davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1918-02-13
Sounds From Behind the
Curtain.

The old man began TO talk. Tc
n.otioned to Lillian, who placed Is
Their exactly in front Of the table
facing the curtain. The girl tried
10 listen to what he was saying, but
she only vaguely conscious that he
Vas repeating greater length
WAT Lillian had already told her. 1t
appeared that her signature was re-
Uuired once more to a document set
ting forth that she would make no at
Tempt to investigate further into the
proceedings Of that night, that she
would not marry unless notified OF
her Telease-and so on, and so on.
How could Esther listen or apprcci-
{ te what was said when her attention
vas distracted by strange sounds
from behind the curtain?
It was the tramping of feet which
she heard Up and down-up and
down, now far away, now so close
10 the curtain that the sound OF
heavy, stertorous breathing fell on
her ear. She figured two men lead
ing a third, for there was something
about the third football that made
il distinct from the others. 1t was
like the shuffing of heavy thing
along the floor, hardly intermittent,
hardly human, yet undoubtedly
caused by the feet of a living crea-
ture. Once too, she heard whispers.
and a strange growing voice re
sponded, and once again, as the old
man talked, it seemed to her that
the curtain was drawn slightly aside
gnd a pair of fierce eyes were fixed
The Washington times., 1918-02-13
For Dear Life.

II was wonder how they reached
the house, "a wonder TO which Is
Their, when she thought over the
events of this terrible night, hardly
found an adequate explanation. The
road was practically impossible, ow-
ing to the bushes and hriJrs with
which it WAS ovcrgrowm, though it
WAS just po-s.b!c--as proved 10y
the result to force Il passage
through the maze.
The pace was unavoidabIy slow.
and sometimes it was necessary to
stop altogether. terrible moments
during which Esther would stand
up, facing round 50 a., at least, not
to be caught auawarcs. 10 str.he
with her pIuy fist or TO spring out
and seek refuge in the long grass.
She Grained her eyes Though tho
blackncss her veil had long ago
The Washington times., 1918-02-13
some bird OF prey.
A Cold Fear Encompassed
Her.

Esther stood, her eyes rIveted
upon the horrid thing. She felt LII
lian's grasp upon her hand inten-
sified, also that her fricnd-she still
believed in Lillian's friendship in
spite Of all that was happening-had
drawn nearer, as II to support hcr
in case of need. The woman was
shudderinG with a cold fear which
thrilled Esther's fingers like an cleo
trio current and aggravated her
sense Of danger; II Lillian, who knew
and understood, was so intensely
moved, surely the terror which those
curtains concealed was real, maliC-
nant, and If not kept under control
Oh, heaven, what did It mean
Esther, heaIthy-minded and wholly
natural, could not believe In the
reality Of what she saw. Her brain
refused to accept #, and for a mo-
ment she felt once more that this
must indeed be an awful nightmare,
or that her senses had heen so
wrought upon by what she had
undergone that they were no longer
acting normally.
Still, there it was, the projected
claw that held a pen and wrote jerk
lily and hesitatingIy upon the paper;
there was the black and hairy arm
protruding from a loose sleeve, the
cramped fingers with the pendant
folds of flesh between them. the long.
curved nails that bent inwards and
scratched the document as they
rested awkwardly upon it. The
solicitor by the table moved a little
as if to interpose himself between
Esther and the horror, aid SO cut off
her view, but he was too late; she
bad seen. He glanced nervously at
Ter over his shoulder. The palIid-
faced clergyman, too, coughed and
changed his position as if to attract
attention TO himself. Esther looked
at him, anxious to know if he shared
The common terror, and it seemed 20
her that, white-haircd though he was
he was no old man, as she at first
thought him. He mct her glance, a
quick light springinC into his hollow
cycs, and he muttcrcd some in
definite words-sh thought they were
meant TO be consolatory-thcn he
The Washington times., 1918-02-13
One More Formally.

Eve Will 60 very soon now, dear,
continued Lillian, soothingly, but
there Is one more formality to be
gone through first. You must keep
Up your courage till that is over"
She rose from her seat. Come,
Esther. Trust me as you have done
all along. Believe me, am as
anxious as you to be seated in the
car on our return journey" = There
was fear in her voice, though she at
tempted to conceal it.
Esther clenched her teeth and rose.
What course was open to her but to
obey? She followed Lillian silently.
A grassy slope, with no interven-
ing shrubbery. lay between the
church and the house. The two wo-
mon vent up it. and in reply to a
call Of "Come," entered a room
through large open window.
But half Of the room was visible.
The rest was curtained of by heavy
damask hangings that were were
suspended from the ceiling and close
l. united in the center. The floor
vas uncarpeted, the oaken boards
rotted and unsound. The hall was
heavily wainscotted in oak. and the
half of a massive fireplace was visi-
h.a on the exposed side Of the cur
tain. Aunorial bearings covered the
wall; Esther recognized the griffin
constantly repeated. One or two
faded portraits hung dejectedly, and
mere was an armored figure on a
mall platform close TO the hearth.
Except for a small square table
placed directly against the center Of
'.sa curtain. and covered with papers,
;acre was no furniture. A man whom
Esther had not yet seen, an old
" zened man, gray Of hair, and
wearing a pair of heavy gold spec;a-
de-, turned from the table as the
wcmcn entered the room. The cler-
C,Inan-it was he who had called
stood beside him. but the other two
mon had vanished.
The Washington times., 1918-02-13
God Help Us If the Gates
Are Shut.

Esther obcycI. and her shriIl
voice rang out above the painting
moan of their Pursucr. How close
to them it sounded now. that moan
surely at the foot Of the hill
but she would not turn her head
Luke, Luke"
God help us II the gates are
shut, but no no - that cannot
be-
They had reached tho gates.
There stood the old man. Luke. APP
parcntly in the act of closing them
or attempting to do so.
Luke! Luke! We arc pursued.
lie is after US close behind. For
Gods sakc-hclp--hclp,"
The old man looked up. heard
and saw. With a frantic yell he
turned from the gates and ran into
the house. Then came the sound of
the closing and barring Of doors.
"The coward the coward! lie
has deserted US"
The car swept in at the partially
closed gates, narrowly escaping a
collision that would have brought
the chase to an end.
"To the house as best VIC can.
1t is the only chance" Lillian
shouted the words in Esthcr's ear.
The car plo"ed bravcly into tine
ncttlc- grown avenue. II rocked an
swaycd ominoU-ly The terror WAS
close behind Them NOW
The Washington times., 1918-02-13
Part One-(Continued)

In the porch Lillian came up with
Esther, who had stopped from sheer
helplessness and inability to act &C
cording to her own violition.
-Esther-what are you
doing? Why did you run away like
this? Have you forgotten your
promise
81 saw saw" gasped the girl,
her breath coming with difficulty.
what did you see?" Lillian drew
the trembling figure to her side and
whispered endearing words.
THE man to whom / have been
married. saw the dress he was
wearing. Oh" she gave a low cry
of pain-"am the wife Of convict
"a criminal? Is that what you have
done for me?"
And II it were true?" returned
the other gently, patiently. mind
you, do not say it is true. Tonlghts
mysteries must remain / .ysteries to
YOU. But even if it were true, what
could it matter? Your part was mere
lyto 60 through the ceremony ofmar-
rage with an unknown man. None
is to know that you are a wife, nor
will you be asked to see your hus-
hand again. That ring"-Esther was
turning it uneasily upon her finger
you can throw it away-nOw, if YOU
please. Don't you see Esther? Con-
vict-criminal-whateverh he may be
your husbands position cannot af'
feet your future. You will hear nc
more Of him unless you are released
by death.
The Washington times., 1918-02-13
The Courage of Despair.

Luckily for the quarry, too. the
avenue was Of no great length. For
before they reached the clear space
in front Of the house they ran into
dense mass Of underground. and
their further progress was offectu-
ally stayed. Esther spvaug up-as
she had done beforehand this time
sound Of breaking branches. Of
tramplcd vegetation. came to her
from far down the avenue.
He is following US" she cried
desperately. Il can hear him
trampiug the wood. We are lost. "
With the courage of despair she
faced the coming danger.
We must run" gaspCd Lillian.
The car will not move. But We
arc AZ the end Of the road, and If
the door is open there may vet be
time. Jump down for your life and
follow nc"
As she spoke she spranC from
the car AND. dividing the bushes
with hcr hands. sped through. Es-
Their followed. She ran rs she had
never run. Tho gaunt crecpcr-cov-
cred pile that doomed huge through
the darkness invited now even as ii
had repealed before. There was
safety behind those grim walls; all
the indefinite ghosts which her
brain had created were as nothing
to the living, breathing horror
which she could figure painting be
hind her, its great arms outstrctch-
cd. the hooked claws gripping for
her neck - nearer -- nearer. She
screamed as she ran.
They reached the door, and tho
door stood open. Neither Of them
paused 10 question why. As they
.rosScd the threshold Esther turned.
inpcl!rd by some instinct she could
not withstand.
Look look" she murmurcd.
family.
At the far end Of the quondam
lawn. emerging from the bushes
which they themselves had passed,
appeared the weird form Of their
pursuCr. lie seemed hut a black
shadow. like that thrown by one Of
the trees. but he quickly separated
himself from these and spranE into
bold relief. His arms were extend
cd before him as Esther had pic
turcd them, and he advanced with
long, jcrky strides, as if his limbs
were not wholly under control. For
an agonized moment she Cazcd
spellbound. fascinated.
Come ir-arc You nad?' Ii
liam TOOK her -uu~hly br the "~m
and dragged her into the dark hIli:
.hcu sNc ru;rhIy shot 81 holt 1ni
turned heavy key. God preserve
The Washington times., 1918-02-13

upon her. She clutched Lillian
hand tightly, and felt a response to
the pressure. But her lips were
dry, and she could not have
screamed out even had she wished
to do so.
kindly sign here" said the old
man, and Esther took the pen and
approached the table. Then she
.hesitated.
What Name Shall I Sign?"
What shall sign-what name?"
she knew she spoke, but hardly heard
the words.
shut your eyes and will guide
your hand" Lillian was by her
side. Mechanically she obeyed and
mechanically she traced a name
upon the paper, answering to the
guiding pressure.
Thank you. You understand
that in return for this YOU will re-
ceive $4,000 a year, paid quarterly,
for as long as you may live. Our
bank shall be instructed to that eff
feet tomorrow"
1t all sounded so formal, so mat
ter-of-fact, so terribly at variance
with the surroundings.
May l go now" Esther felt that
her limbs would hardly support her
for another minute. Those terrible
footsteps had halted and she knew
that the thing-whatevc it was
stood directly behind the curtain.
She could hear the labored, inhuman
breathing.
Il need another signature 10 this
paper first" said the solicitor, and
as he spoke he placed the document,
with a pen by its side, close to the
point where the curtains met Esther
fixed her eyes in terror of appre-
hension upon this spot. The curtain
shook, then divided slightly, and a
dTaped arm was protruded and fling
ers seized the pen. Esther saw no
signature written. Her eyes we're
fixed upon the misshapen horror of
those fingers, black and talon-like,
the nails curved like the claw OF
The Washington times., 1918-02-13

been rent from her face by clinging
brambles-she strove to listen for
the sound of their pursuer's painting
breath, but she could neither see
nor hear anything. Was it for the
mist of fear before her eyes? She
had heard the terror close behind
them when they swung through the
park gates, then a bend in the ave-
nue. and the masscd bushes must
have served to conceal them.
Why had it not followcd-why?
\ few more such PAGES as she had
witnesses when the pursuit began
and they must have been in its
power. Even Lillian had screamed
IN impotent rage as the cOwardly
old lodge keeper had barred his
door against them, giving herself
up for lost, seeing no prospect of
forcing 4 way through the disused
avenue. Then came a respite.
Why? 1t was not till latcr-when
she had time to thipk-that Esther
figured the creature pausing in its
mad chase and hammering futilely
at the door of the lodge. Whatever
it was, it could not be half-wittcd,
and the sound of voices, of the clos
ing door. may have added to its
rage and turned it in its fury
against the new opposition. Per-
haps it had wandered, moaning its
uncarthly moan, round the lodge
seeking an ingrczs. But whatever
the cause certain it was that for a
few minutes the hunter abandoned
itz Drey
The Washington times., 1918-02-13
For Gods Sake Let Me
Co."

For Gods sake, let mc GO" IT
was Esther who spoke first.
"Directly''-thc man by the table
had resumed his ang-froid-"thcre
was no cause for alarm"
"Oh, never mind-nevcr mind
cried the girl in desperation. 81 don't
want to know don't want to hear
any more-never mind the papers
or the money-only let me 20. |
won't speak-not a world swear it
but / can't stand any more--in-
deed, cannot" She chung TO Lii
Ian and sought to draw her toward
the door. Come, come" she cried
franticalIy.
81 only wish YOU to understand
this" continued the man, unmoved;
when you have heard me you may
20. In three days time you must
call on Messrs. Black and they will
confirm what | have told you. So
YOU will be well paid for all you
have done-well paid. But, remem-
Der, keep your own counsel. We do
not depend upon legal documents,
though"-he held up those in his
possession-"it has been necessary
for our own purpose to obtain these
signatures. IF you should fail in
YOUR part Of tho contract you will
be in danger-in great dangcr-you
understand me-"
81 understand" faltercd Esther.
Her fear had allowed her to pay but
scant attention to his words.
Good" He gathered up the
papers. Then VIC need not detain
YOU any longer" His voice WAS
Thoroughly busincsslike. It WAS as if
he was Diminishing a client from his
dice in the busy part Of the day. 81
wish you a prosperous future, Miss
Vassell, and congratulate you on
YOUR accession to a comfortable in
come" He bowed slightly, as did
the priest, but Esther paid no heed.
She staggered to the door, followed
quickly by Lillian. The two women
passed out into the night, and the
wind which mOaned around the i'll
omencd house cut their faces; Esther
welcomed the pain of it. for it was
something natural, something which
she understood.
Lillian turned and shook her fist
at the house. "Mav YOU never come
back to it, Esther" she whispered.
when Shall I AWake?"
1t was necessary in order 10 avoid
The Washington times., 1918-02-13
when Shall 1 Awake?"

II was necessary in order 10 avoid
The -hr'Ihhcry To make a iOn- d"tour
around The house. Lillian had PRO-
The Washington times., 1918-02-13

drown it-an Intellectual effort.
This held up the smallest pa
per-"is the order upon which
Messrs. Black will act, and you VIII
find, Miss Vassell. that they will place
the sum OF $3.50 to your credit every
quarter. You will understand that,
owing TO the peculiar nature Of the
case, you must trust me to see the
matter settled for YOU. We, OF
course, are trusting TO your silence
over all that has happened tonight
he paused once more, his lace
puckered into an ugly frown, as
there came from behind the curtain
The sudden sharp sound of man S
voice, followed by 4 low muttcring
growl, like and yet unlike that of
dog. It was soft and restrained at
first, but it gathered strength; 1t
was a snarl which told of uncovered
fangs; it was a yelping bark which
threatened intelligibly; then, follow
ing the slashing whirl Of a whip, it
became a howl of rage. unatterably
hideous, like nothing human.
Fools, fools" cried the lawyer,
paling as he stood, and clutching at
the table before him. Esther, pant
ing with fear, fell back, and Lillian
seized her around the waist. The
swinging thong struck and struck
again; the howl became a moan of
pain, gibbering words went up, in
distinct, but with n CHASTITY sugges-
ton Of humanity; then the rotten
boards shook as if under a heavy
weight, a door slammed noisily. and
all was silent. The silence of those
tense moments was more terrible
than any sound.
The Washington times., 1918-02-13

turned away once more.
The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1918-08-22

= The Herald is not attempting to
dictate to any man how to vote, but
we are doing what we conceive to be
our duty in telling the people who
the best men are and giving our rea-
sons for that belief. We know that
many of our readers are not acquaint-
ed with various candidates, and glad
" welcome information. We have
always stood for certain principles in
political affairs, and will continue to
do so as long as the paper is own
ed as at present. We have opposed
certain men because of their public
acts, and will continue to advise our
people as we think best for their in
.terests. We shall never try to DIG
tate, but shall endeavor to turn on
all the light so that the voters can
cast their ballots intelligently and for
the best interests of our State and
nation. No man can say this paper
ever supported man or policy which
was not in line with the above.
The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1918-08-22
POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT
CONGRESSMAN BYRNES BEFORE
LEAVING FOR WASHINGTON
ISSUES STATEMENT.

To the voters of Bamberg county:
The congressional campaign has
closed. l have attended every meet
ing arranged for the congressional
candidates in this district, and the
charges made against me by my
three opponents l think / have sue
cessfully answered:
Now that the campaign is over |
warn my friends against the circula-
tion of eleventh-hour campaign stor-
les. Inasmuch as believe in fight
ing fair l do not intend to make any
charges against my opponents other
than those made in their presence
at the campaign meetings, and l do
not want my friends to make any
against them. If any additional
charges are made against me, by my
enemies, l think you will agree with
me that they should have been made
while the meetings were on, and l
had opportunity to answer; and the
fact that they were not made at that
time should be sufficient evidence of
their untruthfulness.
CONGRESS after a four weeks re-
cess reconvened Monday and l have
returned to Washington to be present
during the consideration of the bill
proposing a change in the ages Of the
draft law from Is to As; to keep in
touch with the authorities who have
under consideration the proposal to
fix a price on cotton, and to be pres
ent during the consideration Of other
matters which affect vitality the inter-
est of the people of this district.
feel satisfied that while l am away
looking after your interest you will
protect my interests at home.
Very respectfully,
JAMES F. BYRNESi.
adv,
The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1918-08-22

The organ of Blease is making
frantic efforts to boost his cause by
making the most ridiculous state
ments about the crowds present at
his meetings and as to the enthusi-
asm manifested. The fact is that
the Blease meetings are not attended
by fifty per cent. of the people claim
ed by his organ, and many Of these
are those who are opposed to him
and go to hear him so they can quote
his utterances with accuracy. There
is no enthusiasm shown, even by his
supporters who attend. We have
been told by one of the most re1ia-
BILE men we know that the crowd at
the recent Denmark meeting was not
half what was claimed, that there
was little enthusiasm shown, that
Blease seemed to have lost his "pep''
as he expressed it, and looked old
and care-worn, that he was nothing
like the man who spoke in Bamberg
some years ago-in short that he
was not near up to his form in the
campaigns of recent years. This is
the report from other meetings as
we'll, and we know it is correct. The
bald fact, is that Blease has fewer
followers in South Carolina today
than ever before, and even these are
deserting him every day. There is
no enthusiasm shown at his meet
ings, and he feels it. He is under
hack" he has disappointed his for
mer supporters, for they expected
him to make some sort of showing
at his own meetings, and he has not
done this. He stated at Denmark
that that was the smallest crowd he
had addressed in South Carolina, and
many of those present we're opposed
to him. He is beat and he knows it..
What a change. A., few years ago
this man was the idol of thousands
of people in this State, and at his
every public appearance he was
cheered to the echo. Discredited and
disowned, his condition is pitiful. As
much as we are opposed to his poll
cies, we would have preferred that
he had retired from public life with
better grace.
The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1918-08-22
POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT
BYRNES STANDS BY FARMERS.
FARMERS NATIONAL CONGRESS
IT s A.

FARMERS NATIONAL CONGRESS.
U. S. A.
President and Legislative Agent
J. H. Kimble, Port Deposit, Md.
August 16, 1918.
Mr.. John n. Jordan,
Ridge Spring, S. c.
Dear Sir:
l have your letter asking about
Congressman James F. Byrnes' atti-
tude towards legislation urged by the
Farmers National Congress, the
Farmers Union, the National Grange.
and other farmers organizations in
the interest of the farmers.
Congressman Byrnes voted for
parcel post, rural credits, anti-gam-
bling in cotton, federal aid to roads.
postal savings, immigration restric-
ton, more liberal appropriations for
agricultural purposes, marketing and
other legislation that has been urged
by the Farmers National Congress,
the Farmers Union and the Grange.
He is one of the best friends the
farmers have in congress. He is
always on the job for the farmers.
Very truly yours,
(Signed) JOHN H. KIMBLE.
Published as an advertisement
by James F. Byrnes, candidate for
reelection to congress.
The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1918-08-22

In the fall of 1916, after his de-
feat for governor, Cole L. Blease
made an address at Allen university,
colored, at Columbia, reports of
which were printed at the time in-the
Columbia State and the Samaritan
Herald, the last named being negro
newspaper. The former governor
has never denied the correctness of
the report published in the negro
newspaper. In this speech Blease
sought to arouse the prejudices of
the negroes by telling them, accord
ing the the report in the Samaritan
Herald, that the laws of the State
were unjust; that the negroes we're
being robbed by the white people out
of their. just rights; and making such
statements as, he would trust his
daughter in their hands, and asking