davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1917-12-28
LETTERS LEND HOPE
AVIATOR WALCOTT
MAYHAVEESCAPED

DR.. Charles d. Walcott, secretary
Of the Smithsonian Institution, who
has steadfastedly refused to believe
that his son, Benjamin Stuart Wal
colt. an American aviator was killed
when shot to earth behind the Ger
man lines in battle with three enemy
planes December u, today made pub
lie letters from his son which tend to
show that there is a possibility the
young Washington aviator was I'M
injured and taken prisoner.
The Red Cross, Mr.. Walcott said
today, will be the agency through
which he will try to ascertain his
sons fate.
In a letter in response to inquiries
from Chicago about Aviator Camp
bell. o. the Lafayette escadrille, Wal
colt wrote November Is as follows:
Was On Aerial Patrol.
Campbell was on patrol with an
other chap, and they attacked some
Boches. When il was through, the
other chap was alone. Campbell was
brought down in German territory
and so reported missing. Another
chap named Bullely was brought
down under similar circumstances
about the LIST of September. Ten days
aEp word was received that the
American embassy has been in COM
mf5nication with them and that they
were prisonefs in Germany. There
are many similar cases where men
bI Sught down with 4 crippled ma
chine or wounded, escape destruc-
tion by a miracle The only sure
thing is when a machine goes down
in flames or is seen to lose a wing
or two
ITS a lot OF sport to try to keep
with the air patrol, be behind the
chief OF patrol, see him disappear, and
then bump into a fog bank, a low
hanging cloud, and net be able TO
see a darn thing. Then dive down
out OF the clouds wondering whether
the other guy is right underneath or
not; shoot out OF the cloud and see
him, maybe, 500 yards away going
at right angles. Then bank up and
turn around fast and give her the gear
full speed to catch up. and so on.
See a Boche regulating artillery fire
start to maneuver into range and
zipi he's out Of sight in the clouds
and next you see he's beating it far
back into his own lines"
Hide and Seek in Clouds.
On November 80. waIcott wrote:
AN early patrol this morning
despite low clouds. Lots of fun il
was, ducking in and out of the
clouds, keeping from hitting the
other machines in the clouds and
from losing the patrols. Saw a few
Boches, but all they had to 90 was
slip out of sight as the patrol
approached. Every now and then
their anti-aircraft guns would blaze
away a bit, but there was lots of
room for them to miss, and for me to
leave the place they were shooting
at"
The Washington times., 1917-12-28

Will MeHenry, two loads from Hag-
erstown, Nd, G. /. Morgan, 20 head
from Maryland Charley McHenry 20
head from Maryland and Pennsylvania
4 Coal Carts, one-hOrse coal wagon
and a lot of harness. One two-ton
shute coal wagon.
Anyone needing a horse or mule
will do well by attending this sale
We sell all horses for high dollar. Any
body can be suited in this lot Of
horses, as they will weigh from 900
TO SEQ pounds.
Horses can be seen on Friday. so
local horses. Sale rain or shine. We
sell vehicles and horses on commits
sion. Telephone, Franklin 1895.
The Washington times., 1917-12-28

WEST IRVING ST., 81. CHEVY CHASE
MD.-One attractive double room and
single room with bath; adults; references
Cley. 702 In
The Washington times., 1917-12-28

WRIST wATCH-Gold. marked K. W. T.;
lost December q. between old Postofhce
building and Connecticut ave. and NJ st.
Finder will be rewarded II watch Is returned
10 l7i2 n Il eS
The Washington times., 1917-12-28
Hide and Seek i'm Clouds.
AUCTION SALES
McHENRY BROTHERS

l. a r G e auction
sale OF horses
and mules At our
stables, 216-2IS
18th street n. w,
Washington. d.
C. Saturday. De
cember %, at 10
o'clock a. m. as
head of fresh
country horses
and mules
The Washington times., 1917-12-28

IF the person who accidentally
exchanged suit cases when get
ting off last evenings c. & o.
train will notify me at once ! shall
be glad to exchange. Lieut.. w. J.
HUDSON, 2C6 Upshur st. Phone
Col. $780,. %
The Washington times., 1917-12-28
MONEY WANTED & TO LOAN

MONEY TO LOAN-t25O 10 $50 ~ on IA u
real estate. Several trust funds. AL IrAns
ton for borrowers.
wM. H SAUNDERS q CO..
Southern Building. sol 18th II. ". ".
MONEY 10 loan on furniture and pianoa 10
any suD frOm SIC 70 ti0o Address PEO-
PIES TRUST CO.. Rosslyn, Va LA
MONEY 10 LOAN on real estate: IoueGs
rates: prior payment privileges: laFUs
amounts. TYLER RUTHERFORD. az LA.
The Washington times., 1917-12-28
Furnished.

18th ST. N. W. sIzs-one heated furnish.
room; reasonable. =
The Washington times., 1917-12-28
BUSINESS ANNOUNCEMENTS
Second Hand Clothinr.

woRKINGAEN-A way will be found for US
TO get more trade. hustlsrs must know that
a store like this can and does sell for less;
low rent district and absence Of glare and
glitter: see US for slightly used suits and
ovsreoats S up. JUSTH'S OLD STAND,
6i9 ID. l-eS
The Washington times., 1917-12-28
ROOMS AND BOARD
If You Do Not Find You Want Columns Phone Main
$500 and Ask for MANAGER OF CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING
wanted-ROOms and Board.

ROOM and breakfast by young man, subiee
In apartment pr ferred: must be Convenient
70 Aunsey Bldg. BOX 10, Times office. -.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-26

did you cook this all by YOURSELF"
asked Kent.
Il did," / averred modestly.
From raw materials You found on
the islandi" supplemented Bopp.
Everything In it grew right here" I
explained.
TITS TootIes!" screamed Lucille, turn
ing pale and putting her bowl down on
the table.
ut can't be-" said Bopp, shifting.
This has decidedly fshy smell"
II know it" walled Lucille. with tears
coursing down her checks. That's
what makes me think it's Tootles. We
have been feeding her lots Of fish late
IT,"
j started to explain. Lucille, how
can you accuse me of such a thing?"
"You never liked Tootles. ! know it.
You cared more for your appetite than
for my little darling. Now see
through all the mystery about what the
food was and what you were doing all
the afternoon while l slept. I suppose
yos drugged me so that wouldn't hear
the poor little things screams. Oh,
mother! Oh, Tootlesl"
Lucille" I began, ~
Don't speak to me. ! don't even
want to see you again, you fat muir
derer."
That was too much. I might have
stood for being called a murderer, but
not a fat one.
Very well" l replied. IL certainly
will not be necessary for you to see me,
I will go, and assure you that I will
never enter your house again"
/ ! went to the door with as much dig.
nifty as / could assume.
"Goodby,' said as / opened the
door.
! There was no particular place to &C
and apparently no chance of leaving
the island before morning. anyway.
bethought me Of the lattice summer
house aud decided that it might not be
bad idea to take what shelter it at
forded.
After some difficulty found the
summer house and sat under its cheer
less shelter listening to the rain driT
Off from its roof on to the dead leaves
below while I reviewed my situation
had to admit that l could not be il
a much worse plight Lucille was
proud and would probably not apol
ogize to me any more than I would
retract my spoken VOW not 10 entel
her house again. Clearly my love at
fair was is bad way and required
healthy normal condition.
Meditatlng upon that and wondering
what could have happened TO Mrs
Green on the little island just souti
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-26

don't you? II you help me
Tn willing to cough up a couple of
dollars in real money, which is more
than my editor will be apt to stand for
in my expense account, but If you don't
I'll find out anyway, because it's way
/ have, and you'll probably be dis
charged for not catching me-"
But it seems to me that I have
caught you" I interposed mildly.
Hardly" he retorteC From the
glance / got at your figure when lit
the match ] should judge that you
could run a hundred yards in ten fat
minutes, that is-while | am some
sprinter. as you will have TO admit if
you watch me during the next few
seconds. l am Off
But he wasn't While he was talking
/ had taken the precaution Of moving
around between him and the door, so
that when he started to leave ] tripped
him neatly and sat on his chest This
is very effective type of jiujitsu for
a heavy set man to employ.
However, l couldn't sit on him all
night. For one thing I wanted to
sleep. Finally an ingenious scheme
/ solved my difficulty. l removed his
coat without unbuttoning it, which is
done by grasping firmly the two tails
! in the buck, one in each hand. and pull.
( ing sideWise. Treated il this fashion
even the most extensively made gar
ment will separate along the back seam
and may then be taken of from the
front. After I had the coat in my pos
session / tore it into strips, which
tied together and made a rope witt
which l bound his ankles and wrists.
When l had him all done lit a mattel
to make sure it was good job.
You'll be sorry for this" he growl
ed. Mrs Green has been abducted t
Huntingdon's island. and murdered b,
lake pirates Wont you let me go?
will save her. Remember, if you don
1 know what you look like and I'll pu
you In jail for assault"
at isn't customary" I commented
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-26

story, and there are few questions
want to ask and couple of photo
graphs want TO borrow. 1t looks fun.
ny for me to be prowling around at
this time of night but there's an old
crouch over at Green's who wouldn't
answer my questions over the tele-
phone, 50 bad to get boat to bring
me over"
'Umph!' I pretended to weigh his
case judicialiy. so You were going to
break into Mr.. Green's cottage TO ask
a few questions2 Well, l guess | can
answer any questions you want to ask
until the sheriff takes you in charge
Honest TO goodness, man. the re-
porter exclaimed, you take yourself
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-26
CHAPTER XIII.
Summer House ca utivs.

The Summer House Captive.
VwS HERE seemed 10 be nothing else
10 do, so / asked the telephone
operator to see II she could To-
cate the sheriff.
Il guess he's down TO the railroad
station" central volunteered. Its
most train time, andshe most usually
goes down there looking for a suspl-
cious character to get Off the north
bound passenger. III ask the agent
Il he's there"
She did, and he was, After a slight
delay ] found myself addressing a
strange voice, which l requested to
hold the wire. I turned the receiver
over 10 Lucille. She told the sheriff In
bfeathless haste that her mother had
been foully dealt with on Hunting.
don's island and offered him limitless
rewards TO capture her slayer.
rs there anything further we can
Dol? Lucille paced up and down the
room
Nothing but wait, dear" vida said.
I'm sure nothing serious has hap
peucd
Then why doesn't mother call up
aud tell us that she is ali rightT"
This was uuanswerabIe. No one
thought OF n sensible reason for keep.
Ing Mrs Green away from the tele-
phone.
owe had better do something to oc-
cupy our minds until we hear from the
sbor.T." Vida said, rising to the posi-.
lou OF commanding officer in the emer-
EeHcy
/ thought ~ my clans.
Come with me- ! exclaimed and
led the way toward the kitchen. ~
have O surprise for you
"You have found Tootlesw Lucille
was radiant
"No.' / replied. somewhat crestfall.
en-. Cor ] had again forgotten Tootles,
"but j have something for you to
eat"
Never have I been so popular rs
WAS at that mOment-that is. with all
but Lucille. | haven't said much about
our hunger because there is little tc
he cald II is practically imposSpl'
70 convey to the mind Of the well fec
reader what # means to miss man!
meals.
led them 10 the kitchen.
"What is it?' Bopp asked.
'If- q secret / replied mysterious
,y, investigating my kettle of CLANS
which. strange to relate, had not boiled
entirely away "Tn serve it 10 yoI
and then you can guess what II is."
! found a number tf bowls in tn,
pantry, and with porcelain dipper
lad.ed a goodly portion of clam broti
into each
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-26

Of us, gradually dozed of and slip
ped down to the floor.
My figure il not such, however, that
| rest perfectly on a fat surface. For
that reason my slumbers were uneasy
and troubled with dreams in which |
went through various fortunes OF the
irquisition, such as having my bones
broken on the rack and other medieval
variations Of the third degree.
My last nightmare was that Of being
blinded by redhot iron. Who was
it had that done to him? remember.
1t was Michael Strogoff, the courier of
the car. Shades of Jules yernel Any
way, it happened to me In my dreams,
and the burning sensation was SO Wv
i'd that awoke In terror.
Tootles was calmly licking my face.
/ suppose her tongue had rasped across
my eyes. / remembered having been
told that this method Of awakening q
sleeper was one Of her cutest tricks.
IT ever have dog Of my own I'm
going to spend lot of time teaching
him not to do this trick.
| was about to insist that the pup
rest somewhere besides on my head
and return TO my slunbers once more
when my attention was attracted by
slight noise outside. Some one was
cautiously approaching the summer
/ house. Who the dickens could be out
wandering about at that time Of night?
/ judged that it was about midnight.
! The person came nearer. Finally he
/ felt his way around to the door.
The latch was lifted, and some one
entered. sifsnced an impulse on the
part Of Tootles to welcome the in.
truder. The weight of the man who
was there not ten feet from me made
/ the floor boards sag as he walked
about. He was coming toward me.
For a moment he paused uncertainty
and then lit a match. In its light
discovered that he was tall, nattily
clad young man whom ! had never
seen before.
l imagine my surprise was infnites
imal compared to his. l was expecting
him, but he could not by any possible
chance have been prepared for q wide
awake, unblinking stranger staring al
him six feet away. For an instant
only IN instant, saw flicker of fea
in his eyes; then, disregardlug me, h
held the match to a cigar stub alread,
between his teeth and drew a long
1 deep puff.
When we were once more in dark
/ ness, save for the tip of his cigar, b.
said pleasantly. Good evening
waited 7 knew that the supersti
tious savage man way down in hi
heart was telling him that there wouI
not be any answer,
AT last I said with equal pleasant
ness. Good evening"
lie sighed with relief.
as this Green's cottage| he Fl
quired.
NO." l replied; "this is merely
shelter overlooking an especially I'm
view OF the lake. You win enjoy it
the morning"
ooh! Unfortunately I shall not
here. You, I presume, are taking ear
Of things fer Mr.. Green"
"Why, yes" I returned, perfect
willing thar he should take me for
night Waterman until I discoyere
what he wanted and how he got Their
y was going to Mr., Green's cottag
but since I have met you it will say
me the trouble"
Il imagine it will" / answere
grimly.
NOW wait 4 minute" he retortet
i Don't you jump at conclusions.
, haven't much time or l could explai
it all perfectly. I'm not a thief T.
newspaper man on the trail of a b
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-26

Remember the Location:
Rooms 301 and 800 Central
Trust Building. Third Floor.
Entrance to Building on Eigh-
fpenth street
The Washington times., 1917-04-18
national Waste.

Five years of drumming into the
public the tremendous wastes of FIRE
careIessness has apparently had little
effect. 1t probably will take war
such as the one into which the coun-
try is now plunged. with its measures
OF national economy, to correct waste
tuIness which has cost millions in
money and countless lives The AZ
tent of this waste is presented. graph
IcaIIy by the actuarial bureau OF the
National Board OF Fire Underwriters.
hich has just completed an investiga-
tions OF 100000 fires in the United
States. The report lays PA per cent
OF the bIazes to strictly preventable
causes. 3T.9 per cent to partially pre-
ventable causes and 40.7 per cent to
unknown causes. largely preventable.
For New York State IL places 21.T in
the strictly preventable class, 31.S in
the partly preventable class and 465
per cent from unknown causes. prob
ably largely preventable. II is an
other illustration of the notorious fact
that America saves at the spigot and
wastes at the bung. Fire prevention
and food economy In these days of ma
tional saving should go hand I'm hand
The Washington times., 1917-04-18
NEW D. C. Committeeman
Both consressmen Van Dyke and
prane Interested In City.

Two more additions to the House
District Committee Of Congressmen
personally interested in the welfare
of the National Capital were made to-
day by the Democrats Of the House
WAYS and Means Committee.
They are Congressmen Van Dyke
of st. Paul and Drane of Lakeland,
Fla.
Congressman Van Dyke Is "a Span
islr war veteran. and later was en-
pIoxed in the Government service in
Washington while he studied law.
He has been prominently Identified
with the movement toward increas-
ing the pay of Government employees
and bettering their working condi-
tions.
Congressman Drane is an insurance
man. and one of the best-known cit
rus fruit growers in Florida He has
served both In the house and senate
of the Florida legislature, and always
has been interested in Washington.
Congressman Smith of New York,
who was elected to succeed the late
Congressman Conry. and who has not
yet taken the oath of office, was
named a member OF the House For
eign Affairs Committee and OF the
Banking and Currency Committee.
The Washington times., 1917-04-18
INDICTED FOR PERJURY
virsInIan Alleged to Have Procured
License by Fraud.

A marriage license obtained by al
legged fraudulent statements was re-
sponsible for an Indictment for perjury
being returned by the District grand
Jury today against Joseph Hall. twenty
three years ol, of Catlett's. Va. who
wanted to marry Mary Dotson. the four
teen-year-old daughter Of John Dotson.
Of the same town.
Hall came to Washington April 4 and
obtained a marriage license for himself
and the Dotson girl. saying she bad
been eighteen years old the day previous
A few days later the father. by whom
Hall had been employed. came to
Washington. where he made an investi-
xtaion. with the result that when the
license was returned for cancellation
the matter was taken up by District
Attorney Laskey. and the indictment
followed. Mary Dotson said she did
not know Hall exer expected to marry
her,
Twenty-four persons were named In
the indictments returned today. most
Of them being charged with larceny
and house breaking.
The Washington times., 1917-04-18
war Time wheat Prices.

Scarcity, of cash wheat, coupled
with a heavy demand for flour, Is re-
sponsible for the reeord-breaking
price for modern times of the coun-
try's popular cereal, rather than spec
uIation, although of course the latter
has been a factor In the upward move
ment Wheat Is higher than most
optimistic bulls predicted last fall.
when IL was realized that small crops
of 1916 the world over would be re-
iected in gradually apprecfating
prices. while 1t IA much higher than
in any preceding war period except
in civil war days, when it reached
81, ,2s a bushel, and just following the
sass. At the time OF the war be
tween Russia and Japan May wheat
sold at 81 .21, and in 1909 at $1.34. In
the Spanish-American war q high OF
f1.S4 was recorded, although the
Letter corner had more to do with the
advance than the war. while in the
Crimean war q similar price was
touched. Two years after the battle
OF Waterloo II sold as high as S2.S5.
and in Revolutionary days in this
country and in the time of the Ma
poleonic wars excessive prices pre-
vailed. May wheat broke IL cents
yesterday on the speculative position
OF the market and on the announce
ment that Canada had placed the
staple on the free list, thereby open
ing its graneries to the United States
And proposed national control of
foodstuffs was a factor also.
The Washington times., 1917-04-18
THE LOCAL MARKET
WASHINGTON GAS PRINCIPAL
ISSUE IN TRADING TODAY
Capital Traction Somewhat
Easier, the Offering Price
Being Lowered to Eighty,
While Bid Price Was Three
Quarters Below That Figure.

Washington Gas was the principal
stock traded in at today's session of
the local exchange. a total OF sixty
five shares selling on a scale down
ward from 73 to 72h. The stock
closed with 72k bid and with the Of
fering TN.
Capital Traction stock was some
what easier, the offering price being
lowered to so while the bid price on
quotation lots was T9It. An odd lot
of twelve shares changed hands at
SOk. Mergenthaler Linotype Com
pany stock was weak, a ten-share lot
selling at 145, a loss of five points as
compared with the last previous sale.
The stock was offered at the close at
H5 u, with the best bid IA
Fifteen shares of Lanston, the other
type machine stock, sold at Il. as
compared with 20. the last previous
sale.
Bonds continued inactive and the
trend of prices was downward. Po-
tomac Electric Consolidated Us sold
at a new low for the current year,
at 90, only one 81 900 bond being sold.
Following this sale the bid price was
raised to 99&. while the asked price
was advanced to par. A $1,000 rail-
way at 70 was the only other bond
sale
The Washington times., 1917-04-18
SKPATRIOTS' DAY
RED CROSS GIVING
District Commissioners Urge
Public to Memorize Battle
of Lexington.

Setting aside April 10, the anniver-
sary of the battle Of Lexington, as
Patriots Day." the District Commits
sioners today issued to the citizens
OF Washington an appeal to aid In
the work OF the American Red Cross.
Following is the Commissioner
proclamatlon:
"To the People of Washington:
Tomorrow, April 10. is Patriots
Day, the anniversary of the Battle
of Lexington. On that day, 1776. a
handful OF American coIonists offered
armed resistance to oppression and
fred the first shot of a revolution
that brought modern democracy and
human freedom to the world.
To-day America Is a partner with
other freed people in a life struggle
to- preserve democracy and human
freedom to those who already enjoy
1t and to bring II to those who do not.
There is no more vital need OF
preparation for our part in the war
than a well equipped Red Cross and
there could be no more appropriate
celebration of Patriots Day. the an
niversary OF the battle of Lexington.
than the giving of our means for Red
Cross service
'sThe Commissioners of the Dis
trict of Columbia call upon the pa
triotic and loyal people OF Washing
ton to celebrate the day in such man.
ner, Only the few can serve in the
field. All can give that those who
serve may not needlessly suffer-.
The Washington times., 1917-04-18
EASTERN COAL MEN
ARE GIVEN HEARING
Representatives Of Industry
Appear Before Trade
Commission.

Representatives of the bltumInous
coal Industry from all of the Eastern
fields OF the United States appeared
before the Federal Trade Commission
today for hearing on, the commissions
investigation OF the bituminous coal
Industry.
The hearing was for the purpose Of
obtaining the general views Of these
men on the situation in the industry
and on the commissions investigation.
The inquiry was undertaken by the
Commission months ago and a long
field investigation was conducted by
a corps of Commission agents. Mem
bers of the Commission have some
questions to put to the coal men to-
day. but otherwise the hearing will
be confined to general statements on
the industry. on production, prices.
labor. freight rates and other factors.
The Commission Is checking up BIZ
luminous coal prices with costs OF
production and transportation. and
other charges, with q special veiw to
recently increased prices.