davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1912-12-08

had played ever since his thieying old
father had died and left him alone,
haltgrown boy. 10 lght his own bat
lie with the world And he had never
before played II with 80 much at
stake, Already not dozen miles
away the manhunt was on.
At tho top OF the stairs a faint
light glimmered IN through the win.
dows and he could see that one OF
the nearest doors stood niar He
crept toward Il and on the heavy
carpet OF the hall his footsteps made
not the slightest sound
"Geei II only had gunl" he
thought, And then an inspiration
came to him. Slipping his hand into
a pocket OF his coat he brought out
an old pipe and grabbed II by the
bowl II would be a good blur, any
way. IN case OF need
Softly he pushed the door open, an
inch at a time, then stepped inside.
Surely luck seemed 10 DO Oh mis- slde,
for the curtains were not drawn and
ho could see 10 all parts OF the room
In a bed IN corner woman lay
sleeping soundly; he could bear her
heavy breathing Her fRce--the face
Of q woman somewhat past the prime
of lite--was turned toward him, and
II she should chance 10 open her eyes
she would see him Instantly. But
Reagan caly smiled Many times be
fore he bad been In such situation
and had never lost his nerve for an
instant.
He tiptoed 10 the bureau, glancins
over his shoulder at the sleeping
woman with every step, and slowly
drew out one OF the drawers Noise.
lessly he groped about Ia It's contents
There was nothing there that no
wanted and he drew out the drawer
underneath He rummaged through
tbet with the came result Then be
ran his hands over the bureau top
for the chance OF picking up some
bit OF jewelry. In that he was more
successful, for his fingers struck
against a little silver tray, IN which
he discovered a diamond ring and a
uChNy bOlu bl dttltAs AFbt ut hllIpCu
into HIS coat, but without much salts.
faction. II was money that he wanted
most. He stepped over to a little
cabinet and began TO run his fingers
deftly over its shelves. But as he
stood there, suddenly door not two
steps away from him hew wide open
Reagan stepped back with a startled
gasp and the hand with the PIPE new
up menacingly. Silently there glided
into the room a tall. slender girl clad
only In a nightdresS Halt hidden
behind the open door as he was, she
did not see him, but stood peering
timidly across the room.
II It had been man he would
have trusted TO terrorizng him into
remaining silent, for his old pipe
would easily have passed for q re.
volver In the dim light. But he knew
the ways OF women IN such emer.
gencies. Indeed. be doubled up his
fist and crouched forward Until she
was within striking distance. One
swift blow and she would sink in a
Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1912-12-08

paused a little and clasped his hands
behind his back, in calm defiance o
the coming fate "'Opened by mis-
take Understand? Yes? Well
then-go on, and be darned to yol
ALI"
Buckton waited. motionless.
Bull seemed rather staggered as the
group crowded about him and stared
curiously at the letter.
well, III do that, Buckton-" the
sheriff began
"Aw! Let's see If" Menker
laughed as he snatched the little en-
velope suddenly and held 1t aloft.
Buckton started forward with an
oath, to be stopped short by Carter's
gun. Bull, too, made move toward
the saloon man, but the latter waved
the letter over his head and cried:
well. wen make an investigation
Bull. Maybe this here's more evi.
dence, or maybe"
He broke of again and drew forth
the sheet. As he did 30 Buckton
shouted shrilly;
Put that back, Menken! Put that
back, / sayl II you don't and ! live,
I'll kill you; and II l die, I'll come
back from hell and haunt you every
day Of"
Girl in tho easel" Carter observed
facetiously.
Menken, who owned latent dramatic
tendencies, had cooked himself jaunt-
lily side.saddle on his horse. The little
note sheet was extended now, and
Menken's full-throated voice roared
forth:
"Listenl Here she goes: my dear
sonny boy"
"she's sure fond of him. amt she?"
the red.haired one chuckled.
Menken read on gleefully:
my dear sonny boy:
do write and tell me what is the
matter. II is over month now since
I have heard from you. The last
letter you wrote-the one with the
fifty dollars and the money-order for
one hundred-came on your birthday,
and / was very, very glad to hear
from you and thank you for the
Have you left your position in
and gone back to Lara
mie' think maybe it is as well, be-
cause you said the Laramie people
were good to you and the position was
certain, even II the pay was a little
less. But you use your own judg-
ment, my dear little boy, because
you're your fathers son and father
always knew what was right and did
i, and you are his own boy"
Mr.. Menken cleared his throat; his
voice had been dropping away notice
ibly with the last few words. Men
zen looked almost furtlvely over the
crowd for the tiniest fraction OF a
the crowd looked back
-ather bewilderedly. Whereat Menkeh |
less jovlally:
Everything is the same here as It
las always been. am just about the |
,ame, too. though DR.. Harris said last !
Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1912-12-08

"Bull," he said. I'm not going with
you. I'm not dead sure about the
law, but you know blamed well you're
out OF your own county and"
And just there Menken. seven-foot
giant OF the posse. keeper OF Phil
lipstown's most ornate saloon and
leader OF the councilmen. roared in:
you bet you amt goin', Buckton!
You're goin' to stay right here and
stay putt We've had too darned much
trouble with you. anyway, these last
two months, an too much expense.
You amt worth cartin back, an you'd
be worth less when you got there.
Where's that rope, Tom?"
The ed.headed member OF the posse
tossed from his saddle a good ten
yards Of braided leather lariat. Men
ken caught II and held 1t up silently.
Buckton. still squatted on the ground,
regarded It alphabetically,
But Bull whirled swiftly on the
saloon-man with:
what d. you think you're doing"
"That'll be all right, pickl" Menken
grinned. I'VE talked II over before
we started, and we came ready. You're
all for law IN the book style, old
man, and we're all awful up TO date;
but | reckon the day amt gone by
when hoss-thieves don't get what's
coming to 'em in proper style. And
II this cuss don't deserve hangin'-"
A slx.throated yell drowned his
voice. II was yell OF distinct ap-
proval, too, and the yellers were quite
as well armed as Bull-and Bull. in
was no fool. He straight
ened up abruptly and cried erisply:
Say! This Is all nonsense! We're
goin' to take Buckton back, aad he's
goin' to be tried right and"
"Cut II outi" said the red-headed
as he swung down and swag-
yered over to Buckton and regarded !
him contemptuously. "Git up"
The derelict clamored with difficulty
10 his feet.
Got any prayers you want to say?"
inquired the auburn.haired.
mol" The word came In an srnaz.
ng. unexpected roar. Il sai6 en- long
igol"
Then" He caught deftly at the
moose and grinned malevolently. Dye
Wanter stand on a hoss, or dye wsnter
10 yanked up straight and gentle
nsnly! Hey7"
Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1912-12-08

having 10 drift down the stream, trust.
Ing TO the current 10 land him AZ some
safe place. Now he could guido his
course. to some extent at least, and
reach the other side OF tho river,
where lay less thlckly settled coun'
try and fewer dangers
Almost Immediately he was out into
the current He dared not use the oar
within earshot OF the guarded wall,
but allowed himself 10 drft slowly
past the prison buildings. past the
little town that clustered around them,
until the lights faded out Of sight be-
hind him. Then he set TO work with
the oar and slowly forced the boat out
toward the farther shore. II was slow
work and difhcult. for the boat, with
It's fat bottom. turned and twisted in
the current like a snake; but little
by little his skill with the oar and the
power Of his long. muscular arms had
their effect, and before Ions the boat
was rubbing its nose against a muddy
shore.
Thick woods stretched down the
hillsides clear to the waters edge.
The lonely spot was TO Reagan's lik.
ing. He Jumped out and showed the
boat back into tho current that there
might be no danger OF its serving as
evidence OF the course he had taken.
Then he turned into the woods. grasp
ing at weeds and bushes In Chamber.
ing up the steep slope when his feet
slipped on tho damp dead leaves.
Not until he had reached the top OF
the hill did he stop for a moment. The
night was growing clearer; the moon
was peeplng over the woods across
the river. Far away the prison
loomed like a big black shadow; and
as Reagan gazed at 1t, the Joy OF free
dom surged in his veins, and he shook
his fist in triumph.
They'll never get mel" he cried.
"Tm too smooth for EN-. Let 'em
come on! I'm not afraid Of em. Let
'em come"
The words caught In his throat, for
the great whistle OF the
prison shrieked its alarm across the
water, the startling message to town
anu NOuuNl gblNC NuaJ q lAlcOASi uau
escaped.
He struck into the woods on the
western slope of the hill and went
crashing through the underbrush in
Decline for the valley that lay below.
AS he went he pondered over his
plans He would travel steadily west
ward, always with his face toward the
plains, and perhaps at last ho would
try the gold fields. After day or
two he would make for a railroad
and travel by train. but II would be
safer, be reasoned. TO keep TO the
lonely country roads until then The
chance of being suspected, he be.
lieved. was very slight, for he was
no longer in his prison clothes. He
had changed them for a plain, black
suit he had found hanging in the tool
house where he had been In hiding
throughout the day. And he stood In
small fear OF village constabes. 1t
was the police OF the cities that he
dreaded.
But there was one risk he must
Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1912-12-08

.gIk I'D" REAGAN orouehed on the
u wall and looked behind him
At the dark, silent prison
For n moment he peered with feel
= ing Of awe at the great frownlng pile
Of granite looming into the night, then
turned his gaze In the direction OF
the watchtower at far corner OF the
enclosure, ftraiulng his ears 10 liBten
for the measured tramp OF the guard
Try as he would, ho could catch no
glimpse OF him, for tho night was
black; yet only n few moments be-
iCro from his hiding place behind the
sheds IN the yard he had seen the
HhadoWy form Of the sentinel pass.
sing slowly by,
He must be almost there" he NUT.
tered, and drew himself to the edge
OF the wall.
Halt dozen seconds dragged by
Suddenly he rose up on his knees with
a gasp, Along the wall, not thirty
feet away, was moving shadow.
Reagans throat stiffened as II a
hand had clutched II 10 strangle him.
Every muscle In his body grew rigid
and through his veins ran the chill OF
fear. Another moment and all his
strength seemed to leave him; he
sank Imply forward on his hands with
'ifed groan. Never in all his wild
,er had he known what absolute
meant till then.
then he peered into the dark.
ness ain There was nothing there.
The back form might have been the
work Of his overweight Imagination,
or perhaps a movement OF the heavy
mist or a shadow cast by something
far away.
His mouth stretched into a sickly
grin. MY nerves are sure to the
bad to.night,' he told himself.
lie would wait no longer now. With
an oath he crept to the edge of the
wall and clambered over until he
hung only by his hands. He was not
particularly heavy man, though
strongly built, and he felt sure he
could make the drop without serious
injury. He glanced below into the
dark, then let 80 and shot down, graz
ing the rough stones and scraping the
Skin from his outstretched hands.
He landed on his feet in soft earth
with scarcely a sound, but the shock
threw him forward on his hands and
knees. He was unhurt. Gathering
himself together he ran swiftly to
the edge Of the river. He knew there
must be a rowboat somewhere near
He had not served two terms in that
prison without keeping his eyes open.
He knew his ground Had he not lain
night after night for weeks and
months in his silent cell studying over
every detail Of his escape-the ar
rangement with a friend, lifer, to
answer TO his number at rol-call, the
slipping from the line Of prisoners In
the yard, the hiding in the Toulouse
all that Sunday, the propping Of a
board into a corner OF the wall that
he might climb to the top, the watch
for the passing OF the guard, the dash
for the river and the boat? All had
been thought out long ago and pom.
dered over time and again.
Yes, the boat must be there. He
was sure OF II, and he ran along the
bank expecting every moment to see
1t drawn up on the mud a few hun
dred feet and he found It, as he had
expected, and-more than he had |
dared hope for-lying across the seats
was a single oar. He had counted on |
Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1912-12-08
By E. L.
BACON

ready have carried the alarm. A feel
| ing OF despair camo over him as he
sank down exhausted IN tho dead
leaves and thought OF all tho odds
against him,
An hour must have passed since he
had crept into the wood and be was
Just slipping into a dozo when he
started up and listened, every nerve
alert. A shot Then another and an,
other lie sprnng 10 his feet, Far
ont across the fields a man was run
ming, pausing now and then 10 dis
charge his revolver az half a dozen
or more men who were hard In pur.
suit few hundred feet behind him.
Reagan gave q low cry OF dlsmay, for
the man was headed for his hiding
place, and he realized that II he
should succeed In reaching II. the pur.
suers would soon have the little strip
Of woods surrounded. They would
both be trapped
Ho turned and clambered upward.
But the warning had come too late.
As he reached the summit Of the little
hill, he caught sight OF still more men
running about In the open on the
othor side. Ho hesitated moment,
then crept back TO the spot that he
had left.
Again he heard shots. The pursu.
ing party were firing az tho runaway
now, but the man WAS running on, ap-
parsntly unhurt, He reached the trees
and Reagan could hear him breaking
his way through the thick underbrush
Nearer he drew. aud. whom not a
dozen yards away, he glanced up and
saw the convict standing motionless
watching him.
Don't shoot, pal said Reagan
calmly You amt got nothing to
fear from me- We're IN the same nI,
we two"
The man stared at him doubuully,
but said nothing In the dim moon
light his face looked dead white and
hts breath came In loug gasps
"You better sit down aud take It
easy" advised Reagan Them cusses
amt goin' TO risk comm in here in
the dark after you. that's sure, when
they eau just as easy wait I'll morn
in"
Il guess you're right" he said. but
be still kept his gun ready for action
AS he gazed at Reagan
Il been doin' little Job myself"
said Reagan. by way OF allaying sus.
plcion, and he pointed to his shooless
feet, on which his socks hung In
shreds, with bruised and bleeding
flesh showing through The man
looked from his feet to his close.
cropped head, studied his grim, hard
features for moment and seemed
satisfied. They've got lis cornered," /"
he said at last. What are we goin'
to do?"
II guess there ain't nothin' TO do
Just yet but to lie close and study It
out" said Reagan, coming slowly
down 10 where the man was standing.
Il want TO find out nrst what you
know, understands What they after
you for7"
The stranger sat down and, drop.
ping his weapon. buried HIS face In
Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1912-12-08

hla hands Il wish | hadn't done H."
he Whimpered. Il dunno what got
into me. must ha' been crazy.
nevor did anything like that before.
I've lived straight, | have. ! aln't no
thief But | been out OF a Job and
I've got wife and babies and | had
70 get money somehow. And there
was house over Ia the village that
looked easy. But ] hadn't got moron
inside before they got after me. They
chased me down the road, but ! guess
ia got away II hadn't run in sight
Of this crowd with guns"
Reagan watched him for a time
without speaking See here, kid" he
said at last "They didn't get a good
close look at you. did they-dldn't see
you except in the dsrk?"
The stranger shook his head
And they don't know there are two
OF us here" Reagan continued. I'm
| thinkin' either you or me can go free.
But we both can't; that's cinch.
II We both stay here they'll get us
sure In the morning But supposin'
one OF us makes a break for III The
others safe, amt he2 II run out,
they'll take mo for the feller that did
both Jobs, and the same way II you
10, Then the one OF us that stays
here can sneak away whenever he
wants 10, Understand"
The young man sprang 10 his feet
with cry and his eyes were bright
With hope But the next moment hls
face clouded. But it's a chance for
only one OF us he said and his voice
qulyered. Which onell II be?"
Wen draw lots for II, Kid" and
Reagan selected two blades OF dry
grass and BIT on the feathered ends.
You game?' He rolled the straws
between his hands and held them out
70 that only the ends showed from
between his fingers The short one
wins he said. Il can't do any cheat.
in them
The stranger gazed at them with
frightened eyeG. then put out n shak.
ing hand and laid hold of one gin.
gerly But he hesitated before draw.
ing II out A moment and he released
IT. and grasped tho other.
That the one?' asked Reagan.
The young man nodded. Reagan
smiled trumphantly. Then he looked
into his companions childish face, and
suddenly something stirred In his
heart II was that soft spot that he
could never understand "Oh, hell"
he muttered. and there was quick
movement OF his thumb as the young
man drew out the straw.
II was the short one The other,
not an Inch longer, remained in Rea.
'gan's clutch. But somewhere in the
dead leaves there fell still another bit
OF straw with the mark OF his thumb
nail at its end.
"GOod'by. pal" said Reagan I'm
committln' penal offense helpin a
criminal to escape and hate to break
the law. But you'll see the wife and
babies again. | guess"
Then he turned and stole softly
away through the trees
The young man peered through the
gap in the wood, and out across tho
moonlit fields he saw black figure
running with the head bent low.
Again the shots rang out The figure
stumbled. clutched at the air and fell
forward.
] (Cobwigkt. The Frank 4. Munsey Cos
Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1912-12-08

IN Tuesday morning the mail.
coach brought in the wellsub-
stantlated rumor that Buckton
sys really been located again-this
Base in the foothills beyond the Starry
pnte. By noon on Tuesday-and this
d-spite the fact that Buckton had been
senuitely located five times in the last
TIVE months, without ever being taken
Il the fesh-Sheriff Bull galloped out
o. Phillipstown with posse Of seven
behind him. Phillpstown may not be
glrong on population or culture or
commerce, but when 1t comes to send
ing out a sherifYs posse in good shape
a. short notice, Phillipstown Is there!
Just before sunset on Thursday they
came upon Buckton.
Buckton was sitting, hunched into
a miserable ball, Just as he had fal-
len when the spunky little black mare
dropped dead six hours before. He
was the God-forsaken wreck Of man,
: ha cdly over thirty,
What clothes he still owned were
tattered; scantily covered bones liter
ally protruded through the rents and
holes. His hat was crownless, the
struggling beard of weeks gave his
eaunt face much the look of the ira.
dlronal wild man" His thin hands
were clenched over bare knees. His
cheeks cracked suddenly into a smile
norhing less than CHASTITY.
You've got me, Bull, he said. Il
never thought you had wits enough
for the Job, but-you've got me. Go
ahead with your fun. What do you
want?"
Pell, the Philllpstown grain and
feed man, took the liberty OF laugh
ing. Bulls official dignity came back,
and he Strengthened up suddenly
i've got a warrant here for your
arrest, Buckton," he said. I'm fact,
! have four of them. but the lasts
the one I'm going TO use. They |
charge you with horse-stealing and
contrasting. One OF ems been sworn |
out on a complaint OF smashing down
a bank-clerk In Kinsville and taking |
three hundred dollars from him In
broad daylight. Here they are, II y
want to read EN-"
an take your word for II. Bull"
The weird smile came again.
Then"
The derelict hitched to little more
upright posture and faced the man. !
The day book. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1911-1917, 1912-09-10

- AIIOLAey DaI I0ll W. sOlOSOIl'
and Adstro=Hungary have joined
issues to probe the mysteries that
seemingly engulf Lawyer Glib
sons monied clients.
The Austrian consul-general
wants to know more about the
mysterious will and death of the
Countess, Rosa Menschik Szabo.
She was. drowned in Greenwood
lake, N. Y, July 10, and imme-
diately afterwards Gibson APP
peared with a will making him
sole executor over her estate of
$4,000.
In the name of God" began
the will, and it ended by be-
qneathing all the property to the
countess mother, Mrs. Petronel-
la Menschik. ri
Gibson explained to the surro-
gate court that the. mother lived
ID Chicago and was the only rela-.
tive of the deceased. The judge
s1sdmayozl 1851 D9Js9Io slsnlb
The day book. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1911-1917, 1912-09-10

chief of police declaring that the
mother of the countess had died
two years ago and that her death
was known to the countess last
February when she made her
5y9d3
The day book. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1911-1917, 1912-09-10

IuIlIS0 liz OoldlCJ 4l1OSlly OdlAh az
counts, over to, Gibson as execu-
tor. About the same time an old
woman went with Gibson to a
Brooklyn notary and signed le-
gal paper making il, possible for
Gibson to get the funds in his pos
session. The woman signed the
name of '.Petronella Menschik,
mother.
Apparently the case was ended.
Then the Austrian consul heard
of it. He. cabledsa few,brief facts
to Vienna, where the Austrian
government got into comnunica-
ton with the Menschik family.
The New York consul got a
hurry-up cable from the Vienna
;.
El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-01-27

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El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-01-27

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