roof, Robert Hilton and Capt. L.
W. Redd.
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1903-06-10
Barbecue.

ON THE FOURTH DAY OF JULY
" we will furnish at Peliou, the best bar
btcue ever served in Lexington county.
The meats will be well cooked. There will
he dancing, and music by the Lexington
Brass and string Bands. Fun and fun and
fun will be provided tor every body. Come
ont everybody and have good dinner ana
a pleasant day.
JOE F. HARMAN
LUTHER CAN'T.
May 9th, 1908. I'd.
The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1903-06-10
No Better Place On Earth.

The home seeker, in seeking a
healthy place in which to pitch his
tent" and make his abiding place,
should consider the claims Of Lex
ington. It is proverbially healthy;
it's lands are rich, fertile and very
productive; it's climate is salub.ious
and sll together it is one of the most
favored spots on earth.