davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-06-10

chorus of shouts and oaths. mingled
with the crash of tables anu the clink
of breaking glass and crockery, as
the men in the room fought their way
to the door.
"Oh, my God, I'm CUT" came in a
shrek out of the darkness and clamor;
and there followed the flash of a pistol
and a report that doomed like a can
non in that confined place.
My eyes had not been idle after
the warning of Mother Borton, and
in an instant had decided what to do.
! had figured out what / conceived
to be the plan of the house, and
thought l knew a way of escape.
There were two doors at the rear of
the room, facing me. One led, as
knew, to the kitchen; the other
opened, l reasoned. On a stair to the
Iodsins-roOm above.
Before the scream that accom-
panied the extinction of the lights had
died away, l had made dive beneath
the table, and, lifting with all my
might, had sent it crashing over with
my enemy under it. With enc leap
cleared the remaining table that lay
between me and the door. And with
the clamor behind me-. turned the
knob and bounded up the stairs, three
steps at time.
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-06-10

try him with an unexpected bit Of
news.
oh" said coolly, that's eli at
tended to. The change was made yes
terday.'
The effect of this announcement was
extraordinary. The man started with
an oath.
The hell You say" he exclaimed
in low. smooth voice. far different
from the harsh tone he had used thus
far Then he leaped to his feet, with
uncomfortable rage.
"Tricked-by Cod" he shouted i'm
pulsively, and smote the table with his
fist
His outburst threw the room into
confusion. Men sprang from their
chairs. Glasses and bottles fell with
clinking crash. Oaths and shouts
arose from the crowd.
Damn you, I'll have it ont CT you"
said the man with suppressed fury.
his voice once again smooth and low.
Where is the boy"
He smOte the table again: and with
that stroke the false beard fell from
his chin and cheek. and exposed the
malignant face. distorted with rage.
A feeling of horrible repulsiOn came
over me, and l should have struck at
that serpent's head but for startling
occurrence. As he spoke. wild
scream rose upon the air. and as it
echoed through the room the lights
went out.
The scream was repeated, and after
an instant's silence there rose a
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-06-10

said Dicky thoushtfully, as he ordered
wine.
You can't blame her for thinking
that this crowd needs watching,
suggested with as much of airiness as
| could throw into my manner.
Dicky shook his head for second,
and then resumed his lisht-hearted.
bantering way. Yet | could see that
he was prepleXed and anxious about
something that had come to his at
tentiOn on our arrival.
You'll not want to attend to bust
ness till all the boys are here?" asked
Dicky.
Not unless there's something to be
done" l responded dryly.
Dicky gave me quick glance.
of course he said with a laugh
that was not quite easy, not unless
there's something to be done. But
thought there was something
you've got fine mind for thinking,
Dicky," | replied. You'd better cult
vate it,
We'll. they say there nothing like
society for that sort of cultivation.
said Dicky. with another laugh. They
don't say what kind. but I've got a
pretty good stock to choose from.
He was at his ease in banter again
but il struck unpleasantiy on Inc that
there was something behind.
oh. here's a queer friend. he said
suddenly. looking at the door. I'D
better speak to him on the matter OF
countersigns.
BY all Means l said. turning in
my chair TO survey the newcomer.
saw the face fer an instant. The
man wore a sOu'wester, and he had
drawn his thick. rough coat up as
the collar Cheek and chin l could
see were covered by thick blonde
beard. His movements were apparent
" clumsy. but his figure was 1.-THE and
sinuous. And his eyes! Once seen
they never could be forgotten. A,
Though he would hide his head under
their glance. beard and souwesteI
dropped away before my fancy, and
saw in my inner vision the man OF
the serpent glance who had chilled my
spirit when | had first put foot in the
city Ii flashed on me in an instant
that this man was the same man dis
guised. who has ventured into the
midst of his enemies to see what he
! might learn of their plans.
AS watched Dicky advance and
greet the newcomer with apparent in
quiry. a low. harsh voice behind gave
me a start of surprise.
This Is your wine, l think" -and
a lean, wTinkled arm passed over my
shoulder. and wrinkled face came
near my own.
l turned quickly. 1t was Mother
! Borton. leerins "a me with no appar
ent interest but in her errand.
What are you doing here" asked
the crone in voice still lower
You're not the one they take you to
be. but you're none the less in danger
What are you doing with his looks
| and in this place? Look out for tina,
| man you're with. and the other. Yes
| sir" her voice rose. A small bottle
of the white: in minute. slr"
l understood her as Dicky and the
| new-co 2er came to the table and tool
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-06-10

A kind-hearted wayfarer once
paused to ccndole with a Dorset ned
ger on the dizziness and monotony CT
his work. "Ah. we'll, sir the rustic
replied, lit all brings night" The end
of his day was the one bright spot on
his horizon. The Japanese workman
takes a happier view of his fate. goes
on with his tash as long as it is pos
sible. and seems to leave it with re-
gret. When one lands in Japan one
receives the impression that bread
winning is there counted among the
pleasures of life.
Whether the occupation he rough
and !aborious one, such Is the cultiva
ton OF rice, or the pounding OF the
grain under the huge beam-hammer,
which ii takes two strong men to han
die. or the characterization of delicate
porcelain, or the still more strenuous
and minute work Of ivory-carving,
both laboIer and artist seem to bring
to it the unspoiled JOY of the born
worker. with whom patience AND hope
run hand in hand, to complete the
task as perfectly as FOSSioiS-
If they are content TO apply them
selves to one slow task day in and day
out, it is because they manage to be
always interested in it, seeing in
every stroke a prophecy of the fair
result. This holds most especially
with the craftsmen, who are really
artists, as the ivOry-carvers are. and
as their ancestors fer hundreds Of
years have probably been. Not in one
or two generations can the unerrins
eve, the firm but magically fine touch,
be developed. Ivory is strange ma
terial; the most perfect-loOkinS tusk
NAV prove to have internal situations
and flaws which necessitate mOdi-
fcation of design when the work is
already we'll advanced. The tiny
..netsukes." of which collectors have
carried whole cargOeS away, are
carved from the imperfect pieces
which could not otherwise be used.
Imagination is the special gift of
the ivory-carver; he needs it at every
turn. The man who sits, day after
day. evolving a whole procession of
elephants out of one huge tuSk has
never seen more than one. and that
| the moody captive at Alaska. in his
| life. Yet what variety, what entrain,
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-06-10
Mr.. GIimmerton Defines the Difference
Between Two Familiar Words.

Il haven't looked it up in the dc
tionary," said Mr.. GlimmertOn, but
should say that the difference between
tired and weary was something like
this: a man is tired when he has
worked hard. and weary when he's
tired of work.
And it's a feeling of WEAKNESS that
comes over me now | feel good, first
rate; and l sleep well and eat we'll;
life locks pleasant to me, but | dent
feel a bit like saving wood. In fact
the wood pile is repellant if not down
right repulsive to NE. What | want to
do, to be perfectly frank with you, is
to turn my back on the woodpile and
get out and loaf.
Not idly. you understand. I don't
want to 60 to sleep; about what I'D
like 20 do is 60 somewhere far from
the wcodpile and lie down where
could hear the winds sigh and see the
clouds go by and dream. The woods
beckon me, and likewise the lakes and
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-06-10
# s 3 ~
6& s. s. 455zS&Ss@a
Ruses of Autograph Sharks.

room Uttered with books and papers
of rarest value. secured through the
most ingenious ruseS.
The cleverest modern telegraph col.
lector whose methods b-came known
to dealers was the late LGnjamin Aus
tin, resident of the United States.
He organized literary society in his
imagination, to which he elected as
honorary members al! the distin-
guished men ard womH:, of Europe
and America. When no.; led of their
election they naturally re Piled, thank
ing him for the honor conferred. In
this way he secured much excellent
material. Doubtless he made the co..
lection with a view to its subsequent
monetary value. After his death his
widow sold it, but values had de.
creased and it did not bring anything
near the price that might reasonably
have been expected.
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-06-10

seats opposite. l commaQded uy face
to give no sign of suspicion, but the
warning put me on the alert. l Mad
come on the supposition that / was to
meet the band to which Henry Will
ton belonged. Instead of being aracng
friends, however, it seemed now that
l was among enemies.
Its all right" said Dicky careless
". Hes been sent"
That's lucky" said l with equal
unconcern- I'VE may need an extra
hand before morning"
The newcomer could not repress
triumphant flash in the serpent eyes
I'm the one for your job" he sale
hoarsely, his face as impassive as
stone wall.
What do you know about the job p
l asked suspiciously.
Only what I've been told" he An
swered.
And that is"
That it's job for silence, secrecy
and"
SpOndulickS, said Dicky with
laugh, as the other hesitated for tn,
word.
Just So" said the man.
And what else?" continued, press
ing him firmly.
We'll, he admitted hoarsely. e
learned as how there was to be
change of place tonight, and l nigh
be needed"
l looked at him inquiringly. Pei
haps l was on the threshold of know
edge of this cursed business from tn
mouth of the enemy.
Il heard as how the boy was to b
put in a safer place." he said, Vaughn
his head with affected gravity.
| Some imp put it into my brain t
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-06-10
az, HOT1zR At lis WILL

he nuts into his fingers! Flooding
elephants, trumpetins elephants, ele-
phants seeking for food or teasing a
companiOn, each gives a different
phase of the creatures habits and
temper. AS the tiny chisel travels
over the precious surface. held in the
right hand. but chiefly guided by the
thumb of the left, the carver smiles
at his own merry cOnceits, and for
gets the days Of toll wasted on piece
which in the end proved faulty, and
Lad TO be cast aside. He knows that
japan cannot do without him. for the
skilled carverS are few, and their
tasks very lengthy ones. The pro-
fessiOn belongs to the Arts. and IS not
reckoned in the commercial output Of
the country. like ceramics and lacquer
work. In almost all the other CailinSs
whole family can be employed at
the same time. even the little children
helping in the primary processes; but
the carver works alone. and probably
requires much domestic waiting on
from his family, since he dare not
spell his delicate touch by any rough
er labor.
Far at the other end of the artistic
social scale sits the potter bending
over his work with face of mournful
intentness. his left hand mechanically
spinning his jar in its rounded socket
while the right shapes the brim to a
smooth edge. Here is monotony in
deed, for the white or red or black
earthenware is very friable before
the last baking and only lends itself
10 the simplest forms. The pure
white is devoted exclusively to fune-
real and religious uses. and has per
maps been adopted because such YES
sells must be of the most severe
shapes and cutie without ornament.
The red or black clay is used for
everything else-tbe red for holding
water and grain, the black for cook
ing utensils. The deep rich glaze of
the black and the soft earthiness Of
the red accord well with the brown
house porch where so much of the
work of life is done and where en-
bright days the few humble plants
are brought out to grow in the sun.
The potter always seems to be some
thing of a philosopher; he will be
moor to the end of his days, for
though everyone needs his wares, the
extreme care with which they are
uSod makes them last for many wears
y never have seen a shop devoted
solely to them. Yet he is content to
work on till his back is bent with long
stopping and he comes to resemble
one of those squat figures which the
Japanese love to twist into. vases o.
cigar mugs, the back of the neck be-
ing scOOped out to provide the need
full hollow. Between him and the
painter of delicate china a great gull
lies. 1t is, think, only of late years.
since the opening of so many indus
trial schools, that women have been
employed on this work, which seems
SO appropriate for them, though deli
cacy of touch comes naturally to all
| classes of Japanese, the long wrist
training required for their caligraphy
proving of immense value in paint
ing
MRS. HUGH FRASER.
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-06-10

Greek fishermen and two or three
sailors.
Behind the bar sat a women whose
appearance in that place almost start
led me. She might have been near
ing seventy, and hard and evil life
had left its marks on her bent frame
and her gaunt face. Her leathery
cheeks were lined deep. and hawk
like nose emphasized the unpleasant
suggestions conveyed by her face and
figure. But the most remarkable fea-
ture about her was ner eyes. There
was no trace of age in them. Bright
and keen as the eyes of a rat, they
gave me an unpleasant thrill as
l felt her gaze fixed upon me
when | entered the door, arm in
arm with Dicky. 1t was as though
they had pierced me through, and had
laid bare something ! would have con-
cealed it was relief to pass beyond
her into a recessed part of the room
where her gaze might waste itself on
the back of my head.
Mother Borton's up late tonight,
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-06-10
Touched by Vacation Fever

streams and the seashore, and nature
smiles all over; and ! want to go away
from Eere, and that's what call being
weary.
Il suppose it's the summer vacation
micrCbe that has got in my blood; it
always affects NE that way. and now
I'm positively downright weary,
though fortunately not too tired TO
work; and so it's back to the woodpile
once more for me. to be content with
reading the literature and the time
tables till it's time for me to 60"
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-06-10
The Return from the Funeral.

Near cemetery wine shop has
been discovered with an attractive and
thoughtful advertisement. The public
house calls itself AT the Sign of the
Return from the Funeral" The board
underneath bears this considerable an
nouncement: Private rooms for per-
sons DESTROYS Of weeping alone" Still
lower are the consoling words:
Wines and spirits of the best quail
ity."-Paris Letter to London TeIe-
graph
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-06-10
CHAPTER WI.
Mother oorton.

The noise of the struggle below con-
tinued. Yells and curses rose from
the maddened men. Three shots were
fired in quick succession, and a cry of
"Oh, my Lord" penetrated through
the closed door with the sound of one
sorely hurt.
| fingered for little. listening to
the tumult. I was in a strange and
dangerous position. Enemies were be-
! hind me. There were friends, too.
! but l knew no way to tell one from
the other, and my ignorance had near
| lv, brought me to my death. i hest
| tated to move, but l could not remain
| in the open hall; and as the sounds of
| disturbance from below subsidized. l
| felt my way along the wall and moved
| cautiously forward.
| had progressed perhaps twenty
steps when a door. against which my
| hand pressed, yielded at the touch and
| swung slowly open. l StrOve tC stop
| il. for the first opening showed dim
| light within. But the panel gave no
| hold for my fingers, and my efforts
to close the door only swung it open
the faster. / drew back little into
the shadow, for | hesitateG to dash
mast the sight of any who might &C.
cupy the room.
| Come in" called a harsh voice.
hesitated Behind. the road led
to the eating-rOom with its known
dangers. A dash along the hall for
the front door meant the raising OF
an alarm, and probably a bullet as a
| discourager CT burglary. Should l es-
| cane this. | could be certain OF a warm
| reception from the enemies on watch
outside. Prudence lay in facing the
| one rather than risking the many.
| accented the invitation and walked
into the room.
Il was expecting you" said the
harsh voice ccrlposedly. Good even
ing
Good evening"" l returned gravely.
swallowing my amaZemelt as best l
could.
BY the table before me sat Mother
BortCn. contemplating me as calmly
| IS though this meeting were the most
commonplace thing in the world. a
| candle furnished dim, Pickering
light that gave to her hard wicked
a chill to my blood.
Excuse me-" | said, Il have lost
my way. | fear"
Not at ALL" said Mother BOrtCn.
You are in the right place.
Il was afraid had iEtruded,' said
apologetically.
Il expected YOU" she repeated.
Shut the door"
! glanced about the room. There
was no sign of another person TO be
seen, and no other door. l obeyed
her.
You might as we'll sit down. she
said with some petulance. There's
nothing up here to hurt YOU There
was so much meaning in her tone OF
the things that would hurt me on
the floor below that l FASTENED tc
show my confidence in her, and drew
up a chair to the table.
AT your service" l said. leaning
before her with as much an appear
ance of jaunty selt-possessiOn as ]
could muster.
Who are you. and what are you
doing here:" she asked grimly.
What should l answer? Could ]
tell her the truth"
WHO are you?" she repeated i'm
patiently. gazing on me. You are
not Wilton. Tell me- Who are yCu?'
The face, hard as it was, scanned
with the record of rough and evil
life. as it appeared, had yet kindly
look as it was turned on me.
,TO BE CONTINUEDD
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-06-10
The Villains Escape.

In an amateur play fugitive from
justice was supposed to have escaped
from his pursuers by cOncealing him.
self under the table. The table was
small and the terrified fugitive some
what lengthy.
The commander of the pursuing
party rushed On the stage and fell
over the legs of the man he was
searching for.
Picking himself up and ludicrOusly
rubbing his shins. he convulsed his
audience by eyclaiming IL true dra-
matte style:
'Ha! la, The dastardIy villain has
eluded us again."
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-06-10
She 1cId Him.

About the greatest man w.:o ever
lived in this community was Dug
Skinner: bread minded. big hearted,
and brilliant; and yet he died with
all his talent and goodness unsus-
pected."
How did you come to end out
about it,
Il married his widow'-Houston
Post
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-06-10

Many a patent leather shoe covers
a big hole in stocking.
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-06-10

Life is learning. suffering. loving:
and the greatest of these is loving.
Ellen Key.
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-06-10
INTUITION.

Fortune Teller-YCu VIII shortly
meet with an accident.
Victim-How did you know l owned
an automobile?
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-06-10

Mrs. Windows Soothing Syrup.
For children teetniag softcns the re!uces IN
Examination. aiIsys PAIN cures wind colo. &c bottle.
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-06-10

A cranky bachelor says that heaven
is probably SO called because there
are no marriages there.
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-06-10

Ycu always get full value n Lewis
Single Binder straight Sc cigar. Your
dealer or Lewis Factory. Peoria. III.
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-06-10

MISS JULIA MARS0Wes
81 an glad to write my endorse.
1enf Of the great remedy, Perrna. !
do 50 most heartily. ".-J0iia Man0we.
Any remedy that benefits digestion
strengthens the nerves.
The nerve centers require nutrition.
II the digestion is impaired, the nerve
centers become anemic, and nervous
debility Is the result.
Peruna Is not 3 nervine nor z
! sfimuIsnE IL benefits the nerves !
by beneffing digestion.
Peruna frees the stomach of Ca
tarrhal COMPOSITIONS and normal diges-
ton is the result.
In other words. Peruna goes to the
bottom of the whole difficulty. when
the disagreeable symptoms disappear.
Mrs. j. C. Jamisor, Wallace. Cal.
writes:
II was troubled with my stomach
for six years. Was treated by three
doctors. They said that l had nervous
dyspepsia. l was put on liquid diet
for three months.
but as soon as l stopped taking the
medicine. l got bad again.
Il saw a testimonial of 4 man whose
case was similar To mine being cured
by Peruna, so thought would give it
a trial.
Il procured a bottle at once and
commenced taking it. l have taken
several bottles and an entirely cured"
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-06-10

A dumb waiter out of order Is an
unspeakable nuisance
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-06-10

For Any Disease or Injury to
the eye, Use PETTIT'S EYE SAVE, alb
soiuteiy harmless. acts quickly, 2Jc. All
druggists or Howard Bros, Buffalo, y. \.
The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-06-10
SYNOPSIS.

Giles Dudley arrived in San Francisco
TO join his friend and distant relative
Henry Wilton. whom he was TO assist
in an important and mysterious task,
and who accompanied Dudley on the
ferry boat trip into the city The re-
markable resemblance of the two men
Is noted and commented Oh by passen-
gers on the ferry. They see a man with
snake eyes. which sends a thrill through
Dudley. Wilton poStponeS an explanation
of the strange GRAND Dudley Is TO per
form, but occurrences cause MN 10
know il is one of no ordinary meaning
instruction to await his return and shoot
any one who tries to enter. Outside there
is heard shouts and curses and the noise
of quarrel. Henry rushes In ana al
his request the roommateS QUICKLY tN-
change clothes. and he hurries out again.
Hardly has he gone than Giles Is
startled 10y cry of Help, and ne runs
out to find some one being assaulted pS
a half dozen men. He summons poilce-
man but they are unable to ma any
trace Of "A crime. Giles returns TO ms
room and hunts for some evidence 'ha'
might explain his strange MISSION. re
finds map which he endeaVors 10 It
cipher Dudley is summoned TO the
rnorGue and there finds the dead poIE =, o'
his friend. Henry Wilton. And thus WIZ
on dies without ever explaining TO Duc-
lev the puZZiing work he was TO perform
sn San Francisco. In order to discover
the secret mission his friend had ',Iti
I'D To him, Dudley continues ms HiSS -
and permits himself to be known a
Henry Wilton. Dudley. mistaken Ioi
Wilton is employed by Knapp 10 aSSis'
in a stock brokerage deal