davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1912-04-14
THE BLACK COBRA
BY MICHAEL WHITE

stress and heat the main object of which to start
work with the steam shovel on the morrow. Dost
Ais orders were to have steam in the boiler by sun
rise. then the benighted heather would behold the
steam shovel move along switch into position Of battle
and the UP to date way of demolshing hillside In
other words he intended the day should be memorable
in the annals of Marar, as one on which the glorious
snecacle was witnessed of seeing the dirt fly. But K
met and the BrahmanS were arranging things other
wise. every man, woman, and child in Marar being
fully informed. Murchison alone excepted
He had stretched himself his camp cot, and fallen
into ftful slumber, when he was reused by persistent
scratching on the outer canvas nap OF ms tent mag
ninga prowng beast he seized stick but reaching
the door he encountered a trembling old woman, who
held the end of her sar drawn close her face for
fear of disclosing her wrnkled features TO the wicked
gaze of a sahib.
90 Sahib. replied the old woman in a cracked voice
81 have come say not TO put fire IN the devil engine
tomorrow that it is best for you to 90 away from here
vou who have been the cause OF great SorroW.
"I-who-what do you mcan? questioned Murchi.
son in astonishment.
"Ah Sahib if you had not brought the devil engine
here then the RajaS spirit would not have gone to
dwell in the Kali Temple and the terror which IS that
of death itself fall upon her.
@Terror of DEATH Fall upon whom" exclaimed
Nurchison much bewildered. Il don't understand
what YOU are talking about.
at is true my English is not good; but il the Sahb
will come and see, then he will know.
But before agree, protested MurchiSon guardedly,
"you must tell me who sent you, whose lite IN danger
through some act Of mine
The old woman bent forward and WHISPERED.
~Great Scott" he CALCULATED. "The Brahmans-the
Queen
Even 50, Sahib; but let him understand this is my
own doing for which my life is as good as worth nothing
Still. for her sake whose ayah | am, | 10 not
what happens. If the Sahb can but wtnD her dis
tress, then, by favor Of the gods, somehnt may be
done
~Tust wait a moment and will 80 with yar. con-
sented Murchison.
He divcd back into the tent, hastily drc" on his
New-York tribune., 1912-04-14

TT YOU 90 up to the Bronx Too IN New ork you VIII
see in a glass black serpent that looks Ikc ihe
incarnation of all wickcdncSs since the world began
He i labeled the King Black Cobra comes from IN
dia and has vlanous disposition roj TO be trlilcd
with lest scratch from his tangS prove swiftly latal
How such a manifcstly undesirable slppcd past the
immigration authorcs- But that IS their affair: ne
pOin IS il was lust another such NcnonuuS rcpc WIN
which NIurchi,on had 20 deal in circumstances peculiar
to the habitat Of the black cobra. 80
An American firm had secured the contract for build
ing the Marar State Railway and Murchlson was de-
spatclcI ththcr to begin operations. Following nm
were the implements Of his trade. including steam
shovel clamshcl pattern. When Murchlson arrived III
Marar ne found compact, color-noimg native Town
clinging 10 the water edge Of holy but extremely
mIri,v river with backward elevation rising to hill,
over which ramblci a maze Of gloomy walls, urIctS,
AMI buildings. comprising the fort palace tie was gwen
to understand that mmurcl somewhere within It's uii-
known rcccsscs dwcli the young Queen OF Aaiar Wid-
owed since early childhood, AMI Therefore passing her
lii. in ,crpctuM sacrifice the memory OF husband
whom, 10 be sure She hal never actually set eyes upon
1t was all very mysterious even picturesque particular
l.. Al sunset when the palace WAS bd'hcd IN glow ol
rose pink splcndor and golden light cleaned upon h'
windows Of exquisite marble trctwork
This much for NIarar; but II was surely kismct-in
India the handspring Of every motive -thal prompted
Murrhison 10 select a site for his camp on the iFtrn"ih
a little below the town. and set mp his steam shovel adj
il,cnr 10 a small mud iomcl shrine or temple. ne
temple held capacity OF hardly more space h'n si'rI
for hicou, image Of the snake crowned an! skull gar
ldnlrl toli'N' rN'"' ''''''' NJ. ~ -,
in human sacrifices. Apparently Il had proved IN.
profitable and been abauluncI; for the little court and
walls were almost buricl under rank growth Of ycgcta-
n-4n inviting spot for black other oobras.
As 10 the steam shovel II reared is giant boom aI0t.
ready 20 swing the powerful lamshcI buckets IN a
,,llc circle II was "a thing Of wonder the uncnight
cnci hundreds wa, hing erection open mouthrd but
otherwise unable 10 cxprr their feelings Such oppoS-
ing tcnicncc~ these two objects represented were
bound 20 produce trouble when brought into contact
Kali Wa not likely Weld 10 the steam shovel without
a struggle and the steam shovel was hardly wcakng
Thus came abou, that no sooner had Murch5on taken
possession than the Brthuan- discovered that the shrine
temple had gained q -auCIty which they declared
va, being putncl bv the close proximity OF the steam
shovel Also they against him personally ON ever
principle Nlurch,on did not purpose to interfere with
the temple, but offered reasonable pnyc for such cn'l-
mental damage as II sustained. On this being refused
with NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., by the Brahmans Alurchis"n
usol the plain American tongue IN telling them Z" go
New-York tribune., 1912-04-14

hence swiftly lest they feel the torce
Of his boot. They departed accord
;nglv. He was secure within the
lr9al rights of the contract; but II ne
thought he had overcome the wiieS
and resources of the Brahmans ne was
dwelling in a state OF mistaken if'ho-
Cence.
TT was now for the Brahmans to prove
1 the special sanctity of the temple
kindle popular feeling against HIM INTO
riotous frenzy, and thereby drive MN
and his accursed steam shovel from the
spot. Murchison heard of their tactics
from Dost Ali, his native foreman.
At first he was rather amused; Dut
the matter grew serious enough pres
entity. =,
"Sir." began Dost Ali, report has
it the Brahmans have been in council
with yogis, goseins, and astrologerS'
Together they have found that the
spirit of the late Raja has taken up its
abode in that shrine temple.
1T mas, en-: SlIllcd Nlul Nl''''i'
glancing from the shade of his tent
across the glare Of MONDAY heat in the
direction of the temple. His eye tell
approvingly on his beloved steam
shovel. "Well, don't think much OF
the spirits taste, if it cant find a bet
ter place to disport in than that old
rubbish heap.
Dost Ali failed to perceive humor
in the situation. Being a Mohamme-
dan, he piously hated the Brahmans;
but that did not leave him indifferent
to their power in Marar.
"Doubtlcss what the Honor says
is true" he spoke gravely; but II this
thing is proclaimed by the Brahmans,
then no man will remain near that
place. Even DO not care to see the
Raja's ghost; for many Of us still re-
member the blows Of his stick. Who
il form he may have entered into,
New-York tribune., 1912-04-14

on me, ne Cflcb, l II l'IdN
them another that will
make them wish they had
left me alone! You may
tell the BrahmanS that with
my best salaam, and don t
let me hear any more OF
such foolishncSs.
"Very well, Huzoor, re-
piled Dost Ali.
THEREAFTER, for the
1 greater part Of a week,
Nlurchison was 50 busy
getting things ready to
start work in earnest that
he hardly gave any further
thought 10 the threat OF
the Raja's ghost haunting
the temple. On their part,
the Brahmans veilcd what
ever plan they projected IN
such secrecy that Murchi-
son forgot all about them.
Otherwise he might have
noticed that the little
temple received Stcalthy
visitors after nightfall, that
a narrow path had been
cleared up 20 the entrance,
and a new door tlXcl on
ru,tyhingcs. HadcurloSlty
prompted him to force the
lock and peer within, he
would have seen that sac
riiicial blood had been
poured over the rcpulSivc
black image; moreover,
tha, cups Of milk and fresh
eggs were placed at the
base Of the pedestal. For
al Of which he probably
wouldn't nave cared a
cent. unless But no one
told him Of these portcn-
tous signs. True, an un-
identified man WAS found
dcadin the little compound
one morning; but Alurchi-
son set the case down To
one oi a hundred causes
Of sudden death in India,
refusing utterly TO take
crcdcncc in the whispered
report Of ghost bite.
H.. hal finished . i.N D'
New-York tribune., 1912-04-14

knows what devil form he may have cnteTed htO'
HuzoorE
mans ouans; but seeing he made little impression,
ndonted severe tone III they try any ghost tricks
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1912-07-25
W.F.Young,p .,5l0TempIeSt., Springfield, Mass.

CENTRAL OREGON Is The gato tG5 SO or
more monthly Will earn you biz pruntS Free MAPS
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1912-07-25

and other belongings yell find on the
bench here, II ever ye are ioosed,
which doubt, | call your attention
to the fact that | take nothing but
me property, OF which ye sought to
rob me. On the other hand. because
of that attempted robbery. hereby re-
fuse TO pay my bill for passage from
Athens to Alexandria. II ye care to
dispute It, me solicitors In Dublin win
be pleased TO enter into litigation with
ye. Gentlemen" he bowed ironically,
Il bid ye good night"
He was still chuckllng over the out
come when, twenty minutes later, he
and Danny were trudging through the
silent streets OF Alexandria a full mile
away from Dannys lodgings
Danny" ORourke pursued, with
just a hint Of anxiety In his tone,
would ye happen to be having n bit
of lining in your pocket, now--be acci.
dent, as they say?"
Danny drew himself up proudly.
i've eight hoondred and fifty pounds,
Aygyptian, sor, and two-hundrod av
that is yours be rights, bein what
ye lent me, yer honor, while all the
rist is yours for the taking"
That's fine, Danny, fne!" sighed
ORourke. IT'S yourself will never re-
greet investing It in Pool of Flame, I'm
limited. III personally guarantee the
from,
"Shure, sor don't | know"
And in the morning, early, Danny.
ye and will take boat and go out to
the Pelican for me kii.box."
But in the morning. ms It happened,
the Pelican had dlscreetly left the har.
bor
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1912-07-25
CHAPTER XVIII.

1t was mid.afternoon of a sultry day.
No air stirred. The Panjnab was coal.
ing at Port Said.
ORourke eyed the vessel with dis.
favor from the shore; then dropped
into n harbor dinghy, ensconced him
self at the tiller.ropes. and caused
himself, with his luggage and his
man-servant, to be conveyed alongside
the steamer.
Near the gangway he was held
back; another boat had forestalled
him, another passenger was shipping
for the East. O'Rourke was Interested
idly.
He saw woman. a slight. trim fig.
ure becomingly attired In white. with
n veil about her head. leave the boat
and mount the gangway steps with a
springy, youthful step. a cheerful and
positive air. a certain but indeflnable
calm Of self.possession. At the top
she paused. turned. looked down,
watching the transfer OF her luggage
and her maid. From sundry
intangible indications O'Rourke as
sumed the second woman's figure to
be the lady's maid. And so did Danny.
The one eyed the mistress. the other
her servant. both with interest. i.
The woman on deck threw back her
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1912-07-25

sharply, save and except TO put your
hands above your heads So--don't
delay MIR. Dennison; I'yo never known
me temper to be shorter"
Hole began to splutter excitedly.
Save your breath, 20 whelp!"
O'Rourke counseled him CURLY. "Ye'll
have need Of II before I'm done with
ye." He added: Search and dis
arm them Danny"
The servant set about his task with
alacrIty; It Is safe to say that no left
not 80 much as n match In the pocket
OF either. While he was about It.,
Hole. with his eyes steadily fixed upon
the unwaverinG muzzlcs OF ORourke's
reyolvers, managed TO master his emo
tlon enough to ask coherently:
What are you going to do with
us?"
YEN see in good time" returned
O'Rourke grImly Have ye found it..
Danny"
Danny backed away from Hole.
whom he had searched after DENIM.
son. "Yiss, sor." ho returned AT
least ! think so. Is this ut?"
II can't look at this moment. Danny.
Is It leather bag with something
hard inside, the size OF hens egg. or
4 BIT larger"
The very same. yer honor"
Very we'll" O'ROurkc suppressed
the tremble Of relief in his voice.
Put It In your pocket. Danny-the
very bottom of your pocket. Did ye
find gun on either OF them"
"One on each. sor."
Loaded"
"Yiss, sor"
Then cover them, Danny"
For himself O'Rourke put down his
pistols and calmly stripped of his
coat. rolling up his sleeves.
Hole" he said tcrscly, don't.
move. II ye do, Danny will puncture
yc. Your turn comes last. Denni
son, ye may step out"
What for?" demanded the Scot, ad.
vancing.
ITO receive payment. with interest,
for that blow ye gave me this even.
ing, me man. Put up your hands.
I'm going, In your own words, Mr.. Den
nison, to hammer the fear OF God
into rs cowardly and despIcable n pair
of scoundrels as I've ever encoun.
tered. Aud" reiiectively. i've met
a good many. But most of the others
were Men"
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1912-07-25
SYNOPSIS.

I'll" story opens nj MoFtr carlo with
col T's,H.n D'EoufkC. military fire."
lance aud something OF FL gambler, On his
Hp''. Leaning on IN, balloon" On" secs %
beautiful Elr, Who suddenly cutters the
elevator Grl passes from sight A. tho
EAWlLg tAklr D'Rpurkr notices two mon
"n'.llrg Tim, one IN tn" Hon H'rU'
t.Euu, while his companion ls Niscouut
Los ~ hes, ducilSt The Nlarnnut ten.
n.m The French government has directed
him m OItuurkg as q man who would
undertake d secret mission At his apart
mont OItnurko. who had agreed to un-
a"rtahc The mission. finds % mysterious
letter tn" vis'nJnt arrives, hands
gouI"d package to O'R0ufkr. who Is not
70 open y until on the ocean. 4 pair ~
dainty slippers ar" seen pTutrudlnE from
gu1rr "a doorway curtain Tho lrtshinlu
ends III" owner Of the mysterious feet e.
b" his w.tn BrgtriS. from whom h" had
run away year previous They are
r''nuoiini aud opening the lHttcr hc finds
Tint EnnRpon law hrm offera him
lgnip' pounds for a Jewel known AS the
Pool OF Flame and lcri TO him by a dy-
ting friend. but now IN keeping Of one
named Chumbrot In Algeria. Oltourk"
wurqtg NJ npblcman In duel The wife
bids bEourHc farewell ana he promises
t. soon return with the reward. He dis
covers both Glynn and the yiECOunt on
board "a" ship. As he fnda Chnmbret
There Is an attack by bandits and his
friend dies telling O'Eourkc that he has
loft the Pool OF Flame with the governor
general. who nj sight OF signet ring
given thc colonel viii deliver over the
townl Arriving NJ Algeria the lrishmnn
frds tho governor general away, Des
Tr"bos makes n mysterious appointment
and tells O'Rourkr that he has gained
possession of tho Jewel ny stealing 1t. In
: duel O'Rourkc masters the viscount.
securc1 possession OF tho Pool Of Flame
and starts b ship for Rnug0on Fc finds
the captain to b" n Bmuggl"r who tries to
steal tho jewel II Is finally secured by
tho captain and ORourkc escapes to
and
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1912-07-25
A WINNING START
A Perfectly Dlaested Breakfast Makes
Nerve Force for the Day.

Everything goes wrong II the break.
fast lies in your stomach like mud
pie. What you eat does harm II you
can't digest tit turns to poison.
A bright lady Teacher found this to
be true. even of an ordinary light
breakfast of eggs and toast. She
says:
Two years ago contracted a very
annoying form of indigestion Ny stom.
ach was In such condition that SIM
pie breakfast Of fruit. toast and egg
gave me great distress.
Il was slow to believe that trouble
could come from such simple diet.
but finally had to give 1t up, and found
a great change upon cup Of hot
Postum and Grape-Nuts with cream,
Tor my morning meal. For more than
a year / have held to this course and
have not suffered except when injudi-
ciously varying my diet.
Il have been a teacher for several
years and find that my easily digest
ed breakfas. means a saving OF nerv-
GUS force for the entire day. My gain
OF ten pounds in weight also causes
me to want to testify TO the value of
Grape-Nuts.
"Grape.Nuts holds first rank at our
table"
Name given by Postum Co., Battle
Creek, Mich.
There's a reason" Read the little
book, THE Road to MELVILLE" in pkgs.
Ever read the above ietterf A new
one appears from time to time. They
infercst.
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1912-07-25
Voice OF Conscience,

A western Kentucky negro was In
Jail awaiting trial for stealing a calf.
His wife called to see him. On her
way out the Iailer. whose name was
Grady. halted her.
Mandy" he inquired. have you
got lawyer for Jim?"
No. sah." said his wife, "Ef Jim
was guilty vi git him lawyer right
away; but he tells me he amt guilty.
and so, OF co'se, amt amin tc hire
none"
mfr. Grady" came a voice from the
cells above, you tell dat Niger WON.
an down thar to git a lawyer-and
git dam good one. too!"-Saturday
Evening Post
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1912-07-25
CHAPTER XVI.

At midnight the muczzln In a neigh
5orinE minarct turned his face to the
Wlndswept sky and summoned the
faithful 90 prayer ami meditation.
ORourke pulled thoughtfully at his
pipe until the musical. melancholy
vail had been whipped away by the
Breath OF the khamsin, and there was
silence snve for the dull. heavy roar.
eng overhead Then he resumed the
conversation where II had been inter
-upted,
And ye,say yc love the young won.
an. Danny?"
Il do that, yer honor"
And ye would marry herr"
wild yer honor's consInt--Im ready.
sor."
81 bless the banns. Ye may have
her on one condition"
"Aw.w?"
rive need Of ye. as I've pointed
out"
Sure yer honor knows ye can count
IN me to the last brouth In me, sor"
~Thcn yen come with me to Bur
mah?"
"Do you think, sor. could slape OF
nights, after hcarln' from your own
lips what we've been through and sus.
pcctin what more yc must go through
with before we've won? VIII be
comiu', is ut? Faith. I'll go whether
ye want me or not"
And afterwards ye can come back
20 Miss Psyche here. or whatever her
name may be"
"Yiss, yer honor. and thank ye kind
iy." Abruptly Danny started
up. They'll be comm now, sor.' he
said in an excited whisper I'm think.
In | hear thin Numbering down the
alley"
lie turned toward the rear OF the
house, and as O'Rourke rose to follow
him, the signal sounded on the metal
door. Danny quickencd his steps. and
as he disappeared his master slipped
quietly into the shadows beneath the
Overhanging gallery. From this point
Of seclusion he could hear distinctly
she iron door. followed by his hoarse
whisper: whist! is ut yersllves,
now"
Holes voice answered him huskily:
who the hell else would 1t be? Let
as In. you damn harp"
Tue door croaked upon its hinges;
and was cautiously closed. The bolts
ratified again. Footsteps shuffled
slowly, ns Of men heavily burdened
over the floor Of earth. Then, while
'ORourke gathered himself together
exultation in his heart. and the fore
taste OF revenge sweet in his mouth
two cloaked figures scuffled into the
courtyard. breathing hard beneath
their burdens of smuggled drug,
Hole promptly dumped his share OF
swung upon Danny Where's Me.
covie?" he demanded, evidently in as
ugly n mood as he could muster.
Where is e? Stop standin there
and starin' with yer balmy trap open.
yer"
THAT will be about enough" sug.
gosted o'Rourke pleasantly. in n con.
versational tone. stepping from his
place of conceallnent Don't call
names. Hole--ye're too near your God
If ye have one, which misdoubt"
In the clear. bright starlight the pis-
tolls in his hands were plainly evident:
and one stared the captain In the eye;
one covered the head OF the PelGants
first officer.
. "Ye will not novel" said O'Rourke.
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1912-07-25
CHAPTER XVII.

Two battered and sore sailormen
sat back to back, their arms dashed
to one another and to the central up.
right so that neither could move, both
half.submergcd IN the fountain of Me.
covle the Greek
Yell find the bath quite refresh.
Ing" o'Rourke told them, preparing to
depart. as well as a novel expert
ence. Twill do ye a world of good.
Captain Hole. as anyone will tell ye
who has ever had the misfortune to
stand to leeward of ye. Your money
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1912-07-25
Why They Went,

As the Sunday school teacher en-.
tered her classroom. she saw leaving
In great haste little girl and her
still smaller brother.
Why, Mary, you aren't going
Iaway?" she exclaimed in surprise
"Pleathe. NTH Anne, we've got 10
Igo," was the distressed reply. Jimmy
l'th thwallowed hith collection LIP.
ipincotts.
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1912-07-25
Bait.

First Suffragette--lf we want TO
get the young girls interested in our
meetings we must have something to
iattract them.
Second Suffragette-Which would II
better be-refreshments or mem
Life.
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1912-07-25
Same ThInu.

And be said he was willing to die
TOR mef'
Not exactly in those words. but
that was the impression he was eyt
IDENTIFY trying to convey"
What did he say7'
He said he was ready TO eat your
cooking any time you said the word
Houston Post
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1912-07-25

The Paxton Toilet Co. OF Boston.
Mass. will send large trial box OF
Paxtino Antlseptic. q delightful cleans
ing and germlcdal toilet preparation.
to any woman. free. upon request.
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1912-07-25

People who live In clean houses
shouldn't throw mud.
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1912-07-25

Poets are born-and moSt OF the
great ones are dead.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-09-21

Miss Mary Hoxie; corresponding soc retary, Miss Gertrude Kimbeo; treas urer, Mrs. Nellie H. Moore; dining hall committee Mrs. Mabel Holloway, Miss Mary Hoxie superintendent Medal contest Mrs. Lucy Dawley; literary committee. Mrs. Maggie Mcdonald, Miss Nellie H. Moore; superintendent evangelistic work, Miss Carrie Lam phear; flower mission superintendent, Mrs. Mabel Kimbeo, Mrs. Lora Weav- CT; superintendent press work, Mrs. Nellie Moore; board of trustees of li- brary, Mrs. Charles Dawley, William Kimbeo, Mrs William Kimbeo, Mrs. Nellie Moore, Miss Mary l.. Hoxie. Miss Carrie Lanphear, William Me- Donald, Mrs. William Mcdonald, Miss Hattie Clark, George P. Clark, Mrs. George Clark, Frank N Kenyon, Chas- J. Greene, Charles s. Weaver, Mrs. Charles s. Weaver.
 Delegates to the state W. c. T. U. convention to be held in Providence, September 23-24 were appointed as follows: Mrs. Mabel Kimbeo, Mrs. Nellie Moore.