davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-11-12
KNIFE WORK."

John Stuart Webster, mining en-
gineer. boards train In Death
Valley, California on his way back
to civilization after cleaning up
100000. But he looks like a hobo.
Then he meets distressed lady,
VINO makes his heart flop over. He
eliminates the offending man. Be-
Ing what he is and also girl-shy,
he does not take advantage OF his
opportunity. But he just has to
find out that she Is Dolores Ruey'
In Denver he Is offered $250oo-a-
year job by capitalist friend. Ed
ward ]. Jerome. He receives n de-
layed letter from his own partieu-
lar pal, Billy Geary, asking him
to finance gold-minlng PROPOSE
ton In Central America and go
fifty-ffty with him on the profits.
Thereupon he turns down the big
Job and decides to answer the call
of friendship and adventure TO So
brante Jerome goes with John to
the depot They meet the dis
tressed lady on her way to the
same train. John lifts his hat, but
gets the cut direct from the girl,
who does not recognize him. John
tells Jerome the whole story, Je-
rome secretly sees the girl, offer
ing her $4,000 II she induces John
to take his job inside OF ninety
days. The girl accepts. The scene
now shifts to Buenaventura, So
brante. where Gedry, on his uppers.
Is eating his heart out looking for
cablegram from his old partner
He has existed for two months on
credit extended by Mother jerks,
keeper OF disreputabe hotel DO
lores cables Henrietta wilkins
Mother Jenks) that she is on ner
way to visit her. Mother jerks
breaks down and tells her story.
She has been educating Dolores,
who is the daughter OF former
President Ruey of Sobrante, de-
posed and executed by President
Sarros Mother jerks doesn't want
Dolores TO find out she Is no longer
respectable SO she and Billy plan
for him to meet the steamer and to
turn the girl hack. Billy bungles
his job and Dolores lands and sa-
lutes Mother jerks as Mother"
Billy promptly falls In love with
Dolores Webster In New Orls1As
secures stateroom on la Estrel-
lita by buying a ticket for a myth
lcal valet.
Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-11-12

who weren't postmlstresses or biscuit
shooters! Forty years old and I've
never been In love! SprlngtIme down
that little path and Indian summer In
my old fool heart. Why, ought to
be arrested for failure to liver
The lovers were walking slowly.
arm In arm, along the path by which
the girl had come, so with a courtesy
and gentleness that We're innate In
him, Webster stepped out Of sight be-
hind the statue Of Old Hickory; for
he did not desire, by his mere pres
ence, to intrude a dlscordnnt note In
the perfect harmony OF those two hui
man hearts. He knew they desired
that sylvan path to themselves; that
evidently they had sought their early
morning tryst IL the knowledge that
the square was likely TO be deserted
at this hour.
The young man was speaking as
they passed his voice was RICH pleas
ant, vibrant with the earnestness OF
what he had to say. with pretty
little silver mounted walking sticx he
slashed at spears of grass alongside
the path; the girl was crying little.
Neither of them had seen him. so he
entered a path that led from them at
right angles.
He had proceeded but few feet
along this trail when. through break
in the shrubbery ahead Of him, he saw
two men. Brief as was his glimpse OF
them, Webster instantly recognized
the two Central Americans he had
seen In the steamship ticket office two
days previous.
They were not walking as walk two
men abroad at this hour for con-
sttutional. Neither did they walk as
walk men churchward bound. A
slight, skulking air marked their prog
ress. and caused Webster to wonder
idly what they were stalking.
He turned into the path down which
the two men had passed, not with the
slightest idea of shadowing them, but
because his destination lay in that
direction.
Both men had forsaken the grnveled
path and were walking on the soft vel
vet of blue grass lawn that fringed 1t
Perhaps I'd better deaden my hoof
beats also" John Stuart Webster
soliloqulzed, and followed suit lmme-
| dately.
He had scarcely done so when the
men ahead Of him paused abruptly.
Webster did likewise, and responding
-subconsclously perhaps, to the re-
membrance Of the menace in the
glance of the man with the puckered
eye--he stepped out Of sight behind a
broad oak tree. Through the trees
and shrubbery he could still see the
| lovers, who had halted and evidently
were about to part.
Webster saw the young man glance
warily about; then, apparently salts
fed there was none to spy upon them.
he drew the girl gently toward him.
She chung TO him for nearly minute,
sobbing; then he raised her face ten
Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-11-12
BETTER
HIGHWAYS
LINCOLN HIGHWAY IS WONDER
ocean-to. Ocean Road 10 No Longer an
Unrealized Dream--Speelfications
Not Decided.

Seven years ago the idea Of a trans.
continental highway connecting New
York with San Francisco, improved
throughout Its length and forming Il
backbone for great national system
Of arterlal roads, was only dream In
the minds of II few, Today the accom-
pllshment Of this great memorial route
stretching from ocean to ocean Is as.
sured.
The Lincoln highway breathes the
twentieth century. In years to come II
Will be adorned, as were the Roman
roads, with statuary. landmarks,
homes, hotels-a panorama Of the
achievements Of man. 1t will be the
path Of advancement, a golden chain
linking the Atlantic to the Pacific.
The motor truck Is In Its infancy
and highway freight transportation as
an adjunct to the railroad is only just
beginning. But the Lincoln Highway
association feels that II Is well within
Its province to act as a clearing house
for the best thought In the United
States concerning the probable require
ments of main arterial American high
ways In the next 20 years.
What will be the specifications for
this wonder road2 That has not yet
been decided. The association real
ICES that 1t Is undertaking difficult
problem, but 1t believes that 1t will
have, in solving 1t, not only the inter-
est and support Of the American pub
lie. but the cooperation of the engi-
neers and highway commissioners. and
also the best technical experts the
country affords.
Some of the finest concrete roads OF
the country are to be found in Mlchi-
gan. These have standard thickness
ut the sides Of six and half inches.
About the best stretch Of highway we
have at present is the Lincoln high
way from New York TO Philadelphia.
1t is 96 miles long, and every day there
passes over 1t an average OF 2,0oO
tons. This road Is eight inches deep
at its center. This is the thlckest
surfacing in the United States today.
Whether the show road Of the world
will be of this thickness or deeper Is
under consideration. There is some
Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-11-12

thought Of making II ten and a half
inches Mt the sides and IL inches at
the middle. for II must be permanent.
If the added advantage of this thick
ness overbalances the additional cost
Of construction, then the plans will
call for this depth. II may be made
even thicker than this. No one knows
until the engineers have expressed
their plans. The width must also be
carefully thought out.
The associations plans do not stop
with the construction of the road It.
self.
1t has long been apparent that ulti-
mately there must develop along
Americas main routes Of heavy pas
senger and freight transportation, a
new and distinctive type Of accommo-
dations catering particularly TO such
traffic and situated perhaps In the
open country. Such accommodations,
removed from the traffic and noise
and necessarily higher prices of the
congested centers. would provide for
the tired and dusty tourists, or the
drivers Of freight-transport vehicles,
convenient night stops where every
effort would be made to cater to this
particular type Of patronage.
In conjunction with such accommo-
dations arrangements would be pro-
vided for those tourists or travellers
desiring to camp out. Free camp sites
are even now being provided.-By
Fred Gilman Jopp In Popular Science
Monthly.
Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-11-12
By PETER B. KYNE


through the square to the market, and
you may proceed to the market and
meet me there. Later we will return
to the hotel"
A Creole glrl-starry-eyed, beautl-
full, rich with the glorious colorng Of
her race-passed him bound for the
cathedral across the square, as Web
ster thought, for she carried large
prayer book on her arm. His glance
followed the girl down the walk.
Presently she halted. A young man
rose from u bench where he evidently
had been waiting for her, and
bowed low. his hat clasped TO his
byeast as only Frenchman or Il
Spanish grnndee can bow. Webster
saw the Creole girl turn to him with
little gesture Of pleasure. She ex-
tended her hand and the young man
kissed II with old.fashloned courtesy.
John Stuart Webster with reverent
and wlstful eyes watched their meet
Ing
Forty years cid" he thought. "and
haven't spoken to dozen women
that caused me second thought, or
Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-11-12
"what do you mean, you aiaek-and.

Wnat 40 you nNhn, you SASK-ano'
tan hound?" he demanded. "Snce
when did you begin to o. X. my workT'
Pucker-eye made no reply to this
stern reproof. He accepted the elbow
with equanlmty and faced Webster
with an evil smile that indicated mu-
tual recognition.
"Bueno,' he said. 1.-THE senior he
ees sail on La Estrelllta for San Bue-
naventura, NOT"
$50 you came nosing around to see
about 1t, eh2 Doing o little plain gum.
shoe work. ] see"
Pucker.eye bowed. BY the simple ex-
erclse of courage and bad manners he
had looked at John Stuart Webster's
ticket and was now familiar with his
name and destination.
Webster glowered darkly at Fucker
eye and said:
well, you scoundrelly cutthroat,
what are you going to do about It.!
Try a little Of your knife work on me,
| SUPPOSED"
The fellow grinned-the kind Of grin
that Is composed Of equal parts OF
ferocity and knowledge Of superior
strength. That grin did more 10 dis
concert Webster than the knowledge
that he had earned for himself two
bloodthlrsty and implacable enemies,
for Pucker-eye was the first Of his
breed that Webster had ever seen
smile under insult. That cool sm!!s
Infatuated him.
Pucker.eye took out a cigarette case,
selected cigarette and presented tho
case to Webster. His bad manners In
selecting his own cigarette first was
deliberate, us Webster knew. 1t was
the Latln.American's method Of show
Ing his contempt.
1--WE shall meet again, AIeester Web
STARE" he said. MAY offer Gig.
arctic for the-what you Americans
call-the keepsake? Nor" He smiled
brightly and closed his puckered eye
In a knowing wink.
Webster took his tickets from the
purser, folded them, placed them In his
pocket and for few seconds regarded
Pucker-eye contemptuously.
when we meet again, you scum"
he retorted quietly, "you shall have no
difficulty In remembering me. You
may keep your cigarette"
His long, powerful right arm saOt
out; like forceps his thumb and fore
finger closed over Pucker-eye's rather
fiat nose; he squeezed, and with a
shril scream Of agony Pucker-eye
went to his knees.
Still holding the wretch by his
proboscls, Webster turned quickly In
order that his face might be toward
Pop-eye.
"Pop.eye," he said. III you take
hand In this, I'll twist your nose, TOO,
and afterward I'll throw you lr the
river"
He turned to PucAer-eye.
up thou curious little one ne raid
in Spanish. and jerked the unhappy
rascal to his feet. The latter cawed
Intellectually at the terrible arm which
held him, until, presently discovering
that the harder he struggled the harder
Webster plnched his nose, he ceased
his struggles and hung Imply. moan.
Ing with pain and rage in the grip Of
the American.
Good! !" Webster announced. slack.
ing his grip n little. With his left
hand he deftly extracted hair from
each flank of the screaming little
Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-11-12

terrible blow In the fAte With his left
hand and BROKE loose from the griT
that had 50 nearly been his undolng
then Webster tapped the assassin q
meditative tap or two on the top of his
sinful head for good measure and to
awaken In him some sense OF the I'm
proprlety and futilIty Of resistance
after which Webster turned to dis
cuss a similar question of ethics with
Pucker-eye.
The scnr-cheeked man was on his
knees, cropping groggily for his knife
for he had received n severe kick I'M
der the chin. and for the n0nce was
far from dangerous. STOPPING, Web
ster picked up the knife; then with
knife and cane grasped in his left
hand he seized Pucker-eye by the nape
with his right and jerked him to his
feet. The assassin stood glowering at
him In a perfect frenzy of british, In.
artlculate fury.
Take the knife away from the
other fellow before he gets active
again." Webster called over his shoul.
der. "I'll manage this rascal. Wen
march them over to the market and
turn them over to the police" He
spoke in Spanish.
Thanks, ever so much, for my life"
the young man answered lightly, and
in English, but where come from It
Is not the fashion to settle these Lrgu-
ments in n court Of law. To call an
officer Is considered unclublike; to
shoot prisoner In this country is
considered murder, and consequently
| have but one alternative and l advise
you, my good friend, TO have little
OF the same. I'm going to run like the
devil"
And he did He was in full flight
before Webster could glance around,
and in an instant he was lost to sight
among the trees.
THAT advice sounds emlnently fair
and reasonable" Webster yelled after
him, and was about TO follow when he
observed that the young man had
abandoned his pretty little silver
chased walking stick.
That's too nice little stick to
leave to these brigands," he thought,
and forthwith possessed himself of II
and the pop-eyed mans knife, after
which he tarrle,l not upon the order Of
his going but went, departing at top
speed.
The young man he had saved from
being butchered was right. An en-
tangllng alliance with the police was,
decidedly, not to John Stuart Web
ster's liking, for should he unfortu.
nately, form such an alliance he would
be hailed into court as a witness and
perhaps miss the steamer to San
Buenaventura.
He had planned to spend an hour In
the market, drink cup of cafe nolr,
smoke cigarette, and return to his
hotel in time for lelsurey breakfast,
but his recent bout with grim reality
had blunted the edge of romance. He
ordered his driver to take him back to
the hotel, sprang inside and con-
graduated himself on his lucky escape.
Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-11-12
CHAPTER Vll-Continued.

BE there at quarter after two.
Mr.. Webster, and you will hear from
me promptly on the minute" the clerk
assured him; whereupon Webster paid
for one berth and departed for his
hotel with feeling that the clerk S
report would be favorable.
True to his promise, al precisely a
quarter after two, the ticket clerk
telephoned Webster at his hotel that
the berth In No. "a had been cancelled
and the entire stateroom was now at
his disposal.
"If you will be good enough to give
me the name Of your valet" he con-
cluded, II will fill in both names on
my passenger manifest and send the
tickets to your hotel by messenger i'm.
mediately. You can then sign the tick
ets-I have already signed them as
witness-and pay the messenger"
well, | haven't engaged that valet
as yet, Webster began.
Whats the odds? He's going to
miss the boat, anyhow. All | require
Is name"
THAT ought to be a simple request
to comply with. Let me see!"
Il read a book once, Mr.. Webster,
and the valet in that book was called
Andrew Bowers"
Bowers is fine old English name.
Let us seek no further. Andrew Bow
ers 1t Is"
THANK you. All you have to do
then Is TO remember to sign the name,
Andrew Bowers, TO one ticket. Don't
forget your Wallets name now, and ball
everything up" and the clerk hung up,
laughing.
Half an hour later boy from the
steamship office arrived with the tick
cts, collected for them. and departed,
leaving John Stuart Webster sngu-
larly pleased with himself and at
peace with the entire world.
A "large' dinner at Antoines that
night (We5ser had heard Of Antoine's
dinners, both large and small and was
resolved not to leave New Orleans un.
til he had visited the famous restaur-
anti, and q stroll through the plctur-
esque old French quarter and along the
levee next day. helped to render his
enforced stay In New Orleans delight
full, interesting, and instructive For
Sunday he planned an early morning
visit to the old French market, around
which still fingers much Of the pic
turesque charm and cOlorful romance
OF day that Is done--that echo of
yesterday, as 1t were, which has left
New Orleans an individuality as dis
tinct as that which the olden, golden,
goddess days have left upon San Fran
cisco.
He rose before six o'clock. there
fore; found a taxi, with the driver
sound asleep inside, at the curb In
front of the hotel; gave the latter his
instructions. and climbed In.
Opposite Jackson Square the cloy-
ing sweetness of palmetto, palm. and
fig burdened the dir. Above the
rumble Of the taxi he could hear the
distant babel of voices In the French
market across the square, so he
halted the taxlcab, allghted, and handed
the driver a bill.
II want to explore this square he
said. He had recognized II by the
heroic statue Of General jackson peep
ing through the trees. "rn walk
Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-11-12

scoundrel's scant mustache and held
them before the latter's tear-filled
eyes.
"My friend" he said gently, mark
how the gringo gives his little dark
brother a lesson In department. Be-
hold, II ! have given thee souvenir of
our meeting, also have taken one. BY
this pinched and throbbing nose shall
/ be remembered when am gone; by
these hairs from thy rats mustache
shall remember thee. Go, and thrust
not that nose into gringo's business
again. II Is unsafe"
Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-11-12

arating them. The former Is mostly
lowland, with extensive sugar planta.
tons. while Basse Terre, despite It's
name, Is rugged, with handicapped
mountains that show modest signs Of
volcanic activity. Not far to the south
10 a bunch Of small islands which. be-
ing regarded as one Of the strategic
points Of the Antilles. are formidably
fortified.
Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-11-12
CHAPTER VIII.

Webster's trunk went aboard the
steamer early the following morning,
and at noon he entered a taxi with his
hand baggage and was driven to the
levee where La Estrellita lay tugglng
gently at her moorlng lines. Owing to
the congestion of freight and traffic the
chauffeur stopped his cab little dis
lance from the gangplank, where
Webster discharged him with n liberal
tip.
The Inter, however, swung his
passengers bag and suitcase to the
ground, picked them up and started
for the gangplank.
"Never mind my baggage, lad"
Webster called after him. zone Of the
deck boys will care for It."
The chauffeur turned. you've been
generous with me, sir" he answered,
$50 l think | had better carry your
baggage aboard. II you permit deck
boy to handle 1t. you merely have to
give another tip, and that would be
sheer wanton waste. Why shouldn't
earn the one you gave meT
II hadn't figured 1t out that way,
son, so here's another half dollar for
being the only existing specimen of
your species In captivity. My state
room is No. "a, upper deck. port SIDE"
Webster answered, smiling. The man
took the tip eagerly and hurried to-
ward the gangplank; the quartermas-
ter on duty shouldered way for him
and he darted aboard.
Webster followed leisurely. At the
gangplank the purser's clerk halted
him, examined his tickets and punched
them.
where is the other mani" he asked.
you have two tickets here"
"Oh, that blamed valet OF mine"
Webster answered, and glanced around
as If in search Of that mythical func-
tlonary. ut would be like the stupid
fellow to miss the boat" he added.
when he comes"
Webster ceased speaking abruptly.
He was looking straight into the
malevolent orbs of PLcker-eye, who
was standing just behind the clerk at
the foot of the gangplank.
~ wonder If Pop-eyes around, ALSO"
Webster thought, and he faced about.
Pop-eye was standing In back If him,
leaning over the railing Of the gang
way.
(which Is the valetT the purser's
clerk asked, scanning the names on the
tickets.
ANDREW Bowers"
"All right, Mr.. Webster the other
answered, with that genial camaraderie
that seems inseparable from all of his
calling. "When Andrew comes I'll
send him aboard"
He started to pass the tickets back
to Webster, but a OBTAINING hand rest
ed on his arm, while dark thumb and
forefinger lifted the trailing strips of
tickets. pucker-eye was examining
them also.
The purser's clerk drove his elbow
backward violently into Pucker-eye's
midriff and shook him of roughly.
Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-11-12
First American Novelist

The man who is usually referred to
as the first American novelist and
whose claim to the title seems to be
,indisputed. was Charles Brockden
Brown, who was born In Philadelphia
In It'll. ana died in 1910. His best
novel. "wieIand." Is a morbid horror
story. based on ventriloquism. and
while improbable II contains scenes
Of great power. He published several
ether novels. ana ia l7oe book on a.
Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-11-12
Starvation Prevented.

With perfect highway system
there can be no stagnGtion Of trans
portation at any time. Normal needs
promptly and properly met will pre-
vent perplexing and costly emergen-
cIes.
Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-11-12

vorce and marriage which enunciated
many views then considered very radi-
cal but now widely accepted. No other
novels than his were published by q
native American until the appearance
Of "The Spy" by James Fenimore
Cooper, In 1881.
Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-11-12
Neadsd for Hoo Comfort.
Intensive Beef Method.

The fattening of calves MS baby beef
Is an intensive metrod Of producing
beef.
Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-11-12
s.narate HIohways Forecast.

Separate highways for the use OF
motor trucks is forecast, due to the
rapid growth Of motor freight trans
portation everywhere In the United
States.
Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-11-12
laIanda Of tha Antlr1es.

Earthquakes and hurricanes are fa-
m'liar phenomena In Martinique. Like
wise GuadeIoupe. which IL really two
islands. called Grande Tens and Basss
Terre. Q marrow arm Of the sea sep
Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-11-12
CompulsIon

Men rebel at compulsion when out.
ward necessity is brought to bear
upon them. In Jesus Christ the 'mustr
was not external. He must be about
His Fathers business because His
whole inclination and will were in ac-
with the WIN Of the Father. st. Paul
Paul came into the understanding Of
that and wrote: "The love Of Christ
constraineth us" that Is compelleth.
driveth Us, The will Of God and the
love Of Christ had become the motive
power OF his life"
Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-11-12

Chickens never wnsh, as many 9TH
or birds do, but cleanse themselves of
insects BY wallowing IN soil. For this
reason every poultry house SHOULD be-
provided with dust bath.
Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-11-12
Most satIsfactory Eoraae.

A permanent pasture supplemented
with quick-growing, heavy-yielding,
temporary forage crops is most salts
factory.
Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-11-12
Vital 70 PROGRESS,

Improvement OF public highways. In
addition to aIrways, railways and wa.
terways, as avenues of conveyance Is
vital to our progress and prosperity.
Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-11-12
Hlnhwaxs Cost More.

The building of highways cost ST.
200 mile more today than It did In
1915.