davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1909-04-09
CHAPTER VII.
The Haunted House.

A mud-splashed automobile runabOu'
containing two men was turning oi
Van Ness avenue down narrow
and shadier side street in the after
noon of the Sunday following the dis
appearance of Archie Winter. One of
the occupants seemed to be an invalid
whom the brilliant March sunshine
had not tempted out of his heavy
wrappings and cap; the other was a
short, thick-set, corduroy-iacketed
chauffeur One marked the runabOut
at a glance as a hardly used livery
motor car; but a moments inspection
might have shown that it was running
with admirable smoothness and quiet
The chauffeur wore goggles, hence his
eyes were shielded, but he turned a
broad smile upon the pallid cheeks
and sharpened profile beside him.
Colonel, as health-seeker who
can't keep warm enough, you're
great" he cried. Lord, but you look
the part"
IF | can't shed some of these con-
founded muflers soon" growled the
pale sufferer addressed, I'm get so
red with heat It will come through my
beautiful powder hope those fellows
won't see us, for they will be on to us,
all right"
Our own mothers wouldn't be on to
lis in these rigs" the chauffeur re-
piled. cheerily; he seemed to be in a
hopeful mood land let us once get
into the house, and surprise 'em, and
therell be something drop. But
haven't really had chance to tell you
the latest-having to pick you up at
drug store this way. Now, let's sum
things up! You think the boy got out
through Keatcham's apartment? Or
Mrs. Wigglesworth's?"
How else?" said the colonel; "he
can't fly and If he could. he couldn't
fly out and then lock the windows
from the inside"
Il see'-the chauffeur appeared
thoughtful-"and the Wiggiesworth
door was locked. You think that
Keatcham is in it. someway?"
Not Keatcham," said the colonel
There was another man in the car
Atkins they called him. though he has
disappeared. But Mercer remains. His
secretary and that valet of his; think
the secretary is Cary Mercer. The boy
might have slipped out in those few
moments we were hunting for him in
side. Afterward, either Mrs. Melville
Winter or | was on guard until your
man came He might go to the Fire
less Stove man, slip out of his rooms,
and round the corner to the elevator
in a couple of seconds. Then, of
course, | might see their rooms"
Provided, that is, the Fireless Stove
drummer is in the plot, too
THE Fireless Stove drummer who
smokes viilar Villar cigars? He is
in It, / think, Birdsall."
well, I'll assume that. Next thing:
You get the telephone call. And you
say the voice sounded clipper: didn't
look like he was being hurt or both
cred anyway. did it,"
mot at all. Besides. you know the
letter Miss Smith got this morning."
4 think I'd like another peek at
that; will you drive her a minute.
while look at the letter AGAIN." The
instant his hands were free Birdsall
pulled cut the envelope from his leath-
The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1909-04-09
Speed Down the Corridor to Her Own Door.

knew his father we'll. / don't believe
he would harm hair of Archie's head.
He isn't a cruel fellow-at least not
toward women and children. I've a
notion that what he calls his wrongs
have upset his wits a bit, and he might
turn the screws on the Wall street
crowd that ruined him. That is, if
he had chance; but he is poor; he
would need millions to get even a
chance for a blow at them. But a
child, lad who looks like his brother
no, you may be sure he wouldn't
hurt Archie! He couldn't"
"But-the name, Winter; it is not
such a common name; and the words
about lady of-of-" The polite
soldier hesitated.
AN old woman. do you meano" said
Aunt Rebecca, with little curving of
her still unwrinkled upper lip,
1T sounds so complete" submitted
her nephew
Therefore distrust it," she argued.
dryly "Gaboriau's great detective
and Conan Doyle's both have that
same maxim-not to pick out easy an
sWers."
Winter smiled in his own turn.
still, sometimes the easy answers are
right. Now, here is the situation:
hear this conversation at the depot. |
find one of the men on the same train
with me. He, presumably. If he is
Cary Mercer, and don't think | can
be mistaken in his IDENTITY"
Unless another man is making up
as Cary"
ut may seem conceted, but don't
think | could be fooled. This man
had every expression of the others.
and | was too struck by the-I may
almost call it malignant-lookh he had,
not to recognize him. No, il was Mer-
Ger; he would certainly recognize you,
and he would know who | am; he
would not be called upon to snub me
as a possible confidence man."
That rankles yet, Bertie?"
He made a grimace and nodded.
But" he insisted. isn't it so? If
he is up to some mischief. any mischief
doesn't care to have his kin meet
him-that is the way he would act,
don't you Think"
He might be up to mischief, yet
have no designs on his kin"
He might" said the colonel, mu-
singly. A thought which he did not
confide to the shrewd old woman had
Just Tipped his mind. But he went
on with his plea.
"He avoids you: he avoids me. He
is seen going into Keatcham's drawing
room: that means some sort of an
acquaintance with Keatcham, enough
to talk to him. anyway. How much, I
can't say. Then comes the attack by
the robbers; he is in another car, so
there is no call for him to do any
thing: there is no light whatever on
whether he had anything to with the
robbery
Then we come here. Keatcham
has the room next but one. Archie
goes into his own room: we see him
go; I am outside. directly outside; #
is simply impossible for him to go out
into the hall without my seeing him;
besides. found the doors outside all
locked except the one to the right
where we entered your suite: then we
may assume that he could not go out
lie could not climb cut OF locked win
The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1909-04-09

doWS on the third fiOOr down Sneel
descent of some 10 or so feet, Your
last room to the right, Miss Smiths
bedroom, Is a corner room; besides,
she was in 1t; that excludes every exit
except that to the left. We find Mrs
Wigglesworth was absent; and there
were evidences of-an-an attack of
some kind carefully hidden, afterward.
But there is no sign of the boy. !
watch the rooms. If he Is hidden
somewhere in Keatcham's rooms, the
chances are, after Keatcham goes,
they will try to take him off. I don't
think it probable that Keatcham knows
anything about the kidnapping; in fact,
it is wildly improbable. Well, Keatch.
am goes; Immediately l get into the
room. The valet and the young man
visiting Keatcham, young Arnold, let
me in without the slightest demur.
Either they know nothing of the boy
or somehow they have got him away,
else they would not let me in so easily.
Maybe they are ignorant and the boy
is gone, both. We go to the rooms
very soon after; there is not the small
est trace of Archie
How did he get out?"
"They must have outwitted me,
somehow" the colonel sighed, "and it
looks as If he went voluntarily; there
was no possible carrying away by
force. And there was no odor of
chloroform about; that is very pene-
trating it would get into the halls.
They must have persuaded him to go
but how"
IF they have kidnapped him." said
Mrs. Winter. they will send me some
word, and If they have persuaded him
to run away, plainly he must be able
to walk, and that-mess in Mrs. Wig
glesworth's room doesn't mean any
thing bad
"Of course not" said the colonel,
firmly.
Then, in as casual tone as he could
command: by the way, where is
Miss Smith? She is back, isn't she?"
"oh, a long time ago" said Mrs.
Winter Il sent her to bed"
I've been frank with you. You will
reciprocate and tell me why, for what,
you sent her out?"
Mrs. Winter made not the least
evasion. She answered frankly: II
sent her with a carefully worded ad
vertisement-but you needn't tell Mil
licent, who has also gone TO bed, thank
heaven-I sent her with carefully
worded advertisement to all the pa
pers. This Is the advertisement. II
will reach the kidnapers, and it will
not reach any one else. See" She
handed him a slip of paper from her
card-case. He read:
To the holders OF Archie w: Commu-
nicate with r. S. W.. same address as be-
fore. and you will hear OF something to
your advantage. Perfectly safe.
The colonel read il thoughtfully, a
little puzzled. Before he had time to
speak. his quick ears caught the sharp
ring of his room telephone bell. He
excused himself to answer It. His
room was the last OF the suite, but he
shut the door on his way to the tele-
phone.
He expected Haley; nor was he dis
appointed Haley reported-in Span
lsh-that he had traced the automo-
bile: Il was the property Of young Mr.
Arnold. son Of the rich Mr.. Arnold.
Young Arnold had been at Harvard
The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1909-04-09
Japan Has LARGE Rice crop.

Official statistics from Japan are ia
vorable in regard to the rice produc-
ton this year. II appears that the
crop will reach 96.SO0,0OO hectollters.
which is an increase of Is per cent.
over the production of last year. The
value of that crop, at the minimum
price of 81 francs S5 eentimes the hec-
toliter, amounts to more than 2.OO0-
100000 francs. and this abundance
will result in increased exports.
The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1909-04-09
e3| OGNLE 72ZAM7
740g gs@ 7Hz nan eeAe9HozR o
SYNOPSIS.

The story opens at Harvard where Col.
Rupert Winter. u. s. A., visiting. saw the
suicide of young Mercer He met Cary
Mercer, brother of the dead student.
Three years later. in Chicago. in 1906,
Col. Winter overheard Cary Mercer APP
parently planning to kidnap Archie, the
Colonels ward, and to gain possession of
Aunt Rebecca Winters millions. A Miss
Smith was mentioned, apparently as a
conspirator. Winter Unexpectedly met a
relative, Mrs. Alllicent Melville, who
told him that his Aunt Rebecca, Archie
and the latter's nurse, Miss Janet Smith,
were to leave for the west with the
colonel and Mrs. Melville. A great 1nan-
cial magnate was aboard the train on
which Col Winter met his Aunt Rebec-
ca, Miss Smith and Archie. He set his
orderly, Sergt. Haley. to watch over Cary
Mercer. Col. Winter learned that the
financial magnate is Edwin S. Keatcham.
on approaching Cary Mercer the colonel
was snubbed. Winter, aided by Archie,
cleveriy frustrated hold-up on the
train lie took n great liking to Miss
Smith. despite her alleged connection
with the kidnapping plot which lie had
not yet revealed to his relatives. The
party arrived in San Francisco. II was
thought that there were big persons be-
hind the hold-up gang. Archie mysteri
ously disappeared. F'ruitless search was
conducted for Archie. Blood In "a near
by room at the hotel caused fears for
the boys life. No Roadway was made
in the search for Archie.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1909-03-13

father and hearing the neighborhood
chatter from his mother. Of course the
new road was thoroughly discussed.
Il met Jessica riding with the man.
ager," said David finally as a feeler.
His m other looked at him apprehen-
sively.
"Yes," she said, and then changed
the subject so abruptly, avoiding all
future mention of Jessica's name, that
he felt the farmers intimations were
confirmed.
One of their tenants coming into the
house added another drop Of gall by
remarking: :
"Seen your girl riding with that city
fellow. Met them over by your So"
She had taken him thereto the
sacred precincts Of their future hearth
and home! ':-
When he had "spoken"l"to Jessica's
father the reply had been: "As*soon as
you clear your 80 and build house Eli
furnish it and you can have my little
GIRL" '.-a,...s 80 -
So to this end David had worked and
planned. For the past year all mis-
walks and drives with Jessica had been
by the way Of "the So: as IS. .
Towards evening he set out deter
minedly for the Rownses farm accom-
panied by his dog Victor. 1t was be-
tween. sunlight and starlight when The
reached his destination. a.. 49,.
Jessica sat on the porch daintily
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1909-03-13
lot Queen Fortune.

not. Queen Fortune. s: Be: r. :,i : !.
She would be- as far away as ever
then, for he could never conquer his
bashfulness and tell her Of the; love
that lay in his heart. Already one Of
the three days Of his ansfornaatio
had passed. i But two more remained,
and then, again, he would stammer
and founder whenever he attempted
speech with her. HI: I: s,
& At last they were participating in
the Anal event, the open air. nnasquer-
ade at the fair round The infield
was crowded with spectators. while
the masQuers held carnival on the
track. From the judges stand, the king
and queen attend ed by their retinue.
watched the fun il which their dignity
forbade them taking part. and Vance
could almost count the minutes as
they fled. M: zsS =S ii s "a. B
Tomorrow he would be king no
longer. but Loretta would ever be
queen Of his heart. zs-. 81 .
Then came the end. The lights
were turned out. and the fireworks
display that was to mark the closing
80 the fun WAS under way. Az bombs
burst and rockets went screefhing sky
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1909-03-13

After breakfast he made his way to
the barn and tried to concentrate his
mind and heart upon the mending tof
a harness. Presently he heard victor's
welcoming bark and the dearest voice
in the world say:
r. Eyes, Victor, you may put your dear
old paws on this dress. It isn't freshly
ironed. Good morning, David" :
" His heart throbbedE painfully at the
sight of the young form in the door
way.
II came to bring your birthday pres.
emit It's been secret until today. 7
can't give it to you yet, either, be-.
cause Mr. HARDWOOD has it. He's going
to bring 1t presntiy.'''
David's face darkened. :: ~
"You see, David dear, when old
Deacon billiard began to- stand out
about having the road go through his
place, just thought how lovely It
would be for us to have it take that
zigzag piece at the end of your 80 for
a short cut. talked it up to Mr..
HARDWOOD and we were driving over to
look 1T it wheR-lwe met you yesterday.
I was so afraid you'd hear or guess.
He liked the route and he's going TO
take the road that way. Last night he
came to tell me that 1t was all decided
and today he is coming with the papers
for you to sign. Hes going to give you
$500 and O, David, can't we begin
building right away-David!"
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1909-03-13

gowned in a color that matched the
sapphire Of her eyes. Victor ran on
ahead barking a joyous welcome:
His master, coming up the: walk,
noted the little cry Of dismay and the
rueful glance towards the affectionate,
but defacing imprints Off Victor's paws.
Remembering the tenderness bestowed
on Hartwood's little dog in the morn
ing the bitterness increased tenfold.
Down, Victor!" =, he commanded.
''You are not welcomed =
p ! David" she said reproachfully, as
she held out her hand in welcome, II
thought you were never coming! I
have looked for you all the after
noon ..'-' ~.%.*
rs your father al homer" he asked
laconically. =. e. -. = ~ -.
Eyes; you will find him at the barn.
she replied quietly. ~. a
J. When he came back to the house
Jessica was again driving away in the
smart trap with HARDWOOD and the
little dog. 49, 49, z.,. g.. 49,. ~.
At breakfast the next morning he
found a small array of parcels at his
place. He remembered then that 1T
was. his birthday, and he tried to feign
an interest in his mothers homemade
gifts and the substantial check from
his father. ~E.S -&.:s-:G II, NJ M K (.
Toward. the new house, Dave, was
the presentation; speech. David WINGED
at the reminder. -: rs i I: ,s .s:.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1909-03-13

accomplished fact, and he and Loretta
sat on the dais watching the industrial
parade, they found the situation rath-
er pleasant.
Loretta took to her tinseled flnery
with the calm appreciation that is
inherent In &womankind. She beamed
upon the paraders and spectators and
even upon poor Vance. who shuddered
at his temerity even. when he stole
an occasional glance at the girl be-
side him.. &:.:, .Egsss 7: T. =.
No king ever possessed a fairer
consort than the black-hatred girl
who sat upon her throne. her eyes
swapping appreciation Of the fun ana
the color high In her rosy cheeks
Vance even caught himself wishing
that the carnival would last forever.
Then came the royal ball. Vance
had to open the festivities by leading
a quadrille with Loretta, and he found
himself actually joying the proceeds
ings. Is {5} Y. r t>5 - s:'Et
But when the lights were out and he
had driven Loretta to her home IN the
royal coach the one Browns liyery
always reserved for the bride NJ ana
groom at weddings and for the chief
d n
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1909-03-13

Good! You'll be buildin' soon, but
you want to make sure of yer gal be-
fore you lay yer cornerstone"
David, turning with disconnected
suddenness upon his companion.
What do you mean?" demanded
"Oh, was jest jokin', Dave. She's
been havin' little fun with the man.
ager Of the new road. He's a spry
young Teller and real folksy with us
all, but I guess he'll have to take a
back seat now that you've come
home"
What do you mean by little fun ?"
20, nothin'," replied the farmer in
conciliatory tones "You see, when
they was to work up to Rownses, the
men boarded there, and this ere Hart
wood had to be out inspectin' all the
time, and of course the Rownses was
perlite to him and Jessica, she's been
about with him some. Girls will have
their fling, you know"
It was on David's tongue to tell him
he was a liar. when the offender ex-
claimed:
why. here they be now"
David, looking up, beheld with mix
ed emotions, highly groomed mare
attached to a smart, light road wagon
in which sat Jessica, dimpled and dag
cling, holding tenderly a little spaniel.
The driver was a tall, 1.-the man with
laughing brown eyes, city-bred! and
city-clad.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1909-03-13

and how hs had been lost for two
days and two nights ii The storm
ana how afraid hetwas that his two
little boys might be dead by that
time: e, =,:' b.. WI. III -
''But Old rtppeo,uan1voe told Mr..
lamb to cheer up AND that they
would make up-*a rescue party,
xaieh; they did and Old Fippeoanoe
1T took them; q long time to ever
get to Mr.. Lambs house. cause it
was long ways away. But. any
how, finally they got there. It took
them till pretty near dark. And
when they got pretty near there.
they saw the wasn't any light.
And Mr.. Lamb said. 20, nv God,,
and fell right down In the deep
snow. But they picked him up and
made him keep right on. And an
ally they got to=fthe house, and
there wasn't anybody there:
well, anyhow, next morning.
and somehow, Mr.. Lamb couldn't
sleep much that night,-they all
started out. And after hunting ali
around and around they came to a
lump in the snow just before the
entrance to a great big cave. And
tho man that gave the lump the
kick hurt his toe, cause the l,,mn
was hard and stin. And Just then
up came Old Tippecanoe, and he said
Let me see what's there!' And he
uncovered the lump,-and there was
poor little, Indian girl. frozen to
death. And my mothers Uncle Har-
vey's cousin, said Let me investi-
gate, (which he did. And pretty
soon he saw signs of tracks leading
down into the cave, and they all
went down on and in. And when
they got there, what do you think
they found?
why, they found a fire. Not
much of fire. Just only a little
bit of q speck. But, there were
Mr.. Lambs two little boys. And
they'd been there all the time. And
they were just as fat and sassy as
they had been when their papa had
started to town. And when Mr..
Lamb saw his children, again, he
just fell right down and said Thank
Cod He was that glad. 49,:
"And So Mr.. Lamb grabbed them
In his two arms. while everybody
stood around, and this is what they
told, him. :: :s=*s,
They said that after he lett for
town, just as. thebi storm was com
Ing up, the little Indian girl CAME
to their house and knocked: on the
door. And when they opened the
door and let her In she told them
they had better come with her: cause
there was going to be a heap big
snow. And - they went. And: at
last they. reaehed the cave. And :af-
ter they got: to the: cave, the ltttls"'
Indian girl made. q: fire out of sticks
And then She gavas them, some bears
tongue TO eat and melted sons snow
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1909-03-13
ward to an accompany chorus Of
Obs" and "Ahs!" Loretta's hand
stole 3,&o III. S>.-,-sS ~ II! ,y.,s

ward to an accompany chorus Of
Obs" and "Ahs!" Loretta's% hand
stole into his. I'LL IS.
She had always been afraid Of fire.
works, even as a child, and as his hand
closed reassuring1y over hers. he won;
sdered niserably why the display could
not last forever that they might sit
there, hand In hand and watch the
Wonder-lghts. s. st*
With splutter the flame ran about
the framework On which was, the ret
piece. roughly outlining its points Of
fire the faces Of man and woman.
with the words, Long life to orr
queen and king Then, assthe lights
burned dim. the fuse lighted fresh
set OF red letters. and In glowing red
were the words Good night. s
YEARLY Vance rose to his feet and
helped Loretta down the rickety stairs
of the stand. At the foot stood Loret-
ta,s father. holding g wrap for her to
wear.
Had q good time. daughter ~ ]. he
asked asrhe wrapped her up. .'I don't
suppose you'll relish waking up IN tho
morning justa plain little. girl with no
king. Ell
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1909-03-13

"But, anyhow, Mfr. Lamb fattak-
on up his piece Of ground and had
I planted it and had cultivated 1t and
had lived there going on two yeara.
when one day. the word came that
the Indians were on the waFpath:
cause, their corn hadn't grown good
that year and game was short and
they had to got a living some way,
and they didn't care how; cause
they'd just as we'll be killed a. starve
to death, and 1t they could get food
any place, they were going 10 do it..
'tMr. Lambs wife was q msshty
good woman. let me tell YOU. And
Mr.. Lamb was q mighty good man,
He worked hard all the time. And
though. as I say, the year was one
Of famine, by working hard all the
time and not going to town, Mr..
Lamb managed to get together
enough provisions to last him
through the winter, as he thought
providing, OF course, the winter
didn't last too long. And Just about
that time Mrs. Lamb up ana died.
And, Of course, that UP and lett Mr..
Lambs two little boys without 4
mother. And then Mr.. Lamb had to
be mother and father, too, to those
boys:
''But the winter was q long one.
And every day Mr.. Lamb saw his
provisions getting lower and lower.
Until, at last. come along one day
when Mr.. Lamb didn't like to risk
getting through the winter any
more on what was in sight to eat.
SO he took a pile OF pefta.-all he
could caTry-and started of for the
faraway town, to exchange them for
provisions.
But Mr.. Lamb had only gone a
few miles. when up came a snow
storm; and Mr.. Lamb didn't know
whether 1t was going to be big
zard Or not. So he 5ust knelt down
for a moment aRd prayed for his
ohildren's safety in case it should
turn out blizzard. And then he
kept on.
And that's pretty nearly all, only
that 1t turned out real blizzard,
and Mr.. Lamb wandered about In It
for two days and two nights and had
~ Ae0R 6OAu8 dAl the time TO keep
from being frozen. and finall , wound
up by chance in town, which, when
he reached, he sank down exhaust
ed there right at the feet Of old Tip
pecanoe himself In the store.
''And Old Tippecanoe picked him
up and said, Somebody fetch. the
brandy So they: fetched the bran
dy and they forced it down between
Mr.. Lambs teeth, cause Mr.. Lamb
wasn't drinking man. And final
". they brought him to. And the
first thing Mr.: Lamb said was, o, my
poor ehildren!' And somebody said,
What about your children?' And
Mr.. Lamb told them how he had left
his two little boys at. home and, had
started for town to get provisions