davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-01-04
The AbandonedRoon
By Wadsworth Camp

might be hiding him and taking food
to him there. But her crying sug-
gested a signal which he never an
swered. At any rate, / had to find
Maria. So slipped out. thought
/ heard her at the lake. She wasn't
there. / was sure would trap her
at the deserted house, for the diff
fused glow of the light we had seen
proved that it had come through the
cobwebbed windows of the cellar,
which are set in little wells below
the level of the ground. The cellar
explained also how she had turned
her fashlight off and slipped
through the hall and out while we
searched the rooms. She hadn't gone
back. l couldn't find her. So /
went on into Shutdown and sent
costly cable to my father. His an
swer came tonight just before Silas
Blackburn walked in. He had talked
with several OF the survivors of
those evil days. He gave me a con-
frmation of everything | had gath
cred from the papers. The Black
burns had quarrelled over a con-
tract. Robert had been struck over
the head. He wandered about the
isthmus, half-witted. forgetting his
name, nursing one idea. Someone
had robbed him, and he wanted his
money back or a different kind OF
payment, but he couldn't remember
who. and he took it out in angry
talk. Then he disappeared, and PEG.
pie said he had gone to Spain. Of
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-01-04

course his wife suspected a good
deal. In Blackburn's desk are pitiful
and threatening letters from her
which he ignored. Then she died.
and Blackburn thought he was safe.
But he took no chances. Some sur
vivor of those days might turn up
and try blackmail. 1t was safer
to bury himself here"
Then" Bobby said, Maria must
have brought her father with her
when she came from Spain last sum-
mer." ..-
Brought him or sent for him" "
Paroles answered. "She's made most
of her money on this side, you know.
And she's as loyal and generous as
sic is impuIsive. Undoubtedly she
had the doctors do what they could
for her father. and when she got
track OF Silas Blackburn through
you, Bobby, she nurse d in the
warped brain that dominant idea
with her own Latin desire for justice
and payment
Then" Graham said, that's what
Silas Blackburn was afraid of in
stead of Bobby, as he tried to con-
vince us tonight to cover himself"
Zone minute, Mr.. Paredes," Rob-
inson broke in. why did you main
tain this extraordinary secrecy? No.
body would have hurt you if you had
put US on the right track and asked
for a little help. Why did you throw
sand in our eyes? Why did you talk
all the time about ghosts?"
Il had to 60 on tiptoe," Paroles
smiled. 81 suspected there was at
least one spy in the house. Sol gave
the doctors ghost talk all the i'm
petus could. | was like Howells,
as vie told you, in believing the case
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-01-04
Two Conferences Are .
to Be Held Before Main
. Parleys Are Started

Paris, Jan. 3.-(Havas. AFTER
the preliminary conference between
the four great allied powers Jan
uary IS, says the Journal, there will
be second conference, at which
the other allied states will be con-
suited on questions interesting them.
These two preparatory conferences
will be held at the French foreign
Office. .--
{, The peace congress proper, the
newspaper adds, will be held at
Versailles. The debates will not be
made public, but reports will be is
sued daily.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-01-04

talked over wounds at the base of
the brain with you" ~
The doctor moved restlessly.
Yes. But he was very supersti-
tious. We talked about il in con-
nection with his ancestors who had
died OF such wounds in that room"
Everything was ready when he
made the rendezvous here" Paroles
went on. HE expected to have
Bobby at hand in case his plan
failed and he had to defend himself.
But Maria had made sure that there
should be no help, for him. When
the man came did you take him up
stairs, Jenkins?"
"No, sir. ! watched that Miss
Katherine didn't leave the library,
but think she must have caught
Mr.. Silas in the upper hall after he
had pretended to give up and had
persuaded his brother to spend the
night"
Paroles smiled whimsically. He
took two faded photographs from
his pocket. They were OF young
men, after the fashion OF Black
burns, remarkably alike even with
out the gray, obliterating marks of
old age. :
81 found these in the family al
bum," he said.
I'VE should have known the dif-
ference just the same" the doctor
grumbled. why didn't we know the
difference?"
give complained often enough"
Paroles smiled, "of the necessity Of
using candles in this house. There
was never more than one candle in
the old bedroom. There were only
two when we looked at the muir
dered man in his coffin. And in
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-01-04

couldn', be completed without the
discovery OF the secret entrance of
the room OF death. My belief in the
existence of such a thing made me
lean from the first to Silas Black
burn rather than Robert. It's ira
dition in many families to hand such
things down to the head of each
generation. Silas Blackburn was
the one most likely to know. Such
a secret door had never been men
toned to you, had it, Bobby"
Bobby shook his head. Paroles
turned and smiled at the haggard
butler.
Pm right so far, am I not,
Jenkms?" -.
Jenkins bobbed his head jerkily.
Then" Paredes went on, you
nigh answer one, or two questions.
When did the first letter that fright
ened your master come"
The day he went to Shutdown
and talked to the detective the but
Ter quavered. .-
"You can understand his rehec-
tons" Paroles unused. Money was
his god. He distrusted and hated
his own flesh and blood because Re
thought they coveted it. He was
prepared to punish them by leaving
it to a public charity. Now arises
this appariion from the past with no
claims in a court of law, with an in
tcntion simply to ask, and, in case of
a refusal, to punish. The conclusion
reached by that selfish and merci-
less mind was inevitable. He prob
ably knew nothing whatever about
Maria. If all the world thought his
brother dead, his brothers murder
now wouldn't alter anything. III
wager, Doctor, that at that time he
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-01-04
WORLD LEAGUE
DIFFICULT, BUT
NOT HOPELESS
Senator Thomas Thinks Presi-
dent Will Carry Through
Peace Plans With Credit.
to the Nation.

Washington, Jan. 3,-Senator
Thomas of Colorado, democratic
member OF the foreign relations
committee, predicted today in the
senate that at this critical hour in
Cur diplomatic history, President
Wilson would acquit himself we'll
and to the ultimate satisfaction of
his countrymen."
Disclaiming any intent to criticise
senators who have felt impeiled to
record their disagreement with the
presidents outline of peace condi-
tons, Senator Thomas said he re-
garded it as incumbent upon those
who felt otherwise to make public
expression of their views lest it be
gathered from their silence that
announcements hitherto recorded
embody the common sentiment of
the American senate" r.
He quoted at length from letters
and opinions by Alexander Hamil-
ton, Thomas Jefferson and Others to
show that the presidents power in
negotiating treaties is made SUI
preme by the constitution. 4"
The senator said he was reluctant
TO speak of economic barriers and
trade relations, "for in the last
analysis that is the real obstacle to
an all embracing entente"
He added, however, that he cor
daily endorsed the presidents de-
mands for "the removal as far as
possible Of economic barriers"
Freedom of the seas" Senator
Thomas said, is vague and indefin-
able term. 1t is noticeable that the
president declares for absolute free
dom of navigation upon the seas out
side Of territorial water, alike in,
peace and war" =
Establishment OF league of ma,
tons, Senator Thomas said, pre-
sents difficult problem. Some Of
the difficulties already have been
mentioned by other senator's, and
added that he need "only mention
the financial burden and its method
of distribution, its inclusion of the
vanquished nations, of bolshevist
Russia and the Vatican -
Il do not say these difficulties are
insuperable," continued the speak
Ell, "but,1 feel sure that only time
and experience can surmount them.
They will tax the patience and the
xr,c 1N,,. &C The a,ta.,E1 'f'
Senator Thomas said he was much
impressed with the suggestion of
Viscount Grey, former British for
eisn secretary, that the victorious
league now in force be continued. 1t
is amply competent, the speaker
said, to Keep the peace of the world
sand it may admit other nations to its
assoc alton as time and experience
shall determine.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-01-04
New York May Ask for
Extradition of Harry ThaW

Philadelphia, Jan. 3.-District At
torney Swan of New York, yester-
day requested an exemplihed copy
of the record in this city in the
lunacy proceedings which resulted
in the commitment of Harry K.
Thaw to the Pennsylvania hospital
for the insane. This action, it was
said, probably means that the New
York authorities intend to file re-
QUESTION for the surrender of Thaw,
who is under indictment in that city
on charges of assaulting Frederick
Gump, Kansas City high school
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-01-04
Foch Will Permit Germans
4 in Rhine Provinces to Vote

Paris, Jan. 3.-tHavas.) Marshal
Foch, according to the Matin, has
given permission for the Germans
in the occupied Rhine provinces to
participate in the German elections.
He also will allow freedom OF the
press and freedom of assemblage as
far as is compatible with the main
tenance of order.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-01-04
Want Divorce Suit Against
Insane Woman Dismissed

Dismissal of Victor c. Fredrick-
sons divorce suit against her il
asked by attorneys Of Elizabeth O.
Frederickson, who was adjuged in
sane February IS, 1918 and is now
in the state hospital at Norfolk.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-01-04
Insurance Man Dies.

Milwaukee, Jan. 2.-John Barns,
50, general counsel Of the North
western Mutual Life INSURANCE corn
pany, died today following a stroke
of apoplexy.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-01-04
Bio Elevator in Ontario
R,Irns. With HeaVV o.

Fort William, Ont, Jan. Sire
last night destroyed the 100000
bushel cleaning elevator OF Parrish
"a ffeinbecker with loss estimated
at $2500OO. Eighty thousand bush
elssof wheat were burned. e>.t.,
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-01-01

~HE GREATEST year in the AZ worlds history is just ahead of G us. Most momentous have been
 NI the haDnepippS If 1Q1Q TTTb q f
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-01-01

imagination of thousands of the men, and the plan which Secretary Lane, of the interior department, is working out will result in the retaining of millions of acres of arid, cut-over and swamp land, which is now lying idle in all portions of the United States. The boys have become accustomed to doing things" They are not going to be satisfied with sitting down to a life of dull routine. They have helped to accomplish things, to put big tasks over. They have been building roads and dams and bridges and docks and railroads and warehouses and engag- ing in all sorts of other constructive work both here and abroad Now they are going to have a big share in the great reconstruction work of this country and the world. watch us, people!" will be their motto
 Before the year 1919 ends the face of Europe will be changed and the maps a year hence will show new boundary lines between the different countries. These will apply also to possessions in various parts of the world. In government, too, many changes will have taken place; and we may be speaking of the President of Germany, the President of Russia and so on just as now we do of the heads of other republics. Just what these changes will be no one can foretell
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-01-01
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of army preparation. In many eases the delivery of men, munitions and material meant the difference between the winning or the losing of a battle. Speed was the essence of proper preparation. On that account the driv- CTS in the army were taught to handle their motor trucks like skilled engi- neer handles his train. They had to know all there was about the care and the keeping of their machine. These men and there are thousands of them-will now be able to perform 8 most valuable service at home. More and more the, transportation problem is becoming an important one.
 The post office department is taking 1t up on big scale in establishing mail and parcel post routes all over the country. Furthermore the aerial mail service is being expanded, and it is probable that the end of this year will see hundreds if not thousands of white winged messengers of the sky speed ing along the open airways daily de- livering tons of mail of all sorts. In this service a lot of army men will find a satisfactory field and will delight to continue the work which they started on Uncle Sam's payroll, simply trans ferring it to another department.
 Farmers Wanted
 Farms and the opening up of new territory no doubt will appeal to the
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-01-01
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piled by two and that there will be 10,OO0,O 900 home food plots in the United States in 1919, that there will not De a vacant lot or back yard any where, no matter how large or how small, no matter whether it produces a pound or ton of food, that will not be cultivated 10 help win the war which is now on, the world war for food.
 Victory Gardens
 Many cities and towns throughout the United States surprised themselves in 1918 when they came to count up the number of war gardens that had been planted. For instance, Boston set out in the spring with the idea that 1t could reach at least 16, 900 home gar dens. It doubled this figure and made it more than 30,O0O. Similarly in oth- CT places. In the same way. many cities and towns if they set about it determinedly can conduct a campaign this year which will result in the plant ing of a far larger number of Victory Gardens than is now thought possible. At any rate, even if the number of gardens is not increased, there should be greater intensity of development and larger results, for the experiences which the home food growers have gained during the past two years will stand them in good stead and aid them to raise large crops to help feed hungry world.
 That Hour Of Daylight
 Daylight Saving will be in force again this year, for the law when 1t was passed early last spring provided that on the last Sunday of March leach year. the clocks of the nation should be pushed forward an hour, to remain so until o'clock A. M. on the last Sunday in October. This means, therefore, that the gardeners will have the benefit in 1919 of the extra hour of daylight in the afternoons which helped them so much during the last season. According to estimates the working of this law added anywhere from 25 to 50 per cent. to the efficiency and the productive power of the home food growers.
 Let every man and woman find his place. The great danger is in the '1et down" At the call to war the nation answered. Peace hath its victories no less renowned than war; so let us all to the great work of construction NOT reconstruction, for we will not build as we were; we will build after. new pattern the corner stone of which IS the brotherhood of man
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-01-01

tions that the coming of the Yanks saved the world from German mili- tarism and although the peasants have been impoverished they will try in their humble way to prove their grat- itude to the men who came from the United States. The French peasants form a large part of the French Army and through the Tanks many of these men will get home in time to spend their favorite holiday with their wives and children. Naturally our boys like Christmas best but they will do no little frolicing during the entire holiday week and top it off with a good old-fashioned New Years Day.
 Baseball has become especially pop. ular in rural France and if it is not teo cold there are to be a number of big games. Football too will be played. The various associations have promised a large supply of cigarettes and chocolate for the day-reai Amer. ican cigarettes, not the flags so much
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-01-01

now; but that they will be of world wide significance and importance is certain. With the opening of a new year the world looks forward eagerly to know what it will bring of good and bad. That there will be some bad is certain. The world could not have passed for more than four years through the throes Of a devastating conflict without some evil conse- quences.
 Food Shortage
 The greatest of these is the food shortage. Empty bins and granaries cannot be replenished in a week or a month. On this account there will be suffering and famine. This cannot be avoided. How far-reaching it will be depends to no considerable degree upon America. There must be con- tinued conservation and production in this country in order to keep the mon ster Famine from taking too large a toll of lives in the famine-stricken districts of Europe and Asia. Food is the foundation of all human activ- ity; and other conditions, political, so- cial and economic, will be affected by the prevailing food situation. The more food there is, therefore, the less will be the other problems to be over come. Pestilence and anarchy are bred by hunger.
 The United States Food Administra- tion has forcibly directed the thought and the attention of the country to the necessity on the part of the Amer ican people of continued conservation of food if starving Belgium and Po- land and Serbia and Armenia are to be fed. There will be conservation, of that there is no doubt; but in order that there may be conservation there must also be production. The two go hand in hand. The farmers will do their share, as they have in the past, to meet the call made upon them. But every square foot of land in the United States which is capable of producing food should be put to work. This is the reason why the National War Gar den Commission of Washington has is sued an appeal to the "city farmers the war gardeners of 1917 and 1918 to become the Victory Gardeners" of 1919. With the new millions to be fed in Europe the need for food this coming year will be greater than dur ing the war and there is more need for Victory Gardens, says the call, than there was for war gardens. The hope is expressed that the 5,280, 900 war gardeners of last season will be multi
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-01-01

and the soldier who has fallen in love with a French girl is unable to meet her under such happy auspices, but as the French girl has been so used to seeing soldiers for the last four years and having them billeted at her home a mere matter of chaperonage will not bother her to any great extent, and our boys will follow the 0kd phrase when you are in Rome do as the Romans d0." So our customs are not likely to mar the happiness of either party. The American soldier has come to be so respected in France that he is well come anywhere and whenever he has holiday the latch string Is out for his entertainment. New Years day to the French is very like the Saturnalia of the Romans and everyone goes out for | a good time.
 Movies Are Popular
 Of course, there will be movies ev- 1 erywhere and the American movie stars will be seen. Perhaps the old ! Douglas Fairbanks picture left by the 1 Germans in their hurried retreat will be brought out to amuse the crowd. One thing is certain and that Is that the boys will see themselves for spe- ciaI films will have been made of their activities for this day. Some of our boys are known to have fine voices as well as to be able to play on string instruments and concerts will be given
 for the French in many towns. The New Years Day songs are original
 and will take the place of Christmas
 carols.
 On the whole the New Years fes- ? tivities lover there" will vie with the ones of Thanksgiving and Christmas.
 All America hopes that ere another
 New Years Day rolls around nearly } all of the Tanks will have returned to 7 our glorious land to enjoy the day with , loved ones at home. Those who re.
 main to assist in the duties imposed by the Peace Congress and those who } stay to help rebuild the waste places l of France and Belgium will find con
 ditions still more favorable for a more s glorious celebration of the dawn o' s the New Year of 1920.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-01-01
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which has caused some concern and of the placing of returning soldiers once more in gainful occupations.
 Absorbing The Army
 One of the greatest feats of the year which is just opening will be the re turn to these shores of the greater part of the American Army which went to France and it's melting back into the civil life of the nation. This will be transformation that will be watched everywhere with great inter est. It will be an accomplishment such as has never before been per formed in the history of the world. but it is believed 1t will be done with out upsetting to any great extent eco homie conditions.
 What will become of the more than 3,000,000 men who were in the Ameri- can Army at the time the armistiee was signed, almost 2,00O,O00 of whom were in France. while the rest were in training in camps all over the United States? That is a question which has been on the lips of nearly every other person in the country. It is no wonder that many people have thought there would be trouble in finding places for all these men; and yet it is believed that there will be occupations open to all of them as fast as they can be dismissed from the service. A ma iority of them will return to their former positions in office and shop, on the farm and in factory. and in various lines of industry. Others will seek new fields, In many cases the experience and the education which they have gained as a result of their military training will fit them for better posi- tions than they occupied previously.
 Motor And Airplane Men Will Fill 4 Great Need
 If there is one thing more than an- other in which many of the American soldiers have had valuable training, it Is in driving motor trucks. Transpor- tation has been one of the big factors