davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-09-09

extent to which riches promoted hap
piness.
On one point. however. all were
agreed. Bill Podden ought to get
married.
Forty thousand pounds and i'm
not married--why it's wicked" quoth
Mrs. Tuition. the mother of three
strapping Wenches. free so far from
the CALLING band of matrimony. "Wot
e wants is a strong, 'ealthy young
woman"
Not too young" interrupted n
spinster defensively.
"a strong. 'ealthy young woman
went on Mrs. Tuition unmoved-
900 can look after i'm nice and prop
err, and nuss i'm when 'e's got rooa-
mates"
In the meantime Bill Podden had
returned to the cottage which ne was
supposed to rent-the landlord knew
better-and began his preparations
for migration to the Rose and An
Choir. The task was not difficult
one. as excepting the few sticks Of
battered furniture, he had little or
nothing to transport. Hitherto mot II
soul in the village save himself had
even entered the cottage during his
occupancy, but now constant stream
of callers approached his door. Bat
to none did he open. To all the re-
peated knockings, he would merely
answer that he was busy, and the Wis
itors had to turn away disappointed.
Foremost among these was the
widow Branson the local tobaCConist
About three months before, when
Podden had first come to settle down
in the village, her charms had worked
such sad havoc with his impression
able heart that one afternoon, having
purchased two pennyworth of shag.
he had been cmboldened TO declare his
passion automatically across the
counter. A lump about the size of a
pigeons egg. that still marked his
right temple. served to remind him
of the dangers of n hasty wooing.
With the news of the legacy came
n sudden change of feeling on her
part.
"P'raps I was ard on i'm" she
murmured penitently. and proceeded
to don her best attire In order to OBJ
tain immediate forgiveness for her
forcible methods of rejection. She
was all the more chagrined when she
found him inaccessible: but, nothing
daunted. she sought the hospitality
of a cottage close at hand from which
she could watch his door.
When he did at last come forth,
armed with carpetbag, n fishing
rod, and a large wicker cage contain
ing a particularly foul-mouthed par
rot. half the village seemed waiting
for him. Everybody was congratulate
Ing him and Shaking his hand-the
widow being the foremost--so that it
was many minutes before he could
proceed on his way. But he did not
go alone. One individual seized his
bag. another his fishing-rod. while
two others grasped the cage aid were
struggling for its possession, when
the parrot. scandalized at their be-
havior. judicially settled the point
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-09-09

cunning little black eyes. He had
been ncknamed Artful BILL possibly
on account of the fact that he man
aged to exist on a little unambitiOuS
pOa ching and an occasional days en-
ployment. but more likely because
his reputation for obtaining alcoholic
refreshments at other peoples ex-
pense was a byword in the village.
AS he came by the door of the
Rose and Anchor he looked thrstily
inward, when he beheld the proprietor
beckoning him with smile that had
hitherto been lacking in their inter-
views.
afternoon. Mr.. Judson."
afternoon, Bill 'Ot, amt 1t?
Won't you come in and ave a drop
of something cool?'
A look of qualification came over
Bills face as he followed his host
into the shop.
Come into the parlor. It's cooler
there Liz. here's your old friend
Bill come to see you"
The lady's smile was expansive and
CHEEKY, in strong contrast to the stony
glare with which she had hitherto
been wont to reply to his request TOT
sundry pints on credit.
"Glad TO see you, Mr.. Podden. 'ow
ave you been kecpin'? You're look
In splendid. amt q SAM
"Tip-top, Liz. Doesn't look a day
over twenty-five. does e? Whatn
you ave. Bill? I'vo got n moo bar
rel up from the cellar that's cool as
ice. Fetch us jugful and some
glasses, LIZ"
The liquid was soon procured, ana.
the glasses having been filled, the
visitor did justice to his reputation
Vessels
had several times been rcfilled sam
nroduced a large box of cigars. the
cover of which depicted goddess.
innocent of attire, dancing lightly oV-
er the heads of a number or bandlts
in field Of cabbage: -
."Try one o. them. Bill. You'll ma
that a cigar worth smoking feai
'Avanas-cost me four shillings for
fifty 'olesale."
The visitor was now comfortably
ensconced in an easy chair, revolving
In the unwonted luxury, when Mrs.
Judson decided to hasten matters
little.
"Oh! that reminds me. There's a
letter for you. Mr.. Podden. Come ali
an hour ago"
She took the fateful epistle from
behind the clock and handed 1t TIM
Idly to their esteemed guest.
He opened II cnrelessly, as II az
customed TO receive such things eV-
cry day. and proceeded to read IL
leisurely.
Sam had Just time to exchange q
comprehensive glance with his wife
when Bill rose 80 suddenly as to up
set all the glasses on the table.
"Jerusalem!" he shouted. i've
fallen in for forchn. My brother
Joe that went to the States AS diet
and left me thirty thousand pounds.
Forty thousand. isn't it." Mr.. Pod
DEM" said the lady unguardedly.
He glanced again at the letter.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-09-09

I,. oo,.r,,ll,. ,,ir,ir,, t,,. O,--o, Of tbo
lIa t.Ln n,,,,i.li,, wa a,7s,od tha
,',c. h,. tr, hnrs ~, ia, 90 lie VIOLA
49, ~ ,-,.n,.'..io,, ~. - ,' ,hI
,in,i,- .1,,ti.,,ia,, civ. ,,,,..,,,,,,,,,+i.,
ndI.I - r. hnn aIran,i,, ,sso,tad ~.
'r ''',I W ''''"'S ''77'' '''
m
.+dnSI, "''"'t ha, 'iT n'0 pod
S'r'".IE "a .i'o gu 'r,, H'""'' ny gu
i,,ai,. 1;,',',I ,.,rt ,,,I .,,i,,.,,,,3 I,,,
No whistiinr Of rnr,,lnr nirs Nv tb..
village urchius, who We're delighted
at the opportunity of providing ap-
propriate music
A. tbo Pose ana Arcbor Mr. Ind
son ana his v.irn. yvnre nvnitiny thoir
,,,,.et ,I o. tt.;li f ha,.,.l,. ,,.ort
,,'rn,,c,, ti,,,,, ,i'., tho,. ,,t.;d tha
,,.,,,.l r,,,,....,l,i,,, ,i,g+ ,i,,,, i'm,
nrimod tbat rnldan m,I.t h1vn got
d,,,nk o., nis. ,rot win an ",,idant.
~, w., ,ti,-,,i.i..'l w., ,,.itb ,.L,,h
t,uI ,iie .,,,in ~ ,rn ,,oaca
.'1I',,,.I, ,, ,,rn'.e,io,, ,.ossurn5
.hn,',
~ ,.,,o,
ON arriving az INC nos'etrE' r"uI,'H
made an 'u"r, !" FhaN ",i MI I..',b n' hi.,
Nited rctihu" n| H".t'iiIHT WI" nt'
property mn" u" !',l" p"ni"r MY" ,'I,.
said. About NAN " uo"tH "''ur ''.'r
way to inc nar-C""I.1'r' ~ 'Hc ,,,!.,
itN"ltil'E an INV ''"'''' " -, t'", ~
Branson, however tH"uEHt he.'v.l
privileged 10 VH''' tl, l'Il'' 9",'' ."'.''
Jud"on Nad' an 'h'li''tu"' e'l"'t ~
stop her, but his worthy 5pouse came anne
to the rescue. she ana MIS-, l'raHSoh
had long-stah-lhS leul '""l H'c"-
"d settlehleNt'
"An' may | ask Mrs. Rranson.
where you're Eoing?' she said "lth
marked poltenoss
"I want 10 see my Bill"
..your ybato"
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-09-09

bed now. George Is lying or. his
back, his left arm above his head,
his right under the coverings"
Hamilton, the receiver at his ear.
joggled the hook with his clnched
fist and swore at the telephone girl
when he asked her why she did not
get his number. Then he said rough
ly:
Keep on ringing! Ring and ring
until you get an answer"
Hes got n pistol-pulled 1t from
his breast pocket" Harleigh spoke
In a voice of hate. Beads Of sweat
stood out on his forehead, which was
white as pure marble. Brumairs
collar was limp with perspiration.
He looked like wild man.
Hes putting his left hand under
Georges pillow-very slowly. very
carefully. His right holds the re-
volver close to Georges head. That
telephone bell is ringing all the time,
but George can't hear It,"
Hamilton dropped the receiver,
throwing the whole apparatus from
the table to the floor. and dashed out
Of the room. Brumair, painting.
uuivering, gave no sign Of knowing
he had gone.
George is waking up! He's grab
bed the fellow--by the throat" Har-
leigh made his whisper q song Of
Thanksgiving.
he no. o.
from his chair. whispering no longer.
He shrieked out the words:
George Is shot! The fellow put
the pistol to his temple and shot
him!"
Watch the fellow" Brumair gem
tly forced Harleigh back into the
chair. Tell me what he does"
"He jerked something from under
the pillow. It's package-no; a
wallet. He's slipped 1t into his
breast pocket"
Harleigh spoke IN his natural tone
now, only his voice was full of the
eagerness of pursuit. Brumair had
fallen to his knees and was wringing
his hands. one on the other. like n
beggar. He looked like a man who
has been overworked ana IS about to
collapse.
Hes running-down the steps
back down the hall through the same
door. He's jumped through an open
window into the back yard-a nd
through the gate into the alley. He's
turning into Columbia Road. and
Nelson may be dying, Brumair.'
I broke In, and 1 had to handle him
roughly to get his attention. Man
alive, we must go to him.
He gazed at me fixedly for mo-
ment, only half comprehending.
was already at the door. He turned
to Harleigh and said YEARLY:
you're all right now Wake up
They caught up with me at the
street door. Brumair, struggling in
to his coat, was numbering like q
woman, for he had loved Nelson.
you made me wake him up be-
fore he'd followed the fellow" hC
groaned. "Such an ass l was."
I'VE took a street-car. rode two
blocks in that. leaped from it while
1t was going full speed, and caugh
taxicab for the rest of the way
Hamilton had arrived ahead of u!
and ca lied the police. We found him
five patrolmen and a lieutenant o
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-09-09

"Yes-forty thousand. But how did
you know" he asked suspciously.
"Dreamt of 1t night before last.
You remember me telling you, Sam.
of 'ow | dreamnt that Mr.. Podden lad
been left forty thousand pounds?'
Sam corroborated with almost I'M
necessary emphasis.
"To think of poor old Joe bein'
dead" went on Bill; lone of the best
men rs ever stood in leather"
He looked fearful and reminiscent.
Worth ten chaps like me-" he con-
tinued sadly.
Don't say that, Mr.. Podden." said
Mrs. Judson with sympathy. Looks
isn't everything"
'WOt dye mean talkin' o looks: l
amt talking o looks"
Liz don't mean no arm, Bill. she
don't know wot she's saying. Her
arts in the right place." interpolated
Sam In a soothing manner. Liz
only means as 'ow every eye forms
its own beauty. And 'ow 1t do
change! When l was a little boy
ladies used to stop their carriages on
the road to take me up and kiss me-
Then he added with a note OF re-
greet; -.
"But I've changed n lot since chem"
on ave, Stlu 1blll Will a III ~
ness that Mr. Judson did not like.
Honors being therefore easy. the
guest allowed himself to be notified.
and even to sketch out roughly the
plans he was going to adopt with re-
gard to his prospective wealth.
"Of course, I'll ave to wait Tor
few weeks before I can make start,
because | 'aven't any money to go
on with"
Judson looked inquringly at his
wife. She nodded her head.
II can let you ave five pounds Tor
the present. | couldn't think o see
ing an old friend in difficulty.
That's the SORT O. chap l am"
The money being duly handed over
an idea occurred TO Mrs Judson.
Wouldn't 1t be better Mr.. Pod
den. If you We're to leave that old
cottage and come here? We've nice
room upstairs that would suit YOU
A little persuasion induced BIZ 10
give his consent, and after having ar
ranged to transfer his quarters that
evening he made his way home.
The Judsons We're now satisfied that
they had made the most OF their OPP
portunity so they saw no reason for
concealing the wonderful news any
longer.
Consequently, In half an hour the
whole village was agog with excite
ment. The one topic of discussion
in Slodby was Bill Podden's fortune
and what he was going to do with
1t. To the female portion or the
community the news came as n god
send. Nothing SO interesting had oc-
Cured since Boddle the village con-
stable, had been triumphantly acquit-
ed OF grave charge OF wife-beating'
There was coming and going from
mouse to house; an exhaustive discus
sion or the legacy and it's recipient;
inevitably concluding with a phiio-
sophie exchange Of Views as to the
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-09-09

the force standing, an awed group,
looking helpcssly at the body OF
George Nelson. who had died from
a bullet in his left temple.
"What's the use of standing herc?"
Hamilton broke out savagcly. why
don't you notify the coroner and look
for the murdercr?"
The lieutenant ordered his men to
search.
"start from Columbia Road" put in
Harlegh eagerly. He turned into
that from the alley. He left by a
back window, which you'll find still
open
''Iiow do you know" asked the
lieutenant.
81 was an eyewitness OF the crime.
saw him"
"You saw hm!"
"Ycs; he saw him" supplemented.
Brumair whose limp collar was far
from impressive.
"Whcre We're you?" The licut"rant
was now evidently anxious for the in
formation.
Right herein this ve,y ROOM"
answered IIarleish.
"Can you describe The man who did
the shooting"
! Harleigh repeated, word for word
the description he had given us
earlier IN the evening. When he had
heard 1t, the lieutenant blew his
whistle, calling the men back, and re-
peated it to them. They reported
that they had found the back win
dow, in the dining-room, open.
The coroner came. As IS frequent-
~ the case with coroners. his eyes
saw much of which his brains took
no knowledge. lie threw no addi-
tional light on the case. and sat
down to await the return of the
searching policemen.
The lieutenant renewed his talk
with IIarlcish. asking him why ne
had not tried to prevent the COM
mission of the crime.
Brumair, excited and worn to the
point of exhaustion, began an ex-
plantations:
You must understand that this
Is an extraordinary Case-cXtraordi-
nary. [ had hyrnotized Mr. Har-
leigh in my library. Ny house is
at the corner of Seventeenth and X
streets, more than a mile from here.
Eut I sent Mr.. Tiarlcigh here while
his body remained at my house. That
WINS how he saw the crime without
being able to prevent it. 1t was
triumph for science-a triumph!"
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-09-09
Copyright, The Frank A. Mnnsey Co.

~,
lnnt cf'!lHS N'9 "Nc'ae' hlShu9
receIitS W IHG ''"ST ana az nor WeIa
l-c"'IS t'Nt'l"u' an INC ''"'e aunt
leS'urltS ~ ,'oupy seemed u" ., ! 'TS-
~ l""'H 10 '''' "'t mem @. t's
tho ,.bo,, <,.1 ~ 49,. ,-iil.,,, i,,,o,,.,
r"n,;1,.I .1 ~, ,ot-. ,,,., ,.,.,,,'l.,,, t,,tv'.
,,'',,io,,s ~ ,,is,Lav III. e,I,, ,v,li 49,
vr,rd Tho bni, ,,.ho now, fo'. mo 10.
ti,ra v.,. ,ns,i,,- 49,, .u.ao,, nf ,n,.
,,,,ritv 1,hn Voc, ,,,,.,,-r,ri..I off,r.
,r,,ra ,,,odn 10 Nm, ~ Ions NJ ,,nro,.
..tc nn'Iinn tma ,.'?i7a,icn ~ -,
fortune.
,nI.N - ,...a ,,o oo,,
f'lIl inSnn HVcu inc oSc'H'0n
perfectly He "ls naturally "iAtrr
hUl ItloSt ReN'"I ,,'ll I!Iyn".y' 80 ~
was ne from o"'i@ purse Ti"''o ''a'
ne accepted "t,lkS ana Sil'">es az tH'
rMp1maH o. o., a. ,. On" Nv. tt, .c'''n
E".-'','s AZ AZ,
"' ~ ~. - 4" '..'!iu' ~ -" ~, w
~, a. ,,,,o ~" l I, ''' :,
It.V ~ a ,'i,',''u ~ n.,,i ~
III Ullii'".rlE ne gave up lrE'hR' ERR
tu' E"t1r'''S plohe up' hs NJ "t!M.
W i'.'',,'H 80 90 tl'i,r t'i'i- n',n
"rI' one vi me N'S''"!F' az" Lac II
o.'r 81 w 49, 80 80 go - ~;
."ii' :. 10 -'H s''"' i'N''' d -" KUN
81"
II" newt rev mornings ne spent y,
VISITING privately nearly all his we'll
NlsherS' Ihon" was ntt!e reed Of
ahNthlng more IMAM a subtle sugses.
tpn, ana ilnlHcd!d.o!y a. .oaN WA
forthcoming.
-Four days later he aunouncaa ,,ii
iDtcntion Of going m to Lordor "a
see n firm of solicitors he knew thsl
would manage his affairs for him.
he was also I'm need of a suit of
mourning 10 replace his present at
tire which ne had got or loan from
tho local nay dealer,
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-09-09

he broke off suddenly with a half
chuckle that sounded uncanny to us.
II talk like a polce-circular descrip-
ton of an escaped convict"
60 on" commanded Brumair,
sterner than before.
There's a pimple--no; it's a mole
on his upper lip just below the
outside point Of his right nostril. He's
got catarrh. I can tell by the way
he breathes."
How about his hands," Brumair
himself was whispering now.
Small and white. The thumb and
forefinger of his right hand are dis
colored. No rings on. Hold on!
There's a monogram on his cuff
button. I can't make out--Yes; it's
a d. and M and c. That's it
ID. NJ. c. That thumb and forefln-
ger look permanently discolored, very
dark. He's So slow!"
Hamilton interrupted, putting
heavy hand on Brumair's shoulder.
This may mean trouble" he said.
his coarse. bass voice involuntarily
lowered to a half whisper, land we'll
need all this. Tell him to remember
1t when he wakes up"
The doctor saw the necessity Of
It.
+ "Harleigh." he ordered, ''you will
remember all this after I wake you
UP. everything you have seen and
are seeing and will see this eve
ning--everything."
The head nodded obedience. The
mouth continued:
Hes upstairs at last-going to-
ward the door at the front end of the
hail. Hush! What was that?
Sounded like a chair thrown over on
the floor beneath. Must have been
the wind. 1t scared this fellow all
right.
I'VE can hear somebody snoring.
It's man-George. 1 guess"
I heard Hamilton bite through the
amber mouthpiece of his pipe. The
bowl Of 1t fell to Harleigh's knee.
scattering gray ashes over his leg
and Gathering to the floor 1t start
led hamilton from n trance. ne
sprang to the telephone and clawed
the pages of the directory, looking
for Nelson's number. He was the
first to remember, in the gruesome
fascination of the scene, that George
was in peril.
This fellows breathing hard"
Harleigh took up his description.
His mouths open. Every time the
wind roars, it frightens him.
He's at Georges door now. I think
It's Georges. He's opening the door
slowly-slowly."
Above Harleigh's cautious whisper
could hear Hamilton roaring into
the telephone:
North seventy-seven twenty-one!
North OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
don't think Brumair heard him.
Were inside the room." Harleigh
was saying. He had been agitated
before. but now he started and shud-
dered like a man compelled to wit
ness another's danger without being
able to aid him. IT'S George. all
right. There's bar Of light on the
ceiling from the street lamp outside
This fellow can see him plain as day
whats that? Sounds like a bell
It's the telephone. It's hurrying this
fellow. He tipped to the head Of the
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-09-09
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strung tight as a wire. None Of us
was prepared for what Harleigh said.
I'm afraid to go In. Hanged II
I'm not afraid" He said it quer-
ulously, as If he had stood In front
of the house trying to overcome his
fear and could not explain 1t to him
self.
You are not afraid" prompted
Brumair. you will go in. and you
will not wake up until I tell you.
You-are-n ot-at-all--afraid. Go in"
I'm inside now" replied Harleigh.
"Say, this must be an old house.
George! how 1t rattles! The wind
sounds like BATTLE"
us there light down-stairs?'
The figure in the leather chair bent
forward, the face showing acute at
tention, as If the hypnotized man
listened with all his soul. Then he
answered the question in slow,
strained whisper that printed on our
minds the picture Of a cautious, fur
tive watcher.
MONO light. But there's a man
here in the hall. He just came
through the door at the back.
think Wait; he's going toward the
staircase"
watch him! Watch him and fol-
low him."
Harleigh began to whisper again,
his words quick and nervous. but so
low that we three stood close over
him to watch them. Although he
had not said 1t in so many words,
we knew the man he saw, more than
q mile away In Nelson's house.
meant mischief.
Hes on the stairs now. He's slow,
tiptoeing, afraid of every step. No
use in that. Nobody could hear a
board creak in this laundering wind.
The fellows thief. That's what he
is He's gone up only three steps"
He paused. I heard Hamilton draw
in a deep breath. like a man who has
been afraid to breathe for fear of
missing an indistinct word. Brumair,
watchful as a cat. kept his eyes on
Harleigh, who was still crouched for
ward in the chair, watching.
Describe this man. was the next
order.
Hes a middle-sized fellow. HIS
hairs yellow-very thin hair. Wears
gold eyegla sses. Clean-shaven. Blue
eyes. He's got watery eyes. HUH
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-09-09
|s/aMES KAXM..
Copyright, The Frank A. Munsey Co

or sleep. Hamilton filled and lit his
pipe, passing me the burning match
for my cigarette. 1t was then about
Il quarter past ten o'clock. Outside,
the month of March was dying hard,
the wind rafting the loose shutters,
and occasionally coming down the
chimney to blow little puffs of smoke
into the room from the open fire.
place.
"Harleigh," began the doctor IN
the clear, slow, incisive tone he al
ways used in commanding his SUBJ
iects, ego to George Nelson's house
and tell us what he Is doing"
After silence of half a minute,
Harleigh, who was seated comfort-
ably in u big leather chair, straight
ened up, look of annoyance OH his
face. His eyes were closed. Almost
Immediately he spoke in q relieved
tone:
I'm in front of the house now.
Missed my way first. Got into the
wrong block
His voice was as it always was IN
ordinary conversation.
Are You sure it's Nelson's house?"
asked Brumair slowly.
"Surc."
Ever been there before?'
"Once before. It's all dark now.
No LIGHTS anywhere. l can't get in.
The doors locked
Brumair flung off his coat.
"See here, 1Iarleigh!" he exclaimed
roughly, but continued In his slow,
even tore: You so in. Locks makes
no difference to you. DO you under
stand? You can so In"
Il is to the doctors credit that all
through the scene which followed he
preserved his self-control and made
his tone exactly that which he used
in less remarkable tests.
"Iut it's so dark" objected Har-
leigh after a pause. during which
he had sat perfectly still in the
chair.
"You can see now, and you will
have no trouble with the darkness.
said the doctor.
ayes. / can see," the other agreed
reluctantly.
In the silence that followed. Hamil-
ton got up ard stood putting his pipe
rapidly. his back to the fire.
watched Br,mair. With coat off and
hair dishcvcled. he was working hard