davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Mercur miner. [volume] (Mercur, Utah) 1895-1913, 1905-10-18
H.,PTER vi.
The s, ,rch for a Father.

. The s. ,reh for a Father.
What hap. ened after this no one
ever knew exactly. Before Mrs. Bur.
rift had begun to grasp the idea that
something was wrong, her son had
rushed from the room.
After what seemed an age OF walt
ing, but was really a very short time,
he returned. In his hand he held a
copy Of the newspaper which he rad
just bought. Mother" he said, hut
ting a strong restraint upon himself.
Il am afraid there has been an scci-
dent on the line. You mustn't be
alarmed, for though some people
have been injured, there is no reason
why my father should not have es-
capped. and very likely the affair has
been greatly exaggerated"
Ted" said his sister, In q voice
almost as calm as his own, though
her face had lost every particle OF
color. and seemed to have suddenly
become years older. Let us know
the worst!" And she held out her
hand for the paper.
The worst" he answered, with a
sound like strangled sob In his
voice, why should there be any
worst? And as for the paper" crump
ling 1t up in his hand. you can't place
the slightest dependence upon that
Pm-I'm going up TO town by the next
train, so as TO be on the spot, and
''He may be hurt in some way, you
know" he added. slowly. by way OF
preparing their minds for whatever
might be the result. HE may have
come of with a broken leg, or some.
thing OF that sort. You can hardly
But whatever II is. I'm going to find
him out and bring him back home.
Take care OF mother"-this to his sis
ter-and he was gone.
But before he could leave the house.
while his hand was yet upon the latch,
he found himself confronted by the
girl. Goodbye" she said, slowly and
sadly. "You will do your best-but
l have no hope-none!"
He caught train which was on the
very point OF starting. and leaped
into the first carriage he came TO.
Then he took out the paper which he
had kept so carefully from the sight of
those others at home, and began to
study more earnestly the brief but
terrible announcement which Il con,
tanned.
Ito be continued.)
The Mercur miner. [volume] (Mercur, Utah) 1895-1913, 1905-10-18

pealing to her son II suppose there s
no mistake about the day? Your dear
father didn't mean tomorrow?
Her son produced the telegram,
which he had about him, and repeated
the contents aloud:
Am returning to-day by the 1870
train. Shall be home to dinner.
Friend accompanies me-"
well. I'm sure don't know what TO
do about IT," exclaimed the poor lady,
almost wringing her hands.
Hadn't you better 20 and speak TO
cook yourself?" said her son, making
the proposal without the slightest
comprehension OF what 1t involved.
II suppose I had" murmured his
mother; very well, Jane, you can say
I'm coming" And she left the room,
leaving the young people together.
Aren't you tired of standing, May"
asked her brother. addressing the girl,
who had scarcely varied her attitude
an inch in the last half hour.
Tired" she exclaimed. half turn
ing round. What has that got to do
with it2 want TO be the first to see
them" Then she added, Tell me
what you meant to say, a little while
ago. when you began I wish. and
stopped"
why" he answered gloomily. 81
was going to say | wish the governor
had never started on this Journey;
though" he added. In hurry. "of
course he's all right-missed the train
or else there's a block on the line, or
something-only-" He broke OF
without bringing his sentence to a
conclusion, and asked. Was that
what you wished. too?"
''I!" she exclaimed, II wish that
and more. ! wish he had never had
that letter. I wish his friend. who.
ever he Is had never come back from
where he was"
"Oh. come. now" was the would-be
comforting response. now you're go
ing ahead too far. or course. it's vex-
ing and all that; but. after all, the
only thing that will really suffer will
be the dinner. and that won't be At
The Mercur miner. [volume] (Mercur, Utah) 1895-1913, 1905-10-18

wronged. innocent woman OF such an
Infamous deed. should be myself sus-
pected Let us be friends"
took her hand In both OF mine
and pressed 1t warmly. Then, turn
ing to Angelo. she said:
MY little Angelo, once before, with
hatred in my heart, ! falsely said, I
hope you will be very happy Now,
my sister, with only love and tender.
ness and regret, say 1t sincerely and
honestly. You believe me. do you
not?"
For reply. Angelo threw her arms
about the stately Miss Capel and
kissed her with tears and smiles.
Then. without one word or look for
the Professor, Satane quietly left the
room.
After he had congratulated us, he
followed her
Turning to me, Angelo said:
IL hope they will be as happy as we
are"
This l echoed with all my heart,
though l added, as I drew her to my
breast:
MY little love. can any two human
beings be so supremacy happy as
we are? Think OF the black night
through which we have come to the
morning OF peace and Joy and love"
The Mercur miner. [volume] (Mercur, Utah) 1895-1913, 1905-10-18
cHAP1 Err v.
Tho $3.50 Train.

Dinner at Magnolia Lodge had been
ordered for quarter TO eight. In or
Der 10 suit the convenience of the trav.
slers. who were expected to arrive at
about that hour.
A the time drew on, lars. Burritt
suddenly became troubled again In her
mind concerning the soap dish.
Il do wish. after all. had ordered
the best spare bedroom to be got
ready, though I've generally consid-
cred the second best good enough for
q single gentleman. and suppose he
n a single gentleman. But for all
that"
Here they arel" suddenly cried her
laughter May. who was watching from
the window.
well, it's too late 10 make any
change now" sighed her parent, half
sslieved at having the matter sum
narily settled; and perhaps he won't
notice the crack. | do hope my cap is
On straight"
The said cap was, as usual. consid-
erably out OF the perpendicular: but
- Il happened. It's lack OF rectitude
was, in this instance, OF no particular
consequence, for the alarm proved
false. and the cab. which had &C first
appeared as though about TO draw up
before the house. resumed its snail
hke crawl and gradually disappeared.
Then came another spell OF waiting.
They must have missed their train
u London Bridge" said Ted Burritt.
Perhaps the other one v g late. I've
looked in Bradshaw and see that us
due In town at seven o'clock. II so,
they ought TO be here by this time"
The next half-hour slowly licked
itself away without bringing any
change in the position OF affairs.
They were all vacantly conscious OF an
Increasing sense OF anxiety and de-
erosion within. Why did they not
eomeY Surely. II they had missed
one train, there had been plenty OF
time TO catch the nextY Then the
aiock chlmed the half-hour. and. at the
same moment. an interruption took
place. The message ran:
III you please. m. cook wants TO
know what she is TO do about dinneri"
Mrs. Burritt started nervously. I'm
sure. ] don't buow. Jane" Then. ap
The Mercur miner. [volume] (Mercur, Utah) 1895-1913, 1905-10-18
CHAPTER iv.-continued.

MY dear James" interrupted Mr..
Burritt, hastily, you must know very
well that II isn't that But the truth
OF the matter is. I've a great aversion
20 firearms. Stlll, II you will assure
me that the weapon isn't loaded,
I'll
I'll assure you OF that or anything
else that will add to your peace of
mind" was the somewhat equivocal
reply. AT any rate, It isn't loaded
now; and, what is more, I will also
give you my word that will not at
tempt TO blow out my brains during
tie journey-or." he added, as q sort
a sfterthought, anyone else's."
When Mr.. Burritt and his friend ar
rived at the station, the latter took
considerable amount OF trouble to
insure a separate compartment to
themselves-in fact, Mr.. Burritt rather
fnncied he saw him give something to
The guard, who thereupon locked the
door upon them, and consigned them
70 solitude.
The carriage In question, II may be
worth remembering. was the fourth
from the engine.
Il wonder" thought Mr.. Burrltt to
himself as the train steamed out OF
the station. (which is the pocket he
carries the revolver in?" Then his
thoughts wandered away from the
actual present. II suppose shall find
them all right at home. Dear, dear.
anyone would think l had been away
. month. What an old fogey I'm get.
ting. By-the-by. wonder what James
10 thinking about? he looks uncom-
monty gloomy. wish he'd say some.
thing instead Of staring out OF the
window In stony silence. Somehow.
one doesn't like the notion OF riding
alone with a man who has shed
another mans blood, especially when
he carries revolver. wonder
whether he's thinking Of that, OF
vhatf"
n Mr.. Burritt could have read what
vas passing in his companions mind,
he would have been amazed TO find
The Mercur miner. [volume] (Mercur, Utah) 1895-1913, 1905-10-18
AZ She Understood Il.

He was telling a poker story, but
she only caught this sentence: And
then, OF course. called, and
She interrupted him reproachfully
and also with some asperity.
"I've caught you. John Henry" she
exclaimed. Here I've been trying &c
get you to call on the Joneses for the
last three months, and you wouldn't
do it-said you didn't like to make
calls, then you go out and make one
by yourself. or else you go calling
with someone else. Yes; that must
be II? What is she. John Henryf
Who is this person who can get you
TO make calls when you won't make
them with your wife?"
John Henry looked at his masculine
friends and winked slyly.
Shall tell herr" he asked.
Might as WELL" they said.
'In this case" he then told her,
three ladies induced me to call"
"Three7"
Yes; but" he FASTENED TO add. III
you came across them In the pack
you would probably call them queens
II was a great joke-his masculine
friends assured him OF that-but hs
hasn't succeeded In explaining the
matter TO his wife's satisfaction yet
Chicago Post
The Mercur miner. [volume] (Mercur, Utah) 1895-1913, 1905-10-18
GUNS OF ANCIENT TIMES.
Cannon Used by British In France IN
1847.

In 1927, when the English In Nor
mandy made their last assault on
Mont st. Michel under Lord Scales,
they attacked II with several power
full engines and certain machines of
war" Says an old writer: They
trained battery so furiously against
the walls that they made a breach"
Among these formidable weapons
we're two enormous wroughtiron guns.
which they we're compelled to leave
behind on being Obliged to raise the
siege. They are still on exhibition
with some OF their projectiles In a
rallied Enclosure just inside the main
entrance to the town. The guns are
OF the kind formerly called bonn
bards" and are of different sizes. The
larger one has caliber of nineteen
inches. 30h inches being the greatest
external diameter and ~ feet the
total length. OF which about feet 4
inches belongs 10 the smaller pow.
der chamber in the rear. II weighs
very nearly six tons. The other gun
weighs about a couple OF tons less, In
OF 10 inches caliber and IL feet
inches long. These weapons are not
cast, but built up" guns, being form
ed OF longitudinal bars about three
inches wide, arranged like the slaves
OF a cask and bound round closely
with wrought-oron hoops. The Niche
let's" as they are called. are most
likely OF Flemish workmanship. Their
projectiles are made OF hewn granite
and these for the larger gun have
been estimated TO weigh 800 pounds
apiece. The powder chamber Is cap
able OF holding about forty pounds Of
explosive.
The Mercur miner. [volume] (Mercur, Utah) 1895-1913, 1905-10-18

have used such a word. ] beg your
pardon"
Command is a bad word at all
times" he gravely said, ut should be
carefully used. am not going to
read your manuscript, child only
wished to tease you. Here Il Is, my
fair accomplish" and he returned IL
to me.
Then sitting down by me he con
tinued, How do you enjoy knowing
you have been suspected OF murderf"
! confess it was to me a new sensa-
ton"
Mr.. Severance is not the only one
who has suspected me-" I returned
proudly. s.
"Satane." he cried earnestly, "that
Is what | wish TO talk to you about.
My dear cousin. can you ever for.
give me. was blinded to your noble
qualities saw only the weeds in
your hearts garden. You have root.
ed them out. have watched the
process. Day by day have you gar.
dened there, and In place OF all those
noxious growths there are only fair.
sweet flowers. Satane, dearest, I love
you. VIII you be my wife?"
| do not quite recall what hap.
pened next. He had his arms about
me and was looking down at me with
those wonderful eyes He was so
gentle and kind. There was no trace
Of the authoritative air he had as
sumed toward me that evening In his
room. He was only a sweet, courte-
Gus lover
you will let me read what you
were writing, will you not?" he ten
derby asked, II feel sure 1t is some
thing about me, Satanic"
hesitated one moment-then
gave II to him and he read II through.
Turning he clasped me again In his
arms.
Dearest. you are right. I do not
wish a slave, but rather a soldier: q
soldier who has bravely fought and
vanquished her worst enemy; a sol.
der who will bear and endure all
the fatigues, the hardships, the
forced marches Of life, for the love
she bears her--shall say comman-
der-darling? Is this a case where
one may be pardoned the use OF that
obnoxious word?"
And as he lifted my face to his I
knew that for his kiss. his praise. hts
love, would follow him through ev-
cry changing fortune, every forlorp
hope, on to victory or to death.
THE END.
The Mercur miner. [volume] (Mercur, Utah) 1895-1913, 1905-10-18

to eat. II they don't come directly"
As II in answer TO this remark. Mrs
burritt at that moment re-entered the
room. She was flushed and agitated
and, as was apparent TO the most OBJ
fuse observer. on the verge OF tears,
Really. cook has been most trying. u
she sighed. as she sank into the near.
est chair. "She almost intimated that
l had done II on purpose. She says,
she has never been used TO such WAYS,
and that flesh and blood won't stand
Il. let alone legs OF mutton. She says
she can give us another ten min.
utes. but no more"
The ten minutes passed, as the pre-
vious thirty had done. and at the end
OF that time three very dlspirited PEG
pie sat down to their spollt dinner.
May soon noticed that her brother,
whose attention had been obviously
wandering for some time past. appear.
ed to be listening 10 something from
without. At first her heart bounded.
Could II be that they had arrived at
last? Was II the click OF the gate that
he was straining his ear TO catch
or the sound OF footsteps upon the
gravel drive without? SO she. too.
listened in her turn. hoping TO be able
to distinguish one or the other of
these welcome but long delayed sig.
nails. But the only thing she could hear
was the faint sound OF voice which
seemed to be shouting something
In the distance. May also perceived
that the voice was drawing gradually
nearer. and resolving itself into that
peripatetic newsboy, who was
vending his wares and shouting out
the most sensational headings at the
top OF his voice. Was that all? Stlll.
he was not yet near enough for her
TO distinguish the sense OF the sounds
which caught her ear from time TO
time, as she absently crumbled her
bread. and thought to herself over and
over again, III only father would come
homei"
Mrs. Burritt, as though the thought
had set In motion some electric cur
rent which connected the two brains.
remarked at this juncture, Il sup.
pose they are quite certain to be here
some time to-night9"
Almost before the words were out
OF her lips, her son. who was sitting
on her right. started to his feet with
cry.
What is itY Oh. what Is III" ask.
ed his sister as a sense OF something
terrible about TO happen fell upon her
He made no reply. but. with dilat.
Ing eyes, stood there with every facu +
" absorbed in the enc EFFORT.
Then he raised onS hand-the other
The Mercur miner. [volume] (Mercur, Utah) 1895-1913, 1905-10-18

ferna, the cobra, its frightful hooded
head erect and kissing defiance.
The detective gave one glance.
and fired. When the smoke cleared
away the serpent was dead.
He disentangled the struggling
form from its coils, released the
hands and laid Bojanta on the couch.
Her terrible death throes we're soon
over. The murder OF Reginald DIAL
rymple was avenged.
II seems that | had not secured
my prize as firmly as ] thought.
She had struggled desperately at
her bonds and succeeded In freeing
her body from the chair. Then, go
ing to the serpents cage and turning
her back to II she had, with her fet-
tered hands, contrived to shove up the
sliding door, and thus invited her
awful destruction.
There Is only step between sor-
row and Joy, horror and happiness,
heaven and hell,
When. ten days later, ! presented
myself at the Dalrymple place and
looked about at the flowers, the ex.
quisite sky, the purple sea, ! could
scarcely believe that had really
passed through those fearful scenes
Of which have written. They seemed
like a hideous nightmare, from which
some kindly hand had reused me.
Angelo came into the room and sud
denly paused, wondering, she told me
afterwards, at the Joy upon my face.
"Angele-darling," cried. you arc
innocent. Read that" and | held out
Bojanta's confession. She read II.
and then swiftly, silently came TO
my outstretched arms.
slowly. reverently. laid my lips
on hers in the first. long, bewilder-
Ing kiss OF love, Only step from
hell TO heaven!
After a few moments OF such hap
piness as seldom comes to mortSis,
we sent for the Professor and Satane.
When they came | told my stoV,
keeping back nothing; not even my
suspicious OF their completely.
SatAne flushed then turned very
white, but came 10 me and with un.
speakable grace, held out her hand.
saying;
II forgive you. do not blame
you In the least. II was but just
that l. who had Inspected this
The Mercur miner. [volume] (Mercur, Utah) 1895-1913, 1905-10-18
EDITOR WHO IS USEFUL.
Versatile Journalist a Power In the
Community.

community
AS proof that the editor is some
body in his community we point to
Prof John Beckley OF the editorial
stan Of the Connecticut Western
News at Canaan, a jou- alist whom
his fellow citizens del. to honor.
He is veritable syndic. If public
Offices. his titles run the gamut from
registrar OF voters up to Justice OF
the peace: he has attended various
political conventions as delegate: he
is an actor, a poet, a musician and
dancing master, and there Is no evi.
dence that he is not skilfull and sue
cessful in each and every avenue of
his varied avocations, notwithstand-
ing the seeming incongrulty OF the
dancing professor reporting dog
fight for his paper, the editor holding
court and weighing out justice to as
sault and battery culprits and the
Judge teaching the fancy steps Of the
latest dances.
A further proof OF Brother Beck
leys versatility is recorded In the lat
est Issue of his own paper. In his
capacity as Judge. he presided over
the trial of Julia McCarty Aliens
husband for assaulting his wife. The
judges printed report states that "as
neither side was represented by coun-
sci, Justice Beckley conducted the
case for both" Happily, too, he won
IT, During the trial Julia appealed
to Justice Beckley to give her a legal
separation from her husband" never
dreaming that there was a limit TO
the powers vested in the editor, and
she refused to be oomforted when he
sadly informed her that divorces were
out OF his line.-New Haven PaliadL
UNI.
The Mercur miner. [volume] (Mercur, Utah) 1895-1913, 1905-10-18
81. Peter Remembered

A poor son OF Erin died and wal
lauded as a very good man by all hh
neighbors. Arriving at The Gate he
found his way barred by Saint Peter
Before ye can enter" says Sain,
Peter will ye tell me ye are no,
guilty of any great SIM"
II am not" said Paddy.
Think again" said Saint Peter.
We'll" says Paddy, thinking hard
II remember once using bad languag,
over an ould rooster we had"
That was a great SIM" said Sam
Peter. and yez can't come In" 4,
Paddy turned sorrowfully away. bu,
before he had gone for Saint Pete,
recalled him.
I've been thinking said saIn,
Peter, land think ye must have hae
great proyocation. and that your Ian
guage was perhaps excusable. Ye can
come In. | remember, once had
trouble with the same sort OF bird
myself"
The Mercur miner. [volume] (Mercur, Utah) 1895-1913, 1905-10-18
CHAPTER XIII.

A hurried walk brought me to the
drug store. where Fortune and the
detective were awaiting me.
A few words explained the situa-
ton. The detective took from his
pocket a pair of handouts, and crit
ically examined them.
Il hope these are small enough, !"
he said, with the air Of a connois-
seur. From what you tell me OF the
lady,'I Judge | shall need them"
In silence we fastened to Bojanta's
apartment. The detective led the
way, and inserting the key had
brought with me, flung wide the
door. AS he did so, an exclamation
horror burst from his lips.
Just Heaven! What a sight met
our gael
There, prone upon her face on the
floor, In the midst of her tangled
black draperies. on which the golden
serpents cleaned with horrid sym
bolism, her hands still bound with
the yellow scarf, writhing In convul-
slons. lay Bojanta. Coiled and twist
ed about her distorted form was In
The Mercur miner. [volume] (Mercur, Utah) 1895-1913, 1905-10-18
CHAPTER xIl.-continusd.

She never finished the sentence.
for, with a dexterous movement.
caught her freed hand and in trlce
ner wrists were once more firmly
confined. Then with the long trail
ing end of the scarf, | proceeded to
bind her to a chair.
She did not resist. She seemed
dazed and bewildered at this pro
ceeding. and did not speak until |
was leaving the room.
"Why-why-do-you-- leave me
-soH" she stammered, where are
you gqing?"
II am going for the police, to
whom shall hand you a prisoner,
accused OF numbering Reginald Dial.
rymple."
As | closed the door behind me I
saw her writhi.g like some netted
animal. and the awful face turned
toward me was like one that might
have peered from the portals OF hell.
The Mercur miner. [volume] (Mercur, Utah) 1895-1913, 1905-10-18

hat. instead OF dwelling upon the
past. he was merely repeating over
and over TO himself the words which
the former had spoken only few
hours before-"The secret lies be-
tween us twol The secret lies be-
tween us twol"
The Mercur miner. [volume] (Mercur, Utah) 1895-1913, 1905-10-18
CHAPTER XIV.
Miss capeI Resumes Her stol

Miss capel Resumes Her story.
have left my sister to enjoy the
newfound happiness, which, by
right, belongs to her. By right, /
say. Yes. for every human being has
right to a certain share of happi-
ness. Angelo has long been defraud-
ed of her portion. Now 1t has come
rushing upon her like torrent from
the mountain heights, sweeping away
every evil and baleful memory, and
bringing the pure, limpid waters Of
a noble love. God bless her and give
her peace after all her cruel trials.
For myself, what is there? Nothing,
nothing.
And yet am still young and beau
tiful. am a woman capable OF in.
The Mercur miner. [volume] (Mercur, Utah) 1895-1913, 1905-10-18

clutches the edge Of the table. lis
tenl" he gasped.
And the voice without, now close
to their very gates, made itself plainly
heard, as II shouted out the latest bull
letin--
"Spechal hedishunl Hevenin' Stand
ard! 'Orrible railway haccidentl over
twenty killed and injured The four.
thirty from Dover W.T. cked by down
train carryin' petroleu., barrelsl The
line on fire. Horful SC nest 'Artrend-
in detailsl"
The Mercur miner. [volume] (Mercur, Utah) 1895-1913, 1905-10-18
The Kitchen Rano..

A fne housekeeper says since paint.
ing her kitchen range she has never
blackened ii with stove polish. Every
spring when cleaning house she buys
a can OF enamel from druggist and
paints her stove with It. The stove
looks like new, does not rust and
needs no cleaning except busting and
wiping on
The Mercur miner. [volume] (Mercur, Utah) 1895-1913, 1905-10-18
French Poodle In RrltaIn.

There are $4,000 Preach in Great
Britain and Ireland. more than three
fourths OF the number balng in Lon.
don. The business most followed
among these is cookery. AS English
lanndresses are priced in France. %
French cooks are valued In England