davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1922-04-16
The Memorandum Book Thrills

/ line too. far up on the page. Sure!
That's the way it goes"
Crossing out his copied entries ne
began over again. counting, adding,
subtracting and copying very care
fully.
"sure. This is It! I've got 1t now
he said with satisfaction. wait a
minute and I'll show you the whole
thing"
Mr.. Bode stepped forward. "Show
me now" he said peremptorily.
But Trumbull clapped his hand over
the sheet of papers. "Oh. now. 1t
would spoil it to show you now" he
said.
!, Mr.. BODIES glittering eyes narrow
ed bit and he drew the slung-shot
Damn you. you're trying a game" he
said evenly. you think you can put
something across on me. Hold his
hands, Tim; I'm going to slug him
one"
The typist took step forward; but
served. There's the game now"
For there was a rush of feet in the
outer room. Before he ceased speak
ing the door burst open and four men
ran in, the two foremost holding re-
volvers.
chuckled aloud; then sang out, Hello
Jack! Hello, Bill! Just in time
And to one Of the foremost men he
added. Look out for the old boy.
He's got his hand on a gun in his
coat pocket"
THE person addressed-who. like
his companion, had been mys-
| teriously attached to the Trumpets
pay roll ever since threats OF a strike
| of delivery wagon drivers had arisen
stepped forward with an amiable
grin and advised, good-naturedly
Better hand it over, Kelly"
Kelly. realizing that this fellow
cutthroat would shoot him at the
drop Of the hat If his professional
engagements required it, handed over
the weapon: then turned savagely to
the amateur typist, whom the second
thug from the Trumpet office had
recognized with fraternal grin.
you skate! You let the woman
| pump you"' he cried.
II did not" the typist replied, warm
ly. "She just asked me where her
husband was, and 1 said he was at
| the newspaper Office"
Thereby helping to Gnch it,
Trumbull commented, and tipped back
his head and laughed gleefully. Much
obliged for the boost, old man.
didn't really need it; but I'm much
obliged"
Rising, he then addressed the elder
captor: why, you old gray ass. my
wife knew all about that memoran-
dunn book. She's the only outside per-
son that did know. Her name is not
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1922-04-16

A FACE with blue eyes rose in
! Trumbulrs mind and the moisture
ON his forehead became SO copious
that he mechanically wiped 1t away.
He was looking at the man behind
the deck, and feeling toward him a
profound, white-hot hatred. which
provoked him to say:
You can go to hell. you dirty dog!
can stay here as long as you can"
The man behind the desk began
calmly putting the banknotes back
in the drawer When they were all
in and the drawer closed he looked at
his watch.
cit is now half-past five. can
give you an hour to think it over,
without you the memorandum book
would be harmless. A simple way
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1922-04-16
THE SUNDAY STAR wAsHINeToN ApRH.A1e.


then the slight moving of a chair
from which he inferred that the beast
was sitting down in the chair that
held his overcoat.
Presently he lifted his head. turned
woe-begone face upon the captors and
laughed nervously. The laugh seemed
to startle him little, and he passed
his hand back and forth over his FORE
head. Three yellow-bound law books
lay on the table. He picked up one
of them, aimlessly turning Its leaves
and reading snatches at random.
Abruptly. he laughed again. nervously.
and at once laid the book down, rub
bling his forehead.
He jerked the watch from his vest
pocket, consulted it and thrust 1t
back. His hands moved restlessly to
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1922-04-16
CONTINUED from Fifth Page.)

tempt at smile Pickering in his
slack mouth corners. Il can hardly
claim to live here. At most, / exist.
May 1 ask where you are FROM"
New York." says Barry.
"Ah" says the wreck. New York!
You-you may find it difficult to be-
lieve, but 1 lived there. too. But
that was long, long ago. Yet 1t
seems as if-oh, Of course. Pardon
me-"
las IL what?" urges Barry. Go
ahead"
well, 1 fancied," says the stranger,
miliar"
by George"' says Barry. stepping
closer and staring at him. Yours,
too. But can't place you. No. I'm
Barry Plat. Ever hear the name?"
"Platt?" says the other. Barry
Platt? Yes. recall you now. One
of the young reporters on the Sun
day edition, weren't you? / remem-
Der illustrating some of your signed
specials 1 was in the art depart
ment. McGill. I used to sign my
stuff"
A ND that brought a gasp from
"A Barry. Say" says he. You
you're not Tommy McGill, are you?
Not the one who did those bully black
and white sketches?"
Well, 1t seems he was. And with
that Barry introduced me and all
three of us sat down on the rickety
veranda of the shack while McGill
told US how and why.
my eyes went back on me. you
know" he explains. Hit me all of
much synthetic hooch. Prohibition
had hardly come In when-when 1
went out I was getting over an at
tack of flu and trying to work too
soon afterward. Optic nerve wouldn't
stand for 1t, suppose. Doctors said
1 ought to get off in the wilds some
where and rest for a year or two.
Sounds simple enough. But there /
was with wife and the two little
boys, just scrubbing along from
month to month. All had to raise
any money on was the old home up
in Brattleboro. 1 meant to hold onto
that. but instead I had to sell it for
what I could get"
"And how did you come to drift
down here? asked Barry.
Read one of those lying land
booming pamphlets" says McGill.
land was fool enough to believe that
five or ten acres anywhere in Florida
would produce an income. Honestly.
I thought all one had to do was stick
out a few hundred orange trees. and
while waiting for a big fruit crop
raise high priced vegetables between
the rows. Some saphead, wasn't II"
But you didn't buy this sand lot
as an orange grove, did you?" asked
Barry.
absolutely" says McGill. From a
map they sent me. And I'd lived here
three months and had the bungalow
nearly finished before 1 discovered
how badly I'd been stung. Found I
owned good site for glass factory.
and that was about all.
.But-but your family?" hesitated
Barry, looking around.
The ex-artist dropped his chin in
his hands and for minute or two
didn't try to answer Then. without
looking UP, ne told us in dull. life
less voice. .Gone. says he. Helen
and little Tommy and Baby Bunting.
The storm took them away from me-"
"Eh?" says Barry. What Storm"
Now?'
"You didn't read about our big
storm Of last fall?" asks McGili,
well, 1 suppose it didn't interest you.
But we had cne-a terrible storm. 1t
came in from the gulf, a ninety-mile
gale roaring up from the tropics.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1922-04-16

ing, and the gas meter stood on q
high iron bracket on the west wall.
The amateur typist lifted a chair be-
meath the bracket and stepped up on
the chair. Grasping the bracket with
mighty hand. he pulled strongly
upon it.
It'll hold all rights been
tested" said the elder man.
The typist then put a cord through
each side of the bracket, SO that they
dangled down very suggestively. Next
he stepped from the chair. moved 1t to
one side and approached the table.
Take no chances; we'll gag him.
the elder man directed. And, turning
very deliberately to Trumbull with
his upper lip slightly lifted and cold
hate in his eyes, he explained: We're
going to tie you up by the thumbs
until we get back-an hour or So"
The typist grlnned and stepped
around the end of the table, the
slung-shot ready in his right hand
the left
Trumbull started back in the swivel
chair and cried out:
Wait, l see you've got mel can't
help myself. I'll give you the book"
Both the captors seemed rather dis
appointed but they said nothing. The
elder merely eyed the reporter with
menacing question.
ITS at home" said Trumbull. my
wife can get it. I'll give you a note
to her"
VERY we'll. then" said the elder
man, as deliberately end metallically
as ever. Trumbup looked about the
table and picked up a sheet of note
paper.
Tear of the letter-head." the beast
directed premptorily. And make your
note very brief and very much to
the point. Just say, Deliver the book
to the bearer describe the book, and
tell where it is Nothing more. Don't
try any tricks, for you can't put EN-
over"
He seemed to regret that the re-
porter's thumbs were still free.
II understand" said Trumbull hum
bly,. you can write the note II you
want to and I'll copy It."
WRITE I. yourself" the bogus
w lawyer replied brusquely. And
he looked on while the reporter wrote
as follows:
Dear Agnes:
There Is a small red memorandum
book in the middle drawer OF the lit
tie cabinet on the right-hand end OF
my writing desk In the living room
You have the key to this cabinet,
Give the memorandum book at once
to the bearer of this note. 1t is i'm
portant that he get lit Immediately
non,t fail Yours. JIM
Trumbull handed tho note to the
elder captor. who studied 1t oven
thoughtfully and gave little nod
saying decisively:
"That1l answer. We're taking no
chances, Mr.. Trumbull. Just fold your
note and write the address on the out
side of 1t.
Dutifully, Trumbull folded the note
and wrote upon the outside. Mrs. J,
H. Trumbull. 1922 18th street" with
which the elder man was satisfied.
Handing the note to the amateur
tvpist. he remarked in a dry and cas-
ual manner;
"Bettsr leave me your slung-shot
and when you go out lock the door
to this room and to the outer room
and take the keys with YOU" s
The slung-shot he dropped into his
right hand coat pocket, along with
the revolver.
.arhe quickest way to get UP there
from here" said Trumbull. sis to take
the 9Th avenue elevated. There IL
only short walk at that end then"
And as the amateur typist turned to
the door he again laid his arms or
the table and buried his face In them
He heard the key. turn in the inner
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1922-04-16

other pockets. and he took to strok-
ing his cheeks. In a moment he
picked up another law book, turning
the pages rapidly at random and
reading by snatches here and there.
Then he put that book on top of the
first one, looked mournfully over at
his captor and fetched a deep sigh.
After that for two minutes he
stared into his lap. slowly rubbing
his hands one over the other and
certing manner. At length he took up
the third law book, opened it in the
middle and carefully read a whole
page through, frowning slightly with
the effort to concentrate his mind.
Having finished the page, he closed
the book with a bang and laid it on
top of the other two. For the next
| five minutes he slowly rocked him
self back and forth in the swivel
chair, softly whistling over and over
two bars from popular song.
Where do you live, Mr.. Bode?" he
asked abruptly, and before the lawyer
could answer headed: ITS all over
now. but it's terrible disappointment
to me. There's more in this than you
know Of" He jerked out his watch.
HE ought to be up there in fifteen
minutes If he took the elevated"
He rocked and whistied for a mo-
ment.
WHERE did you say you lived
w Say You're going to give me
that money now, aren't you? You've
charged it up to somebody or other.
You'll pocket it il you don't give it
to me. 1t belongs to me by rights.
II you do me out of it, I'll get even
with you-remember that. You don't
want me on your trail. do you? Hand
over the money and TIL call 1t square.
Are you going to do it?"
I'VE will talk about that later"
said the bogus lawyer in his deliber-
ate and metallic way. He was frown-
ing slightly his square jaw was men,
acingly set, and his cold eyes were
intently fixed upon the reporter.
Later, eh?" said Trumbull loudly.
and laughed-the mirthless. jarring
laugh of hysterical person. Later.
Ell? All right, but see you talk turkey
when you talk at all. I'm a man Of
dren M Roda, R,+ Won .a;d h. MA.
az -, town wh.t,s ,,o,,. naua INV.
,,,st 10 t,,,ean n,,r.a,vass"
Ha ,ooIaa sh,su1d,v ora, ~ hi. c.n.
~ ~ ,a.tas s,s 49, d.,en :,
an.uar -
"oh don.+ .r :, vo, don,t want
=. /. .a,d..ha ra,n...- r,;tr hooyv .ar.
cs.ra ...I..s ,n,,. 80 hns;ness Won
know" He iarkea ont his watch
aea;n "He onght IN he nm there by
this time and on his way back.
Twantv minutes more-sav. twenty
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1922-04-16

that this fellow was taking the inter-
view out of his hands. But, after ALL
writing his address was easier than
arguing about it. Being an efficient
young man, he wrote. handing back
the card.
Eighteenth street-not far away"
the lawyer observed, reading the adj
dress. you are married, I believer"
yes"
ANY children
zone female child, named Janet.
aged two years and ten months. What
are you doing-taking censusT
mo, Mr. Trumbull." said the lawyer.
unmoved. The Trumpet, I suppose.
pays you eighty or a hundred dollars
q weekr' he added with the utmost
GOODNESS.
well. suppose away" the reporter
restorted sarcastically. ITS really a
hundred-if you are an income tax
collector. See here, Mr.. Bode. came
up here to ask you some questions,
and If you don't want
The lawyers cool. metallic tone cut
him short with. I'm good time. Mr.
Trumbull. You have a certain red
memorandum book which was given
you by Peter Gorman," the lawyer
continued, very deliberately.
ct have" the reporter replied decis-
lively. cit contains an account Of
transactions between some pawnshops
that are nothing but fences for
thieves and some members of the po-
lice force, and there are certain dam
aging entries in It in Capt. Bahn's
own handwriting"
YES" the lawyer replied coolly. II
want that red memorandum book. 1t
Is necessary that get 1t.
Into Trumbulfs astonished mind
dashed the thought. so that was why
Clancy got me to come up here Tip
Ding back his head he Laughed
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1922-04-16

CILENTLY and obviously the bogus
- lawyer handed over the book.
Trumbull turned to the table and
picked up a piece of paper
IT'S simple as a, b, C when you I'M
derstand the thing" he repeated, but
1T takes little figuring to get 1t
started. You see, the real stuff don't
begin until the middle of the seventh
page; then you count six lines-lets
see-seven and six are thirteen"
He frowned little and rubbed his
hand across his brow. Just give me
a minute to figure the thing out, and
I'll show you how to pick out every
item that really counts"
He went over to the chair where
his overcoat lay and sat down. but
he had some trouble in arranging his
book and paper.
"Just hand me one Of those books
there, will you?" he said to the typist,
nodding to the pile in the corner
I've got to have something to put
this paper on. I can't write with 1t
on my knee"
The typist handed a book, and with
his paper on that and the memoran-
dunn book in his left hand Trumbun
prepared to write, while the two cap
tors stood near, watching him. Be-
ginning at the middle of the sixth
page, he copied an entry from the
book. then counted six lines and
copied another entry. Setting down
the number thirteen on his paper. he
subtracted i've; then counted eight
limos and copied another entry. but
the entry seemed unsatisfactory. ana
he counted again, frowning and rub
hing his brows.
you fellows got me all sort OF stir-
red up" he, complained. MY brain
don't work right. You SEQ, 1t ought
to run. seven, six, flve. four. three
two. one and then back again" He
scowled over the entry and counted
again. -oh. see now. began one
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1922-04-16

large yellow teeth. And somehow
Trumbull remembered how, when he
had been talking with Clancy. a man
had stumbled against him and paved
over him. He had thought Of a pick
pocket and felt for his watch. He
now understood that it had been a
scout searching him for concealed
weapons. OF course, Mr.. Bode knew
he was 'unarmed. The reporter
stepped over to the chair where his
hat and coat lay.
1.-THE man outside has a slug-shot.
He will beat you into. pulp If neces-
sary-and take pleasure in doing It,"
the lawyer observed.
Trumbull recalled the huge-shoul-
dered typist, and sat down. He was
about to affirm that the city editor
knew where he was, but Clancy had
waylaid him outside of the Office, and
he had not gone inside or telephoned
since. OF course, this old devil at the
table knew that.
you can't put this across, any
way" he declared belligerently. IF
I don't show up, the newspaper men
will begin to look for me. It's only a
question of time until they find me-"
IT doubt If they will look very far"
the bogus lawyer replied. IF you
don't go home tonight your overcoat
and hat will be found on the end OF a
pier tomorrow morning with this card
sticking In the hatband. AS 1t has
your house address written on 1t in
your own hand. what would be more
natural than to infer a case Of sui
cide%
Two or three minutes passed. The
man behind the table broke the ST.
lence with his usual Internal delibera-
ton:
"A superstition of suicide. I imagine,
will be trying for your wife. should
think ten thousand dollars would be
pleasanter for her"
The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1922-12-01
RedbOne School District
Votes $f2,5OO
Bond Issue

In the election held in the Red
Bone School District Wednesday
to decide whether that district
would vote a $12, 10000 Bond
Issue or. not, Bonds carried by a
good majority and the good peo-
pie of that district will shortly
have a modern and up-tc-date
school house.
This is one of the sections Of
Lee county and the good people
of this district have been work
ing for some time to get a new
school house which is very much
needed.
AS soon as the bonds can be
validated and sold the contract
will be let and work started at
once.
The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1922-12-01
The True Tom Watson

One Of the most interesting,
though brief, works written and
published in Georgia recently is
The True Tom Watson, = just
issued by the Sage publishing
Company, Flatiron Building, At
lanta. 1t is a sketch of the
Sage of McDufie" which pre-
senta the high lights of the spec
tacular career Of the writer,
orator and statesman in a most
vivid and interesting manner.
1t is from the pen Of Williams w.
Brewton an Atlanta attorney,
who was for years an intimate
friend of Mr.. Watson, and the
material from which it was pre-
pared was furnished the author
by Mr.. Watson himself. There
is an introduction by Dudley
Glass the we'll known newspaper
writer.
Some of the famous trails in
which. Thomas E. Watson was
counsel are reviewed, as are the
campaigns in which he fought
for himself or his friends, while
extracts from some of his most
noted addresses or editorials are
given. Notable is Watson's re-
ply to Booker 7. Washington on
the negro question, which is re-
produced in full. The work is
said to be meeting with an ex-
ceptionally large sale. It will
be mailed to any address, post
paid, for 25 cents, or can be
found upon the principal news
stands tnrou ghout the South.
The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1922-12-01
$500 an Acre Is Profit
Made From Pecan Crop

AMERICUS, Ca, Nov. II. =
Six hundred dollars per acre in
crop yield is the net return claim
I'd by Henry w. Smithwick,
American pecan grower, for this
season. This return is claimed
for FIVE acres of Smithwicks place
which embraces altogether about
eighty acres. The land when
purchased originally was worth
approximately $40 an acre.
Smithwick's crop this year for
the five prize acres will average
about 1900 pounds to the acres,
the average price per pound be-
ing computed at so cents. Guilt
walton and care Of the trees, in
Guiding fertilization and harvest
ing, cost Smithwick approx
mately $50 an acre, and to this
taxes, ETC., add another $500
per acre, leaving a net return Of
1866 per acre earned this year
Smithwielkis entire place is plant
ID to pecans, although many of
MS trees are young and not yet
in full bearing Atlanta Geor-
gian.
The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1922-12-01
Marvellous Transformation
From Near Bankruptcy

1t has been a marvellous trans
formation from near bankruptcy
in 1920-21 to- comparative pros.
perity in 1922 = from l0-cent cot
ton and despair to 25 cent cotton
and good cheer in the face OF
Europe's scanty purchases, ac-
cording to Atlanta business men.
!. Forrest Adair, ST., says it is
not a miracle. Mr.. Adair keeps
in close touch with the. invest
ment world, the real estate mar
ket and business generally
throughout the entire country
through the extensive connec.
tons of the Adair Realty and
Trust Company of Atlanta, of
which he is the head. 1t has
the distinction of being the old
est company of its kind in
America.
1t ism tsmaryelous, this trans
formation, Mr., Adair points out,
when one comes to think of it,
we one analysizes it and under;
stands it. There has been no
miracle. Nothing has been
created by fiat Of government.
The South itself has done it
The people have lifted themselves
by their bootstraps, as it were.
That is, being thrown back upon
their own resources, the South
ern folk were compelled to de-
pend upon themselves. to bring
into play their own ingenuity and
they have succeeded in:
l. Adjusting supply to demand.
2. Financing and marketing
intelligently; and
3. Improyising new methods
creditto take the place Of default
ed methods Of pre-war days.
1t was all the joint accomplish
ment Of farmers. merchants and
bankers of the South, who in
their necessity discovered and
put to use talents and facilities
not before realized 1t has been
a costly but a valuable expert
ence. That is, it will prove of
inestimable value if the South
takes the lesson to heart, If it
maintains the practices and in
strumentalities of the achieve
ment and persevere in self re-
lance, business men here say.
The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1922-12-01
Senator FELTON,
Back from Capitol

Senator Rebecca Latimer Eel
ton has reached Atlanta from
the national capitol, where she
was formally sworn in as a United
States Senator, Senator George
having withheld his own COM
mission that Mrs. FELTON, might
be the first lady Senator to oc-
cupy a seat in that august body.
:, Senator FELTON,, as she is now
telling her friends, was the re-
cipient of many courtesies while
in Washington. Senator Harris
entertained her and Senator
George and Former Senator Hoke
Smith at luncheon.
Later Senator Hoke Smith
entertained at a dinner party at
the Shoreham. Senator FELTON,,
Senator and Mrs. George, Sena-
tor and Mrs. Harris were the
guests of honor, together with
the friends and relatives of Sena-
tor George and DR.. FELTON,, Of
Gainesville, the son of Senator
FELTON,. who had come to attend
the ceremonies of the Senate.
Miss Marie Crawford and Major
0. H. Bloodworth, Jr., assisted
Senator Smith. in entertaining
his guests at the Shoreham dim
ner party.
Congressman Gordon Lee gave
Mrs. FELTON, a luncheon in the
house restaurant in Washington
before her departure. United
States Senators Walter F. George
and William j. Harris and For
mer Senator Hoke Smith and
members of congress were pre-
sent
The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1922-12-01
Another SawmiII
Destroyed by Fire

The sawmill of Mr.. H. T.
Kearse located on Kinchefoonee
creek about 3 miles from Lees
burg was totally destroyed by fire
Monday night. About eight
thousand feet of lumber was also
burned. This is the third mill to
be burned in the past 8 months,
the first one was that of Mr..
Leverett and last week the mill
of Mr.. e. P. Bass near Philema
was burned. this we failed to
mention in our last weeks paper.
The loss to Mr.. Kearse in the
Monday night fire amounted to
about two thousand dollars.
The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1922-12-01
Georgia Press Supports
Miss Emily Woodward


Evidence that the Georgia
press Z is actively behind the
candidacy Of Miss Emily Wood
ward, Of Vienna, Ga, editor Of
the Vienna News and sponsored
in the Atlanta Journals Good
Will" election by the Sloan Pap
err Company of Atlanta, is seen
in the complimentary editorials
the Georgia dailies and weeklies
are Writing in her behalf.
Members Of the Georgia press
are actively behind her and are
giving hsr their moral as well a
financial support.