davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1926-08-22

used such large doses that the boys
nerves and mind were affected. From
time to time he stopped the drug.
brought on the cough again, and
produced the irritation which comes
of craving for a drug. This was
done when the mother was here, SO
that the boy should believe her pres
ence made him worse. While he was
under the influence Of the drug it was
Mr.. Godfrey Harfortl's habit to prac-
tice hypnotic suggestion on him and
introduce into his mind the idea that
his mother was his enemy and that
he could only obtain freedom by
killing her."
Geoffrey Hartford cried.
you've been heard" Reggie said.
quietly. I'VE heard YOU at night"
"You-you've been spying here?'
Yes. You interested me some time
ago. Mr.. Hartford. And now we have
the poor boys evidence. I told you he
was able to speak for little while.
Some days ago Mr.. Langton suggest
ed to the boy that it would he anus
ing for him to practice revolver shoot
Ing. Mr.. Langton kindly provided
the revolver. you've. got it, Bell?
Good) And today, when his mother
X
with her he shot her and shot himself.
which Mr.. Langton, who was holding
him and could break him in half, very
cleverly allowed him to do. All very
ingenious. But we've saved Mrs. Har-
ford's life"
What do you mean to do?" Lang
ton growled.
II shall charge you with conspiracy
to murder"
"Preposterous" Geoffrey Hartford
painted. "Langton saved the boys
life. He jumped overheard in mid
channel and --.
II know. It was in all the papers
Very convenient to get that i'm the
papers. Langton saved the boy at the
risk of his own life. I'm sorry" For
moment Reggie Fortune looked with
some sympathy at the broken man.
Langton turned away with an oath
But 1t wouldn't have done for Will
frid to die before his mother. Then
the family estate would have gone to
her. You thought of everything, didn't
you. Mr.. Hartford? She had to die
first so that her money came to him.
And that's just what didn't happen.
If only he'd killed her before he killed
himself you'd have got everything
It's lie Godfrey Hartford
Il
money. I wanted her brat to kill her."
'Oh. Heaven. don't talk." Langton
groaned. We've had enough talk.
What are you going to do with us.
Fortune?"
Bell will telephone for the local
police. They'll take YOU away" And
Supt. Bell went out to the telephone.
But Geoffrey Hartford. his wrinkled
face twitching, cried out: 1T wasn't
her money. you fool. I didn't want
her money"
Langton laughed. well. you won't
get it. will you? I suppose we'd bet.
ter get ready. Fortune?"
Yes. ] don't know what they'll let
you take"
Langton opened an inner door. "I
shant want much" he said, as they
went out.
MIR. FORTUNE walked to the
Ava window and opened 1t. He was
standing there when Supt. Bell came
back a..
Why, sir. where are they?"
Reggie did not turn. They've gone
TO get ready" he said.
Where did they go. sir? This
vay?"
Bell opened the inner door. 1t gave
upon a passage which led him to In
gram Langton's laboratory. This
won't do, you know he began,
then his voice went up: "Mr. For
tune"
Reggie followed him. Godfrey Har-
Evening star., 1926-08-22
"Destroying she gasped,

''Destroying?" she gasped.
THAT is the word" said Reggie,
gravely. Come"
Reggie's chauffeur drove the car,
Supt. Bell sat by him. and Reggie
was behind with Mrs. Hartford.
THEY were climbing the hill to
Langton's house when a shot
rang out. Bell spoke to the chauf-
feur and the big car surged over the
hill. Another shot was fired. They
came to Langton's gate and the car
swung in.
Reggie Fortune saw Langton's face
peer from a. window in his laboratory.
and made ready to jump out. Across
the garden came Wilfrid Hartford.
Mrs. Hartford was out of the car
running to him: ''Oh. Wilfrid." she
cried. ARE you really all right?"
He ierked himself away from her.
"Oh. don't fuss so" His eyelids
twitched. "Whatever have YOU come
for?"
Reggie Fortune slid to the ground
and stood watchful.
"Wilfrid! Oh. don't look at me like
that. dear. 1t frighteps me. I had to
come. ] can't bear your being alone
here"
II want 20 be alone" the boy
snapped. You'd better leave me
alone
The door of the house opened. The
large form of Ingram Langton ap-
peared. Ie looked keenly at the car
and the solemn achauffeur and the
stolid superintendent. Reggie Fortune
was hidden from him by the car.
But l can't leave YOU alone. my
dear" Mrs. Hartford was pleading.
ooh. Wilfrid. it isn't good for you
to be here. l want you to come away
with me-"
with you" the boy snarled. "Oh,
go away, for Heavens sake" He
could hardly speak plainly.
''Wilfrid! I do so want to have YOU
with me. You know this place Is bad
for you. I want you to come right
away with me-"
"That's it, IS it?" he mumbled: his
hand was in his pocket.
Yes. I've seen a doctor this morn
ing He says I must take you away
at once. Come with me, dear. Just
you and me. | can't do without you
Wilfrid." She smiled piteolsly. II
must get you away from these
people
The boy flung himself back. pluck
ing at his pocket. He had a re-
volver out as Reggie reached him and
struck his arm aside. But a shot was
fired and his mother reeled and fell
Langton rushed out and grappled
with the boy, who should have been
helpless in the big mans grip. But
they swayed together. and there was
Evening star., 1926-08-22
confess to a parson-and he didn

confess to a parson-and he didn't
know what he wanted to confess"
Good heavens
Yes What's happening to will
fred in Langtons house? l went
down the other day. saw Wilfred
and mamma. Wilfred's on edge. Also
Wilfred's in poor health. Asthmatic
cough. But the drug symptoms were
not marked He could keep his eyes
open
Icmas stared. What drug makes
a fellow shut his eyes,
Reggie smiled "Lomas. dear. YOU
don't need H. Gelsemin would do the
trick. He might have been given
relsemin for his cough. But he
oughtnt to have enough to make him
Evening star., 1926-08-22

After he reached the hospital,
W'ilfrid was still able to speak. He
did speak. AS you say, a very un-
fortunate affair, Mr.. Hartford
Godfrey Hartford swung round.
What do you mean by that tone? It's
insolent, sir, and brutal. You've
meddled with a very sad case which
DR.. Langton was treating. and caused
terrible tragedy. Now YOU have the
impudence to threaten u.s.
with WHAT" Reggie said sharp
ly.
II have no idea"
Think it out. Some time ago Mr..
Langton brought here a lad suffering
from bronchitis and asthma. He
treated the boy with gelsesnin. He
Evening star., 1926-08-22
What do you

fiappine like wircs. What do you
make of that, Bell?"
They only drug him when she isn't
here?" Bell said. Why, sir. sup
pose they're afraid she'll notice It,
Il wonder" Mr.. Fortune murmured.
y
THEY mounted a. little two-seater,
and through the cleaning made
for I,angton's house. Little shafts of
light between the curtains showed
The dining room window. For some
ti,I they heard nothing but the mur-
,n.'r Of voices and service. Then Will
fred Hartford grew louder. The others
seemed 10 be laughing. at him. He
protested that he WAS not tied to his
naether apron strings. He BECAME
Evening star., 1926-08-22

another shot as Reggie caught the
thin wrist and Bell tore the revol-
yer away.
Stand off. you Bells other hand
took LAngton by the throat.
Wilfrid Hartford staggered awa.'
from them towards his mother. His
face was red with his own blood,
Reggie. held him up.
Look what you're done, sir" Reg
gle said quietly.
Mrs. Hartford. one hand on her
breast. raised herself. "Oh, he didn't.
Mr.. Fortune she said family. 1t
was me. | was holding him when he
was playing with it. It's all my
fault"
Evening star., 1926-08-22

house. Tou must see Wilfrid alone
and tell him that you want him to
come away, with you. If there is any
difficulty / will speak to Mr.. Lang
ton
You? Do you know kim?"
Yes, think I know him." said
Reggie Fortune.
She wrung her hands "Oh. |
should be so glad if could get him
away But last time saw him his
cough was so bad again. And Mr..
Langton says that 10 interrupt the
treatment would he dangerous
ut is much more dangerous to go
on with it, said Reggie. That treat
ment of Mr.. Langtons is destroying
your son"
Evening star., 1926-08-22

A downpour of black rain that spot.
ted white clothing on residents Of
Fresno, Calf. recently. was colored h,-
particles Of SCOT. from an oil hre 90
miles away.
Evening star., 1926-05-23

was lucky. My voice came in fine
style. In little while / was in op-
era and on the road that led me to
the Chicago Opera Company.
That was a good deal better than
jumping from the back of one gallop-
ing horss onto that of another or
cracking whips at lions. / now was
in world where you give all of your
soul to the baton of the conductor
down in front, as he brings the vic.
Inns UP to the phrase in which you
are to join them. The worst thing
that can happen to you is for the G.
in Caro- Nome not to come out clear
and full and exactly on the pitch
Your final joy is to convey high po-
etical rhapsody Of action and voice
when Faust comes to court you and
Mephisto looks mockingly on. Your
very delicate task is to compete with
the sllvery voice of the flute when
you are Lucia gone mad. That is
enough to hold your effort and imagi-
nation.
Yet I could never quite forget the
circus. The Ringlings were my best
friends. l never tired of listening to
their stories of the big show. When
ever the circus came to a town where
I happened to be. went to it. visited
backstage and renewed early men,
ories.
1 like to think that led my hus-
band into the circus business. I was
singing for the Red Cross during the
war and met him when he was a
member of the British financial
mission to the United States. AS en-
gineer. he had had earlier experience
in structural designing and engineer
ing for European amusement parks
That alone disposed him to an inter
est In the Amortcan circus. OF course.
] talked to him about the circus, told
Evening star., 1926-05-23

He bent nearer the rug frame. The

He bent nearer the rug frame. Then
his face Clouded.
'S'pose it'd be all right II a fellet
had somebody to fix the rags for him.
he said slowly. "Cut them up right
an dye them, an sich."
'"Dave"-her voice was scarcely
audible-"will you let me fix the
rags"
Dave Peake gripped the arms Of his
chair with trembling hands. Dye
want to?" he asked hoarsely.
Yes She moved nearer. laid
hand on one OF his. I've been missin'
you. Dave-missin' you terrible. I'm
sorry for the way acted, awfut
sorry''
why didn't you speak to me back
there in the hospital?" he demanded IN
a shaking voice. II thought-I--
Il wes scairt you wouldn't talk 10
me-" sh. paid sii1Dly. Il knowed you
was mad. an I didn't want to make
show os myself afore folks. Tin
sorry
Sorry" His arms went around her
hungrily. "Ain't nobody In the world
as sorry as l am for everything I've
done to YOU 'Mirey. if l can make 81
livin' doin' this here kind OF work.
will We have me back"
''IIave ye back" Almira echoed. She
was holding his head close, stroking
his hair with tender fingers. why.
Dave. the way l feel is ye amt never
been away
fCopvright. 1897
Evening star., 1926-05-23

might be- I could go round on my
legs all day, but my shoulders allus
plays out
Wed Jest about make one good
feller betwixt u.s." Dave said bitterly.
Yes. L got legs an YOU got shoul-
ders," Almira agreed. She rose and
began gathering up the dishes. John
said ye was aimin' TO go to Sailors
Snug IIarbor. Are ye"'
Yes, that's where I'm goin."
What We goin' to do there?"
Dunno Nothin' much, I guess"
It's a pity We couldn't hook rugs"
his wife said, reflectively. Reel in
terestin', hookin' is. Seems like
don't more'n git started in the mornin'
afore it's noon-time flies so fast when
ye're workin' at one
Dave said, Guess I'll hook in the
edge of that rug and then there wont
be no chance of you gettin' mixed up
Almira brought a lamp. put it in
the bracket by the window, lowered
the shade. and went back TO the
dishes. When they were washed and
put away she came to stand beside his
chair.
My sakes. II looks diff rent now"
she commented. You can do It twice
as fast as what I can. seems like Heap
of money TO be made hookin' rugs" "
she sighed.
Dave Peake stared incredulously at
his wife.
Gould feller make his livin' doin'
these here?' he demanded.
Course he Could--a good livin'.''
Evening star., 1926-05-23
MAY STANLEY

Got back early, didn't ye?' she
Dave Peake tried to say something,
stamm@red "'Lo," and lapsed into
silence.
There" Gidden put the stove lid
back with unnecessary Gathering and
swung the oven door wide. I'm Jest
put We up here. Dave, where it's real
hot"
"Ye needn't bother: I amt so awful
cold" Peake replied, adding. "You
goin. to Po'tland tomorrer?"
I'm aimin' to-"
II told John"-Almira spoke in
even tones, without hurry or con.
fusion-"that mebbe ye'd be in
hurry to git wherever 'tis yre goin'
an IL ye air he's agoin' to take ye-
Bath or Po'tland, whichever you say"
'The cloud OF suspicion cleared
somewhat from her husbands face
That's flne." he said. "I'll go to
Po'tland."
"Wa'al. guess I'll be travelin
long" Gidden went toward the door
Don't fergit about talxin' me to
Po'tland tomorrer," Peake reminded
him.
II won't. Goo night"
IOSc dIIU IIlOVeU over 10 Il
frame by the window which Dave had
not before noticed. She sat down be.
fore 1t and began to work. He watched
her for a few moments, then asked,
What We doin'?'
"Hookin' a. rug
Another silence.
What kind of a figger you putin
in?" he asked at length.
"A ship" Almira studied the pat
tern intently. "A ship-with sails
Huh Dave wheeled his chair
around the rug frame until it was be.
side the one in which Almira sat,
tern.
What ye call that?" He pointed
toward one Of the sails.
'Why-a sail"
What kind Of one?"
HDunno-jib, ] guess"
"Sure, it's a jib"' He hitched his
chair nearer. but what kind of a
jib is it-hyin, balloon, or jumbo?"
Jumbo, I guess
"Wa'al. if 1t is, she's too fur for
rard." he pronounced. what made
We start a ship without waitin'--"
He checked abruptly, asked, "Fishin'
vessel?"
Yes"
"Out f1shin'?'
"Out fishin'."
What We dcin' with full mains'l
up on her IL she's out fishin'?" He
pointed his pipe accusingly at the
guilty SAIL THAT had oughter be
ridin' sail: 'Mirey. for a fisherman ms
wife, you----''
Almira did not seem to notice the
abrupt pause. She said thoughtfully,
Guess ye're right. I didn't stop to
think Of them things. VIII We take
look an see Il there's anythin' else I
amt got the way it had oughter be?"
Dave Peake stared at the pattern.
"My gorry. Will you look at the way
she ISL he exclaimed. "Ye've went
an made the bowsprit nigh half the
length Of the vessel. Its lucky for
you. 'AIirey. that come over when
did"
"Ain't it, Almira put down the
Evening star., 1926-05-23

a clawlike clasp. What did We come
back for?"
Gosh, Uncle Henry, If you amt
the limit" Gidden interJected. "You
comm with US. Dave?"
"If ye got plenty of room, I'd like
Sure" Gidden said heartily, "allus
got ROOM" He. surveyed Dave
thoughtfully. 'You amt lookin' so
tarnal up an comm as ye might be.
Been sick?'
NO. jest a touch O. rheumatic. 1t
allus hits me when I get up where
it's colder"
"Ain't they no rheumatic where
you been, Dave?" Uncle Henry's
shrill voice demanded.
"No, don't seem like it."
Then ye'd oughter hev stayed
thar"-the old man nodded vigorous
ly-" specially as ye amt goin' to
have no welcome from 'Mirey."
II amt what? What dye mean?"
Dave asked sharply.
Nov. Uncle Henry, If you amt
the beatin est Gidden exclaimed.
what did you say about me not
bein' welcome?" Dave leaned toward
Cncle Henry.
"He.he"' The old man giggled ma.
liciously. II jes' thought you'd
oughter know. 'Twouldn't be friend
ly to let you go home without know.
in No, sir: 'twouldn't be friendly"
without KNOWN what?" Dave de-
manded. "You tell me what you got
to say" At the glitter in his eyes
Uncle Henry drew back. whimpering.
Now. there ye CO." he whined.
"scarin' a poor OF man that's yer
well-wisher! I was jest meanin' to
say"
what was you meanin'?"
"NIeanin' to say If ye think ye're
goin' to git any welcome ye're mis-
took" Uncle Henry snarled. "Ev'ybody
in the place knows 'Mirey amt goin'
to have no more truck with We. She
said"
"She said what?"
"Ain,t goin' TO have no more truck
with ye--'count of yer COINS on,
Evening star., 1926-05-23

him about my fathers early connec-
ton with the big show and of my
own memories Of the actual life of
the people that play beneath the
great canvas. AS a member of the
British financial mission, his contact
with the banks here led to his being
offered various business opportuni-
ties. One was to take control of a
big amusement venture in New York.
That fitted in with his previous
amusement park engineering in E,l
rope, and, besides. as 1 insist, my
stories about the circus had had their
effect upon his imagination. An
amusement park and the circus have
their elements in common. So he
took over the park.
1t was thus that 1 married into the
very world that / had known when
was a child. You may be sure ] was
interested in my husbands venture.
When l was not out in opera or in
concert / took a hand in the affair,
talked over matters, gave advice.
thought up ideas and made myself
generally useful. l consider myself a
fairly good Judge of such things as
circus features. Had not my father
been partner of the Ringlings when
as boys they got up a Wild West
SHOW. I1du l. IUL Ildu ClTCuS luSlLIcu
in my blood from the time can first
remember?
I was an advocate of making the
amusement park more like a circus.
of putting in big show features. /
! wanted to be connected with some
thing that was as nearly as possible
circus. That is the point of it all.
Things have turned out exactly ac-
cordinG to my desire.
It seems that new ideas are COM
ing into the circus and outdoor
amusement. world. Here is one.
Evening star., 1926-05-23

heavy hook and stood up. would ye
nind'-her voice was different
kinder ftxin' it? III go git YOU Il
pencil an YOU can draw II the way II
had oughter be whilst I'm Gettin
supper
X " * *
WHEN supper was ready she had to
w call Dave twice, and finally went
over to stand beside him and look at
the altered pattern.
Guess | got it all fixed right now,
he said. but I'd best hook the edge in
SOS you can't go wrong
"Ye can do 1t arter supper II ye're
SO minded. Come on an eat
When Dave Peake wheeled his chair
back from tho table and lighted his
pipe. he blew out a great ring OF
smoke in profound satisfaction.
Guess I'd nigh bout ferGot what
good cookin' tastes like he said. did
you make that cake or did somebody
fetch 1t in?''
II made it she said quietly. q
know how We allus banker for choco-
late cake with good. thick icin'.'
There was another silence.
Dave asked, finally, What YOU
amin to do with the rug"
Sell It to Summer folks. Mis- vii
lard'd like q. hull passel of them.
Kinder too bad I can't do them for
her.
Why can't ye?'
It's heavy work, hookin' an my
shoulders amt jest s.stronG as they
Evening star., 1926-05-23

ried man had no business to go sail
ing. and it was almost four months
until he went again.
That trip was a longer one. Almira
| waiting for him in the neat white
| house with it's clamshell.bordered
walk, ran out Of money and went to
work. Her skill as a laundress was
| unrivaled, and the Summer people
| were glad to give her work. She was
making plenty Of money by the time
Dave came home.
Dave said he didn't like to see her
working. Almira pointed out that the
| money he left her hadn't lasted. She
| wouldn't stop work now. She'd just
keep on until Dave decided to stay
home.
Dawes face hardened at his wife's
ultimatum.
I'm tellin' you," he repeated,
that I'll fix things so you don't run
out OF money again. Isn't that
enough?"
"No"-she faced him steadily
"'tain't. You'll mean all right. but
then you'll go and sign on a vessel
months-an' you'll stay a year. mebbe
more. l guess whilst things are so
uncertain I'll just keep on the way
I'm doin'."
Dave had just about made up his
mind to stop at home for good, when
Capt. Haines OF the Sea Maiden, six
masted freighter, came into Portland
Harbor for supplies. Dave explained
the circumstances to Almira. You
see, If it was anybody exceptin' Capt.
Haines, an II he want goin to
Sicily why, doggone 1t, I'd stop home.
But I amt never seen 1t an l kinder
banker to 60"
Dave promised faithfully it should
be his last trip.
Its been mean for you this while
back" he said. me bein' away off
most Of the time-but you know that's
the way things are when you marry
a sailor"
"I didn't marry a sailor" Almira
retorted. You want sailin' when
you an me was keepin' company"
mo, but 1 was amin to. Land.
'Mirey, there amt no Peake ever
lived that want sailor! Still an
all. can see how things are. an I'll
do like ye want me-"
He had meant 1t, at the time. VINO
could know that his vessel would
come on the Porto Bello, Capt. William
Macalister. in Palermo Harbor? Or
that Capt. Macalister. bound for
Singapore, would be undermanned?
Or that Capt. Haines. with a full crew
and his vessel loaded for the return
voyage, would be willing to let Dave
reship with Haines' old friend Bill
Macalister? But so it was. Dave
transferred his belongings to the
fo'c'sle of the Porto Bello =.
X X y x
1T was late October when Dave
Peake got back to Portland. The
city lay wrapped in mufflers of fog
and waiting helplessly for the on
slaughts of Winter. Dave hurried
along the docks. Some one from West
Harbor would be down selling fish.
He could ride back with any one who
happened to be down.
''If 1t amt Dave Peal<e!" He glanced
about John Gidden was climbing up
a ladder to the dock. He grasped
Dawes hand. "Glad to see you, Dave.
When did you get in?''
Just now. You Goin' back home
soon?"
Yes, right now. Uncle Henry. he
come long down with me today.
There he is now. Say, Uncle Henry,
here's Dave Peake.'
"Ye don't say Uncle Henry piped
shrilly. He grasped Dawes hands in