davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-05-25

Nan savagely wished that her fathers bank might burn down or be blown up or sustain some sort of catastrophe that would place her not in poverty,
 but in a position where Lorrimer's foolish pride might not regard the
 First National as 6 bar to their hap
 piness.
 Milton Valley was a small town, de- spite the 5000 odd souls credited to
 it by the local census. It was a town
 of gossip and scandal-bearing and Lorrimer knew that a marriage with
 Nan Hurst would be followed by the inevitable comment that he was seek
 ing to recoup, by marriage. the for
 tune that his father had lost through
 injudicious investment.
 Although each knew of the others love, Dick had not spoken and Nan
 could not very well avail herself of the leap year privilege of her sex. Dicks efforts to accumulate for tune were being rewarded slowly and gradually. He had not enough mon ey to marry Nan, but sufficient to hold out the hope that some day sudden turn in his fortunes might enable him to double his holdings. For this reason Dick, coming sud- denly upon Billy Hurst, smiled when that dolorous youngster announced that the bank had failed. It could not be very pad failure and perhaps he might offer assistance and save the day. In such an event there was possibility of gaining his hearts desire without the unpleasant comment that might follow. 'The First National gone up?" he demanded, scarce believing the testi mony of his own ears, and Billy nod 1 ded sadly.
 | a3c 1 sick abed and Mans up at the bank 1 helping father and my dog ran away because he didn't like to be whipped when I taught him tricks and I got sore foot and my sled's broken and
 That's a-plenty,' cried Lorrimer, laughingly. You wilf have the en- 1 tire town afflicted in a minute. Get your sled fixed. That will help some.
 Take it over to the blacksmith and l say that I sent you"
 | Sunshine chased the clouds from l Billy's face and he hobbled toward the
 blacksmith's as rapidly as a lame foot 1 would permit him.
 Lorrimer knew this to be the third time that the sled had suffered in collision and MT. Hurst had declared l the last time that if Billy was so care less as to break it again no more re- pair bills would be paid.
 Billy, at least, was out of his sor- l rows and Lorrimer hurried toward the bank. He had some ready mon ey that might perhaps help In pull ing the bank through it's crisis.
 He found small evidence yet of the trouble, The clerks were working over the books with their accustomed lcalm and Villar, in the cashiers cage. was paying out some money to 8 farmer on a check.
 They were used to seeing Lorrimar
 at the bank so he made his way to
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-05-25

a strict accounting. 4--~ -- 70 @ What bank are you ta1kfnE about?" gasped Lorrimer. 'Dfdnst you tell me the First National was busted7's
 "Dtdn"t you ask ms was df tha Hurst Nationa17'' countered Billy. ~'It you was,to takeyour pipe out Of your mouth, a fellow could tell whatxYou was talking about
 ''The Hurst National is Bi1ly'a own," Nan hastened to explain. Father let him have an old ledger and g. cheek book. and he set up a bank 4n.the back yard. The cash re. serve was only a dollar and that waa apparently wiped out by theft thias morning. It appears that onA of tkA depositors negotiated a loan without consulting the bank off1cialHs~
 sAndI have made a foolsof myself again a''%asked Lorrimer.
 s'Say, rather, that you have drop. ped your foolish notions," suggested Col Hurst. ''You two should have come to an understanding long since. Now, shall hold you to your offer to save the bank by taking Nan. of my hands. I think we should all be very much obliged to Billy Hurst4aNafionn all"
 CT am," agreed Lorrimer. an0 l1e did not need to look at Nan tosteeA that shezechoedS h1se s imenfas
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-05-25

The second morning the cream was not there and complaint to the dairy firm on the way to the car brought the promise of greater care. In his presence a note was made for the driver.
 "You don't happen to be delivering to both parties on the third floor, do you?' he asked carelessly and the clerk consulted the route book.
 "Only one half-pint of cream to your floor," he declared briskly and added to the drivers slip putin front of right door,
 Again the cream was across the hall the following morning and stuck in the top was an illiterate scraw1 to the effect that the driver was putting 1t in front of the right door,.
 Manvers made a mental note to stop at the office and report the stupidity of the driver. but he was a little late in starting and the errand was forgotten.
 The next day it seemed to be his turn to lose and though there was a glistening ring of moisture on the landing there was no cream to be seen.% Moreover. the ring was in fronts of the door across the hall again.
 Complaining to the office seemed to do no good, for the next day. there was the bottle in the wrong place again.
 He hurried into the kitchen with his prize, resolving that in the future he would rise earlier and take in the cream when there was less chance of meeting some one.
 For two mornings the plan, worked yell. but on the third. as he was
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-05-25

'sIt has been thought best by this center that you should be my guest, explained the guide. Should the Rus sian embassy learn of your presence in this country, they would not look here for you. Here you may hide in
 absolute secrecy until your appear
 ance may be altered and you may
 seek the habitation proper to your
 imperial position
 Garno1d smiled approval of the ar
 rangement and wondered what his
 imperial position might be. Perhaps
 he was prince or even grand duke. At present he was more concerned
 with his comfort and, at a tin basin
 in the battered sink, he removed the stains of travel and sighed for bath tub.
 The cabbage soup and the black bread were more acceptable to hearty appetite than they were to the more esthetic sense of sight and smell 1 hearty meal, This he topped with a l cigar, giving one to Vastly, as he
 had learned his guide to be named. There was little time for smoking. I though, for presently Vastly an- ! nounced that they must prepare for | the meeting, and he rose to help Gar hold into his coat
 l This time they set out on foot, and | it was a short walk to one of the lit tie halls which dot the section of the | city east of the Bowery, and which
 serve as dance halls and synagogues, | according to the needs of the moment. | Vastly led the way to an ante room, where they were visited by two 1 men in masks and black dominos, who presented to Garno1d the president of 1 the Center.
 Garnold answered as well as he I could their questions as to the state of affairs in Russia, and his manner | of escape from Siberia.
 l Some things said by Vastly had given him a clearer idea of the es- ! cape, and he was able to avoid arous- 1 ing suspicion, but he was glad when l the inquisition was interrupted by
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-05-25

on your securities,'' he said. ''The cash alone will be plenty. Tn fact, Dick, I don't know that we shall need even that. The situation is not so bad as you imagine, but I can assure you that appreciate your offer.
 "I would suggest" he added, kind- ly, looking from one to the other, "that you could help most to save me from bankruptcy by taking my most expensive liability off my hands. I have been meaning to speak for some time, but 1t is not an easy subject and the opportunity has not seemed to offer.
 t'Now, with your prompt sugges- tion of assistance I. feel more free to speak. If you will keep this young woman here from bringing me her dressmakers' bills and all the rest I guess can worry along with merely the bank to look after"
 He playfully tweaked soft brown curl that lay against the crimsoned Cheek and Nan hid her face in her hands.
 'I think you're horrid, daddy" she cried. "If Dick had wanted me he would have asked for me-" "On the contrary,sI think that he wants you, but is unwilling to invite contrast of fortunes. Now perhaps he will be willing to take you.'' But you know-' began Nan only to be checked by her father.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-05-25

sinuate that I am stealing your cream?'
 Ut looks that way" was the cold response. 'The cream is placed out side my door as a sign that it is left for me and yet every morning you come to take 1t in before I get a chance"
 ''It does seem to be necessary to rise early to get ones own belong ings," retoTted Dudley, nettled that she should accuse him of theft.
 ''The early bird seems to catch the cream around here, and as I like cream with my coffee, have set the alarm clock an hour ahead just to obtain what is my own. I don't sup pose the mere fact that the stupid l driver places the bottle before the
 wrong door constitutes a transfer of i ownership
 Not if it is in front of the wrong I door, admitted the girl, but since | the bottle happens to be in front of l the right door there seems to be no | excuse"
 ''I suppose that you are willing to admit that an article belongs to the 1 person paying for % suggested Man ] vers and the girl nodded. | "If you'll wait a moment he said, darting into his own apartment, pres ently to return with the receipted bill l that the collector had left the day before.
 You will observe" he reminded
 "that you can see clearly where the . bottle stood There is a patch ot moisture where the cold bottle sweat sed.''
 s'It is all I have been able to ob- serve the last few morAings.'' was the
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-05-25
that suit case {"

that suit case.''
 The other man laughed softly.
 But I am not Of the brotherhood
 of anything," persisted Garnold.
 The other man only smiled know
 ing]y.
 that there &fs no Fdanger in recogni-
 tion." he TepeateaA "Let me lead the Garnofd came to sudden decision. He waSFofs an adventurous disposi-
 tton. Tt was evident that he was on the edge Of an Adventure and he de- termined< to let fevents take their course. Anything would be better than a lonesome first night in town. It Was' closeds vehicle to which Garnold was led aAd) he followed his guide fpto the rAmshackle vehicle without lear. As sSon as the door was shut the carriage started off and the guide sank back against the dusty "The i1lustrious head will pardon the shabbiness of the carriage" he aDologized, but more pretentious
 vehicle would attract attention whith- CT we go.''
 'It is nothing," Garno1d said gra- ciously. 'It matter not about the car riage so that we make speed.'' ''The horse is good, was the reply. ''In little while we shall be there. | It is different from the sledges of Holy I Russia and after Siberia that was a cleverly planned escape.'' Every clever" assented Garno1d noncommittally.
 | It was. evident that he had escaped from Siberia. He hoped that he would | not be too closely questioned, and he raCked his brains to remember some details of political escape of which ! he had read in a Sunday paper not long before.
 The stopping of the carriage saved | him embarrassment. They had reach | ed an East Side tenement. He a1ighted and followed his conductor up three 1 flights of rickety stairs and into a 1 tiny two-room apartment
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-05-25
nant with suggestion.

nant with suggestion. E.
 ''Three!"
 and he began to slip. It seemed hours before his feet found a, solid founda- tion, though in reality 1t was less than second.
 When they did touch it was not with shock but gently, and Garnold found himself standing erect. The cloth was whipped off his head. The room was brightly lighted, and along one side ran table set for a banquet, Garnold turned to look into Frank Stanley's laughing eyes.
 s'We counted on your following poor Vastly" explained Stanley as their hands met in a warm clasps "This is Vastly. 'tYou used to- know him as Spider Keaton. He's Dr.. Keaton now; which accounts for that beard.'
 "And it's all a joke?'' gasped Gar hold as he looked about the circle and recognized the others of the group.
 "We all of us had accounts to square," reminded Stanley. "YoI all ways were one of those miserable practical jokers. We thought we'd square up and give you lesson against starting any more like them. place, retired and bought out this outfit. He's making strong play for the Bohemian element from uptown and we knew you'd want some Of Pierre's cooking after heather dishes. The rest was put in SO that New York | would not seem too tame at the | start"
 s"Too tame ?" gasped Garno1ds This is the warmest reception sEer at 1 tended"
 ssIt was great to see theshaf1ots 1n. folded" laughed Keaton. Eve all drew marked ballots, but we substi- tuted others and as the choice drew up to you wel1-say Rial, do you re- member that time you marooned me on an island in lake ChampIatn?" 2" | Never mind that" said Garnolds with laugh. '@You fellowEought to
 give me receipt in full and-well, Pm finished with joking"
 Stanley led the way to the table.
 ''Then drink to the Brotherhood of
 the Triangle and Rial Garno1d, the Terror of the Tsar,'s he commanded,
 with uplifted glass. Here's a well
 come to Garno1d and long life to the Tsarr'
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-05-25

But he had the symbol on his suit case," walled Vastly. And did I not discover the treachery before it was too late?'' Not before it was too 1ate,'' said the president sternly. Thou must die that others may yearn to be more careful"
 At a sign cloth was thrown over the unfortunate Wasilly's head, two Of the brothers pinioned his arms and feet and a rope was drawn tightly about the neck that the victim might slowly strangle.
 He was thrown into a corner be- hind screen and the president turn ed again to the brothers.
 And now the spy," he said. What shall be his fate?"
 Look here," broke in Garno1d. tsIt Is all mistake. That suit case is marked with a triangle because travel a great deal and all my bag gage is marked that way. It makes it easier to pick it out than if 1t were merely marked with my initials. When Vastly approached me in the station, he would not accept my ex- planation that he had the wrong man, but thought that I was disclafming identity for the benefit of any spies who might be about. I came along
 just to see what was up. If you let me go, I'll never breathe a word of this"
 "It Is not the first time that curios- ity has proved fatal,'' declared the president oracu1arly. 'tBut I'll swear never to tell a word of this adventure" promised Garnold. ''It will do no harm.'' t@You have sworn to kill the Tsar l without intending to do so. You al- | ready are foresworn," reminded the president. Shall it be the cellar, my l comrades?"
 There was murmur of assent, and
 before Garnold could defend himself
 a cloth was thrown over his head and he was seized by a dozen men. l The rope was not tied about his neck, as had been Wasilly's fate, anG
 the allusion to the cellar suggested { ! slower death by torture. He felt him self being borne downstairs and 1ait upon table. Then there was silence for moment.
 | Slowly some one began to count.
 *tOne!" The voice was deep ant
 full; 8 voice he had not heard before
 E'Two!" The very tones were preg
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-05-25
S g E. BILLY'S BANK ! ] 8aR Aag

President Hurst's room unquestioned.
 Nan glanced up with a smile of welcome and her father paused a mo- ment in his work to extend hand in greeting.
 This young woman insists on help ing me with my books" he said, kind ly. "If you want to take her out for little drive imagine that she will be clearer headed for the work when she comes back. There is no great hurry.''
 .I heard the news of the failure of the bank from Billy" said Lorrimer, quickly. t'I came to see if I could help any, colonel. have about $3,70O in cash that can place at your disposal and I could raise $10,O00 in a cou- pie of days. Would that help avert the smash?''
 Col. Hurst's puzzled frown gave place to smile.
 "It will not be necessary to realize
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-05-25

ssI think that Dick has the first say" he reminded. Suppose that we hear from Ilim.''
 With all my heart,'a cried Lorri- mer. 3'I desire nothing more. If Nan will have me I'll be willing to work harder than ever to help put the bank on it's feet again.
 He took the futtering little hand in his own and sealed his offer with a kiss just as Billy burst into the room."
 -'Hurrah!" he cried. s'The bank isn't busted after all. Billy Saunders wanted to borrow the dollar and as wasn't there he took it anyhow. I thought one of the Swamp kids had swiped 1t but it's all right if Billy has it. His dad gives him a dollar twice 8 week, most every week.
 He cast a reproachful glance at the father who allowed but @ dollars ale lowanee for week and insisted upon
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-05-25

of boarding and had eagerly accepted her suggestion that he prepare his own breakfast of rolls and coffee. He would find a patent coffee pot that merely required hot water poured in, and cream and rolls would be deliv ered at his door.
 It had all seemed beautifully sim pie and the first morning it had worked as simply as 1t had seemed, even though the stupid dairy driver had placed Manver's half-pint of cream before the door across the hall.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-05-25

 arrival in imagination. Stanley, his nearest chum, would be there, of course. with some of the others of the old crowd and - perhaps - pretty Marion Stanley, Franks sister, would be there, too.
 At least, he had been certain of Frank. They would go over to Broad way to the old place for dinner, and then there would be delightful even ing at the theater and a supper at the place where they served lobster new burg as no other place could.
 During the long overland journey he could almost smell the savory odor of that newAurg; but at Albany a train telegram had been put into his hands announcing that Stanley must leave town to escort his mother and sister to Atlantic City for a brief va- cation.
 Through Stanley, Garnold had kept in touch with the rest of the old crowd. Now he must depend upon chance to run across some familiar face. Certain 1t was that there would be no one at the station to meet him.
 But Garnold was mistaken In his belief, for scarcely had he passed the exit gate when bearded man sprang forward and grasped his suit case. Garnold frightened his hold upon it but the other retained his grip.
 "The brother of the triangle is most welcome" whispered the stranger. "You have travelled well For a time 1t was feared that you would not be in time for the meeting"
 What are you talking about?" de- handed Garnold. angrily. ''Let go of
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-05-25

papers I found in his coat.''
 Garnold groaned. He had removed his coat when slipping on the domino. From the papers in his coat they had discovered his identity and no doubt they were justified in believing him
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-05-25

the announcement that the brother hood was ready to be convened.
 The president excused himself and Vastly brought out two masks and robes into one of which he helped Garnold.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-05-25

to be a member of the dreaded Rus sian secret police. The president turned toward the brotherhood. <tThis b1undering fool has brought this spy into our midst,''
 he said severely. 'What shall we do
 with him?''
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-05-25
ITH precisely the same

I'll precisely the same end in view, Dick Lorrimer and Nan Hurst longed for op- posing means.
 Dick hoped that he might make a for tune quickly, in or der that he might be in position to pro- pose to Nan. There
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-05-25
ALLY the matter of the

LILY the matter of the m o r n 1 n g cream threatened more and more to become an
 issue of importance.
 Dudley Manvers, having moved into his sisters apart ments during her ab- sence in Florida, had welcomed the change
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-05-25
IAL GARNOLD scow1-

IL GARNOLD Scow1- ingly descended the steps of the car and followed the crowd toward the exit gate. It was a different arrival from that which he had antfci- pated.
 For long hours in the Philippines Gar
 L
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-07-27
INITIAL GUN
(continued from PAGE One)

field with the platform, the issues and
the candidates. This is the first year
that women have taken part. We are
pleased with the earnestnesS and the
seriousness with which they are con-
sidering citizenship. He referred next
to Mrs. Gannett and stated that she
had already spoken in seven Of the
Is counties and would speak in all OF
them before the campaign closes
Throughout the evenings proceedings
Mr.. Viles acted in most satisfactory
manner as chairman.
Mrs. Guy p. Gannett
Mrs. Guy p. Gannett. chairman OF
the Woman's Division of the Repub-
lican party of Maine, was introduced
by Chairman Blaine Viles. She pre-.
sented a figure of gracious dignity
as she stood before the assemblage
and told them in well chosen, force
full words for what the Republican
women Of the Pine Tree State were
striving. Early in her talk she
quoted DR.. Anna Howard Shaw who
said that man know a lot about some
things, that women knows lot about
something's and together, men and
women know all that there is Ia
know about anything.
Mrs. Gannett stated that she could
feel assured of only one thing for
the Republican Club of Augusta and
that is success. 80 / am only too
glad to give all my time to help or
ganize the women. / hope the wom-
en- will affiliate themselves with the
party that promotes welfare, brings
about normal conditions. Women of
other states are organized. We must
not be tagging.
"Thirty-five states have already
ratified the suffrage amendment We
are anxiously awaiting the Seth one.
Had this already been done our
problem would have been an easier
one. But when the seth does ratify
We shall be ready. After a half GEN.
fury of ridicule the enfranchisement
of women will be established. The
Constitution is so construed that the
Government can be administered
through the work of political orders.
Every individual may have some
ideal but they can only be accomp-
lished by working in group; by form
ing with those who have the same
ideals and who are working for the
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-07-27
EASY MONEY
Continued from Paoe o.,

other banks here and is acc,.s,
the owner of large blocks of s,o.I
subs tantial public utility corno,.n
His estimate Of his wealth a, ,. "s'
10 $s,boo.ooo, but at his or,c.. ~ a,
said that the estimate vas r.c,.N
hasty and that the audit IL .,"'F
both his once and personal ,.,.s
would show his holdings NOR. ~
ten millions. Ponzi describes n.
change system in general way ~
ing based on the use of the int.
tional reply coupon. authorized W..
the international postal agreensr,
the medium for taking advanta,, :,
the abnormal differences in ra,ss
exchange. With deposits reo.'.
from a customer, he says, he coma,
American dollars in Italian lire Or ~.
CT foreign money which stands n y.
credit In the country purchased
Ponzi issued a statement later 50,
irs the conferences with the o~.,.
today were at his suggestion and va,
due to his desire 10 prove that HE q,
erations were legitimate and his br,
ness solvent. He set his indebtedD,,.
at "$s000.0o0 at the most and "a.
he had several millions of dollars ro,,
than enough to cover it, lie exhis,s
a certificate of deposit which purpo-
cd to show deposits of $1,000, 900 10 hi,
account with the Hanover Trust "a =.
this city, said he had $4,000 900 MAJ.
in banks here and more than s. OOOsA
additional in European banks.