davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1917-02-24

ing Mask. with the full intention of
dispatching that sworn enemy with
his own hands, he gave gasp of in
credulouS amazement as 1t CaWned
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 Il system
attic search of the dark corners where
man in desperate straits might en-
deayor 10 hide. He had hardly left
the cellar when the pile Of thrcadbare
Garnet showed signs Of sudden agi-
tg-ion. and in obedience To certain
commands issued in painfully broken
wbisperS. two spectral figures emerged
from under that singular refuge and
/ ,-,idad toward the stairway leading 70
/ the upper story. where the laboratory
/ was located.
Tn that laboratory the wide-cyed
Nargery Golden was searching the
Uttered work bench, hoping to find
something 70 incriminate the venom
Gus Skidmon. she did not venture to
touch the glitterinG Instruments, hut
turned her attention to the object
which WAS hidden under the thin strip
Of toweling. When, after n little
hesitation. she cinCerly raised that
fimsv covering. she saw thin glass
vessel bearing printed label ami half
filled with gelatinous substance. She
stooued and read from the label the
words "Colon Bacilli," but that did
not convey to her that In the nutrient
medium contained in that Pctri dist
wos n culture growth alive with mil
lions of malignant germs. Topping tC
find some more tangible clue. she re-
placed the towel and picked up tbs
omen notebook lying near the micro
scope. Her face went white Will
the horror Of the thing rs she de
cirhcred the cramped entries:
Nav 13-Enmcrich has advanced
the theory that old age is hrouGh
about in large part by the weakened
resistance of the subject to the raw
ages of the bacillus coli. colonies o
which invariably infest the diE"Stiv
tract Of every person even though II
J normal health. The activity and mum
Der of these bacilli vastly increase Wit
advancing age, causing Il form of auto
The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1917-02-24

could attract his attention he eau
uously raised the window and van
iShed into that house of mystery.
But she quietly determined he should
not be taken unawares by his enc
mics and quickly followed.
She slipped into the empty bedroom
and, warily crossing the floor, stood
in speIlbound wonder gazing through
the open doorway. Backed up against
Il bench stood the tense figure OF
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, Tor
on the bench, just behind him, was
some object protected from the light
by a strip of thin towciing. long
| platinum needle used in extracting
| germ colonies from their cultures, a
compound microscope and an open
notebook for recording the result OF
| his labOrS. Facing the intimilated
| drug ficnd stood the Laughing Mask.
My patience IS about exhausted,
Skidmon," he said to the man shrink
ing back against the bench, "and I'M
less YOU write that confession clear
ing me of those crimes committed by
Legar with YOUR dcyiliSh assistance
l am going to shoot you through the
head with as little conjunction as
though You were mad dog. NuuI
terrible pOiSOnS have been responsible
for more than one unSOlvcd murder
and society will be We'll rid of YOU.
This convincing threat had the de
sired effect, for the StOOp-ShOuldereC
| chemist moved Sullcnly toward ;
small writing desk standing near The
window. As his reluctant pen Travelled
slowly over n sheet of foolScap, The
Laughing Mask stood looking over hi
shoulder, prompting the others de
linquent memory with an Occasional
quiet word and the iuSiStcnt menace
of that ever-ready revolver. The de
tails Of those abhOrrent crimes, com
mitted in cold blood by Lcgar for th'
sole purpose of setting the police up
on his enemy. had practically beer
completed when shrill pcnetratin;
whistle sounded from the alley.
The Laughing Mask turned quick.
+ to the nearby window and, throwing
; back the shutters, leaned out ant
The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1917-02-24

The late Wilson w. DOnOho for
many years acted as yardmaster at the
cannery of Greenabaum brothers In the
pea-canninS season, and every morn
ing his little dog Sport accompanied
him to his work when the whistle
sounded and stayed with him through
out the day. stationing himself beside
an electric light pole in the yard until
the cannery closed for the night. Sew
eral days when DOnOhO was sick or alb
sent Sport made the trip alone, but
always found friends to share their
dinners with him.
The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1917-02-24
they're All Alike.

"To elevate the stage" said Angus
tuS Thomas. at the Players club In
New York, ito elevate the stage woulc
be an easy enough job If there weren't
so many people like the new Shake
speare club.
81 said to the treasurer of this or
ganizatiOn:
81 understand your new Shake
speare club is a great success
Great success? You bet yOui
sweet life it's great success he an
swered warmly. Why, we accump
lated enough in fines for nOnattendaHet
during the first month to take us all tc
a box party at the musical comedy OF
"Back TD Bettina."'"
The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1917-02-24

EngiShman who has lived in Japan
all his life and speaks the language
Ike native. What are called the
yose halls Of Japan are probably rel
les of the oldest known form of pub
lie entertainment. Perhaps the stroll
Ing minstrel who recited or chanted
tales of the heroes was older. for in
Japan he developed into the yOse halls
with their hanaskika. From remot-
est times great people in Japan had
their clowns and story tellers. just rs
did Europeans; and in time the cities
had their regular places where an au-
The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1917-02-24

strOve TO ascertain the meaning OF
that foreboding signal. For a 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 a 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 hurting 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
| With
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 spider drag
ging n 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 Il pile of WORKOUT
carpeting near where the masked man
was lying. AS Legar bent over the
helpless figure faint noise came from
the stairway leading to the floor
above. He instantly Strengthened VI
and made q search for the noises.
From under the pile of carpetine
two pair of long arms suddenly
stretched out toward the silent form
of the Laughing Mask, and, quickly
Selling him by the feet and shout
ders. dragged him under the frayeC
folds Of that ancient floor covering
When the SCARED outlaw gave up hi:
fruitless search and returned to thu
place where he had left the Laugh
The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1917-02-24

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 church
in the very near future"
As Margery turned away to hide
her tears and her bushes, her father
warmly grasped his former secretarys
hand. and after a moment the solemn
red face of Captain Bracket slowly
cracked into a sheepish grin as he ex-
tended his beefy paw to David Manley,
alias the Laughing Mask.
CTHE END0
The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1917-02-24

distorted face he gave sob5ing moan
of fear.
As he glanced toward the hall door !
way he saw his escape WAS cut off in
that direction. for standing on the
threshold was a quietly waiting
Laughing Mask. He threw open the
door leading into the chamber where
Skidmon had been engaged in pack
ing his effects. hut stationed in the
center of that room was a forbiddinG
form wearing a yellow visor. As
Legar backed away from that hateful
vision he trippel over III" body ot
the dead scientist and fru heavily,
stri ing his forehead u sharp blow
against the edge Of the laboratory
bench. He slowly got to his feet,
pressing his hand in n dazed man
ncr against his injured temple. from
which n little crimson stream was
trlckling down into his eyes.
Catching M the towel which had
covered the glass vessel broken by
Sk!Gmon. he moppcd the blood from
ms eyes, anu Inr J'EH'u ""Ul'',
| his forehead. Then as he felt
| clammy moisture on his fevercd skin
| he hastily examined the towel and
saw it was smcarcd with Il substance
''.,'..'7 J,' Len
a., ,..,,, , .-,,'I.,,. ,,t,r.,J o,,r
g -, 49,. lime,
.,-,.,,.r, IL, ,,,l,,.,1e
$50 ra,:r; =. ,-.,. 49,, s,,,,, ,,.os
eoa ,,,l 'o''''' Nv my '''
win uISI'h0eu eyes "is" roam,
Hecheu ill'S he Suuu'hI! pI',l''" Hc'U
long 10 the h'"r, where ne '"H N'''''
lilT anu l" IS'Ill3 mt Il H"O' III ~.
,iiT el'i'.l, 49,, -,
'i''i' ms ''l, ,.;,,,,, So. hi.
-" ,',''
'''- ''','''''7 - VA
linen the Sllu"l'IIiiI SHI "''"'ii'
conscious that the l-"u-I'''- 'l'NN "",
standing near ana rs He S'"'l'C! anu
took the confession from me S'.''''iI'I-
myers or the uoau cr!i'lIil'I She -"
MS yellow NlSor WIS 'oEil anu Sl'''>ii'''
Win blood
suddenly there resOundcd through
the quiet mousse the S"uilu VI crush,
Ing blows delivered upon the from
u""r' loii""'N lioliehI l"''. -
heavily pounding leet rs me LaI'''',-
! detectives, hrabCu ny NapItlh bId'h
~ ~ ,'' ~ IN "p ' nI -,
"'''' -.'',,'' - 49,,
ne ., .' -, -
'''-S ~. =, us ~ 1,.
~. '.'' -c''' -. ,.,,,r,,1,I S1a+aatt,.a,
el"P , , .,,, s',,a Ia,,,,,,,n,
; Masks o,cb ono an ov,ct countarnor
of tho otbar
III, ,...,.;.. . .bo ,-o11o,
-, M.
- ,..,.tr., aI -,
'o.,, W. &c r.,,r -, r,a,
-, I'll NJ
" .l,.,.;.,, e.,
- To-, =, 49,, 1T,
~, ..',',.',, NJ, c.on,,;n, h,- IN,
, i.T i',. =, MS -. -, -
..,.e "a no., ",,7..i,. -.on,od SI.;drnnn,
The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1917-02-24

dience might go to hear some national
epic. a ballad or q comic story told.
In rural Japan there are today still
strolhng story rellers who chant their
tales 10 roadside audience. These
stories were of great variety, but they
may ne divided into rakugo, or humOr-
Gus stories, and kOdan, or heroic tales.
ed differs widely also; some story
tellers speak in loud and solemn
voices, while others behave much like
clowns, acting out the details of what
they are telling. Those which resem-
The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1917-02-24
TWENTIETH EPISODE
Ne Laughing Masks Triumph.

usrpery Golden suddenly threw
.sae the magazine which she had been
b,slessly thumbIng, and springing TO
,er feet, crossed rapidly to the window
a her cool, white bedroom. As she
mod gazing out with unseeing eyes,
lille frown Of veXatiOn puckered
|her forehead. From the open windows
a the spacious living-rOom on the
|arst floor came the subdued murmur
N voices. But to Margery's straining
as not n word of that low-toned con-
frence was audible. Occasionally she
hard the rumble of Captain Brackets
koice, more strident and authoritative
nan the others.
The resentful officer of the law had
conceived the idea than on more than
bne occasion Margery had aided and
kbetted the Laughing Mask in Slip
hing through his fingers, and 1t was
Tor that reason she was now excluded
'rOm the deliberations where the cap
lure of the elusive masquerader was
! Under discussion. In anticipation OF
this very state of affairs Margery had
Revised the ingenious method for
hearning the plans of the detectives.
Having ascertained that the con-
|ference was in full swing, she quickly
went 10 a small wicker table and
taking off the telephone receiver, held
In pressed tightly TO her ear. Her
wire was Il house extension connected
with the trunk line which ran into
the llving-roOm, where her father ana
the officers were now gathered. In
that room the telephone standard
resting on a heavy mahogany table
had been skillfully tempered with
4 Presently the booming voice of the
police captain came TO the ears OF the
] listening girl.
"When l 60 after man l don't
quit till / get him." she heard him
announce in self-laudatOry tones. y
landed that One-armed crook, jules
Iegar. in a cell all right, an / tel
YOU. Mr.. Golden, If it hadn't been fol-
j YOUR daughter interferin' I'd had the
j bracelets on the Laughing Mask LONG
Iago."
j At that moment Margery heard the
door shut behind new arrival, ant
4 again it was Captain Brackets voice
(which reached her as he impatiently
Emastionad the detective who had ms
' Entered.
"What are you dom here, Walters
Didn't YOU get the orders | sent yOr
by Jenkins to take Legar out of thai
eAlcken-cOOp they call Jail out here
in keep yourself handcuffed to hin
Every minute until he was safe II
the Tombs?"
IT got your orders, chief" came ;
hestating voice, presumably that OF
the sleuth called Walters. "but I've
got some bad news for you, Legar'
broke Jail. He croaked Jenkins ant
made clean getaway"
Then Margery heard the hurried
tones of the detective as he launched
Into an account of the strange escape
Of Jules Legar.
Il don't see where Tn to blame
chief" he began in a somewhat ag
grieved voice. 81 seen Jenkins aroun
noon. he was goin' into the Jail will
q tray from the restaurant. He stop:
The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1917-02-24
ARRANGE Kitchen conveniences.

The busiest season for the farmer
is also the busiest season for the farm
woman. The conveniences that will
tighten and expedite her work should
be given as much consideration as the
indictments to be used In the field.
The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1917-02-24

bic ballads are chanted to the accom-
paniment of the Samisen, q primitive
instrument. These song stories are
not all very old; some are based upon
modern events of interest. Often the
entertainment is relieved by the per-
Torrance of a group Of marionettes
or by juggling feat or two.
The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1917-02-24
STORY TElLERS OF JAPAN
Profession Is an Old One, and Its
Members Are Looked Up To BY
All Classes of the People.

Quantity recalling the day Of the
wandering minstrel in other lands, the
Professional story teller of Japan &C.
eupies Il unique niche in the life of
us country, and he has a character
ana an art all his own. 1t is a curl
vus fact that one of the most accom-
pushed story tellers in Tokyo u an
The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1917-02-24

This year, when the whistle blew
for the first time. Sport left home and
went direct to the factory and con-
tinued to do so from day to day, re-
fusing to leave his favOrite resting
place beside the pole.
The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1917-02-24

and gives me your orders and says |
might as we'll wait outside until Legar
had his feed. That seemed reason
able, an l hung aroun' for bout half
an hour. Then when jenkins didn't
come out, / commenced to get kind
o uneasy Ike an steps inside to see
what was goin' on.
Lynn 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' trace behind him
l could tell by the looks of jenkins
The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1917-02-24
Qod Is Truly Faithful.

That a dog is most faithful animal
was proved in Seaford recently. says
the Seaford (Del.) correspondent OF
the Philadelphia Record.
The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1917-02-24

STOP THOSE SHARP SHOOTING PAINS
"Femeoina' is the wonder worker for all
female disorders Price 81 90 and SOC. Adv
Carroll County democrat. (Huntingdon, Tenn.) 188?-1971, 1917-04-27
Smith

A marriage of much surprise
was that Of Mr.. Donnie Bum and
and Miss Ruby Smith, which took
place Sunday afternoon while
seated in their buggy at Carnes'
church in the Tenth district. The
impressive words uniting the hearts
and lives Of this young couple we're
said by Esquire A. T. Alternately.
The marriage was witnessed only
by a few close friends. Following
the ceremony they drove to the
home Of the groom's parents, Mr..
and Mrs. w. A. Bum, where a
number Of relatives and friends
we're waiting with a fine supper.
The bride is the accomplished
daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. Robert
Smith, of near Vale, while the
groom is a prosperous young far
mer of the Tenth district. They
are now at the home of the groom's
parents. Their many friends wish
them much happiness and pros
perity.
Carroll County democrat. (Huntingdon, Tenn.) 188?-1971, 1917-04-27

being seen by the parties in the
wagon, and The noise from the fac
tory near By and the rattle Of wa
CONS passing, perhaps, prevented
it from being heard. If the team
had made another step or so for
ward the wagon would have been
struck and all Of those in it either
killed or seriously injured. In adj
dition to the Porter boys and En-
loe Barr, w. w. Mebane's two
boys were in the wagon, The
tongue was broken off, but the wa
gon was not otherwise injured.
The boys escaped injury, but the
affair created much excitement for
awhile.
Carroll County democrat. (Huntingdon, Tenn.) 188?-1971, 1917-04-27
DRAINAGE WORK
Trouble is Being HAD 10 District
Number Two

A very interesting trial was had
here last Tuesday, growing out Of
troubles in Drainage District No.
p. The committee having this dis
trict in charge became dissatisfied
with the report made BY A. A.
Oldield, chief engineer. In fact.
a motion was made to have a new
susveyor appointed and Oldfeld's
survey corrected. The case was
argued before Judge w. H. Lam
caster, who, after hearing both
sides, ordered that Mr.. w. G.
Kelley, Of Union City, be EN-
ployed to go over the work and
report to the court his findings
with reference to the work done
by Mr.. Oldfeld.
Quite a number of interested
parties from Lexington, Wilders-
vile, Yuma, WestpOrt and other
points along the line of the ditch,
attended the trial,
The impression seems to be that
the survey made by Oldfeld is
costing too much, and including
lands in the district that should not
be assessed.
The committee making the as
sessment for District No. | is max
ing progress and will likely finish
the work assigned it within the
next week or ten days. Every
thing seems quiet on this district
at this time and, no doubt, will re-
main so until this committee makes
its report, portions of which will
likely find obiectors among the
property owners assessed, or at
least it will be remarkable If such
is not the condition.
Carroll County democrat. (Huntingdon, Tenn.) 188?-1971, 1917-04-27
TWO MULES KILLED
A Very Serious Accident Mar
rOwly AveFted

A very serious accident was mar
rowIy aversed at the railroad eros
sing, east of the depot, last Sat
urday afternoon.
A team Of mules belonging to
s. V. Porter, being driven to a
wagon by Mr.. Porter's two boys,
was struck by the incoming train,
due here at s o'clock. and one Of
the ANIMALS killed instantly and
the other one so badly injured that
he was knocked in the head and
killed BY member of the section
crew, who happened to be present.
The team was driven upon the
track blythe boys, who had started
home, and just as the mules got in
the center of the roadbed the ap-
preaching train was discovered.
Enle Barr, one of the parties in
the wagon, snatched the lines and
fell back on them, stopping the
mules just in time to prevent the
wagon being struck by the engine.
Freight cars standing on the
sidetrack prevented the train from
Carroll County democrat. (Huntingdon, Tenn.) 188?-1971, 1917-04-27
FEDERAL COURT
Carroll COuntain Convicted Of
improper Use OF Mails

The federal court is in session
at jackson this week. Cases against
the federal laws are being tried.
J. N. Adams, of Weakley county.
was acquitted on the charge of
shipping dead birds in violation Of
the interstate commerce law.
A. F. Parish, of Carroll county,
was convicted Tuesday on the
charge of using the mails to de-
fraud. A motion for a new trial
was filed in writing yesterday. 1t
is charged that Parish sent a let
ter through the mails carrying
misrepresentation as to the incum-
brances on property that was later
sold.
Carroll County democrat. (Huntingdon, Tenn.) 188?-1971, 1917-04-27
Primary Called

The democratic judicial commit
tee of the Thirteenth Judicial cir
cult, at its meeting held in Hum
boldt last week, called a primary
election for Saturday, July 28,
with a run-off, August IL, in case
no cadidste gets a majority of all
the votes cast in the first primary.
A judge and attorney general are
to be nominated. So far Judge
T. &. Harwood, the present in
cumbent, has no opposition. The
names of John I. Peeler. Bate
Bond, G. G. Sherrod and r. j.
Jones are mentioned as candidates
for attorney general.