davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Press., 1919-02-27
WIJ-TJNaTON

several are suffering from severe
 colds but the Flu is, at least, taking
 sacation.
 trauble with his machine on Monday,
 gi'ing him long and strenuous day.
 Ms. Joslyn took him with the mail in heI car on Tuesday.
 large flock of evening grosbeaks
 made short visit to the Hill on Sun dat It is noticeable that there have
 ben very few birds in evidence this
 winter They are plenty however
 atmt the poultry plants and at the
 R,b by bunalowg where there is much grain of various kinds in evidence. Hrs. Sleight and Mrs. Dodge enter tataed Washington's birthday party
 at Belcroft, the dinner table being mide attractive by flags and appro- prate favors It was pleasant for all to see the house open and lighted, not only by lamps, but by the open wood he lrth-stone fires. The ladies re- tuned to New York Monday evening, going by automobile to Hartford. The snow storm and unbroken ro;ds kept many away from the inter- estng church services Sunday morn inl. The Bligh brothers made paths from house to house with horse and snow plough, and the state road off, cisls kept the highway open for ma- chimes, so there was no blockade. The snow was of the right consistency to roll into balls, and that there are art is6 in embryo, the statuary here and there give evidence.
 Mrs. Preston has received tidings of
 the death on Monday of her cousin, Charles Le Roy Preston, 40, one of the natives of Northfield, Mass, who had rendered important service in the worlds strenuous work. He died of cerebral hemorrhage at his home in Brookline, Mass, on the day of his arrival from Russia, where he had been in charge of the Red Cross work. After his graduation from the Mount Hermon school he was en- ployed by a wholesale house in Bos- ton, and becoming an expert buyer of leather made many trips to Russia in their employ. For several years his headquarters were in Riga, where his family resided, and he travelled throughout the vast country buying leather and hides. In the autumn of 1917 he was sent by the United States government on commission to Russia. The American Red Cross placed him in charge of their work in that country. He was the son o1 John A. and Anna Shepardson Pres ton, and besides his wife and daughter l in Brookline, leaves his mother, now g resident of Orange, Mass, and his grandmother, Mrs. Jane Stearns Pres. tola, who is 93 years of age. She is tho widow of J. Le Roy Preston, a life
 long resident of Northfield.
The Press., 1919-02-27
ONE: OF WARS GREAT. DEEDS
Crossing of St. Quentin Canal by Brit ish Troops Conceded to Be
 Remarkable Exploit.

Probably one of the most remark able exploits of the war was the cross ing of the St. Quentin canal by brigade of south Stafford and North Stafford Q,rrishD troops in the course of the advance on Camhrai. The canal Is landmark in the country for miles around because of its dimen- sions, and just where the crossing was effected the waterway runs for some distance between very steep and high banks covered in some parts by dense low brushwood. That the crossing was made by such a large number of men and so expeditiously is remark able tribute to the determination of the men and to the forethOught of their commanders. It Is related that their commanding officer had sent down to a channel port and had had sent up to the line for the occasion all the life belts of one of the wea-knoWnf cross channel steamers. It was this measure of precaution which was the means of enabling many men to cross before foot-hridges could be constructed and which was the main contributing fac tor in the success of the operation.
The Press., 1919-02-27
ASHFORD WestfOrd

l "CSGAVAu
 Douglas Weeks and family were Ii the Thread city Saturday.
 Maurice Bicknell and Miss Mar Green visited in Willimantic Saturda and Sunday.
 l There was no school in the villag on Monday as Miss Green was de tained on account of the storm. Quite number from here attende, the dance at Eastford last Frida, night. They experienced some diff culty in getting home on account O the snow which fell during the night The funeral of Mrs. Louisa Curtiss wife of Stephen D. Curtiss, was helt at the Baptist church here last week Tuesday Rev. P. S. Collins officiated speaking from the first verse of the 64th Psalm.
 The remains of Mrs. Gertrude Avery of Mansfield were brought here Thurs day. Mrs. Avery was the daughter of the late Reuben Barlow and was born in this town B years ago. Her funer- al was held at Mansfield Center, Rev. Mir. Aver conducting the services. Rev. F. s. Collins oficiated at the grave.
 Warrenyille
 Mrs. E. c. Dugt ee was on the sick list last week
 
 Mrs. E. L. James and Arthur James were in Willimantic on Friday.
 Mrs. ". c. Brown spent the past week with relatives in Willimantic.
 There will be supper and enter tainment at Ashford Center church Friday evening.
 Otto Hattin has butchered nearly 200 hogs this season. He has had calls for this work from all directions.
 The grange held a special meeting last week in view of the conferring of degrees on new members this week.
 The regular meeting of the Red Cross was held at the home of Mrs. David Mathewson Wednesday, after noon.
 w. L. Durkee is cutting some good timber on his place. this winter and as a result has number of cords of wood stackets along the road.
 People in this section were sorry to hear Of the death of Mrs H. E. Avery of Mansfield. She was for some time a resident of the village here
 The beautiful coat of snow which covered the landscape on Saturday morning just reminded us of past ThougfAye have had mild winter thus far, We do not look for 'six weeks of .--1Isighing in March"
 The early anxiety about the ice crop this year has proved groundlesss All, ,lle ssce-n5fses in tnis 1ocs.-~y ...-s ..~, = filled with best grade ice. Last week ice was put in for O. F. Durkee, Rob- ert Haggett and Rev. B. c. Bugbee, Herbert Brown transported ice from the river here to the Henry Church place two miles away.
The Press., 1919-02-27

lsScore: Pennington 2S, Stafford 12:
 s'als from floor, c. Lewis g, O'Don- ,rAll 4. Cummings, Whitaker, cornins K; goals on sesnss. Conlins 2, Lewis 2;
 4e eferee. Grifiths; timer, Handy; time, ,2e-isanute halves. A preliminary
 Fame was played between the juniors aId sophomores, the latter winning by ole point The lineup was as fol-
The Press., 1919-02-27
High School Honor List for
 Second Quarter.

Pupils attaining an average of 90 te 100. Seniors-Barbara Chapin, Agnes
 Cunningham, Ronald Mitchell, Gwy.
 meth Rees, Dorothy Stevens, Florina Tonon. Juniors -D Doris Amidon Richard Whitaker. Sophomores = Charlotte Beckwith, Helen Broderson, Helen Gilligan, Joseph Kaplan, Ed mund Towne. Freshmen-Jeanett Richards, Antonette Sena, Harold Towne.
 Pupils attaining an average of 85 to 90. Seniors-Ruth Chapin, Clayton George, Earl Jacobsen, Elizabeth |Schreier. Juniors Gertrude Bruce, Marjory Fletcher, Ruby Gold, Agnes sschreier. Sophomores-Doris Blick Freshmen-Vera Pagan, Marian Nor in. Mary OHalloran, Robert Scussell, Dorothy Turner.
 Pupils attaining an average of 80 to |s5. Seniors-Alice Pagan, Mollie
 kuslansky, Dorothy Roberts, Hildreth
 Whitaker. Juniors Richard Bisso-
 hette,. Melvin Cummings, Violet Hayes,
 Francis Sena, Dorothy Shepherd.
 Sophomores-Edwin Schreier, Emma
 fanon. Freshmen = Doris Avery, Trace Burrill, Laura Campo, Bernice
 Fletcher Edith Jenkins, Leonilda
 Mattana, Gertrude Meyers, Mary Quinn, Joseph Senechal.
 .l sAt Broadbrook Friday the Acorns of
 Stafford were defeated by the Broad .yook basketball team 27 to IS. 2 Fhe Red Men will give dance at
 ssieir hall Saturday evening, with
 Music by Pickett's orchestra of WilH-
 fiantic.
 ! Saturday night at the Young Mems
 Hub Stafford high was defeated in tasketlall by Pennington with a
 tcore of 2S to 12. The work of Cum
 tings for Stafford deserves especial
 tantion The lina-,,n.
The Press., 1919-02-27
Their Caliber,

q wonder what the kaiser thinks l of the lightning-trained Yankees
 now"
 "I guess he thinks they're some shock. troops" .s-
The Press., 1919-02-27
THE QUESTION !:
 Will lumber be cheaper? THE ANSWER:

Lumber PRICES must stay UP until lumber COSTS come DOWN.
 If you expect your own wages or in come to be cut soon, you can expect lumber prices to decline about the same time, and in about the same proportion. Therefore, when lumber is cheaper, you are reasonably certain to have less mon- ey with which to buy it. Wholesale lumber prices in general have advanced since the signing of the armstice. The building trades are striking for more pay. THEN WHY WAITP
 BUILD NOW. the house you can af- ford to build, and enjoy it while you are here. It may cost little more to-day than five years from now, but you will have saved five years rent.
 A bunch of tax receipts will be evil dence of your wealth. A bunch of rent receipts show only what you have con- tributed to the wealth of your landlord.
 Will you let us furnish, FREE OF CHARGE, and with no obligation on your part, PLANS AND BLUE PRINTS for your consideration
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-04-28

trccs was unbrokCn by tho faiutcst
sound. and yc, still that impression re
manned Of thrrc being som" living thing
near by. following aud watching. When
presently hc came TO an open glade aud
had crossed il hC paused suddenly ana
crouchcd down in thick brackCu TO
watch and wait. But hc saw nothing.
and after time resumed his way. only
to hc almost Immediately again aware
Of the same sensation of hcing followed
and watched. so that tho thought camc
to him that these woods wCrc loss
lonely than thov seemed. and hc was
aware of certain terror and vague
alarm growing slowly in his mind,
However. tho impression was only
faint. aud hc tried to put it ont Of his
mind. for il and his sensation of alarm
seemed 10 him absurd. 50 that when hc
came to tho end of tho path aud found
70 his surprise that il had lcd him TO
tho pretty little house on the hillside
hc had admired from tho road below.
he forgot his fears entirely in his sur
prise.
lie stopped. expecting to hc greeted
by ia" loud barking Of hostile dogs. But
there was n" sound at all. and again il
came to him that about this place there
was something aloof and secret.
lie hcSitatcd for a moment. aud he
felt his heart beat little quicker than
usual Then. Struggling his shoulders.
he stepped from the shelter of the trees
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-04-28
The Missing Diagrams
MRS. BURNHAM was the first
lHl arouse from the stllpor which Il,

MRS. BuRNHAM was the first to
AVl arouse from the stupor which had
held her and her companions equally
silent.
"My husband" she sasped. Where
is Peter?" Maynard. relaxing his hold
on his prisoner as Mitchell slipped
handouts on his wrists, swung him
self out of bed
"There's Burnham coming in the
door now with Chief Connor," he
stated, and all turned in that direc.
ton. Burnham, his eyes half starting
out Of his head, looked first at Hay
den, then at La Montague, and last at
James Palmer.
Good God, Wasn't it either La
Montague or Palmer" he demanded.
La Montague and Palmer are in.
nocent," announced Maynard. when
impersonated you. Burnham, and not
for the first time" he smiled at Hay
dens furious lOok-"I used Palmer as
a stalking horse. The announcement
that I had the key to the Germans
cipher code did the trick. You were
quick, Hayden" addressing the physi.
clan whose ghastly face and horror
filled eyes testified to his feelings. at
was Internally clever of you to seize
the opportunity to administer poison
under preteXt OF reviving a supposedly
dying man, and thus prevent his ever
exposing YOU and the key to the
cipher
Coroner Penfield pressed forward.
Can you prove it, Maynard?"
Yes: examine that glass" directed
Maynard. pointing to the one he had
taken from the physician. "Ah, Hay
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-04-28
The Three StrinQS

cd Burnham, his excitement almost
uncomfortable. II have discovered the
key" A sudden sensation of suffo.
cation overcame him and he fell back
on his pillow speechless, the papers
futtering from his palsied fingers.
quick, doctor" pleaded Mrs. Burn
ham, while Detective Mitchell, his
mind in whirl, edged nearer Palmer,
at tho same time keeping an alert
eye on Rene La Montague, who had
drawn Evelyn to one side and shielded
her from the sight of the pitiful fig
ure on the bed.
Marian Van Ness started forward
to aid Hayden, but the sight of Mrs.
Ward, her eyes agleam with excite
ment, perspiration streaming down her
face, as she crept into the room, di-
verted her attention. Back of Mrs.
Ward came Jones, intent only on
watching the housekeeper.
Hayden his quiet, professional man.
ner in striking contrast to the excite
ment about him, prepared some slim
ulant and then bent over Burnham
Slipping his arm deftly under the un-
conscious mans head he lifted him up
and placed the small glass to his lips
and tipped it slowly upward.
The next instant the glass was
plucked from his grasp and an iron
hand hurled him to the floor.
Quick Mitchell, there's your priS-
oner." shouted the man in the bed,
and with leaping pulses, and reeling
senses Marian recognized Dan May
nards voice.
Tossing aside his makeup, Maynard
set down the glass he still held and
collared the physician as he struggled
to his knees. Your prisoner" he
said tersely, as Mitchell sprang for
ward. Lewis Hayden, German spy
and would-be murderer"
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-04-28

found case of raZOrs in one of the
drawers. and it was this that first put
if into his head to reflect that he was
very dirty and had not had bath or a
shave for long time.
He began to rummage about and had
soon collected a complete outfit of un-
dcrclothing. as we'll as Il light tweed
suit that seemed TO fit him very well.
May as well be hung for sheep as
q lamb" he said to himself recklessly.
and he went down to the scullery and
filled the lamps OF the oil stove from
n gallon tin of oil that was standing
near. He trimmed the wlcks and soon
had the stove going and some water on
to heat. As soon as it boiled he took
a ugful up to the bathroom and treated
himself to the luxury of a shave. and
afterward he heated more water and
had bath and changed his own filthy
rags for the clothing he had got ready.
Bathed. shaved, respectfully dressed,
he was changed as if by magical trans
formation from the desperate looking
ruffian of an hour or two earlier into
as Coodly youth as any one could wish
TO see. and he needed but one thing to
make his content complete. A short
search in the dining room provided It,
for in the sideboard was box OF
cigars. aud he helped himsel II to one and
lighted it and began to smoke.
II suppose I am a burglar he
thought but anyhow this is jolly
sight better than dossing out under the
treos. wet through with dew and twisted
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-04-28
M Mystery
- II BY

strange. and he went round to the
front and knocked still more loudly at
the door there.
But no one answered or needed his
summons. and the quictudc of the place
began 10 take to him n now Significance,
so that hc remembered again that queer
and daunting impression he had had
while passing through the wood OF an
unseen presence. following and watch :
ing
For last time he knocked. aud
when he had waited little and there
was no answer. hc went again to the
back door. whore the spider had spun
it's web. and tried the latch. II lifted
at once and the door swung open. For
n moment hc hcsitatcd on thcthrcshold.
aud standing there he shouted loudly
is any ono at home!
Again there was no reply. but hap
rcning to look round he caught sight
of something he could not see a:
il might have been crouching man or
n dog or oven merely cat prowling
by-that moved quickly on the fringe
Of tho trccs and then vanished and
showed suddenly and indistinctly for
Il moment again and once more was
gonc from sight.
The idea came to Keith that there
was some creature in the wood, the
same that had followed and watched
him during his progress through it. and
that this creature was GrCatly excited
and agitatod by his movements and his
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-04-28
ByNATALIE SUMNER LINCOLN
Author of 'The Nameless Mar

den, you slipped up in your clever.
ness-though had I been the man you
took me for, you would have sue
ceeded in poisoning me, and right
under the eyes of Coroner Penf1eld
and Detective Mitchell. God! man,
why couldn't you remain straight. In.
stead Of resortihg to trickery, treach.
cry and murder!"
Haydens eyes fell before Maynard's
piercing gaze and he stood in sullen
silence. Coroner Penf1eld, moving the
medicine glass gently to and fro.
shifted at its contents, and when he
set the glass down his face was white.
"Prussic acid" he announced.
Enough TO kill you in three seconds
If you had swallowed it, Maynard"
Yes. II was the unmistakable odor
of the poison which warned me as
Hayden held it under my nose" May
nard took off Burnham's dressing
gown which he wore over his own
clothes. 'The game is up. Hayden;
you might as well confess"
For the first time Hayden broke his
silence. Confess to what?" he asked
insolently. ''T did not murder you and
did not murder Count Fritz Won Eltz.
YOU" and his accusing voice rang
through the room-"you, Maynard, did
that"
Marian raised her hand to her lips to
,i,a,I. an. -, &c
i.'a .a,ecN ne cry oi .elrUr WHICH allhost
toward Mavnnrd
"Yo,,r guess 10 yrong tt.vden ~ IN.
swered MAYNARD comnosedlv "t Aid
not murder Won EItzEhe Killed him.
self"
"a likely tale," scoffed uavden with
return of his hahituai dictatorio,
manner
"a true tale" resnondsd MAYNARD
sternlv ..J admit Von Ei,z d;d M,
Intentionally commit suicide hut I,e IN.
nocenti,, d,s,,Ic tba poison ,,o baa 49,.
no,.oS o., ", >, ''e po'soi' 'e h"" pre-
"yVbat'" chorused his ,is,eror, ,,d
t1avdem,s stare of unheIiof heca,,,o ans
of ia ffied fur,
"I will mako NV evnl,,,,io,u nc
brief as possible" hegan MAYNARD
while in Emrope T have been Of some
assistance working for the Intelligence
oorr;oo of orr oli;oo ms, ,h;I;,n a.,
disguise mvseIf and NV experience as
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-04-28
Copvri0ht. 1918. bv y. Appleton q Co.
Copyright. Public Ledger Company


uAYDEN stopped on the threshold
IL of the library and gazed in amaze
rnent at the tense attitude of Mrs.
Burnham and her guests.
Come in. DOCTOR" she said. Mrs.
Van Ness is about to tell us" her
face was like paper-"the name of
the dead man."
La Montague, paying no attention
to the others, gazed intently at
Marian.
"The mans name. madame" he de.
manded impctuously. Give us his
name"
Count Fritz Won Eltz," responded
Marian. An oath escaped La Mon
tagne while Mrs. Burnham collapsed
on a chair.
"Marian-you don't mean--your
husband?" she gasped.
Marian's face was like marble. "T
do" she said. "IIe was my divorced
husband; the courts permitted me to
resume my maiden name. 7 never
knew he was in this country until this
morning"
~ was not sure he was in Washing
ton" volunteered La Montague. But
I had heard, no matter how, that he
had come to America. Ours was a
quarrel Of long standing. gentlemen:
frankly. had met him I would have
killed him at sight"
Hush, Rene" and impulsively Eve
Iyn clapped her hand to his lips.
mon. non, mon occur; it Is best I
tell these gentlemen Of my animosity
to Won EltZ. He was a reptile; no
crime was too revolving for his in.
fernal cunning to undertake. The
world is better without him.
Was he German spy" asked
Mitchell.
But Of course. monsieur" La Mon.
tagne laughed at the question. "Pouf.
why waste time discussing his death?
Let us congratulate ourselves and
this fortunate lady in being free of
him. and he bowed low to Marian
That's all very heroic" remarked
Mitchell ironically. But we have
laws in this country, Captain: and
we've got to abide by them. Some
body's got to be punished for murder.
ing Won EltZ.'
A sudden shout from the next room
startled Evelyn and she swung about
lust as Mrs. Burnham, her face ashen,
started for the door leading into her
husbands bedroom. A premonition OF
impending evil InaQe ENelEn lolloN
her. The Coroner, speeding ahead, un.
locked the door.
Come" Evelyn called over her
shoulder to the others and they
nocked after her; Jones. bringing up
the rear of the little procession, almost
collided with James Palmer who
Jagged behind the others.
Peter Burnham, sitting up in bed
his hands clutching numerous papers
while others were scattered loose
over the counterpane, glared at his
wife and those back Of her until he
saw James Palmer: then his EXPIRES
sion changed to one of impotent fury
You, Palmer" his voice chokeol
with rase-"it was you who shot at
me from the window in your apart
ment, you treacherous hound!
Palmer stared over the heads Of. his
companions and his expression caused
Marian to shrink back.
/ whats that you say" he demand
ed. Here, let ME by" and he pushed
| Hayden to one side as he made his
way to the foot of the bed. Are you
out of your head, Burnham?
1 NO. I've just found out to what
use YOU have put my chess correspon.
dence. | have all the evidence" shout.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-04-28
The Deserted Home

TIE WALKED slowly round to the
L back door. and as he did so noticed
that most Of the windows were open,
so that presumably the occupants of
tho houS" could not be very far away.
lie Knocked. but no answer came. and
when he knocked a second time. moro
loudly. there was still no answer.
In the west the setting sun had
reached the horizon and the hush Of
the coming night lay upon all the
land. Everything was very Quiet and
still, and the only sound that broke
the utter silence all around was the
echo Of his own loud knocking when n
third time he hammered with his closed
fist on the door.
They can't be far Off" he said to
himself. staring thoughtfully at the
open window. and then he noticed that
on the handle and latch of the kitchen
door a spider had spun its web.
1t seemed to him that this was
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-04-28

and walked across tho open grassy space
that lay between him and tho house.
"I'll beg for food. he said to him
self bitterly; "why should starvo:'
The silence remained unbrokcn, all
was still and quiet. nothing stirred, nor
was thcrc any sign of life apparent as
h" drew near the house.
Round it was a garden fenced in by
low hedge one passed through by
means Of n wooden gate. He pushed
this open and entered, letting il close
behind him with a bang aud expect
ing that the noise would cause some
one to appear. But no one came; no
more silent and still lay the wood he
had just come through than did this
solitary and quiet house upon the hill
side.