davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1915-01-29
SYNOPSIS.

Stanley HafgreaYe, millionaire, after n
miraculous escape from the zen of the
gang Of brilliant thieves known as the
Black Hundred lives the life of re-
cluse for eighteen years. Hargreave ac-
Sluentally meets Braine, leader of the
Black Hundred. knowing Braine will try
10 get him, he escapes from his own home
by balloon. Before escaping he writes
letter to the girls school where eight
cen years before he mysIuriously Leaf Oh
me doorstep his baby daughter, Florence
gray. That day HargreaVe also draws
Sl,OOOOOO from the bank, but IL Is reported
that this dropped into the sea when the
balloon he escaped In was puncJured.
FLORENCE arrives from the girls school.
countess olga, Braine's companion, Wis
JUS her and claims to be a relative. Two
bogus detectives call. but their plot is
iOiled by Norton, newspaper man. BY
DTlblng the captain of the Orient Norton
lays trap tor Braine and his gang.
countess Olga also visits the Orient's
captain. and she easily falls into the re-
porter's snare. The plan proves abortve
through Braine's good luck and only hire.
nnBs fall into the hands OF the police
AFTER failing in their first attempt the
Black Hundred trap Florence They ask
her for money. but she escapes. again
rolling them. Norton and the countess
can on Florence the next day. once more
SAFE at home. The visitors having gone,
Jones removes a section OF flooring and
from cavity takes a box. Pursued by
members OF the Black Hundred he rushes
10 the water 'front.' ana succeeds In drop
ping the box into the sea. Countess Olga
succeeds In breaking the engagement eN-
listing between Florence Hargreave and
Norton. ACcompllces of Braine succeed
IN kidnapping Florence while she Is shop
ping and hurry her of to sea. She leaps
Into the sea and Is picked up in a dazed
condition by a party OF fishermen. The
Black Hundred locate her, and Brainp
disguised as her father succeeds In TAX
ing her back to sea with him Florence
sets fire to the boat and Is rescued by a
ship on which Norton has been shang-
haied Norton and Florence. safely ashore
and with no longer any misunderstanding
between them, tahe the train for home.
The train is wrecked and waiting menu
hers ~ the Black Hundred carry the in
1ured Florence to a deserted hut. Norton
who tries TO rescue her Is tied to the
railroad tracks. Florence saves him and
finally Jones comes to the rescue Of both.
The Black Hundred recover the box
Jones dropped in the ocean. BY clever
ruse Norton and Jones regain II.
The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1915-01-29

branch of the secret service and put
the matter TO him frankly. !, Flor
ence, Susan, and the rest of US must
be arrested. The wretches must be-
heve that the house is empty. They'll
rove about fruitlessly and will return
to their den to report the success of
the Coup. All the while you and
some detectives will be in hiding up
stairs, dictagraph and all that. When
the time comes you will follow. This
VIII not reach the heads, perhaps. but
1t will demoralize the organization in
such a way as to make it helpless for
several months to come. There is a
tunnel from the stables to this house."
What, tunnel?"
Yes, Mr.. Hargreave had it built
several years ago. l don't know what
his idea was; possibly he anticipated
an event like this. :: You and your men
will find entrance, by this method.
The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1915-01-29

mo; l warned you never to act
upon them without first consulting
me. And we might have made cap
ture! My child, always show me these
things will advise you whether to
tear them up or not"
Jones, believe you are going a
little too far" said Florence haughtily:
sit might have been my father"
Never in this world, Miss Florence.
Still, | beg your pardon for raising
my voice. What | do and have done
is only for your own sake. There are
two things wish to impress upon your
mind before go. This can be made
q comedy or a terrible tragedy. You
have already had taste of the latter;
and each time you escaped because
God was good to us. But he is rarely
kind to thoughtless people. They have
to look out for themselves. am act
ing under orders; always remember
that"
Forgive me: ! acted wrongly But
I'm so weary and tired of this eternal
suspicion of everybody and every
thing. Can't go somewhere, some
place where can have rest?"
IF ! thought for a single moment
it was possible to take you thousands
of miles from this spot, it would be
done this very night. But this is our
fortress. So far it has been impreg-
nable. The police are watching it;
and that prevents general assault
by the scoundrels. If we tried to
leave we would be followed; and they
play that game exceedingly we'll. Now,
goodnight. Wen have you out of all
this doubt and suspicion one OF these
days. There will not be any past:
The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1915-01-29

it. He started out to Riverdale to ac-
quaint Jones with the discovery
Humph!" said Jones; mot a bad
idea this So that's what the sneak
was doing here last night I've been
wondering and wondering. Let's have
a look"
He went through the books and at
length came across the three volumes.
These held thousand in excellent
counterfeit.
Mighty good work that. What
are you going to do?" asked the re-
porter.
Jones rubbed his chin rehectively.
How long may a counterfeiter be
sent up?"
Anywhere from ten to twenty
years"
That will serve. My boy, this time
wen go and take Mr.. Black Hun.
bred right in his cubby hole.
You know where it is?"
Every nook and corner OF it. Now
yGnGo at once to tbs chief Of the local
The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1915-01-29
CHAPTER Xlll-continued.

Yes; and more than that, he is
the dear friend of the countess. But
understand. you must never let her
dream or suspect that you know. BY
lulling her into overconfidence some
day she will naturally grow careless,
and then Wen have them all think
| understand what your fathers idea
Isl not to have them arrested for
blackmail, but practically to extermin-
ate them, put them in prison for such
terms of years that they'll die there.
When you see snake, a poisonous
one, don't let 1t get away. Kill IT,
Well. must be off to work"
And you be careful. too You are
in more danger than | am"
But I'm a man and can dodge
quick he laughed, picking up his hat
What a horrid thing money is! II
l hadn't any money, nobody would
bother me-"
Il would" he smiled He wanted to
kiss her, but the eternal Jones might
be watching from the windows; and
so he patted her hand instead and
walked down the graveled path to
the street.
1t was difficult work for Florence
to play at friendship. She was like
her father; she did not bestow 1t on
every one. She had given her friend
ship to the Russian, the first real big
friendship in her life, and she had
been roughly disillusioned. But'if the
countess could act, so could she; and
OF the two her acting was the more
The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1915-01-29
CHAPTER XIV.
Norton Makes a Discovery

Perhaps the most amusing phase NJ
the secret agents discontinue was the
fact that neither Jones nor Florence
had the least idea what had happened.
Florence regretted a hundred times
during the evening that she had not
gone out to the summer house. II
might really have been her father Her
regret grew so deep in her that Just
before going to bed she confessed IN
Jones.
You received letter of that SORT
and did not show 1t to me?" said
Jones. astonished.
You warned me never TO pay any
attention to than"
The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1915-01-29

that will be Topped off as you'd lop a
limb from tree"
please let it be quick. want to
see my father"
Jones eyes sparkled. And you
have my word that he wants to see
you. But dare not tell you"
DO you think he would object to
Mr.. Norton?" she asked studying the
rug.
In what capacity" he countered,
forcing her hand
"As-as a husband?" bravely.
Jones in turn studied the patterns
In the rug. 1T is only natural for a
father to look high for his daughters
husband. But, after all, an honest
man is worth as much as anything
know Of And Norton is honest and
loyal and brave"
Thank you, Jones. l intend TO
marry him when the time comes; so
you may as we'll prepare father for
this eventuality."
Ihere is an old adage-
But she interrupted him. III you
have a new adage. Jones, shouldn't
mind hearing it. But I'm only just
out of school. where old adages are
served from soup to pudding. Good
night
And Jones went to the rear of the
house, chuckling.
In the passing it might well be OBJ
served that the Hargreave house had
a remarkable menage There was a
gardener, a cook, and a maid; and the
three OF them reported to Jones each
night before going to bed. They were
all three detectives from one of the
greatest organizations in America.
Finding themselves unable to lure
Florence away from the enyirons of
the Hargreave home, the Black Hun
dred set some new machinery in mo-
ton. Thep proposed to rid the house
of every one in it by perfectly logi-
cal device. But the first step in this
new move was going to be extremely
delicate and risky 1t was no small
adventure to enter the Hargreave
home; and yet this must be done. So
finally Spider Beggs was selected
for the work The man could practic-
ally walk over crockery without caus-
ing sound; he could climb a house
by the window lodges; and he could
hold his breath like those professional
tank swimmers.
Three or four nights after the Par
off fiasco. Jones started the rounds.
putting out the lights. He left the
one in the hall till the last, for it was
his habit after having turned of that
light. to stand by the door for several
minutes, watching One never could
tell.
On the other hand, Spider" Beggs
never approached a house till an hour
after the lights went out Persons
we're likely to move about for some
minutes later; they might want some
thing to eat, a drink Of water. So he
remained hidden behind the summer
house till long after midnight. When
at last he felt assured that all in the
Hargreave house were asleep. he
moved out cautiously. Both his future
and his pocEetbook depended upon
the success OF this venture. 1t took
him tAa minutes to crawl Ernm the
The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1915-01-29

1t can be done without exciting the
suspicious of the watchers"
Looks as if my yarn wasn't going
to be delayed so long after all. Jones,
you ought to have been in the secret
service yourself" admiringly.
Jones smiled and shrugged Il am
perfectly satisfied with my lot-or
would be if the Black Hundred could
be wiped out of existence"
I'll see the secret service people at
once. stand in well with them all"
And good luck to you. Well need
good luck"
Norton was welcomed cordially by
the chief The secret service men
trusted him and told him lots of tales
that never saw light on the printed
page. The reporter went directly to
the point of his story, without elabora-
ton, and the chief smiled and handed
him the original letter.
Morton. I've been after this gang
of counterfeiters for months and they
are clever beyond words. I've never
been able to get anywhere near their
presses. And for a moment thought
this note was from a squealer. I've
dozen men securing the country
They find the bogus notes, but never
the men who pass them. You see,
it's new stuff. | know what all the
old timers are at but none of them
has had hand in this issue. Some
foreigners, take it, under the leader
ship of a man I'd very much like to
know. Now, what's your scheme?"
Jim outlined it briefly.
1T all depends" said the chief
upon the fact that they will be i'm
patient If they have the ability to
wait, we lose. But we can afford to
risk the chance. The man who wrote
this letter is not a counterfeiter. He's
an old yeggman. We haven't heard
anything of him lately. We tried to
corner him on a post Office job. but
he slipped by. He may be a stool.
Anyhow, I'll draw him in somehow
"There1l be some excitement"
We're used to that; you too. All
we've got to do is to locate this man
Beggs. There are signs of spite in this
letter. Very well played, if you want
my opinion. What's this Black Hun
dred?"
I'm not at liberty to tell just yet
It's a strange game; half political,
half blackmail It's a pretty strong
organization But il they're back of
this counterfeiting, there's fine
chance of landing them all"
Here the chiefs assistant came in
Got Beggs on the wire. Says he'll
conduct you to the home if you'll
promise him immunity for some other
offenses."
Tell him he shall have immunity
on the word of the chief. But also
say that he must come to see me in
person"
"All right, sir"
II don't believe it would be wise
for Beggs to see me here. gave him
a good send-off-Sing Sing-fve years
ago. He may recollect." said Norton.
Suit yourself about that. Only,
keep in communication with me by
telephone and I'll tip you off as to
when the raid shall take place Lucky
YOU came in. should have honestly
gone there and arrested innocent
people, and they would have had a
devil of a time explaining. 1t would
have taken them at least a week to
clear themselves. That would leave
the house empty all that time"
Norton did not reply. but he put
the blotter away carefully. There
was no getting away from the fact,
but the god of luck was with him.
DO you know what's back of it
an?"
Il can't tell you any more than l
have AID Marion
The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1915-01-29


"J'hen pass. l know you wen
enough. II you've made up your mind
not to talk a man couldn't get any
thing out of you with a can-opener.
And that's why we trust you. my boy.
Don't forget the telephone"
:. II 'shan't. So long.
That same night Braine paid the
Russian woman a brief visit.
i think that here's where we go
forward. The secret service will raid
the house tomorrow and then for a
Few days Wen roam about as we bally
please. I'm hanged if | don't have
every plank torn up and all the walls
pulled down. More and more I'm con-
WINGED that the money is in that
house"
Don't be too confident" warned
Olga. so many times have we been
tripped up when everything seemed in
our hands. The house should, be
guarded but not entered for a day
or two; at least not till after the raid
Is cold. I'm beginning to see traps.
everywhere"
Nonsense! Leave it to me. We
shan't stick our heads inside the Har-
greave house till we are dead certain
that 1t is absolutely empty. Olga.
you're a gem. / don't think Russia
will bother us for awhile. Eth? Paroff
will not dare tell how he was film.
fiammed. The least he can do to save
his own skin is to say that we are
fully capable OF taking care OF our
selves
Olga laughed. ITO think of his
writing note like that! Florence
would have recognized-and no doubt
did-a palpable attempt to play an
old game twice"
How does she act towards your"
Cordial as ever; and yet :"
"Yet what?"
Il thought her an ordinary school
girl, and yet every once in a while size
makes what you billiard players call
professional shot. What matter?
So long as they do not shut the DOR
in my face, ] ask nothing more but
do you want my opinion? feel it in
my bones that something will go
wrong tomorrow"
Good lord, are you losing your
nerve2" cried Braine impatiently. The
secret service has the warning; Trey
find the green stuff, and Jones & 20.
will mog off to the police station. nd
there1l be week of red tape befo re
they are turned loose again. They VI
dig into Hargreave's finances and I /.
that. Wen have all the security il
the world to find out if the money
is in the house or not. Why worry"
It's only the way feel. There
is something uncanny in the regular
ity of that girls good luck"
"Ah, but we're not after her this
time; it's the whole family"
The servants too?"
Everybody in the house will be
under suspicion" 1854 .
And can you trust Beggs?"
His life is in the hollow Of my
hand. You can always trust a man
when you hold the rope that's around
his neck"
Still the frown did not leave Olgas
brow With all her soul she longed
TO be out of this tangle. 1t had all
looked so easy at the start; yet here
they were, weeks later, no further
forward than at the beginning. and
added to this they had paid much in
The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1915-01-29

lives and money. Well, if she would
be fool enough to love this man she
must abide with the consequences.
She wanted him all by herself, out of
danger. in a far country. He might
tire, but she knew in her heart that
she never would. This was her one
great passion, and while her mode
of living was not as honest as might
be, her love was honest enough and I'M
swerving, though it was not gilded
by the pleasant fancies Of youth.
"Of what are you thinking" he
asked when he concluded that the
pause had been long enough.
You"
HIN. Complimentary?
No; just ordinary everyday love"
CTo BE CONTINUED
The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1915-01-29

consummate. She could smile and
laugh and jest, all the while her heart
was burning with wrath.
'Jne day, week or so after her
mt citing with Norton in the summer
house. Olga arrived, beautifully
goNned, handsome as ever. There
wac not the least touch OF the adven.
ture IS in her makeup. Florence had
Just received some mail, and she had
dropped the letters on the library table
to greet the countess. She had opened
them. but had not yet looked at their
AOntAnts
The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1915-01-29
"kino,s catp Draws a Pension.

A London puss. officially known as
the kings cat" is the only one in the
kingdom to receive an allowance from
the treasury. He inhabits the record
office and 10 cents q week IL sDaDt
Cor kaa meat
The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1915-06-18
NOTED LECTURERg
AND PAINTER DEAD
J. w. PATTIsoN sucCUMeS At
ASHEVILLE-MARRIED IN
THIS COUNTY.

News has been received here by
relatives announcing the death OF
James w. Pattison, painter, author
and lecturer of Chicago, which occur
red at Asheville, N. c., few days
since. Mr. Pattison was born in Bos'
ton in 1874 and served in the fifty
seventh Massachusetts infantry dur.
ing the civil war. His paintings, his
writings and his work as a lecturer
were widely known throughout this
country and abroad. d.
Mr.. Pattison was married in this
county to Miss Hortense Roberts,
daughter of the late Rev. w. o. Rob
erts. Mrs. Pattison and her two lit.
tie daughters, Patricia and Penelope,
are residing in Asheville, N. c.
The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1915-06-18
GREAT WORK IS
PLANNED FOR JRS.
COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO CO.
OPERATE WITH THE 9TH.
Err COUNCILS.

Maury Council United American Me-
canics met on Thursday night with
large membership present and
many visiting members from Mt.
Pleasant council. The most impor-
tant business transacted was the
class matter taking up the class ini-
tiation that will be instituted this
fall, the date of which is to be given
later A committee was appointed
to take the matter up with all the
councils in the county to cooperate
with the local council in carrying ON
the work. The plan is to get all the
applications possible and then set a
night upon which the work is to be
done, and invite one of the best drill
teams in Nashville to take part in
comforting the degree.
There are four councils in the coun-
ty beside the Columbia council, Mt.
Pleasant. Williamsport, Water Valley
and Theta. The rnovement.was heart
lily endorsed by all Of the committees
present When the work is put on
it is the purpose of the council to
serve refreshments which will be
done BY the wives Of the members.
The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1915-06-18
SPRING HILL WILL
VOTE ON ISSUING
IMPROVEMENT BONDS
BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDER.
MEN CALL ELECTION FOR
SATURDAY, JUNE &c.
TOBE USED in BUILDING STREETS
Six Thousand Dollars VIII Be Spent
for Sidewalks and for Construction
OF Better Hishways-sentlment Be-
hind Movement.

Under the terms of an ordinance
passed by the board of mayor and
aldermen of Spring Hill on June IL
an election will be held in that thriv-
ing town on Saturday, June 26, for the
purpose of determining whether or
not interest bearing bonds in the sum
of $4,000 will be issued for street i'm
provement.
The ordinance provides that the
bonds shall not bear exceeding six
per cent interest and shall be payable,
one quarter in five years, $1,5OO in
ten years, $1,500 in fifteen years and
$l,5OO in twenty years. The ordi-
nance provides sinking fund with
which to retire the bonds at the time
of maturity.
With the funds to be derived from
the sale of the bonds extensive inn
provements will be made in the
streets. Both sidewalks and streets
will be constructed throughout large
portion of the town.
1t is almost foregone conclusion
that the bonds will be issued as there
is strong sentiment in favor of the
improvement. Spring Hill people
have recognized for a long time that
they needed better streets and have
decided that there is but one feasi-
Bile way to get them, that is by the is.
suance of bonds and the use of the
proceeds for this purpose,
The bonds should find a ready sale
as Spring Hill, for its population has
immense assets in some Of the finest
taxable property to be found in any
town of the state.
The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1915-06-18
ONLY ELEVEN WHITE
TEACHERS N COUNTY
FAIL ON THE EXAMS.
LESS THAN TWELVE PER CENT
OF TOTAL ARE BELOW
THE FORD.
but One VETERAN IN The LIST
Of the Number Who Did Not Make
Requisite Grade Only One Had
Teaching Experience in Maury
tCounty-Supt. Graham Gratified.

OF the ninety white teachers who
took the state examination in Maury
county last week only eleven failed
to make the grades necessary to OBJ
tain certificates, according to in
formation received this morning from
State Superintendent Sheriff., by
County Superintendent John P.
Graham. OF the eleven who failed
only one has heretofore taught in
MauEy county. One other has here
tofore taught in another county.
The other nine have never had any
teaching experience.
This means that only eleven and
one ninth per cent of the teachers
taking the examination failed. This
is considered remarkably good for
the questions, while fair and reason
able, were exhaustive upon eleven
different subjects and a grade of sew.
enty per cent was necessary on every
subject in, order to obtain the corti.
ficate. OF the veteran teachers OF
Maury county but one failure is ex.
ceptionally good.
The teachers who failed will have
another opportunity in August to take
the examinations and 1t is probable
that a large majority of those who
failed will take advantage of this op.
portunity and then more than likely
nearly all win pass.
The above information was fore
casted in The Herald several days
ago when it was stated that the Mau'
nv county teachers had made splen
did grades and would compare most
favorably with any teachers in the
state. In fact it is very doubtful II
the teachers of many other counties
will come up on the average to the
record made in Maury county.
County Superintendent Graham was
delighted at the result Of the exam
nations in this. county. While he
had never entertained any doubt
about a large majority passing, he
was hardly prepared for the failure
of so small a per cent of the teachers
who were examined. He declared
this morning that he had not received
such good news in many days.
The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1915-06-18
FOR PREVENTION
OF FIRE RISKS
MEETING OF THE TENNESSEE
ASSOCIATION TO BE HELD
ON JUNE 22.

According to letter received this
morning by Mayor Joseph M. Ded.
man, the executive committee of the
Tennessee Fire Prevention Associa-
ton has selected Columbia for its
next monthly inspection meeting
which will be held on Tuesday, June
%. This association is composed of
the special agents Of the ire insur.
ance companies doing business in
Tennessee and its purpose is to in
spect all the mercantile and manu-
featuring properties together with the
churches and schools and to make
such criticisms as will improve the
fire risks. The association desires a
meeting with the officials and inter
ested citizens at o'clock on the
afternoon Of June o.