davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-11-23
Elections Committee.

President Vaughn appointed the
following committee to conduct the
election: J. I, O. SwinneN NJ }. Car
rett and Bonifacio Montoya.
The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-02-12
WHO COMPELS YOU TO ACT?
That All Action Is of Ones Own Volt
tion Is Fact to Be Kept In
the Mind.

Don't you fool yourself with the idea
that you are compelled to do or be
anything. You are not doing things
because you are compelled to, but be-
cause you choose to. Because there
is some line of reasoning within your
self that keeps you choosing to do
them. You never lift your hand I'M
less you choose to. You never get
out of bed in the morning except as
you choose to. You could lie down on
the bed this moment and never move
hand or foot again if you chose to,
and your friends, or your town, or
somebody, or something would take
care of you.
Quit fooling yourself by laying
the blame for your conditions, or your
feelings, or your thoughts or actions
on to somebody else. Trace everything
back to its root In your own choice
Ask yourself why you choose to do
The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-02-12

six promfssory notes OF Arson Burrftt.
He turned them over one by one and
sighed heavily.
Home folks be bowed" he burst
out at length. "Deres one way kin
square meself, even il l amt got no
home folks"
He shuffied up to the desk and adj
dressed the captain in charge.
Gimme one of dem stamped en-
velopes an sheets of paper, boss he
said.
Well, well, Pete" the captain said
good-naturedly, as he handed out the
The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-02-12
"Who,s Who

A game which will create no md
of fun with children Of medium years,
from eight to twelve, is to stretch =
strip of sheeting or thick paper In a
doorway and gather half the children
on one side and half on the other, so
that neither side can see SO much az
the feet or topknots of those on the
other side. Then make small hole
in the sheet of paper and let the boys
and girls on one side stick just their
noses through the hole, while those on
the other side must guess who's who"
from just glimpse Of this single tea,
turo.
The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-02-12

stationery, 81 didn't know you had any
home folks
Pete grunted in reply and took his
booty to nearby table. Here he
squared his elbows and, with lolling
tongue and furrowed brow, directed
the envelope to "Anson Burritt, Dem
mark Center, Pa" Then he inclosed
the six notes, after carefully tearing
off the signatures, and finally ad-
dressed himself to the writing of the
following letter:
Deer Sir: Inclose is the notes you
give Hiram Towners. i tore off the
names. He sirtenly dun you good. if
You pay him emmy more you are big
ger fool than i am-and that's goin'
sum. Your friend,
"ST. LOOEY PETE"
The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-02-12

what you do, and keep on asking un-
til you know the truth.
Lay the blame for everything on
your own choice; review the condi
tons and make the right choice for
every step; and you will very quick
ly find yourself walking the straight
and narrow path that is infinite peace
and freedom You will find your pray
ers rising to the Infinite and their an
swers lifting cheerfully in your owp
heart.
The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-02-12
I I

I
| True, the hat, an old broad-brimmed
Stetson, had been intended for head
two sizes larger than Pete's; but
when he cooked it to one side the
effect was rakish and the misfit bare
ly apparent.
He had been .bathed and shaved and
his shoes had been polished, so there
was nothing about him that suggested
the hobo.
He had discreetly effaced himself
during the ninety-second stop at Col
umbia Crossroads, and it was only
when the train had gained some
| Roadway as it left the station that he
| jumped nimbly to the side of the
track. In his right hand he grasped a
brand-new valise, which two hours be-
fore had hung from the front of a
trunk store in Denmark while the
| proprietor was busy inside 1t was
| now weighted with two bricks and Sc
curely locked, and as Pete stepped
on the station platform Henry Won't
ers rushed forward to relieve him
of it.
Gould youse direct me, now, to Mr..
Hiram Towner's place." he asked
aloud.
81 suttinly kim" he replied. You be
Mr.. Towner's cousin from Oklyhomy?"
Oats me-" Pete said
well, now" Henry went on, that's
wot I thought. l got my buggy out
side, and I'm goin' to drive you up"
Ten minutes later they drew up at
the Towners' side porch; and twenty
minutes later Pete was RECALLING him
self with fried ham and hot biscuit,
and Miss Ethel Towners and Eleeza
Wouters, Henry's sister, with as
blood-curdling yarns Of fighting In
dams down in Oklahoma as his imag-
nation and dim recollection of his
dime novel days could supply.
yes, ma'am," he said through a
heavy mouthful of creamed potatoes;
deere wuz fifty of 'em, an l fought |
my way trough de hull bunch"
"And did you kill any of them"
Miss Towners asked.
She was timid spinster of thirty,
with a pleasant face and large gray
eyes, and she hung on Pete's every
word like a second Desdemona
only SIX" said Pete modestly.
Miss Towners gave a little cry and
Eleeza Wouters gasped Miss Wouters
was stout and forty, and her red face
fairly glistened her interest in Pete's
moving tale.
He continued to rehash old Beadle
novels for the benefit of the two
women until the kitchen clock
chimed ten.
Mercy mel" Miss Towners cried,
tits bedtime!"
When the house was locked up
Eleeza Wouters showed the guest up
to the spare room on the second floor.
You'll practically have the whole
house to yourself" she said Miss
Towners an me will sleep in the
wing"
81 hope you amt goin' ter have no
said Pete.
81 hope not" Eleeza replied doubt
fully. Il guess you won't
Pete looked at the snowy bed and
The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-02-12
Oats Me-" Pete Said.

| length the faint murmur of the twt
women's conversation ceased and
shading his lamp with his hand, PETE
explored the mysteries of the hall.
The next room, evidently that o.
| his host, contained, in addition to the
ordinary furniture of q bedroom, {
| small safe and roll-top desk. By
force of habit Pete whipped out his
knife and forthwith attacked the LOCK
of the desk. 1t yielded almost imme
| diately and Pete lost no time in in
vestigating the neat little bundle OF
papers in the pigeonholes.
He drew up a chair and set himself
| to systematic and thorough examina
ton of each envelope There was
much correspondence. of a sort which
indicated Mr.. Towners' business of
note-shaving and money lending to be
in f1ourishing condition. One pile of
envelopes contained nothing but let
tiers from Arson Burritt. They dis
closed that debt originally contract
ed for fifty dollars one year before
had swollen to almost two hundred
dollars by process of interest on in
terest and fees for drawing legal pa
pers. In addition, there were six
promissory notes for varying amounts.
Pete thrust all of them, together with
pocket.
Thence he passed to the perusal of
other letters. So interested was he
in the tales of usury they recounted
that he entirely failed to notice the
light creak of a footstep on the stair
outside. Nor did he so much as lift
his eyes from the absorbing page until
cold sensation in the back of his
neck made him straighten up.
mot peep" said horse, familiar
voice, cor I'll blow yer nut awffl"
Mechanically Pete raised his hands
round.
"Hole-in-de- Cheek" he exclaimed.
st. Louis Pete!" the other gasped,
lowering his revolver "Wot in Sam
Hill are youse doin' here?"
.'Put down dat gun an I'll tell YER
Pete replied.
Hole-in-the-Cheek laughed softly
at amt loaded" he said.
He was short and thin, as becomes |
a porch-climber, and when he spoke |
he thrust his chin forward after the
fashion of Chatham square.
ooh, it amt loaded, amt it?" Pete |
ieered, and stepped back nimbly.
The next moment two dull smacks
announced the impact of Pete's left
and right on Hole-in-the-Ch Cheeks jaw.
It was clean knockout, and the yegg-
nan crumpled up on the carpeted
loor.
Pete stood over him with his eyes
lblaze.
Had to butt in, hadn't yer?" he
aid bitterly, addressing the PROSTATE
nd unconscious burglar. Couldn't
AXE de hint when ! chalked it up on
e gate for yer."
Vigorously he jerked the sheets
rom Hiram Towners' bed and ripped
hem into long strips with his jack
nife. Never was there so complete
job of trusting as Pete made of it.
When he finished Hole-in-the-C Cheek
ly effectually bound in double-knot- ,
ed thongs and gagged with an ink
ell and a towel AS finishing
ouch Pete drew pillow slip over his
victims head.
Under de bed fer yours!" he NUT L
,red, and rolled Hole-in-the-Cheek
YER the carpet. r
The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-02-12

postal out Of the bag, which he slung
over his shoulder, and. resuming his
musical exercise, slouched OF up the
road.
Pete emerged from his hiding place
and sighed heavily. Oh, the luxury Of
clean, sweetsmelling bed for just
one night! he reflected
"An' bet she cooks good pancakes,
too" he said aloud. He hung his
head irresolutely.
vivid real maple sirup," he went on,
vivid real By ginger, I'll do it, if
got to blow in dat whole dollar for
soap!"
The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-02-12
~.

At seven the next morning Pete
awoke to the sound of a vigorous bell
ringing below stairs. He scrambled
out of bed and opened the door.
Il knew uti" he muttered, shifting
a current of air which came up the
stairway. Pancakes m sassidges n
cawffee!"
He performed his toilet with the
'rapidity Of a city fireman and in FIVE
minutes he seated himself at the
breakfast stable in front of pile of
smoking buckwheats.
Tuck right in, Mr.. ParshaIl," said
Nleeza. 1T amt often ye get real
The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-02-12

/ servation was at first an 1ncoheren1
frothing at the mouth. Later, by
eliminating the explosives, which out
numbered the significant words by ter
to one, Pete gathered that the yegg
man invited anyone to unwind him
and try. Pete whipped out his jack
knife and, leaning over the back OF
his seat, with a few deft slashes rid
Hole-in-the-Cheek of his many wrap
pings.
Now come on, you four-hushing
hobo!" he said, and danced in circles
around Pete. Come on Youse can
put me to sleep when I amt 1ookin'.
Do it now, when I'm ready for yer!"
Pete clinched and unclinched his
fists. 1t might, after all. he reflected,
lend the necessary air of verisimilitude
if he went back to the Towners' house
with bleeding nose or a black eye.
A singing blow in the ear crystallized
his indecision, and he faced Hole-in-
the-Cheek, confident, with his superior
height and reach, of his ability to
knock out the yeggman in one round
There was blood in the yeggman's
eyes as he tented and circled around
his opponent, and Pete had all he
could do to ward off the nasty little
jabs that Hole-in-the-Cheek aimed at
him. 1t was at this juncture that
Towners' mare, the instrument and
agent of poetic justice, emitted
strident neigh. Pete's eyes shifted
from the direction of his antagonist
for just one instant, but in that brief
moment the mischief was done.
Five blows smacked on his jaw with
the precision and noise of an auto
matte pistol. Earth and heaven reeled
for the hobo and vanished into dark
ness, taking with them-to complete
the taphor-Pete's every chance of
chicken fricassee with beaten biscuit;
for it was not until an hour later that
he came out of his stupor and scram-
bled painfully to his feet.
simultaneously, in the town of Den
mark, ten miles distant, Hole-in-the-
Cheek emerged from the Blue Front
Livery and Sale stables and carefully |
tucked away fifty dollar bill, the
exact price he had received for the
Towners mare and family wagon.
The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-02-12

A week later Pete sat in one of the
Metropolitan Army shelters and gazed
mournfully at large sign over the
clerks desk. 1t read thus:
Square yourself with the home
folks, and write now. Stamped en-
velope and sheet of paper at the desk
for the asking"
Home folks" he muttered bitterly
to himself Home folks,"
The words started turbulent train
of reflection, and step by step he went
over his experience with the only
home folks he ever knew. At length
he reviewed the period when he ex-
amined the contents of Hiram Town
ers' desk; and, thrusting his hand into
his breast pocket, he drew forth the
The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-02-12
III

For q minute Pete listened to the
retreat of Eleeza's ponderous tread
on the stairs; but after a door
slammed in the distance he stretched
himself luxuriously.
dis" he chuckled, is little bit of
all right. / could stand dis tree hun
bred an seventy-five nights in de
year."
He tiptoed around the room and
opened and closed closet doors. At
The Washington times., 1915-07-29

to the terror-stricken 'gunman' has
They're bounding me to the nut fac
tory by hanging perjury charge over
me-"
Val Ion was recognized by a news
paper man intimately acquainted with
him throughout the Becker case.
- Are you going to make statement
before Becker Is bumped Off"
You bet l am. and I'll make some
people stop and take notice." boasted
the gunman.
Who do you mean by some peopler
Governor Whitman.
That's Just who I mean. They amt
treated me right They even scared my
girl away. threatening me with the
Who do you mean by they Harry?
Do YOU mean the white slave agents Of
the Government"
Yes. but they were only doing what
the New York Dicks told them in or
der to shut my mouth
DO you mean detectives retained by
the State attorneys office or Governor
Whitman"
Both" he snarled. "who else?"
Amid profanity. Vallon further said: /:
i've been hammered around until they
have made bum out Of me. Whether
make last statement before Beck
"Ah. give YOUR mouth a rest. Harry"
said the guard. Come on now with me-"
Thereupon Vallon called back cynic-
ally as he left: This bum Ia jumping
me all over the country-so long"
Eallon is only a wreck OF his former
self
The Washington times., 1915-07-29
Governor, Knowing of
Becker's Past Career,
Convinced of Guilt

ALBANY. July Ex-Governor Whit
man. when informed that Justice Ford
had denied a new trial to Becker. said:
Justice Ford did the only thing he
could do. The evidence against him
was conclusive. never had any doubt
Of Bseker's A guilt; II ! had any now.
letters from various parts Of the State
urging clemency for Becker. Many OF
these missives have been from women
who have advanced the purity OF
i.lS rst home Ss ife as evidence that he
Had Becker taken the stand at any
of his trials Mr.. Whitman in his cross
examination would have gone extern
sively into Becker's private life. The
thrice His first wife died under sus-
picious circumstances in bathtub. His
second wife divorced him, charging
cruel and inhuman treatment. She is
living in Denver now with her child.
even after his bank account was nearing
the 1000, refused to contribute to the
support of this child.
Governor Whitman feels that SYM
Filed away in the district attorney s
office in New York there is a mass OF
information which has created a dis
tinct impression In the minds Of those
VINO acted In the proceedings OF Becker
that the Rosenthal murder Is not the
first In which he has had hand.
Becker. 1t was learned recently, Of
fered to deliver" to the authorities
in return for executive clemency Ave
men Of prominence In New York city,
one of these former high police Off
cial. This offer was treated with con-
tempt by Governor Whitman. who put
no faith in the word Of the condemned
man.
Becker's first lawyers. 1t is thought
here. knew that Becker was guilty of
the Rosenthal murder 1t was learned
that there was a standing offer from
Becker to plead guilty to murder In the
second degree ever since his first con-
viction. This would have saved him
from the chair, but doomed him to
spend the rest Of his life in prison
Mr.. Whitman had evidence of the
Circle Theater conference at the time
OF the second trial but could not bring
It uot because Becker failed to take
the stand. This conference was held
on the Sunday night before Rosenthal
was murdered. 1t was on this occa sion
Becker urged Big" Tim Sullivan not
to raise a sum of money to send the
gambler out of the city. This was
known to the district attorneys off ce
all along, together with the motive for
Beckers admoniton.
The Washington times., 1915-07-29
TEACHERS FUNERAL !:
SET FOR SATURDAY
Miss Elizabeth v. Brown, Well.
Known Educator, Will Be
Buried In Congressional. 3.

Funeral sesvices for Miss Elizabeth v.
Brown. director Of primary instruction
In the Washington schools. who died
last night. will be held at her home. 1857
Euclid street northwest, Saturday morn
ing at II o'clock. Interment will be at
congressional Cemetery. and will be
private.
MISS Brown was a member of the
New York Avenue Presbyterian Church.
where she was formerly assistant super
intendent Of the Sunday school.
Miss Brown was an author of text
DOCKS. especially as the writer Of q
number Of nature study books for chill
dren, as q lecturer, and as club
woman. She was president Of the Col
lese Women's Club. TO which she re-
Gently was reelected unanimously.
She also was an active worker in the
Monday Evening Club, the Woman's
Department. National Civic Federation.
Twentieth Century Club. the Columbian
Women. Audubon Society. League Of
Women's Christian Association.
Every summer Miss Brown lectured
to groups OF summer students at the
university OF Virginia or the Univer-
sity .f Tennessee. She also has fre-
qrently toured the West for lecture
tOurS.
Miss Brown was educated In Ahe pub
lie schools here and was graduated from
George Washington University. She
travelled extensively in Europe and in
Canada She was a method and train.
ing teacher In the normal school until
she was made director OF primary in
struction about ten years ago.
,,;ae Among her books were Stories OF
hood and Nature" and when the
World Was Young" She was co-Author
OF q series OF Home Readers" pub
lishsd by Scribner's and was a con-
tributor to magazines and educational
periodicals.
Miss Brown was tho daughter OF the
Of the District. who was responsible for
much of the park planning here She 10
survived by her mother. q sister, Mrs.
Daniel Webster Prentiss: Capt Orville
Brown. L. 9. A.. stationed at Fort War
den. Wash. and George II. Brown, Of
the postal service. this city
The Washington times., 1915-07-29
Red Cross Society Wins
Pair of Grand Prizes

The American Red Cross Society has
been awarded two grand prizes and
several lesser prizes and medals by the
superior jury Of the Panama Pacific
Exposition. One of the grand prizes
comes under the heading Of Social
Economy for a collective exhibit Of
activities in life-saving, nursing, and
hygiene. The other grand prize, under
Liberal Arts" heading. Is for a
combined exhibit of medical and surg
gold medal was awarded Uncle Sans
official humanitarian organization for
Protection Against Floods" and a
silver medal was awarded for First
Aid Eauipment."
In addition. the Jury awarded a sill
yer medal to each Of the following
ollaborators in the Red Cross service:
Lewis r. Stein. who was responsible
for much OF the constructive work In
connection with the installation of the
Red Cross exhibit; Major Robert Y.
Patterson. Medical Corps. L. s. A..
chief of the medical bureau; Miss Jane
A. Delano, chairman OF the general
nursing service, Miss Fannie F. Clem:
country nursing service: Charles d.
Jameson. the American civil engineer
no made the pioneer food prevention
study in the Huai river district Of
China for the American Red Cross.
and Lieut.. Col. William l., Sibert. En-
gineer Corps, Y. s. A., who served as
chairman of the American Red Cross
rected the final investigation which re-
suited in the formulation of a definite
plan of food prevention work in the
Huai river region.
The Washington times., 1915-07-29

received British answer TO America s
latest protest against the order in
council. Another account was that the
supplement would simply amplify the
original answers defense of the order,
but that the modification offer-condi-
TONED on a corresponding German mod-
ifcation of the Kaisers submarine
methods-would come a little later.
These theories. though only theories,
were from well-informed sources.
Why. was the question frequently
asked. should Great Britain make such
a concession?
In answer, 1t was pointed out that
England has been more than anxious.
for long time. for better Mexican con-
ditions. and. even leaving the Monroe
busy in Europe at present to work
for them
British Are Worried.
Aside from general British property
interests in Mexico. which. like those
of every other nation with investments
there. have suffered enormously by the
prolonged chaos south of the Rio
Grande. observers called attention to
the fact that there has been increasing
worry in British government circles re-
Gently concerning the safety Of the
country's Mexican oil holdings. on
which 1t is largely dependent for Pc
troleum and its products for war pur-
poses.
II America guaranteed the safety OF
all these interests. the opinion was ex-
pressed that Downing street. London,
would be willing to make corresponding
concessions to the United States.
From the Administrations stand
point, It was suggested. the beauty Of
the situation would be that. the Pres
ident having called the Mexican fac
tions ito time" before the German
American and Anglo-American con-
trovers!es became acute. can push
through the Mexican program without
an appearance OF bargaining.
The Washington times., 1915-07-29
BECKER STEELSFOR =.
MARCH TO DEATH
Gr'm|y Prepares to Pay Un.
f|inchingIy Penalty For Con.
spiracy to Murder RosenthaI
CONTINUED from First Page.)

Continued from First Page)
lieutenant, robust in mind and body.
a manly looking figure. to sit abso-
iutely still while the razor made ready
Becker took his last shower bath after
these ministrations we're made. He
went through everything calmly Aft
er that he returned to his bare cell and
hours.
Statement Expected.
Beckcr's friends and those who have
been closest to him during his long stay
in Sing Sing are confident that he will
make statement as he takes his seat
in the chair. protesting his innocence,
a long statement to be made public
frmed.
Ford had denied him another chance to
live with the same stoicism that has
marked his eyerv defeat. Deputy War
den Charles Johnson brought the word
;. Charlie. .,s I,ye Sot @ BAD "a news for you"
appeal has been denied"
"Denied?' repeated Becker. The war
rG,t;. GWs'l =, III =! die like a man. anyhow.
Becker then asked to have Father
Cashin. the Sing Sing cha plain and a
warm personal friend. sent to him.
The priest came and they talked FAR
into the night
Father" said Becker, rive never
got any Justice in this world. but I
know that in the next Justice prevails.
The one thing that hurts me, Father.
IL the stigma that will be attached to
my name and the disgrace for my wife.
1t Is Of her that / am now thinking
mostly. My last wish 10 that l could
do something for her.
Will See Relatives.
From noon today, till D. M, the
doomed man will be allowed to see his
relatives. His wife will remain with
him to the last minute allowed BY
prison officials.
No eleventh hour appeals for clem-
ency will be made to Governor Whit
man by the doomed mans relatives, It
was said today. Mrs. Becker said sne
would not appeal
Becker will be preceded to the chair
by Samuel Haynes. a Putnam county
negro, convicted OF numbering
woman.
The electric apparatus was tested TO-
day.