davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-08-06

locked the door. fancy one of the housemaids has been seeing ghosts in the garden. I saw something white among the shrubs. but I could find nothing. Come on out with me"
 Spencer followed with a perfectly grave face. Lord Runton looked pug zled. Pelham did not attempt to leave the library. Spencer drew his host a little Oh one side.
 -What a rotten liar you are. George" he said. Il don't think that even Run ton was taken in"
 aI suppose 1t sounded a little thin. ' DuncOmbe answered cOolly. Put it this way. then. so far as you are con cerned: The shriek occurred in my house. I've no explanation to offer to anybody"
 Il like the sound of that better. Dun combe.- he remarked Hello. What's the matter with Runton!-
 Lord Runton was calling to them
 You've had a visitor who was in a hurry. old caap." he remarked Send for a lantern"
 DuncOmbe concealed his annoyance
 sT don't want to alarm the whole househoId.'' he said. i've little cleo tric torch in my study. I'll fetch that" !"
 He brought it out The progress of a man from the road to the small win low. toward which Duneombe glanced every now and then spprehensively. was marked by much destruction The Intruder had effected his exit either ia
 ->4 hazka o< in a lzinzulsElx uzfE1-tn-
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-08-06

one side.
 T want you to promise to, come and see me in any case tomorrow morn ing" he said. There is something which I should prefer saying to you in my own house to saying here" Spencer nodded.
 "very we'll" he said, q will come. I can promise that much at least"
 Lord Runton departed. Pelham went off to bed. Spencer and his host were left alone in the library.
 Billiards or a whisky and soda in the smoke roomT' the latter asked. q know that you are not late bird"
 "Neither, thanks. Just word with you here." Spencer answered.
 Duncombe paused on his way to the door. Spencer was standing in a re fiective attitude, with his hands be- hind his back. gently balancing him. self upon his toes.
 T am very much disposed" he said, ito accept Lord Runton's offer. Have you any ODJecIlOns
 "of course I haye," Duncombe an swered. You are working for me"
 "was working for you.' Spencer cor rected gently. That is all over, isn't itT'
 What do you meanY' Duncombe ex- claimed.
 Spencer stood squarely upon his feet. He looked little tired.
 "NIy engagement from you was to find Miss Phyllis Poynton." be said softly. "You and I are perfectly well aware that the young lady in question is-well a few yards behind that cur tain" he said. motioning with his head toward 1t. My task is accomplished, and consider myself free man.
 Duncombe was silent for a moment. He walked restlessly to the window and back again.
 How did you find out that she was here7T be asked.
 Spencer looked a little disgusted
 "NIy dear felIow.- he said. "any one with the brains of a mouse must have discovered that Why. Lord Runton. without any of the intimatiOns which I have received. Is a little suspicious. That Is merely a matter of A. B, c. There were difficulties. admit. and I am sorry to say that have never solv- ei them I cannot tell you at this mo nent how It comes about that young lady. brought ID in the country here. ansL from all I can learn. an ordinary. unanibitioas. vfrtuous sort of young person. should disappear from England In search of missing brotheer and re turn in few months the companion Of one of the most dzBgeruus and brfl- Ea1t nsnbez Of the French secret
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-08-06

nate manner He had apparently miss ed the gate, which at this point was only a small hand one, and in clam bering over the fence he had broken the topmost strand of iS1re. He had blundered into a bed of wallflowers, which were all crushed and downtrod- den, and snapped of rose tree in the middle. Below the window were dis tinct traces of footmarks. Lord Run ton, who held the torch, was becoming excited.
 "Duncombe," he said, there is some thing which I have not told you yet. I have had numerous reports in about the car and was able to trace it as far as Lynn, but they all agreed in saying that it contained only two persons-the driver and the man who called himself Fielding. What became of the girlT'
 "I have no idea" Duncombe answer ed steadily.
 "Of course not" Lord Runton con tlnued. But don't you think it possi- bIe that-without your knowledge. of course-she may be hidden somewhere about here? That cry was not like the cry of housemaid. Let us have the whole place searched"
 DuncOmbe shrugged his shoulders.
 "As you will" he answered. T am certain, however. that it will be use less. There is no place here where any one could hide"
 Your servants may know some thing" Runton suggested.
 "I have already questioned them," Duncombe answered.
 Come along. Mfr. Spencer" Lord Runton exclaimed Let us search the grounds"
 Spencer shook his head.
 Waste of time, Lord RuntOn.- he answered. If you really want to dis cover the whereabouts of this missing young lady and she should by any chance be close at hand, I should rec ommend you to induce Sir George to let you search the room 10 which those footsteps Iead.-
 '-The library" DuncOmle interrupted quickly. search it by all means, If you ike. I have done so myself aI- ready"
 Spencer was facing the house
 The HbEaryr' he remarked refec- lively. An
 He stopped down 10 light a ciga- rette- Suddenly he felt DuncJmbe's hot breath upon his cheek. In the mo menfary z.yE ---s 4@.. a 4e s4i--lat a silhOUette of a FaEe. angry face whose eyes were fashing upon him
 This isn't your affair. Spencer. Shut upr
 Spencer bleE out the match delIIe- ately. They both followed Lord Rua ton to the Ebrsry PsISzm vas stand
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-08-06
Tn. Eremlns,. Man.

If there is anything that makes ms feel like going out and practIcing with the dumb bells.~ said the mannish girl, 1t is to see a man going about tho street wearing pumps or very low shoes that look Ike s girls shoes, dsintily tied with wide ribbon in a fetching bow. You'd be surprised how many you see of them, too
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-08-06
A MAKER OF HISTORY By E. PHILLIPS OPPENHEIM. Author of "The Master M,tmmsr." "A Prince of Sinners" "MDsterious
 Mr. Sdbfn," "4nnd the
 Adventures" Etc. Copyright. 1905. 1906. by Little. Brown,
By E. PHILLIPS OPPENHEIM.
Copyright. 1905. 19O6 by Little. Brown.
 and Company.
CHAPTER XXII.


 ~A UNCOMBE was out of the room
 in very few seconds. The others hesitated for moment
 whether to follow him or not. S Spencer was the first to rise to his feet and move toward the door. Lord Run two later. Outside in the hall the house was perfectly silent.
 Duncombe reached the library door just in time to find himself confronted by half dozen of the men and wom- en servants coming from the back of the house. With his hand upon the door knob he waved them back.
 Be so good, Mrs. Wooton," he said to the housekeeper, ito keep better order in the servants hall. We could hear some girls calling or laughing in the dining room"
 Indeed, sir" Mrs. Wooton answered with some dignity, ''the noise, what l ever it was, did not come from the servants quarters. We fancied that it came from your library"
 "Quite impossible" Duncombe an- ,swered coolly. If I require any one, I I will ring"
 He passed through the door and locked it on the inside. In half doz- en hasty strides he was across the room and inside the smaller apart ment where he had left the girl. With a little gasp of relief he realized that she was there still. She was pale, and a spot of color was blazing in her cheeks Her hair and dress were a little disordered. With trembling fin Egers she was fastening a little brooch into her blouse as he entered A rush of night air struck him from wide open window.
 'What has happened?' he called out "T have been terrified" she answer ed. T am sorry I called out. I could not help it. A man came here-through the window. He talked so fast that q could scarcely hear what he said, but he wanted that paper. I tried to make him understand that I had not got 1t, but he did not believe me-and he was rude"
 Duncombe shut down the window, swearing softly to himself.
 T cannot stay with you" he said, "just now The whole house is alarm. ed at your cry. Listen"
 There was a loud knocking at the library door. Duncombe turned hastily away.
 T must let them in," he said. q will come back to you.'
 She pointed to the window.
 ''He is coming back" she said, ''at F o'clock"
 Do you wish me to give up the pa per?" he asked.
 sNo."
 Every well. will be with you when he comes-before then. I must get rid of these men first"
 He closed the door softly and drew the curtain which concealed it. Then he opened the library window and q moment afterward the door.
 "Come in, you fellows" he said. q scarcely knew what I was doing when
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-08-06
(To Be continued,.
Iute sack. pY .ns rhousand.

Jute Sacks py shs Thousand.
 srnmense numbers of iute sacks arc annually used In the shipment of nitrate from Chile. They come prin- cipally from Australia and the East Indies, and are never used the second time. ss the nitrate rots the fiber. During 1908 about 2o.0oo.ooo sacks were used. and the demand is con- stantiy growing.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-08-06

~Ths WIse Man Feresseth ths Evils
 -No. sub. thank ye." said Alphonsa. -Ah doan' wishes to wnk all de time, suh- Ef An vuz ter vuk all de time. And most Hksly hsb nur noney ter ait married vif. an sf An had nuS money 10 ait married vii. nos Mkeiy And git married No. sub, Deed An doan' wishes ter wuk all de tinAr
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-08-06
nrlss'. FsolI,h w.osr,

Some e years ago a native of Psunsyivania undertook. for a wager of tise. to remain mute for ths frx< month q her marriage Her hn< band. not being Ia the s>srst. Isft her. oniy ta rsturn later. rkez ks r.s spprfz<t cf tks rel rsz1cz cf kr
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1907-05-31
She smiled. but reluctantly

velope. She smiled. but reluctantly
thought
Madame Sophie de WARMER" ]
read aloud. before I passed the tele.
gram to her.
She tore the envelope open with a
ieweled cross that hung from her
chatelaine As she read the message.
she became frightfully pale; she
swayed in her seat 1t was not grief
so much as utter despair that pros.
trated her.
Dead" She repeated the word in
French more than once in a dazed
voice. Dead. but. It is Incredible"
The seconds passed. | did not
speak; regarded her with concern.
A beautiful woman is always danger
Gus. but a beautiful woman in trouble
- doubly so The friendship she had
lightly begged of me a moment ago
was tempted TO offer seriously now
She had piqued and fascinated me
Now her unhappiness touched my
heart.
But suddenly I doubted. Was II
clever ruse this advent OF the tele.
gram so aply timed? Was she con.
summate actress, confident OF her
dupe? No: the agony xe message
had caused her was undoubtedly genu-
inc. When she looked at me. It was
with eyes heavy with despair When
at last she spoke. her eyes burned
fercely, her voice was harsh with
anger. The words she uttered were
certainly no. addressed to me. They
were spoken rather in spite of my
presence than because of IL.
Look / stake all in one throw
| lose all-in a moment I hold in
my clenched hands the liberty and
happiness OF 10000 women and chill
dren. And then a cursed fate strikes
from my grasp this priceless happi.
ness. My poor people. my poor peo-
pie! Again fail you: betray you"
She stared at me with eyes that did
not see. Her small hands pressed her
temples convulsi~ely.
Perhaps. madam, K is fate also
who has sent me to you now. to help
YOU"
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1907-05-31
HOME TRADE FABLE
HOW THE TRANSFORMATION OF
A ToWE WAS EFFECTED.
A STORY WITH A MORAL
One Public Spirited Citizen Who
Realized the Big Possibilities and
Cultivated the Field 70 Ad-
vantage.

Once upon time there was a Man
who in his youth was reared upon a
farm located near a Small Town OF
Great Promise. Two weeks in each
year when he was not saving wood.
feeding the stock or picking potatoes.
he was allowed to attend the little red
schoolhouse in the town. BY hard la.
Dor during the day. and persistently
reading few old books which were
heirlooms in his family. and each week
absorbing the intelligence contained
In the Weekly Mirror. he. by the time
he could mark down his age al IS
years. had accumulated sufficient
knowledge 10 run away from home.
lie wandered TO large city and there
his great muscular power assisted TO
gain for himself a position as Chief
Scrubber In large store He had not
acquired the cigarette habit. and his
faithfulness TO his scrubbing brush.
and his unwillingness to know all
about his employers business. soon at
tracted the attention OF the Old Man.
and at the end Of a year he was pro-
NOTED TO Head Rustler in the shipping
department at the large salary Of eight
dollars week
His disregard for scooting when the
closing time came. and his total lack
OF swelled head so pleased the Old
Man that from time to time the ambi.
tious youth was advanced until at the
end OF six years he was drawing the
biggest salary paid by the house, and
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1907-05-31
0Cl1Rcs7Z 400 AO DHD

mum. on the field. This time we sbal
| certainly win"
Three times In succession we won
now at even odds, now with the odd,
In our favor But again the electric
Dell rang. She shrugged her shout
ders, end made a moue OF regret.
Alas AT the hour OF our triumph
the voice OF art clamors."
we returned to the concert room.
is II not strange" she murmured
after a pause in the music, that one
longs so much for what is just beyond
ones reach. while other fruit as
sweet, may be plucked for the ask.
ing?"
The boldness Of the metaphor
startled and repealed me.
You speak in riddles. madam" |
said, coldly. Frankly. had not placed
her exactly as that sort OF woman.
Riddles" She lifted her eve
brows. hesitating. Il mean. Mr.. Had.
don, that should be 80 glad if we
might be. friends"
| was unconvinced. "You are TOO
generous" said Ironically Does
your interest In mankind embrace Ali
the world"
But you have been unfortunate"
she said softly. Are you angry that
! should be sorry for YOU"
Il am perplexed. at least"
III you are only perplexed. l shall
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1907-05-31

soon he was taken in as a member OF
the firm. Age and hard knocks and
brushes with the business world de
veloped in him marked business acu-
men. He forged 10 the front as a
financier and a public-spirited citizen.
AS years passed he prospered Early
and late he was ever looking after his
vast business interests. There were
times that he longed TO be again in
the small home town. Often in his
| youth he dreamed OF some day being
chairman Of the village board Only
once since parting from the old home
had he returned. and then TO find the
town just the same only a little more
delapidated. and in the weed-over-
grown kirkyard the neglected graves
OF his good parents.
Strenuous business life and assid-
ious attention TO the accumulation OF
capital without vacation. caused him
to suffer from what the doctors pro-
nounced neurasthenia. and advised
total rest from mental effort. The man
had labored too diligently in amass-
ing money. Residence in a quiet place
was recommended and retirement from
all commercial worries. The Great
Merchant sold his vast interests 10 a
combine, and after careful thought.
concluded that he would seek rest and
a renewal OF health in the town where
he at one time attended the little red
schoolhouse. and where in childish i'm
agination he would be powerful and
famous by becoming chairman OF the
village board. Accordingly he retired
from the city, purchased the. old home
stead where he was reared and picked |
potatoes. and also built residence |
and became a Great Factor in the
town. Time had made few changes in !
the landscape. Buildings and streets |
we're the same, only showing the raw.
ages of decay. The old stores were in |
possession Of the descendants OF the \
owners who conducted them when he |
was a boy. They were not doing the
business that they should. One great !,
innovation was the town had a rail I
road. All about was suggestive OF
peace. II was an ideal place for a
man who desired TO pass his declining
days in contemplation OF the here
after. There. life was much like unto
death. There was fresh air in abund-
ance. All OF nature layishly spent it's
beauty over the country and the town,
md even the weeds on the streets
were allowed TO spring up. bloom ana
reach maturity without interruption
by the scythe or the sicle
Within year the Retired Business
Man had regained much OF his old
time spirit and health. Habits of ac-
tivity and love OF business impelled
him to once again seek work that
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1907-05-31

would keep his mind occupied. He
loved the old town. He saw that II
neaded new life. He figured out that
there were COO farmers in the neigh.
borhood. Each farmer surely sDent
$50 month somewhere for supplies.
This meant total OF $4,000 a month;
S36O.OOO a year. Then the few hun
dred people In the town would add
other thousands 10 the volume OF bush
ness. Why not build a great store and
supply the wants OF the people? He
would spend some money and build
up the town. lie bought half a block
on which three OF the stores stood.
He erected a large brick building. and
soon lac had installed in 1t great stocks
OF goods. Other merchants in the
town shook their heads. The Public
Spirited Man was certainly crazy.
Farmers when they came TO town
looked up the big building with won
der. The Weekly Mirror had 10 send
away for type TO set up the page ad-
vertiscment for the new store. and TO
get new press for the printing OF cir
culars and posters.
One month after the opening OF the
store the graveyard quietness OF the
town had passed away. Streets were
lined with the teams and the wagons
OF the farmers. new elevator for
grain had been started. The railroad
placed new switch in the yard TO ac-
commodate the increased business.
The son Of the old town blacksmith
reopened the cid shop closed for years
because of no trade. New life was
rapidly being injected into the place.
There was an election. A lot OF
newcomers selected the Public Spir-
tied Citizen for chairman OF the town
board. He was elected. In six months
TIVE streets we're paved. an electric
lighting plant was in operation. along
with water works. The Great Store
keeper had way OF doing things. and
he did them. News Of the activity OF
the town reached nearby villages. and
the people came 20 see the Big Store
and 10 buy goods. cold storage
plant in connection with a new com
mission house operated by friends OF
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1907-05-31

not despair" She smiled at me gayly
across the table, her elbows support
ing the clasped hacds that framed her
exquisite beauty. Come. are we to
be friends?"
Il remember" | said, boldly, when
was at college. a story OF Socrates
that pointed an obvious moral. Would
you like to hear it,"
She made a mock grimace. ooh,
Socrates. monsieur. and a philoso-
pherl And a philosopher henpecked
by bis wife Xantippe. Am | one to
do with a henpecked philosopher?
Regard me seriously. monsieur. and
tell me- But Il you insist-your story;
| shall listen patiently
The henpecked philosopher. then"
II began somewhat grimly. tells us
that when Hercules had attained man
hood he set ont on a Journey 70 see
the world. and presently came to a
parting OF two ways lie hesitated
as TO which way he should
choose. While he hesitated there
appeared two maidens, each Of
whom preested that she would lead
him the way that he should go. One
Of these maidens was clad chastely in
somber but not unpleasing raiment.
If. Hercules. you will go my way,
you will find It rough and tircsome.
There are brambles to impede your
progress; there are sharp stones that
will cut your sandals. II will always
be hazardous, but 1t will lead TO hap
piness."
"Ah. happiness!" sighed the woman
opposite me. "She promised much"
The other maiden was extremely
beautiful and her raiment was OF sill
very tissue. Ny way she said. soft
ly. taking Hercules gently by the srm.
is strewn with flowers 1t leads.
broad and gently sloping, over soft
turf. and there is miislc to gladden.
the hours. My way leads TO pleasure
The name of the first maiden was
Virtue; the name OF the other.
madam"
paused: | was indeed very bold.
looked at my vis-a-yis with some
trepidation. need have felt none.
She broke into light laughter, her
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1907-05-31
Perhaps" she said. heavily. scarce.

Perhaps" she said heavily. scarce.
iy listening.
Then suddenly an expression. quite
merciless, distorted her textures. Her
pupils dilated in her fierce excitement.
she studied my face critically. coldly
deliberate, There was something por-
tent"us, almost omlnous. in this cool
STARE II disconnected me: II made
me already regret my prefer Of friend
snip. She smiled: but the smile was
Medusa.llke.
Yes. ] believe H. Fate has sent
you 70 me. And you-are You willing
10 follow where Fate leads-'
why not2" | demanded with more
curiosity than sincerity. confess.
All, you are courageous enough for
that2 Monsieur. you are a bold msu."
Surely not so bold as you. madam.
IN asking courage OF man who has
been disgraced for cowardice." Ii was
dihlcult to keep the sheer out OF my
voice
i know TO whom | speak. my dear
monsieur The task would set you
demands not the brute courage OF the
TOOL but the devotion OF crusader.
II Is sacred cause; its servants are
not easily found"
i am flattered that | fulfill the re-
quirements so admirably" returned
cynically. but you will find it difficult
to convince me that my extraordinary
courage and devotion to a good cause
make my services invaluable Why
should You choose me from a score OF
men TO help YOU"
You are right Above all things
we must be frank with each other.
You are at the Schweitzerhof? An
reyoir, you will hear from ne soon"
] bowed over the hand she held Ian
guidly toward me. was embarked
on an adventure Where would il
lead me?
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1907-05-31

the Storepeeker. caused Farmers to
bring in tons OF butter and hundreds
OF thousands Of eggs. and chickens
and other produce The transforma-
ton was quick from a Dead Town to
a Lively Small City. A high school
was established. new churches built.
and some OF the pious people were
shocked TO see an opera house erect
ed. The Panhandle a. Skedunk rail-
road, which for years had been run
ming 20 miles from the town so
changed its route as TO have it on the
main line so the place had two rail-
roads. Enterprising men who wanted
to locate in a Live Town turned their
eyes toward the place. Soon there
was smoke from half dozen big fac
tories, and in five years after the Pub
spirited Citizen had started his
store his old home town has increased
its population 1000 per cent. 1t was
no longer printed in little type on the
maps but in capital letters.
MORAL-Do not underestimate the
possibilities Of your community. or
fail to develop them No city was
ever made great by its people buying
goods elsewhere.
d. NJ. CARR.