davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1912-10-18
"Quck, Now, Yer Damn Rebel" He
Said Hoarsely; "Be Up an Lam
Me One, an Here's the Ropel"

hand, until he passed out with his
tray, and the door clicked behind him,
Not once did he glance toward me. OF
acknowledge my presence. Fearful
lest | might be spied upon, my heart
beating wildly in anticipation, | lay
down In the bunk with face to the
wall, and unrolled the pellet. 1t con
tanned but a few words, hastily scrib-
bled, In q lady's delicate handwriting.
Don't despair; If they are away n
til after dark / will arrange, Can do
nothing before" There was no sigma
ture, but I needed none to know.
The hours of that afternoon dragged
themselves along with exasperating
sIowness, as listened for hoofbeats,
imagining every sound the approach
Of returning horsemen. With no
longer any doubt of her intention, my
apprehension riveted itself on the pos.
sibility Of the British getting back
before darkness gave opportunity for
putting her plans into execution.
Darkness closed me in. but no n
came with food or wood.
| pressed my face against the bars
| striving to look into the night, my
only reward the glimpse OF a few dis
tant stars. Suddenly, as | stood there.
voices sounded at q distance, the
words indistinguishable, and then foot
steps crushed along the graveled foot.
path. as though a number of men were
running toward the back OF the house.
They were below my range Of vision,
but a moment later heard the sounds
Of scattered shots, and saw the sharp
fash Of firing. / was still cllnging to
the bars, trying to determine what II
all meant, when the door was opened.
The light Of a lantern in his hand
revealed a green and white uniform,
and the deeply scanned face Of a man
of fifty.
Quick now, yer damned rebel" he
said hoarsely. BE up an lam me one,
and here's the rope"
What"
Didn't yer hear? or wasn't yer told
the game? Sufferin' Moses. it's got
to be played swift, OF yen lie here
an rot. That's what that bald.headed
skate is out thar leadln' EN- off for.
I'm ter come In wild yer supper; ye
slug me first sight, bind me up wild
the rope, and skip. IT'S a dirty Job,
but the friends Of ye pay well for 1t,
go come on now"
GRO BE CoNTINUEDJ
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1912-10-18
CLAIM ATTORNEYS
SAVE COUNTY CASH
FIGHT ATTEMPT TO ABOLISH
Facts and Figures Being Prepared for
Voters Showing That This Is the
Case-Some Statistics From
Koxubee County.

Jacksou.-In refutation of the asser-
ton that the office of county attorney
is a needless expense to taxpayers, and
greatly increases costs OF criminal court
sessions, the incumbents OF these offices
are preparing facts ana figures from the
official records showing that instead Of
increasing the cost of administering jus
tice the office has actually reduced ex-
penses and therefore should not be abol-
ished,
Figures compiled in the county OF Nox,
ubee show that the cost of five terms Of
court prior to the creation Of the office
Of attorney amounted to S14,685,1O,
while for the five terms since the office
was created the costs have t0tnIed only
$9,357. 30, a reduction of nearly 40 per
cent. These figures apply only to Grim
inal cases.
So far as can be learned, no deter.
mined fight will be made in any county
at the general election on November s
to abolish the office of county attorney,
and tho incumbents of that office are not
at all worried over the outcome of the
litigation now pending before the SUI
preme court to pass on the constitution.
atty Of the legislative act referring the
proposition of abolishing the office to a
vote OF the qualified electors.
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1912-10-18
MLADYofDOUB
BYRANDAM PARRISH
d Aubu of ZoEe MderHg"
WHAI W LaW 0MeN othac
oovp,s =. Illustrations by fENY THEDR
ACrpcLURe q co. 1911

men are out now tracking the fel.
lows"
i was not In the house when they
came, father; Peter and | were back of
the stables, fortunately mounted. We
were Obliged to ride hard, as we were
chased several miles, and returned as
soon as It appeared safe"
And Eric?"
He departed before Captain Grant
arrived" she replied unhesitatingly,
and must be already safe within his
own lines"
1T was Eric, them"
who else could it be? Surely Cap.
tain Grant told you as much"
The colonel's ayes wandered about
the little group, and his doubt and be-
wiiderment were clearly evident.
DO you know Eric's purpose In
coming here2 In presuming to act as
an officer In Delavan's company"
He did not inform me, SIR"
You know this man?"
She turned, and looked at me for
the first time, a silent plea In her blue
eyes.
Il do-he Is Major Lawrence Of Gen.
eral W~ashington's army" her voice
low, but distinct. II have known him
since the Continental troops were first
quartered In Philadelphia"
started slightly, yet as instantly
recovered my outward composure,
realizing that this strange girl again
purposed protecting me from exposure,
even at the expense Of a falsehood.
Indeed; you were doubtless aware
then that he was within Sir Henry
Clinton's lines as a spy?"
Far from it." she laughed easily.
not glancing toward me, but permit.
ting her eyes to rest upon the Devil
dered face of Captain Grant. why,
that idea is perfectly absurd. Did you
tell my father 30 ridiculous a story,
captain? ?"
Did /! What else could l say?" he
growled Indignantly. He was within
u lines in British uniform"
Her long lashes yelled the blue
depths modestly.
"Yet there might be other reasons
for such masquerade, gentlemen" she
confessed. Would 1t be impossible,
think you, that he should have taken
SO great a risk to again meet with
me?"
There was a silence following the
simple question, broken by Seldon's
laugh, as he slapped his knee in ap-
probation.
Good enough, by Gad!" he ex.
claimed heartily. "The lass has cleared
the mystery with a word. The fellow
would be a poor soldier indeed to fail
in such a test-eh, Grant,"
The Ranger scowled at him In sui
len response, his face dark with pas
sion.
"Hell's acre! This thing may touch
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1912-10-18

has openly %quarreled with every mar
have spoken to, or danced with. He
has made me the sport of all the city
gallants by Jealous wrangllng. Now
1t is done with. 'Tts In shame that
am driven 10 say all this here in pres
ence Of these gentlemen, but ] will not
stand in silence while Major Lawrence
Is being condemned as a spy. He was
at the dance to meet again with me,
and for no other purpose"
Colonel Mortimer's face had ex-
pressed many emotions, while she was
speaking, but now 1t hardened into
military severity, his hand clinehed
on the arm of the chair.
do l understand, then, that this
officer was there at your r~equest?"
Il think" h~esitating slightly. he
knew he was not unwelcome."
And" his voice breaking slightly;
he came here also to meet your"
Certainly not" her head lifting in
dignantly. II am your daughter, and
am guilty of nothing unworthy our
family name. have no shame to con-
fess. Major Lawrence is an officer
and a gentleman, the friend of Wash.
ington. and my friend also, At any
other time he would be a welcome
guest at our table. II he risked his
life to meet with me In Philadelphia
1t was done openly and honorably in
the midst Of acquaintance. There
has been nothing hidden or clandes-
tine. He was brought to Elmhurst a
prisoner, bound to his horse, guarded
by armed men. In the morning I
learned his identity, and at once had
him released. That Is ALL" and she
gave a gesture with her hands, "and
trust, gentlemen, my explanation will
be sufficient"
And you warned him Of my suspi-
cions In Philadelphia" exclaimed
Grant. causing him to attack me, and
then released him from arrest here"
THAT is partially true; you endeav-
ored to provoke a quarrel the moment
you met ! had no desire he should
fall into your hands as a prisoner.
When you appeared at this house /
assisted his escape"
"But, Claire, how came you here?
Why did you leave Philadelphia"
Because have a brother, sir, whom
| can only meet in secret" she replied
quietly. II came without thought Of
danger, for war has not cost us friends
in this country; our home has re-
NAMED until now untouched by van
dals, and | felt amply protected by
those who accompanied me upon the
ride-our old house servants" She
knelt at the side of his chair, her
head bowed upon his arm, and his
hand stroked her hair. Il regret If |
have seemed ~unmaidenly. or done
what you may deem wrong, father, for
1t has all seemed right to me-"
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1912-10-18

ate as slowly as possible. while he
stood over me, anticipating my every
want He might have been a wax hg-
ure, 80 mechanically did he operate,
and the sentinel never for an instant
relaxed his scrutiny.
l had picked up almost the last
crumb. toying with 1t In desperation,
when a voice spoke apparently from
the head Of the stair. The Ranger
turned his head to answer, and at the
instant a paper pellet was crushed into
my hand, Instinctively my fingers
closed over It, and as the guard turned
back again, grufly ordering us to
hurry up, Peter was at the opposite
side Of the table gathering up the
dishes, his bald head shining brilliant
ly, his eyes as dull as those Of n fish.
| leaned back watching him, clutching
the paper pellet in the palm of one
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1912-10-18

your humor, but not mine, What is
the meaning Of your words, Mistress
Claire? Are you shameless. forgetting
the pledge between us?"
She turned her face toward him as
a queen might, her head held high,
her cheeks flaming.
You have said your answer once
for all, Captain Grant. There is no
pledge between u.s."
"But, daughter, broke in the colonel.
still bewildered by this sudden explo-
sion. II can scarcely comprehend;
surely 1t was understood that you were
atianced to this son OF an old neigh
Dor"
Understood, yes, by those who kind
ly arranged the affair, but the fact
that I might possess a heart OF my
own was entirely overlooked. As q
child I permitted you to plan my fu-
ture without protest ! am a woman
now; | have been out In the world;
the war has taken all girlhood from
me. II this were not true the way
Captain Grant has watched my every
action In Philadelphia would have dis
gusted me with the thought OF ever
intrusting my happiness 70 him. He
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1912-10-18

The colonel looked at US silently for
what seemed a long while. his fingers
fondling the tresses Of the girls hair.
This situation leaves me in an en-
.Pbarrassing predicament," he admitted
at last slowly. II hardly know what ia
my duty either as a father, or an off
GER Of the king. No matter what his
purpose may have been this man PEN
etrated our lines in disguise: he ad.
mittedly exercised command Of those
irregulars who attacked and routed
Delavan's column, and has since been
prowling about disguised as a II
tryman. Merely because my daughter
confesses to a friendship between
them can hardly Justify me in setting
him at liberty"
He paused, rising TO his feet, his eyes
on my face. The girl lifted her head.
looking up at him.
Major Lawrence. shall hold you
prisoner Of war, referring your case
to Sir Henry Clinton. In the mean.
while YOU shall receive every consid
Grafton possible In accordance with
your rank. + am now going to join NY
men In pursuit on Fagin Captain
Grant. you win accompany me. and.
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1912-10-18

Mr.. Seldom, / shall leave you in charge
of the prisoner until We return"
He took a step toward the door;
then turned to his daughter.
Il shall expect you to be ready to
ride with us on our return to Philadel-
phia, Claire" he said kindly. 1T Is
evidently not safe for you to remain
here alone"
Very well, father"
Come, Grant. we shall have to ride
hard to overtake IL men,"
The captain started reluctantly,
scowling at me as he passed.
Il should enjoy having the privilege
Of being left In charge here" he said,
for my benefit.
mo doubt, sir" returned Mortimer
coldly. But | have already selected
Mr.. Seldom for that duty"
They left the house together, and |
watched them ride past the window,
followed by n dozen soldiers. As they
disappeared Seldom turned his eyes
to my face. He was rather a pleasant
looking young man, but possessed an
aggressive chin.
While ! have no orders to that ef-
feet, major" he said quietly. II would
take the responsibility Of accep-.ng
your parole"
Are you not rather reckless ?"
"Oh, | think not" BmiIingly. '1
would have you give 1t to Mistress
Mortimer-surely under those coudl.
tons you would never run away"
She stole a swift glance at me,
shaking her head.
THAT would be too strong an i'm.
prisonment," | responded instantly,
Under all conditions | prefer not to
give my parole"
Very we'll, SIR" more stifly, his
geniality vanishing with my rather
curt refusal. Then | shall take all
necessary precautions to prevent es.
cape" He stepped aside to the hall
door. You may send two men In
here, Ferguson"
They entered quietly, glancing about
with some curiosity, but taking posi-
ton on either side of me at Seldon's
command. Claire stood beside the
table in silence, her glance out the
window. Only as we wheeled about to
leave the DON did her eyes meet
mine. That swift glimpse beneath the
dark lashes caused me to leave the
DON with swiftly beating heart. At
the door | stole another glance back.
ward, but she had sunk into a chair,
her face concealed In her hands. With
Seldom ahead, and the two guards be.
hind, | tramped down the stairs into
the basement, and was again locked
within the walls Of the strong room.
AS the lock clicked l sat down upon
the bunk far from being disheartened.
Fate had been playing strange pranks.
but | was not left without hope, for
| felt assured | had read correctly the
swift message of those uplifted blue
eyes. She had not wished me to &C.
cept parole; then there must be some
plan of escape already formulated In
her mind. / could only wait quietly.
striving to solve the meaning of those
suddenly uplifted blue eyes, and the
promise they contained.
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1912-10-18
CHAPTER Xvlll.-Contlnued.

"Have you any proofs, sir, that you
are an officer of Maxwell's brigade?'
Not here" and | glanced down al
my rough clothing, yet with a little
delay, that could be easily ascer'
tanned"
"On what service are you in the
Jerseys?"
q must decline to answer"
Were you in Philadelphia, wearing
British uniform three days ago?"
IF | should say no, it would be
merely my word against Captain
Grant-you would doubtless prefer to
believe him."
Grant whispered in his ear, the
colonel listening quietly.
If am informed that you have al.
ready acknowledged being concealed
in this house yesterday"
Il have, sir" 3d.
did anyone know Of your presence
there?" "
II was brought here-a prisoner"
What" In decided surprise, "Pris-
toner to whom?"
II was captured by three men,
dressed as Queens Rangers, On a road
some miles to the west. They made
no explanation, although I have some
reason to believe | was mistaken for
another. / was held in a strong room
in the basement overnight"
you were not there when | searched
the house." broke in Grant hoarsely.
NO." and | turned and smiled at
him. 81 had been brought upstairs be-
fore you arrived"
Then you saw our captors by day.
light?"
1.-TWO Of them, yes-a man called
Peter, and an Irish fellow. with a chin
beard"
What" and Mortimer started for
ward. Peter and Mike In uniform!
This is beyond belief. Were they
alone?"
They were apparently under the
orders Of a young lieutenant-the
same who had command Of D~elavan's
advance guard. / was unable to dis
tnguish the lads face"
"Delavan's advance guardi" and the
colonel turned toward Grant. What
do you knov about this, sir? Who
was he?"
The captain ~hesitated, shifting un.
easily on his feet.
Il do not know, SIR" he explained
finally, driven to answer. II merely
had a glimpse Of the boy when / first
Joined the column. IL thought ! rec
ognized him, but was not sure"
Who did you suppose him to be?"
Your son, Eric, sir"
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1912-10-18
But One Distinction.

Mrs. J.. @, Phelps Stokes (Rose
Pastor) said In a recent address in
New York, apropos of certain dishon.
est financial methods: ...
They tell a story about a man OF
this type. 1t appears that. as he got
out Of his motorcar one day. a thief
snatched a silk handkerchief from the
pocket Of his sable-lined overcoat.
The millionaire grabbed the thief
and looked around for a police officer.
Then the thief. s~quirmingly in his
grasp, said: 4
"'Ah. let me go! Come On now.
let me go. AFTER all, boss. the Only
difference between you and me is that
you're maxim your sixth or seventh
million while I'm still workin' on my
first"
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1912-10-18
MUST PAY STATE TWO TAXES
STATE WOULD COLLECT FOR PHONE
AND TELEGRAPH PRIVILEGE.
Pending Litigation Is Expected to Prove
Whether an Understanding Exists
Between Western Union and
Cumberland Companies,

jackson.-Stntc Revenue Agent Writ
Adams will put it up to the Cumber.
hand Telephone and Telegraph Company
to show cause why that corporation
should not be held to the state for priv.
llcge tax made aud provided to be as-
scsscd against telegraph companies. The
law imposes Il privilege tax on telegraph
companies and an aItogcthor separate
aud distinct privilege on telephone ON
panles. If the Cumberland Telephone and
Telegraph Company is II telegraph com.
pany doing business AZ distinct and sep
arate from its telephone traffic, then the
state revenue agent wishes tn be shown
how 1t is that the corporation escapes
payment of the privilege tax for both
lines of business.
In order 20 get at the matter, there
is II suit nov pending in the Kinds
county circuit court, which, when de-
cided, Ms it may be shortly, will DO
taken to the supreme court for decision.
The defendant company is resisting
the charge and when the time for argu-
ment and a showing is reached, wary
and experienced counsel will be heard
from on each side,
The Cumberland officials contend that
they 10 not operate as a telegraph com.
pnny, az such, the telcgrnphy feature be.
ing merely incident to the carrying on
of it's bona tide business as "A telephone
company, 1t is also believed that the
pending litigation may develop whether
or not there is a traffic merger between
the Cumberland and the Western Union
Telegraph Company, IA the attorney.
generals department appears to believe
does really exist,
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1912-10-18
Wild Bird Returns 10 Captivity

Are birds able to think and remem.
Der WHARF they have been well cared
for? A gentleman living In Leith Ia
in the habit of feeding the birds which
frequent his garden during the winter
months. Some time in January, 1911.
he enticed a greenfnch to enter a
cage and SO captured 1t. II was wear
ing a ring on its leg marked "Aber.
deem University. 71S5."
In the following March he set 1t at
liberty, declares g. correspondent OF
The Scotsman. He was much sur.
prised when on January 10, 1912, the
bird returned. On his cage being pre-
scented to him, the bird hoped con
tentedly into 1t and settled comforta.
bly, down for the rel season. An
examination OF the ring left no doubt
to the Identity of the bird.
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1912-10-18
CHAPTER XIX.
Again the Cellar Room.

Again the Cellar Room.
The father sank back In his chair,
breathing heavily.
Eric here, making use Of this
house, and my servants" he muttered.
u can scarcely believe 1t true. Was
was he here yesterday morning when
you Gamer"
Il found no trace of his presence.
sir"
There was a moment Of silence,
broken Unexpectedly by the rustic Of
a dress. l turned in surprise, and saw
Claire standing quietly In the door
way.
Pardon me, gentlemen" she said
softly, but perhaps ! can explain
much of this mystery, and establish
the identity of Major Lawrence"
Seldom sprang forward and offered
her a chair, but she merely thanked
hin with a bow, and remained stand.
Ing her eyes upon her father. Not
once had she even glanced toward
either Grant or me. but ! noticed the
deep flush of color on cheek evidenc.
Ing her excitement. What was she
gong to explain? How account for
the strange actions Of the past few
Gays? How came she to be here at
aliE Would she confess the truth
openly before US all. or would she feel
justified In concealment7 1 could not,
old not, doubt the honesty Of the girls
intent, and yet was 1t possible for her
70 compel these men to accept her YER
sion OF all which had occurred? Would
she venture a falsehood to protect me,
OF TO save herself?
- have already explained much"
: hastened to say. thinking she might
Wish to know.
overheard what has already been
SAD" she returned quickly, but with
out looking toward me. "and appreci-
rye the care with which my name has
lnus Tar been guarded. Now am
ready 70 make my own explanation"
but, first, Claire" said her father
sooeriy, how does 1t happen you are
Ere We supposed you In the hands
red Fagin, and a squadron OF my
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1912-10-18
Will Build Library.

Greenwood.-Much interest IL being
manifested in the Carnegie library build
ing that will soon be started. The first
plans submitted by the architects did
not suit the local committee nor the
lot which had been donated, but the
second plans submitted were accepted by
the committee and forwarded to Mr..
Carnegie for his approval, as required
under his offer. Mr.. Carnegie returned
it, Directing to one of the doors in the
basement, which was corrected, and the
plans are now in Mr.. C~arnegie's hands
for final approval.
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1912-10-18
Grenada Plans Fair.

Grenada .--Grenada 10 anticipating the
biggest event in her history at the com
ing fair, which begins Oct. 20 and lasts
four days. Plans are being made for
entertaining 10000 people during the
four days. The aeroplane man, ]. j.
McGrath, who made such q success in
his flights at the Memphis fair, has
entered into u contract with the fair
management to be on hand with his air
ship for three days.
The stock and agricultural exhibits
will be unusually fine. More interest
has been manifested by the farmers in
the fair district than for many years.
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1912-10-18
Greenwood Gets Laboratory.

Greenwood,-With the assistance Of
Congressman Ben G. Humphreys, Green.
wood has secured the United States lab
o~ratory for general and forage insect In
ve5tigation, not including the boil wee.
vii, with w. X. Mcconnell and r. H..
Parks as field agents, Of Washington,
d. g., who will be located in Greenwood
as representatives Of the cereal and for
cat insect Investigations for the bureau
of entomology of the United States de-
partment of agriculture.
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1912-10-18
GETS $4,000 FOR COTTON.
Penitentiary Farmer Disposes Of Big
Supply.

Penitentiary Farmer Disposes Of Big
Supply.
Jackson, Secretary Laurence Yerger
of the board Of p~enitentiary trustees re.
ported the sale of the first lot of 1919
cotton, together with q considerable
quantity of seed, The proceeds win 90
somewhat toward strengthening up a
somewhat depleted treasury by the aadi-
ton of about $1,000.
Mr.. Yerger reports the sale of 400
bales Of cotton from Parchman to W.
C. Craig & Co., of Vicksburg, at 1927
cents per pound, which, in round mum
bcrs, at 500 pounds of lint to the bale,
will realize $26,5O0.
A lot Of seed, consisting of seven car
loads, averaging about twenty tons to
the car, is reported also as having been
sold, the price being $24.5O per ton.
The state will realize from this sale
approximately $3.50.
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1912-10-18
Trusts.

While the great moneyed and In
dustrial combinations OF the present
day, known as trusts are quite mod
ern affairs, II Is true that the trust
Idea Ia almost as old as history. I'm.
der the Roman Empire. and even
away back among the peoples Of
Egypt and the other eastern nations.
we find the germs, at least. OF the
modern trust. The fundamental idea
at the bottom OF the doctrine OF the
present day trust Is that of the ex-
ploitation Of the many by the rev, and
1t was against such an idea that the