davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Gilpin observer., 1914-04-09
SHOWED INSTINCT OF SWANS
Birds Had Learned the Trick Of Ring
ing Bell to Get Their Supply
OF Food.

During a recent visit to the cathed-
raj city of Wells. in Somersetshire. a
Scotsman correspondent was witness
OF u curious incident. The Episcopal
palace Is surrounded. just as in olden
times, by a wall and a moat. the haunt
Of swans. ducks. and other aquatic
birds. The moat is crossed at the en-
trance to the palace grounds by a
drawbridge with battlemented gate
way with towers. In one of which Is
the gatekeeper's lodge. From a
bracket fixed in the wall Of one OF
these towers overlooking the moat n
bell is suspended. with cord at
tached.
One afternoon about five o'clock.
while watching the movements OF the
various birds In the water. the corre-
spondent heard the ringing OF a bell.
and on looking to see whence the
sound came, he observed that one Of
the swans was vigorously pulling the
cord evidently to attract attention. AS
no Immediate notice was taken Of Its
Gilpin observer., 1914-04-09
Ancient Stage to Be Used.

A more than usually interesting dra-
matte revival is announced for April
16. when the "Agamemnon" Of Aes-
chylus will be performed in the an
cient Greek theater of Syracuse.
Nearly "a centuries have passed
since Hero ! embellished his city with
the theater which tradition attributes
to the architect Democopor Myrilla.
Aeschylus must have taken refuge
In the court of Hero very soon after
its completion, and it may be conjec-
tured that the great trilogy, which be-
gan with the "Agamemnon." was
often performed on its stage; 1t IL
known that the "Persae" was per
formed there and a work written for
Hero by Aeschylus, entitled the EFT
neae," Of which no trace remains
New York Sun.
Gilpin observer., 1914-04-09

efforts. the impatient bird continued
to ring the bell violently until there
appeared at the window of the tower
the wife OF the gatekeeper. who threw
out quantity of food to the expectant
waterfowl.
On making inquiries as to the origin
Of this interesting episode. the CORE
spondent was told that a number OF
years ago daughter Of the bishop OF
Wells. being much interested In the
birds inhabiting the moat. taught the
swans to ring the bell at feeding-time,
at five o'clock in the afternoon. This
practice has been continued by success.
sive families of swans down to the
present day, and 1t would seem. there
fore. as II the birds transmitted to
their offspring the knowledge that
when the cord was pulled the bell
would ring and that food would follow
Gilpin observer., 1914-04-09
Secrets of the Wardrobe.

When Winston Churchill was run
ming for the governorship of New
Hampshire, his opponents became pes
tiferously active making speeches.
writing letters and distributing cam
paign buttons. One morning friend
sent this telegram to Churchill:
Have you no buttons for your sup
porters?"
The candidate was out of town and
did not get the telegram, but pretty
girl stenographer did.
mo. We use safety pins.
WINSTON CHURCHILL"
Popular Mechanics.
Gilpin observer., 1914-04-09


ments in his youth when this unrea-
soning shrinking had filled him with
blind fury, had driven him to strange
self-tests Of courage He had never
been able to overcome it. Analyza-
ton had told him that his peculiar
adherence was no mere outgrowth of
this. 1t lay far deeper. He had rare.
ly, Of recent years, met the test. Now.
as he stood in these unaccustomed
surroundings. with the cold touch of
the metal the old shuddering held
him. and the sweat broke in beads
on his forehead. Setting his teeth
hard he crossed the room. slipped the
box with it's pistol between the vol
umes of the bookcase. and returned to
his seat
The bulldog, aroused from a nap,
thrust a warm muzzle between his
knees. ITS uncanny, Chum!" he said,
as his hand caressed the velvety
head. why should the touch of that
fool thing chill my spine and make
my flesh tiptoe over my bones? Why
should l hate a pistol? Do you sup
pose ! was shot in one of my previous
existences?"
For long while he sat there, his
pipe dead. his ,eyes on the moon
lighted out-ofdoors The eery feel
ing that had gripped him had gone as
quickly as 1t had come. At last he
rose. stretching himself with a great
boyish yawn. put out all save one of
the candles and taking a bath-robe,
sandals and huge fuzzy towel from
the steamer-trunk. stripped leisurely.
He donned the bath-robe and sandals
and went out through the window to
the garden and down to where lay the
little lake ruffling silverly under the
moon. On its brink he stopped. and
tossing back his head, tried to imi-
tate one Of the bird-calls but was un-
successful. With a rueful laugh he
threw off the bath-robe and stood an
instant glistening. poised in the moon
light like a marble faun. before he
dove, straight down out of sight
Five minutes later he pulled him.
self up over the edge. his flesh tin
Cling with the chill of the water. and
threw the robe about his cool white
shoulders Then he thrust his feet
into his sandals and sped quickly
back He rubbed himself to glow
and blowing out the remaining can
die. stretched himself luxuriously be-
tween the warm blankets on the
couch The dog shifted inquiringly at
his hand. then leaped up and snug
gled down close to his feet.
John Valiant's thoughts had fed a
thousand miles away. to the tall girl
who all his life had seemed to stand
out from his world. aloof and unsur-
passed-Katharine Fargo. He tried to
picture her. perfect chatelaine, grace
full and gracious as tall. white. splen-
did lily. In this dead house that
seemed still to throb with living pas
sions. But the picture subtly eluded
him and he stirred uneasily under the
blanket
After time his hands stretched out
to the reading-stand and drew the
glass with its vivid blossom nearer.
till, In his nostNls, It's musky odor
mingled with the dew-wet scent OF
the honeysuckle from the garden. At
last his eyes closed. Every man car
ries his fate on a riband
about his neck" he muttered drowsily.
| and then. Roses red
roaes
And so he fell asleep.
Gilpin observer., 1914-04-09
Canal Comment,

Charley. dear" said young Mrs. Tor
kins, they are having a great deal Of
agitation about the big canal, aren't
they?-
Yes"
Don't you know, sometimes think
it might have been better If we had
been content with the old-fashioned
canals where all the talking was done
by the man who was driving tha
mule,"
Gilpin observer., 1914-04-09
CHAPTER Ix.-contInued.

He trudged away into the shadows,
but presently as the new master of
Damory Court stood in the gloomy
hall. he heard the shambling step
again behind him. "Ah done neglect
uated ter ak yo' name, sub. All did.
TO er fac''
MY name is Valiant. John Val
liant"
Uncle Jefferson's eyes turned up
ward and rolled out OF orbit Nah
Lawd" he calculated soundlessly.
And with his wide lips still framed
about the last word. he backed out
OF the doorway and disappeared.
Alone in the ebbing twilight, John
Valiant found his hamper. spread a
napkin on the broad stone steps and
took out glass. spoon and part of
loaf of bread The thermos flask
was filled with milk. II was not a
splendid banquet, yet he ate 1t with
great content as the bulldog at his
feet gnawed his share of the crust
He broke his bread into the milk as
he had no. done since he was a child.
and ate the luscious pulp with a keen
relish bred OF the long outdoor day.
1t was almost dark when the meal
was done and, depleted hamper in
hand. he reentered the empty echoing
house. He went into the library
lighted the great brass lamp from the
motor and began to rummage The
drawers OF the dining-room sideboard
yielded nothing; on a shelf of the but
ler's pantry. however, was a tin box
which proved to be half full OF wax
candles. perfectly preserved
The very thing" he said triumph
antly. Carrying them back, he fixed
several in the glass-candlesticks and
set them. lighted. all about the somber
room till the soft glow flooded its
every corner. There" he said.
that Is as 1t should be- No big bla-
tant search-light here, And no glare
OF modern electricity would suit that
old wainscoting, either"
He dragged the leather settee to the
porch and by the light OF the motor
lamp busted 1t thoroughly and wheel
ing II back. set 1t under the portrait
which had SO attracted him. He
washed the glass from which he had
dined and filled it at the cup Of the
garden fountain, put into 1t the rose
from his hat and set 1t on the read
ing-stand The small china dog
caught his eye and he picked 1t up
casually. The head came of in his
hands. 1t had been bon-bon box and
was empty save for a narrow strip of
yellowed paper. on which were writ
ten some meaningless figures: 1928
$40. He pondered this moment,
then thrust 1t into one Of the empty
pigeonholes of the desk. On the lat
ter stood an old-fashioned leaf-calen-
dar: the date it exposed was May
14th. Curiously enough the same date
Gilpin observer., 1914-04-09

With final effort, it gained the porch
and crouched down in it's corner an
abject, sweated. hunted morsel. at
hopeless bay.
Like a flash, Valiant stopped, caught
the shivering thing by the scruff and
as its swapping jaws grazed his thumb,
dropped it through the open window
behind him: Sanctuary" quoth he,
and banged the shutter to.
At the same instant, as the place
overfowed with a pandemonium of
nosing leaping hounds, he saw the
golden chestnut reined sharply down
among the ragged box-rows. with a
sham cfaced though brazen knowledge
that the girl who rode it had seen.
She sat moveless, her head high.
one hand on the hunters foam-hecked
neck, and their glances met like
crossed swords. The look stirred
something vague and deep within him.
For an unforgettable instant their
eyes held each other, in gaze rigid,
challenging, almost defiant; then it
broke and she turned to the rest of
the party spurring in galloping zig
gag: a genial-faced man of middle age
in khaki who sat his horse like a
cavalryman, a younger one with a
reckless dark face and straight black
hair, and following these half-dozen
youthful riders of both sexes, one of
the lads heavily plastered with mud
from a wet cropper, and the girls
chiefly gasps and giggles.
The elder of the two men pulled up
beside the leader. his astonished eyes
sweeping the house-front. with it's
open blinds. the wisp of smoke curling
from the kitchen chimney. He said
something to her, and she nodded.
The younger man, meanwhile. had
flung himself from his horse, wild
eyed roam, and with his arm thrust
through its bride, strobe forward
among the welter of hounds. where
they scurried at fault. hither and
thither, yelping and eager.
What rotten luckv' he exclaimed.
Gone to ground after twelve miles! !!
After him, Tawny. You mongrels!
Do you imagine he's up tree? After
him. Bulger! Bring him here!"
He glanced up. and for the first time
saw the figure in tweeds looking on
| Valiant was attracted by his face, its
dash and generosity everything its in
herent profiigacy and weakness. Dark
as the girl was light, his features had
| the same delicate chiseling. the in
breeding, nobility and indulgence O.
generations He stared a moment
and the somewhat supercilious lool
travelled over the gazer, from dusty
boots to waving brown hair.
"Oh!" he said. His view slowly
took in the evidences of occupation
The house is open, l see. Going tc
get it fit for occupancy. l presume?'
Yes"
The other turned. We'll, Judge
Chalmers, what do you think Of that
The unexpected has happened at last
He looked at the porch. Who's u
occupy it?"
The owner"
CTO BE CONTINUED)
Gilpin observer., 1914-04-09

roll and a cup of coffee have been
the most l could ever negotiate for
breakfast. and then it was apt to taste
like chips and whet-stones. And now
look at this platei" The dog ceased
winnowinC his ear with a hind foot
and looked back at his master with
much the same expression. Clearly
his own needs had not been forgot
ten
"Reck'n All bettah go ter git dat ar
machine thing" said Uncle Jefferson
behind him "Ol' CONAN, heah, she
low ter fix up de kitchen dis mawn-
in en- we begin on de house dis eve-
nin."
"Right-o." said Valiant. IT'S all up
hill. SO the motor won't run away
with you Aunt Daphne. can you get
some help with the cleaning?"
"He'p?" that worthy responded with
fine scorn. mo. sub. Moughty few.
in de town 'cep'n low-down yaller new
issue trash det ain wu'f KILN. All
gwineter go TO- dat house mahse'f 70
long, hannah en- tongs, en- git 1t fx'
up"
Splendid! My destiny is in your
hands. You might take the dog with
you Uncle Jefferson: the run will do
him good"
When the latter had disappeared
and truculent sounds from the kitchen
indicated that the era of strenuous
cleaning had begun, he reentered the
library, changed the water in the rose
glass and set 1t on the edge OF the
shady front porch. where its Haunting
blossom made a dash of bright Grim
son against the grayed weatherbeaten
brick. This done. he opened the one
large room on the ground-foor that he
had not visited.
1t was double the size of the library
a parlor hung in striped yellow silk
vaguely and tenderly faded. with a
, tall plate mirror set over a marble
topped console at either side. In one
corner stood grand piano of Circas
sian walnut with keys of tinted
mother of-pearl and a slender music
rack inlaid with morning-glories in the
same material. From the center ol
the ceiling, above an oval table, de
pended a great chandelier hung with
glass prisms. The chairs and sofas
were covered with dusty slipcovers oi
muslin. He lifted one OF these. The
tarnished gold furniture was Louis
XIV, the upholstery of yellow brocads
with pattern of pink roses. Two
Japanese hawthorn vases sat on teak
wood stands and corner held glass
cabinet containing collection o
small ivorles and faience.
He went thoughtfully back to the
great hail. where sat the big chest or
which lay the volume of Lucille" HI
pushed down the antique wrought
Syon hasp and threw up the lid. Il
was filled to the brim with textures
heavy portieres OF rose-damask, table
covers Of faded soft-toned tapestry
window-hangings Of dull green-al
with tobacco-leaves laid between tn,
folds and sifted thickly over with tn,
sparkling white powder. At the bot
tom. rolled In tarry-smelling paper, h,
found a half-dozen thin. Persian pray
er-rugs.
"Phewl" he whistled. II certainl,
ought to be grateful to that law firm
that inspected the place. Think o
the things lying here all these years
And that powder everywhere! III
Gilpin observer., 1914-04-09

done the work, too, for there's not a
sign of moth. If I'm not careful, I'll
stumble over the family plate-it
seems to be about the only thing want
ing"
He thought moment, then went
quickly into the library and began to
ransack the trunk. At length he found
small box containing keepsakes of
various kinds. He poured the medley
on TO the table-an uncut moonstone,
an amethyst-topped pencil that one Of
his tutors had given him as boy, a
tigers claw, compass and what-not.
Among them was a mans seal-ring
with a crest cut in a cornelian. He
looked at 1t closely. 1t was the same
device.
The ring had been his fathers.
Just when or how 1t had come into
his possession he could never remem-
ber 1t had lain among these keep
sakes SO many years that he had al
most forgotten its existence. He had
never worn ring, but now, as he
went back to the hall. he slipped it
on his finger The motto below the
crest was worn away, but it showed
clear in the marble of the hall-mantle:
l clinge.
His eyes turned from the carven
words and strayed to the pleasant sun
ny foliage outside. An arrogant boast.
perhaps, yet in the event we'll justi-
fed. Valiants had held that selfsame
slope when the encircling forests had
rung with war-whoop and blazed with
torture-fire. They had held on through
Revolution and Civil war. Good and
bad. abiding and lawless. every gener-
alton had cleaved stubbornly to its
acres. | clinge His father had clung
through absence that seemed to have
been almost exile, and now he, the last
Valiant, has come to make good the
boast.
His gaze wavered. The tail of his
eye had caught through the window a
squirt of something dashing and vivid
that grazed the corner of a far-off
field. He craned his neck. but it had
passed the line of his vision. The
next moment however, there came
trailing on the satiny stiffness the
high-keyed ululation of horn. and an
instant later a long-drawn halloo-o!
mixed with a pattering chorus of
yelps
He went close. and leaning from the
sill. shaded his eyes with his hand.
The noise swelled and rounded in vol
ume: il was nearing rapidly. AS he
looked the hunt dashed into full view
between the tree-boles-a galloping
melee of khaki and scarlet, swarming
across the fresh green of a wheat
field. behind spotted swirl of hounds.
belligerently; they're on my land!"
They were near enough now for him
to hear the voices of the men. calling
encouragement to the dogs, and to see
the white ribbons of foam across the
TANKS of the laboring horses. One
scarlet-coated feminine rider, detached
from the bunch, had spurred in ad.
vance and was leading by clean hun.
dred yards. bareheaded, her hat fallen
back to the limit of its ribbon knotted
under her chin. and her waving hair
cleaning like tarnished gold.
How she rides," muttered the soil
tary watcher. "Cross-saddle. OF course
the sensible little sport! She'll
never In the world do that wall,-Yes
by George," John Valiant's admisa
ton turned to delight. Why" he
said. Its the Lady-of-the- Roses!"
He put his hands on the sill and
vaulted to the porch.
Gilpin observer., 1914-04-09

would recur tomorrow. The page bore
a quotation: Every man carries his
fate on riband about his neck"
The line had been quoted In his
fathers letter. May 14th-how much
that date and that motto may have
meant for him!
He rose to push the shutter wider
and In the movement his elbow sent a
shallow case of morocco leather that
had lain on the desk crashing to the
floor. 1t opened and heavy metallic
object rolled almost to his feet. He
saw at glance that 1t was an old
fashioned rusted dueling-pistol.
The box had originally held two
pistols. He shuddered as he stopped
to pick up the weapon, and with the
crawling repugnance mingled pang.
Ing anger and humiliation. From his
very babyhood It had always been SO
s-<hat Inoonquerable aversion to the
Gilpin observer., 1914-04-09
Nap in a Nutshell,

Marks-Are you reading this new
history of the Napoleonic tragedy
that's being printed?
Parks-No. To me the tragedy of
Napoleon may be summed up In two
lines. The divorce of Josephine was
the prelude; Elba the interlude, and
his last battle the Waterlooed.
Gilpin observer., 1914-04-09
SYNOPSIS.

John Valiant. rich society favorite.
suddenly discovers that the Valiant cor
poration, which his father founded and
which was the principal source OF his
wealth, has failed. He voluntarily turns
over his private fortune to the receiver
for the corporation. His entire remaining e
possessions consist of an old motor car. a
white bull dog and Damory court. neg
lected estate In Virginia. On the way to
Damory court he meets Shirley Dand-
ridge. an auburn-haired beauty. and de-
cides that he is going to like Virginia i'm
mensely. Shirley's mother. Mrs. Dand-
ridge, and Major Bristow exchange rem
iniscences during which II is revealed
that the major. Valiant's father, and a
man named Sassoon were rivals for the
hand of Mrs. cambridge In her youth.
sassoon and Valiant fought duel on her
account In which the former was killed.
valiant finds Damory court overgrOwn
with weeds and creepers and the build
1ngs In very much neglected condition.
Gilpin observer., 1914-04-09
CHAPTER XII.
Sanctuary.

The tawny scudding streak that led
that long chase had shot into the yard.
turning for last desperate double
1t saw the man in the foreground and
its bounding. agonized little wild heart
that so prayed for life gave way.
Gilpin observer., 1914-04-09
Her Discovery.

"Oh. George, I've got.splendid news
for you.'
THAT so7"
Yes. something that will save you
lot of money"
What Is III"
I've discovered that your last win.
ter's overcoat will do again this year.
Gilpin observer., 1914-04-09
Largest English Cathedral.

The largest cathedral in England is
that of York, the area Of which is
63,SO0 square feet, st. Paups being the
second largest, with an area Of $500
square feet
Gilpin observer., 1914-04-09

Constipation causes and aggravates many
serious diseases. 1t is thoroughly cured by
DR.. Pierces Pleasant Pellets. The favorite
family laxative. Adv.
Gilpin observer., 1914-04-09

Every man is above the average
according to his own belief.
Gilpin observer., 1914-04-09

Mr. Robert II. Norris, No. 1888 Hen
~ ST., North Berkeley, Cal, writes:
1--WE have never had any other medi-
cine but Peruna in our home since we
have been married. suffered with
kidney and bladder trouble, but two
months treatment with Peruna made
me a we'll and strong man. Ny wife
felt weak and was easily tired and
was also troubled with various pains.
but since she took Peruna she is well
and strong"
Gilpin observer., 1914-04-09

Appropriate Ejaculation.
81 have been digging for water, sir"
well, well, well!"
BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1914-09-16
Los RUsos TRIUNFANTEs.

Paris, 15.-El corresponsal de lie
Matin' en- Petrogrado telegrafia que
en- aquella cildad CORE el rumor per-
sistente de que los ejercitos austriacos
fueron capturados aver. I'm despacho
de Petrogrado q la Agencia Havas di-
ce que los alemanes enviaron refuerzos
importantes a la frontera de Memol
prussia Oriental. Esta plaza FORTH
cada esta situada sobre ell Baltlco 10
Kilometres situada al Nordeste de koe-
nigsburg Y amenaza Tilsit. Otro des-
pacho de Petrogrado dice que Sc anun-
cia que un ejercito ruso Sc encuentra
actualmente lelante de Koenigsburg
Ell consejo imperial de Russia estudia
leyes para la administrator de los te-
rritorios conquistados en- Austria en-
Prussia. Otro mensaje de Petrogrado
dice que segEn una communication OH
cial, los rusos continuan triunfantes en-
Galitzia.
BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1914-09-16
INFORnIE OFFICIAL.

Paris, Is. ACADIA de publicarse la 81
guiente communication Official: Sobre
nuestra ala izquierda estamos por to-
dos lados Ell contacto con las reta-
guardias enenligas y en- ciertos puntos,
con el grueso de sus fuerzas. Nuestras
tropas han yuelto 4 ocupar Amiens,
que fue abandonada por los alemanes.
I'll enemigo parece estar dispuesto a
hacer resistencia en- las posiciones que
ha preparado a 10 largo del Aisne. En-
el centric parece que tambien Ell enemi-
go tiene intencion de resistir en- las al
turas que Sc cncuentran al noroeste de
Rheims. En- la region del Argenne y
del Mosa contin1a ell enemigo batien-
dose en- retirada. En- nuestra ala dere-
cha, en- la region del Weeuvre hemos
|conseguido despejar Ell fuerte de Tro-
yon al sudeste de Verdun que ha su-
frido ataques repetidos en- estos ulti-
|m0S dlas. En- Lorena nuestraS tropas
persiguen al enemigo y estan en- con-
|tacto continue con sus retaguardias.
Ell espiritu Y la sanidad de nuestras
tropas es excelente,
BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1914-09-16
PRoPosIcIoNEs DE PAz.

Paris, 15.-E Figaro dice hoy que
los alemanes han hecho va proposicio-
nes de paz q. Belgica, seg1n las cuales,
a cambio de ciertas conceciones, Sc ter
minara la guerra entire Belgica Y Aler
mania. Estas proposiciones han sido
bruscamente rechazadas por los belgas.
Ell Figaro asegura que ell general Won
der Gel, Gobornador militar aleman en-
Belgica, despues que Alemania anun-
clio la anexiln de dicho territorio, sc
dirigi6 a Amberes provisto de un sal
vo conducto y ha presentado al gobler-
no belga una proposition concisa de-
fnida, cuyos terminus Sc mantienen en-
reserva. Dice Ell Figaro que los belgas
en- vista del canvenio recientemente he
cho por los aliados, han rehusado to-
mar en- consideration ninguna clase de
proposiciones de los alemanes.