davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-05
By Roy Mas son

chose comfortable seat and deliberately lit the
cigar. Then, as he blew great volumes OF smoke IN
misty spirals about his head, he mentally reviewed
his situation. Here he in New York without
penny. The money he had expected had vanished
into the pockets of the lawyers who fought out the
will, and he irresistiby reminded of the case of
Jarndyce & Jarndyce.
Only" he reflected 1.-The courts must have i'm
proved, because they certainly expeditions
nowadays. When / left for Europe heir to
twenty thousand. trif1ing legacy but mine own.
Then that cousin of mine kicked up row, and re-
turn at the end of year to find myself heir to nothing
but my inaenable right under the constitution to
life liberty and the pursuit of happiness"
WOULD you be so kind as to give light?"
W Ripleyrose with eager courtesy to accommodate
the white haired old man who had made the request.
Some one seems to have absorbed all the
matches" explained the latter.
Its very hard for them to keep any in these hotel
smoking rooms said Ripley. When | am rich /
going to have half dozen matchsafes set into
the walls like bookcases in every room.
AN excellent idea" said the old man. as he set
tied into chair beside him, and, judging from the
quality of that cigar you are smoking, it is now
merely matter of seeing the architect"
Unfortunately said Ripley, Il am not in po-
stion just this evening to buy house to fit this cigar
l believe that necessary preliminary is that the
architect should first interview your checkbook
Il admit the eloquence of checkbooks in such
case, laughed the old man.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-05

'Eloquence is the very quality that mine lacks"
said Ripley gravely. 1T has been deaf and dumb
for several days.
Deaf and dumb" queried the other.
Deaf to all appeals and dumb SO far as utterng
checks is concerned
Really" cried the old man delightedly, that is
quite Shakespearean. Do you mean it,"
Mean what?' asked Ripley.
That your checkbook is temporarily disabled by
those two Affections
Il do said Ripley 1T sad accident"
How did it happen?"
The last time it uttered a check, sighed Ripley,
. it was for five dollars. l bought a periodical
shine a shave, dinner and had quarter left. So
then bought this cigar, and
And" said the old man. some people say that
there left in the nineteenth century! 1t
is perfect incident, and I'm the good fairy and I'm
going to complete it.
Howl" quered Ripley, with engaging candor.
Il want man. who talk well and write bit
to all the advertising solicitors who come into
publishing Office, and to get up little paragraphs
which the newspapers will 1t isn't very ucra-
tive place to start with only hundred month;
but there is good chance to develop l suppose
that am taking risk in getting man this way;
but like your appearance, your conversation and
pardon me for mentioning it-your courtesy to
years your senior.
Ripley flicked the ashes from the butt of his cigar
and made motion as if to throw it away. Then he
checked himself, extnguished it carefully against
the ashtray at his elbow placed it in hotel envelop
and slipped it into his pocket.
Il know it looks foolish said Ripley, the old
regarded him with amazement; but you see
that cigar is worth just twelve hundred year"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-05

joke is handed across billiard tables between
shots, and is circulated around the boxes at the
opera It's the best ever; for Mr.. Robert has never
hunted anything livelier than Welsh rabbit after
the show
HE'S boy that likes to make good, though He
- never makes brag but he boxes up that old
shootin iron and drops out of sight Way up in the
woods somewhere he digs up old gosh artist that
and he takes private After he's used up
key of powder shootn at tin they start out to
find where the deers roost. They find 'em, too. Mr.
Robert is ratified that he misses the one he aims
at; but he boreS a tunnel through another in the
next lot.
Course, he thinks he's got cinch then. He
dollars sendin kilograms to the bunch, invitin EN-
to a venison feed at the club. Then he has his game
sewed up neat in meal bags and expressed to John
Doe Jersey City. See how cute he was? He'd
heard about the game laws by that time; he lays
his plans to duck any trouble But he hadn't
counted on that gang tippn, of + the Jersey game
wardens nor on their tralln the baggage and
express bundles with huntin' dogs
THE dogs had smelled it out just as l came in to
claim it,, says he so all | could do was to keep
my mouth closed, standing around and looking
foolish until got tired and came away. And that
Torchy, is the situation up to the present moment
Ny venson is under guard over in Jersey City, and
if it isn't delivered the club by six o'clock tonight
l shall only lose my bet, but have my life made
miserable from cheap jokes for months to come. 1t
occurred to me that if your wits were as bright as
the hair that them, you might be able to help
me out. What do you Think!
''Chee!" says l, scratchin me bonfire, Il guess
I'm down the coal chute. I've rescued locked in
typewriter girls from fire escapes, and lied the boss
out of a family row. but never tried my hand at
hdnappn enough meat for dinner party How
about buyin off the game seuth?"
He has been bought by the other side, says
Mr. Robert He wouldn't dare to sell them
out"
Well thunk some thinks just punky
that, and then settles it that I'm to hike over
and take a squint anyway. l gets him to give
line what kind of locker the warden was, and
he throws couple of tens for campaign expenses
/ just stown away the green stuff as l goes
through the outside Office, and Pddie's eyebrows
go up.
They're gon' to let me finish out the week."
says 1. Amt they the gentle things?"
THEN skips out for the 23d-st. boat, 1eavin
1 Pddie with his mouth open and Mr.. Robert
wrapped up with the idea that, someway or other,
I'm goin' to talk that game cop into dope dream
and rescue the roast.
But say, l didn't need to look twice at that
snoozer to that line Of hot air l had in stock
Continued page II
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-05

in the eye, and gives him the same. And say, for
the kind ne am SO worse Course, wouldn t swap
him for Mr. Belmont Pepper, who's the only boss |
ever had that calls the real thing; but Mr.. Robert
would get ratin' anywhere
Torchy," says he after bit, I'm inclined to
think that you'll do. Have a chair.
Don't | get the blue ticket, them" says l.
NO, says he, not until you do something worse
than obey orders Besides you the checklist youth
Trust, and in awhile have for just such
quality. For instance, am tempted to send you
a very important errand of my own Wait moment
while think it over.
Time out'' says l.
WELL say didn't know what was comm, he
w took SO long maxim up his mind. But Mr..
Robert amt one of the kind to go off half cooked.
He's got somethin on his shoulders besides taiors
paddin', and when he sets the wheels to movin you
can gamble that he's gettin' somewhere After
awhile he slaps his knee and says:
mo, there isn't another person around the place
who would know how to go about it. Torchy, I'm
going to try you out"
1t wasn't anything like I'd ever been up against
before. He hands me an express receipt and says he
wants to 60 to Jersey City and get what that
calls for without landin' in jail.
You'll see bundle done up in burlap somewhere
around the express Office says he, "a big bundle.
1t looks like side of veal; but it isn't. It's deer.
that shot four days ago up north. Torchy, did
tain months of the year,?
You can be pinched for shootin craps any time
Then he goes with his tale givin' me all the par
tic'lars, SO l wouldn't make any batty moves. And
say, they can think up some queer stunts, hangin
around the club of afternoon and lookin' out at
Fifth-ave. through the small end of glass; This was
one of them real chubby dreams. 1t started by Mr..
Robert countin' himself in debate that he
didn't know the beginning of.
when they asked me if could do it, I said Of
course 1 cam" says he, and then | asked what it
was"
The bunch had been gassin' about old gun
hangin' the fireplace 1t of these old
timers, like they tell about Daniel Boones havin',
in the Nickel Libr les, the kind you load with stove
poker Flntlocks-that's it! They wonderin
if there anyone left that could take relic like
that out in the woods and hit anything besides the
atmosphere. And the first thing Mr. Robert knows
he has been joshed into bettin a hatful of yellow
backs that he take old Injun killer out and bring
back enough deer meat to feed the crowd and him
KNOWN no more about that sort Of act than a one
legged man does about skatin'! They gives him two
weeks to do it in
That want the worst of it, though accordin' to
him. They passes the word around until every
that knows him is on the broad grin. The
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-05

choked with chicken bone, and squints around
behind. There Pidde, lookin' like the buildn
was fallin' down and tryn to uncork some remarks
"Ah, Piddie!" says the gent. Perhaps you will
introduce me to your new sentry and give me the
password
Well, Piddie did He almost got on his hands
and knees dom it. And say, blamed if the duck
want Mr. Robert, after all!
"Gee!" says l, that was bad break
That didn't soothe Pddie, though He used up
the best part of an hour tryn to tell me what an
awful thing I'd gone and done
This ends you, young 9,g man! 5" he says; You're
been takin' on figured on nothin less than sudden
death But if it's only ben fired, don't you worry.
without it. If should stripe for every time
the cans been tied to me- my sleeves would look like
a couple of BARRIERS poles. Cheer up Piddie! Maybe
they'll let you pick out somethin' that suits you bet
ter next time
HE couldn't get it, though Along about
though he's servin warrant for homicide and says
that Mr.. Robert will attend to my case now.
"Piddie," says |, givin MIN the mP artin' grip.
hit the asphalt, send out for chocolate cecream
soda and drown your sorrow.
Then | turns down page in "Old Sleuth's Re
venge" and goes to the slaughter
Mr. Robert has just talked about three cylinders
full of to the letters that's piled up while
he's been gone and as the girl goes out with the
records he whirs around in the mahogany easy chair
and takes good long look at me.
If it comes as hard all that. says l. "Ill write
out my resignation"
Mr. Piddie's been talking to you, l suppose?"
says he.
He's done everything but say me-,
says l..
''Pidde is good deal of an" then he pulls up.
Where the deuce did he find your"
1t wasn't him found me- says l; lit
of me findin him; but if it hadn't been for your old
mans buttin' in, that's all the good it would have
done me-"
"Ah!" says he. THAT explains the mystery.
BY the way, son, what do they call your"
Guess" says l, and runs me fingers through it.
Just Torchy, and it suits me as we'll as Percval or
Montgomery.
"Torchy is certainly descriptive, says he How
long have you been doing office work."
Ever since could lift waste basket" saysI.
Are you ambitious?" says he.
"Sure!" says l. Pm waitin' for some bank
president to adopt me-
You came in here expecting to be discharged
presumed" says he.
What, me?" says l. Nah! thought you was
goin to ask to the Caffy Martang for lunch "
For minute after that he looks me straight
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-12-30
PEARY'S LIFE WORK DONE,
VIII Never Head Another Expedition
to Either Pole.

Washington, Dec. 24--Never again will
he head another expedition either to the
South Pole or to the North Pole. This
announcement is made by Comma nder
Peary. He stands ready, however, to as
sist any expedition which contemplates
setting out for either extremity Of the
earth
my work has been accomplished" said
Peary II made 1t known some time ago
in Brussels that would assist any expe-
dition that would set out for the South
Pole and az the same time also said that
I would not personally conduct such an
expedition. still hold to this and have
no intention Of changing my mind
BARTLETT ALSO THROUGH.
st. Johns, Dec. 24-Apparently content
with his polar laurels. Captain Bob Bart
lett. commander OF the Peary Artic
steamer. Roosevelt, will not go In search
OF the South Pole as member of tho
British Antartic expedition under Lieut.
Scott. Captain Bartlett has notified the
owners Of the sealing steamer. Southern
Gross, that he will accept the command
OF the vessel and Will not Join the Antar-
tic expedition.
Capt. bob Bartlett succeeds Captain
Moses Bartlett as commander Of the
Southern Cross. Captain Moses Bartlett
went MS master of the schooner John r.
Bradley, which took DR.. Cook ia Etah
on his return trip to the Arctic.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-12-30
SOLID AGAINST SETTLEMENT
manufacturer Almost Unanimous in
Rejection OF Proposition Made by
NorthheId Cutters.

Montpelier. Dec. 2S-At a meeting of
the Barre Granite Manufacturers asso-
citation held this afternoon in Barre, at
which representatives OF the manufac-
turers from Montpelier and Mortified
were present. the proposition OF settle
ment submitted yesterday by the North
field branch Of the Granite Cutters union
was rejected by nearly a unanimous vote
While the exact terms Of the PROPOSE
ton are not made public it is under
stood IL they had been accepted they
would practically have eliminated the
pneumatic bush hammer from the gran
ite sheds in his city Barre and North
field The manufacturers from the COM
mencement of the trouble have been a.
unit in agreeing that the bush hammer
should not be abolished, although sew
eral of the propositions for settlement
made within the last three weeks by the
manufacturers have curtailed the use of
this tool and limited its use practically
to the summer months.
The hope Of resumption of work in
this valley next Monday which prevailed
last night after some sort OF an agree
ment had been reached at Northfleld is
again abandoned. The action of the
at Barre this afternoon
places the trouble right where II has
been ever since the last week in Novem-
Der and the prospect OF resumption OF
work before the New Year Is very re-
mote.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-12-30
EIONISTS HOLD THEIR
INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS

Hamburg, Dec. os.-The international
zionist congress, tho first held in Germany,
opened here to-day with large at
tendance. David Wolffsohu Of colognc.
president Of the executive committee.
greeted Tho delegates He outnnel the
present status and outlook OF Zionist
projects, making particular reference to
the fact that Palestine IL now under
constitutional governments
MAN Nordau Of Paris. the foremost living
zionist. took the chair .Nd delivered a
speech, which was Heard with great
enthuFiasrn. Zionlsts. no sa.d, must not
>eliove that II is their d:ty to follow the
young Turks without Giscnmlnaton They
IRE merely political party Of tho Osn1an
umpire and Il would De unwisc for
Honsts to mix In the internal political
INairs of Turkey by committing their
'ause TO any political party.
He said that the Jews would never
accept privileges IN Turkey IL they wore
compelled TO assimlate with the Turks
and be excluded from Palestine. but
they would become good Osnan citizens
II allowed to settle In the land Of their
forefathcrs and there establish a Jewish
ration like ar Individual state In the
Empire. or other federation They do
rot intend to establish an independent
state.
Professor Nordau further advised ad-
herring to tho program ot the first zion
lat congress ut Bass.
Professor Nordau was elected president
" the congress.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-12-30
SANTA CLAUS ACT
RESULTED BADLY
Trooper Wound Cloth around
Lamp to Darker Room-Hin
Child Fatally Burned.

Washington, Dec H-Preparatiors fol
the appearance Of Santa Claus came 10
sad end in the home Of Trooper Frank
Morton OF the 18th United States cavalry
at Fort Myer tonight. His little girl
Dorothy, three years old. lies In hos.
pital so badly burned she may die. and
his wife. seriously burned. lies upon
cot next to her.
Morton and his wife had wound a clotA
around the chimney of lamp to darko-
the room for the appearance OF Sants
Claus. The lamp leaked and the cloth
sopped up the oil. When it became
heated, an explosion followed and n.
room became a mass OF flame. Trying 70
put out the fire In the clothing of Dorothy
the mother was badly burned and tina
father slightly. A baby less than n year
old lying in cradle in the room. was
unnjured.
The troopers OF Troop c, formed a
bucket brigade and put out the Are
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-12-30
DEATH SNATCHES
AN INDICTED MAN
Former President Sheldon Of
Phenix Fire ms. %. Charged
with Larceny.

Greenwich Conn. Dec. S.-Georse
Preston Sheldon. the deposed president
Of the Phen;x Fire Insurance company
OF Brooklyn cied here Yesterday morn
ing without knowing that he was under
Indictment In New York for alleged lar
ceny Of the c,mpany's funds. He was
a the Naples. hotel here. when the
disclosures OF his mismanagement Of tho
hre insurance company became known
and was too III 70 be told Of the eharg-
es against him. He was indicted Decem-
her 8. charged with lnrceny OF ~, 900
and bench warrant was issued for his
arrest. Sheldon has since been Under
surveillance. srd II his condition had
improved he would have teen arrested
and brought here to face the indictment.
Sheldon was taken III In November
with ptomaine poisoning. brought on, II
Is believed, ny eating scailops. He was
up and about Ave days later. apparent
~ In his usual health. Then ne was
taken III At tho Greenwich Country club
and removed 10 the Naples. The poison
in his system from his first attack
reached the muscles OF his heart and
affected his kidneys. and nc also suffer-
cd from, dropsicai arlictlon.
He Is survived by his second wife and
ave children. three daughters and two
sons The sons. Waldo and George. 1.-Two
In New York. Two Of tho daughters
are students al Smith College. The
third daughter Is married.
His death will be relief to more than
his intimate friends. IT will DO particu-
larry welcome news to those sx-oficinls
OF the insurance department OF New
York who borrowed money from the Phc-
nix Insurance company while they were
supposed to be watching and examining
regularly the company which Sheldon
controlled. shelon's death will quash tho
indictment against him.
Superintendent Hotchkiss is understood
to think that the company Sheldon con-
trolled had been Impaired to the extent
OF nearly 100000 under his ma nagement.
lie practically ran the company In 1908
and then the directors passed q resoiu-
ton permitting him, As president, to
pledge ito securities for loans to the COM
peny. This resolution was never rescind-
co. Sheldon made such loans a. no saw
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-12-30
DETECTED.

The consul in London Of continental
Kingdom was Informed by his government,
Mat one of his country women. supposed
10 be living in Great Britain, had been
left million Of money. After advcrtis-
ing without result. he applied to the po-
lice, and smart young detective was
sent 10 work.
When few weeks had gone by his
chief asked him how he was going on.
1--WE found the lady, sir"
Good! Where Is she?"
AT my place. 7 got married 10 her
yesterday i"-Tit-Eit
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-12-30
ALBERT CROWNED
KING Of BELC|ANS
Popular Prince Given Greet Ova-
tior on His Way to the
Coronation.
STRONG SPEECH FROM THRONE
Pledges His Life to the Father
land and to Justifying Sow.
creignty Of Belgium
over the Congo.
STRONG SPEECH FROM THRONE

,,, 49, o.. ,-. ,,.
IT, ,n. r,.,,,.,, 1,,ut. -, =, ,-,s,.a
.,. - a, ,.,i 49,, p,.,
,,,. a.,,,,., 49,, ,,,, 80.
,,-,,h III. o,.o, ,.,,.,to,, 49,, ,,.,.
,',,,, ,,,ir,as, .o,,,i,, 80 c,'as,o, a..
$500. ,-,.,. ,,. t.. ,.,
a.. ,,a-,,. a,st,., -. IL.
,,s .,a, 49, III sa,.5 $3.50
,rh. oa,h ., ot,,,o ,,,,s d1,,t,,i..o.ad 10
80 .o,,,. .-,,.,, -, 49,. -. -
,,,t, 49,, 49,, .,, ... -
A., ,,.t.,i. 49,. -, ,,.,.,.. .
,.,s d.o,,.,,, t. -. .h,ar,,. ~, ia
,-n,,. ,,a, ,,.,,.,,,
49,, st.. s,',' r,,,,, a.. .i, ,.,,,
49,. ,, - -,
dutv scrunu,u.slv and not concentrate all
my strength and devote my whole life
to the service Of the fatl.erland"
Tonight The city is alive with lights
and merry-mIkns. strangely contrast
ing with the denress sion and signs of
mourning that prevailed Immediately
following the death of reopod But the
exclamation is to be fond in the person
al ,,opularitv Of King Albert and his
Queen. and the hirh nosltior they hold
I'm the esteon, Of tie nation
When the PROCESSION arrived Mt the
chan, her where the "a fh Of ascension was
TO be taken. the successor Of Ieonold II
was eiven n notable reception bv the
assembled senator's and dcnuties King
Albert's speech from the throne was an
eloquent tribute TO Ieopold and TO his
uncle. the late King Ieopold H. lie de-
clared that the latter had performed n
prodisious work in Africa with the con-
slant thought Ct enriching the nation and
Increasing the economic resources OF
Belgium
"In the Congo the nation wishes a
policy of humanity and progress enforced :
lie said THE mission of colonial ton
cannot be other than mission OF hlsh
MIMI Ahnr-ol Az hANNE''
Standing before the assemb!age Of
princes end foreign representatives,
bishops and senators in brilliant uniforms
which made pretty picture, Albert was
man to be admired. In another setting
he would have passed readily for young
college professor addressing n class. Fair
halr accentuated the youthful appearance
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-12-30
Granite Manufacturer Thinks
State Should Provide for Com.
pulsory Arbitration.
HAVE NO HARD FEELINGS
Think That They Have Done All
Possiblc-Looks As Though
Work Would Not Be Re-
sumed until April.

Montpelier. Dec N.--The granite situa-
ton remains unchanged Committees
from the manufacturers and cutters held
a conference at Barre this morning and It
is understood another proposition was put
up to the Mortified cutters the nature
Of which Is not made public. So many
Of these propositions and counter PROPOSE
tions have been made OF late that until
there Is an actual prospect Of settle
ment Of the difficulty the public Is losing
interest in these conferences.
In conversation this morning with one
of the prominent manufacturers OF Mont
pelier man who perhaps reflects as
clearly the general sentiment Of the manu-
facturers as any one could. a Free Press
representative obtained some interesting
facts as to how the present situation Is
viewed by the manufacturers. They feel
that they have already done all that could
be expected OF them in trying to bring
this matter to n settlement, or to leave
II out to arbitration. The manufacturers
feel that the Mortified cutters. and not
the manufacturers. first broke the agree
ment under which they have been work
ing for a year and half but because of
that they have no hard feelings toward
the cutters
This manufacturer stated to-day that
as the situation looks to him 1t will prob
ably be April ! before work will be re-
stunned and he would not be surprised II
1t was not until the first of May. He
stated that II every shed In Barre and
Montpelier should remain closed until the
first OF May the manufacturers would
have more money at the end Of the year
than they would II work was resumed
next Monday morning
This manufacturer ia also strongly in
favor OF compulsory arbitration. He be
leves II the platforms Of both parties
next year contain such n plank and the
Legislature OF 1910 enacts II into lav- that
it would do more than anything Vermont
has ever had in the settlement Of labor
Canada has such a law and
strikes and lockouts there are unknown
The manufacturers in this region have
offered to National Secretary Duncan to
submit the question as to which side frs,
broke the agreement to arbitration and
to abide by such decision. If the manu-
facturers are declared TO be IN the wrong
they would at once put their men back
at work and II It was decided that the
men at Northheh broke the agreement
they should be ordered back to work.
This. IT IS understood Secretary Duncan
refuses tn do.