davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1923-09-19
After Ten Years.
I. O. b. Flint, Mich.

For twenty years two business men
In Vienna met every day at the Schnit-
zelplatz cafe for luncheon, and after
the dishes were cleared away, they
would indulge In a game Of chess.
And every day for ten years a young
man, stranger to both the players,
would draw up 4 chair and watch
them In silence
Finally one day one Of the old gen.
tlemen failed to make an appearance,
and, after waiting a decent length of
time, the other turned to the young
man who sat waiting for the game to
begin, speaking to him for the first
time since he had been spectator MY
partner may not appear today. Would
you care to play a game with me?"
Sorry" the young man replied,
"but I don't know the game."-Metro-
politan.
The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1923-09-19

perhaps still Ia, 4 hiding place for
thieves
Cattle stealers, you meanT'
Eyes. and munition runners. This
whole border Is honeycombed with
that sort of thing, and this hole is
certainly an ideal hideout. Come. let's
sit down here and eat what we have.
for ! am not going to risk a fire, and
I'll tell you theory I've worked out"
"Please do"
The bag Of food the girl had Sc
cured from the ranch kitchen was
carefully strapped to the saddle Of
Sultan. Kelleen procured this and
spread the contents on strip Of grass.
They were both eating when he re-
sumed speech.
81 am inclined to think" he said
gravely, that this has been a rendez-
vous for that sort of traffic for years.
don't believe many have known
about 1t, or else some whispers would
have reached me, but this particular
section Of the border has been a sore
spot for years. Someone stumbled on
this place just exactly as 1 have
perhaps several somebodies-but my
present notion is that the discoverer
was either Bob Meager, or one Of the
disreputable gang he has with him.
His determination to get control Of
the ranch at his fathers death, the
fellows he has brought there from
across the line, and GarrIty's deep in
terest In the affair, all combine to
make me suspicious. Do you see? The
ranch, and this hole, together, make
an ideal outfit for running either cattle
or munitions across the border, and
some of those fellows over there have
been at that job for years."
'Then how do you dare come here
with meT
Because 1t alone promised security
for this one day. Tonight We'll go on,
but we could not travel across the des-
ert in daylight without being seen"
Her eyes were on his face inquir-
ingly.
you dislike Bob Meager very
much? Was that why you were SO
willing to help me?"
Not altogether; 1t may have had
weight 1 confess. Now, however, that
thought has gone entirely"
"And Judge GarrityT'
HE Is utterly despicable."
yet you seemed very friendly with
him only last night. On excellent
terms"
He smiled good-naturedly.
you are quite crOss-examiner, |
Miss Meredith. Sometimes, you know,
The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1923-09-19

Of the boys never came back. You re-
member, don't your
Eyes"
swell, 1 was there and I got mine
about eight o'clock Mine must have
been plenty, for they hauled me back
to the first-line hospital and had some
sort Of surgical job done before
woke up. The man reIt to me died,
and the nurse who was with him-she
was heavily built with very light
hair"
Jessie Sewers"
II don't know, but she gave me a
drink Of water, and then they put an
other wounded guy into the place
where the dead body had been. he
was just kid, not more than seven
| teen, reckon, and was crying like a
baby, his nerves all shot to pieces.
You were his nurse. and lay there
and watched how you fixed him up.
It's not likely you've forgot that"
NO! Mop She bent her head. "He
was from my town; he-he died that
night"
Il didn't know, for they took me
away, but lay there and watched you
for another hour before the stretchers
came. l never saw you again
would have liked to mighty well, and
1 didn't even know your name then
Just a memory Of your face"
He reached out his hand suddenly.
IL wish you'd shake hands with
me-" he said, almost hesitating at his
holiness, "and sorter pretend to for
get that Frisco Kid business"
Il have forgotten It," she answered
steadily, their eyes and hands meet
ing. you were a soldier In my divi-
sion; 1 believe In you, and am your
friend"
The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1923-09-19

TO note his exploits; dispatches re-
garding him were sent east; rewards
for his capture. dead or alive. were
posted. 1t was intimated. finally,
when his name had become suf'-
GENTLY familiar. that he had escaped
into Mexico, and then that he had been
seen again In this neighborhood.
Troops were dispatched to run him
down, and word to that effect scat
tered broadcast on both sides the line.
You see the purpose Of 1t all?"
ITO win the confidence Of the real
gangT
Exactly; and 1t worked The end
is already in sight"
But who, then, are your
"Daniel Kelleen, just as l told you,
captain In the -rd cavalry"
"You-you volunteered for this serv-
Ice"
"Yes; you see 1t was impossible fol
the department to use any officer who
had been stationed lately along this
border. Such one might be immedi-
ately recognized, and the whole
scheme ruined at once. At the same
time, whoever was chosen to play the
character must have intimate knowl-
edge Of the border. l met the require
ments fully, as l had served here ten
years ago as a mere boy, and knew
the country fairly well. So here am.
the Frisco Kid"
Deborah held out here hand impul-
sively.
I'm glad you told me-" she said In
all frankness.
The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1923-09-19

Grave for Dead Letters.

The dead letter Office is in Wash
lngton. D. c., and branches are main
tanned at New York, Chicago and
San Francisco, where first-class unde-
livered matter, not returnable to
sender, is forwarded. Parcel post and
valuable third-class matter which can
not be delivered or returned TO sender
are forwarded TO the headquarters
of the railway mail service division in
which the Office of address is located.
There are fifteen of these divisions,
with headquarters at he following
points: Boston. New York, Washing
ton. Atlanta, Cincinnati, Chicago. st.
Louis, San Francisco, Cleveland, ST.
Paul, Fort Worth, New Orleans, Sc
attic, Omaha and Pittsburgh.-Indi-
annapolis News. =
The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1923-09-19
THE STORY THUS FAR

sYNOPsIS.-On the isolated
Meager ranch. on the southern
border, Deborah Meredith, trained
nurse, Is In attendance on Mrs.
Meager, whose husband has re-
Gently been killed. Immediately
after the death. Bob Meager. Mrs.
Meager's stepson. arrives and
takes possession. He insults
Deborah and she resolves to
leave. but there seems no posi-
bility OF her getting away. Mea-
ger gloats over Deborah's plight.
He tells her he has sent for a
justice of the peace. who will
marry them tomorrow. Horri-
fed. the girl secures a revolver.
The Justice, Cornelius Clarity,
scoundrel and bosom friend of
Meager. arrives with a party,
among them the Frisco Kid"
notorious desperate. Despite
Deborah's protests. the justice
performs the marriage ceremony.
She escapes and reaches her
room. There she stuns Meager
with the revolver and rushes to
the stables. hoping to secure a
horse and escape. There she
meets the Frisco Kid" Some
how he inspires her with conf
dence and she explains the situa-
ton. The kid" tells her his
name Is Daniel Kelleen, that he
IL no friend of Meager. They ride
OF together into the desert. Pres
emily she realizes that Kelleen is
the Frisco Kid" but doesn't fear
him.
The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1923-09-19
SWAMP-ROOT FOR
KIDNEY AILMENTS

There is only one medicine that really
stands out pre-eminent as a medicine fol-
durable ailments of the kidneys, liver and
bladder.
DR.. Kilmer's Swamp-Root stands the
highest for the reason that it has proven
10 be just the remedy needed in thousands
upon thousands of distressing cases.
Swamp-Root makes friends quickly be-
cause its mild and immediate effect is
soon realized in most cases. 1t is gen
tie, healing vegetable compound.
Start treatment at once. Sold at all
drug stores in bottles of two sizes, medium
and large.
However, if you wish first to test this
great preparation send ten cents to DR..
Kilmer & Co., Binghamton, N. Y, for
sample bottle When writing be sure and
mention this paper.-Advertiseme
The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1923-09-19

1t becomes necessary to play a part
in life. What is the cause for all this
shrewd questioningT
II hardly know myself, but 1t is all
so strange, and has happened so sud
denly. 1 am just beginning to think
clearly. How did you happen to
serve In the Thirty-third division
they were all Illinois troops?"
$50 you even noticed that. l was
transferred"
From what commando
1.-THE regulars"
"Was that not very unusual? You
you were surely an enlisted mann"
II did not say So" he smiled back !;
land now that you drive me to a con-
fessIon, l might as well make a full
breast Of 1t. 1 was transferred to take
command of a company"
"A captainT
Eyes"
why" She drew in her breath
sharply. leaning forward with new
eagerness. "Then surely you are not
now what l thought you to bean
outlaw. renegade? You are not really
the-the Frisco Kid'T
"Oh. yes, am. At least am all
the Frisco Kid there ever was, to the
best Of my knowledge. although fail
to line up entirely with the reputation
so kindly given me by Pop Reynolds.
The Frisco Kid Is an entirely manu-
featured character. made for a prac-
teal purpose. Do you grasp the idea?"
She shook her head. but her eager
eyes belied the action.
You have a glimmer. nevertheless.
I'll explain. This portion of the Dor
der has been hotbed OF outlawry for
years. 1t has baffled every command
Ing officer assigned to this district.
We had no information to work on
suspects were numerous, but proof
lacking. Finally pan of action was
evolved, but to carry 1t out success
fully, desperate with an established
reputation as bad man was first of
all most essential. With this end in
view the Frisco Kid was carefully
put on the stage. Newspapers along
the coast. and near the border began
The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1923-09-19
CHAPTER VII-Continued.

"'Pop' Reynolds, hey!" he sai(
lightly. "Then l am sure his stor,
must have been a good one. So h'
told you 1 was a mighty bad man
Well, now you've met me. do you be
lieve it,"
IL don't know" she confessed
doubtfully. IL would rather moi
think that"
(which is q hopeful sign. Well
please try not to think 80 for the mex
half-hour, at least. Then maybe
can tell you my side Of the story
There is no time now. for we've sim
ply got to get under cover. Do you
see that blue ridge over yonder7 You
know what 1t is?'
1.-The Meager ranch, isn't itT'
Eyes, and In twenty minutes, as soon
as the mist rises, they could pick us
out from there with a good field glass.
Well haze to find a safer place to
talk in than this. Here, I'll lead the
horses; It's only step to the rim (;
then we'll both have to make the de-
scent afoot"
They moved forward slowly, into
what appeared to be the interminable
desert, the man blowing his way
through sand, the tired animals fol-
lowing with dropping heads.
Suddenly he stopped, gripping the
reins tightly and pointing with his
other hand Deborah needed no guild
ance, for her eyes were already riveted
on the yawning cash in the surface Of
the desert, staring down with startled
feeling Of awe into the apparently bot
tomless chasm not five yards away. A
moment she gazed, hardly compre-
bending, too thoroughly dazed by this
phenomenon of nature to completely
grasp It's significance. Then she felt
Kelleen lift her bodily from the saddle
and lead her forward to the very edge.
Below lay exposed In the cold gray of
the dawn the full marvel-a deep
gorge, as though scoOped out by a
giant spoon, cut directly across the
barren sand plain, with no evidence
anywhere above of It's existence. To
the eye 1t seemed some three hundred
feet wide, but much deeper, the side
walls rocky and Irregular. the crew
ices and ravines choked Wit, sand,
while far below appeared the soft
green vegetation, and along the base
Of the opposite WALL much more pre-
cipitous than the side on which they
stood, the silvery sparkle Of a small
stream. Deborah drew a quick breath,
glancing aside into the face of the man
at her side.
you have been down there?
Yes; the descent Is not particu-
larry difficult along these ravines; the
sand gives purchase, even the horses
will pick their way"
He smiled at the CONSERVATION In
her face
"What is it?" he questioned; fear |
Of the passage. or of the Frisco Kid'f"
She looked straight at him beneath |
leveled brows, conscious of the sudden |
flush Of her cheeks.
Neither; l am not afraid"
II did not believe you would be, for
you are not that sort at all. The truth
is, young lady, you really haven't so
much on me In this matter of recog-
milton. l happen to know quite bit
about you"
about me? You? What, may /
ask?"
Just a Bit, as say, a mere picture
not easily forgotten. I saw you once,
before ever you came to Meager's
ranch. and have remembered 1t ever
since. Do you remember a morning
IN August, 1913 when the Thirty-third
1ivision went over the top, waded
liver. and cleaned out the heights be-
7ond7 1t was sharp fight and lots
The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1923-09-19
CHAPTER VIII
Story Of the "FrIsco Kid"


To Deborah, Kelleen was no longer
a bandit, fleeing fugitive from JUS
tice. but a soldier who had befe
wounded In battle, who had played TIE
part of a man; while to him the girl
was no longer q stray runaway In
whom he felt little interest, but a
nurse whose face had haunted his
memory since he had first watched
her In the glow of the French sun.
They stood there on the rim Of that
strange crater. the grim, gray desert
circling them about, neither able to
think of a word to say. Deborah's
eyes fell, and she withdrew her hand,
turning to stare Into the depths be-
low The slight movement served to
arouse Kelleen to the situation.
well, this will never do" he ex-
claimed, new cheerfulness In his tone.
"They will have a glass trained on
us over there before we get to cover.
Well send the horses down first;
they'll find the best route and we can
follow. Come, Sultan, over you CO.
old boy; oh, no, you're not afraid;
we've done this little trick before. Go
on, siri"
He struck the animal with the fiat
of his hand and, with a reproachful
shake Of the head, Sultan slowly and
cautiously began the steep descent,
seeking path along the deeper layers
of sand. and zigzagging from gulch to
gulch better to obtain foothold. The
other horse followed. but not without
struggle, trembling with fear, and
keeping close to the trail left by the
leader. Kelleen touched the girls arm.
"Come," he said briefly. a bit of
command In the voice. Really 1t Is
not so dangerous as 1t looks from here.
Sultan has found the best trail, and
we'll drill along after him."
They made 1t slowly, picking their |
path along the trail left by the two
animals finding purchase in the sand,
occasionally steadied by an outcrop- |
ping rock or the exposed root Of some |
clinging shrub. The drop was more |
extensive than Deborah previously had |
realized from above. and the sharp |
descent left her breathless.
The sand disappeared as they
reached the lower levels, the walls be
sheer rock. but slashed with
gullies, and finally these were more
or less choked with vegetable growth.
At the bottom, where the two horses
we're contentedly munching the short
grass, the valley had all the appear
ance Of a new land. made fresh and
verdant by the magic touch Of water.
Deborah at the foot Of the long de-
scent, chung to the projecting root Of
a tree and stared about her with
wide-open eyes, unable to restrain her
"Why this Is simply marvellous" she
exclaimed. 'T did not appreciate
yhat 1t meant from up there. You
nave been down here before, you said?
You-you do not believe you are the
,nly one who has made this discov-
,ry7"
4 mo; that Is hardly probable. There
we're reasons why 1t was impossible
or me to determine the truth when |
vas here before, yet found evidences
hat others had been before me-the
emains Of a camp fire, an exploded
nrtridge shell, and even the imprint 6
f cattle. l have no wish to brighten
gu. Miss Deborah, but my Idea Is
hat probably this place has been, and
The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1923-09-19
EarIy-to- Bed Stuff.

Blaine McGrath's little son was Wis.,
iting In Liberty. Mrs. McGrath talked
over the telephone to the youngster
one day. and she could tell by his tone
that ne was little homesick. II was
apparent that what he was missing
was his occasional trips down town in
indianapolis. where he gathered thrills
from the bright lights of the picture
Shows.
do you really wish to come homer"
the mother asked.
YES" he said, II think / do. There'f
too much night in Liberty. INDIAN
apolis News.
The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1923-09-19
Wor.e, and More of It.

reason why such a steed should not
disport itself on the few square feet
Of his back yard In an unguarded
moment he had obtained a partial
promise that Santa would bring him
pony for a Christmas present. Dad
was put to his wits end to pacify the
young man without creating a scene.
So on the night before Christmas he
said to Buddie, Il was down to the
stock yards today and they had no
ponies, nothing but cows"
Buddie replied. well, then, I guess
I'll take a cow"
The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1923-09-19
CHILDREN CRY
FOR "CAST0RIA"
Especially Prepared for Infants
and Children of All Ages

Mother! Fletcher's Castoria has
been in use for over 80 years to relieve
babies and children of Constipation
Flatulency, Wind Collie and Diarrhea
allaying Feverishness arising there
from. and. by regulating the Stomach
and Bowels, aids the assimilation Of
Food; giving natural sleep without
opiates. The genuine bears signature
The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1923-09-19

The less some men know about a
given subject the more they try to
show of
The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1923-09-19
Classified.

Edith-How does Jack make love?
Ethel-Well. should define it as
unskilled labor
The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1923-09-19

Boys who don't like fighting are
dangerous when cornered.
The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1923-09-19
The Camel.

The camel is hard worked"
Eyes, to me he looks Ike a beast
which has been humping itself too
much"
The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1923-09-19

Help the world when II asks you t
but b. careful when 1t isn't asking
The Washington times., 1923-08-23
Another Letter About Dogs
editor The Washington Times:

Editor The Washington Times:
Dear Sr-Over in New jersey this is being written
sits tearsained quiet little mother and whitefaced
kids They not crying now their grief has passed that
for the In the front the father PAGES rest
lessy back and FORTH stopping times beside the little
casket resting between the two curtained windows.
"a boy just nine years DID, dressed in the had
lies in that casket The little blue eyes closed and the
jagged hole in the little white throat does where
the precious life flowed out Of the fra body because the
undertakers su hand has closed and covered the spot
In another day the box and its precious load will 90
from the little home to the cemetery passing the way
place where two vicious Great Dane dogs sheltered
fed and cared for One of these miserable struck
down this boy killing him wantonly and with the same
frenzy he would and this took place a public
ment park in broad daylight
Today and tomorrow and countless tomorrows
there will be vacant chair in this boys home and void
In the mothers heart that be filled What must
be the thoughts the minds Of the little brother sister
they and in the days the place where
dogs kept protected and fed enjoying the ulness
fe while their brother human being buried9
And other human beings, misguided and van still
Keep the dogs The dogs guard their property from other
human beings less fortunate who with their minds
would perhaps steal from them That their goods NAV
remain in security these dogs kept and allowed to kill
Some of these will say 1T the first they may never
kill anyone else wonder how many times these dog
advocates would offer themselves their children attack
by these vicious, useless and needless animalsH
There is in these times for the keeping at
large Of such dogs and if the said one year in prison
hard labor for the dog for each bite he takes
and twenty years to life in he killed human being
there would be great scarcity Of creatures
Who by the way responsible for this dog being loose
such placei This is matter every father should talk
long and seriously with his Congressman Senator
By national law such dangers be eliminated
---.I ALBERT P LEE, New Haven Conn.,
The Washington times., 1923-08-23
Perhaps Forty Cents Was
Enough
What the Mother Is, the Baby Is.

gentleman who writes ship articles sends thu
following:
Captain Noel Marcantetti Of the Fabre line steamer
Providence relates experience which to his at
tention.
ga wealthy woman, according to the skipper boarded
his boat at Marselles for New York with monthod baby
She was in first cabin in of the best suites
''The child which she did not but rearing
several patent preparations did not do well aboard the
vessel and after few days the ships DOCTOR after
sutation with other physicians, told the that
the baby would undoubtedly die unless nursing mother
could be found to wet the infant
Gin the steerage found an Italian woman coming
here with hardly enough money to pay her fare to her
relatives Boston She had nursing baby but also had
enough milk according to the DOCTOR for two babies
somewhat shortened rations.
few days the baby improved and when the boat arrived
here hardly showed signs Of its former condition.
according to Captain Marcantetti.
mother to nurse her baby telling her price would be
too much for her ask if she would only her chds
ife
When she left the ship also left envelope for
the Italian In it forty cents That a.'
Il 10 possible, Of course that the mother made mistake
and intended give MORE Il Is certain that the captain
ships doctor should have used authority and the power
public opinion the ship to make that she DID give
more.
Is also true unfortunately that many Of the prosperous
attach little Importance to the services Of the poor
And finally It Is quite possible assuming the story told
10 be true that mother with little gratitude would pro-
duce baby not worth more than forty cents.
The Washington times., 1923-08-23
How to Stop a Vicious Dog
A Readers Interesting Contribution.

editor The Washington Times:
"Dear Sir-Can be that Of people looked
on while Great dog killed chidi It is most
cowardly exhibit of manhood I heard Of.
1.-Two could have rushed those dogs and saved the
boys life
The whole bunch should have been held accessories
to his death
"a good kick under the dogs throat would have sent
him running can't understand what got into those
peoples minds stand awed dogs have travelled
hundreds Of miles among farmers have got OFF my horse
and pushed my past fierce, snarlng dogs and they
would stink away drop behind and follow along. If
dog sprung suddenly from kennel kicked him under the
jaw throat and he kept his distance.
T hope you will print this with the wish that the whole
cowardly bunch will purchase 'make-man' tablets
and use them. G. WRIGHT,
''No. % First street. Yonkers, N. w