davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Elbert County tribune., 1916-10-13

intoxication and a subsequent harden
Ing of the arteries due to Increased
blood pressure, and other symptoms
of general structural decay. 1t would
seem probable that from sufficiently
large colony of colon bacilli n virulent
toxic poison might be extracted,
which, administered even in minute
quantities, should almost Immediately
attack the tissues and destroy the
subject with all the Indications of
death from extreme old age. Such
poison, apparently unknown to
science. and already present in less
malignant form in every human sys-
TEN, would be extremely battling in
the event of an autopsy. I shall i'm
mediately start experimenting along
these lines.
May 1.-THE colony of colon bacilli
which / started in n gelatin culture
medium is multiplying rapidly. Flour
ishes best at blood heat-destroyed
at temperature 'of GO degrees Cent?
grade. The change in color from gray
ish white to brown should indicate
an increase in virulence and pathogen-
ic qualities.
May 17-Inoculated guinea pig with
bacilli poison-died instantly; body
shrunk and withered; much encour-
aged.
| May 20-Discovery has just been
put to gratifying practical test
managed to get a needle infected with
the bacilli extract to Legar who had
been captured and confined in prison.
Legar has just communicated with
me- He succeeded in scratching his
jailer with the contaminated needle,
and the man was seized Immediately
with commissions and died in two or
three minutes with all the symptoms
| to be expected. Legar regained his
| liberty, and now wishes to destroy an
entire family named Golden. 1 will
prepare minute capsules which will
keep the bacilli alive and
And as with a shudder Margery came
to the last unfinished and cold
blooded entry she heard Skidmon rap
idly approaching the door. Thrusting
the incriminating journal into her
dress, she quickly stole into the back
room, where she could watch the
laboratory without being observed her
self. She saw the unnerved bacte-
riologist hurriedly drag u battered
trunk from dark and cavernous
closet. AS he threw an uneasy glance
toward the door leading into the hall
his face suddenly froze into an express
sion of abject terror.
Advancing from the doorway came
figure with features cloaked by a
mocling yellow mask. This startling
apparition deliberately aimed black
The Elbert County tribune., 1916-10-13

| ing Mask, with the fun Intention Of
dispatching that sworn enemy with
his own hands, he gave gasp of In
credulous amazement as it dawned
upon him that his intended victim
had completely disappeared.
1t flashed Into his mind that the
Laughing Mask might have recovered
sufficiently to have crawled up the
short flight of cellar steps, and, hurry
ing outside, he commenced a system
attic search of the dark corners where
man in desperate straits might en-
deavor to hide. He had hardly left
the cellar when the pile of threadbare
carpet showed signs of sudden agi-
tation, and. in obedience to certain
commands issued in painfully broken
whispers. two spectral figures emerged
from under that singular refuge and
glided toward the stairway leading to
the upper story, where the laboratory
was located.
In that laboratory the wide-eyed
Margery Golden was searching the
Uttered work bench, hoping to find
something to incriminate the venom
GUS Skidmon. She did not venture to
touch the glittering instruments. but
turned her attention to the object
which was hidden under the thin strip
of toweling. When. after a little
hesitation, she gingerly raised that
fllmsy covering, she saw thin glass
vessel bearing a printed label and half
filled with n gelatinous substance. She
stopped and read from the label the
words "Colon Bacilli," but that did
not convey to her that in the nutrient
medium contained in that Petri dish
was a culture growth alive with mil
lions of malignant germs. Hoping to
find some more tangible clue, she re-
placed the towel and picked up the
open notebook lying near the micro
scope. Her face went white with
the horror of the thing as she de-
ciphered the cramped entries:
May 13-Emmerich has advanced
the theory that old age is brought
about In large part by the weakened
resistance of the subject to the raw
ages of the bacillus coll, colonies of
which invariably infest the digestive
tract of every person even though in
normal health. The activity and num-
ber of these bacilli vastly increase with
advancing age. causing form of auto
The Elbert County tribune., 1916-10-13

could attract ms attention he eau
tiously raised the window and van
ished into that house of mystery.
But she quietly determined he should
not be taken unawares by his enc
niles and quickly followed.
She slipped into the empty bedroom
and, warily crossing the floor, stood
In spellbound wonder gazing through
the open doorway. Backed up against
bench stood the tense figure of a
middle-aged man with dropping eyelids
and the pasty gray complexion that
betrayed the habItual use of some
noxious drug.
He had apparently been interrupted
In the midst of his Investigations, for
on the bench, just behind him, was
some object protected from the light
by strip of thin toweling, long
platinum needle used in extracting
germ colonies from their cultures, q
compound microscope and an open
notebook for recording the result Of
his fabors. Facing the intimidated
drug fiend stood the Laughing Mask.
MY patience is about exhausted,
Skidmon," he said to the man shrink
Ing back against the bench. "and un-
less you write that confession clear
ing me of those crimes committed by
Legar with your devilish assistance,
am going to shoot you through the
head with as little compunctlon as
though you were a mad dog. Your
terrible poisons have been responsible
for more than one unsolved murder
and society will be well rid of you"
This convincing threat had the de-
sired effect, for the stoop-shouldered
chemist moved sullenly toward n
small writing desk standing near the
window. AS his reluctant pen Travelled
slowly over a sheet of foolscap, the
Laughing Mask stood looking over his
shoulder, prompting the others de-
linquent memory with an occasional
quiet word and the insistent menace
of that ever-ready revolver. The de-
tails of those abhorrent crimes, com
mitted In cold blood by Legar for the
sole purpose of setting the police up
on his enemy, had practically been
completed when shrill penetrating
whistle sounded from the alley.
The Laughing Mask turned quickly
to the nearby window and, throwing
back the shutters, leaned out and
The Elbert County tribune., 1916-10-13

strove to ascertain the meaning of
that foreboding signal. For moment
only he relaxed his guard over the
crafty poisoner, but that moment gave
to Skidmon the chance he had been
seeking. Before the startled girl,
watching through the doorway, could
cry out word of warning, he launch
ed himself upon the half-bent figure
leaning out of the open window.
Caught at decided disadvantage
and unable to use his weapon, the
Laughing Mask suddenly lost his bal
ance, and, grasping wildly at the
empty air, plunged headlong from the
window down into the abysmal dark
ness.
He seemed doomed to sure destruc-
ton, but fate decreed the springy
branch of an elm tree should catch
that hurtling body. and the force of
his fall was broken when, limp and
unconscious, he dropped second
later onto the stone tagging by the
cellar doorway.
AS the moon swung across the star
strewn heavens its pale light disclosed
the still form of the unconscious
Laughing Mask lying under the labor
atory window from which the infuri-
ated scientist had flung him. A one
armed man, who came Sinking out
of the shadows, saw the inert figure
and bent over 1t with savage ex-
clamation of triumph. He glanced
furtively about him, and, throwing
back the bulkhead doors leading into
| the cellar, backed down the short
| flight of steps. dragging the Laughing
Mask after him, like n spider drag
ging a fly into some dark recess.
Legar seemed strangely at home in
his dark and gloomy surroundings.
for after letting the Laughing Mask
drop heavily to the cement flooring,
his cropping fingers quickly found a
battered lantern hanging from a
rusty hook. This feeble illumination
showed the cellar to be piled with
all sorts of discarded household furni-
ture. including pile of worn-ou,
carpeting near where the masked man
was lying. As Legar bent over the
helpless figure n faint noise came from
| the stairway leading to the floor
above. He instantly Strengthened up
and made search for the noises.
From under the pile of carpeting
| two pair of long arms suddenly
stretched out toward the silent form
of the Laughing Mask, and, quickly
selling him by the feet and shoul.
ders, dragged him under the frayed
folds of that ancient floor covering
When the Scared outlaw gave up his
fruitless search md returned to the
! place where he had left the Laugh
The Elbert County tribune., 1916-10-13
TWENTIETH EPISODE
The Laughing Masks Triumph.

Margery Golden suddenly threw
aside the magazine which she had been
iistIessly thumbing, and springing to
her feet, crossed rapidly to the window
of her cool, white bedroom. AS she
stood gazing out with unseeing eyes,
a little frown of vexation puckered
her forehead. From the open windows
of the spacious lIvlng-room on the
first floor came the subdued murmur
of voices. But to Margery's straining
ears not n word of that lowstoned con-
ference was audible. Occasionally she
heard the rumble of Captain Brackett's
voice, more strident and authoritative
than the others.
The resentful officer of the law had
conceived the idea than on more than
one occasion Margery had aided and
abetted the Laughing Mask in slip
ping through his fingers. and 1t was
for that reason she was now excluded
from the deliberations where the cap
ture of the elusive masquerader was
under discussion. In anticipation OF
this very state of affairs Margery had
devised the ingenious method for
learning the plans of the detectives.
Having ascertained that the con-
ference was In full swing, she quickly
went to small wicker table and,
taking Off the telephone receiver, held
it pressed tightly to her ear. Her
wire was house extension connected
with the trunk line which ran Into
the livlng-room, where her father and
the officers were now gathered. In
that room the telephone standard,
resting on heavy mahogany table,
had been slillfully tampered with.
Presently the booming voice of the
police captain came to the ears of the
listening girl.
''When l go after man / don't
quit till / get him." she heard him
announce in self-laudatory tones. 81
landed that one-armed crook, Jules
Legar, in cell all right, an l tell
you. Mr.. Golden, IL 1t hadn't been for
your daughter interferln' I'd had the
bracelets on the Laughing Mask long
ago"
At that moment Margery heard the
door shut behind new arrival, and
again 1t was Captain Brackett's voice
which reached her as he impatiently
questioned the detective who had just
entered.
"What are you doin' here, Walters?
Didn't you get the orders / sent you
by jenkins to take Legar out of that
chiclen-coop they call jail out here.
an keep yourself handcuffed to him
every minute until he was safe in
the Tombs"
II got your orders. chief" came
hesitating voice, presumably that Of
the sleuth called Walters, "but I've
got some bad news for you. Legar's
broke jail. He croaked jenkins and
made a clean getaway"
Then Margery heard the hurried
tones of the detective us he launched
into an account OF the strange escape
of Jules Legar.
81 don't seq where I'm to blame,
chief" he began in somewhat ag
grieved woke. 81 seen Jenkins aroun'
noon. Ho was goin' into the Jail with
a tray from the restaurant. He stops
The Elbert County tribune., 1916-10-13

the background except on one or two
pressing occasions. Miss Wilkins, my
stepsister, made our masks, and we
used her garden as a meeting place.
Miss Golden has known all this since
we worsted Legar in the coal mine,
and L think she will join me in In
viting you all to come to little affair
which is going to be held in n church
In the very near future"
As Margery turned away to hide
her tears and her bushes. her father
warmly grasped his former secretary's
hand, and after moment the solemn
red face of Captain Brackett slowly
cracked into sheepish grin as he ex-
tended his beefy paw to David Maniey,
alias the Laughing Mask.
(THE ENpA
The Elbert County tribune., 1916-10-13

and gives me your orders and says /
might as well wait outside until Legar
had his feed. That seemed reason
Bble. an / hung aroun' for bout half
sn hour. Then when Jenkins didn't
come out, / commenced to get kind
O. uneasy like an 1 steps inside to see
what was goln' on.
"Lyin' face down IN the corridor /
found Jenkins, just outside of Legar's
cell. The cell was empty, with the
door standIn' open and Jenkins key
in the lock. We combed every inch
Of that jail. but Legar had disappeared
without leavin' a trace behind him.
could talj by the looks of Jenkins
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-06-29

to her work at the skirt shop after
spending several days in Sarsenfs
vile on account of the illness and
death of her grandmother.
James Leighton and granddauphta,
of Dexter were guests at the home of
Mr.. Leightons daughter Mrs. H. n
Harris Sunday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Lynn Greene of SzaU.
hogan have come to live with Liy
father William Greene, since fba
death of his wife.
Mr.. and Mrs. A. P. Howes were in
Newport Thursday of last week Ia an
tend the wedding of George Plummer
and Miss Flossie Larrabee.
Jesse Farnham returned to Norway
Wednesday after spending his van
ton with his parents Mr.. and Mr.,
F. H. Farnum.
Mr. and Mrs. Bell and baby of Au-
son are guests of Mrs. Bellies parents
Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Baird.
Mrs. Wallace Worth and hula
daughter Phillis of Washburn are sis
iting her parents Mr.. and Mrs. In
coin Coston.
A P. Howes went to Watery.ua
Monday to attend meeting OF the
Farmers Union.
Miss Annie Fuller has returned
from Gorham where she has been AZ.
tending school.
Mrs Mary Smith went to Seal Har-
Dor Monday where she will spend the
summer.
Mrs. Augusta Tracy has returned
from Bangor where she has been for
several weeks.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-06-29

Emma Worthen, Nellie Martin and
Ada Libby of ST. Adams attended th@
meeting at the Spiritualist CAMP
ground at Etna Saturday and Sunday
June "A and %.
Doris Ross who has been staying In
Pittsfield, is now at home.
Relatives in town of Miss Glehai'
Avery, daughter of Junium AverE Of
Ipswich, Mass, have received the all
nouncement of her marriage winch
occurred May % to William Lord Of
Ipswich.
Chas. Burrill of Detroit is moving
into the place owned by Ellen Cor
son and known as the Corydon Page
place.
Jennie Weeks of Boston is visiting
at her brothers Sidney Weeks.
Mrs. Melissa Cole is visiting at her
sons Elmer Coles in Corinna.
Mrs. Hattie Wing of Levant VINO
is visiting her sister Mrs. Carrie Cn.e
accompanied by Mrs. Cole were VS.
tors at Mrs Eta Nichols in Palm "a
Friday, June %.
Bertha Smith has gone to NORTH
port where she has employment r.,
the summer.
Mr.. and Mrs. Jack Foster of G7'-
lima were the guests of Mr.. and As~
Herbert Cole June %.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-06-29
NORTH FAIRFIELD

Mrs. Ellen Wentworth and daughter
Miss Hannah have returned from a
three weeks visit in Skowhegan &C
companied by Ellen Marie Boyd. who
will make a short visit at the Went
worth home.
Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Hoxie and
daughter Greta visited Roswell Good
rich and family in Clinton Saturday
D. l.. McCurdy spoke at the Union
Church Sunday afternoon and even
ing. All were very much interested
in the curios shown from Burma and
India and the talk accompanying the
display of these things. A mission
airy offering was taken at the close
of the evening service.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-06-29
EAST MADISON

East Madison Grange observed
Ghildren's Day last Saturday and the
following program given: Welcome
Ruth Hoyt; recitation, Merle Laney;
recitation. Hamilton McManus; mu-
sic. Dorothy Hobart; A Great Gift
Addie Savage; recitation. Richard
Hughes; recitation, Alice Rowell;
song. Madeline Hughes; recitation
Frank Savage; Rotations, Cora
Head and George Merrifeld; music
Carolyn Hobart; recitatons, William
Hoyt, Velma Savage, Mylon Richard
son. Ruth Head and Earle Adams
music. Evelyn Reed; Rotations
Daphne Hewitt Albert Heald How
ard Reed. Muriel Richardson. COny
Savage and Alvin Lyman Heald.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-06-29
MOORE'S MILLS-CANAAN

Mrs. Azuba Burrill has returned tC
her brothers Ansel Goodridge's after
spending several months with heI
children in PittsfleId.
Walter Farnham and wife of OronC
visited with his grandparents Mr.
and Mrs r. B. Williams one day last
week.
Wilbur Mitchell and wife of Fair
field accompanied by Daniel Bowman
wife and daughter. called on relatives
in this place Sunday afternoon.
Miss Berle Foster closed a very
successful term of school last Fri
day. The afternoon was observed by
parents and friends visiting and lis
tening to the Rotations by the schol
ars and enjoying the nice treat o.
bananas and candy furnished by the
teacher
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-06-29
N0RRIDGEMOCk

Six reels at the Pastime Friday
night, five reel Paramount feature
and a one reel Comedy.
Miss Erma Smith and Russell
staples of Bangor spent Sunday with
their parents in town. Mr.. Staples
has secured a very nice position with
the Riker-Jaynes Co. in Bangor.
Mrs. Frank Merrill whose home
was in this town a number of years
before she livedSin California, has
been in town the pAsx few days visit
ing Mrs. Mary Spaulding and other
old friends. Mrs. Merrill's home is
now in Scion.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-06-29
CANAAN

Miss Susie b. Holt teacher at
Bridgton is at home for the summer
vacation.
Mr.. and Mrs. Charles Stuart of
Newport and daughter Mrs. Gladys
Wiley of Corinna were callers at his
cousins Mrs. George Smiths Satur-
day. They were enroute for Bing-
ham to visit relatives.
Mr.. and Mrs. Kennison of Boothbay
who have been guests of their daugh-
ter Mrs. Bbber, returned Wednesday
Mrs Vesta Holt and guest Mrs.
Hoar of Massachusetts were guests OF
her son Clyde at Pittsfield Sunday.
Mrs. Harry Harris left Saturday to
visit relatives in Lewiston.
Nh and Mrs. Walter Farnham of
Orono who have been visiting her pa
rents Mr. and Mrs. X. II. Harris, re-
turned home Saturday. They were
accompanied by Mr.. and Mrs. Harris.
The trip was made by auto.
Charles Williams and Dr. Harold
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-06-29
Why 1t Succeeds
Because It's for One Thing Only, and
SHOW hogan People Appreciate This

Nothing can be good for everything
Doing one thing well brings sue
cess
Doan's Kidney Pills are for one
thing only.
For weak or disordered kidneys.
Here is reliable evidence of their
worth.
B. c. Taylor. Athens, Me-, says: y
suffered constantly from dull, nag
ging pains across the small of my
back. also noticed an irregularity
in the passages of the kidney secre-
tions. In a short time after l COM
menced using Doan's Kidney Pills.
was well. I have had no trouble
from my kidneys since"
Price 50c at all dealers. Don't
simply ask for a kidney remedy-get
Doans Kidney Pills-the same that
Mr.. Taylor had Foster-Milburn Co.
Props, Buffalo. y. !.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-06-29
BROWNS CORNER-CANAAN

Elder Fletcher of Waterville held a
meeting at our schoolhOuse Sunday
afternoon. There was only a small
number present to listen TO the ser
mon. 1t is hoped that on July 9 at
o'clock p. m, that all of the parents
and children will meet at the Browns
Corner schoolhouse and listen to the
sermon by Rev. Fletcher and after the
meeting there will be Sunday
School
Mrs. Mary Vickery of Auburn is
expected to come next Thursday to
pass the summer months with her
sister Mrs W r. Bailey.
Mr.. and Mrs. Milford Withee aC-
companied by her mother Mrs. Henry
HAYDEN of Oldtown passed Sunday
with Mrs. Ellen Barnes and son Fred.
Mrs. Nellie Trask of Sidney IS a
guest in the home of r, p. Chase.
Mrs o. NJ. Chase remains about the
same. Her many friends are anxious
for a speedy recovery.
Charles Lanes SER, Mr.. and Mrs.
Percy Lancaste. and Mrs. Clara SAILS
bury were called to Corinna Monday
to attend the funeral of the late Seth
Lancaster.
MISS Anna IOFleT has Deeu pdSSius
week with her mother Mrs. George
Hubbard.
Mrs. Florence Whiting of Norrdge-
wock has returned home after a ten
days visit in the home of her brother
C. L. Allen.
Mrs. Trefethern. young child and
friends from Abbott arrived Monday
| for a visit in the home of Mont Chase
| CornYille.
Arlie Chase was not absent, tardy
or excused during a term of ten
weeks which recently closed in the
Stream Mill district. Oren Oliver was
the teacher.
Next Sunday. July .. there will be
an all day meeting on the shore OF
Morrill, Lake at 1890 and 100 if the
wealth will permit. Do not forget
the date and let all make an effort
to be there and assist in the good
work that makes us better men and
women.
HARTLAND
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-06-29
HINCkLEY

Mrs. A A Horn has been suffering
with blood poison in her hand caused
by slight scratch.
Mrs. David Barrows of Etna is in
town the guest of Mrs. Cora Grover.
Mrs. Huldah Burgess was in Show
hogan shopping Tuesday.
Mrs. Florence Strickland who has
been working for Mrs. Melvin Palmer
was suddenly called to China Tues
day afternoon by the serious illness
of her son Carl's wife who has rheu-
matte fever.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-06-29
EAST SkOWHEGAN

We are sorry to learn of the i'll
ness of Mrs VIII Hill. former resi-
dent here, and hope for a speedy re-
coyery.
Mrs. A. s. Hilton entertained the
r. E. Club of Hinckley on Wednesday
afternoon of last week.
Frank Brooks of Clinton with a
crew of men has been pressing hay
on the river road the past week.
Mr.. and Mrs A. p Austin observ-
ed the 50th anniversary of their we'd
ding day on Saturday the oath inst.
Mrs. Elizabeth Goodrich who has
been i'll the past year at the home oil
her daughter in Clinton. is somewhat
improved in health. being able to walk
about the house a little.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-06-29
LARONE

Mrs. Grace Marcia made a trip to
La Grange last week to accompany
her mother. Mrs. Lydia Farnham
home from her daughters, Mrs. Her
rick's, where she has been stopping
for the winter. Mrs. Farnham' 5
health is somewhat improved from
one year ago.
Arthur Hooper has purchased the
Henry Stevens place and has moved
in, while Mr.. Stevens goes with his
son Erwin who with Mr.. Thessell has
purchased the R. S. Haynes place
Daniel Bowman the veteran cattle
buyer was a business caller in town
Saturday and took away several head
of stock from the farmers.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-06-29
SOUTHWEST CANAAN

Elmer Decker is very sick with the
grippe.
Children's Day exercises were held
Sunday evening at the Red School
House by the members of the Sunday
School.
Albert Smith has gone to Concord
on a fishing trip.
Mrs. Hulda Keene visited several
days the past week in Skowhegan
Mr.. and Mrs. Parkman of SHOW he
gan were callers recently at Frank
Boston's.
Mrs. Azuba Burrill has returned
from Pittsfield and is working for her
brother Ansil Goodridge.