davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Crittenden record=press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1907-1909, 1908-06-18

wealth. -
Gov. johnson believes In the muni.,
c1pai ownership q public utilities. and.
foilo~tns his suxgsstion. q modified,
form Of the Illinois Mueller lay wasi
adopted By the Minnesota Legislature.
Under tn provisions q municipality
may bond It's street railways or other
public utilities TO pay the cost Of the
p..rchase and operation Il the same.
Minnesota a leading AGRICULTURAL
state, has hing hnd 20 contend with
the cortnee tHst, which has a practi-
cal monopoly Of the binding Irvine
used IN harvesting. Fm mzny years
the state has had a Irvine plant In
which prt.on labor was employed.
The trust erected q factory in Mime (
sofa To compete win the state-msde
twfne snd Cos. Johnson's answer was.
with the consent Of the legislature.
author1satfon for The state tvtns plant,
10 SCH its product outside ss veil as
within the state The eordase trust.
will now have 10 fight the cheap hin-
aesota slater made Irvine In other
rates as we'll AZ at home.
The Washington times., 1908-08-02
CHAPTER II.
ID HlNDUs sTORY.


There was a curious smile on the
Hindu's face as he looked into the
eyes Of the man in the shabby pea
jacket; but there was no answering
smile on Lindsays.
The angry look which had rested
On IL since Mr.. Josephs had turned
obstinate about the brass bound box
suddenly faded away. and gave place
70 one OF mingled surprise and fear.
Lindsay started back. and his mouth
opened la a gape Of establishment
Where the deuce did you come
from ne growled, staring at the
Hindu. The other man smiled again
q smile that was neither pleasant
nor r6assuring.
From going to and fro about the
earth. Mr.. Lindsay" he answered in
perfect English, and with a low mu-
steal tone Of voice. Always seeking.
bat not until now finding, certain
matters that much desire to set eyes
on"
Go and set eyes on EN- then, and
be hanged to you" said Lindsay.
All. but have set eyes on them 1
see one OF them now. IL is you. /
saw another but a moment ago. That
was your elegant little casket with
The brass corners
The Washington times., 1908-08-02
I The Door Is nnened.

The pawnhroksr paused. considering
matters. Who could II be that claimed
admittance at that hour and by that
door? That door was rarely used
never, in fact. save by the old woman
who cdme to tidy I'D the parlor and
make the bed every morning
Who should come 10 IL nov? To
seemed strange-not altogether reas-
Surfing in fact-to hear a knock at IT,
And vet 1t was easy for any one 20
open the yard door and walk in-there
had never been catch, much less a
lock on the ward door since AR 10
sephs' tenancy. He had not seen the
use Of spending money on one. seeing
that the house door was well bolted
end barred Il must be some foolish
person who had lost his way and he'd
strayed into the wrong yard
All these thoughts flashed rapidly
across his mind as ne stood staring at
the door. Suddenly the tap was re-
peated. There was something in II
this time which suggested even more
resolve on the part Of the person
without. Mr.. Josephs hesitated way
ered-and finally went across the room
and opened the door
There WIS still some daylight, fad
ed into "A dim gray that matched the
enclosing walls Of the yard and by
SIS light and that Of the lamp on thc
table Mr.. Josephs found himself star
ing at a man.
At first sight he thought this must
be the sailor, bus the mistake was i'm
mediatety rectihed in his mind by the
perception OF the fact that the
stranger on the threshold was small.
and slight. and clad in light clothes
Of Eastern make and texture Mr.
JOseph's eyes ran from feet 10 head,
and rested on a colored tursan, ana
at sight Of that he muttered an angry
exclamation.
What do you want here?' ne
asked, impatientiy.
The Hindu answered in placatory
tones
ITO sell you something. he said.
The Washington times., 1908-08-02

and. breadth and depth. marking the
figures down on a piece Of paper at
his elbow. As Re proceeded his face
grew more and more troubled. and az
last he threw down the rule and pencil
with An exclamation Of disappoint-
ment.
There can't be a secret drawer"
he said ITS impossible. the meas
ureme1ts are all against IT, Meas
urements must be right; they can't
deceive And there's no room for
what's that7"
Josephs started from his chair. lis
teniHg with the sharpness Of an ami
nal that scents danger It seemed 10
him that he had caught he sound OF
a footstep on the threshold without
a light fotstep on. the threshold Of the
yard door. He waited IN a listening
attitude. scarcely drawing his breath.
Presently the sound WIS repeated. ard
then with n suddeuness that made Mr..
Josephs start there came a tap at the
door. a single quiet tap that Was de-
cisive and indicative Of resolution
on the part Of the person without 20
be admitted
The Washington times., 1908-08-02

searched this house from top 20 bot
tom: they have not even known that
I was in 1t when I was searching
The box was not here-that I soon
discovered Not until today did ] know
where IL was. That's my story"
Lindsay drew a long breath and
stared al LaI Dass' questioning eyes.
And I didn't know where my box
was until today" ne said at last.
And il was by accident that ! know
now. Well. I'll he getting out OF this
place. I amt thin-skinned. but 20 sit
where murders has been performed
doesn't come agreeable.
But we must first settle Our bust
ness" said I.al Dass.
Our business? ] guess it's settled.
said Lindsay angrily. The box is
mine. Amt it?'
The contents are the joint shares
OF three men. began the Hindoo,
Contents You're not such an in
fernal fool. Mr.. Dass. as to imagine
that there's any contents left en- II b.
now. are you?" said Lindsay, with a
sneering laugh Contents. indeed"
The contents are today what they
always were" answered LaI Dass
quietly.
Lindsay's face flushed purple.
His hands twitched and trembied
BY Cod" he said. II they are. why
should We be-bUt no. it's impossible.
sure impossible. In a pawnbroker' 8
hands. too. Why. he'd look through
that there box as soon as he bought
It,"
He might look through it "A thou
sand years" said the HIndoo. but he
would never discover the false bot
tom"
Lindsay drew deep breath. His
eyes sought LaI Dass' observant face.
What are we to do?'' he whispered.
i've already frightened him with
threats OF the law. It may make him
take the alarm and get the box away,
and then swear he'd sold IT,
The HindOo's face darkened.
THAT was a mistake he said.
Come, we must act tonight. He will
close his shop at o'clock You are
agreed? The box is 10 be ours, and its
contents are 20 he shared on the old
terms?"
Yes" answered Lindsay. But
how"
LaI Dass motioned him to silence.
He rose and pointed 70 the door
Let us go somewhere where there
are not even walls TO oVeFhear cur
words" he said. Come, know OF a
SPOT that Will suit Us"
He opened the door and led the way
into the street. Outside he walked
away az a brisk pace. Lindsay fol-
lowed him at twenty yards distance.
The Washington times., 1908-08-02
InqnIsItIve Mr.. Josephs.

Everything was very still tn the
house when NJ. Josephs put down HI
box on the able 81 his sitting-room.
He had barred and bolted the shop
door and closed the door OF the MON;
the noises Of the street outside scarce
~ penetrated 70 his ears. Il suddenly
struck him with new sense-tLat
extraordinary quiet.
He glanced at the door which led
into the enclosed Yard at the back ~
the mouse, that. OF course. was fast,
for II was rarely opened The pawn
broker was a man If simple tastes and
habits and content ed himself With
very measer surroundings
He lived IN the small room in which
ne now sat. and he slept in q little
chamber overhead. All the rest Of the
house was given up TO the storing Of
such odd and ends as had overlooked
from the shop. There was no other
living soul in Il than himself; he was
free to continue his Investigations IN
disturbed by any one. now that the
shop was closed for the night. All this
he thought of as he sat down before
the brass-bound box.
IN settle. the matter once for all.
before I go to bed. he said to himself
There must be something about the
box that I know nothing OF. or why
should the saiior-man be so anxious 10
get IL? It may have papers hidden IN
IL that are of value or banknotes. or
something that one would like to get
hold Of
Perhaps there's d secret receptacle
in #. There must be something, The
man wouldn't be such fool as 10
make such a fuss ever the thing If he
hadn't some. very particular reason for
securing Il. And. Of course, that res
son must have been a pecuniary one.
What is it but money that makes men
keen about anything: What. indeed?"
II seemed TO Mr. Josephs thai a
ghosty whisper from the shadow in
the rear Of the parlor re-echoed the
last word He could have sworn that
he heard them repeated in a thin. faint
whisper. He started up. looked about
him, and sat down again cursing his
own fears He had been slightly put
out bv the events Of the day.
The advent OF the sailor hal ais
turbed 1.im. and the mystery surround
ing the ass-b0und box had perplexed
and annoyed him, and he trembied a
little as he handled The box once more.
Bah" he muttered. I'm getting
nervous. It's so confoundedly still in
this old house, That won't do. Nerves
are no good in my business, where a
mans got to avoid being cheated and
robbed every day Of his life. Now.
then, for this box"
Mr.. Josephs produced a small foot
rule from his il ner pocket and began
TO take measurements of the box with
q careful air. He measured its length
The Washington times., 1908-08-02

sire % gain possession Of the box was
not likely 10 spring from mere senti-
mental affection for it. There must ne
some reason for the concern which hal
made itself evident IN the mans eager
face ana trembling hands lie said 70
himself that there vas nc doubt that
the sailor was right, that the box had
been his. and he was within hts rights
In demanding its restoration 10 him
But that troubled Mr.. Josepha very
little. . e troubled him az ali. he
knew that possession Is sometimes
more than nine points OF the Law. ard
he had no more intention Of surrender
ing The brass-bound box 70 Lindsay
than Of presenting his entire stock IN
,rade TO tire next passer-by.
What concerned him was the box it
self What made the man so eager 70
get hold OF IL again? What was Il
that ho wanted the box for? Nj,
Josephs asked himself these cues
tons over and over again, and as ne
asked them ne glanced al the box as
T. he were trying 70 pierce its wooden
walls and solve the secret at p single
look
Once OF twice Mr. Joscphs took the
box up from the shelf where he had
placed it when Lindsay and the police
man withdrew, and handled It with
fingers no less inquisitive than his
Elances. He tapped the sides, looked
curiously at the bottom, and exam
ined the Joints and corners as If he ex-
pected 20 find some secret spring
there
Then he remembered that when he
became possessed Of the box there
had been a key in the lock. and that
Ee had put il away somewhere He
began searching among the contents Of
a drawer under the counter. and pres
entity found the key. with paper label
attached 10 st.
During a quiet interval of business
he opened the box and loZ,Ied care
fully about the interior. It was quite
empty, and Mr.. Joseph could not per
ceive any sign Of its ever having con
cealed anything valuable Il was lined
with some Eastern wood the fra
GRANGE Of which made itself apparent
even above the coarse Odors Of the
oilskins hanging ir the shop But
there was nothing To he learned from
staring into the box. and Mr.. Josephs
presently locked it again and put the
key carefully away in his waiseoat
pocket.
Then. thinking it wise to secure an
article round which so much mystery
hung, he put The box itself into the
safe. It amused him to think that
Lindsay would have Some difficulty in
getting IL ont Of that
Mr.. Josephs closed his shop some
what earlier than usual that evening
He lived in stuffy room at the back
OF his business premises. and to this he
presently repaired and began to make
ready his evening meal While he was
thus engaged. his thoughts still ran
on the events OF the day.
He ate and drank slowly, bordering
over the mystery of the box anc the
sailor. and when he came TO the last
mouthful he resolved to have another
inspection Of the thing which Lind
say had betrayed such such eagerness
The Washington times., 1908-08-02
Secrecy and Silence.

They were not worth 2 couple OF
pounds. she said, over and over again.
A man to be killed for a couple OF
pounds! That was all her cry. But
she never knew what had become OF
the things. They had been put away
somewhere, and chat was all she re
membered. Her husband might have
sold them for a trile that Stefano
owed him, or they might have been
stOlen-she knew nothing-a bit OF
box and a bundle OF clothes, that was
all And it was all. too. that I could
find out. stefano was sent OF to
prison; the dead mans widow gave up
this house, and people forgot the af-
fair.
The Hindoo paused and drew his
chair nearer to Lindsay. His low
tones sank 10 q whisper.
But I did not forget, ses-I have
The Washington times., 1908-08-02

again I've thought as how It must
have been you. Wall. but how do you
know?
1T Is not a difficult thing 10 work
out said I4al Dass. There were
three OF us that knew or the box
My box" interrupted Lindsay.
Your box? Certainly. There were
three Of Us that knew OF your box
and what il contained. am one. You
were another. Stefano was a third.
We were all three on the Brahma
pootra when she went 10 pieces. and
it is evident that only one OF us could
have carried the box away with him. ="
That wasn't me" growled Lindsay.
Worse luck"
The Washington times., 1908-08-02

Il closed my shop an hour ago" re-
piled the pewnbroker. 7 don't DO
business after business hours; 90
away. and come in the morning
But liz the morning / shall not be
here. Z shall be out in the Channel.
miles away from this country. Be-
sides. we have traded together he
Tore; surely youl not refuse an old
customer
SIR. Josephs drew nearer and 7eered
closer into the mans face. He step
ped hack into the room, inviting the
other 10 follow
Why couldn't you come sooaer?'
he asked. stiu ungracious. and out Of
temper Cant let a man rest him
self at the end Of his DAYS labor?
What is it?"
Two Or three small stones, an
swered the Hindu. who had closed the
door after him. and now advanced 70
he table. Something like those you
bought frfJm me little time ago. Mr..
osephs.
The Washington times., 1908-08-02
Inqulsitlve Mr.. Josephs.

Nothing more probable said L4al
Dass. slowing away the money in his
breast pocket. "Oh, nothing more
probable"
But I have measured. said the
Jew. See. here are the figures; you
cannot mistake figures There is the
length. breadth, depth; you will per
ceive that there is no room for any
secret place OF any size"
Isal Dass smiled enigmatically.
That is where the artifceTs skill Is
shown" he said. "Ah, they are very
skiuful artifcers IN my country. See
here; This is a little toy / picked Up in
Benares. How small 1t is; and yet
there is a secret receptacle in 1t
wherein you could pack a dozen
stones of considerable size, Try II,
Mr.. Josephs"
The Jew took the article which Lal
mass offered him. It was to outward
appearances a rounded piece OF ivory,
about two and one-haf inches IN
lengtn and an inch and a quarter in
circumference, and not unlike the
cases in which ladies carry needles
Of a large size
At one end there was the smallest
aperture conceivable; so small. in
deed. that it seemed impossible for
even the finest needle to penetrate its
orifce. At the other end the little
curiosity was rounded OF to a blunt
finish. Mr.. Josephs turned it over and
over in his hands, admiringly.
There is, no doubt, some secret
opening in this" he said.
Just So" said LAl Dass. watching
him carefully. "A secret spring, as
you say. But whe-e?"
Copyright, 1893. by F A. Munsey CO..
The Washington times., 1908-08-02
Rn,iness is discussed.

Humplr said Mr. Josephs i
did badly with them. I did. indeed. l
made little profit on that matter.
However let's see.
The Hindu produced small canvas
bag froTa some secret recess OF mis-
clothing He united the strings With
deliberate fingers, looking steadily ne
while at Josephs Then he shook out
of the loose folds Of the bag three
small diamonds. watch glittered
brightly as the dealer bent down 10
the table TO examine the wares at
close. quarters.
L. tJsss remained in MS erect posi-
ti0n imperturbabie and watchfuL
his keen, stealthy eyes turned from
the brass bound box TO the foot rule,
and from the foot rule 10 the sheet Of
.iaper on which AR Josephs had jOt-
led down his figures. When the Hin
du's eyes rested on the latter. he
smiled a little. but mis- face was grave
and inscruta BILE az ever when JOsephs
looked up from the diamonds
well, said Mr.. Josephs. how
much this time2 It's out OF my regu-
lar hours. and ought not 20 do bust
ness at all in this way. bat as it's
you. and you're going away-shau we
say the same price as last time2"
These stones are better than thoBE
/ brought you last time" said Lal
Dass, gently 4 must have more
much more.
Mr.. JOsephs waved has hands WIN
en- expressive gesture.
But I do not keep 80 much money
in the house!" he exclaimed.
ha az
worth more than those you last Of
fered me. In any case. II you are
.saUing tonight, I have not the money
in the house I VIII give you what I
save before. and half ths amount IN
ash ana half IN promissory note. 70
.e- redo emed when you next come 20
plymouth
Very we'll" answered tbs Hindu.
II IL must be So"
II win fetch the money from my
SIS r." said Mr. JossphE. His good
5emper had returned with the delight
IF the bargaining. and he had got
Eood value for the money he was
about 70 lay out.
sit down a moment" he added.
gathering up the diamonds. Il shall
not be gone FIVE minutes; my safe IL
in the shop"
LAI Dass sat down and looked about
him HIS eyes finally rested on the
brass bound box. He was stiii -e-
zarding it when MT. Josephs re-en-
tered the parlor. The Hindu hooded
at the box.
That is a pretty piece of work
which you have there. he said. II
Is. think. the workmanship of some
one OF my countrymen. If il Is for
sale. Mr. Josephs. ! will buy it from
you
Joseqhs looked at Lal Dass with
something like suspicion.
You are the second that has want
ed to buy today he said. No. no;
I am not selling that box. II ts q
magic box; there's something mystic
rious about It.
"Ah. a secret drawer or receptacle,
no doubt" said the Hindu. unconcern-
edly They ell have
do you think so? But on. have
been much concerned about that box
It seemed 70 me that there might be
a secret drawer, and 1 tried TO find Il.
But 1 could find nothing"
1T Sad beer strange II you could,
answered IAI Dass. rs that the
money you hold in your hand. Mt
Josephs?"
And the note payable on demand.
answered the pawnbroker, handing
roll Of notes and q slip OF blue paper
70 the Hindu. Il will trade with you
AT any time. I hope you will bring
me- back something good next trip.
But this box. You think Il likely that
there is a secret receptacle in it?'
The Washington times., 1908-08-02
CHAPTR III

FOOTSTEPS on THE THRESHOLD.
Mr.. Aaron Josephs remained in
his shop all that day, expect
ant Of message or com
munication about the brass
bound box. Now and then. when he
was not otherwise engaged, he bent
his gaze on the article in question. and
tried TO imagine some reason as 70 the
sailorman's anxiety about it,
The pawnbroker was man enough Of
the world 10 know that Lindsay's de-
The Washington times., 1908-08-02
THE SYNOPSIS.

Lindsay British sailor who down his luck strol
Plymouth his attention attracted
looking take his of Of it. He finally
pawnbrok Lindsay
bluff him believing that it belongs him. He prsuad the
shopkeeper open find the initials Lls9
argument, advising Lindsay
BY the latter leaves Meanwhile the proceedings
been closely watched by a Hindu.
The Washington times., 1908-08-02
LaI Dass Glldes In.

so you've seen II.f said Lindsay.
Curse IL! Ot course. I might have
known you were up 10 some deviITy.
KS q precious nice sort OF day. tins
"a sort OF surprise day. First Of all
my brother, Jnat never did me a good
turn before. sends me d couple o
QUId-damn him. ne might la sent
me ten pound. Then l came across
the b0N-lJs IN the hands OF a pawn
broker Then / met yOu-as thought
was eaten by the sharks long since.
Wei. perhaps there's something else
you'd ike 10 see, Mr.. Lal Dass. chg
Tine other thing that / wanted u
see, said the Hindu. calm ana imPer-
LurbabIe as ever. Il have alreadT
seen. That was our friend. MI. Ste
fauo VassiIu."
Its a lie. said Lindsay, making "a
Hes dead"
I.aI Dass smiled and shook mis- heao
with a decisive action.
He is not. he lives But do not
be alarmed. Mr.. Lindsay. hs is
where he cannot harm either OF us
That's good news" said Lindsay,
with unfeigned relief. He took out d
dingy handkerchief and wiped his
forehead And where might that
be-" he inquired:
The Hindu smiled again and
stretched a skinny forearm north by
east.
over there on the moors," he said.
''In DartmoOr"
ru--
Puckered itself into fresh lines Of
Wonder He shook his head.
Here" he said Il don't under
stand-Tm a bit mustered. We can't
stand talking here. Let's turn In
somewhere - where it's quiet - and
have this out. I've had TOO many sur
prises this morning.
This way" said the Hindu.
There is q little quiet inn along this
side street. where We may talk in con
hdence. They know me there"
THAT isn't saying much for them,
muJJered Lindsay with an accent or
suspicion. To rather go somewhere
you are not known, il it's all the same
20 you"
I.aI Dass smiled once more, regard
ing the EngIishmau with a half
s,--,,se5 e,-rrasaior
..7.l,ars fs NOTHING TO fear. my
,-f-r,s o.. no said Is # not one Of
--.,-a,f,z that circumstances
- 1890
.A4 rresa,+ q cannot do without you
and ..,,, cannot do without me. There
f.7--r
-o- sr,7r ,-rur internal law and go
on, s-.r-sl lindsay. I'm about
s,..t. ~ mysteries. Fut mind YOU. Mr..
ri Dss. fr there's any bocus-pocus
-. I'm. inst the same man as ever
.,.,.
tI.. rs.,,s5 his hin nocJlet significant
d, and the Endu smiled again. but
an, rf7r. with susDicfon of unpIeas-
orrres.
..--bere will he no occasion for
that .. as said GENTLY. Here we are;
soIra0- mo ana he assured. This
-.
ne turned into an oId-fashioned
$50 NAT s-ood a little wav along
a.. sd. street and nrereded Lindsay
-, f.,,.- ,--essga until they came
- ,rbe IIlr5, onena1 this
- ,..-,.r.s , s7,sU rarlor fur-
anu
The Washington times., 1908-08-02

TO secure. He had had &c deal with
such mysteries more than once, and
was nor going 70 be baffed by this
He cleared away the things from his
. supper table. turned W the gasJet
dbove IL 70 a brighter glow, AID fetch
ed the bra bound box from the safe.
The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1908-06-24
q 0srtoess PfaMe.

"a curious plant" aid CD au1tnent
hotantsb "}s the wild tanara1n Or tuba
plant q the riverside and waSes places
OF tropical America. end very strange
are fts effects upon the nmruDtnanf
animals That Feed upDn 1A ErRng
Shoots, eaveA pods and sEHtE. Il
causes RoFss % lose the fE11 fran
their names and tals has a stm1ia1 e.
fecs UPON mules and 6onReps Gad m-
duc@ Gigs 70 complete uHssf1nR
Horses are safd 10 rsDve1 uthgh led
exclusively On com end grasE b1t Che
new hah Is OF diffeFeDa coto9 md tex
turs from fbs Old So that the os1ina1 Is
never quite Che sauR as unA One
animal Of which I personally Euew
after feeding ON The giant tosf COB boots
and bad % be kepR tn slm9A until
they grew and hardened Gga1h Kana-
nana animals are uos thus affected and
the growth OF the plant IS actually en-
couraeed tn the Bahamas az soddee
plant for eat1e. sheep and goate The
diffgguee Is probably due to Changes
ELECTED 0U0n # In tie cflewiue II the
cud.o