davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1907-08-25

from across a stream, SO they cannot
come too close" he explained. "It's
great fake. We will both have a
quiet summer at thu hotel keeping
away from the other guests as much
as possible, and re will make a lit
tie money in the bargain. We strike
something like this every summer"
Its great" said Curtis. emil usias-
tically. cts always the same for
me, the yacht, Newport and Bar Har-
Dor over and over again"
And we envy you that" said Nell.
softly. II guess you never got stuck
20 miles from the railroad and had
to take the landlord to the next town
in the hope you'd make money
enough there to pay his bill"
II wish I could" he said. sincere
ly. 1T must be no end of fun. I
quite envy you and your husband"
Brother" she said. Curtis smiled.
He had thought so, but he wanted to
make sure.
We'll take you along for COUP,
of weeks next winter, offered Tony,
with laugh. "You can pretend that
you're landlord. If you'll come ia
to my room I'll show you the route
we took last season.
Curtis followed in the next room
and pored over the map; state map
dotted with marks in red ink over
the towns away from the railroads.
1--WE can get where most shows
never reach. There's lot of money
in some of the GOWNS"
"I'm going 20 hold, you to your
PROMISE" declared Curtis
Lets hold Nell to her PROMISE"
suggested Tony. "She said we could
have some supper"
There were only sardines and sliced
sausage and crackers, washed down
|, with beer that Tony brought from
the corner, but Curtis enjoyed it all
because of the strangeness. No sup
per- at the club could compare with
this, and later Tony told stories OF
their experiences that kept him in
terested until the clock from the
church tower on the corner proclaim
ed 8.
With an expression Of regret, Cur
tbs sprang to his feet and made his
adieu.
II am grateful for most pleas
ant evening when 1 expected to be
most intolerably bored by myself"
he said as his hand closed over the
tiny fingers Nell offered. II am most
grateful to you, Miss Templeton, for
your spectacular murder. l may run
up to the Cresskill house this sum-
mer and view public performance"
1t was with a beating heart that
Curtis climbed the fence to his own
yard.
II suppose that the matter will
make an awful how'll he said as he
switched off the lights, ''but if we
take that theatrical trip next fall, 1t
must be as honeymoon. Their Yam
lily is as good as ours and there never
was girl quite like her. I'm glad
that was in on that murder, since
it is going to lead to matrimony."
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1907-08-25

attitude of the other bidder, and he
determined to have mat box If 1t
cost him pound. The people around
him got on to the fact that he was a
Yankee" and made comments that
further determined him.
To the auctioneer's surprise the
bids went up to 10 pounds. Mr..
Treadwell would have ~-rried them
to double that sum, but the other
bidder rushed away to look for some
one in the crowd, and, being afraid
of missing a good thing, the auc-
tioneer knocked the trifle down to
the last bidder and it was handed to
him and paid for amidst giggles of
open laughter.
He felt that he had made fool of
himself, and, with his box under his
arm, he left the spot If no pleasant
frame of mind.
He had not gone two blocks when
young woman overlook him. She
explained that she had been lady's
maid in the house for a number of
years, and coveted the box as SOU
venir of her dear, dead mistress. The
ferret-faced man had been bidding
for her. Would Mr.. Treadwell re-
spect the sentiment. that actuated
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1907-08-25

Then he produced cords and trussed
him up SO speedily and securely as to
almost excite admiration.
When he had finished his work he
showed the body aside, took glance
at the papers, and sh>ok hands with
his coadjutor. Mr.. Treadwell had
ordered up bottle of wine, but had
forgotten to open it.. The two men
now saved him the trouble. 1t was
good wine, and they smacked their
lips over it and complimented the
American.
Then they winked at him, twiddled
their fingers from the ends of their
noses, and walked softl. out.
1t was three long hours before a
waiter looked in to see If the "Yan-
kee" had jumped his bill and de-
parted. Then Mr.. Treadwell was un-
tied and Engaged, charge of six-N
pence extra placed gainst his name
for being tied up and robbed, and
when he went to the police and res
lated the whole circumstance and
asked that Mr.. Perkins and tho 9th
ers be run down. ne was answered by
the officer:
20, go home and sleep It off. You
are one of those Americans who ought
never to be allowed at Target"
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1907-08-25

her and let her have the box for what
he paid?
1t so happened, firstly, that the
American was an old bachelor and a
cynic, and appeals to sentiment did
MT move him. Suddenly, he had gone
to the trouble of making fool Of
himself and was determined to keep
the box as reward. The girl Of
fered to double the price and there
were tears in her eyes. but she did
not get it.
The hotel had scarcely been reach
ed when a Mr.. Charles Perkins de-
sired an interview. Mr.. Perkins was
suave--exceedingly suave. He was
as sua e and gentle and courteous as
If he was going to ask for the loan
Of $4,000 on a huckleberry marsh
worth 5000.
He had been In America. He had
seen Boston Common. Although he
was, one of the most patriotic Of her
majAsty's subjects, he had gazed up-
on Bunker Hill monument and found
his heart swelling with pride at the
thought of how bravely 1t had been
held against the redcoats. He knew
that America was the home t the
robber trusts and grafters. and that
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1907-08-25

every state and city had its ring of
political thieves, but he kept clear of
saying so. Not thing did he say
that could have hurt the feelings of
an American babe.
When Mr.. Perkins had got through
praising Uncle Sans country and
children he turned to the subject in
hand. 1t was his wife that had died,
and his furniture that had been sold
at auction. He was an architect, and
had met his downfall by trying to in
troduce American ideas into England,
such as dark. bedrooms, parlors in
which two people had to sit with
their knees touching, and hot air
furnaces that only produced hot air
from the mouth of the manufacturer.
That sandalwood box had been pre-
scented to his wife by Queen Victoria
in person for making the best pump
kin pies in all England. She had
used 1t for 20 years to catch her tears
In whenever she wept. On many oc-
casions she had thrown it at his
head.
There were thousand other sacred
associations connected with it, and
he had called in hopes that Mr..
Treadwell could see his way clear to
taking the sum Of 6 10 for the sad
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1907-08-25

relic.
Mr.. Treadwell felt for the suave
Mr.. Perkins, but he couldn't part
with the box. He was still mad at
the people who had Jailed him. a
Yankee" and giggled over his bar
gain, and he had begun to smell a
rat.
No six-penny sandalwood box was
worth 6 10 unless there was some
secret connected with it-something
to which he might profit and get
even. He, therefore, turned Mr.. Per-
kins down and took the box to his
room and examined 1t.
1t seemed nothing more than a
plain handkerchief box. There were
no traces of the tears shed by the
dead and gone. If the late Mrs. Per-
kins had ever busted 1t by throwing
it had been repaired again. Mr..
Treadwell peeked and peered and
found nothing
1t was only when he came to mear-
ure that he suspected secret drawer
and at length found one. The con-
tents consisted of birth and mar
riage certificate of the same person,
and the death OF that person had
taken place is years previously. AS
near as could be figured out. the pa
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1907-08-25

"I don't see what all this has to
do with the murder" said Curtis,
shorply.
"I'm coming to that. I'm getting
ready to haunt house."
Are you crazy, or do you imagine
that 1 amp" demanded Curtis, irrit-
ably.
Neither, though yo;: must believe
me crazy. I am a Snowman. In the
winter we go through the country
with motion picture machine and
illustrated songs. Nell sings and I
work the machine. It's no good in
summer. There are too many open
air shows"
"And so you resort to murder %
enlarge your income?"
Precisely. Pictured murder! There
is hotel up in the mountains that
features a glen back In the valley.
The proprietor thought 1t might adj
vertise the place to have haunted
mill and he hired r-s to fix 1t.
"I had these pictures made and
wrote story to fit them. We are
going up tomorrow to start in at the
haunting business. We were trying
out the pictures. / wanted to know
how they looked from the outside.
These houses are all closed for the
summer and the caretakers SIT out
on the front steps, so boosted Nell
over your fence so that she could see
the effect. The extension cuts off
the view from our yard. We did not
7 4Iot hnr~ = -
Curtis relaxed his alertness a lit
tie. "That SOUNDS reasonable" he
admitted. "But the pictures are
startingly real. should like to
make sure"
IT can go back and do them over
again, you holding Nell as a hostage,
or you can come over and see the ma
chine yourself"
Come over and will have some
supper afterward," offered the girl.
eve owe you some return for all the
trouble we have caused you"
''I'll come" said Curtis, suddenly,
though think the supper should be
on me-"
He followed the man into the
yard. At the fence he made stir
rup of his hands as an acrobat does
and almost before Curtis realized 1t
the girl was lifted to the top of the
fence and with a whisk dropped
down on, the further side.
Curtis was next and lastly came
the man.
II might introduce myself as Tony
Templeton," the man said, as he
paused att the entrance to his own
house. Better walk soft, for most
of the boarders are asleep"
He led the way through the dimly
lighted halls to the rear of the sec
ond floor. The familiar picture ma
chine stood against the wall with the
rubber gas bags useG for tn. calcium
light, and after drawing down the
black shade behind the white Tony
started the machine again.
We've picked out a window where
they will have to, view the ghosts
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1907-08-25

marks had fallen upon apparently
deaf ears.
He had gone back the house
with scowl upon his face and Cen
tleman George had trotted along
side, his stump of tail hanging de-
jectedly. Even his friendly barks
had been sighted, and though Gen
ties face was anything but suited to
the contraction of his name, he was
accustomed to notice and shared his
masters feeling of rebuff.
Matters had grown worse instead
of better. After that, Dorothy gen.
orally went into the house when he
came out, and once, when he raised
she had coldly cut him.
"She thinks we are trying to fiirt,
Gentle" he explained to the dog. "She
does not know what well-behaved
and eminently correct persons we
are"
Gentle rose to his feet and placed
his head on his masters knee in quiet
sympathy.
eff we only had a chance to ex-
plain" went on Spooner, whimsical
ly, I'VE could tell her what excellent
persons we are and how averse we
are to flirting"
Gentle's stubby tail wagged an
enthusiastic assent, and Spooner
went on.
Seeing that you are so interested,
might ask you for advice, but I
guess we'd better give the conun-
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1907-08-25
MR. JAMES TREADwELL, Bos-

n n r. JAMES TREADWELL, Bos-
INN ton, U. s. A., was registered
Y at a London hotel, and had
been for two weeks, when he
happened in at an auction sale of
bric-a-brac on fashionable street. It
was sale of the goods and chattels
of a private house, and he mingled
with the spectators entirely out of
curiosity.
He had been lingering around for
half an hour when the auctioneer put
up box made of sandalwood, which
he took for handkerchief box. He
would not have been surprised at all
had 1t been knocked down for six
pence. In fact, that was the first
bid, and it was about to be knocked
down to ferret-faced man when
something impelled Mr.. Treadwell to
make 1t nine.
His bid was at once raised 100 per
cent, and the leer on the face of the
other provoked him. The others bid
was one of defiance, and WIS so ac-
cepted.
Mr. Treadwell was a quiet, conser-
vative man, but in him there was a
spirit Of hit back when he was pro-
voked. He didn't like the face or the
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1907-08-25

this" he sighed one afternoon, as
they sat on the crest of Crow hill
and rested after their climb. II must
go back in August"
$50 soon?" she asked. II thought
you were here for the summer"
"Only for e part" he answered.
ut was not very long ego t.at was
chatting even atfthe lea of short
stay. Now to leave all this and 70
back to the city
"But you can keep it in your mem
ory," she reminded. Your descrip-
lions of the scenes of travel show
that you have a splendid apprecla-
tion of beauty in nature
There is much to keep in mind
and heart" he admitted. as he let
his gaze wander from the girls face
out over the broad green valley
through which the river wound.
"But, there Is something | want to
take back with me.
photographs? she asked, quick-
ly, though she knew what he meant.
~ want to take back your promise
to marry me-" he said, steadily.
"Eyer since saw you that first morn
ing | have loved you, dear. don't
know what l should have done IL
Gentle had not introduced u.s."
The girl let her hand fall upon
the dogs head. nestled in her lap.
az owe a great ceal to acntle." she
said. softly. even the man love-"
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1907-08-25

ure he had first seen again came into
view and grappled with the intruder
The outline of a knife in the appraised
hand of the robber was plainly shown
against the curtain, and Curtis
blood chilled in horror at the thought
that he was the helpless witness to
murder.
Splendid"
Curtis started. He had forgotten
the girl by the dining room door. 1t
was she who had made the remark.
Probably the murderer had helped
her over the fence before he had be-
gun to climb to the roof Of the ex-
tension. Perhaps only robbery had
been planned at first, discovery maxi
ing the greater crime necessary
though 1t scarcely seemed reasonable
that burglar would select a light
ed room for his entrance, particu-
larly when it had just been shown
that 1t was occupied
Now the assailant had been thrown
to one side, now he had closed with
the other man, and slowly and stead
lily the knife began to descend. He
was stronger than the man he sought
to kill and was bringing the knife
down through sheer strength.
All through. the struggle the girl
was uttering soft little cries of salts
fatcion and approval.
Now, just as the knife was about
to descend and womans form was
interposed to receive the fatal thrust,
the girl elapped her hands softly as
though applauding.
Again the knife rose and fell, this
time to be buried j.. the back of the
defender, who was row bending over
the form of the woman he held in
his arms. Again the knife was raised
was extinguished and he could see
no more.
Sickened with horror, Curtis turn
ed his attention to the girl, who still
sat on the steps humming gay lit
tie air. There was a pistol on the
library table. He caught it up and
ran lightly into the dining room
He had opened the door and had
caught her by the wrist before she
realized what was happening. Quick
ly he drew her inside. With his free
hand he turned on the light and
found himself looking into most
attractive face.
The girl was little more than
average hight, her head crowned
with masses of soft brown curls. The
eyes were dilated with horror and
the face was white from fright, but
not even her terror could rob her
features of their attraction. She did
not struggle to get away, but cast
anxious eyes toward the door.
"If you are expecting your confed-
crate" said Curtis, dryly, II shall be
most pleased to receive him. You
seem to derive considerable amuse-
ment from murder"
SIS that why you caught me?" To
Curtis amazement she threw back
her head and laughed. The color
slowly returned to her face and her
eyes twinkled with fun.
81 thought you believed me be
d thief," she explained. THAT was
why 1 was scared. was afraid tina:
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1907-08-25

~ EMILE sat at his masters feet,
regarding with approval the
VI trim, girlish figure across the
tiny lawn. Spooner Was also
regarding the girl, but his eyes were
clouded and his eyebrows knit to-
gether.
If Dorothy would only permit it he
would like to help her with the gar
den, but though he had been the ten
ant of Briar cottage for almost a
month, she had not shown the slight
est desire to be neighborly.
Most persons in the little village
classed him as zone of them actor
fellers," though the lecture platform
is but distantly related to the stage.
He assured himself, with grim hui
NOR, that the rest his physicians had
ordered as cure for the breakdown
after an arduous season, was likely
to be uninterrupted by any neigh
borliness on the part of the villagers.
For the greater part of them he
cared nothing at ALL But Dorothy
Deering was different.
He had seen her that first morn
ing when he had come out on the
steps to enjoy the fresh air. She had
been working in her garden, and he
had strolled over to the fence in
friendly fashion to comment on the
beauty of the flowers. She had made
acknowledgment of hi morning
greeting, but after that she had
turned her back and his other re-
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1907-08-25

Ellis smile," explained Spooner.
II was busy with m. ,-ai,, and
suppose that he felt neglected.
He might have bitten me-" she
scolded. at is dangerous to let a
dog like that roam loose"
ut is only his face, not his dispo-
sition that is so savage" defended
Spooner. "He would not hurt even
cat.''
"They told me that he fought, that
all actors dogs fought" she insisted.
II shall speak to the constable"
Gentle is no fighter" he pleaded,
neither is he an actors dog. I'm a
lecturer. You must have heard of
'Spooner Saunters Through Eu-
rope I am Darien Spooner."
Everybody thinks that you are
an actor" she explained.
"That is 10 disgrace" he insisted.
"I suppose that in these small towns
you get rather bad actors. May 1
ask if that is why my efforts at being
neighborly have met with such a
scant SUGGEST"
II don't like actors" she said evas-
lively. II thought you were trying to
fiirt."
Gentle and 1 are exemplary" he
pleaded. MAY introduce Gentle
man George?"
At his sign Gentle gravely ad-
vanced and politely proffered his
paw. The girl took 1t, half fearful
ly, but Gentle's manners were excep-
tional, and when he stood on his hind
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1907-08-25

drum up"
Gentle's wagging tall seemed to
invite further discussion, but the
postman's whistle sounded and he
went dashing off to he gate to bring
up the mail.
Spooner was soon lost in his let
tiers and was only reused by cry
that sounded from the garden. Gen.
tie had wandered off and, finding
some pickets loose, had slipped
through to get a better look at the
girl bending over her plants.
Dorothy, glancing up from her
work, had encountered the steady
glare of Gentle's eyes, and for a mo-
ment stood transfixed with horror;
then, with cry, she had fled to the
tiny summer house in the corner Of
the garden.
This struck Gentle as being a very
foolish proceeding, in view Of the
fact that the house had no door, but
he planted himself X: the opening
and assumed what he fondly believed
to be pleasing and amiable express
sion.
The result was still more terrify-
ing to the girl, and she had scream
ed. Spooner came running across the
grass and, lightly vaulting the fence,
made after Gentle.
"I'm sorry that he scared you," he
said. '"fIe was only trying to make
friends"
when he shows his teeth that
horrid way?" she demanded.
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1907-08-25
LINTON CURTIS reached out
his hand for the electric light
. switch and then thought bet

LINTON CURTIS reached out
his hand for the electric light
~ switch and then thought bet
ter of it. There was no moon,
but the soft summer night gave plen-
ty of light by which he could see the
bottle and the seltzer siphon were
he inclined to make high-ball, and
the night was too intolerably close
for reading. He pulled at his cigar
and wheeled an easy chair to the IL
brary window.
He was rather sorry he had not
gone to the club to stay. The house
smelled stuffy from being closed,
though below stairs the caretaker
had a well-filled icechest. At any
rate he would sleep in his own bed.
That was something.
He put his feet up on the window
sill and glanced across at the win
dows of the next street.
Most of the curtains were up and
he derived much amusement from
his observations. In one room stout
old fellow pulled industriously into
clarionette, stopping occasionally
to reward his efforts with swallows
from a huge stein, and meanwhile
filing the air with his dolorous
noises. A young father played with
child IN the next window, while in
a third patient littl- man meekly
listened to curtain lecture deliver
ed by his energetic better half.
From the north a light breeze
sprang up, blowing pleasantly into
the open window, and Curtis lit his
second cigar. He found 1t very pleas
ant being home, after all, and the
entertainment across the way pleased
him.
He was sorry when the lighted OBJ
longs began to show black as the
lights were exiting lished and his
neighbors went to bed. He had about
decided to turn in himself when a
slight noise in the yard aroused him.
A curly head was raised above the
fence. there was a flash of white in
the starlight and girl dropped light
ly into the yard.
Curtis drew back into the window,
letting the lace curtain fall back over
the opening. A woman burglar would
be decided novelty: Perhaps the
open window might tempt her.
She came straight across the tiny
grass plot and up the steps leading
to the narrow piazza at the dining
room extension. Here she crouched
in the shadow and remained qui-'
Curtis wondered if she was cut
ting through the lock the dining
room door, but his quick ears caught
no sound of knife or saw, and he
decided to wait for developments.
They came from . most unexpect-
ed quarter. From the house just
across the way came a glimmer of
light, apparently from the second
story, and presently mans form
was outlined against the white
shade. Several times the figure
stalked back and forth and then, ap-
parently from the roof of the extern
sion, a second figure climbed into the
room, but without disturbing the
curtain
Curtis was rtill marveling at the
apparent imposibility when the fig
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1907-08-25

Just one moment, Mr.. Curtis"
pleaded the intruder. II suppose
that you are Mr.. Curtis?"
How do you know my name?"
1--WE know the names of all the
people on this block. We like to sit
in the window and cgure out which
millionaire we should rather be If
we had our choice. Nell has the room
in which you saw the murder done.
l have the hall room"
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1907-08-25

must trouble you to keep your hands
up until 1 am able to provide a re-
ception committee"
HE saw the murder" explained
the girl. II was just about to tell
him when you came in"
II trust that your explanation is
more sane than hers" said Curtis,
tartly. "She was trying to make me
believe that she was the woman who
was killed across the way, V lie l
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1907-08-25

that there is anything in my man
ner to suggest that 1 am as easily
gulled as all that"
You don't understand" she be-
gan. "You see"
Her explanation 7as broken short,
as Curtis raised the revolver and
pointed it past her.
Throw up Jour hands," he COM
manded, stearnly. II have the drop
on you"