davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-03-03
CHAPTER xxxiv.
Hand Car.

Hand Car.
WE'LL" Mr.. Barcus broke a silence
whose eloquence may not be translated
in print-"can you beat it?"
mot with this OUTFIT" Alan admit
ted gloomily.
"But-damn itl-we've got to-"
"Profanity-even yours, my friend
won't make this Pullman move without
an engine"
"All the same. we can't stop here
like bumps on a log, waiting for that
gang Of thugs to sail up in the light
engine and cut our blessed threats"
Mr.. Law answered this unanswer-
able contention only with q shrug.
Then, stepping out on the forward
platform Of the Pullman, he cast a
hopeless eye over the landscape.
Raw, rugged hills hemmed in the
right Of way, hills whose vast tanks
we're covered with dense thickets OF
mesquite, charpar&,, sagebrush and
cacti, the haunt OF owls and rattle.
snakes and-solitude. No way OF ca.
cape from that pocket in the hills 9th
er than By the railroad itself
He lowered his gaze to the tracks
and siding-and started sharply.
"Eh--what now?" Barcus icouIred
with interest
Some thoughtful body has left an
old hand car over there in the ditch :"
Alan replied. Maybe II isn't beyond
service"
with me supplying the horsepower.
l supposed"
Horse isn't the word" Alan cor
rected meticulously; and escaped the
others wrath By dropping down TO the
ballast and trotnng over to the ditch
where the hand car lay.
Looks as II Il might work" he an
nounced. "Come along and lend me a
hand"
Half a minute" Barcus answered.
lodging suddenly back into the car.
When he reappeared, after some FIVE
minutes, Rose accompanied him. and
Barcus was smiling as brilliantly az
though nothing whatever was wroag
with his world
Sorry TO keep you waiting, old top"
he explained; but we5 smitten with
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-03-03

chair In which Rose was resting. One
of his arms was around her shoulder.
Her face was lifted confidently TO his.
Barcus unused morosely on his ap-
prehension OF trouble a-brew, simmer
ing over the waxing fire of that strange
womsn's jealousy. He didn't like the
prospect at al. II only Alan and Rose
hadn't been so desperately in love
that they couldn't keep away from one
anotheri If only Alan had been SEN
sible enough TO outwit the woman and
leave her behind when he started in
pursuit of the special If only there
had not been that light engine in pur-
suit-as Bareus firmly believed 1t must
be-loaded TO the guards with Trine's
INSCRIPTIONS hirelingsl
No telling when they might catch
upl
The fear OF this last catastrophe
worked together with his fesrs of Ju.
dith to render that night 8. sleepless
one for Barcus. He spent IL e a chair
whence he could watch both the door
to the compartment Judith had chosen
for her own formerly Marrophat's
quartersl and the endless ribbons OF
steel that swept beneath the trucks
and, shining fugitively in the light
from the observation platform,
streamed away into the darkness
astern.
But nothing happened. He mapped
uneasily from time to time, waking
with a start OF fright, but always to
find nothing amiss. Ever Judith
stopped behind that closed door, and
ever the track behind was innocent of
the glare of pursuing headlight.
Nor did anything untoward mark the
progress of the mofning-unless. in
deed, Judith's protracted sessions
with her father behind the closed
door of the drawing room were to be
counted ominous.
Ever since lunch-time the girl had
been closeted with her father; Barcus
had been getting some well-earned and
sorely-needed rest in his quarters;
Alan standing his watch on the obser-
Walton platform, in company with
Rose; and the train booming along
through an uncouth wilderness of arid
mountains, barren mesas, and sun
smitten fats given over to the desolate
genius Of sagebrush.
Whatever had been the tenor Of the
communication between father and
daughter, Judith eventually emerged
from the drawing room in an ominous
temper. Bareus. coming drowsily
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-03-03
CHAPTER xxxV.
caboose.

For once, in way, It fell out pre-
cisely as Mr.. Law had planned and
prayed.
Constrained TO pull up in order to re-
move the obstruction from the track,
the train crew OF the freight choked
down it's collective wrath on being pre-
sented with a sum OF money. In the
hopes of further largesse it lent its
common ear to Alan's well-worn tale,
which had so frequently proved useful
in similar emergencies, Of an clipping
couple pursued By an unreasoningly
vindictive parent; and had its hopes
rewarded by the pri Alan bargained
TO pay In exchange for exclusive use
OF the csboose as far as the next town.
So that it was not more than ten
minutes before Rose was settled to
rest in such comfort as the caboose af-
forded, while Alan and Barcus sat
within its doorway and smoked.
Neither he nor any other aboard the
freight suspected for an instant that.
in the box car next forward Of the ca
boose, a woman In mans clothing lay
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-03-03
Riddles Hard Lot.

For some time the six-year-old boy
of a Philadelphia man, the third In
the family, had found it his duty to
sift the family ashes, as his brother
did before him. One morning the kid
die was told that baby had arrived.
whereat the youngster looked very
much pleased.
And" continued the father. as he
observed the pleased expression of his
sons countenance. its a nice little
girl"
The boys smile vanished instanter.
"A grill" he exclaimed, disguised.
Must always sift ashes?"
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-03-03
CHAPTER xxxIII.
Pullman.


Come inside" Law suggested, "and
introduce me to the brakeman. / pre-
sumo I've got to fix things up with
him"
If there's really any doubt in your
mind as to that" Barcus said, rising,
i don't mind telling you you're right. .
He paused as Alan entered the car
bsfore him and was greeted by a storm
OF vituperation that fairly blistered
the panels of the Pullman. Mr.. Seneca
Trine, helpless In his invalid chair,
thus celebrated his introduction to the
young man whom he had never before
seen whose life he had schemed to
take these many years.
Alan made no effort to respond. but
listened with his head critically to
one side and an exasperating express
sion of deep interest informing his
countenance until Mr.. Urine was
out of breath and vitriol; when
the younger man bowed with the slight
est shade Of mockery in his manner
and waved tolerant hand to Barcus.
HE has, no doubt" Alan inquired,
his own private cell aboard this car 20
"Yas, subj" Barcus agreed, aping
well the manner of his apparent caste
and color. Amt dat de troof?" he
chuckled.
Take him away. then" Alan re-
quested weariIy-"if you please"
'fYas, subj" Barcus replied, with
nimble alacrity Selling the back of the
wheeled chair and swinging it round
for spin up the length Of the car.
Before Urine had recovered enough
to curse him properly, the door to his
drawing room was closed and Barcus
was ambling back down the aisle.
His grin OF relish at this turning of
the tables on the monomaniac proved.
however. short-lived. It erased itself
in a twinkling when Judith shouldered
roughly past him, wearing a suIIen
and forbidding countenance. and flung
herself into the drawing room with
her father.
t'Storm signals" unused Barcus
What possessed our dear friend to
bring that tigress along. I'd like to
Enow7 He might as well have loaded
himself down with q ivegsllon can Of
nitroglycerin-"
The cause Of her temper was not
far to seek: at the far end Of the car
Alan was bending solicitoualy over the
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-03-03

perdue, now and again chuckling
impishly to herself in anticipation Of
the time and the event she was hiding
with such patience as abe could mus
ter.
The whistle OF a locomotive over
taking the freight sounded the signal
for her to take action on her cherished
plan.
Rising, she glanced out Of the open
door. A curve in the track below the
freight. laboring up a steep grade. en-
abled her to catch a glimpse Of head
light, followed by string of lighted
windows. indicating single car: the
special, beyond a doubt.
Without hesitation. since the train
was not running at speed, she dropped
out to the ballast. wheeled smartly
about, caught the handbar at the end
of the box car as it passed and swung
herself up between II and the caboose.
A trifie later the freight gained the
summit OF the grade and began to run
more smoothly.
Climbing to the top Of the box car
she peered keenly through the gloam-
ing. which was not yet so dense that
she might not discern two heads pro
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-03-03

the door Of her compartment, where
an even more furious resistance for
some additional minutes prefaced the
ultimate closing Of the door upon the
maddened Judith. Even then he might
not draw a free breath: there was no
way OF locking that door from the out
side: and he dared not leave go the
handle. lest the girl again ay out and
renew the battle.
Waving aside Alan's prefer OF as
sistance. he acidly advised that gen
tleman to return to his post Of duty
and not let his infatuation blind him
to what might at any moment loom
I'D on the track behind them, BRrcus
stoutly held the door against the girls
attempt to pull it open and through
another period when she occupied her
self with kicking its panels as II hope
full Of breaking a way out A long
pause followed. He heard 20 sounds
from within. And wearying, he won.
dered what the devil she was up to.
Then her voice penetrated the barrier,
its accents calm and not unamiable:
'Mr. Barcus!"
"Hellol" he replied, startled. What
is 1t, Miss JUDITH"
please let me out"
mot much"
"Oh-pleasei"
Struck by the fact that she hadn't
lost her temper on hearing his refusal,
he hesitated.
will you be good If let you outr'
Perfectly"
NO more shenanigan?"
81 promise"
Word of honor?"
''If my word of honor means any
thing to you-you have it,"
We'll !" he said obviously.
In the same humor he turned and re-
leased the knob; promptly Judith
opened it wide and swept out into the
corridor, her mood now one of really
fetching mockery.
Thank you so muchl" she laughed
into his face of discontinue; and drop
ping him an ironic curtsy, she turned
forward and swung into the drawing
room occupied by Urine.
Wonder what she put that on fort"
he speculated, with reference to the
ankle-long Pullman wrapper which Jul
dith had seen fit to don during her
period of captivity. Heaven knows
it's hot enough without wearing more
clothing than decency demands
But you never can tell about a wom-
an bet dollar I've made a
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-03-03
Explosion of Cannon.

away from his compartment at the
same time. was Jared wide awake by
sight of the foreboding countenance
she wore; and after a moment of doubt
followed her back to the lounge at the
rear of the car.
He got there in time to see her at
rigid standstill, staring steadfastly at
the two figures SO close together on
the observation platform. But on
his appearance Judith shook herself
together, snatched up a magazine, and
plunged wrathfully into an easy chair.
burying her nose between the pages Of
the publication with every indication
of deep interest in its text.
Mr.. Barcus, however, had learned
the lesson Of bitter experience to the
effect that the outward bearing OF
Miss Judith TTiue was no sure index
to her inward humor-unless, that is,
1t might be taken to indicate the d.
rect contrary Of its semblance;
though even this was no reliable rule.
Reminding himself of this, he there
fore invented a morbid interest in an
other magazine-round the edge OF
young woman.
For all her evaporation, Judith con-
tanned herself longer than might have
been expected. Her continued show
OF placidity. indeed. lulled Barcus into
dangerous feeling Of security. Per-
zod AaN oh In hnl AA
gradually ceased to watch her as mar
rowIy as at first, and lost himself In a
morose reverie whose subject was the
seemingly permanent mourning into
which he had plunged his face and
hands for the purposes OF his mas
Notwithstanding them a shade of
ebony upon which soap and water and
scrubbing had no effect whatever And
he had invented a most excruciating
method of revenging himself upon the
druggist who had taken advantage of
his confidence and sold him the in
eradiable dye-when he was reused by
the sudden flight Of a magazine across
the car, missing his head by a bare
two inches, and the bang Of a chair
overturned by Judith as she jumped
up and flung herself furiously toward
the door.
Just what had happened on the OBJ
servation platform Barcus didn't know.
but he could readily believe that the
lovers had Just. INDUCED In some espe-
ciaIly provoking and long-drawn-out
caress.
He overhauled Judith none too scon.
In another moment she would have
had her sister by the throat--if her
purpose had not been to throw Rose
bodily overheard. as Barcus suspected.
Happily, he was as quick on his feet
as Judith on hers; and almost before
he had grasped the situation, ae had
grasped her-had seized her rms and
drawn them forcibly behird her back.
at the same time swinging her round
and endeavoring to propel her back
through the doorway.
II was a man-size Job. For the ensu-
ing five minutes he had his hands fun
Of violently rueentful and guperbly
abls-bodied young woman. Only with
the greatest difficulty did be succeed
In wrestling her up the aisle and 10
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-03-03
CHAPTER XXI.
Liqht Engine.

Light Engine
Toward the close of that summers
day it was the within of that arch-man-
ager of theatr;cals whom men call
Fate to stage an anticlimax in the
midst of vast and billy expanse OF
'desolate middle western country
rude and rugged disk of earth which
boosted no human tenancy within a
circle of it's far-fiuRg horizon and was
bisected, not neatly, rather irregular
Iy, by the flowing double line OF steel
ribbons which marked the railroads
right of way over the old Santa Fe
tran.
So much for the stage: the light e.
fects were provided exclusively by the
crimson and purple and gold of por-
tentous sunset; the properties en-
ployed we're simply a special train and
what is known as light engine (mean'
ing a locomotive unhandicapped ny
.cars) audience there was none, If one
except the actors-who were one and
all far too deeply preoccupied with the
Interpretation of their several roles
to be aware Of the show.
They we're not many in number:
perhaps half dozen aboard the spe-
-cial train-which was making away as
fast as II could run toward the glory
of the sunset; as many more aboard
the light engine-which had sudden
1y slowed down from headlong pace
and squatted on its launches with an
air of conscious recitude, as one who
has won a hard race. 1t was painting
violently, partly to keep In its part
partly to drown out the clamor OF hui
man squabbling within its cab. In this
effort it was successful only in so far
as concerned the jackrabbits and eth
er retiring denizens of the land; the
human actors never missed cue.
1t was the engineer who started the
trouble. After bringing his monster
to a full pause, he turned upon his
passengers and--not without plausible
excuse-violently indicted Mr.. Alan
Law for abuse of his and his fire.
mans trustfulness. This the said fire.
man climbing forward over the ten
der) vigorously applauded.
They had been engaged, both gentle
men asserted vigorously, for nothing
more dangerous than quick run
across the prairies, in furtherance Of
the unspecified plans of Mr.. Alan Law
and his companion, Miss Judith Urine.
After starting out, they had wickedly
and maliciously been bribed by the
said Law to put on speed and catch up
with the special, in order that he might
rescue from the latter young woman,
his bride-to-be and the sister Of Miss
Urine.
But-and here was the grievance
they hadn't bargained to be shot at
with pistols. And precisely that out
rage had been put upon them during
and subsequent to the moment Of res
cue.
1t was unhappy Mr., Barcus who pre-
cipitated the affair. This gentleman
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-03-03
sYNcPsIs

The trey of hearts Is the "death-sign"
employed by Seneca Urine in the private
war OF vengeance which, through the
OF violent passions like his own, ne wages
4salnst Alan Law, son of the man now
1eadl who was innocently responsible tor
the accident which Iaade Urine helpless
cripple Alan is in love with Rose, Ju-
attn 8 twin and double but in all other re-
sspects her precise opposite. Judith vows
20 compass Alan's death: but under oia,
1hatic circumstances he saves her liIe anu
80, unwillngly, wins her love. TheIe-
aIter Judith is by turns animated Dy thS
old hate, the new love. and jealousy o.
her sister. She earns her fathers as
trust and is left behind by him wnen ne
Journeys West, taking Rose with MIN, IA
order TO lure Alan away from New YORK.
Alan pursues, Judith accompanying MN
against his wish and succeeds in rescu-
ang Rose from Trine's special train.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-03-03
THE DOCTORS WIFE
Agrees With Him About Food.

A trained nurse says: "In the prac-
tice of my profession | have found SO
many points in favor of Grape-Nuts
food that unhesitatingly recommend
1t to all my patients.
1T is delicate and pleasing to the
palate Ian essential In food for the
sick) and can be adapted to all ages.
being softened with milk or cream for
babies or the aged when deficiency Of
teeth renders mastication impossible.
For fever patients or those on liquid
diet / find Grape-Nuts and albumen
water very nourishing and refreshing.
This recipe is my own idea and is
made as follows: Soak a teaspoonfui
Of Grape-Nuts in glass of water for
an hour. strain and serve with the
beaten white OF an egg and spoonful
Of fruit Juice for fiavouring. This af-
fords great deal Of nourishment that
even the weakest stomach can assimi.
late without any distress.
MY husband is physician and he
uses Grape-Nuts himself and orders it
many times for his patients.
Personally regard dish Of Grape
Nuts with fresh or stewed fruit as the
ideal breakfast for anyone-well or
sick"
In stomach trouble, nervous prostra-
ton, etc, Today trial Of Grape-Nuts
viii usually work wonders toward
nourishing and rebuilding and in this
way end the trouble. Name given by
Postum &C Battle Creek. Mich.
Look in pkgs. for the famous little
book, "The Road to Eellville."
Ever read the above leltere new
one appears from time 20 lime. They
are genuine, true, and full OF human
interest.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-03-03

blithering ass of myself-letting her
loose at ALL"
He took his doubts aft. communal
eating them to Alan and Rose.
And his long conference with Alan
and Rose on the observation platform
afforded Judith ample opportunity in
which undetected to suborn the train
crew to treachery.
Whether she did or not, this is what
happened in the course of the next
hour: the special was forced to take a
siding to make way for the California
limited, east-bound; and when this had
passed, the engine of the special
coughed alphabetically and pulled
swiftly out, leaving the Pullman stalled
on the siding.
From the rear of the tender the
brakeman and fireman waved affecting
farewells to the indignant faces of
Alan and Barcus when they showed in
the front doorway.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-03-03

truding from the window of the spe-
calls engine, one on either side.
At venture, she snatched of her
coat and waved II wildly in the air,
An arm answered the signal from
one window of the pursuing locomo-
tive
Marrophat, OF course!
She turned and peered ahead. The
freight was approaching a trestle that
spanned wide and shallow gully.
So much the better!
Dropping down again between the
cars, she set herself to solve the prob
lem OF uncoupling the caboose.
In this she was successful just as
the last car rolled out on the trestle
Its own impetus carried the caboose
to tire middle of the trestle before II
stopped.
As this happened, Alan and Barcus,
already warned OF an emergency by
the slowing down of the car. and for
some time alive to the fact that the
special was again in pursuit, leaped
out upon the ties and helped Rose to
alight.
Already the last of the freight was
whisking off the trestle, it's crew thus
far unconscious OF their loss.
And behind them the special was
plunging forward at undated speed.
There was no time TO execute their
plan OF the first desperate instant-to
run along the ties to safety on the
solid earth: the distance was too
great; they could not possibly make II
With common impulse the two men
glanced down to the bottom Of the
gully. then looked at each other with
eyes Informed by common inspiration.
Barcus announced in breath:
Thirty feet-nOt more"
Alan replied: Can you hold the
weight of the two of us for half min
ute?"
Barcus shrugged: Il can try. We
might as well---even II can't"
While speaking, he was lowering
himself between the ties.
"All right" he announced briefly.
With word to Rose, Alan slipped
down beside Barcus, shifted his hold
to the body of the latter, and climbed
down over him until he was supported
solely by the grasp OF his two hands
on Barcus' ankles.
Instantly Rose followed him, slip
ping like a snake down over the two
men till she in turn hung by her grasp
on AIan's ankles, then released her
hold and dropped the balance OF the
distance TO the ground. scant ten
feet. landing without injury.
A thought later Alan dropped lightly
to her side, staggered trifie. recov-
cred and dragged her out Of the way.
Barcus fell with heavy thump and
went upon his back, but demonstrated
his lack OF injury by Immediately pick
ing himself up and Joining the others
in a mad scramble for safety.
Overhead the special engine, bur
Ting onward like some titanic bolt
struck the caboose with a crash like
the explosion Of a cannon. 1t collapsed
upon itself like thing Of pasteboard.
That It had been constructed OF
more solid stun was abundantly
proved by the shower of timbers, splin-
ters and broken iron that rained about
the heads of the fugltives.
For all that. the gods smiled upon
them for their courage: they escaped
without a scratch.
ITO BE CONTINuEDD
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-03-03
Lost His Reckoning.

One OF this worlds unfortunates was
arrested in Covington for lettering,
and when taken before the Judge to be
dealt with was asked by that official:
MY good fellow. do you live in this
town."
Nope" said the prisoner.
where are you going?" inquired the
Judge.
ITO heavep," came the answer.
"Take him below commanded the
Judge. "He is crazy or he never would
have come to Covington on the trip he
says he is taking"
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-03-03
Way Of the Modern Poet.
CTo BE CoNT1NUED)

Here in my poets howell is beat
ing my wounded heart--My trembling
fingers are writing a song OF my suf-
ferings' smart--Got that, young ladyH
TO the desert l fain would wander;
and there would languish and die
Oh. thunder" said the great poet,
'T've done enough work for today;
tell John to crank my machine, and
get me my automobile coat. Man
Lanht,
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-03-03
Imnorfant to Mothara
Reason.

There's no use talking" began
Mrs Nagg.
Il know It," interrupted Mr.. Nagg.
and the fact that you persist In talk
ing after making that declaration
simply proves what have often as
serted. regarding the lack OF logic
exhibited by some women. Now pro-
coed with your lecture"