davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-12-26
I once returned o-ti,e. SOFA. wlteflles

at once returned the sofr where
lhc body lay. said to her;
T "'Mel's wife and daughter are I
coming. TYoaf Keep dIaietF' THE wo-
man again went to the room and A
locked the door. *
~ had an urgent call to a tpaz
tient and told Mrs. Couch that 4.
would have to drive twelve miles in
the country. but soon would beback.
knew the woman was in that room
but thought no one would discover
her. hoped on my return to Snug
gle her out of the building and get
her away from Monticello
How Mrs. Couch, after the arrival
II Sheriff Kinnie, insisted on know:
ing what was in the mysterious room
next to her husbands office, into
which she had never been allowed to
look and how the sheriff through the
ransom saw the crouching figure OF
Miss Branch has been told.
In continuing his statement Or.
Curtelle said:
ut was some time after q o'clock
when left the Masonic building aud
about three hours later when 1 re-
turned. Again went to Mel,s Office
and knocked three times, calling
out, This is the Doctor
''The door was opened and was
thunderstruck. In the room stood
Mrs, Couch and Miss Louise. That
woman was seated at a table and was
talking in whisper. / heard her
say to Mrs. Couch as she leaned. to-
toward Mel's body; !f
You may be his wife in the eyes
of the law, but am his wife in6the
eyes of God. y,
Look at this cell. / have been
his willing prisoner in, this room for
three years. Would a mans wife
live in these close quarters? Would
she sacrifice her life to administer
to a cripple, dress the wounds ofFhfs
foot and be his slave for love ofi
him.?
would wife endure all thtss
Nothing except born love
would propel a woman to endure,
such conditions
4 s,Smitten at First Meeting.
Gshe, was taken to,jail and1here}
! saw and ltalkedDwltbh hers shelpaitls
tome; a,s,i ,3isfs,a9f yte bssIyirt,9
THE first day1L.avef sawbM lr-4ri
that day came into his office 10 sell !
books fifteen years ago-1t knew lie
was the man for me and he kn9eSwst'fi,
that was the woman for him. MIR
riage was nothing to me. tss u
1--WE did not live together for.thcsf
first time in that little room back II
Of his office where | took UP my
home three years ago next Febru-ss
airy. We shared many happy days n
In th0old Masonic Temple before it,
was destroyed by fire on August 10.
1908, At the time Of the fire / was
visiting in Goshen"
The woman then said that heand Il
Couch had lived in the old Masonic
Temple for four years and before i
that time he had been with her fire.
ourn!ly at either Goshen or Kings.
tor, where she was provided for. In
continninGf her story to DR., Curtelie
she saii:
~ had net been out Of the room
since last July. ] longed for the 3
c1G"AnionshIp Of woman andtoid
Mel that wanted to go to Goshen
to spend Christmas withta woman;
Continue on rage SKI NH
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-12-26
wished that lswould not have done
for him. Hefwas everything tonne
and dominated ME completely. ,al1'

for him. Hefwas everything tonne
and dominated ME completely. 'a4'
Not Content Away From Him. :"
Others knew of his magnetic ma
ture, but no one felt it as did.
wished to be with or near him all the
time and could never be content else
where. Whenever I went away, for
a visit, or needed change, ! became
instantly disconnected because apart
from him and could not stay away.
could see his face every minute OF
may absence apd was restless until
again with him."
Various messages reached the jail
today for Miss Branch. A vaudeville
manager offered her profitable con-
tract. She said at once that publ
city OF that sort would be intoler,
able. She may get a good price for
the story of her life Is she chooses
to write it. en
Woman Tells Him Of Death.
DR.. James f. Curtelle, brOther-in-
law of Couch, on leaving The ceme-
terry went 10 the office Of District
Attorney George l.. Cooke, where in
a detailed statement he made plain
how well Couch had kept secret the
existence Of the women prisoner,
This statement was made by the ply
stefan in the presence OF reporter
For some time" he began, u had
been treating Mel for heart trouble
but last week It developed into hard
enlng of the arteries.
Early Sunday morning a woman
| had never seen before in my life
came TO my door and asked me to 60
IL Mr. COUGHS Office in the Masonic
Temple building. She said Mel was
dead. was astohnded and went to
the office at once.
""ThCre on the couch lay Mel dead,
the woman standing over him. At
first ! did not ask her questions,
Then when | saw she proposed re-
naming | said to her:
WHO are you to be here at this
time?' l pushed her out into thu
hall, shutting the door behind her.
She quickly opened the door and
said: ~
81 cant go away from here. Oh,
please don't make ME go away, 1t
would be scandal. Mel would want
lne"to stay Ii ne only could know.
and besides, all my clothes are in
That ROOM ,''le
= Tries to Avert a Scandal.
'The woman spoke in a whisper
thar could hardly hear. learned
later why she could not speak loud
e.. ] walked to the door Of room
to which she had pointed when she
spoke of her clothes and opened It.
| then realized that Mel Couch had
a dark secret in his life.
1T quickly came over ne that l
must do all in my power to save this
woman's reputation and to keep Sc {.
cret Mel's life with her. determin.
ed upon desperate measures.
Get in that room.' ordered her,
and as she went into the room I
heard her lock the door from the
inside. Then leaving the body in the
room | went to the street to call Mrs.
Couch and Miss Louise. told them
hat Wei was dead in hisoffice.
Coming back with Mrs. Couch
md Louise hurried ahead Of them
md ran up the stairs to Mel's Of
Zee, | knocked three times and the
.lpor was opened by the woman, who
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-12-26
Will Prnhated.

The last will and testament oil the
late Lamar c. Powell was Wednesday
filed with the county clerk for proba.
ton. The will leaves the property OF
the deceased of every sort to tho
widow, Mrs. Lucy Q. Powell. Mrs.
Powell was named executrix OF the
estate.
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-12-26

jars, special large hospital size5for
$3.50.
Accept no substitute. If your
druggist cannot supply you, send 25cI
or SOC to the MUsTERoLE company,
Cleveland, Ohio, and we win mail yoit,.
jar, postpage prepaid OIL
Joseph F. Swords, Sulphur, Okla;
says: 393,;
Your Musterole Is yeryae fflca-
cious. 1t has done away with my
Rheumatic pains and aches in a won.
derfully short space Of time.D
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1913-06-04
WAGES THAT WOULD BEAR CUT.
TING.

(Raleigh, n. c., News and Observer
The inequality between the salaries
paid the officials of the great indus
trial corporations and the wages paid
the hands at work in these great in
dustries is one of the things that the
captains of industries do not want too
much said about If Secretary Red
field investigates this phase Of corpor-
ate affairs he will find himself per-
soma non grata to the gentlemen who
threaten to reduce the wages of their
employees if their tariff graft is inter-
fered with. What the manipulators OF
commerce pay the manipulators and
put Down as salaries is their own pri-
vate affair they think, but what they
pay the men who manufacture the pro-
duct they sell is a burden on the bus
mess that they hope to use to prevent
a just reduction of tariff taxes.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1913-06-04
COMPROMISES IN TARIFF.MAKING

New York Journal of Commerce J
The President does not have to do
any compromising. He has no dicnct
Dart in the legislative action OF the
Senate, though he may make his inln-
ence felt He should not attempt to
cCc"ce the action of Senators. They
have their own responsibilities. Com
promising in tariff-making has bad
rdme because it has been so many
times the result of bargaining between
protected interests for their mutual
benefit, but there are times when some
compromise is necessary to attl.l the
best results. No man is infallible, AMI
should there be sufficient yielding to
secure the passage of the tariff bill
without sugar on the free list, the
price would be small compared with
the gain from the point of view of the
Democratic policy. We do not be-
leye that, if so much was accomplish.
ed by so slight a concession, a conces-
sion which may even be regarded as
the correction of a tactical mistake
the President would seriously think OF
vetoing the tariff bill
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1913-06-04

All subscriptions Payable in Ad-
vance.
Advertising rates promptly furnish
ed upon application.
Memorial Resolutions, Resolutions
OF Respect, Obituary Notices, etc
other tAAn those which the paper may
aeem proper TO publish as news mat
ter, will be charged for at the rate u
cents per line.
All advertising copy requiring two
columns of space or less should be In
the business oRice not later than noon
Of day prior to date Of issue In order
u insure it's prompt insertion. All
copy for space of more than two col
umAs should be submitted not later
THAN O'Clock of the day, two days
prior to date Of issue.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1913-06-04
THE OPAL
(Harper's Weekly.)

Experts in such matters assure us
that among jewels the opal alone de-
fies the ingenuity of the imitator This
stone owes its charm not so much 10
its own intrinsic merits as to the
splendor of the rays of light it re-
fleets 1t has been called 1.-The cham
eleon of stones" and it has always
been great favorite with lovers Of
gems. Nearly 1000 years ago Pliny
remarked that it displays at once the
piercing fire of carbuncles, the purple
brilliancy of amethysts, and the sea
green of emeraIds, the whole blended
together and refulgent with a bright
ness that is quite incredible."
The opal is stone with a temper.
The diamond rises superior to climate,
as does the ruby, the emerald and the
sapphire, but the opal is of such del;
cate organization that when exposed
to severe cold it loses color and under
the influence of excessive moisture be-
comes dull. 1t is curious fact, how
ever, that the temperature of one 5
hand will cause it to resume its won't
ed fire and brilliancy as will also be
the case when it is exposed to the di-
rect rays of the sun.
The opal has always been invested
with much charm, mystery and super
| stition. The Greeks believed that t
! possessed the power of bestowing Sec
ond sight on those under its influence,
provided the stone were not employed
toward selfish ends. Misuse of the
opal resulted in divers misfortunes
And SO originated the notion that the
opal was unlucky. Succeeding gener-
ations have kent alive the superstition
which has beel utilized by many Wri,,
ers, among whom may be mentioned
Sir Walter Scott, by whom in "Anrt
of Geierstein," the opal is made tC
play an unfortunate part.
The Romans were so fond of the OPP
al that they bestowed upon it the name
of lovely youth" but, curiousll
enough they, sharing in most of the
Greek superstitions with regard ,tc
gems, did not deem the opal unluclly
During the Middle Ages there were
not wanting those who shared the Ro-
man weakness for the opal and it en-
both sexes.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1913-06-04
CONSERVATISM AND PRUDENCE
SHOULD GOVERN

In the adjustment of the difference:
that exist between the city and tn,
authorities of the Seaboard relative tc
the shops here, conservatism and pru-
dence should govern, for in no othel
manner may these affairs be adjusted
so that both the city and the railroad
may feel that the matter has been
managed with that degree of finally
and satisfaction which is so earnestly
desired by all prudent and wise men.
The advocacy by some of radical
measures in handling this matter
should be discouraged by all who wish
to see justice done to each side. Rad
ical measures of this kind can gain the
city nothing Only in a spirit of mutual
helpfulness and cooperation can any
lasting and satisfactory adjustment OF
this matter be worked out, as it is i'm
possible for the differences now ex-
listing to be corrected under any other
than an agreement of mutual helpful
ness.
The counsel of the conservative man
is indeed the best that can be followed
under these circumstances. If Their
was ever time for radical measures
it is not now. There may have been ]
logical time in the past for these
things, but the very condition that eX-
list now certainly do not seem to call
for radical procedure In fact, it would
seem that if in the past a spirit Of
mutual benefit and cooperation had
been fostered between the city and the
railroad, the present condition would
not exist.
1t is encouraging to know that there
are but few here who advocate radical
measures. Most of the business men of
Americas are ready to proceed in a
rational manner to do all in their
power to secure the advantages for
the city which the presence of the
shops represents. The business men of
the city seem to be united with this
purpose in mind, which should serve to
bring about such frank and complete
discussion of the matter with the Sea-
board officials that some remedy that
will be beneficial to both the railroad
and the municipality will be found.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1913-06-04
THE GREAT FREDERICk'S VIR-
TUES
New York American.)

(NeW YORK American
Frederick the Great became King OF
Prussia 173 years ago today-May 81,
1740. 1t was not much of Prussia
then, but the little man in the blue
coat with the red trimmings made It
one of the first Powers of the Contin-
ent.
A very lovable old fellow, in many
ways, was Frederick the Great. Under
meath the king there was ever visible
the man. After he had conquered his
political position he made his mobiles
and aristocrats treat the common peo-
pie fairly. He personally Saw to 1t
that Just laws were instituted. He
MORALLY hated fanaticism and bigotry'
When the churchmen attempted to in
veigle him into religious persecution,
he replied: Let the parsons go TO
heaven their own way, and let every
body else do the same"
At heart he was favorable to demo-
cratic institutions. When King George
wanted to hire soldiers of him to fight
the Americans he Indignantly spurned
the proposition, and refused to let the
Hessians pass through his territory on
their way to join the British. He ad-
mired the things for which the Ameri-
cans we're fighting as ardently as he
did the personal qualities and soldierly
parts Of the man who led their armies.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1913-06-04

amounts paid for fire losses and ex-
penses are deducted from the receipts
for premiums and interest collected on
the assets and the profits remaining
are divided pro rata with all policy
holders.
During the past year, ending May l.,
the company has been very successful
and at a meeting of the directors on
May %, it was agreed to declare a
dividend of 65 per cent. on the past
years business.
AS the rates are the same as in other
companies tbs means a clear saving OF
$3.50 on every $40 paid in, and while
this is a slightly larger dividend than
usual, yet the average for the past
twenty years has been 62 per cent. and
for the past forty years it has aver,
aged so per cent. -.. -...
The policyholders in Americas will
receive IS per cent profit on last years
business, which is a clear, clean, say
ing to its policyholders.
The Southern Mutual is a Georgia
company, and does business only in
Georgia. and isFepresented in Ameri-
Gus by J. A. Davenport, who is pre-
pared to write business on all accept
able property in the city of Americas.
31-4t
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1913-06-04
THE VERSATILITY OF OUR SOIL

No one has yet tried to the limit the
versatility of the soil of Sumter county
and southern Georgia. Such an eXper>
iment would be of great interest. 1t is
Sufficient to say, however, that practi-
cally every crop one may wish to grow
here may be grown on this soil. Oi
this phase of our agricultural life the
Macon Telegraph says:
Dhe Savannah News is of the opinion
that there is practically no limit to the
variety of crops that can be success
fully grown in Southern Georgia, and
reports a continuing and increasing
tendency in that agriculturally favored
section to make new ventures and de-
part still further from the old one-crop
policy.
The News speaks of one Wilkes
county farmer who has 125 acres I'M
der crops, which include corn, wheat
oats, rye, alfalfa, turnips, and the like
and reports that in spite of the sea
sons unfavorable weather conditions
the farmers of Tiff county are receiv-
ing 500 an acre for their cabbages
Another encouraging development i.
pointed out by the News:
There is abroad in South Georgia
e spirit of 'get-together' between the
city and the country. That is exem-
plified in the efforts of trade bodies II
the county seats and other cities tc
help the farmers find markets fol
their crops. Many farmers hesitate e
plant things that are new to them be
cause of the fear that they will BIZ
unatIe to dispose of their crops. Trade
organizations in many cities are seek.
ing markets for such crops and while
helping to build up the country bach
of their cities are building up the
cities themselves"
Such cooperation is scarcely less
important than successful farming H.
self. The towns and surrounding ag
ricuIturaI districts are mutually de-
pendent and intelligent and friend
co-operation makes for the prosperit,
! of all concerned.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1913-06-04
HON. v. 0. RUSSELL
WILL SPEAK IN AMERICUS

How the farmers of the
South can get a greater re-
turn for their crops IS a
matter that should interest
every one in the South, for
a greater return for the
products of the farm mean
not only more money to
the Farmers, but more mOn-
ey to the banks, merchants
and business men; in fact
money to every one. You
should not fail to hear Hon.
w. o. Russell explain how
our Farmers can geta great
er return for their products
it means more money in
the poCket-books of the
South. Mr.. Russell is a
practical farmer from Texas.
He speaks in Americas June
4th.
MIR. Farmer, you are es-
pecially urged to hear this
man.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1913-06-04

SURVEYS OF RURAL LIFE
louisville CONFECTIONERY

(LOulSVllle COurler-JOufnal)
The social survey is coming into
favor in many parts of the country as
a means of social betterment 1t is 1t
simpler matter to bring about i'm
provement in city, county or a
community when the conditions are
fully understood To obtain the knowl-
edge that is necessary for intelligent
and effective effort is the object of
the social survey.
A writer in the Progressive Farmer
makes a plea for rural survey work in
the South and points out some notable
instances where these surveys have
been made. The University of Wis
consin the Ohio Board of Agriculture
and the Presbyterian Commission on
Country Life are cited as having en-
gagged in this line of endeavor with
good results. These organizations
make their surveys by counties, and
the investigations bring out a great
array of information.
The county survey means an inves-
tigation of the schools, the churches,
the roads, the social opportunities, the
facilities for marketing, the conditions
on the farms, the tenantry, the infiU-
ences that make for rural uplift and
those which tend to rural decline
The correspondent of The Progressive
Farmer says:
"A rural survey would be an index
to progress. 1t would show the lines
of farming that were profitable; il
would create spirit of rivalry be-
tween counties; it would show condi-
lions as they are, and probably helr
locate the reason of the migration
from farm to town, and help check the
same.
Many of the problems of rural life
have not been touched at all, bat
lteae VIII ultimately come into sight
mineral surveys, geological surveys
and other kinds of surveys with whica
people are familiar Why not have )
rural survey and find out the real con-
dition of the people living in rura
communities, and Systematically &c
about helping make these conditions
ideal?"
The value of such surveys is ev-
ident. Where efficiently made they
show the strong points and the weaf
!; points of the country. In a movement
for general betterment they are as
useful in the South as they have bee.
in the North.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1913-06-04
PASSING OF THE KINGS
cleveland Plain-DeaIer. J

| ~
The dethroning of kings and the alb.
clifton of monarchies has not yet be-
come fashion. Once the fashion Is
we'll set, and batch of countries de-
eide to do away with the expensive
frill, every other country will probab-
ly hasten to fall in line. Monarchy to.
day exists as pageant merely because
OF inertia. 1t does little harm and tbs
people have not sufficient energy &C
excite'themselves over it's pretensions
There are at present only four re-
publics which have been built upon
the ruin of monarchies. France was
| the pioneer; the first French Republic
kicked out the monarchical system,
but the idea died hard, coming back in
Bourbon, Orleanist and Bonopartist
guise. Next came Brazil, the only
country of the Western Hemisphere
which had acknowledged a rules by
divine right Recently Portugal has
turned against kings, and last of all
China has delivered herself from
thralldom to the imperial idea.
France, Brazil, Portugal and China
not an impressive showing in num-
bers. One does not take account Of
the uprising of United eXploiters
which drove the Kanaka dynastry of
Hawaii from the throne, for Hawaii is
not now an independent Republic.
Neither does one reckon MeXico's lib
Grafton from its Emperors, AugustiH
and Macmillan, for they were mere
incidents in the history of the Re
public; and the same may be said #
the negro respots, Dessalines, Chris
topic and Souloque, who enjoyed
transient sway in Haiti.
| In time, possible in the lifetime of
men now living, there will come a
general turning against kings. 1t will
not necessarily be through civil wa.
The effort, when the time comes, will
not be great. There will be pensions
rather than guillotines for the eX-
monarchs.
! Who will be the last king? Wh:cL
will be the last country to assume the
form as we'll as the substance Of pou-
ular government?
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1913-06-04
SIXTE.FIvE YEARS OF SUCCESS.

The Southern Mutual Insurance Co.
of Athens, Ga, during the sixty-fve
years since organization has paid IS =
100000 for fire losses, and during thu
same period has returned to its poi
icyholders over 100000 in dividends
and has accumulated assets for the
protection of policyholders amounting
to $1,25O,O0O.
This company is purely mutual an
belongs to its policyholders.
At the end Of each fiscal year the
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1913-06-04

4 SEASHELL 4
y = = \ 4 y \ r \ y \ r
(Arthur Wallace Peach.)
4ridescent with the tints of dawn
Aid golden dust it rests within my
hand
Eigh on the sun swept whiteness of
the sand
II fay-a vacant house with tenant
With patient toll and rare material
drawn
From green sea depths, the little spir-
it SPAWNED
Himself with pearl; with thought he
could withstand
The touch of death that makes all life
its pawn.
Where has he fed? And is all well
with him?
Where went his spark of life in times
long night?
Where is he in the worlds immensely
The mighty sages Of the ages dim,
The deep Drowned dreamers with the
Tuystic's sight,
Are mute before this relic of the sea.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1913-06-04

The average salary of ministers is
SAID to be 5000 per year, which may
account for their answering faith in
? future reward
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1913-06-04

The only drawback 10 baseball "a
France is that the whole nation will
want to challenge the umpire TO a
GueI.-Wa Washington Post.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1913-06-04

Summer has landed upon us VITA
RE jump ard with both feet, and ev-
e-yEl0dy will agree that her feet are
EstFser hot.-New Orleans Daily
States