davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1914-04-17
BELIEVE BANANA FATAL TREE
Christian inhabitants Of the East
Ascribe It's Origin to the Gar
den OF Eden.

There exists legend relative to
the Christian inhabitants Of the east
that they believe the banana to be the
tree of the source Of good and evil.
Pin bunch of the fruit of which the
serpent that tempted Eve hid itself.
and they add that when Adam and
Eve became ashamed Of their naked
ness they covered themselves with
the leaves of this plant.
The origin of the banana is given
as India, at the foot Of the Rimalayas.
hottest antiquity. Its origin In the
new world is as doubtful as the origin
of the American Indian. Natural to-
Asia and Africa, where more than 20
distinct species of the genus are
known, 1t is said to have been brought
first to America from Spain early In
the sixteenth century and planted In
the island of Santo Domingo, whence
Its spread was rapid through the sur
rounding islands and the mainland.
This has never been automatically es-
tablished. however, and some author
tiles include the banana among the
articles that formed the base of food
supply of the Incas and the Aztecs be-
fore the arrival of the Spaniards.
Certain It is that throughout the
whole meridinal America there IL a
strong tradition that at least two
species of the plantain were cultivated
long before the coming of the Euro
peans. Furthermore. it is singular that
in all the languages Indigenous to the
region where the banana appears that
the plant has special name. not pro
ceeding from the conquerors as was
the case in the names of many other
plants, animals and various articles in
troduced into America after its discoy-
cry.
Grown over the entire extent OF the
meridian of the earth, the fruit Of the
banana today forms In large part the
principal food of a majority of the peo-
pies living under the tropical zone
National Geographic Magazine.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1914-04-17
TURN FROM MEDICAL STUDY
Past Year Has Witnessed a Marked
Decrease In the Number Of
Students Enrolled.

During the past year there were
$40 women studying medicine. or 80
less than iaat year. decrease OF 40
below 1911 Snd a decrease OF SCI be-
low 1910. The percentage of women
students to the total number of med
ical students was 3.s, as compared
with 3.2 last year. There were 1854
women graduates this year. or 3.S
per cent of all graduates.
There has been q very marked de-
crease, says the Journal OF the Amer
lean Medical association. In the num-
Der of women In medicine since 1910.
when there were 907 women students
and 157 graduates. and In 1909. when
there were 921 women students and
1862 graduates. OF all the women
matriculants, 1873 Oils per cent?
were in attendance at the two medi.
cal colleges for women. as compared
with las (21.1 per cent? in 1912, 1874
(19.7 per cent? In 1911, and 1856 (17.1
per cent? in 1910. The remaining 500
(7S.4 per cent? were matriculated in
the 55 coedueational colleges. From
the two women's colleges there were
80, or 21.4 per cent OF all women
graduates. while 121, or 1876 per cent,
secured their degrees from eceduca-
tional colleges.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1914-04-17
TRY THEsE.

Here is one Of the several hundred
ways of preparing potatoes. We tire
of the same old ways and.a new dish
Is greeted with enthusiasm.
Antwerp Potatoes-Pare and cut po-
tatoes into inch cubes, boil until ten
der, drain and shake over the fire to
remove the moisture. but do not break
them. Add melted butter, salt and q
bit of chopped onion. toss up and serve
we'll seasoned with salt and red pep
per
BroiIed Salt MackereI-There is no
fish that is more delicious than mack
erel If 1t Is nicely prepared. Salt mack
erel must be soaked some time to be
fresh enough to be palatable. Soak 1t
skin side up, and at least "a hours IL
it is large fish. Drain and wipe and
lay on a well creased broiler. Broil
and serve with melted butter and
lemon or pour hot cream over it on
the platter
5roIled Hamburg Steak-This is G
most appetizing dish when well
cooked Pat the meat into'a fiat loaf.
having it of even thickness. Place on
q we'll CREASED double broiler with
wires close together. Turn often as in
broiling any steak and when well
Drowned place on the platter with a
little butter and chopped parsley for
q sauce.
FastIdlous Salad-Chop two slices of
pineapple, cut an orange and banana
into small pieces. shred a green pep
per, cut In half cup of white grapes.
removing the seeds, place these all in
a bowl and add or 8. slices of firm to-
mato. then chill and serve on lettuce
with French dressing. or with may
onnaise to which whipped cream has
been added.
Pineapple Anehovy-Take six ancho-
vies cut fine; add very little cayenne
pepper and squeeze Of lemon juice.
shred enough pineapple to make na.s
cup, and add tablespoonful of onion
Juice. Serve on toast as canape.
IekkE-M ~,1s.eN-.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1914-04-17

dishonor. And am not. Listen. this
is what happened; this is why gave
up all; and this Is my
namei" ~.
And bent my head and whispered
the truth for the first time in my life
to any living creature.
When had ended stood still, watt
Ing, head still bowed beside hers.
She laid her hand on my hot face
and slowly drew 1t close beside hers.
What shall promise you?" she
whispered.
Yourself, Eline."
Take me. :. Is that afl3'
"Your love-"
She turned in my arms and clasped
her hands behind my head. pressing
her mouth to mine.
(THE END.)
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1914-04-17
CHAPTER XXI.
The secret.

HG 0SGUSts
The news OF the collapse OF the
army of the East found our wretched-
ly clothed and halfstarved hussars
still patroling the environs OF Brest
from Belair to the Point Tournant, and
from the banks Of the Elorn clear
around the ramparts to Lannion bay.
For three months our troopers scarce
ly left their saddles. except to be Ia
ken to the hospital in Recouvrance.
Suddenly the nightmare ended with
II telegram. Paris had surrendered.
On the first day OF March, by papers
from London. we learned that the war
was at an end, and that the prelimi-
nary treaty of Sunday, the Goth. had
been signed at Versailles.
The same mail brought to me an as
tonishing offer from Cairo, to assist
in the reorganization and accept a
commission In the Egyptian military
police. Speed and ]. shivering in our
ragged uniforms by the barrack stove,
discussed the matter over loaf Of
bread and a few sardines, until we fell
asleep In our greasy chairs.
When ] awoke In tae black morning
hours knew that / should go. All the
roaming instinct in me was reused. I.
a nomad. had stayed too long in one
stale place; must be moving ON.
Leave Of absence. and permission to
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1914-04-17
OLD HEROES CHARM NO MORE
Deerfoot, Thaddeus OF Warsaw and
Others Seem to Be Forgotten by
the Youth of Today.

A group of American schoolboys
visiting England were taken to Rug
by to gather impressions. The Eng
lish masters. fearful that the boys,
instead of using their eyes, would
carry away just the impression they
had brought-an impression, OF
course, left by reading tom Browns
School Days"-made eager inquiries,
which brought to light the fact that
not one of the hundred boys had ever
read the schoolboy classic. Nor was
that the worst. Few Of the English
boys attending the school had read
the book. either. A recent investi,
cation in an American city revealed
the astounding fact that the charm
OF Deadwood Dick and other rugged
western types begins to pail on Young
America decidedly early.
1t would scarcely surprise one to
hear that Deerfoot no longer casts
his potent spell. that Thaddeus of
Warsaw is unknown. that the brisk
and self-reliant heroes of Alger, Op-
tic and Henty are no longer brisk
enough. and that Tom Sawyer him
self Is out of date. What do the
youngsters read nowadays? Have
they become addicted to treatises on
population. exposures of graft. ar
tieles on scientific management. ar
Ruments for the suffrage and pro-
posals to let the people rule? It may
be that the cradles and the nurseries
OF the present are EheItering brains
so eager and active that the best
thing we grownups can 10 is to rele.
sate ourselves promptly BE- the shelf.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1914-04-17

stabbIns Him Through and Through.
blade. clearing a circle around him.
And think he could have cut his way
free had not Tric-Trac shot him in the
back of the head.
Then frightful tumult broke loose.
Three of the torches were knocked to
the ground and trampled out as the
insurgents, doubly drunken with wine
and the taste Of blood, seized me and
tried to force me against the wall:
but the Turco, with his shrill. wolf
like battle yelp, attacked them, saber-
bayonet in hand. Speed. too. had
wrested rife from a half-stupefied
ruf1an, and now stood at bay before
the countess: / saw him welding his
heavy weapon like a fail; then in the
darkness Tric-Trac shot at me, SO
close that the powder flame scorched
my leg. He dropped his rife to spring
for my throat, knocking me fiat. and,
crouching on me, str0ve to strangle
me; and heard him whining with
eagerness while twisted and writhed
to free my windpipe from his thin
fingers.
At last tore him from my body
and struggled to my feet. He, too. was
On his legs With q bound. running,
doubling. lodging; and at his heels i
saw dozen sailors. hroadaxst allt-
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1914-04-17

travel pending acceptance of my resig-
nation, asked for and obtained before
the stable trumpets awolxe my com
rade from his heavy slumber by the
barracl stove. iaaIE
Speed awoke with the trumpets, and
stared at me where knelt before the
stove Iii my. civilian clothes. strapping
up my little packet
"Oh," he said, briefly, Il knew you
were going"
so did l." replied. "Will you ride
to Trecourt with me? / have two
weeks permission for YOU sl5s
We bolted our breakfast Of soup and
black bread, and bawled for our horses,
almost crazed with impatience. now
that the moment had come at last.
Far ahead we caught sight of the
smoke Of locomotive.
Ianderneau!" gasped Speed. ride
hard, Scarlett!" ~
The station master saw us and halt
ed the moving train at frantic signal
from Speed, whose uniform was to be
reckoned with by all station masters,
and ten minutes later we stood sway
ing in cattle car, fuddled close to
our horses to keep warm, while the
locomotive tore eastward, whistling
frantically, and an ocean Of black
smoke poured past, swarming with
sparks.
At Quimperle. some gendarmes aided
us to disembark our horses, and a sub
officer respectfully offered us hospi-
tally at the barracks across the
square; but we were in our saddles
the moment oGf horses hoofs struck
the pavement. galloping for Paradise,
with q sweet, keen wind blowing, hint
ing already of the sea.
As we dismounted in the court yard
the sun flashed out from the fringes of
a huge. snowy cloud
There is Jacqueline!" cried Speed,
tossing his bride to me in his excite
ment. and left me planted there until
a servant came from the stable.
Then ! followed, every nerve CULVER
ing. almost dreading to set foot with
in, lest happiness awake me and |
find myself in the freezing barracks
once more, my brief dream ended.
After a while q glimmer Of common
sense returned to me. squared my
shoulders and breathed deeply, then
rose ands walked to the window.
A step at the door, and l wheeled.
trembling.
The Countess de Vassart stood in
the doorway, smile trembling on her
lips. In her gray eyes / read hope:
and took her hands In mine. She
stood silent with bent head, exquisite
in her silent shyness; and told her
! loved her, and that asked for her
love; that had found employment in
Egypt. and that it was sufficient to JUS
tify my asking Ger to wed me. i.
AS for my name. said, you know
that is not the name bear; yet. know.
ing that, you have given me your love.
You read my dossier in Paris; you
know why l am, alone, without kin.
without family, without a home. Yet
you believe that am not tainted with
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1914-04-17

tered unsteadily, drawn sword in hand
I'm damned II stay here any long.
err" he broke out, angriiy. sI'll zee
whether my rascals can't shoot straight
by torch-light."
The shufling tread Of the insurget.l
infantry echoed across the gravel cour'
extinguished; blackness enveloped the
cliffs.
Well" broke out Speed, hoarscly,
yard; torches behind the walls were
'Good-by. Scarlet
He held out his hand.
"Good-by,. said, stunned.
Then he went to the countess and
offered his hand.
Il am SO sorry for you," she said
with a pallid smile. ''You have much
to live for. But you must not feel
lonely, monsieur; you win be with us
we shall be close to you"
She turned to me, and her hands fell
to her side.
Are you contented?" she asked.
YES" answered.
Il, too" she said, sweetly, and of
fered her hands. held them very
tightly. you say" whispered. that
it is not-loye. But you do not speak
for me. love YOU"
A bright blush spread over brow and
neck.
Soft was loveafter ALL" she
said. under her breath. God be with
US today love you"
/ ttNF1 ,,.V. -.
soldiers took station beside me.
Speed passed out first; / followed
the countess came behind me.
Courage" / stammered, looking
back at her as we stumbled out into
the torch-lit garden.
She smiled adorably. Her forefa.
theirs had mounted the guillotine smil.
ing.
A soldier dressed like Turco lifted
torch and set it in the flower bed un.
der the wall, Illuminating the spot
where we were to stand. AS this sol
der turned to come back saw his
face.
"Salah Ben-Ahmedi'I cried, hoarse.
ly DO Marabouts do this butchers
work?"
The Turco stared at me as though
stunned.
"Salah Ben-Ahmed is disgraced
sofdier!" said, in ringing voice.
sits lie!" he shouted, in Arabic
tits lie. o my inspector! Speak!
Have these men tricked me? Are you
not Prussians?"
Silence! Silence!" bawled Nor.
nae. 'sTurco, fall in! Fall in, sayi
What! You menace me?" he snarled
cooking his revolver.
Then man darted out Of the red
shadows of the torch-ight and fell up,
on Mornac with a knife, and dragged
him down and rolled on him, stabbing
him through and through. while the
mutilated wretch screamed and
screamed until his soul struggled out
through the iame-shot darkness and
fed to it's last dreadful abode.
The Lizard rose, shaking his fagot
knife; they fell upon him, clubbing
and stabbing with stock and bayonet
but he swung his smeared and sticky
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1914-04-17
Waate of Nolae.

Hargis was lying on the couch very
ILL., The servant in the next room
knocked down some dishes with a tre-
mendous CHATTER. Hargis' nerves were
quite unstrung and-he called out In
a rage:
Il suppose you have broken all the
plates?"
NO" replied the servant, meekly.
"there isn't one broken"
We'll. them" growled the enraged
invalid. why did you make all that
noise for nothing?" - Everybody's
Magazine.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1914-04-17
sEAsoNABLE HINTS.

Native greens begin with the dande-
lion, and the dock and mustard soon
follow. The tops of beets, pepper
grass, which may be early sown, and
the leaves of horseradish all make
most effective brooms of the blood.
Sorrel Of both kinds are always an
addition to a lettuce salad aud water
cress is an ideal spring green. Greens
Of all kinds are far better than beef
iron and wine for a spring tonic.
Carrot Soup-Wash young carrots,
scrape them, cut in pieces and cook
until tender, mash and put through a
sieve; to two cups Of the carrot pulp
add quart of milk Mix together
two tablespoonfuls each of -four and
butter, season with salt and red pep
per, mix all together and when very
hot serve. A little onion juice is an
improvement.
Oyster Loaves.-Use small roll for
each person and five oysters. Cut OF
the tops of the rolls, scoop out the
inside. brush with butter inside and
out and put into hot oven to brown.
Drain the oysters from their liquor,
scald the liquor and add the oysters
to the boiling hot liquor. When the
edges begin to rufie remove them.
season with salt, pepper and butter
and tablespoonful of cream for each
roll. Fill the shells with the oysters
and serve hot, at once. Crab meat Is
put up nowadays so that the favor
is very delicate and the miner in the
far or camp may as easily favor his
appetite with the delicacy as the cpl
cure in the high-priced hotel.
Surprise SnoWbaIIs.-Peelf five even
sized apples after coring with the
corer. Into one end put sugar, little
nutmeg and butter and close the other
side in the same way. Place half
cupful of boiled rice on a small pud-
ding cloth, spread it and wrap the APP
pie in it, tie and when the five are
ready drop into boiling water and cook
for three-quarters of an hour or until
the apple is cooked. Take on the
cloths carefully and drop spoonful
of currant jelly on each and serve
with sweetened cream. This makes .
most wholesome dessert for children.
Raisins may be added to the apple
stuffing If a new flavor is desired.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1914-04-17
CHATTER xxI--conflNued.


Get me horse!" said Buckhurst.
There are plenty OF them In the
stables. Mornac. you stay here: I'll
ride over to the semaphore."
Where are you going7" demanded
Mornac's angry voice. do you expect
me to stay her while you start for
Paris?"
You have your ORDERS" said Buck
hurst, menacingly. Silence. you fool
Do you obey, orders or not?"
Their voices receded. Speed sprang
to the door to listen, then ran back 10
the window.
.Scarlett," he whispered, there are
the lights Of vessel at anchor of
Groix."
/ was beside him in an instant. Its
the cruiser" said. "Oh. Speed. for a
chance to signal"
Jacqueline, standing beside Speed,
said quietly: II could swim It Wait.
Raise the window little"
She cautiously unlocked the window
and peered out into the dark garden.
"The cliff falls sheer from the wall
yonder." she whispered. Il shall try
to drop. learned much in the circus.
I am not afraid. Speed. shall drop
into the sea-"
To your DEATH" said.
Possibly. m'sieu, 1t is good death,
however. am not afraid"
Close the window" muttered Speed.
They'd shoot her from the wall, any
way"
Again the child gravely asked per-
mission to try.
"No," said Speed, harshly. and
turned away. But in that instant JAG
queline flung open the window and
vaulted into the garden. Before /
could realize what had happened she
was glimmering spot in the dark
ness. Then Speed and followed ner,
running swiftly toward the foot OF the
garden, but we were too late; slim,
white shape rose from the top of the
wall and leaped blindly out through
the rudy torch glare into the black
ness beyond.
looked at Speed. He stood wide.
eyed, staring at vacancy.
Gould she do it," asked, horrified.
God knows" he whispered.
Then we crept back to the window.
where we entered in time to avoid dis
covery by a wretch who had succeed
ed In mounting the wall, torch in hand.
Where Is Jacquelinei" asked the
countess. looking anxiously at the lit
tie blue skirt on Speeds knees. Have
they harmed that child?"
told her.
A beautiful light grew in her eyes
as she listened. did / not warn you
that we Bretons know how to dle?'
ishe Aaid.
There were noises outside our door,
load voices. hammering. the sound Of
furniture being dragged over stone
I1ocrs, and scarcely noticed It when
Jour door was opened again.
Then somebody called out our
names; iile Of hale-drunkan soldiers
grounded arms In the passage way
with bang that brought us to our
taHk a. Mornac. flushed with wine, en,
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1914-04-17
He Had Nothing on eurn..

There Is a story Of a gentleman
when advocating the utility Of public
schools. who said; Byron was a
Harrow boy" What of that?" said
an opponent -Razns was \ plOwboy.-
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1914-04-17
SYNOPSIS.

Scarlet. an American soldier of for
time In the employ of the French I'M
periai Police at the outbreak Of the Fran
John Buckhurst. leader of the Com
nunists and suspected of having stolen
the French crown Jewels. While search
arrest Countess de vassart and her group
OF socialists and escort them to the Bel
CLAN border. Scarlet finds Sylvia Elven
q r ,he odeon disguised as peasant a the
countess and her friends are assembled.
All are arrested. The countess saves
scarlett from fatal fall from the e., FOOT e,t
as the leader Of the Reds and the coun-
tess conducts him to where Buckhurst IS
secreted. German Uhlans descend on
the melee. Scarlet IS wounded. He re.
covers consciousness in the countess.
house at Morsbronn. where he is cared I,
fought In the streets between French
and Prussian soldiers. Buckhurst pro-
fesses repentance and returns the crown
give himself up to the authorities. Scar
lett doubts his sincerity. Buckhurst urges
the countess to go to Paradise, Buck
the PrSssians f for Information Which he
does not give. He secures passports to
the French lines for Scarlet. the coun-
the secret service il in Paris and fnds Nor
nae. shadow of the emperor. in charge.
He deposits the crown Jewels and later,
when making detailed report. finds that
pebbles have been substituted for the real
stones. Speed, comrade In the service.
warns Scarlet that Mornac Is dangerous.
fIe also informs him that all the govern
ment treasure is being transported to the
coast for shipment out Of the country.
Scarlet and Speed escape 70 join cir
Gus. The circus arrives at Paradise. An
order Is received by the mayor calling
the citizens to arms. Jacqueline, daugh--
ter Of the Lizard. offers to join the, CIRCUS
to give exhibitions in the character of a
mermaid. Scarlet makes friends with
the Lizard. Scarlet calls on the countess
at her home in Paradise. He finds Sylvia
Elven also there. He learns the countess
has withdrawn from the socialists. They
swear eternal friendship. The Lizard
learns for Scarlet. through one Trio
Trac, that Mornac Is head of communis-
tic conspiracy. Scarlet learns something
Of Sylvia Eiven through fellow per-
former named Kelly Orders regarding
the treasure trains are changed. owing to
the discovery of plot at Lorient Orders
are received for the expulsion of the cir
Gus. Ruckhurst appears in Paradise and
admits he Is In love with the countess.
Scarlet IS Injured by the circus lions and
taken to the home of the countess. Prep
aratiors for the wrecking of the expected
treasure train are discovered by Scarlet
Scarlet discovers Sylvia Elven sending a
message to the Prussians. He sends
warning OF the plot to wreck the train
and asks that a warship be DISPATCHED to
the port at once. Buckhurst. Mornac and
their Reds make prisoners of Scarlet and
the countess and plan their execution.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1914-04-17
IIz.BH
6ABLNEG

DON'T like to talk with people
who always agree with me. 1t
is amusing to coquette with an echo for
while. but one soon tires Of it.
Carlyle.
If men and women are honest they will
tell you that their success in life is more
OF a wonder to them than it is to you.
Billings.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1914-04-17

You have eyesight and hearing and
speech Your limbs are sound. You use
your arms and legs and your hands az
freely as ever. What in creation are you
wailing about? If one spot Is crowded go,
where they need crowd. If one resource
falls you, invent another. Kaufman.