davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Elbert County tribune., 1906-09-13
Beard is Eight Feet Long.

Ortonville. Mich.-W. L. Guiles, of
this place, is IS years of age, and it is
his proud boast that razor has not
touched his face in 20 years. During
all this time his whiskers have con-
tinued to grow. and to-day they are a
little over eight feet in length, about
three feet of his remarkable hirsute
adornment resting on the ground when
he has his beard unfurled. The whis-
kers, however, occasion him little in
convenience, as he keeps them done
up with hairpins under his chin except
on rare occasions. AS they are pinned
in place for him at home and the
process is an intricate and difficult
one, he never lets his whiskers down
outside of his own home circle, not
because he isn't proud of the distinc-
ton he enjoys. but for the simple rea-
son that he has not acquired the knack
of getting his whiskers neatly back
in place again.
The Elbert County tribune., 1906-09-13

The fireplace was of kind that
had been much in vogue a hundred
years ago. and the mantle-shelf was
English soldier. The woodwork was
black with age, and the varnisff had
fallen from its surface.
l was amazed at the solidity of the
easements. the heavy oaken timbers
of the doors. and the massive charac-
ter OF the mantle. Though free from
carving or pretense of any kind. every
part OF the building possessed a SOL
idity of construction seldom seen in
houses of the present age. And as 1
examined the room and its contents
secretly enjoyed the problem of mys-
terry which had brought me across the
seas. and of which l as yet only
knew suggestion.
The ceilings were lofty and were re-
lieved in the center by succeed
group of fantastic figures The walls
were ornamented with paintings,
which, upon closer inspection. reveal
ed artistic treasures such as | had
never before seen. though of grue-
some and disquieting nature These
paintings were executed with a skill
marvelously rare. One of these COW
cred a canvas nearly as large as one
side of the room, and seven feet in
width, and was inclosed in frame of
rustic pattern. which but enhanced
its somber character.
| drew nearer, fascinated by the
strange subject in this curious paint
ing. 1t seemed to have been the work
of both rnadman and master.
In the foreground of the magnifi-
cent but gruesome painting was por-
trayed a hideous cannibal. his cruel
eyes ben. with horrible fxity upon
the bleeding and mangled form of a
nude woman, whose flesh had been
torn from her bones in numerous
places. but who was yet alive. The
most horrible suffering was visible in
her upturned face. an unprayed pray
er was upon her sweet lips: her gold
en- hair waved in the breezes which
came from the wild sea, while her out
stretched arms reached Heavenward.
\ to invoke that protection which evil
/ hChtis Ndiht AOi. ioMtIlnk ABOVE ner.
with one knee upon the sand to bal
ance his huge weight. the human
ogre was enjoying a feast from the
flesh of his victim. while his eyes
gloated upon her helplessness with
the ferocity of jungle lion. and from
his coarse. thick lips her blood drip
ped upon the sands. In one hand a
piece of quivering flesh. still wet
with gore, was clinched with savage
voracity.
turned away in sheer horror. so
life-like was the scene. 1t seemed to
live, it seemed to act as though the
principal>had sprung from the walls.
1t was plainly the nightmare of a
madman, the diseased dream of the
morbid or sickly brain.
ITO be continued.)
The Elbert County tribune., 1906-09-13
LOT OWNERS ARE pEepLEss.
Millionaire Who Kept Accounts in
Head Leaves Queer Tanqle.

Webster City. Ia.-Since the death
of George Wells. the eccentric Iowa
millionaire. at his home in Grundy
Center 1t develops that many of the
business houses at Wellsburg, the
thriving German town in Grundy
county named after the millionaire,
are built on lots for which the owners
have no deeds except that which
comes from verbal agreement and the
fact of occupancy in peaceful posses
sion for a number of years.
1t appears that Mr.. Wells had a
great habit of deferring action in
many of his deals. trades and trans.
actions, that he disposed of lots, gave
the buyer possession and stated that
he would make a deed some day, be-
ing too busy to attend to the trivial
work of executing the deed.
Mr.. Wells carried his books in his
head, so to speak. and many of his old
time friends took his word for many
things, expecting. of course, to receive
the deed in time, but realizing after
the old mans death that they had no
title to their property. A number of
legal actions will be the outcome of
the matter.
The Elbert County tribune., 1906-09-13

| My first impulse was to pursue him
and demand the meaning of his
strange conduct. for felt sure that he
reasons for remaining out OF sight. I
had taken one step toward the In
closure. when heard the door omen,
and, turning, I was confronted by an
old woman, withered and bent with
age.
Her face was SO corrugated with
wrinkles that she resembled an ape.
She beckoned me forward, but |
hesitated. SO ghoulish was her appear
ance. She smiled the grimace of an
ape, and threw the door open. as
though to invite me in.
At last. recovering myself, walked
boldly forward and followed her into
the hallway. l heard the door close,
and the key turn in its fastenings,
and knew was IN the house of Jean
Valdermere
l followed the grotesque figure of
the old woman to a door which led
from the gloomy hallway into a room
of unusual dimensions. lofty ceilings
and ancient easements, all of which
were dimly visible by the flame of a
hanging lamp. And l wondered why
the light of day was shut out from
the room.
The furniture. of an old pattern,
was comfortable, and the chairs were
large and luxurious.
scanned all Of these with a hur-
ried glance. but when turned to
interrogate the woman, she had left
the room.
had risen from my chair, and now
stood in front of the oaken mantle.
resting against its edge. my hands
hanging listlessly at my sides.
The Elbert County tribune., 1906-09-13
CHAPTER Ill.

At noon on the day succeeding my
interview with Duvalle. came in
sight of a building which had every
reason to believe was the one he had
described
During my long journey | had sew
eral times lost my bearings. which,
however. thanks to my extreme care
in writing down the directions, had
not caused me any serious delay.
The road was lonely, and in many
places wild vines spread in arches
above my head, reaching from one
side 10 the other. shutting out the
rays of the sun. save where the light
filtered through the leaves and cast
fitful. fantastic shadows across my
path
The old house was built of gray
stone. and its outer walls bore traces
of former age, moss-grown and rent
in many places. AS | drew nearer. |
was oppressed by sense of desola-
tion, for thcre was no sign of life
not bird or fowl. nor a domestic ami
NAL, could be seen.
The yard was surrounded by a
/ otCht ttltts tit Odhtn gate ndQ
fallen from its hinges Weeds and
wild vines covered the painless en-.
closure.
There was no pretense at ornament
in the construction of the house. 1t
was large. massive and square. No
veranda, no promenade, nothing save
the bleak gray walls. the narrow
windows. and oaken door, approach
able by three stone steps.
AS l reached the doorway | paused
to listen for a sound within, but the
intense silence was unbroken.
"Ah." l thought. this is truly like
valdermere. the mystic" and l shud-
dered as I reflected what secrets the
bare walls of this isolated old house
enclosed.
1t is impossible to describe the
strange sentiment of fear that seized
me as | raised my hand to rap on the
old oaken door. l felt qualm that
had never known before, and NV
arm fell to my side. turned and
looked out upon the mountain road.
and was possessed by desire to re-
trace my steps and quit the scene
forever
AS | turned, saw a tall dark form
glide behind the heavy foliage at the
roadside-it was the figure of Duvalie.
The Elbert County tribune., 1906-09-13
LEADS CHICAGO in DIVORCES.
Separations in Minneapolis More
Numerous, According to Population.

Minneapolis. Minn.-With a popula-
ton one-tenth as large as Chicago, it
is estimated Minneapolis has granted
in the last 81 years one-eighth as many
divorces as Chicago. The exact fig
ures, as near as can be placed are:
Chicago, 10000; Minneapolis, 5000.
Such is the estimate of Clifford Jer-
name, who is the governments repre-
sentative in this city securing statis-
tics as to the number of divorces
granted during the last 20 years.
"One peculiar thing" he said, about
the work here is that there are five
grounds on which one may secure a
divorce, while in Washington or any
where in the District of Columbia
there is only one-infldelity. 1t is
therefore five times easier to secure a
separation in this state than in Wash
ington."
A census of divorce cases and mat
ter pertaining to them is in progress
all over the country, but started only
this week in Minneapolis.
The Elbert County tribune., 1906-09-13

rot. and the long black line of hair
hanging heavily upon his frowning
forehead.
While did not attribute any of the
higher intellectual traits to him which
marked Valdermere. I could not but
confess that there was a wealth of
power in his thin set lips. purpose
blazed from his small black eyes, and
in the silent motion OF his attenuated
form. there was a caution that demon.
strated an ever-workful brain. | won
dered what peculiar function he play
ed in the secret order. and l could not
repress a shudder as ! mentally esti-
mated his resources.
"You have told me ALP he said.
For the third time | answered.
~All!"
Stepping toward a window which
commanded n view of Mt Lockout.
he beckoned me to his side.
Look" he said. do you see that
mountain"
II see nothing else" l said; "how
far is it,"
-Four miles from this hotel-but
look further South. and you will see
that 1t extends almost in line."
bowed.
AT a distance of about six miles
from that point" and he signifed the
point overlooking the city, there is
an old stone house"
'The present quarters cf Valdez
mapq"
The Elbert County tribune., 1906-09-13
lNEsRlETY A DEFINITE DISEASE
Physician Declares Use of Alcohor Is
Symptom of Some Disorder.

Toronto. Ont.-That the use of al
cohol is in most cases a symptom of
some disorder and not a cause was
the theory advanced by DR.. T. d. Gro
thers, superintendent of the Walnut
Lodge hospital of Hartford, Conn, in
a paper on The Insanity of Inebriety,"
read before the British Medical asso-
citation.
The term inebriety.'" declared DIR.
Crothers, describes a condition which
calls for alcohol for its anesthetic ef-
feet, and in reality means a disease
or disorder of the brain, for which al.
cohol is a most grateful remedy.
"A scientific study of inebriety in
dicates definite disease. with dis
tinct causes, progress and termination,
the same as other diseases"
The Elbert County tribune., 1906-09-13
/ lla llZTNl1IX

"Yes. you will find valdermere
when you find the house-provided-'
Provided"
Provided he is there"
Then you are not sure?'
Il am sure you will find the house,
If you follow my directions"
But yaldermere?"
you will find him II he is in the
house,
"wiIl you go with me?"
Not yet, later / will join you
until then, adieu.'
Stay" said.
He turned, I thought I saw light
OF triumph In his eyes.
When shall l start, and what
means of conveyance is there?"
'The road is fine, though steep;
the air bracing-I would start at
dawn tomorrow, and walk
Have you any message to send"
said
None" he answered.
Then we shall see you soon?"
Very soon." and in his voice there
was certain inflection-a certain sig
nificance l could not comprehend.
Though weary in body and mind.
slept but little during the night fol-
lowing my interview with Duvalle.
The more dwelt upon my strange
meeting with this man, the more re-
pellent he seemed to me. His for
bidding personality, his restless eyes.
always in search of something. his
shadowy form. and his noiseless-
movements, bore a strange contrast
to the handsome, intellectual. and
almost God-like beauty of feature and
form which distinguished Valdez
mere. and which Immediately engaged
the attention of all with whom he
came in contact.
| shuddered as I vainly tried to
fathom the mystery which could
bring such men together in ties of
inviolable secrecy. | felt thrill of
excitement as | anticipated my induc-
ton into the council chambers of this
mystic order, and longed to tell Val
dermere how completely. how liter
ally had his prophecy been fulfilled
how his words had led me to force
from the trembling lips of my now
sainted mother the sad story of her
tragic life. filled with horrors which
the poor soul had studiously hidden
away in her own heart from all save
my devoted father.
Ali If Valdermere knew of this,
there surely must be some tie be-
tween his life and my own. though
my mother avowed that she knew him
not.
Slowly. softly. the night melted
away. and the red gleam of dawn
penetrated my room and filled 1t with
soft pink light / threw open the
blinds and looked toward the noun
tain. whose fiowercovered slopes
were sprinkled with dew. simmer
ing in the light of the infant morn
and filling the air with a fragrance
sweet and pure, as the face of the
early sun, blushing and beaming
peeped above the horizon.
made hasty toilet. and leaving
the inn started to the lone house
among the mountains-a house
whose secrets it has been the lot of
few men to penetrate.
1t is of this strange old house, and
the horrors connected with its tragic
history, that the following story will
treat.
The Elbert County tribune., 1906-09-13
KING BOWS At GIRLS REQUEST
London Hears Story Involving Amer
lean Visitor at Marienbad.

London.-An amusing story is being
told here about letter which awaited
King Edwards arrival at Marienbad
-one missive of many for the royal
perusal This letter. as the story
goes, was from an American woman
whose name was not signed to it,
But between the lines 1t appeared
however falsely. that it was written
by near relative of Miss Matilda
Townsend. This is charming young
woman whose maternal grandfather
was Congressman Scott. of Erie, U. s.
a., and her father, Richard Town.
send-"one of the Herbertons'-of
Philadelphia
BY whomever written. the writer
asked his majesty that, graciously, he
would salute the young woman any
morning he chanced to be walking
near the springs. She wrote that
she would never forget such a proof
of his favor. and naively she described
her personal appearance and the gown
she would wear-for Identification.
The king was highly amused. He
appeared to be on the qui vive for
two mornings-and to be twice dis.
appointed The third morning he saw
the gown the letter described. and
lifted his hat with the grace that is
only his to group of women in
which there were two Americans at
least
The p. S. in the letter added that
the writer's cousin is engaged to
marry a dear personal friend of the
king"
The Elbert County tribune., 1906-09-13
DOOM OF CITIES PREDICTED.

Prepare for shocks Prophet Edmund s.
Stevens, of this city has prophesied long series
of dreadful catastrophes which will culminate in
the destruction of all the cities of the earth in
the year of Lord 1892
Mother Earth is not of plumb, according to
this prophet, and all the terrible earthquakes that
have occurred and are yet to come due to
the fact that the earth is gradually resuming
its proper position. When this stage of transi-
tfon is reached there will be earth ard a
new heaven referred to in the scriptures.
The prophecy follows:
cause OF EARTHQUAKES.
THE earth is out of her place, or upright
position. 1t is gradually resuming it. Whenever
there is an accelerated faster motion then in
that period earthquakes We now in
one of these periods from Mont Pelee, 1900 to
1905. Again from 1925 to 1916 and again from 1876
In 1882 the earthquake is of such extent tt
nations fall. From 2035 to 3144 A. d. the earth
and in the latter settles to its upright postic
heaven and new earth. Ell
Prophet Stevens proves all his predictions by
charts which are intelligibe to him only.
The Elbert County tribune., 1906-09-13

to
in the nations capital begun bv
n 'SNe Su>eu
Row. "NaYes Row" ' on'n
The Elbert County tribune., 1906-09-13
|NYS6azzE@:.7
| H EDGAR ERI1
CHRISTOPHER,
| 02yzstz17- NcP. A Zzz
-sfzL<ZzZ2 Az2kE-1zsE GrZ2<TT
CHATTER II.-cOntinued.

STAY | cried.
He turned toward me with some i'm
patience.
What am I required to tell"
only few things by which can
identify you-your meeting with Val
dermere. the date. the object. and
what this meeting led to-" He still
stood with hat in hand.
BE seated" replied, and when he
had done so. told him all, in as few
words as I could. and when had I'm
ished he made no immediate reply,
but strange glitter filled his eyes.
"You have told all?r
"All." ! said.
"But. think. have you not forgotten
certain items?'
! reviewed the matter carefully In
my mind, while Duval,e sat silently
watching me from the tail of his
bsady eye.
"All." said, 81 can recall nothing
else
mo password. no sign. or memen-
TOT"
None. never signihed a wish to
become member"
-Ahl" said Duvalle. with an air OF
surprise. "and this meeting?"
Have you no instructions from
your SUPERIOR" said, growing weary.
MY superior? Ali l see you are
misled-I have none"
DO you rank with valdermere in
Importance among the order?"
'In the performance of my duties
hnr ha tr I r.
able to no superior"
As our interview progressed. / stud
les the face of Duvalle. and while I
could see none of the wonderful
forces possessed by valdermere, l
detected certain cunning, and was
surprised at the slow bungling man
ner In which he studiously weighed
his questions and my answers.
81 have told you ALL" said, now
conduct me to Valdermere."
He fixed his gaze upon me. as
though he would photograph my feat
nres upon his memory. The gaze was
so intense. so insulting. that arose
from my seat, as any English gentle
man would have done.
He turned toward me in deprecat-
ing manner.
Patience. my dear sir. You will
soon understand that my questions
are neither idle nor insulting. Think
of the danger we are exposed to.
should the slightest error occur in
receiving persons who"
"Mr Duvalle!"
Your pardon" he cried you did
not permit me to finish. was saying
that one error might expose us to
thousand difficulties. and there are
many men who would give fortune
TO witness our secret sessions"
He stood before me, his hat In his
hand, his black eyes fixed upon me.
his hooked nose protruding from his
hideous face. like the beak Of par.
The Elbert County tribune., 1906-09-13
TIC IMPROVE CONDITIONS OF POOR.

Resident of few cities in the country are
more proud of their town than are Washingtons s.
but they have been deeply humiliated by the dis
coveries that have been made recently by inspec-
tors authorized by law.
Within two three blocks of the Capitol
building there slums where human beings
old and young, exist in great numbers in habita-
tions so small and vile as to stagger belief 1t
has been stated that these buildings are worse
and more overcrowded than any to be found in
New York Chicago. Since the agitation of
the question of housing the poor it has been found
that the old army barracks, which did duty awav
back in 1861. '62 63. "a and '65, have been con
stantly occupied by hordes of the colored popula-
tion Without any sanitary provision whatever it is
needless to argue that such sections of the capital
,ity are hotbeds for the breeding of pestiential
The Elbert County tribune., 1906-09-13
smueele Coolies From MEXICO.

Smuggling Chinese coolies from
Mexico into the United States is a
busy industry on the border. and a
profitable one, but occasionally there
is a setback. The other day one of
the smugglers was caught as he was
entering San Diego harbor at night,
with eight coolies in steam launch.
The Elbert County tribune., 1906-09-13
Ne.us from, Washington
Spelling Reform Order of the President Causes Agitation Off
cial Crcles-Destrucon Of the Earth Propheed Condition
of the Poor Be Improved.

WASHINGTON.-There is considerable agita-
tion in official Washington over the recent order
by the president directing the of phonetic
spelling in all messages and other printed docu-
ments issuing from the White House. In address
ing the order TO the public printer the president
has gone far he to modernize orthog-
raphy He has instructed the public printer to
follow copy" and his cabinet officers will of
course fall into line. They will have all the
nual reports of division chiefs and other subor-
dinates well their own prepared with the
words spelled as the president has decided they
should be.
The photography advocated by Banker Mat
thews and in part approved by the president.
while phonetic. possesses the combined advantage
of brevity. It y III time in writing and type
setting. and will economic on the printing bill.
The Elbert County tribune., 1906-09-13
WHITE A MODERN SPARTAN.

Senator Whyte. Maryland's picturesque
grand old man." who is occupying the seat of
the late Arthur German, had birthday recently,
and he is now in his eighty-third year. Whyte is
probably the most remarkable in Maryland
to-day.
He has tasted drop of liquor nor
smoked and has never been inside of a saloon.
He is not member of any club
He defended go alleged murderers and all
were acquitted
He always rides in ordinary day car
passenger train and the street cars in a
city.
He framed the instruments on which the
unique government of the District of Columbia
is founded He lives outside of Baltimore yet
is able to appear at a trial in Baltimore in the
morning and he in Wa asbinpton in time n, ar.urn
The Elbert County tribune., 1906-09-13
OUR sLuEJAckeTs BEST SHOOTERS.

American sailors the best target shoot
ers In the world according to our naval oficers
W ME admitting that the record of the British
snip Bruizers six Founders, said to have made
40 hits out of Ga shots shows excellent work
naval officers here are not inclined to give the
palm to the British navy for accurate shooting
The record of the American navy shows that at
least In one instance 22 hits out of 25 shots were
maue Dy SIX FOUNDER. In discussing the work
OF the Bruizer naval officers say that before thew
can make any accurate or valuable comparison
between British and American marksmansbin n
VIII be necessary to know the size of the target
the rate of speed at which it was moving and
the actual time in which the Ga shots were de.
hvered The targets used by the British navy
side OF he water ~ SSA on eniS
The Elbert County tribune., 1906-09-13

In of
is
In the
II
Should the changes spelling be limited
hopes of their
asylum
The Elbert County tribune., 1906-09-13

call h
a
He while
in
York and Boston, within a
He will o.
schoo
The Elbert County tribune., 1906-09-13


navys
while l2nch made
hin Toner min ~~o
Naval officers the
wnch guns American
,sen propoonaey making Of
what - - Gun CT eAs s0
The Elbert County tribune., 1906-09-13

:. =
The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-04-20
Emperor's Gift Causes Trouble.

New Yorl,, April 19.-The Kaiser
Prize of the Northeastern Saenger-
bund, the $4,000 silver statue of a
Minnesinger, donated by Emperor
William on the occasion Of the Twen-
ticth National Saengerfest held in
Brooklyn in 1900, is once more caus-
ing trouble among the German sing
ers, as it has ever since it was donated
by the Emperor. Among the socie-
ties which were entered for the con-
test for the prize at the coming Sacn-
gerfest, are the Krcutzcr Quartette
club, Manhattan, the Concordin,
Wilkcs-Barre, Pa; Jungcr Maenncr-
cher, Manhattan and Arion, Newark,
cher, Manhattan and Arion, Newark,
N. j. The latter society's musical di-
rector, is John Lorenzo who is also
the festival conductor and winner Of
the prize for the prize song.
The other contesting societies de-
manded that the Arion should with
draw from the contest, because their
director was the festival director
and the composer of the prize song.
The members Of the Arion, however,
could not see the logic Of this demand
and declined, so far, to withdraw from
the contest. The decision has been
postponed from week to week, but the
matter will be finally decided this
evening, after the concert. which the
Arion is going to give tonight.