davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1916-06-23

Duqger on Levee Board.
A. e. Dugger of Ciarksdale has been
appointed a member of the levee
board, to succeed Hon. d. A. Scott,
resigned, by Gov. Bilbo. Mr.. Dugger
is one of the most successful young
planters of Coahoma county.
Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1916-06-23
PETITION - CIRCULATED TO
CALL ELECTION As PROTEST
TO MEASURE.
LESTER AGAIN FLEEs PRISON
Noted Bandit Serving Life Sentences
For Murder Digs Out Flooring at
Rankin Farm Hospital.
Capitol News.

= Reports from over the state are to
the effect that the fish and game laws
are being ignored, and that there
IS great deal of opposition to en-
forcement. especially In interior coun.
ties were personal liberty" cuts q
considerable figure in all but prohi-
bition legislation.
1t is said that the initiative and
referendum petition on the game law
proposition is being circulated in Cal
houn county, and that it already has
more than one thousand signers.
These petitioners need 5000 names,
at least, but 1t Is not believed they
will have any trouble getting them.
That will be sufficient to order an
election all over the state-but such
elections cost money, and the late
legislature never thought about that
when it inserted the initiative and
referendum amendment in the consu-
tuition, so no election can be held, ts
the consensus of opinion.
Meantime Commissioner Brantley
and his eighty county deputy wardens
are busy men. They are not only try
ing to round up the violators of the
law, but they are doing missionary
work among the voters, trying to inn.
press them with the idea that the law
is a good one and that in course Of
time it will prove of great benefit to
the state and satisfactory to the great
majority Of the people. many Of whom
have the mistaken idea that even
fishing is prohibited.
Noted Bandit Again Escapes.
Secretary J. j. Conan of the peni-
tentiary board has been notified by
Sergeant S. Grantham, in charge at
Rankin farm, of the escape for tho
second time within a few weeks OF
Harry C. Lester. the bandit and train
robber, who has been serving life
sentence for murder. 1t was reported
from Rankin that he made his escape
by digging through the flooring boards
Of the hospital.
Lester was sent up from Hancock
county, Oct. rs, 1915.
Some Is months or more ago Les.
ter boarded train of the Louisville q
Nashville Railroad company at Waves
land, near Bay st. Louis, and proceed
ed to rob the express car Because
the express messenger showed a dis
position to resist, Lester shot and kill
ed him, and proceeded on his way
without being discovered until he
dropped off the train near New Or
leans. Lester was subsequently cap
tured In the swamps near New Or
leans. was returned to Mississippi and
tried in Hancock county, where he was
convicted and sentenced to life, on
the recommendation OF mercifully
minded jury.
A $50 reward is offered for his cap
ture.
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1916-01-12

A lieutenant from the battleship
Missouri clapped Neal on the shoul-
der.
Well" he said, "ensign, were still
following your girl. Pleasant occu-
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1916-01-12

with the whip and the horse ambled
off toward town.
At his command the Brute carried
Annette across the desert, totally OBJ
livious tc her struggles and outcries.
Ponto led the way, stopping from time
to time to make pleasant remarks to
Annette.
BY this time they had reached the
small, damp, dank oasis with its shad-
ing palms and its little pool of water.
Ponto led the way into the very depths
Of this inviting green shelter. Then
he struck the Brute on the shoulder
Now set her down." he commanded.
The Brute obeyed. Annette gasped
with surprise. She was not bound
she was free, untrammeled.
what are you going to do with
me?" queried Annette.
Nothing, senorita," returned Ponto,
bowling low.
Annette, wary, fearful, looked be-
hind her as though she expected an
| attack from the rear. But there was
no one to be seen. Beyond was the
desert-there seemed to be no hiding
places.
Ponto merely bowed again. "Seno'
rita" he said, with leer, beauty
in distress-ah melt touches my
heart always. See. The mission lies
yonder-behind you. Your path lies
there. You are free"
Annette turned. Keeping her glance
over her shoulder, to be ready for
treachery, she slowly proceeded on
her way.
Suddenly. without warning. she sank
into the pit.
Ponto laughed IN slee. The stakes
they are like knives" he cried-they
are deadly-they are for iagars-snd
little wildcat heiresses-oh, yes"
| With a cry. Annette found herself
falling helplessly into the unknown
terror underneath.
"Help--help-help." she cried.
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1916-01-12
CHAPTER IL.
The Jaguar's Mate.

A lieutenant from the battleship
Missouri clapped Neal on the shoul-
der.
WELL" he said, ensign, we're still
following your girl. Pleasant occu-
patton for you, eh."
Looks as il I'd do it all my life,
said Neal, "but some day l hope to
catch up to her"
The officers were in charge of
small squad of men who had landed
at Santa Maria in Lower California,
under orders from Washington, and
under advices from the United States
district attorney in California. They
were on the track of a coaling station
the United States wanted TO make
a treaty with a girl. The girl was
here-somewhere.
Hello" said Neal, look. There's
a horse-a riderless horse. Go on.
boys-get it, double quick"
Three of the squad caught the
horse and brought it to Neal.
"A womans saddle" said Neal. His
heart was in his throat. Look" He
drew from the pommel an object that
had caught there-one of a pair or
womans gloves.
"Annette's," he cried, something
has happened"
Forward, double quick" command
ed the lieutenant. Well see."
At the hotel they found Mrs. Har-
din and Joe, gazing anxiously off to-
ward the mission. Neal caught his
mother by the arm.
Annette" he cried, I'VE caught her
horse. Where is she?"
They told the story of her starting
out.
Not a moment to lose," exclaimed
Neal, come on boys-hurry all you
can"
Meantime at the mission, Herman
dez and Inez-with full confidence in
Pcnto's ability to delay the advent OF
Annette-had once more presented
themselves before Brother Anselmo.
I'VE have been patient, father,"
said Hernandez, "and we trust that
prayer-and sleep-have given you
wisdom and enlightenment, and satis-
fed you of the justice Of our claim.
"Ah, you speak truth, son. said
Brother Anselmo. He rose and left
the room, returning Immediately with
the iron box containing the documents
in question. He set it down upon the
table"
There was a hubbub outside In the
courtyard. In the midst of it door
was thrust open. and the Brute strobe
in. carrying Annette in his arms-An'
nette. still only semiconscious-stili
suffering from the shock of that with
ing figure at the bottom of the jaguaI
trap back there in the desert. Some
instinct had led the Brute back to his
master He laid the figure OF Annette
upon the table with the air OF one who
has done his duty well.
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1916-01-12

will have none. Without the grant
without all the evidence, we VIII not
be believed. With il we will be taken
at our face value Let us get all we
can. Let US leave her without proof
she will be help 'ss then
Hernandez kicked Ponto with his
foot Ponto sat up rubbing his eyes,
"Ponto," said Hernandez, the party
has arrived"
They will go to the mission and
spoil it all said Ponto. -
No" returned Hernandez. thank
our lucky stars the mission Is good
two miles out of the village. They
will first put up at the hotel-later
thew will start out for the mission. II
is then, on the way there, we must
intercept them-you must, Ponto. You
and the Brute. This time he will do
his duty-or III fay his hide. wake
him I'D. You have no time 10 lose.
Hernandez was quite right. Annette
Ilington. even more eager than hau
been her enemies, could hardly walt
the moment when she might stand be-
fore the fathers OF the Santa Maria
mission and claim her own.
Ponto woke the Brute with vicious
application OF the whip lash.
Spare him not, Ponto," said Her
pandez." il he disobeys this time, cut
his hide into strips-I give you leave
At a half run Ponto and the Brute
started across the desert, dodging
here and there behind little hillocks
of sand. Finally the village was cut
OF from their sight.
Now we can rum" Ponto cried,
make haste"
No sooner had he spoken than his
foot slipped-he sank into the ground
up to his waist.
Help" he cried, "a quicksand-
help"
The Brute pulled him back to terra
frma. But it was not a quicksand' as
Ponto soon found out. 1t was trap
"a trap for iaguars.
Ponto shivered. Then he replaced
] the QTlCu 5IuSS eN
Nimbly he climbed into one OF the
overhanging trees. Then he slid down.
nodding to himself with satisfaction.
she must pass within a hundred
yards OF this place to reach the mis-
sion," he exclaimed, Beast, we wait
here until she comes"
Down in the village, at the little old
hotel. Annette ordered out two horses
81 can't wait" she told her foster
mother, Mrs. Hardin. There's no use
talking to me. I've got to co.
Annette started for the mission
Half way there two figures darted ou
from behind hillock, and one of then
seized her bride and brought hel
steed to a standstill. Terror-stricken
Annette saw that the two were Pontt
and the Brute-two of the band o
desperadoes whom she feared.
Drag her off her horse" command
ed Ponto of the Brute. The Brut'
obeyed. Ponto gave the horse a Gu
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1916-01-12

It had been attached to the photograph
of Annette IlingtQn. Now, however,
genuine as the letter was-genuine as
was the guaranty of the governor OF
Martinique-yet the photograph was
the counterfeit presentment OF lnez
Castro.
"Ah, yes" he said, comparing the
picture with the face of lnez and tax
ing advantage of the opportunity TO
search her very soul, "ah, yes. the
identification would seem to be COM
plete."
Then" said Inez, 81 may have the
grant?"
The priest folded up the papers and
returned them to the iron box that had
contained them. He rose and smiled
Nothing in my life have ever
done" he said. without prayer and
sleep. This is an important matter
1t requires praying over-sleeping
over. Come on the morrow. daughter,
and I shall then make delivery. Until
then-adios."
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1916-01-12
CHAPTER XIX.
False lmpersonation.

In the interior of the chart room on
board the battleship Missouri, Neal
Observation-Disclosures discussing with
his brother officers the possibilities OF
the Allemanian war.
A senior officer was poring over
translated wireless messages. Against
the wall was a modern Mercator map
of the world.
Finally he rose. "a new coaling
staton-tEat's the trick he SAID
and we've got to see somebody in
authority at Los Angeles-unless they
meet US en- route. The state depart
ment's got to dicker for coaling sta
ton"
He adjusted his glasses and exam
Ined the map. Him he said, ALE
mania-here's Allemania." He pom
dcred the map carefully-sizing up all
possibilities - measuring distances
Finally he placed his finger tip upon
a spot in the Pacific ocean
There" he said, is the spot-some'
where about there"
What's the latitude" queried an
other officer getting out a section OF
another map. His senior told him.
And the longitude" he asked. His
senior told him that.
"Eigteen degrees north mused the
Junior. and 1913 degrees west lie
pored over his sectional map. lie
| shook his head.
But" he protested, there's no land
there-there's no island to be seen
Neal almost jumped out of his skin
There is an island there, uncharted
and unmapped," said Neal, but it's
there. It's the Isle of Cinnabar-we
call It the Lost Isle"
"Who calls 1t the Lost lsle?"
Neal told them Annette's story
from start to finish.
The commander smiled. I'VE get
our coaling stations by making trea
ties" he said I've never heard Of
making a treaty with a girl, but | sup
pose il can be done. Wen have tC
wireless Washington about that. AND
know pretty much what our orders
will be now-suppose you guess
Neal smiled. Follow the GIRL" h'
said
So they followed Annette. But 9th
ers had preceded her. Even while An
nette's journey was but half way
through something was happening a
the Santa Maria mission in Lower Cal
ifornia.
Brother Anselmo was seated at MI
table. facing Hernandez and his party
Ines Castro leaned a well-rounde'
arm upon the table and glanced limo
Gently into the eyes of Brother An
selmo.
81 am Annette Ilington," she said.
The brother nodded. Il am sendin
for the papers. child" hs said.
so you are his daughter" he sal
AT length-and there seemed a note @
disappointment in his voice - "th
daughter CT my old friend llingtor
He was my young friend then. You
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1916-01-12

The chin OF Senorita Castro quiv-
cred Dead" she faltered:
She dropped her face into her hand
kerchiei
when did he die, my daughterT
be asked soothingly.
In 1902 interposei Hernandez, Il
was with lim-he was destroyed at
the eruption of Mount Pelee. We were
his friends, Ponto here and his
partners. We tried to save him. 1t
was no use. He was engulfed. He
died--a horrible death"
She was a small child then" said
the priest
Yes" said Hernandez.
"Does-does she remember her IA
ther-Ilington?
Hardly, said Hernandez, we've
tried 10 make her remember-but no
she hardly does"
The face of Inez Castro was still
buried in her kerchief. The priest
watched attentively the heave OF her
shoulders.
Brother Anselmo sighed. "Ah, grief
has a long, strong arm-it reaches
over decades. And the loss OF a IA
ther-ah me Here" he ex'
claimed, here are the papers Let US
have a look"
Inez Strengthened up. Hernandez
and Ponto moved forward. So did the
Drr,o Tho evdJap rpoyamaut caarna
to startle the priest He looked VI
hastily. He caught sight OF the blank
face OF the Brute. He rose.
"Who-what is that?" he demanded
pointing toward the Brutes blank
countenance.
"a servant" returned Hernandez
picked up from a shipwreck some
three years ago He had been a long
shoreman. He is demented-always
so, they told US. He is devoted to US
all-particularly to Annette"
The priest stared at the Brute ant
the Brute returned the stare.
The eyes" said the priest, II never
forget eyes I've seen those eyes
! somewhere DeIOTe. ne ldppcu u4'
forehead Let me think-when-
| how"
Finally he shook his head. ut vii
come to me later" he exclaimed.
The priest shook out an old anC
faded parchment. This" he ex
claimed, "is the grant-the origina
grant"
Hernandez in his eagerness, seizet
a corner Of the grant. The prizes
brushed his hand away.
Patience, son." he said, there cal
be no delivery until | am satisfied
This charge has been handed down t
me-"
Inez pointed toward paper on tn
table. "There!" she exclaimed, "is m,
photograph--and the letter from tn
governor Of Martinique"
Brother Anselmo picked it up an
looked it over. 1t was Annette's lei
ter-and it had been vised by tn
governor of Martinique, and original
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1916-01-12

glanced warily about him. Suddenly.
he saw The jungle's edge came
down nearly to the water. Something
was stirring in this thicket. Joe
stared. And suddenly the face OF
wcman-Inez Castro, peered out from
behind the huge leaf of tropic plant.
Read" That was the message
flashed from the eyes Of Inez Castro
to the brain Of Joe Welcher Joe
read.
The note was brief and to the point:
We do not board this steamer.
But we must reach Santa Maria
first. Il is up 10 you and you alone,
10 create all possible delays. DO
not fail US now.
That night at dusk, Joe Welcher
lounging on the deck OF the small
steamer as 1t steamed north along the
coast-shambled over toward a scut-
tie. and peered down TO see what he
could pee. What he did see was ma
chinery-the vessels machinery, work
ing smoothly, we'll oiled, well cared
for-for a steamboat engineer is
steamboat engineer the world over.
What he saw was that for the moment
no one was in charge-momentarll
the engineer had stepped outside. Thls
was the instant that Joe Welcher had
been waiting for. F'urtively he drew
from his breast pocket small bar Oh
steel. For one instant he held 1t sus-
pended over the machinery. Then he
let 1t drop and noiselessly tiptoed
away.
Almost Immediately there was a ter
rife grinding noise below, followed by
a terrific Jolt Then the engines
stopped-and the steamer followed
suit Passengers and crew rushed TO
the captain-Annette included.
What has happened" she demand
ed.
Something dropped into the ma
chinery and a connecting rod is bro
ken, senorita. 1t will take time-hours
to repair
At midnight the break had not yet
been repaired.
At midnight, another small steamer
also bound north along the coast
passed silently along upon her way
She was within hailing distance, bu'
she gave no sign.
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1916-01-12
CHAPTER L.
Hidden Peril.

Look" said Hernandez, catching
Inez by the wrist. the party has ar
rived"
He handed his binoculars to lnez
Castro. She looked. They are Just
landing" she said, 1t is all up. They
,yiu % tn the father of the mission
and will make their claim
What difference does the grant
make" she exclaimed, why take the
risk OF getting it? Already that old
priest suspects something. What |
40 not know. But he suspects. Why
not take the bit in our teeth and
NIKE for Lost Island get there at
1nce? Why not?"
Hernandez shook his head. I'VE
need every advantage" he said' III we
80 aviSeroa within our hands, she
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1916-01-12
SYNOPSIS.

On the dav of the eruption of Mount
PeIea capt John Hardin n the steamer
Princes rssHleB hEH-ftar-ni4 NLlrbls
Iuugfuu from au open boat, bul - loIt.i
10 leave behind her faiher ana hls Gyin-
.Uarlufa. llIng.Du ls assaulted % iI'I-
ua11rz ana IuuLo IN vain attempt 70
g.t PAPERS which IAnstDn has managed
10 send aboard the Princess WIN H's
ds -aier papers proving hla tlt u ,.l' M
selling the whereabouts Of the lost lh4au4
- CIuuabar IlIngfuu's injury causes ilA
mind to become "a blank. Thirteen years
elapse Hernandez now an op -W SINUS
gl.r. with Iguio. ln'z. "a iema.e aE.viH-
tlirr. and the mindless brute iihA once
"a. UIret1u. come 90 Seaport, where the
widow OF Captain Hardin ls H'lhS WIN
her son Neal and Annette IAusiyn, anI
plot 10 steal the papers leti % AhH''t'
L. her father Neal titles for admission
~ tbo Sa.aI academy. but through the
treacLery of Joey NelCher Is d"iealtd by
J0ey and dlggraCed. Neal tnlst5 % tte
navy Incz gels a trap for JOY ana iHe
souspIrHtDrg got him 100 their power an
uctte discovers that heat applied 10 the
-yrau reveals the location 81 the la.t ls-
land. In "a struggle for possession oi tht
map Hernandez. Annette ana "ea' e4, n
~. arc a portion. Annette sa.i5 on ~ ~
Coronado In search Of nrr faiurr. Inc
crew mutlny and are overcome by "a
boarding party from 4. :. Destroyer
jackson. led by Neal. In Martinique An
nettc and Neal are captured. but are I's-
tlhcati0n papers FOR herself as Annette.
In an Instruction Neal and Annette are
again captured. carried TO the sun Clty
and Annette iH offered as sacIlhce 10
the sun god They are rescued by ma
rInes from the Albany Landed In Tortu.
ga. Annette and Neal are captured ana
exposed to yellow fever Infection By ier-
nandez. but are rescued by sailors IRON
the Albany Inez tries to rob Annette
and escapes. on her way TO ChantillQ An,
nette Is captured. Neal f. promoted anG
leads party Of transferred men toward
Chantill0 but IS caught In train wrecB
or the way.
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1916-01-12

With a bound the Brute was upon
her. He darted to the very edge OF
the pit, and with the surefootedness OF
an animal crouched there, throwing
his entire body forward and catching
her by the shoulders just as she dis
appeared from sight. He drew her
back to terra firma. No sooner had
he done so, however, than Ponto was
upon them both, knife in hand, his
teeth literally gnashing with rage.
He hurled a savage knife-thrust at
the Brute-and missed. Then he threw
himself upon Annette and half tore
her in his frenzy from the Brute's
grasp, cutting and slashing at them
both with his wicked knife.
I've got you now, you little wild
cat" he painted in cultural Spanish,
down you 60"
He thrust her savagely into the pit.
Once more the Brute caught her-and
in SO doing swung the three of them
around, SO that their positions were
reversed Ponto, throwing caution to
the winds, kept lunging at the two
with his sharp weapon.
"Ill get you BOTH" he yelled. It'll
get you both"
A moment later he was clawing at
the air-but it was too late. Making
frantic struggle to preserve his bal
ance, he tottered over backward
There was the crash of heavy body
falling-a tearing, thudding sound-a
CHASTITY, hideous scream - then 81
lence.
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1916-01-12
ELEVENTH lNSTALLMENT
THE DREADFUL PIT
CHAPTER XLVlll.
Dangerous Delay.

The ire OF Hernandez was now thor.
oughly aroused. A quicksilver mine
on the Lost Isle OF Cinnabar-proba'
bly, unworked for a century or more
meant millions many millions. Her
nandez realized the fact. He was play
ing for high stakes-very high.
My ancestors" he told Ponto, had
a coat of arms-a motto. Ride
through-that was what It said.
friend Ponto. ! shall follow it-that
Injunction. ! shall ride through
They were lounging, breathless
painting, against tree trunk that had
fallen athwart one OF the invisible
trails OF Central American jungle.
With them was Senorita lne2 Castro.
What we want most Of ALL he
continued "and what we must get
is the Lost Isle of Cinnabar. We have
the evidences of ownership-all save
the Spanish grant in the hands of the
Fathers of the Santa Maria mission.
Let us seek at once the mission. Let
us get all evidences OF ownership.
Then, as the crow flies, the four of us
will seek Lost Island-yes and find 1t.
once found possession may be nine.
tenths OF the law-we'll have posses
sion. Rut to US possession will be
more than that. We know no law
At Chantilo some few miles away,
things were happening. Ensign Neal
Hardin with his squad of fifty men
from the cruiser Albany across the
neck, had arrived to board the battle
ship Missouri waiting for them in
the waters off Chantllo. These were
the fifty men who had so nearly lost
their lives on the dirt cars Of Mon
trada
Annette was with them-and Neal
was at her side. They were grouped
on the wharf
Neal beckonod to the captain OF the
little coast steamer that was tied up
TO the wharf.
"Senor." he said. behind me is the
long arm of the United States govern
mcnt. My government protects It's
citizens Here is Citizen-Miss IL
ington. Here is another-my mother.
Here is n third-my friend Wclcher
Dire things nave happened, senior
Look. Somewhere in that jungle hide
three dcsperadoes and woman. They
have many methods-but one in par
ticular. At night they will come "a
you and offer money TO be taken
aboard" He tossed stern glance nj
the captain and tapped him on the
arm "Senor," he continued, cast
your eve over the Missouri there-my
ship Think of the long arm OF my
government Take these desperadoes
aboard at your peril-at your peril
senor. have warned you. The rest
is up to you
The little captain shivered a bit.
Isl. senior" he returned, swiftly
with a bow, 1T shall be as you say"
Meantime the third member OF An
nctte's party, Mr. Joseph Welcher
had strolled behind convenient shed
TO find a resting place for his weary
bones and TO smoke his fiftieth ciga
rette that day. He struck a match
started to light his cigarette. Ther
something happened The match wen
out-the cigarette was knocked un
tremendously from his lips.
What the" he began. Then HI
stopped. \ stone was lying at hi
feet. II was this stone that ha'
knocked the cigarette from betweel
his Iips-and had almost knocked
tooth or two as well. But there wa
something else to wonder at bi
- --...,..,ioa renar bsd futtered to tn