davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-16

When needed, the major could become very
sccretive, and Dick, who, as he had told Susie
thousand times, was not the most patient
person in the world, very often got "out OF
sorts" with him.
When the young investigator reached the
sloping roof he saw a light beyond the major s
shutters, and, crawling across the shingles, he
placed his eager eyes close to the Stats. But,
alas! he could see nothing in the room be-
yond.
"It's out of all characteri" cried Dick, with
drawing in disgust 81 don't know what L
wouldn't give. for moments look into the
room. With me just now that pudding is OF
more Importance than the Congo country is
to Stanley. And to think that | havee. to 60
back with the mystery as deep as everi
The disappointed boy crept back, dropping
to the ground and making off under cover OF
the friendly darkness. After awhile he heard
limping along and looking in no direction but
straight ahead.
Dick took off his shoes and followed him to
the barn, which he entered, and the boy heard
him selecting some pine shingles, which were
piled in one corner. Only this, and nothing
more.
Having secured what he wanted, Major
CRANKY came back and mounted once more to
the chamber of secrets, leaving Dick more
mystifed than before.
II was a sleepless night for the boy of Moss
bank Farm. If he dozed for few moments,
it was to dream of the major sitting behind
locked doors, making he knew not what.
Dick wished again and again that Indepen-
dence Puddings had not come into vogue,
though he could not remember having heard
of one previously
1 The next day at ten, and according to her
intention, Mrs. Custer pinned to the dining
room door a paper bearing. the legend, mo
Adnittance!p and Dick and Susie exchanged
looks and smiles over it.
As the hour of noon approached, the invited
guests began to arrive, and by half-past IL
the whole number had come dressed in their
best
''Everythings ready but that pudding" said
Dick to his friend, Ned Bently, whom he took
to one side for the purpose of imparting this
information. cts to be historical, and that's
about all / know"
''But it will be eatable, too?"
'I hope So" answered Dick, with smile.
eff the major had the baking of it / would
not vouch for its digestible qualities. but
mother will attend to that, and you've eaten
her puddings before now, Ned"
"And prime ones they were, tool" exclaimed
young Bently.
down stairs with the look of conqueror. He
was clad in his best garments, and shook
hands with the little guests.
sLook at the major, Sue," whispered Dick
Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-16

That afternoon, with the twelve invitations
in his pocket, Dick Custer set out to distrib-
ute them by hand to the expected guests.
The young folks all lived in the immediate
neighborhood, and mounted on Selim, his ia
vorite pony, Dick cantered from house to
house delivering the cards.
81 made mention of the Independence Pud-
ding under instructions from mother, he
would say to his friends. Really, | never
heard of such thing. 1t seems to be COM
bination, invented by mother and Major Gran
by The major is an odd, old-fashioned fel-
low, as you may know from what you have
seen or heard of him, and there's absolutely
no telling what he's liable to think about.
He's always whiting out something, and II
were his knife I'd want little rest. think
can promise that the pudding will be some
thing entirely new in the pudding line, though
| must confess that | never heard OF the mayor
being baker,
Dicks friends would have accepted the invi-
tations if there had been no pudding men,
toned for a day at the farm, with Dick and
Susie for playmates, was a treat OF itself, but
the mystery that enshrouded the building OF
the pudding gave to the Fourth OF July dinner
a new attraction.
Dick returned toward evening, and lmme-
diately sought out Susie.
Anything yet, Sue?" he asked, with eager
ness.
'"The same old report, Dick" was the an
swer.
Where's the major?"
'In his ROOM"
''With the door locked?"
eyes. heard him lock it,
''That is aggravation wish there were no
Independence Puddings!" And Dick shut his
hands and looked away "Anythng's fair in
war, they say, and I'm going to try to get at
the majors secret by some stratagem."
eff he should catch you"
'I1l be too careful for that" interrupted
Dick. "The major is the inventor of that pud
ding so far as the mystery goes. Mother is
to do the baking, while he furnishes the en-
bellishments. The only thing l have succeed
ed in getting from mother is, as you know,
that the pudding will be a chapter from his
tory, as well as capital bit Of pastry"
When night came, with clouds over the full
moon, Dick stole from the house and helped
himself to the sloping roof of back building
which ran up to the one window of the majors
room.
Major CRANKY was distant relative of the
Clusters, and for many years., or ever since the
war, in which he was wounded, had made his
home with them.
He was queer man, with large share of
genuine Yankee tact, was an adept with the
jack-knife, as many toys and other things at
tested, and Dick and Susie always found him
an agreeable companion when there was no
mystery on hand.
Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-16
In q New Mexican Forest

Possibly Bruin read desperation in my eyes,
for he growied again and went on backing
further out upon the great dead limb, when
all at once there was the sound of heavy
fall.
The branch, unable to stand the increas-
ing strain as the animal backed further to-
ward the end. broke short off, and down
went limb and bear headlong to the ground
beneath.
heard a chorus of snorts and cries, and
peerlng cautiously downward, beheld repre-
tltion of yesterdays scene at the rock; for
the peccaries were hotly engaged with the
bear, which in turn. though somewhat dazed
by his fall, was defending himself as best he
could.
1t was the old story-and in ten minutes
scarce remnant of the poor bear remained.
Instantly / crouched down out Of sight and
listened intently to every sound from below
but in few minutes silence reigned in every
quarter.
Waiting a good half-hour descended fear
lessly, for not peccary was to be seen. They
had either forgotten me, or had been salts
fed with their triumph over this second
enemy.
picked up my rifle and started briskly for
the creek, and in due time reached camn.
where all agreed, upon hearing my story thai
Ielfad, all things considered, made most fors
ltAates seseaSe ifs0fn aiEteaT beRiI! iiaDI4.s IL.
eh vadT vaa0m 10 ly1f9i9oq a.iap bsa
Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-16
4 DEED or DARING

efrom the ranch house that their sleep was
little less than state of deep torpor.
They were all young braves; there weT :
no old heads among them to advise modef
ton and caution, and In consequence theif
gross appetites had led them to gluttony and
carelessness.
Inch by Inch Jeptha crept forward, the
ftful and fantastic shadows playing over the
dark mounds that marked the places where
the Apaches lay sleeping.
Off to the left he could hear the ponies as
they cropped the crisp grass. Every sound
was magnifed into startling distinctness,
between the guards and close to his fathers
feet. Without lifting his head from the,
earth he reached his right hand forward andS
touched his father, giving him sharp pinch
on the leg. He repeated this and then lay
quiet.
Fortunately, Mr.. Deane was awake, his
mental torture having been too great to al
low him to close his eyes in slumber. Turn
ing slightly, he at once became aware that
The knowledge caused him to be seized
with violent it of trembling. But this
soon passed away, and he moved his feet
cautiously to show that he was on the alert.
Then Jeptha crawled to his side, severed the
had come.
Mr.. Deane was not long in following him,
and when, FIVE minutes later, they stood TO-
gether beyond the camp, he clasped Jeptha in I
HlS ILLS anu WCpt lOL JOy. iiao 6iFS.Lh uP-
all hope and resigned himself to the death
that he believed awaited him on the morrow.
Knowing that the escape was liable to o-be
discovered at any moment, they hurried from
the dangerous vicinity as rapidly as possible.
Mr.. Deane was so stiff from the eramped po-
sition he had so long been compelled to as
srme that at first he could scarcely walk.
But this wore away as his blood began to-
warm with the exercise.
Before morning they reached and crossed
the Mimbres, and when day broke concealed
themselves among some rocks on the crest 1
of ridge that commanded good view of
the country they had traversed.
But they were not followed, the Apaches {
doubtless thinking it-inadvisable to make an,
other movement in the direction of the post \
That afternoon they continued their fight, {
and succeeded in reaching the post the fol
lowing morning, half dead from hunger,
thirst and exhaustion.
Troops were sent in pursuit of the raiding
Chiricahuas, and it may be some satisfaction
to the readers to know that they were over
taken and summarily punished.
Mr. Deane soon after abandoned his ranch
on the Mimbres. and, with Jeptha, moved
back to civilization; but the heroic act Of the
latter j. sti q part IF the tnWrittqp annals
81 pae sT INN n1spssos1sd saa sens $40 teai aasa
Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-16
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE

coming dawn revealed to my startled eyes
the cause of it all, by showing me a brown
bear, doubtless the companion of the one
whose tragic end / had witnessed the night
before, squatted on the dead limb, about tif-
teen feet from me. We had evidently sought
safety in the same tree from common foe.
The moment the bear saw me he began to
snarl and show his teeth, which was not pleas
ant, considering that L. was totally unarmed
and practically defenseless; but he soon re-
lieved me of all fear by beginning to back
away, going further out upon the branch, as
If to avoid my presence
Daylight was now fairly come, and was
congratulating myself upon the happy thought
of concealment, and wondering whether the
animals below would clear out when they
failed to see me up in the tree, for was well
hidden in the hollow place, aided by the big
branch, when a fresh thought filed me with
dismay. What about the bear?
There he was in full view from below, and
of course the peccaries, seeing him, would
never think more of me, but would continue
to wait for their common enemy, and thus
bring to naught my own efforts to escape.
The very thought made me SO desperate,
tiiaat ifoI HAD possessed my gum. I should then
/ Ana there have cpetg&l Gfefo dhei ishaggSl rasl
cal perched OH limb H5ef6Fe 8dd ct slila
ssauh Tof bfsWliS7oa a3bt4 Sat b9weIoi eH
Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-16
An INDEPENDENCE PUDDlNG

To his sister. "He thinks he's achieved some}
thing wonderful, and evidently expects the ln3
dependence Pudding to lift him to fame. .2
The clock struck IL at last. AS the last not9
died Il away way the great door of the diningrooapl
swung open. and Dick and Susie, according y
previous arrangement, led their guests acros4
the threshold. thJ
The table, with plates for all, stood IN thS thS
middle of the room, and in the centre o. an al
white cloth, rising about every other oisi' "p{
peared the Independence Pudding. -.
Tt was great piece of work, nearly tnle
feet in height, round at the base and taperary ar
toward the top. There were landings ~
few inches, and upon them. afoot anu U
horseback were to be seen miniature s'i'D
of the heroes of the Revolution. .Lo3
The guests looked at the pudding, ana sne'l
at Dick and Susie, in mute astonisnnmehhs ths MAJ
sFall to. boys and girlsl" exclaimed the NIX
ior. "The pudding will take care OF ltsen u w ;, !
we are ready to explore its inner mystefles
Thus commanded, the children went 70 MosS Moss
and the merriest dinner ever known q. oss;bH. uaH
hank Farm followed. But it was 1mposs1lD:iS 1:.
to keep them from admiring the eentral ee,a US ~
of the day, nor from praisng the triuinPn' y
the majors Jack-knlfe
When the proper time arrived, MAJOR oran1
by rose and uncovered the top OF the pyTalni.u;
by lifting the cone. There, in Continental unr
The major took him down and remove9 ensjj
next part, and 10! Greene, Putnam, hhoA
Wayne and others appeared.
"Bravo, majori' cried Dick, as the chlidreh
clapped their hands. ~.
Major CRANKY acknowledged the praise tnus m
bestowed, and went on. He lifted anotnel
covering, and there appeared, ranged arouhe' I1 !
the pudding itself, the ffty-six signers OF tne
Declaration. His jack-knife must have Deeh
busy for many days. go.
1--WE now come to the best part Of the ieass
the pudding itself" said Major Granpy, az az
the same time uncovering the huge piece Q!
pastry. ''My Fourth of July motto IS, fa]
troitism first, pudding next ;, Hand up your
pudding dish. Master Bently."
Ned obeyed with grimace OF dehght, ana
when his dish came back its contents were @
surmounted by statue of lafayette The
other children were similarly served, SO that
each one had for a souvenir OF the inoepen-
dence Pudding a sample of the majors nYen-
tive genius.
That the Fourth of July dinner at Mossbank n,
was success goes without saying Inc won
derful pudding was voted the finest thing OF
the kind ever built, and the major, almost
smothered in congratulations, said that he mad
been more than repaid for all his toll.
The dinner started the minds OF the young
folks of the neighborhood into a happy chan
mel. and today Dick Custer is the president O
tse Independence Pudding Historical Club
Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-16
You are Cordially Invited to Dine
at Our House
Tomorrow, July the Fourth!
Dinner at IL NJ, Sharp.
AT which time will be served the
Celebrated Independence Pudding.

Susie Custer thought that the invitation
could not be improved upon, and Dick thanked
her for her sentiment.
:. ,.Bsy the way, Sue, what have you found
Nothing" answered Susie, with smile
Mother is as mute as a clam on the subject
of tomorrow's dinner"
GIVE been just as successful with the ma
jor." And Dick laughed Hes been shut up
in his room the better part of three days, and
know something's on the tapis-but what?'
''The Independence Pudding"
That's what they say; but they leave us in
the dark when it comes to particulars. Did
you consult the cookbooks?"
"All could find, and don't think over
looked one in the house. / went over the list
of puddings with great care, realizing the i'm
portance of the search"
Without finding any that SAVIOR of patriot
ism or Independence Day"
Without finding anything of the kind
Dick"
Dick looked both puzzled and disappointed
well have to wait. see no other way"
he said. I'm not the most patient creature
in the world, Sue. just think of mystery
in your home, and you not able to penetrate
it! | shall try to get at the secret of the
majors seclusion before / go to bed tonight,
though | think the attempt will be labor lost"
Doubtless, Dick Mother is going to pin
paper to the dining-room door at 10 o'clock
tomorrow, reading, No Admittance.'
"Thats one of the majors suggestions, of
course!" promptly interjected Dick. 'tHe
works Of nights, too. and over that wonderful
pudding. He ought to enjoy it when it comes
to the table"
Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-16
CONTINUED FROM PAGE FOUR

Bedding, clothing, blankets, -four, meal,
coffee. everything, in fact, was brought out
and thrown in confused I heap near the the
Jeptha could not at first imagine. The Chi
ricahuas do not usually take prisoners.
But when, few moments later, he saw
the. missing mules driven, up. to the door,
and the captive unbound, light began 10
break in on him.
They intended to make their captive har-
ness the mules to the wagon and haul the
plundered articles to- some point; then they
would kill him. pack the articles acks on on tne,e the
mountains.
Two of the Apaches remained 20 guard
Mr.. Deane while he was engaged in the task
of harnessing the mules and loading the big
hay wagon, and the others began an lndls-
criminate slaughter of the helpless sheep
that were huddled in a scared bunch near the
river.
While anxlousIy watching the movements
of the two Apaches an idea occurred to Jep-
tina that caused his breath to come, in quick
gasps and his heart to beat violently.
He had been wondering if there might
not be some way in which he could aid his
father and save him from the ts terrible death
that apparently impended, and the idea came
as the result of this thought:
When the wagon was loaded Mr.. Deane
was again bound, and his guards turned
their attention to the slaughter that was go
ing on among the sheep.
This was Jeptha's opportunity.
The rear end of the wagon was quite near
the corner of the house closest to him.
Crawling stealthily from beneath the shrub
berry, he crept to this corner, and with his
head pressed closely against the ground,
peered out at the guards. Their eyes were
fixed on the dimly-ighted fiat by the river.
With quick spring he gained the wagan,
crawled into it, and drew over himself pile
of smothering blankets.
he could scarcely breathe in this position,
but by burrowing little deeper, he was able
to thrust his face into the opening between
two of the stats that formed the bottom Of
the hay-rack The Indians who had been
amusing themselves in such wanton man
ner came back in short time. They were
laughing uproariously.
The sight of the harnessed mules and load
ed wagon, seemed to increase their hiarity:
and in spirit of grim humor they proceeded
to pile their blankets and extra accoutre-
ments on the heap so weighting it that Jep-
tina began to think he, would be crushed.
Then Mr.. Deane's hands were loosed and
he was forced Iteissgtseatl on athec miniature
Wepntaip, and aBd thsa Journey begap.I ,the.sApa
ches, PH9dsfAgt Ithe driver eapd smHleso rhereis
lessty With their sharp lances. -
f14fHS 7DAa no dsTDHETEoo
Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-16

night, as the wagon would doubtless b
abandoned the next day.
He waited two hours before making any
further movement. Then, deciding that the
Apaches were soundly sleeping, he slipped to
the ground and began to crawl slowly toward
the place where his father lay. His pocket
knifd, with the keenest blade open, was be-
tossed uneasily, and Jeptha, thinking he had
been discovered, half rose to his feet with
the intention of fight.
There was about yard of space between
Mr.. Deane and each of his guards. The boy
side and cut his bonds and the thongs that
attached his wrists to those of the sleeping
Chiricahuas. Then they could slip away
from the camp together and make their es-
cape. 1t was daring idea and one worthy
hero. :.
Success in this effort would have been well
nigh impossible if the Apaches had not SO
gorged themselves on the supplies obtained
Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-16
[copyrIght By James Elverson.l

Copyright by James Elverson.)
GSYV0T was the rarest of summer days, and
H@H the wind that lazily stirred the
k@kA leaves of the trees huttered few
NGNSAI papers on a table over which Dick
tzeYeS Custer and his sister Susie were
bending in Dicks room. Dick was
writing slowly on some pieces of tinted card
board, and Susie was placing the same in en-
velopes that matched them very well in size
and color.
''This is the twelfth and last one, Sue,'' said
length, and gazing % admirineiV ir ' at his work.
~ think / have the invitation just right, with
out waste of Words
And then he read aloud, while Susie paused
in her work and lintened:
New-York tribune., 1907-10-17
ROADS HELP STANDARD.
Counsel for Oil Trust Has Elaborate
Defence PREPARED.

The valuable assistance given by the railroads 10
the Standard Oil Company in keeping watch on
what It's competitors doing shown yester-
day. when Frank b. Kellogg declared that he had
in his possession a OF bills of lading Obtained
from the Baltimore ofice of the corporation. These
bills Of lading helped the employees OF the company
materially in making up the reports of competitive
shipments which were forwarded TO the statistical
department at No. - Broadway.
James Donald. selling agent for the Standard OIL
Company of New Jersey. said he did not know the
Baltimore Office Of the company filed with SIM
liar bills of ladnE. ard seemed chagrined that the
government attorney saoUld think the Standard en-
ployed dshonorabIe u7athods in keeping on its
rivals. He professed be indifferent the identity
OF the shipper in his rorrtory which includes New
Jersey. Delaware. Maryland Virginia West Virginia
and the CarOnas but said it was the duty OF
every employe of the Standard to note competition
wherever It sprang W, and report IL forthwith.
If we had no comp atition we would rot IN time"
said Mr. Donald.
You don't t. have dscayed very muchT'
the government attorneys retoTt.
Howard Bayne. OF s. G. Bayne president OF
the Seaboard National Bank Standard bank.
and secretary Of the Security oil Company. gave
testimony yesterday which may be interesting to
the Texas state officials The Security is supposed
to be independent ~ Standard oil. but Mr. Bayne
admitted that all ifs product sold the re-
nnerics TO Standard companies He was unable to
enIghten Mr.. Kellogg on the purchase OF the Sc
cur!ty by a London company which has about
100000 invested IN tho enterprise Neither could
he Identity this company as Standard-owned- Mr.
Rayne said no dividends had been distributed 10
the English investors.
Robert H. McNAu. OF the export department OF
the Standard Of New York. identified tables OF
statistics Yesterday furnished by the Colonial Oil
Company. which showed that in one year recently
24O COO cases of oil exported by the Standard
to Australia and China. while its competitors had
only eighty-two cases 10 their credit.
William q. Rockefeller was not in court yester-
dav but has been requested by telegraph 10 come
Mr. kellogg wishes to examine him this week
counsel for the Standard Oil Company have pre-
nared an elaborate defence which they say Will
he developed its entirety when the governments
attorneys have completed taking their testimony
The standard lawyers said yesterday they had not
sought 10 adduce testimony on cross-examlnation
Of officials and employees OF the so-called oil Trust
which would refute the allegations made in the
federal complaint. but had deferred bringing out
much evidence until later. when II could be pro-
auced continuously and In bulk. No intimation
was given of the nature of the testimony.