davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-10-31
PROLOGUE.

This is a story of brave girl
who suffered a great wrong. She
vent to prison for three years for
crime that she did not commit,
and when she left prison her rec
ord stood between her and a lip-
ing earned honestly. She gained
more than a living, and she got it
legally She met bad men and
good men, and she pitted her wits
against those of men trained in
The intricacies of the law and in
The plans of criminals.
Mary Turner is good or bad
according to the way you look at
her. The police and the repre-
sentatipes of lam and order that
had condemned her to a felon's
cell called her bad. One young
man believed her to be good, and
he stood by her through storm
and stress, through circumstances
that tried his soul. f
This story gives an accurate if
JIeetine ptew of the methods of
york Of the police and The erin,i-
mails, and If shows The finish of a
brave crook who followed unde-
piatin92y The course he had map
ped ont.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-10-31

without ever a thought of yielding to
those temptations that beset ii girl
who is ut once poor and charming.
Among her fellows were some like
herself, others unlike. OF her own
sort in this single particular We're the
two girls with, whom she shared Il
cheap room Their common decency
in attitude toward the other sex was
the unique bond of union. In their as
sociation she found no real compan-
ionship. Nevertheless they were whole
some enough. Otherwise they Were
iiliterate, altogether uncOngenial.
In such wise. through five dreary-
years, Mary Turner lived Nine hours
daily she stood behind counter. She
spent her other waking hours in oblig-
atOry mental labOrS, cooking her own
scant meals over the gas. washing and
ironing. for the sake of that neat APP
pearance which was required OF her
by those in authority ut the Emporium.
yet more especially necessary for her
own self respect.
With mind keen and earnest she
cOntrived some Solace from reading
and stuuying since the free library
gave her this opportunity. By candid
comparison of herself with others
about her she realized the fact that
she possessed an intelligence beyond
the average. The training by her ia
the-. too. had been of superior kind
xys1c nf r n
iy, the feeling of particular self re-
spect that belongs inevitably to the
possessor of good blood. Finally she
demurely enjoyed Il modest apprecia-
ton of her own physical advantages.
In short. she had beauty, brains and
breeding. three things of chief impor-
lance to any woman.
There had been thefts in the store
! They had been traced eventually to a
| certain department. that in which
Mary worked. The detective was
alert. Some valuable silks were miss
ed. Search followed Immediately. The
goods were found in Mary's locker.
| That was enough. She was charged
with the theft. She protested inno-
cence, only to be laughed at in deri-
sion by her accusers. Every thief de
clares innocence. Mr.. Glider himself
was emphatic against her. The thiev-
ing had been long continued. An ex-
ample must be made. The girl was ar
rested
The crowded condition of the court
calendar kept her for three months in
| the Tombs awaiting trial. She was
| quite friendless. To the world she was
! only thief in duress. At the last the
/ trial was very short. Her lawyer was
merely an unfiedged practitioner as
I signed to her defense as u Formally
of the court At the end twelve good
men and true rendered ii verdict OF
guilty against the shuddering girl II
the prisoners dock.
That which was the supreme Tragedy
to the broken girl in the cell merely
afforded rather agreeable entertain
ment to her former fellows of the de
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-10-31

his application with chief electrician.
Edward Kret, the local recruiting
officer for the navy who has his
office in the federal building.
In speaking of the matter today
the deputy clerk of the United
States district court, C. r. Brede-
son, who is a member Of the Y. M.
C. A. board, said. ut is certainly too
bad that this happened. 1t was pure
ly an accident. 1t was brought to
my attention this morning that Mr..
Merritt had made application to Of
ficer Krec CT the United States navy
and was rejected. Certainly MIR Mer.
rift is as Innocent as anyone can be
and should be treated With the utmost
courtesy and Kindness, Officer .Krec
said that the applicant was rejected
not on account OF the accident but
owing to minor very small physi-
cal defect. He added that the navy
department would not accept Mr.
Merritt If he was in any way re.
sponsible for the accident, and that
in case anything should be said
about the matter, that it would be
best to relate the tr,ih at once:
that Mr.. Merritt was refused merely
and solely because it is very hard
for every and any man to come up to
the recent stringent requirements OF
the navy department"
g." He EaeIc RsdIy e. q r..
Mr. Krec told me today that
Merritt hardly knew what to do
because he was SO anxious and
Worried. He wanted to get far
away" and he shed bitter tears. OF
| course any decent man would fee
worried under like circumstances
and would give way to anxiety. But
| the lad couldn't help it at all, and
furthermore it would be despicably
unjust to criticise him, as we'll as
equally unjust to criticise the great
work Of the Y. M.FC. A. because Of
! this very sad and uncommon acct
| dent. "a thing like this might hap
pen anywhere ~ # u.s.
t'' An Honor TO Seek Enlistment.
I 81 believe that Officer Krec wa
right when he said that it was al
honorable thing to do for any youni
| man to seek enlistment in the navy
Certainly for any young man VIII
feels for the time being that his lif
has been b1igfted to join the higI
cause of patriotic usefulness as foun
in enlistment itself commend
able and praiseworthy. In additio
to this allow it please to be sal
that the ones who feel sorry 70
this accident are everybody, that a
sympathize with young Mr.. Merritt i
his grief and with the relatives c
the diseased IN their sad berieave
ment And as Chief Electrician Kre
said, 1T would be well if more youn
men in this, vicinity would try t
enlist in the navy, as 1T is a shown
of honor to enlist in the America
navy which is the most efficiel
institution of it's kind in the world
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-10-31

which he bore for his father, the boy
revealed n heart ready for love, willing
to give of itself its hest for the one be
loved. Beyond that as yet there was
little to be said OF him With exactness.
He was Il spoiled child of fortune IL
You wish to have it so. Certainly. he
was only a drone in the world'sA hive!
Thus far he had enjoyed the good
things or life without ever doing aught
to deserve them by contributing In re-
turn. save by his smiles and his genial
air of Happiness
In the twenty three years of his life
every gift that money could lavish'had
been his. If the sum total OF sbeneht
was small. at least there remafrled the
Consollng fact that the harm wasSeVen
less. i luxury had not sapped the
strength of him. He had not grown
vicious. as have so many of his fellows
among the sons of the rich. >E
Sarah explained that Mr.. Glider had
been called to the court of general SEES
sions by the judge. -
but what Is dad doing in court"
Sarah explained the matter with her
usual cOnciseness: Et
Zone of the girls was arrested for
stealing"
"And dad went to court to get her
out of the scrape. That's just iikelthe
old man."
'$she was tried today and convicted.
The judge sent for Mr.. Glider to come
down this morning and have talk
with him about the sentence '
There was no lessening of the ex-
preston Of certainty on the young
mans face. He loved his father, and
he trusted where he loved. - So
1T will be all right he declared in
tone of entire -.convietion. -'Bad's
heart is as big as barrel. He'll get
her off," 8
Then OF a sudden Dick gave vio-
lent start. He leaned toward the sec
retary's desk and spoke with new
seriousness of manner:
Sadie, have, you any money? I'm
broke. My taxi has been waiting out
side all this time" NJ.
"NVhy. yes" the secretary said cheer
fully.
|. Dick eagerly seized the banknote Of
fered him. @ d@F
mighty much obliged. Sadie" he
said enthusiastically But must run.
otherwise this wouldn't be enough for
the fare" And he darted out of the
room.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-10-31


ton. .r. ..u..
What did they do with. the Turner
girl?' his secretary inquired in an
elaberately casual manner. Es ~ q"
Glider did not look up from the heap
Of papers, but answered rather, harsh
ly. g.; ;.l..
Il don't knowLI couldn't watt" he
said. He made Il petulant gesture rs
he went on. Il don't see why Judge
Lawlor bothered me, about the matter
He is the one to impose sentence, not
|. am hours behind with my work
now" r.
Edward Glider was a big man phys
ically, plainly. the possessor of that
abundant vital energy which is a prime
requisite for achievement in the order
ing Of modern business concerns.
Force was indeed the dominant quail
ity Of the man. His tall figure was
proportionately broad, and he was
heavily heshed In fact the body was
too ponderous Perhaps. in that char
acteristic might be found a clew to
the chief fault in his nature For he
was ponderous. spiritually and men
tally. as we'll as materially. The fact
was displayed SUCCESSFULLY in the face,
which was too heavy with its promi-
nent jowls and aggressive chin and
rather Dubious nose But there was
nothing fiabby anywhere. a,
1t was with his accustomed bland
ness Of manners that he presently ac-
knowledged the greeting of George
Demarest. the chief of the legal staff
that looked after the firms affairs.
swell. Demarest?' be inquired.
Judge Lawlor gave her three years.
Demarest replied gravely. 1t was
plain from his manner that he did nos
altogether approve. -.
"Qood!"' Glider exclaimed. Take
this. Sarah" And he continued. as the
girl opened her notebook and poised
the pencil. BE sure to have Smithson
posta copy of it conspicuously in all
the girls dressing rooms, and in the
reading room and in the Innchrooms
and in the assembly room.'' He clear
ed his throat ostentatiously and pro.
ceeded to the dictation of the notice:
MARY Turner. formerly employed in
this store. was today sentenced to pris-
on for three years. having been con-
victed for rhe theft of goods valued at
over $500. The management wishes
again to draw attention on the part of
its employees to the fact that honesty
is always the best policy. Got that?"
Yes. SIR
Take ii to Smitfson.' Glider con-
!inued.7 'and tell him to post it at
once"
Glider brought forth box of cigars
I from a drawer of the desk. opened It
and thrust it toward the waiting law
yer. who, however shook his head in
refusal and continued to move about
the room rather restlessly.
Three years-three years. That
ought to be a warning to the rest OF
the girls Glider looked toward Dem
Arrest for acquiescence.
/ TO BE CONTINUED. .
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-10-31

his own. Of worldly goods. not the
value ola pin.
YET, measured according to the stern
standards of adversely. Mary was for
tunate. Almost at once she procured
q humble employment in the Empori-
um. the great department store own
ed by Edward Glider. To be sure the
wage was infinitesmal. while the toll
was body breaking, soul breaking.
Mary nevertheless avoided the worst
perils Of her lot. She did not finch
under privntion, but went her way
through it, if not serenely, at least
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-10-31


Glider arrives? There are one or two
little matters I wish to discuss with
him.
"All right" Sarah agreed briskly.
and she hurried on toward the private
Office.
The secretary was barely seated at
her desk when the violent opening of
the door startled her. and as she look
ed up CHEEKY voice cried out:
Hello. dad.'
At the same moment young man
entered with an air of chre free assur-
ance his face radiant But as his
glance went to the empty armchair at
the desk he halted abruptly. and his
expression changed to one of disap-
-pointment.
mot here he grumbled. Then once
again the smile was on his lips as his
eyes fell on the Secretary who had
now risen to her feet in iutter of ex.
citemelt.
why, MIR. .Dick.' Sarah gasped.
Hello, Sadie!' came the genial salu
tation. The young man advanced and
shook hands with her warmly. I'm
home again Where's dad?"
Even as he asked the question the
quick soldering of his face bore wit
ness to his disappointment over moi
finding his father in the Office. ,An6
in the patent chagrin under which the
/ son now labored was to be found Ger
tain Indication of character not. to BIZ
disregarded. Unlike many-a child, he
really loved his father. The death OF
the mother years before had left hin
without other opportunity for affection
in the home, since he. had neither
brother nor sister
In that simple and sincere regard
4 q . s
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-10-31
CHAPTER |.
The Panel of Light.

TSHE lids of the girls eyes lifted
slowly. and she stared at the
panel of light in the wall. Just
at the outset the act of seeing
made not the least impression on her
nunbed brain. For 4 long time she
continued to regard the dim illumina
ton in the wall with the same passive
lNity OF gaze. Apathy still lay upon
her crushed spirit. In 4 vague way
she realized her own inertness and rest
Ell in it gratefully, subtly fearful lest
she again arouse to the full horror OF
her plight. In Il curious subconScious
fashion she was striving to hold on TO
rhiS deafness of sensation, thus to win
Il lit:lc respite from the torture that
had exhausted her soul.
or i sudden her eyes noted the black
lines that lay across the panel of light,
and in that instant her spirit was
quickened once again. The clouds lift
ed from her brain. Vision was clear
now. Understanding seized the full
import Of this hideous thing on which
she looked. For the panel of light was
window set high within wall Of
stone The rigid lines of black that
crossed it were bars-prison bars. 1t
was still true, then. She was in a cell
of the TOmbs.
CrOuching miserably on the narrow
bed. she maintained her fixed watching
of the Window-that window which
was Il symbol of her utter despair.
Again agony wrenched within her.
The girl was appalled, by the merci-
1essness of destiny that had so out
ragged right. She was wholly innocent
of having done any wrong. She had
struggled through years of privation to
keep herself clean and wholesome, wor-
thy of those gentlefolk from whom she
drew her blood. And earnest effort
had ended ut last under an overwhelm-
ing accusation, false, yet none the less
fatal to her. This accusation after soul
wearying delays had eliminated today
in conviction. The sentence of the
court had been imposed upon her-that
for three years she should be impris-
Oned.
There had been nothing in the life
of Mary Turner before the catastrophe
came to distinguish it from many an
other Its most significant details were
of a sOrdid kind, familiar to poverty.
Her father had been an unsuccessful
man as success is esteemed by this gen.
Grafton of Mammon worshipers. He
was a gentleman, but the trivial fact
is of small avail today. He was of good
birth. and he was the possessor of an
inherited competence. He had as well
intelligence, but it was not of finan-
cial sort
SO. little by little, his fortune be-
came shrunken toward nothingness
by reason of injudicious investments
He married charming woman. who
after a brief period of welded happi.
ness. gave her life to the birth of the
single child of the Union, Mary. AS
the years passed the daughter grew
toward maturity in an experience O
ever increasing penury. The girl wa
in the high school when her fathe
finally gave over his rather feeble eff
fort Of living. At his death the fathe
left her character we'll instructed il
the excellent principles that had beef
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-10-31
Fractured Collar zone.

Little Miss Ruth Manning, aged
nine, suffered the fracture of a col
lar bone While playing on the Frank,
lin school grounds Thursday. A girl
comranion accidentally pushed her
and she fell. She is the daughter of
Mr.. and Mrs. John Manning. 1923
Fifth avenue.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-10-31
Prepare for Development Meet.

The annual meeting Of the South
ern Minnesota Better Development
league will be held in this city
December and 4. The officers will
hold meeting December q. The, ex-
ecutiye committee will meet in this
city Monday, to go over the pro-
gram. A Southern Minnesota corn
show is one of the features pro-
posed.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-10-31
County Seat Sauabble.

Albany, a village, has filed with the
Stearns county auditor petition
Signed by over 1000 people. asking
that an election be called to vote on
the proposition to change, the county
seat from ST. Cloud to Albany
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-10-31

house and telephoned to her h1is
band. A physician was also called
and took the two ladies home. 1t
was found that Mrs. Dobbin had SUI
fered a fracture of two ribs and other
bruises Miss Alice was thrown upon
her head and shoulders and was rem
dered unconscious. She suffered a
nervous shock and did not regain
consciousness until several hours
afterward. To-Day both she and her
mother are much improved but still
feeling the effects of the fall.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-10-31
SYMPATHY FOR FAMILY.

; The members and officers
'+cof the Young Mems Christian
! association sincerely sympa-
thize with the bereft. family
in the death of their son,
Chester Houston as a result
of the accident which occur
red in part of our program
during the reception Wednss-
day evening. We wish to also
express our appreciation for
the sympathy and Kindness
expressed by the friends and
press in reference to this un-
fortunate accident. S. Find.
ley general secretary. ~"
u " i IL . . II
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-10-31
Proportion That Is Due State and Why:
Revenue Fund Showing; Some
Interesting Data

County Auditor C. L. Kennedy has
completed. the computation OF tax
rates for 1913 for. the various sub
divisions of Blue Earth county. The
rate in the city of Mankato will be
1853 mills as against 1873 mills for
1912, an increase of ga mills on each
dollar of valuation. This increase
is divided as follows: Eighty
one-hundredths mills on county
revenue, AS mills on county poor,
so mills on road and bridge,
las mills on state revenue, 1.SO mills
city revenue and ! 40 mills for school
bonds &@s a
Raise Oh County Revenue.
The raise on county revenue is
practically all to assist in clearing
up an overdraft of nearly $4,000
which has been accommodating in the
past fifteen years. There will be no
more expended in the poor fund than
formerly, but for the past two years
the commissioners. have only levied
a small amount and were using UP
the balance which was in the treas
urv ~ho road and bridge fund is in
creased SO mills owing to the strong
demand for road improvement which
DO - issioners did not feel they
could refuse to- grant.
Increase In County Taxes.
In other words the total increase
in the county taxes are LITE mills and
in view OF the increasing demand
made upon the county it is felt that
the county commissioners are in no
wise to be blamed for this slight
Increase. The 1.40 mills for school
bonds in the city is made under d.
rection of the state auditor and will
be more than sufficient for the inter-
est to be met this year. A decrease
in that item may be looked for next
year.
Rate For State Revenue.
1t is an interesting fact that the
rate for state revenue and county
revenue purposes is exactly the same
and produces $59,548.26 or in other
words, this county contributes to state
government sum equal to all the
expenses for salaries, district and
municipal courts jail expense, county
printing, election expenses, etc. In
addition thereto the state educational
institutions will receive $19,274S3
from this county which is about one
half of the total levy for roads and
bridges in this county.
Mrs. A. H., Dobbin and her daugh-
ter. Miss Alice were thrown from a
buggy and injured Wednesday even
ing while driving to their home in
Decoria from 'Mankato. Just as they
reached what is known as the Wit
trock corner team which was run
ming, frightened their horse and threw
both Mrs. Dobbin and her daughter
to the ground 1t was dark and the
two ladies' did not know whether the
horses were running away or were
being driven at a fast rate. They
do not know who was in charge of
the team.
Mrs. Dobbin went to nearby
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-10-31
Real Estate Transfer.

C. NJ. Palmer to Frank A. Cone
the west IA feet, of lot 49,. and the
east 26 feet of lot IA, in the north
row of Van Brunt's addition to the
city of Mankato.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-10-31
VIII Go Into Vaudeville.

Joe Bush, the young pitcher, will
go into vaudeville. A one-act playlet
has been written for him.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-10-31
From fridays Daily.
Miss Londini Sets Weddinu Date

Miss Irene Longini, the daughter
of Mr.. and Mrs. Isador Longini, has
chosen Wednesday, October %, as
the date for ner marriage to Isaac
Symmetrical of St Paul 1t will
take place at the home of Mr.. and
Mrs. Lqngini, 1909 West Twenty-ffth
street, Minneapolis. The ceremony
will be performed by Dr.. S. N.
Deinard at five o'clock. There will
be no. attendants. Mr.. Symmetrical
and his bride will go on a trip to
New York, and will be at home
after December /, at q Goodrich
avenue, st. Paul. The Longini fam
lily formerly resided in this city.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-10-31
Tribute By Students
Honors For Houston

From Fridays Daily.
3 = = e q + = r = = = - + 2 =
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-10-31
Knights Enjoy a Social.

knights ENJOY SOCIAL.
The Knights of Pythias Of this
city spent a social evening at their
Castle hall last evening. A large
attendance enjoyed the evening,
playing cards and smoking. Several
of the members Of the lodge de-
lighted their brother members with
vocal and instrumental selections. An
oyster supper was . feature of the
last part of the evenings festivities.