davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Meade County news., 1918-04-11
CHAPTER XVI.


TLOYD CARSON was a phlegmatic
young man, but he swore an as
tonished oath when he saw Billy
Louise galloping along the lane that
led nowhere except to the womanless
abode of Samuel Seabeck. He walked
very fast to the stable, which was the
first logical stopping place, and so he
met Billy Louise before she had time
to dismount, even supposing she in
tend to do so.
"Hello, Floydl Is Mr.. Seabeck at
home"
"Sure. Get off, and I'll put up your
horse. We're just through eatin', but
our grub carpenter will rustic some
thing for yuh, oil right"
mo, 1 can't stop this time. I'm not
hungry, anyway. Just give yell for
Mr.. Seabeck, will your 1 want to see
him a minute"
Floyd eyed her uncertainty, decided
that Billy Louise was not in the mood
to yield to persuasion, and tactfully
hurried off to find Seabeck without
1OI lC
also, who were evidently not wanted at
all. He took 1t that Billy Louise felt
some dlffidence about visiting a strict
ly bachelor outfit, and he set himself
to relieve her Of any embarrassment.
Presently Seabeck himself came
from the dirt-roofed, rambling cabin
which was his home and strode down
the path buttoning his coat as he
came. Floyd's face showed for min
ute in the doorway before he effaced
himself completely, and not another
man was in sight anywhere. Billy Lou
ise was grateful to circumstance; she
had dreaded this visit, though not for
the reason Floyd Carson believed.
"How de do, Miss Macdonald? Pret-
ty nice day, but I'm afraid it's a
weather breeder. The winds trying to
change, 1 notice"
"Yes, and so mustn't stop. Could
you ride part way home with me, Mr..
Seabeck? want to talk with you
about something. And can't stop a
minute. 1 must get home"
'Why, certainly, I'll go. II you'll
wait Just minute while saddle up,
Meade County news., 1918-04-11
ut pardons and condOnes a mans

that pardons and condones a mans
sins.
"Pm glad you came and told me
this" he said at last. every glad, in
deed, Miss Macdonald. Certain steps
have been taken lately to push this
wipe out this rustling and general law
lessness, and If you had not told me-
I'm afraid the mills of justice would
have ground your-friends. OF course
the law would be merciful to Mrs
Meilke. No jury would send an old
woman like that BY the way, that
breed they have had working for
them-he Is in on the deal, too, 1 take
It,"
Eyes, of course. They had to have
someone to help. Marthy can't do any
riding"
"Hm-mm-do you know, Miss Mac
Donald, whether there was any init
macy between-your friends-and the
man we had for stock inspector, Mr.
Olney?"
w-can't say as to that" Billy Lou
ise, you see, did not know much about
details, but the little she did know
made her hedge.
"There's a queer story about Olney
You know he has left the country
don't you? 1t seems he rode very hur-
riedly up to the depot at Wilmer to
take the train. Just as he stepped on,
n fellow who knew him by sight no
ticed piece Of paper pinned on the
back of his coat. He jerked 1t loose
1t was a-m-m-very peculiar docu-
ment for man to be wearing on his
back" Seabeck pulled at his whis-
kers, but it was not pulling which
quirked the corners Of his lips. "The
man said Olney seemed greatly upset
over something and had evidently for
gotten the paper until he felt 1t being
pulled loose. He said Olney looked
back then, and he was the color Of a
pork-rind. The train was pulling out.
The man took the paper over to a
saloon and let several others read It.
They-mm-mm-decided that 1t should
be placed in the hands of the authori-
ties. m-your-frlends ever
mentioned the matter to your
mo" said Billy Louise, and her eyes
were wide.
"Hm-mm We must discover, If we
can, Miss Macdonald, whether they
are In any way implicated with this
man Olney. / believe that this Is at
present more important than the re-
covery of any-m-m-cattle Of mine
which they may have appropriated"
Billy Louise looked at him for a min
ute. "Mr. Seabeck, you're awfully dear
about this! !" she told him. II haven't
been as square as you; and I've been
Listen here Mr.. Seabeckl don't love
Charlie Fox bit. l love somebody
else, and I'm going to marry him. He's
so square, I'd hate to have him think
l even let you believe something that
wasn't true. It's Marthy I'm thinking
of, Mr.. Seabeck. was afraid you
wouldn't let Charlie off just for her
sake, but thought maybe If you just
thought WANTED you to do 1t for
mine, why, maybe-with two women to
be sorry for, you'd be kind Of"
"Hm-mm y Seabeck sent her q keen,
blue, twinkling glance that made Billy
Louise turn hot all over with shame
and penitence. "Hm-mmw he said
again-if one can call that a saying
and pulled at his graying whiskers.
"Hm-mmm !"
Meade County news., 1918-04-11
Or if you'd rather ride on, I'll overtake

or If you'd rather ride on, I'll overtake
you"
"Tll ride on, I think. Blue hates
standing around, and he's little warm,
too. You're awfully good, Mr.. Sea-
beck"
"Oh, not at ALL" Seabeck stubbed
his toe on the stable doorsill in his
confusion at the praise. "I'll be right
along, soon as can slip saddle on"
He disappeared, and Billy Louise
turned and loped slowly down the
lane.
"You must have some lightning
method of saddling, Mr.. Seabeck," she
smiled over her shoulder at him when
he came up.
eve learn to do things quick when
we've handled cattle a few years." he
admitted. He had diffldent manner
Meade County news., 1918-04-11
smaIIest Farms In the World.

On the islands Of Re and Oleron,
near La Rochelle. France, according to
Popular Science Monthly, are found
the smallest farms in the world. Some
Of them are only one or two square
yards In area, yet these .iny domains
are carefully planted with variety
Of crops, even including vineyards. The
soil is extremely fertile. The repeat
ed subdivision Of estates among heirs
and the dense population Of the is
lands explain the existence Of these
LlnDutian properties
Meade County news., 1918-04-11


Of receiving compliments which
pleased Billy Louise and gave her con-
fidence a needed brace.
'Mr. Seabeck, I've always heard that
you're an awfully square man." she
said. Daddy seemed to think that
you could be depended on In any kind
Of pinch. 1 hope it's true. I'm
banking a lot on your squareness to-
day."
"Why, don't know about my being
any better than my neighbors," he said,
with twinkle Of humor in his eyes,
which were bright, unvarylng blue.
"But you can bank on my doing any
thing can for you, Miss Macdonald.
l think / could be even better than
square-to help plucky little girl
who"
II don't mean just the ordinary
squareness," Billy Louise put in qui-
etly. II mean bigness, too; bigness
that will make a man be more than
square; a bigness that will let him see
all around thing and Judge it from
a bigger viewpoint than mere JUS
tice-"
"Hm-mm-if you could trust me
enough to"
"I'm going to, Mr.. Seabeck. I'm 60
ing to take it for granted you're big
ger than your own squareness. And If
you're Motif you're just a selfish,
weak, letter-perfect, honest man, I'll
feel like-thrashing you" Without a
doubt that was the Billy Of her which
spoke.
"Tll take the thrashing If you think
I need it." he promised, looking at her
with something more than admiration.
"What have you done, Miss MacDon-
aid? If I can help you hide the
body"
"Therep Billy Louise dared to
wrinkle her nose at him-and 1 don't
know which Of her did 1t. II knew
you'd play up like a good sport. But
what If 1t isn't a body? What if
what if you found some of your cattle
withAwith big Drum over your
brandt" She had a perfectly white
line around her mouth and nostrils
then, but she faced him squarely.
"Hm-mm!" Seabeck gave her a
quick, sidewise glance and pulled
thoughtfully at the graying whispers
that pointed his chin. II would have
been glad to lend you money, or help
you in any way"
''Yes, know" Billy Louise snapped
her reins impatiently. "But what
would you do about the-cattle"
"What could 1 do? What would you
want me to do? should do whatever
would help you. 1 would"
"Would you-be as ready to help
somebody else? Somebody Thought
a-lot-ofT
Seabeck evidently saw light. He
cleared his throat and spat gravely
into bush. II see you don't trust me,
after ALL" he said.
II do. I've got to; mean, I'd have
to whether 1 did or not. It's like this,
Mr.. Seabeck. 1t isn't the big D brand;
Of course you knew 1t couldn't be. But
1t isn't yours, either. Some one was
tempted and was weak. They're sorry
now. They want to do the right thing,
and 1t rests with you whether they
can do 1t. You can shut them up In
jail If you like; you have a perfect
right to do 1t. Some men would do
that and be able to sleep after II, I
Meade County news., 1918-04-11

to the Wolverine; that needed no de-
cislon; she accepted 1t at once as a
fact. Marthy needed her now more
than anyone. More even than Ward,
though Billy Louise hated to think
Of him there alone and practically
helpless. But Marthy must have her
tonight. Marthy was facing hnr BIT
terest sorrow since Minervey died, and
Marthy was old. Ward, Billy Louise
reminded herself sternly, was not old,
and he was facing happiness-so far
as he or anyone knew. She wanted
very much to be with Ward, but she
could not delude her conscience into
believing that he needed her more
than did Marthy.
ITO BE CONTJNUEDl
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-04-18

Mason Merrill has purchased the
Smell house on Elm street and will
move his family there in the rear flu
ture.
Miss Carrie Crocker is visiting rela-
tives in Skowhegan
MIR. Cain who has purchased the
hotel is making extensive repairs. All
will be glad to see it again open to
the public.
Charles Harris has been the guest
OF his sister Mrs Margaret Chase at
Providence, r. l.
Fuller Croker left Friday morning
for northern Maine where he will be
employed at log driving.
Miss Wilma Boston who recently
underwent an operation for appendi-
citis at Augusta, has returned home.
John Ames has sold his place at
the village to Charles Gleason and has
bought George Stewards residence on
Elm street
Charles Jewell has sold his hand
some bay driving horse to Fred Bur
rill of Madison
Carl Nelson of Fairfield Is in town
for short stop
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-04-18

several books to chronicle them, but
have to mention one instance per-
formed by a chaplain, Captain Hall by
name. In the brigade ON our left, be-
cause 1t particularly appealed to rae.
A chaplain Is not fighting man he
IL recognized as noncombatant and
carries no arms. In charge or trench
raid the soldier gets feeling of con-
fidence from contact with his rifle, re-
yolver, or bomb he is carrying. He has
something to protect himself with,
something with which he can infiict
harm on the enemy-in other words,
he Is able to get his own back.
But the chaplain Is empty-handed,
and is at the mercy of the enemy If
he encounters them, so 1t is doubly
brave for him to go over the top, under
fire, and bring In wounded. Also a
chaplain Is not required by the kings
regulations to go over In a|charge, but
this one did, made three trips under
the hottest kind Of fire, each time re-
turning with wounded man on his
back. On the third trip he received
a bullet through his left arm. but never
reported the matter to the doctor until
late that night-just spent his time ad-
ministering to the wants of the wound
ed lying on stretchers.
The chaplains of the British army
are fine, manly set of men, and arc
greatly respected by Tommy.
ITO be Continued
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-04-18
WEST MOSCOW

Several of the men in this vicinity
have gone to Spencer for the stream
drive.
Saturday morning the ground was
white with snow but it soon disap-
peared.
Albert, Waldo and Walter Dunton
were called to SkoWhegan the first
of the week, by the critical illness of
their mother, Mrs. Olive Dunton.
Good Will Club was entertained on
the afternoon of April II by Mrs.
Amelia Gates at her home Next
meeting will be with Mrs. Edith Hun
newell, April 25. Two papers on the
sandwich Islands will be read with
hort extracts by each member.
Mrs Jordan Hunnewell has just pur-
chased fine new piano.
The rear of the Haines' drive on
Austin Stream passed into the Ken
nebec Monday
Mrs. Walter Dunton and little
daughter are suffering from severe
colds.
The ice has left the river this
spring without doing any damage.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-04-18
TREE ROAD CROSSING

My woman Cornette have been sick
with grip colds and | have had such
tam cookin potato and bean and scrub
and swepe som wash and floor, | have
not had som tam for wrote all the
news on Tree Road Crossing since
write him las tam. Oxcept him what
has been six all those folks Is well,
but most every one have som colds
and coff. Old Doc Poisson say he
gon max enouf these sprung to by
him some tin can lizzy, If folks pay
him for got EN- we'll som more.
Pete Dommage have som bad colds
on his neck.
Those nice lookin school-teacher on
Tree Road Crossing sohoolhouse have
had her Teller com see her las Wens-
dy for short visit He yer big man.
way som foot 4 ounces high and
stan $50 pound on his stockin foot.
Tom Bullyea and Joe Butler and som
those other big Teller have stop goin
to school las Thursdy morning.
Batiste Fantome have som bad colds
on his head
Old Mis- Lagrande's boy Jerry have
swallow six or tan marble las toosdy
Doc Poisson tink he gon dy maybe,
but Mis- Lagrande walop him with
stove shoval on her knee and tell him
what he tlnk she gon go by two peck
marble for If he gon waste EN- that
way. She slap him so hard with som
shoval he coff up those marble Doc
laff and say he always have believe
those old sayin Spoil som child and
spare som sticks.
Alice Pitean have som yer bad
colds on her chest.
Joe Domain and Louie Chappelle
and Tim Tribou have tree yer bad
colds and som COTS.
Bill Beamier have som bad cold on
his feet. He one those Teller what
don't try spark those school nam som
more since her Teller com see her.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-04-18

there were fifteen tubs (barrels sawed
In two) half full Of water. Each tub
contained piece of laundry soap. The
sergeant informed us that we had just
twelve minutes In which to take our
baths. Soaplng ourselves all over, we
took turns in rubbing each others
backs, then by means Of a garden hose,
washed the soap off. The water was
ice cold, but felt fine.
Pretty soon a bell rang and the wa
ter was turned off, Some of the slower
ones were covered with soap, but this
made no difference to the sergeant,
who chased us into another room,
where we lined up in front of little
window, resembling the box Office In
theater, and received clean underwear
and towels From here we went into
the room where we had first undressed.
Ten minutes were allowed In which to
get into our "clabber."
My pair of drawers came up to my
chin and the shirt barely reached my
diaphragm, but they were clean-no
strangers on them, so l was satisfied.
At the expiration Of the time allot-
ted we were turned out and finished
our dressing on the grass.
When all of the company had bathed
II was a case Of march back to blllets.
That march was the most uncongenial
one imagined, just cussing and blind
Ing all the way. We were covered with
white dust and felt greasy from sweat
The wooden underwear issued was
itching like the mischief.
After eating our dinner of stew,
which had been kept for us--it was
now four o'clock-we went into the
creek and had another bath.
II "Holy Joe" could have heard our
remarks about the divisional baths
and army red tape he would have
tainted at our wickedness. But Tom
my Is only human after all.
just mentioned "Holy Joe" or the
chaplain In an irreverent sort of way,
but no offense was meant. as there
were some very brave men among
them,
There are 80 many instances Of he
roic deeds performed under fire In res
cuing the wounded that It would take
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-04-18
Arthur Cox

Arthur Cox passed away at the Fair
field Sanitarum, Sunday morning, af-
ter an illness of nearly two months.
The cause of his death was tubercu-
losis. Mr.. Cox was born September
%, 1898, at Norton Dale, New Bruins
wick He is the only son of Mr.. and
Mrs. John Cox of Madison avenue; he
also has two sisters, Maud Cox of New
Brunswick and Julia Cox, who is a
member of the Sophomore class of the
Skowhegan high school.
Mr.. Cox and his daughter Julia left
Monday to accompany the remains to
Norton Dale. New Brunswick for bur
ial where funeral services were held
Wednesday.
His sudden death was a great shock
to all who knew him. He was a
promising young man and had a wide
circle of friends
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-04-18
cover the Top
By An American Soldier
Who Went
ARTHUR GUY EMPEY
Machine Gunner Seroing In France
CHAPTER XIII.
Machine Gunner Seroing In France
Copyright. 1917. by Arthur Guy Ampey)
My First OFFICIAL Bath.

My First Official Bath.
Right behind our rest billet was a
large creek about ten feet deep and
twenty feet across, and 1t was habit
of the company to avail themselves of
an opportunity to take swim and at
the same time thoroughly wash them
selves and their underwear when on
their own. We were having a spell of
hot weather. and these baths to us
were a luxury. The Tommies would
splash around in the water and then
come out and sit In the sun and have
what they termed shirt hunt" At
first we tried to drown the "cooties,"
but they also seemed to enjoy the bath.
One Sunday morning the whole sec
ton was In the creek and we were hav-
ing gay time, when the sergeant ma
jor appeared on the scene. He came
to the edge of the creek and ordered:
"Come out of 1t. Get your equipment
on, drill order and fall in for bath
parade. Look lively my hearties. You
have only got fifteen minutes" A howl
of indignation from the creek greeted
this order, but out we came. Disci-
pline Is discipline. We lined up In
front of our billet with rifles and bay
onets (why you need rifles and bayo-
nets to take q bath gets me), q full
quota of ammunition, and our tin hats.
Each man had piece of soap and
towel. After an eight-kilo march along
q dusty road. with an occasional shell
whistlng overhead, we arrived at a
little squat frame building upon the
bank of creek. Nailed over the door
Of this building was large sign which
read Divisional Baths" In wooden
shed In the rear we could hear
wheezy old engine pumping water.
We lined up in front of the baths,
soaked with persplration, and piled
our rifles into stacks. A sergeant of
the r. A. M. G. with yellow band
around his left arm on which was
rs. p" (sanitary police) in black let
ters, took charge. ordering us to take
off our equipment, unroll our puttees
and unlace boots. Then, starting from
the right of the line. he divided us
into squads of fifteen. | happened to
be in the first squad.
We entered q small room, where we
were given five minutes to undress,
then filed into the bathroom. In here
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-04-18
Skowhegan Grange

There was only fair attendance at
the meeting of the Skowhegan Grange
held last Wednesday evening of last
week, bad roads probably prohibiting
many from attending. The chairs
were filled by the gentlemen of the
order. with deputy Wilmont B. Whit
tier presiding and with John W. Fog
Ter acting as lecturer.
The program was opened by a pa
per on anti-suffrage by Mr.. Fogler
followed by discussion on this topic
Two letters were then read from
Maurice Pratt who is now in France
In military service. The Liberty
Loan, food conservation, and a move
ment to plant more crops were then
discussed by Davis Miller. Charles
W. Day also reeited a humorous and
original poem. Musical selections
were furnished by Harry A Dinsmore
Announcement was made that the
next meeting would occur on the date
given in the program, April oath, but
that forSthe program given in the
Calendar for that evening would be
the program listed on the Calendar
for May 8th. These numbers, always
subject to modification and change,
are as follows: Piano solo, Harry A
Dinsmore; MY experience In raising
Hungarian, K. F. Homsted; my ex-
perience in raising swine, Thomas E
Deane; THAT Maybasket for Mabel
Fry, Mrs. Flora McPheters; question
Are the conditions concerning hired
labor on the farm in your neighbor-
hood satisfactory to the hired men? II
not, why not?' Lester G. Stevens
Mrs. Ella H. Crowell, Frank L. Par
ker, E. A. Oulton; song, Willis C. Ho-
bart; question DO the farmers in your
neighborhood receive from the rail.
road U. s. Postal Service, rural tele
phone, etc, the service they expect?'
C. L. Beckwith, S. H. Bradbury, Clar
ence Mantor.
It will be noted that the first and
second degrees are included as a par
of this program, but they are not tt
be conferred at this meeting.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-04-18
SOMERSET

Cuff Butler OF Flagstaff stoprSed
over night at the Chase farm on his
way home from trip down river, the
guest of Mr. and Mrs Ira Pease.
Miss Helen Albee of Lexington was
the guest of her friends Miss EVE
Luce a few days last week.
Clark Luce recently sold a COW TO
Warren Gould of Highland.
Frank Churchill and family have
returned home from Rangelev, where
they have been during the winter.
Miss EVE Luce has gone to New
Vineyard to visit her uncle Delbert
Luce and wife
Mrs. Edna Pease lately found hens
egg of unusual siZe( measuring six
by eight inches.
Harry Lane has returned home from
Dead River and is at work at Hewett's
mill at present
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-04-18
Baukrupt's Petition for Discharge

In the matter of Albert NJ. Folsom,
Bankrupt In Bankruptcy.
TO the Hon Clarence Hale, Judge Of
the District Court Of the United States
TOR the District OF Maine.
Albert NJ. Folsom Of Skowhegan. in
the County of Somerset, and State of
Maine in said District. respectfully
represents, that on the 18th day Of
Judged bankrupt under the Acts of
,onKress relating to bankruptcy; thai
ne has duly surrendered all his prop
erty and rights OF property. and has
ments of said Acts and of the orders
II Court touching his bankruptcy.
WHEREFORE HE PRAYS, That ht
may be decreed by the Court to have
lbe against hfs estate under said
bankruptcy Acts except such debts as
are excepted by law from such dis
barge.
dated this LIST day of April. A d.
1918.
ALBERT M FOLSOM.
ORDER OF NOTICE THEREoN
district of Maine, Northern Division
on this 13th day of April A. d
1918. on reading the foregoing petition,
Ii is
Ing be had upon the same on the cath
day Of May, A. d. 1918. before
said Court at Bangor. in said District
Northern Division. at ten . clock II
he forenoon and that notice thereof
ne published In the Independent Re
1orter, a newspaper printed In saiT
district Northern Division. and tina
Ill known creditors, and other persons
IN interest may appear at the sale
line and place. and show cause, Il
my they have, why the prayer Of sai'
netitioner should not be granted
And Il II further Ordered by thu
Court. That the Deputy Clerk .shal
send by mail to all known creditor
'oples of said petition and this order
addressed to them at their places o.
residence as stated.
Witness the Honorable Clarenc,
Hale. Judge OF the said Court. an'
he seal thereof at Bangor. In tn
Northern Division of said Dist riot, OF
the 13th day OF April, A D. 1918.
WILLIAM M, WARREN.
Deputy Clerk.
IL. 81
A true copy of petition and order
thereon.
Attest:
WILLIAM NJ WARREN.
Deputy Clerk
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-04-18
ITEMS OF INTEREST
FAST NEW PORTLAND
From Our Correspondents

w. S. Parsons went to Lewiston Fri
day for visit with friends.
Eta May Walker is home from Cas-
tine Normal school for the spring va
cation.
Dwight Boynton who has enlisted in
the Navy left Friday for Portland He
will be in training for three months
at Newport, r. l.
Ralph Young, who has been visiting
his parents Mr. and Mrs. F. B. Young,
has returned to his work in Sidney.
Owing to bad roads the local Red
Cross did not hold its regular meeting
last week. The supper at Bertha
Emery's recently was a great success
SIS being realized.
A. II. Adams is the first automobiles
to be out this season in this vicinity.