davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1907-12-14

the children in the town and that he
would on the great day give dinner
to the people
Three weeks before Christmas he
began his preparations. He rented the
biggest hall in the place, had an i'm
mense evergreen tree set up in it, and
hired carpenters to fll it with long
tables. The people could hardly be
lieye that their eyes did not deceive
them when they saw him getting
things ready.
He made many mysterious visits to
the great city in which the Jonesburg
merchants bought their goods, and he
always returned bearing many boxes
and packages. Sometimes they were
too big or too numerous to be carried
by him, and he hired expressmen to
take them to the hall, while the people
stood on the sidewalks and made re-
gretful remarks about the way they
had wronged Mr.. Bradshaw, or insist
ed hat they had suspected all along
that beneath a stern exterior he pos
sessed kind heart.
After the tree and the tables had
been set up nobody but Old Nick him
self was permitted to enter the hall.
He explained that he wanted every one
to be surprised. He carried the boxes
and packages up the stairs alone, and
he had the windows carefully cur
tanned. SO that nobody could see from
the outside what was being done
within.
On the day before Christmas the
last assignment OF Nicholas Brad
shaw's boxes and packages arrived
from the city. There was a wagon
load of them. and the excitement Of
the people as they saw them being
transferred from the railway station
to the hall where the feast was to be
held became intense. Old Nick saw
the wonder in the faces of the citizens,
and he smiled with keen satisfaction.
The day was very cold, but he appar-
entity was oblivious of the fact. The
people said it was the warmth of his
heart that kept him from feeling the
bite of the icy winds
Christmas day dawned clear, and
the town was astir earlier than usual.
Expectancy was on tiptoe. The hall
was to be opened at 12:30 sharp, so
that people who wished to go to church
could do SO and still be in time for the
beginning of the ceremonies over
which Old Nick was to preside.
The crowd began to assemble an
| hour before the time set for the open
ing of the doors. People danced on the
sidewalk. slapped their hands against
The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1907-12-14

one could get at the best restaurant in
Paris
A few minutes later the gentlemen
go on deck to smoke their cigars.
Edwin takes his stand beside his
Scotch mate. saying: We'll take it
watch and watch, Graham. until the
morning." and sends the young fellow
below to turn in.
The two ladies' are busily making
their arrangements in the cabin. The
schooner has main salon, which is
used as dining-room, and two little
quarter staterooms, one of which is
assigned to Edwin and his bride, the
other to Miss Anstruther.
Under these circumstances, the de-
tective and Barnes have chance for
private conversation. They stroll
amidships and seat themselves beside
one of the boats.
How shall put you on shore?" says
Barnes.
We'll, in an hour more we'll be of
Bandol, I reckon. and II you'll tell Ed
win to drop in to the shore little, you
can put me Off in one of the boats
"All right" replies Burton. and
speaking to Anstruther, the yachts
course is changed.
When you are ashore, you'll get
the railway, l suppose, to Marseilles.
Pay my hotel bill at the Grand there
and remember to meet me at Nice at
the time appointed"
Here the detective dismays his
American employer: he drawls slow
ly: Yes, but I'd like to give up this
matter!"
Give up this matter?"
"Yes. When that Corsican had his
knife over my heart he said a few
words of warning, telling me to look
out how l got into a blood feud; that
this matter was to the death, and IL
l wanted to live l had better leave it
alone
You're frightened Of the man."
asks Ba -nes.
mo, not exactly frightened, but
mighty cautious OF him." replies the
Yankee, for fellow who can fix it SO
that my two French sleuths were
thrown OF the track and he and his
pal took their very places and rode
behind your carriage unsuspected and
only by Gods mercy were prevented
from jumping you and doing you up
as you placed the ladies in the boat, is
a man whose brains make him mighty
dangerous"
The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1907-12-14

Burton H. Barnes. a wealthy American
iish lieutenant. Edward Gerard AnstruA-
er. and his Corsican bride. Mariol.
daughter of the Paols. from the muir
derous vendetta. understanding that MS
reward Is to be the hand of the girl ne
loves. Enid Anstruther sister of the Eng
lish lieutenant. The four fly from AJac-
clio to Marseilles board the French
steamer Constantine. The vendetta pur-
sues and as the quartet are about TO
board the train for London at Marseiiies.
Marina is handed mysterious note
which causes her to collapse and necessi-
tafes a postponement of the journey.
Barnes gets part of the mysterious note
and receives letters which inform MN
that he is marked by the vendetta. lie
employs an American detective and plans
TO beat the vendetta at their own game
For the purpose of securing the safety
of the women Barnes arranges to nave
Lady Chartris lease secluded villa AT
Nice to which the party is to be taken
in a yacht. Suspicion Is created that
Marina Is in league with the Corsicans
A man, believed to be corregio l)aneila'
is seen passing the house and Marina IS
thought to have given him sign. MA
rina refuses to explain to Barnes whlch
fact adds to his latent suspicious. Barnes
plans for the safety of the party are
learned by the corsicans. The carriage
carrying their party to the local landing
is followed by two men. one OF tiie
horseman is supposed to be Corregio.
They try to murder the American
The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1907-12-14

themselves to keep from freezing and
every little while there were cheers
for Mr.. Bradshaw.
At last the hands on the courthouse
clock indicated that 1t was IL: 80. and
then one OF Old Nicks hired men ap-
peared with the key to the door Of the
big hall With a wild rush and loud
whoop the people crowded inside and
hurried upstairs. The Christmas tree
loomed gloriously before them. Its
branches were laden with packages
all neatly tied with ribbons and each
bearing a card on which was written
the name of the person who was to re-
ceive 1t. The tables were set and
ready for the feasters. There were
big brown turkeys with drumsticks
pointing upward; there were huge
cakes. there were filled wineglasses at
The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1907-12-14

Not dangerous enough to cause you
to desert these ladies in their extrem'
ity. YOU an American-I have been
told you have a very good nerve.
Yes. but this kind OF an assassinat.
ing in the gloom biz is mighty ticklish
however. I'll go you again." returns
the detective. after few more whins
Of his cigar. I'll risk it once more
for the sake of the ladies'. With such
a crafty devil agin you. what you want
to do Is to suspect everybody" contin-
ued the detective. You see you can
not be sure where such a snaky fellow
will strike you. II it hadn't been for
me fortunately walking up that path
wondering why my men came down
to you. they would have been upon
you while you were putting the ladies
in your boat. and would have had some
Of you sure. know you can shoot
quick and straight, but knives at close
quarters are better than revolvers.
especially in the darkness. You can
bless God for having saved you to-
night. Suspect everyone!"
Suspect everyone" Barnes mutters
to himself and turns his eyes about
upon the deck as he speaks.
'Oh. theyr re all safe here-those bra
Scotch sailor laddies. You saw the
mate. he is Scotch also and can be
trusted. II you'll put me on shore. Ill
be at that villa at Nice ready to tell
you everything when you make it.
Don't you think the LADY, mean An
struther's wife-could stand a voyage
to England through the Bay OF Bis
cay" The detectives voice shows
how anxious he Is that his suggestion
be taken.
.As a physician. l don't think she
could" remarks Barnes. You see her
neurotic state has been added to by
the attack upon us at the landing. 1t
is not her fears for herself. but her
fears for her husband"
They are now interrupted by Edwin.
The lights over there are those Of
Bandol. We're in ten fathoms Of wa
ter. | don't want to venture in any
further at night" Then the voice of
the young English officer rings out, or
dering the cutter to be lowered and
manned.
Il go with you as far as the shore"
says Barnes.
NO. you stay with the ladies'" whis-
pers Emory That's what you want
to look after. You're the point of dan
ger now. I'll only suffer If l get too
nigh to you" AS the Pinkerton man
goes over the side. he whispers to
Barnes Suspect everybody-even
dninps and
especially those of the women with
that crafty cuss who had his dagger
so cursed near my heart, working on
them
Gould you recognize the man."
asks Burton eagerly.
Hardly. but in the struggle my
hand caught his face. and felt scar
over his left eye"
Great Scott" calculates the Amer
lean. He is now certain 1t is Core
gio Cipriano Danella who is bent upon
brother.
AS the Yankee detective is rowed
away. Barnes PAGES the deck.
The night is very fine, though eX-
tremely dark, and they being near the
land, somewhat misty. The yacht S
lights, however, burn brightly and a
careful lookout is kept. Barnes thinks
he has little fear from the sea while
the vessel is in command of Edwin
Anstruther. Still the detectives last
warning, Suspect every body" fingers
in his mind.
Some remarks from the ladies' in
the cabin indicate that they are not
coming on deck this evening.
ITO RI, 1,nA-rINIrEnA
The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1907-12-14

with bright-colored flowers.
But it was quickly discovered that
the turkeys were made of papier
mache. such as are used in make-be
lieve banquets on the stage; the cakes
were nothing but painted blocks of
wood, the wineglasses contained only
vinegar, and the flowers We're artificial
When the packages that had been cut
from the tree were opened they were
found to be filled with sawdust, except
that in each of them was a slip of
paper such as lay beside each of the
The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1907-12-14
Three Weeks Of Merrymakinq.

Many unique customs are practiced
by the peasantry living in the central
mountains of Norway, though mas
querading is not as much INDUCED in
as formerly. There is legend OF
an old man called the Dovregubbe,
who was supposed to live in an en-
chanted castle and drive about on
Christmas night, visiting his wrath
upon all peasants who failed to place
bowl of rye porridge in his way.
Very little shopping or unnecessary
work is done in Norway until Jarr-
AIRY 13, the time between that date
and Christmas being largely devoted
to joyful family and friendly relations.
The Swedes and Norwegians of Amer
lea. who are able to visit their native
land. always plan to do so at the
Christmas season. for It is one of
the greatest joys to be at home in
time for the heartfelt greeting OF
"Glaedelig Jul. Eagle.
The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1907-12-14
india's Sacred Trees,

There are many sacred trees Of
India which enter largely into the re-
ligious life OF the Hindoos. Chief
among these is the sami tree and the
trembling peepul. Nearly all the
higher hills and rocks in the plains
are crowned each by a temple, shrine
or sacred tree. The peepul is known
as the king Of trees. 1t is the most
holy, and the three great spirits of
the Hindoos dwell therein. The wor-
ship OF the tree is the worship of the
triad Brahma, silva and Vishnu. Al
most every Indian village has its pee
pull tree, with a raised platform or al
tar around it. The devout remove
their shoes before 1t and make obei-
sance before proceeding on their way,
The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1907-12-14

plates and on which was printed thie
statement:
Il have for . long time believsd
that the people OF this town celebrated
Christmas. not for the purpose of 81.
hibiting the true Christmas spirit. but
simply to outdo one another in making
a big show. II you are true to the
faith you possess you will forgive me
for what have done and thank me foi
teaching you a valuable lesson. 1t IL
not what you give or what you receive
but the spirit in which 1t is given and
received. | give you all these things
with the heartiest good wishes and
with the hope that joy will be yours in
fullest measure. How will you receive
them? NICHOLAS BRADSHAW"
For a moment there was painful
silence. Then the Baptist minister
mounted a chair and said:
Il think Mr. Bradshaw has, as he
says. taught us profitable lesson.
We have been drifting away from the
true Christion faith. We have made
Christmas time not OF joy but OF
dread to the people who have to pay
giving. but with the hope of receiving
something just as good in return. l
propose a vote of thanks to Mr. Brad
shaw for opening our eyes"
Some of the children and a few OF
the women were inclined to be sullen,
but the vote OF thanks was given with
a good deal of enthusiasm, and then
Old Nick opened the door OF an ad-
joining room which was filled with
real things to eat and fine presents for
all the people, and when every ybody
was seated and the feast was at its
height he stood up, saying in tones
that We're rather husky:
Friends. l have for a good many
years been skeptic. | have not be-
lieved in God and | have regarded all
people as being Inherently mean and
selfish. You have shown me that
was mistaken. My old faith has come
back to me: you have made me the
happiest man in the world. God bless
you all."-Chicago Record Herald.
The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1907-12-14
Makina Him Work.

Mrs. Carrie Chapman Gait. the pres
ident of the Woman Suffrage associa-
tion, was citing diplomatic ways OF
making children work.
"A Chicago lady she said. has a
little boy who hates to practice writ
ing. Last fall she told me that in this
matter of writing she could do moth
ing with the lad. But in December.
when | met her again, she said, COM
placently:
Well, Harry spends quite two
hours a day now at his writing reg
ularly.'
"'IIow in the world said !. did
you bring this miracle to pass?'
THE woman winked slightly.
- told him, she said. to make out,
in his very best hand, list of every
thing he wanted for Christmas, and
he has been at it ever since"
The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1907-12-14
CHAPTER lv.-Continued.

Their carriage soon stops near the
two small bays upon which are stu
ated the lighthouses. At little land
ing place Barnes can just discern in
the mist of the water, which adds to
the gloom of the evening, a boat with
two seamen.
To be certain, he halls and is an
swered by Emory's voice.
It's all right" he whispers to the
ladies and springs out of the carriage.
The next moment Emory has run up
Afrom the landing and is standing be-
side him. Emory whispers suspicious
ly to Barnes: You get the ladies into
the boat quick. l told my men not to
come near you unless there was dan
ger. l hear their steps coming down.
I'll see what they want Barnes and
Edwin carefully escort their charges
through the gloom down the little
steps that lead to the boat. Their hand
satchels being placed beside them,
carriage robe is carefully tucked by
Barnes about Miss Anstruther.
Performing like service for his
wife, Edwin seiZes the tiller, seats
himself at the stern and remarks COM
fortably: Now all's shipshape! AS
soon as your sleuth is on board we'll
pull out to the yacht" Then he asks
one of the two oarsmen: Have you
the Seagull's bearings?"
Aye, aye, sir. She is lying on about
a quarter of a mile nigh due south OF
here.
'All right" says Edwin, examining
a pocket compass he produces. She
might have been difficult to find in the
darkness without her bearings. Shes
light up. of course?"
"A mast head anchor glim, SIR re-
plies the man.
Suddenly Edwin whispers to Barnes:
We've boarders,' and springing up,
seizes a boathook and pushes the cut
ter away from the dock. Pull quick,
my meu!" he commands, for the voice
of the American detective rings out
in the night air: Look out for your
klves," and they hear the patter OF
feet in the darkness running down the
walk mingled with couple of foreign
oaths.
Next there is splash in the water
and Barnes says, coolly: Hold up for
a minute, Edwin" and calls: "Is that
you. Emory
Yes, thank God" answers the de-
tective. who is swimming after them.
Very well, If anybody jumps over
after you, 1 think can catch him even
in the darkness" The Americans
pistol is in his hand.
Twenty seconds after they drag the
dripping sleuth into the cutter.
You have nothing to wait for now"
says Emory, splitting out some salt
water. Get me to the yacht where /
can find dry clothes OF some kind"
At this, Edwin orders the men to
give way, which the Scotch sailors do
with alacrity.
by the blessing Of God. you all had
a mighty narrow escape" remarks
Emory, his voice quivering. Though
how the deuce the men who are after
potting you took the places Of the ones
1 hired to guard you, is more than l
can tell. When l heard the approach
ing steps. l reckoned there must be
danger. l went straight to 'em and by
gum. they jumped me. Half second
and was dead man."
AT my cry of terror" continues
Emory, "the dagger that was right
OF them snarls: 'Diavolo, this isn't
IL accursed murderer. Barnes of New
York Then they whispered some
words to me that don't care about
repeating before the ladies and one Of
them held the knife over me and the
The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1907-12-14
@1T@WQVW' ~ ~ @As9
* The Transformation <#
X of Old Nick
- S. E KSER. $kn
q ~ 90 ~ @ w m Is

~ Id NICK BRADSHAW was the
4uH richest man in Jonesburg. and
for 80 years he had also been
the most hated. There was a tradi-
tion that a girl whom he was to have
married one Christmas day had eloped
with another man a few hours before
the time set for the wedding. Whether
the story was true or not Old Nick. as
everybody called him. had become a
recluse. Nobody ever had kind word
tor him
1t had long been agreed that the
death Of Old Nick would be the luck
lest think which could happen to
Jonesourg. wherefore there was gen
eral surprise when it was announced
one year that Nicholas Bradshaw in
tended TO have a Christmas tree for all
The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1907-12-14
Sure 1hino.

A man doesn't know how many ways
there are to be buncoed until he ex-
changes Christmas presents with a
lot of his young lady friends-Bir-
mingham News.
The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1907-12-14
Evidently q Belle.

Pauline turns up her nose at offers
OF marriage" why so?" THE only
things sl,e considers are abject pleas"
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1907-07-11
DIETZ EXPEDITION
Wisconsin Deputy Sheriff Or
ganizes Force to Move
Against Dietz.

Minneapolis, Mimi. John
Dietz, the feudal load of Cam
eron dam is to be attacked
again in his stronghold, ac-
cording to the statement of
John Clark, who says he is a
deputy sheriff of Sawyer Co.,
Wisconsin and who is now in
the twin cities trying to Sc
cure men to join the expedi-
ton. Clark says that this
time the attacking party will
be strong enough to make a
strong fight and that Dietz
will be taken dead or alive.
Dietz owns property abut
ting on Cameron dam, and
following a dispute with a
lumber company as to the
rights of the company to en-
roach upon what he considers
his property rights, he has
stood off employees of the
lumber company and officers
of the law for about three
years by force Of arms. John
Dietz and all the other mem
bers of his family, including
his wife and daughters are ex-
perts in the use of the rifle
and with their weapons they
have repeatedly defended
their property against occu-
patton by the lumber compa-
nv and themselves against
arrest.
Orders of the local courts
of Sawyer county have been
openly defied by Dietz and
the officers who went to serve
these documents have been
driven away. Several times
armed posses have surround
ed Dietz and his family in
their home, but each time the
attacking party has been re-
pulsed. In one such battle
about a year ago Dietz's son
Clarence, and a member of
the Wisconsin national guard
were severely wounded.
Clark says that sympathy
for DietZ is SO strong in Saw
yer county and all that part
of Wisconsin that it would be
impossible to organize a posse
there to go after him, and
that is the reason he has
come to Minnesota for men.
The attacking party will be
backed oy the courts and of
fcers Of the law, but in the
past that has been of little
advantage.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1907-07-11
AUTOMOBILE BURNS
c.. I'll. Ziehlsdorff of Ashland
Suffers the Loss of His
New Machine.

G.. III. ZiehlsdOrf's new
automobile was practically
entirely destroyed by fire
Sunday afternoon near Salmo.
This is the first, time that an
accident like this has ever
occurred to the automobile
owners of this vicinity. Mr..
Ziehlsdorff was running the
machine and had a number
of friends in as guests; the
automobile Of Henry Wild
hagen being a short distance
behind.
Being fearful of an explos-
ion of the gasoline, all the
occupants of the machine
hastily got away as soon as
possible. leaving everything
behind.
A number of coats which
were in the machine were
also burned, and one Of the
ladies of the party lost $50 in
currency, which was in the
pocket of her coat which was
left behind.
The machine was insured
for $1,000. which covers a
good portion of the loss.
The Wisconsin Telephone COM
pany have a crew of obout six men
working on their lines in the city
making some improvements and
changes.
L. P. Denoyer and family expect
to leave the latter part of the week
for Urbana. Ill.,, where MIR. Denoy-
err will teach during the coming
school year.
The Ladies Aid Society of the
Congregational Church will meet at
the home of Mrs. E. c. Stevens
next Wednesday afternoon. All
are invited.
The brick that is now being turn
ed out at the plant of the Washburn
brick company is certainly fine.
Samples can be seen at the Meehan
jewelry store.
Mrs. F. S. Colquhoun and son
Guy of Couer d'Alene. Idaho, and
Mrs. Ground of Duluth. are guests
at the George White residence on
Washington avenue.
D. M. Maxcy left last night for
Milwaukee, on business, he has also
been called to Wilmington. DEL
and will probably proceed east be-
fore returning home.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1907-07-11
WILL BEGIN EARLY
Beavers to Begin at Once to
Raise Funds for 1908
Convention.

At rousing meeting of the
Beaver lodge of this city held at
the Williams hall Monday even
ing plans were laid for the rails
ing of funds with which to- en-
terrain the state convention
which will meet here in June
next year. Committees were
appointed and the work will be
commenced at once.
Business men and others OF
the city should do all they can
to help the Beavers in their work
as the convention will be a big
thing for Washburn and will
bring many people here.