davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1915-10-14
SYNOPSIS.
Copyright. 1918. by George Barr
McCutcheon.

John Bellamy Smart. unmarried and
mir 10 fortune. while abroad with his
secretary, Poopcndyke. and his valet
Britton. buys a hlapidated Old castle on
the Danuba IN care Of the Schmicks and
discovers a mysterious woman lnha6iting
one OF the towers.
Smart fails TO batter down a huge door
leading 10 the east wing In search Of the
fair lady. lie interrupts a visit % Amer
lean relic hunters
Their amusing attempts 10 buy some Of
the castles ancient furniture result in
their discontinue and hurried departure
Smart catches a glimpse OF his fair neigh
oor's waving hair
Another visit to the mysterious east
wing fails. bun Inter he beautiful strAn-
ser strikes up an acquaintance with the
new owner through a secret loopholA
She agrees to entertain him AZ tea
Meanwhile he learns the history OF the
cid castle from the schmicks and receives
n visit from a crowd o. tourists
Refusing TO be put on by the fair chat.
elaine's plea Of headache Smart bat
tiers down the doors TO the maiden's
apartments. where a surprise awaits him
He learns she Is a rich American girl.
divorced from her nobeman husband. and
n In hiding. having kidnapped her own
baby.
The Hazards. friends OF Smart. visit
the castle bringing with them the count.
ess' husband. Incorporating a. Mr.. Pieaa-
Smart learns the villains identity.
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1915-10-14

"And now teh NE all about Mt
Pless." she said How Is he iookingp
Does he appear to be unhappy There
was curious note In her voice. as OF
anxiety OF eagerncss, II was hard TO
tell which
HE appears 20 be somewhat septl'
mental and preoccupIed lie gazes at
the moon and bites his nails"
IL wish | could have peep at
him some time without being
For heavens sake. don't even con
slider such n thing" / cried in alarm.
"Just II little peek, Mr. Smart" she
pleaded.
"No~ said tirmly
VERY we'll. she said resignedly, nx
lng me with hurt eyes TIN sorry TO
be- such bother 10 yOu"
Il believe you'll 90 back TO him after
ALL" said angrily Women are all
alike They"
"Jnst because want 90 see how IN.
happy M l. and enjoy myself little
you say horrid things 10 mer' she cried
almost pathetically. You treat mo
very badly"
There Is a great deal az stake" SAID
L The peril is--welL, It's enormous.
| am having my own time heading OF
u scheme they've got for exploring the
entire castle. Your hus-your ex nus.
band says he knows Of secret door
opening into this part OF tho
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1915-10-14
CHAPTER ~.
I Rssor, to Diplomacy.

hosoft 70 Diplomacl'
~llE countess sprang 10 her feet
with a sharp cry Of alarm.
Heavens IL forgot about
that. There Is secret panel.
and-heayen save usl-it opens directly
into my bedroom" Her eyes were very
wide and full OF CONSERVATION. She
grippcd thy arm. Come, Re quickl
We must pile something against II or
nail Il up or do something
she fairly dragged NE out into the
corridor aud then. picking up her daln.
" skirts, battered down the rickety
stairs at NO swim a pace that had
some diihculty In keeping her pink Ok
ure In sight Why Is II that a woman
can 20 downstairs 80 much faster than
a mani I've never been able To eH.
plain IL
Al last we came 90 the broad han nc
the top OF the main staircase Almost
directly In front ut Ms loomed the great
padlOc ked doors leading 10 the other
she led the way 10 the tarthermo~t end
o, the hall Light from the big pane
less windows overlooking the nyer
came streaming into the vast corridor.
and could see doors ahead 10 the
night aud the left OF US
Your bedroomT' I managed 20 gasp.
uttcring bclatcd question that should
have been asked Ave OF six nlghta
higher up at time when / was better
qualified 10 voice II What the dick
ems il II doing down hereT'
She did not reply. but turning 10 the
left. thr~ open a door aud disappear
ed into the room beyond I followed
ruthiessly, hut stopped Just over tho
threshold TO catch my breath In aston.
ishment
was IN my lady's bcdchamt,er'
The immense Gothic bed stood on
IT, dais. imposing la it, isolation.
Three or four very modern innovation
trunks doomed Ike minarets against
the opposite wallis hnlf open Some OF
my most precious rugs adorned the
door. but the windows we're absolutely
undrnpcd
Don't stand there gapingr' she cried
In shril whisper This II the mir.
ror. the middle one II opens by means
OF n spring. There H. a small hole In
the wall behind Il, aud then there IL
still another secret door beyond that.
a thick iron one with the sixth Baron
RothhOefen's portrait on the outer side
OF H. The canvas swings open. We
must
was beginning 10 get thy bearings
The sixth baron; Old Ludwig tho
RedT~
''rhe very one"
Then by Jove he IL IN my studyl
You don't mean TO say
"Please don't stop 20 talkr' she cried
impatiently, looking about In 4 dis
tractcd manner ''tiut for goodness
sake get something 10 put against this
mirror"
My mind worked rapidly The only
object In the room heavy enough TO
serve as a bnrricade was the bed and
II was too heavy for me 10 move. /
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1915-10-14

1T Is girl said Elsie In loud
whisper The loveliest girl The moth
or appeared In Vienna about three
weeks or n month ago aud whlff.-Off
goes the child Abducted kidnapped!
And the court mad granted MIN the Gus
tody uf the child That's what makes
II 80 terrible n she II caught any
where In Europe-wcll. | don't know
what NAV happen to her. II Is Just
SHY acts "a this that make American
girls the laughingstocks OF the whole
weird
By this time | had myself pretty
we'll IN hand
II darrsay the mother loved the
child. which ought 10 condone one
among her multitude OF sins. / take H.
OF course. that she was entirely to
blame for everything that happened"
1ney 40 once Proceeded to tear tho
poor little mother 10 shrcds. delicalely
and with tinrSse. 10 be- sure. but none
the less completely.
What was her social standing In
New York. I inquired.
"Hh. good enough. said Betty Bully.
'She was IN the smartest set. II that il
recommendation
To my disgust the three Of them re-
fused to enlighten me further as to'the
history. identity or character of either
Mr.. or Mrs. Pless. but OF course
knew that / was entertaining under
my root 10y tue most extraordinary
coincldpnce the Count and Countess Of
Something or other. WHO were at war.
nnd ih,. chtd they were nchting for
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1915-10-14

as still as u mouse on the day
my house party arrived. Grim
old doors took ON new pad.
locks. keyholes were carefully stopped
up. creaking floors were calked. and
yet | trembled My seSret seemed to
be safely planted, but what would the
harvest bei
Elsie Hazard presented me to her
friends. and with ordly generosity
presented the castle Ia them.
There was n Russian baron whom
for brevity's sake III call Umovitch.
There was vlennese gentleman OF
twenty-six or eight, | heard. but who
looked forty His name was Pless.
He was a plain mister. The more |
saw OF him the first afternoon the
more wondered at George Hazards
earelessness. Then there were two
very bright and charming Americans,
the Billy Smiths. lie was connected
with the American embassy at Vienna.
and liked him from the start. The
baron was in the Russian embassy and
was really a very nice boy.
And this Mr. Pless. who Is her I
asked
Elsie was looking at the ralish young
man with a pitying expression in her
tender blue eyes.
Poor fellow-' she sighed. "He II in
great trouble. John We hoped that II
we got him on here where II Is quiet
he might be- able to forget On. but 1
am not supposed to tell you a word OF
the story! We are all sworn To Sc
crecy."
"women." said Billy Impressively.
Then ifs easily patched said I.
like cures like
"You don't understand. John" said
Elsie gravely. HE was married TO a
beautiful"-
"Now. Elsie. you're telling caution
ed Betty BIlly-Mrs. billy Smith
"well." said Elsie doggcdly. I'm de-
termined 10 tell this much His name
isn't Pless. His wife got a divorce
from him. and now she has taken their
child and run OF with II. and they
can't fndZwhats the matterT'
Ny eyes were almost popping from
my head.
ISIS he a countT' cried, 80 loudly
that they all said "Sh!' aud shot ap-
prenhensive glances toward the pseudo
Mr.. Pless
"GOodnessr' said Elsie In alarm.
"DOn't shout. John
Billy Smith regarded me speculative
~. Il darcsay Mr. Smart has read all
about the affair In the newspapers
Il haven't seen anything about Il In
the papers" said /. trying 10 recover
my self possession which had sustained
a most tremendous shock.
Thank heaven cried Elsie de
voutiy.
THE poor fellow Ia almost distract
ed. Really, Mr.. Smart. we planned
this little visit here simply In order TO
to take him out OF himself for awhile
II has been such'a tragedy for Kim. He
wOrshiped the child" IL was Mrs. Bill
ly who spoke
"And the mother made way with
himY' queried. resorting TO a sudden
ly acquired cunning
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1915-10-14
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when the attention of The
Hickman Courier ia called to any
mis-statement Of facts, or to any
error concerning any man or
thing, correction will cheerfully
be made.)
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1915-10-14

feared. ! suggested II. OF course. in
voluntarily lowering my voice to a
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1915-10-14
CHAPTER x.
Q Receive Visitors.

PTA HE east wing of the castle was
as still as a mouse on the day
my house party arrived Grim
old doors took ON new pad.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-08-26
French Exchange
Drops to New Low
Point at New York

NEW YORK. Aug. 25.-French money
today was worth less than yesterday
in foreign exchange markets, notwith-
standing the establishment here OF a
$50, 100000 credit loan to the French gov
ernment. announced after the close OF
the market yesterday. Two factors, II is
said made this 30; the establishment of
the loan had already been discounted.
having been In negotiation for two
months; and the sum loaned was too
small a fraction OF the total amount due
for American supplies to the warning ma
ttons of Europe. TO bring about any
thing approaching an equilibrium of rates.
The rate on francs was quoted at S5.ss.
Yesterday q dollar purchased $50 francs.
Sterling exchange was heading downward
today at A65%; lires were up a cent, at
t6H and German reichsmarks. which
have remained stationary at or around
Sic during the recent slump made a new
low record. They dropped to sOIsc These
figures. II was asserted. represented little
more than quotations, as hardly any
dealings were recorded.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-08-26
War Prevents Normal
Action of Democratic
Tariff, Says Mr.. Taft

SAN FRANCISCO. Aug 25.-wfliam
Howard Taft. rormvr president Of the
United States. who arrived here yester-
day from Portland, Ore. expressed the
opinion that the European war has an
important effect upon the American
political conditions.
The chances OF republican success at
the coming presidential election" he
said, were excellent until the war in
tervened to upset the normal trend OF
events Under the present conditions
no man may prophesy the outcome. This
war has prevented the normal effect OF
the democratic tariff and has given a
protection which that tariff would not
have secured TO American industries.
II believe that the republican party
has returned to its own. Throughout
the United States. observed every ew-
dence that the progressives are return
ing to the republican party. The pro-
gressive party is ozing out. Field mar
shals and colonies are taking counsel.
one with another. but the forces. the
prtvates. have disappeared"
Mr.. Taft IL here TO attend the Uni
tartan conference. OF which he is presi-
dent.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-08-26
Plan to Require Voters to Be Able
To Read English Causes Big Row

ALBANY. n, Y, Aug. pa proposed
amendment TO the state constitution pro
vidlng that all voters be able TO read and
write English was advanced to the order
OF final passage by the constitutional
convention today by vote OF 70 to 81.
Advancement Of the measure was pre-
ceded by the stormiest session OF the
convention. during which race feeling ran
high and frequent references were made
TO the war and its possible effect on this
country.
Speakers for the proposal included VIII
liam Barnes. They contended that the
ability TO read and write English would
tend to cement the American people more
closely together. Speakers argued that
an educational qualification was unneces-
sary and would tend to restrict immlgra-
ton
Delegate Frank Mann injected the war
atmosphere into the debate. He referred
particularly TO an argument that the
American people were confronted with
possibilities OF war with a power. many
OF whose people are In this land, and at
this time those people who have not
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-08-26
NEWPORT, ARK, STREETS
STILL UNDER WATER

LITTLE ROCK. Ark. Aug. 25.-Food
and money have been sent from Little
Rock to aid the flood refugees at New
port. who still are living on the second
floors OF their homes as the result OF
recent rise In white river. A carload OF
canned goods and bread was due to arrive
In Newport this morning.
Reports from Newport early today in
dicated that conditions there virtually
were unchanged The streets OF New
port still were covered with water vary
ing in depth from three to twelve feet
The sewerage system OF the town has
been destroyed the water and electric
light ana gas plants were out Of COM
mission, and railroad communication
with the outside world was cut off
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-08-26

learned the English language and who
are reading papers In sympathy with this
foreign couRtry, are a menace"
Il am a proud descendant OF the Ger
man race" Mann said. "Rnd never have
been so proud OF It as during the last
year in observing the achievements OF tho
nation OF my ancestors. The only reason
Germans In America read German news
papers is because they are the only
source OF truth Germans get about the
war in Europe"
In supporting the proposal. Mr.. Barnes
declared that giving the franchise only
o those who could read and write Eng
lish is most vital
"A nation that speaks different
languages never can be entirely a ualted
nation" he said We are establishing
what really would be a state language
for the purpose OF unifylng our people.
Our ballot Is written In English and In
order for the voter to vote properly and
intelligently he should be able TO read
what is on the ballot"
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-08-26
Sixty-Four Alleged
Night Riders on Trial

HARTFORD, KY. Aug. B.-Selection of
a jury to try the first OF number of
cases in which sixty-four persons are
charged with participation in night riding
outrages in Ohio county began in the cir
cult court here today. Some of the most
prominent men in the county are named
in the indictments. The charges range
from maltreatment TO murder. 1t is al
legged that a number of men and women,
including whites and negroes, recently
have been taken from their homes and
flogged. The regulators advanced as a
reason for their action in one case that
the victims lacked industry and thrift
The murder case is connected with the
killing of a negro.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-08-26
The Days War NeIOs

ADVANCES by the forces
of the entente allies I'm the Darda-
neIIes are reported by the French
war deDartment, the British left
wing having occupied 500 yards
of Turkish trenches. A large
Turkish transport was sunk by
French aviator on August 20, the
official report says.
GERMAN TROOPS have broken
through the Russian advanced pO-
aitions southwest of the fortress
of Brest-LitOvsI<, according 20 to-
days German official statement.
AMBAssADOR GERARD, in Berlin,
called ON the German foreign min
lister and learned that the German n
government had no official news
on the sinking of the liner Arabic.
RUSSIAN AEROPLANE squadron
bomb mbarded the AHiatic suburbs of
ConEtnntInopIe Monday, fOrty-One
persons being killed or injured,
according to 81 news agency dis
patch from Athens.
BOMBs WE'RE DROPPED last night
by hostile aviator on the Ger
man town of OffenburE, outside
the war some, inJurihg twelve
civilians, Berlin re bOrts.
SINKING OF ANOTHER british
trRwIer In the course Of Germany'a
subn'nFIne operations T. recorded.
FRENCH AVIATOR dropped bombs
on the railroad station at Loraeh, /,
southwest of FribOrE, the Paris
war office Enys. Only minor
operations RFe reported along the
fighting frOat.
No GERMAN DREADNAUGHTs or
cruisers wRs sunk ih the recent
action iR th eGHIf of Riga, n is
Eemi-OfficiniIy stated tR berlin.
Neither did the Germans Rttempt
TO Hand troops near PernRu, it IL
declared.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-08-26
"osHAh5 SVn --~s.-S AssLIIn VIII
oehu OO.nLluIIIOaL4On EIavlcaIly
Grantlng wnat America
insists On.
DETAILS ARE NOT GIVEN OUT
Sources Close to Won Bernstorff Re-
spOnsible for the Infor.
nation.
SITUATION Is MUCH RELIEVED

WASHINGTON, Aug. 25.-Presi-
dent Wilson has been informed un-
officially from sources close TO
Count Won Bernstorff, the German
ambassador, that the next communi-
cation from Berlin on the sinking OF
the Arabic would be of character
satisfactory to the United States.
Coming close on the telegram, which
the ambassador forwarded to the state
department yesterday by direction OF
his government declaring II was not the
intention Of Germany that any American
lives should be sacrificed in the sink
ing Of the ship, this development was
regarded as indicating that Germany
would make some proposal satisfactory
to the United States, respecting sub
marine attack on vessels purely OF q
passenger carrying nature.
Officials are at a loss to conjecture
what the German government will pro-
pose, but the assurances that there Is
every desire in Berlin 10 avoid a break
with the United States, has relieved the
situation very much.
Heretofore, Germany has contended
that neutral lives could not insure a bel
ligerent ship against attack, especially
those carrying munitions. In its reply
to the first Lusltania note. Germany
proposed to designate certain ships,
which would not have to be guarded
against submarines. The aim of Presi-
dent Wilson and all administration Of
ficials to avoid a rupture with Germany
but to do so without any surrender of
the neutral rights for which the United
States has been oontending in the name
of international law. and in humanity,
was reflected by officials informally
while discussing this latest phase of the
situation. They were hopeful that a dis
avowal of the submarine commanders .
act in sinking the Arabic without warn
ing would be forthcoming. but the al
ministration is ready to listen to Ber-
Inns next word.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-08-26
GERMANS BREAK
THE LINES SOUTH
OF BREST LITOYSK
Advance Positions of Slavs Before
Great Fortress Fail to Hold
Back the Victorious
Teutons.
STATEMENT IS FROM BERLIN
Won Hindenburg Reported to Have
Captured Seven Hundred
and Fifty Men.
INVADERS CROSS NAREw RIVER

BERLIN. Aug. 25.--The Russian
advanced positions to the southwest
OF the fortress OF Brest-Litovsk were
broken through yesterday by the
Germans, according to an official an
nouncement given out today by the
army headquarters staff.
The text OF the statement follows;
Western theatcr; In the Champa gne
we successfully exploded several mines
In tho Nosgcs, an attack made by the
enemy on Schratzmannele was repclled
with hand genadcs, and southeast OF
Sondernachthat part Of the trench sec
tions which we lost on August II was re-
captured.
"A German battle aviator shot down n
French biplano near Neuport.
Eastern thcRter: Army Of Field Mar
shal Won Hindenburg. north OF the Me-
men river $50 Russians wero taken prls-
oners during successful engagements In
the neighborhood OF Birshi.
THE army of General Won Eichhurn is
advancing VIGOROUSLY towards the east,
fighting all the way. This army cap.
tured 1850 Russians and took Sc, cral ma
chine guns.
Tho army OF General Won Scholz
reached Berecowlta, captured Knyszyn
and crossed the Narew river to the south
Of Tykocin.
Tho army OF General Won Gallwltz
captured tho Narew river crossing on tho
SolSoly- Bislystok high road. Its right
wing has reached Orlonka after having
driven back the enemy, This army took
more than 400 Prisoners including
eighteen officers and nine machine guns
Army OF Prince Leopold Of Bavaria
Yesterday the enemy attempted In vain
to bring our pursuit TO a standstill. lie
was attacked and thrown back into the
Bialowleska forest. South of this forest
our troops reached the region east nj
Wierschowicze. We captured more than
1.7O0 prisoners.
Army Of Field Marshal Won Macken-
sen: Pursuing the defeated enemy. this
army group Is approaching the hills on
the western bank of the Bosnia, north ol
Brest-Litovslk. on the southwestern
front of Brest-Lltovak at Dobbynlta ths
Austro- -Hungar arian and German troops
broke through the advanced positions OF
the fortress yesterday.
ION the eastern bank OF the Bug. north
east of Vladova, parts of the army OF
General Won Mnslngen are advancing to-
wards the north, fighting all the way"
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-08-26
Sixteen Mexicans
Slain by Yaquis

GUAYMAS. Sonora. Aug. 25.-(By Radio
TO San Diego, Cal.l-Sixteen Mexicans,
three OF them respected residents OF
Guaymas. were killed and their bodies
mutilated, after defending themselves
against attacks by Yaqui Indians for two
days In house on the III Paso ranch.
twenty-five miles north OF here, Il was
stated today In reports from the rnlded
district. The Indians finally destroyed
the house with bombs.
A posse OF ranchers pursued the In
dians. who drove off SEQ head OF cattle.
The Indians outnumbered the relief party
and held off its members. who abandoned
the pursuit
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-08-26
AIR CRAFT SHELL
CONSTANTTNOPLE
Forty-0ne Persons Killed and In.
jured by Bombs Dropped by
Russians Into Suburb.
EIGHT GREEKS AMONG VICTIMS

LONDON, Aug. 25.-Bombard-
ment of the outskirts OF CONSTANT
nople by a Russian aeroplane squad
ron, resulting in the death or injury
for forty-one persons, is announced
in dispatch from Athens TO the
Central News.
According to these advices, the at
tack was made on Monday on the
Asiatic suburbs OF Constantinople.
A number OF bombs were dropped,
throwing the people into panic.
Thirty Turks, eight Greeks and three
Armenisns we're killed or wounded.
Bombs Dropped or atfenburH.
BERLIN. Aug. &-(Via Wireless TO
London)-An official statement says
that hostile aviator last night dropped
bombs on the town OF Offenburg, which
is situated outside the zonc OF wariike
operations Tho material damage was
insignificant. Twelve civilians were in
iurcd, several seriously.
Offenburg Is manufacturing town Of
about ltOaO population In Baden. situated
on the Kinzig river. seventeen miles
south of Karlsruhe.
Turkish Trenches Captured.
I rs, Aug. ga French official re-
port on fighting I'm the Dardanelles be-
tween August 20 and the morning of
August % relates that the British left
wing has made progress against the occu-
pants OF 800 yards OF Turkish trenches
In the northern zono OF the fighting. and
that French aviator on August 20 was
successful in sending TO the bottom a
large Turkish transport.
The statement as given out by the
French war office this morning follows.
"Thc period OF five days since the
issuing OF tho last communication on the
Dardaneles has been marked In the
northern zone by further progress on the
part of tho British left wing. These
British troops have occupied 800 yards Of
enemy trenches
During the night OF August 1924 a
French company was successful IN sur.
prise attack on Turkish position used
by the enemy for listening purposes. In
the morning OF August y a detachment OF
Turkish soldiers endeavored to reoccupy
this position. but they were repulsed.
"On August 20 our squadron bombarded
with success n point of deberkment al
Acbachlliman. on the European side OF
the strait, to the north OF Nagara. In
spite OF the violent fire OF numerous hos
tile batteries, one OF our nviators was
successful IN sinking at Its anchorage a
large Turkish transport"