davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1914-02-28
Copr%/cHT /oL2 BY eoseS H5RR,ZL CO

Alike, her letter in her hands, strug-
gled in her mind. Then THE letter
will keep-yes, let him come, and we
can read it all the better after for
what he may tell US
So Nelson, having orders to produce
at once the said little Battista, retired,
much excited, and returned shortly
but not so shortly as to have omitted
fling Of the great news into the
midst of the servants hall. He con.
Quoted, marching behind him, the lit
tie Battista, an enormous young man
OF six feet four, erect, grave, stately.
This dignified person, saluting the lady
with deep bow, dropped on one knee
before his master, his eyer full OF a
worshiping joy, and kissed his hand.
Having done which, he arose silently
and stood waiting, with those beaming
eyes feasting on Pietro's face, but
otherwise decorous.
First the young marquis said some
friendly words of his great pleasure in
seeing his old servant and tho friend
of his childhood, and the big man
stood with downcast eyes, with the
The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1914-02-28
SYNOPSIS.

FRANCOIS Beaupre, peasant babe of
hree years after an amusing incident in
which Marshal New figures, is made a
Chevaller of France by the Emperor Ma
might one day be a marshal of France
Snder another Bonaparte. AT the age OF
len Francois visits General Baron CAS-
pard Gourgaud. who with Alike, his
seven-year-old daughter, lives at the
Chateau. A soldier of the Empire under
Napoleon he fires the boys imagination
with stories OF his campaigns. me gen
eral offers Francois home at the Cha-
teau. The boy refuses to leave ms pa.
rents, but in the end becomes copyist
for the general and learns OF the friend
ship between the general and MARQUIS
Zappi. who campaigned with the general
under Napoleon. Marquis Zappi and MS
son, Pietro. arrive at the Chateau. Inc
general agrees to care for the Marquis
son while the former goes to America.
The Marquis before leaving for America
asked Francois to be a friend OF his son.
The boy solemnly promises. FRANCOIS
goes to the Chateau to live. Marquis
zappl dies leaving Pietro as ward OF
meet a strange boy who proves to be
Prince Louis Napoleon. Francois saves
his life. The general discovers Francois
loves Alike. and extracts promise from
girl and Pietro. Francois goes to Italy
as secretary to Pietro. Queen Hortense
plans the escape OF her son Louis Ma
poleon by Disgusting him and Marquis
Zappi as her lackeys. Francois takes
Marquis Zappi's place. who Is III, In the
escape OF Hortense and Louis. Dressed
az Louiss brother Francois lures the
Austrtans from the hotel allowing the
prince and his mother to escape; Fran
coils Is prisoner OF the Austriahs Tor
In Italy. He discovers In his guard one OF
Pietro's old family servants.
The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1914-02-28

his, and that so, woGdlessly, they had
told him but one thihg-their undying
love. Weak, lonely, (his intense tenn
permanent stretched to the breaking
point by the last threA months of fear.
full hope, Il was more than he could
bear. He put the PAPERS against his
cheek and his head dropped on the
bed, and storm of tears tore his soul
and body. But 1t was dangerous; he
must not be off his guard; he remem.
bered that swiftly, and with shaking
fingers he opened Pietrp's letter.
Pietro's letter which, yellowed and
faded but distinct yet, In the small
clear writing. is guarded today with
those other letters in the mahogany
desk in Virginia.
my dear brother Francois" the let.
ter began, and quick tears came again
at that word brother" which said so
much. MY dear brother Francois
this is not to tell you how / have
searched for you and never forgotten
you. will tell you that when | see
you. This is to tell you how to get
out of that house of mine which has
held you as a prisoner when you ought
to have been it's welcome guest Whep
Italy is free we will do that over; but
we must get you free first. Franeois.
am now within five miles of YOU :"
The man on his knees by the prison
bed gasped; the letters staggered be
fore his eyes.
81 am living on ship. and l will
explain how | got it when see you, \r
q few days now, Francois. Every night
for a week, beginning with tonight
there will be a person watching foA
you in Riders Hollow, from midnight
till daylight. After that we shall &c
away for two weeks So as to avoid Civ
ing suspicion. and then repeat the ar
rangement again every night for .
week You do not know Riders Hoi
low, and it is unnecessary to tell yor
more about it than that 1t is q lonely
place hidden in trees, and supposed t..
be haunted by ghosts of men on horse
back; the people about will not &c.
there for love or money except b.
broad daylight.
nj,
The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1914-02-28
BOTH PERSONAL AND SOCIAL
Items Of More or Less Interest That
Concern the Dolngs Of the
BEST Families"

The engagement is announced OF
Miss Tuffie Show, daughter of Mrs
Hoaleigh Show, to Mr., William Mar
tingale Yuceless, only son OF Mr.. and
Mrs. Worsen Yuceless
Mr.. Worsen Yuceless. by the way
comes of a good old family. They
have always been fashionable. His
uncle. G. How-Wursen YucelesS. is an
intellectual man. having written the
society notes for a fashion paper near
ly a whole season. And his son, Mar
tingale. once took a prize at horse
show.
1t is rumored that Miss Tootoo Kyl-
ling has broken her engagement to
Mr. Dedleigh, Bohr But Dedleigh
seemed quite cheerful last Saturday
at his club.
II is whispered that the F. Spend
ng-Spendars are not so happy togeth'
er as they might be, Our readers
will remember that Mrs. Spendar was
the charming Miss Freeks, noted
belle of Boston. Mr. Spendar Is more
than attentive to Mrs. Jimmy Over
load, while Mrs. Spendar is constantly
seen with the young duke OF Borro
and Keape. He comSs OF an ancient
family A greater part of this last
season he was a visitor at Koopon
Cliffs. the summer home OF the +
Spending-Spendars.
Mrs Leeds Thegang ia preparing
The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1914-02-28
CHAPTER xlv.-continued.

A person of more Importance than
Battista had fallen under the spell OF
Francois personality. The governor
himself had been attracted by the
young Frenchman. The governor,
Count Won Gersdorf, was vain, dis
contented, brilliant Austrian, at odds
with the world because he had not
risen further in 1t. He was without
society in this mountain fortress Of
his. and longed for it; he had a fine
voice and no one to sing to; he liked
to talk and had no one to talk to.
Francois, with his ready friendliness,
with his gift of finding good in every
one, with his winning manner and
simplicity which had the ease Of So
phistication, was a treasure-trove of
amusement to the bored Austrian.
Things stood so with the prisoner
at the time of his discovery of the
identity of his jailer and Of his jail.
The governor at that time was away
on a visit to Vienna, looking for pro-
motion; he came back elated and
good-humored in the prospect of a
change within the year. But the heart
of Francois sank as he thought what
the change might mean to him.
Some day marshal of France un-
der another Bonaparte, he said to
himself one day. staring through the
bars at his window-he called the sky
80. He smiled. But that is nothing.
To help place my prince on the throne
Of France-Sthat is my work-my life"
He talked aloud at times, as prison
a low voice.
IF there we're good fairies, II had
three wishes; Alixe-the prince made
emperor Francois Beaupre, marshal
of France" He laughed happily. 1T
is child's play. Nothing matters ex-
'cept that my life shall do it's work.
Even that is so small; but have a
great desire to do that. believe
shall do that know it." And he fell
to work on book which he was plan
ming, chapter by chapter, in his brain.
But, If he were to escape ever, the
chance was increased infinitely by the
going back and forth to the governors
room. A new governor might keep
him shut up absolutely. 1t had been
so while the count was away; then he
had been ill, and the lieutenant in
command would not let doctor see
4 him till he became delirious; that was
the ordinary treatment of prisoners.
Francois, thinking over these things
on a day, fell with a sudden accent
. on the steady push of his longing for
freedom, the conviction that he must
The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1914-02-28

Sabre de bois! What is your news
then, you silly child?'
And Alike, shaking very much, laid
her hand on his cheek and looked
earnestly into his eyes. Father
Francois is alive!"
For all his gruff self.control the gen.
eral made the letter an excuse shortly
to sit down. Queer, that n mans knees
should suddenly bend and give way
because of a thrill Of rapture in a
mans psychological makeup! But the
general had to sit down. And then
and there all that had been extracted
from little Battista was rehearsed, and
the letter read over from start to fin.
lsh.
But he is alive, father! Alive!
That is happiness enough to kill one
l never knew till now that feared he
was dead"
"Alive--yes! But in prlson--in that
devils hole of an old castle!" And
Alike looked at Pietro and laughed
but the general paid no attention. HE
must be got out. There is no time to
waste Diable! He is perishing In
that vile stable! What was that the
lad said about the Doctors speech
that only long sea voyage could save
him? One must get him out, mon dieu
quick!"
Alike, her hand on his arm, put heI
head down on 1t suddenly and stood
so for a moment, her face hidden
Pietro, his hands thrust deep in his
pockets, looked at the general with
wide gray eyes, considering. With that
Alike flashed up, turned on the young
Italian, shaking her forehnger at him;
her eyes shone blue fire.
That is for you, Pietro. II we
should lose him now, just as we have
found him! Now is the time for you
to show IL you can be what is brave
and strong, as Francois has shown. II
is your castle; you must save him"
Pietrq looked at the girl, and the
color crept through his cheeks, but he
said nothing.
alike. my Alike" her father put an
arm around her. "One may not de
mand heroism as II it were bread and
butter. Pietro will not fail u.s."
Alike always wished me to be bril-.
liant like Francois" Pietro spoke
gently. But l never could"
yet, Pietro, It is indeed your time,
Alike threw at him eagerly. Francois
must be rescued or he will die"
YES" Pietro answered quietly,
Francois must be rescued"
He was silent a moment, as IL think,
ing. His calm poised mind was work,
ing swiftly; one saw the inner action
In the clear gray eyes. The general
and Alike, watching him, saw 1t.
81 think know how" he said.
The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1914-02-28

get free before the count left. else OPP
portunity and force for the effort
would both be gone forever. And on
that day Battista brought In his mid
DAY meal with look and a manner
which Francois remarked.
What Is it. Battista?" he asked
softly.
The man answered not a word, but
turned and opened the door rapidly
and looked out. II thought | had left
the water-pitcher. All, here 1t isl
am stupid" he spoke aloud. And then.
finger on lip dramatically he bent over
the young man. MY sonLthe little
Battista--has had letter. The young
master wishes him 70 come to him in
France, to serve him. He is going in
two days"
II was whispered quickly. and Bat
tista stood erect.
"The signoT's food will get cod II
he signor does not eat IT," be spoke
Ntny. 81 do not like to carry good
N,or prisoners who do not apDre-
i shat bring less tomorrow,
'ccis, hardly hearing the
The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1914-02-28
CHAPTER XVI.
The Stone Staircase.


Battista's prisoner stood at the
barred window high up the steep side
of the castle and stared out wistfully
at the receding infinity OF blueness-
his meadow. In the three months
since his letter had gone to France, he
had grown old. The juices of his
youth seemed dried up; his eyes were
bloodshot, his skin yellow; there was
no flesh on him. The waiting and
hoping had worn on him more than
the dead level of the hopeless years
before. There was a new tenseness
in the lightly-built figure. even in the
long, delicate, strong fingers. The
prisoner had caught Whit OF the air
OF home and was choking for a full
breath
You are not well, my friend" said
the governor. THE doctor must see
you"
But Francois refused lightly and
laughed and fell to singing an old peas
ant song of France which he had re-
membered lately; he got up on the
table and droned ii to an imaginary
fiddle which he pretended to play after
the manner OF old jacques Arne, who
played for dances in Vicques. And the
governor was taken with a violent
fancy for it. He roared at it, and sang
it over in fragments till he had learned
it, and then he sang 1t and roared
again and slapped his knee; there was
droll comedy in Francois rendering
also, not to be explained-and the
count said that Francois mast come to
his rooms the next night for dinner
and sing him the song again and also
listen to new one of his own.
So Francois was taken down the
stone staircase and conducted to the
two rooms which we're the governors
suite. He knew them well, for he had
dined many times with the count. But
tonight he was left alone a few mo-
ments in the outer room, the living
room. while the governor was In the
bedroom, and he looked about keenly
with a strained attention which grew
out of the suppressed hope OF escape.
Who knew what bit of knowledge OF
the castle might be vital, and who
knew how soon? He noted the swords
and pistols hanging on the wall, and
marked a light saber whose scabbard
was brightly polished as II the blade
also we're kept in good order. On the
table he saw the flint and steel with
which Count Won Gersdorf lighted his
pipe; he stepped to the window and
bent out. scanning the wall. A stone
coping, wide enough for a mans foot,
but little more, ran, four feet below;
ten feet beyond the window 1t ended
in the roof of shed, sloping roof
where a man could drop down. yes. or
even climb up with ease. A man, that
is, who had climbed when a boy as
Francois had clihbed-like a cat for
certainty and lightness. But what
then, when one was in the courtyard
It was walled about with stone wall
sixteen feet high; these old ancestors
OF Pietro, who had built this place, had
planned well to keep Pietro's friend in
prison.
SO Francois, not hopeful Of a sortie
by that point. drew in his head from
the open window and took to .examin-
ing the walls OF the governors room,
There were three doors-one from the
hall by which he had come. one be-
hind which he now heard the count
The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1914-02-28

feet and what did do was by great
effort. 1 could not sleep at night and
of course felt very bad in the morning,
and had a steady headache.
after taking the second bottle l no
ticed that the headache was not so bad,
l rested better, and my nerves were
stronger. / continued its use until it
made a new woman of me, and now /
can hardly realize that am able TO do
30 much as do. Whenever l know any
woman in need of good medicine ]
highly praise Lydia E. Pinkham's Veg
etable Compound" = Mrs. FRANK
CLARK, 3146 N. Tulip ST., Richmond, Pa
. Women Have Been Telling Women
for forty years how Lydia E. Pinkham's
Vegetable Compound has restored their
health when suffering with female ills.
This accounts for the enormous demand
for it from coast to coast. If you are
troubled with any ailment peculiar to
women why don't you try Lydia Z.
Pinkham's Vegetable Compound? 1t
will pay you to do so. Lydia E. Pink
ham Medicine Co., Lynn, Mass.
The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1914-02-28

and thrust a thick paper into his cca'
and at the same instant his heavy left
hand was over Francois mouth.
mot a word" he whispered, AND
them THE loaf OF bread"
Francois, struck dumb and blind
turned hot and cold, and his shaking
hand in his coat pocket clutched the
letter.
But Battista prodded him with his
hard forefinger. BE careful" he NUT
tered, and then again, THE bread
with a sharp prod-"The loaf Of bread"
and the door had changed. Battista
was gone.
A strong man, who had not been
shut away from life, would likely have
read the letter instantly, would in
stantly have examined the long round
loaf lying before him. Francois was
i'll and weak and It was the first word
for five yaars from his own people,
which lay in MS hand; he sat as II
turned to stone, touching the paper as
NJ that we're enough; he sat perhaps
fifteen minutes.
! Then suddenly breathlessness
came over him that something might
happen before he could read it-this
Writing which, whatever it should say,
meant life and death to him. Taking
care not to rustic the paper, deaden-
ing the sound under his bedclothes,
he read 1t, kneeling by the bed. 1t was
four letters-from his mother and
Alexie and the general and Pietro;
but the first three were short. He felt,
indeed, reading them, that no words
had been written. that only the arms
Of the, people he loved had strained
about him and their faces laid against
The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1914-02-28
CHAPTER XVII.
A Loaf of Bread.

The next morning Battista came in
with a manner which to the observing
eye of his prisoner foretold distinctly
some event. He talked more than
usual, and more grufTly and loudly. but
at last, after wandering about the
room some minutes. all the time talk
ing, scolding, he swooped on Francois
The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1914-02-28
10 BE CONTINUEDD

for an active social season. She Is
now visiting her sister, Mrs. P. de
" Blasee FOUNDERS. Their charming
cousin, Mrs. McEvoy ondek, returns
from Europe Saturday on the Nausea
or is it the Crown Princessen Won
Gotter Damerung? Time will tell
Life.
The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1914-02-28
WOMAN WOULD
NOT give UP
Though Sickand Suffering; At
Last Found Help in Lydia
E Pinkham's Vegeta-
bic Compound.
Richmond, Pa. -" When 1 started
taking Lydia E. Pinkhams Vegetable

compound Twas IN n
dreadfully rundown
state of h health,
b ad internal trop-
bles, and was so ex-
tremely nervous and
Frustrated that If l
had given in to my
fe e lings l would
have been in bed.
AS it W as l h I'D
hardly strength at
times to be on NV
The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1914-02-28

Deans Mentholated Cough Drops work
wonders in overcoming serious coughs
The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1914-02-28

Many a theory that isn't sound
makes a lot of noise.
The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1914-02-28

A good guesBer is generally a man
who prides himself on his superior
judgment.
The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1914-02-28

Putnam Fadeless Dyes color more
goods than others. Adv.
The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1914-02-28

Don't buy water for bluing. Liquid blue r
almost all water. Buy Red Cross Ball Blue,
the blue that's all blue. Adv.
The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1914-02-28
Their Quill Lives.

Rich wamen have no real joys"
NO; the stores never have a clear
Ing sale of diamond necklaces"
The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1914-02-28

Generating hot air is easier than
getting up steam.
The daily sentinel., 1914-04-11
MANY PRIZES ARE
OFFERED At FIELD
MEET APRIL 25


Prof. Homer Dodds. chairman of
the committee for the Mesa county
track meet. which is to be held in
this city the 2lth OF this month.
made public this morning the rules.
regulations and prizes. The meet
will be divided into four classes:
Glass ID, 50 pounds and under: G.. so
100 pounds: B. 100-f2O pounds. and
class A. l20 pounds and over Each
contestant will be charged a fee of
20 cents upon entering, and the gate
admission will be the same At
least two schools must be represent
ed in every event. No contestant
will be allowed to enter more than
four events, and relay. nor can any
school enter more than three men in
any event. the points being awarded
on the scale of 3. 3. ,. /. Every con-
testant must be a bonafide under
graduate and must be In good stand
ine at the time of the meet. After
paying local expenses, any surplus
will be prorated back to the con-
testants to the amount OF their ex-
ponses. Fees must accompany en-
tries. which close April 90. Address
all entries to Homer Dodds, Fruita,
Colo
Events of class D-50-yard dash
l20-yard run; high jump. broad
jump; starting at 10 O'Clock. April
%.
Glass 'C-High jump; broad jump;
75-yard dash; 220-yard run; same
time.
Glass B-t00-yard dash; 22O-yard
run. y half mile run: high jump:
broad jump; 440-yard run; relay and
pole vault.
Glass A-1OO-yard dash: geo
yard run; y half mile run; 440-yard
run: mile rum 200-yard hurdles;
shot put; hammer throw; discus
throw: high jump; broad jump;
pole vault, and SS0-yard relay.
A special list OF prizes has been an
nounced as follows: The loving cup
held at present by the Grand juno
tion high school will be given to the
team winning the meet Individual
prizes given to the largest point
winners in their respective classes are
as follows:
Glass A-first prize; 1O1a inch
loving cup. News, second, " Inch
loving cup, Majestic theater; third,
: Y inch loving cup, Parsons Jewelry
Company.
Glass B-first prize. hat, given by
John Wolf, the clothier; second, Jer-
sey. Red Trunk; third. Brownie ko-
dak, e. Frank Winfield.
Glass C-first prize, pair outing
shoes, Sampliners; second, signet
stick pin. Templeman Jewelry Com
pany; third, pocket knife.
Glass D-First prize, pair outing
shoes. Benge, the shoeman; second,
running trunks, E A. Ryan Cloth
ing Company; third, baseball.
Besides these prizes ribbons will be
given for every event NJ. II. Loeff-
Ter has donated sweater In the col
ors of the school from whiSh the rep
resentative comes. to be given to the
individual point winner.