davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1908-12-10

we're pictures of the dead barons Of
Wyckhoff busted the first OF the big
books and began to turn the leaves.
found It full OF Photographic repro
auctions OF oil paintings depicting the
ladies' of the family, and on the last
page Of the book | came upon a pic.
ture which thoroughly startled me. II
was a copy OF full-length portrait OF
the Lass Baroness Wyckhof. whose
second husband had been Fletcher
Boyd. The picture showed a slender
little lady, with straight dark hair,
an aquillne nose. and a dark complex.
ion, the living image OF Agatha Sixth!
Stunned by the importance OF my
find closed the book; put back the
albums where l had found them and
stole from the room. had a guilty
feeling, almost as II l had done some
thing wrong. yet It had been an acci.
dent for which no one could really
blame me. Full OF excitement. l went
to find Vincent to acquaint him with
my good news, and discovered him In
the morning room playing chess with
Agatha First, or rather. he was show,
Ing her how to play, for he was hang,
Ing over the back OF her chair and
moving her hand with his hand when
ever ii was her move.
coughed as | entered, and frowned
l am always frowning at Vincent these
days, II seems to me, but really have
to. He needs a little restraint.
"Good.morning. Miss Agatha" said
pleasantly; how does the game
progress? Is Lord Wilfred an efficient
teacher"
Very" replied the young lady. short
ly, and both OF them looked at me
with such insolent hostility that was
obliged to leave the room, murmuring
apologies for intruding.
was rather vexed with Vincent
about this; he doesn't show me quite
the respect due an older man from q
boy of his age. Not that am old, OF
anywhere near middle age. but still
| am Vincent's senior. and this Incl
dent determined me not TO communi
cate my discovery to him. Why should
tell him and put a formidable rivaI
into the feldf Not that I'm afraid oI
Vincent exactly. for have always
found that when the girls tire Of HI,
fun they are very glad 10 fall bach
upon an experienced man like myself
who has seen the world and IS &C
quainted with Shakespeare and tn,
musical glasses. Nevertheless, Il
seemed a pity TO invite Vincent 20 en-
ter the lists against me, for had fully
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1908-12-10
SUBSTITUTE FOR THE CRIMINAL
Viearlous Punishment a Common
Thing In the East.

The numbers of aged men among
the prisoners In the jalls of India is
said to be very large. and the expla.
nation is this:
IL Is n common practice, when 4
theft is brought home TO a man by
the police. for him to get an old IA.
Their or uncle to take the blame on
himself. or he puts up younger broth
er to do so. Before the court they
make full and circumstantal confess
sion. They are convicted, and the
real thieves get on. II is done TO
benefit the family. A sturdy young
man is able to do more for tho family
support by honest labor or by thiev,
ing than an old man or a boy.
This is n custom which prevails
more or less In all Oriental countries.
The judges and the people seem to
argue in Shis way: Somebody has
committed a crime. therefore some.
boGy must be punished. Now the law
Is 70 respecter OF persons, and one per.
sen is the same as another; therefore.
II can make no difference to the law
who is punished. So. II the law pun.
ishes some person for the crime. II
makes no difference II he did not com
init the crime. the law has been vindi
cate d."
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1908-12-10
SURPRISED THE POSTWAR.
Expected a Christmas Present Which
He Didn't Get

Il was the day after Christmas, and
the hardworking postman ploughed
his way through snow and cold winds.
a sack OF unusual size on his back.
He assembled the spacious steps Of q
West-end residence, and in answer to
his ring a manservant In rich livery
appeared.
wait a moment. please" said the
servant. as he took the letters. The
mistress wishes TO speak to you"
The postman's eye frightened. It
was the holiday season. lilo had done
his duty with fidelity. Now. no doubt.
In recognition OF his regular and faith.
full
Il shall be glad" he said politely.
Hto await your mistress pleasure"
In few minutes the lady appeared.
Are you. she asked. our regular
postmang"
Yes. madam" he answered. bow
ing.
DO you come in the mornIngG"
Yes. madam"
"And In the afternoon and EVENING"
Again he assented, smiling eagerly
Then the lady said:
well. was II you who broke our
bsn?'
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1908-12-10
CHAPTER ~.

Disappointed and somewhat cha.
grined at Mrs. Armistead's answer,
rose to my feet and prepared to join
the young ladies in the drawing room.
had been so interested in discussing
Fletcher Boyd's will with Mrs. Arm.
istead that had completely forgotten
Vincent. At FIRST thought he had al.
ready left the room, but In n moment
heard him laugh and discovered him
actually sitting on the floor before the
fire, playing n species of mumble-the.
peg with the secretary. Extremely un.
becoming conduct for both of them.
thought. and Mrs. Armlstead thought
so, too, for she spoke sharply to the
secretary, who left the room with red.
dened cheeks. Vincent, however was
unabashed. and, after holding the door
open for her. he followed me to the
drawing room. without needing my re.
monstrances. He seldom does heed
them, may say.
II was on the third day OF our stay
when Vincent and had begun TO feel
thoroughly at home at Castle Wyck-
AbAf anu "Htu NllNtuN uhh htbuu W
feel more than thoroughly at home
with Agatha First, that ! made an
important discovery. The morning
was rainy. and after breakfast there
was nothing TO do but to read-that
is, until Agatha Sixth came down,
stairs. had found her to be an un,
usually well-educated girl and had
given her all my attention during the
three days have mentioned. So
wandered into the library and began
to explore the tall bookshelves to find
something that interested me. And
found It, though II wasn't exactly for
what | had been looking On the
lowest shelf discovered three heavy
but new.looking albums. From idle
curiosity to look at what | supposed
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1908-12-10
The chanaIna rIman.

Times have changed since $50 years
ago. when Halley's comet for whose
temperance astronomers are now
looking. was In the heavens. Then the
Christian world prayed to be deliv-
cred from the devil. the Turk and the
comet" Now It says the devil is not
as black as he has been painted, the
Turk is a negligible quantity and the
comet would be rather welcome than
MISREPRESENTATION Transcript
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1908-12-10
WHAT WOULD HE HAVE sAIpf

Get up, Jack. You mustn't cry
like babyl You're quite a man now.
You know II fell down I shouldn't
cry, should merely say"
Eyes. know. pa; but then--I go to
Sunday school-and you don't"
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1908-12-10

quisscence, successfully conceaiing my
interest in the reply.
But she gave me neither; she began
TO say something. but checked herself
suddenly and looked at mo admIringly.
You're a clever man." she said, in.
stead, "bat you can't get any informa.
ton out Of me. Lots OF them have
tried, but It's no use. Besides, 1t isn't
fair.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1908-12-10
lmnortant 70 Naothera.
A Solemn ResnanslhlII,y.

IT'S easy to be gay and make peo-
pie about you forget their troubles"
That's all you know about IT," an
swered the professional comedian.
You never had lot OF people out Ia
front wondering whether they were
going TO get their moneys worth"
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1908-12-10
Il NewSb0y'S
Merry
Christmas
By d. NJ. EDWARDS

+ WAS Christmas night
and Patsey Higgins
was "stuck"-that IL.
he had more papers
than he could sell.
With a small bundle
under one arm and
hands thrust deep in
his pockets he strolled
up Broadway in the
Apply Christm a s
crowds. Through the
diamond frosted win.
dows Of the restau.
rants he could see the
diners within laughing
and animated over
their holiday banquets.
He iinnlpd n handful
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1908-12-10


lie jingled a handful
Of pennies and nickels in his pocket
and wondered how In the world a boy
with a stock Of unsold papers on his
hands and only % cents with which
TO have his Christmas feast. keep
him through the night and start him
In business the next morning, had
much chance TO be 50 very happy
As he plodded almlessly across
Forty.third street a big man, hulking
OF shoulder. lantern iawed and deep
chested numbered out OF gam
bling house near by and swung into
Broadway. Grumbling about hitting
me pretty hard" and never had any
luck In my life" he plowed his way
across the sidewalk, lunging against
any one whose path lay across his.
He bowled through n line OF m!ncing
men and women who blocked the side.
walk in front OF an all night res.
taurant. scattering them like tenpins
and making no apologies. Blind to
everything but his own III luck. he no
tlCed nothing until he came upon dis.
heveled and boisterous man holding
a newsboy and trying 10 take his pa.
pers from him.
What tn ell y doin?" growled the
gambler. as he gave the unsteady man
a quick punch and tumbled him into
a pile OF dirt, allowing the lad to dart
out OF harms way. yelling in glee at
the fallen tyrant
"Y' big stin" threatened the gam
bier, as he leaned over the man. "if
y peep another word I'll wiring yer
head off. Git up now an go home Z
her L git even" he commented. as he
turned away.
A few blocks further he heard
voice at his elbow;
Say. mister. want Z thank y fer
helpin me when that dude pinched me
papers"
Run along, sonny: don't let 1t worry
y none"
II want T. give y a paper, mister"
"Trot." returned the other. CURLY.
Please take paper. mister per.
sisted the lad, running along beside
cause. gee! we don't ofen have folks
help us like you done, I'm stuck to-
night. anyway. an have got plenty to
spare
The gambler stood still and shifted
the air as II at that moment. for the
first time. he had caught the infection
| OF the Christmas atmosphere.
Pretty tough on some OF you kids"
he said Here. take this and go blow
yourself" he added. as he pulled a
greenback from his pocket. pressed II
into the boys hand and continued on
his way.
Il amt askin' you fer money" called
Patsey, tagging along in the mans
wake. II jes' wanted L give you a
paper for helPin' me"
The gambler made no reply. but
walked on all the faster. He had gone
a block further and evidently thought
himself rid OF the boy, when the latter
suddenly piped out again:
Please take yer money back. will
yer"
Jaw, beat IT," said the gambler.
savagely.
Patsey stopped. He watched the
form Of his big man fade into the
darkness and then looked at the crum.
pied greenback in his hands.
Gee. wouldn't dat mos'ly crimp
yer?" he unused as he turned back into
the canyon OF electric lights and head.
ed for a place where he knew
he would ind cranberry sauce.
steamed dumplings and mince pie at
newsboy rates.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1908-12-10

Later on some OF our street con-
tractors may get a chance TO repair
some OF those pavements made OF
good intentions
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-01-11

What caused the hard times is thus
tritely defined by Puck:
Once there was man who bought
a beautiful gold brick for which he
paid the sum of so or SIS. although it
locked exactly as if it were worth 10
or Is thousand.
Then he took it home. and opening
his ledger, made an entry, which ma
terially swelled his assets.
Then he mortgaged his home and
bought an automobile and a season
ticket for the opera and gave a large
dinner at Sherry's. And why should
he not, for was he not a rich man and
could he not prove it by his ledger?
And then one day it occurred to
him to examine his gold brick a little
more closely. Whereupon he found
that it was worth only 10 or Is cents
He lost confidence Immediately
and the effort he made to get rid OF
the brick brought on a severe panic
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-01-11

which resulted in the establishment
of the secret, oath-bound know-nothing
party, which swept Massachusetts and
several other states in 1854 and 1855,
and which, under the name of the
American party. polled $4,000 votes
for Fillmore for president in 1856.
The civil war and the necessity of
getting as many soldiers from all ele-
ments of the population, killed ma
tivism, and. except in few feeble
and sporadic outbreaks, it has not re-
appeared since.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-01-11
She Hrgus Daily Short Story
The Catch OF the Season. BY Cecily Allen.
Copyrighted e. C.

did look like day laborer out OF
job the afternoon landed on the front
porch
Il know" said Isabelle as she laugh
ed heartily and laid down the book
1T must have been so funny. Moth
er's terribly proper, you know
Days went on like this, and Mrs.
Beal was gradually won over to the
enemy's camp. Every one who knew
Whit Miller loved him-loved him de-
spite his careless, hapless ways, for his
| kindly spirit and other things. but
mostly because he was he In the days
that followed he had many nurses. as
all the family took turns wheeling him
across the room SO that he might bask
in the sunlight. but his happiest hours
were when Isabelle was in charge
One afternoon as she patted the pill
lows at the back of his chair and left
the hand that had brought so many
comforts to him during his illness.
Wont you stay little longer. Miss
i Nightingale" he pleaded as he held
| tightly TO the hand. I'm so lonely in
the twilight. Wait until Jack comes.
He's due in n few minutes now if the
| train isn't late-please."
You old silly" said Isabelle as she
sat on the window ledge with the
shadows encircling her.
Il wish you knew more about me-
said Whit. Il wish you would ask
some OF the fellows if I'm not decent
sort. You see I've something to say to
| you, but | can't until you know me
better. 1t would be like taking an I'M
fair advantage"
"Oh, but l know all about You al
ready" she said gayly. Jack and
talk about you all the time"
He reached out and pulled her lit
tie closer
I'm Il clumsy old thing. as Jack al
ways says. but there's nothing very
bad aboht me, and l don't play this
sick trick very often. You wouldnt
care for life job of nursing. woult
you:' He was holding the hand very
tightly now as she looked up at hin
and said coyly:
ASK me. why don't you?'
His arms were not very strong a:
yet, but both of them went around tn,
girl as he drew her to his lips.
Sweetheart" he whispered.
well, I'll be hanged, Whit Miller
none of that" sang out Jack as h
stood in the doorway, grip in hand, a
he had hurried from the train. .
brought you down here to fish, not t
steal all the preserves on the famil.
plantation"
Yes. Jack" said Whit as he reaches
out one free hand. you brought m
down to fish, and I'm the champion
for here in my arms is the catch of tn
season, the best ever"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-01-11
The Situation in Alabama.

The legislature of Alabama at its
last session passed a prOhibitory law
which has several provisions affecting
the sale of liquor. Under this law,
II counties in the state have the dis
pensary system, four counties, namely
Mobile, Montgomery, Dallas and Bald
win, have the license system until
Jan. l. 1909, and 80 counties are dry
becoming so on the list of January
In addition there is a general law, ef
fective the LIST of January, 1908, re
Quiring the saloons TO close in cities
of the first class at 9 o'clock; cities
|of the second class at s O'Clock, and
other towns and cities to close at
o'clock.
AS a general thing these laws have
been respected. Prohibition has gone
into effect in Jefferson county, includ
ing Birmingham. the largest city ii
the state The barIooms have beer
ldismantled and the business has beer
abandoned. However, clubs chartered
prior TO the passage of the prohibi
ton law are privileged to allow theil
members to establish lockers for tneil
private store of liquors.
The opinion is held by many tina
the general pr0hibitOry law is in vic
lation of the constitution, i'll that i
does not apply to all counties, an'
therefore is a local and not genera
law. The law is being tested in thu
courts under a writ of mandamus t
force Il probate judge of one of The
counties to issue licenses.
The 8 o'clock closing law is bein;
observed generally where saloons eX
| ist. Some of the >saloonkeepers of Nc
| bile, however, are resisting it, claim
ing it is unconstitutional. Other sd
looms are closing at 8 O'Clock awaitin:
a judicial determination of the matter
The situation in Alabama is some
| what complicated, as far as liquo
traffic is concerned.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-01-11

pany VS. Looney. Assumpsit. Rule to
plead extended 10 days.
966S-Stouhr & Schedt VS.. Sherwood
Appeal by defendant. Defendant rul-
ed to refund TO plaintiff 81 docket fees
by Jan. Is or appeal dismissed. .
9423-Durmann VS.. Tri-City Railway
company. Case. Demurrer to addi-
tional accounts heard and taken under
Amusement.
9424-Durmann VS.. Tri-City Railway
taken under advisement.
963S-Murrin VS.. Supreme Council
Western Catholic Union. Assumpsit.
Motion by plaintiff for rule on defend
ant to plead.
9645-People. eX rel, McMaster, VS..
Uthoff. Quo warranto Demurrer to
defendants plea heard and taken I'M
| der advisement.
1910 - Peoples National bank VS..
| Central Electric Manufacturing COM
pany, ct al. Assumpsit. Motion by
plaintiff to amend praecipe by adding
William H. Edwards as a defendant,
| filed and allowed and amendment made.
appearance of w. H. Edwards filed in
writing.
9679-State Bank of Rock Island VS..
Koob, ct al. Assumpsit. Motion by
sheriff for leave to amend return So as
to show that a true copy was deliver
ed to each of defendants Motion al
lowed. Defendants Mary Bauer, Boyd
Michael and ]. E. Crouch called and
defaulted Clerk reports that he has
computed interest as ordered, and finds
the amount of accrued interest to be
l$1220 and finding that there is due on
said note $239.26. Judgment against
defendants defaulted on affidavit OF
claim and report of clerk in favor OF
the plaintiff and against the defendants
defaulted for S23926 and costs and eN
I ecution
Ordered that hearing on the suffi
lciency of bonds on file in the office oil
the clerk of this court and as to re
lports of trustees of funds in matters
pending in this court, set for hearing
this day by order of this court enteret
Dec. so, 1907, as required by statute
be and the same are set for hearing
on and continued to Monday, Feb. 8
1905, and the clerk of this court will
lgive notice to all parties concerned o.
this order and of the order of Dec. 80
1907.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-01-11
Abe Ruef. the San Francisco

Abe Ruef, the San Francisco briber,
CRATER and go-between, who has been
cleared of self-confessed eXtortiOn and
graft by the technical ruling of the
California court of appeals, now mani
tests the attitude of real martyrdOm
He declares he knew he was innocent
all the time, although he plead guilty
and that in due time he will issue 4
statement which the people will be
lieve. That is always the tack of the
rascal who has the presumption tC
think he can fool the people because
he has eluded justice. But, speaking
of Ruef, if he now denies what he con
fessed under oath, why not get him OF
the ground of perjury? Maybe Cali
fornia has law that will hold him I'm
der such a conviction.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-01-11

An eminent writer on financial mat
tiers says that there are some who have
feared a further terrible shock to bus
mess by disturbance of the tariff, bu5
that is too remote for serious discus
sion when one stops to note the vast
power of the great republican party
and its staunch standpat policy. This
must be delightful reading for the own.
ers of republican papers, whose noses
are being held to the grindstone while
the paper trust pockets all their net
earnings by reason of this same tariff
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-01-11
Ebb and Flow of Immigration.

The immigration flood of 1,285,00G
people in the fiscal year 1907, which
ended on June 80, and which left all
the records far behind. attracted far
less attention than did an thrush of a
quarter of those dimensions half a
century ago, says Leslies Weekly.
When the potato famine in Ireland in
1916 sent the immigration into the
United States in 1S47 above the 200.
600 mark for the first time in the coun-
try's history, and when the abortive
instructions in Austria, Hungary
Prussia, Bavaria and other European
countries in 1S4S-49 reinforced the
Irish inpour and sent the immigration
above the 100000 line in 1850, and
above 100000 in 1854, many persons
feared that the alien deluge would
overwhelm America and suhvert its
institutions.
Then started that wave of nativism
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-01-11

Ten years ago today ]. w. Potter,
editor and proprietor of The Argus,
passed from the scene of life's activi-
ties. He was a man whose devotion
to every sense of duty, whose loyalty
to the city and to every cause in which
he enlisted his energies, left the i'm
press of his name on the history of his
time, and, though touched with the
sadness of an untimely taking away,
his memory fingers as a source of com
fort to those who best knew him.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-01-11
Legislators to Be Happy Once More.


The members of the legislature are
happy once more. 1t seemed for
time that they would be obliged to
pay their railroad fare in going to and
from the state capital What a shame
and sin it would have been. The
passes SO disinterestedly supplied by
the railroads expired Jan. l. and as
they were not renewed it looked as if
the Legislators would have to buy tick
cts just as ordinary citizens do.
But, the Legislators are wise in their
day and generation. Discreetly, very
discreetly, they recently announced
that the railroads had forgotten them
and that it is not right to force them
TO pay for transportation as the COM
mon people do.
The appeal has borne fruit, the rail
roads announcing that the lawmakers
will again be placed on the deadhead
list.
In recent speech Governor Deneen,
speaking of the pass evil, said:
What l have said tonight has no
doubt given you the idea that | do not
think much of the legislature. l don't.
For instance, | wanted to abolish the
passes. Suppose that you are hurt in
a train wreck and lose a leg. A year
later you come into court with the
case. Your lawyer has accepted the
jury. You ask about them. Yes. they
n Int of 20
riding on passes. You ask about the
Judge. Yes, they have given him a
pass. Also the prosecuting attorney.
Do you think they will be impartial?
want some rate legislation against
the railroad. The legislature has re.
fused to pass the anti-pass law. All of
the members have passes in their peck
cts and are indebted to the roads for
favOrs shown the roads. Can they act
impartially? No, l don't get on well
with the legislature, and until we can
have a membership in our lawmaking
body which will not be influenced by
few and who have to depend upon
the people for their return to Office |
do not expect to be. The politicians
say the people cannot be depended
upon to know who is the best man
The people surely will not choose
worse than themselves.
This sums up the free pass evil
| Why should members of the legisla
ture or any public Office, and particu.
larly a judge, ride on free passes? Is
not the pass given in the expectation
that the person who accepts them will
reciprOcate?