davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-29

7. was Thomas S'raiter hims"lf, tall,
snare. cmino ntly resp ctable in his loose
b.nok rain nj who gave the details OF the
tragt dy whe Il Judge Josiah Maroelus, out
of neighborly solicitude. Gallo d ne xt door
after having read the news in his morning
paper
IT was who discovered the body. said
the agent in his usual monotone i came
n. NJ last night at o 0 clock TO report on the
days busine IS. as have come every night
since the day ten " ars ago when Mr. IL
realizing that he was a confirmed invalid,
placed his extensive holdings in my charge
You know how particular a man Ire was -
anxious 10 keep that tight hold on every
tenant through which he had accumulated
his fortune. was eyes and ears and hands
TO him
You were indeed most faithful inter-
pos,d the Judge sympathetically, his
other selt. may say. his better self -
Thomas Strater waved his hand depre =
oatiugy
II had hi, faults he replied, but who
has not? They were the inc vitable result
of his narrow training Had they not been
80 rigid, VIZ might call them virtues.
But. as was saying. entered the house
with my pass key, going directly to the
library. There lying over the arm Of his
chair, was my old friend. great, bloody
hole in the back Of his head. He was cold;
he was dc ad
"Dsarl dear' said the Judge. And they
have arrested young Paul Lester az
khe murderer How DIT adfull He always
kemed a likely lad to me when he lived
N re with his uncle
Uncle only by courtesy, you know, '
explained Straiter There were no blood
ties between them. The young mans
mot he and the late Mrs. Bell were sisters
And do you BE- lie We him guilty?'
God forbid that / should judge him.
straiter answerd fervpntly, Il can only
tell you the circumst anoes that governed
the police in their action.
They found hid on an upper shelf in the
hall closet the htavy iron shaker Of the
old fashone heater in the library. There
were stains on it and bits of white hair
clinging it They found on the floor
OF tn closet a glove.
The patrolman OF the beat stated that he
had seen Lester enter the house by the rear
way about dusk 1t is common knowledge
that his uncle had discarded him and for
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-29
from nc French Of vtetor<n sardou.

From nc FrfHcb OF bcf1rkn SGrdou.
New Years Day and its customary gifts
always remind me of an incident during
the Siege of Paris, which l recall with a
distinct feeling Of pleasurable pride.
Let my readers be treasured, however.
/ am not about to lead them to the be-
leagured rampant sof the city, nor to the out
posts, but simply to the Rue de Trevise,
TO the home of my old friend Dutailly, a
rich merchant. husband OF a most excellent
wife. father Of charming daughter. a
clever business man. a good patriot, some
what of a crank as regards politics. but one
OF the best men In the world and good
friend always.
Surprised by the investment of Paris
just as he was packing his trunks to depart,
the worthy man consoled himself with the
belief that the city would not be held a week
Nine. Dutailly, better advised, fastened
to lay in such a stock Of provisions that
even had the siege lasted three months
longer the Dutaillys would never have
known what famine meant. She concluded
her wise work by turning her garden into
COW pasture, hen farm and residence
for pigs which. three months later, were
worth their weight in gold.
When the autumn came and the siege
still continued her family rose up and
oallc,l her blessed and 80 did l, for / dined
twice a week with the Dutsillys and on
Thursdays and Sundays l made up for the
pryatons Of the rest Of the week. There
are no words worthy to express my emotion
at the sight Of real omelette, one which
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-29

long line OF carriages In the street and the
dsoorous flow OF people into the house. next
reminded him that he stu had a
neighborly duty 70 perform.
He asoendsd the marble steps and en-
tered the darkened parlors, unable to make
out the llneaments OF the undertaker's
assistant who showed him TO a seat, yet
conscious that there was something strange
ly familiar about the outlines Of the man.
The coffin was set In the middle of the front
paTlor. At its head, sole representatives
Of the family. were Mrs Clay and her daugh-
ter Gertrude, enwrspped in cape. Next
to Gertrude sst Thomas Straiter, nearest
fire I'd Of the deceased and doubtless exec
utor and manager OF his estate.
The space between them and the heavily
curtained windows was obscure and UNI
occupied save as some attendant uptoed
for the camp chairs In the corner, fitting In
and out as shadowy as a ghost. The Judge
himself sat between the folding doors, and
the back parlor behind him was nearly
filed with a sober folk-old time acquaint-
ancee OF Jacob Bell and tenants still mel
ancholy from a sense Of his oppression.
The light from the hall fickered on
Thomas Straiter's face, and the Judge noted
somewhat surphsedly that its stern lines
we're softened into sort Of Snug salts
faction. The cause thereof became appar-
ent as the agent leaned over and stroSed
Gertrude's folded hands. his posture and
movements replete with proprietorship.
The girl shrank closer to her mother q
aide. and Straiter aettled back again. still
coutentedly, like one aware that he is the
master OF situation.
Did you see that. air?" came whisper
strangely familiar That's right; keep
your eyes oren.'
The star lei Judge gazed after the I'M
dertakers assistant. whose outlines had
perplexed him a few moments before;
and then, as the man passed out into the
hall, he recognized him as Abe Cronkite.
The clergyman took his station, Bible
in hand, and read In droning voice. Some
one closed the front door, deepening the
general gloom. yet making more vivid the
pickering light in its narrow radius
about the head Of the oohn.
The Judge. fascinated by sudden sus-
picion. studied fixedy Thomas Straiter's
face. Was II possible that this machine
like man. who for years, as he we'll knew,
had never varied the order OF his coming
or going. could now be under the sway Of a
passi on'
One mi ght s readily look for a change
in naked rock. yet II there were hidden
fires far within. even a mountain mi ght be
rent, bringing devastation and ruin upon
the innocent. II IL were 80, II it were so.
then. all kindly prediposition must be
eliminated as conclus ions from conditions
no longer existing, and in their stead would
remain intelligence. hypocrisy, cunning,
perhaps even that obduracy which magni-
hes the contemplate scoundrel into the
sue oes sful villain.
The clergyman prayed and every head
was bowed. Straiter bent over and whis-
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-29

@Now, / am no prosecuting officer
look out for the interests Of nv oIcp,,
the People can take caro- Of themselves.
IF any plan occurs 10 you whereby psri
Lester may be restored to liberty and hapr,.
ness sit down and present 1t to me. and
will meet you half way. II you prefer !,
defy me, get out Of the office at onc., abs
Ave minutes after you leave the damnin,
proofs in my possession will TO HANDED
over TO the District Attorney
Mr.. Straiter slipped into eAeir aa5
wiped his brow. Il am not az guilty A,
you thinh" he proteN ed feebly
There IL no denying the record Of
bloody thumb mark the Judge retorted
Don't WASTE my valuable time by trying
70 DO So"
Il WON'T replied Straiter braGnE him.
self. Il did lift the body from the hearth
into the chair; did hide the shaker and
the glove
But the man was dead when found
him; swear to God he was. He had fallen
backward and had struck himself. Hs
was dead; he was dead
Then why"
Il. was afraid l might he suspected q
killing him. 1t was such a chance--such
a chance; and that young Lester. 80 WORTH
less. so much in my way. And Gertrude
oh, loved her so.
For a moment the Judge sat in silence.
balancing his pen in his hand, while the
beads OF sweat gathered and ran dovu
the face OF the wretch opposite
IF you choose to give me your written
statement OF just what occurred, together,
OF course. with your declination Of the
executorship and any other rights YOU NAV
have under the will Of Jacob Bell, lie SAID
slowly Il will wait two days before IN
vealing the truth.
That will give me the time | need
must have, to get away. 10 hide myself
gasped Thomas Straiter, drawing his chair
10 the desk and snetching paper and zen
in a feverish eagerness; oh how good
you Are
well, Abe cried the Judge. when tho
papers had been critical y examined and
Straiter had made quick response 70 pen
mission TO leave, that's good Job, well
done
Il hope so sir" replied Abe Croukite
emerging from concealrnent, with a pW-
zled expression on his face. But he vas
too relieved, too grateful, 10 he in exact
accord with my theory,
One morning after the ten DAYS Of Won
derment had expired. Judge MarcelMs
looked up somewhat shamefaoedly. nom
the vouchers on his desk.
Il find, Cronkite, he hestated. yea.
there is no doubt of IT, ! find that Straiter
was an ernbezzler to very large amount Of
the rents passing through his hands Now
II Mr.. Bell had suspec--'
Cronkte nodded with grave compre-
tension
Here, too sir" he said just out u,
curiosity / have been making close en-
animation with my glass It's very power.
full, YOU know On the handle Of the shaker
on the top shelf oj the closet ! found
thumb marks. They are identical With
the impression ] took at the funeral en-
The Judge shrugged his shoulders a.
casting OF an unpleasant burden.
sOh, we'll. he unused, human justice at
best is a relative affair. AZ least my Etlls
friend Gertrude is happy
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-29

shoulders and an air OF great bravado
He wore a Captains stripes sewed on a
uniform that have must been looted from
some theatre and enormous boots which
proclaimed to all the world that hero trod
IN them.
an Rohillard,- snid Dutally. lutroduo-
irF US, the CaptaiiI Of the famous Los.
Children of ('ourhevnie.
had heard Of tho Captain. His exploits
consisted OF removing from de .erted houses
in the outskirts Of the city furniture lnG
valuablcs which might otherwise have
awakened the oupidity of the enemy and
storing them In safe places quite without
the knowledge of the owners.
/ wondered how this brute with his brist-
ling mustaohes had ever succeeded in form
ing part Of our family party when Nine.
Dutailly explained, with much emotion,
what had occurred. Just at dusk she had
fallen quite heavily on one of the icy boulc-
wards and Robiliard, who was passing, ran
to her assistance and helped her home
Grateful for his prompt aid, the lady felt
that she could do no less than invite him to
dinner an invitation which the Captain was
very ready 10 accept.
II. Robillard was clearly no fool. He
though his conoeit was colossal.
According to his stories. his prowess
at the head Of the Lost Children had been
unequalled With a few other leaders
like himself the war would have been
ended long before.
Nine. Dutailly listened eagerly to his
blatant stories, her husband applauded
proved Indifferent. As for the poor little
corporal. paler and more timid looking
than ever, in his coat which was three
sizes too large and, moreover, suffering
from a bad cold in the head, which always
makes a man ridiculous, he seemed COM
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-29

the hour when Mr. Bell must have died.
The young man might easily have crept
upstairs and killed him.
NO one saw him leave the house; the
servants were out. He undoubtedly did
drop his glove somewhere while he was
there. -
DO you see how involved he Tsp Do you
wonder that they both refrained from
testifying at the inquest?
aThe house was well secured In every
way; there we're no signs that any one had
broken in; nothing had been stolen. To
the girls mind, then, two possible theories
present themselves. Either Paul Lester
or Thomas Straiter killed Mr.. Bell
Rejecting the one, she Is convinced OF
the other. She believes that on entering
the house Straiter found Pauls glove in
the hall. The sight Of it suggested to him
how he might at once end an employment
which had become irksome and satsfy
both his love and hate.
'He knew that Mrs. Clay and Gertrude
would inherit Mr.. Bells fortune. With
Lester even charged with tho murder,
any thought Of him as lover would be
imgIoous. lib. :. ~, uorrv the
girl and even uslly enJoy'the fruits OF his
long years OF toll and servitudeT Accord
ingly, he killed Mr.. Bell; hid tho shaker and
the glove where they were certain 70 be
found. and then gave the alarm.
.Iaccept. sir, almost all Of Miss Gertrude q
premises; but | draw a third conclusion
from them notwithstanding. If you object
that my deductions are unsubstanuateo,
remember that the arrest had been made.
the examination Of the premises completed
and the inquest held before / even heard
OF the case. The time has been cruelty
abort, and / have been forced to argue
from the characteristics and principles
rather than facts.
1T was my first impression, sir, and
have fortified it by inquiry, that Straiter
lacks moral and physical resolution. he
has been under subsection all his life
TO one master mind.
His methods have been tortuous and
indirect. He knows how to wait. He has a
dread Of the law, and fear Of its processes.
His mind Is corrupt and cunning, but 1t
Is also cautious.
His nature Is passive rather than active,
He Ia incapable OF executing bold stroke
but II circumstances consplre in his favor
no regard for others would make him hes
itate to grasp their full advantage.
The Coroner's inquest sir. was held the
same morning you called at the house, and
before | had talked with Miss Gertrude.
1t was perfunctory affair with no one to
look out for the interests OF the prisoner.
Let me read you this excerpt from the testi-
mony Of DR.. Wilton, the Coroner's physician,
an able man, always careful, sometimes
overcautlous.' And Cronkite read:
O. You say then that the deceased died
from the effect OF this wound in the head
A. Yes
o. IL was caused by this shaker A Yes.
8. A violent blow, chr A. Violent con-
tact certainly. with this shaker.
Now what the devil did he mean by that'
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-29

concern in her voice:
Il am in charge Of the workers depart
ment Of the store and wanted to inquire
for Mrs. Beaumont
~Alasl madam, my mother is very i'll
L aIn truly soTTy to hear II. Mr.. Gray.
the owner of the store, DESTROYS OF bestow-
ing a we'll deserved compensation for her
work, asked me TO bring It TO her, but now
now"
oh! madam, my mother has asked for
II so often in her delir1um, perhaps the
sight OF it would quiet her. Would you
come in very quietly, please?'
The visitor entered noiselessly and with
out a word laid the diploma on the sick
woman's bed. Mrs. Beaumont did not sp-
pear to see It.
MY diploma she repeated. in a voice
that wss scarcely audible. Il should never
have shown it-because Of Mary-but
/ should have been so glad-to have had
III"
Fortunately the visitor did not under
stand the meaning Of her words, but Mary
blushed scarlet.
A moment later, as the young girl turned
once more to her mothers bedside, Il seemed
to her sorrowful fancy that the diploma
lay Ike an epitaph on the white bed
Three weeks later Mrs. Beaumont, very
feeble very pale, left her room for the fret
time. The doctor had at last given his
consent She had been near. very near. TO
the gates Of death, but, thanks TO her daugh-
ter's devoted care. she would still live many
years
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-29

Mary, too. vas no longer the sane glf
she was before her mothers illness II
her turn now she had watched the ong
night change TO dAv, each hour more fhans,
full that she could thus repay some par OF
her childhood's debt A new expression
shone in her white face as she helped ner
mother to dress and presently drew no
thin arm under her own.
Come, mamma / have surprise io'
you"
With slow steps Mrs Beaumont achieved
the long journey from her room 70 the I'VE
parlor The bright autumn sunlight n4e'
the Goa y sitting room, shining ! ie sTrie
Of welcome on all the familiar ohi"'''
Well. dearle, your surprise
Look
Your teachers diploma-framed' H.
deed, / am proud 10 see that
Yes, l had forgotten, Ut this IL WA
/ wanted you TO see. mother.
And Mary pointed 10 the place Of honer
above the mantel, whore second dlpioiHHss
hung. this one much more teautiul{
framed than the other. Trembling WIN
delight, Mrs. Beaumont read IN q 'ou'
filed with happiness:
luiE diploma O. nonor has been ifeecl =.
to Mrs. Mary Beaumont for her tniriy Nes''
consecutive good work in our store go
"Ohi Mary"
1t was al she could say as she TUNED.
her face radiant, TO her daughter
You see, | am - prUuu VI n. po,hr.
dearest replied M'rv. stopping % hs'
the hands that had worked 50 hard for her
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-29

pered unotuously TO Gertrude and again
the girl shrank away. imaging horror
and dread in her strained attitude,
Then something extraordinary occurred
Straiter's hand, swinging from the back
Of his chair, was seized from behind and
firmly press ed by two hands that seemed
to be moulding some plastic substance.
Then the shadowy form Of the man who
had taken so unwarranted liberty glided
out into the hall, and stood for moment
in the brighter light, as IL wishing to be
oil served. 1t was Abe Cronkite, In his
demure disguise as an undertaker's assist
ant.
The clergyman prayed on, the assem-
blage still sat with bowed heads, all un-
aware Of tn . moi dent Of an instant
The Judge studied even moro fIedly
Thomas Straiter's face. held fascinated
by tho obvious play OF his emotions. AT
frat there was a look OF stupefactlon on
1t, as the agent held up his hand, apparently
picking of something sticky from the
thumb.
Then intelligence began to dawn, fore
boding intelligence gradually deepening
into an awful comprehension. which whit
ened his lips and drew the shrinking lines
Of fear where but lately that SNUG tatis-
faction had broadened. The fair fabric OF
his hopes had collapsed, and terror was
upon him. What had Cronkite done7
The Judge was still asking himself this
question when he reached his Office and
found his faithful lieutenant awaiting him.
the man is an infamous scoundrel,
began Ace. who only misses successful
villany through his lack of hardihood
Circumstances were unusually favorable
to him, and he took advantage OF hawless
opportunity. What then remained? Why
simply 10 make him confess to less crime
through fear of being convicted OF greater
one"
First a charade and then an enigma,
complained the Judge. May l trouble
you 70 get down to plain narrationf What
I want to know Is, what did you do at the
funeral?'
Let me- W rk up to 1t In an orderly way
frUm the beginning, sir said Cronkite'
and then when you know what did you
will SEQ why did it.
i like your little friend. Miss Gertrude,
She Is a good girl, and believe not only
her facts but her intuitions
This man Straiter has pestered her for
years with odious attentions, yet in so
furtive way that she could not prevent
or expose him. She knows instnctively,
without proof. that he brought about the
arrangement between Mr.. Bell and young
Lester. and has been the secret enemy
OF that poor fellow in every way Why?
Because these young people love each other.
This. then. is the situation. Paul Lester
vaa in the house early that evening. Ger
trude saw him privately; for her mother,
a weak. nervous creature. had no other
mind than Mr.. Bells will.
while they were together her mother
called her from the upper story, and so
abe left him In tho lower hall to find his own
way out. The time was perilously near
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-29

On the list Of January Dutailly received
us with open arms. glorious victory
had been foretold by his favorite paper and
the obstinate patriot was delighted.
Anatole brought with him rabbit, which
he had trapped himself As for the Captain.
he presented to Nine. Dutailly a large bag
Of marrons glaces encased in a German
helmet.
WHAT she exclaimed almost speech
les with admiration. Did you kill himl'
Expressly for your fair sake. replied
Robillard, striking an attitude. EXPIRES 7ly
and entirely that his helmet might serve
as box for your bonbonsl
Dear me, said l. / am not so bold as I o
try to rival such man as the Captain. but
l, too, have prepared little surprise.
Il wonder what 1t can be?" cried Nine.
Dutailly as the servant brought in a large
package
1T is a bombshell dear madame. re-
piled. -Dutailly has told me several times
that he would like 10 have one, a real one,
and at my request ROLAND. commanding
the battery, sent me one As | spoke,
removed the paper and the shell appeared,
black. sinister and menacing.
Gracious, objected my hostess what
If il should exploded
DO not be uneasy fastened to say
"Of course. ROLAND would not have sent
me any but an empty shell! Besides here
is his letter.
/ opened a note which lay beside the
bomb, but as read II my face must have
expressed surprise and then CONSERVATION,
for my friends exclaimed an1iously:
is anything the matter?
Gracious powers! why-but listen
and read.
DEAR FRIEND. Here is tho bombshen you
asked for II has been impossible FOR me
lust now to get hold OF an armorer 70 empty
Il. but II you Will take II to the Avenue do
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-29

pletely crushed by his empowering
neighbor.
As soon as dinner was over invented
an excuse TO leave the house, bored by
the gracecss lies OF tho vulgar Captain,
TO whom fervently hoped l had said fare
we'll forever. But this hope was doomed
70 bitter disappointment. The follow
IL Sunday found him in the same place.
egl.n on Thursday. Finally, his place
Wa regularly spread.
The hutpillys we're completely fascinated,
Madame because the tender galantry
shown her by Robillard never fails to af-
feet ladies OF her age, and PAPA Dutailly
because Of the interest the dashlng Cap
tain took in his warlike predictions. Ana
tole his cold worse than ever, lost ground
vsibly at each meal.
One day the corporal was obliged to
keep to his bed, and for several weeks
he was absent from our lepast. During
his aspirations for the hand of Nile. Ger
trIde, and his advances we're not repulsed
by her parents.
The day Anatole. convalescent and thin
ms n pipe stem, returned TO our weekly
dinners it seemed to me that the young
lady's pretty eyes we're red and that there
must have been some dispute during the
day between her and her mothel, now
completely infatuated with her RobillaTd
felt that the time had come TO interfere
in the interest Of these poor children. II
happened TO be the last Sunday In the year
and naturally We fell to talking OF New
Years Day, which we we're 70 spend to-
gether
-Upon my word. dear madame, cried
the Captain, must prepare some sur,
prise with which 10 offer you my good
wishes for the New Year
1t was this remark that gave me the idea
OF nv own.