davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1907-03-30
The Fascination of Death
BY JOSEPH HEATING

his eyes. They would not remain
closed.
MY nerve 10 gone-my nerve is
gone'" he moaned. crying like child.
The wind grew colder and stronger:
the swaying OF the chimney and the
-scaffold became more violent
And to make his misery more un.
bcarable, darkness began to reach him
as night went gently down from
heaven TO earth.
God Almighty. save mel" he
moaned.
The change OF position gave him
back n little seif-control.
Il must try TO get at the ladder"
thought he.
Slowly he drew himself up on his
knees. lie ventured to go n little
further. he tried 10 raise his body But
as he lifted his hands from his boards
tho fear OF falling struck him over.
poweringly. In his fright he dropped
back. and chung pathetically TO the
boards.
Il dare not stand up--I dare not
stand up" said he.
After n pause he took courage and
began to crawl around to the north
side. Here the staging ended, and
the topmost ladder showed its head.
with two or three rungs above the top
OF the stack.
Lewis eyes looked over. With the
look came violent desire TO lurch
forward. and all tho old weakness
came back again.
He saw the ladders. the end OF each
one tapping upon It's lower mate and
tied with ropes. He saw them 20
down. down the awful distance. He
counted them and the thought OF ven
turing upon them had more terror for
him than the horror OF remaining.
Perhaps the ropes are loose-per.
haps the hooks are coming out OF the
brickwork." he groaned.
And trembling and terrified he
crouched himself up and turned his
back upon the way OF escape. The
wind that kept the thing swaying so
horribly chilled his body. Yet he felt
strange burning In his head: the
cause OF this he discovered when the
thoughts now pressing upon him found
escape. He blamed himself for com
Ing up that day.
I'm too bad after the drinks" said
he. growing.
Lewis thought OF his mate standing
at the bar with the beer swilling
around him. and the thought filed him
now with a disgust--a sudden. violent
hatred.
Then with the passing OF this
thought back came the horrible con
seriousness OF his plight. His eyes
reached over the circular mouth Of
the great chimney and he looked
down into its abyss. Far down In the
interior OF the dark. narrow column
he caught the faint glow OF fire upon
It's sides. But the effect upon Lewis
took material form. He saw smoke
coming up out OF the chimney. knew
that the colllery people had reopencd
and put the furnaces In full work be-
low. He felt the heat scorchlng the
skin on his face and hands and felt
the very hair OF his head singing.
Only too well he knew that sometimes
the heat OF those chlmneys at the top
actually set fire TO the wood OF the |
ladders and staging.
1T will burn the ropes that hold the |
boards together" he thought with |
horror.
He saw the lightning conductor at
the other side OF the chimney. A
delirious cry % JOY came from him.
But he could not reach II from where
he lay. The staging did not 20 COM
pletely round the chimney. The lad.
ders came up the opening. and the
a1A~oouaDA~oo-,e>1n
Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1907-03-30

lightning conductor came up the other
side Of the ladders. To reach II ne
must 10 back. around 10 the opposite
side.
He crawlcd backwards successfully
Then he turned towards the place.
crouching TIL his right hand came
within reach OF the rod: he clutched
at the wire like damned soul clutch.
Ing at n bar Of heavens gates. SO
fiercely he chung to Il that he misused
the intention. The wire bent toward
him. stu he pulled at II TO save him.
self. Until. suddenly. he found he was
pulling himself over. Already his head
and shoulders hung over the edge OF
the platform. SIN he pulled. utterly
unable TO resist the dcmoniac impulse
within him. A few inches more would
decide the balance. and over into the
dark void he must go Then VIC
lent blow struck him back He
became conscious of a form upon the
ladder-a human form. but which. 20
him, In his present condition. seemed
supernatural Following this. he be.
came aware Of hoarse. drunken
voice. using the most astounding Ian
guage he had ever heard. This went
on until at last he recognized famil.
lar element. and found that the super
natural. blasphemous being who had
so suddenly appeared on the ladder In
the capacity OF savior represented his
mate. Herbert. more than usually In.
temperate. both In language and per.
son.
What the devil are you up to-" he
demanded, swaying professionally In
harmony with the swaying OF the
chimney. His inebriaie condition
rather improved than lnterfered with
his performance.
Lewis lay on the boards. ut HIS feet.
too terrified to speak.
I've been waitin' for you at the
'O'Hara's' went on Herbert. reproach.
fully. IAN you never came. SO !
came up here-an' here y'are," he
concluded.
still Lewis failed to respond.
What's the matter with you. eh?"
He turned back to the ladder. and
began 10 descend. Then as Lewis
saw him begin TO disappear. his whole
heart and soul burst out In the cry:
Take me down-for Gods sake
take me down."
The 1r,,ul.,, n,ar launched ,,nro.r
iously. and the ladder on which he
stood creakcd with the strain he put
upon the ropes that bound It TO the
chimney.
Feeling sick. my chicken" he
asked.
His recklessness frightened Lewis
But the drunken man seemed as much
at home and as safe from accident ms
u guardian angel watched and guild.
ed every lurch OF his unsteady body.
Come on. Lewis" said he.
And Lewis chung 10 him utterly help
less But in a second he found himself
stronger. The mere touch OF this poor
human being put a new life into him.
Indeed. tho touch OF human body |
meant everything TO him. Il enabled
him 10 reach the ladder; II brushed
aside his fears that the ladders might
not hold: It gave him strength TO &c
down slowly. his foot coming down
upon each rung As the hand OF his
mate left H.
In Ave minutes they reached the
last rung OF the last ladder.
Now" said Herbert. linking arms
with his mate. now let's 20 down to
the corner and have one with me-"
But Lewis had already formed def
nite ideas on the subject.
"Oh. God" he cried I'm never
ook at a drink again"
Copyright. 1877. by Joseph u. Bowies.)
|
Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1907-03-30

Mark went 10 the door and called "a
Mrs. Brown. TO whom ne Whispered
some instructions.
Isn't u time ! was going TO IN
station" inquired the girl. as he n
turned 10 his seat.
You have nearly half an hour
spare. Mr. Brown is going TO driy
you 10 the station"
She rose and went TO the window
and stood looking out without at nrs
responding.
Flo" he exclaimed springing n
aud going TO her side. You're cr,
ing"
Yves. I'm crying, Mark. IL cant
deny H." she sighed. ITS funny, ism
itg" she added. trying too smile
Please go and sit down again"
Somehow he obeyed her. There wa
a long silence.
When the sea had grown clear To he |
eyes, she turned to him smiling. "Iul
better now" she began and stopped
short. He was sitting al the end OF al
old-fashioned sofa. his face buried id
his arms.
Stepping quickly beside him sh
touched him on the shoulder
Are you sorry. tooy" she mud
INJURED.
Sorry God knows how sorry,
he answered looking up ut her with
his young face grown weary. "wer,
you happy to-day. Flo?" he demanded
suddenly.
II never was so happy" she replied
meeting his eyes And I'm still hapI
ny, Mark"
Are youg Why"
"Becausc-no. cant tell you.
It's time was putting on my hat"
Wait WIN you tell me you'd
address. Flog"
Don't. Mark"
why notf must see you again.
She shook her head and glanced ad
the window as Mr. Brown broughs|
HIS dog.cart crunching over the gravel
to the door. Mrs Brown knocked
and announced that all was ready.
lie was pale as he took her hand
and bent toward her face. May |.
Flor" he whispered
Can you. Mark" she whispered
back. as white as he.
He could not
lie could not look into this eirl's|
eyes and kiss her lips.
Dear. ] was wrong 10 dream of IT.
he sighed.
Her mouth quivercd for n moment.
"Gcod.by. Mark" she murmurcd.
Come. Mrs Brown will be- wonder
Ing"
They went out and played their
parts admirably. Mark chaffed the|
farmer about his horse. while FloI
thanked Mrs. Brown prettlly and ac-
repted all manner OF messages for the
artist. Mr.. Malcolm. Then the young
man helped the girl to her seat.
Thank you. Sir Mark" she said
aloud. and family. "Good.by. Mark"
II was nearly six months later that
Mark boarded the train for town. lie
was pale and worn looking. but his
yes we're III with excitement. and he
opened the morning paper like a man
who expects TO read something pleas
INT
First OF all. with smile lowering
about his lips. he read about certain
fashionable wedding" which had
AIKEN place the previous day. Thank
;od, that ends 81" he sighed TO him
elf. "And'-hc laughed softly. she
las got a title anyway"
Presently he turned to the advertise
nent column. his face grave but not
,rieved, aud read about an estate TO
ct for a term OF Ave years-his own
state.
lie dropped the newspaper. and took |
'ut his pocketbook from which he er-
racted a slip OF paper with this al.
Iress:
JAMES MALCOLM.
81. Leyton Studios,
Stamford Sfraef W
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-12
Analysing the Verse

NERY well. Now all YOU have t. learn Is
v that the Syllablcs Of the rIme stand tor the
cards. thus eight, king. three. ten. TWO. seven.
nine. hve queen. four. one SIN. knaVe. The
kudve Is what YOU usually call the lack. Now.
see shall throw all the cards down on the
table. face up. We shall then part them INTO
suits. and then pick them up m tins order.
Eight (clubSl, king (dIamundS), three (heartSl.
ten (spades). two (clubSl, seven diamonds.
nine (hcartSl. five (spadeS). and So on. Take
the card that corresponds To the verse, and
keep the suits in correct rotation. Do YOU
understand, Lucy
Yes sir" said Lucy. blinking hard As She
fitted the cards u the SYllableS OF the Couplet
Threatened Is three, ten; and fine is five
and save Is seven. All the rest are just As
they sound"
YOU are = little used To II. II Is very easy TO
remember how they run When YOU play the
trick, 60 slowly and don't get clustered Then
YOU will have no trouble IN knowing each card {.
but when put the pack on the table and took
the cards from the other end, had 90 remern-
Der my formula backward This Il difficult
until YOU are fairly expert AT the game, 50
don't try that At first. Ii YOU choose YOU may
have the cards cut. Indeed, they may be cut
As often As desired II will not affect the order
OF the arrangement But IN this case YOU
must Slylv ascertain the bottom card. and
then YOU can 60 on. Ii the bottom card proved
to be the seven Of diamonds, what would the
next card he LuCV,'
Save nine, :" said Lucy muttering to her
self Damonds-heartS, Why 1t would be
the nine of hearts. uncle
So it would. Good for YOU Another way
to discover the bottom card. after the pack
has been cut. is to hold II up To = mirror or
even hold it To the light and see through it
Then say careleSSly. That Is the way people
suppose this trick is done. but | shall not use
any such means In this way YOU have dis
covered what the first card is. and may go
ahead. Here III give YOU children these two
packs To take with You. Their backs are
alike. and they are both arranged in order
80 after one Is thoroughly Shufled by Your
victim. ypu must substitute the other unseen
by him
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-12
By CAROLYN WELLS
ITO DAY. | ncie.
i sand Lucy. we
baxrp only an


we're going skating but couldn't YOU show US
lust one card trick or something
Why | suppose | can teach you one said
Uncle Bob. Here's pack ot cards; shuttle
them well. Lucy
Lucy shuffied the cards. and then Uncle
Bob directed Fred to shuttle them also Fred
gave them a good shutting and handed the
pack back 20 his uncle with the punk backs Of
the cards uppcrmost.
All right" said Uncle Bob holding the
pack with the cards face down. But before
| begin tell me, Lucy, do YOU feel the draft
from this window too much>
II Is a little chilly, Uncle said Lucy. and
ucle Bob closed the window, and then pro-
cccied with his trick
Now. children" he said he held the
pack up 50 that they could see the faces OF the
cards, but he himself could not, what |
purpose 10 do Is this: tell YOU the name ii
each card without seeing It. Some trICkSters
might do this 10y seeing the reflections OF the
cards III 4 mirror on the opposite wall, but You
see for yourselves there l. mirror the
room | tell bv a delicate sense OF second
sight. which peers through the whole pack
and sees the foremost card, the one that faces
YOU
y Uncle Bob spoke. he held up the pack.
and the children saw the bottom card As II
faced them II was the five Of clubs Uncle
Bob stared at the back Of the pack. IS If look
ing through the paSteboardS, and said, Five
of cluts. Laying IT aside, he announced the
next one to be the queen of diamonds. This
was correct. and then Uncle Bob went on
through the pack, naming each card - he
came to II. Sometimes he would seem =
little uncertain OF a card and slipping 1t from
the pack. would weigh It thoughtfully IN his
hand As ITS pink back was uppermost the
children could not how this helped him:
but Uncle Bob said, Oh. indeed II does The
court cards weigh much more than the spot
cards. You know there IS SO much more color
on them"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-12
Not Marked on the Back

A FTER going through about half the pack
"A Uncle Bot LAID the remainder on the table,
still with their punk backs uppermost.
Are they marked on the back, uncle"
asked Fred suddenly
No. my boy" SAID Uncle Bob, this is a
brand new pack. and entirely free from any
marks which could distinguish the cards.
Fred knew his uncle would tell hm only
the truth III such matter that So he paid
even closer attention, Uncle Bob picked
up the cards one by one from the pack on the
table. and correctly named each one before ne
turned 1t over. Sometimes he weighed them
sometimes he gazed at them as if seeing through
them, sometimes he even smiled at them. as
If he could guess them by their fragrance. But
invariably he announced the name of the card
although seeing only the back
Tell us how, tell us howl" cried Lucy, as
she danced about her uncles chair.
We'll, to begin" said Uncle Bob. as
he took another pink backed pack from his
pocket. YOU must have two packs of cards
backed Just alike"
"Oho!" cried Fred "You substituted the
other pack, when you turned to close the win
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-12

heart; but must go TO join my desoate family
Your EXcelency will not lose anything
and Will in this occasion assist the most un-
fortunate, but an honest man. | am IN great
want; but 200 dollars will assist me- If YOUR
Excellency will do this charity, please send
them to the post office in bank notes with this
letter. Back the whole direct To Mr. Miranda
Philadelphia On Saturday at ; o'clock some
body will call for the letter to the post office
but the person Will not know me. Two hun
dred dollars are not of great consequence to
Your Excellency: but will bring To life. Your
EXcellency. -- distressed servant and adj
mirer
You would be touched If | would let YOU
know my name my misfortune, etc; but all
will be known one dav The answer is. Peace
with Your soul and Providence bless YOU. 10.
May, Philadelphia. 1903"
The man Miranda was arrested and gave
information upon which the author of the curl
Gus epistle also Vas apprehended and trans
ported by the next ship To his native land
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-12
L H E FIR ST NIX
John Wilkes Booth is generally
w supposed to have been the father of the

WTHlLE John Wilkes Booth is generally
w supposed to have been the father of the
American crank. he was preceded. ac-
cording to United States Subtreasurv official
and an authority on the subject. by one Joseph
Bavaria. who consul in Philadelphia for
the Italian Government i'll 1903. Bavaria was
probably the first crank i'll the United States.
and certainly was the first to address PreSi-
dent anonymously. His intended victim was
President Washington, to whom on May 10.
1898. he mailed the following letter;
SIRE am the most unfortunate of man !;
am IN misery, Distress and despair: cannot
1--we IN this place without paving something or
commit some crime. If your goodness, Your
generosity, Your charity. would assist me- it
would be the best of action. and in three
months. by which time | shall be back, | WILL
upon my honor, return the money in the way
now beg it.
Il am Obliged to alter my handwriting /:
but You are great man and will excuse
my necessity. This action must break my
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-12

pocket and when turned back 10 YOU had
tins other pack IN my hand Now. this pack
had its cards previously arranged IN such rota-
ton that | could name them II order. with
out seeing them.
But they were all mixed up" said Lucy
" How could YOU learn the whole tiftV-two,'
Instead Of being merely iumbled up they
were IN . sort OF order that ! could remember
But 20 do the trick vow have = commit %
memory this rime,
Eight kings threatened - save
Nine fine Ladies tp- one such knave
"Ho'" erred Fred That isn't difficult
I've learned long poems IN an afternoon. l
could learn that IN two minutes
Now YOU must also learn the suits IT alpha
hetlCal order. How would they go"
Clubs. diamonds. hearts spades" cried
Lucy quickly
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-12

dow didn't voue "
Yes. | did And
the pack YOU shuttled
| slowed away in my
The Waxahachie daily light. [volume] (Waxahachie, Tex.) 1894-current, 1907-12-13
She Starts Saturday IA
December -

The biggest price cut ever made on
Clothing in the month of December. It's
to be a Characteristic Matthews Sale.
The public knows the meaning of a
Matthew'S Sale---NO TRICkS---take up
the garments look at the Innings, look at the
stitching, look at the finish, compare with
clothing YOU see elsewhere, then look at
the ticket. Every garment marked in
plain figures. You can easily see the gem
uineness of this great cut price Suit Sale.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1907-09-21
To the Voters OF the 4th
Ward and the Public
In General

After having served you as men,
her of the Police Jury of the
Fourth Ward, for the past four
years and after having served you
in an honorable and conscientious
way as o public servant, I thereby put
my name before you for reelection
to the important position which I
now hold. My four years expert
ence should warrant you in believo
ing that / am better fitted to appre-
ciate and attend to the wants Of the
people today than ever. My duties
have been pleasant and / am ad"
vised by many that my efforts have
been appreciated, and therefore I
ask you to confer the honor upon
me once again by voting for me in
the coming primary, as Police Juror
for the Fourth Ward.
Respectfully Yours,
GEO. BIERHORST.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1907-09-21
Lewis L. Morgan.

In announcing the candidacy of
Lewis l.. Morgan for State Repre-
sentative from this dlstict, we not
only wish to endorse him as a capa-
ole, energetic and progressive citl-
zen, who would be a valuable adj
dltlon to our State representation,
but to call attention to the fact
that besides being born and bred
son of st Tammany parish, famil.
lar with it's progress and loyal to
its prosperity, he has by his own
pertinacity of purpose and untiring
efforts placed himself IN the fore.
most rank OF his profession. He
stands out prominently to-day
amongst The legal talent of the
parish, and the man who can &C
complish something for himself is
the man who can accomplish some
thing for his State or district.
We believe the. results of his
election would be a verlfcation of
the truth OF this statement, and
we heartily endorse him for the
Office.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1907-09-21
Proclamation.

By virtue Of tue law and in az.
cordance with our official duty, we
hereby proclaim the result Of the
special election held in the Fourth
Ward of the Parish of St. Tanma,
nv. Louisiana, on the goth day OF
August 1907, on the question OF
submitting to the property taxpay-
ers of the said Ward, the leVying
of special tax at the rate of three
~ mills on the dollar per annum,
for period of ten (10) years, or so
much thereof as may be necessary
to raise the sum of three thousand
(SOOO)edollars, for each of said
wears, or such sum, not exceeding
three thousand $4,000 dollars per
annum, as sesaid tax of three ~
mills will produce, on all taxable
property situated in said ward, to
aid the St. Tammany & New Or.
leans Railways and Ferry Compa-
nv in the construction and opera
ton of q line of electric or motor
railway, to be as follows:-
Total number Of vote cast in
favor of the levy OF said special tax
1872; total numter of votes cast
against the levy of said special tax
None. Total amount in value Of
the property cast in favor OF the
levy OF said special tax, $73, 49, 90 !;
total amount IN value of property
cast against the levy OF said special
tax. none. Majority IN number OF
the property taxpayers, in favor OF
the said special tax 1872, majority
in value Of property taxpayers IN
favor of said levy of special tax
$73,749.OOO.
The majority in number and value
OF the property taxpayers of the
said. Ward, having voted at said
special election in favor Of the levy
Of said special tax, to aid the st.
Tammany & New Orleans Railways
and Ferry Company in the con-
ssruction and operation OF said rail.
way, we hereby declare the said
tax carried and legally adopted.
W. e PARKER,
WARREN THOMAS,
LEWIS L. MORGAN,
Supervisors of election for st.
Tammany Parish, Louisiana.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1907-09-21
Proclamation.

By virtue of the law and i'm &C.
cordance with our official duty, we
hereby proclaim the result Of the
special election, held in the Third
Ward OF the Parish of st ramma-
ny, Louisiana, on the Goth day OF
August 1907, on the question of
submitting to the property tgxpay-
ers Of the said Ward, the levylng
of special tax at the rate OF three
(3) mills on the dollar per annum,
for a period of ten years, or so
much thereof as may be necessary
to raise the sum of fivc thousand
($5OOO) dollars, for each OF said
years, or such sum, not exceeding
five thousand $4,000 dollars per
annum, as said tax of three 90
mills will produce, on all taxable
property situatedsin said waad, to
aid the St. Tammany & New Or
leans Railways and Ferry Company
IN the construction and operation
of line OF electric or motor rail-
way, to be as follow:
Total number of votes cast in
favor of the levy Of said special tax
209; total number cast against the
levy of said special tax 36. Total
amount in value of the property
cast in gayor of the levy of SAID
special tax tax, 1924, 645,00; total
amount in value Of property cast
against the levy Of said special tax
$46,7E2.00. Majority in number
of property taxpayers, in favor OF
said levy of speaeial tax l73;
majority in value Of property tax
payers in favor of said levy of spec
ial tax $147,893 90
The majority in number and
value of the property taxpayers OF
the said Ward, having voted at
said special election in favor Of the
levy of said special tax, to aid the
st. Tammsny & New Orleans Rail
ways & Ferry Company in the con-
struction and operation of said rail.
way, We hereby declare the said
tax carried and legally adopted
LEWIS. L. MORGAN,
w. E. PARKER,
WARREN THOMAS,
Supervisors of Election, st. Tammany
Parish, La.