davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Springdale news., 1915-03-26

means that your father married me when I was only seventeen and this boy is our son-your half-brother'
 "No-never," cried Elaine vehem. ently, unable to restrain her disgust.
 ''Weepy Mary" smiled cynically. Come with me and I will show you the church records and the minister who married us.'
 You will?' repeated Elaine defiant. ly. Well, I'll just do as you ask. Mir. Bennett shall go with me-"
 "No, no. Miss Dodge-dont go. Leave the matter to me" urged Ben nett. T will take care of her. Be- minutes"
 Elaine paused, but she was thor oughly aroused
 Then I will go with her myself" she cried defiantly.
 In spite of every objection that Ben nett made, 'Weepy Mary" her son and Elaine went out to call a taxicab to take them to the railroad station where they could catch train to the little town where the woman asserted she had been married.
 Meanwhile, before a little country church in the town, a closed automo- bile had drawn up.
 As the door opened figure, bumped up and masked, alighted
 It was the Clutching Hand
 The car had scarcely pulled away when he gave long rap, followed by two short taps, at the door of the vestry, secret code, evidently.
 Inside the yestry room a man we'll dressed, but with very sinister face. heard the knock and a second later opened the door,
 'What-not ready yet?" growled the Clutching Hand "Quick-now-get on those clothes. 1 heard the train whis- tie as I came in the car In which closet does the minister keep them?"
 The crook, without word, went to a closet and took out a suit of clothes of ministerial cut. Then he hastily put them on, adding some side-whisk- CTS, which he had brought with him.
 At about the same time Elaine, ac- companied by "Weepy Mary" and her
The Springdale news., 1915-03-26

Who is that woman?" she asked, stiil wondering about the identity of the niobe outside.
 At first he said nothing But finally, seeing that she had noticed it, he handed Elaine the card. reluctantly.
 Elaine read it with gasp The look ot surprise that crossed her face was terrible.
 Before she could say anything, how ever, Milton had returned with the sheet Of paper on which "Weepy Mary" had written and handed it to Bennett
 Bennett read it with uncontrolled astonishment.
 What is it?' demanded Elaine.
 He handed it to her, and she read:
 As the lawful wife and widow of Taylor Dodge l demand my sons rights and my own.
 MRS. TAYLOR DODGE. Elaine gasped at it.
 "She-my fathers wife," she ex- claimed What effrontery, What does she mean"
 Bennett hesitated
 Tell me- Elaine cried "Is there can there be anything in it? No-no- there isn't"
 Bennett spoke in low tone 'I have heard whisper of some scan- dal or other connected with your fath- er-but-" He paused
 Elaine was first shocked, then indig- nant.
 'Why-such thing is absurd. Show the woman in"
 -please-Miss Dodge Let me deal with her."
 By this time Elaine was furious. .Yes-I will see her.
 She pressed the button on Bennett's desk, and Milton responded
 Milton. show the-the woman in," she ordered, and that boy, too" As Milton turned to crook his finger at 'Weepy Mary" she nodded surrep- titiously and dug her fingers sharply into sons" ribs.
 "Yell-you little fool-yell," she whispered
 Obedient to his mothers" com mands, and much to Milton's disgust the boy started to cry i'll close imita- tion of his elder.
 Elaine was still holding the paper in her hands when they entered
 What does all this mean?" she de- manded.
 'Weepy Mary" between sobs, man. aged to blurt out, You are Miss Elaine Dodge. aren't you? We'll. it
The Springdale news., 1915-03-26

snortiy py your rrlend, Cralg kennedy, and he added with leer, T think your rather insistent search for a certain person will cease"
 Elaine drew back in the chair. horri fled at the implied threat.
 Clutching Hand laughed diabolically.
 While these astounding events were transpiring in the little church, Ken. nedy and l had been tearing across the country in his big car, following the directions of our fair friend
 We stopped at last before a pros porous. attractive-looking house and entered very prettily furnished but small parlor. Heavy portieres hung over the doorway into the hall, over another into a back room and over the bay windows.
 Won't you sit down moment2" coaxed Gertie I'm quite blown to pieces after that ride. My, how you driyei"
 As she pulled aside the hall DOT tieres. three men with guns thrust their hands out. I turned Two oth- CTS had stepped from the back room and two more from the bay window. We were surrounded Seven guns were aimed as us with deadly preci- sion.
 Gentlemen, he said quietly. 'I suspected some such thing. T have here a small box of illuminate of mer- cury. If l drop it, this building and the entire vicinity will be blown to atoms. Go ahead-shoot," he added. nonchalantly.
 The seven of them drew back rath- CT hurriedly
 Kennedy was dangerous prisoner
 He calmly sat down in an arm chair, leaning back as he carefully balanced the deadly little box of full minate of mercury on his knee
 Gertie ran from the room
 For moment they looked at each other, undecided Then, one by one, they stepped away from Kennedy to- ward the door
 The leader was the last to go. He had scarcely taken a step.
 Stop" ordered Kennedy.
 The crook did so. As Craig moved
The Springdale news., 1915-03-26

son. had arrived at the little tumble down station and had taken the only vehicle in sight, a very ancient car riage
 It ambled along until. at last. it pulled up before the vestry room door of the church, just as the bogus min ister was finishing his transformation from frank crook. Clutching Hand was giving him his final instructions.
 Elaine and the others alighted and approached the church. while the an- eient vehicle rattled away.
 They're eomingi' whispered the crook, peering cautiously out of the window
 Clutching Hand moved silently and snakelike into the closet and shut the door
 How do you do, Doctor Carton ?" greeted "Weepy Mary" I guess you don't remember me"
 The clerical gentleman looked at her fixedly moment.
 Remember you?" he repeated. "Of course. my dear. I remember every- one I marry"
 And you remember to whom you married me?'
 Perfectly. To an older man-a Fay Tor Dodge"
 Elaine was overcome
 Won't you step in2" he said suavely. Your friend here doesn't seem we'll"
 They all entered
 And you-you say-you married this-this woman to Taylor Dodge? ?" queried Elaine, tensely.
 The bogus minister seemed to be very fatherly. Yes he asserted, T certainly did so.'
 Have you the record?' asked Elaine, fighting to the last
 Why. yes. can show you the record
 He moved over to the closet. Come over here,' he asked
 He opened the door Elaine screamed and drew back. There stood her arch enemy, the Clutching Hand himself.
 As he stepped forth. she turned wild ly, to run-anywhere. But strong arms seized her and forced her into a chair.
 She looked at the woman and the minister. It was a plot,
 "A moment Clutching Hand looked Elaine over Put the others out" he ordered the other crook.
 Now, my pretty dear" began the Clutching Hand as the lock turned in the vestry door. we shall be joined
The Springdale news., 1915-03-26

for the ladder leading farther up into the steeple.
 Kennedy followed
 Elaine had recovered consciousness almost immediately, and, hearing the commotion, stirred and started to rise and look about
 From the church she could hear sounds of the struggle. She paused just long enough to seize the crooks revolver lying on the floor.
 She hurried into the church and up into the belfry, thence up the ladder, whence the sounds came
 The crook by this time had gained the outside of the steeple through an opening. Kennedy was in close pur- suit
 On the top of the steeple was great gilded cross, considerably larger than man. As the crook clambered outside, he scaled the steeple, using a lightning rod and some projecting points to pull himself up, desperately.
 Kennedy followed unhesitatingIy
 There they were, struggling in dead ly combat, clinging to the gilded cross.
 The first knew of it was a mortified gasp from my own crook. looked up
The Springdale news., 1915-03-26
SYNOPSIS.

The New York police are mystifed by ia series of murders and other crimes. The principal clue to the criminal is the warn ing letter which is sent the victims. signed with "ciutching hand" The fat. est victim of the mysterious assassin is Taylor Dodge. the insurance president. Ills daughter. Elaine. employs Craig to try to unrayel the mystery. What Kennedy accomplishes is told by his friend Jameson, a newspaper man En- ragged at the determined effort which Elaine and Craig Kennedy are making to put an end to his crimes, the Glutchine Hand as this strange criminal is known, resorts to all sorts of tn most diabolieal Each chapter of tn sto.y tells Of a new plot against their live and of the way the great detective uses all his skill to save this pretty girl and himself from death.
The Springdale news., 1915-03-26

Tense With Horror; 1t Was Elaine. carefully, fearing it was stall to get me off my guard.
 There were Kennedy and the other crook, struggling, swaying back and forth, between life and death.
 There was nothing 1 could do.
 Kennedy was clinging to light ming rod on the cross.
 It broke
 l gasped as Craig reeled back But he managed to catch hold of the rod farther down and cling to it
 The crook began to exult diaboli- cally. Holding with both hands to the cross he let himself out to his full length and stamped on Kennedy's fin- gers, trying every way to dislodge him. It was all Kennedy could do to keep his hold
 cried out in agony at the sight, for he had dislodged one of Craig's hands. The other could not hold much longer. He was about to fall.
 Just then 1 saw face at the little window opening out from the ladder to the outside of the steeple-a wom- ans face, tense with horror.
 It was Elaine
 Quickly a hand followed, and in it was a revolver
 Just as the crook was about to dis lodge Kennedy's other hand I saw flash and puff of smoke, and second later heard a report-and another and another
 Horrors,
 The crook whc had taken refuge seemed to stagger back. wildly, taking a couple of steps in the thin air
 Kennedy regained his hold
 With sickening thud the body of the crook landed on the ground around the corner of the church from me
 "Come-you." I ground out, cover ing my own crook with the pistol, and if you attempt a getaway I'll kill you, tool"
 He followed, trembling, unnerved
 We bent over the man. It seemed that every bone in his body must be broken He groaned, and before I could even attempt anything for him, was dead
 As Kennedy let himself slowly and painfully down the lightning rod, Elaine seized him and, with all her strength, pulled him through the win dow.
 He was quite weak now from loss of blood
 Are you-all right?" she gasped, as they reached the foot of the ladder i'll the belfry.
 Craig looked down at his torn and soiled clothes. Then. in spite of the smarting pain of his wounds, he smiled, "Yes-all right"
 Thank Heaven!" she murmured fer vently, trying to stanch the flow of blood.
 This time-it was you-saved mel" he cried, "Elaine.''
 Involuntarily his arms sought hers and he held her a moment, looking deep into her wonderful eyes.
 Then their faces came slowly to. gether in their first kiss.
 lTo BE CONTINUED
The Springdale news., 1915-03-26

toward him, he waited, cold sweat breaking out on his face.
 Say he whined, you let me bel
 It was intellectual Kennedy smil- ing confidently, came closer. still hold ing the deadly little box, baleuced be- tween two fingers
 He took the crooks gun and dropped it into his pocket.
 Sit down!" ordered Craig.
 Outside, the other six parleyed in hoarse whispers. One raised a gun, but the woman and the others re- strained him and fled.
 Take me to your masteri" de- handed Kennedy.
 The crook remained silent.
 Where is her" repeated Craig. Tell mel"
 Still the man remained silent. Craig looked the fellow over again. Then, still with that confident smile. he reached into his inside pocket and drew forth the tube 1 had seen him place there.
 No matter how much you accuse me" added Craig casually, mo one will ever take the word of crook that a reputable scientist like me would do what I am about to do.
 He had taken out his penknife and opened it. Then he beckoned to me.
 Bare his arm and hold his wrist, Walter.' he said
 Craig bent down with the knife and the tube, then paused a moment and turned to tube so that we could see 1t.
 On the label were the ominous words.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-09-01
CHILDREN HAVE
ENJOYABLE DAY
EXCELLENT PROGRAM OF FUN
AND FRoLic CARRIED OUT
At BRIDGE PARK.
Cios'no Summer Event OF Wheeling
fairgrounds Proves Most
Pleasing AFFAIR.

With ideal weather. several hundred
children OF the city enjoyed the pro
gram OF fun and frolic yesterday az
.ernoon az Bridge park. given under
direction OF the stan OF the Wheeling
fairgrounds Association. and through
the courtesy OF Joseph Lawson. of the
wheeling a Belmont Bridge Company.
owners OF the park. and General Man
ager G. o. Maggie, OF the Wheeling
traction Company. who gave the chill
dren Tree transportation to and from
the park.
Because OF darkness IL was impos.
siole TO carry out the entire program
arranged. However. the AFFAIR proved
TO be one Of the most enjoyable for
the children ever held in this commu-
nifty, In formally closing the play
grounds for the season.
An event OF the program that was
OF special interest and afforded the
little ones much pleasure was the tug
of-war between the Sixteenth and
Twenty-sixth streets Fairgrounds chill.
dren. The Sixteenth street girls won
Another part of the program that AT.
forded considerable interest and
amusement for the many spectators
was the American flag relay. partici-
pated In by the three Fairgrounds
children, Sixteenth. Twenty-sixth and
Forty-sixth streets grounds. Recrea-
ton Manager w. Francis Hyde decid-
ed that IL was a contest between the
sixteenth and Forty-sixth streets
children.
During the afternoon the little ones
were given a musical treat with a
large grafonola, kindly furnished by
the House & Hermann store.
About 400 spectators were present.
number of whom occupied automo-
biles. including Mrs. c. r. Hubbard.
acting president OF the Wheeling Play.
grounds Association. and Mr.. Hub
bard
Perhaps the most enjoyable feature
OF the affair was the closing number,
when an enthusiastic folk-dance was
given by scores of girls of the Six
teenth street grounds. which brought
forth applause from the many spec
tators.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-09-01

more popularity called. is composed
OF l. r. Halter. James Dyson, William
Schenk, Neil Quinn and Henry Miller.
The caterer is Manager p. +. Haber.
stick, and the big mogul is ]. w. Cum
minis. the exalted ruler OF the local
lodge. Mr.. Cummins and the commit
tee have worked hard to make the
affair asuccess
Special cars will leave Sixteenth
street this evening at $50 O'Clock and
. O'Clock for the club TO allow all to
arrive before the feast begins. Two
tables have been constructed by the
carpenter. Isadore Poulton. one 100
feet long and another $50 feet long.
The menu will be featured by both
hard and soft she'll crabs and ali othe,
eats OF the season viii be on the
menu. There will be Accommodations
for at least 200 members, and from
the enthusiasm manifested. that num-
Der will be present
Gump's orchestra has been engaged
for the evening. The committee has
secured the use OF the large field
across the road from the club to be
used In parking automobiles. Il is
expected that a great number Of the
members viii reach the grounds in
this way. The field belongs TO the
Whitaker-Glessner company and wa
donated for parking purposes to the
club. The weeds have been cut and
a bridge placed across a small ravine
10 allow easy entrance 10 the field
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-09-01
DAY NURSERY
CHILDREN HOME
YOUNGSTERS WHO HAVE BEEN
ENJOYING COUNTRY LIFE
RETURN HOME.
Geld Weather Cuts Short Outing on
Jacobs Farm One Week-civen
BY the Rotary Club.

Tired. but happy. twenty-eIght
youngsters from the Kings Daugh.
ters' Day Nursery were brought back
TO the city yesterday from a three
weeks outing on the Jacobs farm.
near West Liberty. The children
were brought back in automobiles by
Mrs. r. r. Kitchen. w. B. Elliott, G.
H. Hunter Henry Kalbitzer and Will
lam Hare
The outing was arranged by the
Rotary Club. and was to have lasted
four weeks. The Fidelity Investment
Company. which owns the Jacobs
farm. offered Il to the club for the
use Of the Riddles. Telephones we're
Installed and everything done to make
the place a most desirable one. How
ever. cold weather interfered and the
outing. which was TO have lasted four
weeks. was necessarily curtailed one
week
The club wishes to thank Mrs. r. r.
Kitchen. Mrs. William Hare, Mrs. W.
II. Smith and any others who con-
tributed to the success OF the out
ing.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-09-01
TRAFFI% VIOLATOR
Given Salty Dose In Police Court Yes
terday-Judge Jordan Airs
Puailistic Contest.

Charles Thompson. charged with
driving recklessly across Eleventh
street. az Market. without paying nnv
attention 10 the traffic officer was
hned $50 and costs yesterday morning
by Judge Jordan ia police court. or
hcer smith said ne signalled Thomp-
son 70 stop. but instead. the driver
speeded MP his Ford machine 10 about
- miles an hour. 10 was claimed thai
ne nearly coilidcd with Mcndel Myers
driver for the Home Steam Laundry
company. Judee Jordan warned the
driver that another arrest would mean
the limit
The Judge was also called upon 10
entanele a oolored riot I'D Love was
nned $50 and costs for beating up
Inarles itollnEer. 10 seems that an
the trouble started when HoIIinrer
tried 10 separate Love from cigar.
cite
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-09-01
POLISH CLUB
Bought In on Building at Public Court
Sale Testerdsy-5eal Property
At Wsr~ood Also Sold.

The Polish Club building on Wood
street In the Eighth ward. was bought
IN yesterday by the Polish Club direct
ors Tor the sum Of StS.1f246 Court
Aucuoneer Curtis Rice conducted the
sale al the north door Of the court
mouse. For time II was thought the
sale would be continued. The sale
was made necessary b. the existence
OF a deed OF trust. made By the club.
ana which caused the appointment Of
receiver some time ago. Consider
abie htigation Dr. pending In court
against the club. and for this reason
a sale was necessary
Auctionccr Rice also sold the CIar.
once Beal property In Warwood to I
a. Lawrence and r. n Walters A.
their bid Of $500
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-09-01

ton had been taken by the directors
to MI the vacancy caused by the res
ignation OF Mr.. Wilson The directors
of the bank received the resignation
with regret. They adopted compll-
mentary resolutions thanking Mr.. WI
son for his long and valuable labors In
the interests of the bank.
The Commercial Bank is one OF the
Oldest and most conservatively man
aged financial institutions in Wheel
irg, and for many years has been
enc OF the most profitable. Il Is I'M
oerstood that some steps are likely to
be taken to Introduce a number OF
new members into the directorate OF
the bank. Most Of the present direct
ors like Mr.. Wilson. are advanced in
years and feel disposed TO limit their
active business relations.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-09-01
NUMBER SEATS
In GRAND STAND
INNOVATION FOR HANDLING RAc.
ING CROWD At FAIR SURE
TO PLEASE.
Reservations May BE Made IN Advances
az House Music Store. Be
ginning Today

An innovation Cor the handling Of
the patrons OF the Grand stand az the
West Virginia State Fair this year.
and one that cannot fail but meet with
The approval Of eli. De- the numbering
Of the seats and selling numbered
coupons therefore
This win mean that only the exact
number Of tickets o. there are re-
served seats. about 200. viii be- cold
Tor each performance either day or
night and the holder Of the numbered
coupon retains the ownership Of tho
seat corresponding 20 number on tho
check for the performance. The same
scale OF prices. as heretofore CHARGED
VIII b. maintained namely twenty. five
cents additional % the admission price.
For the convenience of those who
desire % make reservations ln ad-
vance arrangements have been made
With the T. a. House company 1905
Market street for the sale Of reserved
Hrand stand seats This sale viii omen
"wednesday. September 4. and con
iinue the entire week OF the fair Seats
can BE- secured for any performance
on any day. but the falo Of tickets
Tor the afternoon show viii close o.
houses 40 1880 a. m.. on the day of
ne show and Tor 'thc night show a.
200 2. M The same day
General admission and admission 10
ne Grand stand will BE- By coin turn
stiles and no tickets viii b. sold For
ne convenience Of those who NEGLECT
20 bring the correct change with them
change makers VIII b. IN evidence
ready 70 break any biil OF reasonable
denomination
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-09-01
SOCIAL SESSION
AND CRAB FEAST
WILL BE ENJOYED TONIGHT BY
THE WHEELING LODGE,
Q. p. o. ElkS.
Eats" VIII BE Served az Martins
Ferry Country ciub-speeisI Cars
VIII Carry "Autlered Herd

A real social session is on the bin
for Wheeling Lodge. No. Is. b. p o.
Elks. tonight The place is the Mar
tins Ferry Country club on the Wheel
ing-Rayland division OF the Wheeling
Traction company. a short distance
above Martins Ferry The hours.
strictly speaking. viii be from high
noon until the last Elk is ready to HE
himself homeward. The feed" comes
at $50 when DIR. o. w. Burdats. toast
master. will rap for order.
The committee IN charge OF the So
cial session. or Grab Fest as IL is
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-09-01
SUBMIT OPINION
Board o. Control VIII Produe. L.a,t
opinion on Closing Of Gas Works
81 Meeting Thursday Nisht

can was sent out vesicrdsv
through the police department bv
chairman -. p. Adams. of tho wstcr
and light committee caIiing F, $50,
meeting OF that commffoo ,nd a.
Board OF Control for to.morrou- -
Inc. A. this time the committee III
have before 90 lorai oDirior a. ~
whether or not the citv viii r,tt,
quiah any rights or PRIVILEGE a, 80,
city gas works
Mayor Kirk stated yesterday that
such an opinion had been secured
but he did not care to make known
the contents Of o. until 70 had born
laid before the committee.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-09-01
CANOEISTS RETURN
Party Of Wheeling Boys Back From
Trip Down ohio River-Adver-
tised State Fair.
sL79 COTTON COMFORTS in Tx ct I'm
s4-neh size sanitary filing. d. i y 4 ~

A party Of Wheeling boys returned
sunday, from a canoe trip down the
Ohio river. The canoeists left this
city about two weeks ago. and leisure.
~ padded down stream. stopping NJ
tho many towns and villages 10 adver.
tise the State Fair which viii be- held
IN this city next week.
Bad weather interforcd somewhat
With the pleasures Of the trip. 90 the
boys quit the river az Marietta but
continued BY rail 10 Parkersburg The
return Trip was made on the steamer
Joe Fowler
included in the party were Charles
letters. Thomas Schoeflcld. George
Weimer. William Cotton. George Wac
nff, Russell Cameron. Allen ZIP"
ADAMS. Norman Greig and Howard
Nay.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-09-01

O. ID wright Roacmont Sch
writes For about six months wa
bothered with shooting and continual
pains in the reeion OF ms kidneys Nv
rest was broken nearly every nirhf bv
frequent action of my kidncys. was
advised By my doctor to Try Folev KID
ncy pile and one 90 cent bottle made
a wen man of me. D can alwava 70.
commend Foley kidney Pills for 4
know they are good This splendid
remedy Tor bnChaCho. rhcumatiam
sore muscles and swollen Joints con
taiue mo- habit forming druea Dor
sale by John Coleman Co