davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Glenwood post., 1906-12-15
No Mystery at All,

speaking of strange and unac-
countable experiences" remarked the
man with the dubious nose, 81 am re-
minded of one that happened to
friend of mine in the summer of '93,
while he was at the Columbian expo
sition. He was in the Fine Arts
building, looking at the picture called
Breaking Home Ties when he heard
a voice behind him say distinctly,
That's what is happening at your
house, over on the west side He
turned and looked to see who it was
that spoke, and there was nobody
near him"
rs that all?" asked the man witt
the fishy eye. y
NO; the strangest part is to come.
When he went home in the evening
he found that his youngest brother
had eloped with the hired girl and
gone to st. Louis. 1t had taken place,
too. at the exact moment when he
heard the voice. How do you explain
that, I'd like to know? Was 1t tele-
pathy? Or what was it?" !
"H'mph! Who tells that story?"
THE man himself-Ike Stringham."
20, Stringham tells it, does hef
Why, you gourdhead, that's the expla-
nation"
The Glenwood post., 1906-12-15
CHAPTER xxI.-continued.

"A man Is the plaything of fate,
major. l married to save my life, and
how l am to lose the same because l
stood up on that occasion. That is
rule that works both ways, but it
strikes me as hard upon the innocent
party"
II admit your act was forced on
you, and though furious enough on
that night to have taken your life, l
would have probably recovered and
let you live, seeing that Mollie could
get divorce, had you gone away and
never shown up again. The fact of
your presence here, in daily contact
with the girl whom fortune has made
your wife gives me to believe that
you mean to strive after her heart.
She is romantic like most of her sex.
1t is the fear that after all you may
win her heart that makes a devil out
OF me, for l tell you, Ridgeway, l wor-
ship Mollie, and I've sworn no one
else shall ever win her love-"
He was aroused by his feelings and
Colonel John actually felt a certain
admiration for the man who would
fight for what he believed to be his
own, though his title to the property
was certainly hazy.
He shrugged his shoulders.
We'll. you've got the whip-hand
now, my dear fellow, that's positive" /"
AT the same time Colonel Ridge
way, l admit that 1 feel above this
manner of making way with a rival.
| am a gentleman, and we Southern
people lay claim to peculiar qualities
in that line. l will give you chance
for your life"
Colonel John looked at him quickly.
What are the conditions?"
THAT you swear on your honor to
get transfer and never again seek
out Mollie Granger, the girl made
your wife by the fortunes of war.
You understand what l mean?"
81 do most assuredly," replied the
colonel.
well, what is your answer"
Il refuse to sign the bond" calmly,
The Glenwood post., 1906-12-15
EDWARDS
0g91zzzp RS ~ lMzyGMw
6z<R Or ML2lSlk7lH Rs1z2p LZc

court shall be carried out. You have
now just fifteen minutes to live. l
have written a few lines which I am
about to send to Mollie by a special
messenger. They will give her salts
faction, since they save her the slow
legal process of separation. Perhaps
you would like to hear them"
He took out paper and read:
"The finding of the drumhead court
over which had the honor to preside,
has been carried out. Colonel John
Ridgeway, the spy, was executed at
exactly eleven o'clock. Allow me to
congratulate you on your freedom
from an odious Federal husband.
BASIL WORDEN,
Major C. S. A"
You are banking heavily on the be-
lief that Mollie hates me. Perhaps
you may be surprised in that respect.
However, have nothing more to say
If l have less than fifteen minutes to
live and my cigar half burned, kindly
leave me to finish it alone with my
thoughts
with pleasure"
So saying the major wheeled and
stalked away.
Colonel John sat down on the floor.
He seemed to be wrapped in medi-
tation, for his head was bent forward
Some persons claim to tell the state
of mind of smoker by his manner
of sending out the rings of smoke.
If there is truth in this Colonel
John must have been thinking at a
furious rate, for he puffed vigorously
at his cigar, and surrounded himself
with quite cloud of smoke.
There was deep design back of his
action, as he carried out a brilliant
scheme that had flashed into his mind
some time before.
The rapid smoking created a glow
ing spot of fire at the end of the cigar,
and as John bent forward he raised
his hands, applying the burning end
of the cigar to the cord.
Fire has accomplished wonderful
things before now, and it served
Johns purpose.
The Glenwood post., 1906-12-15

sending out few rings of smoke.
One might imagine he was discus
sing the price of flour in Northern
markets, such was his coolness, yet
his life hung in the balance
You recognize the inevitable con-
sequences?"
"Oh, yes" with a glance at the
swaying rope and it's CHASTITY moose at
the end.
Major Worden looked at him in a
peculiar way. 1t was as though he
hardly knew whether to let admira-
ton or hate get the upper hand. This
man astonished him.
Gradually a black frown crept over
his face.
Il see that my suspicious were
right Faith, didn't nip this matter
in the bud any too soon. You've reach
ed the point where you've fallen in
love with"
MY wife,
Yes, that's true. confound you,
Ridgeway.'
Can you blame me, major?"
perhaps not, but all the same I'm
determined you won't cross my path
much longer. I've known Molfie
many years and have sworn to make
her my wife. I've stood guard all this
time, ready to challenge any South
ern suitor who might appear, and you
can depend on it | don't mean to let
Northern man carry off the prize
from under my nose, because he
chances to come along at the time the
foolish old squire has an idea"
"The squire has long head and
don't you forget it. He knows enough
to get in out of the rain, and that's
more than some people do AS to
priority Of claim on Mollie Granger, l
think l can outdate you"
How so, sir?"
"She promised to be my wife just
sixteen years ago, SO you see she has
only kept her word
"Nonsense-she was a child then"
Gust so, and my little playmate. I
saved her once when she fell into a
brook. Being ten years her senior l
called her my little sweetheart. This
peculiar event is after all but the
hand of fate shaping our destinies."
II remember now your cousin
Crockett told me you lived In the
house that burned. 1t does not mat
ter. The anding Of the drumhsad
The Glenwood post., 1906-12-15
Lowest telegraph Rates.

Spelling reform has had new and
important development in a direction
which no one has heretofore thought
of. In Europe messages are charged
for according to the number of letters
instead of words, as in this country
All transatlantic messages from
America are charged for by letter in
accordance with the European system
The adoption of spelling reform will
cause modification of the schedules
of the International telegraphic com.
panies. and the consequent saving OF
money. For example, thru will have
to be charged for as four letters in.
stead of six, as formerly, and so on
through the entire list. 1t will cause
40 trouble to the operators. because
they for years have been using the
shortest form by which words could
be spelled without possibility of mis-
take. Consequently they will have
nothing new to learn.
The Glenwood post., 1906-12-15

The cord was burned, and his hands
ready to become free.
No wonder he experienced a thrill
of satisfaction and made up his mind
that the finding of the court would
not be carried out on this particular
occasion.
The messenger had gone with the
note-it was the old darky, but unless
his mule made better progress return
ing than in coming to his place John
had little fear regarding his ability to
overtake the courier.
So he smoked on, and watched and
planned.
They had robbed him of his revol-
yer, but he knew how this could be
remedied.
His cigar was exhausted.
John still remained in the same DO
sition, as it was his desire to conceal
the fact that the cord had been burn
ed almost through.
AT length there was stir. and the
major was seen looking at his watch.
Then the men advanced.
The time for action had come, and
Colonel John shut his teeth with a
snap as he watched their advance,
knowing how fraught with Importance
were the next few seconds, for him
Come it is one minute of eleven
Have you any message to send to
your people-or Mollie?" said the ma
jor grimly.
Yes. but I prefer to take it my
self"
They were close to him now, and
his quick eye had noted it's opportun-
ity. One of the men was actually
carrying the colonel's six-shooter, and
the temptation proved irresistible.
With quick movement Johns hand
shot out, and his fingers snatched the
WEAPON from the Confederate's belt.
There were cries of amazement. of
conformation, and then with leap
the Federal had reached the blazing
fam Eeau, torn 1t from the wall and
dashed 1t to the floor, bringing dark
ness upon the scene.
The Glenwood post., 1906-12-15

on and in a measure himself master
of the situation Colonel John proceed
ed to follow up the advantage b. a
series of quick movements that were
apt to prove demoralizing to the en-
emy.
No sooner had darkness come upon
the scene than the Federal changed
his position and fired shot in the
direction OF sound that was un-
doubtedly caused by one Of his enc
mics moving.
Then he instantly changed his quar-
ters.
He held the advantage, for his foes
numbering at least four, could not be
sure that their fire was directed at the
daring Federal, while all John had to
do was to make his shots count when
he could.
This singular duel in the dark was
kept up for the space of several min
utes.
Shouts arose, shouts that were sig
nficant Of rage and pain, for Colonel
John was not doing all this work with
out some result, and the satellites of
the major, perhaps even that worthy
himself, had ere this tasted of his
lead.
Such a mimic battle within the Con-
federate lines was apt to draw atten-
ton, and John had especial reasons>
for desiring to make a speedy exit
from the room before squad Of fresh
enemies arrived on the scene.
His later efforts were therefore d.
rected toward discovering the posi-
tion of the door.
AS eyesight was of little avail In
that smoky atmosphere he found him.
self compelled to depend upon his
sense of touch.
Cropping along the wall he presently
came in contact with the object of his
solicitude.
To open was but the work of sec.
ond and slipping through the narrow
space he found himself breathing the
pure air. 1t was relief from the
smoke of the interior.
The last sounds he heard were the
groans of those who nursed their
wounds, and the loud though husky
voice of the doughty major calling for
light
Once free from the building Colonel
John made his way to the road.
He could hear the voices of men
who were running in the direction of
the house, and found it difficult mat
ter to avoid the detachment of Con-
federates from neighboring camp.
They were drawn in that direction
by the loud cries, accompanied by the
quick percussion of revolver-shots
that throbbed upon the air, for such
things do not occur without a mean
ing, and in war times that meaning
can be readily understood.
Colonel John had already been
through a considerable experience
during this night.
To few men in a years time do adj
ventures come such as had been his
portion since old Phoebus dropped hisA
glowing face behind the hills that lay
to the west of Atlanta.
His was warrior nature, however,
and one that could not be overwhelm-
ed
Misfortunes might come thick and
fast, by fair means and foul, but John
Ridgeway would never yield himself
prisoner until every endeavor that
lay in his power had been made.
So, when he heard these Confeder-
ate soldiers rushing in the direction
of the house, he realized that his
course was blocked by their coming.
the Yankee officer had to bring to his
aid that diplomacy which on other
occasions had served him so well.
1t did not desert him now.
He desired no encounter.
10
The Glenwood post., 1906-12-15

Out in Los Angeles there is burg
lar who has recently been busy steal
ing oil paintings. This will come as
a surprise to people who have sup
posed Los Angeles to be a place where
there was nothing but few fruit
warehouses and a real estate boom.
The Glenwood post., 1906-12-15

Mr.. Edison promises cheap motor
car, and M. Santos Dumont is satisfied
that his new aeroplane will be the
best runabout. Meanwhile the walk
ing viii be- good. provided pedestrians
are expert at dodgina-
The Glenwood post., 1906-12-15
Cold Water.
He held out his hands to her In a
impulsive and appealing gesture:

He held out his hands to her in an
impulsive and appealing gesture:
~ would give"
Aud ah. how that deep voice, trem-
ulous with passion, thrilled her very
soul
Dolores, would give the world to
call you nine"
Her bosom heaved. 1t may be that
her eyes became suffused. But only
for an instant-only for the nonce.
Then reason resumed its sway again.
and she made answer in clear, cool
tones:
mo, Loys, you may think you
would, but you wouldn't. You could
not, you know. Hardly a spoonful of
the world could be purchased on q
salary Of 50 a week"
Appropriate Surroundings.
you will find this fiat. ma am. quite
a gem in its way"
Put it's 80 dark. and we are X
ing to do light housekeeping.'-BAlt
more kr lerican.
The Glenwood post., 1906-12-15
CHAPTER xxi.
aA 80.

Out Of the Tolls.
The scene was one Of great coDfu-
sion, and kaleidoscope changes.
Having thus deftly secured q weap-
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1906-11-28

Our much neglected sense Of smell
can be put to important uses. When
we'll developed it may serve in medical
diagnosis, and some English physicians
have pointed out lately that diabetes,
enteric fever, acute rheumatism, plague,
abdominal fistula, undressed cancers,
erysipelas in some cases, gangrene of
the lung, pyaemia, septic mouth, bleed
Ing hemorrhoids and undressed vari-
cose ulcers are among the disorders
that emit characteristic odors and that
can he recognized by smell alone. Care
Is necessary, however, as the physician,
after influenza or the taking of alcohol
himself. may fancy his own odor to be
that Of his patient.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1906-11-28
SELF LOCKING SPIKE.

length, and a key or lock to hold the
spike from working up out of the tie.
The wedge shaped lock Is a thin taper
ing piece Of iron. When the spike Is
driven into the tie it leaves a slight
channel alongside of 1t. into which this
wedge Is driven. following the channel
until 1t strikes the shoulder Of the
spike, when it Immediately turns out
and enters the wood along the line Of
least resistance. which Is with the
grain. sometimes turning upward after
a little If the wood is soft. 1t then be-
comes practically impossible to draw
the spike without first drawing the
wedge.
IF for any reason 1t Is desired to pull
the spike, the wedge itself. being thin.
is easily drawn from the top. although
It cannot be pushed up by the spike.
After the wedge is drawn the spike al
easily be removed and. what is a great
advantage. can be replaced in the same
hole and locked with the wedge as Sc
curely as before. AS the ties become
old and the spike becomes loose a tap
Of the hammer on the wedge will set
It up tight against the rail again."
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1906-11-28

Experiments with basket willows By
the department Of agriculture recently
have proved that they have tanning
qualities. The results may prove val
liable to the big leather Industries Of
the country. Analyses were made by
Professor Harvey W. Wiley of the bu-
reau Of chemistry. According to DR..
Wiley's experiments, the purple will
low contains S.73 per cen of tannin
and the almond willow 11.3S per cent,
or about as much as the ordinary oak
tanbark gives. Judging from these in
~vestigations. officials Of the bureau Of
forestry say the large quantities Of
willow bark available might furnish
no small part Of the tanning material
required in the United States.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1906-11-28
To Investigate Western Roads.

CHICAGO, Nov. 2l.-The Tribune to-
day says: James J. Hill and the
three great railways he dominates are
to be investigated by the interstate
commerce commission. What are the
relations between the Great Northern,
the Northern Pacific and the Burling-
ton system? An effort is to be made
to find out.
The commission will seek to ascer-
tain what effect the control of all these
lines by one man has had and is hav.
ing IN rates in the northwest and con.
seQuently on the agricultural and In.
dustrial development of that section.
The result will be to bring out the
facts regarding what has taken place
IN the northwestern railroads since
the decision of the United States SUI
preme court in the case of the North.
eru Securities company in 1904, and
to show what effect that decision pro.
duced and to what extent its intent
has been nullifed.
The Northern Securities proceeding
was preceded by an investigation by
the interstate commerce commission
and it Is understood that the evidence
secured at the investigation of the
Hill and Hartman lines like that Sc.
cured before the Northern Secur.
tiles proceeding will be turned over to
the federal department OF justice to be
used in actions under the antitrust
law, if such actions shall be considered
to be justified by the conditions.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1906-11-28
Big Storm In Kansas.

TOPEKA. Nov. 20.-The storm over
this section of Kansas has abated to.
day, dying away with a rainy sleet.
Reports at the railroad Office here
state that sleet is falling over central
Kansas, but clearing up in the western
and southern portions. The Chicago.
Rock Island and Pacific officers say
their only trouble is on the Ell Paso
division, between Bucklin and Lib
eral. Kan, where four overland
passenger trains are stuck in the cuts.
They claim traffic will be opened soon.
No attempt is being made to run
freight trains.
The Atchisop, Topeka and Santa
Fe officials report their main line
across Kansas open today, but several
trains are now snow.bound on the
Panhandle division, where the snow
is four to five feet deep in the cuts.
Between Carlsbad, n. NJ, and ANA.
rillo, Texas, along the Santa Fee line,
the worst storm ever known has pre-.
vailed, the snow being from ten to if
teen inches deep. Cattle are suffering
from the storm all over the state.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1906-11-28
High Collar. and Headache.

That high collars tend to produce
nervous headaches among both men
and women Is the most recent discov-
cry Of a we'll known Viennese physi-
clan. Quite accidentally the doctors
attention was directed to the very
high and very tight style Of collar
Worn by a patient who was always
complaining of headaches and giddi-
ness. The collar was laid aside. thus
removing the compression Of the neck.
and the patients headaches and giddi-
ness disappeared. Struck by this re-
suit, the doctor paid particular atten-
ton to the kind of collars worn by his
Headache PATIENTS" and In very many
instances the change to lower AMI cas-
Ter fitting collars brought immediate
relief. In the ease Of women wearing
high stiff neckbands 1t was found that
doing away with these had a similarly
beneficial result. The doctor declares
that nobody with any tendency to
headache should wear high COLLARS
Pail Mall Gazette.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1906-11-28

extension, and agreed that they would
rigidly obey it If the changes were
granted. Secretary Wilson reluctant.
~ yielded and the amendment passed.
The law has been, ii anything, more
hayrantly violated since the change
was made. Complaints pouring in
from all yer the country alleging
that stock is KEEP, 80, ~, IS anu even
as long as 80 lhours in cars, without
stops, Unloading or even water. The
sufe:iLgs Of the animals are declared
to be intense, and the carcasses are
moreover declared to be rendered I'M.
tit for food BY reason Of fevers induced
by these conditions.
Almost all the railroads are &C.
cused. The eastern lines are, if any.
thing, worse than the western, some
OF the worst cases being reported in
the transportation Of stock from Chi.
cago to Boston. The secretary's pa.
thence is exhausted, aud be IL going to
turn the latter over at once, with q
great amount of evidence he has gath.
cred. to the department Of justice for
prosecution. He will demand. too,
that no leuieocy be shown IN the i'm
position of the fines.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1906-11-28
New Protection For Chauffeur.

A new speedOmeter for motorists Is
now on the market. says Technical
World Magazine for September, which
not only gives the rate Of speed per
hour and the number Of minutes to
the mile, but can be set at any given
speed, so that when that speed is ex-
ceeded a buzzer announces the fact to
the driver. With this device in use a
chauffeur can set the speedometer at
the limit of speed allowed in the coun-
as the limit is exceeded he will be
warned Of the fact.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1906-11-28
Trying To Collect Back Taxes

CHICAGO, Nov. 20.-Maxwell Edgar,
special attorney for the city in the ef-
fort to collect s5, 1000, 900 back taxes
from the Pullman company, charges
that John S. Runnels, who is slated
for the president of the company, was
its chief lobbyist. He intimates that
the members of the lower house OF
congress were influenced to prevent
the Pullman company being brought
under the new rate law.
"The senate" Mr.. Edgar remarks,
twas too expensive for the com.
pany."
Mr.. Edgar said that information
was obtained from the secret records
of the company in vaults in the Pull
mar building.
"We now have a copy of the private
pass list issued by the Pullman com.
pany," he says, "and 1t contains the
names of judges, public officials, leg.
islators all over the United States.
In New York the anti.pass law is
evaded by issuing passes to Mrs. -
and one, thus %concealing the name of
the real beneficiary. Judge Peter
Grosscup and Judge G. c. Kohlsaat
had annual Pullman passes in 1906"
Edgar declares the investigation of
contractural relations between the
company and the railways show that
the roads have been practically held
M.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1906-11-28
HILL GIVES TESTIMONY.
President of Great Northern Says His
Road Gives Good Service.

MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 2l.-James J..
Hill, president Of the Great Northern
railroad, took the stand today when
the interstate commerce commission
began its inquiry in Minneapolis into
the relations between the railroad
companies aud the grain companies
In the northwest.
The hearing is held pursuant to the
LaFollette resolution adopted by con.
gress at its last session.
Commissioners Charles A. Prouty
and Franklin K. Lane personally
conducted the hearing, though sew.
eral attorneys Of the defendants par.
ticipated in the questioning. Mr..
Hill proved to be a willing witness.
His answers to all questions were
given without hesitation and in de.
tail. He told OF the grain traffic on
his road, equaling eachlyear twice as
much as the grain hauled in Chicago
in a year by all roads running into
that city. He said Shat the Great
Northern in 1879 hauled 2,S7O,O 900
bushels, while in 1896 this had in.
creased to probably 1l5, 900, 5000
bushels. In view ofltheOfact that the
bulk of the Great Northern business
comes from the farms, he said it has
always been its policy to aid the farm
ers whenever possible.
els it the policy of your road, Mr..
Hill, to delay freight for any reason?:"
was one of the neutrality-suspicious..
mo, certainly it is not"
III the connecting roads would
move freight faster we could do a
great deal better. The fact that the
traffic is sometimes congested on our
line is'simply the faultjof the immense
amount of business. Other lines are
more open to criticismlthan the Great
Northern. In Chicago a few days ago
l took special pains to make inquiries
about traffic and could not get q single
line that would agree to move 200, 600
tons of freight to New York before
December. The Great Northern can
right along handle all business re.
ceived from the east properly. The
congestion comes from their traffic
from the west"