davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-12-26

This is Paul Harley speaking
he said. us that Benson 2"
Eyes, sir" answered the butler.
Good morning, sir"
Good morning, Benson. | have
one or two questions to ask you, and
there Is something l want you to do
for me. Miss Abingdon is out, 1 pre-
sume?"
yes, SIR" replied Benson sadly.
"At the funeral, sir"
us Mrs. Howett in ?'
"She is. sir"
81 shall be around in about a
quarter of an hour, Benson. In the
meantime, will you be good enough
to lay the dining table exactly as ii
was laid on the night of Sir Charles
death?"
Benson could be heard nervously
clearing his throat. then: perhaps,
sir" he said, difidently. II didn't
quite understand you. Lay the ia
BILE, sir, for dinner?"
For dinner-exactly. I want
everything to be there that was pres
emit on the night of the tragedy:
everything. Naturally you will have
ITO place different flowers in the
vases. but 1 want to see the same
vases. From the soup tureen to the
serviette rings, Benson. 1 wish you
to duplicate the dinner table as |
remember it, paying particular at
t~ention to the exact osition of each
article. Mrs. Howett will doubtless
be able to assist you in this
Very good, sir" said Benson
but his voice betokened bewilder-
ment. II will see Mrs. Howett at
once, sir"
Replacing the receiver, Harley
took a bunch of keys from his
pocket and, crossing the office,
locked the door. He then retired to
his private apartments and also
locked the communicating door. A
few moments later he came out OF
1.-The Chancery Agency and pro-
ceeded in the direction of the Strand.
AS he alighted from a cab before
the house of the late Sir Charles,
Benson opened the door. Eve have
just finished, sir" he said, as Har-
ley ran up the steps, but Mrs.
! Howett would like to see you. sir"
Very good, Benson" replied Har-
ley, handing his hat and cane to the
butler. II will see her in the dining
room, please"
Benson throwing open the door,
Paul Harley walked into the room
which so often figured in his vain
imaginings.
Brows contracted, Harley stood
just inside the room, looking slowly
about him. And, as he stood so, an
interrogatory cough drew his gaze
to the doorway. He turned sharply,
and there was Mrs. Howett, a pa
thetic little figure in black.
"Ah, Mrs. Howett," said Harley,
kindly, "please try to forgive me for
this unpleasant farce with its pain
full memories. But 1 have a good
reason. l think you know this.
Now, as l am naturally anxious to
have everything clear before Miss
Abingdon returns, will you be good
enough to tell me II the table is at
present set exactly as on the night
that Sir Charles and l came in to
dinner?"
mo, Mr.. Harley" was the an
swer, that was what l was anxious
to explain. The table is now laid as
Benson left it on that dreadful
night"
"Ah, l see. Then you, personally,
made some modifications?"
II rearranged the flowers and
moved the center vase-so." The
methodical old lady illustrated her
words. "I also had the dessert
lspoons changed. You remember,
Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-12-26
JAMESBURG'
CELEBRATION
Christmas FittingIy Observed
in Borough in Every way
Churches Give Programs

JAMEsBURG, Dec. 26.-Christ-
mas was flttingly observed through
out the borough. At the Jamesburg
Presbyterian church, the entertain
ment was given in the Sunday
school rooms by a talented reader.
The members of the Sunday school
went to the State Home for Boys on
Monday night and gave their 1922
entertainment for the benefit of the
boys and it was well-received.
On Sunday evening, at the First
Baptist church, the Sunday school
gave an extended program that pro-
vided many numbers. Gifts were
distributed by the teachers of the
several classes. The organist, Mrs
Albert G.. Lange, was given a gift,
The Sunday school superintendent
Jacob Weisert; Miss Grace Jaqu
and Edward Clinton, Jr., were also
remembered by special gifts. or
Monday evening, at the JamesburG
Methodist church the following pro
gram was rendered under the direc'
ton of Mrs. Ernest Bennett anC
Frank NJ. Denton.
Song, school; responsive reading
prayer, song, Nc. 8 class; IA Swee'
welcome Lawrence Moore; "Th'
Christmas Star" Edith Tilton; song
| No. 6 class; christmas Bells" Edit
O'Dell; song, '"The Babe Divine" sil
girls; song, class No. s.; 1--WE Wan
to See the Christ Child" three girls
"A Caution" Verda Bennett; song
Glass No. 8; christmas Emblems,'
chorus. I'm the Manager Lowly," girls
chorus; THE Bethlehem Way,
Ethel Mount; song, class No. 10; "A
Christmas Star" Primary grade
recitation, Donald Brown; song, class
No. IL; "The Bethlehem Baby
Leonora Tilton; song, class No. 10
1.-The Wondrous News" three girls
His Message" Grace Kennedy
song, THE Coming of Santa
Frances Denton; song, class No. 10
"a Surprise" Cornelia Jennings
"Christmas Night" Villa and Dell;
Soden; "The Parcel Postman," Or
vile Moore; "Silent Night. Holy
Night" chorus. Gifts were dis,
tributed by the teachers of the sun
day school. The auditorium was
prettily decorated.
Christmas carols were sung OF
Monday night in probably the mos
elaborate name in years. By 6
special request of Grand Master vii
liam II. Bright, of the Independent
Order Odd Fellows, the local society
Fidelity lodge, organized a specia.
chorus for the singing of the carols
They met at 1890 and went to the
State. Home for Boys where they
were entertained around the com
munity Christmas tree on the lawns
that had been prettily decorated fol
the holiday. Yisitations were made
to numerous cottages where carols
were sung. On the return to James
burg of the choir, stops were made
at lower Jamesburg and carols sung;
Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-12-26

for he unlocked the door with a key
which he carried and, entering a
tiny shop, closed and locked the door
behind him again.
The place was not more than ten
yards square and the ceiling was
very low. 1t was barely furnished as
an office, but evidently Mr.. Parker's
business was not of a nature to de-
tain him here. There was a second
door to be unlocked; and beyond il
appeared a flight of narrow stairs
at some time the servants stair OF
the partially demolished house which
had occupied that site in former
days. R~elocking this door In turn
Mr.. Parker mounted the stair and
presently found himself in a spa
cious and we~ll-furnished bedroom.
This bedroom contained an ex-
traordinary number of wardrobesl
and q big dressing table with wing
mirrors lent a theatrical touch to the
apartment. This was still further
enhanced by the presence of all sorts
of wigs, boxes of false hair, and
other items of makeup. At the ta-
BILE MI. Parker seated himself, and
when, half an hour later, the bed
room door was opened, 1t was not
Mr.. Parker who crossed the book
lined study within and walked
through to the private office where
Innes was seated writing. 1t was
Mr.. Paul Harley.
CHAPTER XII
The Purple Stain
For more than an hour Harley
sat alone, smoking, neglectful OF the
routine duties which should have
claimed his attention. His face was
set and grim, and his expression one
of total abstraction. In spirit he
stood again in that superheated
room at the Savoy.
He rang the bell communicating
with the outer office. Innes came in,
"Innes," he said, rapidly, lis there
anything of really first-rate impor-
lance with which l should deal per-
sonally?"
well" replied the secretary,
glancing at some papers which he
carried, there is nothing that could
not wait until tomorrow at a
pinch"
1.-THE pinch has come" said Har-
ley. II am going to interview the
two most important witnesses in the
Abingdon case"
The speakers face grew grimly
serious. "Inness, if 1 am right.
Shall probably proceed to one of two
places: the apartments of Ormuz
Khan or the chambers of Nicol
Brinn. Listen. Remain here until
phone-whatever the hour"
"Shall 1 advise Wessex to stand
by?"
Harley nodded. "Yes-do so. You
understand, Innes, 1 am engaged and
not to be disturbed on any account?"
~ understand. You are going out
by the private exit?"
Exactly"
AS Innes retired, quietly closing
the door, Harley took up the tele-
phone and called Sir Charles Abing-
don's number. He was answered by
a voice which he recognized. . . 3.
Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-12-26
Begin Here Today

1920 80 w.
Paul Harley, criminal investigator,
Is engaged by Sir Charles Abingdon
to investigate the reaFon of the sur
yeillance OF Sir Charles by persons
unknown to him. While Harley is
dining at the Abingdon home, Sir
charles falls from his chair in a
dying condition. The last words ut
tered by Abingdon are "Nic,l Brinn"
and "Fire-Tongue."
DIR. McMurdoch pronounces death
due to heart-failure. Harley insists
that Sir Charles was poisoned and
calls on Nicol Brinn to ask him the
meaning of "Fire-Tongue." Brinn
admits that he learned its meaning
In India but refuses to divulge his
secret.
Paul investigates the life of Or
muz Khan, an Oriental with whom
Phil Abingdon, daughter of Sir
l Charles, is friendly.
Now Go on with the Story
When, presently, the cobbler
&8Vnerged from the elevator, below,
he paused before leaving the hotel to
mop his perspiring brow with a
large, soiled handkerchief. The per-
tune of hyacinths seemed to have
pursued him. bringing with 1t a
memory of the handsome, effeminate
ivory face OF the man above. He
was recalled to his senses by the
voice of the impudent page.
Been kicked out, govinor? ;" the
youth inquired. you're the third
this morning"
lis that so?" answered Parker.
"Who were the other two, lad?"
THE girl wot comes to do his
nails A cfnnnf,g Hfr1 80 CT.
came down cryin' a few minutes
ago. Then
Shut up, Chiversi" cried the hall
porter. you're asking for the sack,
and I'm the man to get it for you"
Chivers did not appear to be vastly
perturbed by this prospect, and he
Brinned agreeably at Parker as the
latter made his way out into the
courtyard.
Any one sufficiently interested to
have done so might have found mat
ter for surprise had he followed that
conscientious bootmaker as he left
the hotel. He did not proceed to the
shop of Mr.. Jarvis, but, crossing the
Strand, mounted a city-bound mo-
Tor bus and proceeded eastward upon
1t as far as the Law Courts. Here
he dismounted and plunged into that
maze of tortuous lanes which dis
sects the triangle formed by Chan
Gerry Lane and Holborn.
His step was leisurely, and once
he stopped to light his pipe, peering
with intepest into the shop window
of a law stationer. Finally he came
to another little shop which had once
formed part of a private house. 1t
was of the lookup variety, and upon
the gauze blind which concealed the
interior appeared the words: THE
Chancery Agency"
Whether the Chancery Agency
was a press agency, a literary OF a
dramatic agency, was not specified,
but Mr.. Parker was evidently well
acquainted with the establishment,
Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-12-26
SYSTEM
FOR KEYPORT
New Apparatus in Perfect
Working 0rder-Nin3 Boxes
Placed in the Borough

KEYPORT, Dec. 26.-Keyport is
now the proud possessor of a new
and most up to date fire alarm
system. The new system was taken
over by the borough at moor Satur-
day, being accepted upon its being
found absolutely satisfactory In
every way. The new system was In
stalled by the Gamewell Company
and was secured by the council upon
the untiring efforts of councilman
Ernest G.. Bailey.
The new apparatus is installed IN
the borough hall, in the rear of the
Hook and Ladder company's room
The signals are given by compressed
air and nine boxes have been placed
at present in the following places:
23-Broad and Front streets.
24-Maple Place and Broad street
25-Maple Place and Beers street.
S4-Atlantic and Third streets.
35-Waverly and Second streets.
36-Pine and Walnut streets.
45-Broadway and Front street.
46-Broadway and Maple Place.
56-Broad and Main street
junction South Keyport.
The boxes have been placed in
such n that should others be
easily added to the present system
The system in itself is complete but
a time clock will be added shortly
and when this has been done the
system will be tested each evening
at eight o'clock.
Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-12-26
Murder VIII Ont

ELLA-Ive heard you made a
very unpleasant remark about my
hair, and l want to tell you it's falseI
JANE-Well, then, my remark
was at least true-if unpleasant
Answers (London.)
Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-12-26
Cnrferet NurSe TO Wed

CARTERET, Dec. 26-Miss Kathe-
rine Devers, who has recently re-
signed~her post as nurse of the local
chapter of the American Red Cross
will be married on January 8 to
Postmaster Timothy j. NeVill.
Imperial Valley press., 1923-02-23

ooh, just look at Uncle Wiggil
coming over with dishpans on n
feet.0 laughed Grandpa Goose
Gander. "Oh-Ho! Oh my sidd
Oh, how funny he looks. And SEQ
Oh my! He just got his feet tangle
and one dishpan has come off an
it's on his head! Oil Hal Ha
Hal"
Never in his life had he laughd
so hard. AnG wnen finally UNcl
Wiggily managed to get his paws Vi
tangled and the dishpan off y
head and back on his foot wherd
belonged-and when the bunn
reached Grandpa Goosey's house
why the gentleman goose was laugI
ing so hard that tears ran out
his ears.
"You re all cured now, said y
Postum, who happened to con
along then. "The sad sickness h;
all gone. Uncle Wiggily chased
away with his tin pan snow shoes
~ IN very glad!' chuckled tt
bunny gentlmean twinkling his pin
rose. Then he and Grandpa Goost
played Scotch checkers as they h,l
done III times past, and if the col
scuttle doesn It laugh at the ash cd
for having dents all over its fad
I'll tell you next about Uncle w
gily' s skees.
Imperial Valley press., 1923-02-23
TOM SIMS SAYS

Turks have made marriage COM
pulsory. Another Turkish atrocity.
In Italy, if "a man doesn't vote
they give him medicine. In America
they should give it to some who do.
1t took five years to bore tunnel
under the Catskills. The next big.
gest bore is the man who wants to
borrow dollar.
1t is so hard to make your auto
run on cold morning and so hard
to make your most stop.
There is so much wather it all
can be good.
Five Frenchmen will attempt q
flight around the world. Even if
they succeed 1t will not get them
anywhere.
Put confidence in too many
strangers and you soon won't have
any.
Our language tickles. Being down
in the mouth gets one up in the air.
Trim ankles trim men.
" Hello, how is your wife todayio
is greeting now. In IA few years
this greeting may be Hello. who
is your wife today?"
1t is getting SO that when boot
logger is arresrec ne raises cain if
It makes him get home late for sup
per-
1t is cheaper to move than to
keep up with the neighbors.
Imperial Valley press., 1923-02-23
McCABE
BY Press staff Correspondent


McCabc, Feb. 23.-Stewart Swink
and family of Lakeside spent few
days with Mrs. Swink g sister, Mrs.
c. c. Bogue, while looking after
their ranch in the Signal district.
II. II. Hoppin is entertaining his
father and mother of San Diego for
TWO weeks.
The Sunday school picnic has been
postponed indefinitely.
Former Resident Dies
Friends Of the Chet Helms family
will be sorry to learn Of the death
Of their only son, Maftain, at Santa
Ana ON TIVE eleventh Of February.
"A year ago he was accidently shot
while with officers arresting a Grim
iDal. He died on his nineteenth
birthday. The Helms lived in the
Silsbee district until three years ago
when they moved TO Riverside.
George Austin and family visited
Walter Austin at Calipatria recent.
ly.
The Home Department held a very
interesting meeting Wednesday. Miss
Clark and Miss Miller gave a dem.
cnstration on the home evaporator
for the drying of fruit, vegetables
and meats. In the evening the Farm
Center met with an interesting and
instructive program.
IL. Ii. Hopph is remodeling his
house and adding on screen porch.
Imperial Valley press., 1923-02-23
Bed Stories
Copyright, 1923, by Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate
BY HOWARD r. GARIS
UNCLE wraarLY's SNOW SHOES

did you near about Grandfather
Goosey Gandcr?' asked Nurse Jane
Fuzzy Wuzzy of Uncle Wiggily one
morning.
Grandfather Goosey Gander9 No,
what IS the matter with hime' the
bunny rabbit gentleman wanted to
know.
''He has the sad sickness, re-
piled the muskrat lady hOusekeeper,
as she busted around the hollow
stump bungalow.
1.-THE sad sickness!' repeated I'm.
Gle Wiggily. "What in the world is
the sad sickness'"
''Oh, it's when you feel miser-
able and don't know the reason for
it, said Nurse Jane. 81 met DR..
Postum little while ago and he
said there really wasn't much the
matter with Grandfather Goosey
Gander except that he was sad and
and wouldn't smile and what he ate
didn't seem to do him any good. He
needs cheering up, / guess-that's
what Grandpa Goosey needs"
"Thcn I'm the one to cheer
him!" cried Uncle Wiggily, his pink
nose twinkling in a most jolly fash.
ion. "I'll hop right over and make
Imperial Valley press., 1923-02-23
Routing of New
Railroad Shown
in Legal Papers
Continued from page u

The present distance between the
Atchison, Topeka and Santa fe
Railway at Peaceland, New Mexico
and the Denver and Rio Grande
Hallway at Pennington, New Mexi-
co, would be reduced from 426.G
miles to only 1925 miles.
Electric 2ower
A power plant at mine Mouth,
near Peaceland, New Mexico, will!
supply power for all the northerly
portion from such station, and as far
southerly as Stafford, Arizona, or
probably Winkleman, Arizona. This
section Of some 645 miles, including
line TO Utah-Colorado state line and
small branch from near Peaceland,
will be constructed as one unit, Con-
struetion work will begin within six
months from date of which building
permit is granted, on this unit, ana
will be rushed constantly, and com
pleted within three years from such
date.
A power plant for the remainder
of the system will be located near
where the railroad enters the Re
public of Mexico, in Pima county,
Arizona, and slack or other coal may
be hauled and used as fuel. This
supply of power may also be procur-
ed from the Boulder Canyon pro-
iect, or the Diamond Greek project,
if constructed.
The plant here would serve back
t. the first named plant and as far
west as Indi0, California, without
difficulty.
Beginning at IndiO, California,
and extending southeasterly the line
will work to the southerly side of
coaehella valley, descending from
Indio which is 20 feet below sea
level TO point about l75 fl. below sea
level at the northeasterly corner Of |
the Salton Sea. This portion of the
hne is over irrigable land, under the
All-Ameriean cans. line, projected,
and affords uniform easy grade
with little construction work. From
the northwest corner of Saiton Sea
t. near hrRwiey the line win pass
along on about lI5 foot contour (be.
Imperial Valley press., 1923-02-23

yet it is the little things that count
in this world.
Uncle Wiggily got ready to go to
Grandpa Goosey's, intending to
make the old gentleman duck laugh,
but there happened to be so much
snow on the ground outside the hol-
low stump bungalow, and it was
such soft, fluffy snow that when the
bunny gentleman stepped out in it
he sank down almost TO his nose.
"Oh, this will never do he
said. ~ can't walk this way
"How will you get to Granda
Gooscy 's9' asked the muskrat lady.
~ need snow Shoes" answered
Mr.. Longears. eff / had snow shoes
such as are worn in Canada and like
the Indians used to wear, 1 could
walk on top o. the snow and
wouldn t sink in. Snow shoes are
broad and flat like board you put
on top of mud puddle when you
want to cross and not sink in. -
II see!o exclaimed Nurse Jane.
"Then a dishpan fastened on each
Of your hind paws would be the
same as snow Shoes
"What - what?'' cried Uncle
Wiggily, wondering if he heard
Alright.
"Dishpans," explained Nurse
Jane. 81 have two. You could put
one on each paw and walk in them
like snow shoes. The bottoms of
the pans are flat and broad and
wouldn It sink in the snow"
cit might be done,' murmured
the bunny. "But how could l
fasten the dishpan snow shoes on
my feet?' he asked.
"Glue 'em on,' answered Miss
Fuzzy Wuzzy.
"I'll do It'll" cried the bunny.
And no sooner said than done.
Nurse Jane poured some glue in one
dishpan (knowing she could wash it
out AGAIN. and Uncle Wiggily stuck
in one foot. Then when the other
pan was glued on off he started over
the snow toward Grandpa Goosey S
house.
AS DR.. Postum had said Mr.. Gan
der needed cheering up--hc needed
to laugh. He was sitting at his
window, sad and glum, but sudden
ly, as he looked across the snow-cov-
cred field he began to chuckle. Then
he began to smoker, Grandpa Goosey
did. Then he laughed:
"Ha! Ha! Ho! Ho! Heel Hee!
Oh Ho! Hee! Hum! Oh Ha! Ha! Ha!
Hail.
Whatever are you laughing at9'
asked his wife. ~ - A1R EIl
Imperial Valley press., 1923-02-23
Sheriff Probes
Fall From Top
of Freight Ca

Calvin Hammell is in the Ell Gel
tro hospital suffering from paint
bruises as the result of falling froI
a San Diego and Arizona train mel
Heber Wednesday night. At IL
hospital today, he was unable
give any statement regarding III
affair.
According to companion, w
visited Hammell this morning, II
two men had been drinking
Mexicali and boarded a mix{
train bound for Ell Centre and wei
riding on top of a freight car.
brakeman discovered them and 4
argument followed, during viii
Hammell disappeared and his co 1
panion believed him to be kill{
until he located him at the hospit.
today. The sheriff's office is ma
ing an investigation of the affair,
Imperial Valley press., 1923-02-23
Valley Men Want
Tourist Travel
Changed
By Press staff Correspondent

CAL1PATRIA, Feb. 23.-Judge
=. n. Myers and G. II. Prince, of
this city, and j. l.. Travers of Ell
Centre, left at an early hour yes
terday for Blythe to attend a
meeting Of the road commissioners
in that city relative to, routing the
tourist travel through Imperial Val
ley instead of by way of the Des
Palmas route to Mecca, which is
now the official road.
The party were joined by a dele
CATION from INLAND, headed by Ed
mund Welch. W. II. Best, of Draw
ley, was also commissioned as a del
egate, but was not able to make
the trip.
Imperial Valley press., 1923-02-23

low sea leveD and will pass over
great extents Of irrigable lands.
Along the central portion of this
stretch will be found many washes
from the mountainside, and will re-
quire several short bridges. The
New River will have to be bridged,
just west of Brawiey. From Brawley
to Holtville the line will be over
land now irrigated in the Imperial
Irrigation District, which is smooth
and Of uniform grade, and will have
raised 80 feet above sea level.
Thence extending easterly fhe first
20 miles will be over land to be ir
rigated under high line canal Of the
All-American canal, and by pumping
from such canal. This distance will
be gradual uniform raise with no
heavy grades and no heavy. con
struction costs. From this point to
the Colorado river, at Yuma, the line
will work itself to proper elevation
for the bridge of the Southern Pa
eific Railway and viii probably
have to be some 800 feet in length.
Total distance about l27 miles.
Taps Rich Yuma Section
From Yuma, Arizona, the line
should extend easterly over the ir-
rigated area of the Yuma Reelama-
tion project, for a distance of about
10 miles to section ,, township 10
south, range % west, ella and Salt
River Meridian. The line would be
practically level, being the altitude
of Yuma which is 14l feet, and
would require but little grading or
cuts. From section the line should
swing to the eastward, passing up
q small draw through section %,
township 10 south, range 20 west,
same meridian, and continue thence
southeasterly over the Yuma desert,
which is included in the U. 5. Rec.
lamation' Project, and pass through
q low divide, TinapaS Pass, just
south of Raven Butte. This dis
lance is about 90 miles, and fair
wagon road passes near and TO with
in few miles of the pass. The
grade il easy being slightly up, the
grading will consist principally In
dwelling off sand dunes. This area
all comes in for irrigation under
ihe Yuma L. 5. Reclamation project,
.rd will consist OF about 100000
acres in Arizona and probably the
same amount is available for irri-
cation adjacent to Sonora, Mexico.
rhis would practically all be terri
ory Of this railway.