davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1913-04-04
SYNOPSIS.

George Percival Algernoh Jones. vice
president of the Metropolitan Oriental
Rug company of New York. thirsting for
romance, is in Cairo on business trip.
Horace Ryanne arrives at the hotel In
Cairo with, carefully. guarded bundle.
ordes rug which he admits having stolen
S4fcfqpapnps 1T Bagdad. Jones meets
Major Callahan and later Is introduced to
Fortune Chedsoye by a woman to whom
he had loaned $50 pounds at Monte Carlo
some months previously. and who turns
Mrs. Chedsoye and Fortune to polo
game. Fortune returns to Jones the
money borrowed by her mother. Mrs.
Chedsoye appears to engaged In some
mysterious enterprise unknown to the
daughter. Ryanne interests Jones in the
United Romance and Adventure COM
pany, concern which for price will
arrange any kind of an adventure to or
der. Mrs, Chedsoye, her brother. Major
Callahan. Wallace and Ryanne, as the
plan a risky enterprise involving Jones.
Ryanne makes known to Mrs. Chedsoye
his intention to marry Fortune. Mrs.
Chedsoye declares she will not permit 1t.
Plans are laid to prevent Jones sailing
for home. Ryanne steals Jones letters
New York. in Jones name, that he is
renting house in New York to some
friends Mahomed. keeper of the holy
carpet, Is on Ryanne's trail. Ryanne
promises Fortune that he will see that
Jones comes to no harm as a result Of his
purchase of the rug Mahomed accosts
Ryanne and demands the Yhiordes rug.
Ryanner tells him Jones has the rug and
suggests the abduction Of the New York
merchant as a means of securing its re.
turn. The rug disappears from Jones'
room. Fortune quarrels with her mother
when the latter refuses to explain her
mysterious actions. Fortune gets mes
sage purporting to be from Ryanne ask
ing her to meet him in a secluded place
that evening. Jones receives message
asking him to meet Ryanne at the English
Bar the same evening. Jones Is carried
off into the desert by Mahomed and his
accomplices after desperate fight. He
discovers that Ryanne and Fortune also
are captives the former is badly battered
and unconscious. Ryanne RECEIVERS con-
seriousness and the sight of Fortune in
captivity reveals to him the fact that
Mahomed intends to get vengeance on
him through the girl. Fortune acknowl;
olges that she stole the rug from Jones,
room, She offers to return 1t to Mahomed
IL he will free all three OF them. Ma
homed agrees to liberate Fortune and one
of the men in return for the rug. A cour-
Ter is sent to Cairo for the rug. but re-
turns with the information that Mrs.
Chedsoye and her brother have sailed for
New York. Fortune spurns offered free
dom which does not include her two COM
panlonS.
The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1913-04-04
CHAPTER xv.-fcontinued.l

When camp was made that night
It found the captives untalkative. The
girl and the two men sat moodily
about the fire. Fatigue had dulled
their bodies and hopelessness their
minds. The men were ragged. now,
unkempt; a stubble of beard covered
their faces, gaunt yet burned. George
had lost his remaining pump, and as
his stockings were now full OF holes,
he had, in the last flicker Of personal
pride, wound about them some cast
off cloths he had found. There was
not enough water for additions; there
was scarcely enough to assuage thirst
BY and by, Ryanne, without turning
his head, spoke to George. You say
YOU questioned the courier?"
"Yes."
'.He says he showed the note to no
one?"
Eyes"
"And so no one will try to find us?"
mo"
Ryanne had asked these questions
q dozen times and George had always
given the same answers.
Up and away at dawn. for they must
reach the we'll that night. 1t was a
terrible day for them all. Even the
beasts showed efgns Of distress. And
%he worst OF It waa, Mahomed was
The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1913-04-04
"she s One Of the Most Adro Snug sers Of the Age"

her in his arms. She wondered why,
of a sudden, she had become so weak.
"I'll cable the moment we reach
port" he said, as IL reaching port I'M
der the existing conditions was .
thing quite possible. viii you go to
them? Why, they will give you ev-
cry care in the world. And they will
love you as as you ought to
be loved"
Ryanne turned away his head.
Fortune was too deeply absorbed BY
her misery to note how near George
had come to committing himself.
Thank you, Mr.. Jones; thank you.
am going to the tent. am tired
And l am not SO brave as you think
| am"
But will you"
Il shall tell you when We reach
port" And with that she fed to he
tent.
Go BE CoNTINuEDJ
The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1913-04-04

I've been a partner in many OF their
exploits. But not at cards. Fortune;
not at cards. I'm not that kind OF a
cheat"
THANK you. l should have known
some time, and perhaps only half a
truth. Now / know all there is to
know" She held her hands out be-
fore her and studied them. II shall
never go back"
Good Lord! Fortune, you must.
You'd be as helpless as babe. What
could you do without money and COM
fort?"
~ can become a clerk in shop. 1t
will be honest. Bread at Mentone
would choke me-" and she choked a
little then as she spoke.
my dear Fortune said Ryanne.
calling into life that persuasive
sweetness which upon occasions he
could put into his tones. have you
ever thought how beautiful you are!
The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1913-04-04


ly, they found the well. They drank
like mad people.
Ryanne, who had discovered a pack
of cards in his pocket, played patience
upon a spot smoothed level with his
hand. He became absorbed in the
game; and the boys gathered round
him curiously. Whenever he succeed
ed In turning out the fifty-two cards,
he would smile and rub his hands to-
gether. The boys at length consid.
cred him unbalanced mentally, and in
consequence looked upon him as q
near-holy man.
Between Fortune and George con.
versation dwindled dowl to a query
and an answer.
Can ! do anything for you?"
mo, thanks; l am getting along
nicely"
Tonight she retired early, and
George Joined Ryanne's audience.
1T averages about nine cards to the
play he commented.
Ryanne turned over an ace. Ten or
fifteen minutes went by. In the sew
eral attempts he had failed to score
the full complement.
George laughed.
Whats in your mind?" cried Ry-
anne peevishly. IF it's anything
worth telling, shoot it out, shoot 1t
QUIT"
Il was thinking what I'd do to a
club-steak just about now"
Ryanne stared beyond the fire. "A
club-steak. Grilled mushrooms"
Sauce Bordelaise. Artichokes."
"No. Asparagus, vinaigrette."
whats the matter with endives?
That's so. Well, asparagus with
butter-sauce."
"Grilled sweets, coffee, Benedictine
and cigars"
"And magnum Of 1900 to start of
with" Ryanne, with a sudden change
of mood, scooped up the cards and
flung them at Georges head. "Do you
want us both to become gibberine
idiots?"
George ducked He and the boys
gathered in the fluttering paste.boards
you're right, Percival." Ryanne ad
mitted humbly. at will not hurt us
to talk out loud, and we are all brood
ing too much. l am crazy for the want
of tobacco. I'd trade the best dinner
ever cooked for a decent cigar"
George put hand reluctantly into
his pocket. He brought forth, with ex
IRENE gentleness, cigar, the wrapper
of which was broken in many places
1--WE saved this for days." he said
With hia pen-knife he sawed it deli
cately into two parts, and gave one tc
Ryanne.
You're a good fellow, Jones, anG
I've turned you a shabby trick.
shan't forget this bit Of tobacco"
Its the last we've got. The boys
you know, refuse pull at the water
pipe; defiles 'em, they say. Funny
beggars! And if they gave US tobacco
we shouldn't have paper or pipes"
q. always carry pipe, but l lost II
IN the shuttle. l never looked upor
smoking as a bad habit. | suppose
it's because / was never caught before
without 1t. And 1t is a bad habit
since It knocks up chap this way
for the lack Of it. Where do you ge
your club.steaks In old N. VI"
And for an hour or more they sol
EMMY discussed the cooking here ans
there upon the face Of the globe.
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-01-13

OF course, "Tav" says that he did
Il; good speaking, warm handshaking
and all that, but Washington knows
better. It was Mrs. Tav who did it.
elected her husband TO the house Of
representatives as the baby member
Of the next congress.
At the capital, where Mrs. Clyde II.
Tavenner used to be one OF Senator
Bob LaFollette's secretaries, every
body just perfectly says that she did
the most towards turning an erstwhile
strongly Republican majority into a
Democratic majority OF 1900.
To be sure. Clyde II. Tavenner
helped the movement along with some
mighty argumentive speeches and hob.
nobbings with the sons OF toll back
In the fourteenth Illinois district.
But II Tav hadn't been married to
the then Miss Isabel Martin on the
nth Of July last. the chances are that
he would spend the next two years
pressagenting the Democratic major.
ity In the house and drawing pay as
assistant sergeantat.arms.
When the young bridegroom. young
ongressman-elect, was I'm the news
paper game. he was just plain Tay
and pounded copy out OF n typewriter
and once he wrote gem OF a story
about how young men should remain
single until they get a strange hold
en- fame. Then he met Miss Martin.
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-01-13

And the wedding followed. But the
bride had started Tav upward, politi-
cally speaking, during their late court
ing hours.
Instead of saying sweet nothings to
each other, as is the wont OF most
engaged folks, Tav and his best girl
that ever lived" planned a political
campaign. The bridegroom-to-be was
told TO hurry back TO Cordova, Ill, and
take a Democratic nomination that
nobody else wanted, because the ~
trict was always Republican.
With the nomination in one hand
and wedding ring in the other. Tav
hustled back TO Washington. After
the ceremony the young couple packed
trunk and made a Decline for Rock
Island, ILL.,, where they opened head
quarters. Of which Mrs. Tav took
charge.
Tay wasn't allowed TO dilly-dally
around making love. oh, no. The
young bride marched him right out
and sent him through the rural dis
tricts TO garner the votes while she
supplemented his arguments with
some Of her own mailed TO voters.
And the Rock Island district will
have the youngest member OF the
next congress and the youngest ma
tron in the congressional set. the
same being Congressman Tavenner
and Mrs. Tayenher, age 20.
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-01-13
A "KID' STORY YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO MISS

he's giant for his age. Just past
Tour, he is ready for the third grade
OF ordinary grammar school work and
ne hasn't been in school one day in
MS lie His mother, for 10 years
teacher. has worked out a brand new
system OF u, lta, and physical train
lpS, with results that are astonishing.
Think OF baby glorying in geog-
raphy history. mathematics, the
classics; discussing politics, world
events and his work-at four and
half years,
And he's no Boston Bean kid. with
lofty dome bug eyes abG spindr
legs, either He's a sturdy, mischiev-
Gus Kid, every inch alive.
The Times is gong to tell you all
ABOUT Haven Hart, in three courses,
served by Mark Larkin, Pacific coast
correspondent, who went up TO In
yestigate the child marvel OF the
coast range I.arkin's stories OF what
he found contain things astonishing
aud entirely new.
II you're interested ktds-as- a
general proposition. you will find the
stories absorbing.
IL you're particularly interested In
modern educational systems you'll md
something TO set you to thinking. For
the lads mother describes her own
system and points out what she be
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-01-13
CHAPTER u.
The Price Of Folly.

John North occupied the front
rooms on the first floor OF the
taree-story brick structure that stood
AT the corner OF Main-st. and the
Square. The only other tenant on the
floor with him was Andy Gilmore, who
had apartments at the back Of the
building Until quite recently Mr..
North and Mr.. Gilmore had been
friends and boon companions, but OF
late North had rather avoided this
neigh Dor OF his.
Mount Hope said that North had
parted with the major portion OF his
small fortune 10 Gilmore. Mount Hope
also said and believed, and with most
excellent justification for so doing.
that North was 2 lool-a truth 10 hal
told himself so IN ny times within the
last month that 1t had become the
utter WEAKNESS of iteration.
He was a muscular young fellow OF
tycnty-six, with a handsome face, and
when he chose, a kindly charming
manner. He had been-and he was
fully aware OF this-as idle and as
worthless as any young fellow could
possibly be: he was even aware that
the worst Mount Hope said OF him was
mich better than he deserved In
those hours that were such new ex-
perience TO him, when he denied him
self other companionship than his own
accusing conscience; when the con-
EN- plation OF the naked shape e. his
folly absorbed him to the exclusion
OF all else. he would sit before his
fire with the poker clutched In his
hands and his elbows resting on his
knees, poking between the bars OF the
crate, poking moodily, while under his
hI cath he cursed the weakness that
had made him what he was.
With his hair in disorder on his
handsome shapely head, he would hit
thus hours together, not wholly lDsen-
sible to a certain grim sense OF humor,
since in all his schemes OF life he had
made no provision for the very thing
that had happened. He wondered
nightly what fellow could do with
his last thousand dollars, especially
when a fellow CHANGED TO be Ia love
and meditated nothing less than mar
rage: for North's day-dream. coming
like the sun through a rift in tLe
clouds to light up the somberncFs OF
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-01-13

sonaIly committed. At that time ne
WAS also an itinerant bill'poster anu
had his lodgings at Maxy SchaneI
Railroad hotel hard by the Is. q "
tracks.
| Mr.. Shrimplin was five feet three
and narrow chested. A dropping
haxen mustache shaded a sloping chln
and a loose under lip, while a pair OF
pale eyes looked sadly out upon the
world from the shadow OF hooked
nose.
Mr.. Joe Montgomery, Mrs. shrimp
Inns brother-in-law, present on the oc-
castor OF her marriage TO the nttie
bill-poster, had critically surveyed the
bridegroom and had been moved 10
say 10 a friend, shrimp certainly 90
favor a peanut"
Mr.. Montgomery comparative
criticism of her husbands appearance
had IN due season reached the ears
OF the bride. and had caused a rup-
ture In the family that the years hao
not healed, but her resentment hau
been more a matter of justice 10 her'
self than that she felt the criticism 70
be wholly inapt,
Mr.. Shrimplin had now become
public servant, for certain gasonhe
lamps In the town OF Mount Hope
were his proud and particular care
ANY night he could be seen seated IN
his high two-wheeled cart drawn oy a
horse large in promise OF speed out
small In achievement, a Kissing gaso
line torch held between his knees,
making his way through that part OF
the town where gas-lamps were as yet
unknown. He still further added 10
his income BY bill-posting and paper
hanging. for he belonged TO the rank
and file OF life. with a place in the
procession we'll toward the tail.
But Custer had no suspicion OF this.
He never saw his father as the worla
saw him. He would have descrloeu
his eve as piercing; he would nave
said, in spite OF the slouching uncer-
tainty that characterized all his move
ments. that he was as quick as cat |;
and IL was only Custer who detecteu
the note OF authority In the meek
tones OF his fathers voice.
And Custer was as like the senior
Shrtmpffn as il was possible fer HOUR
teen 10 be like forty-eight. His moth
CT said. "He certainly looks for al
the world like his pa" but her man
ner of saying 1t left doubt as to whetn
err she rejoiced IN the fact; for, whlle
Mr.. Shrimplin was undoubtedly
hero 70 Custer, he was not and never
had been and never could be a here
70 Mrs. Shrimplin. She saw III MIN
only what the world saw--a stoop
shouldered little man who spent 81
DAYS OF the seven In overalls that were
either greasy or pasty.
Il was a vagary OF Mr.. Shrlmpnn
that ten reckless years Of his life hae
been spent in the west. the far west
the west OF cow-towns and bad men
that for this decade he had flourlsneC
on bucking broncos and In gilded Dars
the admired hero OF variety OF DEL
homicides. Out Of his inner con
sciousness he had evolved sprightll
epic of which he was the central ns
ure, a figure. according to Custer
frm belief, sinister. fateful with OIL
iingling silver spurs at his heels an'
iron on his hips. whose specially Wa
manslaughter.. :.
! In the creation of his romance ne
might almost be said TO have acquired
literary habit OF mind, 10 which ne
was measurably helped by the nction
he read.
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-01-13
CHAPTER !.
Flahtlna shrlmplln.

Fighting shrlmplin.
Custer felt II his greatest privilege
to sit OF a Sunday morning In hii
mothers clean and FURNISHED kitchen
and, while she washed the breakfast
dishes, listen TO such reflections "a
his father might care 70 indulge IN:
ON these occasions the senior
Shrimplin. commonly called shrimp
by his intimates, was the very ptc'
tnre OF unconventional easetaking as
be lolled In his chair before the kitten
en- stove, a cracker box half filled WIN
sawdust conveniently at hand.
IA far back as his memory went
Custer could recall wildly these sun
day mornings, with the church peils
ringing peacefully beyond the WIN
doWs of his modest home, and MS
father In easy undress, just emerged
from his weekly bath and pleasantly
redolent of strong yellow soap, MS
feet incased In blue yarn SOCKS
white at toe and heel-and the neck
band OF his fresh-starched shirt saw,
ing away at the lobes OF his freckleo
ears. on these occasions Mr.. shrimp
lin inclined to a certain sad conserN-
ntism as he discussed with MS son
those events OF the week last passed
which had left their impress on his
mind. Blu, what pleased Custer best
WAS when his father, ceasing TO be
gently discursive and becoming yigor-
ously personal, added yet another can
to to the stirring epic OF William
Shrimplin.
Custer was wholly and delightfully."-
sympathetic. There was, he felt, the
yery choicest inspiration in the mar
ratiye, always growing and expand
ing. of his fathers earlier career, De
fore Mrs. Shrimplin came into his lie,
and as Mr.. Shrimplin delicately mt
mated. tied him hand and foot. The
same grounds Of mutual understand
ing and intellectual dependence whlch
existed between Custer and his father
were lacking where Mrs. Shrimplin
was concerned. She was unromanuc,
with a painfully literal cast OF mind,
though Custer-without knowing what
n meant by a sense of humorI sts-
pected her OF this rare gift, a danger
ous and destructive thing In woman.
Privately considering her relation TO
his father, he was forced TO the con-
clusion that their union was a most
distressing instance of the proneness
Of really great minds to leave their
deep channels and seek the shallow
waters in the everyday concerns OF
life. He felt vaguely that she was
narrow and provincial; for had she
not always lived on the fats. a region
bounded by the square on the north
and by Stokes furniture factory on the
south? On the west the fats extended
as far as civilization itself extended
I'm that direction, that Is, to the gas
house and the creek bank, while on
the east they were roughly defined by
Mitchelrs tannery and the brick
slaughter-house. beyond which vacant
lots merged into COW pastures, the
COW pastures yielding in their turn tc
the real country, where the level val
lev rolled up into hills which tilted
the great green fields TO the sun.
Ms. Shfimplin had feen born on
the fiats, and the fats had witnessed
her mtsStng and mating with Shrimp
lin. when that gentleman had first ap-
peared In Mount Hope In the interest
Of Writings celebrated tooth-powder
to the use of which he was not per
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-01-13

Custer re-entered the house. The
day held the sentiment OF Sunday
and this he found depressing. He
had also dined ambitiously, and this
he found even more depressing. lie
wondered vaguely. but with no large
measure OF hope. IL there would be
shedding in the morning. Probably
IL would turn warm during the
night; he knew how those things
went. From his seat by the stove
he watched the hurrying flakes be-
yond the windows. and as he watch
ed, the darkness came down imper-
ceptibly until he ceased TO see be-
yond the four walls OF the room.
Mrs. Shrimplln was busy with her
mending. She did not attempt con-
versation with her son. though she
occasionally cast a curious glance
In his direction: he was not usually
so silent. AT at once the boy start
ed.
What's that?" he cried.
La, Custer, how you startle a
body! It's the town bell. l should
think you'd know: you've heard II
often enough" AS she spoke she
glanced at the clock on the shelf in
the corner OF the room. IL guess
that clocks stopped again. she
added. but in the silence that follow
ed her words they both heard IL tick.
The bell rang on.
1T amt half past seven yet. May
be it's fire." said Custer. He
Quilted his chair and moved TO the
window, 81 wish they'd give the
ward. They'd ought to- How's a
body 10 know"
Sit down, Custer!" commanded his
mother sharply. You amt going out!
You know your pa don't allow you TO
60 to no fires after night"
You don't call this night" lie was
edging toward the door
Yes, do"
"A quarter after seven amt night"
lie expostulated.
NO arguments. Custer, You sit
down! won't have you trapesing
about the streets
Custer turned back from the door
and resumed his seat.
Why don't they give the ward?
never heard such fool way OF ringing
for a fire." he said.
They were silent, intent and listen
Ing. Now the wind was driving the
sound DANGEROUSLY across the town.
They amt give the ward yeti" said
Custer at length, in a tone OF sreat
digust. Il could ring for fire better
than that"
Il wish your pa was to home" said
Mrs. Shrimplin.
as she spoke they caught the muf,
fed sound OF hurrying feet. then the
clamor OF voice, eager and excited !;
but presently these died away in the
distance, and again they heard only
the bell, which rang on and on and on.
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-01-13

lieves to be weak spots In our public
schools.
The Times will introduce you to
Hoven Hart In tomorrow's issue.
Watch for the first story. It'll pay.
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-01-13

Interested in "kids?"
Well, The Times has discovered, out
In the California mountains, a real
BOY wonder Mentally and physically,