davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Southern farm gazette. (Starkville, Miss.) 1895-1909, 1907-01-01
Corn Culture
H. s. Nichols, Starkvillc, Miss.
Continued from last issue.

PolANs ~ CT duo RpkkSu III
good condition, it is ready for
planting. Here in the South
corn may be planted as early as
March first if the weather before
that time has been good. Wheth-
er the corn should be planted
fiat or in beds will depend on the
drainage. On soil which has
good drainage. fiat planting is
better, because it is less expen-
sive and the corn suffers less
from drouth. On hill land when
corn is planted in drills. each
drill will form a ridge sufficient
to prevent washing. This is all
the ridging that should be used.
On poorly drained bottom
soils, bedding is an advantage.
The corn should be planted on
beds eight feet wide, two rows
on each bed. Each row now
has a water furrow on one side.
which will carry of all surplus
water.
Corn may be planted either in
drills or in checks. The least
expensive method Of c%ultivating
corn is TO plant it in checks. and
by SO doing avoid the use OF the
hoe: but the heavier yield can
be made in drills, which dis
tributes the plants evenly ovcr
Z the surface OF the ground.
Planting in drills is the better
method when labor is 40, too
expensive.
The nearcr level and smooth
the surface OF the ground a be
kept. the better and easier will
be the cultivation. Thorough
cultivation - needed. but i,
should not be deep. Corn does
better on deep loose soil. but the
deepening and %loosening should
be done before the corn in plant.
cd. Corn has no large ,aproo,.
like that OF cotton. bu, il a sur.
face feeder. 1t has a large num-
Der OF roots running all through
the soil near the surface. When
cultivation is so deep IA TO Cut
these roots. the corn is weaken.
ed by having the supply OF food
and moisture decreased. Al
ways cultivate deeply before
planting and shallow aftcrward
Cultivation should begin i'm
mediatciy after the first rain
that follows planting. Horse
weeders and harrows should be
used, so as to break the surface
crust and Kill the young weeds
4-. ~ - -
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-11-30
CHAPTER xxxIv.

He Is Introduced to the Conspirators.
Locke and / were crouching behind
an antique rug that hung over the gal
lery rail. He grasped my hand and
wrung II hard; IL was an apology that
he had doubted me. and an assurance
that he was with me now heart and
soul He had seen enough already TO
prove 70 him that I had spoken the
absolute truth.
We listened breathless; ,ass. and we
could see as. well, and with no danger
OF discovery. The rug was a museum
specimen, and in places was worn
through web and wool; II was a sim
pie matter to widen the sits slightly
with our fingers.
Perhaps your Majesty did not no
tice the fag that flies at halfmast
over the tower" tainted Starva. AT
half-mast, your Majesty. An, his
Majesty grows pale. friend Bratinau."
His Majesty has imagination"
growled the other rufian.
in an hour or two he viii be still
more pale"
He struck Ferdinand's cheek with
his open palm.
Dog" 1t was Ferdinand who spoke.
He struggled vainly to rise.
"a live dog is better than a dead
lion. Ferdinand That flag at half
mast is significant Of many things. II
tells its story eloquently. that beauti-
full fiag-as clearly as the little stamp
that has frightened you so much"
a.. R,1o g.
this puppet king" beseeched Bratinau.
chuckling savagely.
First OF all, then, your Majesty
must understand that II is the stand
ard OF England with the royal arms in
the center surrounded by 4 garland OF
| flowers. Your Majesty knows quite as
well as l that when such Gag floats.
whether on sea or land. II Is a signal
OF the presence OF an English ambas-
sador. But IL flies at half-mast be-
cause the ambassador In this chateau
is dead-dead as you will be, vain
king. when the midnight hour has
struck Pardon US II we have given a
mere ambassador precedence over a
king: but you arrive a little late.
My blood boiled. / was impatient to
interrupt Starva's narrative. 1t was
Locke's curiosity that delayed our res
cue He restrained me with a gesture
There Is plenty OF time" he wins
| pered 1T IL hardly IL now, and Ferdt
nand is to die at midnight. am anx
ious to hear more concerning this flag
And remember. please. that you have
my revolver"
was too easily persuaded. had
listened to DIR. Starva's words in won
der. IL was /. or rather fate. who had
lowered that flag at halfmast. My
perplexity was not lessened an heard
what followed.
But when" continued Starva, q
entered my carriage 10 escort you
hither In state. this Gag was floating
in the breeze at the head OF It's flag
stan. Not until your Majesty stepped
on the terrace did II fall at half-mast
Shall ] tell you vhy7 When It fell
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-11-30
Vals7 How far are they abartY
O27Ro7L 800 b DA9RE7OV 6 nz2fT0S

walls? How far are they abart7
AT intervals OF foot, they reach in
a straight line for 100 feet But the
chateau rs 80 feet high. These stones
begin at the roof No one could drop
that so feet 10 the marble terrace be
low and live Yes; we are caught like
rats IN a trap"
Fifty feet Il would mean a broken
limb. II not certain death. But IL a
rope could be knotted Of our clothing
for half that distancei"
I went into the room through whose
window the kings messenger had
made his untimely entrance. leaned
far out OF the window. shuddering. I
was resolved to make the descent my
self Twice I had proved myself a
coward. This was 20 be my chance,
unless Forbes should stubbornly re-
fuse 20 believe Ia the existence Of
Ferdlnand's danger.
The moon was rising: Il shed an I'M
earthly light on the pale faco OF Ma
dame De WARMER as she looked up at
me anxiously. The wind came in at
ful gusts.
Suddenly there sounded a mufied re-
port. At first I thought it thunder IN
the far-away mountains. But as I lis
tened ntentiy the mysterious sound
was repeated again and again. though
more and more feebly And it came
from above.
do you hear &C. that strange. muf-
fed clap?" I asked OF Madame de Var
nier
She took my place at the open win
dow. For some moments she heard
nothing. Then. strangely enough.
though the wind was blowing almost
gale. IL sounded distinctly.
1T is a flag on the high flagstaff OF
the central tower" she said presently
But who can have given orders that
1t be raised?"
THAT IS a matter OF Indifference" I
said loyfully. Gan ensign so large as
that requires a fairly substantial cord.
II we can get that cord and plait it
Where is 1T fastened? Surely at one
Of these windows"
NO" she said anxiously. 1T is DR.
Starva who has raised that flag. But
why?" The question seemed 20 IN
crease her anxiety.
Then whero2" I demanded Impa-
tiently.
Ut must be from one OF the win
dows OF the story below"
Wei. we shall soon see"
I poised myself 90 Chamber through
the window on The broad stone gutter.
along which Captain Forbes must have
made his way. Then hesitated.
what! You are afraid" cried the
woman hercely. II so. I viii go my
self"
mo. 7 am not afraid" 7 replied with
deuberatiou. Il am wondering what
they VIII think when they come from
the oratory presently. TO find me gone.
She viii think that am your accom-
pllce."
IL can easily tell the truth"
They viii scarcely believe you.
Shall l. or shall not. tell them OF
Ferdinand's danger2"
N"But viii they believe you? While
you hesitate Prince Ferdinand may be
assassinated Is this a time for expla-
nations? Say that the fools persist in
Misunderstanding you. IL is only a
question OF an hour or two az the most
before you may tell the truth. Go. and
I swear by the cause I hold sacred that
II you save him the honor OF SIR Nor
timer Brett shall yet be saved.'H
you have promised much already
only TO deceive me-" said gloomily.
But ] swear Il! They are coming:
] heard the door Of the oratory open"
hesitated no longer.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-11-30

had reached my goal now. For
some minutes l was compelled TO lie
inactive. however; for the hag. belly
ing in the gale. made It impossible for
me 20 grasp the cords.
AS lay there impatient. waiting my
chance. I glanced below. l could sec
plainly the ladder OF stones. as Ma
dame de Warmer had called IT, the
ragged edges OF the granite sparkling
brightly IN the moonlight. leaned
over as far as I dared; they extended
as far as I could see.
AS my eye travelled the line TO the
terrace below. the door OF the great
hall opened A food Of light irradiated
a portion OF the terrace. saw dis
unctly two figures conversing a mo-
ment at the doorway. One OF these
figures entered the chateau again, but
the other. and [. had recognized DR..
Starva by his great bulk before the
door was shut, stole across the terrace
and entered brougham that stood
waiting
As the carriage disappeared under
the covered archwsy OF the passage
leading 10 the village street I made
renewed efforts 20 reach the cords. I
could readily guess DIT. Starva's mis-
sion. He had gone to meet Prince
Ferdinand at the station. Heaven
knows how eager I was to Do one OF
the reception committed
When at last had caught one OF
the cords. I severed It tboughtlessly
-
on the strength necessary to hold so
large a flag. The cord slipped from
my hand. I expected the hag TO fall
and reached out frantically for the
other rope. But IN some way the rope
1 had severed. and TO which the flag
was not fastened. became entangled in
the pulley and the fas. falling halfway
down the pole. remained at half-mast.
now reached up as far as I could.
standing on the stone gutter. was
about 20 sever the other cord. that TO
which the flag was fastened. when It
occurred 70 me 20 attempt 20 olsen
gage the ropes from their fastening
at the window below. I was complete
" successful I estimated that I had
now a length OF at least so feet.
When I had plated the cords dou-
bled, and knotted them at intervals 70
prevent them from slipping through
my hand. I made a loophole 70 slip
over the last stone Of my ladder when
I should reach it. Then taking the
cord between my teeth. I lowered my
self cautiously over the gutter.
The wind was still b1ourfuc In atf,I
gusts. I had been reluctant 20 avail
myself OF the few extra feet OF rope
necessary to keep the Tag ahoat I
fastened the end OF the cord about the
stone gutter. leaving the flag still fly
.ng at half-mast There seemed a GER
ain aptness that my carelessnoss in
cutting the rope had seen TO IL that
the dead ambassador be fttingly hon.
ored.
It seemed ages before my feet
touched the first block OF granite pro
iecting from the smooth masonry. But
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-11-30

once on my way the first part OF my
descent was made with no great dIf-
ficulty.
The roar Of tho river sounded nearer
and nearer. I was more than halfway
down how. The numbness had passed
from my arm; I was more confident:
tried to hasten my progress.
Step by step l neared the terrace.
And when l had reached it, The
excitement of the escape. Madame de
WARMERS vehement importantly, had
engrossed my attention so far The
descent itself had seemed so hazard
Gus that the confronting OF DR.. Starva
had been forgotten. But how was TO
conquer him unarmed2 Not by force
certainly. Strategy must be my ally.
Suddenly the perspiration broke out
on my forehead. / had felt for my
next step. and II was missing
Frantically my feet reached down
for Il. lowered myself one more
round; still could not touch 1t. Then
laughed aloud in the ecstacy OF my
relief. 1 had reached the last round
OF the ladder.
how they did achel But I was full Of
courage in spite of my exhaustion.
lowered myself by my arms still an
other round, and slipped the nose over
the last OF the stones l could reach.
Then / trusted myself to the rope.
In spite OF the knots the friction
burned my palms as II they were
branded by IRE. / could not regulate
my speed; was too exhausted for
that. i trusted to blind luck; / could
only hope that Madame de WARMERS
estimate was a conservative one.
How far I actually fell have no
idea Ny feet came to the pavement
with a force that sent me headlong.
But aside from the violent shock and
bruise or two. ! had suffered no In
Jury. ! struggled thankfully TO my
feet
Ny arm was seized not too gently.
II had wished to make an outcry
should have been prevented by the
hand placed at my mouth / peered
into the face of the man who had made
me captive. do not know whether /
was more relieved than consternated
to recognize Locke as we stood In the
shadow.
-Haddon." he cried. as he made out
my features. Where in hell did you
come FROM"
Not he'll. Locke; say rather heav-
en-" ppinted upward TO the tower.
You must be in q desperate hurry
when yoq essay the role Of en- angel
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-11-30
CHAPTER XXI.
Escape from the Tower.

/ clung 70 my precarious support,
lying PROSTATE on the broad stone gut
ter. The roar OF the swirling river
beat at my senses confusedly; the
giddy height made my head swim
Something OF the horror I had felt in
rounding the overhanging shoulder OF
the mountain with Willoughby that
fatal day came TO me now.
But presently that giddiness passed.
The extraordinary promise OF Madame
de WARMER rang In my ears. How II
was possible for her to explain away
Sir Mortimer's damnng words II the
letters were genuine. could not see.
But this had been a day OF miracles.
Slowly I made my way toward the
first Of the fanking towers. The wind
struck me with redoubled force as I
turned the corner. heard the ensign
above futteripg loudly in the gale.
1 looked up. l could see IL now. II
fioated bravely in the spanking breeze.
The moon. shining squarely on IL,
made IL even possible for me to distin-
guish its design. II was the national
flag OF England, the royal arms in its
center. Then remembered the quota
ton from the Blue Book had read
early in the morning Just before Cap
tain Forbes had signaled 20 Helena:
THE flag to be used by His Males
tvs Diplomatic Servants. whether on
shore or embarked on boats, is the
Union, with the Royal Arms in the
center thereof. surrounded by g green
garland"
49, .----~-----y
There was a grim irony in this Tag
flying proudly over the chateau in
which Sir Mortimer lay dead. But IL
Madame de WARMER had spoken the
truth in protesting that she did not
know that the nag had been raised,
why had DR.. Starva caused 1t to be
down?
The strange perplexity Madame de
WARMER had shown when she had
heard the fiutter of the Tag occurred
TO me now. Was It by any chance a
signal-a signal OF as dread a portent
as the double stamp? II that were
true. might disconcert Or. Starva's
plans materially when lowered 1t
presently.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-11-30

young girls life threatened and raised
no hand. II Il was cowardice that
made you hesitate, why should the
coward play the hero so bravely nowg
Or was It that you are the ally OF the
very man whom you pretend you are
anxious TO confront enpty-handed2"
Il have done my best to move you.
What do you want? am In your
hands"
Il want the truth"
II have told you the truth. II lied
II might avail me more" l said bitter
~. For the last time l entreat you.
have been proved a coward-twice.
But this was 10 be my chance. hoped
70 retrieve myself. But fate blocks
the way with a fool who cannot see
when man is desperately in earnest.
Ferdinand's murder Is certain II we
lift no hand 70 save him. Listen: in
my pocket Is the key to the little door
Just beyond you. Take 1t; let your
self into the hall; hide there and use
the evidence of.your own eyes"
And let you slip from my hands?
Not muchl What is that?"
He turned abruptly The accom-
plice OF DR.. Starva who had been keep
ing guard before the door was running
toward the passageway leading from
the village street. could hear dis
tinctly the carriage wheels rumble
over the cobblestones."
For the last time" I besought.
There II not an instant to lose"
Sull he hesitated. looking cautiously
around the angle OF the wall at the ap-
preaching carriage. His curiosity made
him negligent.
This was my chance. One arm
caught him about the neck; the other
reached for his weapon. Then
pushed him violently backward and
covered him, retreating myself toward
the little door. the key in my hand.
stand back" I whispered heycely.
Now take you choice. Go 20 tho vii
lage; you can't 90 too quickly. you
stubborn idiot. Come back with gend-
srmes; batter down the door. Or else
come with me. You have accused me
Of cowardice more than once. Show
you are a man. Quickly. your choicoi"
heard him chuckling softly TO HIM
self in the darkness.
We'll. I'm damned" he muttered.
more than once. Lead on. MacduG"
AS my key slipped into the lock he
was at my side.
I pushed tho little door open.
The hall was empty. but brilliant
with the light Of a hundred candles.
No nook or Granny Afforded us a safe
hIdingplace
/ leaped up the staircase with Locke
at my heels. We had reached the gal
lery as the great door swung open
Prince Ferdinand entered. Or. Starva
and his ally crowding him close on
either side
The prince stepped into the hall with
apparent confidence. But as he heard
the door clang behind him he turned
alertly 20 Or. Starva.
Where Is Madame de Varnier?" he
demanded in French.
Madame de WARMER is unavoidably
detained. your Majesty. She has dole
gated me TO receive you. BE assured.
your Maiesty's welcome shall not be
lacking Ia warmth. VIII your Majesty
pray be seated? There are urgent
matters OF state 20 be discussed"
He pushed the prince brutally into a
chair. bending over him with a hideous
smile that would have done credit to
the devil himself
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-11-30

to come flying Through the air" he said
grimly. and the hold on my arm tight
ened. Suppose you tell me your
Grand"
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-11-30

al VIII Neither Be caloied by Lies
Nor Frightened into obsdlenee!"
a free hand. say have been
tricked."
And ~" echoed Gsngaja.
This is treachery. If II Is true"
added Count Piteschti of Bosnia.
by the Almighty" gssped Locke at
my side; Il believe there is lighting
chance for aus yet"
CHAPTER xxxv.
The Fight on the Staircase.
Had not Kuhn been supported by
the other two his temerity would
doubtless have cost him his life Ash
a.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-09
DANCE Or ME dmmfx 5NEEP5. BSYN NKNE

contribute to this charming event, the
logical, the poetic climax of the crew
training, which is a feature of the athletic
life at Wellesley.
AS it is at these bigger colleges for
women-Vassar, Wellesley, Barnard and
Bryn Mawr-so it will be found in all the
other smaller institutions where woman
hood is carried along the paths OF higher
education. A masquerade, in which the
girls dress themselves up as chimney
sweeps, thus sacrificing their beauty for
the time, numerous queer dances, midnight
automobile or carriage parades, ghostly
dances on moonlight lawns in the shade of
ivy-grown buildings are some of the pranks
by which the girl graduate marks her final
days in what has been her home for several
years.
Perhaps it is not merriment alone that
prompts this usual form of diversion. Often
there is in 1t a Lesire to hide in riotous
laughter some of the grief that is inevita-
BILE in breaking some of the dearest ties a
girl can ever make and in taking the final
step that pushes her out into the world to
fight the battle of life. She takes this last
frolic perhaps to defy the tear that strives
to force its unwelcome way upon her
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-09
. !; >~Nl|DO|R.
7 =
W1HE

digestion by quickening the functions OF
the stomach and intestines and promoting
the assimilation of food.
Stand Correctly.
Particular attention ought to be paid by
the plump woman TO sitting and standing
correctly. She should have perfect control
over her waist and abdominal muscles. The
figure will be wonderfully improved, even
without the loss OF flesh If these muscles
are held In their normal positions.
Retain Beauty of Face.
The beauty of the face Is due largely to
the layer of fat which is spread over the
muscles in much the same way as mod
eler spreads the clay on the figure he is
modelling. The wear and tear of life, the
sorrows, anxieties and deprivations play
havoc with this fatty interlining, and
when the first bloom OF youth departs, 1t
either wastes away, leaving the face full
OF hollows and the skin wrinkled, or, as is
apt to be the case later in life, 1t accu-
mulates, adding unsghtly rolls to the Chin
Milling the eyesockets, making the eyes
seem smaller and deforming the contours
of the cheeks In both of these conditions
much can be done by means of exercises,
self-massage and the care of the skin to
bring about better condition of affairs.
The color of the face depends upon the
healthy condition of the tiny blood vessels
which carry the blood to the skin. These
dividing and subdividing until they become
so small that they be seen only by the
microscope. To keep these tiny blood YES
sells In state of activity, so the blood can
run through them, is the way to preserve
the skin. Slowly, age advances, they
wlther away. so that the skin is not prop
erly nourished, and that is why the skin in
the aged is colorless and dried up, be-
coming Ike parchment. In order to have a
fine complexion il is the greatest necessity
that blood should be brought into the
mnutest of these tiny blood vessels. They
are called "capillaries." because they are
like hairs in. fineness. The object of
stearang the face. of massaging it, and of
applying electricity is to stimulate the ac-
tion of these same caplllaries. Some per-
sons cheeks are much roster naturally
than Others which is due to the fineness OF
the skin, and to the fact that the outer
!. layer of the skin is thinner This is es-
pecially the case with blondes
Care of the Hair.
A dry shampoo, which seems Interesting,
aCcomplshes the same result Partisan
gasoline cleansers, but is non-inf1ammable
and deliciously perfumed. 1t is unique and
shogld be exceptionally good for oily hair,
as It leaves the latter in a delightfully."-
fluffy, light condition. 1t is applied with a
piece of sponge and then brushed till dry.
All hair brushes should be washed fire.
duently in boiling hot water and soap be-
fore being dried in the sun. This keeps
them clean and soft.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-09

grave and learned seniors who have been
wrestling with science and advanced knowl-
edge for four or five years casting aside
dignity and playing at being children again.
Clad in academic gowns and mortar
boards they roll their hoops over the level
carriage road In front of college hall. Most
Of them find that in the years that have
passed since they first learned this art
dear to the school girls heart, their skill
has suffered much from lack of practice,
and it Is quite little while before they
can get the old dexterity back. But as
soon as a girl finds out that she can keep
the hoop moving for more than half a
dozen strokes, she announces the fact i
shrieks of joyous laughter.
Float day. is the one festival of the
college concerning which the outside world
knows almost as much as the student at
the college.
If the moon and the other weather con-
ditions are right, this festival offers ex-
quisite memory to the store of whosoevcr
participates in it. Japanese lanterns gilt
terng here and there, music on the water,
pretty girls in pretty gowns, and finally
the crews grouped together, forming a
beautiful star, are some of the items that
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-09
Reflections of a Bachelor,

From the New York Press
1t costs heap of money to educate a boy
up 10 the point where he can't support him
self.
Low-neck gowns are very useful when
woman Is packing trunk not to take up
30 much room.
Its better not to know so much that you
have to explain it to everybody else be-
fore they understand 1t.
One of the comfortable things about mar
rying a widow is all the things you don't
have TO teach her by breaking the news.
A woman thinks she is unhappily married
when her husband objects to going out of
the theateT' between the acts and telcphon-
Ing home to see if burglars have broken in