davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1915-04-09

'Who is that Woman2" she asked
still wondering about the identity o.
the niobe outside.
At first he said nothing, But finally
seeing that she had noticed II, he
handed Elaine the card, reluctantly.
Elaine read It with a gasp. The lool
OF surprise that crossed her face wai
terrible.
Before she could say anything, how
ever, Milton had returned with the
sheet of paper on which "Weepy
Mary" had written and handed II tC
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 I demand my
sons rights and my own.
MRS. TAYLOR DODGE.
Elaine gasped at II.
"She-my fathers wifel" she ex
claimed. What eirrontery! What
does she mean?"
Bennett hesitated.
Tell me-" Elaine cried. 'Is there
can there be anything in it2 Mono
there isn't"
Bennett spoke In a low tone. 81
have heard whisper OF some scan
dal or other connected with your faith
er-but-" He paused.
Elaine was first shocked, then indig-
nant.
"Why-such a thing is absurd. Show
the woman I'M"
"No-please-Miss Dodge. Let me
deal with her"
BY this time Elaine was furious.
yes 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.
lell-you little foOl-yell she
whispered
Obedient to his mothers" COM
mands, and much to Milton's disgust,
the boy started to cry in 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? Well, 1t
The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1915-04-09
stranne Rock pweller.

One of the strangest creatures
known to science is the pholas, or bor-
ing clam. When still very minute
the animal bores into the sandstone
ledges at extreme low water, by means
of its sharp shell, which is replaced by
secretions as it is worn away 1t
penetrates the rock to a depth OF
six or eight inches, and hollows out
its burrow as it increases in size.
Shaped roughly like top, it could not
leave it's rock dwelling even If il
wished to do so. For food, it depends
on the animalCules that float in sea
water, which it seizes by its long ST.
phon, or tongue. The pholas is in
great demand at the seaside resorts
along the Pacific coast, for it's meat is
very tender and makes excellent soup.
The CLANS are dslodged in great
numbers from the lodges by the use
of dynamite, although it is possible to
obtain them with pick and crowbar
The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1915-04-09

for the ladder leading farther up intt
the steeple
Kennedy followed
Elaine had recovered consciousneao
almost Immediately, and, hearing the
oommotion, stirred and started 10 rise
and look about,
From the church she could hear
sounds OF the struggle She paused
Just long enough 10 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 a
great gided cross, considerably larger
than a 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 unhestatingly
There they were, struggling IN dead
ly combat, clinging TO the gilded cross
The first ! knew Of u was horrihed
gasp from my own crook looked up
The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1915-04-09

"son. had arrived az the nttle tumble
down station and had taken the only
vehicle In sight. a very ancient car
riage.
II ambled along until, at last. II
pulled up before the vestry room door
OF the church, just as the bogus min
lister 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
Client vehicle ratified away.
They're coming!" whispered the
crook. peering cautiously out of the
window.
Clutohing Hand moved silently and
snakelike into the closet and shut the
door.
How do you do, Doctor Carton?"
greeted "Weepy Mary" ] guess you
don't remember me-"
The clerical gentleman looked at
her fiXedly a moment.
Remember your" he repeated. "Of
course, my dear remember every
one I marry"
And you remember TO whom you
married me?'
Perfectly To an older mana Tay-
lor Dodge"
Elaine was overcome
won't you step in?" he said
suavely Your friend here doesn't
seem well"
They all entered.
"And you-you say-you married
this-this woman to Taylor Dodge?"
querled Elaine, tensely.
The bogus minister seemed to be
very fatherly. Yes" he asserted, Il
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. Il 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, I'VE shall be joined
The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1915-04-09

/ shortly by your friend, Craig Kennedy,
and" he added with a leer, 81 think
your rather insistent search for a
! certain person will cease"
Elaine drew back in the chair, horri-
/ fed at the implied threat.
Clutching Hand laughed diabolically.
While these astounding events were
transpiring in the little church, Ken
nedy and 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 hail. over
another into a back room and over
the bay windows.
Wont you sit down a moment?"
coaxed Gertie. I'm quite blown to
pieces after that ride. My, how you
drive!"
AS she pulled aside the hall por-
there's. three men with guns thrust
their hands out. / turned. Two 9th
ers 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. Il
suspected some such thing Il have
here a small box of illuminate of mer-
curry. 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-
er 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
inmate of mercury on his knee.
Gertie ran from the room.
For a 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 Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1915-04-09
pomestIeated Geography

You can wander around Metz Gn.
diana), and Gibraltar (Pennsylvania), +,
and Belgrade (MissourD, and Dvn-
kirk maryland without being shot
as spy If more scholarly associa-
tions beckon, what say you to London
(Texas), Stratford (Connecticut), Ok.
ford (Tdaho) Heidelberg (Mississip.
PHI and Cambridge (Maine)? If you
love art and arc itecture, HE away to
Milan (Tennesseel, Florence (Utah),
Vienna (South Dakota), or -ersailles
(Kentucky) And if you seek the
antique flavor of Athens, or Pompeii,
or Venice, or anJ other venerable
ruin
But what's the use? We have it all
in America; just run over The map
and take your choice, Geography is
the finest of indoor sports this year
anyhow.
The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1915-04-09

means that your father married me
when was only seventeen and this
boy is our son-your halfbrother"
'No-never," cried Elaine vehem
emily, unable to restrain her disgust
''Weepy Mary smiled cynicaIIy
Come with me and ! 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. Mr.
Bennett shall go with me-"
mo, no, Miss Dodge-don't go
Leave the matter to me" urged Ben.
nett. 81 will take care of her. Be.
sides, must be in court in twenty
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.
1t 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, a secret code, evidently
Inside the vestry room a man well
dressed, but with very sinister face,
heard the knock and a second later
opened the door.
"What-not ready YETI" growled the
Clutching Hand. "Quick-now-g get on
those clothes. heard the train whis-
tie as l came in the car. In which
closet does the minister keep them?"
The crook, without word, went to
a closet and took out suit Of clothes
of ministerial cut. Then he hastily
put them on, adding some side-whisk-
ers, which he had brought with him.
At about the same time Elaine, ac-
companied by "Weepy Mary" and her
The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1915-04-09
SYNOPSIS.

The New york police are mystlhed by
a series OF murders and other crimes. The
Ing letter which is sent the victims,
signed with n "clutchlug hand" The lat
est victim OF the mysterious assassin Is
Taylor Dodge the insurance president
His daughter Elaine, employs Craig
Kennedy, the famous scientific detective,
20 try to unruvel the mystery What
Kennedy accompshes is told by his
friend jameson, newspaper man, En-
ragged at the determined effort which
Elaine and Craig Kennedy are making 10
put an end 70 his crimes, the Cmtching
Hand as this strange criminal is known,
resorts 10 all sorts of th most diabolical
schemes to- put ther out Of the way.
plot against their live and OF the way
the grea. detective uses all his skill 10
save thin pretty girl and himself from
death
The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1915-04-09

structed several large vessels measur-
ing upward of 800 feet. These were
built for the emperors or rulers and
were little more than enormous scows,
without any means of propulsion.
A vessel 420 feet in length was built
by PtolemY which was propelled by
500 rowers, arranged in five banks,
using oars 81 feet in length
The fame of the Thalamegus still
lives. This boat, which measured 300
feet in length, 40 feet in breadth and
go feet in depth, was said to have been
the most beautiful craft in antiquity
The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1915-04-09

Tense With Horror; It Was Elaine.
carefully, fearing it was stan to get
me off my guard.
There were Kennedy and the other
crook, struggling, swayiDg back and
forth, between life and death
There was nothing Tcould do.
Kennedy was clinging to a light
ming rod on the cross.
1t broke.
I 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 diaboh.
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.
1t 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.
lie was about to fall.
Just then saw a face at the little
window opening out from the ladder
to the outside Of the steeple--a wom-
ans face, tense with horror,
1t was Elaine
Quickly a hand followed, and in it
was a revolver.
Just as the crook was about to dis
lodge Kennedys other hand / saw a
flash anG puff OF smoke, and a second
later heard a report-and another
and another.
Horrors!
The crook who had taken refuge
seemed to stagger back, wildly, taking
a couple of steps in the thin air
Kennedy regained his hold.
With a sickening thud the body of
the crook landed on the ground around
the corner of the church from me,
"Come-you!" l ground out, cover
ing my own crook with the pistol, and
if you attempt a getaway III kill you,
too"
He followed, trembling, unnerved.
We bent over the man. 1t seemed
that every bone in his body must be
broken. He groaned, and before /
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
in 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 me!'
he cried, "Elaine!"
Involuntarily his arms sought hers
and he held her moment, looking
deep into her wonderful eyes
Then their faces came slowly to-
gether in their first kiss.
(TO BE CONTINUED
The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1915-04-09

beams or dimly through the shadows
Of moonless night, in calm and tenn
pest-every one Of them, from the
tiny "growler" to the huge mass of
spires and spurs, rouses at first
glimpse an awe undiminished by
growing appreciation of its beauty.
Always before one is the thought that
but an eighth of the iceberg's bulk
shows above the water the remainder
stretching down and down into the
blue-green depths and out and out
until captains breathe freely only
when the horizon is clear of them.
The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1915-04-09
How Doctor Abbott Prepa

How Doctor Abbott Prepares SermoN
MY method OF preparation for any
sermon or address is to consider
first. not my subject, but my object
that is. what ! want to accomplish.
Next ! consider what thoughts and
what organization Of those thoughts
will be best fitted to accomplish that
object. And. third in arranging those
thoughts ] endeavor to make OF them
not chain but river, to make
nv argument cumulative. not merely
logical. so that the last thoughts VIII
be not merely the conclusion but the
climax of the thoughts that have gone
before. This | generally do without
the use Of pen or pencil Usually,
however, | iot down in a notebook or
on a sheet of paper the major points
in the address after I have arranged
them in my mind though ! never
have this paper before me in speak
ing. It is much more important TO
keep my mind in touch with my aud
itors than in touch with my theme
Lyman Abbott in the outlook
The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1915-04-09
NATURAL MARVEL IS ICEBERG
Mass Impresses Beholder by Its Ma
iestic Beauty and Sense Of
Relentless Force.

There is nothing in nature so inn
posing and awe inspiring as the ice
berg, writes Lacey Amy in the Wide
World magazine. 1t gives an over
powering sense of relentless force, of
dignity and Of brilliance. Beneath the
suns vivid rays or the dark clouds of
threatening storm, in the moons cold
The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1915-04-09
GREAT SHIPS OF THE PAST
Noah's Ark Said to Have Been About
the Size Of the Modernl Ocean
Liners.

It is generally agreed that Noah's
ark measured about $50 feet in length,
rs feet in breadth and As feet in depth.
1t is interesting to note that the pro-
portions Of these dimensions are prac-
ricaIly the same as those Of the great
modern ocean liners.
The Greeks and the Romans con-
The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1915-04-09

Far out in the ocean, with the largest
steamers passing swiftly miles inside.
they ground upon the bottom in tre-
mendous depths and calmly await the
relieving touch of sun and current. In
the widest seas and strongest gales
they float undisturbed. There could
be no seasickness on an iceberg, for
its foundations are fathoms below the
wave disturbance
The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1915-04-09
Barrels of Booty

Sol Sodbuster-Hear about the rob.
berry down T. tn an 1O-cent store
4 last night?
Hiram Hayraek-Nope. D'they cit
much?
Sol Sudbuster-Yep, They was IN
there two hours and carried away
nearly dollars wuth o goods.--
Puck
The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1915-04-09

and was used exclusively by the EN-
peror.
A king of Syracuse is also credited
with having built very palatial boat,
whose cabins were hung with costly
silks and decorated with rare statues.
After the decline of the Roman empire
no great ships were constructed for
more than thousand years.
The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1915-04-09

Some men could be sized up in two
words: Human doormats. Florida
Times Union.
The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1915-04-09

Optimistic Thought.
If you mean to profit learn 20
please.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-21
Have You Tried?

Mendng your own china ornaments at
home. because you can DO SO quite easily
with a little good cement. A splendid
cement can bs made from a mixture of
plaster of paris and gum acacia Dissolve
half an ounce of the latter in water and
strain and add enough plaster OF paris to
make a paste. The cement should be
used quickly and should only be mixed in
the actual quantity required.
Wash the broken pieces before cement
ing. Warm them in front OF the fire and
then apply the cement TO the part TO be
Joined with a fine piece of stick. Press
the two pieces together and prop up in
position. Sometimes IL is a good plan 70
keep them together with a rubber band
until the cement has set
Don't attempt to cement several pieces
at once. II there are several pieces TO
be put together join two one day, two
the next. and so on until the ornament Is
mendcd.
China cups ana plates which have 10 be
frequently in and out OF water should be
mended with rivets, ana riveting is best
done at a shop.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-21

eontrivcs to keep her hold over him.
No man I'm his heart Of hearts ever re-
spected the woman he was sure OF, tho
woman who never asked inconvencnt
questions or did nconvenient things,
whose worth, in word, was beyond
rubies.
IF a man were quite sure OF woman
he would play the devil with her, instead
of which she plays the devil with him.
Which is all as 1t should be Some
people will tell you that the world was
made for man. Agreed! But what was
man made for? Woman, Of course"
Tho reason Of many unhappy marriages
lies in matrimonial miscaleulations con-
cernins the disposition Of the bride. It
always strikes me MS an extraordinary
thing that 80 many modern mon de-
mand perfection in woman. They place
her on q pedestal and they want to stay
below, blndly worshlping. But, as IA mat
ter Of fact. the woman who is piece Of
perfection would be dreadful bore. She
would be hopeossly unnterestinE and
uncompanIonable. Moreover, perfect
woman and imperfect man would prove
poor combination socially. They
wouldn't hit It off at all we'll together.
The perfect woman could never say
word against her neighbors nor indulge
in tho retailing of these delectable little
pieces of gossip which are the Joy Of
the average womhn's existence, She
couldn't be really taotful, for she would
have to adhere vigorously to the truth,
the whole truth and nothing but the
truth. And tactlessness Is the grave of
matrimonial affection.
Whether women are trustworthy or un-
trustworthy is largely a matter of In
dividual viewpoint. and depends upon
each particular Interpretation Of the
term. There are beings on earth, you
know, who would rather have very
tactful, kindly wife than one who was
model of reliability. And there Is also
some truth in the old saying, what the
eye doesn't sec, the heart doesn't grieve
overt
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-21
kN ASMART SY 4 S1 1GIH;S Anal
w. DIARY 1z.45|BSl
A Satin Afternoon FrOck

TAME was sewing as usual when l ran
- In to tell her the good news, and to
gossip about the world in general. She
Is the most comfortable person to talk
to-you can ramble on about everything,
and she never contradicts you. was
very busy telling her all about Elinor
and George, as her needle flew in and
out At the conclusion Of my tale she
put on her dress to show 1t to me.
II was copy from Redfern model,
shown at the opening of one OF our most
exclusive shops The material used was
some lovely black satin which Jane had
been keeping for some time, waiting for
the right opportunity to use It. The
blouse was cut with V-front and back,
and the girde was formed by clever
crossing Of the bodice at the waist line.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-21
CHILDREN'S CORNER
Reddy Squirrel Moves

II EDDY SQUIRREL surveyed the home
~ where, he and Mrs. Reddy had lived
all winter, with look of great dissats-
faction. Some way or other" he finally
said, I'm dreadfully tired of this place"
That's funny" Mrs. Reddy replied. and
p worried look came into her face. what
is there about 1t that you don't like"
Don't know" said Reddy tersely, "but
! want to novel,
want to move" exclaimed Mrs. Reddy
in dismay, think of all the work that
moving is! Isn't there some way we can
fx this home up so you will like it,"
"No, there isn't" replied Rcddy terscly,
and he went out of doors to nurse his
grievance. Now, going out of doors on
spring morning is tho very worst way
in the world to nurse n grievance-that
IS, IL you want TO keep the grievance!
For grievances have n way of vanishing
IN the fresh air; maybe you've noticel
that yourself.
Reddy had not been out of doors moro
than three minutes till he forgot how
cross he was and began to feel like his
usual jolly self. IT believe it's that house
that makes me cross" he thought to hlru-
self. II think was right about moving,
but was wrong to be so surly about it,
Now. wonder where We could move?"
He looked all around the pretty park
woods. The tree buds were swelling, the
bushes and shrubs were beginning 10
bloom and the grass was putting on its
fresh green dress. prettier place 10
live in no squirrel could ask for. Then
Reddy looked up into the trees; and
right then he spied the house!
1t was a cunning little house stuck
up on long pole and 1t was put there
for birds Though. OF course, Reddy didn't
know thatO and the minute he saw It,
Reddy determined to make it his home.
That's just the kind of place 1 want"
he cried, joyously. 'Ill run and get Mrs
Reddy TO look at It with me. I know
she'll like 1t. too"
He scampered back TO his home as fast
as ever he could. "Come quick with me-"
he called 10 Mrs. Reddy: i've found he
finest little house you ever saw, You
win want to move the minute you see
itrt