davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-05-29
the voices of Dikran and the girl

the voices of Dikran and the girl he loved.
 A great peace had come upon John Baptist and Anna Saratov Suddenly all this was changed Suddenly, they found themselves in the midst of wild men, crazed with drink, with re- ligious fervor, with the desire for human blood.
 Dikran fought like tiger. He had no weapon, but he improvised one. He fought for the life and the love of Anna Saratov. and he fought well.
 But the contest wes unequal. Dikran was overpowered.
 One man laughed high-pitched laugh and addressed his comrades. T know this Dikran," he yelled. Ines a student in the college--the Christian college. He's a Christian. Come on. He must recant-renounce. Aha" shrieked this boisterous murderer, i've shall have merry time"
 They laid him at full length upon the floor. They pricked him with dagger points and twisted a strong bow string about his temples.
 These Mussulmen understood the art of torture. It was in their blood.
 Suddenly one of them had an in- spiration. "The girl" cried this man. We can reach him through the girl. What. then" he said to those who protested. it is in good cause. She is good Mussulman. If through her this Christian dog recants, it is work well done"
 Six of them seized her. The girl did not utter a sound.
 Dikran groaned. "-Mahomet is his prophet" exclaimed one of the men. No. mo-" cried Dikran.
 Suddenly upon the outside air. there rank shriek upon shriek of a woman in distress-a woman at the mercy of six flends in human guise. The shrieks grew fainter and fainter, for they seemed to come each time from greater distance. Dikran gave one glance at the faces of his tormentors. and then uttered groan mighty with despair.
 q yield" he cried with loud, agonized voice, God is God and Ma homet is his prophet"
 They screamed with ghoulish laugh. ter. They undid his bonds and set him free. He dashed them aside and darted out into the fields. They let him go. They had had their fill. They went onward, along the road-they sought other worlds to conquer.
 A short time after. Dikran found what he sought-what he feared was
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-05-29

long and narrow lane. lived Anna Saratov. Anna Saratov was very beautiful in the eyes of John Baptist Dikran. Dikran was not alone in this belief.
 Some day." Alexander Tirzan had said, perhaps when my bankrupt father shall have died, shall marry Anna Saratov, and she shall come and live in my housewife knows? Hers is a good family, too-the Saratovs. Though 1t Is true they are Mussulmen. Some day, no doubt, they will be Christians"
 Dikran sighed. "She Is a Mussul. man." he repeated to himself, after Alexander, "a Mussulman."
 Syria had lived for years in un. eyentful peace. She was still, at the commencement of the twentieth cen. tury, at peace with all the world. But elsewhere. things had happened. For ten long years the god of unrest had stalked forth many lands-for ten long years the kingdoms of the earth had suffered in a wholesale manner from battle. murder, sudden death. Syria unconsciously awaited her turn. It came-like a thunderbolt out of a clear sky.
 Over in the Saratoy home one day John Baptist Dikran stood and looked down upon Anna Saratov, as she stood before him.
 Have you thought about it, Anna Saratov?" he asked.
 Anna Saratov, looking neither to the right nor to the left, came to him and clasped her arms about his neck.
 ''Whithersoever thou goest," said Anna Saratov. T shall go; where thou lodgest. will lodge Thy people shall be my people"
 She stopped for an Instant And thy God my God"
 John Baptist Dikran crushed her to his breast. It had been a hard fight. He had won He had we'll begun the performance of his duty; so far be had fulfilled his trust: he had fought a good fight; he had kept the faith.
 Down the road toward the cottage came Tirzan- He heard shouts behind him. He looked. stood stock still for an instant, and then took to his heels And well he might For the ennis saries of the god of unrest were be- hind him-emIssaries bent upon de struction. riot. murder: reckless of consequences. filled with strong drink, with the craze for human blood upon them
 On they came. Tirzan stfH fed They had seen him. and he knew it He knew what it meant He had heard the mutterings of the varclOud- He reached the home of the Saratovs. He looked ahead Ahead there vas nc shelter-nothinz Hardly knowing what he did. he crept around to the rear. meeting no one. and entered the small house Inside he caught sight of a small dark recess. He entered it It vas cluttered up with hanging silk and linen He bresthed more easily. This. he said to himself. vas the best that he coezd do
 Suddenly he hscsne aware cf voices
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-05-29

there. It was clnmp of trees. Ii was the battered, dishevelled, mutt. lated thing that once had been Anna Saratov-one of the first victims of the vague unrest He lifted her up tenderly, carried her to the house. laid her upon the floor. He knelt up. on the floor beside her lifeless form. In the half hour that he stayed there, he forgot all that the college at Beirut had taught him, save only one thing.
 An eye for an eye. and tooth for a tooth" Dikran knew that from this time forth, until his revenge was com. plete, this must be his creed.
 In the meantime Tirzan, by an obs cure route, had stolen from the house and made his way to Beirut. where he could find safety. Two days later, he announced to the college at Beirut that he, Tirzan. had heard with his own ears the renunciation made by John Baptist Dikran.
 Ten miles further than the Saratov home, as the road winds, there was a goodly village of some fifty houses, and some seventy strong men. This village was but stone's throw from the sea. Upon this village marched the mob, recruiting its numbers as it went along. The mob travelled by the road.
 Suddenly, into the village a man propelled himself-a man covered with blood, maddened with wounds. It was Dikran. He had come through the fields while the mob was approaching by the road.
 That day Dikran seemed as one inspired; more. he inspired the others with his hatred. his venom vengeance He told his story. It was enough. The fighters girded up their loins From one Dikran, there grew seventy Dikrans crying aloud: "An eye for an eye; a tooth for a tooth"
 The advancing rabble of Mussulmen came up the road. Its laugh died from It's face. It saw in the eye of each man bearing down upon 1t a grim determination to kill, to exter- minate Silently the well-armed force approached-Dikran at its head.
 Then came the struggle It was long and fierce. It was only after many had fallen on both sides that the Mussulmen were vanquished. But John Baptist Dikran was among the dead.
 Back in the Brick Church of Boston the chairman of the Missionary Com mittee stated that he had a special an- nouncement to make.
 'I have just received a communi-
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-05-29
Roger & Bros. Half HoIidar.

No petition has as yet been pre- sented to the officials of Roger & Bros in regard to discontinufng the half holiday. but some of the em- ployes are likely to have a confer ence with Manager Rockwell in a few days. Not only are the day workers dissatisfied because they lose their hour on Saturday when they were won't to get out at 5 o'clock and receive pay for the full day. but the piece workers are com plaining because they are not able to make their full day in the morn ing.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-05-29
The Pronunciation
 of John Baptist
By VIM. HAMILTON OSBORNE.
vvVvvSs'SyVVvVvvvsvvVyvvyVv
Copyright. by Joseph B. Bowles.)


 John Baptist Dikran, or John B. Dikran, as his name appeared upon the Beirut college register, was nine teen years old, large for his race, slim, straight-limbed. and shapely.
 It was no easy thing to get free scholarships in the Christian col leges at Beirut. There had been strong competition, for the desk paid for by the Brick Church Society of Boston, Dikran's task had been cut out for him. He knew there would be many rivals.
 Of these many rivals, Alexander Tir- gan, so it happened. was one. Alexan- der Tirzan was another youngster, and one of Dikran's neighbors, living a mile or so nearer to Beirut. Tirzan at this time was an even twenty years of age; he was bulky in body. with shrewd, deep-set eyes and heavy, over. hanging brow.
 Tt is good, this Christian college" Tirzan had informed himself, it is good to be a Christian. For do not the. Christian merchants prosper?"
 When Dikran learned that Alexan- der Tirzan was against him in the race, he had sighed. T am sorry for myself, Alexander" he had said, ''how can I win with you against mel"
 The next day after that Dikran, by virtue of his examination at the Beirut school, had been selected to fill the Brick Church scholarship. Alexander Tirzan had been tenth in line.
 Tt is trickery," Tirzan had shouted, "favoritism!"
 Three miles to the east of Dikran's hut, as the crow flies, and down a
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-05-29

cation from the College in Beirut" he said. This letter states that the college has been informed upon reliable authority that our protege, John Baptist Dikran. has renounced the Christian religion and has again embraced the Mohammedan faith. They have secured, however, they say. very estimable young man in Dikran's place. It is said that this young man refused, even under tor ture, to renounce the cause of his re- ligion. The name Of this young man is Tirzan-Alexander Tirzan. As for John Baptist Dihran. there is nothing to do but to forget him-and forgive him"
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-05-29
Problem of the Sea.

Starting with the axiom that . givI on area of the sea can nourish only q limited amount of fish. British ex- pert points out that if the methods of capture tell more heavily on one kind than on another. 1t Is quite probable that valuable species may be largely displayed by inferior ones. This seems to be the condition of affairs in the North sea, where the worthless dab is increasing at the expense of the plaice.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-05-29
His Rstinc.

Mother-That young man who wants to marry our daughter Grace is a penniless young fellow
 Father-Then he is a GraceIess youth.-BaItimore American
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-05-29
EnlomatIeaI Sir Edward.

Sir Edward Elgar, who during his recent visit, led his Apostles and The Kingdom" in New York. and in Pittsburg. conducted two perform. ances of his Variations was asked before leaving about the report that he had criticised adversely the works of American composers. He replied. enigmatically: T have too many good friends among American com posers to care to discuss their work"
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-05-29

FcreteIls Coming of Frost.
 A French invention. consisting ok bulb thermometers. predicts at sun. down whether there will be frost
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-05-29
WorId,s Larae,t HospItaI.

The largest hospital in the world is the Metropolitan. on Blackwell's is- land, New York.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-05-29
prollfic Lake Erie.

It is said that Lake Erie produces more fish to the square mile than any other body of water in the world.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-05-29

Continued treatment cures eases of long standing.
 Doan's Kidney Pills are for the kidneys only. and contain no poison. ous nor habit-formlng drugs. They relieve congestion and inflammation of the kidneys or bladder, heal and cure the kidney tissues, drive o1 dangerous uric poisons. dissolve and remove gravel. and rid the body of all vatery waste.
 Thousands of cures prove the merit of Dosn's Kidney Pills. Here is case at home.
 A WATERBURY CASE.
 R. R. Calender. of 90 Bishop st. Waterbury. Conn, says: T have much confidence in Doan's Kidney Pills as a remedy for backaehe. Ia my own case they brought freedom from every symptom of kidney trouble and rid me of pains in the back and tho trouble has not return ed since I stopped using this remedy. I procured the pills at the H. ". Lake Drug Co. and it gives nc pleasure to endorse such a relIab1. backaehe and kidney medicinal"
The Florida agriculturist., 1907-08-07

forgotten him." she told herself. "I
declare, it's too bad of Ellie! He's
takin' it dretful hard"
In her halting, clumsy fashion she
tried to comfort her brother, but her
attempts were such signal failures
that she finally gave it up, and left
him to his paper and his brooding.
1t was just at dusk that the back
door opened and some one came brisk
ly into the little kitchen Amos laid
aside his paper and looked up.
"Why, Ellie Thorpe!" he heard his
sisters voice exclaiming. "Come in.
Amt you cold?"
"Cold? Indeed not" laughed the
girl "He1lo, Uncle Amos!"
He Strengthened himself in his chair.
"Good evenin'!' he said, co1d1y.
The girl drew a chair beside his.
In the gloom of the room she could
not see the pain and disappointment
in his face, but something in his tones
told her Of trouble. "What's the mat
ter, Uncle Amos?" she asked. "Aren't
you well?"
ooh, I'm toler'b1e, to1er'b1e," the
old man replied, with a reserve that
she had never seen in him before.
II came over," she said, "especially
to bring you this" She thrust thick
white envelope in his hands.
He took it and fumbled it awkward
ly, turning it over and over.
"What-is it?" he asked, haltingly.
cts your invitation to the wedding,
Uncle Amos" she laughed "The boys
took them down to the office to mail
last night, and somehow this one of
yours was caught in the bottom of
The Florida agriculturist., 1907-08-07

the basket. I found it there this af-
ternoon. I wouldn't have had yours
delayed for the world" she added,
gravely.
The old man bent forward to bring
the fading light from the window on
the envelope. There was his name
across it in the same bold hand. He
coughed weakly.
"I'm much obliged, Ellie, much
Obliged" he said, frightening up per-
ceptibly
"And you're coming, aren't you
Uncle Amos?" she asked.
"Comin'? Ofecourse amp he de-
c1ared, with emphasis.
"I'm awfu1ly sorry it happened this
way" she said, "for [ wanted you to
have your invitation as soon as it
could be sent And, Uncle Amos"
she said, drawing her chair closer to
his, "you know there's no one to give
me away at the wedding-no father or
brothers, I mean-and I want you to
do that for me- Will your"
"Me?' he echoed, with al ill-con-
cea1ed touch of pride. 81 amt fit to.
You don't want sech an old fossil as
I am
eyes, I do" she interrupted. 81
shall count on you"
"Well,' he announced judicially, eff
you're terrible set on it, maybe l
will"
When Martha returned to the kit
chen, after she had rendered her visi-
tor the unusual honor of being shown
through the frigid hall to the front
door, She found Amos on his knees be-
fore the little pile of wheels and lev
The Florida agriculturist., 1907-08-07
AMOS BRADLEY'S CHANGEOF HEART.
scription. "Just Miss Martha B
Brad1ey,'" she announced

''Just the same," she said, after an
examination of the inner envelope
"You're sure there's not a word |
about me on either one of 'em, Mar
tha?" he demanded with evidently ris-
ing anxiety.
"Not as I can see"
Don't say and family or anything
hike that, does it," he persisted
"Um-m, no." she admitted, reluct-
antly.
well, I snum,"-his disappoint-
ment was apparent in every line of
his face,-"they amt agoin' to ask
me!'
ooh, I don't b'1ieve-'' she began.
"I do, if you don't!'' he interrupted,
with some heat. "They've left me out
a-purpose. Prob1y they think because
I'm nigh eighty an little mite deaf
that I'm too old to go to weddin's
P'r'aps they're 'fraid I ain't good |
enough to meet all them folks that's
comm on; or maybe it worried 'em
for fear I'd eat with my knife. Ellie's
the last one. sh'd ever thought would |
get stuck up" he ended, plaintively
His eyes fell on little table in one
corner of the kitchen, Uttered with
brass weights and small wooden
wheels and we11-worn levers-the |
works of an old hall clock he had been
repairing of late. It famed his anger
into new and fercer flame.
AN there's gran'pap's old clock I |
was a-goin' to give her, just because
she sets such a store by old things!"
he burst out. "Here I've been a.
workin' my daylights out to get it run
MIN in good shape, an she not carin'
enough to invite me to the weddin'!
I'll Farm 'em I'll Tarn 'em how old |
an decrepit I amp
He rose and stalked wrathfully out |
of the house. In times of stress such |
as this the wood-pile was his greatest |
so1ace, and thither he went now.
All the morning Martha heard the
drone of the saw and the sound of
the ak on the chopping block, but she
wisely refrained from interfering until |
the midday dinner was on the table.
| Then she put on her overshoes and
| her hood and went across the back |
yard.
"You better come into dinner an
stop actin so ridicu1ous,' she coun-
se1ed "The idea of you bein' out
here with your coat off! I never
heard of such thing in my life!
You'll get the rheumatism all over
ye"
In silence he followed her into the
house, but once in the kitchen, his
eyes fell again upon the stand in the
| corner
He strobe over to it and stood re
garding it with narrowed eyes.
"Too old to git an invite to her
weddin,' am II" he mumb1ed. swell.
if that's so, I'm a good deal too old
to be a-tinkerin' clocks to give her"
His arm shot out and swept the
top Of the little table clean.
Wooden wheels, levers and weights
fell crashing to the floor. He kicked
the debris vicious1y into the corner
and slammed the table bottom tip, on
top of it.
>"Maybe I am too old to go to we'd
din's! Maybe I am! But T amt so
old that [ amt got some sDunk left
yet./ Now let's have dinner"
All the afternoon the old man sat
by the kitchen stove pretending to
read the paper, but Martha noticed
that every few moments he laid the
paper aside to stare long and silently
through the western window at the
bleak vista of fields and the ragged |
line Of hills beyond That he was
deeply hurt there could be no doubt
She felt a growing resentment to-
The Florida agriculturist., 1907-08-07

fence, and went creaking down the
road through the sticky mud of late
March thaw. But before it had pro-
ceeded hundred yards Amos Bradley
came shuf1ing out Of the house and
made his way across the yard to the
mail box, his heavy overshoes splash
ing the slush right and left, and his
faded old coat Tapping in the wind
He opened the box, and perching
pair of ancient steel-bowed spectacles
on his nose, proceeded 1eisurely to
draw out and examine the contents. !
There were but two pieces of mail
the county weekly paper and a thick
white envelope directed to his spinster
sister, who had kept house for him
since the death of his wife some ten
years ago.
Amos closed the cover Of the tin box
with a bang and went shufaing back
to the kitchen, where his sister, fully
fifteen years his Junior, sat chopplng
mince-meat in a great wooden bowl.
"Mai1's come, Martha," Amos an
nounced, "an' here's letter for ye."
He passed her the thick white en-
velope and sat down in nearby
chair, querulously expectant.
Martha wiped her hands on her
apron and taking up the letter, ex-
amined the superscription attentlvely.
"You ain't got any idea who it's
from, 7 s'pose, have ye, Martha" ?"
Amos limited broadly.
"Not the least" said she. "Twas
mailed here in town, I see from the
postmark I don't know who'd be
writin' to me-
She inserted long, thin forehnger
beneath the flap of the envelope and
tore it open. Within was a second en-
velope with her name inscribed in a
bold hand across the face. Martha
paused to read it, while Amos fdgeted:
call envelope, amt it?" he asked
a little testify,
"No. 7 guess not" she laughed.
"Theys somethin' or other inside this
one"
She drew out the contents of the
second envelope and opened its single
fold. A square of tissue paper tiut-
tered out and went zigzagging to the
floor.
Amos leaned forward in his chair,
his keen old eyes peering eagerly over
the bows of his spectacles.
"Of course, of course, said Martina,
scanning the heavily engraved lines.
"T might "a known what it was! It's
the invitation to Ellie's wedding"
"Is it?" said Amos, leaning yet near
er
eyes, an I call it real neat too"
Martha declared, with the air Of one
whose opinions in such matters car
ried weight. Mrs. Robert Bagley
THORPE" she read, "'requests the
honor of YOUR presence at the mar
riaqe of her daughter, Elinor--.. ..
Amos suddenly Strengthened himself
in his chair. "Where do you hgger
mine is?" he interrupted the reading
to demand.
"Yours! Your what?" said his Sis
"My invitation" he explained
"Didn't YOU get one, too! :,
"No. 7 never, =" he said aggrlevedly
"There want anythin' in the box but
the paper and that invitation OF
yourn."
care you sure?'
''Yes, I am"
He sat for some time Illuminating
silently. his brows furrowed IN per
o1exed thought Surely they had not n.
ptoitted him Intentionally from the list
Of guests! 141,
"P'r'aps that ones meant for both
of us.'' he at length suggested, nope. e,
fn11v. Elbows it directed, Martina
The Florida agriculturist., 1907-08-07
ROLLINS COLLEGE
FLORmA's OLDEST COLLEGE.

ter four years course Of study in academic
ent for admission to Rollins College, or for
United States. The School Of Music gives a
music, and in harmony, musical theory and
and fifteen practice and concert pianos.
course in outline work, charcoal pen and
rs The Business School offers courses in COM
ping, banking. shorthand and telegraphy.
$17S.OO to $4,000 per annum for board.
institution is thoroughly Christian, but
control. Several scholarships covering the
superior character and ability, who may
October 2. 1907.
VIM. F. BLACKMAN, Ph.D., President.
The Florida agriculturist., 1907-08-07

COLLEGE-Gives the degree Of Arts af
branches. The Academy prepares the stud
any other college or technical school in the
thorough training in vocal and instrumental
the history of music. It has four teachers
The School Of Fine Arts offers a three years
ink work, and painting in oil and water colo
mercia1 arithmetic, commercial law, bookkee
Expenses are very moderate, varying from
room rent and tuition. The character Of the
entirely undenominational, both in spirit and
cost of tuition are available for students of
need such assistance. Next session begins
The La Jara chronicle., 1907-06-28

Ellis has the biggest assortment
of wall paper in town.
E. R. Star k,of Colorado Springs.
was in town, Wednesday, on bus
iness trip.
All grades and sizes of screen
doors at the B. L. Vanyechten
Hardware company.
Home rendered lard, like moth
er used to make, the best in the
world, can be found at the G.. G.
Oliver & Co. store.
Mrs. G. S. Lovett and cousin.
Mrs. Joseph Fredd, the latter who
has been spending the weekend
on the Lovett ranch, were in town,
Tuesday, and while here, Mrs.
Lovett called ON The Chronicle.
This was her first visit in La Jara
for many months and her friends
were all pleased to see her. She
has been SO busy looking after
Sid's comforts and the many other
duties on the ranch, that she has
been obliged to keep pretty close
ly at home. From April 1906 to
April 1907, she supplied the mar
ket with 1850 pounds of choice
butter, which, in itself, was no
small work.
Young girls who make it a point
to meet every train and stand
around the platform with a per
miscuous crowd, not only cheaper
themselves in the eyes of the pub
lie, but they lower their woman
hood on a level with the woman
whose loud laugh and coarse jests
are heard wherever she goes. No
girl can afford to barter her dis
cretion for what she terms a good
time, Even in small place, where
there is not much amusement, one
can, in a measure, find pleasantries
that will overcome monotony, and
in a way, too, that carries with it
refinement and good, clean fun.
There is nothing in the world SO
necessary to health and happiness
as fun, but in order to have it, one
does not need to go beyond the
moral code of conduct.