davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-08-20

"It's no use; your times come. Off with the mask, tell you"
 The Laughing Mask looked straight into the beady eyes before him and he saw that the gaze was not of the sort that is open to argument or per- suasion. Then he looked steadily on beyond to where Margory stood, be- hind the detective. His glance held a strange significance for her and she understood it's full import when, rais- ing his hands in gesture of despair he slowly lifted them to his face as if to lift the yellow mask
 Margory understood his glance and interpreted his gesture alright. She deftly slipped the octopus bomb from her handkerchief, in which she had held it, clutched tightly within her fingers, ever since she and the Laugh ing Mask had left the vault. As the detective strode forward to peer more closely at what he expected to see revealed Margory hurled the bomb to the floor.
 The next moment the room was filled with an impenetrable cloud of black smoke. Completely it enveloped y ". The detective and Golden both made leap for the spot where the Laughing Mask stood. But their hands grasped only the smoke filled air. The detective uttered a growl of rage, and beating his way about the roomsas though he were blind man fighting in the dark, he sought to come to grips with .he quarry that had eluded him.
 Gradually the black, sootlike pail rose to the high ceiling of the library disclosing Margory, her father and the detective to one another. But the Laughing Mask had vanished as completely as though he had filtered through the floor. The doors of the room were closed and none of the three in the room had heard the doors opened or shut. Nevertheless, the detective dashed to the door lead ing to the adjoining reception hall and flung it open. Golden followed and both ran through this spacious chamber and on to the stairs. Mar gory, still apprehensive for the safety of the man in the yellow mask, ran after the searchers, who were fairly baff1ed.
 4 \ 4
 As soon as all three were clear of the reception hall the Laughing Masks head emerged from a large ancient Roman vase which Golden had once bought with a number of other almost priceless marbles at t.le sale of the Count dl Rivaglio's sew enteenth century collection. Probably in the hundreds of years of the vases existence it had never been put to such use as this. The Laughing Mask had found it a curiously apt refuge at the crux of great peril. Now. swiftly, he climbed from out its great
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-08-20
ious1y.

father worked at it; the mechanism was far too complicated and the in- ner levers had not yet begun to re- spond.
 The man in the yellow mask-if he felt any fear for the outcome of this, his most precarious adventure among the inrumerable strange predica- n.ents that his self-appointed guar dianship of Margory Golden had flung him into-gave expression to none. He reassured her gently and chided her even, for her seeming lack of confidence in him.
 Have you forgotten, my dear, that I have thu confession of Legar?" he whispered to her. That alone means safety, for it will take care of most of the crimes which the Iron Claw has fastened upon me. The rest well, they will take care of them selves. And if they do not
 The man in the mask said no more. Both he and Margory now distinctly heard the clicking of the levers of the inner mechanism of the dial lock and quickly he took from a pocket and handed to the girl little, hard, black ovoid. In her hand, it felt to her touch to be like a cake of soap, only there were what seemed to be tiny tentacles upon it.
 The clicking levers were beginning to work more rapidly. In another moment the great vault door would Sing open-to what?
 Quick, Margory," he whispered "what have just given you is what I have called the octopus bomb. It will save us, if the need should be dire, if there should be no other man. ner of escape. It will save us-it will save me if alone should be menaced as the octopus saves itself"
 As the man in the mask finished the rapidly spoken words the door of the vault swung outward Margory stepped forward and the agonized look on her fathers face, as this gradually spread before her vision, once her eyes had become accustomed to the light after the swift transition from the dimness of the vault, inn pelled her to run to his arms.
 The detectives, with whom the room swarmed, paid no heed to Margory. Their quarry emerged from the gloom of the vault moment after her. He glanced about-from revolver muzzle to revolver muzzle, all leveled at him. Margory glanced back at the Laugh ing Mask as he stood, thus facing this desperate denouement. Then she cried out, involuntarily, for one of fbo dateotivas had Striddep m tO the Laughing Mask. raised his hand to the Mask itself and was about to tear it off. But the Laughing Mask stepped backward, and with ges- ture, ccmmandingly stopped him.
 "One moment, if you please, gen. tlemen. There is no need for this.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-08-20

My mask stays where 1t is. AS for the crimes which you seem to think are matter for these revolvers-I be- bieve this confession of the Iron Claw accounts for the chief of them, and therefore for the rest"
 As he spoke the Laughing Mask drew forth from his pocket the pa per for whose possession he had risked the very thing that had hap pened. It stood him in good stead. The detectives lowered their revolv- CTS and the Laughing Mask handed the confession to the captain of po- lice.
 The captain was about to glance at it, but turned to Golden for a word of instructions. The next moment there was a crash at the other side of the room. Legar had heard every word from his hiding place behind the antique screen and he knew that this was the most desperate case for his fortunes that had yet befallen. AS the captain stretched forth his hand extending the confession to Golden, Legar, with rush, dashed past him, grasped the confession from his afngers and made for the window. Snatching his cap down over his eyes, he plunged, head first, through the glass. shattering it to splinters.
 Legar had flashed across the room like missile from catapult. Three of the detectives were knocked from their feet. The others gaped at the shattered window. The captain was the first to recover his wits. He shouted an angry command, one of his men threw up the battered sash and the rest leaped out But Legar had had a full minute the advantage of them. They could still see him, and opened fire, but the range was too long a one.
 Inside the Golden library the detec- tive who had tried to disclose the identity of The Laughing Mask was again intent upon solving this mys- tery ThaA is why he had remained behind.
 If you have nothing to hide, take off your mask" he demanded.
 The Laughing Mask told him there were often reasons why a man could not seem to be what he was or could not be what he seemed. There was the strongest possible reason, he said, why he himself kept his name and his personality hidden from the world.
 The detective was Of the true Gen. tral office type-a bulldogs jaw, a pair of beady eyes and no great quan- tity of brain behind those little eyes. The bulldog jaw was now set and the beady eyes were fixed on the yellow covering that hid the face of the Laughing Mask. The bulldog jaw opened for a brief space and these words emerged from them:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-08-20

sheltering bowl and stepped noise lessly back to the library. The shat tered glass of the window, whence Legar had made his escape. met his eye. The route that Legar had taken he could take; indeed, he must take there was no other.
The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1916-05-04

tire township with the exception
of that part lying south of Rich
land creek, which was released
| to the Hebron school.
The Briar Hill High School
closed a very successful session
last week, a class of seven finish
ing the prescribed course and
receiving diplomas. The class
was composed of Misses TYNE
Williams, Eura Harper, Alice Al
liston, Myrtle Boteler, Ellene
Boteler, and Messrs. Lee Bull
lock and T. ]. Smith. Prof. Ev-
erett hassbeen elected principal
for the next term with Miss Nell
Roberts assistant.
Prof. r. P. Noble, principal
of the Rankin County Agricul-
tural High School, is a Brandon
visitortoday. Prof. Noble, as
sisted by his able corps of teach
ers, is making a splendid record
at Johns. An average attend
ance of over forty boarding pu-
pills was maintained during the
session just closed, which enti-
ties the school to share in the
state distribution to the extent
of $500, which is more than
is paid by the county. If the
people over the county would ia
miliarize themselves with the
school and the good work it is
doing, they would all soon be
enthusiasts on the subject.
A petition signed by more
than 20 per centum of the quail
fled electors of the Clarksburg
school district was filed with the
Board of Supervisors at this
meeting against the proposed is
suance of bonds for the purpose
| of building and equipping school
buildings of the said district. Ac-
cordingly the Board called an
election to be held on the 18th
day of May 1916, and appointed
VIM. Elliott, J. w. Palmer and
Shelby Williams commissioners
to hold said election and report
the result at the next meeting of
the Board. No petition was filed
against the issuance of bonds in
the New Prospect District, and
the bonds will be offered for sale
on the 1st Monday in June.
The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1916-05-04
EVERYBODY COME!

A part of the same troupe
which delighted and thrilled a
large and fashionable audience
at the school building a year ago
in "A Perplexing Situation, !"
will appear again Saturday
night, May 6, at $50 p. M. in
my Turn Next" a laughable
farce. 1t is worth your money
to see Roy Fox, the coming
Charlie Chaplin, smile. If you
miss this performance you'll
live to regret it.
This play is intended to teach
a lesson, not soon to be forgot
ten, to suspicious husbands.
Admission Is and Is cents.
For the benefit of the Metho-
dist church.
The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1916-05-04
LOCAL AND PERSONAL.

Miss Verna Owen is visiting
friends at Flora.
The Brandon depot is receiv-
ing a new coat of paint.
Capt. P. B. Berry, of Florence,
was a Brandon visitor Monday.
DR.. J. E. Noble, of Fannin,
was a Brandon visitor a few days
ago.
Mrs. G. w. White spent Sun
day and Monday with home
folks.
w. P. Anderson. of Goshen
Springs, is spending the day in
Brandon.
Rev. Will Evans, Of Clarks-
burg, was a Brandon visitor a
few days ago.
J. A. Lindsey is making his
annual tour Of the county, regis
tering new voters.
Mr.. C. C. Russell is critically
i'll at his home, and his death is
momentarily expected.
State Auditor Robt. E. Wilson,
of jackson, spent Sunday with
Mr.. and Mrs. J. HI. Glass.
Miss Mary Russell will leave
today for her home at Laurel,
after an extended visit to her
sister, Mrs. C. E. Gayden.
Mrs. w. G.. Runge and chill
dren, Katherine and Louis A.,
returned Friday from a visit to
relatives in Memphis.
Mrs. Kate w. Barksdale, of
Goshen Springs, has accepted
the position of matron of the
Agricultural High School at
Johns.
The Board of Supervisors will
adjourn this afternoon after a
four days busy session. Full
proceedings will be printed in
The News next week.
Mrs. Savannah Gayden and
daughter, Miss Nell, who were
called to Chicago a few weeks
ago on account of the serious i'll
ness of Mrs. ]. M. Smoot, are
expected home Saturday, Mrs.
Smoot being much improved and
considered out of danger.
The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1916-05-04
BRANDON, MISS
TRUE SOURCE OF STRENGTH
Literally Of Rich Men Toward Edu1
cation and Charity Shows Amer. ).
Ica's Greatness.

Americans are the greatest phtian-;
thropists in history. During the last
year Europe has been deluged by o;
tornado OF blood, but America has
been flooded with gifts of gold. Eu-
rope. staggering beneath it's burden OF
hate, has fallen down on the stairway,
of progress; but America. with pas
sion for human service, has made
bright her way by her lavish gifts OF
wealth and love.
Wealthy Americans gave away dur
ing 1914 to educational.and charitable.
institutions $315. 100000 almost twice.
the amount given In 1918. Eighteen
different Americans bequeathed sums
ranging from 81 100000 to 81. 1000, 600.
While Europe's surplus wealth has
been devoted to training and equip
ping men to slaughter efficiently.
Americas millions have been devoted
to feeding the poor, clothing the
naked, healing the sick and enlighten-
Ing the minds Of men. and the largest,
but one. Of these gifts was bequeathed
anonymously. This aged millionaire"
asked no other pleasure than the 10y
OF giving. Emerson says, "a great
man is always willing to be little"
John D. Rockefeller gave total OF
$6.S02.90S. His largest requests were
50, 5000 to the Rockefeller Institute
for Medical Research and 81, 019, 90S to
the University Of Chicago. Andrew
Carnegie gave 100000 to interna-
tional peace propaganda. Edwin CHM,
the Boston publisher, bequeathed an
other million for the same work. Fran
els A. Ogden, Texan, bequeathed his
entire estate, valued at several mil
lions, to the education of the children
in rural communities. Others be-
Queathed their millions to building
hospitals and improving the condition
of the poor. A grand total Of more
than $75.o0O.000 was left to. the col
1eges.
King-ridden, hate-defiled Europe IL
reaping tho chaos and agony of war;
but money-making, service-aspiring
America Is achieving true grandeur.
Carlyle was right: "Oh, it is great, and
there is no other greatness-to make
one nook OF Gods creation more fruit
full, better, more worthy OF God: TO
make some human heart q little wiser.
manlier, happier-more blessed, less
accused. "-Leslie's Weekly.
The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1916-05-04
W. v. LOVELESS
Livery, Feed and Sale Stables
Automobile Meets All Trains-.> BRANDON. MISS
vice-presidents were

named vice-presidents were
chosen:
District No. is. W.. Berry;
No. &c. H. Bethune; No. 81
R. E. Barnett; No. 4-Sol
WEIGH.
The president introduced to
the convention Mr.. j. E. Byrd,
of Mt. Olive, State Sunday
Lecturer, who delivered an able
address on Sunday School work,
and explained the objects for
which the meeting was called.
Mr.. Byrd's address was replete
with information, and was the
feature of the day.
The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1916-05-04

The narcissus often becomes natur-
allied when planted In the sod or par
tial shade, where Il will continue 90
grow. blossom. and multiply Cor many
years without further attention. Sim
ply make small hole In the soil Eve
or six inches deep. insert the bulb
pointed end up. press the soil over the
top. and nature WIN do the rest. For
naturalising, avoid planting In rows
or rigid geometrical figures. A good
plan Is to scatter the bulbs like seed
and plant where they fall. The meth
cd Of planting is extensively followed
In the home grounds and parks Of Eng
land and other countries in Europe. In
portions OF North Carolina. on larger
estates along the James river In vir-
ginia, and in old gardens in New Eng
land, narcissuses that were planted
oyer half century ago. are still grow
Ing vigorously and every spring pro
duce beautiful displays of blossoms.
The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1916-05-04
RANKIN COUNTY S. S. AND
B. Y. P. u. CONVEN-
TION.

Pursuant to call delegates
from various Baptist churches ~
Rankin county assembled at the
Brandon Baptist church Sunday
for the purpose of organizing a
Rankin County Baptist Sunday
School convention as an auxiliary
to the Rankin County Associa-
ton.
A roll call showed the follow
ing churches represented:
Briar Hill Rev. w. Sutton.
Oakdale-L M. Williams, 6.
H. Bethune.
Dry Creeks. w. Berry, b.
P. Lacy, u. B. Hines.
. Pelahatchie ID. B. Ward, Miss
Myra CrotWell, Wilkes Davis.
Bethel-Mrs. S. r. Myers.
Florence Rev. S. Morris.
Brandon The entire Sunday
School.
On motion Of Rev. Wayne
Sutton, the delegates present re-
solved themselves into a perma-
|nent organization to be known
as the Rankin County Baptist
Sunday School Convention.
Rev. J. w. Steen, Of Florence,
was elected president and w. S.
May secretary.
On motion the following
The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1916-05-04
REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS.
Mary A. Finch to Gammill
Lumber Co. -80a in 20

Mary A. Finch to Gammill
Lumber Co.-80a in 20
8-5 ---------------40O 90
T. L. Finch ct al to Gam
mill Lumber Co. -80a in
2O-8-5------ -------N 400 90
j. C. Jones, Sub. Trustee.
to H. P. Cox-40a In 23-
4-3 and 8Oa in 24-4-3----45O 90
r. G. Berry to S. B. Aills
lot in village of Flor
ence in 30-4-2--------- IS 90
Fannie Lockman to Enochs
& Wortman-40a in L
D. A. & Minnie Kersh to
J. E. Kersh = certain
lands in 15-4-4 ---------35O 90
H. C. Jones to Interior
Lumber Co. -10a in 81
6-2-- -------------- l %
The Alliance Trust Co. to
w. Preston Long 310a
in 15-4-2- $50 Is
The A. & V. Ry. Co. to w.
J. G. Gray-40a in 81
2-3-------,------------18O 90.
Mrs. S. B. Aills to r. G.
Berry certain lot in
Florence-------------- IS 10
w. III. Bagwell to S. f.
King brick store house
and lot in town Of Pela-
hatchie in 33-6-5------2,8 800 90
The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1916-05-04
PROCEEDINGS OF TOWN
BOARD-MAY MEET
ING.

Brandon, Miss, May 2, 1916.
The Mayor and Board Of Al
dermen of the town of Brandon,
met on the above date with the
following members present:
Mayor P. Henry, and Aldermen
A. G. McLaurin, w. S. May, W..
G. Barnes, G.. C. Sprague and A.
M. Shields, when the following
business was had and done, to-
wit:
Minutes of the last meeting
were read and approved.
Following accounts were al
lowed and the clerk was ordered
to issue warrants for the pay
ment Of same:
GENERAL FUND.
w. G. Barnes, lime and
posts -----------------$ 4 70
Brandon M. & L. Co., re-
pairs road machine----- / 90
Brandon Water Co., water IL SO
Brandon News, printing 10 65
A. M. Shields, nails, ETC. 5 90
SCHOOL FUND.
A. NJ. Shields, brooms,
pals, etc-------------- z 65
Brandon Water Co., water 10 90
Brandon M. e L. Go. 10
The marshal and tax collector
was ordered to at once collect all
taxes due the town of Brandon,
and get up a list Of all delin-
quents SO that this board may
proceed at once to make order
for sale Of lands BY advertising
same as required by law.
There being no further bust
ness the Board adjourned until
the next regular meeting,
The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1916-05-04

Rev. M. O. Patterson will fill
his regular monthly appointment
at the Baptist church Sunday
morning and at night. A cordial
invitation is extended to all.
The special electric engine for
the Brandon Electric Co.'S. plant
has arrived and been installed,
and as soon as the dynamo and
storage batteries arrive, the
plant will be ready for business.
Capt. E. @. White, our popular
expert road builder in beat 2,
is doing splendid work these
days, his work on the Florence
road being worthy of special
commentator.
Mrs. r. F. Brown and little
son, Billie" of Pelahatchie,
were in Brandon yesterday en-
route to Fannin to attend COM
mencement exercises of the high
school at that place.
The school children will have
a vacation tomorrow, as the
teachers will all go to Jackson
tomorrow morning to attend the
annual meeting of the State
Teachers Association.
Tuesday nights rain was the
heaviest that has visited this
section for many days. Early
Wednesday morning the rain
was accompanied by severe
hail storm.
Only two more weeks before
the Brandon school will close the
present session, the graduating
exercises occurring two weeks
from tonight, The usual con-
certs have been very wisely dis
pensed with.
Mr.. and Mrs. T. H. Collier
have the sincere sympathy of the
entire community in the death
of their infant daughter, born
Sunday night. The little body
was inferred in Brandon GENE
terry Monday afternoon.
The annual musical recital Of
the pupils of Miss Carey Bruce
will occur at the school audito-
rum Thursday night, May 18th.
Miss Bruce is one of the most
proficient teachers of the state,
and the her annual recitals are
always looked forward to with
great pleasure by Brandon peo-
pie.
At a meeting of the town
board TUESDAY, an order was
passed directing the city tax
collector to proceed at once to
collect all delinquent taxes due
the town. All taxes remaining
unpaid on the first Tuesday in
June, the delinquent property
will be ordered advertised and
sold at public auction for taxes
due thereon, as provided by law.
DR.. A. G. McLaurin has DEM
onstrated that Rankin county
will produce as good wheat as
can be grown. His wheat field
about mile north of the depot
presents a beautiful scene, stand
ing four to five feet high and
heading out as nicely as could be
desired. Our people could save
thousands Of dollars annually It
each farmer would plant a small
acreage to wheat enough for
home use, anyway.
The county school board, at its
meeting last Monday, created a
consolidated school district en-
bracing the Brandon and Bethel
territories. "A tallaho will. be
run to bring the Bethel children
to-vthe Brandon school. The
new territory will be known as
the Brandon olidated School
District, and embraces the en-
The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1916-05-04
DR.. WILL II. EWING
VETERINARY SURGEO N
JACKSON, MISS.
Hospital 314 South State Street.
Phones 1880.
BROWN BROS.
EYE GLASSES
and SPECTACLES

On account of the solid comfort and
satisfaction people are getting out OF
Watson's glasses and the large increase
of business, have moved to larger
quarters, 176 East Capitol Street.
where you will find a compile line OF
up-tc- date eye glasses, spectacles and
automobile glasses. IF you have eye
troubles or need glasses of any kind
come and see me. Look for the electric
Eye Sign and window display.
HARRY WATSON, Optometrist
176 East Capitol Street,
JACKSON, MISS,
The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1916-05-04

Five gallons Of Coal Oil for :
with any order. Ask
r. E. GAYDEN.
The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1916-05-04

Complete Stock of Groceries
prompt delivery.
w. G. BARNES.
The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1916-05-04

GRAZING LAND WANTED
From 80 acres to 1000, nothing
but cheap land considered. Give
legal description and complete
data in first letter. Address
J. L. S.
Care Brandon News.
The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1916-05-04

international Stock and Poul-
try Powders, etc.
w. G. BARNES.
The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1916-05-04
said Uncle Sllss:

why In thunder b It that = down
pour Of rain which wouN Hood Z
Teller out on prayer mestin' night II
counted only ! little sprinkle on tAs~
ter-goin' night?"-Los Angeles h.
press.
The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1916-05-04

Received this week q ship
ment of Ice Cream Powders all
favors. Call r. E. GAYDEN.
The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1916-05-04

Shinola mops with a box of
white, tan, black or oxblood pol
ish at r. E. GAYDEN'S.
The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1916-05-04

25c worth of Frezo Salt will
make your cream all summer.
Call r. E. GAYDEN.t
The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1916-05-04
Money to Loan!

On Improved Farms on long
time with easy payments. Write
or see A. G. PURVIS,
Pelahatchie, Miss.
The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1916-05-04
CLUB NEWS
II CLUB NEWS. |
208 Club members for 1916.
Somebody's going to work.
81 Canning Club members.
18 Poultry Club members.
SO Home Demonstration Club
members.
HOME ONSTRATlON
CLUB NEWS.


No doubt these splendid ques-
tons gotten up and given to the
members by Mrs. Hattie Belle
Berry, president Of the Florence
Woman's Club, will help other
presidents to solve their prob
lens:
l. Who have made the wheel
ed tray?
2. How many tried the To
mato Sauce and Egg recipe?
3. How many would like to
plant Perfection peppers?
4. What hour will always suit
best to meet?
5. Mount the butter sugges-
tons on card board and tack up.
6. How many are supplied
with Milk and Egg Bulletins?
Z. Be sure and try all these
recipes ana study carefully.
8. How many are going to
make a speciality in any one
thing? What?
9. Whether canned vegeta-
|bles, fruits, breads, butter, fam
cy work, home made conven-
fences, sanitary measures.
10. What shall we make next
time?
II. Where shall we meet next
to demonstrate and what do?
IL. How many are going to
come all the year?