davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-07-19
The Cigar-Case Mystery
By Edward Lucas White.

"But how am I to protect you from him % I demurred.
 'You won't have to-" she asserted. Tile is very fiery. and to be thwarted turns him into a lunatic for the mo- ment- He was angry enough to try to kill me; and he would have killed me with the dagger and taken his chances.
 But he was careful to make no noise. When you baked him, he saw scarlet, and would have shot you cheerfully and brought ruin on us all.
 Now that he has had time to cool he will do nothing. He will not in terfere with me again. because you know-nor with you. because I know. When himself. he is very cautious I put the case in my inside coat pocket and unlocked the door. She stood up.
 You had best not speak to me at all, nor be seen again. This must be good-by:" leaned heavily on the knob of the door
 Would you?" I babb1ed. 'swould you? Oh, would you?" She read my eyes, smiled, and, taking my face between the palms of AiCi h4SSCO lIlS l"1CS- all but tainted. Nobody had ever kissed me that way except my mother.
 When a fve-year-o remembers at all, he remembers for life. Her kisses were slow and warm, like my mothers. There was girlish in tensity in them that thrilled me. But there was also a motherly yearning of solicitude that was an unmistakable final farewell.
 You silly boy" she said as she stepped back, ito ask for what you could take. You are so young and so humble! As if any woman could deny you!' The contrast between the sort of kneN I felt in those kisses and the piquancy of her words and tone set my head whiriing. And then she bewildered me still more. Her face crinkled up into a smile that was positively merry, and, mocking curtsy.
 Somehow I found myself outside the door in the sageway.
 On deck my head cooled, and I had no difficulty in getting rid of both the dirk and pistol without being seen.
 In my cabin I looked over the cigar case. I got my mucflage, scissors, and paper and reincased 1t in a tight cover. It was clear that it was just as safe or just as unsafe where it had been before as any where else.
 So I unlocked my trunk and dived down through layers of clothing to the bottom corner.
 There I felt the well known shape and drew out the paper-cased parcel from exactly where I had put it.
 sat staring from the one to the other.
 Except that the mucilage, still fresh, dampened the paper on one, I could not have told them apart
 I was growing inured to mysteries.
 I put the two packets side by side in the bottom of my trunk and went to bed.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-07-19
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND LEGISLATORS DINE AFTER
 PRESENTATION OF BUDGET

A meeting of senators and repre- sentatives of Fairfield county, and the county commissioners, was held today at II o'clock in the corridors of the court house. The building was filled with groups renewing acqualntances. After the meeting when tho budget for the ensuing year was presented to the senators and representatives about fifty went to Lehmann's Shore House on Seaview avenue where they were feted by the commissioners.
 Those present at the meeting were: County Commissioners Frank E. Baf- lard. Bridgeport; Henry P. Crawford Greenwich; Charles H. Hart, Bethel; County Treasurer Edmund $. Wolfe Bridgeport; County Auditors John Hill, Shelton; Marshall P. Treadwell New Fairfield; Senators E. Earle Gar lick, Alex. L. Delaney, H. s. Chal- lenger, from Bridgeport; Elmer S. Banks, Fairfield; Nehemiah Candee, Norwalk, and M. H. Kenealey. Stam- . ford.
 Representatives: Albert J. Magnus. Bethel; W F. D. Fitzpatrick and Charles l.. Dennis, Bridgeport; Ed mund Weld, Brookfie1d; George w Andrews and A. Homer, Pillow, Dan- bury; Charles E. Williamson Darien: George B. Gregory, Easton; Frank E. Morgan and Charles C. Lacey. Fair field; Albert E. Austin and Charles R. Wills, Greenwich; Solon B. Wales Monroe; John H. Behre, New Canaan; Marshall TreadWen. New Fairfield |;
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-07-19

Philo T. PIatt and Newton N: Cur and Harvey NJ. Kent. NorwaIk; Michael Connery and William E. Ha- zen, Bedding; Seth l.. Pierrepont. and William c. Barthite, Rideefield; Wat son E. Phillips and John H. Hill. Shelton.
 Irwin c. Atchison. Sherman; Fred- erick w. HuXford and Daniel F. B. Hickey. Stamford; Frederick S. Beardsley and George A Fairchild, Stratford; William F. Waller, Trum- bull; Frank c. Fitch. Weston: Daniel B. Bradley and Harry R. Sherwood, Westport. and Ernest c. Roscoe, Will ton.
 Other guests invited to the dinner were High Sheriff of Fairfield County Simeon Pease. Judge James F. Walsh. Greenwich; H. P. BisseII, RidgefieId; State Comptroller John Cuneo. No<- walk; County attorney, Edward Grove. of the South Norwalk Sem tinel: Richard Howell of the Sunday Herald; Judge Fred A. Bartlett, Bridgeport: Harry E.s Mckenzie Bethel, State Prohibition Enforcem ent agent; Fred M Solomon. Judge of Probate of Westport; W. H. Brown county sealer of weights and meas ures; David P. Wright, deputy taller of Danbury: John A. Leonard, Bridge port; John Thornhi1l, BrookfieId; Walter Daskanl, George T. Mccarthy, Joseph T. Coughlin of Bridgeport md James Fowler. Deputy Prohibition Enforcement agent
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-07-19

We stood, each ey1ng the others case.
 What an odd coincidenceT' I ex- claimed. "Our cigar cases are alike.
 "One might say twins" he replied.
 And made in Germany I would wager I pursued.
 They appear identical" he ad- nitted.
 "An idea strikes me- I went on. "I am an original character; some people call me eccentric I have my wllims. Since we meet by chance and find our cigar cases duplicates. let ex- change. The hazard seems a sporting notion"
 "Agreed.' he replied. But how do you know rny cigars will be as good as yours?'
 How do you know" I retorted, that my case has cigars in it at all?"
 'Ill take the r.sk," he said. Make it swap, pig in a poke"
 At this final password I hand d him the shut case, took his and open ed it. When I had lit a cigar, I re- marked:
 Excellent. Permit me to return your match box and to offer you one of your own cigars"
 He took one.
 "Hurrah for free choice of cigars' he said without vivacity.
 "Hurrah for free choice of c!gars"' echoed. And, what is more. hur- rah for yours. This one Is so good that I do not think one case of cigars is a fair exchange for yours. Permit me to offer you another besides y And I held out the other case I brought.
 He bridled, visibly astonished.
 This was no part of my instruc- sions," he said in a puzzled tone.
 ''Nor Of mine." I treasured him. But I had dummy case for blind, and I got the two mixed. l don't know which is which. But when you have both together, you will be safely certain what one is the right one"
 1T see" he exclaimed, accepting the second case and pocketing it. ''Hur- rah for free choice of c:gars!'
 ''Hurrah for free choice of cigars!" I repeated after him. and at once walked past him toward the Capitol. Copyright 1922, Thmompson Feature
 Service. q
 (To Be Continued Tomorrow.)
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-07-19
HUM AND PURR OF AUTO ENGINE
 MORE AUDIBLE

Washington, July 1s-That the hum and purr of the automobile en- zine is more audible than ever, and that all America has taken to wheels. Is indicated by the announcement by the Bureau Of Mines that gasoline stocks in the Unted States. which have been steadily mounting to new high record marks, are now on the decline. On June l, stocks on hand at the refineries amounted to s56.- 6oT,1O2 gallons, which is s5.661. 900 gallons below the record figure Of s92267,766 gallons attained at the beginning of May. The fact that the billion-gallon mark, forecasted in some quarters, was not reached seems d,fe to the tremendous increase In domestic consumption of gasoline. which amounted to 499,242,343 gall Ions in May. This figure represents an increase in domestic consumption nf gasoline Of 113 ,0o0.000 gallons over the month of April and 145.000.o00 gallons over the month of May, 1921. Gasoline consumption figures for May constitute a record for that month. and are within four million gallons of the record-setting figure attained in August. 1921, although occurring three months before the customary month of largest consumption.
 Production of gasoline in May amounted to 513,65s,e66 gallons. an increase of 100000 gallons over the month of April. The sharp increase In gasoline consumption. however, was sufficient to offset the increased
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-07-19
THE PEOPLES SAY
TO THE EDITOR, Brid geport Times.

I have read your article regarding the Plaza and in answer to the same should like to he quoted as follows:
 The owners of the property, at the time condemned, beginning at Wall and Water streets up Bank and State streets. have been paid for the prop erty and are now satisfied but are disappointed at the conditions the Plaza has create6> More so, the own CTS of property that has been assessed large sums of money for promised Improvement are disappointed. The fact is that ever since the Plaza has been created and left as it is, the street has suffered, owing to the lack of attra ctions. etc.
 The city therefore. in my opinion. has right and a duty for the good of all, to do it's utmost. Nothing would improve it so much as some sort of amusement place, with suit able surroundings to draw the public. with plenty of lights to make the place a real center, and an honor to those who will bring this improve nent about
 This is from citizen here in Bridgeport, over 35 years in business, and who has suffered the conse- quences of the destruction of the street by the Plaza.
 A PROPERTY OWNER
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-07-19
FAIRFIELD

The well known church, St. Mary S.
 by-the-Sea, in Fairfield, is to be con
 verted into an ice cream emporium.
 For years this church has stood as
 by many tourists.
 The church is on small peninsula
 off Watson's Point. It was built
 many years ago and originally was the place of worship for Episcopa-
 liens who summered at the beach.
 During the past ten or fifteen years
 no services have been held at the
 church and except for a few visitors
 the place has been deserted. It
 was not possible to learn today who
 had leased the place to remodel it into an ice cream parlor.
 The Fairfield Memorial Library is appreciated by the residents of the
 town, and young and old are taking out books, according. to the report
 which has just been issued by the of
 ticials of the library. The average
 output of books for the current year
 has been 13O day against 11S, last
 year. The school children were ire
 Quent visitors at the library and the
 officials feel gratfied at the fact that the children are taking an interest in reading. It has often been said that
 there could be no better education than reading and from appearances this lesson has been instilled into the minds of the young ones. A big feature which was started this year
 
 ing, which was cared on every Sat | urday morning.
 An addition to the High school is the newest project to be launched by 1 the town officials. Monday evening g special meeting was called in the town hall and Judge Bacon Wakeman pre- l sided. It was the livelieSt meeting l held in the town in years and excel l lent results were accomplished. A | standing vote authroized S160,000 tc | be spent for the new addition to the l high school. Simon Bradley, member | of the finance board gave a lengthy | explanation on the new school project | He stated that O. C. S. ZirolH had been chosen consulting architect witt | whose counsel the board had made 2 | careful survey of the arrangements | The final proposal as accepted ir | the vote provided a brick and sand | stone building with nine rooms. 4 gymnasium and an assembly hall vii | also be included in the new addition | The building is to occupy lanS witt | dim ensions of 6S by 100 feet. It was decided to begin the work | as soon as possible and the members | of the arrangement committee will l be picked from the board of educa | ton and the finance board. Bids will probably be called for within a short | time and the work will be started
 Within year it is expected full worl l will be done.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-07-19

oroducion and to inaugurate the sea sonal decline in stocks a month earl Ter than 1t usually occurs.
 Reports to the Bureau of Mines show that 315 ref1neries operated during May, an increase of 12 as com cared with the previous month. Plants a naverage of s5 per cent. of their daily indicated capacity.
 amounted to 55.s2s.ss9 gallons: inn shipments to insular possessions were 1,35s.3 gallons.
 Production of fuel oil set a new record in May. amounting to s36.- production record of this product was s59. 100000 gallons attained in De- uemter, 1921. Stocks Of gas and iuel oil on hand June 1. were 1,321.- ooo,ooO gallons over the previous month.
 Of interest to autohomile users Is the announcement that stocks of lu- brtcattng oils showed a decrease nf l0,ss7,ooo gallons from the figures for the previous month. The pro- ductton of lubricants In May amount ed to 7s.s42,SI2 gallons. an increase over April. but increased consump- ton of these products affected a re- duction in stocks to a figure of 22S = ssssss1 alons reIens as on hsnd Nav with
 It Is estimated that approximately 50 per cent. of the iubricating oils produced are consumed by auromobi users.
 Stocks of kerosene on hand June ] amounted to 31s.ss0,131 gallons. Pro- ductton and stocks of kerosene show decrease for the month of May stocks having reached the lowest point since September 1e1s Expor, shipments of kerosene in May amounted to 63.0Oo,oo0 gallons, which April
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-07-19
STAMFORD 5

public hearing regarding the es- ta ablfshment of a 10 foot building line on the east side of Main street, be- road v:aduct, was held in the town hall yesterday before the ordinance committee. Arguments for and against were heard by the committee who will report to the common coun- cil at the meeting Monday night. The same routine was put through for proposals of curb. grade, and side walk lines to be placed on North ave- nue, West Broad street and other thoroughfares.
 The new triple combination pump ing engine was turned down at the meeting of the Stratford Board of Fire Commissioners held last night. The S10,000 jugernaut has successful ly passed the pumping tests but be- cause of carburetor trouble the ac- ceptance of the engine has been de- laYed.
 The machine will be placed in first class condition before the next meet ing of the commissioners so that they may then accept the latest thing in fire equipment The two chemicals now at the central fire house will re- main there according to the decision of the commissio oners, although the residents of the eighth and ninth dis tricts are very anxious to obtain the new engine for f1rehouse No. l.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-07-19
CHAPTER VIII
The Transfer.

Next morning. when I again open ed my trunk and took out the two packets, the mucilage he'd dried. was totally unable to tell one from the other.
 to speak to Olga. I had but one be- fore we landed. She looked unaf- fectedly shocked and pained.
 You said good-by,' she protested.
 "Yes,' argued, 'tbut we both thought the case you gave me was the one from my trunk. It was not"
 How do you know that?" she queried sharply.
 T found mine in my trunk I said
 How do you know the one in your trunk was yours?" she demanded.
 T don't,' I admitted.
 'fThen, deliver the one I gave you,'' she concluded.
 But I have mixed them" I de- murred 1T can't tell which is which,
 Then deliver both together" she summed up. dismissing me With an impatient gesture of anxiety and haste.
 At the Fifth Avenue Eote1 I found no letter. Nor did any reach me the second day. or the third. I occupied my time sightseeing. Even fresh from Europe. I found endless interest in New York.
 On the the fourth day came the expected envelope addressed in the purple typewriting. It contained the usual single sheet of paper, with the following words inscribed on it:
 Go to Chicago. Stay at any big hotel for three nights. Then spend two nights in Cincinnati. Then go to Washington to the Raleigh" I found Chicago sufficiently inter- esting, and managed to pass a day at Cincinnati. The first morning I woke in Washington I found my instruc- tions enveloped and written like all the rest:
 Tonight Stay in the library of Congress until 1t closes. You will find your man under one of the lamp posts opposite the north flight of steps by the sidewalk fountain. After you leave him, walk around the south end of the Capitol. go down the steps. and take a car to the Treasury. From there go where you choose. Your mission is fulfilled
 When I came out of the library of Congress I trod slowly down the steps, across the platforms. down the steps, and across the street.
 Only one man was in sight under
  open cigar case and stood coming and smelling one cigar from it after another.
 With dumping heart. ap- preached him. stopped at arms length, end enunciated:
 You seem we'll provided with cigars, sir.''
 What is that to your" he retorted.
 "No offense. sir," I apologized. ''No offense intended. No harm done, I trust. Seeing you so we'll provided with cigars, I conjectured that you might have matches also and might oblige me with one.''
 Certainly, sir!" he replied.
 And holding his cigar case open in his left hand, he took from his vest pocket small match box and held it out to me.
 'tThank you,' said. Permit me"
 Holding the match box in my right hand, I ran my left inside my coat and brought out one of the black cigar cases.
 At sight of that. he shut his with a
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-07-19
City Court Notables
 Adjourn To Beach

It looked as though the cfey court had adjourned to Fairfield Beach yes terday afternoon to hold their daily session. Judge William B. Boardman was enjoying the refreshing breeze and while walking on the sand was met by Prosecutor E. Earle Garlick and Assistant Prosecutor Vincent L.. Heating who had come to prosecute all the unruly bathers they could find The only thing missing to have the beach converted into a regular city court room was the bench for Judge Boarcman. However. he was per fectly contented on the sand, accom- panied by his two assistante
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-07-19
New Stamps Will
 Go On Sale Aug.

Word was received from the post office department at Washington yes terday that no sales of the new issue of special delivery stamps will be made until the present supply is sold It is beEevsd that the new stamps will be placed on sale about August 1.
 A departure from the familiar de- sign showing delivery boy with his bicycle is noted on the new issue, The central design represents the front of Colonial resjd ence with the more modern motorcycle featured as thu messenger's conveyance
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-07-19
Order Oil Company
 To Discontinue False
 Representation In Sale

Washington, July 1e-An order to discontinue false representations" in connection with the sale of oil stock and securities has been issued by the federal trade commission against s. E. J. Cox, his wife, N. B, Cox and the Prudential oil Company. all of Houston, Texas.
 A total of LIDO persons. tho com mission said in announcing the order today. were shown by its investtgs- dnn, probably to have been rnislead and deceived in the purchase of stoel nf tho companies"
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-07-19
Change Schedule
 For New Haven Cars

Trolley cars to New Haven will leave the corner at Golden Hill and Main streets on the hour and half hour, beginning today. This displaces the former schedule in which the cars left that juncture at Is minutes and 45 minutes past the hour. New arrangement was put into effect to relieve the congestion Of traffic caus- cd through the construction Of the road now going on in Milford. The schedule will be in effect until surther notice.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-07-19
PRESIDES AT MEETING
 GIN 93RD BIRTHDAY

Berlin, July 19.-wi1lian1 Buckley. who was 93 years of age yesterday, 7ressded at the annual meeting of the Serlin Savings Bank of which he has been president for s9 years. It was expected he would be reelected pres ident for the footfeth year.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-07-19
KNIFE CUTS THIGH
 OF RESTAURANT MAN

Several stitches were taken by pr. A. B Marquis to close a knife wound in the side of Louis Darin, while working in restaurant at 795 Main street The knife accidentally pierced the mans side as he was clearing a tahIe
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-07-19
FIRE IN WOODBRIDGE.

Woodbridge, July 19-A bucket brigade failed to save the barn of Alfred L. Beecher on Valley Brook Farm, yesterday, and it burned to the ground with s2,000 loss. However, the bucket handlers, re1aying pails of water from a nearby brook. saved the house and other buildings.
The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1922-07-20

being a Republican, there might be
an obligation to support him, but he
hasn't. In fact he has already open
ly announced that he will be but an
echo for LaFollette, who is SO good
a socialist that the Berger party in
Wisconsin refused to name candi-
date for senator against him.
A combination such as suggested
above would make the senatorship
the real center of the fight in the
fall election, and with both factions
placated, it would win by about the
same vote that Gov. Nestos will have.
-Mandan Pioneer.
The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1922-07-20
RESPONSIBILITY DETERMINED

The insincerity of the Democratic
party was impressively expressed a
few days ago by Sen. James E. Wat
son of Indiana, when he read to the
Senate that clause of the Democratic
National Platform of 1916 which dealt
with the subject of cloture. The plat
form said:
"We favor such alteration of the
rules of procedure of the Senate of
the United States as will permit
prompt transaction of the nations
Legislative business.
AS pointed out by Senator Watson
this was the first national platform
ever to mention the subject of limita-
ton Of debate in the Senate. Com
menting upon that platform plank,
Senator Watson said:
'"That was very concise and en-
phatic declaration in favor of limita-
ton upon debate in this body. It
will be recalled that in the campaign
that year Woodrow Wilson, the then
candidate for the Presidency Oh the
Democratic ticket, referred on sever
al occasions I, 'l:,s lila. in the Hem-
ocratic PLATFORM, and insisted that
some limitation should be placed upon
debate in the Senate. Evidently the
plank has been rec, I'll with so much
favor throughout the country in that
campaign that the Democratic party
in convention assembled thought it
worth while to repeat it in the plat
form of 1920, and chat year, in exact
ly the same language, the same plank
again was incorporated. So that So
far as a solemn declaration of pur-
pose is concerned nothing could be
more emphatically stated than the in
tention of the Democratic party, thus
announced in two conventions, and al
so the unequivocal declaration of the
candidate for the Presidency upon a
platform insisting that this p.tniiSe
should be redeemed in good faith.
In 1917 cloture rule was adopted
with the supporting votes Of both
Democrats and Republicans. The
rule is now part of the rules of the
Senate and upon the petition of fif-
teen or more Senators the question
whether the rule shall be invoked is
laid before the Senate and determined
by a two-thirds vote.
In pursuance Of that rule the Re-
publicans endeavored to limit debate
on the tariff bill after the debate had
been proceeding without limitation for