davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1914-11-27
CHAPTER ~.
The Flat on the Top Floor.

Braine crawled from his uncomfort-
able hiding place. His clothes were
soiled and damp, his hat gone. BY
hairs breadth he had escaped the
clever trap laid for him. Hargreave
was alive, he had escaped; Braine was
as certain of this fact as he was of
his own breathing. He now knew
how to account for the Pickering light
in the upper story of the warehouse.
His ancient enemy had been watch
ing him all the time. More than this,
Hargreave and the meddling reporter
were in collision. In the fare Of
lights at the end of the gun-play he
had caught the profile of the reporter.
Here was dangerous man, who must
be watched with the utmost care.
He, Braine, had been lured to COM
NIT an overt act, and by the rarest
good luck had escaped with nothing
more serious than a cold chill and a
calling disappointment
He crawled along the top of the
pier, listening, sending his dark-accus-
toned glance hither and thither. The
sky in the east was growing paler and
paler. In and out among the bales
of wool, bags of coffee and lemon
crates he slowly and cautiously
wormed his way. A Waterman pa
trolled the Office side of the ware
house, and Braine found it possible
to creep around the other way, thence
into the street After that he straight
ened up sought a secondhand shop
and purchased a soft hat, which he
pulled down over his eyes.
He had half a dozen rooms which
he always kept in readiness for such
adventures as this. He rented them
furnished in small hotels which never
asked questions of their patrons. To
one of these he went as fast as his
weary legs could carry him. He al
ways carried the key. Once in his
room he donned fresh wearing APP
parel, linen, shoes, and shaved. Then
he proceeded downstairs, the second
hand hat shading his eyes and the
upper part of his face.
At half past twelve Norton entered
the Knickerbocker cafe-restauTant.
and the first person he noticed was
Braine, reading the mornings paper,
propped up against the water carafe.
Evidently he had just ordered, for
The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1914-11-27

not want anybody to learn that he had
been rescued. The moment the boat
touched the pier he lost himself in the
crowd. Fifty reporters came aboard,
but he was gone And could but tell
them just what I'm telling you"
"He had money"
About five thousand"
please describe him."
The captain did so. 1t was the same
description he had given to all the re-
porters. Norton looked over the rail
at the big warehouse.
WAS it an ordinary balloon?"
There you've got me. My Marconi
man says the balloon part was like
any other balloon; but the passenger
car was q new business to him. 1t
could be driven against the wind"
Driven against the wind. Did you
tell this to the other chaps?"
Don't think did. Just remem-
bered 1t. Probably some new inven-
ton; and now it's at the bottom Of the
sea. Two men, as | understand 1t,
went off in this contraption. One is
gone for good"
For good" echoed the reporter
The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1914-11-27

Aren't you going to kiss me, Leo r
He caught her hands. There is a
species of Delilah about you, Olga. A
kiss tonight from your lips would snip
my locks; and l need clear head
Whether we fail or win, when this
game is played you shall be my wife. =
He kissed the hands and strobe out
into the hall.
The woman gazed down at her small
white hands and smiled tenderly. (The
tigress has her tender momentsD He
meant 1t!
She went into her dressing room and
for an hour or more worked over her
face and hair, till she was certain that
If the captain of the ship described her
to anyone else he could not fail to give
fair description Of Florence Har-
greave.
But Norton reached the captain first.
Other reporters had besieged him, but
they had succeeded in gathering the
vaguest kind of information. They had
no description of Hargreave, while
Norton had. Before going down to the
boat, Aowever, he had delved into the
past of the Princess Olga Perigoff. 1t
cost him pocketful of money, but the
end Justified the means. The princess
had no past worth mentioning. BY
pecing this and that together he be-
came assured that she had told the
simple truth regarding the relationship
to Florences mother. A cablegram
had given him all the facts in her his
tory; there we're no gaps or discrep-
ancies. 1t read clear and frank. Trust
a Russian secret agent to know what
he was talking about.
So Norton's suspicions-and he had
entertained some-were completely
lulled to sleep. And he wouldn't have
doubted her at all except for the fact
that Braine had been with her when
he had introduced Hargreave. Har-
greave had feared Bfaine; that much
the reporter had elected from the but
Ter. But there wasn't the slightest
evidence. Braine had been in New
York for nearly six years. The princess
had arrived in the city but year gone.
And Braine was a member of several
clubs, never touched cards,
and seldom drank. He was an expert
chess player and a wonderful amateur
bllliardist. Perhaps Jones, the taciturn
and inscrutable, had not told him all
he knew regarding his masters past.
Well well; he had in his time I'M
tangled worse snarls. The office had
turned him loose, free lance, to
handle the case as he saw fit, to turn
in the story when it was complete.
But what a story it was going to be
when he cleared it up! The more mys-
tifying it was, the greater the zest and
sport for him. Norton was like a
gambler who played for big stakes.
and only big stakes stirred his crav.
ings.
The captain of the tramp steamer
Orient told him the same tale he had
told the other reporters; he had picked
up a man at sea. The man had been
brought aboard totally exhausted.
WAS there another body any
where?"
NO"
What became of him."
81 sent a wireless and that seemed
to bother him. 1t looked so that he did
The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1914-11-27

must hold himself to blame for any
blunder he (Norton) made. OF course,
he could readily understand Jones'
angle of vision. He knew nothing of
the general run of reporters; he had
heard of them by rumor and distrusted
them. He was not aware of the fact
that the average reporter carries more
secrets in his head than a prime min
ister 1t was, then, up to him to set
about to allay this distrust and gain
the mans complete confidence.
Meanwhile that same morning a
pretty young woman boarded the
Orient and asked to be led to the cap
tain. Her eyes were red she had
evidently been weeping. When the
captain, susceptible like all sailors,
saw her his promises to Norton took
wings.
This is Captain Hagan?" she asked,
balling the handkerchief she held in
her hand.
Eyes, miss. What can do for your"
He put his hands embarrassedly into
his pockets-and felt the crisp bills.
But for that magic touch he would
have forgotten his lines. He squared
his shoulders.
81 have every assurance that the
man you picked up at sea is my father.
am Florence Hargreave. Tell me
everything"
The captains very laundering de-
ceived her. And then he hustled
down the gang-plank and headed for
that warehouse. He had a package
which he was as tender of as if it
had been dynamite.
Thank you'll" impulsively.
"a man has to do his duty, miss. A
sailors always glad to rescue a man
at sea-" awkwardly.
When she finally went down the
gangplank the'sigh the captain heaved
was almost as loud as the exhaust
from the donkey engines which were
working out the crates of lemons from
the hold.
Maybe she is his daughter; but
two hundred is two hundred, and I'm
a poor sailor man."
Then Grannis came in for his
troubles. What was a chap to do
when pretty girl appealed to him?
81 am sorry, miss, but | can't give
you that package. l gave the man a
ranoint opd till n 10 nrorontad m mo
the package must remain in yonder
safe. You understand enough about
the business to realize that. did
not solicit the job. 1t was thrust upon
me. I'd give hundred dollars if the
blame thing was out of my safe. You
say it is your fortune. That hasn't
been proved. 1t may be gunpowder,
dynamite. I'm sorry, but you will
have to find your father and bring the
receipt"
The young woman left the ware
house, dabbing her eyes with the
sodden handkerchief.
81 WONDER" unused Grannis, as he
watched her from the window, 81 won
der what the deuce that chap Nor
ton is up to. The girl might have
been the mans daughter. Good
Lord, what an ass am! There
wasn't any mani" And so he reached
over for the telephone.
Immediately upon receipt of the
message the reporter set his machin-
cry in motion. Some time before
dawn he would know who the arch
conspirator was. He questioned Gran
mis- thoroughly, and Grannis' descrip-
ton tailed amazingly with that of
Florence Hargreave. But a call over
the wire proved to him conclusively
that Florence had not been out Of
the house that morning.
On the morrow the newspapers had
scare-heads about an attempt to rob
the Duffy warehouse. y appeared
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-12-04
MEETS WERE SUCCESSFUL.
Receipts From Racing at Havre de
Grace Are $1O9, 950.5O.

BELAIR, Nd, December 4.-That the
three racing meets held at the Havre
de Grace track this year were in a
large measure successful from finan-
cial point Of view is shown by the
fact that the total gate receipts
amounted to $1Os,950.5o. according to
the report of Thomas c. Hopkins.
treasurer of the Hartford Agricultural
and Breeders Association, which was
filed with the county commissioners
here yesterday. The report shows the
meet last spring was the largest of
the year so far as the attendance is
concerned. as the gate receipts amount
ed to S43,O5O.50. The receipts from the
same source at the farmers meet held
in September were $23,471.50, and at
the meet which closed last Monday
We're $34,42S.50.
The per cent commission on these
total receipts which Hartford county
receives for public road improvements
amounts to $5,047.53. In addition to this
the county receives for the same pur-
pose license fees Of so for each of the
first seven days of each racing meet,
and $500 for each remaining day, from
which is deducted the expenses of the
racing commission. The report of
Treasurer Hopkins shows the total re-
ceipts for licenses at the three meets
to be $3.50. With the expenses of the
racing commission deducted Hartford
total share for road improvements will
be swelled to $7.762.53. This sum will
be divided equally among the five cleo
ton districts. eacn RECEIVING SI.oo2:os.
Hopkins received $3.50. each member
Of the racing commission $125 and At
torney Stevenson A. Williams 500.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-12-04
what he intended to do. 1t said:
Have sent Minor my terms. If he
don't want me the Feds do.

| what he intended to do. 1t said:
Have sent Minor my terms. If he
don't want me the Feds do.
WALTER JOHNSON"
Johnson became a member of the
Washington club in the summer of
1907 He had been pitching sensa-
tional ball for an Independent team at
weiser, Idaho, and as a tip on him had
ager of the Nationals, Cliff Blankenship
was sent to Weiser and brought him
back here.
, Johnson was but nineteen years old
at the time. In his first game he dis
played remarkable speed. He worked
against Detroit, and while he was
beaten, to 1. his performance was
such that he was Immediately hailed
as remarkable pitcher. Johnson
pitched splendid ball for several years
But when Griffith took hold here and
the team began to show class Johnson
| doomed up as the games greatest
pitcher. During the season of 1913 he
easily led the pitchers of both leagues
and was presented with an automobile
by the Chalmers commission for being
the most valuable man on his team.
Last season johnson slumped consid-
erably. He. however. won more games
than any pitcher in either major
I
than he had for several years.
Johnson, because of his remarkable
ability, had his salary raised during
his first season here. In the next
two years he was drawing as much as
! $4,000. and in the spring of 1911 he
| signed a three-year contract for $21,-
| 900. At the expiration of this agree
| ment. in the fall of 1913, Griffith signed
him. to a contract calling for $4,000.
! Early in the season the Federal
League opened negotiations with John
! son, and Griffith at that time wanted
to sign his pitcher to a three-year
son refused to accept, and since the
season closed and he again negotiated
with the Feds. Griffith withdrew this
| usand-dollar-a-yea propo-
sition.
| If ever a ball player received ideal
treatment from his employers and the
public it was Johnson. For several
years Johnson has been the highest
salaried pitcher in the country. In ad-
dition he was handled with great care
by Griffith, who, whenever he had
strenuous game to pitch, gave him a
week or more rest. Then he was made
presents by his manager. on one oc-
| casion being handed $500 for game
which he lost, 2 to 1. but which broke
all attendance records. There were
other occasions when the club made
him substantial presents, and the trib-
ute paid him by local fans a little
more than a year ago. when he was
presented with a loving cup filled with
money on the local grounds, was one OF
the greatest compliments ever paid a
ball player.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-12-04

In suite, of the unsettled condition
of base ball, 'comebacks" seem az
popular as ever with major league
club owners. A perusal of the rosters
of the sixteen National and American
league clubs discloses the name of
many a new purchase and drafted
PLAYER among the 1915 recruits who
had his chance before in fast COM
pany.
Manager McGraw. of the Giants has
extended hand of welcome to bunch
Of former big leaguers. Among them
are Catcher Jack Adams of New Or
leans, formerly of the Maps; Pitcher
Gipe of Seattle, one time member or
the Athletics: Stroud. pitcher from
Sacramento, who was found wanting
after service, with the Detroit Tigers.
and Cook, a twirler from Columbus.
who had his show i'll Cleveland. This
fellow answered to the name Of VIM
cheIl while in the Forest City.
Charlie, H. Ebbets of Brooklyn has
released Pitcher Toney from Louis
willie. Toney was with the Cubs for
parts of three seasons. The White
Sox will give First Baseman Bunny
Brief another trial. He was sent to
Kansas City from the Browns in eX-
change for Outfelder Clarence Walker.
The Red SoX have recalled Pitcher
Babe Ruth from Providence.
In desperation to crawl out Of the Gel
lar Cleveland will take chance with
George KahIer, Lefty James. Josh Bill
lines and Jack Knight. The Maps have
also recruited Rex Devogt. who failed
to make good with the Braves. Hugh
jennings, pleased with the success of
Coveleskie as a comeback, will recall
Pipp. williams Gibson and half dozen
ex-Tigers who have been farmed out.
Rondeau. who once served as a catcher
for Hugh, comes back to Washington
as an outfield candidate.
Cubs Rescue Two.
The Cubs have rescued two former
big leaguers from the sticks-Adams OF
Indianapolis and Mcconnell of Buffalo.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-12-04
COMING SEASON TO BE A GREAT
ONE FOR BASE BALL ''COMEBACKS'
Majority Of Clubs to Give Trials to Players
Who Once Failed-Detroit to Call
In Half Dozen or So.

Mcconnell had two trials with the New
York Americans, first with George
Stallinss back in 1909 and again under
Frank Chance in 1918. Adams is cast
off of the Browns.
One Of the players Melted by draft is
Outf1elder Lee. who fell into the NAV
of Connie Mack. He was with Trenton
of the Tri-State League in 1914 In
ninety-two games he batted 1923 and
stole 81 bases. Clark Griffith had this
player in Washington last spring. but
gave him his unconditional release
The New York American League club
is about the only one which failed to
share some sort of comeback
The Pirates will try Jack Coffey, Stan.
ley Lejeune. Bill Hinchman, sgd Smith.
Douglass Baird, Jimmy Kelley and
Dave Henry. some Of them tested by
the Buccaneers before. and others tried
out elsewhere in the major circuits In
earlier years.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-12-04
CLUB WILL SEEK
TO ENJOIN WALTER JOHNSON
Option Clause in His Contract Believed to
Be Binding Pitcher Demanded
$4,000 for Season, $4,000 Bonus
amount of salary he received last sea-

amount of salary he received last sea-
son.
Johnson's communications with the
club since the season closed have been
along lines which indicated that he
was strictly out for the money.
He held that while it was true that
he had always been well paid while a
member of the local CLUB, that the op-
portunity now had presented itself for
him to get more money than ever be-
fore, and that he proposed to get it
even though he had to jump to the
Feds.
In a letter to the writer some weeks
ago Johnson came near to telling
where he stood. His letter follows:
"Coffeyville. Kan, December s., 1914.
letter today and appreciate it very
much. For one / hope these fellows
get together. have been bothered ever
since they started.
He didn't talk as if they would get
together. l don't intend to answer it.
I guess he would show it to all the
newspaper men if 1 did. He has told
every one ] was sure to go with their
league.
Fielder Jones handed me contract
the other day calling for more money
than any ball player ever got. so
think. I told him 1 wouldn't quit
'Grif unless had to. 1 think a
whole lot of Crit and. I think any
player whoever played for him could
not help but like him, and do any
thing for him. 1 told 'Grif when
left not to worry about me. So I was
enjoying myself down here. and these
stories got started again. To top it off
Ben Minor writes me a letter telling
me ] had bad year, and that l said
few things about jumping that cost
them lot of money this year. all OF
which 1 know, but it is not that ball
players are worth all this money. it's
just the condition base ball is in now.
'If I sign with Crit l will lose be-
tween $4,000 and $4,000 on a three
year contract, and that's lots of money
Still, just because 1 had a bad year and
said ] was willing to go to the Feds,
they think I should be satisfied with
anything. SO they could get even on
what 1 lost them last year. I want to
be fair with them and want to stay IN
Washington, but who cares for me
when I am through?
ct had just finished Minors letter
when I sent the telegram to you, SO
didn't think long before I said what
did.
I'VE are having perfect weather, and
I am enjoying my vacation more ehan
ever this year. Just as you say, don't
get much dope out here, SO l am Always
glad to hear what is going on. Best
wishes to your family and yourself
Sincerely your friend.
walter JOHNSON"
The telegram Johnson refers to was
in reply to one sent him asking him
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-12-04

CHICAGO, November 4.-The Federal
,easue promoters here are jubilant over
Joe Thinkers successful trip to Corey
Vile. Kan, where he signed Walter john
son. the American Leagues great pitcher,
yesterday.
1t is given out authenticity that john
sons contract, which is for term Of
two wears. calls for s17,50O season and
that he was handed $4,000 in cash for
signing the agreement.
johnson will be the head of the Chifeds'
pit ching staff next season Manager
Tinker says that he will have the best
year Of his career as he found johnson
in splendid physical condition and anxious
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-12-04
WALTER Johnson PLACES NAME
on FEDERAL LEAGUE CONTRACT
Sidns for Two Years at Salary Said to Be
$17,500 Season and $1,000 Bonus,
Total of Sal 900.

to show that he still is the greatest
pitcher of them ALL johnson is sure to
be a big attraction here in Chicago.
where he has always been considered the
greatest of pitchers
President B. B. johnson Of the Ameri-
can League is of the opinion that the
Chicago Federal League club which yes
terday signed Walter, Johnson, star pitch
er of the Washington American League
club, to a two-year contract will find
him "a costly luxury
1.-The Washington club offered johnson
a higher salary than any club could afford
to pay him." President johnson said.
THAT was $16. 900 a year for a period of
three years. / do not know the price at
which he jumped to the FederAls. but
he was reported to. have been ofrhed
$4,000 . year by the st. Louis FEEDER -
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-12-04
CHANGES ARE CERTAIN.
Baltimore and Jersey City to Lose
International Franchises,

NEW YORK, December 4.-That the
class IA franchises now held by Jer-
sey City and Baltimore will be trans
ferred to other cities when the Inter
national League holds its annual meet
ing next week is practically assured.
The Ebbetses, on whose Brooklyn field
one of the transplanted outfits will pas
time next season. are extremely coy
about discussing the proposition. but IT
can now be authoritatively annouD ced
that the Robins will share their plant
hereafter with a minor league club.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-12-04

Whether the new Brooklyn club Is to
hail from Jersey City or Baltimore has
not yet been determined: the chances
are that the Shelters will be elected,
but this is not certain. 1t will be one
or the other.
The direction in which the Orioles are
to travel will be decided when the In
ternational League opens bids submit
ted by Syracuse and Richmond syndi
Gates anxious to give their respective
towns major-minOr league base ball
According to a prominent International
Lacquer, both cities are so anxious to
relieve Baltimore of the Orioles that
they will make almost any sacrifice
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-12-04
GOLFING HINTS.
BY ~sTRAIGHT DRIVE

GRIP STICKUM.-Player who
wonder at their relapse from
summer form may find another
great help toward satisfactory
play by using any one of the
various kinds of preparations
sold by the professionals to make
it easier to hold the club in cold
weather.
These mixtures of tar and rosin
sold in small tin boxes can be
easily carried in the pocket, and
are well worth using by those
who lose command when grips
grow smooth and hands grow
cold. Lack of confidence in
gripping the club accounts for
many poor shots.
Grip stickum. moderately ap-
piled to the slippery grip on a
cold or rainy day, will save many
a stroke. While the stuff, of
course, adheres' to the hands and
fingers, it is much easier to wash
Off in the clubhouse after the
round than to forget the discom-
forts OF lost match. -
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-12-04
Club Will Resort to Law to Stop Johnson From Pitching Fed

We have demonstrated to the
men that they can get just the
kind OF Tailoring they want here
and at the price they want it.
That's why we are busy. You'll
want smart Suit or Overcoat
for the holiday season. Why not
order it now.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-12-04

The life of the minor league base
ball manager is a tough one from any
angle. He fails to win and is de-
clared a failure. He wins and then
the club owners get after him with a
sharp stick because he spent too much
money in achieving success. That
seems to be the case with Josh Clarke
Of the Sioux City Western League
champions, who is said to be slated for
removal because of ''extravagance" in
expenditures for pla "ers and salaries.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-12-04

No one has yet fastened a nickname
on the Phillies since Pat Moran was
made manager of the team. "Dooin's
Daisies" was a pretty good title, but
as Charlie is no longer leader of the
team the title Daisies" will have to be
thrown into the discard Suggestions
for a nickname for Moran's combina-
ton are now in order. If Magee, Graz
vath, Becker and Luderus improve
their home-run records next season.
however, "Morap's Maulers''. or "Moran's
'Murderers" will be appropriate.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-12-04

The Cubs have rescued two former
big leaguers from the sticks-Adams of
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-12-04

Hank O'Day is in the market for a
good. serviceable mask and blue suit
of clothes for delivery in the spring Of