davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1908-09-27

The half breed spread his palms.
Wat see, know. Dcy'll not gone for
hunt much. One day out. dey'll make-a da
camp and go for squint trough spy
telescope of his hands. Den dey'll
measure hon da groun' and squint
some more, so.''
That's all. 'Checo; much obliged.
Don't say anything about this over in
the camp. Mr.. Ford said he was going
hunting, and that's what we'll say, if
anybody asks us"
That night the chief clerk sent a
brief cipher telegram to the general
manager at Denver:
Ford and his new track supervisor
who is really high priced constructing
engineer, gone over the range for a
months absence. Gave It out here that
they were going after big game. but
they took a transit and are picking up
the line of the old s. L. and w. extern
sion in the upper Pannikin."
It was late in the month OF June
when Ford and Frisbie, tanned. wealth
cred and as gaunt as pioneers. returned
to Saints Rest; and for those who were
curious enough to be interested there
were a couple of bear skins and one of
a mountain lion to make good the os-
tensible object Of the absence.
But the most important trophies of
luo 04CuISiOH WcIc -lWO CA45 lACCic AOlc
books, we'll filed with memoranda; and
these they did not exhibit. On the
contrary. they became part OF the col
lection of maps. statistics, estimates
and private correspondence which
Chief Clerk Penfeld was so anxious
to examine, and which Ford kept under
lock and key when he and Frisbie
were not poring over some portion Of
it IN the seclusion Of the private
office.
None the less, Penfeld kept his eyes
and ears open. and before long he had
another detail to report by cipher tele-
gram TO the general manager. Ford
was evidently preparing for another
absence, and from what the chief clerk
could overhear he was led to believe
that the pseudo supervisor OF track
would be left IN charge of Plug noun
tain affairs.
1t was on the day before Ford's de-
parture for Denver that letter came
from General Manager North. Ford
read ii with scowl Of disapproval
and tossed it across the double desk
to Frisbie.
"A polite invitation for me to stay
at home and to attend to my business, .
he commented.
Had you written him that you were
going away?" inquired Frisbie.
No; but evidently somebody else
has,"
Frisbie read the letter again.
$50 that all heads of departments
may, be on duty when the president
makes his annual inspection trip over
the lines" he quoted. rs Mr.. Col
BIRTH coming out this early in the
summer"
mo. of course not. He never comes
before August"
Then this is only a trumped up
excuse to make you stay here?'
That's ALL" Ford replied laconi-
cally.
Richard Frisbie got up and
walked twice the length of the little
room before he said:
This Denver gentleman is going to
knock your little scheme into cooked
hat, If he can, Stuart"
II am very much afraid we'll have
to reckon upon that. AS matter of
fact. Tva been reckoning upon IT. all
along.'s
The San Francisco call., 1908-09-27
WARN IT UP BOYS "
He CALLED CHEFRILY-


rammings of the scrap heap 2o6 and
her box plow. During the summer
which lay behind the pitiless storms
and the blockading SHOWS he had ex-
plored and planned, studied and
schemed; and now a month of good
weather would put the finishing touches
preparatory upon the notion" limited
at in the letter to Frisbie.
Swiftly the huge mass Of engine and
plow gathered headway. the pounding
exhausts quickening until they blended
in q continuous roar. The little Irish
man stayed himself with a foot against
the boiler brace; the fireman ducked
under the canvas curtain and clung to
the coal bulkhead; and Ford held on
as he could.
The shock came like the crushing
blow of a collision. The box plow
buckled and groaned with fine crack
Hngs as Of hard strained timbers, and
an avalanche of snow thrown up from
its inclined plane buried engine and cab
and tender in a smothering drift Ford
slid his window and looked out
Good work. Michael; good work!
You gained a full car length that time.
Try 1t again"
The answer came with the fourth
drive into the stubborn barrier There
was the same nerve racking shock of
impact; but now the recoil was fol-
lowed by second forward plunge, and
Gallagher yelled his triumph when the
206 burst through the remaining lesser
drifts and shot away on the clear track
beyond.
The San Francisco call., 1908-09-27
10 OF, BI FR~ANfCIU LINDR1

Now. what in the mischief does all
that mean?" unused the chief clerk,
when Ford and his new trackman had
gone out. "a months hunting trip
over the range, with the surveying
instruments taken along. And last
summer Mr.. Ford spent good part
of his time over there-also hunting.
so he said. Confound 1t all, I wish
1 could get into that private drawer
of his IN the safe. That would tell
the story. wonder II Pacheco couldn't
make himself an errand over the pass
in the morning? By George" slapping
his thigh and apostrophizing the su-
perintendent, ''rll just go you once. Mr..
Ford, If lose!"
Now the fruit, OF which this little
soliloquy was the opening blossom. ma
tured on the second day after Ford and
Frisbie had started out on the mys-
terious hunting trip across the range
Pacheco, the half breed Mexican who
freighted provisions by jack train to
the mining camps on the head waters
of the Pannikin, came in to report to
the chief clerk.
We'll. 'Checo. what did you find out?"
was the curt inquiry.
The San Francisco call., 1908-09-27

How much of pull has he with the
New York money people?"
II don't know that: 1 wish / did. IL
would simplify matters somewhat
Frisbie took another turn up and
down the room, with his head down
and his hands in his pockets
Stuart. believe, II 1 were In your
place, I'd enlist Mr.. North. II had to
make it an object for him." he said at
length.
Certainly. I mean to go to him first" :"
said Ford. That is his due. But am
counting upon opposition rather than
help. Wait a minute"-he jerked the
door open suddenly and made sure that
the chief Gle rk's chair was unoccupied.
The worst OF II IS that I don't trust
North he went on. He is a CRATER
in small ways. and he'll sell me out in
a minute il he felt like Ut and could see
any chance of making capital for
himself"
Then don't go to him with your
scheme urged Frisbie. IF you enlist
him, you won't be sure OF him; and If
you don't, You'll merely leave an active
opponent behind you instead OF a pas
sive one
II guess you're right Dick; but I'll
The San Francisco call., 1908-09-27

Ford cleared MS pipe OF the dSn ana
refflled 1t.
'.Ill go into the details with you a
little later. We shall have plenty of
time during the next month or six
weeks, and, incidentally, a good bit
more privacy. The thing I'm trying to
figure out will burst like bubble If
1t gets made public too soon, and
lowering his voice-"I can't trust my
Office force here. Savez?'
II savez nothing as yet" laughed
the new supervisor, but perhaps 1
shall If you'll tell me what is going
to happen in the next month or six
weeks"
"Tm,coming to that, right now. How
would you like to take hunting trip
over on the wilderness side Of the
ranger There are big woods and big
game"
Frisbie grinned. He was little man.
with sharp black eyes shaded by the
heaviest of black brows, and It was
his notion to trim his mustaches and
beard after the fashion set by the third
Napoleon and initiated faithfully by
those who sing the part Of Mephis-
topheles in Faust. Hence, his grin
was handsomely diabolic.
You needn't ask me what I'd like;
you Just tell me what you want me to
do" he rejoined with clansman loyalty.
so l WILL" said Ford, taking the
reins of authority. We leave here to-
morrow morning for trip over the
pass and down the Pannikin on the
other side. and IL anybody asks you
a deer or two, and possibly bear. Your
part of the outsetting. however. is to
pack your surveying instruments on the
burro saddles, so they'll pass for grub
boxes, tent poles and the like
Call IT DONE" said Frisbie. But
why all this stage play? Can't you an
ticipate that much without endanger-
ing your bubbleg
Ford lowered his voice again.
.I gave YOU the hint. Penf1eld. my
chief clerk-his desk is just on the
other side of that partitions an ex-
mainline man. showed upon me when
didn't want him. He was General Man
ager Norths stenographer.
For reasons which will be apparent
to you little later on. want to blow
NV bubble in my own way; or, to
change the figure, I'd like to nre the
first volley myself
Frisbies grin was rather more than
less diabolic.
"Then I'd begin by firing Mr.. Penfeld,
himself" he remarked.
NO Won wouldn't" said Ford. There
are going to be obstacles enough in the
wav without slapping Mr.. North in the
q >
cumstances. he'd take 1t that way; Pen
field would make sure that he took It
that way
1t was at this point in the low toned
conference that the ingenious young
man in the outer Office put down the
desk telephone earpiece long enough to
smite with his fist at some air drawn
antagonist. Curiosity was this young
mans capital weakness. and he had
tinkered the wires OF the private tele-
phone system so that the ficking of
switch made him an auditor at any con-
versation carried on in the private Of
fee. He was listening intently and
eagerly again when Ford said. still in
the same guarded tone:
mo, 1 can't fire Penfeld. and 1 don't
particularly want to. He is a good Of
fee man, and loyal to his salt It's my
misfortune that 1t Is Mr.. North's salt
cellar and not mine, that he dips into
Besides. I'd have trouble in replacing
him. Saints Rest isn't exactly the para
disc its name implies-for clean cut,
well mannf ed young fellow with social
leanIngs.-
The San Francisco call., 1908-09-27
III
A Spiked Switch

lords hopeful prophecy that the
- snow battles were over for the
season proved true. A few weeks
later a warm wind blew up from
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-07
Birmingham. March 6. 4 p. n
WORK FOR HOME LABEL.
Committees Think It Will Be Gre;t
 Aid To Manufacturers.

If the enthusiasm which has enveloped the members of the nome label" com mittee of the Commercial club can be spread to the people of Birmingham. there is no doubt about the success of this undertaking. The subcommittee on closer utilization of the home manufact- urers held a meeting yesterday after noon which was even more enthusiastic than the meeting of the general com mittee on the day before.
 The members of this committee are G. G. Nelson, chairman; w. c. Phillips, Louis Cohn and E. B. Martin. These gentlemen took up the matter of closer affiliation from every standpoint and out lined plan of campaign. All of the different manufacturers will be commun- icated with, and a general letter ad- dressed to them inviting them to attend the next general meeting, which is to be held on the afternoon of Thursday, March N19, at l3:3O o'clock
 The subcommittee on advertising will meet in the Commercial club rooms this morning at 10 o'clock, and outline a pidh ol cdhlpdisl TOT tileir pdil ol tne work. The work of this committee will be one of the most important parts of the promoting of demand for the home label
 The committee on information will meet in the club rooms at o'clock this aft ernoon. The work of this committee will be for the securing of all data pertain ing to the goods manufac ctured in Br- mngham, and the giving of this infor- nation to the public.
 If this movement continues to gather momentum as rapidly as it has during the past few days the 'home labef' will be the most prominent thing in Birming- ham within a month
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-07
BI1n1eS Morris Accrue
 For High Groceries
Hgdon Former Broker Says Birmingham Jobbers Probably Buy Goods Cheaper Than Those of Any Other
 City in the South

Henry F, DeBardeleben, one of B.r- mingham's pioneer citizens, when asked what he thought was the cause of the high prices on staples and groceries, said last night: "The Morris avenue merchants are largely responsible, in my opinion. Of course, there may be, and most likely are, other causes that contribute to the great cost of necessities, but while do not pre- tend to say where the whole trouble lies, [ believe there is quite a lot of it on Mor- ris avenue. The agitation of the ques- tion of high prices is timely, and should. be continued until it brings results"
 Sheriff E. L. Higdon, who was engaged in the brokerage business up to the lime of his election as sheriff little more than year ago, said yesterday evening From my experience in the matter know it to be fact that the johbers of Birmingham up to year ago bought goods cheaper and allowed less brokerage than probably any others in the south, and I presume that such is still the case. They were always close buyers, requiring the closest prices.
 T do not speak from actual knowledge, but I have been told by number of peo- pie who were in a position to know, that the costeof living in Birmingham is high CT than in other places. There is no dis
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-07

putting of the fact that it is very high.
 q don't know whether the cooperative store Is a true solution of the problem or not, as there is no doubt that trouble would be encountered in securing certain lines of goods on account of the oppos- tion that would certainly come from some of the big manufacturers who maintain prices. Take the manufacturers of Ar buckles coffee and Bell milk for instance. These people will not sell to jobbers who will not maintain their prices.
 The proper way to get at the thing and the real solution of the problem, it seems to me, is to urge the jobber and retailer to get together and do something thing they haven't done. The jobber buys low enough here, and Birmingham ought to compete with other southern cities on the prices of necessary commodities.
 "A committee of jobbers and retailers ought to be gotten together to consider the matter. The price lists of Atlanta, Nashville, Mobile, Montgomery and other of our southern cities should be secured, gone over, and carefully considered by this committee, and after comparison, freights considered, a fair reduction of prices could be brought about This would be the logical way of handling, the mat ter if it could be arranged"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-07
LOCATING BOARD
 OFF TO ODENVILLE
BIG MEETING IS PLANNED THERE TODAY, AS TOWN HAS MADE A HARD FIGHT FOR NEW HIGH
 SCHOOL.

The Alabama high school locating board, after visiting Ashvile, in which a fine meeting was held, spent last night in Birmingham. This morning the members go to Odenville.
 Governor Conner and Auditor w w. Brandon have done the weeks work al- though it is thought that Superintendent of Education Gunnels will join them in Odenville today
 A very successful meeting is planned in Odenville. The people of that city have awaited the coming of the board with im- patience, and it is thought that there will be a magnificent attendance when tho speeches are begun.
 Yesterday. according to the members of the board, was most successful day A large number of people heard the speeches at Ashville, after which Ashville's bid for a high school was received.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-07
PRISONER TRIES
 TO HANG HIMSELF
Jacob Milford Is Taken To AImshouse Officials Believe His Mind Is
 Unbalanced.

Jacob Milford who has been in the county jail for some time on a charge of assaulting Mrs. Maggie Canfield with in- tent to murder, at New Merlxle attempted to commit suicide by hanging himself in the jail Thursday night He placed an ordinary belt around his neck, fas- tened one end to the top of his cell and suspended himself in the air Other prisoners in the jail were alarmed by a loud groan and shortly afterward the belt broke and Milford fell to the floor The guards, attracted by the commotion, went inside and after learning the cause of the excitement removed everything from Milford's cell.
 Milford's case was scheduled to come up before Judge Weaver yesterday aft ernoon, and when it was called Solicitor Hehin had it nolle pressed. It was de- cided to remove the man, who is believed to be mentally unbalanced, to the alms- house. where he was taken about-~a O clock.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-07
DISCUSS PLANS TO
 ADVERTISE REUNION
Merchants Will Be Asked To Place Advertisements on Back of
 Envelopes.

One of the hardest tasks in connection with the reunion will be the proper ad- vertising. A committee on publicity has been appointed by the executive commit tee, which committee held an organiza- tion meeting in the Commercial club rooms yesterday afternoon.
 c. w. Ufford was elected chairman of the committee, and several matters were taken up. Among them was the question of envelope advertising. This mode of ad- vertising is regarded as one of the most effective, and the effort will be made tc have the different business houses in Bir- mingham have notice of the reunion placed on all the envelopes they use be- tween now and next June.
 A number of suggestions were submitted to the committee as to the kind of ad- vertisement to be used. There will prob ably be two kinds, one to be used on the front of the envelope and one to be used on the back in accordance with the wishes of the person using the envelopes. Bids will be received from the different
 
 The printer will make nothing out of this arrangement, as it will be done at about cost. The cost of placing the ad- vertisement on the envelopes will there- fore cost the consumer but little, and it is believed the business houses will be will ing to show their civic pride by spending a dollar or two on this.
 II ate veteran, will be employed to solicit among the different firms and endeavor to persuade them to use the advertise ment. In case some firm happens to have laid in a large stock of envelopes the ef- fort will be made to have them send a portion back to the printer so that the advertisement may be placed on them.
 A few sketches to be used as the adver- tisement were submitted by Robert w. Ewing These sketches were of neat de- sign, each detail of the design being sug- gestive of the Confederacy and the well come to be extended them by Birmlng- ham,
 Other ways of advertising were also dis cussed. It was decided to hold meetings tWlce a week, tntSt meetings 10 De nciu at o'clock on Monday and Thursday aft ternoons.
 Among the members of the committee present at the meeting yesterday after noon were c. w.. Ufford, R. F. Johnston, Robert w. Ewing, Frank H. Bell and J. B. Babbs Several new members of this committee will be named by the executive committee during the next few days.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-07
RIPPING CLOTH
 UNFOLDS TRAGEDY
Rural Visitor on Morris Avenue Has Sad Experience as Result of
 Collision.

After pumping for miles along Jeff ferson countys roads, and then to meet with misfortune after he had of tiller of the soil on Morris ave nue yesterday afternoon.
 The tiller looked as if he might have come from that part of the county fartherest removed from civilization, and his outfit looked as if it migh t have come from still further back His vehicle was ramshackle, while his mule showed the effects of too many years on this earth.
 Seated upon the front and only seat of the wagon he drove in leisurely fashion down Twentieth street and turned into Morris avenue. Just as he turned the curve a large dray driven the wheels of his wagon as it passed. The shock loosed the catches of the seat, and preclpitated the driver into the gutter along the curb.
 The gutter was full of filth and the unfortunate tiller became covered with it. He was up in a second and stepping on one of the front wheels of his wagon attempted to fix the seat. But fate was against him. The seat caught against the side of the wagon. causing him to lose his balance. In the effort to regain 1t the seat was thrown around and man and seat went scramb- ling on the ground
 The iron corner of the seat caught a grip in his trousers and loud rip ping explained things. Beginning at the hip the iron corner had travelled almost to the foot severing the cloth as it passed. Reuben looked at the damage in dismay while one kind man in the small crowd that had gathered essayed to pin the frayed edges to- gethcr. But there were not enough pins in the crowd and Reuben climbed upon the seat and drove ol down the avenue. his misfortune plainly visible to every eye.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-07
MOVING CONVICT CAGE COULD BE MADE BOTH
 SAFE AND SANITARY

T could build a cage that would hold your convicts, could be pulled in and out to any size to hold the number re- quired and could be carried over the roads of the county just as easily as d wagon," said P. B. Matthews last night. MT. Matthews is the head of the Birming ham Buggy company and is heartily in favor of the proposition to put the con- victs on the roads.
 "The cages have been built in many counties and can be made both sanitary and safe. l think we need good roads, and I consider this the proper way to go about it.
 H.,.kbel said: q am opposed to put ting the convicts on the roads. l think In these hard times free labor should be used every time in preference to the convicts."
 Said Frank S. White: "rhe great mis- take has been that the conviets have not been put on the roads long ago. l take it that from the standpoint of economy and the need of good roads there is no excuse for any slowness on the part of the Board of Revenue.
 "There will, of course, be another benefit which 1 consider very important, and that is that it is an attack on the fee system. 1 consider anything that will put down the fine and forfeiture system ought to be commended by every citizen, for there is no greater curse to our country. Better roads far outweigh the little benefit that the citizens would get from half-priced witness tickets.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-07
BLACK HAND LETTERS ARE ALL THE RAGE Everybody Has One to Show
 His Friends SELECT FEW ARE QUOTED City Hall and Court House Were the Popular Places For Receipt of
 the Mysterious Letters
 Yesterday.
SELECT FEW ARE QUOTED

Have you received Black Hand letter yet? No? Tut, tut, too bad" It is the fashion these days to receive these little evidence of love and fellowship. Every person of any note has one. In fact, it IS becoming common for people on the streets to inquire of their friends Black Hand letters instead of their health.
 Mayor Ward received his bright and early yesterday morning. It~was a cute little thing, done up with black ribbon The Mayor was seen to raise his eyes While perusing his correspondence and to lay letter by carelessly, but upon the reporter pressing him, he consented to allow him to read it. This is what it said:
 Gee whiz, if you donta quita vetoin ze streeta tax you will gitta your necka cutal H |"
 The Mayor appeared unconcerned, and his spirits seemed not the least dampencd, But he was not the only lucky person in the city hall. Chief Bennetts read: "Ita you donta give another possurn suppera, twenty-threea fer youa!" The chief seemed very slightly concerned.
 But the county court house was the fashionable headquarters. The Board of Revenue was the recipient of one which read thus: "Puta der convcts on de roads. We eata you alive!' Coroner Paris received big black coffin, upon which was inscribed, You are next!'
 B. H. Cooper bashfully hid his badge of honor from public gaze, but an enter prising reporter found that it read, M. O.? M. O.? If the council don't fix you, we will"
 However, it was to Captain OBrien that the hard task was allotted. His let ter read "Shucka off your eoata and shake hands round agina. If you donta go to the stump on top of Red mountaina and say youa knew my great aunta over in Italy, I'll killa you dead.'
 Jere King was busy at court when ne opened one like this, "Leta the fee ring alone, or to the mines for yours!
 Atticus Mulin was the glad recipient of an epistle to this effect, "Calla ze city committee right nova or you will see a knife.' Others were too numerous to men- ton. It is understood that an enterprise ing collector of curiosities is Papering his room with Black Hand letters, for which he pays high price.
 Among the others receiving similar warnings yesterday were Sheriff Higdon and Leo Loeb.