davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Dermott news., 1915-05-20

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 a frank crook. Clutching Hand was giving him his final instructions.
 Elaine and the others alighted and approached the church. while the an cient vehicle rattled away.
 They're coming" whispered the crook, peerine 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 fxedly a moment
 Remember you?" he repeated "Of course. my dear l remember every one I marry"
 And you remember to whom you married me9"
 Perfectly. To an older mana Fay Tor Dodge"
 Elaine was overcome
 Wont you step in he said suavely Your friend here doesn't seem well
 They all entered
 And you-you say-you married this=ths woman to Taylor Dodge?" Queried Elaine. tensely
 The bogus minister seemed to be very fatherly. Yes. hc asserted, I 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
 Ks he stepped forth, she turned wild ly. 10 anywhere But strong arms seized her and forced her into chair
 She looked al the woman and tho minister It was 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 yestry door, we shall be joined
The Dermott news., 1915-05-20
Who Is that woman?" she asked.

Who Is that woman?" she asked, still 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 of surprise that crossed her face was terrible.
 Before she could say anything, how sheet of paper on which "Neepy 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 .ls there can there be anything in 1t No-uo- there isn't
 Bennett spoke in low tone. T have heard whisper of some sean dal or other connected with your faith er-but-" He paused
 Elaine was first shocked, then indig. nant.
 "Why-such q thing is absurd. Show the woman in!"
 Nc please-Miss Dodge. Let me deal with her"
 I}y this time Elaine was furious. "Yes-I will see her"
 She pressed the button on Bennetts desk. aud Milton responded
 Milton, show the-tho woman in," '" she ordered. and that boy. too.
 As Milton turned to crook his finger at "Weepy Mary she nodded surrep- titteHSlv and dug her fingers sharply into sens ribs
 Veil you little fooI-yell, she whispered
 0bedient 10 his mothers com mauds. and much to Milton 8 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
 w hat does all this mean9a she de- handed
 eWeepy Mary between sobs. man. aged to burt out. You are Miss Elaine Dodge tran4 you9 Well it
The Dermott news., 1915-05-20

shortly by your friend. Craig Kennedy. and he added with leer "l think yoar rather inststent search for a certain person will cease"
 Blaine drew back in tho chair. horri- fled at the implied threat.
 Ctutchiug Hand laughed diabolically.
 While these astounding events were transpiring in the little church, Ken nedy and 1 had been tearing across the country in his big car. following the directions of our fair friend
 We stopped at last before n 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 back room and over the bay windows.
 Wont you sit down a moment" coaxed Gerfie. I'm quite blown to pieces after that ride My. how you drive"
 As she pulled aside the hall DOT tiores. three men with guns thrust their hands out l 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 small box Of illuminate of mer- cury. If l drop 1t. 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 n dangerous prisoner
 He calmly sat down in an arm chair, leaning back as he carefully balanced the deadly little box of ful- 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 Dermott news., 1915-05-20
for the ladder leading farther ap 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 gaineG 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 sealed the steeple, using 6 lightning rod and some projecting points to pull himself up. desperately. Kennedy followed unhesitatingly. There they were. struggling in dead ly combat, clinging to the gilded cross. The first knew of it was mortified gasp from my own crook. looked up
The Dermott news., 1915-05-20

means that yOur father married me when was only seventeen and this hoy is our son-yo0r halthrother
 "No-ucvcr." cried Elaine vehem. cntly. unable 10 restrain her diseust
 .Weepy Mary smiled cynieally. 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
 No. no Mss Dodge-dont go. Leave the matter to me" urged Ben nett, T will take care of her. Re- sides, l must be in court in twenty minutes
 Elaine paused. but she was thor oughly aroused
 Then l will 90 with her myself" she cried detlantly
 In spite of every objection that Ben nett made. "Weepy Mary" her son and Elaine went out to call taxicab to take them to the railroad station where they could catch train to tho 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, alishted
 It was the Clutehing 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 man well dressed, but with d 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, I heard the train whis- tie as 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- CTS. which be had brought with him.
 At about the same time Elaine, ac- eompanied bv 'Weepy Mary" and her
The Dermott news., 1915-05-20
SYNOPSIS.

The New York police are mystlaed by A 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 lat est victim of the mysterious assassin is Taylor Dodge, the insurance president His daughter. Elaine. employs Craig Kennedy. the famous scientific detective. to try to uuravel the mystery. What Kennedy aerampllshes is told by his frtend Jameson a newspaper man. En- ragged at the determined effort which Elaine and Craig Kennedy are making to put an end to bt5 crimes the Glutghiug Hand as thts strange criminal Is known. resorts to all sorts of th most diabolcal schemes {, put ther out of the way. Each chapter of th sto tells Of q new plot against their live and of the way the Erea. detective uSes all his skin to save this pretty girl and himself from Heath
The Dermott news., 1915-05-20

Tense With Horror: IL Was Elaine. carefully. fearing 1t was q stall to get mo on my guard.
 There were Kennedy and the other crook. struggling. swaying hack and forth, between life and death.
 There was nothing could do.
 Kennedy was eliHEing to light ming rod on the cross
 It broke.
 l gasped as Craig reclcd back But he managed to catch hold of the rod farther down and cling to n
 The crook began to eXult diabolL cally. Holding with both hands to the cross he let himself out to his full length and stamped on kcnnedy's fn- gers. trying every way to dislodge him. 1t was all Kennedy could do to keep his hold.
 cried out Tn 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 saw d 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 hand followed. and h 1t was a revolver
 Just as the crook was about to dis- lodge kenncdy's other hand l saw . flash and pun of smoke, and a second later heard 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 sickoning thud the body 0f the crook landed on the ground around the corner of the church from me.
 "Come-you! ground out. cover ing my own crook with tho pistol. and fl 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 nov 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 hts torn and soiled clothes. Then. in spite of the smarting pain of his wounds, he smiled. "Yes-all rightl"
 Thank Heavenl' she murmured fer vently. trying to stanch the Aow of blood
 This time-it was you-snved mel" he cried "Elaine,"
 Involuntarily his arms sought hers-- and he held her moment, booking deep into her wonderful eyes.
 Then their faces came slowly to gether in their first kiss.
 tTo BE coNTINUDS
The Dermott news., 1915-05-20
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, balauced 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 master!" de- manded Kennedy.
 The crook remained silent.
 Where Is he?" 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 l had seen him place there.
 No matter how much you accuse me" added Craig casually, no one will ever take the word of crook that reputable scientist like me would do what l am about to do.'
 He had taken out his penknife and opened it. Then he beckoned to me
 Pare his arm and hold his wrist. Walter" he said
 Craig bent down with the knife and the tube. then paused q moment and On the label were the ominous words.
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1915-11-13
BIG GAIN IN AUTOS
One Family Out of Every Six
in Kansas Owns a Car,
Says State Report.
10000 MACHINES IN STATE
These Represent an Investment of
$4,000, 900, Declares Secretary Of
State-Farmers Own Most.

Kansas has passed the 10000 mark
in automobiles. That number is now
registered with the secretary of state.
Based on a population of 100000 it
gives an auto for every twenty-six peo-
pie, or one for every six families,
counting four and one-half people to
the family While other states have
more automobiles, perhaps none has
so many per capita.
Seventy thousand aUtos represent
an investment close to S70,00O,00 for
while Kansas has many small cars it
also has enough high-priced cars to
bring the average up to $1,000 per car,
except when the assessor comes
around.
The record shows that about so per
cent of the cars are owned by farm
ers. This means that one out of every
four Kansas farmers owns a car, as
there are 177,000 farmers in the state.
Not only are the autos used for pleas
ure purposes by the farmers, but also
in their business. Autos enable them
to do much of their small marketing
quickly, and many farmers even use
the machines to run the churn, wash
ing machine or cream separator 1t is
a simple trick to Jack up the rear
wheels and attach a patented belt and
let the auto do the work that usually
falls to the women folk.
Aside from the pleasure and utility
of the motor car another benefit has
come from it-better roads. The auto
law this year will turn in more than
100000 for use in maintaining Kan
sas roads. That sum of money, judi
cious1y spent, viii put every main
travelled road in the state in excellent
condition, barring, of course, wet sea
sons, such as was experienced this
year. A $25, 100000 bond issue could
not have kept the roads good this
year, as it was impossible to work
them. But most of the auto fund for
the present year still remains in the
county treasures and it will come in
handy this fall and next spring.
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1915-11-13
OPEN KANSAS LAND DEC. i
Homesteaders Have an Opportunity to
File on $4,000 Acres Along
Arkansas River.

The Kansas forest reserve in Fin
ney, Haskell, Grant, Kearny and Ham
ilton counties viii be open for settle
ment December 1, according to no
tees received at the government land
office at Dodge City. The land is in
the Jurisdiction of the Dodge City
land office and entries must be filed
there. All entries filed between No
vember 1 and November 20 will be
considered as filed December L, and
taken up in their order, while those
filed after November 26 will be con-
sidered later.
The reserve comprises 1890 acres
along the south bank of the Arkansas
river. About 5000 acres will be main
tanned as a reserve for the protection
of wild animals in the country. A
small part of the land can be Guilt
waited. Most of it is made up of sand
hills and is suitable only for grazing.
The land will be open for settlement
under the new homestead act that al
lows 800 acres to be taken by each
settler. Seven months residence
each year is required, but the rule re-
quiring certain amounts of land to be
cultivated with definite periods may
be waived because so much land is
Yalueless for farming
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1915-11-13
NOT SUITABLE FOR THE NAVY
WouId-Be Sailors Hardly Understood
the Duties Required of Fighters
on the Ships of U. s.

They tell a story about a certain
secretary of the navy who had never
seen ship, and who exclaimed, when
he began to explore man-of-war.
Good gracious, it's hollowl This is
an unlikely yarn, but it is a fact that
there are people who apparently know
as little about a ship as Sioux In
dian.
Some weeks ago a man visited the
receiving ship Wabash. lying at the
Charlestown (Mass.) navy yard, and
said he would like to ship, but would
not enlist if he could not be given
work to which he was accustomed
He was not enlisted, for he would be
useless. He was a paperhanger.
Another man went aboard and
asked to see the captain. He was in
formed that that official was very
busy. He then made his errand
known to the officer of the deck. He
wanted to enlist and care for the cap
tain's horse, for he was stableman.
Another wanted to enlist as a ships
roofer, and once gardener called to
obtain employment. Flowers and gar
dens are scarce on board of United
States man-of-war, so he failed to en-
ter the serYice-
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1915-11-13
What Came Up.

''LOndon's a dreary sort Of place,
and the smokes something awful!
the returned countryman was telling
his ewed village friends. It's so thick,
he air is. that 1 wonder anything
grows there. l planted some corn in
a box on my window sill, to remind
me of home, and what do you think
came up?"
One suggested wheat, while anoth-
er thought oats more likely. But
most of them remained silent, looking
at their venturesome friend with re-
spect.
All wrongi" said the returned trav
eler, presently. "a policeman came
up and told me to take the box down
at oncei"
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1915-11-13
TIME FOR GUEST TO LEAVE
Ordinary Man Will Have Little Doubt
as to What MIR. MuIIiaan Meant
by His Remark.

That Patrick Mulligan is a funny
fellow. 1 can't quite understand him."
Why? What's he been up to now?"
We'll, you see, he and l were hav-
ing a little argument at~his house the
other evening, and then I offered to
prove that he was a fool, In black and
white"
Yes; well, what about it?"
We'll, up TO then we had confined
ourselves to lightly raised voices, but
when I said that he hared up i'm
mediately.
Prove Dim a fool in black and
white, will ye?" he yelled. Well, If
ye don't clear out Of this house at
once Oil prove in black, blue and red
it's falsehood ye're telling!
burgh Dispatch.
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1915-11-13
Nov. II, 1914.

Germans took Dixmude, crossed
User canal, captured allies first
line west of Langemarck and
drove them out of ST. EIoi.
Allies reoccupied Lombaertzyde
and repuIsed Germans near coast.
Russians attacked cracow de-
lenses.
Austrians pursued serbians on
Shabats-Losnitza line.
British torpedo boat Niger sunk
by German submarine near Dover.
Japanese torpedo boat sunk by
mine at KiaochoW.
Conspiracy discovered in Con-
stantinople against Germans and
Young Turks; leaders shot.
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1915-11-13
Not for Himself.

Donald, boy of ten years. had been
sent to an apOthecary store and told
to get a package of cigarettes for his
father and rubber nipple for his baby
sisters nursing bottle. The druggist
declined to give the boy the cigarettes.
fearing that he wanted them for him
self. Indignant because of this i'm
pugning of his veracity after he had
said that the cigarettes were for his
father the boy said:
Huh! I s'pose you think that the
nipple is for me, too. don't your
Judge.
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1915-11-13
Nov. 10, 1914.

Allies advanced between YPrss
and Armentieres and between
Reims and Berry-au-Bac.
Russians drove German right
wing back toward Mazurian lakes,
and occupied MiechoW.
Austrians defeated Serbians
near Iosnitza.
All allies issued formal deeIara-
ton of war on Turkey.
German cruiser Emden de-
stroyed by Australian cruiser
Sydney at Cocos island.
Russian fleet sank four Turkish
transports.
Karl X. Lody shot as spy in
Tower of London.
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1915-11-13
Remembered the Charge.

The judge had a colored man before
him in a police court and he asked
him when he had been arrested be-
fore. The fellow scratched his head.
thought a moment, and then said, "Ah
think it was about a year ago. jedge. -
What was the charger" asked the
court
After thinking awhile the prisoner
looked up and said: "Ah'm not quite
shuah, but ali think it was tree dol
lahs, yer hannah"
He was discharged
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1915-11-13
RELIABLE REMEDY
RESTORES KIDNEYS

For many years druggists have watched
with much interest the remarkable record
maintained by DR.. Kilmer's Swamp-Root,
the great kidney, liver and bladder rem
edy.
It is physicians prescription.
Swamp-Root is a Strengthening medi-
cine. DR.. Kilmer used it for years in his
private practice. 1t helps the kidneys,
liver and bladder do the work nature in
tended they should do.
Swamp-Root has stood the test of years.
It is sold by all druggists on its merit and
it viii help you. No other remedy can
successfully take its place.
Be sure to get Swamp-Root and start
treatment at once.
However, if you wish first to test this
great preparation send ten cents to DR..
Kilmer & Co., Binghamton, n. Y, for q
sample bottle. When writing be sure and
mention this paper.-Adv.
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1915-11-13
Judoe Properix Manned

In a rural justice court the defend.
ant in a case was sentenced to serve
80 days in Jail. He had known the
Judge from boyhood and addressed
him as follows:
"Bill, old boy, you're a gwine ter
send me ter Jail, air you?"
That's what" replied the Judge
Have you got anything to say against
it?"
only this here, Bill: It will be
bad for you when git OUT"
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1915-11-13
THE EUROPEAN WAR A
YEAR AGO THIS WEEK
Nov. 8, 1914.

Allies gained plateau of Vregny.
Germans continued attacks be-
tween North sea and Lys and
made gains in Argonne.
BeIsians gained at Dixmude and
Ypres.
Russian cavalry invaded Posen
province and destroyed railroad
near PIescFen.,
Russians entered WirbaIIen.
PrzemysI again attacked.
Russians took KoPrikoi in Ar
menia.
Two DardaneIIes forts destroyed
by bombardment-
Turks sank Greek steamer.
Germany mourned loss of Using
tau but praised bravery Of garri-
son.
German cruiser Geier informed
at Honolulu.
Beyers' rebels defeated in South
Africa.
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1915-11-13
Nov. 9, 1914.

Ypres set afire by German bonn
bardment.
Fighting on the Aisne.
Russians occupied GoIdapp, Ger
mans still withdrawing.
Germans won victory near
Wyschtuniz lake, taking 1000 pris-
oEers.
Serbians drove back Austrians
near Shabats.
Russians took Turkish fort near
Erzerum and won at koprikoi on
River AraXes.
ports.
Russians bombarded Bosporus
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1915-11-13
t is a physicians prescription.
Welcome Change.

You look very smiling this morn
ing, Binks," said Harkaway.
Il guess ought to be. l went to a
fortune teller last night and she
prophesied immediate financial re-
verses" chortled Binks.
I fail to see anything very joy
Gus in that" said Harkaway.
You would, if you knew anything
about my finances" said Binks. ''I
tell you right now that if they don't
reverse pretty hinged quick I'll be
busted"