davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1909-01-21

no'ye'y! or exile? He
looked at the paper again with painful
intentness. It was Cancelled, therefore
had been paid without question. Yet
the man it had robbed had stamped it
with that venomous hallmark. Clearly
the law had not stepped in, for here he
was at liberty, owning his name He
had been let go, then, disowned, to car
ry his badge of crime here into the will
derness! And how had he lived since
then?
He stumbled to chair and sat
down, his frame rigid. He thought
of the robbed sluice in the gulch be-
low, of his own unhappy adventure OF
the night. How could he tell what he
had done-what he might do?i Min
utes went by as he sat motionless, his
mind catching strange kaleidoscope
pictures that fed past him into the
void. At length he rose and went to
the window. Far down the hillside Il
faint line through the mist spanned
the gulch bottom. \ groan burst from
his lips.
THAT is the hydraulic hume," he
said aloud. Gold has been stolen
there in the past again and again.
Some was stolen two nights ago. How
do I know but that l am the thief?'
Was that what Prendergast had meant
by the "safe way to beat the game %
A shiver ran over him. "How do I
know!' he thought. II can see NY
self-the evil side Of me-when the
dark had fallen waking and active. !
see myself creeping down there, steal.
ing from shadow to shadow. to scoop
the gold from the rifles when the
moon is under a cloud. 1 see men
sitting from dark to daylight with
loaded rifles across their knees watch.
ing. I see flash of fire. 1 hear a re.
port. I see myself there by the sluice
boxes, dead, shot down in the act OF
thief, making good the name men
know me by!'
The figure Of Jessica came before
him, standing In her soft white gown
her hand against her cheek and the
jasmine odors about her. The dream
he had dreamed could not be-never,
never, never! All that was left was
surrender, ignominious fight to scenes
barren of suggestion.
At that instant a shining point
caught his eye. It came from the pan
of gravel on the doorstep, on which
the rain had been beating. He thrust
the draft into his pocket and seized a
double handful of the gravel. He
plunged it into a pail of water and
held it to the light. 1t sparkled with
coarse, yellow flakes of gold. He
dropped the handful with sharp ex-
clamation, threw on his coat and rush
ed from the cabin.
All day, alone on the fog soaked hill
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1909-01-21

In the cabin through the long hours
till the dawn began to infltrate. the
dark hollows of the wood he had lain
wide eyed, thinking. When day came
he had cooked his breakfast and there
after sat watching the havoc of the
storm through the window. Hours
passed thus before the fury of the
wind had spent itself. At length he
rose, threw open the door and stood
looking out upon the wind whipped
foliage and the drab desolation of the
fog. Then he threw on his mackinaw
coat, picked up his gold pan and climb
ed down the slope. Beneath all other
problems must lie the sordid problem
OF his daily food. He had uncovered
a crevice in the bed rock at the end of
his trench the day before, and now he
scraped pailful Of the soggy gravel
It contained and carried it back to the
cabin.
With sigh he took off his damp coat
and threw log Oh the fire. He alb
stractedly watched it kindle, then filled
and lit his pipe and turned to the book
shelf. He ran his hand absently along
the row. Where had been that wide,
dim expanse Of library walls that how
cred like mirage beyond his visual
sight? He chose a volume he had been
reading and turned the pages.
All at once his hand clinched. He
gave choked cry. He was staring at
q Cancelled bank draft bearing his own
name-a draft across whose face was
written in the cramped hand resem-
bling the signature word that seemed
etched in livid characters of shame
"Forgery!'
PAY to Hugh Stires-the sum of
$4,000" He read the phrase in
hoarse, husky monotone, every vein
beating fiercely, his body hot with the
heat Of forge. There it was, hid
eous chapter of it, the damnable truth
from which he had shrunk!
Did the town know? He snatched at
the draft and read the date. More than
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1909-01-21

career and his graceless desertion, 1
do give and bequeath the sum of
81, 900 and the memory of his misspent
youth. The residue of my estate, real
and personal, I do give and bequeath
to my ward, Jessica Holme''-
The blood swept back to his heart
in food. Ward, not daughter! he
could still keep the one sweet thing
left him. His love was justified. Tears
sprang to his eyes, and he laid the
parchment back and closed the desk.
BE hastily brushed the drops away as
the Waterman entered and set down
two glasses and bottle.
There you are. That'n be worth
five miles to your He poured noisily.
His guest drank, set down the glass
and held out his hand. "Good luck!''
he said.
The dog thrust cold muzzle into
his hand as he walked down the grav-
el path slowly, feeling the glow Of the
liquor gratefully, with the grudging
release 1t brought from mental ten
sion. He had not consciously asked
himself whittier now In some sub
conscious corner of his brain this had
been asked and answered. He was
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1909-01-21
sit qpas here" he said aloud.


about white house. he hesitated a
moment, then walked slowly up the
broad, weed grown garden path to-
ward its porch. In the half light the
massive silver door plate stood out
clearly. He had known instinctively
that that house had been part Of his
life, and yet tremor caught him as
he read the ame-Stires. The intui-
ton that had bent his steps from the
street, the old stirring of dead memory
had brought him to his past at last.
This house had been his home!
He started A man in his shirt
sleeves was standing by half open
side door regarding him narrowly.
Thinking of buying" The query
was good humoredly satiric. "Or may
be just looking the old ranch over with
a view to a shakedown"
The trespasser smiled grimly. It
was not the first time he had seen that
weather beaten face "You have Civ
en- up surgery as a profession, see"
he said.
The other came nearer, looked at
him in puzzled way, then laughed.
If it isn't the cove we picked up on
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1909-01-21

going to his father. Not to seek to
change the stern decree, not to annul
those bitter phrases This dissolute ca
reer, the memory Of his misspent
YOUTH" Only to ask his forgiveness
and to make what reparation was pos
eible; then to 60 out once more to the
world to fight out his battle
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1909-01-21
side, Harry toiled in the trench with
out food or rest.

side, Harry toiled In the trench with
out food or rest.
It was fair, sweet evening, and
the room where Jessica sat beside
David Stires' bed, reading aloud to
him, was flooded with the failing sun
light. Since the old mans seizure in
the night he had been much worse, and
she had scarcely left his ROOM Today,
however, he had sat propped by pill
lows, able to read and chat, and the
deep personal anxiety that had numbed
her had yielded.
A knock came at the door. 1t was
nurse with letters for him from the
mail, and while he opened them Jes-
sica laid aside the book and went
slowly down the hall to the sun parlor,
where the doctor stood with the group
gathered after the early supper, chat
ting of the newest ''strike" on the
mountain. .....
"We'll be famous If we keep on" he
was saying as she looked out of the
| wide windows across the haze where
the sunlight drifted down in dust of
gold. 1--WE mind to stake out claim
| myself"
1--WE pay you BETTER" said one of the
occupants grimly. Anyway, the whole
Of Smoky mountain was staked in the
excitement a year ago. There's no.
doubt about this find, suppose?"
cts on exhibition at the bank" the
doctor replied, "more than $1,000
cached in crevice in the glacial age
as neat as Christmas stocking!'
The talk went on about her.
''Where is the lucky CLAMP some
one asked.
"Just below this RIDGE" the doctor
replied. 1T is called the Little Pay
MASTER
The name caught her ear. The Little
Paymaster? That was the name on the
tree-on Hugh's claim! At that instant
she thought she heard David Stires
calling. She turned and ran quickly up
the long hal. to his open door.
The sight Of his face at first startled
her, for it was held captive of emotion,
but it was an emotion Of Joy, not of
pain. A letter futtered in his grasp.
He thrust it into her hands.
"Jessica." he exclaimed, Hugh has
paid it! He has sent the $4,000, inter-
o,,7 x,ri,, a{pol
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1909-01-21
"1he prodigdl Is yourself"

I have guessed who it is that lies there:
know I sinned against him and
against myself and left him to die I'M
| forgiving. That is what the statue
| said to me, as he must have said, L
am no more worthy to be called thy
son.
"Ah," she cried, "he knew and he
forgave you, Hugh! His last thought
was Of your coming. That is why l
carved the figure there
"You carved it?'' he exclaimed. She.
bent her forehead to his hands as they
clasped her own.
"The prodigal is YOURSELF she said.
II modelled it once before when you
came back to him, in the time you have
forgotten. But I destroyed 1.-THE
words were very low now-"on my
wedding day"
His hands released hers, and, looking
up, she saw, even in the moonlight,
that with the last word his face had
gone CHASTITY white. At the sight timid-
ity, maidenly reserve. fell, and all the
woman in her rushed uppermost. She
lifted her arms and clasped his face.
Hugh" she cried, "can't you remem-
Der? Don't you understand? Think!
I was blind, dear, blind. 4 white
bandage was across my eyes, and you
came to me in a shaded room. Why
did you come to me?'
A spark seemed to dart through his
brain like the prickling discharge from
Leyden jar. He saw himself stand
ing, facing figure with bandaged
eyes. He saw the bandage torn off,
felt that yielding body in his arms,
heard voice her voice - crying:
Hugh, Hugh! My husbandv' and felt
those lips pressed to his own in the
tense air of a darkened room.
A cry broke from his lips: Eyes, yes,
I remember! Jessica, my wife," His
arms went round her, and, with little
sob, she nestled close to him on the
doorstep
That hour on the mountain side I'M
der the stars had left Harry possessed
Of melee Of perplexing emotions
Dreaming and waking Jessica's face
hung before his eyes, her voice sound
ed in his ear. The future held no long
er any doubt; it held only her. Where
was that future to be? Back in the
city to which his painful curiosity had
SO lately driven him? This lay no
longer in his own choice. 1t was for
her to decide now-Jessica, his wife.
He looked up transfxed, for she
stood there before him ankle deep in
brown whirlwind of leaves from a
frost stung oak, her hand to her cheek
in an adorable gesture that he knew.
her lips parted and eager.
Il wanted so to find you,'' she said.
Il have so many, many things to say"
1T is all wonderfully strange and
new" he said. 1T is as though had
rubbed Aladdin's lamp and suddenly
had my hearts desire. How could
have thrown my pearl away?'
1--WE are not to think Of that" she
protested, never, never any more"
you are right" he rejoined cheer
fully. 1T is what is to come that we
must think off, He paused an instant;
then he said:
Last night when you told me of the
white house in the aspens did not tell
you that had just come from there
from Aniston.''
She made an exclamation of wonder.
Tell me-" she said.
Sitting with her hand in his, he told
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1909-01-21

CSI dAu pAAAC1pdl,
to the bank to
my account. "
For a moment
she stood trans
fixed. The talk
she had mechan-
ically heard leap.
ed into signif-
canoe, and her
mind ran back to
the hour when
she had left the
draft at the cab
in. She caught
the old mans
handand knelt by
his chair, laugh
ing and crying
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1909-01-21

a year ago, and
it had been pre-
sented for pay
nlent in a dis
tantcity, the city
near which he
had been picked
up beside the
railroad track.
The forged name
was the same as
Ills wv IL. d" uO
w a S D aV id
Stires? His ia
Their? Had that
city been his
home once and
that Gus
act the forerun-
.ner Of his flight
or ovi1oS Ho
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1909-01-21

early return to
the house in the
aspens. David
Stires had point
ed out the distant
Knob as a spot
in W b ich h e
would choose to
be buried, and the
wish had been
observed. H r
sorrow for his
death had been
deepened by the
thought that the
end had come too
suddenly for Da-
vid Stires to have
reinStated his son.
This sorrow had
nOSSoSSod nno
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1909-01-21
TIE PRINCETON UNION: THURSDAY, JANUARY I'll 1903

away from the only thing that made
/ life worth the effort.
A gradual feeling of apprehension
had come tosJessica--an impression Of
Darkness and chill that affected her
strangely. She stood still, frightened
at the sudden sense of utter sound
tessness.
She caught up the lamp and, turning
the wick, approached the bed. She
put out her hand and touched the
wasted one on the coverlet. Then a
sobbing cry came from her lips.
David Stires was gone. A crowning
joy had goldened his bitterness at the
last moment, and he had gone away
| with his sons face in his heart and
the smile of welcome on his lips.
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1909-01-21
Chapter "a

HE bell was tapping in
the steeple of the little
Catholic church on the
edge of the town, and
the mellow tone came
The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1909-01-21
Chapter. 22

ARK was falling keen
and cool, for frost was
in the air, touching the
fall foliage on the hills
to crimson and amber
and etching delicate
hOqr tracorv on tho
The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1909-12-31
Twin Brooks. Dec. %.

Santa Claus was very generous in
Twin Brooks. particularly to Hubert
P~Oppelman, where he left a brand new
baby boy.
J. B. Sprank. Station Agent was
called to Sisseton where his wife lives
and who is on the sick list.
Herman Nagle and wife spent Xmas
at Buffalo lake with Mr.. Nagle's re-
lations.
Enoch Lindquist spent Xmas at La
Bolt with relations.
Chas. Kottke and family spent
Xmas with relations at Hutchinson,
Mimi.
Irving Bardslay is visiting his
home people in Iowa.
Mr.. and Mrs. Bower spent Xmas in
Corona.
A Xmas tree entertainment vas well
attended at the German church on
Friday evening.
Christmas is over and Santa was
very good to all. so we will soon
have another New Year. Let's all
start it right.
L. Beardsley left Monday morning
for a long visit with his parents and
other friends.
F. +. Roberts is spending his holt
day vacation with friends at Red
Wing. MINI.
Mabel Hilbert IS spending her vaca
ton with friends al Stockholm.
The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1909-12-31
~MU1TERINGS..

Elmira, Dec. 30, 1909.
The program of the Elmira Sunday
school was enjoyed, Thursday even
ing by . large number of people.
Mrs. Earl entertained her rel atives
at q dinner given at her home Tues
day.
Miss Carrie Whiting, a sister OF
Messrs Bert and Orley Whiting, re-
Gently arrived from northern Mime
sofa, where she has been spending the
summer.
Willie EIDE and Earl Liggett were
Milbank visitors Tuesday.
Black Bros and Earl Keller ship
ped a a of hogs and a car of sheep
to the St. Paul market this week,
James and John Black accompanied
the consignment.
Antona Frederickson has gone to ST.
Paul, where he will stay a short time,
and then proceed to Virginia to look
over some land offerings. He was
accompanied by his brother Fred.
The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1909-12-31
Albee, Dec. 80. 1909.

Albee, Dec. 30. 1909.
A. S. Anderson aud Vina ~tngebret-
son went to Appleton where they
spent christmas.
Alfred Engebretson of Flaxton. n
D., Is visiting relatives in this
vicinity.
Andrew Olson Of Canada, arrived
Friday evening and spent christmas
with relatives.
The christmas tree held at the
Congregations church was a decided
success and was we'll attended.
Thomas Street jr.. who Is attending
the high school at Brookings is spend
ing the holidays at home.
James and Thomas Street tran
sacted business at Mi.bank.
Emil Bunting AID Edith Wise went
TO atertown Friday TO visit Miss
Wise's parents. They returned Mon
day.
K. Perry of Luvern, Mimi, is visit
ing relatives this week.
S. Anderson has returned from
Ackley, MINI.
The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1909-12-31
3 \ VICINITY.

Alhan. Dee. 30. 1909.
Mr.. and Mrs John Roth spent
Christmas with John Loratf in Big
Stone township
A fine program va rendered at the
Evangelical church on Christmas. and
a large attendance was present..
Harold Ravens is home from the
Ortonville business college during the
vacation.
John Wesley and Fanny Roth spent
Christmas at the home of G. Stengel.
returning home Sunday evening.
Archie Liggett was visiting his
brother Earl while home on his vaca-
ton from business school.
Revival meetings are being held in
the church, conducted by the pastor.
Rev. Bremen, and will be continued
every night next week.
The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1909-12-31
DOINGS.......
Melrose. Dec. 30.

AitlIoSt. DtC. ~.
A Happy New Year to all.
Mrs. Smith of Bigstone, is visiting
relatives in Melrose.
Mrs. Charles Hart left Monday
night for Minneapolis, where she ex-
poets to visit relatives for a few days.
The dance given at the home of Mr..
and Mrs. Austin Thursday evening,
Dec. %, was very we'll attended and
those present reported a fine time.
Ralph Hamilton and Nora Dawson
spent Sunday at the formers home in
Melrose.
Mrs. Fred Cross of Milbank. is Wis
iting relatives in this vicinity.
Mr.. and Mrs. LeDuc and Mr.. and
Mrs. Charles Hart spent Christmas
with Gus Hart and wife of Corona.
A number of Melroseites attended
the social dance at the Pew home and
reported a very pleasant time.
John Chapman and family spent
Christmas at the Sourbeck home.
Mrs. Will Bartletof Monroe, Wis,
and Mrs. Henry Bartlett of Winslow,
ILL.,, arrived Sunday morning and are
visiting their sister Mrs. o. Busjahn
of Melrose and their mother Mrs.
Drake of Corona.
Mr.. and Mrs. Austin spent Christ
mas at the home of ]. Austin at Mil
bank.
The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1909-12-31
Corona. Dec. %.

Corona. Dec. %.
Happy New Year to all.
Mrs. Fred Cross came up from Mil
bank to spend a few days with her
parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Chapman.
John Braderick left for Appleton,
Wis, Wednesday to spend New Years.
The Roberts Co. Bank have in
stalled a fine leather covered sofa in
their directors room. which adds
greatly to its appearance.
Two of John Munro's girls OF Will
mot visited at the Leschinsky home
the fore part of the week.
Services at NJ. E. Church Sunday
next. Morning at 1920. devotional
services: topic of address: I'm the
Light of the Divine Countenance.' At
this service the pastor will give an
address to the children. Evening SER
vice at 100. Topic: Lilies Visions"
Text, Acts 2: II. The pastor desires
to see good congregations on this, the
first Sunday of the New Year.
The two daughters of Mrs. Sarah
Drake from Wisconsin, arrived Sun
day, to 9 their mother who is i'll.
The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1909-12-31
East MelrOse.

East Me.rose, Dec. 30, 1909.
Dan Clevidence shipped his steers
east Monday.
Prof w. r. VsuW slker aud wife OF
WaubAy spent christmas with Mrs
VanW alkers parents here, Mr.. and
Mrs. j. Kahl.
Victor Ponder and wife are here
from the stste of Washington, visit
ing relatives.
John Tillman was down from Sisse-
ton over christmas.
The Lockwood Sunday school rem.
dered q fine program Saturday even.
ing.
All the district schools around here
are having from one to two weeks
vacation.
Earl Hacke, secretary of the North.
western Circulating Co., is spending
his vacation at his home in Aloan.
The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1909-12-31
After
La Grippe

Il had suffered several weeks
with LaGrippe. Had pains in
my head and eyes. 1t felt as
though there was a heavy weight
on the top of my head, until it
seemed that my brain would
burst. | was so nervous that
| could not rest or sleep. When
| dozed off | would awake with
a sudden jerking of my whole
body. DR.. Miles Nervine, Heart
Remedy and Nerve and Liver
Pills cured ne. A number of
friends have since realized the
same benefits
MRS. ALVIN H. LOCKS,
Seabrook, n. Fl.
The after effects OF LaGrippe
are often more serious than the
disease, as it leaves the system
in a weakened condition that
invites more serious troubles,
such as pneumonia, etc.
The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1909-12-31
NJ arvin, Dec. 30 1909.

arNlD iJpCs Jb ISt5.
A very prosperous New Year TO all.
Those attending the normal and
high school from here, came home for
their vacation.
Carl Lindgren spent Christmas at
home, returning to Milbank Monday
morning.
Christina Olson, Ellen Stahl and
Alma Peterson spent a few days at
home during christmas.
Prof. and Mrs. Emmett McKenna
are visiting with the formers parents
during the vacation.
The accidental death Of the son OF
Mr.. and Mrs. Chalupke has spread
gloom and sorrow among their friends,
whose sympathy goes with the
bereaved family.
The christmas services were we'll
attended. and special meetings are
being held every day this week in the
church.
The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1909-12-31
Corona and Vicinity

William Schiller of Milbank, was
in town Monday.
The Xmas tree and program at the
NJ. f. Church was we'll attended.
George and Robert White spent
christmas day at the Crawford home
in Milbank.
r. L. Leschinsky and family were
in Wilmot Saturday between trains.
Mrs. Sarah Drake is improving
from her serious illness.
Iro Puder spent christmas with his
parents at Big Stone.
G Knight is down from Aberdeen
to spend the holidays.
The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1909-12-31

Served as coffee, the new coffee sub
stitute known to grocers everywhere
as DR.. Shoop's Health Coffee. will
trick ever a coffee expert. Not a
grain of real coffee 10 i. either. Pure
heathful toasted grains, malt, nuts,
etc, have been so cleverlv blended
as to give a wonderfully satisfying
coffee taste and flavor. And it is
'!made ia a minute" too. No tedious
20 to 30 minutes boiling.
A. MITTELSTAEDT.
The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1909-12-31
DR.. Miles
Restorative Nervine

should be taken for some time
to thoroughly restore nerve
strength.
Or. Miles Nervine Is sold by all drug.
oists. II the first bottle does not benefit,
your druggist will return your money.
MILES MEDICAL CO., Elkhart Ind.
The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1909-12-31

1tetEetetttttttette etttettteeteeettee
While IN the east We picked up
a big bargain in canned goods
which we are disposing Of at a
: small profit.
AJAX Egg plums, 31bs. PC at 15c
Tomatoes, Hero. 3lbs. Toe at Sc
: Apricots, Hero. 3lbs. pc at 2oc
? Peaches. Hero. 3lbs. pc at poe
? ! gallon Royal apples, 45c at SOC
There are a lot more bargains.
2 These prices will only last until
2 Xmas. Pilsbury NXNN flour.
2 s. per hundred.
9 +. {. ENQCIST. LABOLT. SD.
2
The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1909-12-31

Correspondents r requested to
forward all news contributions 30
tn at the same will arrive in Milbnk
Wednesday morning or at latest
w edsesday evening.
The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1909-12-31
MARVIN

Marvin Chicago. Minneapolis 81. Puul
Pas going west 5:is p. M
Pass. going east lO:p a. N
The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1909-12-31
LABOLT AND VICINITY.

LaBolt-Great Northern
Going west Going east
Pses. Elk. sun. sap m. Pass. Elk. Sun 1902 am
The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1909-12-31

Neither Absent or Tardy
The following pupils in the dis
tricts named have been neither ab-
sent or tardy during the month ending
as stated:
Alban school district No. 6 for
month ending Dec. 10, 1909: George
D. Donaldson, Allen W. Donaldson,
Lucy Wagner, Laura Wagner, Annie
Wagner.
Miss Nellie Earl, Teacher.
The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1909-12-31
Neither Absent or Tardy

More Correspondence on Fifth Page