davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Elbert County tribune., 1916-12-15
SYNOPSIS.

The time of the story: about 1915. The
place. Tie Texas COW country. The chief
character: Buckley Duane. young man
who has inherited lust to kill, which he
a drunken bully and Is forced to flee to
the wild country where he joins Bland
tells him about Jennie. young girl who
had been abducted and sold to Bland for a
bad fate. They determine TO rescue the
girl and restore her TO civilization. Eu-
chre has Just reconnoitered. and is re-
porting the outlook to Buck. Euchre is
killed. Buck kills Bland and is danger
ously wounded by Mrs. Bland, but es-
capes with Jennie. Jennie is abducted
Buck never sees her again. but kills her
abductor. Duane barely escapes death at
the hands of lynchers for crime he new
er committed. He goes to see Captain
MacNelly of the Rangers. who hands him
a pardon on condition that he join the
Rangers and assist In breaking up the
outlaws. Duane accepts and goes to the
outlaw headquarters on secret mission.
The Elbert County tribune., 1916-12-15
The Lone Star Ranger
A Fine Tale of the Open Country Bv ZANE GREY

membered his womenfolk. seemed to
be gentle and kind. He talked sooth-
ingly TO Miss Ruth. made light of the
adventure. said she must learn to
have nerve out here where things
happened.
"Can l be of any service?" asked
Duane, solicitously.
"Thanks; l guess there's nothing
you can do. Talk to these frightened
girls while 20 see what's TO be done
with that thick-skulled robber." he
replied, and, telling the girls that
there was no more danger he went
out.
Miss Longstreth sat with one hand
holding her torn waist in place; the
other she extended to Duane. He
took 1t awkwardly, and he felt a
strange thrill.
'You saved my life" she said, in
grave, sweet seriousness.
"No, nor Duane exclaimed. HE
might have struck you. hurt you. but
no more"
"Did you kill him?" asked Miss
Ruth, who lay listening.
"Oh, no. He's not badly hurt"
'Tm very glad he's alive" said
Miss Longstreth. shuddering.
''Tell me all about it?" asked Miss
Ruth, who was fast recovering.
Rather embarrassed, Duane briefly
told the incident from his point of
view.
"Cousin," said Miss Longstreth,
thoughtfully, at was fortunate for us
that this gentleman happened to be
here. Papa scouts-laughs at dang
er. He seems to think there was no
danger. Yet he raved after 1t came"
Go with us all the way to Fair
dale-pleaseT asked Miss Ruth,
sweetly Offering her hand. 81 am
Ruth Herbert. And this is my cousin
Ray Longstreth."
I'm travelling that way" replied
Duane, in great confusion. He did
not know how to meet the situation.
Colonel Longstreth returned then,
and after bidding Duane good night,
which seemed rather curt by contrast
to the graclousness of the girls, he led
them away.
Before going to bed Duane went
outside to take look at the injured
robber and perhaps to ask him few
questions. To Duane's surprise, he
was gone, and SO was his horse The
innkeeper was dumfounded. He said
that he left the fellow on the floor
in the barroom.
''Had he come tot" inquired Duane.
"Sure. He asked for whisky"
"Did he say anything else?"
Not to me. / heard him talkin' to
the father of them girls"
you mean Colonel Longstreth?"
81 reckon. He sure was some riled,
wasn't he? Jest as If I was to blame
fer that two-bit of hold-upp'
"What did you make of the old
gents rageT asked Duane, watching
the innkeeper. He scratched his
head dubiously. He was sincere, and
Duane believed in his honesty.
"Wal, I'm doggoned. If know what
to make of it. But i reckon he's
either crazy or got more nerve than
most Texans"
"More nerve, maybe" Duane re-
piled. "Show me a bed now, inn
keeper"
Once in bed In the dark, Duane
composed himself to think over the
events of the evening. Why had
that desperate robber lowered his gun
The Elbert County tribune., 1916-12-15

He didn't say replied the other
"Sure was strappin' big man.
Struck me little odd. he did. No
cattleman, him. How'd You size
him?"
'Well, like one of them cool, easy.
quiet Texans who's been lookin for .
man for years--to kill him when he
found him."
Fright you are. Laramie; and. be-
tween you an me. hope he's lookia'
for Long"
Ssh r. Interrupted Laramie. You
must be half drunk. to go tallsin' that
way"
Thereafter they conversed In too low
tone for Duane to hear. and presently
Laramie's visitor left. Duane went
inside, and. making himself agreeable.
began to ask casual questions about
Fairdale. Laramie was not communi-
cative.
Duane went to his room In
thoughtful frame of mind. There was
something wrong about the mayor OF
Fairdale. The innkeeper Laramie
would be worth cuitivating And
ibSt III Afuhht thoughts liitt ihHht
was Miss Longstreth. He could not
help thinking OF her-how strangely
the meeting with her had affected
him. 1t made him remember that
long-past time when girls had been
n part OF his life. He had no right
even to dream of n beautiful woman
like Ray Longstreth.
Several days passed. Duane did
not succeed in getting any closer to
Laramie, but he found the idlers on
the corners and in front of the stores
unsuspicious and willing to talk. It
did not take him long to find out that
Fairdale stood parallel with Hunts
Vile for gambling. drinking, and fight
Ing The street was always lined witt
| dusty, snddled horses. the town fun
of strangers. Money appeared more
abundant than In any place Duane
had ever visited; and 1t was spent
with the abandon that spoke forcibly
of easy and crooked requirement.
Duane decided that Sanderson. Brad
ford, and Ord We're but notorious out
posts of this Fairdale. which was n
secret center of rustlers and outlaws.
And what struck Duane strnngest of
all was the fact that Longstreth was
mayor here and held court daily. In
The Elbert County tribune., 1916-12-15
CHAPTER XVI.

Next morning Duane mounted his
horse and headed for Fairdale. He
rode leisurely, as he wanted to learn
all he could about the country. There
were few ranches. The farther he
Travelled the better grazing he en-
countered, and, strange to note, the
fewer herds of cattle. 1t was just
sunset when he made out a cluster
of adobe houses that marked Sander
son, halfway between Bradford and
Fairdale When he drew up before
the inn the landlord and his family
and a number of loungers greeted
him laconically.
Beat the stage in, hey?" remarked
one.
There she comes now" said an
other. Joel shore is drivin' to-
night"
Far down the road Duane saw a
cloud of dust and horses and lum-
bering coach. Presently 1t rolled up,
a large mud-bespattered and dusty
vehicle, Uttered with baggage on top
and tied on behind. number of
passengers alighted, three of whom
excited Duanes interest. One was q
tall. dark, striking-looking man, and
the other two were ladies'. wearing
lcng gray ulsters and wells. Duane
heard the proprietor of the inn ad-
dress the man as Colonel Longstreth,
and as the party entered the Inn
Duane's quick ears caught few words
which acquainted him with the fact
that Longstreth was the mayor OF
EaIrdale.
The Elbert County tribune., 1916-12-15
CHAPTER xV.-Continued.

But in striking contrast to this
mystery was the person, character,
and cold-blooded action of Poggin and
Knell the chiefs lieutenants. They
were familiar figures in all the towns
within two hundred miles of Brad
ford. Knell had n record, but as gun
man with an incredible list of victims,
Poggin was supreme. If Poggin had
a friend no one ever heard of him.
There were a hundred stories of his
nerve. his wonderful speed with a gun,
his passion for gambling, his love of
a horse-his cold, implacable, inhu-
man wiping out of his path any man
that crossed it.
"Cheseldine is name, a terrible
name." said Colonel Webb. Some
times l wonder If he's not only a
name. In that case where does the
brains of this gang come from? No
there must be a master craftsman
behind this border pillage; master
capable of handling those terrors,
Poggin and Knell. OF all the thou
sands of outlaws developed by west
ern Texas in the last twenty years
these three are the greatest. In
southern Texas, down between the
Pecos and the Nueces, there have been
and are still many bad men. But
doubt If any outlaw there, possibly
excepting Buck Duane, ever equaled
Poggin. You've heard of this DuaneT'
Yes, little" replied Duane quiet
ly. I'm from southern Texas. Buck
Duane, then, is not known out herep
why, man, where isn't his name
knownT returned Colonel Webb.
I've kept track OF his record as l
have all the others. His fame in this
country appears to hang on his match
outlaw Chiefs
Has -Cheseldine's gang been busy
lately?" asked Duane.
mo. Probably all the stock that's
being shipped now was rustled long
ago. Cheseldine works over wide
section, too wide for news to travel
inside of weeks. There are some
nothing to do with the bank-robberies
and train hold-ups during the last few
years in this country. But that's poor
reasoning. The jobs have been too
well done. too surely covered, to be
the work of greasers or ordinary out
laws
Whats your view of the outlook? :?
How's all this going to wind up!
Will the outlaw ever be driven outT
asked Duane.
Never. There will always be out
laws along the Rio Grande. All the
armies in the world couldn't comb
the wild brakes of that fifteen hun
dred miles of river. But the sway
of the outlaw, such as is enjoyed by
these great leaders, will sooner or
later be past. There's talk of vigil
lantes, the same that were organized
in California and are now in force
In Idaho. So far it's only talk. But
the time will come. And the days of
Cheseldine and Poggin are numbered
The Elbert County tribune., 1916-12-15

Duane. When she looked at him,
drawn by his rather persistent gaze,
there was pride, fire, and passion in
her eyes. Duane felt himself blush
ing in confusion.
After supper the guests assembled
in n big sittingroom where an open
fireplace with blazing mesquite sticks
gave out warm and CHEEKY glow.
Duane took seat by table in the
corner, and, finding a paper, began
to read. Presently when he glanced
up he saw two dark-faced men,
strangers who had not appeared be-
fore. They were peering in from a
doorway. When they saw Duane had
observed them they stepped back out
of sight.
1t flashed over Duane that the
strangers acted suspiciously. In Texas
in the seventies it was always bad
policy to let strangers go unheeded.
Then he went out into a patio. and
across 1t to little dingy, dim-lighted
barroom. Here he found the inn
keeper dispensing drinks to the two
strangers.
"Hev somethin'7" one of them ask
ed, leering. Both looked Duane up
and down.
mo thanks, don't drink" Duane
replied, and returned their scrutiny
with interest. "How's tricks in the
Big BendT
Both men stared. 1t had only taken
a close glance for Duane to recognize
type of rufiian most frequently met
along the river These strangers had
that stamp, and their surprise proved
he was right. Here the innkeeper
showed signs of uneasiness, and
seconded the surprise of his custom
ers. No more was said at the instant,
and the two rather hurriedly went
out
Say, boss, do you know these fel-
lows?" Duane asked the innkeeper.
'Nope. They nooned heah, comm
from Bradford they said, an trailed
in after the stage"
When Duane returned to the sitting
room Colonel Longstreth was absent,
also several of the other passengers.
Miss Ruth sat in the chair he had
vacated, and across the table from
her sat Miss Longstreth- Duane went
directly to them.
Excuse me-" said Duane, address
Ing them. ~ want to tell you there
are a couple of rough-looking men
here. I've just seen them. They
mean evil. Tell your father to be
careful. Lock your doors-bar your
windows tonight"
"Ohw cried Ruth, very low. RAY,
do you hear?"
"Thank you; wen be careful" said
Miss Longstreth. gracefully. The rich
color had faded in her cheek. 81 saw
those men watching you from that
door. They had such bright black
eyes. Is there really danger-hereT
II think So" was Duane's reply.
Soft swift steps behind him pre-
ceded a harsh voice: Hands upW
No man was quicker than Duane to
recognize the intent in those wordsI
His hands shot up. Miss Ruth utter
ed d little frightened cry and sank
into her chair. Miss Longstreth
The Elbert County tribune., 1916-12-15
CHAPTER XVII.

Duane followed the stage through
the town, out into the open, on to n
wide, hard-packed road showing years
of travel. 1t headed northwest. To
the left rose range of low, bleak
mountains he had noted yesterday.
and 70 the right sloped the mesquite
patched sweep of ridge and fiat. The
driver pushed his team to fast trot,
which gait surely covered ground
rapidly.
Early In the afternoon from n ridge
top Duane sighted Fairdale, green
patch in the mass of gray. For the
barrens of Texas 1t was indeed a fair
sight. But he was more concerned
with its remoteness from civilization
than its beauty. At that time, in the
early seventies. when the vast western
third of Texas was n wilderness, the
pioneer had done wonders to settle
there and establish places like Fair
dale.
1t needed only glance for Duane to
pick out Colonel Longstreth's ranch.
The house. not more than few min
utes' walk from the edge of the town.
was low flatroofed structure made
of red adobe bricks. All was green
abort 1t, except where the fenced
corrai and numerous barns or sheds
showed gray and red.
From all outside appearances Fair
dale was no different from other
frontier towns, and Duane's expecta-
tions were scarcely realized. As the
afternoon was waning he halted at
n little inn. A boy took charge of his
horse. Duane questioned the lad
about Falrdale and gradually drew to
the subject most In mind.
Colonel Longstreth has n big out
fit. eh?"
'Reckon he has," replied the lad.
/ "Doan know how many cowboys.
They're always comm and goin'.a 1
amt acquainted with half of them"
Much movement of stock these
days?"
piled, with queer look
"Rustlers?"
But he did not follow up that look
with the affirmative Duane expected.
Lively place, hear-Fairdale is?"
"Ain't so lively as Sanderson, but
it's bigger"
'Yes, heard 1t was. Fellow down
there was talking about two cowboys
who were arrested"
"Sure. / heered all about that.
Joe Bean an Brick Higgins-they be-
long heah, but they amt heah much.
Longstreth's boys"
Duane did not want to be over-in-
quisltive. so he turned the talk into
other channels.
After getting supper Duane strolled
up and down the main street. When
darkness set In he went into a hotel,
bought cigars, sat around, and watch
ed. Then he passed out and went
Into the next place. 1t was full of
men coming and going-a dusty-boot-
ed crowd that smelled of horses and
smoke. Duane sat down for while,
with wide eyes and open ears. Then
he hunted up the bar. He stayed in
there for a while. and knew that
strangers were too common in Fair
dale to be conspicuous. Then he
returned to the inn where he had
engaged n room.
Duane sat down on the steps of
the dingy little restaurant. Two men
were conversing inside, and they had
not noticed Duane.
Laramie. what's the strangers
nameT asked one.
New-York tribune., 1916-02-27
Hepin Drill Work in the Schools

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: Permit me, as an interested reader
Of YOUR editorials upon the vital subject
Of American preparedness, to suggest through
the valuable pages Of The Tribune method
Of preparedness that seems TO me so oovi-
ouslv simple and practical that It is difhcult
TO understand why it has been so overlooked
amid the heated controversies as TO whether
ye shall have huge volunteer standing
armv. such as is advocated by eX-Secretary
If War Garrison, or a somewhat increased
and semi-oficial militia, such as seems TO be
in the mind Of Congress at present. l refer
10 making compulsory throughout the united
States sucsa a system Of military education
in high schools and colleges as has been
practised for the last five years in wyoming
Here is system that is under the direc-
ton Of trained army officer. This oihcer
takes the boys Of the schools and organizes
them into squads. His one object is to in
still in these boys the love Of clean sport.
rivalry and patriotism. There are drililng'
rifle work. calsthenic work and wall scaling,
all tending to give the boys the foundation OIL
a military education. Reports prove that
there is great interest In the WORK ana tha'
it is great upbuilder Of boys both physi-
cally and mentally. And, above all, 1t IS
democratic system.
With such system being so successfully
used in one of our states, why need we as
nation lay upon ourselves the burden OF big
standing army, when by method such as the
above, along with the physical and mental
benefits and the excellent moral training in
obedience to law and order to the individual
we could in very short time build up
trained citizen army. ANSoN B. HANDY
Putnam. Conn. Feb. rs. 1915.
New-York tribune., 1916-02-27
What DR.. Goldwater Said.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: In your report of the Margaret Sanger
meeting on Sunday night at the BandboI The
atre I am quoted as saying that "one-half
Of the medical profession oppose the move
ment for the dissemination of knowledge on
birth control because it would cut down
their income from obstetrical cases"
| had no idea that many Of my friends
and acquaintances read The Tribune, or that
so large a proportion OF them would accept
what was so obviously at variance with my
frequently expressed opinions
But as am being taken so severely TO
task for what did not say, I feel that
must ask you to quote me correctly. / am
quite willing to defend my real opinions,
but not those that are erroneously credited
to me- What I did say was exactly this.
After enumerating the various sources OF
opposition, | added: Occasionally the medi-
cal profession has been accused of opposing
this movement for the purely selfish reason
that its success would cut down their income
from obstetrical cases. II this is true at
all, It certainly must apply to but a very
small amber Of the profession"
A. L. GOLDWATER.
New York, Feb. %, 1915
New-York tribune., 1916-02-27
A Superfuous Luxury.

II is a wonder that the wellnigh univer-
sal habit Of smoking has not yet been at
tackled by the projectors who upon one plea
or another are proposing new plans to re-
duce expenditure on luxuries IN England
The tobacconists have indeed been in
formed that certain restrictions are about
70 be enforced in the matter Of importa-
ton. but it is clear that they are not far
reaching and will not seriously affect the
ultimate consumer for some time TO come.
Considering that nearly every one smokes
today, it ought surely to be easy to econ
omize in tobacco as in alcoholic beverages.
The Germans have apparently begun to
consider the possibility of saving money IN
this way, for not very long ago the
"Deutsche Tageszeitung" complained that
"in spite of the steadily rising prices OF
tobacco. cigars and cigarettes, their use
has not decreased during the period OF the
war-indeed. those connected with trade
have estimated that at least twice as much
tobacco is being consumed now as before
the war; and some estimates are even
higher"
This observation was clearly intended
as hint that it might be necessary to
curtail the national appetite for smoke or
at least to keep it within reasonable limits
Indeed. it was hinted that patriotic Ger
mans ought TO be content to smoke pipes
instead of cigars, the argument being that
"the more tobacco we import from hol-
land. America and the British Possessions
Through neutral countries) the more Will
the rate of exchange rise against us"
Another indication of the desire to re-
strain smokers is shown in the proposal tc
forbid the sale of tobacco to youths OF
seventeen or less. Seeing how easily the
opponents of alcohol have triumphed II
England. France and Russia, it is aston
ishing that so far the enemies of tobacco
have missed the obvious opportunity OF
fered by the war. A moderate reform
should be compassed without difficulty il
Germany, for very small measure O.
patriotism would surely suffice TO resis
the temptation TO indulge In German
cigars.
New-York tribune., 1916-02-27

Leaves of Grass" with proof, In broad
side form, of Emersons letter Of apprecia-
ton TO the author. Whitman promptly
published il. to the philosophers dismay.
A bit of forgotten literary history. Such
prizes as Byronana, Cruikshankiana and
Dickensiana we pass by, TO linger over an
other forgotten literary passion-"The
Journal of Marie Bashkirtsef." Editions
of the "Rubaiyat1 without end. That too'
was seasons rage. 1t was sold in tins
city from hucksters' carts. So. by the way
was "The Kreutzer Sonata'-Tolstoys' s.
not Bcethoven's.
Here are two curious relics: Two iron
nike heads made for John Brown to arm
the negroes of his Provisional Government
The editor of the catalogue adds that
"manv of these blades were used by Con-
federates during the last days of the war"
We discover that the works Of the late
Jaw Gould are prizes industriously sought
bv collectors. We knew, OF course, that ne
,nade map of Delaware County. we
also knew that he wrote History OF the
County and Of the Border Wars OF New
York" But here is a far rarer item, al
most unknown. his Biography of Zadoc
Pratt. of Prattsville, N. y" published IN
1853. which he must have written at the
age of seventeen.
Who has not heard of the Sweet Singer
of Michigan? But who has ever read her
Centennial, 1876" and "The Sentimental
Song Book? Here they are, in first edl-
tions. Her name was Julia A. Moore. Even
the new edition of the New International
Encyclopedia fails to mention her.
But il is when we come to the Americana
that these catalogues become most interest
ing. There is here letter by Washington
Irving, written while he was Secretary OF
Legation in London, dealing with that
still timely topic, Orders in Council and
American trade. 1t is printed In full. EX-
tracts are given from General William
Moultrie's orderly book, kept by him at
Headquarters, Charleston, S. c., 1710-lfIf
and 1779-17S0-a Revolutionary record OF
the greatest historical Importance. There
&c the broadside issued by Congress in Bos-
ton. in 1774. firmly declaring its allegiance
to the king, but no less firmly stating its
grievances. And there are Lincolnlana
without end. Indeed, it pays TO read cata-
logues