davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-02-27
Twelve Years Later.

Casavanti, the cadet, was a firm
upholder of the pregnancy of APP
parel. He believed in keeping up ap-
pearances. He even reveled in his
appellative of the Beau Nash of the
Tenderloins His clothes were of the
latest cut and from the folds of his
novelty cravat always flashed a
Sinner" of the first water. This pas
sion for spiendor, indeed. extended
even to his place of abode, for a
cursory glance at Casavanti's house.
in a. side street of the lower Tender
loin, revealed nothing of the timbers
of rottenness behind it's snowy facade
of prosperity. just as careless in
spection of Casavanti himself might
fail to betray the fact that he fol-
lowed a profession which stood the
despair OF social reforrners and a
degradation to modern life. Yet this
slim-bodied youth, with his lustre-
less eyes and his thin-iipped face,
with his white hands and the rest
less movements OF the confirmed coke
snuffer, was one of those acrid buh-
bles that sour the scum forever ris-
ing on the melting pot of American
life. Being a product of city gang
life" combined with the drug addic-
ton so common with it's submerged
tenth. he gave small thought, how
ever. to the ignominy of MS position.
His success. in fact, was rather a
matter of personal pride with him.
And there was, accordingly, almost
note OF condescension in his manner
as he received "Slim" Legato in his
meretriciously sumptuous sitting
room. For Slim" whatever his as
pirations In crookdom, was still n
mere underling.
who sent this?" demanded Casa
vanti as he took a note from his WIS.,
itor's hand.
''Legar," was the answer. The
cadet pufYed languidly at cigaret
as he. opened the note and read it.
"The girl I spoke of win come to-
night at IL. You will find her flower
that is ripe for the picking. And once
the flower gets in your hands L want
1t kept there-Jules."
Casavant. restored the letter to Its
envelope. Then he stood thoughtfully
regarding his visitor.
Did anyone see you come here?"
he asked.
mot that I was wise to- was Sims
prompt reply.
Then see that you get as quietly
away!"
Slim Legato, accordingly. kept a
weather eye open as he emerged to
the street. Nothing suspicious met his
gaze. 1t was not until he had
descended the steps and reached the
curb that closed limousine, running
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-02-27

as quietly as frozen river. flowed
along the pavement little more than
ten PAGES away from him. At the
first corner 1t turned sharply and
stopped, obstructing the crossing.
The debonair Slim drew up, blink
ing suspiciously at the mysterious
vehicle. Then he blinked even harder.
for from the open door window of the
limousine a gloved hand had unmis-
takably beckoned to him.
Slim promptly decided to investi-
gate. But he also decided to advance
with caution. Before he could place
a foot on the running board, however.
and thrust pertly inquisitive head
into the hooded gloom of the car. that
car began to move forward again.
Yet before it passed from his reach
the gloved hand had thrust into his
own an envelope.
On this envelope was clearly in
Scrihed:
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-02-27

My God, it's truel" the planter
cried as he stared out across the
island. For plain before his eyes he
could see river of silver light WIDEN
ing across his plantation. Already,
crowding UP to the higher ground of
the manor house, came shouting
groups of negroes, men and women
and half-naked children, carrying
their belongings with them. Already
the river Of silver light had widened
into a lake. Out of the night came
the screams of frightened girls, the
pitifuI calls of children, the dull roar
of the water as 1t swept brushwood
and fence boards and shack walls
before 1t. And Golden knew that no
time was to be lost. for already the
sea had crept to the lip of the manor
garden itself,
Then, as the water rose about his
feet, he suddenly turned and rushed
back into the manor house.
''Margory," he called. like man
gone mad. "Margory, where are
your"
But that call remained unanswered,
for the old negro nurse, at the first
shouts of alarm, had caught up the
child and carried her out through the
servants entrance, on the way to the
wharf-cut where she knew the boats
to be moored. The child had proved
too heavy for the quiveringly old
arms, so she had left the girl, with
her kitten still clutched to her breast,
safe In the door way Of cotton shed,
while she herself staggered out on in
firm old legs to seize an empty punt
drifting by on the rising water. But
the current was too strong for her,
and as negress and boat were carried
away the water rose still higher about
the child's feet Yet, thinking more
Of her frightened kitten than of her
own peril, as the food crept closer
the child clambered up the broken
timbers Of the cotton shed to the roof.
There she sat, calling forlornly for
her lost nurse.
Golden, in the meantime. ragged
through the flooded manor house
threatening and storming and COM
handing his servants to find his child.
He was still deep in that agonized
search when three OF his older
servants appeared with a small surf
boat and called franticaIly for him
to CONS, while there was still time
This boat was without oars, two of
the negroes padding it with bits Of
boards.
Golden, rousing himself at his serv-
AIT, shout. saw that this second
craft. rowed by bearded white man,
was bearing down on a nearby cot
ton-shed. At the same moment that
he. augtt sight of his daughter Mar
CORY on the roof of this shed he made
out the figure of Palidori himself di-
reeting the movements OF the beared
man so frenziedly rowing the boat.
Above its gunwale showed ore arm,
bandaged in white. But THAI boat
had swung in beside the shed roof be-
fore Golden could even realize the
meaning of the movement. AS he saw
the Italian and his confederate drag
the child from the flooded shed roof,
a sudden cry burst from his throat.
My child-they will kill my child"
he gasped.
Open laughter showed on Palidori's
sinister face, as with his sound arm
he held the struggling figure in white
close to his side.
Have no fear of that" ne called
back across the swirling water, as his
bearded confederate bent to the oars.
She will live. But She viii live In a
way that will leave you praying she
diedi"
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-02-27
DR. Ludwig Palidori,
Care of Jules Lesar,'

and beneath these words Sims be-
wildered eyes made out the unmis-
taxable emblem of a laughing mask.
What 1t meant was more than he
could tell.
So inscrutable did this mystery
seem, in fact, that Slim, after one
minute of deep thought, promptly.
yet delicateiy, slipped the blade of his
penknife along the gunmed flap OF
the envelope and forced it open. On
a single sheet of paper he found writ
ten the cryptic words:
Remember the hammer Of
God, which smitess and
brushes whom il smites."
Slim. the gay cat and gangster.
puzzled much over this message as
he restored t to it's violated envelope
and adroitiy reseaIcd the flap.
The Owls Nest proper was an un-
savory cellar room In one Of the most
unsavory sections of the lower East
Side. Years before 1t had been 4
wine cellar, presided over by Nea-
politan OF Mano Nero affiliations, until
a federal shoo-fly In search for coin
ers," mad been found stiiettoed be-
hind ono Of it's casks of Marsala,
whereupon the Neapolitan had van
ished. and in due time the Owl her
self had taken possession of the quar-
tiers. And she seemed we'll fitted to
her new environment. That even this
vocation did not bring in vast re-
wards was evident to the most casual
visitor, for the Owl. with her sunken
eyes and her aquiiine beak half hid
den in a mat of griz2led hair. was as
unciean in person as her career had
been unclean In action.
1t was plain to see that Legar was
accepted as a leader by the half dozen
dips and gangsters and moli-buzzers
into whose midst he had so quietly
slipped. If not openly deferentiai.
they were at least passively respect
full, for this keen-eyed man of 10, with
the looking iron hook where
hand ought to be, and the great
scar across his face, which even q
neatly trimmed beard failed to hide,
had proved himself the brains of that
coterie. He approached crime
imaginatively, large-mindedly, as
coldiy and critically as a Napoleon
engineering campaign. And it was
his boast that no man had ever
stepped between him and success.
Where's Legato?' he CURLY asked
as the glanced about the circle.
he question answered itself. for
even as 1t was put Legatos himself
slipped into the dim light of the Owls
cellar.
whats this?" demanded Legar
as the newcomer without speakiug,
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-02-27

handed the letter OF mystery to his
chief.
That's what / want to fad out"
was Sims retort. "a gink In the Fit
avenue go-cart hands me this and
speeds off. That's all / know
about it,"
Legar tore open the envelope. His
ferrety eyes narrowed as he unfolded
the sheet
The Hammer of God again" he
said, with q sheer. But a troubled
look crept into his face as he stood
studying the message and the enve-
lope in which the message had come.
Then he laughed. But 1t was q laugh
without rnirth. "Palidori?" he NUT
tered. Why should know anything
about a man named Palidori?" And
again he laughed his mirthless laugh.
Yet he showed no exultation as he
followed the hobbitng Owl along
darkened passageway and up a flight
of wooden stairs leading to the floor
above. At the end Of another passage
the Owl silently unlocked "a door and
Legar as silently stepped inside.
= =
Bent over q table beside the barred
window he saw GIRL girl stu III
her teens. a girl with a look of lnalien-
able innocence still in her mournful
eyes. And Legar. as he crossed to
the table, saw that she was good to
gaze upon. Yet at the sight OF him
she shrank back. letting the locket
which she had just tied about her
neck fall from her trembling fingers.
t*Ionnst 1nxxar that wayt COM
inanded Legar Il haven't come to
beat you. / guess the Owl gave you
9nough of that
Then why are you here7" the
questioning eyes seemed to ask him.
I've come to tell you think you've
had about enough of this sort of thing.
Its going to be stopped and you're
going TO see the world"
You're going to set me free?"
gasped the incredulous girl.
Free as q bird!" announced the
ironic Legar. And with a. fine fea-
theirs as any bird that ever fiew."
He stood, ferret-eyed and inpas-
sive, watching the girl as she feverlsh-
by gathered together her meager be
longtngs. He hurried her out OF the
room. them along the passage and
down the narrow stairway and out to
the street where the taxi waited.
There McTigue sat ready for her.
That worthy remained silent, how
ever, as sob or two shook the girl
body and light OF exaltation shone
from her ttmorous eyes. She, too, re-
manned silent as they threaded their
way through the darkened streets
and drew up before brown stone
house. Up to the door Of this house
McTigue led the still wondering young
woman. There his finger played
graphically on the electric push bell,
sounding Casavanti's pass signal, and
q moment later the door mysteriously
opened and tho girl found herself
alone. Even before the door could
- close behind her a silent-running
limousine swung up to the curb and a
hurrying figure stepped from its run
ming board.
Casavanti, az he looked up and saw
her, let the cigaret fall from his thin
Tipped mouth. Whatever he had ex-
pected. 1t was plainly not this.
THE Doc was dead right" he said
under his breath. She's a flower, all
right"
Then. stili watching the girl, he
said aloud: Are you afraid of me 90
NO." was her answer.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-02-27
BEGIN THE GREATEST OF
ALL MOTION PICTURE
SERIALS TODAY.

ssTHE IRON CLAW" by
4 Arthur Srinser, be-
gins in foddy's issue Of this
newspaper. Start it today
and order your copy OF the
paper for next Sunday i'm
naediotely. 1.-The Iron Claw"
is the most absorbing adven-
fure serial ever filmed. II
has a thrill in every inch and
its interest is sustained right
through to the finish.
YOU'LL BE SORRY
IF YOU MISS IT.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-02-27

Then come here" he commanded.
But she still stood gazing wonder
ingiy about the room. A suspicion
that all was not as it should be- had
crept over her.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-02-27

"Mista, the seas gwine to git us!"
painted the black. -----
What do you mean by that?
barked out the master OF the manor
Some ones done opened all the
sluice gates. The seas a-fioodin' the
islandl"
1.-The seas comm in! The seas
comm in on us!"
Golden was already on his feet.
Get johnson and his men down to
the east pumps, and start them work.
ing" he called out. AND you. Stark.
get Stevens and his men out to those
sluice gates and work them shut. Get
them shut IL you have to swim out to
themi"
"Tain't no use, masta," cried the
terrified negro. ."Dey'se already
flooded more'n man-deep. And we'se
all a-goin' to be drowned--O Gawd,
we'se all goin' to be drowned!"
Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1916-06-30
TEAM JOINS THE FAIR LEAGUE
LOCAL NINE WILL Try FOR
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
THIS YEAR

Little Falls baseball team will COM
pete for the state championship this
summer, having joined the Minnesota
State Fair baseball league, recently
organized. Little Falls is in the third
class, with cities Of 5000 population
or over.
Cash prizes amounting to $3.50 will
be awarded to the winners in each Of
three divisions. The first division will
include towns of less than 1900 popu-
lation, the second towns between 1900
and 5000 and the third towns over
5000. A silver loving cup will also
be given to the winner of first place
in each section. The twin cities are
excluded from the contest.
The teams in the contest must give
in an accurate report Of each game
played from June 20 to August 25.
Those which are eligible for the final
contest will play at the state fair this
fall for the prizes mentioned above.
Little Falls has registered for the con-
test and will make an effort to win the
trophy.
Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1916-06-30
HOG WALL0W NEWS

George Bingham)

The Dog Hill preacher will lecture
on screaky shoes next Sunday.
Among those who visited the post.
office this week and did not get the
mail they we're looking for are as fol-
lows: Raj Barlow, Atlas Peck, Poke
Eazley, Sim Flinders, Luke Mathews
la, Sap Spradlen, Filth Smith, Fletcher
Henstep, lobe Moseley, Bat Smith,
Dock Hooks, Sidney Hooks, .Ellick
Hellwanger, the Deputy Constable, the
Dog Hill Preacher, Frisby Hancock,
the Horse Doctor, Yam Sims, Jeffer-
son Potlocks, Columbus Allsop, Wash.
ington Hooks, the Blind Man, Cricket
Hicks, the Old Miser, Slim Pickens,
the Excelsior Fiddling Band, Miss
Flute Belcher, Miss Fruzie Allsop,
Miss Frizzie billiard, Miss Gondola
Henstep, Miss Cordelia Hellwanger,
Miss Rosyola Moseley, and the Hog
Ford Preacher.
Columbus Allsop began this week on
the task of practicing up to play the
bass fiddle while Miss Fruzie Allsop
sings at the Wild Onion school house
entertainment to be given next Febru-
airy, when the teacher and his pupils
will celebrate the event of Geo. Wash.
ington's having successfully crossed
the Delaware.
Jefferson Potlocks has discovered
that a large bump of cautiousness is
developing on his head since he en-
gagged in fight with Standard Han.
cock at Rye Straw.
Poke Eazley believes that everybody
has been given two ears to enable him
to hear both sides Of the question.
The Postmaster, political leader in
Hogwallow, has of late been consider.
ably disturbed over the political stu
alton. He announced yesterday that
he would remain neutral until he knew
! what Roosevelt was going to do about
it.
When your train Of thoughts ap.
proaches a gloomy crossing blow your
/ whistle and open the throttle.
We are sure Of one thing: the sun
| will rise tomorrow morning but we
are not sure We will be here to see it.
Yam Sims says every time Miss Fru
zie Allsop washes her face she gets
wrinkles on the towel.
! Yam Sims starteu out to walk tt
| Rye Straw yesterday, but as he had
made mistake and got his right shoe
on his left foot, he got mixed up il
the direction, landing away over al
Lizard school house.
| Raj Barlow shot at Jefferson Pot
locks On Musket Ridge Tuesday, but
Jefferson is deaf and has not heard
Of it.
| Dock Hooks has purchased looking
| glass which is to be used when he
wants to talk to himself.
The Dog Hill preacher announces
that he hasn't any political belief, anC
will vote according to the dictates Of
his conscience and his congregation.
| The drove of snails that the mai
Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1916-06-30

carrier reported to have overtaken on
Musket Ridge five weeks ago, have ar.
rived in Hogwallow and this week
they are passing the postoffice.
Miss Hostetter Hooks is getting
ready to play for the musical enter.
tainments and yesterday took her &C.
cordeon to the blacksmith shop to
have it charged with wind from the
bellows.
Jefferson Potlocks went over to the
blacksmith shop at Rye Straw this
week and brought back wagon load
Of old horse shoes, which he will hang
up along Gander creek to give him
good luck in fishing.
F'rlsby Hancock arrived home safe
~ TINS week from pleasant visit to
relatives at Buzzard Knob. While
driving along the road near the Wild
Onion school house on his way home
a snake crossed the road in front of
his horse. The reptile, he says, was
50 long that he was delayed at least
half hour in letting it pass.
The thermometer at the home of
Washington Hooks got out of fix Fri
day morning and registered eightv-one
degrees below Zero AS a consequence
Wash and his family are threatened
with pneumonia.
AS it grows older the Excelsior Fid.
din Band is getting to be more i'm.
portant, and only last Saturday added
another feather to it's can when it was
asked five times to play the same thing
over, at an entertainment in the Cali
Ribs neighborhood. The band used to
stand up all the time when it played
but now is willing to rest on it's laur:
els whenever the benches are handy.
Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1916-06-30

extended visit with relatives here.
Her sister, Miss Anna Denis, accom-
panied her home for a visit.
Misses Veronica and Rose Mohr of
Perham arrived the latter part of last
week for visit at the home OF Mrs.
M. Trettel.
John Lauermann of Malta, Mont,
arrived the first Of the week for a visit
with his parents here.
A. w. Lane of Chicago was in the
city on business in connection with
the construction Of the new postoffce,
for which he has the contract, the first
Of the week.
Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1916-06-30
COME AND GONE

Mrs. W. A. Dawson and daughter,
Mrs. Stephen Lebeau, went to Mime
apolis Tuesday to visit Elmer Daw-
son, who has enlisted with the state
militia there.
Mrs. J. G. Flynn Of Minneapolis ar
! rived Tuesday for visit at the home
| Of Mr.. and Mrs. G.. w. Massey.
j. A. Beard was in Royalton on bus
! mess Tuesday.
Mrs. B. T. Kennard arrived Tuesday
from Minneapolis to join her husband,
Rev. Kennard, who is pastor of the
Baptist church. Rev. and Mrs. Ken
nard have taken up their residence in
the Bartlett building on the West side.
Mrs. Adolph johnson and Little son
Of Grey Eagle are visiting relatives
here this week.
E. w. Swenson, county attorney Of
Benton county, transacted business
| here the first Of the week.
Miss Kate Meyers is the guest of
Misses Josephine and Eugenia Sand
| this week.
Miss Maude Tourtillott returned on
| Wednesday from a trip on Lake Su-
perior. She returned by way of st.
Paul.
Mrs. Sig. johnson of this city and
Mrs. Eugene Buell. of Crookston re-
turned the first of the week from a
visit with relatives and friends in
Minneapolis.
Harold johnson went to the twin
cities Wednesday for visit.
Miss Loretta Bares Of Pierz was the
guest Of relatives here Tuesday.
Charles Rose has returned from g.
trip to points on the Pacific coast and
in the south and has resumed work as
ticket clerk at the station.
Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1916-06-30

Chiropractors by correctly adjusting
the spine, are very successfully re:
moving the cause of stomach troubles
bowel, kidney and liver troubles, rheu.
matism, troubles of head, throat OF
lungs and other organs. Acute and
chronic cases yield readily to chiro.
Practic. G. M. Jergens, Chiropractor
(P. S. CO., Realty block. First Street
entrance.-Adv. lift.
Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1916-06-30

Oscar johnson went to Lake Pres
ton Wednesday to attend the wedding
Of Miss Ruth Abrahamson Of that place
to Rev. Arthur Knock, who has a Swed>
ish Lutheran passionate outside of Min
neapolis. Miss Abrahamson is known
here, having visited friends here as
the guest of Mr.. and Mrs. J. o. John
son.
Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1916-06-30

A large number Of the town and vii
lage assessors have completed work
and are bringing in their books now.
All the books must be in before next
Monday.
Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1916-06-30

seventy-six new books have recent
~ been placed on the shelves at the
public library. These books include
fiction and juvenile.
Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1916-06-30

The tower of the Swedish Lutheran
church on the west side was struck
by lightning during the storm Wednes-
day afternoon and one corner of it
was torn away.
Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1916-06-30

T. J: Monahan and family motored
to Bralnerd Tuesday for a visit with
| friends.
Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1916-06-30

Business men and postoffce officials
in this vicinity have been notified to
watch for money order blanks from
number 84,101 to $4,000, which were
stolen from the Melrose postof6ce re-
Gently.
Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1916-06-30

DR.. L. M. Roberts spent Sunday at
the home Of his son Loren in Minnea-
polls. Mrs. Loren Roberts is in a Sc.
rious condition with tuberculosis.
Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1916-06-30

Officials of the Northern Pacific
passed through this city Saturday on
a special train, on trip of inspection
over the entire route.
Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1916-06-30

DR.. J. 81. Newman returned Sunday
from Minneapolis in new Velie-Six.
He was accompanied by DR.. W.. p.
Newman Of Perham on the entire trip
and at st. Cloud they were joined by
their wives.
Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1916-06-30

About thirty young friends of
Misses Bernice Trebtoski and Fanny
Shapiro surprised them Sunday after
noon. The little folks all reported a
good time
Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1916-06-30

Attend the big dance at the A. E
Trebiatowski building on the West sid
on July 4. Lunch will be served.-Al
Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1916-06-30

Andrew Tholen spent SUNDAY fish
ing at Fish Trap lake, near Lincoln.
He brought back a Great Northern
pike weighing nearly fourteen pounds
to show for the fishing trip.
Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1916-06-30

Mr.. and Mrs. w. E. Penfeld return
ed the latter part Of last week from
an auto trip to the twin cities. Mrs.
F. H. Nero Of Minneapolis accompan-
led them to this city for short visit.
Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1916-06-30

r. 6. Stroschein Of Swanville was il
Little Falls Wednesday to hear VIM. J
Bryan speak at the chautauuua.