davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-08-06

your words in mind. | thought that
man might get off, and he did. And
when l saw that he had another hat
on-a soft one that must have been
folded in his pocket-then l knew for
sure. And 1 ran after him, and just as
I caught him Mr.. Anderson caught him
too. He's in the baggage car now, and
Mr.. Anderson has all your things"
"Yes,' said Anderson, with his pc
culiar drawl, when l saw Tony Jack
Wallace quitting us like that and pull
ing out his folder hat 1 knew some
thing was queer, SO 1 just trailed
along. Nobody quicker than Tony Jack
to take advantage of a little accident
like the lady dropping the diamond.
I'll bet he had it before it touched the
floor. See him do it? Why, that man
could take your shoes off your feet
and you wouldn't know it. Working
the trains is his speciality. and be al
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-08-06

very bright. Six of us-not to count
the bad boy, who was viewed with sus-
picion by all and had been kept upon
the outskirts-had searched twenty
square feet of floor space in vain. The
situation began to be painful, for if the
ring was not on the floor it was in
somebody's pocket.
Already l had observed my friend
Belden to be eying the three strangers
critically, and now he edged away to-
ward the forward end of the a with
the distinguished looking gentleman
who had occupied seat No. 5. Obvious
~ they were about to hold a consulta.
ton, and at the sight an idea came into
my head.
I turned toward the pretty girl an6
was much gratifed to perceive that my
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-08-06

For Fly own part, | was Thoroughly
convinced that the ring had, gone IN
tie direction Of No. 5, for though I
had not been looking at the young lady
at the exact moment Of her mishap, I
knew what her attitude had been, and
this seemed to preclude the possibility
Of the ring having rolled in any diree.
ton. 1t could not have caught in hsr
| gown. for the skirt was absolutely
plain
l had noticed the trinkeet III her I'm
ger. It was a pretty little diamond Of
about q carat and a half &hd had been
worn on what is called'tt Tie engagement,
meer-doubly precious, no doubt. and
surely not to be lost N this ridiculous
manner. There was not a Granny II
which It could be hidden: there wer'
no dark shadows. for the hour was 1
OF b Summer AFTERNOON and the day
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-08-06

YES" she replied, ana, on, the neav-
emily difference Of her tone, so round
and rich and human! IT have lost Il
ring"
Lee me help yer find It," whlned the
boy, and at this we all interfered ST.
simultaneously.
She received our attentions gracious.
ly and simply.
"It's very odd" she said. II dropped
the ring right down in front Of me.
Can It have rolled back under my
chair?"
Mortimer Belden arose from the floor
at this, and his face was the color OF q
ripe tomato as q result Of scanning the
carpet at close range.
otis not there now" said he.
Nevertheless we all repeated Bel
denis performance, and then with equal
particularly we examined the region
under and around chair No. 5. The Re.
suit was entirely negative.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-08-06

diamond rings, but people, were able
to lose themselves with unexampled
facility.
had vanished. l glanced hastily to-
ward seat No. 5. The hat and grip
were still there:
"Your friends gone to find the con-
ductor," said the man in seat No. IL.
Eat least l think so. He asked me If
! remembered which way the conductor
went. He seemed rather excited"
At this moment the man in seat No.
8 rose hastily. In fact, he came up as
if propelled by a spring. He turned
toward us, leaning with one hand upon
the chair back. The other hand was
at his breast. His mouth hung open;
his eyes stared.
my pocketbook!' he gasped.
1nstinctively I thrust my hand inside
my waistcoat, where in a pocket which
I had always thought to be beyond the
reach Of thieves ! had been accus-
timed to carry the bulk of my imme-
date funds. The pocket was empty.
! The man in No. u looked from one
j, to the other of us, and he grinned. His
hands were in his trousers pockets.
e "My moneys all right" said ne. i
: didn't have much, butt He paused
and then suddenly capped his hand to
O his tie. "By lingo! My pins gone"
v He touched me for better than 8
r thousand said No. 8, and 1 saw hin
d moisten his dry lips with his tongue.
a 81 suppose there's no doubt 1 be
gan, and finished the sentence by
pointing to seat No. 5.
Nonsense" said No. II. 1T was TIT
girl. She made the bluff of dropping
the ring, knowing what we'd do. AM
"a while we were all butting our head
against the furniture and she wa
W reaching over us. pointing out likel.
~ places Oh, oh, oh! What a set o
r easy marks"
m But where's the man?" 1 demanded
or "There are his things" retorted NJ
I'd Il. Hes still on the train. Bu
&c where's the girl"
&, Miss Leigh was kind enough to pc
NIT a sort of introduction between he
self and me-" said l. 81 may perhaI
u CHILLI luc llSul W oCAChA aNA' eN
be there is no one else here who Know
her at all, and 1 would like it to
n, understood that nothing further mu
or be said which touches her good nan
nd and that what has been said must |
withdrawn"
p No. II looked me in the eye. He WI
ut firm in his opinion and a man OF nerV
VI I could see him hardening his hea
Of for q reply that would create a We
er- strained situation. Then suddenly q
W. expression changed to n of astonis
ng ment. He was looking over my sho'
der. i turned and saw Miss Lele
he Behind her was Belden, and behl
The him was Anderson. The conduct
in brought up the rear.
ISIS Miss Leigh came straight to me.
EEL eft was that man!' she cried. "
lso were right. I've got my ring again
the And she held up her hand to show
nor "After you left me I went to the n
No. platform of the car" she cont1nu
1.-THE train was stopping. and. l
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-08-06

WAYS mas a bit Of fake baggage to
make you think he's still aboard, |
hadn't seen him in two or three years;
didn't know he'd come back to this
part Of the country. But now he's
lack he'll have to stay. I've got him
dead to rights this time. And now.
gentlemen, If you'll name your losses
Tn make good. I've got all the plum
der"
Miss Leigh resumed her place in seat
| No. Z and l mine in No. 8, but now
| the two seats faced each other.
"My dear little ring" said b e i
love it very much. 1t was my moth
eras."
She saw the look in my eye. and she
laughed. :,
II have to wear it en- that finger"
she said. ut went AT amy other"
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-08-06

1 Gid not make any sign of recognition
because he didn't. That's the etiquette
with detectives. They share with la
dies the precedence in the matter of
bowling to their acquaintances. He
saw and recognized me, of course, and
he also saw and recognized, with quite
a different feeling, the nan who sat
in front Of you, in seat No. s."
"Oh, N.Y. she exclaimed in a hushed
voice. 'You don't mean he knew him
for "a criminal."
1.-THE idea flashed through my mind"
1 replied. You see, I've been about
with Anderson and others of his pro-
fession quite a bit for the interest of
it, and 1 know their ways. OF cours
this is rather q wild accusation. for.
upon my word, l don't see how the fell
low could have got the ring without
your seeing him, and yet I think I'D
better hunt up Anderson and try to
get q word with him. He's still on the
train. for I've seen him since we left
Utica. He went forward just after we
pulled out"
Miss Leigh was naturally indispose6
to accuse any one or even to begin
police investigation under such cir
cumstances, but she agreed with M
that Mr.. Anderson's advice would Ger
tainly be helpful
The man whose reputation ! had S
reckiessly assailed was not in viey
when Miss Leigh and I returned to GU
seats. Belden told me tEat he ha
gone forward, and he added, with
laugh, "He thinks you got it."
Il? Blast himr :t
what do you ehinkY'
ST think he got it."
"Wen, you're even on that" sal
Belden, and the idea seemed to anus
him,
HNow, look here" said I; II have n
reasons, but there's no time to tell yc
what they are. l may give you a su
prise presently. You keep your eye
that panama hat and the grip ov'
| there. This train stops at Glendon, ar
| we're within two minutes Of the pla'
/ now. If that fellow tries to get %
SWhat7n gasped Belden. !,
well, If you don't dare DO that, d
IS lay him. Keep your eye Oh him. I'll
n back inside the two minutes"
n I hurried forward through the trai
Of which was already slowing down +
to the Glendon station, but I did not fl
a. Anderson. Annoyed by this failure.
a. returned more slowly. keeping a sha1
er eye upon my fellow passengers, b
the detective had disappeared. OBJ
ousiy he must have got to the rear
lie che train without my seeing him, p
be haps while I and the others were pa
ing around on the floor n bumpf
one another's head.
d. The train had come to a stop by !
id time that l reached our car. but !
bag and the panama hat were still.
view. and Belden was on guard. n
Leigh. however. was not visible. T
den said she had gone aft" 9
his went "aft." !, went, to. the end OF
DIV train. but I did not find Anderson
Miss Leigh nor the man from seat
'ut g.. It seemed to be a day when not o
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-08-06
A Par|or Gar
Puzzle.
y "
By HOWARD FIELDING.
! Copyright, 1907, by G. W. ftooke.
By HOWARD FIELDING.
Copyright. 1907, by G. W. ttooke.

- T is important to know how the
people were placed when this
thing happened. The pretty girl
sat in seat No. z and was thus
about midway Of the car, on the left
side looking forward. Directly in front
of her, in seat No. 5, was a lean, tall,
1.-THE man of forty years, with scanty
dark hair and gray eyes. He was
dressed in a style Of quiet elegance.
a panama hat hung from the gilded
peg over his head, and a neat travelling
bag was on the floor beside him. He
seemed to be doing.
: I occupied SCAT No. o, and behind The
were a woman and her son, an I'M
pleasant child, of d very dull
tenance, but as restless as a scared
jacka1 in a cage. Opposite me, in No.
10, was Mortimer Belden, whom 1
have Known some years. He is a rich
ma and looks the part. Before and
behind him, in seats 8 and IL, were
young men Of much the same type as
himself. They were strangers to each
other and to us.
The pretty girl had boarded the train
at Albany. had Immediately opened a
book and, except for an occasional
glance out of the window, had not for
a single moment ceased to read. We
were some miles beyond Utica when
she closed her book and laid it upon
the window ledge. A few minutes
later I heard her utter a faint cry. She
bent Forward and studiously regarded
the door. Then she stepped out into
the aisle for a more comprehensive
View, and l thought that she had spied
the object of her search, for she 6nelt
quickly beside her chair. But when
she raised her head her glance en-.
countered mine, and I perceived iH.
stantly that she had not succeeded. A
pretty bewilderment was in her big
brown eyes. and as she turned Their
Again to the floor I saw her wink rap
fdly. as a child does when 1ts visiS3
seems at fault.
At this juhcture the yqung shAlma
from seat No. f3 arrived 'upon tn,
scene with a startling sss;uddefnhness an,
yet not running.
"Lost anythtnlg?" said Vie in that ga
and whining voice. AIS OF the educate
pig talking through its snout. which !
rapidly becoming The typical speech Q
New York.
The pretty gill looked up with som'
thing like q shudder. and l observe
that she deftly changed her position g
as to exclude the boy from a too int
mate participation in her search.
The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-12-24
THE CHnDREN's KINGDOM.

The baby of the manger, overlooked by the md-eyed
and worshpped by the wise with their franklin
cense and myrrh, to establish kingdom--the
Kingdom of God Whether He meant to set up that king
dom at Jerusalem, realm held together by the power
Of Love- or knew all the time that His kingdom not
of this world and that before He could lift up into
it He himself must be lifted the may
agree but kingdom He did establish this earth to
make glad the hearts of all at this blessed seasonthe
Children's Kingdom of Christmas.
At midnight the portals which shut this magic king
dom off from the workaday world swing silently Open
AT dawn the little people Of the realm begin to troop into
it. Little patering feet funny little forms clad in night
Clothes through the open gates of the Kingdom of
Christmas and take possession for the day. The horns
blow the rattes sound the drums beat raons of sugar
plums and comfts served out to the paiama- clad
army. Chariots, carts, donkeys and automobiles speed
the carpeted plain and the reign of the children
revels itself out to sleepy end at nghtfal with dolls
and swords and toys clasped in hands which cling
after the eyes have fallen shut in Sleep
1t is great day. day of sweet fooishness, time
for the barring of hearts too long screened from the eyes
that long to look into them and see love enthroned
Make the most of it. the best of it. and all you of
it. 1t comes but year. Most people find themselves
unable to buy the presents they would like to buy for
Christmas. Some find the time of unhapplness
for that very Try not to feel thus 1t is not the
bought received that makes the day of good
1t is the love spent and not the money that counts The
day should break down every barrier between hearts
estranged and be the starting point for better relations
and affections And above ALL it should be the day
of the Chldrens Kingdom.
And whenever the Christmas is made the children s
festival, based love and accompanied to childhood,
there, may be sure, His gentle spirit will be in the
midst of it.
The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-12-24

ting together on the floor Of the
house and in the committee rooms
and Shaping one another on the
back and telling each other how
grand they are. And PERHAPS the
free barbering and baths have
something to do with. it, and the
subservient doorkeepers, the
toadying clerks and the marble Of
flee buildings, and the new lied
carpets and red mahogany fu11li-
ture. You know there is a lot fin
atmosphere and environment. You
remember where Darwin says:
transplant the common or gar
den congressman from the Normal
and healthy soil of his native state
and set him down amid the Hot
housing condition of natioh' S
capital and it is quickly noted how
he begins to swell and grow in
new directions. The head as we'll
as the stomach become abnor-
mally large etc. Well, that Is
simply by the way. What | start
ed to tell you is the interesting
fact that T. R. is to be baited by
congress.
Don't waste any sympathy on
our outgoing president. | never
saw man enjoying himself so
much in my life. This idea of the
Uncle Joe Cannon bunch that they
can take few safe pokes at him
as he exits has filled his life with
The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-12-24

cotton ball which they called a
SNOWFALL.
/ gave up then and settled down
to weather the storm. The velocity
of the draft had perceptibly in
creased since I had entered the
room and l saw that they had re-
moved everything that could be
blown about. Now, however, ten
dollar picture of dancing nymphs
crashed to the floor, and l groaned
until Florence quelled me with a
look. | pulled a handful of papers
from my pocket and begun to ex-
anime them; but the draft whisked
one away from me and it fiuttered
straight through the open window.
l growled under my breath and
Florence asked me what it was.
Inspiration came suddenly.
1T was new recipe for the best
fudge / have ever eaten. Mosby
gave oft to me for the children. ]
had intended"
There was a noisy squeal of dis
may from the children and in a
moment | saw that one of the win
dows had been pulled halfway
| down. | allowed another sheet to
wing its way into the street.
What was that?" asked Flor.
ence.
1T bore the address of the dress.
maker from whom | had intended
to let you purchase a new gown, u
| explained. Florence sat very quiet
for a while, then sighed knowingly
and arose and entirely closed one
window.
There was just enough breeze to
allow third slip to futter out
and all the children demanded:
What's that?"
THAT was the price list of the
toy house from Which l meant to
order the rocking horse and cleo.
trio piano and brass yacht and tin
cooking stove for you youngsters.
| declared.
There was a headIong rush to
the windows and hurried slam
ming down of every one. Florence
stirred up the fire; Billy crept into
my lap, admitting his awful cold
ness and Angela called me dear
Florence went into. the kitchen and
prepared the best rarebit / have
ever eaten--and l am fond of rare
bits. l had won the only victory
of my married career.
The only trouble is that | have
had to hurry around and make
good with all those fabulous pres
ents.
The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-12-24
NO MORE STRIPES
FOR PRISONERS

WALLA WALLA, Wash, Dec.
24.-Within the next Ave months
not man in the state penitentiary
at Waha Walla will be wearing the
striped suits that mark their
shame.
Superintendent G. S. Reed an
nounced that by May 1, 1909, the
las, of the OH prison garb will be
cast aside.
Instead, all convicts will be
wearing suits of blue back cloth, of
solid color, and no more conspicu.
GUS than many a business suit.
A number of the convicts have
ALREADY been provided with these
new humane suits, and the re-
mainder of the men who are serv-
ing time for offerses against the
law will he similarly clad as
quickly as the suits con be OBJ
tanned.
The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-12-24

a new interest. He believes they
will be foolish enough to do it. He
hopes and believes that a few of
the more adventurous ones will
come within range of his paws
and claws-and jaws.
Whereupon, with loud growl,
the enraged monster swung his
mighty paw. There was a shrek,
moment in which the audience
caught it's breath, and then
Wasn't it awful, Mabel?
Anybody who figures on "get-
ting T. r. had better come to me
and learn the full nature of his
undertaking. Because Marquis of
Queensberry rules will have moth
ing to do with the case. Politics
is rough-and-tumble. with stock
yards variations. You remember
when Buck Mccarthy went to the
floor with Joe hammers, in their
argument as to who should be
county committeeman from the
Archy Road district? As Buck ex-
planned to me afterward: 81
gouged him and / gilled him.
And he explained by inserting one
thumb in my gill and the other in
my eye. (Just in a friendly way,
of course.) Well, it was conclu-
sive; and when Joe got out of the
hospital he admitted that his ma
jor Premise had been wrong. The
point is-Joe had started> out to
get" Buck; and Buck didn't pro-
pose to be got" And it was all
regular according to the rules OF
the stock yards.
No, sir! When you hear a dull
breath exuding wuff! Like that,
1t won't be T. r. going to the mat.
1t will be his foot landing in the
stomach of Old Mr.. Congress.
Sincerely, Rath.
The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-12-24

, A single healthy hair will Sup
port weight of 1850 grains.
The reason woman's can't keep
secret has been discovered; it's
either too good to keep or not
worth keeping.
The wonderful patterns adjoining
cashmere shawls are copied from
leaves of the begonia.
You've heard the old song Sousa
wrote:
"The Hands Across the Sea-"
He must have meant Big Will
helms mitt
And the bread hooks of eTedd-ee.
For now between the two there is
A bond of sympathy.
But Wilhelm has it on T. R.
When editors assail,
For when they'se sassy he can put
The caustic ones in jail.
"Kungo CAKE" a delicacy on
Lake Nyassa, Africa. is made from
millions of minute midges that fly
in such enormous swarms that
they resemble clouds.
He (ardently)-Do you think you
could learn to love?
She (yawning) If
there was such a thing as a post
graduate course.
Have you a family tree, Nc
Quirk?"
Have 1? Me ancestors controlled
all the privileges in Eden
Philippine revenues amounted to
/ ST. 100000, an increase of $3.50. 900
over last year.
The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-12-24
A COLD WXESVlE

Our family has always been an
affectionate one, despite my wife's
confirmed genius for trying the
most far fetched theories upon us
all and endeavoring to regulate our
eating. sleeping, reading, dreaming,
talking and thinking by something
she has read in household journals
or an occult magazine. / say de
Spite" because practically all of
her theories have turned out very
disastrously.
Florence-my wife-long ago
converted our seven lovely off
spring to her inconvenient faddism,
hence l was not especially sur
prised when / shuffled into the
home circle the night she inau-
gurated her ozonic treatment to
1ind the whole enchanting seven
standing about the room, shivering
teeth chattering. hopping from
foot to foot, and pretending to be
highly delighted at the newest
fad. Every window in the room
was raised; gale fit for Dako
Ia prairie swished through the
chamber; the thermometer must
have registered 10 above.
"Whew!" ! exclaimed. refasten
ing the great coat. which I had be
gun to remove. Airing out some
aren't you? Jack Frost, Kriss
Kringle reception-or merely en-
deayoring to obtain an idea of liv
ing conditions in the Polar circle? 2
Florence looked at me rather
sternly and / sat down crestfaller
and apprehensve. / knew by the
look that some new cure was heins
tried out and I was afraid of pneu
monia.
''F-father," chartered ANGELA
~W-we are undergoing the f-f-fresf
air treatment that m-m-mother reat
about In the Housewives Weekly
Helper. It's im-m-mense. $50 in
ytg-B-SOrdtlng and--HacheW! ha
chew! ha-chewi"
The child sneezed SO continuous
ly. little Billy's chubby hands were
so red and cold. and Selma ant
Richard Augustus so dismal ant
numb In their make-believe of be
ing Eskimo pirates taking the
breeze on top of the north pole
that | protested
Don't you think the temperature
Of the room just trife severe OF
the children? Billy's nose is like
winesap apple"
"6neezing is no sign OF cold" de
clared Florence. frigid as the air o.
the room. "On the contrary. It ii
significant OF the clearing of ths
Gystem." And Angela ciamored
Father u 10 old-timey": and ths
younger twins really hurt me witt
ahe repeated throwing Of Q white
The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-12-24

WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. a.
Dear Dad: Hurry, hurry, hurry!
Get your seats! Get your seats.
Walk up everybody! If you can't
walk, run! Only get your seats
for the biggest show on the
grounds! A real live Teddy Bear
will be baited by real live con-
gress. Thrilling, amusing, horri-
BILE! Nobody can afford to miss
it. Altogether the most unique,
unparalleled and stupendous af-
fair ever arranged for any public.
Have your money in your hands!
Keep your hands above your
heads! Our gentlemanly assistants
will relieve you of the trouble of
making change. Walk up! Hur-
ry, hurry, hurry!
Yes, they're going to bait T. r.
Wow, but it will be fun! He's
just in the mood to be baited by
congress. And Tawney and that
senate bunch are just in the mood
to stick their fingers through the
bars; with the inevitable results.
They feel like they did last winter,
only more so. You remember
how chesty they got "rebuking the
administration? Well, they still
think they are the great rebukers
Those diminished majorities in
Illinois and Minnesota have not
yet carried their lesson. l sup
pose is that business of get
The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-12-24
By John B. CruelIe

and a cup of breadcrumbs. Add
one pound of seeded raisins, one OF
'currants, one-half pound of citron
and a pound of light brown sugar,
mixed. Season with a tablespoon
full each of cinnamon and allspice
and half as much nutmeg. Add six
eggs and one wineglassful OF
brandy. Mix we'll and boil for six
or seven hours In a cloth wet with
hot water and sprinkled with flour