davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1921-12-02
PAGE THREN

was all Burke knew Of the matter, and
his interest in it was not keen.
/ am inclined to think now that /
went at the problem without much
system, and that any success achieved
was through pure accident. During
the forenoon / dropped in upon Glenn
ent Breckenridge, cashier Of the Do
ver's National bank. We had been
classmates at college, and generally
called on him when in the city. This
time / led the conversation to Kulb,
KrantZ & Co., on the pretense that 1
had received mail from them relative
to some recommended investment.
Clement knew Krantz we'll and favor
ably, and my probing elected the in
formation that the man was Austrian
by birth, but naturalized citizen,
rather deeply interested in political
matters. If his sympathies were at all
revolutionary he had carefully re-
Trained from any such open express
sion. The firm had made speciality
Of handling South American business,
and had intimate financial connections
in both Rio and Buenos Aires. The
company ranked high In financial
circles.
1.-The present war must have cost
them rather heavy loss" hazarded
However, this is nothing to me. By
the way, Clement, do you chance to
know Of Cans street in this town."
&c
Try the CITY directOrv- 49,
Ine name was not to be found nor
any other approaching it in sound or
spelling, and l finally drifted out onto
the street, really no wiser than when
first entered. made one more effort,
however, telephoning to a detective
sergeant whom l knew well, as to the
present whereabouts Of Ivan Waldron
The last heard Of Waldron, he was in
West Virginia, speaking to striking
miners; that was less than a week
ago; he had not been seen in the city
since.
The whole affair looked hopeless.
About all l could do would be to send
the torn note to the proper authorities
III VdSuluSlOu, Wllu statement OF
how it came into my possession, and
let them dispose Of the matter in any
way they deemed best. l wrote such
a letter carefully on hotel stationery,
and went down to mail 1t in the lobby.
Before disposing Of it in the maflbox
l encountered the manager, Burke, and
stopped for word. We were still
talking when a bellboy came up hur-
riedly with a message. Burke turned.
What is it, George?"
THAT Cans street party is on the
wire, sir"
"Oh, all right. Excuse me, Severn,
but I've been trying to get connection
for an hour"
But wait a minute" my veins tin
Cling. did he say Cans street? Where
is that? There is no such name in the
city directory"
Continued Next Week
Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1921-12-02

Who was Krantz? There was a we'll
known banking firm, Kulb, Krantz &
Co., in Wall Street, and 1t was quite
probable these might prove the ones
involved, although to my knowledge
they had no outward junta connec-
tions of this nature. "Gans" was evil
IDENTIFY a street, although / could recall
none bearing so peculiar appellation,
while the password was in itself proof
almost positive as to the South or Cen
tral American sympathies Of the con-
spirators.
These facts were fairly clear as l
thus Weaved them together, but they
were rendered more damning by the
other name STANDARDIZATION If
this was Ivan Waldron, had good rea-
son to know the fellow, and to con-
meet his activities with any scheme
destined to embarrass the government.
he was professional agitatOr of the
most pronounced type, a socialist radi-
cal, who in the past had openly advo-
Gated opposition to all law and order.
Moreover the fellow had a large and
desperate following, to whom he was
high-prieSt. He was reported to be
Russian by birth, but spoke English
without an accent, and felt no doubt
but what sufficient amount of money
would engage his interest in any des-
perate cause. The desire to "get him"
10 ir@ &C.;
If he was actually at the head of these
fellows, these plOtters against the neu-
trality of the United States, the catch
would be worth while.
AS soon as possible next morning 1
sought out Burke, the manager of the
hotel, with whom / had a speaking ac-
quaintance, and, without contiding the
extent of my discovery, questioned him
relative to the mysterious box, and the
guests who left it behind. Two men,
he said, both we'll dressed, but with
nothing particularly to distinguish
them, had registered together late in
the afternoon of Friday, September 27,
and on request had been assigned to
The larger man, who had inscribed him
self as "P. S. HOrner, Detroit" alone
had bag; his companion, known to
the hotel as "Gustave Alva, Toledo,
Ohio" being without baggage. The
bill was paid the next morning by
Horner, and the two departed together.
1t was an hour later when the cham
I bermaid on that floor reported finding
the box in the room vacated After
holding it for a day or two in expec-
tation that it might be called for, no
such inquiries being made, the hotel
endeavored to trace the men, but to
no avail. The fellows had either false
ly registered, or were entirely unknown
where they claimed residence. The
first was the most probable condition.
After thirty days, and having exhaust
ed all reasonable efforts to find the
rightful owner the hotel felt legally
justified in selling the trinket. That
Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1921-12-02

never suspect the possibility of its ex-
istence. Not only was there a false
bottom, but the opening revealed a
closely folded paper. l grasped this
quickly, thrill running through me.
What ancient and long-buried message
was about to be unfolded?
But no! This was plainly modern
a clean, white sheet, no folded parch-
ment Of old, but some mystery of yes
terday. There was writing there, in
Spanish, so family traced l could
barely decipher the words, yet clearly
revealed as Of this day and generation.
l know Spanish fairly well, having had
a year in Mexico City, yet it required
the message on this sheet. The paper
had been torn, seemingly sundered
from much longer letter, and pre-
served merely because Of the specific
address and instructions it contained.
Beyond doubt all else had been de-
stroyed What remained may have
been sufficient guidance to the party
who had the benefit Of what went be-
fore in the original epistle, but was
obscure to anyone else. Yet it was
modern, something relating to this
very time, menace; something to be
grasped and understood. This cOnvic-
tion absolutely gripped me. l stared
at the rather sinister words, blindly
cropping at what lay hidden behind
them, instinctively scenting cOnspir-
acy Of evil which l could not deter
mine All unintentioned / had stun
bled into a clew which might lead to
startling results, yet it seemingly gave
me no hint of who was involved, or
Of it's real nature. put the words to-
gether, weighing each one with care
as to it's exact meaning, and read them
over with increased bewilderment. The
torn fragment began and ended alb
ruptly; could only guess at it's mean
ing, yet the impression left upon my
mind was both sinister and menacing
I wanted to know more.
108 sailed Saturday from Stockholm. VIII
deposit letter of credit with KrantZ to
your order. Amount ample all needs. See
to this at once, and advise 876 Cans, so
as to be no delay. Two raps, three-Cer-
vantes Waldron favors action this month;
suggest Watonia. Can you be ready? Use
South A code.
That this letter was authentic l had
no doubt, nor was it's meaning alto
gether obscure in the light of certain
events. Several illusions were famil-
lar to me and these were what caused
my earlier suspicious to crystalline into
probability. 1t bore all the earmarks
Of a plot, revolutionary plot, and one
not yet brought to consummatiOn. To
be sure the note was undated, and the
box had been left at the hotel thirty
days before. Yet the Watonia was GER
tainly the name of ship and to my
memory suggested Central American
trade. This did not necessarily imply
that the conspirators had abandoned
their purpose. More likely they were
Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1921-12-02

not quite ready in time to operate on
the sailing date of that particular ship.
Some delay had occurred, and, posi-
bly,, even now prompt action might
overturn all their plans. l undressed
and went to bed, but not to sleep for
the darkness brought new thoughts
and suggestions for the morrow.
was still in government employ, al
though unassigned, and felt this dis
covery to be direct call upon my
service. While my first inclination
should naturally have been to turn the
whole matter over to the proper bu-
reau for investigation, two facts led
me in another direction-I was suffi-
ciently young to seek adventure, and
l desired to verify my suspicious be-
fore creating any false alarm.
AS l rested there, sleepless, staring
up at the black ceiling, the words of
the strange fragment of letter re-
mained vividly before me. Little by
little l dug at the truth, coming finally
to this conclusion: "108" was, no
doubt, the recognized number of some
agent who had been dispatched to
America on a special errand to the
conspirators in this country. He had
sailed Saturday, month ago, or more,
and must have long since arrived at
some port, bringing with him instruc-
tions not to be intrusted to the mail;
and sufficient money, in form of letter
Of credit, with which to finance what
ever nefarious scheme of revolution
might be contemplated. This money
Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1921-12-02
CHAPTER |.
The Message in the Box.

Anticipating the possibility Of my
train arriving late, had named the
hour Of my meeting with Cummings
as three o'clock, and, in consequence
Of our reaching the city exactly on
time, was compelled to loiter idly
about the hotel for an hour. However,
in passing through the corridor my
attention was attracted by an unique
curiosity shop occupying small side
room, and, merely to pass the time
pleasantly, l entered and began exam
lining the strange collection Of wares
on display.
There were several articles I liz
gered over, tempted to purchase, buf
drifted on, rather undecided, until my
eyes perceived a very quaint lacquered
jewel box, of class Of workmanship
quite unusual. The proprietor per-
ceiving my interest, Joined me.
"The jewel box attracts you," he
said pleasantly, opening the case and
bringing it forth. "You have love for
such things"
"a deep interest at least" admit
ted, taking the article from his hand,
"a collector in an amateur way. What
Is the rkmanship-surely not Jap
anese?"
"NO," smilingly. Although posi-
lively / cannot answer as to it's or
igin. The inscription, which can only
be read with microscOpe"-he traced
with his finger-"is ancient Arabic,
but no wild Arab ever did the lacquer"
"Yet so strange a curio must have
history, an imaginary one, at least
What is the story?"
POSITIVELY none," he admitted re-
gretfully. 1.-THE fact Is, this article was
found by chambermaid in one of the
hotel rooms, and turned in to the man
ager. He made every effort to trace
the guests, only to learn that they, two
men, by the way, had registered false
ly. He even advertised, but with no
response, and finally, after thirty days,
was persuaded to accept my offer for
the article"
"You have put price on this"
"Yes, ridiculously low, no doubt, yet
bringing me good profit"
He named price, and, still with the
box in my hands, yielded to the temp
tation, and bought it. The article was
sufficiently small to find lodgment in
an overcoat pocket, and, as Cummings
appeared little later, was soon for.
gotten in the earnestness of our con-
versation. We later had dinner to-
gether, and attended the theater In
company, my mind SO occupied with
other matters that I scarcely once
thought of the strange purchase had
made, which remained securely hid
den. It was only after returning to
my own room, then nearing midnight,
that 1t was again recalled to memory.
Only an idle curiosity and feeling
Of sleeplessness induced me to draw
the article forth, and remove its wrap
pings, but the sight served immedi-
ately to increase my interest. 1t was
certainly a wonderful find, artistically
beautiful, and most unusual in design.
There was a mystery that must have
exercised a strange spell over my
Imagination, for dreamed Of the long
dead workman who fashioned 1t, for
getful Of the passing night hours. A
clock somewhere in the neighborhood
struck, and I counted twelve, arousing
myself. Perhaps was already half
sleeping, for as turned to rise my
sleeve struck the box at the adGA Of
Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1921-12-02

the table, and before l could prevent
the fall, 1t lay upon the floor at my
feet
AS l stopped hastily to recover the
overturned box, 1 was astounded to
discover the bottom slipped partially
aside, as though some secret spring had
been touched, revealing so narrow a
receptacle that the ordinary eve would
Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1921-04-08
STRYCHNINE USEFUL
TO DESTROY RABBITS
Good Lively Machine Gun Is
Harmless in Comparison.
Record Of 1000 Animals to One Ounce
Of Poison Made in Gooding Coun-
ty, Idaho-campaisns in OH
er Western Statea

prepared by the United States Depart.
ment of Agriculture.)
A good lively machine gun is harm
less when compared to strychnine-
at least when it is used to extermi-
nate rabbits. In Lincoln county, Ida.
no, the farmers, working in coOpera-
ton with the biological survey, United
States Department of Agriculture, re-
port that one ounce Of the poison killed
400 rabbits. Farmers in GOOding cOun-
ty did even better with their poison
and averaged 1.OOQ rabbits to the
ounce. MinidOka county, conducting
poison campaign under the direction
Of the bureau, killed 10000 rabbits.
These figures are illustrative Of the
work that has been done under gov.
eminent direction in exterminating
rabbits in the western states. where
they are SO plentiful as to be extreme
~ destructive to orchards and crops.
ge-scale campaigns were organized
in Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Nevada.
Utah and Arizona under the leader
ship of Department of Agriculture rep
A>'Ss'eest''Vs anu aAOuS CVOptTduvO
lines in which the state governments
the state extension service, and the
land owners assumed a share of the
responsibility. In addition to the poi
soning methods, great rabbit drives
were conducted, some Of which re-
suited in the killing of as many a.
10000 rabbits.
The representatives of the bureau
Of biological survey emphasize the fact
that, In the West, the rabbit is seri-
GUS menace. Rabbits often devastate
large fields of grain and destroy val
liable orchards and vineyards. There
are instances where orchards repre-
senting the work and savings of life
time, and which constitute the sole
support of the owner, have been COM
pletely destroyed in a single night by
jack rabbits
Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1921-04-08
FEATURES OF GOOD KITCHEN
Good Light and Ample supply Of Fresh
Air Are Among Essentials for
Best Results.

A conveniently arranged and
equipped kitchen means lighter work
and shorter hours for the housekeeper
and her helpers, say household special
lists Of the United States Department
Of Agriculture, who give the following
hints in Farmers Bulletin GOT. The
Farm Kitchen as a Workshop:
Plenty of light and good air are
essential to good results In the kitchen
and to the comfort Of those working
there.
Running water and drain for
CARRYING off waste save the house
keeper many steps and many hours.
Pantry. dining room. and stOrcrOoms
should be convenient to the kitchen
and so far as possible on the same
= floor level.
Floors. walls. ceiling and woodwork
should be made as easy to clean az
possible by citing, painting, or cover
ing with suitable washable material
Unfinished wood floors. holdings and
table tops are poor economy they are
hard to clean and soon show stains
and signs of wear.
Durable. convenient equipment 10
most economical and should he so
placed that there Is the least possible
strain on the workers muscles ms she
performs her tasks. Many Of the tired
backs are the result of improperly
placed kitchen equipment.
Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1921-04-08
GOOD
ROADS
BUILDING MANY NEW TRAILS
To Assist in Construction Of Highways
Federal Fund Of S64,533,0ts Has
Been Approved.

prepared by the United States Depart
nent of Agriculture.)
Between 5000 and 10000 miles Of
the marked trails which now crisis
cross the country from east to west
and north to south are to be con-
structed by federal aid. This amount
is composed OF S55 projects, which
form links In one or the other of the
"a marked trails which have been laid
out by private associations
Every automobilist is familiar with
the Dixie highway. the Mohawk trail,
the Roosevelt highway and score of
other marked trails which are SO well
built and maintained that driving on
them Is Joy and comfort To assist
in building these highways a federal
fund Of SG4 533 ,O19 had been approved
by the bureau of public roads Of the
United States Department Of Agricul-
ture up to September 30. 1920.
These trails do not constitute an en-
tirely satisfactory system of traDscOn-
tinental roads, as officials of the de-
partment say their selection in many
cases has been Influenced too much by
such factors as pre-existing conditions,
promise Of improvement by local
communities. pressure Of selfish influ-
ence, and desire to touch points Of
scenic and historical interest.
The extent to which federal aid has
been applied to the trails varies in the
different states. Naturally the West
ern states are using much more of
their federal appointments in de.
veloping roads of this character than
the Eastern states. This is due to the
fact that the trails In the Eastern
states had already been improved to a
large extent before the roads were Sc.
lected by the pathfinders. This was
not true in the West, where long
stretches of the selected roads were
still in an unimproved condition when
they were designated.
Nevada leads in its use OF federal
funds ." roads Of this character
Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1921-04-08
WHAT THEY DO WITH BONUS
Seventy Per Cent Of Minneapolis Men
Increase or Open New Saw
inQs Accounts.

What do ex-service men do with
their bonus money received from the
various statesi
Some persons opposed to handing
out cash to the men either by the
states or nation. give as their greatest
argument that the bemeficlnries will
squander the money fOOlishly as soOn
as they get 1t.
But the experience Of the Wells
Dickey Trust company Of Minneapolis
which firm has been instrumental in
advancing ~, 2d5, 600 to ex-service men
through special arrangement with the
bonus board, completely overturns this
conjecture. Figures just compiled by
the cashier Of the trust company show
that Of the 1924 claims handled by
the hank for Minneapolis men, 20 per
cent of the men increased their own
accounts and rs per cent opened saw
ings accounts ut once.
Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1921-04-08
DRIVERS CAN ASSIST ROADS
In Going Up Hill. Particularly One
Paved With Concrete. Right
Side 10 Favored.

"Dl 'vers can do as much. almost,
for the maintenance of good rOais as
highway engineers" declares Alfred
#. Masury.
Die you ever notice." asked Mr..
Masury, "in going up hill. particular
~ one paved with asphaltic concrete,
that the surface on the righ-hand side
Of TIE road is wavy and rough while
that on the left-hand side Is smooth?
We'll. the reason 10 this: The ex-
tra traction required 70 climb the hill
wears and tears the surface, while
there is little or no traction down hill.
Another thing. the right-hand track
Of the road 10 either direction is the
one which IL worn most This is be-
cause Of the arched surface Of the
road which throws the greater weight
and strain on tile right-hand side Of
the vehicle and consequently the right
hand side Of the roadway. Truck
builders and wagon makers have even
adjusted their axles and springs so as
10 Withstand the greater strain on the
right hand side Of the vehicle.
Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1921-04-08
CAMPAIGN FOR BETTER slREs
More Than 5000 Persons Have Agreed
70 Breed All Live Stock to Pure
bred Sires Only.

The better sires campaign recently
passed the 5000 mark. This means
that more than 1900 persons have
agreed In writing to breed all live
stock kept on their farms to pure
bred sires only. II is one Of the re-
suits thus far accomplished by the
United States Department Of Agricul-
ture. In cooperation with the states
and county agents, In systematic
campaign begun only IA months ago
TO exterrninate scrubs-especially
scrub sires-throughou the United
States Breeders and owners Of all
classes Of live stock and poultry are
cooperating in the effort which even
tually will mean higher quality av-
erage Of the country's live stock.
Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1921-04-08
BLASTS Hopes Of Politicians.

The Endorsement Of a candidate for
political preferment by any Organiza-
ton Of the American Legion In Illinois
will result In disciplinary action for
the offending organization, 1t was de-
cided at "A meeting Of the state execu-
tive committee Of the Legion. The ILL
nOis lcgiOnnaires further resolved that
we disapprove the use of the name Of
the American Legion or Of the prestige
Of Office or membership therein by any
person for the furtherance Of his per-
sonal efforts to promote any political
candidacy or partisan principles"
Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1921-04-08
FamiIiarity's Breed.

AT the grave of the departed the
old darkey pastor stood, hat in hand.
Looking into the abyss he delivered
himself of the funeral Grafton.
Samuel Johnson" he said sorrow
fully, 1--WE hopes you is gone where
we 'specks you am't."-American
Legion Weekly.
Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1921-04-08
Particlpatlon In Athletics.

Athletic programs have been devel-
oped in a number of state depart
ments Of the American Legion. In In
diana and Iowa Legion basketball tour
naments are under way, and in Massa-
chusetts under the leadership Of a
committee composed Of notable Mas.
sachusetts athletes, Legion members
propose interstate competition in q
number of major sports.
Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1921-04-08
Flowers From President Wilson

A bouquet Of flowers from President
Wilson was sent every day to Wells
Hawks, veteran press agent and com
mander Of s. Rankin Drew Post $40 Of
the American Legion at New York
during his recent Illness. Mr.. Hawks.
while on a visit to Washington. was
suddenly taken down with infiamnra-
tory rheumatism and removed to
George Washington hospital. II was
pital that the President, member
Of the American Legion. aided his
buddy"
Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1921-04-08
SUPERIOR BRACE FOR FENCE
Timbers Firmly Mortised In Afford
Great Resistance to Heavy
Strain Of Wires.

The constant strain Of a wire fence
soon pulls the posts over. This is es-
pecially annoying when the fence is
built on curve. Here Is n rail brace
that presents great resistance TO the
destructive force of the wires. II is
placed 1S inches above the surface OF
the ground and Is Inortised into the
Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1921-04-08
The Greater Shame.

WHEY Aren't you positively
ashamed that your wife and daugh
ter are out al the elbows?
Hub-Nope. But am ashamed
that they are all out al the knees
American Legion Weekly.
Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1921-04-08
war Memorial on Mountain.

The furious baltles fought during
the war on the HartmannswilerkOp
in Alsace, will be COMMUNICATED by
the erection upon its apex of huge
cross which will be visible from the
Rhine valley The monument will he
erected on portion Of the summit OF
the mountain which will be considered
as sacred ground.
Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1921-04-08
Prices Must Decrease.

Road materials must go down In
price or the hard road building pro-
gram will be discontinued. according
10 Gov. Len Small OF Illinois.
Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1921-04-08

IAN life" says one Of our cOntem-
poraries sOlemnly ais cooperation.
Yes, indeed. The birds lay eggs and
the snakes eat them.