NEWPORT DAILY INDEPENDENT
pidCY H. VAN DYKE, Publldwn (ltd Editor.
NEWPORT. - - ARKANSAS.
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: 1 Frankison’s Plot. |
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A FEW days ago my friend Rob
son, late superintendent, of the
dectective department of a large city
in the North, was entertaining me
with a few reminiscences of his past
career.
You ask me, he replied to a ques
tion' I had put to him, if it is not the
cape that some person having a
ifKnowledga of an unpunished crime
often uses the power his knowledge
gives him to compel the offender to
execute deeds he previously would not
have dreamed of. Such may be the
ease in a good many instances, though
in my opinion the average criminal
lias natural propensities which gener
ally enable him to circumvent, the
intimidator and relieve himself of the
threatened danger without incurring
further risks. Such a propensity is, I
think, in the possession of every man,
and unless the will-power has been
utterly wrecked by dissipation, it is
impossible for anyone to be forced
against liis will into committing an
offense against the laws. I recollect
a case bearing on 1he subject, which
I will give you. As it was purely a
family affair, and the persons in
terested were unwilling to create a
scandal, the facts never became pub
lic property.
About ten years ago a man named
Grimes returned to M-, after serv
ing a term for some offense, the
nature of which I have forgotten.
He was, without exception, the most
daring, cunning, and resourceful
scoundrel that ever breathed. Orig
inally an actor, he was a past mas
ter in the art of disguises; in fact the
time of his downfall dated from the
day on which he impersonated the
manager of the company he traveled
with, nnd absconded with the treas
ury. Somehow, other people’s clothes
seemed to have a fascination for him,
which naturally created a large
amount of ill-feeling on the part of
the true owner, and a lot of work
for us.
Soon after his arrival he received
a letter from a gentleman giving the
name of Frankison, making an ap
pointment for the following night,
Vnd having nothing better to do he
balled upon him.
V For a time Frankison confined
his conversation to commonplace
mytters, as though afraid of intro
difeing the subject for which the in
*’ "~1 ervTST -h**d.-<'**'Z arftmged. Seeing
this,-Grimes, who had on several oc
casions previously e^jged on shady
jobs by gentlemen eqW1 in position
to the one who stooh w^fttr-€ him,
proceeded to enumerate Some of the
most daring cases he had been em
ployed upon, and successfully carried
through—when the necessary reward
was forthcoming. This had the de
sired effect.
“I noticed your case in the papers,”
commenced Frankison, “and intended
when you came out of your tem
porary confinement to offer you a po
sition in which you could not only
be a swell, but probably settle down
in life and become a useful member
of the community.”
Grimes thanked him, but added that
if it was intended to try and reform
him it was a hopeless task. lie loved
the profession too much to settle
itnu-n into the dull, monotonous round
of a respectable existence.
“But this case.” returned Franki
son, “offers excitement sufficient for
the most daring.” Grimes nodded his
satisfaction.
“IVow would you like to get mar
ried?” continued Frankison. “Say. 1o
*a lovely girl with an income of about
2,000 a yeSV?”
“I'd like that immensely,” said
Grimes, with a grin. “Hut unfortun
ately I have already got two wives
living, and it’s as much as I can pos
sibly do to keep out of their way.”
“But this one,” replietl Frankison,
“will only be too pleased to make you
a handsome allowance to leave her.
"Then what on earth does she want
to marry me for!” questioned crimes.
Frankison smiled at his astonish
ment, and handed him u photo of
an exceedingly pretty girl. Grimes
held it at arm’s length for a few
moments, without speaking.
“It’s no use,” he said, with a sigh;
"a young lady so good-looking as she
will have no difficulty in obtaining
lovers enough, without having to
descend to take on—well, a gaolbird,
Out with it; I suppose you have some
job or other on hand.”
Frankison sat down and swallowed
a stiff glass of whisky, then, after
a momentary hesitation, commenced
to unfold his scheme.
“The young lady whose photo 1
have just shown you is my cousin.
From a child she lias been of a deli
cate nature, und is even now recov
ering but slowly from the effects of
a dangerous illness. This illness, I
may tell you, was the cause of her
wedding being postponed. Now that
she is convalescent, however, her lov
er insists upon the marriage taking'
place at once, in order that he may
take her abroad to try and regain
her health. This wedding must not
take place.”
“Why?”
“Because,” he continued, drawing
Hip. ]iis chair closer and lowering his
on voice, “because in the event of her
spec. dying before marriage, her property
id rut in accordance with her father s will,
juuect,
• ''lrMrliir'••• Tm -"i i
reverts to me. If she marries, she
is perfectly at liberty to dispose of
it as she thinks fit.”
“And. naturally, you intend to get
the money,” returned Grimes. “But
how? I’ll tell you candidly I’m no
good at murders.”
“Well, I want you,” continued
Frankison, “to put this fellow Thomp
son out of the way the night before
the ceremony. You will then take
his place at the church next morn
ing, disguising yourself, in the man
ner you understand so well, to pass
for him, and get. married to the
young lady. Immediately after the
affair is over you will make some
excuse for retiring a few moments
and clear off. Your absence will prob
ably have the effect I require without
resorting to further measures, but
to make assurances doubly certain
you will take care to acquaint her, by
letter, with the exact state of af
fairs, laying particular stress on the,
fact that you have more than a pass
ing acquaintance with the inside of a
prison. The latter portion of your
letter will make you particularly ob
jectionable in lier eyes, and will
doubtless make her agree to your
terms for silence. The false position
she will be placed in and the scandal
likely to accrue from the publication
of the true facts of the case
will to her mind, assume such
fearful proportions that they will, I
ain certain, preclude the possibility of
any action being taken to declare the
marriage null, or of prosecuting you.
Nevertheless, her grief and mortifica
tion will be none file less noicnant.
and eventually prey upon her mind
to such an extent, even if she sur
vives the shock of your disclosures,
that I shall soon be the richer by
about 2,000 a year. For your part
in the matter, I propose to pay you
the sum of £500.”
Grimes held out his hand dramati
cally. “Shake,” he said. “If I ad
mire anything, it is a man good at
his business. I’ve seen a good many
villians, but, man, you could give
them all points. Nevertheless,” he
continued, adopting a familiar tone,
now that Frankison had divulged his
secret, “this is a matter that re
quires thoroughly reviewing, old
chap. You want me to engage my
self In the most cold-blooded scheme
ever concocted, take all the risks,
do away with a fellow (who, for any
thing I know, will probably cause a
lot of trouble), get married—the at
tendant risks of which are, under the
best of circumstances, worth more
than the amount you so generously
offer—morally, if not legally, murder
a girl, and leave the country—it can’t
de done—for £500.”
Frankison eyed him savagely,
and paced the room in thought,
lie resented the familiarity in
the man’s voice. “Six hundred,” he
exclaimed, at last. Grimes shook his
head negatively.
Frankison sat down white with an
ger. “Suppose I tell you a little
story,” he commenced; and without
waiting for an answer proceeded. “A
few years ago a young swell entered
one of the principal banks in London
and cashed a check for a fairly large
amount. This was, of course, dis
covered to be a forgery. A few
months afterward he attempted the
same trick, but with disastrous re
sults. He was immediately recog
nized, although to a certain extent
disguised, and detained. He accom
plished his escape, however, by half
killing his captor. No doubt you
know the man.” He ceased, and
smiled grimly at the confusion plain
ly showing itself on Grimes’ features, j
“I do not think you have been
continued. “Shall we say 600; it is
charged with that matter yet,” he
a good price to pay for what cannot
be called other than a little decep- |
tion.”
Grimes swore horribly. The story
cast a reflection on his professional
capabilities that affected his mind
more than the danger he was men- |
aceil with. Hefore leaving the house,
however, he had been forced into giv
ing a reluctant consent, and received
final instructions. The course of ac
tion was left entirely to him, so long
as he kept to the main details of the
plot.
His first procedure was to obtain
an introduction to the same club that
Thompson frequented, and once there
his insinuating, pleasing exterior
Boon won him an acquaintance with
the person he desired. This soon
ripened into a friendship so close
that an observer would have been
under the impression they had
known each oilier for years.
After a fortnight's time Grimes
conceived the idea of testing his
power to carry through the scheme
successfully, and with this object in
view called upon Frankison in dis
guise. The deception was complete.
He was received and entertained for
over an hour without his disguise be
ing penetrated, and whatever doubts
Frankison had of the ultimate suc
cess of his plot they were dispelled
when Grimes revealed himself.
On several occasions afterwards he
called to report, as requested—some
times disguised and at others not.
So exceedingly clever was the man,
and so well had he studied the char
acter of the man he intended to per
sonate, that these visits completely
mystified his employer, who, in or
der to disarm suspicion, outwardly
evinced the warmest friendship rfor
the man he intended to so cruelly
wrong, and was, therefore, always at a
loss to know whether he was receiv
ing the real Thompson or Grimes in
disguise.
At length the night prior to the
marriage arrived. Frankison nerv
ously paced his rooms, waiting im
patiently for an indication of the
successful issue of the first part. As
the time passed slowly on the sus
pense became terrible. The fearful
consciences of failure and exposure
tookjKssession of his brain until at
last je could bear it no longer, and,
seizing his hat, he rushed into the
struct.. He had not gone many yards
before his arm was grasped by a man
coining from the opposite direction
It was Grimes.
“Quick—tell me,” he said, i:a a
hoarse whisper. “Is all safe?”
Grimes laughed at the terror be
trayed in his voice before replying.
“Of course it is.”
Frankison grasped his hand with a
sigh of relief. The chief difficulty
had been overcome—success was
practically certain. Returning to his
rooms he listened eagerly to a re
cital of Thompson’s capture, and
gave expression to his satisfaction
by presenting Grimes with a cheque
for half the amount agreed upon.
Next morning, ns an invited guest,
lie joined the wedding party, and in
due time arrived at the church. Not
a sign was to be seen of his confed
erate, but presently the bride entered
and took up her position by the altar
rails. She looked fearfully ill, and
leaned heavily on the arm of an old
gentleman, a friend of the family,
who was to give her away. Frank
ison gazed upon her with an almost
Satanic look upon his features, and
saw with intense satisfaction the sur
prised expression on her face give
way to one of absolute pain as the
time passed and no bridegroom ap
peared. He himself had tasted sus
pense the night previously, and cal
culated to a degree the effect it was
having upon her. The whispered ex
pectancy of the congregation lapsed
into a low murmur of consolation
and sympathy for the bride, and
even Frankison be can to anticipate
failure.
Suddenly the sound of a carriage
being driven rapidly in the direction
of the church was heard, and an au
dible “At last!” went round the
building as the bridegroom, flushed
with haste and excitement, appeared.
As he hurried up the aisle his eyes
sought those of Frankison, and the
prearranged signal of success was
given.
The ceremony was at once proceed
ed with, nnd soon the assumed bride
groom led his almost fainting bride
away.
Arrived at home, as soon as it was
decently possible Frankison gave
Grimes the sign to retire, and after
apologizing to his guests he did so.
Frankison would have enjoyed the
sight of the newly-made bride’s
agony on being made acquainted with
her true position, but considering
the possibility of danger arising he
denied himself the pleasure, and soon
afterwards departed.
Grimes, who had removed his dis
guise, was waiting his arrival at the
place appointed, with the news that
the letter had already been dis
patched. After congratulating him
upon the success of the plot Frank
ison handed him a cheque for £1150,
being, with the amount already re
ceived £ 50 more than the total
agreed upon.
lie could afford to be generous;
the manner in which the suspense
in the church had affected his cousin
convinced him he would not have to
wait long for his increased income,
and, moreover, the fact that Grimes
had already purchased his ticket and
made arrangements for leaving the
country that day was worth more
than the extra amount he had given,
for now that the scheme had been
carried through he felt an aversion
akin to fear of his accomplice.
Ridding Grimes farewell he sought
his club, and afterwards joined a
music hall party. It was early morn
ing when he arrived at home. His
first thought, was the gratifying one
that Grimes would by that time be
on the sea. Obtaining a light he was
surprised to find two letters await
ing him. Tearing open the first he
read as follows:
Dear Sir: It will probably interest you
to know that Grimes, the man you em
ployed, decoyed me into a house las4
night, but instead of making me a pris
oner, as you desired, entertained me with
an account of your diabolical scheme.
T am at a loss to know the reason of
this confession—probably his better man
hood prevailed—we will hope so. Acting
upon his suggestion, for neither of us
doubted that you would resort to more
extreme measures if you had the slightest
suspicion he had turned informer, T
stayed with him all night and never
found a more entertaining host. The
arrangements for keeping up the decep
tion we intended practicing upon you
were the cause of my late arrival at
church this morning. When I obeyed
your signal and left my wife, I simply
retired until you had departed.
T understand you have had a large call
upon your purse of late, and would sug
gest the advisability of your recouping the
stock in other regions, otherwise I must
request my friend. Detective Superin
tendent Robson, to whom I have commu
nicated the whole facts, to call upon you
in his official capacity. Yours truly.
WILLIAM THOMPSON.
The second letter was from
Grimes:
Dear Sir: In<future I would advise you
never, under any circumstances, to en
deavor to intimidate a man with more
brains than yourself. If you want to
succeed in our profession, be less of a
coward, take equal risks with your ac
complice. and for a time operate only on
sueh fools as yourself,
The reaction was too much for
Frankison. The rapid change from
anticipated success to complete fail
ure stunned him. For a time he sat
speechless with surprise, and when
at last he recovered some of his scat
tered senses lie took the advice con
tained in the first letter, and made
speedy preparations for a departure
to a more congenial climate.—London
Tit-Bits.
Friendly Critic.
Jaggs—-“You can lead a horse to
water, you know;, but you can’t make
him drink.”
Wags -“That’s all right, old man,
but you’re no horse.”—Chicago Daily*
News.
f
A MAIZE PARTY.
Delifedntful Form of EnterlntnmeBt
When the Corn la in Its
Prime.
This is one of the most delightful
of fall entertainments and can be ar
ranged with little trouble, says the
Washington Star.
Jb’or the menus eut a piece of maize
colored paper the shape of a small
ear of corn, write on this the menu,
then with a drop of mucilage fasten
the menu in the center of a leaf of
corn husk, fasten a little silk floss or
fringe of silk paper to the point of
the leaf and roll up the leaf to look
like an car of corn, tie with a pieca.
of pale green or maize-colored bebe
ribbon. Or the menus can be written
on maize-colored paper and either an
ear of corn outlined on each card or,
if you are handy with your pen, a little
harvest or farm scene sketched in tlie
corner.
The menu may consist of cream of
corn soup made yellow with yolk of
egg. corn oysters, corn pop-overs, egg
croquettes with cream sauce, Indiian
corn pudding, coffee, popcorn cake,
maize pudding.
Use unbleached cheesecloth for table
cloth. Have it double, fringe the edge,
draw out threads and run in for a
border two or three-inch maize-colored
and green ribbons. The napkins may
be made of maize-colored crepe paper,
fringed. Golden-rod, cattails, grains of
corn strung on thread and southern
smilax may be used to festoon chande
liers, etc., and a little cornshock with
gourds and vines used for the center
piece for the table. Sunflowers, stalks
of corn, cattails, pumpkins and golden
rod may be used in. decorating the hall
and rooms for this affair. If it is an
evening function, use pumpkins as lan
terns, in the daylight for holding
flowers and plants.
For the popcorn cake use a jelly cake
mixture; when cake is cold cut it in
strips about an inch wide and four
long, make little layer cakes by filling
with orange icing, cover each one with
soft-boiled icing and cover thickly with
popcorn. If you want a little bright
color, cover a few of the popcorn cakes
with popcorn rolled in red sugar. Do
not forget the real red ear of corn,
which should be suspended, like the
mistletoe, from the chandelier by a
maize-colored or green ribbon. A
centerpiece for the table may be made
of popcorn balls heaped in pyramid
form; have some balls white, some red
and some yellow, using orange or yel
low icing for the latter. These, with
a border of green leaves, will give the
effect of chrysanthemums grouped to
gether.
WINTER WRAPS AND HATS.
Norfolk Coats tor Slender Women*
Feathered Toil new — Fine Tmilor
Cloths for Effective Costumes.
Many of the handsomest venter
wraps, are made of broadtail trimmed
either with sable or Peruvian chin
chilla, reports the New York Post.
I he velvet tailor gown, fashioned
from plain or dotted material in
black, czarina blue, moss green or
brown, is by far the most attractive
street costume of the season.
For slender women the loosely fit
ting Norfolk coat with shawl collar
and bishop sleeves has proved a fa
vorite, rivaling the Monte Carlo mod
el's' in popularity. Cloth is the best
material for these coats, but tweed,
cravenette and corduroy are also used
for them.
Feather toques are again shown,
the crowns low, the brim rolling, the
shape oftener round than long and
oval, the whole hat made of the
breast feathers of wild birds, doves,
or pheasants, with long wings point
ing out sharply right and left in front
from a mass of downy tuffs. Other
hats are covered with glossy plumage
beautifully shaded, the feathers ar
ranged to match with the fashionable
shot and ombred effects- in novelty
mixtures iu silk and wool dress mate
r*i ci I c
The kid-finished and satin-faced
tailor cloths1 brought out this season
are richer than ever in quality and
coloring, and the very fine black
cloths' of which these costumes are
made are as effective as black vel
vet.
One or two beautiful shades in deep
blue, the tawny goiden brown called
Siam, and the rich Cleopatra dyes in
russet, sable and tan. are among
the fashionable shades in broadcloth,
camel’s liair. and zibcline, used by
Paquin for the most attractive cos
tume's of the season before us.
Marquise, Louis XVL, Devonshire
and Gainsborough lvats all reappear
among styles in high-priced French
millinery. These shapes are unusu
ally large and show the eccentricity
of brim and low crown characteristic
of these models. They are designed
in velvet, in smooth and shaggy
French felts, and occasionally in all
fur or lace. Drooping ostrich plumes
are in evidence on most of these
shapes, and this season not only are
sable, feathers, and tiips used, but
also a variety of shaded and varicol
ored plumage. Other French models
decorated with expensive lace and
gem-set buckles show drapperies of
lace drooping over the brims with the
grace of a Spanish echapre.
Minced Tenderloin, Creole Style.
Cut six ounces of tenderloin of beef
lengthwise, shape the slices into
escallops an inch and a half in diame
ter. by an eighth of an incli in thick
ness. Saute them in butter, when
ready take the meat out and keep it
warm between two dishes, adding
beef stock, with part of its fat, some
halved tomatoes peeled, pressed and
fried in butter. Season highly, ar
range the minced meat in a border of
rice boiled in salted water, to which
half an ounce of butter has been add
ed, and serve.—Boston Budget.
When buying illuminating
oil insist on having Eupion, the
family safety. This is a double
distilled process oil that is
odorless and absolutely safe.
If you will use clean burners
and wicks and Eupion Oil you
will have best light obtainable.
The only merchants in Newport
that sell this high-grade oil are
Wolff Goldman Merc. Co., Wr
B. Chastain, Wilmans Bros., R.
D. Wilmans, Heiliger’s Union
Market Co., Martin Bros., Har
ris & Daugherty and L. G. Da
Vaul.
Waters-Pierce Oil Comp’y j
_!
The NEWPORT
LAUNDRY
COMPANY.....
Has the Largest Plant in
Arkansas.
Equipped with Latest Improved
Machinery.
Uses Filtered and Condensed
Water and Positively Guar
antees all work.
Give Us A Trial.
We Will Please You. Prompt
Service and Special Work
Everyday.
Out of Town agents wanted.
NEWPORT LAUNDRY CO.
W. F. Williams, Mgr.
DR. H. O. WALKER.
Physician and Surgeon.
Office: Redman’s Drug Store.
Newport. - - - Arkansas.
DRS. B. A. & W. R. WASHBURN
Physicians and Surgeons.
Special attention given to diseases
of Ear, Nose and Throat. Also Dis
eases of Women.
-:o:
Offices: New Watson Building,
Rooms 12, 14 and 15.
Newport, Arkansas.
A
\
. lllfM—I—1 ...IIIBI L«
I ----
Good Route I
to Try |
It traverses a territory rich in
undeveloped resources; a territory
containing unlimited possibilities for
agriculture, horticulture, stock rais
ing, mining and manufacturing. And
last, but not least, it is f
The Scenic Route
for Tourists. I ±
The Frisco System now offers the I
traveling public excellent service and I
fast time— /
Between St. Louis and Kan
City and points in Missouri,
Arkansas, Oklahoma, IndUG#
tory, Texas and the SoV&ftt-S
Between Kansas Citv^tli*
in Tennessee, Alabama, M,
Georgia, Florida and the So£it.^
Between Birmingham and
phis and points in Kansas, Arkansa
Oklahoma, Indian Territory, Texas
and the West and Southwest.
Full information as to route and
rates cheerfully furnished upon appli
cation to any representative of the
Company, or to
Passenger Traffic Department,
Commercial Building,
Saint Louis.
WHEN GOING
EAST ■ WEST • NORTH - SOUTH
TAKE THE OLD RELIABLE
.
ONLY LINE WITH DOUBLE DAILY
THROUGH SERVICE
TO HOT SPRINGS^
NO CHANGE.
CONNECTION MADE AT BALD KNOB
TOR MEMPHIS.
UNSURPASSED SERVICE^
^ FAST TIME
DIRECT CONNECTION MADE AT ST.
Louis and Texarkana with lines
DIVERGING.
FOR INFORMATION CALL ON OR
ADDRESS
WM. M. GREGG. Agent,
NEWPORT, ARK.
H. C. Townsend, G. P. A.,
St. Louis, Mo.
THE BANK OF NEWPORT
CAPITAL $50,000
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS.
G. W. Decker, President, A. D. Bailey, Vice-President
R. M. Johnson, Cashier. T. D. Kinman, Asst. Cashier
V. Y. Cook, Thos. J. Graham,|A. K. Shoffner, John T. Flynn, J. W. Grubbs
J. M. Stay ton.
We thank our patrons for the excellent business they {are giving us this^""11!
fall.
We not only desire to but we have ample means to supply the legitimate
needs of our every customer. We claim to have done so in the past and we
shall continue to do so in the future.
No customer is too small, none too large, to open account with this Bank.
All patrons treated alike.
We solicit your business.
' -- ■ «„ji