davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-03-29

Office boy played snap" with dummy.
furious wave to his head.
TOO late! Cleared, by God" he
gritted silently, but while he stood
there peering round the door, boy
with letters to post ran down the cor
ridor. and, passing, volunteered infor-
nation over his shoulder.
"Allerby's clerk and his boy ave
CORN out. Got day off for it. Wish
OF 'ad."
DAY off? What for?" said Luck.
''Whaffor? Test match Australians
in" He went on CONTEMPORARY.
Luck entered softly, and closed the
door behind him. Very good, indeed.
Then let us hope Mr.. Allerby sat
alone in the inner room.
Nov, sir!" said Johnnie Luck to
himself, a grin on his lips and light
in his eyes, "for the fun!"
In he went into dead ST.
lenee, on dead man. There sat a
stiff bulk that had once been the fat
Allerby, with his head and arms
Topped forward on the desk, and on
everything near sickening spurts of
red. A smashed inkpot lay upon the
floor. near a broken walking stick.
The coat was half ripped from the
body at the desk. There were signs
Of a murderous struggle before the
murder was done.
my God!" said Luck involuntarily
His grin died. He was alert and
watchful, alive to the danger of his
position. He took off his hat to the
dead thief as involuntarily as he had
addressed the Almighty, and touched
him with experienced fingers. He had
seen violent deaths in many forms out
in the Northwest Allerby had to all
appearances been killed two or three
hours ago. He was stiffening and
cold.
Luck glanced round, and pulled
himself back to his errand. A look
at the high desk showed him the
panel slid back, and the aperture
empty.
LOST" said Luck, gritting his
teeth. Lost, by an hour or twoi"
He thought frenziedly. "Fowleri"
flashed into his brain. Better go on
and get what's left anyway" He
trod on something. He stopped and
picked it UP. 1t was an enamel waist
coat button.
He pushed the dead man back in
his chair to look at his waistcoat. All
the buttons were on. He dropped
the button into his pocket, went out,
locked the door behind him, and took
the key, knowing that every hours
grace before the murder was discov-
cred would probably be valuable. He
was rather pale under his tan when
he came out into Oxford Street, but
as nonchalant looking as ever. He
took a bus to Ludgate Circus-a
harassed bus conductor can remem-
Der less of faces than a more leisured
cab driver, probably-and left the key
in it.
1t was just after FIVE O'Clock, but
'Mr. Fowler is in, SIR said the affa-
BILE little clerk Password. "Step this
way"
Luck was shown in on the wooden.
faced man.
'T think I have had the pleasure
before. SIR said Fowler after a pause,
during which his eyes had fixed them
selves on Luck's face. Some bother
about your housekeeper, as far as
remember. But I'm very busy-very
pressed indeed for time this after
noon, and I'm afraid I must treat you
with scant civility. Sorry, indeed, to
treat would-be client"
Luck's glance had found the mans
waist-coat buttons. The third was
missing.
my business" he rejoined, ais
merely to restore some property to
you"
He held out his hand, and in the
palm of it lay an enamel waistcoat
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-03-29

with his boyish smile. I'm a casual
sort of chap. was in this block, 60
ing to see the-er-architects on this
same floor, and | saw your plate. AS
well drop in here as anywhere else,
/ says to myself. That's how the
thing was done"
81 see. I see," said Allerby. with no
change of expression. And l think
l may say that you couldn't have done
better than to come to US in the ordi-
nary course of things. AS it is
well, well, you understand. Good
day"
A taxi took Luck to the Ritz by
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-03-29

Not necessary" answered Luck
after a pause. 81 dropped half of 1t
three years ago, when | went under,
not to disgrace the family"
Very WE'LL" said Napoleon. Now
your first instructions are these: Go
to a certain solicitors Office, No. 121
Oxford Street. The name of the solic-
itors are Allerby and Weather. You
will see Allerby. Ask him il the firm
will undertake case for you-any
kind of case you like. Call on your
invention"
Them"
Then come and tell me what AL
lerby says" Napoleon eyed him.
"Inquisitive?" said he. "Dissatis-
fied?"
Not a ha'porth."
Good" replied Napoleon, "and
good morning"
Luck went out, hugging to his heart
the wine of unlawful adventure, and
the vision of the soft-eyed Josephine
girl. He walked to the Strand,
booked a room at quiet hotel, was
fitted presently with ready-made
clothes, and about three o'clock, hav-
ing lunched hugely, walked, very
presentable young Englishman, up
Oxford Street.
No imposing premises were Allerby
and Weather's, but couple of rooms
in q great block of Offices, an outer
room, where clerk sat and bored
Office boy played Snap" with dummy,
and an inner room where, presumably,
was Mr. Allerby.
Luck was ushered-his card proceed
ing him-into Mr.. Allerby's office. He
saw short, round man, growing a
little bald, of f1orid complexion, in
appearance of intense responsibility.
He rose, bowed, and motioned his Wis
itor to a seat.
What can I do for you, my dear
sir?"
Luck stated case.
THE fact is, I'm in a difficulty con.
corning this beastly Employers Liza.
bility, and so on. My housekeeper
entirely through her own negli
The story rolled nimbly off his
tongue. At the close of it he said
that though reluctant to resort to the
law courts on the matter, he felt il
his duty to make an example of the
case. and wished to ask Messrs. Al
lerby and Weather to undertake i
for him
Allerby put his finger tips together
looked judicial, and replied that un
doubtedly there was a case, strons
case-touching upon one or two sa
lient points-but that owing to pres
of immediate business, the firm
would not be justified in endeavorini
to give their attention to it. H
waxed confidential, leaning across hi
desk.
my dear-ah--Mr. Luck-I assur
you that though 1t goes sorely asains
the grain to say goodbye to an agree
able client like this, we couldn't d
YOU Justice. l must be honest wit
you. We couldn't do you justice
Case is this. We're an old estat
lished country firm, very fine practic
in the North, and we're Just feelin
our way to establishing a Londo
branch. I'm here to feel the wa!
, Business has rushed in to such an e.
tent that, understaffed and owe
! worked as I am here Just now, an
; in these wretched temporary prem
: ises. I've all / can do to cope with i
/ Ny partners are sending up our hea
| clerk from the home branch directl.
( and I am shortly going to be ioine
{ by Weather junior. II you had CON
{ to us fortnight hence. we woul
: have been delighted. AS it is"
: With regrets. the visitor rose, an
held out his hand.
' "To whom do | owe the honor {
the recommendation? said Allerb,
J. smoothly.
Fact is" replied Johnnie Lucl
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-03-29

Fowler began to play with the things
on the desk.
who are you them" he asked at
last.
My name is Luck"
Fowler consigned the name to per-
dition, and added: Profession"
Judge for yourself. Do you want
your life?"
at has become, within the last two
minutes" said the wooden-faced man,
''of absolutely no value at all"
II had an offer to make"
can offer?"
Ransom"
Question and answer came out quite
dry and cool,
"As l told you" said Fowler, 81
wouldn't give a brass farthing for my
life now. I've lost the game, I'm
less"
His hands stopped moving about
Luck saw what was in his mind re-
fiected in his face, and showed a re-
volver muzzle above the desk.
"Ah!" said Fowler.
you see my terms" said Luck.
"Pay or hang"
Are you a Cosmopolitan"
''No, sir. I'm an honest thief, who
wouldn't go back on a mate"
Evidently raw hand" said Fow-
Ter. I'm an old one. / could give
you few maxims, but l won't. I'm
giving you enough as it is"
His right hand playing about,
opened little drawer, and extracted
a tiny folded paper with powder in
it. He emptied the powder rapidly
on his tongue, and went on talking.
His GOODNESS was supeThuman.
Cure for nerves, that. I've had
nerves all day. You wouldn't believe
that, would you, but l have. Shan't
have 'em again, though. You've got
nerve, not nerves. Where'd you learn
it? You're Colonial, eh?'
Course small talk" said Luck.
ooh, curse anything you like! Co
ing to stay? Because I've got an en-
gagement."
"When?"
within the next two minutes, I ex-
pect."
''Where?"
ITS not polite to ask" replied
Fowler.
A knock came at the door. Peas
wood looked in.
Post, sir" he announced, laid a
fat package on the table, and with
drew. The package was shaped like
book, wrapped thinly in brown
paper. Luck laid finger on it.
Waiting for the last consignment,
were you?" he asked.
Ali" said Fowler. That's greed,
that is. See where greed leads you.
ought to have cleared with what
I'd got directly Fd-said goodbye
to him"
He referred to his victim expires.
sionlessly.
Great mistake in life" he prosed,
ito be too thorough"
A sudden spasm jerked him. He
bit into his lower lip. Nerves." he
ground out diabolically. wait a min
ute" He dropped his head down on
his arms a second or two, where IL
writhed about. Suddenly the with
ing stopped, and he sat strangely
still. Then Johnnie Luck knew what
he ought to have known FIVE minutes
ago. 1t was not nerves, but the pow
der in the paper from the drawer, and
the wooden-faced man had gone to
fulfill long engagement.
Luck got up like man in a night
mare, and crept, scarcely daring to
breathe, to the back of the desk.
Suppose Peasfood looked I'M He
CROPPED for the panel, and after a cen
fury Of a minute, found something
slide under his fingers. An aperture
was revealed, in which lay some
dozen or so smallish wash-leather
bags. He crammed them into his
Gladstone, adding the book-shaped
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-03-29

stone bag-empty-and took a ham
som to 12I Oxford Street.
Knocking at the door of Messrs.
Allerby and Weather's office. he met
with no response. He put his head
in and looked round; everything was
orderly and quiet, but no clerk drove
his pen at the high desk, and no blase
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-03-29
Il. His hands were trembling.

packet. His hands we're trembling.
Now then, little girl" he savagely
adiured himself He Strengthened up
and opened the door. Little Peas
wood. foolish looking, with receding
chin and weak eyes. was scratching
away on high stool.
oh, An" said Luck, re-opening
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-03-29
Fowler suddenly began

button. Fowler suddenly began to
stare horribly. Luck added:
Il have just come from an office
called Allerby and Weather's."
After q perfectly dead silence Of
perhaps three minutes, Fowler sat
down. Luck sat down opposite, and
they faced each other across the desk.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-03-29

parent puzzle. In the first place
neither Allerby nor Fowler is a law.
yer at all. There are no such firms
as far as they are concerned, as AL
lerby and Weather. or Fowler and
Fowler. They are two of the clever.
est members of gang vaguely known
to. but never exactly located by, the
police of Europe, as the Cosmopoli.
tans. The Cosmopolitans are at pres
ent engaged on one of the widest
They have members in every country
in Europe, in India, and in certain
cities of America, each member in
quest of certain object. One is en-
trusted with the theft of-say ducaI
regalia. Another, with famous jewels
belonging to q famous beauty; others,
in Amsterdam and johannesburg,
with Illicit diamond buying. These
things are sent, as soon as taken,
through the ordinary post, to Allerby
and Fowler, who have been appointed
receivers. If fat enough, the Jewels
or what not are sent between card
board in legal envelopes, OF in boxes
made like books, that when wrapped
up have all the appearance of books
with their jutting covers. They are
sent in hundred ways. II is easier
and safer for two men to receive
and two men of apparently respecta-
bic calling-than for one only. Most
Of the property fixed upon by the Co.'S
mopolitans to be stolen has, I believe,
been sent now. When it is all gath
cred together, it will be taken to the
house of member, a dentist in Fitz-
roy Square. He is pretty we'll a bogus
dentist, too, but he only sets up to be
a cheap one, and if patients don't
pay, they must submit to be hacked.
All the property, then, would be taken
to the basement of the house, where
there is workroom. In six hours,
all the jewels could be unset parted,
and rendered safe to offer in certain
markets known to the Cosmopolitans.
And the proceeds, of course, are d.
vided between the whole syndicate.
That is as the Cosmopolitans propose.
l dispose"
Are the clerks in Fowler's and AL
lerby's Offices members of the profess
sion?" Luck asked.
Il think not" replied Napoleon.
"The fact of their responsibility, their
ordinary clerkhood, helps to provide
a cloak. And they are easily gulled
The Cosmopolitans would not choose
bright boys for that work. They are
set to do copying-easily found-and
to write business letters relating to
legal cases, which letters are all sent
to members of the gang. The things
surprisingly simple"
And my part?'
els to get the whole bag of tricks
from Allerby's and Fowler's Offices"
replied Napoleon. "In two days
everything should have been raked in.
The collection will have been placed
In wash-leather bags, in a hollow in
the backs of their desks. There is a
sliding panel on the left, just on the
other side of the drawers. Your
methods I leave to yourself. This is
your trial job. If 1t comes off, Ellen
and take you on as pardy. Remem-
Der this, too. If you like melodra-
matte way, and put pistol to their
heads, they can't shout police
Daren't. Remember, though, they'll
likely put pistol to yours. Hows
that?"
mot Quit" replied Luck
Don't come here again till you
bring the reasons" said Napoleon.
Adding drolly: 1--WE don't want to be
mixed up with you"
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-03-29
HUSH!

MIND THE CLOTHES BASKETS ON THE
STAIRS.
But tral la, Ia! We Will not 'ush.
And damn the clothes basket on the
stairs.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-03-29

1T was just two days later when
Luck slipped a small but deadly
thing of polished steel into his pocket,
equipped himself with a small Glad
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-03-29

To the little semi-paralyzed gentle
man with the strikingly Napoleonic
head, who had arrived at the Ritz
Hotel, London. with pretty sister
and valet, was brought on the morn
ing after his arrival a visiting card
bearing the name:
Nh. JOHN LUCK
The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1912-10-30
y ssI-s4xxxs&+s*%x4s44,4s** y ~ x,s4
CROSS HILL NEWS


Cross Hill, Oct. 2S.-Mr. John Was
son attended Presbytery of the A. r.
r. church at Doraville, Ga, last week
Mr. G. w. Hanna returned from a
visit to relatives near Clinton Satur-
day
Mrs ]. II. Nance who has been at
hospital in Columbia for treatment
came home Friday. She is quite i'll
with bilious fever.
Rev. Mr.. Ratchford and Mr.. w. NJ.
Miller returned from Synod in Column
bia Friday and report an interesting
meeting
Mr. and Mrs. j. II. Rasor, Mrs.
Sophia Pinson, Miss Wilma Ramey
and Mr.. Weldon Leaman made an au-
tomobile trip to Greenville Sunday
and returned that evening.
Mrs. Bigie Leaman was with the
family of Mrs. jamie Leaman in Clin-
ton Sunday.
Mrs. Jno. Hanna and children visited
her people in Greenwood county last
week
Mr.. Erskine Carter came over from
Clinton and spent Sunday here.
There is big crop of acorns and
nuts this time SO We may look out for
hard winter, One darkie brought
five bushels of nuts to town and sold
two bushels to one man
The ladies of the Presbyterian
church have advertised for bids to
clean off the cemetery and grounds
Quite number from town attend
ed the burial of Mr.. john Pinson last
Wednesday near his home
Mrs. Lena Puckett is visiting rela-
tives at Ninety Six.
Misses Annie and Floride Rudd were
Clinton visitors Friday and Saturday.
Mr.. e. b, Rasor went over to Don
aids for visit Saturday.
Mr.. Guy Martin came over from
Clinton Saturday to be with his peo-
pie Sunday.
The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1912-10-30
Princeton Locals.

Princeton, Oct. 2S.-Mr. j. F. Davis,
Mr.. Walter Davis, Miss Allie Davis
and Mr.. and Mrs. j. T. Davenport,
spent Wednesday in Greenville.
Mr.. j. Arthur Morrow, of Anderson.
spent Wednesday night with his sister,
Mrs. j. b. Britt
Miss Pearl McCuen has returned
home after a pleasant visit to rela-
tives in Belton.
DR.. j. b, Britt and Messrs. j. Nj.
and j. b. Wood, spent Thursday in
Abbeville; also Mr.. and Mrs. j. f. Da-
Wis
Mr.. James Arnold of Greenyile
spent this week with home people
Messrs. Joe Bigby and Washington
of Pelzer spent the weekend here.
Miss Maude Machen was hostess
Saturday night to an entertainment for
her Sunday school class About thir-
ty were present.
Miss Kiddie Arnold was hostess Sat
urday evening TO 2 linen shower given
in honor of the bride-elect. Miss Maude
Machen. After the following pro-
gram had been carried out the guests
left for their homes:
Piano solo-to Spring-NIiss Sara
Britt
Reading and Lurenny-Miss
Kddie Arnold
Vocal t-Absent-:Ilsses Arnold.
Best wishes for the bride.
Music-Alisses Britt and Arnold
Wash Day
Refreshments
After the bride-elect had hung all
the articles of linen on a line drawn
across the room and everybody had
seen them, a delightful salad conrse
was served
The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1912-10-30
LANFORD NEWS.

Lanford, Oct. 2S.-We have just
learned OF the sad death of Mr. Frank
Lawson, which occurred at Clinton.
1t is great shock to the whole com
munity. The family has the sympathy
of all in their sore bereavement
Miss Mary Patterson Is visiting at
her sisters Mrs. Dora Reid, this week.
Mrs, w. j. Henderson, Mrs Louis
Anderson and Mrs. Annie Bailey visit
ed at w. IL. Drummond's recently.
Mr.. j. ID. Johnson attended the Cir
Gus in Spartanburg last week
Mr. Carl Patterson and Boyd De-
shields were in Spartanburg for a
few days last week
Mr.. and Mrs T. r. \Deshields have
returned to their homo in Henderson,
vile, n. c., after weeks stay with
friends and relatives here.
Miss Ellie Franks and MIR. Palmer
Thomas were married at the Baptist
parsonage in Woodruc on last We'd
nesday. Miss Franks is the accom-
plished daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. II.
Franks, of this place Mr. Thomas
is youne business man of Spartan
burg. They will make their future
home in Spartanburg They have the
good wishes of all their numerous
friends.
Mr.. John Thomas, of Spartanburg.
was in Lanford Sunday.
Mrs. o. f. Fowler and Miss Robin
Patterson were in Laurens shopping
Monday
Quite number from here attended
the fair at Spartanburg.
The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1912-10-30
SEED GRAIN SPECIAL.

Now Is the best time to SOW grain
and Sullivan's Store is the best place
to buy.
The farmer who is sowing more
small grain is the one ut the front
I'm progressive farming and making
money.
Our Lone Star Brand Texas Raised
Red Rust Proof Oats are fine-Ask
your nefghbOr about them-ne bOupbt
IRON us and has fine stand of oats
up and looking we'll. He is progress.
Siye-ain't yOu2
we also have fine Seed Rye, Winter
Barley, Vetch, Crimson Glover and
woods Seed Wheat.
Why don't you SOW down and rest
up that land that is cotton sickl 1t
VIII pay you. We are doing our best
to seed down Laurens County Won't
you help us2
Every farmer is especially invited
to come and see our Seed Grain. 1t
won't cost you one red cent to look.
and when you buy you will get your
moneys worth and will be pleased.
Come One-COme alI-COme on to
the Big Store.
The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1912-10-30
HILLSIDE NEWS.

Hillside, Messrs. w. Y. Weathers. G..
F. and c. l.. Weathers, all of Hillside,
were in Fountain Inn, Saturday
Mrs. Alma knight and Mrs. F.. L..
Weathers were recent visitors to rel
atives near Fountain Inn.
S. b. Eskew, one of Hillside's most
progressive farmers, made business
trip to Greenville, Wednesday.
The Hillside singers have been ten
dered an invitation to attend the all
day singing at Highland Home church
on Saturday, Nov. 2.
Hillside farmers are going to make
more potatoes in 1913 than they did
in 1912, at least, they expect to. This
is the community where man orders
from to 10 thousand potato plants.
1t Will take at least, 100000 to furnish
the farmers of Hillside, this year.
Hillside cane has, at last, been made
into "Mome-made mSasses" This
was small crop, owing to the long
drouth here. The total crop w:n
amount to something like 1000 gallons
This record speaks we'll Tor little
community like this. It's fact that
no other section beats this one. This
one thousand gallons of syrup means
saving of 500 dollars in cold cash
to the man behind the plow.
We are real glad to know that sew
eral intelligent farmers in other sec
tions are to come over into Hillside
another year. BY their coming, this
section will be benefited in many
ways, and besides, they will not re-
gret their move. for this is typical
community of Quakers. in regard to
friendship for here, friendship is at
greater value than kinship-and
the people are sturdy farmers-and
are real kind Here the rich and
poor work side by side, the landlord
and the tenant. They deal in a bus
iness-like way, as man to man: as
brother to brother, for they know tru-
ly that they all are equal at last in
the glory of their end.
We want good systematic farmers in
Hillside. Here we extend a welcome
hand to you, to come over into the
land of wealth and happiness, will you
come?
The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1912-10-30
MOUNT OLIVE.

Mount Olive, Oct. 2S.-The farmers
in this section are busy sowing oats,
the rains for the last few weeks hav-
ing detained them.
Mrs. Amanda Redden returned Sun
day from Mr.. Eddie Pitts, where she
had been on weeks visit.
We are sorry to hear that Miss .Ju-
liette Pitts is still quite sick
Rev. James Graham, of Greenville
filled Rev. Mr.. Brooks appointment
at Mt Olive Saturday and Sunday. He
preached a fine sermon which was
enjoyed by a large congregation.
Mr.. and Mrs. Butler Washington, OF
Ware Shoals, were among the visitors
at Mt. Olive Sunday
Mrs. John Wells of Coronaca is
spending this week with her daughter
Mrs. j. H. Culbertson.
The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1912-10-30
SaNcd Rv His Mifn-

She's w.se woman who knows just
what to do when her husbands life
is in danger, but Mrs r. j. Flint,
Braintree, VT. is OF that kind "She in
sisted on my using DR.. Kings New
Discov""-" writes Mr.. f. "for a dread
full cough, when was so weak my
friends all thought | had only a short
time to live, and it completely cured
me. A quick cure for coughs and
colds, it's the most safe and relia-
bic medicine for many throat and lung
troubles-grip bronchitis, Group.
whooping cough, quinsy, tonsilitis,
hemorrhages. A trial will convince
you. 10 cents and $1O0. Guaranteed
by Laurens Drug Co. and Palmetto
Drug Co.
The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1912-10-30
NOTICE.
tate of South Carolina.

state OF SOutn carolina,
County of Laurens.
Pursuant to an order of the Probaet
Court for the county and state afore-
said, in the case OF Annie b. Hopkins,
and j. W. Balentine individually and
as administrators of the Estate of r.
Mills Balentine, plaintiffs, against
Wellie c. Ballentine, ct al, / will sell
to the highest bidder at public out
cry at Laurens, South Carolina. from
the southern portico on Salesday in
December 1912, being the End day OF
the month, during legal hours. all that
tract OF land situate In Laurens coun-
ty, In said state. near Ware Shoals.
containing As and 87-100 acres, more
or less, bounded north by lands of W.
G. Murff, east by lands of j. w. Beeks,
south by lands of j. Frank Beeks and
west by lands of w. s. Knight. Terms:
one-half OF purchase money. cash, bal
ance with interest at eight per centum
due In IL months. secured by bond
of purchaser and mortgage of the
premises, with leave to the purchaser
to pay all cash. Purchaser to pay
for papers. If the purchaser does not
comply with the terms of sale the
land shall be resold on the same or
some subsequent salesday at the risk
of the defaulting purchaser.
o. G. THOMPSON,
Probate Judge. l.. c., S. C..
Nov 6, 19l2.-lf-4t.