davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-17

well, did We celebrate" asked
Hank as he mounted the scaffold at
9:22 the morning after peace day.
Not wisely, but too well!' quoted
Bill as he set his tin watch ahead
10 minutes to remove any doubts
about being late to lunch.
The bootleggers must have made
a fortune yistiddy," observed Hank
making three false starts to get
hold Of his paint brush.
"I'll say they did," agreed Bill.
all say they did. 1t went up half
dollar pint every hour from
noon on!"
Say, Bill, what would you do
with the ex-kaiser if you had the
chancet?"
Bill bit his lip savagely as he
showered a brushful of paint on
the pedestrians below.
well, amt got much use for
the Chinese-except for their low
laundry prices-but l think they got
the kind of medicine the kaiser's csae
calls for. I'd string him up by his
wrists to telephone pole, take his
shoes off and have somebody tickle
his feet with a feather"
well, you'd have his feet tied
50 he couldn't wiggle 'em, wouldn't
yah2"
"Sure I'd have EN- tied; sure I'd
have 'em tied. That's the big part
of the torture-having EN- tied so
he can't wiggle EN-"
That amt a half-bad idear,"
Hank reflected. The chinks heve
another good slow way Of KILN.
We could take off his hat and have a
drop of water fall right in the center
Of his head-one drop, say, every
minute.
Nav, that's too long a interval
One drop every 10 seconds"
II don't think tibet leaves enough
time between drops" Hank per-
sisted.
1--WE don't want much time. The
feathers going all the time, ain't
it,"
"Sure the feathers goin' ali The
time, but he's got to have time tc
think about them drops before they
come. That makes 'em hit like Z
sledge hammer"
can while the feathers going anc
the drops are hitting him like {
sledge hammer we could have Z
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-17

gown she strengthened her courage.
There was a bell rope in the upper
hall. She might get Jenkins.
When she stood in the main hall
she hesitated. 1t would probably
be long time, provided he heard
at all, before Jenkins could answer
her. Her candle outlined the en-
trance to the musty corridor. Just a
few running steps down there, a
quick rap at the door, and, perhaps
in an instant her uncle's voice. and
the blessed power to return to her
room and sleep!
While her fear grew she called
on her pride to let her accomplish
that brief, abhorrent journey.
Then for the first time different
doubt came to eher. As she waited
alone in this disturbing, nocturnal
intimacy of an old house, she shrank
from no thought of human intrusion,
and she wondered if her uncle had
been afraid of that, too, of the sort
of thing that might Turk in the
ancient wing with its recollections
of birth and suffering and death.
But he had gone there as an escape.
Surely he had been afraid of men.
1t shamed her that, in spite of that,
her fear defined itself ever more
clearly as something inde6nable.
with a passionate determination to
strangle such thoughts she held her
breath. She tried to close her mind.
She entered the corridor. She ran
it's length. She knocked at the
locked door of the old bedroom.
She shrank at the echoes ratified
from the dingy walls where her
candle cast strange reflections.
There was no other answer. A sense
of an intolerable companionship
made her want to cry out for bril-
liant light. for help. She screamed.
Uncle Silas! Uncle SilasP .
Through the silence that crushed
her voice she became aware finally
of the accomplishment of its mis-
sion by death in this house. And she
fed into the main hall. She jerked
at the bell rope. The contact
steadied her, stimulated her to
reason. One slender hope remained.
The oppressive bedroom might have
driven Silas Blackburn through the
private hall and down the enclosed
lounge in the library.
She stumbled down, hoping to
meet Jenkins. She crossed the hall
and the dining room and entered the
library. She bent over the lounge.
1t was empty. Her candle was re-
fected in the face of the clock on
the mantel. Its hands pointed to
half-past two.
She pulled at the bell cord by the
fireplace. Why didn't the butler
come? Alone she couldn't climb
the enclosed staircase to try the
other door. 1t seemed impossible
to her that she should wait another
instant alone
The butler, as old and as gray as
Silas Blackburn, faltered in. He
started back whef he saw her.
my God, Miss Katherine
What's the matter? You look like
DEATH"
There's DEATH" she said
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-17
BY Baron Munchauseu.
Especial Correspondent Of The Daily News
In

Especial Correspondent Of The Daily News
In Europe.)
Berlin, Nov. ll.-(Via Ouija
Board.)-I was at Spa when the
armistice terms were signed. Other
correspondents were strictly exclud-
ed from Great Headquarters. As I
was approaching the door of the
building, l met the kaiser. l had
known him during the maneuvers Of
1914. He greeted me cordially.
"Why, vie gents, Munchausen?"
he exclaimed and gave me = hearty
handclasp. 'This is a schrecklich-
keit," (frightfulness) he exclaimed.
referring to the condition of himself
and Germany.
"But what else could you look for,
majesty" l said.
"Munchausen, what do you advise
me to do?" he asked. What does
the Omaha Daily News, your paper,
think l should do?"
"Abdication, majesty, is the only
solution" | told him bluntly.
His face fell and he seemed to
hump over in the shoulders. l took
him by the arm and assisted him
up the steps of the gepeacehaus
(armistice conference house,. As
we reached the top steps, he turned
to me. l shall never forget the look
in mis- eyes as he said:
"Munchausen, | see now | must do
it. | only awaited to get the opin-
ion of your paper. By the way, |
will need good reading matter. Send
me the Daily News for one year"
He handed me a gold 20-mark
piece and wrote down the address.
certain castle in Switzerland. We
then entered the council chamber
where Prince Max and the other
dignitaries were seated. All rose as
we entered and the prince stepped
forward and wrung my hand. l
handed him a cigarette. He asked
me to sit beside him during the
stormy interview which followed.
Just after the kaiser had abdi-
Gated the crown prince entered. He
greeted me, paying little attention
to the others present excepting his
father at whom he darted an angry
look.
l advised him to sign renuncia-
ton to the throne. He did so. |
then invited him and the ex-kaiser
to accompany me in my automobile
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-17

and have a pat: Bryan, the bolshe-
vik, the mule, the educated bug, and
old Glee.
Now a Member.
You win! You are now member
of the Loyal Order of Squirrels.
The L. 0. S. meets every Satur-
day night at-but the place of
meeting cannot be given to the pub
lie because the police have been
looking for it for a long time.
L. o. S. stands for Love-Order
Service. Practice the first, if you
can; try to preserve the second, but
absolutely insist upon the third.
The official emblem of the order
is the Hazelnut.
This, however, does not mean that
there is a ladies auxiliary. The
Loyal Order of Squirrels is for men
only.
The official flower of the order is
the Cornflower. (The order has a
tremendous membership in the wet
states.)
Here's the Countersign.
The countersign: "Are you loyal
nut?"
For answer the brother should
work the fist two fingers of his
right hapd like nut cracker.
There are three degrees in the
Loyal Order of Squirrels: Ground,
Tree and Flying.
Taking the first degree is so SIM
pie it is almost idiotic. Almost any
body can become a Brother Ground
Squirrel. The second degree, how
ever, is more complicated. Brother
Tree Squirrels are not so plentiful.
This also is very beautiful degree
to see worked. The oath admins
tered by the GRAND IMPERIAL
SOVEREIGN KEEPER OF THE
TREE is extraordinarily inspiring.
But it is in the third degree that
the pinnacle of Squirrelasony is
reached. Brother Flying Squirrels
are scarce. They are wise as owls.
They see even better in the dark
than in daylight. To become a
Brother Flying Squirrel requires a
great deal of practice.
When you become Brother Fly
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-17
OBSOLETE.

OBSOLETE.
"Our strong German sword"
"The good, old German god"
"Gott strafe England"
Kultur.
Schrecklichkeit.
deutschland uber allies"
They can't break the Hinden>
burg line in so years"
II will attend to America later
THE contemplate English army
That's only American bluff"
Bring England to her knees In
six months"
"Unsere Deutsche kaiser"
Krupp's.
THE invincible German army"
Divine right of kings.
The Crown Ounce.
The All Highest.
Imperial German government,
Mittle Europa.
Berlin to Bagdad railroad.
Scrap of paper.
Eitel Frederick, Adalbert, August
Oscar and Joachim.
The mailed fist.
wch"
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-17

head Of the stairs listening. Her
uncle's bedroom door lay straight
ahead. To her right and left mar
row corridors led to the wings. Her
room and Bobby's and a spare room
were in the right-hand wing. The
opposite corridor was seldom used,
for the left-hand wing was the oldest
portion of the house, and in the
march of years too many legends
had gathered about it. The large
bedroom was there with its private
hall beyond, and a narrow. enclosed
staircase, descending to the library.
Originally it had been the custom
for the head of the family to use
that room. Its ancient furniture
still faded within stained walls. For
many years no one had slept in it,
because it had sheltered too much
suffering, because it had witnessed
the reluctant spiritual departure of
too many Blackburns.
Katherine shrank little from the
black entrance of the corridor, but
her anxiety centered on the door
ahead. She was about to call when
a stirring beyond it momentarily
treasured her.
The door opened and her uncle
stepped out. He wore an untidy
dressing-gown. His hair was dis
ordered. His face appeared grayer
and more haggard than it had down.
stairs. A lighted candle shook in
his right hand.
What are you doing up here,
Katy" he quavered.
She broke down before the pic
ture of his increased fear. He
shuffled closer.
What you crying for, Katy?"
She controlled herself. She begged
him for an answer to her doubts.
you make me afraid"
He laughed scornfully.
90, You! What you got to be afraid
I'm afraid because you are" she
urged. you've got to tell me.
I'm all alone. l can't stand it. What
are you afraid Off"
He didn't answer. He shuffled on
toward the .disused wing. Her hand
frightened on the banister.
where are you going?" she
whispered.
He turned at the entrance to the
corridor.
Il am going to the old bedroom"
"Why? Why?" she asked hyster-
ically. you can't sleep there. The
bed isn't even made"
! He lowered his voice to a hoarse
whisper:
Don't you mention I've gone
there. If you want to know, l am
afraid. I'm afraid to sleep in my
own room any longer"
She nodded.
"And you don't think they'd look
for you there. What is it? Tell
me what it is. Why don't you send
for some onc-a mani"
Leave me alone" he mumbled.
Nothing for you to be worried
about, except Bobby
Eyes, there is" she cried. Eyes,
there is"
He paid no attention 10 hss fright.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-17
BY ROBERT ]. HORTON
ret out the squirrel nets!

MI out tHS Siuii VI iSto'
This tells how to be nut. l
! mean this tells how to be an artist
--or 8cartoonist.
No, all cartoonists are not nuts,
But then, all nuts are not cartoon
; lists. I'm merely taking Doane
Powell's idea and letting my hand
follow the-typewriter!
Light your pipe and let your hand
follow the pen.
Simple; isn't it?
It is best, however, to start on
simple objects, such as w. J. Bryan
or the Russian bolshevik. Can you
pick 'em out on this pager Yes,
that's him with the cigar in his
mouth. And the one with the whisk-
ers is the other one. The cigar is
there for camouflage and perhaps
the whiskers are too. Would all
those Soviets look so fierce if they
had haircut and shave? Many a
low forehead hides behind big
crop of hair. I,
i The bolshevik has it all over
Bryan for hair but w. J. can spring
that old one and tell him his head
is a cover for his brains and not a
loafing place for hairs.
So far, so good.
Some Draw.
Now you've drawn Bryan and a
bolshevik, That's a hard pair to
draw to, but let's see.
You're entitled to at least three.
All right, there's the mule-see him
in the lower left-hand corner above
the newsboy? That's one.
Then there's the educated bug d.
rectly opposite, on the right-hand
side, That's two.
And Glee-almost in the center,
You know Old Glee. He's the one
that cracks the joke about the Irish
man and the Jew in the poolroom
every afternoon when he gets
through work in the store. You
member? Same smart young fell
low who tied the tin can to the tail
Of the dog in the upper left. Some
smart guy. That's three.
Now you've drawn to your hand
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-17
CHAPTER I.
Katherine Hears the Sly Step of
Death.

Death.
The night of his grandfather's
mysterious death at the Cedars,
Bobby Blackburn was, at least until
midnight, in New York. He was
held there by the unhealthy habits
and companionships which recently
had angered his grandfather to the
point of threatening disciplinary
change in his will. AS consequence
he drifted into that strange adven-
ture which later was to surround
him with dark shadows and over
whelming doubts.
Before following Bobby through
his black experience, however, it is
better to know what happened at
THE Cedars where his cousin, Rather
inc Ferrine was, except for the ser
wants, alone with old Silas Black
burn who seemed apprehensive of
some sly approach of disaster.
At 20 Katherine was too young,
too light hearted for this care of
her uncle in which she had persisted
as an antidote for Bobby's short
comings. She was never in har-
mony with the mouldy house or its
surroundings bleak, deserted, I'M
friendly 70 content.
Bobby and she had frequently
urged the old man to give it up, to
move, as it were, into the light. He
had always answered angrily that
his ancestors had lived there since
before the revolution. and that what
had been good enough for them was
good enough for him. So that night
Katherine had to hear alone the sly
4 stalking of death in the house. She
told it all to Bobby the next day
what happened her emotions, the
impression made on her by the peo-
pie who came when it was too late
to save Silas Blackburn.
She said, then, that the old man
had behaved oddly for several days,
as if he was afraid. That night he
ate practically no dinner. He
couldn't keep still. He wandered
from room to room. his tired eyes
apparently seeking. Several times
she spoke to him. a.
what is the matter. uncle? What
worries you?"
He grumbled untiltelligibly or
failed to answer at all.
She went into the library and tried
to read, but the late fall wind swirled
mournfully about the house and
beat down the chimney, causing the
FIRE to cast disturbing shadows across
the walls. Her loneliness and her
nervousness, grew sharper. The
restless, shutting footsteps stimu-
lated her Imagination. Perhaps a
mental breakdown was responsible
for this alteration. She was tempted
to ring for jenkins, the butler, to
share her vigil; or for one OF the
two women servants, now far at the
back of the house.
"And Bobby" she said to herself,
aor somebody will have to come out
\ here tomorrow to help"
But Silas Blackburn sh6ffled in
Just then. and she was trifie
ashamed a. she studied him standing
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-17
Omaha Soldier Writes Poem
in Camp Funston Paper

Trench and Camp, published by
the soldiers at Camp Funston, con-
tains the following from the pen
Cor trusty mill) of Private Russell
Phelps of the personnel office in its
sporting columns. Before DOMINIC
khaki Phelps was city editor of The
Bee and covered" turf events when
Omaha was member Of the Great
Western circuit. =
We would judge from the tone of
his contribution that one of the ia
vored indoor sports at Funston is
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-17
the coroner he wouldn't let the
doctor touch +ha hody

the coroner he wouldn't let the
doctor touch the body.
Il must repair this lock-" he said,
"the first thing, so nothing can be
disturbed"
Doctor Groom a grim and dark
man, had grown silent on entering
the room. For long time he stared
at the body in the candle light,
making as much of an examination
as he could, evidently, without
physical contact.
"Why did he ever come here to
sleep?" he asked in his rumbling
bass voice. NASTY rooml Unhealthy
room! Ten to one you're formality,
policeman. Coroner's a formality."
He sneered a little.
Il daresay he died what the hard
headed world will call a natural
death. Wonder what the coroner'll
say"
The detective didn't answer. He
shot rapid, uneasy glances about the
room in which single candle
burned. After time he said with
an accent of complete convictions:
"That man was murdered"
Perhaps the doctors significant
words. added to her earlier dread
of the abnormal, made Katherine
read in the detectives manner an
apprehension of conditions unfamil--
lar to the brutal routine of his pro-
fession. Her glances were restless,
too. She had feeling that from
the Swallowed corners OF the faded,
musty room invisible faces Knocked
the mans stubbornness.
Ali this she recited to Bobby,
when, under extraordinary circum-
stances neither of them could have
foreseen, he arrived at the Cedars,
many hours later.
Continued Tomorrow
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-17

Tho sce-high hand Just checked the bot
but Secrist promptly laid ~
Another X upon the board and fingered
with his roll
Az II his dad had lately sold . million
tons Of coal.
The air was thick with Cancels fumes
the silence thick as night.
Our ace-high man then told the boys he'd
play what was in sight;
He kited Bill, and William called, then
several anxious faces
Saw Secrist's pair laid low - dust-the
other man had aces.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-17
.GIfe Gzband0ned GRQ0mo

with his back to the FIRE, glaring
around the room, fumbling with
hands that shook in his pocket for
his pipe and some loose tobacco.
1t was unjust to be afraid of him.
There was no question. The man
himself was afraid-terriby afraid.
His fingers trembled so much that
he had difficulty lighting his pipe.
His heavy brows, gray like his
beard, contracted in a frown. His
voice quavered Unexpectedly. He
spoke of his grandson:
Bobby! Damned waster! God
knows what he'll do next"
Hes young, Uncle Silas, and too
popular"
He brushed aside her customary
defense. As he continued speaking
she noticed that always his voice
shook as his fingers shook, as his
stopped shoulders jerked spasmod-
ically.
Il ordered Mr.. Robert here to-
night. Not a word from him. I'd
made up my mind anyway. My
lawyers coming in the morning.
My money goes to the Bedford
Foundation-all except a little an
nuity for you Katy. It's hard on
you, but I've got no faith left in
my flesh and blood"
His voice choked with a sentiment
little repulsive in view of his
ruthless nature, his unbending ego
tism.
IT'S sad, Katy, to grow old with
nobody caring for you except to
covet your money"
She arose and went close to him.
He drew back, startled.
You're not fair, uncle"
With All unexpected movement,
nearly savage, he pushed her aside
and started for the door.
Uncle" she cried. Tell me! Yosi
must tell me! What makes you
afraid?"
He turned at the door. He didn't
answer. She laughed feverishly.
Tits not Bobby you're afraid
| of"
you and Bobby" he grumbled,
ARE thicker than thieves"
She shook her head.
Bobby and IT, she said wistfully,
aren't very good friends, largely
because Of this life he's leading" y
He went on out of the room,
mumbling again incoherently.
She resumed her vigil, unable to
read because of her misgivings,
staring at the fire, starting at a
harsher gust of wind or any unac-
customed sound. And for a long
time there beat against her brain
the shutting, searching tread Of her
uncle. Its cessation about II o'clock
increased her Gneasiness. He had
! been so afraid! Suppose already
the thing he had feared had over
taken him? She listened intently.
Even then she seemed to sense the
soundless footsteps of disaster
straying in the decayed house, and
searching, too.
| A morbid desire to satisfy herself
that her uncle's silence meant moth
ing evil drove her upstairs. She
stood in the square main hall 1t the
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-17
Josephine.

Little Josephine, who lives on
Binney street, shocked the neigh
bors the other day by telling them
that she and her papa and mamma
were going out to take a ride
around the city in our B. V. D."
And now her mother is sorry she
told the inquisitive Josephine once
that BY. D. is just another name
for a Ford"
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-17
Tipping the pasteboards in the great
American pastime.
1T HAPPENED IN AS.

Kid secrist peered beneath his King.
another King he spied.
Ambition kindled in his breast, he looked
around and sighed.
Across the board the other Dudes were
looking in the Hole"
A few kicked in," few kicked out de-
feated at the pole.
The lad who led the betting bet fifty on
his ace,
And secrist deity flipped Va coin and
- smiled behind his face.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-17
Building Boom in Deer Greek.

There is quite lot of build.
ing going on here at present.
Those building are:iTonk Kali
kowski, corn crib, grainery and
driveway; Martin Bydalek, hog
shed; H. A. Maciej ewski, hog
shed; Frank Gic, corn crib;
Peter Nowicki, w. R. Maciejew-
ski and St. Nowicki, chicken
coops; Bob Schuwanski, garage.
Deer Creek correspondence OF
the Ashton Herald.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-17
Nautically Speaking
By ]. D. K.

BY J. d. K.
He clipped coupons from his Liberty bonds,
His manner was gay and clipper;
He heaped them high in corpulent pile
For he was a speedy clipper.
cts great" he said. and he laughed with
glee.
when you have to buy eggs and butter.
II you can be-" and he chuckled again,
"A government revenue cutter"
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-17
NO LOVE LOST.

There isn't even much family al
lection among royalty. King George
of England. for example, seems to
manifest no sympathy with his first
cousin, the ex-kaiSer of Germany.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-17
By Polly Shopper.

A fat man, holding a yellow lead
pencil in his mouth, drove a Ford
down Sixteenth street at high speed
on peace celebration day. Another
funny thing was the holding up of 10
street cars at Sixteenth and Farnam
streets, where junk wagon horse
baked on the track.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-17
abprEibl($; a T !

to Berlin. We are now on the way,
stopping at this telegrafundtele-
phonundpostamptsgesellschaft (Oui-
ia Office where l am sending this
dispatchgram.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-17
WARNING.

To the Girl Who Draws the Caw-
fee at a Certain Eat-and Scoot Cafe
terra: Unless you quit spilling so
much of the spoonful of sugar at the
side of the cup, we shall feel 1t OUT
patriotic duty to report you to Wat.
ties. You don't look pro-German.
Then why do you do It? You must
waste pounds of sugar a day. It's
just as easy, and much more econom-
ical and neat. to put 1t all In the
coffee and none in the saucer. Well
watch you next time we care COM
PEELED to) eat In that place.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-17

PERSONAL-Anyone knowing Of the
whereabouts of w. ]. BRYAN promi.
nent In politics several years ago.
thrice defeated for the presidency. sec.
rotary Of state for a while last heard
from In March, 1917. kindly eommaaA
cate with A. stinsss
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-17

We don't want the kaiser killed.
Let us hope he will live many years
to suffer the pangs of remorse and
the contempt of all the world.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-17

Blood and iron" is proved to be a
poor cement with which to construct
a strong and lasting nation.