davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1913-12-04
TRULY A VALUABLE HOUND
Visitor From Costa Riea Tells story
Which Some People Might Find
II Hard to Believe.

At last the existence OF the banana
hound has been shown to be fact
A man who Just arrived In this
country from Port Limon, Costa Rlca,
not only knows all about the banana
hound. but has drove Of them him.
self. The gentleman is Hczekiah
Spottiswood, and for many years the
owner of banana plantation In Costa
Rica.
is the banana hound new discov-
cry up here?" he asked In surprise.
My word. how singular! Why, we al
ways have them. They are very es.
sential adjunct TO banana planta-
ton; indispensable almost. should
say. What is the breed? They are
cross between pointer and South
American tapir.
ITS very necessary thing TO know
when to pick the bananas from the
trees. you know. When they have at
tanned a certain shade Of green, then
Is the time Now it's very difficult to
have a man so thoroughly up In color
that he can determine this matter.
That is where the banana hound
comes in. He trots the groves with
man behind him. and scents the
lunches whict should be picked. He
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1913-12-04

much because of the neighbors. We
conspired. Fran and l. Yes. she's
down at the carnival. you boy!"
Abbott hastily departed. Later he
found himself. In cloud-burst OF con
fetti, on the city square" and when
he had cleared his eyes OF the red and
white snow. he saw Fran disappear
ing like q bit OF crimson glass ut the
bottom Of human Kaleidoscope. Fran
had thrown the confetti. then fed
how much brighter she was than all
the other shifting units OF humanity
He fought his way toward her do
.terminedly. finding she was about to
pc Submerged. Was she actually try
Ing to elude him?
.FTanl" he cried reproachfully as
he reached her side. How have you
the heart to run away from me after
I've been lost for weeksi Nobody
knew I'd ever be found"
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1913-12-04
SYNOPSIS.

Fran arrived at Hamilton Gregory's
nome IN Littleburg. but finds him absent
conducting tho choir at camp meeting
She repairs thlthor In search OF him
laughs during The service aud u uHtrd 10
leave. Abbott Ashton, superintendent OF
schools. escorts Fran from the tent. He
tells her Gregory Is wealthy man.
deeply iutoTcstDd In charity work. aud "a
pillar 81 tho church Ashton becomes
greatly interested In Fran and white tab
Ing leave OF hcG, holds her hand ana ls
seen by Sapphire Clinton, sister Of Rob
stt CLINTON, chairman OF the school huhtd
Fran tells Gregory she wants home
with him. Grace Noir Gr"EOrys private
"ccrctary, takes violent dislike 20 Fran
Fran hints Mt twcnty-yuar-uld secret
and Gregory In agitation asks Grace to
1ehve the room Fran relates the story
OF how Gregory married a young Eirl AT
Springfield while attending college and
then deserted her. Fran Is the child Of
Chat marriage Gregory had married his
present wife three years before the death
OF fran's mother, Fran takes q liking TO
hrH Gregory. Gregory CNplninB that
Fran Is the daughter OF very dear friend
who ~ dead. Fran agrees to the story
home with thom md takes her TO her
arms. Fran declares the secretary must
go Grace begins nagglng tncttrs IN an
cnort 20 drive Fran from the Gregory
home. Abbott while taking a walk alone
at midnight. finds Fran on "A bridge tell
ing her fortune by cards. She tells Abb
Fran Honparcil, She tired Of circus life
and sought n home. Grace tells u see
eng Fran come home after midnight with
man She gucsscs pafr Of the story
and surprises the rest from Abbott She
decides to ask Rob Clinton to go 10
springfield 10 investigate Irars story.
Fran cnlists Abbott in her battle against
Grace. Fran offers her services to Greg
DRY as secretary during the temporary
absence OF Grace. The latter hearing OF
Trans purpose, returns and interrupts
touching scene between father ana
daughter Grace tells Gregory she In
tends to marry Clinton and quit his sery
leo. lie declares that he cannot continue
his work without her Carried away by
passion. he takes her in his arms. Fran
walks In on them and declares that
Grace must leave the house nj once. To
Grcgory's CONSERVATION he learns or
Cllnton's mission 20 Springfield Clinton
returns from Springfield and, at Fran's re-
quest Ashton urBest him not to disclose
what he has learned On AbbOtts nssur-
nncr that Grace viii leave Gregory at once
clinton HErecs 20 keep silent Driven in
10 q corner by the threat Of exposure.
Gregory is forced to dismiss Grace. Grace
~ offered the job OF bookkeop"r IN Clin-
toms grocery store Gregory declares he
will KIN himself n she marTlcs Clinton
GrcEOry's iHfHtuation leads him to seek
GraC" ~ the grocery. He finds her alone
and tolls her the story OF his past Grace
points OUt that ms he married the pres.
cnt Mrs Gregory before tho death Of
Frame mother. he is not now legally mar
Tici They decide 10 Zee at once
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1913-12-04
CHAPTER XxI.-contlnued.

Wed better separate" Gregory
hoarsoly whispered Wen meet at
The station"
No. II he sees us. what would be
the use? Anyway. he'll have to know
tomorrow everybody will know
tomorrow! No" said Grace. overcom.
Ing n slight indccision the important
thing is not to be stopped. whoever
sees. Come this way"
"Hut there's no chance out, that
way" Gregory returned. with the OBJ
stinacy of the weak. And If he does
see us, It won't do to be seeming to
try to hide"
But we are hiding" Grace said def.
nitCly. Possibly we can keep moving
about, and he will go away"
why should we hide, anyhow" de-
manded Gregory, with sudden show OF
-Fprit
70 that, she made no reply. If he
didn't know, what was the use to tell
him?
Gregory moved on, but glanced back
over his shoulder. Now, he's getting
down" he said in agitation. Hes
making his way right toward US.
All right, let him GOMEZ"
I'm here-quicb!" cried Grace, drag.
Eing him to one side Qulck!r
A voice stopped them with. Your
tickets, please"
oh, no." walled Gregory. mot into
II show. Grace, We can't 10 into a
show. lists impossible"
She spoke rapidly. I'VE must. Wen
be safe In there, because no one would
ever suppose we'd go into such q
place"
But Grace" said Gregory firmly,
~ cannot will not go into show"
The voice addressed him again
Its first.class In every particular.
lady There ia nothing here to bring
rxhe blush OF shame to the cheek OF the
most fastidious. See those fierce man.
eating lions that have been captured
in the remotest iungles of Africa"
Gregory looked back.
Robert Clinton was drawing nearer.
As yet he had not discovered them,
but his eyes. grown fiercer and more
impatient, were never at rest.
With a groan, Gregory thrust some
money into the showman's hand, and
he and Grace mingled with the noisy
sight-seers flocking under the black
tent.
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1913-12-04
CLEARLY NOT FOND OF WATER
Seemed to Be a Fact That Old Gen
tleman Had Been Nealecting
His Additions.

Vaughn Comfort, interlocutor OF
Honey Boy George Evans Minstrels,
is circulating this story:
An old rustic, bent and painfully
limping. was accosted by a friend,
who inquired:
Hello, Zeb! What ailin' yo2"
Got a big corn between two toes"
said Zeb, "and II hurts something
awful"
"Lemme see it. Mebbe kin do ye
some good"
mo use, Joe. It's been thataway
for six weeks"
But 1t won't do any harm to let
me try"
Slowly and tenderly the old man re-
moved his boot,
Great guns, mani" the friend ex-
claimed. How long did you say you
have been suffering?"
Just about six weeks"
This amt any corn" cried Joe.
ITS a collar acknowledgements
Telegram.
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1913-12-04
WIFE WON
Husband Finally Convinced.

Some people are wise enough to try
new foods and beverages and then
generous enough to give others the
benefit Of their experience. A wife
writes:
mo slave In chains, Il seemed to
me, was more helpless than ], coffee
captive. Yet there we're innumerable
Misunderstanding from a troubled
sleep with a feeling of suffocation, at
times dizzy and out OF breath, attacks
of palpltation of the heart that fright
ened me.
tTea is just rs injurious as coffee
because 1t contains caffeine, the same
drug found in coffee.)
"At last my nervous system was 30
disarranged that my physician ordered
no more coffee. capitulated.
Determined to give Postum q fair
trial. prepared 1t according to direc-
lions on the pkg, obtaining a dark
brown liquid with rich snappy fla.
YOUR similar to coffee. When cream
and sugar were added, II was not only
good but delicious.
Noting Its beneficial effects in me
the rest OF the fitmily adopted it--ali
except my husband, who would not adj
init that coffee hurt him Several
weeks elapsed during which I drank
Postum two or three times q day,
when, to my surprise, my husband
said: I have decided to drink Postum.
Your improvement is so apparent
you have such fine color--that l pro-
pose to give credit where credit Ia
due And now we are coffee.slayes no
longer"
Name given by Postum Co., Battle
Greek. Mich. Read "The Road to Well.
ville." in pkgs.
Postum now comes In two forms:
Regular Postum-must be boiled
Instant Postum lie soluble powder.
A teaspoonful dissolves quickly In q
cup ct hot water and, with cream and
sugar. makes q delicious beverage
Instantly. Grocers sell both kinds.
There's Reason" for Pcstum. "A
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1913-12-04

window, whore sometimes ! imagine
hear faint, faraway sound. | judge
it's from some carnival band Take
this chair and listen attentiyely,
your ears are younRer-now!"
Abbott did not get all OF this be
cause of the Gargantuan roar that
swept through the window but he
gravcly tilted his head. then took the
prolicred eartrumpet: You are
right he said. Il hear something"
It's the street fair" she announced
triumphantly. But sometimes It's
louder. How fine you look. Abbott
Just rs II your conscience doesn't
hurt you for disappearing without
leaving a clue TO the mystery. You
needn't be looking around, sir-.Fran
isn't here"
Il wonder where she is?' Abbott
smiled I'm dreadfully impatient to
tell her the good news Mrs. Jeffer.
son. I'm to teach in cologe--itB
much bigger thing than the position |
lost here. And | have chance to
work out some ideas that know Fran
will like. | used to think that every.
thing ought to be left precisely as It
is. because It's been that way 80 long
! mean the church; and schools;
and-and society. But I've made up
my mind that nothing is right, unless
It works right"
Mrs. Jefferson listened in desperate
eagerness. "A watch?" she hazarded.
Exactly" he responded hastily. III
a watch doesn't run, what's the use OF
It's being pretty? And II churches de-
velop gift Of tongue instead OF char.
acter. what's the value OF their pray.
ers and songs? And I've concluded
that II schools don't teach us how TO
live, they have the wrong kind of
springs and wheels. Where is Fran,
Mrs. jefferson"
"Still" she temporized, I'VE can't
get along without watches, Abbott"
NO, nor schools, nor churches. But
they must have good works. Is Fran
down at the fair, do you think"
The other bent toward him stealth.
fly. ASK whore Mrs. Gregory is" she
said wonderfully significant.
"Well?"
Abbott. listen: She's gone a-vIsit.
inF!"
VISITING" Abbott was surprised.
Yes. visiting. she that hasn't been
off this place to visit a soul for ages
tell you, boy, times have changed.
hero. Maybe you think nobodyd be
left at home to visit; but Fran has
found that there Is woman in town
that she used to know, and the woman
has Il mighty sick child. and Lucy
has gone to sit by 1t, so the mother
can rest Think of that. Abbott. think
of Lucy going anywhere. My! Have
you heard that we've lost secretary
at this place? mean the future Mrs.
Bob Yes. she's gone. I'd as soon
have thought OF the courthouse being
picked up and set in the parlor"
Mrs. jefferson drew back and said
succinctly: Fran did it,"
Her cap quivered as she leaned for
ward again. Get her to tell you all
about it, We darsen't speak about It
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1913-12-04
CHAPTER XIII.
The Conqueror.

After the extinguishment OF the
Fran.beam. Abbott wanted to be alone
to mediate on stellar and solar bright
ness, but In this vociferous wilderness
reflection was impossible. One could
not even escape recognition. one could
not even detach oneself from q Simon
Jefferson
Got back TO town again, hey?" said
Simon. That was enough about Alb
bolt; Simon passed at once to moro
interesting theme: Taken In the
Lion Show. YETI"
I'm juet waiting for nine-thirty
| have an engagement" Flu
tile words, indeed. since It was now
only eight o'clock.
you come with me. then, know
all the ropes. Hey7 oh, yes. ! know
mother thinks me in bed-for good
ness sake don't tell on me, she'd be
scared to death. But actually, old
man, this carnival Is good for my
heart. 'Tisn't like going to church, one
bit. Preaching makes me feel op
pressed, ana tnats what schres ME
feeling oppressed" He rubbed his griz
zled hair nervously. Just for fear
somebody'd go tell, I've had to sneak
into all these shows like ia been a
thief in the night"
Simon urged Abbott along In the d.
rection taken. but few minutes be,
fore, by Hamilton Gregory and Grace
Noir. You see." Simon painted
when the girl fell of the trapeze--
heard about that hoy? Mother was
oyerjoyed, thinking I'd missed the
sirkening sight. But bless your SOUL
II was right at the front. hanging on
to the railing, and ] saw It all. Why.
she pretty near fell on me. Her foot
slipped just So" Simon extended
his leg with some agility.
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1913-12-04

Fran gave up flight, and stopped to
look at him. A smile slipped from the
corner OF one eye. to get caught at the
corner OF her dcmurc mouth. when
you disappeared you left me yourself.
A friend always does. I've had you all
the time"
Abbott glowed. Still, It isn't exact.
ly the same as II had been able to
touch your hand. Suppose we shake
hands, little friend; what do you
say?"
Il don't say anything" Fran retort.
ed; 81 just shake"
Her handclasp was 80 hearty ihat
he was slightly disconnected Was her
friendship so great that It left no room
In her heart for something greater.
Il want to talk to you, Fran. talk
and talk, oh. just about all the long
night through Come. let me take
you back home"
Home? Me? Ridiculous! But III
tell you the best place that ever was,
for the kind Of talking you and |
want " w W fhNil pAHbls ADbONtt u
won't matter to you-will it?--at what
place ! say to meet me, at about half.
past nine?"
why, Fran! It's not eight o'clock"
Abbott demonstrated, CHANGING toward
the courthouse clock to find 1t stopped,
and then consulting his watch. DO
you think am going to walt till"
IT'LL half.past nine" said Fran. non.
chalantly Very well, then"
But what will we do in the mean.
time, II we're not to talk TILL"
WEI" she Knocked him Listen.
Abbott don't look so cross. I've a
friend in town with sick daughter.
and she's real friend 30 ! must go
to help her, a while"
He was both mystified and disap-
pointed u didn't know you had any
such friends in Littleburg." he remon.
strated. remembering how unkind
tongues had set the village against
her.
Fran threw back her head, and her
gesture was full OF pride and conf.
dence. "Oh!" she cried, the town Is
full OF my friends"
He could only stare at her in dumb
amazement.
IAN right. then" she said with the
greatest cheerfulness, "at half.past
nine. You understand the date-nine.
thirty. or course you wouldn't have
me desert n friend in trouble. Where
shall we meet, Abbott--at nine-thlrty7
Shall we say. at the Snake-E ater's?"
Go, Fran" he exclaimed. "Ill wait
for you as long as | must, even If it's
the eternity OF nine-thlrty; and I'd go
anywhere in the world to meet YOU
even TO the den Of the Snake-Eater.
That's the way for friend to
talk" she declared, suddenly radiant
a full Fran.sun, now. instead OF the
slender penetrating Fran-beam.
Seeing n leg-lined lane opening be-
fore her, she darted forward.
Abbott called-"But can't promise
to talk to you MS n friend, when we
meet mean, Just as friend"
Fran looked back at him, still daz-
cling. Il only nsk you to treat me as
well" she said with assumed humility
"as we are told we ought to treat our
enemies"
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1913-12-04

Was she killed." Abbott asked,
coucealing his establishment over ST..
mons evident acquaintance with the
black tent before which they had
PAUSED
Well" Simon reluctantly conceded.
u.n-no. she wasn't to say killed-but
dreadfully bruised up. Abbott. very
painful. saw 1t all; this carnival has
put new life into me-here! Get your
ticket in a jiffy. or all the seats'll be
aiken. You cant stand there like that
give me your quarter, know how
TO jump in and get first place That
ticket agent knows me; I've been In
five times"
From n high platform before the
black tent, voice came through n
megaphone: THE Big Show. The
Big Show. See those enormous lions
riding in baby carriages while La Con.
lzctti makes other lions dance the
Iandango to her violin. See those"
Here, Abbott, follow!" called the
breathless Simon Jefferson "Of course
ven see what's there--no use listen.
ing 10 him, like an introduction in a
novel OF SCOTS telling 1t all first You
follow me-"
Abbott laughed aloud at Simon's
ability as they pushed their way un.
der the tent.
''Uh-huh, now see that!" groaned
Simon reproachfully, as he looked
about. Every seat taken. tell you,
you've got to lift your feet to get into
this show. Well, hang on to the rope
don't let anybody gouge you out OF
standing room"
At least two-thirds of the space I'M
der the tent was taken up by tiers of
seats formed OF thin, and apparently
fragile, blue planks, springy to the
foot and deafening TO the ear. From
hardened ground to fringed tent-ceil.
ing. these overlapping rows OF narrow
boards were trimming with men, WON.
on and children who, tenacious OF
their holdings. seemed each to con.
tain in his pockets the feet OF him who
sat Immediately behind
The seats faced an immense cage
which rose almost to the roof AS yet,
II was empty, but smaller adjoining
cages promised an animated arena
when the signal should be given.
Gregory and Grace Noir had sought
refuge on the highest seat, where they
might overlook the crowd; here, with
heads bent forward as II to avoid the
canvas. they hoped to escape observa.
ton. Thanks to the influx OF country
folk. Littleburg citizens were rarely
to be seen at such shows until later
and more fashionable hour. Gregory
was relieved TO find his topmost plank
filled with strangers.
"All goes WELL" he said. pressing
Grace's hand. Nobody viii find out
that we have been In here"
Watch for Mr.. Clinton" Grace
counseled cautiously. III he comes
in. stoop lower"
They're all strangers, Grace. Provi.
dence is with us-there's Simon Jeffer.
son!". He was too amazed to think OF
concealment.
"Hushi Yes-and Abbott Ashton"
Gregory pulled his hat over his
eyes.
Into the tent streamed n fresh body
of sight-seers. Simon. swinging to the
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1913-12-04
CHAPTER XXI.
The Street Fair.

Littleburg was trembling under the
Fearful din OF carnival too big for 1t,
when Abbott Ashton. after his weeks
of absence returned to find himself at
Hamilton Gregory's door. He disccyi
erred old Mrs. Jefferson in the front
room--this July night-because old
age is on no friendly terms with fair
.fng dew; but every window was open.
.Cqme. in" she cried. delighted at
eight of his handsome. smiling face
he had been smiling most OF the time
during his drive from simmtown with
Robert Clinton. Here sit by the
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1913-12-04
No Joy Visit.

A Glasgow journalist who was care
less of his personal appearance was
assigned to write something about a
show at leading Glasgow theater.
He presented his card at a box.ofiice.
The manager came out and looked
at the disheveled visitor obviously.
Did you come here to- write some.
thing about the play--to work." he
asked
DO you think I'd come to your
theater for amusement" asked the
journalist as ne stalked out.-Satur-
day Evening Post.
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1913-12-04

rope lHGA Nab bttltutu lh llOut u tuo
big cage, grumbled at being elbowed
by weary mothers and broad.chested
farmers.
The band entered and squatted upon
blue boxes In one corner. Snowy red
coats were removed In Difference to
sweltering heat, aad melody presided
In undress. Three bears, two clowns
and a bicycle sharpened interest in
what was to come, whetting the mind
upon jokes blunter than the intelli.
gence of the audience. Even the band
ceased playing though that had not
seemed possible; Its depressing an.
dantinos had not only subdued the
bears, rendering them as harmless az
kittens, but had mournfully depressed
the audience.
Into this atmosphere OF tanned inert.
ness, suddenly flashed little figure
whose quivering vitality communi.
Gated electric thrills. Even the clowns
moved less like treadmill horses. as
they took their stations at the smaller
cages. waiting TO lift the gates that
would admit the restless lions into the
central cage.
The form that had appeared-one
knew not whence-was that of slight
woman, dressed in a short skirt of
blue, and bodice OF white satin. The
trimmings which ran in all directions.
were rich in pendants Of gold and
rubies. Above all, there was the al.
Turing mystery OF a crimson mask
which efIectually hid the woman's
face.
Simon whispered into Abbott's al.
ways unready ear: THAT isn't La
Confetti. Wonder what this means
La Confetti is much more of u WON.
an than this one, and she doesn't wear
a mask, or much OF anything else. La
Confetti doesn't care who sees her
Why, this is nothing but more-I
tell you now, II she amt on to her Job,
mean to have my money back" 81
mon glowered.
Abbott stared In great perplexity.
Then who is she?" he exclaimed Isl.
mon-doesn't she remind you oi--oi
some one we know"
Nav. She's got on La Gonizetti's
dress, and her voice has the show
girls Observation-Disclosures
but that's all recognize"
Abbott wondered that Simon failed
to notice the similarity between the
show.girl's movements and those OF
hud ~ 70
To be sure the voice was entirely diff.
ferent, but the rapidity and decisive
ness OF action, and the air OF authority,
were Frans very own. However, the
show-girl's hands were as dark hs an
Italians, while Fran's werewolf. not
30 dark, at any rate.
Abbott's brow did not relax lie
stood motionless, staring at every.
thing before him with painful intent.
ness.
Up near the roof, Gregory and
Grace scarcely observed the entrance
OF the liontamer. Secured from
espial. absorbed In each other. they
were able. thanks 70 the surrounding
clamor of voices, tn discuss their fu.
ture plans with some degree OF conf.
dence
Simon told Abbott-"Anyway. no
amateur would rub up against those
beasts, so guess It's all right. They
amt but two lions; bill says ten;
man that wrote the bill was the other
eight. ! reckon"
CTo BE CoNTINUED)
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1913-12-04

In Paris the authors have a woman
who sets them right rs tc the dress OF
the women they write about She
tells them whether they have used the
right words to describe the dress and
whether the colors that are fashion
able are named. The woman who does
this is always anonymous, and no one
bnt herself and the author 10 aware
OF her existence
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1913-12-04

stands In front of the tree and gives
a long moan. which sounds familiar to
the siren at Sandy HOOK. Then he
points to n particular bunch with his
tail.
The scent OF the hound is unerring.
1t has never been known TO fail.
And you never heard OF them?"
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1913-12-04
Followed the Crowd,

so you owe your success as stock
Spectator to stoicism?" asked the In
tervewer.
"Yes." explained the broker. When
ever there was declining market l
made practice TO grin and bear it."