davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1908-01-20
Convertible Bond System.

"A system of convertible bonds issued
by the government. paying low rate OF
interest Q.S2k per cent-something less
than per cent?, but purchasable In any
amount for currency on any business day
at the United States Treasury or any
subtreasury. or in small amounts at
money-order post Offices, and likewise
convertible into currency for principal
plus accrued interest on any day when
presented for payment-such system
would furnish perfectly elastic currency
and would free the money from the dan
ger of boarding.
Its cost would be comparatively small
say two millions OF dollars per annum. 1t
costs the government already for the coin
it holds In reserve in the Treasury. name
+ ly.. in gold $S97 00O,0O in trust for gold
certificates, and for redemption of its
paper money, and in silver in trust and in
circulation total Of 81, 184, ,O0O. 900 t$46o.
100000 for. silver certificates. $133, 900 .OO]
for subsidiary coin and $562, 600 600 for
silver dollars In circulation). making a
total of gold and silver in excess of two
billiops of dollars, face value. But the
only .4S per cent OF the $l,l64, 600 900.
which therefore should be counted at
$55e,O0O. 600 only. and the balance deducted
from the two billions, leaving 81 ,4OO, Co.,
600 value In coin held in the Treasury
for redemption of its gold and silver GER
tificates and for making the entire silver
issue as good as gold
AT the rate Of per cent the total of
specie in both metals, including trust
funds and gold reserve. costs the govern
ment $2S,O0O.O0O per annum.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-02-02

spare. l put the statute against the
wall, sat upon its pedestal and mopped
my clammy brow.
Chatter, chatter, chatter. Rustic.
rustic, rustic Like the waves Of a rest
less sea, the petticOats flowed into the
room. Myra Gait with her rowing.
wicked eyes led, and Marcia, hand
some, literal Marcia, brought up the
rear
l realized that / was a prisoner, a
defenseless prisoner in the hands of
fifty club women. That they were ig-
norant of their prey but gave new
pangs to my terror lest d sneeze or
cough on my part should betray ME
Through the large meshes Of the por-
there's L could command an extensive
view of the room. Miss Virginia evil
IDENTIFY thought that l had escaped. for
she looked quiet and composed. Myra 5
eyes were wandering TO my set of nor
there's and a wicked glee played on her
features. Was she thinking of the
Marble Faun, or had she seen me?
was glad when a sharp rap of the
gavel brought silence. Miss Flint took
advantage of it and called the roll.
There was Mrs. Brown. the president
Yet she had presence. There was no
doubt OF it.
Marcia arose and addressed the chair.
Madam President she said and
paused.
Silecne. Mrs. Brown famed uncon-
cernedly. Miss White leaned toward
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-02-02

how l can improve upon your theory
ne presently replied with odd Ialib-
Grafton. In fact Gibson, your reason
ing is so good, and your deductions 81
obvious, that l don't quite see why Won
found it Necessary to ask my advice
As for these indications of a strue
gle-Well, part of them may have been
made by others than the criminal,
Ihese laborers must have been tramp-
ing ABOUT here for days. In my 0pin-
ION, Gibson, you will not go vary ia
astray if you begin a quiet invest
CATION among yonder Italians. As a
matter OF fact, chief, 1 would stake my
reputation upon one thing"
What's that?"
That Doctor Winnings murderer was
an Italian"
Sol would I, by Jove!" growled Glib
son. with grim headshake. And I'll
begin a search for the rascal i'm the
very way you suggest. Shall we go in
as we came out?'
ITS agreeable to me-" nodded DOH
aid. I must presently return u
town"
They entered the library by way Of
the window, Gibson waiting to close it
after them and to make a further ex-
animation of the soiled carpet.
Morris Donald at once proceeded
through the hall, however, and reioiued
Miss Vining in the drawing room.
L really have nothing to add at pres
ent to Detective Gibson's opinion he
said Sravely, in reply to her inquiring
glance. Il think, however, that your
fathers assassin viii quite speedily be
arrested and the stolen property recOv-
cred. Gibson is a very able detective,
Miss Vining, and Pardon me, may
l ask who occupies the large house east
OF this? I mean the one in yonder
park"
1t would be impossible to describe the
sIlavi-y of Mr. Morris Donald. or the
insinuating subtlety with which he led
mis- nearer to infer that, for sake of her
feelings, he thus turned the CONVERSE
ton.
Miss Vining glanced from the window
toward the beautiful suburban resi-
denee mentioned, nearly one hundred
Yards away.
That" she replied. Is the home of
Professor Sebastian, the famOus sci
enlist
Continued on Page z.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-02-02

yet there 1 was that memorable after
noon idly watching while old Barton
filed a prescription. Tom EscOtt was
out in front of the store talking to
Marcia and finding Imaginary pune
lures in the tire of her wheel The tel
ephOne bell rang.
'EscOtt seems to have gone deaf out
there" grOwled old Barton. Colonel
will you answer the telephOne?"
l took the innocent receiver in my
hand, but the next instant almost
dropped it. for Miss Xirginia,s voice
was breathing in my ear. tom, is
that your"
Yes" I answered tTuthfully.
How do you pronounce A-m-p-h-i-c-
t-y-o-n-i-c?"
] told her.
And, Tom. wait a minute: how do
you pronounce A-l-c-m-a-e-o-n-i-
d-a-e?"
/ mumbled something.
I can't hear you. Speak louder, and,
Tom. are you there?"
Yes"
I'm getting very nervous. Tom. Do
you think you could run around here
for just five minutes and go over these
names with me again."
ITO be sure | could, said l.
You are dear bOyr' gently.
Thank YOU" warmly.
Aud hurry, Tom: the club and Mar
cia viii be here in quarter of an
hour
Aunt Priscilla Crest her soul in peace)
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-02-02

quickly blown out the light. Then he
probably FASTENED to depart by the
window, closing il after him"
There is absolutely no doubt Of that,
Donald" Gibson fatty declared.
why so?"
Because, on the ground outside the
window are the prints left by his boots
The clay out there,
stop It bit, Let me have a look"
The lawn on that side of the house
had been dug up, and d long trench,
some eight feet from the foundation
wall, extended toward the street. Be-
tween this trench and the house was the
long mound of excavated earth, damp,
yellowish clay, almost as soggy and
plastic as putty and quite as slippery.
Here on the carpet are mud-stains
left by the boots Of one of the ruff
fans, Gibson pointed out, as he Joined
Donald at the open window. It's plain
enough that he came and went this
way. Here on the window sill is a
smoOch of blood, also, probably where
he laid his hand when leapinS out"
80 l see" observed Donald. "Evi-
IDENTIFY a large hand. too
Come outside with me-" added Glib
son, springing out of the window 1T
appears that there were two of the ras-
Gals out here, Donald, if one may
judge from the footprints What puz-
zles me, however, is why they should
have had a fight between themselves
after the robbery was committed
"A fght?" queried Donald curiously
Where do you find indications of
that?"
Look here! These signs certainly
are those of struggle. Notice that
the feet of one of them must have
slipped in this soggy soil. Here, too,
within yard of the window, is where
one of them was thrown down by the
other, his face jabbed into the ground"
by JoVe, this is curious"
THE clay retains almost a perfect i'm
preston of his forehead, eyes and nose
His hat was off, that's evident which
would not have been the case, nor
would his face have been thrust into
this foul stuff, unless the two men were
fighting. Notice here that one of them
appears to have slipped, and here is
the impression of clenched hand. 1t
was curiousiy conflicting evidence that
led me to want your opinion"
An odd smile, as heeting as the rip
pie caused by a breath over still waters,
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-02-02

face she might have been judged to be
chief mOurner
1t was l at the telephone" l an
nounced, boldly so 1 came around"
YOU gasped Miss Virginia. "Oh,
Colonel Scottr'
why nOt?" l demanded. Miss Vir-
ginian was almost weeping.
"Why-why did l let Marcia per-
suade me to join this club and set into
all this trouble?"
You smight resign" I suggested.
Miss Virginia shook her mead defect
eddy
Il oughtn't to be a coward, and /
ought to keep myself in the line of
progress. Marcia says"
Lime of fiddlesticksT said l.
Miss Virginia's voice dropped. I'm
Pm afraid ] do let Marcia manage
me. but she is so up-tO-date and 1 am
so hOpelessly Old-fashioned."
There are no fashions so sweet and
so true as the old fashions" said I,
stoutly.
DO you think SO. colOneI?" Miss
Virginia frightened visbly.
And no ladies so perfect as the old
fashioned ladies' and remember" I
continued. gallantly-for / felt very
young, "Old-fashiOned roses are the
sweetest, Miss Virginia"
The conversation had reached this
thrilling climax when there came upon
the spring air a sound as of flying,
chattering blackbirds
THE club" exclaimed Miss Virginia.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-02-02
Che exploits 81 a Private Detective

Your father was then in the Ii
brary?"
Yes"
Had he much money there?"
Yes; considerable, and several
bonds in the safe. Both the money
and the bonds are missing"
Robbery was the motive, Donald
there's no doubt of that" put in Glib
son. And the evidence, while a bit
curious in some respects, seems to
indicate
Lets have a look at it," interposed
Donald. with your permission, Miss
Vining"
She acknowledged his grave bow, as
he withdrew, but did not follow when
Gibson FASTENED to conduct him to the
library.
"Curlew, the district medical exam
liner. has been and gone" said the
chief, as he passed through the deep
hall. THE body has been removed to
another room. 1t was found lying
here, nearly upon the threshold. face
down, and with one hand 'clutching the
edge of this pOrtiere."
Donald drew off his gloves, and
glanced sharply about the library,
MEOW hich they had entered. 1t was
a side room, adjoining an entry lead
ing TO a side door of the house The
curtain at the single broad window
was raised. Both the desk. near the
wall, and the door of a safe. in one
corner, remained open, as when found
that morning.
Discovered here, eh?" queried DON
aid. with eyes reverting to the floor
The body could not have been seen
from the hall. then. even though the
latter was lighted when the servants
and family returned last evening. Did
Curlew say how long Doctor Vining
had been dead?"
since eight or nine O'Clock last
evening"
1T is not dark until nearly eight
Stop a bit,''
With the stimula ton of the rare de-
tective instinct with which he was en-
dOWed, the eyes of Mr.. Morris Donald
took on d searching CLEAN, and his
thin, clean-cut features a more tense
expression. He stepped quickly to a
table in the middle of the room, and
examined a large oil lamp upon it,
removing the shade to peer at the
wick.
This was blown out, Gibson, as
you may see by the wick, not put out
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-02-02

swept over Norris DOnald's face. while
ne stood gazing at the curious evidence
mentioned. As Gibson had said, in the
mound of clay within a yard of the
library window, was the obvious i'm
preston of the upper features of a
man face, the nose, eyes, and brow,
but no indication of a hat or cap.
A strange clue, indeed" said Don
aid. STOPPING to examine the impression
more closely. 1T is not definite enough
10 serve US in any very practical way.
ana yet say. Gibson, what do you
really make of the case?"
The Boston chief of detectives. hav-
ing very profound appreciation of
Mr.. Morris DOnald's opinion, derived a
corresponding satisfaction in expressing
his own. In his earnestness. while re-
plying to the others abrupt question.
however, he failed to observe that Dom
aid was taking the opportunity to ex-
anime the curious impression with a
small lens which he had drawn from
his pocket
Turning somewhat aside. Gibson
pointed to the long trench mentioned,
ana glibly rejoined:
This has oeen dug for the purpose
OF making a connection with the new
sewer new being laid in the street out
yuiiu6f. mere UdS Detn gang Ol
Italians at WORK here and in the street
for nearly a week. Now, my idea is
this, Donald
Leaving out this evidence of a fight,
which I cannot quite fathOm, il looks
to me as if two of these Italian labor
ers, possibly the two who hung the
warning lanterns about the work last
evening. happened to see Doctor Vim
ing counting money i'm his library. !
Relieve they watched him for a spell,
and that one of them seized the OPP
portunity to Chamber into the room
while the doctor was briefly out of it,
and started in TO rob his desk and
safe.
THE weapon used. stiletto. indi-
Gates that the assassin was an Italian,
and it's more than likely that he was
enc of this gang of laborers. That's my
opinion, Donald. Now. what's yours?"
Morris Donald had concluded his ex-
animation of the ground, and had risen
to stare with scmc interest at the long
trench and the gaEiy of labDr@rs then
at woik IN tue street some If yar.is
away.
well, Chief Gibson, 1 ha 'dly see
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-02-02

by pressing down the lever that Oper-
ates the 'extinguisher. Plainly then. il
was not done by Doctor Vining, nor
by one familiar with such lamps, but
by some person accustomed to blow
ing out a cheaper one. This gives us
hint, at least, at the character Of
the criminal Very plainly too, the
crime was committed after dark or
the lamp would not have been lighted -
'Egad, that's right" exclaimed Glib
son eagerly And it fits well with
what l already have discovered"
This announcement did not for a
moment divert Donald from his own
line of investigation. He returned to
the library door and glanced sharply
into the side entry, then asked alb
ruptiy:
did Doctor Curlew examine the
wound that caused Winnings death?"
Certainly"
What did ne say Of it?"
ut was inflicted with dagger, evil
IDENTIFY a stiletto. the blade of which
passed through Winnings shoulder blade
and penetrated his heart"
"A stiletto, eh?"
''Exactly,T nodded Gibson. 'Thc
shape of the incision convinces us of
that
What about these doors and win
dows?"
''An were closed and locked, except
the library window. That was closed,
but not locked"
Were there any signs of a prOtract-
ed struggle in the roOm?'
None whatever"
'Hunph. ii would appear. from all
this, Gibson, that Doctor Vining may
have left his library for a few moments,
and that some person or persons seized
the opportunity to enter through the
window for the purpose of robbery.
Also, that they were caught in the act
by the doctor when he returned"
My idea exactly cried Gibson. nod
ding.
ut looks as if the doctor turned TO
flee, instead of attempting to put up
fight against the rascals, and he must
have been stabbed from behind before
he could have reached the library door"
so it appears to me-"
His assassin already possessed of
his plumber. and fearing he might be
seen after the disturbance, possibly be-
ing ignorant that the physician was
alone in the house. appears to have
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-02-02
Iu.-FEATURES IN CLAY.

''Scoundrel. Why are you Help!
Thieves, Murder"
"Silencei DiablO-take that
a man struck with dismay-a thief
caught in the act
4 moment of wrathful prOtest-an
instant of consuming fear.
4 An attempt to flee for aid, flash of
steel in the lamplight, fall, crash
and all is over.
The one lies face down upon the floor
newer to rise.
The other darts to the table, fiercely
blows out the light, leaps from the open
window, turning to close It after him.
and i'm a moment is swallowed up in
the gloom of the night.
No story of the appalling tragedy
appeared i'm the morning newspapers.
The first intimation of it received by
Mr. Norris Donald consisted of tele-
phone call at the Court street office
of this noted private detective.
1t is from Mr.. Gibson, the chief
of detectives" said Donald's stenog-
raphed, with the receiver still at her
ear.
What does he say is the matter
Bessie?"
That it's a. case of murder and he
would like your opinion"
eh?" dTawled Morris Donald, with an
amused squint of his keen crap eyes.
Where is he. Bessie?'
AT the house OF Doctor Leo Vim
ing. in Cambridge. He states that
Doctor Winning was found dead on the
library floor this morning. and that
That he cannot imagine who killed
him. interposed Donald dryly. Tell
him, Bessie, that 1 shall be pleased
10 join him in the course of a half
hour"
Although very little ever escaped the
observation of Morris Donald. he APP
peared TO have no interest in things
about Doctor Winnings handsome Cam
bridge residence, as he approached it
the throng of people on the side
walk. the several policemen guarding
the gravel driveway entering the broad
grounds, the great gang of Italian la
borers at work building a new sewer
in the adjoining street, nor in the
quietude and atmosphere of bereave-
ssssS that hung about the stricken
building.
Miss Leona Winning, the physicians
only daughter. a beautiful and stately
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-02-02

once said to me, Thomas, your easy
going, accommodating disposition some
day viii get you into trouble"
Little did l dream that this early
prediction was about to fructify when
l entered the Talbot garden.> A min
gled fragrance of hyacinths and tulips
filed the air and I felt young, very
young, when | was ushered into the
long old-fashioned drawing room.
She was dressed in gr6y, was dear
Miss Virginia, and she was standing
by table on which were bowls of pur-
pie and white lilacs. The room was
filled with chairs placed as if for a
private funeral. From Miss Virginia's
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-02-02

brunette. regarded with some misgiv-
ings in her fearful eyes this young
man. when he was led into the sump-
tuous drawing room by Chief Gibson,
who had been upon the scene upward
of an hour.
This is Mr.. Donald, for whom l have
been waiting" said he, by way of san
introduction. There has been l a
dreadful crime committed here DON
aid. Miss Winnings father was found
dead on the library floor this morning,
stabbed in the back. His desk and
safe have been robbed, and
Perhaps Miss Vining viii tell me
You have my profound sympathy, /
assure you" Donald broke off to say,
bowling and interrupting himself with
the same grave suavity as that with
which he had Interrupted Gibson.
Tell me. Miss Vining, who discov-
cred the crime?"
Considerably moved by Donald's rare
art of making himself felt, the girl
cholIed down sob, and replied, with
subdued agitation:
ELLEN, one of our servants, when she
came down to prepare breakfast"
''She discovered the body. l infer p"
yes; just back of the portiere at
the library door. It had been lying
there all night None of US knew of
the dreadful affair till Ellen gave the
alarm"
How did that happen, Miss Vim
ing?"
"A little strangely" she replied. with
tremulous' voice. Being a widOwer,
my father occupied one of the front
chambers alone. Last evening / went
with my aunt. who is one of the fam
lily, to a lawn party at the house of
a friend. 1t was eleven o'clock when
we returned, and the servants, also
were absent till nearly ten. None of
us went into the library, the lamp
having been extinguished. but all re-
tired as usual. supposing that my IA
Their had gone to bed
II see murmured Donald, with
grave attention. He was left alone
here last evening""
YES"
s'How was he engaged. Miss Vining.
when you and your aunt left home?''
TT is the first of the month, and he
was at work upon his books and ac-
counts
Did you and your aunt leave him
before the servants, or after?'
After"
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-02-02

''Where?'' l asked apprehensivelv.
At the front door" whispered Miss
Virginia. IF you don't wish to run
the gantlet. colonel, you might go out
the side door" and she pointed hastily
to the left, then turned TO the hallway
to meet her guests.
l saw two pairs of poTtieres. Which
covered the door? There was no time
to ask, for the enemy was upon me. A
phalanx of chairs separated me from
one pair of portieres. 1 darted between
the other pair to come into violent col
lision with something cold. hard, tall
yes, it was the Marble Faun. There
was room for both of US, but none to
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-02-02

things. Have you got any books on
ancient Greece
ANY number of them," / said.
Tom cheered visibly. Thank heav-
en- he CALCULATED. Miss Virginia's
got paper to write about the Ancient
Greeks, and she won't ask Marcia to
help her, and she keeps popping ques-
tons at me until 1 feel perforated
want to stand in with her-well-you
see, she is Mareia's aunt, colonel,
and"
Not another word. my boy, the
books are yours
April the 18th was a beautiful day, too
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-02-02
BY SCOTT CAMPBELL.

Copyright, 1905. by the Author)
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1908-08-27

with a mistaken softness in dealing
with their children, who develop a
class of young loafers. Boys who come
TO think OF themselves as immune
from punishment speedily develop a
contempt for their parents, and if this
is allowed to go unchecked the final
results are disastrous
Children who make up the business
OF the court are not bad. They are
merely the victims of bad environ
ment in most cases. and it is such a
school as is the children's court which
teaches them the right and the wrong
of things. Many children are ar
raigned charged with offenses which
If committed by adults would be felon-
ious, but they are, in accordance with
a section of the penal code treated as
misdemeanants. You have to look at
the Offenses from the standpoint Of
age and refuse to consider child
Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1908-08-27

went cautiously, like man who was
not quite certain of his ground; as a
matter OF fact, he was keeping his
hand on the revolver in his pocket
in case it might be necessary to use
it; there was just chance. And he
stepped cautiously, because bombs are
not unknown in Russia. When he was
satisfied there was no danger, fierce
joy possessed him, for here he was,
alone with Christabel.
Christabel glanced round the room.
This does not look like chamber
CT horrors" she said smilingly, to
him.
ooh, that lies beyond" he replied,
also with smile. Never did he allow
his mask to drop. 1--WE must pass
through that door," he continued,
pointing to a door at the opposite
side of the room. Let me open it for
you," he said, politely, "but first |
must turn On the lights. The way to
the chamber is dark"
He went over to a table near wall
on which was an electric switchboard
and pressed button. Then from his
chain he took key and opened a
tiny safe let into the wall above the
table Christabel saw that it con-
tanned some small machine. Next he
opened the door-it swung heavy on
it's hinges-to which he had pointed,
and held it open for Christabel to
pass through She found herself in a
short passage made of concrete, at the
end of which was a steel door such
as is to be seen in the vaults of a
bank. The door through which she
had come closed behind her, and she
found herself alone.
For what seemed to her a long min
ute she remained alone, wondering;
then Dmitri opened the door.
Il suppose it was a joke she said
to him, alluding to the shutting of the
door upon her.
yes, it was Joke he replied; but
his voice, which he could not altogeth-
er control, shook a little.
Christabel did not know it, but she
had been within al ace of death.
Though Dmitri's voice had been I'M
steady, she had no suspicion or the
hot struggle he had fought before re-
opening the door. Love had been vic
torious in that passage of arms.
Ito Be Contnued.)