davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-22
w re were off duty that Christ
M mas eve in 1914. The 10Th
" " squad had found a shelter
in a LITTLE half demOliSheC

barn with the roof nearly shot away.
so that we could light a fire on the
earthen floor and send the wooden
cinders flying toward the stars.
We We're joyful, awaiting the sup
per hour. Meriadec, a Breton from
Fougeres felt Iris soul attuned to the
occasion, for while he peeled pota-
toes he hummed the old Christmas
songs of his birthplace.
Have you finished singing through
your nose all the songs of your grand
mother?" cried a railing Partisan TO
the sentimental Breton.
The former answered to the name
of Versepied. lie was the prototype or
the Partisan street wit. fun of per-
silage and solemn-featured irony.
glanced outside through the open door
of the barn and said:
"Ah! There goes Real.
''rhe grand duke. He's certainly a
lugubrious brd!'
The officer whom the Partisan thus
designated was an adjutant or forty
years, very tall. with blue eyes set
high in his head, and with face so
Uncomfortable that no one had yet seen
him crack smile. The twelve men
busy peeling the potatoes Joined in
the Parisians sally.
II bet that in civil life ne worked
in an undertaker's shop"
mo, he was in a brewery"
THE same thing either way-beer
or bier"
what a jokesmith Versepied Is"
"Without Joking, If we had had him
i'm our ranks we should have met
death in the trenches before we ever
got a chance to- go over the top"
Gle has queer way of leading
men,"
"A single gesture-then he runs
ahead. his head up, like bull going
into the arena"
HE has no fear-that citizen!
should say that he has great luck.
Tall as he is. ] am astonished that he
hasn't been laid low a dozen times.
I'm short. he is queer flsh--the
grand duke. He is more solemn than
an old woman's nightcap."
But does anybody know why?" said
a poilu who had taken no part in the
conversation up to now. ITO judge
the faults or conduct of a man you
must first know his motives" '
you talk like wisdom personified.
Hush. Here comes the captain
The captain, in fact. had just ap
peared at the door of the barn. fol-
lowed by an orderly carrying pack
ages i'm his arms
rs there any one here without
famtly?"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-22
By Jean Rochon.

border: Thanks to the assistance of
family acquainted with us, we were
able to escape and to reach Paris.
where we have good friends and have
been made very comfortable $50 :
I'VE should be happy now II we
ana not mourn my dear papa. who left
us on the first day Of the mobiliza-
,ion. We have had no news from
nun nm we, we nave never received any let
that he was killed in battle. Both OF
us arc very sorrowful
Mamma has put in the package all.
she could think Of to give You pleas.
ure ] have put in my dear papa's.
pipe. which l carried along with me
when we left home. He made ii him.
self. When you smoke it you will
think of him, too.
"A little French girl who wishes
you good cheer and good luck.
Our address is. Nine. Paul Real,
care Of Nine, Morcl. $50 bis Bouie-
ward Sebastopol. Paris"
"Reals," exclaimed the Breton
mere are some royal people left on
earth. (lteal means royal)
Look said a poilu. "nere comes
time" -.
The adjutant was returning up the
ROAD. ms race as melancholy as ever.
Nersepied made q single jump tA
pipe out of his mouth.
me adJutant bounced on him. .-''
Where did you get that pipe?"
The officers sharp tone scared
Nersepied. .-
"Adjutant" was all he could blub-
Der again. 20
II want you to tell me where you
got that pipe. Are you going to an
swer me?'
81 didn't get it anywhere. Some one
N n,,I 4, II, lNt
ter with 1t. Would you like to
read it,"
The adjutant took the paper which
the soldier handed him, and read 1T.
Gradually his emotion mounted, his,
FEATURES became tense, his eyes were.
clouded with tears. -
"Ah," he sighed. almost falling for
ward and embracing the astonished
Versepied. owe you the greatest:
JOY of my life. My wife. my little
Eva-I have FOUND them al last after
believing that they were dead. DO
you understand ia. Z,
Yes. l understand" sputtered- the.
trooper. But ] have received more
than a pipe. 4, There is d whole stack
OF good things to eat And 'if our.
adjutant Is willing to share our
Christmas eve we are there In the
barn-the men Of the 18th squad, :
shall be with you, At mhae,
hour?" 10. lr ~ Ia
at starts at g." n..,.' .lt, =
Count on me. And thank yeuiwitfl,
all my heart"
copyright, 1879
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-22
The Christmas Package

Yes captain" answered Versepied,
standing erect and at attention.
You are from Paris, believer"
Yes, captain"
''rhese packages have arrived. Give
him one" said the officer, turning to
the orderly.
Then. addressing the men, he added
Il am sorry. But l can give only
one package to each squad. | am sure,
however, that your comrade will share
with you his Christmas eve presents"
That is understood. Thank you, cap
tain,' ciied Verseped, exultantly
you must thank the person who sent
them. ! wish you joy, my children"
The package contained various eata-
bleS, which were carefully unwrapped.
Among them were sausage, some
ham, a pot OF pate de foie gras. some
boxes of lobster. sardines, chocolate.
biscuits and preserves, nuts, oranges,
apples, several punches of cigars and
of cigarettes.
"A hundred thousand devils." shouted
Nersepied "There Is enough here for
a wedding FEAST"
Then, noticing q little case tied with
rose colored ribbon. he opened it and
drew from it an object covered with
tissue paper.
Excuse me-" he said This ought
to be my personal property"
"Why so?" .tr'.
Yes, because it seems to me to have
'iS uii VI Il peISOIdl UclOHSluS. we
shall see. There is letter here from
my godmother. 1t will give us clue
to the mystery" f. l. 49,.
lie pulled out the letter Then he UNI
covered the present 1t was a pipe
And what pipe! A, beautiful piece
of briarwood, delicately and artistically
carved, with leather case and an ele-
giant amber mouthpfece
We'll! Well" exclaimed one Of the
comrades. You could not make a Pres
ent like that to Joffre. A gift of that
sort Is worth while"
Joker. don't you see that 1t is black
ened?"
Surely. But it's all the better for
that"
What is that written on it?"
1T began to grow dark. The five or
six men had to draw very close In or
der to decipher the letters cut with a
knife at the base Of the bowl.
Paul Iteal!'' one OF them exclaimed
Real" repeated a poilu. Perhaps it
Is relative of the grand dukes?"
"Or one of his namesakes?"
Let us read the letter first" said the
Partisan. gravely. after filing and light
ing his famous pipe:
Then he read aloud. :
MIR. Soldier: You don't know ME
land | don't know you. Therefore you
will have all the greater a surprise.
" am little refugee, ten years old.
Mamma and ] were sent away into
Germany the very. day Valenciennes
was invaded. We remained four
months in captivity In fhe grand
duchy OF Baden, very near the Swiss
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-22

something that had driven him rush
ing with outspread arms at the con-
stable that evening. began now to-
talk.
Help against Marcus! What could
he do against Marcus? Why Marcus
Mulhausen held him in the hollow
of his hand. Marcus held every one
his daughter. her husband, his own
son Julian. to say nothing of A. s..
Noles and others.
Jones stoned. with patient atten-
ton to all this. and when the other
had finished and wiped the palms Of
his hands on his handkerchief, said:
But all the same, Marcus is held
by the fact that he forms one of a
gang"
Voles made movement with his
hand
"Don't int errupt me. The head Of
a shark is the cleverest part Of it,
but it has to suffer with the body
when the whole shark is caught;
that's the fix Marcus is in. When
close on the lot of you, Marcus will
be the first to go into the jug, Now.
orders; they won't be hard.
What are they?"
You have got to write me a note.
whichNl will take to Marcus. telling
him the games up, the gangs burst,
and to deliver"
why d-n it. what ails yeuc" said
Voles.
What ails me?"
You aren't talking like yourself
YOU have never been like yourself
since you've taken this line"
Jones felt himself changing color.
In his excitement he had let his
voice run away with him.
ut doesn't matter a button whether
I'm like myself OF not" said he.
you've got to write that note, and do
1t now while ! dictate" ~
Voles drummed, on the desk with
his fingers. then he took sheet of
paper and an envelope from a drawer.
Well" said he. what is it to be?'
Nothing alarming" said the other.
Just three Words-'Its all up'-how
do you address hin?"
Without reply Voles wrote.
Dear NJ.
Its all up
That'll do" said Jones. Now sign
your name and address the envelope
Voles did so.
Jones put the letter in his pocket.
WE'LL" said he. that ends the bust
ness l hope. with this, and what I
have to say to him. Marcus will part.
and as I. say, If things turn out as I
hope, maybe I'll right your losses-I
have no quarrel with you-only
Marcus"
For Gods sake" said he. "mind
how you deal with that chap. He's
never been got the better of. curse
him. Go cautiously"
you never fear" said Jones.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-22
BY H. De We're Stacpoole

mouth. He rushed to the door and
locked it. while Mulhausen, scream
ing like woman. reached him and
clutched him by the shoulders.
Then. swiftly turning, Jones gripped
the financier by both arms and held
him so, chewing, chewing, chewing.
mute and facing the shouting other
one.
They We're hammcring at the door
outside. Mr. Aaronson and the clerks.
useless people for breaking down.
door purposes. were assisting their
employer with their voices-mainly;
the whole block of officers was raised,
and boys and telephones were sum-
moning the police.
Meanwhile. Jones was chewing. and
the bill was slowly being converted
into what the psychologist terms
bolus. 1t took three minutes before
the bolus. properly salivated and
raised by the tongue, passed the an
terror pillars of the fauccs. then the
epiglottis shut down. and the bolus,
slipping over it and seized by the
muscles of the esophagus, passed to
its destined abode.
Jones had swallowed Rochester's
past. or at least most important
part of it. The act accomplished, he
sat down as boa constructor recoils
itself, still gulping. Marcus Mulhau-
sen rushed to the door and opened it.
vast policeman stood before him,
behind the policeman crowded Mr..
Aaronson and the clerks. and behind
these a dozen or two of the block
jewellers, eager for CORY sights at
distance
Marcus looked round.
whats all this?" said he. There
is nothing wrong, just a little dis
pute with a gentleman 1t is all
over-Mr Aaronson, clear the office.
Constable here is two shillings for
your trouble. Good day"
lie shut the door on the disappoint-
ed crowd and turned to Jones'.
The battle was over
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-22

Sure"
Jones rubbed his stomach and
laughed.
"wen. WE'LL" said the solicitor with
curious acquiescence and want of as
tonishment after the first momentary
start caused by this surprising state
ment. I'VE have the property back,
that's the main thing"
You remember" said Jones. 81
talked to you about letting that
place"
carlton House Terrace"
"Yes-well, that's off, I've made
good. DO YOU see?'
"M-yes," replied Collins.
TN have enough money now to pay
off the mortgages and things"
"Undoubtedly," said Collins. but.
now, don't you think it would be a
good thing if you were to tic this
property up. SO that mischance can't
touch it. You have no children. it is
true, but one never knows. Honestly,
l think you would be well advised if
you We're to take precautions"
Don't worry" said Jones brightly.
I'll give the whole lot tony wife
That's good hearing" replied the
other Then Jones took his departure.
leaving the precious documents in the
hands of the lawyer.
He was elated He had proved the
facts which he had only guessed by
the weakest person in the world be-
fore a plain daler. il the plain dealer
has a weapon in his hand. The almost
instantaneous collapse of Voles and
Mulhausen was due TO the fact that
they stood on rotten foundations. He
told himself now as he walked along
homeward that he need not have
eaten that document Mulhausen
would never have\used it. If he had
just gone out and called in a police
man, Mulhausen, seeing him in earn
est, would have collapsed.
However, the thing was eaten and
done with and there was no use in
troubling any more on the matter.
He had other things to think of. He
had made good. He had saved the
recaptured one million, eight thous-
and pounds, reckoning that the coal
bearing lands were worth n million,
and, more than that. he was sane
man. able to look after what he had
recaptured.
The Rochester family, if,they knew,
would have no cause to grumble at
the interloper and the substitution of
new brains and push in the place of
decadence, greatness and sloth. The
day when he had changed places
with Rochester was the best day that
had ever dawned for them.
He was thinking this when all of a
sudden that horrible. unreal feeling
he had suffered from once before,
came upon him again. This time it
was not IA question of losing his iden-
tity, it was a shuttle of his own taxed
brain between two identities. Roch-
ester - Jones - Jones Rochester 1t
seemed to him for the space of a
couple OF seconds that he could not
tell which of those two individuals
he was, then the feeling passed and
he resumed his way. reaching Carl
ton House Terrace shortly after 6.
He gave his hat and cane and
gloves to the turnkey who open d
the door for him--he had obtained a
latch-key from Church that morn
ing.> but forgot to use it-and vas
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-22
CHAPTER XIV.
The Attack (Continued).

Jones had already obtained Marcus
Mulhausen's address from the in
valuable Kelly.
Mulhausen was a fnancier. A
nnancier Is a man who makes money
without trade or profession, and
Mulhausen had made a great deal of
money. despite this limitation, during
his twenty years of business life.
which had started humbly enough
behind the counter of a, pawnbroker's
In the Minories.
His offices were situated in Chan
Gerry lane. They consisted of three
rooms: On outer waiting room, a
room inhabited by three clerks--that
is to say, a senior clerk, Mr. Aaron
son, and two Northumberland an
inner room, where Mulhausen dwelt.
Jones on giving bis name. was
shown at once into the inner room,
where Mulhausen was seated at his
desk
Mulhausen was man of sixty or
so. small. fragile looking. with gray
side whiskers and drowsy heavy
lidded eyes.
He nodded to Jones and indicated
a chair. Then he finished his work.
the reading of letter. placed IT
under an agate paperweight, and
tut ned to the newcomer.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-22
CHAPTER XVI.
A Wild Surprise.

At o'clock that day the transfer
ence of the property was made out
and signed by Marcus Mulhausen in
Mortimer Collins office, and the Clan
afwyn lands became again the prop
erty of the Earl of Rochester-"for
the sum of $4,000 received and here
with acknowledged" said the docu-
nent.
Needless to say no five thousand
pounds passed hands. Collins. mysti-
fled, asked no questions in the pres
ence of Mulhausen. When the latter
had taken his departure. however, he
turned to Jones.
Did you pay him five thousand?"
asked the lawyer.
Not a cent" replied the other
We'll, how have you worked the
miracle, then?'
Jones told
You see how I had been coopered,"
finished he. well, just as I was go
ing to grab the kitty he played the
ace of spades-produced an old docu-
ment he held against me-
"Yes?"
Il pondered for a mOment-then 7
came to"a swift conclusion-took the
doc from him and ate it,
You ate the document"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-22
Author of The Gold Trail"
and "Sea Plumber"

crossing the hall when strain of
music brought him to halt. The
tones of a piano came from door
on the right, Some one was playing
Chaminade's "Valse Tendre," and
playing it to perfection.
Jones turned to the manservant. h
'Who is that" he asked.
ut is her ladyship, my lord; she
arrived half an hour ago. Her lug-
gage has gone upstairs"
Her ladyship.
Jones. thrown off his balance, hesI-
tated for Il moment-N hat ladyship
could it be? Not surely, that awful
mother.
He crossed to the door. opened it,
found Il muse room, and there, seatr
. ed at Il piano, the girl of the Nic-
toria.
She was in outdoor dress and had
not removed her hat. II
She looked over her shoulder at
him as he came in; her face wore a
half smile, but she did not stop play
ing. Anything more fascinating,
more lovely, more distracting than
that picture it would be hard to
imagine.
AS he crossed the room she sYd.,
round on the music stool.
I've come back" said she. "Ju ,Ju,
I couldn't stand it. You are bad, but
you are lot, lot better than yours
mother-and Venetia. I'm going to
try and put up with you bit longer
Ju.Ju. what makes you look so stiff
and funny?"
~ don't know" said Jones. passing
his hand across his forehead. I've
had a hard day" She looked at him
curiously for moment, then plying
ly, then kindly.
Then she jumped up. made him sly
took her seat beside him. -
Then she took his hand
fool?"
Il don't know" said Jones.
hama o esteas Or tine sts
He dared not look at her. just sat
staring before him.
\"They told me all about the coal
NINE" she went on-"at least Venetia
d ni-Wsn. how they all bullyragssd
Venetia waggled that awful gobbly-
Jick head of hers while she was tell.
ing me--they're mad over the loss OF
that coal thing-oh. Ju-Ju. I'm SO
glad you lost it. It's wicked. I sup-
me come back. the way they went
on about you. I listened and listened
and then broke out. l said all I've
wanted to say for the last six months
how you came home the other night:
7 said nothing then. just listened and
stored 1t up. Then. last night, when
they all got together about the coal
mine I went on listening and storing
1t up. Blurders was there. as well
as your mother and Venetia. Blun-
ders said he had called you an ass
and that you were. Then 7 broke
out. I said a whole lot of things
well. there it is. So came back
there were other reasons as well
don't want to be alore. want To
he cared for-I want to be cured
for-when ! saw you in Bond street.
day--I-I-I-Ju-Ju. do you
care for me?"
ITO be continued next Sunday.) =
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1918-08-02
MARRIED MEN To
GO IN CLASS ONE
If WIVES WORK
Local Board Receives Order
For sification; Ban
On Enlistment Lifted

Married men of military age who
were given deferred classification on
the ground of having dependent
wife but whose wives are earning a
salary. are to be reclassifed by the
local board and placed in Class 1, ac.
cording to an order from the adju-
tant generals Office received here
Wedneday morning.
The order is wOrded as follows: "If
registrant has a wife, but no chill
dTen and there are such other sources
OF support available that the removal
of the registrants will not deprive the
wife of reasonably adequate support
he must go in Class l."
Another order was received which
tends to raise tire restriction recently
placed upon enlistments of registrants
In the navy and marine corps. This
ruling provides that men in deferred
classificatios may be permitted to en-.
list in case their classification would
not place them within the current
quota of the board.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1918-08-02
PALMYRA.

PALMYRA, July 30-Mrs. Richard
Roberts has gone for few days Wis.
1t with relatives at Cleveland and
Oberin
Mr.. and Mrs. Andrew Weller are
taking trip through indiana.
Mr.. and Mrs. Weldon Kinney and
son, Forrest, and Miss Agnes Auten
of Ralston, who have been spending
a lew days with the family, have mo.
tOred to Akron for. the weekend.
Miss Cleo Woodward is spending
the week at Newark
Mr.. and Mrs. Arthur Rifer and fam.
lily and Mr.. and Mrs. Edward Rifer
and family of Danville spent Sunday
with Mr. and Mrs. George ShultZ.
Miss Olive Kinney entertained a
number of girl friends Thursday af-
ternoon with Mary Jane party. The
girls were dressed as children, played
children's games and enjoyed refresh
ments especially palatable to chill,
dren.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1918-08-02
BR|NKHAvEN

Sylvester Purdy and family Of Still.
we'll visited with II. II. Fendrick and
family Sunday.
Mrs. w. w. Slate of Buckeye City
visited with her parents, Mr. and Mrs.
Osborn Hibbets, Sunday.
Mrs. Irwin Forbing returned Satur-
day from Phoenix, Ariz, where she
had been spending the winter and
summer.
Mr.. and Mrs. Earl Pipes and fam.
lily of Akron spent Sunday with Mr..
and Mrs. Edward Pipes.
Mrs. w. Purdy of Killbuck visited
Sunday with Clyde Parsons and fam
lily.
The Brinkhaven ball team will
cross bats with the Utica ball team
here Sunday.
Mrs. A. b. Condor and children
spent few days last week In Orr.
vile.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1918-08-02
HAPPY VALLEY

HAPPY VALLEY, July 3O-Charles
Cochran and Harold Davis visited
Clarence Brown Sunday.
Mrs. w. o. Gates spent Sunday
evening with Henry Brown and fam.
lily.
Mrs. Mary Mumaw and family
spent Sunday with Charles Davis and
family
II. B. WOolison and family spent
Sunday in Brinkhaven with Robert
Lewis and wife.
Miss Grace Brown returned to her
home, after visiting in Brinkhaven,
Monday
Miss Alice M. Brown left for Brink
haven Monday where she will visit
her sister Ada Brown.
Misses Edna and Alice Brown were
in Danville Saturday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Francis Swank spent
Sunday afternoon With his mother,
Mrs. Harry DEEMS of Mt Vernon.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1918-08-02
Don't Let Catarrh Drag
You into Consumntion

sprays inhalers, atomizers, jellies
and other local applications.
y. 3. y. has proven most satisfac-
tory remedy for Catarrh because 1t
goes direct to its source, and re-.
moves the germs of the disease from
the blood. Get a bottle from your
druggist today, and begin the only
logical treatment that gives real re-
suits. You can obtain special medical
advice without charge by writing to
Medical Director, q Swift Labora-
tory, Atlanta, Ca.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1918-08-02
GREER SLIGHTLY
HURT In SMASHUP

A man giving his name az Greer
was slightly injured Tuesday when a
machine with s. B. Cunningham and
George Edwards as its occupants,
struck Greer's machine. south of Mt.
Liberty, upset 1t and pinned him be.
meath II. When caught and brought
before Squire llarter, the two men
agreed to pay for The damage and the
costs.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1918-08-02
MCDOWELL CHANGES
PLEA TO GUILTY; IS
FINED BY WILKINS

William Mcdowell of Union town.
ship. who pleaded not guilty in the
probate court several days ago to q
charge of selling liquor illegally, ap-
peared Monday before Judge Wilkins
and changed his plea to that of gull.
ty. He was fined $l25 and costs and
returned to jail pending the compile.
tion of arrangements for the payment
of the fine.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1918-08-02
CRANMER LIKES
THE ARMED GUARD

James Cranmer, who Is now aboard
the u. s. S. Minnesota out of Fortress
Monroe, thinks that the armed guard
In which he Is member Of the 18th
Division, Is very suitable branch OF
the navy, according to a letter receiy.
ed from him by his brother, Paul
Cranmer, Wednesday
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1918-08-02
QUARTERLY CONFERENCE,
MT. VERNON CIRCUIT OF
m. p. CHURCH, SATURDAY

The last quarterly conference of
the Mt. Vernon Circuit OF the M. p.
church will be held ut 1880 o'clock
Saturday afternoon at the Y. M. G. A,
Farewell services will be held at
Liberty chapel beginning at $3.50 in
the morning and continuing until 4:30
O'Clock In the afternoon.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1918-08-02
Avoid fts Dangerous Stage.

There Is Q more serious stage Of
Catarrh than the annoyance caused
by the stopped-up air passages, and
the hawking and splitting and other
distasteful features.
The real danger comes from the
tendency Of the disease to continue
its course downward until the lungs
become affected, and then dreaded
consumption is en- your path. Your
own experience has taught you that
the disease cannot bs cured by