davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1910-10-23

mo use O. that" cut in Mr.. waddY
you give Finley the idea"
81 communicated the conception" said
Craighead. YES"
AN I paid him f'r an opinion on it?''
you became obligated for IT," said
Craighead. Equivalent to payment in
your case, but, legally, quite distinguish
able"
TITS the same thing" cried Mr.. Waddy
AN the fellers we hire know more than
a quarter section OF folks that don't know
their own minds. Don't you come back
again; II bothers me like muslSeeters. 90
on!"
Presently, most pulsssnt sir. There's
a matter we haven't mentioned How shall
we yawp forth the grand hailing sign Of
distress when am far awayT
They're still runnin' the mails and tele~
graphs, amt theyT' qusried Mr.. Waddy
testify.
Would you," queried Cralghead, place
a world in pawn on the faith OF a mail
clerk or the fidelity Of telegraph sys-
TEN controlled by our loathesome enemies7
AS triumvir to triumvir, answer, in the
name Of our patron saints Sir Henry
Morgan and Jesse Jamesw
1--WE agreed on a cipher" snapped Mr..
Waddy. Go on an use It,
"Clpherr scoffed Craighead who had
devised it himself mot with the hounds
OF Shayne on Carson's traces. Why, any
cipher can be deciphered. Go back 70 the
time OF Bacon"
Wen, II yeh stay much longer" cried
Mr. WadGy irrtably I'VE may as well
go back to the time of Ham as Baconl
What are you drivin' at. anyhow"
Craighead, gives me 10y. It proves the
power to corrupt Last springtde you'd
have been incapable Of Il. I'm driving at
the necessity OF a trusty messenger who
will die rather than disclose, will swallow
blue prints 10 keep them from the enemy.
will explode a magazine before admitting
a traitor even unto it's table OF contents.
! know one SUCH
'Who?" asked the puzzled Waddy.
Your beauteous daughter Give her a
running schedule per ten-hour train be-
tween Chicago and New York, bringing
your messages and returning with ours
until victory is won Eh?'
Mrs Graybill leaned back and laughed
until she was crimson Of face and teary
OF eye
TT won't do" she said. II never could
eat blue prints. Amy one can deceive me-"
Then I've some hope" said Craighead.
That's worth coming back for2"
Use the mails you absurd fellowl" she
went on. "Goodby Take him away. Mr..
Carson and return with your shield. or on
It, Mr. Craighead. on. you-ha. ha. ha.
ha-a-aV'
This ripping ha-ha. fair one" said
Craghead severely, would be unseemly
from less seemly pharynx, But I
swear"
The oath was cut IN two by an upward
and forward flight az the last speed, that
pulled the speech in twain and left the
launch alone In the grent marsh, with
Mrs. Graybili, her. color high her mouth
occasionally curving into a smils-snme-
times eliminating audlbly-practlcing
japanese flower arrangements. while her
father combed his beard with his fingers
and said nothing.
CTO Be Contlnuedl
Omaha daily bee., 1910-10-23

to be Mr.. Waddy-illustrious though he
may be, and no doubt is. You must prove
yourselves good citizens by authorities
nearer than Washington, What can you
say, sir7'
This query was directed at Craighead.
who had ceased to take notes and was
looking at the imposing major in the man
ner of one who knows his man.
Most high and mustrious one" said he,
the world Is wide, it's population some
sixteen hundred millions OF this consider
able force We are but three. You ask
us. Serenity to set ourselves apart
from the others by brands and marks.
Vert thou present when the obstetrician
scheduled our strawberry marks, or the
midwife recorded the nOtches in our ears1
Then how can the thing be provsn9 It is
a hard saying. And yet, didst ever see
that serated nose2 Give me a pen. and
let me mark it Exhibit A."
The major rose with pronounced absence
Of haste, adjusted pair OF rimless glasses
TO his precipitous beak by a clasp OF sDe-
cial construction; examined Craighead
nose critically ana impersonally, as n
looking al a specimen IN a case. slowly
removed the glasses. and deliberately re-
hcateu h.uhelI.
Il have observed such a nose IN but one
case" said he but its introduction In evil
dence does not establish It's identity with
the only snout OF similar asymmetry rec
orded. Exhibit A will be considered for
what Il b worth-as evidence. Proceed"
THE memory" went on Craighead, IS
more intimately personal and individual
than is the organ OF olfacton. l will now
render song, which I beg this honorable
body 10 receive as Exhibit B. o."
Though this declaration made a distinct
sensation among the officers and orderlles
and though the sergeant who was short
hand reporter, broke three pencils IN his
agitation, Major Fiathers never let down
by even one degree the saturne dignity OF
his presence. Craighead sang with fine
independence Of tune. but with an air and
style OF tone emission which reminded All
hearers OF a basso profundo laboriug IN
the trough Of the heaviest vocal set. Thai
IL reminded the friends Of he major him,
self were shown by smiles hidden behind
hands. By significant glanoes. and final
Utter a. Craighead fiaished with a sub,
cellar eadenza 50 low that Il could not be
sung, but only indicated BY the drawing
Omaha daily bee., 1910-10-23

Nobody but Craig-lets write a letter to
Bill Alexander-in Guamp'
The major was as complacent now as he
had been unyielding. He and Craighead
talked over the Belinda episode, the ex-
pulsion OF Craighead, the slowness OF pro-
motions, the aeronef company, and then
the aeronef itself as It lay on the parade
ground-on which occasion Major Fathers
was particularly fierce IN commanding a
search for down looking Photographic me-
ohanism, and for explosives. The examina-
ton the dinner, the view OF the Fathers
baby, and Mrs. Fathers confidential con-
versation with Carson, who was always
strong in his appeal to the ladies, delayed
their departure until the sun was sinking
beyond Fort Gaines. and Mr. Waddy was
startled into trembling fit by the sunset
gun as they crossed the rifle range. taking
II for an artillery attack on the Virgin a.
The darkness crept under them across the
peninsula as they flew and II was star,
light when they alighted, each filled with
his own antielpauons-Mr Waddy, OF sup
per; Mr.. Craighead, OF the company Of
Mrs Graybili; and Carson to whom the
terrible experience OF the day before had
made her doubly dear, Of admission to
the presence OF Virginia. Mrs. Graybill
met them, with letter In her hand for
Mr.. Carson, and a troubled look on her
face Carson turned white as he tore Il
open.
II am going away" It ran, with my
aunt, who has kindly found me and told
me OF your deception In allowing me tc
live with you, thinking you my uncle
There are many things / might say, many
] should like to say; but l might use ex-
pressions for which I should be sorry. As
for the compromising OF myself, OF which
aunt has spoken. / care nothing. other
things count for so much more. / want
our parting 10 be without bitterness; So
with the assurance that / shall watch over
you and pray for your success and with
thanks for the many, many good and kind
things you have done for me, / bid you
goOdby forever. We can never forget each
other-the things we have known together
forbid that; but we can never meet again
Virginia suarez"
craighsad caught Theodore as he stag,
gered.
when did they go?" said he
About noon" replied Mrs. Grayblu.
Carson groaned, thinking bitterly OF tn,
hours wasted al Fort Morgan: and asked
for Mrs stott. She had gone home on the
Roc.
They went north, then" said Carson.
80 must We" rejoined Craighead.
Yes said Mr.. Waddy who seemed tC
consider the Virginia incident closed, IN
so home an push the work In the vest
you boys TO New York. 10 start the tnjunc-
tons an things"
Very WELL" said Carson. "Craighead
wen start for New York in the Virginia
IN the morningi"
That night Carson wandered to the spot
on the beach where he had drawn Vir,
ginia down out OF the sky in the runaway
helicopter, The heavens were overcast
the east winds nloaned through the pines
great gray waves broke thundeTOusly on
the beach, and from the marshes came the
croak OF night herons He sat ponderins
on his misery, on the temptation 10 which
he had sucoumbed. on the hOpelessness OF
his love. They're and she-had ap,
preached each other Ike two stars, and
Omaha daily bee., 1910-10-23

head. "Goodby, Mrs. Graybill The hard
part OF going to sea is goodby."
Again they flew northward; and again,
within five minutes of losing the launch,
Craighead demanded that Carson put back.
Il would have converse with Sir Cyrus
Waddy," said he. This time l must My
statistical bureau has dug up the real item
that wanted to show him. Return, Sir
Thedo' Cahson, lord mayor OF everywharl
Return to the launchp
mol" said Theodore, I'VE have vacil-
lated enough; too much. I shall not re-
turn"
But, I say, old chap" urged Craig
head, this is the lasht, you know. Sc
riously now Mr. waddy doesn't know the
first thing about my scheme for controlling
middle west space through titles to high
ways I've got to talk with him. Come
now. Go back. or III jolly well hop into
the bay and swim, ! will go back. I'll
scuttle the ship, 1 shall not sleep a wink
I'll be worthless unless I'm taken back.
Back villain. unhand met I'll buy a star
ling in the first poultry market, and teach
tine internal fowl 20 hollo in thine ear
Back! Take me backp I'm in earnest
The farther We go, the more things / think
OF 20 SO back for. Take me"
For the last timer" Carson stipulated
"Do you promise?'
Yes, good, my lord, this is the amen
trip I swear i'll"
The Virginia, darting like a meteor up
the bay. swerved so sharply over the Mid
die bay light that Craighead well nigh
went overheard, and steered once more
into the beautiful blue semioircle of Bon
seeour bay Craighead peering forward
under the pintles OF the bow rudder for
the launch, as a globe circling sailor might
scan the shore for his waiting wife. They
went hurting back over the Palmetto
Beach hotels at a height OF 500 feet and
thence to the easterly end OF the Little
lagoon. The galleries were alive with pso,
pie, scanning the tremendously powerful
flier with glasses. What was this thing
narrowing the sky in this seemingly aim
less fashion. so alive, so vigorous. so
forceful in her swift swoop2
Craghead, with the binoculars ssw in
the black circle OF Frsswater lake no
launch.
They're not on the lake, Carson" he
cried IN a panic. What can have hap
pened? Is Il possible they've sunk2'
Don't faint" said Carson They're IN
find them"
II carlate you've guessed II, Cap'n," re-
piled Craighead. with a sigh of relief.
There they are now"
The Virginia followed the tortuous chan
mel as a kestrel IN quest OF finches might
trace the windings OF a rail fence In the
sheltered pond, which Carson called Vlr-
ginia's lily bed Mrs. Graybiu was gath
ering waXen blossoms and pi3ing them IN
the pilots olskins. When the low flying
aeronef came up astern, she grew Grim
son, and laughed.
Wen" said MI waddy; TN be
darned"
I'VE returned to say" began Mr.. Craig
head
1t was craigbead's desire" broke In
Carson.
Exactly" assentsd Craighead. Il de-
sired word with you. sir, on the western
Highways"
Omaha daily bee., 1910-10-23

and blasted their brave anucipahons. On
the foundation they begun safer easisr,
modern trails have been laid; and II seems
entirely fitting that those who enjoy them
should pay grateful tribute to the sturdy
pathfinders of the earlier time.
Adventures gold-seekers, settlers, home
makers and history makers, have all
passed this way. As early as 1910 Coron-
ado and his venturesome band OF eXplor-
ers penetrated to the Platte Valley. IN
der instructions from President Thomas
jefferson, Lewis and Clark traversed the
land In its virgin state then altogether
unpromisng of its later triumphs and
richness These pioneer captains made
camp not far from the present site Of
Omaha probably about where Calhoun
now dots the map. from whence they
pressed on over lowland and highland,
through woods and across rivers, until
they reached the Pacific ocean. Half
year of strenuous travel was devoted to
covering the distance now made in lux
urous comfort in a week.
II was in 1904 the Lewis and Clark ex-
petition passed this way, and six years
later the Historian band of fur traders
and trade boosters followed practically
the same route OF the. government eXpe-
dition. william Price Hunt, the leader,
Is credited with having made many an
original detour as he wendell his way
over this section of the American desert,
which In the later development has
shamed the riches of ancient lands. This
expedition It was that established Astoria,
on the Pacific coast.
Guiding party OF scientific investigat-
ors. Major Stephen II. Lang, of the
United States army, set out from st.
Louis in the spring OF 1919, and made his
winter camp somewhere between Calhoun
and the site now occupied by Omaha. The
next spring the party traversed the
length OF Nebraska along the north bank
Of the Platte. Then followed other bands
unknown to history. made up of adven-
turous spirits, until Captain bonneville
came along with a commercial wagon
Omaha daily bee., 1910-10-23

down Of the chin with a hoarse whisper
on the word morning"
Oh, It's twenty miles to Vassar, and the
Hudson for to cross;
There's regulations to be broke at both
ends of the route;
But Belinda's eyes are like the sky, Be
lindas hair is floss
And Jim IS black and plagued with love,
and doesn't care a hootl
On, it's twenty miles to Vassarl
But It's fifty smiles at VassarI
And it's other lovey-dovey things in hosts
Oh, the love Of dear Belinder burns his
heart into cinder-
And Jim viii be at vassar ere the
morning.
A slight redness crept up under the tan
OF Major Fathers cheek. a slight uuiver
OF the thin nostril betrayed the fact that
Cralgheads song had touched some spot
that thrilled-but whether to laughter or
anger no one could tell, Mr.. Craighead
asked IL it would be necessary to adduce
more proof Of his identity.
"W.n the proof consist in further vo-
callzaton?' asked the major judiciany,
"Oh, wise and upright Judge" replied
Craighead, 1T will consist of ten other
stanzas once sacred to select circle at
West Point II an accompanist-"
In view Of this" said the major, with
undated dignity, Il shah hear the case
in private"
The major rose, and passed out without
a glance at the intruders. The squad took
them to his quarters, where he received
them in frozen stiffness; and stood aside
to let them into a library rather well
furnished with books.
The MAJOR sat like craven image until
the receding footsteps were lost to the
ear Then he rushed at Craighead. shook
him until his teeth chartered. laughing
slapping him on the back shaking his
hands and otherwise showing such a re-
versal OF form from official staidness that
Mr.. Waddy and Carson came independently
to the conclusion that he had suddenly
gone mad.
Craig Craigl" said he You con.
founded old scrapegrace! I've an internal
good mind to throw you IN for ten years
And that Belinda song you made up about
mel Blast YOU the regulations won't
permit adequate punishment And sober
tool Tell rue all about yourself, oonfount
YOU and introduce your friendsv"
With Mr. Waddys name" said Craig
head, you are familiar. He is the bill.
lionaire owner Of Speaker Gunn,"
"Confoundly sorry" said the major
But II this Teprobate." indicating era 9.
head had limited that he was our Wes
Point disgrace-I should have issued passes
andt-"
"Oh, that's all right" said Mr.. Waddy
Don't say no more about il. major"
And this" said Craighead. lis the In.
sventor and builder OF our airship, General
Theodore Carson, M. A."
Glad to meet YOU, general" said the
major. mot in our armyt'
mot IN any" said Carson. Its a pleas
} antry Of Mr.. Craighsad's."
quite So" replied the major, shaking
hands again. but II was oonfoundly ir,
! regular 70 run the guard you knowl"
I'VE didn't intend"
mot a word!" said the major. "You
must dine with me-Mrs. Fathers will
waive ceremony. She isn't Belinder. Crair
You disreputable old dog-disguised as q
: sober man! Could be hanged as a spy
) Twenty allies 70 Yassar.' In headquarters
Omaha daily bee., 1910-10-23
tC0pyrisht. 1910. BY Bobbs-Merrin Coz
CHAPTER xIv-Continued.

NhAEAAh AAN-NDmAAnuG us
"In horn" remarked the soldier.
give us another o them coffin nailsr
Mr.. Craighead began humming IT'S
Twenty Miles TO Vassar" evidently a West
Point ditty, paced the guard house, turn,
ing corners with military precision, or
stood accurately with certain fingers on
certain seams Of his trousers as precise as
tin soldier The atmosphere had per,
meated his system; and when corporars
guard called for them, his stride might
have been offered as a model
Access 20 Major Fathers desk was
opened for them by orderlies described by
Mr., Waddy as states prison looking fell
lows, armed TO the teeth. The major was
thin, solemn, bilious looking, as Il he had
a bad liver from service In the tropics;
naughty, as II the liver had overnowed
his temper. Their hearts sank as they
looked into his eyes of yellow sh brown,
with whites OF smoky yellow; and noted
the funeral drOop OF his long black mus
taehe cut down the middle by a greater
droop OF the nose enormously high. sur
passlngly hooked. incredibly sharp and
thin; he looked so unapproachable and
5aundiced, and like an immense exalted
potentate contemplating candidates for the
asylum for the irretrievably worthless who
had been found below grade. HIS voice
was the deepest OF bassos, rumbling softly
out as II protesting that really, Il had
no room TO turn itself Craighead started
at the sound and began a close scrutiny
Of Major Fathers. making notes iu a
book,
who are your said Major Fathers.
He looked at Mr. Waddy. his tone OF
well nodulated distant thunder seeming
TO say that they were really nobody
who are weT' cried Mr. waddy. who
the We? American oltizens, sir Citizens
and taxpayers before you was ever born.
sir Wire John II. Gum. at Washington.
that Cyrus Waddy's shut up IN Jail, an
you'n find outl You'll"
1t would seem an economy OF time. Mr..
Waddy.' said tho major after Quelling
him with a yellow glover, mot 20 trouble
Mr.. Gum nor the pres dent who might
find q ino0nvenient 20 attend for purposes
OF Identification. II would be quite az
easy FOR this young gentleman 10 be the
crown prince OF Germany. ana the othel
the nrst lord % the admiralty as for you
Omaha daily bee., 1910-10-23

train, accompanied by trappers They
made headquarters somewhere about
Falls City, for trapping, and Bonneville
went on TO the Pacific. This party is
credited with being the first that got
through without suffering great loss at
che hands OF the Indians.
Missionaries now took the field, and as
the message Of the gospel went into the
lonely places soon information came back
for strong advance of settlers and a
wide spread OF business. 1t is today matter
for wonder that up to 1912 less than 200
people were known to be in the vast
stretch OF country west Of the Missouri
river and north OF California-OregOn-
through which the mighty rivers flowed
Omaha daily bee., 1910-10-23

down to the sea. But conditions bettered
with amazing rapidity when Peter II.
Burnett and ether interchangeable leaders OF
caravans pushed through the forbidding
country with long trains of wagons and
animals, accompanied by regiments OF peo-
pie who would not recognize difficulties
that the way was open and the time ripe
or stop short Of the goal they sought far
away in the west.
These happenings all typlfy the Ameri-
can spirit of the pioneer days and, are
themselves typified by the sun dial monu-
ment in Riverview The passing emigrants
from the older sections had on their way
through beaten a trail which General FIRE.
mont has written was well defined in the
Omaha daily bee., 1910-10-23

flown Off into space, never to meet, in
predestined orbits. And after all they had
enjoyed and lived and suffered together!
The hand on his shoulder felt for the
moment like hers, but 1t was Mrs Gray
bill who had come through the soft sand,
silent as a ghost, to his side
Mr.. Carson" said she, this isn't the
last. Don't give up. couldn't speak to
her; was only a stranger. But kept the
fragments OF the letters she tore up. Put
them together. They will cheer you up.
What a woman wants to say, ana doesn't
dare, means much, much more than what
she says. MIR. Carson. don't despair!'
And she ran away as silently as she had
come.
Omaha daily bee., 1910-10-23

vators producers, more and more each
year. greeted the passing traveller whose
predecessors had met only lurking savage
and far-spreading desolation. Life, de-
veopment took the place of stagnstion
and danger; husbandry replaced hunting,
school houses broke the horizon line where
tepees had been set, and the whole land
was quiokened, gladdened and made to
bring forth riches in abundance.
The trail makers have passed on over
the eternal divide the generation of first
settlers is passing fast but their descend
ants have an inheritance, in Nebraska and
other states of the west the like Of which
is not surpassed on the earth's surface.
Impressed by the thoughts that flow
Omaha daily bee., 1910-10-23

early '40s
While Omaha may not have been, prob
ably was not, on the line OF the first
general trail, with the rush of the gold
seekers 1t came to be a regular station
on the way Historians of the beginnings
of the American fur trade have written
that the old Oregon trail, despite it's
dangers, was "a wonderful highway, in
its broadcast sense a national road" They
testify, too, that It was the route traversed
by a national movement, the broad path
to opportunity heretofore neglected, "as a
highway Of travel the most remarkable
known to history"
Indian tribes gave way, sullenly but GER
tainly, to brigades Of useful people. Guilt
Omaha daily bee., 1910-10-23

from such a history ID such victory
the daughters Of the men OF the revolution
have taken a lively and a patriotic Joy in
promoting the movement to mark the old
railway in a manner substantial and en-
during. Their sun dial win be the monu-
ment for the daring men and women who
gave their strong days to pioneering and
laid down their lives along the old Oregon
trail. And a grateful state, with the back
ing of a great metropolis, will see to 1t
that the monument Is preserved. Its
lessons cannot be too deeply impressed on
the young and its silent influence will ever
be for the advancement of the good, IA
encouragement in the struggle for the
ideal.
Omaha daily bee., 1910-10-23

braska must surely have had visions, how
ever dim. OF the beauteous picture OF civil
lization that would grow out OF the waste
they passed through.
In all its pride Of accomplishment Omaha,
and It's vigorous sister cities must pause
now and again to pay the reverent word Of
gratitude to the camp makers who first
suroad ashes on its soil in the cause Of
patriotism And It does do this. willingly
and graciously, in speech and practice
alike.
The landmarks Of history" In this
region have recently been added to by the
erection in Riverview park Of permanent
monument to mark the entrance OF the
Old Oregon Trail into Nebraska. IL Is I'm
the form OF a sundial-a time marker-that
It is hoped, win survive in its sunny
location FOR many decade Useful in
itself this monument. erected by the Omaha
chapter OF the Daughters OF the American
Revolution, will nlso serve to bring to mind
the reflection that in the ancient day brave
spirits were afoot TO open new baths to
the promising westland, to blaze trails for
the other fortunate thousands who were to
follow.
Mouldered into dust beside the wiudings
of the old trail, the bodies OF many and
many a stout-hearted man and woman
have enriched the soil and their memories
nave inspired later corners to strive and
conquer. In groups and singly numerous
of the fret travellers on this famous trail
fell victims to the blood lust of fierce In
dams. Others succumbed to the hardships
that befelI them when they had passed the
frontiers of civilization; and many beside
laid down under the weight OF grief and
disappointment that Swallowed their hopes
Omaha daily bee., 1910-10-23

to them.
And many a gray dawn saw their camp
fires In the rain.
Omaha daily bee., 1910-10-23

iANGE was their mistress,
chance was their counselor;
yet The first pioneers who
opened the trails through the
counuy now so happily grown
into the prosperous state OF Ne