davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1916-09-08

the methods Of the sleuths Of the de-
partment of juDtice. Gard had come
to New Beaufort with but suspicion
that Torrance, the assistant cashier,
was playing the market on the funds
of the bank. Torrance was known to
be placing orders with a Wall street
broker.
At the boarding house Gard learned
that Torrance lived modestly in a cot
tage with his wife and babies, had not
been seen to make any display of
money, was Of sturdy farmer stock. On
the other hand the investigator imme-
diately picked up the facts that the
cashier, Compton, maintained an ex-
pensiVe establishment, entertained law
ishly, was often absent from town,
was nervous, highstrung, in bad
health.
All these facts led him to watch the
cashier rather than his assistant. They
led him, also, to some experimental
testing OF the condition of the banks
accounts. He knew that dishonest
employee Of bank, in appropriating
money, had to charge it to some &C
count to make the books balance. The
large, inactive accounts offer a most
tempting opportunity of this sort; but
these were found to be intact by his
ruse of inducing the depositors to call
for their balances.
1t was to get a better line on the
business of the community, and par
ticularly upon the accounts of Comp
ton, that the special agent secured a
position as bookkeeper in joys
grocery store. Here he found, in the
first place, that the buying for the
Compton home was most profigate
and evidently Wasteful. He found,
further, that the bills were always
paid without question and by check.
Knowing of an old trick that has
brought many cashier to ruin, Gard
sought a way to test these personal
checks to determine whether or not
they actually found their way to the
personal account Of the cashier.
The cashier of a bank is usually the
Individual who opens the mail, and
many Of these have been known to
cash personal checks and destroy them
when they came in for collection,
charging the amount to some account
where it might temporarily be hidden.
To determine whether or not these
personal checks were being juggled by
the cashier Gard, as the grocer's book
keeper, found pretext to send to the
bank for a record of some personal
checks of Compton's which he had
handled few days earlier. The call
was made while Compton was out to
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1916-09-08

partment Of Justice, was one Of the
few men in the town who was awake
except those who had been guests Of
the banker and who had fingered to an
hour which was almost unpreceden
in New Beaufort. They would have
gone home at eleven but the banker
insisted that they remain for further
entertainment on the part Of his New
York musicians One song called forth
another and the quality Of the music
proved so much more pleasing than
that of their customary local talent
that they forgot the passing of time.
The special agent sat on hill near
the Compton home and smoked a pipe.
It was twelve o'clock before the
party finally broke up. Those of the
townspeople who had cone in their au-
tomobiles we're being t,.cked into the
tonneaus, and those who mad walked
up the gray macadam drive were just
setting out on foot when the clatter as
of bunch of giant fire crackers called
their attention to the village below.
From the bank building was seen sud-
denly to burst cloud Of smoke while,
a moment later, a skylignt was broken
and tongue Of flame leaped forth.
"Fire! F'ire!" came the shout from
dozen voices.
Gard had seen more than had the
guests Of the banker. AS he smoked
his pipe and watched the village be-
low, the lights in the windows of Stone
Crest, and the silent cottage of Lor-
ance. the assistant cashier, he had
seen an automobile, with no lamp
showing, creep through the quiet back
street, purr stealthily into the alley
back of the bank and stop behind a
small building that shut off his view
Half an hour passed and the darkened
machine reappeared from behind the
intervening building, turned into the
thoroughfare leading to the southeast
and disappeared in the distance at an
ever increasing rate Of speed.
When the exploding cartridges in
the cashiers drawer at the bank gave
the first warning of the fire, the clamor
Of the alarm followed and pande-
monium broke out in the village. OF
the dispensing group on the hill, every
one ran for nearer view of the fire.
The musicians, the servants, the mas
ter of the house himself, all hurried
into the village to make part Of the ex-
citement that prevailed. Stone Crest,
the lights Of its entertainment still
glowing, was left deserted.
Gard, the special agent, again acted
differently from his fellows by failing
to do the thing which others did. He
crossed over from the hill on which
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1916-09-08

cording to agreement, had set it on
fire that the discriminating records Of
the cashier might be destroyed. The
willy cashier, however, had made sure
that the books that showed his guilt
would not be found, in case the plan
was not an entire success. He had re-
moved them himself, but had not as
yet destroyed them for he saw no
probability of coming under immediate
suspicion. Likewise had he neglected
to destroy certain correspondence that
later connected him with the parties
found to have committed the arson.
The books taken from the bankers
house were found to be the personal
ledger wherein should have been en-
tered deposits, and the loans and dis
counts ledger in which account Comp.
ton had entered the amounts repre-
senting all his personal checks. This
latter was the account that had dwelt
in the mind of Newton, the bank ex-
aminer. The letters that Gard Ahad
found in the bankers pockets, though
unsigned and mysteriously phrased,
we're later traced to the Dutch SHREDDER
gang. They proved a great aid to Nc
Cord, the plain-clothes man, who had
slept peacefully through all the clamor
incident to the burning of the bank,
but who, through. them, was able to
trace the burglars.
Compton went to pieces when con-
fronted with the proof that his derelic-
tions had been found out When his
toWnspeople came to know the facts
on the following day, they stormed the
jail and threatened to lynch him. So
determined was their onslaught that
the sheriff spirited the prisoner away.
In desperation he confessed his crimes
and exonerated Torrance, the assistant
cashier, who in playing the market had
only executed the orders of his SUI
perior. Compton lived but six months
after his conviction and sentence to
ten years in the penitentiary at At
lanta.
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1916-09-08

lunch, and the checks could not be
found. Through another dealer Gard
succeeded in getting second similar
request made with the same results.
He concluded that Compton was at
least juggling his personal account
and charging the amount Of his per-
sonal checks to some other account,
probably loans and discounts.
In various ways the special agent
found opportunities, even without see
ing the books of the bank, Of DEM
onstrating to his satisfaction that the
accounts were being juggled. This
was particularly true Of new deposits.
When a cashier is particularly hard
pressed he may resort to manipula-
ton Of the accounts Of current depos-
itors. The system is the simplest in
the world. When depositor hands in
his money, the cashier enters the
amount in the pass book of that indi-
vidual as receipt. Then, instead of
entering the money to the depositor's
credit, the cashier puts it in his pocket.
Thus there is nothing to show for the
transaction but the entry in the pass
book, and that may not be presented
for a long time. The cashier chooses
for spoliation the accounts that it is
least likely about which inquiries will
be made. AS far as the books Of the
bank are concerned they are as though
the deposit had never been made, and
the bank examiner, therefore, has no
way of discovering the shortage.
Gard, through the store for which
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1916-09-08
Funny Ways of loads.

There are few creatures so general
~ disliked as the toad. This is prob.
ably because it is so misunderstood.
The toad is really very interesting
little gentleman. It can be easily
famed, and makes an interesting pet,
its intelligence being of high order.
Perhaps the legend that the toad IS
venomous has something to do with
it's unpopularity. The toad certainly
has a gland which exudes a milky,
poisonous liquid. 1t is placed behind
the eye, and is marked on the skin by
a dark line round its lower edge. It
is believed, however, that the toad only
exudes this liquid when hurt in some
way, and even then it is not injurious
to human beings, unless it falls upon
some tender or unprotected part, such
as the lips or eyes, when it may cause
much pain and discomfort.
This liquid and the power Of infat-
ing itself until it is twice its normal
size are the toad's sole defenses
against an enemy. The toad's chief
enemy is the snake. When the snake
advances the toad promptly puffs itself
out and becomes so much bigger that it
is difficult for the snake to seize ana
swallow him, for the imitation does not
yield to pressure Of the snakes jaws.
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1916-09-08

he had smoked and hastily entered the
bankers house. Arriving, he seemed
to know exactly what he wanted. He
hurried through the rooms CT the
house, swapping on still more lights
until he found that apartment which
seemed to be the personal retreat OF
the owner. Here he evidently had
business. Standing in the middle OF the
floor he looked about. Thrown care
lessly into window seat he saw two
heavy books of the appearance of led
gers. These ne secured and placed on
a table in the middle Of the room with
out even examining them. Next he
began further exploration. When he
found the bankers bedroom he seemed
satisfied. On the back Of chair was
a coat, evidently that which Compton
had worn until he dressed for the eve
ming. Gard thrust his hand into the
inside pocket of his coat and pulled
out a batch of letters through which
he ran rapidly. He selected two or
three, thrust them into his pocket, re-
turned for the ledgers, tucked these
under his arm and left the house.
On the way to his lodgings he filed
a telegram to the department at Wash
ington which read as follows:
Compton, cashier in First National
bank case, guilty. torrance probably
not implicated. Bank burned tonight
by accomplices of Compton. Case COM
plete. GARD"
The manner In which these conclu-
sions were reached are but typical Of
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1916-09-08

collect beechnuts. They are too small
game for the American putter.
But all the nuts are honorable. They
do not deserve the slang opprobrium
which has been put upon them. There
is some sense in calling an undesirable
person 'lemon" or ounce" or even
'persimm0n," but never a ''nut."
Nut" should be term of solid honor.
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1916-09-08

To prevent skidding and slipping in
damp weather the streets of San Fran
cisco are sanded by machine mounted
on q motor truck.
Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1916-06-17
Wilson'S denomination

The denomination of President
Wilson for second term as Presi-
dent at the st. Louis convention was
in the nature of the logic of events.
He was named because he is the
most acceptable Democrat, and be-
cause he has made an acceptable
President to everybody except the
predatory interests.
The past few weeks has seen a not
able leaning toward the power of
Wilson. He is the great peace Presi-
dent. Against him will be the best
man the Republicans could name,
hence the contest is going to be not
able-or, at least it should be.
That Wilson will be reelected seems
to be a foregone conclusion in the
light of his performances. There isn't
a single thing he has done that he
need worry over. Efficiency has
been his watchword. He is very near
to the thinking people everywhere.
Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1916-06-17

nomination which he foresaw from
the beginning was the only system to
adopt.
1t cannot be said that Mr.. Hughes
sought the honor, but neither did he
undertake to dodge it. In his set
plan of being non-committal he
brought into play an almost new
principle in politics, that of knowing
how and when to be dumb.
The only thing the letter of &C.
ceptance contained was a bit of ques'
tionable form in attacking the Will.
son administration foreign policies
which he characterized as weak anG
vacillating. This he might have re-
served until later date, because il
would not appear to be in perfect
taste to shout his disapproval under
the very shadow Of the White House
while jumping at the long waited
for honor that was conferred upor
him.
Mr.. Hughes is an able man, but he
is also politician, and politics is
the same always and forever. The
outs know that the ms are worthless
and have no right Of being.
Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1916-06-17

On June z, the John Davidsons,
junior, of Montclair, were presented
with lovely baby boy, Ralph Lewis
Davidson. Mrs. C. T. Logan, Mr..
Davidson's aunt, went over to see the
new arrival last Sunday and was
very happy over her new nephew.
The Harry Clark home in Edge
wood lane, has a very handsome
frieze painted on canvas in oil by
artist LaRue. The scenes represent q
fox chase. The paintings make a
very fine addition to the very pretty
home.
"A miscellaneous shower" was
rendered the Rev. Mrs. Barsam at
the home Of Mrs. H. T. Middleton on
Thursday of last week.
Mrs. Walter Binner is entertain
ing her mother, Mrs. Pratt, of Pratt's
Junction, Mass.
The Theodore Kemm home is for
sale.
Mr.. Forest May was operated upon
for stones Wednesday, and is doing
as well as can be expected of man
undergoing such a serious operation.
Mr.. julius Klein, father of Max
and Ben Klein. of Edgewater, who
has been sick for several weeks at
the home of his sons is reported to
be in a very precarious state of
health. The best specialists in New
York have been attending him.
"A number of families are dickering
for the purchase Of the Richard Ben
NETT home on Dearborn road.
Harry Lane left Wednesday night
upon business trip to Akron, Ohio,
where he will remain for several
days.
"A big five-ton grain truck, belong
ing to Coulter, Soper & Bogert, Of
New York, broke an axle on the north
bound track Of the Palisade trolley at
Twenty-second street, West New
York, on Tuesday afternoon shortly
after four o'clock. Traffic was held
up for three-quarters of an hour, and
those who had engagements at home
early in the evening were unable t.
keep them. "Pop" Carson was one
Of the crowd.
The life of Mrs. Fred A. Wells has
been despaired of by New York spe-
cialists. The sympathy of the en-
tire community goes out to the
stricken family.
Otto Schuck, formerly employed at
the Palisade Supply . Market has
orened handsome new butcher shop
Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1916-06-17
Village Gossip

Mrs. DR.. Berkey has recovered from
her recent long illness from rheuma-
tism.
Frederick Warrington Bull con-
tinues to sell his share Of property
hereabouts.
oh, people, if only Bluff road, west
OF Anderson avenue were made
worth while! It is in a shabby state.
Help! help! help!
Well, Mr.. Buzwagon driver, you're
gonna get yours pretty soon when
Palisade avenue is patrolled by motor
cops.
We'll, children, the long, long ses-
sion of school will soon be over, and
then what joy!
Howard Lane is taking fiddle les
sons. He looks like young Kubelik,
already.
West Palisade is fast growing up
in weeds again, which ought to be
remedied by the borough authorities.
Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1916-06-17
!SOcietu's Gain and Loss

Society performs some strange
freaks.
There are no set rules that govern
it, and mere cleanness of character
is no criterion by which to build up
standards.
Neither can mere, virtr~ sarrogate
to itself that it is o chaste
requisite.
A New York jun (quitted
Mrs-IdaLS iGan esanan.-e&
the murder of her two-year old son.
Only married meh were on the jury.
Immediately upon the rendering of
the first verdict the court dismissed
another indictment that charged the
woman with the murder of year and
a half old daughter.
Rogers, the husband, had been pre-
viously married and divorced, and
was married to second wife at the
time the two children were born.
People with everyday common sense
will ask why under heavens sun any
woman should put confidence in a
man under these conditions.
No woman and no man can answer.
But, then, who can tell why war
survives in an age of such extraord-
mary development of civilization:
Both instincts are natural and primi-
tive, and seem to be equally beyond
the control Of the human race.
Of course, the resultant evil of all
this so-called, but perhaps justly
named affinity business cannot be
cured by society, if it continues to
countenance it. The evil of illegiti-
mate birth is mark hard to eradi-
cate or cure. It comes up as the
skeleton in the closet to mock men
and women. But with all of this the
stigma does not limit, and has never
limited, the number of these children,
but it has been responsible for the
murder of thousands of them.
The gain of society is nothing, the
loss much, which is inevitable, since
society cannot rightfully assume the
part of visiting the sins of the
fathers upon the children. That part
belongs to God, and in His justice he
is blind in melting out destinies.
Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1916-06-17
Mr.. Hughes Acceptance

The telegram Of acceptance from
Charles Evans Hughes was like the
most of his public utterances-clean-
cut and of admirable English. It did
not look, however, as though it came
from the heart of man who found
himself blushing over an unsought
honor. 1t bore all the earmarks of
thoughtful preparation, exactly as
though by his long silence he had
worked out a plan Of winning the
Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1916-06-17
Rector's Birthday
Observed By Choir

A joint rehearsal and gathering of
the choirs Of Trinity, Grantwood, and
Grace Episcopal Mission, Grand View,
was arranged for Wednesday evening
at Trinity Guild Hall in celebration
of the birthday of the rector, Rev.
Marshall F. Montgomery. The rector,
who arrived late, was completely
surprised when a procession Of sing
ers carrying flags in honor Of flag
day and singing a patriotic march
came forth from rear room and
marched before him greeting him as
they passed.
After the usual drill on the music
for the church service, general So
ciability was enjoyed with refresh
ments and dancing.
Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1916-06-17
Ciffside Park Notes

Rev. ]. F. Meskell, formerly of st.
Johns Parish, was in town Tuesday
and renewed many old acquaintance.
The forthcoming marriage of Geo.
.Amrhein, Of Riverview place, and
Miss Florence Dwyer, of West New
York, was announced at st. Johns
Church on Sunday.
Mrs. o. R. McElwain spent few
days this week with her daughter
Mrs. Stanford, at Bergenfeld, N. J.
Arthur and Joseph Rooney spent
the weekend on the Trimlett farm al
Hyde Park, N. Y.
The Oxfords postponed their game
! last Sunday, owing to wet grounds.
Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1916-06-17
Roosevelt Failed to Come Back

The complete squelching of Theo-
dore Roosevelt as a political factor
of really great Importance was es-
tablished at the Republican conven-
ton in Chicago last week. He had
played out his string, using every
artifice and subterfuge possible to
muster support in his own behalf, and
went down to defeat with thud at
time when the shouting for him had
reached from Chicago to Oyster Bay.
And still he would not believe it.
Finally the ballot for Hughes got too
hot for him, and he was overwhelmed
Roosevelt went to Chicago, not in
the flesh, but in the spirit, fully avow-
ing his intention not to seek the Re-
publican nomination, yet bringing
every resource possessed by himself,
Perkins and Wall street, to bring it
about-to force it through the pro-
cess of stampede. But there was
nobody there to make q Cross Of Gold
speech in his behalf, so he just petered
out through hamilton.
1t may be that he will again come
to the front, but four years is long
way off. In the meantime, Mr.. Taft
must be laughing up his sleeve at
Teddy's discontinue. Nobody knows
better than William Howard Taft just
how many insincere sides to Roose-
welt there are-and he knows it right.
Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1916-06-17
SATURDAY, JUNE II, 1916
Commencement

The colleges and schools every
where are at this time in the COM
mencement stage Of the school year.
Commencement is negative term
as applied to the exercises at the
close of the scholastic year. It really
signifies the commencement or the
beginning of ones career in life.
There is always happy thought
of sentiment associated with COM
mencement. To the boy or girl it is
generally one of the happiest occa-
sions of the educational period, and
as an incentive to energy it has great
significance. The boy or girl who
ranks high in studies generally takes
a high position at commencement. It
is, therefore, the occasion for the
final ranking in class honors, and
students look forward to it with all
of the hope and enthusiasm, the ex-
uberance and joy Of youth.
What man or woman cannot recall
the longing for commencement in
this winding up at school or college?
There abides in the thought Of that
one occasion the most there is that
was worth while. The valedictorian
honors have gone to some thought
full, careful, scholarly pupil, and per-
haps it has inspired heart-beats in
anticipation of triumph for just one
other responsive heart, one other
pair of eyes. There is music in ones
ears, love in the heart, and alteration
in the soul at commencement. There
are no more tender thoughts con-
:.,trated in hour Of exist
1nce, u ifaught with more delicious
memories than the commencement
hour which time never eradicates. It
is one of the bright lights, one of the
illuminated joys that never fades,
and it stands the supreme test of
times effacing processes.
We may rake over all of the times
of our lives when the heart swells
with deepest emotions; we may I'M
cover the pages of life, but there
stands one day in the spotlight over
all others, the morning star of our
hopes-Commencement Day! Who has
not quivered in every fibre with it's
emotionsl
Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1916-06-17

The Berlin newspapers report that
in the Berlin Municipal Council the
Socialist member, Herr Wurm, severe
ly criticised the inadequate meas
ures taken for relieving the potato
famine.
Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1916-06-17

of his own in Grantwood to-day.
Geo. Lane has bought the Oak
land runabout of Lester Burdett, and
has had it completely overhauled and
fixed up in general. He expects it
from the shop soon.
Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1916-12-22
Make the Most OF Life

But, when you come right down to
1t. why should anyone want to live TO
be one hundred or even ninety? A
man who was said to be one hundred
and eight years old attended one of
the Billy Sunday meetings here, and
everyone who saw him pitied him. He
was wrinkled shadow of a man who
lived beyond his time.
The chief end of life, says the Kan.
sas City Star, should not be SO much
to live to be eighty or ninety years old
as to get the most out of the years
that he does live, and the only way to
do that is to live rightly, which means
sanely, temporarily, usefully. with due
regard to the rights and feelings Of
others. Living that way you may not
exist for q great span Of years, but
You will have the satisfaction of know
ing that you made the most Of the
years that We're allotted YOU.