davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1909-11-12

have done all the mining | wanted to.
But here Is the singular thing that
happened: l opened up my Office and
had nothing to do; they didn't seem to
want any right Of way just then. |
kept getting my check every month,
and wasn't doing a hands turn but rid
ing over the country and shooting
jack-rabbits. But, Lord, love this
country! Did you know / used to be
a cowboy In the mountains years ago?
Indeed | did. know 1t almost as we'll
as you do. | mined more or less in
the meantime. Occasionally l would
60 to Bucks-you say you don't know
him?-too bad!-and tell him, candid
ly wasn't doing a thing to earn my
salary. At such times he would only
ask me how liked the job" and
Whispering Smiths heavy eyebrows
rose in mild surprise at the recollec-
ton. "0ne day when / was talking
with him he handed me a telegram
from the desert saying that a night
operator at lonely station had been
shot and a switch misplaced and a
train nearly wrecked. He asked me
what thought Of 1t. / discovered
that the poor fellow had shot himself,
and in the end we had to put him in
the insane asylum to save him from
the penitentiary-but that was where
my trouble began.
1T ended in my having to organize
the special service on the whole road
to look after q thousand and one
things that nobody else had-well, let
US say time or inclination to look aft
er: Fraud and theft and violence and
all that sort Of disagreeable thing.
Then one day the cat crawled out Of
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1909-11-12

the bag. What do you thinki That
man who is now president of this road
nae somewhere, seen a highly-colored
story about me in a magazine, a ten.
cent magazine, you know. He had
spotted me the first time / walked into
his office, and told me q long time
afterward it was just like seeing a
man walk out Of a book, and that he
had hard work to keep from falling on
my neck. He knew what he wanted
me for; 1t was just this thing. / left
Chicago to get away from it, and this
is the result. 1t is not all that kind Of
thing, oh, no! When they want to
cross reservation have a winter in
Washington with our attorneys and
dine with old friends In tie White
House, and the next winter / may be
on nowshoes chasing a band Of
rustlers. / swore long ago would do
no more Of it-that / couldn't and
wouldn't. But 1t is Bucks. l can't 60
back on him. He is amiable and !
am soft He says he is going to have
a crown and harp for me some day,
but l fancy-that is, have an intima.
don-that there will be a red-hot pro.
test at the bar Of heaven" he lowered
his tone, from a certain unmention.
able quarter when | undertake 10 put
the vestments on. BY the way,
hear you are interested in chickens
Oh, yes, I've heard a lot about you!
Bob Johnson, over at Oroville, has
some pretty bantams ] want to tell
you about"
Whether he talked railroad or chick
ems, 1t was all one; Dicksie sat spell
bound; and when he announced II
was half-past three o'clock and time
to rouse Marion she was amazed.
Dawn showed in the east. The meu
eating breakfast in tents were to be
sent on a work-train up a piece of Y
track that led as near as they could
be taken to where they were needed
The train had pulled out when Dick
sic, Marion, McCloud and Whispering
Smith took horses to get across tC
the hills and through to the ranch
house.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1909-11-12
SYNOPSIS.

Murray Sinclair and his gang Of wreck
ers were called out to clear the railroad
tracks at Smoky Creek McCloud, q
young road superintendent, caught Sin-
clair and his men in the act of looting
the wrecked train. Sinclair pleaded in
. nocence, declaring 1t only amounted to a
small sum-a treat for the men. Nc Cloud
discharged the whole outfit and ordered
the wreckage burned McCloud became
acquainted with Dicksie Dunning, girl
OF the west, who came to look at the
wreck. She gave him message Cor Sin.
clair Whispering" Gordon Smith told
President Bucks of the railroad Of Nc
Clouds brave fight against gang OF
crazed miners and that was the reason
for the superintendent appointment to
his high Office McCloud arranged to
board at the boarding house o. Mrs. Sin
clair, the ex-foreman's deserted wife.
Dicksie Dunning was the daughter Of the
late Richard Dunning, who had died Of a
broken heart shortly after his wife's
demise, which occurred after one year OF
married life. Sinclair visited Marion Sin
clair's shop and fight between him and
McCloud was narrowly ayarted. Smoky
Creek bridge was myste,iously burned.
McCloud prepared to face the situation.
President Bucks notified Smith that he
had work ahead. McCloud worked for
days and finally got the division running
In fairly good order. Ee overheard Dick
sic crlticising his methods, to Marion
Sinclair. A stock train was wrecked by
an open switch. Later a passenger train
was held up and the express car robbed.
Two men Of posse pursuing the bandits
were killed. McCloud was notified that
Whispering Smith was to hunt the des-
peradoes. Bill Dancing, a road lineman,
proposed that Sinclair and his gang be
sent to hunt the bandits. A stranger ap-
parently with authority, told him to 60
ahead. Dancing was told the stranger
was Whispering Smith" Smith ap-
preached Sinclair. He tried to buy him
on, but failed. He warned McCloud that
his life was in danger. McCloud was car
ried forcibly into Lance Cummings pres
ence. Dunning refused the railroad a
right-of-way, he had already signed for.
Dicksie interfered to prevent a shooting
ARRAY. Dicksie met McCloud on lonely
trail to warn him his life was in danger.
On his way home shot passed through
his hat. Whispering Smith reported that
Du Sang, one of Sinclair's gang, had been
assigned to kill McCloud. He and Smith
saw Du Sang Whispering Smith taunt-
ed Du Sang and told him to get out of
Medicine Bend or suffer. Du Sang seemed
to succumb to the bluff. McClOud's big
construction job was taken from him be-
cause of an injunction issued to Lance
Dunning by the United States court A
sudden. rise of the Crawling Stone river
created CONSERVATION. Dicksie and Ma
rion appealed to McCloud for help. Whis-
pering Smith joins the group.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1909-11-12

! ing all the teams you can at that END
Of the work."
Every man that can be spared
from the river shall go at it. Come
over here and look at our work and
Judge for yourself"
They rode to where the forces a.
sembled by Lance we're throwing up
embankments and riprapping. There
was hurried running to and fro, q vio-
lent dragging about Of willows; and Q
good deal Of shouting.
Dunning, with some excitement,
watched McCloud's face to note the
eject Of the activity on him, but No
Clouds expression, naturally reserved,
reflected nothing Of his views on The
subject. Dunning waved his hand at
the lively scene. They've been at 1t
all night How many would you take
away, sir?"
You might take them all away, as
Tar as the river is concerned" said
McCloud, after a moment.
What? He'll! ALP"
They are not doing anything, are
they, but running around in a circle!
And those fellows over there might as
well be making mud pies as riprap-
ping at that point. What we need
there Is a mattress and sandbags-
and plenty Of them. Bill" directed
McCloud in an even tone Of business
as he turned to Dancing, see how
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1909-11-12
mountains? ! DO want to understand

mountains? ! DO want to understand
things better"
Why, you are in real earnest,
aren't you? But | am not making fun
OF you. Do you know President Bucks?
No? Too bad! He's very handsome
old bachelor. And he is one Of those
men who get all sorts of men to do
all sorts Of things for them. You
know, building and operating railroads
in this part Of the country is no joke.
The mountains are filled with meu
that don't care for God, man, or the
devil. Sometimes they furnish their
own ammunition to fight with and
don't bother the railroad for years; at
such times the railroad leaves them
alone. For my part, l never quarrel
with a man that doesn't quarrel with
the road. Then comes a time when
they get after us, shooting our men or
robbing our agents or stopping our
trains. OF course we have to get
busy then. A few years ago they wor-
ried Bucks till they nearly turned his
hair eray. At that unfortunate time
| happened into his Office with letter
Of introduction from his closest Chi
caso friend, Willis Howard, prince of
good men, the man that made the
Palmer house famous-yes. Now
had come out here, Miss Dunning-I
almost said Miss Dicksie, because
hear 1t 30 much"
Il should be greatly set up to hear
you call me Dicksie. /. And have won
dered thousand times about your
name. Dare l ask-why do they call
you Whispering SMITH You don't
whisper"
He laughed with abundance Of good
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1909-11-12
Dlcksle Ordered Horses saddIed and
Rode to the River. %.

quick you can get your gangs over
here with what sacks they can carry
and walk fast. II you will put your
men on horses, Mr.. Dunning, they can
help like everything. That bank
won't last a great while the way the
river is getting under 1t now" DAN
cling wheeled like an elephant on his
bronco and clattered away through the
rSld. Lance Dunning, recovering from
his surprise, started his men back for
the wagons, and McCloud, dismount-
ing, walked with him to the waters
edge to plan the fight for what was
left Of the strip in front Of the alfalfa
fields.
When Whispering Smith got back
to the house he was in good humor.
He Joined Dicksie and Marion in the
dining room. where they we're drink
ing coffee. Afterward Dlcksle ordered
horses saddled and the three rode to
the river. Up and down the bank as
far as they could see in the misty
rain, men were moving slowly about
more men, 1t seemed to Dlcksie,
than she had ever seen together in
her life. The confusion and the noise
had disappeared. No one appeared to
hurry, but every one had something
to do, and, from the gangs who with
sledges were sinking "dead-men"
among the trees to hold the cables Of
the mattress that was about to be
sunk, and the Japs who were dllIgent-
~ preparing to float and load 1t, to
the men that were filling and wheel
ing the sandbags, no one appeared en-.
cited. McCloud Joined the visitors for
few moments, and then went back
to where Dancing and his men on life.
lines were guiding the mattress to It's
resting place. In spite OF the gloom
Of the rain, which Whispering Smith
said was breaking, Dlcksie rode back
to the house In much better spirits
with her two guests; and when they
came from luncheon the sun, as Smith
had predicted, was shining.
"0h, come OUT" cried Dicksie, at
the door, Marion had a letter TO write
and went upstairs, but Whispering
Smith followed Dicksie. Does every.
thing you say come true?" she de-
manded as she stood in the sunshine.
She was demure with light-hearted.
ness and he looked at her approving.
ly. Il hope nothing / may say ever
will come true unless 1t makes You
happy" he answered, lightly. ct would
be shame II 1t did anything else"
She pointed two accusing fingers At
him. DO you know what you prom.
ised last night? You have forgotten
already! You said you would tell me
why my leghorns are eating their
feathers or"
(To BE coNTINUED)
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1909-11-12
ILLUSTRATIONS BY ANDRf BOWLES
~ CHS ScRh6NHR5 50NS

now" he answered as he offered her
his box with a smile.
"Are you taking your hat OF for me
In the rain? Put it on again!" she in.
sisted with a little tone of command,
and she was conscious Of qualification
when he obeyed amiably.
Il won't take your box unless you
can find another!" she said. "Oh, you
have another! l came out to tell you
what a dreadful man l thought you
were, and to apologize"
Never mind apologizing. Lots of
people. think worse than that of me
and don't apologize. I'm sorry l have
no shelter to offer you, except to sit
on this side and take the rain"
Why should you take the rain for
me-"
You are a woman"
But a stranger to you"
only in a way"
Dlcksie gazed for a moment at the
fire. you won't think me abrupt, will
you?" she said, turning to him, but,
as truly as l live, cannot account for
you, Mr.. Smith. l guess at the ranch
we don't know what goes on in the
world. Everything / see of you con-
tradicts everything l have heard of
you"
You haven't seen much of me yet,
you know, and you may have heard
much better accounts of me than
deserve. Still, it isn't surprising you
can't account for me; in fact, it would
be surprising If you could. Nobody
pretends to do that. You must not be
shocked if can't even account for
myself. Do you know what a derelict
is? A ship that has been abandoned
but never wholly sinks"
please don't make fun of me! How
did you happen to come into the
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1909-11-12

/ the river tonight. It's a sort OF con-
tinuous performance, you know" Nc
Cloud looked at Dicksie. Take OF
your coat, won't you, please?"
Whispering Smith was trying to
drag a chest from the foot of the cot,
and Marion stood watching. What
are you trying to do?"
Get this over to the table for a
seat"
SILLY man! why don't you move the
tablet"
Dicksie was taking of her coat.
How inviting 1t all Isl" she smiled.
"And this is where you stay?"
when 1t rains" answered McCloud.
Let me have your hat, too"
my hair is sight, l know. We
rode over rocks and up gullies into the
brush"
"And through lakes-oh, know! |
can't conceive how you ever got here
at all. Your hair is all right. This is
camp, anyway. But if you want
glass you can have one. Knisely is a
great swell; he's just from school, and
has no end of things. I'll rob his bag"
Don't disturb Mr.. Knisely's bag for
the world"
But you are not taking of your hat.
You seem to have something on your
mind"
Help me to get it of my mind, will
you, please?"
IF you will let me-"
Tell me how to thank you for your
generosity. l came all the way over
here tonight to ask you for just the
help you have offered, and l could not
it stuck in my throat. But that
wasn't what was on my mind. Tell
me what you thought when | acted so
dreadfully at Marion's."
Il didn't deserve anything better
after placing myself in such a fool
position. Why don't you ask me what
thought the day you acted so beau
tifully at Crawling Stone ranch? |
thought that the finest thing | ever
saw"
You were not to blame at Mari
on's."
Il seemed to be, which is Just as
bad. l am going to start the phones
going. It's up to me to make good,
you know, in about four hours with a
lot OF men and material. Aren't you
going to take off your hat?-and your
gloves are soaking wet"
A voice called the superintendent
name through the tent door. "Mr. Nc
Cloud?"
What is it, Bill?"
"Twenty-eight and nine-tenths on
the gauge, sir"
McCloud looked at his companions.
Il told you so. Up three-tenths. Thank
you, Bill; I'll be with you in a minute.
Tell Cherry to come and take away
the supper things, will you? That is
about all the water we shall get to-
night, l think. It's all we want"
added McCloud, glancing at his watch.
I'm going to take a look at the river.
We shall be quiet now around here un-
til half-past three, and if you, Marion,
and Miss Dunning will take the tent,
you can have two hours rest before
We start. Bill Dancing will guard
you against intrusion, and if you want
ice water ring twice."
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1909-11-12
CHAPTER Xxx.
At the River.

They found the ranchhouse as Mari
on and Dicksie had left 1t, deserted
Puss told them every one was at the
river. McCloud did not approve Dick
sizes plan of going down to see her
cousin first. why not let me ride
down and manage 1t without bringing
you into it at all?" he suggested. 1T
can be done" And after further dis
cussion 1t was so arranged.
McCloud and Smith had been
joined by Dancing on horseback, and
they made their way around Squaw
lake and across the fields. The fog
was rolling up from the willows al
the bend. Men were chopping in the
brush, and McCloud and his com.
panion soon, met Lance Dunning rid.
Ing up the narrow strip Of sand that
held the river of the ranch.
McCloud greeted Dunning, regard.
less Of his amazement, as II he had
parted from him the day before. How
are you making 1t over here?" he
asked. I'VE are in pretty good shape
at the moment down below, and |
thought would ride over to see II We
could do anything for you. This is
what you call pretty fair water for
this part Of the valley, isn't IT,"
Lance swallowed his establishment.
This isn't water, McCloud; this is
hell" He took of his hat and wiped
his forehead. well, call this white.
anyway. and no mistake-I do, indeed,
sir! This is Whispering Smith, isn't
1t? Glad to see you at Crawling
Stone. sir" Which served not only
to surprise but to please Whispering
Smith.
Some Of my men were free" con.
tinued McCloud; Il switched some
mattresses and sacks around the Y,
thinking they might come in play here
for you at the bend. They are at your
service II you think you need them"
Need them" Lance swore fiercely
and from the bottom OF his heart. He
was glad to get help from any quar-
ter and made 10 bones about It. More
over, McCloud lessened the embarrass-
ment by explaining that he had a per.
sonal interest in holding the channel
where 1t ran, lest a change above
might threaten the approaches already
built to the bridge; and Whispering
Smith, who would have been on terms
with the catfish II he had been flung
into the middle Of the Crawling Stone,
contributed at once, like a REINFORCED
spring, to the ease Of the situation.
Lance again took OF his hat and
wiped the sweat Of anxiety from his
dripping forehead. Whatever differ.
ences Of opinion | may have with
your company, | have no lack Of
esteem personally, McCloud, for you,
sir, by heaven! How many men did
you bring?"
And whatever wheels you Crawling
Stone ranchers may have in your
heads on the subject Of irrigation" re-
turned McCloud, evenly, 81 have no
lack Of esteem personally, Mr.. Dun
ming, for you. | brought 10O."
DO you want to take charge here?
I'm frank, sir; you understand this
game and don't"
Suppose we look the situation over;
meantime. all our supplies have to be
brought across from the Y. What
should you think. Mr.. DuAning, Of put.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1909-11-12
CHAPTER XVIII.-contInued.

Marion put her hand for a moment
on his coat sleeve; he looked at Dick
sic with another laugh and spoke to
her because he dared not look toward
Marion. Going back tonight, do you
say? You never are?"
Dicksie answered quite in earnest:
."Oh, but We are. We must"
why did you come, then? It's
taken half the night to get here, and
will take a night and half at least to
get back"
I'VE came to ask Mr.. McCloud for
dome gain sacks-you know, they
have nothing to work with at the
ranch" said Marion; "and he said we
might have some and we are to send
for them in the morning"
81 see. But We may as we'll talk
plainly" Smith looked at Dicksle.
you are as brave and as game as a
girl can be, know, or you couldn't
have done this. Sacks full of sand
with the boys at the ranch to handle
them, would do no more good to-mor.
row at the bend than bladders. The
river is flowing into Squaw lake above
there how. A hundred men that know
the game might check things yet II
they're there by daylight. Nobody
else, and nothing else on Gods earth
can"
There was silence before the fire
McCloud broke it: 81 can put the 100
men there at daylight, Gordon, if Miss
Dunping and her cousin want them,
SAID McClould.
Marion sprang to her feet. "Oh
will you do that, Mr.. McCloud?"
McCloud looked at Dicksie. IF they
are wanted"
Dcksie tried to look at the fire. 1--WE
have hardly deserved help from Mr.
McCloud at the RANCH" she said al
last.
e He put out his hand. 81 must object
The first wreck l ever had on this di
vision Miss Dunning rode 20 miles tC
otfer help. Isn't that true? Why,
would walk 100 miles to return the
offer to her. Perhaps your cousin
would object" he suggested, turning
to Dicksie; but no, think we car
manage that. Now what are we coins
to do? You two can't go back to
night, that is certain"
I'VE must"
Then you will have to go in boats,
said Whispering Smith.
But the hill road?
There is five feet Of water across 4
In half dozen places. l swan my
horse through, so | ought to know"
1T is all back-water, of course, Miss
Dunning," explained McCloud. mo
dangerous"
But moist" suggested WhisperinI
Smith, Especially in the dark"
McCloud looked at Marion. "TheI
let's be sensible" he said. you ant
Miss Dunning can have my tent"
is this where you stay?" askec
Dicksie.
-Four of us sleep in the cots, wheI
We can. and an indefinite number Ii,
on the ground when it rains"
Which is your bed?"
Il usually sleep there" He pointeC
TO the one on the right.
II thought so. It has the blanke
folded back so neatly, Just as If Their
were sheets under 1t. I'll bet therl
aren't any"
DO you think this is q summer re
sort! Knisely, my assistant, sleeps
there, but Of course we are never boil
n be- q tie Same tina: he's dow
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1909-11-12
Easy Money.

A hish-hyer around town makes If,
money too easily for his own good.
dis rich wife gave him $4,000 when
s s0s married himand raised it to 1900.
goo to divorce him. Now he doesn't
nave n to work or marry any more
New York Press.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-24
Somma ar Tailoring Co. 1912-14 Firsl Ave. Regal Shoes

explained that 1t was6 compromise be- tween a dispensarv stem of bad booze and bad management and the open salon. He stated thu he did not draw if ip. He stated tit he favored the county as A unit in bcal option theory and said that had hl been elected lieu tennt governor he buld have lived up to Dis pledge.
 Had Alabama hs a governor like Paterson of Tennesse, he said, state wite prohibition void not been stuffed dofn the throats Q the people. The nahe of Patterson Jas applauded. My opIonent cannot escpe the issue by draS- gity in my record. ,he said. He made a. fulfilling attack on section 2, what it mkans the dansef with which 1t is filld, and chargedlhypocrisy false pre- tetse and deceptioi as part and parcei oflthe amendment.
 During short controversy between the speakers it developed that Weakley was misinformed as to the wording or a phrase in the Fuller bill. O'Neal de- cared that he knew more about the bill than the man who made it, this causing much laughter. ONeal in reading d decision of the supreme court of West Virginia showed wherein the Fuller bill fin ceftaini particulars was unconstitution- all, Yfeakley admitted never having seen the tecison in question. During the readhg If the decision time was called on O'Neal The people demanded that he continue leading, stating that what they heard was too good to miss.
 During the rebutta1 Weakley became very restless, and declared that as ne had no opportunity to answer O'Neal a this time he would harbor up the httit rebuttal far another occasion.
 Adjournment followed.