Entered According to Act of Congress, in the Year 1892, by Street & Smith, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washingion, D. O.
Entered as Second-class Matter at the New York, N.Y., Post-Office, April 2, 1892.

Vol. 4. aad Se Aeca lag Se sate St New York. April 2. 1892. Five CENTS PER Cory. No. 100.

Subscription Price, $2.50 per Year.

5

-} A PLUCKY PAIR ON BOARD THE MINNESOTA.

3 By ENRIQUE H. LEWIS.

 

 

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1586

UNCLE SAM’S JACK TARS:
A Puy Pa on Bar the Mies,

By ENRIQUE H. LEWIS.

—

CHAPTER I.
ON BOARD THE MINNESOTA.

ELL, Phillip, my boy, so you are

GooDpD

The ‘appearance of an officer in a neat,
undress uniform put a stop to Dick’s
search after naval lore.

“These two boys wish to enlist, you
say; well, they look bright and intelli-
gent. I presume you are their er etess.

“Yes, sir; this is my son, and this gen-
tleman is the father of the other. ‘They
have our full consent to enter the ser-
vice.”

“Messenger, take these gentlemen and
the boys down to the doctor. Give my
compliments to the executive officer, and
tell him that two boys have come aboard
and wish to enter the service.”

 

x going to be a sailor, eh?”
“Yes, sir, father has at last
riven his consent. Dick and l
start for New York to-morrow where we
are to enter as apprentices on the Minne-

sota.

“What! Dick Blount, too? Well, he
will be as well off there as at home, poor
fellow; he hasn’t had a very pleasant
time since his mother died. Good luck
to you, my lad, I wish you every success
in your new life,” and the kindly old
an shook the boy’s hand as he
ade him a hearty good-by.

Phillip Foster had long wished to enter
the American navy. Born in a little sea-
port town not far from New York, he had
epent his life in sight of the busy Sound
thronged with stately ships and mam-
moth steamers, Close communication
with old sailors, who gloried in spinning
weird yarns of thrilling adventures on
the vasty deep to the Bright-faced lad,
cast an atmosphere.of dreamy romance
around him, and he willingly succumbed
to its glamor and illustrious traditions.
His mother had died when he was six
years of age, leaving him an only child
to the care of a spinster aunt who, al-
though doing all in her power for the
motherless boy, yet could not furnish a
maternal love and care.

After months of steady importunities
Mr. Foster at last consented, and it was
with a heart bursting with joy and happy
anticipations that the lad hurried over to
his chum’s house to break the glorious

news.

Dick Blount found little difficulty in
Setting consent to accompany him. His
ather had unfortunately married a lady
of shrewish disposition after the death of
his first wife, and, with the taciturnity
of a man devoted to his books, did not
notice the gradual estrangement of his
first son. Mrs. Blount had two children
of her own, and could not find room in
her narrow heart for her oe stepson.

The two chums were nearly the same
age, Phillip several months the eldest.

e had just passed his sixteenth year
and was a stalwart built lad, whose
manly form, surmounted by a well-turned
head, crowned with chestnut curls, be-
tokened a splendid specimen of the
American youth. It was not belied by a
closer look at his face, which bore the
imprint of a determined nature, softened
by almost womanly brown eyes, set far
apart beneath the white, well-shaped
brow.

Dick was somewhat smaller but his
well-knit frame gave a promise of manly
strength. In his frank open face there
lurked a mischievous gleam, which
showed a propiyays for frolicsome sport,
although honest and steadfast.

On the following morning the two boys

arose betimes and peek’ their modest
trunks with gleeful alacrity. After spend-
ing several hours visiting old friends, and
bidding farewell to the haunts of their
boyish pleasures, they awaited the hour
of departure with many glances at the
leaden hands of the old town clock.
' At last the long wished for hour ar-
rived, and they boarded the train midst
hearty adieus from numerous friends who
had assembled at the depot to bid them
God speed.

Mr. Foster and Mr. Blount accompanied
them, as it was Peery to have their

arents’ consent before being permitted

oO enlist.

After a journey of several hours, the
party arrived at the Grand Central Sta-
tion and took the elevated for Twenty-
third street. From there they boarded a
cross-town car, as the Minnesota was
lying in the North River off that street.

On arriving at the dock, a little steam
launch soon put them aboard the famous
old war-ship. Accustomed as they were
only to the little TE or schooners that
called at their small seaport town, the
enormous hull of the Minnesota seemed
like a huge leviathan of the deep.

Her lofty spars and masses of intricate
rigging brought many awe-inspired ex-

ressions of; astonishment from the two

   

ads. ;

“Oh, Phil, I wonder if we have to go
out on those little sticks up there?”

“Sticks?” replied that youth with an
air of superior knowledge; “those are
yards, and you have to run out on them
when she’s rolling almost upside down.
Huh! that’s nothing either; I’ve been
told that you can’t come down the ladder,

~The party passed down a narrow hatch-
way leading to the gun deck and entered
the sick bay, an enclosed space devoted
to the medical department.

The two gentlemen waited outside
while the boys were being examined.

In about half an hour the lads emerged
with beaming faces, and their joyous
actions plainly indicated that they had
successfully passed the rigid examina-
tion.

After an interview with the executive
ofticer, and the signing of sundry papers,
Phil and Dick became full-fledged naval
apprentices.

“Now, sir,” asked Mr. Blount, “when
would it be best to send the boys’ trunks
on board?”

The officer visibly smiled and ans-
wered, “Well, Iam afraid the lads will
have to get along without such an article.

The presence of three hundred boxes on
board would not leave much room for the
crew. We supply a strong canvas bag

which answers the purpose just as well.”

Both gentlemen laughed at Mr. Blount’s
natural mistake.

“Another matter I wish to ask about,
lieutenant. When will they be given
liberty to visit their home? I wouldn’t
care to have them start off on a long voy-
age before seeing them again.”

“It is a strict rule of the department
not to allow enlisted men to léave the
ship until their salary equals the amount
of the clothing debt. Te the case of an
apprentice boy, it generally means over
two months, but you are at liberty to pay
the money in advance, and they will be
permitted to go ashore any time.”

fter a consultation the two parents
concluded that it would be best to settle
at once and allow their sons tostart with
a clear set of books.

Mr. Blount and Mr. Foster paid the
amount required, and after bidding the
boys an affectionate good-by took their
leave.

Then followed a day full of surprises
and gatified pride to Phil and Dick. They
were each given a full outfit of clothing,
and when attired in the trim suits of blue
with its rolling white-taped collar and
jaunty cap, they looked every inch the
sailor.

As they strutted up and down the ex-
tensive spar deck they congratulated each
other on the happy culmination of their
boyish ambition.

“I say, Dick, tip us your flipper, me
hearty. How’s she headin’ ?”

Diek looked at Phil with undisguised
admiration and answered:

“Why, you are a Jack tar already;
where did you learn all that?”

“Been reading up.”

Just then a boy but little older than
themselves, who, from his air of great
self-possession and nautical roll had evi-
dently been some time on board, burst out
laughing, and, turning toa grinning com-
rade remarked :

“Say. Jimmy, get on to the two ad-
mirals.”

Phil reddened and, clinching his fists,
walked up to the scoffer.

“Look here, I want you tobe careful
what you are saying. We are not ad-
mirals and don't ae to be. If you
don’t keep a civil tongue in your head,
I’ll make you!”

“Oh, ho!” replied the other with swag-
gering air, “you’re looking for a fight,
eh? Well, I am williag. Look out for
your eye!” The two boys clinched with-
out further words.

The loud conversation and their pugi-
listic actions soon brought a crowd of
boys around the group. Cries of “Go it,”
“Hit him in the nose,” etc., resounded on
all sides. For afew minutes there was
a lively tussle. Dick looked on with
kindling eye and watched warily for any
undue partisan interference.

Suddenly a man clad in the uniform of
a chief petty officer rushed up, and to the
exclamation of, “Cheese it, here comes
Jimmy Leggs,” the audience melted away
like magic, leaving the excited comba-
tants in the grasp of that official.

CHAPTER II.
A DASTARDLY DEED.

  

OME to the mast, you young ras-
cals! What does this mean?”
Catching Phil and the other boy by
— their collars, the master-at-arms
lugged them down to the lower deck and

    

1G

 

but have to shin down a back stay, as
they call it,”

up to where an officer wearing a sword
was looking through a port,

 

NEWS.

“Sir, [have just caught these two ap-
prentices fighting on the spar deck.”

The lieutenant turned, and with a sharp
glance at the culprits said in a stern
voice:

“Don’t you know it is against the rules
of the ship to create a disturbance? Now,
what have you to say for yourself?”

With a look of independence Phil
stepped forward and replied:

“TI ain very sorry, sir, but this boy was
jeering at me and my friend, and I could
not stand it.”

“Well, it is rather rushing things to
break one of the regulations the first day
you are on board. You must be more
careful, and hereafter leave all such dis-
putes until you go on shore. Now, Robert
Gorman, if I hear of you teasing new
boys apa I’ll have you confined. Go
forward.”

As they passed up on deck the discom-
fited youth turned toward Phil, and
with a face red with passion said:

“V1l get even, you dirty sneak !”

Phil gave him a look of contempt and
rejoined Dick by the engine room hatch,
where he had been waiting with im-
patience to learn the result of the affray.

“Well, I'm afraid I haven’t made a
very good start, but it can’t be helped.
I am not going to let any boy make a fool
ofme. After all, I got the best of it, and
the officer gave mea piece of advice I'll
follow hereafter.”

Whereupon Phil related all that had
occurred at his first tribunal, not forget-
ting Gorman’s threat on the ladder.

“We will have to look out for that fel-
low,” added Dick, with a meaning jerk
of the thumb toward where their possible
enemy was standing engaged in conver-
sation with his friend, Jimmy.

“Oh, I am not afraid of anything he
can do. Let’s look about the ship.”

They walked up and down ie deck,
gazing with great curiosity at the many
inside details of a man-of-war. The old-
fashioned guns projecting their frowning
muzzles through numerous port holes es-
pecially attracted their attention. As
the Minnesota is only an obsolete relic’ of
the late war, she is not equipped with the
modern death-dealing weapons of the
newer ships, but to the unsophisticated
minds of the two boys, they appeared
formidable engines of destruction.

Phil cast yearning glances aloft, and
informed Dick in a whisper that he would
like to see how fast he could run up the
ratlines.

“My, but it looks a mile up there. I
wonder if you have to crawl through the
little hole in that platform where the
other mast begins?”

“That’s the lubber’s hole. Of course
you have to go through that. On mer-
chant ships they make you climb outside,
but in the navy you are allowed to use it.”

Just then the shrill notes of a boat-
swain’s whistle sounded loud and clear
from the deck beneath, and immediately
all the boys were seen scampering below
in great haste.

As one passed by, Dick asked him what
was the matter.

“That’s the supper call,” he was ans-
wered; “you had better hurry up or you
won’t get any grub.”

Our heroes followed the hurrying crowd
and soon found themselves on the gun
deck forward where a number of lon
tables were strung in rows, covered with
tin pans, pots and spoons. They were
speedily shown to some empty seats and
told to fall to. Everything was clean and
neat, but the food was hardly that of a
hotel, and they soon noticed the vast
difference from their own comfortable
home. As the novelty wore off, they ate
with the vigor of boyish appetites and
arose at the conclusion entirely satisfied.

After supper the master-at-arms gave
them a couple of hammocks, and detailed
a seaman to reveal the mysteries of that
unique bed.

The old salt took a kindly interest in
his task and explained how the oblong
pieces of canvas, with row of small holes
at each end, was attached to a couple of
iron rings by numerous clews. Then he
placed the mattress and blanket inside
and lashed the whole into a compact
cylinder-shaped bundle. Just as he com-
pleted the lesson, hammocks were piped
down and the boys were assigned to their
places on the berth deck.

It was a queer bedroom to Phil and
Dick, accustomed to their own little
chambers at home. The ‘tween decks
was but dimly lighted by an occasional
lamp placed here and there against the
sides. Swinging from hooks in the beams
overhead were scores of hammocks close
together, and, busily engaged in opening
them for the night, were chattering boys
of all age and conditions.

Phil noticed with annoyance that his
next neighbor was Bob Gorman, but that
worthy was whistling away in evident
unconcern, and appeared as if the little
encounter that afternoon had entirely
passed out of his mind.

“Come on, Phil, let’s go up stairs and
see the lights on the shore,” said Dick,

The titter ran through the crowd of

 

boys nearest them, and Phil replied in @ ~

shocked whisper:

“On deck, you idiot; there ain’t any
stews onaship. Come, let’s get out of
this.”

Poor Dick followed him, covered with
confusion, but in the open air soon forgot

his slip in wonder at the beautiful sight

spead out before them.

Darkness had falten, and myriad lights
flashed from tbe shores of the mighty
river. Stretching as far as the eye cou
see were gleaming points, now low dow
as if touching the surface, and then high
on the top of some lofty building, like the
waining signal from a thousand beacons.
Anon a river steamer would pass close
by, the monotonous clang of its ponder-
ous walking beam sounding like the
growl of some sea monster. Then a little
tug would dart into view and pass out 0
sight in the distant gloom with a fare-
well shriek. It was all like the rapia-
turning pages of an unknown book 0
wonderful pictures to the two boys, aD
they stood rapt until the sound of the
boatswain’s whistle told the hour of rest.

On returning to the berth deck, they
found that most of their shipmates ba
already retired, and the sound of a meio-
dious ‘snore, or an incoherent outburst
from some dreaming lad, showed tha
insomnia was an exception and not the
rule on board ship.

Now came the puzzling question, how
to get into the swaying hammock, AS it
was suspended on most uncertain priD;
ciples, it did not afford thesteady base of
a four post bedstead. ee

Phil at last assisted Dick in the difli-
cult operation, and concluded, after muc
study, that the safest plan would be t0
grasp the hooks overhead and, with ®
hearty swing, try to throw his body inl
the novel cot.

After disrobing and placing his clothes
beneath the mattress as a pillow, be
secured a firm hold and, with a one, tW
three, lighted squarely in the center-

Crack ! a half eésetied exclamation, uf
ominous thud, and then with a cy
alarm, Dick had’ jumped to the deck a?
beheld Phil lying silent and motionless
amid a confused heap of bedding.

In an instant, the silent quarters be-
came alive with a host of half clad for
crowding around the spot, and asking Z
excited whispers what had happenets
‘the unusual noise soon brought the cor
poral of marines with a lighted lanter?.

After bidding the curious onlookers fe
turn to their hammocks, he made a bas
examination and, lifting the limp for™
of the injured boy in his arms, bore hi
to the sick bay.

The surgeon
from the wardroom, and after a

Sly moned
was hastily sumiperal

application of cold water to Phil’s hea |

soon brought him to. be
A cursory inspection revealed that not a
ing had occurred more serious. thas
rather violent bump on the cranium. int
was deemed best, however, to keep h ia
in the bay all night, and a cot, much™ me
comfortable than the cause of his ¥
lucky mishap, was given to him. had
Dick, who in the anxiety for news as
crept close to the door, heard the ie
able diagnosis with heartfelt glad #-
for he had in his boyish way a grea him
for the manly lad, and looked up to der
with the admiring reverence due an © rtD
brother. On his way back to the ber.
deck, he noticed a lad crouching 12
shade of the foremast, who as he panid
nearer touched him on the arm and §
in a low voice: for:
“Sh-h-h, ‘go upon the spar deck !
ward; I have something to tell you»
ahead, I’l] follow in a moment.” pi
Dick gazed at him in surprise, but §

ing that the trembling youth was ev)

dently in earnset, obeyed, wondering; at
he climbed up the hatchway ladder, W)

on earth was going next to hapPer er:
this eventtul first day of their new CaM 1,

In a few seconds he was joine the
young apprentice, who drew him into
friendly seclusion of
canopy.

The night was clear and a cool bread
whistled through the cordage Ove op
with a weird uncanny sound. wll
the gangway a solitary marine slo
pete back and forth, his heav witD
tapping on the hard pine dec ;

monotonous regularity. t
“I want to tell you something abou
that accident that you and your

ought to know. I have been long enous:
in the service to know that a ham” is
won’t break so easy as all that, +10
pered the lad. “I sleep in the nex

and after turning in, noticed some ¥

Ke
fooling about your friend’s clews. Z pad |

ing maybe it was some fellow W c
mistaken the location, I didn’t pare if
more attention until the thing hepy
After you had all gone to the sit |
I took a quiet look at the wreck
found, just as I expected, that the
lanyard had been cut.”

Dick uttered a ery of indigna

information, : it of g
“The villain! What a mean trick
wish I knew who it was, I'd pay

 

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GOooD NEWS.

 

1587

 

Clinching his fists he strode up and

down in angry disregard of his surround-
ings.
Took out! the sentry will see you,”
cautioned his companion in a whisper.
“Come down below, and I’ll show you
the cut rope, and you can report it to-
morrow to the ‘first luff,’ but, I ae don’t
let on it was I that told you. I haven’t
any idea who the fellow was, and it
wouldn’t do any good for me to act as
witness.”

So saying, he_ stole cs in the
shadows, closely followed by Dick, and
they soon reached the scene of Phil’s
disaster. 5

A single glance at the head lashing re-
vealed the fact that it had. been cut half

‘through, the incised edges leaving no

doubt that some one’s knife had severed
the strands for a malicious purpose.

It was a most criminal action, and
might have resulted fatally. Falling
from a height of almost five feet on to a
hard plank is no laughing matter.

 

CHAPTER III.
THE RIVER PIRATES,

HE following morning, when Phil
rejoined his chum, Dick related all

4 that had been told by the friendly
young apprentice.

Phil’s indignation almost impelled him
to make an immediate report and ask for
an investigation but he was loath to
cause any trouble while so short a time
in the service. After talking it over
they concluded to let the matter pass and
keep a sharp look-out for their enemy.

After several days of uneventful
routine, the news spread about the ship
that a draft of boys would he sent the
next evening to Newport for a succession
of drills preparatory to a practice cruise
on one of the training vessels. : :

Our heros hailed the welcome intelli-
gence with boyish enthusiasm. They had
tired of the few attractions afforded by
the Minnesota, and were eager to get on
board a real fighting man-of-war. As
pot their actual naval experience had
been limited to a couple of days ina
vessel permanently anchored within eye-
sight of civilization, and they yearned to
exchange its monotony for the many ad-
ventures awaiting them beyond the sea.

The next afternoon at two o’clock the
boatswain passed the call: “Lay aft on
the quarter deck, all you boys detailed
for the draft. Bring your black bags and
ditty boxes and place them in the port
gangway.” j

With suppressed shouts of joy, a host
of delighted apprentices assembled from
all directions, Phil and Dick in the front
rank. The ship’s writer called the roll
and then they were ordered into the
steam Taunch hung impatiently along-
side, waiting to convey them to the Fall
River dock. A short time afterward the
majestic Bristol steamed out into the
river en route for Newport. On her deck
were stationed a group of twenty appren-
tices in happy anticipation of the glory
awaiting them. Dick dfew Phil’s atten-
tion to the unwelcome fact that Bob Gor-
man was one of the number, They had
hoped to leave him behind, for a strong
suspicion had been aroused in the minds
of the two that he was the guilty culprit
in the hammock affair. But it could not
be helped. The only course left was to
keep a vigilant watch on his movements,
and if caught in any sneaking attempt to
settle it then and there.

After watching the varied panorama as
the steamer made her way through the
busy river, the boys retired to the spacious
saloon, whence alluring sounds of music
had been wafted to their ears. The boat
was crowded with passengers, and they
found a merry throng inside enjoying the
Sweet strains from an excellent string
band, :

After a hearty supper, served in the
magnificent dining-room, they again ad-
journed to the hurricane deck to take a
ast look at the night before retiring.

Wishing to enjoy a quiet talk over the
events of the past two days, and to revel
in glowing pictures of the future, the two

ys sought a secluded spot near the star-
board wheel house. The night was in-
tensely dark, and the steamer seemed to

e cleaving her way through a solid wall
of gloom.

Oppressed by the lonesome surround-
ings. they.talked in low tones. The rapid
throb of the engines and an occasional
Shriek of escaping steam from the safety-
valve proved that they were going at full
Speed thorugh the waters of the Sound,
notwithstanding the blackness of the
night. After a half hour’s conversation,
they arose to go below, when Dick, who
had-eaught sight of a light off the beam,
Stépped aft a short distance to get a

tter view and stood gazing toward the
Long Island shore, leaving his chum
€aning over the rail deeply absorbed in
thonght. So preoccupied was Phil that
he did not hear the light footsteps of an
tp proaching form nor see a dark figure as
it glided up behind him, Suddenly there

 

rang out into the night a shrill ery that
struck with horror all who heard it.

“Help, help!”

A icud splash as of some heavy body,
then silence profound. Dick wheeled
around just in time to see the form of his
friend disappear from sight in the dark
waters below. He stood rooted to the
spot for an instant then with a shout of
“Man Overboard” sprang on to the rail
and leaped to the rescue.

He was an unusually strong swimmer
and. felt perfectly at home in the water.
He knew, too, that Phil could swim, but
not for any great distance, hence his
heroic action in risking his own life in
the icy depths.

As Dick came to the surface, a half
smothered cry floated over the waters.
It was Phil’s well-known voice.

The Bristol had almost disappeared.
The faint gleam of her cabin-lights only
could be seen, and even they were quickly
swallowed in the deepening gloom.

Again came that cry for help, but
fainter, as if from a great distance.

With an encouraging shout, Dick struck
out manfully toward the quarter it ap-
peared to come from. The water was
frightfully cold, it being November, and
it almost benumbed him, but the violent
movement of his limbs soon overcame the
feeling. After a few rapid strokes, he
made out the form of his chum feebly
paddling, as if his strength had almost
given out. Reaching his side, Dick
uttered a few cheering words:

“Keep up as long as you can, Phil. The
people on board must have heard our
cries. They will surely lower a boat to
look for us. If you feel yourself sinking,
catch hold of me.”

A few minutes longer of patient strug-

le against the paralyzing cold and then,
Bail, with a despairing moan, cried out:

“Leave me, Dick, and save yourself. I
can’t keep up any longer. If you are
saved tell fath——” a gurgling sound, a
faint rippl2 of the waves and he disap-
peared beneath the sullen waters.

In an instant Dick dived and grasping
Phil by the hair brought him to the sur-
face.

Casting a hopeless glance around, he

ave one long cry for help, realizing that
Re could keep up but a little while longer.
Suddenly, there came an answering hail,
like a voice from the depths of the sea,
then the welcome sound of the click of
rowlocks and a large boat propelled by
lusty arms shot into view. A cry of
“Courage, my lads, courage!” then will-
ing hands reached over the side and the
two dripping forms were stretched out in
the bottom, saved from a watery grave.

As if in a dream, Dick heard the sound
of a man’s voice speaking in an under-
tone, next to where he lay.

“Why, cap, they are sailor boys. I
wonder how they come out here. Must
hev fallen overboard from some vessel, I
reckon.”

“Well, it don’t make any difference
who they air; we must get rid of them.
It’s gittin’ late, an’ we must make that
schooner before the tide serves. The
skipper got his money in the city to-day,
over a thousand dollars; think of that for
a haul, eh?”

Just then, Dick, who realized from the
whispered conversation of the two men.
that they had fallen into the hands of
river thieves, felt Phil move and heard a
moan uttered by the half drowned boy.
Reaching over, he placed his hand on
Phil’s mouth and breathed softly: “Keep
quiet, there is something up.”

Meanwhile, the conversation between
the rescuers continued.

“We had better put them. on the Hook;
there are plenty of houses there, and they
will soon find some one to let them in
until morning.”

“Yes, but we'll go through them first.
I haven’t handled any of Uncle Sam s
money for a considerable spel], and——

“Hist!”

The faint sound of muffled oars floated
through the gloom, and_ before the men
could make a move a boat dashed up
alongside.

“Ah! my fine fellows, we have caught
you at last. No resistance, or we ll fire.

“Fire and he blowed !”

There was a short struggle, the river
pirates gave a few swift strokes, but be-
fore they had gotten ten feet away there
came a flash of light, a loud report, and
Dick, with-a start, sprang to his feet and
toppled over the side.

(TO BE CONTINUED.)
———___—_ -s1@ror

LONDON STATISTICS.

don is the largest city in the world.
tee ota districts extend over a scope
of one hundred and forty four square
miles: that of the police over six hundred
and ninety square miles. The population
ig more than tour million. It stands on
four counties, covering the most of each.
It has one million five hundred thousand,
foreigners from every quarter of the
globe, and it is said to have more Catho-
lies than Rome herself and_ more Jews
than all Palestine. Within the limits of

 

 

the city there is a birth every five min-
utes and a death every eight minutes, day
and night. Each year adds forty-five
thousand to the population. There are
seven thousand miles of streets and one
thousand two hundred miles of street rail-
way within the city limits. Each year an
average of twenty-eight miles of new
streets is opened.

(This Story Will Not be Published in Book-Form. }

BOB PORTER

AT LAKEVIEW ACADEMY.

——s

By WALTER MORRIS,

Author of “Joe the Cali-Boy,” “The Clown’s Protege,”
“Kirk Sheldon’s Mine,” “Slaves of the Circus,” ete.

_——~-

 

 

[“BOs PoRTER was commenced in No. 87. Back

numbers can be obtained of all News Agents.)

CHAPTER XXVII.
THE CAPTURE.

OB delayed giving the signal to at-

tempt the capture of the thieves
because he thought it possible they
might incriminate themselves yet
more, and there was no necessity of
making any move until the conversation
had come to an end.

Then again, he was trying to arrange
in his mind how the affair could best be
carried out. His party had the advantage
of one in numbers, but Charley could not
be counted upon for any brilliant work,
and in view of everything, he believed
the forces to be about equal.

It was evident the guilty ones were on
the verge of a quarrel, for when Sam in-
timated that he ought not remain very
long,*Sim said, sulkily:

“Why don’t you go? It would a’ been
better for Jack an’ me if you’d never had
time to come where we was.”

“Then you would have been hungry
more than once after Tom left, for I have
bought grub when you didn’t dare to go
home.”

“Yes, an’ we’ve paid up by doin’ your
dirty work for less’n anybody else would
a’ done it.”

“Look there,” Jack interrupted in a
tone of authority, “we can’t afford to
fight jest now. I don’t think we've got
our full share out of this thing, but a
bargain’s a bargain, an’ we’ve no right
to kick. We'll let this job settle the
matter. When our part of the work,”
and he motioned toward the package at
Sam’s feet, “has been done, we split.
It’s takin’ too much risk for nothin’.”

“All right, if you can get a fair price
for this set, now it’s all here, I'!l be
satisfied,” and Sam started in the direc-
tion of his boat. “I'll come over here to-
morrow afternoon an’ see how you’ve
made out.”

Now if ever was the time for Bob to
conclude his plan, and he so understood

  

 

it.

“Jack is the strongest of the three,” he
whispered to Ned, “and I’ll tackle him
while you look out for Sam. Jim and
Charley can take care of Sim.”

The others heard the hurried instruc-
tions, and nodded their heads to show
that they were ready for the struggle.

Looking around once more to assure
himself that he would be supported, Bob
dashed through the underbrush, as he
shouted : ;

“If you fellows will surrender peaceably
there’]] be no trouble, but raise a hand
and we'll give you the worst flogging you
ever had !”

While speaking he barred Jack’s pas-
sage with his body, and was ready to
strike the first blow, but could not do so
while the boy would not so much as put
up his hands.

The weakest pupil in the academy couid
have overcome Sam at this moment. He
realized that his crime was discovered,
and, turning pale as death, was forced to
lean against a tree for support.

As Jim afterward expressed it, “he was
knocked out by the first word.” i

“You needn't strike,” Sim said as Ned
advanced toward him _ threateningly.
“I’m willin’ to give in, for this thing was
bound to come, an’ the sooner the better
so long as there’s no chance of gettin’
away.” Z :

The amateur detectives were literally
bewildered by the sudden submission,
and Ned wi helplessly as he seized

im by the collar:

: 4 What are we to do now, Bob?”

“They must go to the hall, of course,
and we'll take these books along,” Bob
replied as: he picked up the package.
Then to Sam he added: “I’m mighty
sorry for this, old fellow, but as you know
it bad to be done if wecleared ourselves.”

“How did you happen to think it was
me?” Sam asked in a faint tone.

“We didn’t until Jim saw you, and
even then I aa it wasn’t true, but
now there’s no question.”

“None whatever, and I’ve got to take

 

the penalty, but boys, there’s no need of
carrying me to the hall while all the
fellows are around,” he said imploringly,
as he faced the others. “Your work wil
be as well done if you wait until after
hours.”

“We can at least do that, can't we
Bob?” and Ned’s eyes were filled with
tears as he asked the question.

“The only trouble is that they might
try to get away in the darkness,” Bob re-
plied, hesitatingly.

“Tie my hands, or do whatever you
choose sothat Iam not obliged to face
all the fellows as a thief,” the pallid
prisoner said, imploringly.

Among those who had so lately been
believed guilty of the crimes there was
not one who did not feel really distressed
at the turn affairs had taken. Sam was
wel] liked by’all, and he would have been
the last to be suspected by either.

“If you'll give us your word that you
won’t attempt to run away, we’ll wait,”
Bob said, after a long pause.

“Will you believe a thief?” Sam asked
in a tearful voice, and Ned _ replied
quickly:

“We'll believe you, and I'd like to
know why you did this thing.”

“Towed some money in the village for
suppers we had at the hotel last season,
and the laudlord promised to send his
bill to the hall if I didn’t pay him this
month. Father refused to give me any-
oe extra, and I saved every penny I
could get during vacation, but needed
fifteen dollars more. That’s all there is
to it. I should have let him do as he
threatened; it would have been a thous-
and times better than this.”

Neither of Sam’s school-mates could
make any reply, and all remained silent
until Sim asked:

“Well, what’s to be did with us? I
s’pose it don’t make any difference if
we are paraded around as thieves, but
yet we've only doneas he coaxed us to do.”

“That is true,” Sam added.

Bob remained in deepest thought for
several moments, and then as a plan pre-
sented itself, he said:

“If all three of you promise to remain
here quietly I'll go back and have a talk
with the professor. Perhaps he will be
willing to make such an arrangement
that you have no need to show up at the
hall at all.”

“T’ll promise quick enough,” Jack re-
plied, “and if you don’t believe me, take
the boats away; there’s none of us who
could swim to the shore, even if nobody
was left as guard.”

Sam looked imploringly at his school-
mate, and this mute appeal decided Bob.

“T’ll do it,” he ra “and be back in
an hour at the longest.”

Although he believed the boys could be
depended upon, despite what they had
done, Jack's suggestion was carried out.

The three boats brought by the amateur
detectives, that in which Sam had come,
and the one belonging to Jack and Sim,
were fastened in a line, Bob seating him-
self in the foremost craft prepared for the
hard task before him.

He pulled away from the shore leavin
his companions with the prisoners, an
avoided meeting Sam’s mournful eyes
again.

An hour previous he had thought of
the triumph which would be his when
the criminals were discovered, but now
he fe)t nothing but sorrow.

It was a long, tedious pull before he
reached the little pier, and when he finally
arrived Stokell greeted him with:

“Well, what’s up now? In all m
workin’ at the academy I never seen sake
times as these, when every whipper-snap-
per in the place can come or go as he
pleases.”

“You are not soold but that there is
yet time for you to learn something
more,” Bob replied, quite as impatiently
as the boat-keeper had spoken. “These
craft are to be left here a while, and it
won’t be well to disturb them.”

“Tt seems that you are takin’ consider-
able on yourself, my bantam. I’d feel
like holdin’ my tongue if I’d been doin’
as——”

Bob was out of the beat in an instant,
and with both hands tightly clenched he
faced Stokell:

“If you dare to so much as intimate
that I have had anything to do with the
thefts that have been committed I’ll give
you the worst flogging any man ever had,
old as you are! The safest plan is for you
to hold your tongue just now when things
have turned in this fashion.”

The boat-keeper staggered back in gen-
uine alarm. He had heard of Bob’s skill
with his fists, and did not care to en-
counter them when the boy was appar-
ently in such a fury.

Bob said nothing more, but, after as-
suring himself that the painter of the
dory would not be readily unlooséned, he
walked rapidly toward the hall, bound
on the most unpleasant mission that had
been entrusted to him.

The professor was in the library, and
one glance at Bob’s face was sufficient to
show him that he brought bad news.
 

  

1588

Goonp

NEWS.

 

 

“Have you failed, Master Porter?” he
asked kindly.

“Tam almost beginning to wish that I
had, sir. We have found the thief, and
it makes a fellow feel bad to see a friend
in trouble.”

“Who is he?”

“Sam Howard. The other boys are hold-
ing him on Dollar Island while I can tell
you the story.”

Then Bob explained everything, while
the professor stood grasping the edge of
the table as if he needed support while
one of his favorite pape was accused,
and, with the best of proofs, of being a
thief,

“Now, sir,” Bob said, as he concluded
the painful account, “I’ve been thinking
the matter over ever since I left the
island, and in the name of all the boys
who were under suspicion, ask if this
thing can’t be kept a secret. 1 know Sam
will never commit such acrime again,
and to send him home in disgrace would
be something terrible. Why not let him
come back quietly; tell the students that
the thief has been discovered, but you
cannot give his name; say that Ned, Jim,
Charley and I are known to be innocent,
and no one besides ourselves will be any
the wiser.”

The professor remained silent, and Bob
eontinued to beg for the culprit as if ask-
ing a great favor for himself, until the
former said slowly:

“If I should do as you ask it would be
impossible to take any steps against the
man who has been buying the stolen

roperty, and I consider him more guilty
Bes the boys.”

“He can be made to give up the things,
and it surely is better to let him go free
than to disgrace Sam so terribly.”

“But he has committed a crime, not only
by stealing but in allowing the innocent
to be almost the same as publicly accused

of the offense.”

“The last part refers only to us boys,
and we are ready to forgive that if he
does what is right in the future. As for
his guilt, I am certain he’s suffering
most severely.”

The professor allowed Bob to plead a
short while longer, and then he said:

“You have persuaded me against m
better judgment. Go back to the island,
and after hours bring Master Howard
here. As forthe other boys, you can do
no less then let them go, as was done
when they were caught with Moody, but
make them understand distinctly that I
will invoke the law if either is found
loitering around the academy, or on any
of my property.”

 

CHAPTER XXVIII.
A HEAVY SQUALL.

OB lost no time in returning to
Dollar Island after pleading so suc-
z: 2) cessfully with the professor.

Stokell was on the pier when he
reached the shore again, and most eager
to enter into conversation, but the ama-
teur detective was in no mood to answer
his questions. The fact that the old man
had and did believe him guilty of the
thefts was sufficient to make Boh feel
very sore, and he showed quite plainly
what was in his mind.

“Ain’t you goin’ to take the boats
back?” the old man asked, as the boy be-

an casting off all save the craft belong-
ing to Jack and Sim.

“You'll find out by watching,” was the
curt reply.

“It strikes me you’re mighty touchy.
A bear with a sore head couldn’t be
worse.”

“Then don’t talk to me and there won’t
be any cause for hard feelings.”

By this time Bob was pulling away from
the pier witk one boat in tow, and Stokell
shouted:

“Hold on! I want to send some word up
to the island.”

“Carry it yourself, for you surely can’t
trust even a’ message with a fellow whom
you believe to be a thief.”

This had tle effect of silencing Stokell,
but it did not make Bob feel any better.
The fact that the old man could believe
him guilty rankled wees and even the
present triumph was not sufficient to take
away the sting.

When he arrived at the island the
little party was in exactly the same
position as when he left.

Sam did not so much as raise his head,
and the look on his face told how severe
was his mental suffering.

It was a wonderful change which came
over him when Bob announced the result
of his visit to the hall.

“Will the professor really keep it a
secret?” he asked, eagerly.

“There is no question about it, provi-
ding you act square during the remainder
of the term.”

“And I s’pose Sim an’ I’ll have to
sweat,” Jack said, grimly.

“You are to go free_as long as A keep
away from the hall, and the pupils of the
academy, but if either shows up before
the professor, or if he hears that you are

 

in any kind of mischief there’ll be
trouble.”

“There won’t anybody around here see
us again,” Sim replied, with a sigh of re-
lief. “I wanted to leave a week ago, an’
now I’ll go if I have to start alone.”

“Very well, I brought your boat back,
and as we intend to remain until after
dark there’s no reason why you shouldn't
leave at once.”

“We can’t go before to-morrow,” Jack
replied, “an’ we must stay here, cause it
won’t do to show Bp at home; but we’ll
row around a while if you fellers want
to talk.”

“Do as you choose, I reckon we sha’n’t
have anything private to discuss. I’m
mighty sleepy, and am going to takea
nap; some of you must waken me at sun-
set.”

As he spoke Bob stretched himself out
on the ground, and during the next three
hours was blissfully unconscious of every-
thing around him.

It was dark when Ned aroused him, and
the little party set out on the return trip
without loss of time.

Jack and Sim were nowhere to be seen,
They had gone to the other side of the
island shortly after Bob laid down, and
propably. did not care to meet again the

oy who had so successfully outwitted
t

hem,

Stokell stood on the pier when Bob and
his party arrived, and from appearances
one would say he had been there quite a
while. He could not have failed to un-
derstand from Bob’s movements that
something of importance was on foot, and
his curiosity was most sorely excited.

“I can’t jest make out the meanin’ of
this ae ADE, boats that seems to be goin’
on to-night,” he said, in what he inten-
ded should be such a friendly tone that
confidences would be invited, but no one
replied. None of the party felt like talk-
ing with the boat keeper just at that
time, and all landed hurriedly, making
their way at a rapid pace to the hall.

None of the pupils were around the
grounds, and a bright light in the library
told that the professor was waiting to re-
ceive the penitent criminal.

“You’d better go in alone, Sam,” Bob
said, as he haited at the main entrance.
“Tt isn’t re that we shall be wanted,
and we'll sneak up stairs. If the professor
asks about us, tell him that all hands
thought it best to go to bed.”

Sam made no reply, but looked up at
the boy who had acted the part of such a
true friend so appealingly, that Bob held
out his hand.

It was pressed fervently by Sam, and
an instant later the little party entered,
one to face his disgrace as best he might,
and the others to seek the repose they
needed so sadly.

It was with remarkably light hearts
that Bob and his friends met in the
former’s room next morning before going
to breakfast. In some way, they knew
not how, the students would be made to
understand that they were innocent of the
charge which had virtually been made
against them, and this fact was sufficient
to cause great elation.

When the second bell rang they marched
in a body to the door of the dining-room,
and to the surprise of all were informed
that the meal would not be served until
half an hour later, but that every person
in the academy, either pupil, teacher or
servant was to assemble in the first class-
room, i

“Blinkers don’t propose to lose any
time,” Ned whispered gleefully, as he
hurried through the corridor to the desig-
nated place of meeting.

On arriving there the boys found the
room filled to its utmost capacity, and
standing near the door looking woefully
uncomfortable, was Stokell, who bowed
and scraped in the most grotesque fashion
as he caught Bob’s eye.

The latter returned the salutation rather
Sais and then gazed eagerly around for

am.

He was present, and trying very hard
to appear unconcerned, but it was easy to
see how difticult was the task.

The professor, with all the teachers,
was on the platform, and when Bob and
his friends entered he rose to his feet,
beckoning them to come beside him.

“This is more than I aeneeet for,”
Ned iaid ruefully, in a. whisper as he
made his way forward. “I don’t like to
be put up on exhibition in such a manner,”

By the time the boys were on the plat-
form every person present knew the rea-
son of this unusual meeting, therefore
they were not so very much surprised by
what followed. ‘

The professor made a long, speech,
which would not be particularly interes
ting if reported verbatim, therefore only
a summary is necessary.

He began by saying it had been sup-
posed by himself and some of the teachers
that there were sufficient suspicious cir-
cumstances to warrant the temporary sus-
pension of the pupils who stood by his
side. Then he spoke of the thefts, what
steps he had taken to discover the cul-
prits, and concluded with:

 

“I now wish to beg pardon of these
young gentlemen for my unjust sus-
picions. The one who did the wrong has
confessed fully, and I do not think it
necessary to give any information con-
cerning his identity. It is sufficient that
he is thoroughly penitent, and I enjoin
upon the students that they try to dis-
miss the matter from their minds, save as
they aid me in making reparation to
these young gentlemen who have been
most cruelly wronged.

“As a slight token of my esteem, and
that there may be something given in the
way of a reward for what they have done
and suffered, I propose to reinstate them
in command of the Undine, and in their
names invite all the students for a cruise
beginning at ten o’clock this forenoon.
It shall be a day of general nejetcing: and
of doing honor to those whom I wronged.”

As the professor sat down the students
began to shout themselves hoarse, while
they crowded around the boys, insisting
on shaking hands, cheering and otherwise
giving to the class-room the appearance
of being tenanted by a crowd of lunatics.

Sam mingled with the others lest by
remaining aloof his secret should be dis-
covered, but when he shook hands with
those who had saved him from disgrace,
it was in silence. A fervent pressure
told only of his gratitude.

Bob and his friends stood the ordeal of
being thus lionized as long as possible,
and then, with cheeks flaming red be-
cause of the compliments showered upon
them, they broke away, running toward
the dining-room as the third bell an-
nounced that the half hour had expired.

After the meal had come to an end the
reinstated captain and crew put off to
the yacht in order to get her ready for the
cruise, and while they were busy as bees
Stokell joined them.

“See here, Bob, you shouldn’t lay u
anything agin me for what you thought
was goin’ to say. I haven’t done any
worse’n the professor did, and ye ain’t
holdin’ out on him.”

“But you knew me better than he did.”

“That’s true, lad, but any body could
a’ gone astray on this thing, more per
tic’larly when it seemed as if you was
actin’ as if the thieves wasn’t to be
caught.”

“All right, we won’t say anything more
about it,” Bob replied, and then to pre-
vent the old man from making an elabor-
ate apology, he added: “Suppose you take
hold and help us get things into sailing
trim?”

Stokell acted upon the suggestion with
a will, and by the time word came from
the culinary department that the lunch
was ready to be taken on board, the Un-
dine was in condition to weigh anchor at
ant moment,

here were no lack of volunteers to man
the small boats, and punctually at ten
o’clock every one was on board.

Sail was gotten on to the little craft in
very nearly true nautical style, and under
the influence of a strong breeze she ran
out of the harbor with a bone in her teeth
which told how well the canvas was
drawing.

At the professor’s suggestion the yacht
was hove-to off Independence Island in
order that the pleasure-seekers might go
ashore to view the ruins of the cook-
house, and then came such a cruise as the
boys remembered for many a day.

Bob made a complete circuit of the
lake, coming to anchor at the lower end
where lunch was served, and, after an
hour’s fishing, it was proposed to spend
the remainder of the day sailing.

The wind had held steady during the
forenoon, but. at about one o’clock it
freshened, coming in gusts which often
heeled the little craft in a manner that
caused some of the more timid to grasp
the rail in a very nervous way.

“Don’t you believe it would be well to
shorten sail?” the professor asked as a sea
struck the quarter, drenching more than
one of the passengers,

“I will if you think best, sir,” Bob re-
plied, “but there isn’t the slightest dan-
ger. She couldn’t capsize with this can-
vas, and Stokell is pilot enough to keep
us off the rocks.”

“T think it would be more comfortable
if we careened less,” was the nervous
answer, and Bob had considerable diffi-
culty in keeping his face straight, for the
professor looked as if this was anything
rather than a pleasure trip for him.

“We'll reef her down well,” he said to
the boat-keeper. “The other boys can
attend to the mainsail with you here to

ive orders, and I’ll see to the jib if you

ake the wheel.”

Stokell did as requested, and Bob went
forward.

The foresail was lowered and snugly
stowed, and then as the yacht was brought
up into the wind Bob called for Ned to
follow, and laid out on the bow-sprit.

To those who were watching his move-
ments it seemed as if he had but just
stepped on the foot-ropes when Stokell
turned to speak with the professor, thus
losing sight of his charge for the instant,
and a heavy squall swept down from the

 

hills with a speed and violence truly
alarming.

The helmsman did not see it until the
yacht was swung around like a cork, and
the rope bound canvas was raised and
flung down upon the boy with a force
sufficient to have torn a much older and
better sailor from the perch,

“ Bob’s killed !”

“Bob’s overboard !”

Ned and Sam shouted at the same in-
stant, and the negligent Stokell looked
0 just in time to see the young captain
sink beneath the waves as the yacht
dashed on like some affrighted thing.

_ (TO BE CONTINUED.)
oo

UNITED STATES GUN SHOPS.

——@¢————

v,
-NE of the most extensive plants
owned by the Government for com-

“Ay

 

 

leting cannon is located in the

Vashington Navy Yard, and the
building, known as the North and South
Gun Shop, is six hundred and thirty feet
long and from ninety-five to one hundred
and thirty-five feet wide. Surrounding
this building are numerous other struc-
tures devoted to the manufacture of gun
carriages, projectiles and other equip-
ments necessary for defense. The build-
ings are equipped with every imaginable
tool, for the purpose intended, and when
the many others, now being built, are
in place, those best posted state that the
gun plant in the Washington Navy Yard

will rank ia size and equipment with -

any similar factory in the world. There
were nine hundred and one men employed
in these shops before orders were recently
issued for pushing the work with extra
diligence. The number is now evidently
much larger. When it is stated that
seven years ago there was not a single
piece of modern heavy ordnance on any
vessel owned by the United States Govern-
ment and no factory equipped for manu-
facturing guns of modern type and no
iron works with es large enough
to make any gun forgings larger than six
inches; the rapid growth of this branch
of the government can be seen. At the
resent time there area number of twelve
nch breech-loading rifled cannon being
manufactured in the Washington gun
shops. One of these cannon weighs one
hundred and one thousand pounds, is
thirty-five feet long, requires four hun-
dred and fifty pounds of powder for
each charge and will throw a steel
vrojectile, weighing fifty pounds, a
distance of twelve miles, The force
of the discharge of this gun is 80
great that it will penetrate more than
two feet of solid steel if the metal is
laced close to the muzzle of the cannon.

o move these enormous weights, and
piace them in position for finishing,
hese shops are equipped with various
sizes of traveling cranes, the largest of
them having a capacity to carry a load
of over two hundred thousand pounds.
It was in 1882 that the Ordnance Bureau
of the Navy Department took the first
steps toward proguring forgings for large
guns. Most of these they were obliged
to procure from England, and the delays
and annoyances incidental to their de-
livery were so great that the Navy De-
artment became convinced that these
orgings would have to be procured in
America, and to this end they offered
extra inducements and advertised for bids
for gun forgings. To give some idea of
the enormous weight representea by
these cannons, 1t will be stated that the
twelve-inch guns above referred to
weighed one hundred and one thousand
pounds when finished. In the rough as
first received from the iron works the
forging weighed one hundred and twenty-
seven thousand four hundred and eighty
pounds; showing a loss in manufacture
of over thirteen tons.

The ary of the gun shop on the
first day of July, 1891 was: forty five-inch
guns, sixty six-inch guns, ten eight-inch
guns, six ten-inch guns and three twelve-
nch guns for each twelve months, or one
hundred and nineteen cannon, This
capacity is now much larger but we have
not the statistics at hand of the present
vutput. The time required for each size
is as follows: To build a five-inch gun
fifty days, six-inch sixty days, eight-inch
ninety days, ten-inch one hundred and
twenty days and to build a twelve-inch
un it takes one hundred and eighty days.
The overnment had under contract and
building about fifty cannon from ten_to
thirteen inches inside diameter. By
having provided itself with a complete
gun factory, the government has de-
creased the cost of manufacture very
largely; in some of the sizes as much as
fifty per cent. A ten-inch gun, which
cost in 1888 six million four hundred thou-
sand dollars, wes built last year for three
million dollars less and in two-thirds the
time. The government also has a gun
factory of considerable dimensions at the
Watervliet Arsenal, West Troy, N. Y.:
et for various . classes of work at
Springfield, Mass., at Rock Island, Il,,
and large plants at all the navy yards.

 

 

 
 

ee a ee

~ Po «©

all

  
  

 

a

    
  
 

  

Goonp

NEWS.

 

i589

 

{This Story will not be Published in Book-Form.)

TOM HAVENS

WITH THE

WHITE SQUADRON

natin ioteliaats

By LIEUT. JAS. K. ORTON.
Author of “Between the Lines,” “‘Beach-Boy Joe,” etc.

bse

(“Tom Havens” was commenced in No. 9% Back
numbers can be obtained of all News Agents).

—e

CHAPTER XY,
THE ADMIRAL.

ZA% ETER the evidence produced by
IN % som there could be no question
Oy but that the captain and mate of
the Dolphin had found a remark-
ably rich treasure, and very little stretch
of the imagination was necessary in order
to decide how it had been accumulated.

From the build of the vessel, that which
had been seen on board, the casket of
jewels, and numberless other indications,
there could be no question as to the char-
acter of the craft before she found final
resting place at thé bottom of the sea.

That the treasure room contained a
large amount of wealth was already
ares. and this valuable assortment had

een purchased by the sin of murder and
rapine.

It was wealth, however, which could
not be restored to its rightful owners at
this late day, and the young discoverers
had, undoubtedly, a better right to it
thau those who once tenanted the houses
of bones which were found on the wreck.

The captain and his mate could not, in
their armor, hold any conversation, but
words were not necessary to express the
joy both felt at thus being assured that

ere was a fortune awaiting the first who
should be able to carry it away.

They were the first, and better than
this, could transship it with more ease
than even the ships of the White Squad-
ron, for it could be put on board while
the Dolphin lay alongside the hulk.

It would only be necessary to load the
treasure into the trap-hatch, send it in-
board, and while the crew of the steamer
were stowing it away another lot could
be put into the iron receptacle.

All these thoughts came into the minds
of Tom and Jerry as they stood iooking at
the peek of silver, and as the latter
handed it back to the captain, he threw
it carelessly among the other black bricks,
at the same time oe his finger over
the glass of his helmet asa sign that
nothing must be said regarding the dis-
covery while the surgeon was their guest.

Jerry nodded t6 show that he under-
stood, and then Tom led the way back to
the steamer.

There was no reason why they should
delay longer, since both knew wherea
fortune could be gained in a few hours
when the time was propitious for gather-

 

 

ing.

When the two were standing by the
side of the Dolphin once more they saw
the naval officer looking eagerly from the
window of the tower, and once more Tom
Signified by gestures that the result of
the visit should be kept a secret.

Twenty seconds after stepping into the
trap-hatch the divers were on the inside
while Joppa and Dunker were assisting
them to remove the heavy armor, and the
Surgeon said just a trifle impatiently:

“I was afraid you would stay so long
that I wouldn't be able to get back to
the Yorktown to-right.”

“What time is it now?” Jerry asked in
surprise.

“Nearly an hour after sunset, and I
fancy the signals for you have already
been displayed. Did you find anything?”

“There were a number of skeletons on
board, but not an article of value remains

n the main cabin. She has been under
water too long for goods to be worth re-
moving.”

“You should have looked inthe run. I
believe that is where the old-time pirates
carried treasure.”

“Half a dozen skeletons chained to
benches is all that can be found in the
tun of that craft, and I assure you it was
anything rather than a pleasant sight,”

om replied, and the surgeon added:

“Then she must have been a slaver.”

“That would be the natural inference,”
Tom said calmly, and then, fearing the
conversation might be led into channels
where a lie could not he avoided if they
Wished to preserve intact the secret of
this particular wreck, he added: “Since
it is so late the best thing we can do is
to rise to the surface and make ready for
the admiral’s visit.”

Without waiting for expostulation or
argnment he set the machinery in motion,
and the Dolphin rose straight from ber
Ocean hed without other motion than
might have been perceived had she veen
leaving a dock in land-locked waters,

 

The surgeon was hardly aware the start
had been made when Tom cried:

“The remainder of the fleet are here. It
seems as if the gulf was filled with ships,
and what puzzles me is to decide where
the Yorktown lays.”

It was with an exclamation of surprise
that the surgeon sprang to the window,
and on seeing the lights of the squadron
aa, p00 noble vessels rode at anchor, he
said:

“The sigrals you expected should show
the flag-ship.”

“You are right; I see them now,” and
Tom immediately flashed the search-light
three times in token of his presence.

The signal was returned, and from that
time on a faint glow was shown at the
pc rie of the water to guide the expected
craft.

The admiral arrived sooner than was
anticipated. Sweetness had just served
a hearty supper, and the officers of the
Dolphin and their guest were yet discus-
sing it when Joppa, who was on the look-
out in the tower cried:

“Here comes a boat headin’ straight
for us!”

Tom sprang from the table, clambered
through the window to the sloping deck,
and in a few moments returned in com-
pany with the same gentieman who had,
with his staff of officers, boarded the
Dolphin when she lay in the Cobb Basin
at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

“I must ask, sir, in view of what hap-
pened a short time ago, that the boat’s
crew do not remain in the vicinity,” Tom
said, and the visitor replied ;

“You need have no fear, captain. Their

“That remains to be decided, but just
now [I wish to+speak with you on an-
other subject.”

The admiral paused as if waiting fora
reply, but Tom remained silent, and he
continued after a few seconds:

“You doubtless know that these waters
were the favorite haunts of the piratical
hordes which preyed upon the commerce
of the world during the last century.
Now, singular as it may seem, there was
another craft by the name of Sparrow-
hawk sunk here about the year 1750, and
it is said that she had on board the booty
of a long cruise.”

The officers of the Dolphin exchanged
glances, but remained silent.

Tom did not intend to explain that
they had already found the vessel re-
ferred to, for the treasure on her belonged
to him and his officers by right of dis-
covery, although it was just possible the
admiral might consider he had a prior
claim in view of the fact that the Dol-
phin had been chartered by him.

“TI wish to get the guns from the sioop-
of-war if ‘they can be gotten at readily,
and such other things as may be of value,
but at the same time I do not intend to
have you remain about that wreck very
long. It is the piratical craft I am eager
to find, and to that end your labors are
to be directed. To-morrow you may make
a careful examination of the ship, and we
will raise anything you think worth
saving. After then search for the first
Sparrowhawk.”

“Is it supposed that we are to hunt for
treasure-laden wrecks, giving up all that
may be found, and receiving only our

 

orders are to return to the ship and wait

charter money?” Tom asked.

 

  

    

 

— eee —=——

EEE A = AA ————— PP

 

ae

 

    

77

2)
—

THE DOLPHIN ROSE STRAIGHT FROM HER OCEAN BED; TO FIND THE NOBLE VESSELS

OF THE WHITE SQUADRON

there until a flash light has been shown
three times.”

This was satisfactory to Tom, but as a
precautionary measure he ordered Joppa
to keep a strict watch, and then turned
as the admiral said:

“I wish to have a strictly confidential
interview with you and your two officers.

“That necessitates my asking your sur-
geon to go below with the crew, but I do
not suppose he will have any objections.
Remain here, sir, and I will call Harvey
and Tom.”

When the two last named entered the
tower the admiral received them with re-
markable condescension, greeting both
as if he had been exceedingly anxious to
meet them. ag

“We shall be alone here, sir,” Tom said
as he closed the hatch of the tower after
sending Joppa below. “The surgeon is
lying down in my room, and even if he
or either of the sailors shou!d come to the
foot of the ladder, not a sound could be

rd.” :

nee Then we will proceed to business.
After you ‘have none ee wreck of the
-of-war Sparrowhawk——"
so that has diready been done, sir, and
here are some of the instruments we
brought away from her,” Tom interrupted
as he produced the articles.

“You surely cannot be accused of was-
ting time,” the admiral said with a smile
as he examined critically the goods which
the young captain spread before him, -

“In what condition was the wreck?

 

“Fairl sonnt, sir, but ey ware a
to find so many dea op
toe Are you intending to ping up

anything from her?”

AT ANCHOR IN THE GULF.

“Certainly not. You are entitled toa due
proportion of the full amount recovered.”
“Can you say how much that will be,
sir?”

“It can be determined when the work
has been done.”

Jerry was about to make some remark,
as could be seen by the movement of his
lips, and, fearing lest he might betray
the secret by an incautious word, Tom
interrupted him by saying: real

“We will overhaul the ship in the
morning, although it is a task I would
willingly transfer to some one else, for if
so many officers were drowned we may
expect to see horrible sights forward. At
this hour to-morrow I will report on the
general condition of affairs, and when
that has been done a general search can
be made of the surrounding waters, but
I should think a wreck which had been
on the battens so long would be well

vered by sand.”
ee On the contrary, the trend of the cur-
rents would keep her free from anything
of the kind. Come to the surface at sun-
set, and I will send a boat to bring you
on board. Now to another matter,” he
continued, turning toward Jerry, “You
intimated that there had been foul play
in connection with the sudden sinking of
this steamer. Will you now explain?

“I would prefer that he gaid nothing
about it at present,” Tom replied quickly.
“If I do not succeed in getting proof be
fore the squadron sails, you shall know
a ne admiral looked surprisd, but said
nothing, and a few seconds later the boat
was signalled for in order that he and the
surgeon might return to the ship.

When they had taken their departure,
and the windows of the tower were closed,
Tom said with a laugh which was by no
means mirthful:

“It begins to look as if our discovery
wouldn’t do us very much good, for he
intends to claim more than the lion’s
share of all we may find.”

“Do you think ot giving that treasure
up to any one?” Jerry asked in surprise.

“How can we hold it if a demand is
“made?”

 

CHAPTER XVI.
THE MESSAGE.

AHE request [a of the ad-

‘ 2 miral’s caused the crew of the Dol-

‘| phin no little uneasiness.

. They had made the discovery,
and believed the treasure belonged to
them quite as much as to any one else,
but yet how could it be carried away
without the knowledge of the officers of -
the fleet?

“T’ve got just this much to say,” Jerry
cried excitedly after Tom and Harvey had
discussed the matter for some time,
“Those ingots are ours, and I go in for
taking them even if it becomes necessary
to leave half a dozen White Squadrons
in the lurch. If we should turn the treas-
ure over to the Government we might be
allowed to keep only so much as would
give good wages for all hands, and no
more. A bird in the hand, such as we
have got, is worth a hundred in the bush.”

“Don’t get so excited, old fellow,” Tom
said laughingly. “So far as the admiral
knows we haven’t located the wreck yet,
and may never do it for his benefit. To
my mind it is very important we should
know what is written on that paper
which was found in the casket.”

“That can’t be done until we are on our
way home,” Jerry replied, as if belieying
the statement could not be contradicted. -

“Why not?”

“Because there is no one here who can
read Spanish, that is, I mean no one
whom we dare trust with the secret.”

“How long would it take to run to the
nearest port on the island?”

“Is that what you are thinking of?”
and Jerry sprang to his feet in surprise
and delight. :

“T believe we should do so. Of course
it may be that there is nothing in the
document which would affect this busi-
ness in the slighest, but, without know-
ing why, Iam very anxious to have it
translated.”

“Start now. Even if weare not back
early in the day the admiral will have no
means of knowing that we haven't begun
work on the Sparrowhawk, and we can
overhaul her in half an hour.”

For reply Tom took down his charts,
selected one which treated of the particu-
lar waters, and after shaping a course
for the principal town on the island, sent
the Dolphin ahead at full speed.

“We can lay off till daylight, find some
one to read the paper, and be back before
noon,” he said. “One of you set Sweet-
ness to work on supper, for I'm begin-
ning to feel decidedly empty.”

It was not yet midnight when the
steamer ran into the port of Ajecco. a
small town on the easternmost side of the
island, and Tom sent her to the bottom
until daylight.

Next morning at an hour so early that
there was little chance any of the inhabi-
tants woald be stirring, the Dolphin was
brought to the surface, and steered to a
wooded point at least a mile from the
settlement.

“Harvey, you must stay here while
Jerry goes with me. If there is any
chance of being discovered, back off into
deep water, and rise from time to time
in order to see if we are wee We'll
be here again in an hour at the longest.”
“T'll be on the look-out,” Harvey re-
plied, and added as if to himself: “How
you fellows who don’t understand a word
of the language are going to transact
business, beats me.”

Tom felt quite positive that there would
be but little difficulty in finding some one
who could speak English, and to this end
he pushed rapidly on toward the settle-
ment, halting only when they were in
front of a smal] cafe.

“This is the’ first place a sailor would
stop at after landing, and I count on
meeting with the a we want,” Tom
said as he entered the building. “We’ll
call for breakfast in order to put the pro-
prietor in good humor, and then try to
make him understand our wants.”

The young captain knew sufficient
Spanish to be able to read the rather
—, bill of fare, and while the food
was being prepared he motioned ° for the
beetle-browed owner of the establishment
to come toward the table.

“T wouldn’t care about trusting that
fellow very far,” Jerry said in a natural
tone, never thinking the words might be
understood, and to the surprise of both
the boys the landlord addressed them

 

reasonably good English,

  
 

1590

“T guess we’ve struck the right spot on
the first tack,” Tom said sige 28 bed
no heed to Jerry's distrust. “We have
come ashore to find some one who can
read Spanish, and translate it into Eng-
lish. ou should be able to fill the bill.”

“T ean doas the senors wish. When
did your vessel arrive in the harbor?”

“Just before daylight.”

“T have not yet seen her,” and the man
went toward the window evidently for
the purpose of looking at the craft.

“She lays behind the arg and is so
small that the trees hide her from view.
Sit down, for we are in a hurry.”

With apparent reluctance the man
obeyed, and Tom took from his pocket
the document found in the casket of
jewels.

Spreading it out on the table, he pro-
duced pencil and paper ready to write as
the words aon be translated, and
motioned for the man to read.

The first line caused the Spaniard to
start in surprise, and pointing to it in an
excited manner he asked eagerly:

“Is that the pirate craft Sparrowhawk
which was commanded by Ruy Lopez?”

“T cannot say. What do you know of
such a vessel?”

“Only that which has been told by
those who lived here many years ago.”

“Repeat it, and then we may be able to
determine if it is the same vessel.”

“Will the senors first teli me where
this was found?” and again he pointed at
the paper excitedly, but refrained from
touching it as if the document had about
it some occult power to do him harm,

“A diver discovered it; I cannot say
where.”

The man continued to gaze at the paper
as if fascinated, and pot until Tom im-
patiently asked for the story did he
speak. Then it was to say:

“Although Ruy Lopez went to the bot-
tom of the sea many years ago, there are
old women living here who cross them-
selves every time his name is spoken. No
other free-booter on the coast was so cruel
and bloodthirsty as he. Some killed only
that they might find treasure, or close the
lips of those who might have given evi-
dence against them, but Lopez murdered
simply in order to see blood flow. He
once attackd a convent and slaughtered
ee person to be found, even though he
and his villainous crew knew nothing of
value could be taken from the building.
It was for that crime, so I have heard it
said, that the priests uttered a solemn
curse on the pirate and his followers.
Even the name can do harm, and no craft
christened Sparrowhawk ever makes
more than two or three voyages, some
terrible accident or crime always pursues
them.”

Tom and Jerry looked at each other
meaningly, and perhaps began to think
there might have been some power in the
priestly curse, for had per not already
seen the wrecks of two vessels bearing the
same name, one of which was deliber-
ately scuttled, and the other iiterally
filled with the skeletons of her crew?

“Do you know where the pirate’s craft
was wrecked?”

“She went down in this gulf, but was
not wrecked. It is said that Lopez, in a
fit of passion, chained the principal mem-
bers of his crew in the afterrun, and with
his own hand scuttled the brig. It is
supposed he went down in her, but there
are many who believe he sailed ina small
boat to the mainland where much treas-
ure had been buried.”

“Tf all disappeared how could this
story have been made known?” Tom
asked.

“Five of the crew were set ashore, he
allowing them to go at iiberty in order
that the last terrible act of his lawless
life might be described.”

“Rather a queer fancy to want to make
public the longest possible list of crimes,”
Jerry said musingly, and Tom added im-
patiently:

“We mustn’t stay here very long, there-
fore I’ll thank you to read the document
now that we’ve heard the history of this
agreeable Mr. Lopez.”

The proprietor of the cafe bent over the
paper, taking the utmost care to avoid
touching it, and read slowly, translating
each word without regard to its idioms,
and Tom had no slight trouble to reduce
it to an intelligible story.

It was as follows:

“Bric SPARROWHAWK, 1741.

“That whieh is set down here must not be con-
sidered as evidence that I repent in any degree
of the life I have led, for such a thingis farthest
from my thoughts at this moment whlle the
brig is settling, on the point of carrying to the
bottom myself and those whom I have con-
demned to death.

“My name is not Lopez; but who T really am
will never be known. My curse has been on
every human patngs and there are many who
ean say T have made it felt heavily. The injus-
tice which was done me 80 many years ago has
been avenged, and lest [ may be caer to my
enemies by some of the curs comprising this
crew, thus being trapped by the laws I have
ever successtully set aside, this my last act has
been committed.

“Tt was learned by me that the crew were
ready to mutiny, myself sent ashore in irons,

 

Goop

and the treasure which has been accumulated
divided among the fools who would have been
hanged years ago but for such a leader as me.
Five of the men who stood by me and revealed
the conspiracy have been allowed to go free.
The others are chained in the run, and now, as
the water creeps slowly around them, I can
hear their cries tor mercy. They should re-
member that the meaning of that word has
never been known on this brig.

“There is little chance the end of the Spar-
rowhawk will ever be known except as shall be
told by those who were allowed, like rats, to
leave a sinking ship, and yet I ae to mock
fate by leaving that which will be the first act
of restitution ever made by me. If, as idiots
say, the time does come when the sea gives up
its dead, then shall this be made known. If,
however, it is a lie, as I know it to be, then |
am content to hold in my hand while dead what
would be to the living a means of happiness.

“Tf such an act, in sucha spirit, can be called
restitution, then Ruy Lopez has shown the
white feather at the last moment on this earth.

“During the year 1741 we sacked tlie convent
of the Holy Cross, killing no less than eighty
people, and extorting by torture the informa-
tion of much treasure buried on the main land,
given by one who called himself Francis At-
wood. He died hard, and whenall the others
had breathed their last, he raised himself on his
elbow and said to me: ‘You have taken my life
in wantonness, and the time will come when
you are as near deathas I, Thenan act of re-
pentance may soothe your dying hour, and I
adjure fyou to give such information to my
family, in the Colonies of America, the town of
Lynn, situate in Massachusetts, as may re-
sult in their being allowed the benefit of at least
a portion of the treasure you now rob from the
widowed and fatherless.

“IT do not know why, but at this moment his
words sound as clear in my ears as they did
then, and I will follow the old fellow’s advice
by revealing to his family, in case this paper is
ever found, the secret hiding place of all the
wealth we have taken.”

(TO BE CONTINUED).
a Oe

ACK THE [NVENTOR:

OR,

The Trials and Triumphs of a Young
Machinist.

——_e——-.

By EDWARD STRATEMEYER,

Author of ‘Richard Dare’s Venture,” “T'rue to Him-
self,” etc.

—__-e

 

(“JACK THE INVENTOR” was commenced in No. 90.
Back numbers can be obtained of all News Agents].

—--

CHAPTER XXIV.
PRECIOUS PAPERS.

 

rT did not take Jack very long to reach
if the shore. He found Farmer Farrel,
gun in hand, stalking up and down
impatiently. Heha snaieas the two
risoners into the row-boat, and was
ecturing them and the hired man at the
same time, =

“You've been a mighty long while
coming,” he remarked as the dim rays of
the smoky lantern fell upon the young
machinist’s face.

“T couldn’t help it,” replied Jack, and
he briefly related what had occurred to
detain him so long. ~

They embarked at once. The young
machinist set out to do the rowing, but
was stopped by the farmer, who directed
Tim, the hired man to take the oars.

“You're tired enough,” said Farmer
Farrel. “Besides, we must keep a close
eye on these two, or they’]1 be up to their
pesky tricks afore we know it.”

Tim pulled a good stroke. He was
anxious to get out of such dangerous com-

any and be safe in his bed in the barn

oft once more.

“Isn’t there some way we can fix this
matter up?” asked Corrigan, after a long
period of thoughtful silence.

“What do you mean?” asked Jack.

“Why, buy ourselves off.”

“No, sir, not a bit of it,” returned the
young machinist, decidedly.

Corrigan winced. The prospect of going
to prison was not a particularly inviting
one.

“Oi a Jack, meb’y, if we give up

er model will ye be easy on us?” put in

osey, who did not know that that
precious bit of property had already been
recovered,

“T have it already,” replied Jack; “I
don’t intend to be any harder on you
than you deserve,” he continued. “You
tried to take my friend’s life as well as
mine, and also set fire to Mr. Gray’s
house, and by using the match-safe
which belonged to me, cast suspicion on
my character, which has not yet been
cleared away.”

“Who can prove I set foire to Felix
Gray’s place?” demanded the Irishman,
blusteringly His tongue was clearer
than it had been, but his head was as
muddled as ever.

“Perhaps I can.”

“Ye can’t, no how.”

“Well, we'll see, and it will go hard
with you unless you can prove otherwise.”

“Oi didn’t do it. It was Dennis’ work,”
howled Mosey, breaking down completely.

 

NEWS.

“Oi found the box, and give it ter him,
and he ‘kept it. Didn’t he stale the
model, too, and run away wid yer sister?
Oi niver harmed a soul, save when I was
in liquor,” he whined.

“It’s a lie!” shouted Corrigan, in a rage.
Had he been free he would have struck
down his contederate.

“It ain’t, it’s true, every worrud of it,”
responded Mosey, doggedly. “Ye always
got me to do yer dirty worruk, and now
yer want me to stand all der blame. But
Oi won’t do it. Oi'll turn Queen’s evi-
dence first.”

“If you turn State’s evidence you may
save yourself a heap of trouble,” put in
Farmer Farrel.

“Oh, Oi’l1 do it, just moind me, if Oi
don’t,” replied the Irishman, quickly, He
was thoroughly cowed, and his one
thought was how to best evade the
clutches of the law.

“You mean dog!” interrupted Corrigan,
bitterly. “You shall pay dearly for this ;”
and he grated his teeth together in rancor.

“T don’t think you will be able to harm
him for a good while,” sagely remarked
Farmer Farrel. |

Corrigan became silent at once, and as
each one was busy with his own thoughts,
the rest of the trip wasaccomplished with-
out further woids: ;

On reaching the shore the party re-
paired at once to Farmer Farrel’s place,
where Tim, glad to be back again, hitched
up the team to the old family wagon.

“Is there a doctor anywhere near?”
asked Jack; “I promised to send one over
to the island.”

“Dr. Melvin lives just up the road,” re-

lied the farmer. “We'll stop and tell

im, and Tim can row him over. Do you
hear, Tim?”

“Yes, sir,” replied the farm hand. “To-
morrow morning will do, I suppose.”

“To-morrow morning!” repeated the
farmer, in surprise. “No, indeed, right
away. And if you can’t get Dr. Melvin,
go over to Dr. Dell’s, and take him
straight to Pooler’s cottage. Tell him
that the man has a bullet in his shoulder.”

Much as he disliked the job, the hired
man did not dare to complain; so with a
heavy sigh he set off on his errand,
traveling through the dark as fast as his
heavy boots would permit,

The family wagon contained two seats.
Farmer Farrel took the front one, with
Mosey beside him, while Jack with Cor-
rigan sat in the rear, and then the horses
were started on the road to Corney.

“We will stop at the old mill and get
my model,” said Jack, on the way.

At the old structure everything was
dark and deserted.

“Say, Oi’ll go along wid ye,” said
Mosey, as the young machinist dis-
mounted from his seat. “There’s some-
thing there Oi want to show ye.”

Corrigan wished to interfere, but Jack,
who believed that the Irishman was now
really inclined to render assistance,
would not let him.

“There are some papers that belong to
Mr. Gray. Dennis stole them when the
house was burning,” said Mosey, when he
and Jack were alone. “Oi can’t read, but
Dennis said they’d be worth money to us
some day.”

“Where are they?” asked Jack, with
interest.

“Will you be aisy on me if Oi tell ye?”
asked Mosey.

“Perhaps I will.”

“Oi'll trust ye,” replied Mosey. “They’re
up stairs, under the flure.”

They ascended the stairs, and taking
up a board that Mosey pointed out, Jack
drew out a small oblong packet.

“T can’t read it now,” said the young
machinist. “Come along. If the contents
are valuable I’ll see that you get full
credit for giving it up.” c

He put the packet in his pocket, and
taking up the model, made the Irish-
man precede him down to the wagon.

They were soon on the way again, the
precious model — stowed away in
the front of the vehicle.

“T guess Mr. Benton will be rather sur-
prised when he learns the true state of
affairs,” thought Jack to himself. “But
his treatment of Deb was shameful, and I
shall tell him so.”

As they passed an old barn near the out-
skirts of the town: all heard aloud cry,
the scuffle of many feet, and then the door
of the place burst open.

“Hello, what’s all this?” exclaimed
Jack. “Some one in trouble!”

Through the open door way sprang a
tall man. He was but partly dressed,
and one side of his face bore a thick coat-
ing of black. He ran directly toward the
road, and was followed by a dozen or
more men wearing masks.

Seeing the wagon he made for it as fast
as his legs would carry him,

“Save me, save me!” he gasped. “Get
me away from these villains and I will
pay you well!” and in frantic haste he
clambered over the wheel and into the
front of the vehicle,

“What's the trouble?” asked Farmer
Farrel in astenishment, while Jack took
up the gun,

 

“They want to tar and feather me!”
was the panting reply. “See, they made
a beginning;” and the excited individual
held his face up to view.

“Mr. Gray!” ejaculated the young
machinist.

He had not time to say more, for at
that instant Corrigan, taking advantage
of the excitement, hit Jack under the
chin with his head, and then leaped to
the ground. In doing so he fell, but
picked himself up quickly, and hopped
as fast as he could down the road.

A second later the wagon was sur-
rounded by the masked men, all armed
and gesticulating wildly.

“Give him up, Willington!” they yelled.
“Give up Gray, or we'll tar and feather
the lot of you!”

 

CHAPTER XXV.
LOVE YOUR ENEMIES,

Tr was a thrilling scene, the brawny
IF men, their intended victim, the
would be rescuers, al] in confusion.
One of the masked men attempted
to pull Mr. Felix Gray to the ground, but
the tool manufacturer held fast to the
front seat.

“Stop that!” roared Farmer Farrel.

“We want that man!” called out a per-
son in the mob,

“No, no! Save me! save me!” cried Mr.
Gray, frantically.

“We will not pce him up,” exclaimed
Jack. “It’s a shame to treat a dog in
this fashion !”

“He threw us out of work. He won’t
give us us our money. He wants to starve
us and our families,” called out several.

“Listen!” yelled Jack, as loud as he
could. “Some of you know me, I work
in the tool works; I hav’n’t got my
money, and need it as badly as any of
you. But I say you’ll never gain any-
thing by acting this way. Let Mr. Gray

oO »”

“We want him and we’re going to have
him,” exclaimed the man at the wagon,
grimly, and he renewed his efforts to pull
the tool manufacturer from the seat.

“You shall not,” replied Jack, deter-
minedly, and raising the gun, he hit the
man a sharp blow upon the hand, which
made him instantly release his hold.

“Go for ’em, fellows!” the man howled
out, shaking the injured member in evi-
dent pain.

The crowd began instantly to close in
upon the wagon. Mosey, in the excite-
ment, tried his best to gain the ground,
but Farmer Farrel -had taken the pre-
caution to tie the Irishman's feet fast to
the iron foot-rest, and he was unable to
stir.

“We must get out of this!” exclaimed
Jack to the farmer. “Start up the horses.
Quick!” —

Farmer Farrel needed no further urging.
Reaching over Mr. Gray’s body, he pulled
up the reins, and struck first one and
sno the other of the horses with his
whip.

With a bound the animals leaped for-
ward. The man who had held a grip upon
the tool manufacturer’s foot lost it, and
slipped under the vehicle—the hind wheel
passing over his leg.

The crowd uttered a loud cry, but were
too late to stop the sudden movement.
One of the men caught hold of the tail-
board of the wagon, but a blow from the

young machinist’s gun dropped him to.

the ground.

On they went, Farmer Farrel making
the horses do their very best.

Suddenly a pistol shot rang out, and
Mosey gave a cry of pain.

“Oi’m shot!” he cried, falling backward
upon Jack. “They’ve murdered me, so
they have!”

“Where are you hit?” asked the young
machinist, anxiously. “In the soide.
Oi’m dy—in’—— j :

Another pistol shot interrupted his
speech.

“Gitting kinder hot,” cried the farmer.
“Let me have the gun. Here, hold the
reins,” and he gave them to Jack and
took the weapon. “ We’ll see what a dose
of buckshot will do.”

Bang

‘he report was followed by several cries
from behind.

“That'll teach the pesky critters @
lesson,“ observed the farmer, as he re-
sumed the reins.

Even as he spoke, they saw flash in
the darkness to one side of the road, fol-
lowed instantly by the crack of a revol-
ver.

“I'm struck!” exclaimed Mr. Gray.
“The villain has hit me in the shoulder!’

“Ts it bad?” asked Jack in horror.

“No, only a flesh-wound, I guess, “and
the tool manufacturer drew a _ sharp
breath. “Drive on, don’t stop!”

The command was not needed. The
team was now in full gallop, and three
minutes brought them into the heart 0
the town.

“Straight home,” replied Mr. Gray, in
return to a question from Jack as
where he should be taken, “And bring

 

 

 

 
 

 

Slee ates Xe

eenaee

 

 

 

   
   
   
   
   

GOOD NEWS.

  

  

1591

 

prasey along, the doctor can attend us
oth.”

This was done, and the family phy-
sician pronounced the Irishman’s wound
quite serious.

“Yours will heal rapidly,” he said to
the tool manufacturer. “But your right
arin will never be as good as it was.
That workman may recover, but it will
ta‘xe months.”

The sun was just rising when Jack,
after a breakfast that Farmer Farrel’s
wife had compelled him to eat, took the
boat and rowed over to Blackbird Island.

Deb saw him coming and rushed out of
the cottage to meet him.

“Oh, Jack, such a time as we've had!”
she sobbed. “The doctor is here, and
that Pooler just died.”

“Pooler dead?” ejaculated the young
machinist, in amazement. :

He entered the back room. The doctor
and Meg were there, the girl’s eyes
swollen Poin crying. :

“Where is Mont?” he asked.

Meg pointed to the other door.

“He’s in there, too,” she said, in a
quivering voice.

Jack entered the front chamber. Max
Pooler’s body lay on the cot, covered
with a white sheet. Beside it, on a low
stool, with his face buried in his hands,
sat Mont.

The young man’s countenance was full
of emotion. He took the young machin-
ist’s hand in his own, and pulled the
covering from the dead face before them.

“Listen, Jack,” he said in a low voice,
“TI want to tell you an awful secret.”

“Before this man died, he confessed
that he murdered my father. He was
very penitent, and he—he asked me to
forgive him.”

“And you——” began Jack.

“I- did forgive him. lt was hard, but
how could I refuse a dying man?”

“You did right,” returned the young
machinist. “But, oh, Mont, I’m so sorry
or you! Did he tell you how it came
about?”

““Yes. He used to be my father’s clerk,
and avarice led him to steal. By some
Means he imagined my father knew of his
doings, and was about to have him
arrested. Half crazed by this fear, he
went on board my father’s yacht one
night and cast her adrift while my father
Was sleeping in the state-room. The
yacht went over the falls, and turned up
where we found Her.”

“And your father?”

“Was found dead in the cabin. He said
my uncle suspected him, but as Mr, Felix
ray was trying to rob me of my share

‘of the tool works property he turned the

bles, and threatened not only to expose
him, but to implicate him in the murder
as well. My uncle has been paying him
money for years to keep him quiet, but
Part of this went to Mosey and Corrigan
as ‘hush money,’ so Pooler said.”

“Tt’s a strange story,” mused Jack.

q “But that isn’t all,” continued Mont.

Before he died Pooler proved to me that
about one half of his treasure belonged
really to you.”

. “To me!” ejaculated the young machin-
ist, in utter astonishment.

Mont nodded.

“Yes, to you,”
ee father held it in trust for your father,
Who was not a good hand at investing
money. The amounts were the proceeds
of several valuable inventions.”

“Then we are both rich,” returned Jack,
With a broad smile; “I am glad of it, for
Deb’s sake!” he added, brightly.

A little later, the young machinist re-
ated what had happened on the road the
hight before.

“And now we'll have the whole affair
Straightened out,” he concluded. “I be.

ieve your uncle has had all the ups and

_ downs he cares for, and will let you have
your own without much opposition.”

‘I trust so,” replied Mont. “I do not
Care, as I said ators. to make the thing

Ublic, but it has gone far enough, and

oth of us must have our rights.”

And then I must get the fire and the
Model matters squared up and go to work
°n a bigger scale,” added Jack. “I de-
Clare. I’ve had adventures enough in the
Past four days to last me a life time!”

Five months have passed since the
ti Ove words were spoken. Mont is now

he sole owner of the Corney Tool Works,
4nd the Mechanics’ Saving Bank is once

Cpain a flourishing institution. Mr. Felix
Tay has relinquished all rights to both,

ity is content to pass the remainder of
is days in helping his nephew along the

Toad to fortune.

Nar Osey recovered, and is now a steady
i oOrkman. He has signed the pledge, and
Ntends to stick to it. Corrigan was never

€ard of after his jump from the wagon,

no one has ever taken the trouble to
nd out what became of him.

“ack is now superintendent at the tool
horks, and besides his salary draws a
hin some royalty from his father’s and

ae Own inventions. Through Mr. Ben-
het, who was profuse in his apologies to

P when he learned the true state of

he said. “Pooler said

 

affairs—the patent planer was sold for
four thousand dollars, of which, half
came to the young machinist.

Deb—Jack’s best girl—is now Mrs.
Monteray Gray, and though she lives in
one of the finest mansions of the town,
is still the true and faithful little house-
keeper she always was. Meg, upon whom
Mont has settled a neat sum, lives with
her, and Miss Parks is a frequent and
welcome visitor at the place.

A few weeks ago, while visiting at
Corney, I met Deb driving out to Farmer
Farrel’s place, and asked her how her
brother was getting on.

“Jack? Why, I'declare, you’d hardly
know him, he’s so awfully tall! And
he’s got a beard all over his face. Busi-
ness is splendid, but then Jack always
said that any one who did right, and
stuck to his work, would get along!”

And Deb is right.

[THE END. ]

“THE GIPSY PLOTTERS; or, THE
OWNER OF No MAn’s LAND,” by Capt:
Castleton, will begin week after next.

9

T [ALKS
OORT OVS

BY ARTHUR SEWALL,
nig wd

H. K., New York, writes: “I would like to be
an actor, and cannot afford to go to a theatri-
‘al school. What would you advise me to do ?
What pay does a supe get, and are they steadily
engaged? How much does it take to learn
stage dancing, and how long will it take to learn
it thoroughly ¥”

You cannot learn to be an actor the
same as you would learna trade. To be
a successful actor one must have some
inborn talent, and as a word of advice to
you, would say, if, after studying a
few months, or you might lengthen it out
to a year, you do not develop a natural)
talent for the stage, give it up at once
as you will only be losing valuable time
without any good result. My views on
this subject were fully explained in
“Short Talks With the Boys” in No. 86
Goop Nrws. A ‘esupe” sometimes re-
ceives as much as one dollar a night, but
it is a rare occasion when he receives
more than fifty cents.

P.C.58., Pittsburgh, Pa., writes: “Will you be
kind enough to tell me how [ may become an
architect? I am nearly 15 years of age, and
hope to pass for high school this year.”

An architect is practically an engineer,
and should secure an engineer’s educa-
tion. The School of Mines of Columbia
College and the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology have special courses in
architecture. The essential feature of all
studies in architecture is drawing.

At Columbia the course covers three
years, and the first year is so laid out as
to include exercises in the ordinary pro-
cesses of draughtsmanship, the making
of plans, elevations, sections, and details,
both on a large and on a small scale; the
use of pencil and pen, brushes and colors,
with auxiliary exercises in tracing and
sketching. The examples are so chosen
as to make the student familiar with the
commonplaces of architectural form, and
are accompanied by lectures ee the ele-
ments of architecture, in which the forms
and proportions of the Greek and Roman
models, of doors and windows, arches,
staircases and balustrades, domes, and
vaults, roofs and spires, are set forth, and
the best way of drawing them explained.
These lectures and exercises are supple-
mented by special courses on perspective,
and on shades and shadows. At the same
time a series of illustrated. lectures is
given upon Egyptian, Assyrian, Greek,
and Roman architectural history, besides
a course of reading on classic archeology
and architecture from French and Ger-
man text-books. .

To those of limited means the archi-
tect’s office is the proper place to begin.
Let the compensation be what it may,
rather find a good teacher than a good
salary. You will be taught first mechan-
ical drawing and tracing. Proficiency in
these branches zan only be acquired after
several years’* practice. Meanwhile do
not neglect to study at night. Procure a
list of standard works on architecture,
and read them diligently. If you have
ability your employer will find it out and
advance you accordingly. Should you
live in a city there are night classes,
such as we have indicated previously in
vhis article, to which you will do well to

end.
aot much salary can be expected at first
in an architect’s office. The boy must
begin at the bottom, and the ordinary
wages given are from three to five dollars

 

 

a week. As his work improves and be-
comes more serviceable, advancement may
be expected, until in time, perhaps,
fifteen to twenty-five dollars a week may
be earned asa draughtsman. It is well
also to acquire a habit of free-hand draw-
ing. Nothing takes better with a client
than the ability of an architect to express
his ideas by means of a quick off-hand
sketch.

In time, as you become proficient,
solicit permission from your employer to
undertake small jobs for yourself, and as
you succeed in these you will be able to
determine upon the desirability and pos-
sibility of your success independently.

Architects have a special schedule of
prices of which the following is typical:

For full professional services (including
supervision, five per cent. upon the cost
of work. In case of the abandonment of
the work, the charge for partial service
is as follows: Preliminary studies, one
per cent.; preliminary studies, general
drawings and specifications, two and
one-half per cent.; preliminary studies,
general ‘drawings, specifications, and de-
tails, three and one-half percent. For
works that cost less than ten dollars, or
for monumental and decorative work, and
designs for furniture, a special rate in
excess of the above. For alterations and
additions, an additional charge to be
made for surveys and measurements. An
additional charge to be made for alter-
ations and additions in contracts and
plans, which will be valued in proportion
to the additional time and services em-
ployed. Necessary traveling expenses to
be paid by the client. Time spent by the
architect in visiting for professional con-
sultatious, and in _-the accompanying
travel, whether by day or night, will be
charged for whether or not any com-
mission, either for office work or super-
vising work, is given. The architect’s
payments are successively due as _ his
work is completed, or in the order of the
above classifications.

AMBITIOUS, Newark, N. J., writes: “I am at
present working as an apprentice at the watch
case engraving trade. Itis not steady, and I
have not much chance to learn it. I attend
“Technical School” during the evening, and
would like to know if I cau learn a trade there.
If so, please advise me what to learn. Iam 16
years old, fond of study, and have a public
school education. What do you think of my
writing and composition ?”’

Since you are fond of study, you would
be an apt student for a profession. Read
answer to P. C.S. in this column. The
watch-case engraving trade is not as
good a trade as it used to be, as most of
the ornamental work on watch-cases is
done nowadays by machinery. Judging
from your handwriting and composition,
I would say that you are a boy who
would be successful at almost any trade
or profession as your letter shows you are
careful and methodical. These two re-
quirements are necessary to success in all
business pursuits. Iam not acquainted
with any body who has learned a trade
by attending a technical school, and
therefore cannot speak positively, but
judging from an unbiased standpoint, I
do not think you could learn to be a first-
class mechanic unless you dig in and
work hard’as an ordinary apprentice,
same as our grandfathers had to do in the
olden times.

———_~+ 0» ____-

DELL KINGSLEY’S DREAM.

S DREAMED the other night that “Ned
if Melton,” the “Fool of the Family,”

started out with “Beach Boy Joe”
and “Dan the Detective” to find
“Guy Harris the Runaway,” who was
“Chased Through Norway” by “The Sig-
nalman’s-Boys,” “ White-Horse Fred” and

“Cadet Carey.” On their way they met
“Peter Potter the Page,” who said that
“Teddy’s Venture” was due to “Jim

Ridley’s Luck,” and “Midshipman Mer-
rill” had been “Between the Lines;” and
although “Nothing but a Boy,” “Reck-
less Roll” “Ransomed” “The Young Duck
Hunters” from “Among the Esquimaux.”

When they reached the “Cave on the
Island” “Tom Edison, Jr.,” was telling
the story of “Frank Hunter's Peril” “On
Land and Sea,” and he said “Grit” en-
abled “Enola, the Gipsy Captive” “Down
the Slope” to meet “Frank and Fearless”
“Grimsey,” who had been “Sentenced to
Siberia,” along with “Jack the Inventor,”
who lived at “Breakneck Farm” with
“Plucky Paul Palmer.” Then I awoke to
find I had been dreaming of Goop NEws.

—___+- e-e—____
CHEAPEST PLACE TO LIVE.

Yennessey in Siberia (Asia), would oP

ear to be the cheapest place in the world
in which to live. Beef costs twopence-
halfpenny a pound, and game of all kinds
is in such abundance that the cost of
living amounts to a mere trifle. So
abundant are corn and hay, that horses
are hired for a halfpenny the mile,

EXCHANGE DEPARTMENT.

{importTant.—This column is free to all our readers.
We will not be responsible for transactions brought
about through noticesin this column. All offers must
be strictly exchange offers. We will not insert any
“for sale” advertisements, nor exchanges of fire-arms,
explosives, dangerous,or worthless articles. If exchange
notices do not appear in a reasonable time, it may be
understood that they were not accepted. Address all
communications for this column to “Exchange De-
partment.”]

-—_——sS

ZITHER.—Michael Shea, 7 5th avenue, New York
City, has an American zither to exchange for set of
boxing gloves in good condition.

LIBRARIES, ETC.—Jacob Cohn, 669 Mcallister
street, San Francisco, has libraries, books, a game
of lotto, combination )ook-strap, 2 banks, boys’ pa-
pers, etc., to exchange. Send your list and get mine.
All letters answered.

WATCH.—Fred. Kaltenbach, 19 Buckley street,
Cleveland, Ohio, has a heavy silverine watch to ex-
change for a small steam engine or best offer.

LIBRARIES.—C. E. Arnold, Alliance, Ohio, has
19 5c. libraries and 2 10c. libraries to exchange for
curiosities, minerals, or shells.

FIFE AND STAMPS.—H. F. Spooner, 2294 7th
ave., New York City, has a rosewood fife and 25
good foreign stamps to exchange for a hunting knife
and sheath or best offer. %

CIGARETTE ALBUMS.—C. J. Reardon, 240 N.
12th street, Philadelphia, Pa., has 45 cigarette al-
bums to exchange for best offer in rare United States
or foreign stamps.

BOYS’ PAPERS.—John Holman, Jr., Forestville’
N.C., has 3 volumes of a boy’s paper and 35 novels
to exchange for stamps or novels. Would also like
to exchange stamps with collectors.

MAGIC LANTERN.—Fred. C. Sincock, Han-
cock, Mich., has a large magic lantern and slides, a
printing press and outfit, a 4-draw telescope and
other articles to exchange for old and foreign coins.
Would also like to correspond with coin collectors.
All letters answered.

NOVELS.—R. M. Bath, 185 High stroet, Willim-
antic, Conn., has 30 novels to exchange for a small
printing press or bestoffer; also has a large teles-
— to exchange fora hunting-knife, book, or best
offer.

BOYS’ PAPERS.—F. G. Egersdorff, care of Har-
vey, Lucy & Co., Baltimore, Mo., has 50 5c, and 10c.
novels and a bound volume of boys’ papers to ex-
change for best offer.

SKATES.—C. E. Ragan, 17 Moulton st, Water-
town, N. Y., has a pair of all-clamp, nickel-plated
roller skates, size 10 inches, to exchange for a set
of boxing gloves, a pair of fencing foils, or any
standard work on camping, hunting, etc., or a field
glass or telescope.

NOVELS-—Wayne Langston, Box 170, West Plains,
Mo., has 32 novels, a number of stamps, one pair of
101-2 inch patent lever skates, and 100 cigarette
cards to exchange for tin tobacco tags. All letters
answered promptly.

BOYS’ PAPERS.-—Jos. Neubauer, 407 East 87th
street, New York City, has a large number of boys’
papers toexchange fora zither or any other musi-
calinstrument. Allletters answered.

CAMERA.—L. B. Goodwin, 759. Fourth avenue,
Detroit, Mich., has a camera and outfit to exchange
for best offer of U.S. or foreign stamps. Send list.
All letters answered.

BOYS’ PAPERS.—Jacob Steinberg, 710 5th ave.
N., Minneapolis, Minn., has a 1.2 volume of No. 2
and a whole volume of No.3 0f Goop NEws to ex-
change for best offer.

FLUTE.—B. A. Moyer, 97 Main street, Lockport,
N. Y., has aD flute, nearly new, 14 keys, cylinder
bore, and in perfect condition, also iron rack and
instruction books to exchange for best offer.

BUTTERFLIES.—E. J. Smith, Box 35, Natick,
Mass., has the butterflies of Massachusetts to ex-
change for those of other States, and will give the
scientific names of specimens.

PRINTING PRESS.—J. Bruck, 258 East 122d
street, New York City, has a No. 10 self-inking Bal-
timorean printing press to exchange for a 4x5 ca-
mera outfit.

SKATES.—William Sanl. 54! East 13th st., New
York City, hasa pair of acme skates (No. 11), 42
boys’ papers, 8 story papers, and 9 libraries to ex-
change for a musical instrument or best offer.

CIGARETTE SLIPS.—Gus Barvels, 48 Lispen-
ard street, New York City, would like to hear from
a. one having Paxi, Consols, or Hess cigarette
slips. . %

BOOKS.—J. C. Ravely, Edgeley, Lamoure Co., 8.
Dak., has several books and a number of novels to
exchange for other reading matter or best offer.
Write first, giving list.

BICYCLE, ETC.—O. E. Wilson, 75 West 87th st.,
New York City, has an Otto bicycle (42 in.), a pair
of ice skates, books, stamps, coins, minerals, shells,
games, and papers to exchange for photographic
supplies.’

BOOKS.—W. J. Driscoll, P. O. Box 163, Andover,
Mass., has 4 cloth-bound books by Alger, Optic and
Ellis to exchange for best offer.

BOYS’ PAPERS.—George F. Moore, P. O. Box
1554, New Haven, Conn., would like to exchange
running numbers of boys’ papers for tobacco pic-
tures.

SAVINGS BANK.—J. Dembufsky, 508 South 5th
street, Goshen, Ind., has a dime savings bank, a
trick nail, a magic egg snake, and a book of views
to exchange for best offer in novels.

TELEGRAPH KEY.—William T. Weston, 237
Princeton street, East Boston, Maas., has a tele-
graph key and sounder, with book of instruction, a
harmonica flageolet with instruction sheet, and
other articles to exchange for a polyoptican.

BOOKS.—Harold Brown, 85 Sawtelle ave., Ring
Building, Cleveland, Ohio, has books, 32 views of a
trip around the world, 2 songsters, and a star puzzle
to exchange for reading matter or other offer,
All letters answered.

AMATEUR PAPERS.—F. Williams, 17 Hancock
street, Boston, Mass., will senda large packet of
amateur papers free to all sending for his exchange
list and inclosing 2 stamps for postage.

CAMERA OUTFIT—W. P. Kretschmar, 311 Main
street, Greenville, Miss., has a camera outfit and 18
dry plates to exchange for foreign coins.

a

 

CLUB NOTICES.

The Young People’s Union Glee Club wants every
boy and girl in each town in the United States from
12 years and upward to become a member, and start
a branch of this club in their town. Address Y. P.
U. G. Club, 266 Shawmut ave., Boston, Mass.

The Goop NEWS Reading Society of San Fran-
cisco, Cal., desires members throughout the United
States. Initiation fee 10c.; dues 10c. per month.
Address for full particulars Chas. Kinucan, Pres.,1
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The GOOD NEWS Story Paper Club of San Fran-

cisco, Cal., wants more members. Full particulars
forastamp. Representatives wanted, 1 letter-

 

answered. Jacob Cohn,
secret eae ohn, 669 McAllister street, San

  

 
 

 

ISSUED WEEKLY.

NEW YORK, APRIL 2, 1892.

Terms to Mail Subscribers:
(POSTAGE FREE.)

 

3 mths - - - - - 65c. | lcopy, two years - $4.00
4 okie etnies abet lem 85¢. The New York Weekly and
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2 copies, one year- - 4.00

Special inducements made for large clubs.

All letters should be addressed to

STREET & SMITEVS GOOD NEWS,
P. 0. Box 2734. 29 & 31 RoseStreet, N.Y.
Back numbers of GOOD NEWS can always be
obtained from your Newsdealers. If they do not
have them please send direct to this office and we
will supply them by mail on receipt of price.

Contents of this Number.

SERIAL STORIES.
“Uncle Sam’s Jack Tars,” by Enrique H.

Lewis.

“Kit Carey’s Protege, by Lieut. Lionel
Lounsberry.

“Ned Melton’s Resolve,” by Edward S.
‘llis.

“Tom Havens With the White Squadron,”
by Lieut. Jas. K. Orton.

“Jack the Inventor,” by Edward Strate-
meyer.

“Bob Porter at Lakeview Academy,” by
Walter Morris.

SHORT STORIES.
“An Accidental Shot,” by Max Adeler.
“My Prairie Bandits.”
“Lost on the Prairie” (Illustrated),
*‘A Hero,” by Warren Walters.
“Intimidating the Lioness” (Lllustrated).

MISCELLANEOUS.

«London Statistics.”

“United States Gun Shop.”

“Dell Kingsley’s Dream.”

“Cheapest Place to Live.”

“A Dog With a Memory.”

‘Cruelty in the German Army” (Illustrated),
“Newspapers of the World.”

‘What the Tail of a Comet is Composed Of.”
**18326” (Result of Counting Contest).

REGULAR DEPARTMENTS.
“Short Talks With the Boys” on Trades,
Professions, and Business Pursuits,
by Arthur Sewall,
“Exchange Department.”
“Ticklets,” by Chas. W. Foster.
“Mail Bag.”
‘‘Puzzle Corner.”
‘Short Stops.”
—_——_+- 0» —___—_

OOD NEWS is one hundred issues

old to-day, and we desire to thank

you all, dear readers, right heartily
for your patronage and the many kind
words you have sent us time and again.
Outside of the personal satisfaction at the
material results arising from the publication
as ahigh class weekly such as Goop NEws,
we have taken additional pleasure at the
thought that we have become so closely con-
nected with al] our young people. We are
doing our utmost to instruct, amuse and
entertain by publishing stories of travel and
adventure, humorous items and valuable
information. ‘l'hat we have been successful
in our efforts is shown by the large circle of
readers Goop News enjoys. We sincerely
hope you will all be with us on our two
hundreth anniversary. And we can promise
that in the years to follow you will find
Goop News still the leading publicatlon for
the young people and the family circle.

—_ -_~>- 6 <>

THE GIPSY PLOTTERS;

OR,
The Owner of No Man’s Land.

BY

CAPT. CASTLETON.

The above-named story will begin in Goon
News week after next. Jtis full of action, and
describes life among the gipsies. This vagabond
race of people is not extinet, as some people im-
agine,and they can be found wandering at this
late day through the South in the winter months,
and in the North during the summer. Horse-
trading, fortune-telling, and stealing are their
principal ocenpatlions,

The hero of this story runs away from a farmer
to whom he is bound out. Joins the gipsies, but
does not remain very long with them on account of
theill feeling thalis shown him because he defeated
their best wrestler in afriendiy bout. He leaves
their camp with a gipsy boy about his own age,
and they start out lo make their mark in life. The
story is exciting throughout, and the life of a
backwoodsman and the gipsies is ee ee
pl ae Don't forget the date-WEEK AFTE

°

 

Goon

INTIMIDATING THE LIONESS

+7 E had started from Kuruman on
Wy a long journey inland. We had

\ a crowd of natives with us to
<@) drive the wagons, tend the cat
tle, and perform the necessary work of
the camp; but besides these we had taken
afew simply to hunt game, as we were
anxious, if possible, to have our larder re-
plenished with fresh meat.

“There was no lack of game along the
route, nor of provender wherever the
camp was pitched. Once or twice, too,
we had some excitement from encounters
with animals other than those we sought
for food. There were frequent alarms at
night, caused by the lowing and tram.
pling of the oxen, which are extraordi-
narily acute in scenting the proximity of
beasts on the watch to carry them off.

“One hunter we had whom I may
honestly describe as courageous. He was
in addition a skillful marksman, and in-
defatigable in pursuit. His success in
consequence was wonderful. In short, he
was the best hunter in the party, and the
rest looked up to him with a certain
amount of awe.

.“One morning, when we had decided
that the camp should remain pitched
during the day, to allow the cattle to rest
and recruit, this man took a light spear
and went off into the bush to hunt for
small game to set forth our breakfast-
table. For some time he searched in
vain. Had he been adequately armed he
could again and again have bagged larger
animals which were constantly darting
across his path. He
roamed farther and
farther from the camp,
determined not to re-
turn empty-handed.

“While silently and
pryingly making his
way through_ the
bushes, he suddenly
emerged into a small
opening clear of under-
growth, and here his
attention was attracted
by seeing two lion-
whelps at play. They
were each about as
large as a good-sized
dog, and were rollin
and tumbling over eac
other like two New-
foundland puppies.
Their fierce instincts
were not yet suffi-
ciently developed to
make them dangerous,
so the hunter, after
standing for a time
watching them and
enjoying their frolics,
ventured to draw near
and join in their sports.
This the whelps per-
mitted with much
amiability, and soon
all three were engaged
in a thorough game of
romps; the man rollin
on the ground, anc
the whelps jumping on
to him and over him,
or else all three joining
ina run. The hunter
<r the sport as
much apparently as
did his strange com-

anions, and gave vent to many a
joyous laugh. Without thought, he
abandoned himself to the spirit of the
scene.

“Suddenly, while thus engaged, the
thought flashed across his mind that the
mother of the two whelps could not be
very far distant, and would doubtless re-
turn at any moment. He knew quite
sufficient of a lioness’ nature to come to
the rapid conclusion that she would in-
stantly resent his familiarity with the
young ones, and that if he did not
spee i take his departure, he would
most likely have good cause to renent of
not so doing. He therefore rose from the
ground, and catching up his spear, darted
into the bush with a celerity that proved
he was conscious of the imminence of
the danger to which he had so thought-
lessly exposéd himself.

“To his chagrin and dismay the whelps
followed! They had been too well eee
with their novel playmate to be willingly
desirous of losing him. So, scampering
after him, and jumping round about his
legs, they considerably impeded his
flight. In vain he attempted to drive
them away. His gestures and shouts
they took for further manifestations of
his friendliness, and stuck to him with a
persistency there was no overcoming. In
this dilemma the man stood still for a
moment, not knowing what course to
adopt to rid himself of his undesirable
friends.

“While he was thus pausing and de-
liberating, a sound traveled to his ears

 

 

 

AS SHE MOVED SO DID THE MAN,

 

NEWS.

the nature of which he ould not fail in
Sree te It was the roar of the lion-
ess. She had evidently returned to the
place where she had left her young, and,
not excan them, was pursuing in their
trail.

“A tremor shook the man’s whole frame
as the angry roar smote upon his ear.
How was it possible to escape? He had
no arms with which to defend himself,
and his slight spear was of no more use
than a bulrush. Nothing seemed to stand
between him and a fearful death. Once
again the hunter trusted to his speed of
foot. The two whelps had recognized
their mother’s voice, and for a moment
stood in a listening attitude, as much as
to say ‘Call again, we are not quite sure
what you want!’ But no sooner did they
see the hunter making off than they
again followed.

“To the degree in which the low, fierce
growlings of the lioness drew nearer and
nearer, so the terror of the poor man in-
creased. He rushed on, heedless of ob-
structions; his one thought was _ to es-
cape. But however fast he ran, the lioness
appeared to run faster. He could tell
that she was coming terribly near.
Terror seemed to quicken to an acute de-
gree his sense of hearing. At length this
terror grew so great that it deprived him
of all strength. He could run no farther.

“Just at that moment the lioness burst
in view. The man turned swiftly round
upon his heel and faced her.

“It was not courage nor intrepidity
which made him do this. It was simpl
the magnetic influence of terror whic
compelled him to face his foe. His eyes
were wild with a lurid light, and they

sought those of the lioness, where they
rested unflinchingly.

“The beast was crouching and ready for
a spring, when the eyes of the man fixed
upon her own arrested her.

“In that attitude they faced each other
for several minutes, which to the man ap-
peared an eternity. Then the lioness
moved stealthily round her intended vic-
tim, watching for an unguarded moment:
but as she moved, so did the man, still
facing her. Twice the fierce beast made
a complete circuit round the hunter, and
each time was baffled in her intentions
by those lurid eyes fastened upon her
own.

“All this time the whelps were gam-
boling about the man's feet, and ne
his bare legs, till at length their roug
tongues caused the blood to flow. . This
the whelps seemed greatly to relish, and
licked away with increased vigor. ‘The
man attempted once or twice to kick them
away, but the fierce growling of the lion-
ess made tt wise for him to desist. Find-
ing that the man was not to be caught
off his* guard, and intimidated by those
fearful eyes, the lioness finally gave up
the contest; and calling to her whelps,
turned tail, and with them at her heels,
slunk into the bush,

“When she had totally disappeared the
man fell down in a swoon, in which con-
dition he was found by his comrades, who
had come in search of him—his long ab-
sence from camp making them fearful
lest some accident had befallen him. For
several days the man’s nervous system

 

was so unstrung that he was totally in-
capacitated from following his favorite
pursuit. This is the only instance | know
of a lion or lioness being intimidated by
the human eye.”

18326

Is the Official and Final Decision of the
Number of Times the Letter *‘e”
Appeared in the Recent
Counting Contest.

-—_—_

FTER a long and careful count by
a staff of competent clerks in our
oflice, supervised by the manager

of Goop News, the result of the

counting contest, which ended in number
ninety-five, is herewith announced. We
find that the letter “e” appeared 18326 times
in Goop News in connection with the
story “The Fool of the Family,” which.
commenced in number eighty-five and
ended in number ninety-five. The returns
have been very large, and it has been
slow work to examine and assort each
list sent. We have received nine correct
lists of 18826. Six of them were mailed
on February 15th: Two February 17th,
and one on February 19th. There will
not be a tie, however, as they were all
mailed at different hours. In cases where
one or more lists are alike, and mailed
on the same date, the prizes will be
awarded to the one first mailed on the
date in question. It is an easy matter to
find out the date and hour of mailing
letters, as the postmaster is obliged t0
stamp the date and hour of mailing, €*
cept in a few small post-offices, where
they omit the hour of mailing, and sim-
ply stamp the name of the post-office and
the date. Readers who mail their letters
in towns where the hour of mailing is not
stamped, will have an equal chance with
those living in towns where they have
first-class post-offices, as we will make

a special investigation to find out the
hour of mailing in cases where there is 4
reasonable doubt.

This contest has been one of the mast
open and successful contests on records;

There was nothing to speculate upoD.
It was simply a matter of counting, wi 4

 

 

 

everything in clear view, and all the con: —

testants were obliged to do, was to count
the number of times the letter “e” @P
peared. We must admit, however, tha
it was avery tedious task, in which
person was liable to skip past an “e” Very
easily, and we are not surprised in the
least that only nine out of the thousaD
of our readers who competed in this co™
test managed to send in the correet list.
It is a great disappointment to us tO be
obliged to delay publishing the list of
prize winners this week, but it will be
given next week in full.
—_——_—_+--e—_—_

WHAT THE TAIL OF A COMET IS
COMPOSED OF.

The tail of a comet is supposed t0 cor.
sist of some one or more of the ingre
ents of which the comet is compose:
Professor Ball thus describes the pe
mation of the tail: “As the comet draw?
near the sun, and experiences the invigor
ating effect of increased heat, these
gredients become melted and drive? 7
into vapor. It would seem that thous
these substances in their solid state a
duly attracted to the sun, yet when drive
into vapor of a highly rarefied type, t ‘.
heat of the sun exerts on that vapor
repellent power which entirely overcome
the attraction, and accordingly drives
vapor off in ‘a direction pointing
from the sun. .We are thus to regar
tail as a stream of smoke, or VaP a
rapidly flying away, and constantl le
newed from the evaporation of * 4
materials, so long as the comet remal?
sufficiently near the sun.”

——__ + 0-2»

When a Chinaman desires to
his native land from America, jon
ningly. takes advantage of the exclUsine
act. He quietly makes his way ba to
Mexican line, and boldly crosses bac “ore
the territory of Uncle Sam, as if be ‘ted
a recently arrived emigrant. The U2 bap
States officials arrest him, and afte ix:
trial he is returned to China at the & —
pense of the American Governments

return to
he eun-

Ff
'-

a tea

 

Ri a

(Thi

® Ti

Auti

ba “Ky
back

 

soul ¢
upon
notice
  

eee ee ee Le re ee

eo wo = _”~

rd.)
yD.
ith
mn
int
ap-
nat
. &
ery
the
nds
on-

) be
t of
| be

 

judged.

| ; wi fixed there.

 

“ung il! tell you, sir.

 

 

. Brin

 

 

 

 

 

[This Story Will Not be Published in Book-Form.}

KIT CAREY'S PROTEGE ;

THE WEST POINT CONSPIRACY.

mn

By LIEUT. LIONEL LOUNSBERRY,

Author of “Cadet Carey,” “Midshiyman Merrill,”
“Tieut. Carey's Luck,” “Capt. Carey of
the Gallant Seventh,” etc.

coca cians

[“Kir Carry’s PRoTEGE” was commenced in No. 96.
Back numbers can be obtained of all News Agents.]

 

CHAPTER XX.
THE COMMANDANT OPENS FIRE,

 

“\HE scene was a strange one, and
painful as well, there in the room
hy of Carey Conrad at West Point.

A cadet, supposed to be the very
soul of honor, one who to lie was looked
upon as acriminal and unworthy of all
notice, was there accused of committing
a theft.

To have killed a fellow cadet in anger,
under impulse, of provocation, or high
temper getting beyond contro] would not
have been regarded as in any way so
heinous as for one of the corps to be
guilty of lying and eee

“Any man who will tell a deliberate
lie will steal,” was an un-
written law of the acade-

 

ey:

n such a light now
would Carey Conrad be
If there was one
resent who did not be-
ieve him guilty that be-
lief was not expressed in
the face.

But the words of the
commandant had fallen
with panne effect upon
all who heard them.

They put another view
upon the matter.

The adjutant smiled at
the straw of hope then
Cast out for the drown-
ing Conrad, to speak
metaphorically, to catch
at, and his eyes roamed
Over the faces of those
Present, halting upon one
countenance and remain-

hen the manliness of
Carey Conrad showed it-

had flinched under
the crue] accusation, an

amed at the doubt im-
Plied by the commandant.

Now 1e said:

No, no, sir, it surely
Cannot be that any man
Would do so mean an act
4s that against me.”

t t was either placed
here by you, Conrad, or
Y Some one who sought

your ruin.”

The question is which
Was the case?” sternly said

 

 

‘risked his life to save your parents and

GooDp

Brackett under just such circumstances
I believe?”

“I had the pleasure, sir, of warning
them of their danger, and recognizing
the scene I looked at the sketch closely.”

“Where did you get the sketch, Mr.
Mulhern?” asked the commandant.

“It was sent to me by my sister, sir, as
a specimen of her work; but I did not
know that the hero of it was Mr. Conrad,
for nothing was said regarding it.”

“Yet you did know that cadet Conrad,
when a boy scout on the border, had

sister from capture or death?”
a My father wrote me something about
it, sir.”

“Very well, that was your excuse, Con-
rad, for delaying in the room?”

“It was my only excuse, sir.”

“Adjutant, please go to Mr. Mulhern’s
room and see if there is a letter upon his
table for him.”

The adjutant departed, and the com-
mandant continued:

“Now, Mr. Mulhern, tell me who was

 

in your room with you when you placed
that pocket-book in your trunk?”
“Cadet Godsden, sir.”
“And you left the
room together?” =
“We did, sir.”
“And re-
mained

  
   
 
   
  
  
 

NEWS.

Conrad went to your room, as he asserts,
to leave the letter, and he accounts for
his seemingly long stay there from the
fact that he was admiring a sketch made
by your sister of a scene in his life, and
of which he may justly feel proud, and
you grateful to him for. Now, Mr. Con-
rad, | only wish to say that I will not
place you under arrest, thus putting a
stigma upon you, until I have further
investigated this business, so you are to
report at once to my quarters, as are also
all who are now present, for I will have
this matter cleared up without delay.
and if guilty, Conrad, I intend that you
shall no longer wear that uniform than
it will take to strip it from you. If, on
the other hand, there has been underhand
work against you, then the conspirators
shall be just as severely dealt with.”

The commandant with this turned on
his heel and left the room, accompanied
by the adjutant, while Malhern and his
party hastily followed, leaving Carey
Conrad alone.

For a moment he stood in silence, with
blanched face, already becoming haggard
under the strain he was
under, burning
eyes and set
lips.

 

 

1593

Every eye was upon him, and yet his
gaze did not flinch. :

He had steeled himself to face the alter-
native, be it what it might.

After a silence that was painful the
commandant said:

“Cadet Carey Conrad, I desire to say
that this meeting is informal, unofficial
in a measure, for I care not to condemn
unheard, or to judge too hastily. For this
reason I desire to have these officers and
these cadets present to hear your story,
so that they may judge whether there is
anything in it by which your innocence
may be judged, and more, if they can see
that there has been any underhand work
against you. Upon the answer of those
present shail take steps for official
action, either in your favor or against
you, as your case may appear.”

Thus urged Carey Conrad arose and be-
gun his story.

He told of the letter having being given
to him, how, not expecting to find cadet
Mulhern in, he had been willing to step
into his room and place it upon his table,
and had done so.

He had.caught sight of the frontier
sketch by Miss Mulhern, and stood ad-
miring it perhaps longer than he was
aware.

Then he had left the room and the cor-
ridor bs the door through which he had
entered.

Soon after he had gone

 

 

 

 

 

 

to his room and had writ-

 

 

ten a letter.

 

 

 

 

Nii

 

t e commandant.
ut, sir, Mr. Mulhern :
May have made the mistake by night,
COming to his room in the dark, and, as
td keys are similar, our trunks stand in
he Same position, it might be that——
th Cadet Mulhern had his pocket-book
is morning, and left it in his trunk but
h ew hours ago; no such mistake could
ave beer made as you suggest, and
Which is hardly reasonable to consider.
OU are accused, Conrad, and it is my
west painful duty to place you under
Trest and let you consider what proof
°U can give of your innocence.” Z
ro sir, for I did go to Mulhern’s
hin as stated, did leave the letter upon
i 8 table, and the pocket-book was found
2 my trunk. I have only my word of
Mor, sir, that I know nothing of that
ang et-book more than I have told you,
id that I found it in my trunk.”
wi] am sorry, Conrad, that this alone
de ' not clear you, in the face of the evi-
hae against you. But why did you re-
nso long in Mulhern’s room?”
he 1° face of the young cadet, flushed and
esitated an instant before replying.
Whiae he said in the same frank way in
nich he always spoke: E
There was lying
the table in cadet Mulhern’s room
Dor etch which caught my eye. As it
hiz ayes an incident in my life I recog-
“vt t at once.”
a hat was the sketch?”
ere 28 & Scene near Fort Blank, sir,
a lade Party of four persons, two officers,
Ward Y and a young girl are riding to-
Upon * Canon, out of which are dashing
wit them a band of mounted Indians,
© down a steep hill rides a horseman,
“ana he comes, to their rescue.”
his you rescued Captain Mulhern,
~~ Wife, daughter and Lieutenant

 

  

together until you
returned to show

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5
S
SSSsa

SS

ne

SS

$s
2S SSSS5

 

“May I ask to whom
that letter was written?”

“Yes, sir, to Lieuten-
ant Kit Carey, throvgh
whose kind friendship I
had the honor of an ap-°
pointment to this acade-
my.”

“Have you that letter?”

“IT have. sin.”

He took from his pocket
the letter referred to and
handed it to the comman-
dant.

“Pardou me, cadet Con-
rad, but have oe any ob-
jection to this letter being
opened and read aloud,
for much may depend
upon it for you?”

“I would not wish, sir
to have my letter read
aloud, for I feel that with
some it would meet with
jeers, but it is at your
service, sir, to read, and
any other officer you may
desire to submit it to.”

Tearing the envelope
open the young cadet
handed the letter to the
commandant who motion-
ed to an officer present to

lance over it with him as

e read.

A dread silence fell upon
all during the reading of
the letter, and when it
was finished the com-

‘mandant said, frankly:

“Cadet Conrad, this let-
ter is a witness in your
favor. Do you not think
so, Captain Burke?”

“Most decidedly it is,
sir,” was the emphatic an-
swer of the officer who
had also read the letter,

 

 

 

others the gifts
vou had recieved
from home?”

“No, sir, we
were separated for a while.”

“For how ane ‘

“Perhaps half an hour, sir.”

Turning quickly upon Gardner Godsden
the commandant said sternly:
“Now, Mr. Godsden, I wish to know
that you were separated from cadet Mul-
hern?”

“{f hope, sir, you do not intend to
imply——”

“Silence, sir, for I shall sift this ugly
business to the very bottom, and I am
determined to know every man who en-
tered the barracks during the time that
this pocket-book was_ taken from cadet
Mulhern’s trunk,” and all saw that the
commandant was in deadly earnest now.

 

CHAPTER XXI.
A SILENT WITNESS,

HE adjutant returned to the room

> as the commandant uttered his de-
{ termined words to sift to the dregs

- the ugly charge against Carey Con-
rad, and in his hand was a letter.

“T found this, sir, upon the table, under
some books.”

“Is this the letter you were to give to
cadet Mulhern, Mr. Conrad?”

“Te fs; sirc”

“And you failed to find it, Mr.

hern?
“ I failed to find it there.”

Mul-

 

Yes sir, :
“But its being there proves that Mr,

just where you were during the half hour.

“LL GO TO HEADQUARTERS AND APPEAR AS A WITNESS IN THIS CASE AGAINST
CAREY CONRAD,” WAS THE DETERMINED RESPONSE OF THE YOUNG CADET.

At last Carey Conrad raised his hands,
in what seemed a pitiful appeal to
Heaven and cried:

“My God! If I cannot prove my inno-
cence of this awful accusation against
me, my whole life will be a curse e

But for only one instant did he seem to
yield to despair, for with an effort he
gained his self control and leaving his
room hastened on toward the comman-
dant’s quarters to face the dread ordeal.

Groups of cadets stood here and there,
all discussing in low tones the outcome
of it all, and as he went along by them
some failed to see him, others nodded
coldly, a few refused to return his salu-
tation, while now and then a frank voice
was heard: -

“Cheer up, old man.” “I'll stick to you,
Conrad.” “Go in to win, boy.

And their encouraging words greatly
cheered the youth who had, it seemed to
him, the world against him.

He reached the commandant’s quarters
to find there half a dozen officers besides
the colonel and the adjutant, and perhaps
twice as many cadets, for those who had
been outside the windows when Carey
Conrad was in his room, and all who
had seen him enter etney, Mulhern’s
room and leave it, had been hastily sum-
moned to headquarters. a .

cused cadet entered with erec
fon cnt a defiant fiush in his eyes, tak-
ing the seat in silence to which the ad-

 

jutant assigned him,

 

 

CHAPTER XXII.
NOT PROVEN.

HE words of the commandant created
a stir ampeng the cadets, and the
adjutant sat like a statue, his gaze
sweeping the faces of each one.
“Now, cadet Conrad, continue
story,” said the commandant.

“There is little more to tell, sir, for
when I discovered the pocket-book in my
trunk I was almost dazed with amaze-
ment, and, as I told you, sir, intended
seeking a brother cadet and then going
to you with the report of my discovery.’
“But you did not come?”

“ y sir.”

“Nor start to do so?”

“TI did start, sir, but just then cadet
Mulhern and his friends paid me a visit,
and I did not go,” and inspite of his
position being a most painful one there
was a twinkle of merriment in his eye as
he recalled the scene that had occurred.

Bie they prevent you from coming to
me La

“Oh, no, sir, only inasmuch that I had
to be courteous to my visitors.”

The commandant’s stern lips relaxed in
a smile, while the adjutant turned his
head away quickly to hide his langhter,
for he had told his superior officer of what
he had heard and seen of the fracas in
Carey Conrad’s room.

“You have no charge to make against
‘your visitors?”

“None, sir.”

“Now you assert, upon the honor of a
soldier and a gentleman, that you do not

your

 
1594

know how that pocket-book came to be
in your trunk?”

Te Oe ott,

“You are willing to take oath on
this?”

ae far: 5 00 ae) 0 ae
“You can resume your seat, cadet Con-
rad.”

Carey Conrad sat down, and there was
a feeling in his heart that he had done all
that he could to prove his innocence.

The commandant then said:

“Gentlemen, you have all heard the
statement of cadet Carey, and he has no
more to say in his own behalf, I be-
lieve.”

“Nothing, sir.”

“Now I wish to question those who
stood in one end of ‘the barracks and saw
cadet Carey enter the room of cadet Mul-
hern. All who saw him enter that room,
stand up.”

The cadet witnesses arose and one by
one they told their story.

There was hardly any difference in
what they had to =

“Now, I desire to have the ,statements
of those who stood without the window
and saw cadet Carey Conrad in his
room,”

These cadets also arose and their story
was the same, one speaking for all.

They happened to be there at the time,
saw cadet Conrad finish his letter, glance
over his table, as though searching for
something, after which he arose and went
to his trunk.

They saw him take out a stamp and
put it upon his letter, then raise the
tray and taking something from beneath
stand regarding it for some minutes.

A glance showed that it was a leather
pocket-book, and they had seen him
glance at the bills within the folds.

Then he had quickly tossed it back into
the trunk, closed and locked it, and cadet
Mulhern and his friends entered the room.

As to the fracas that followed the in-
sulting words of oe Mulhern to Carey
Conrad, they were silent, for no cadet
will say ought to compromise another
except in very rare instances.

They repeated what they saw, whether
good or bad for the accused, and they
could not be drawn out to say more.

But there was one present who was not
so governed, as he was an officer, and it
was his duty to make his report of what
he had witnessed.

This was the adjutant, who had walked
on at the commandant’s request, as the
latter halted to speak to some one.

He had not interfered for he left that
to the coming commandant.

But what he saw and heard he made
known in his terse, decided way, ending
with the words:

“T could not censure cadet Carey Con-
rad, sir, for resenting as-he did the in-
sulting words of cadet Mulhern,” and he
added. dryly: “Nor under the circum-
stances did I blame Mr. Mulhern for re-
tracting them.”

All smiled at this, for the adjutant had
explained just how Carey Conrad had
seized Mulhern in his powerful arms and
hurled him upon his back upon the table,
at the same time keeping the two other
cadets at bay.

That the cadets felt admiration for
Carey Conrad for his act of prowess and
strength, there was no doubt, for they all
knew how greatly Mulhern was dreaded
as an athlete; but then the cloud upon the
accused youth caused them to quickly
turn to what would be the result of the
informal investigation the commandant
was making.

With the testimony in all wondered
what was to come next, expecting that
the commandant would make inquiries
of those present as to whether the accused
had cleared himself or not of the charge
resting upon him.

But instead the commandant said:

“I have certain means of knowing that
there are a number of cadets at the aca-
demy who being rich and well born rather
look down upon one who cannot claim to
be their equal in birth and riches, and
there are a few of them who have entered
into a conspiracy to drive cadet Carey
Conrad from West Point, by fair or foul
means. Knowing this, Iam determined
to discover whether this lost pocket-book
being found in Conrad’s trunk is not a
means to that end, his dismissal; but
first I must ask of my officers and the un-
biased cadets present, as to their opinion
of the guilt or innocence of the accused?”

Turning then tothe adjutant he bade
him keep atally of the names as called
and their expressions of guilt or inno-
cence,

“Captain Burke,” called the adjutant.

“I regret exceedingly to say that to
clear his name of stain cadet Conrad has
not. given sufficient proof of his inno-
cence,” was the answer.

“Captain Welby !”

“Guilty!”

And so on the names were called Mul-
hern, Godsden and Storrey not being
named.

And with but several exceptions their

 

GooDp

came in response to each name the omi-
nous word:
“Guilty !”

CHAPTER XXIII.
THE VOLUNTEER WITNESS.

£, URING the informal scene at head-
quarters, when Carey Conrad was
A facing those who deemed him

<*> guilty of acrime, a young cadet
came off his post as sentinel and took a
seat with the others thus relieved from
duty, who were grouped about the guard
house.

News had been brought a short while
before of the accusation against Carey
Conrad, his visit to Mulhern’s room, and
what had followed in his cwn quarters
when Mulhern and his party had gone
there to charge him with the theft of the
pocket-book,

It seems that there had been severa!
spectators to that affair which the eagle
eyes of the commandant had not fallen
upon, they having been gazing from a
point of vantage tkrough the transom
over their door, which was opposite to
Conrad’s room,

They had lain hidden until the storm
blew over in their barracks, and then, as
one of them had expressed it:

“Just waltzed out to scatter the news.”

This they had accomplished with dis-
patch and it had thus reached the relief
guard at the guard-house.

The young cadet in question, who had
just returned from sentinel duty on a dis-
tant post had been on extra detail a few
hours before to relieve one of the guard
who had been taken ill.

He had started when he had heard the
name of Carey Conrad coupled with dis-
honor, and said quickly:

“Who is it that makes this abominable
ae against Conrad?”

“The pocket-book,” drawled one cadet
facetiously.

“The pocket-book was stolen, yes, but
who charges Conrad with the theft?” im-
patiently inquired the young cadet.

“I donot know that any one person
accuses him, Byrd Shannon, but I do
know that Mulhern put his pocket-book
in his trunk, locked it and went away
with Gardner Godsden from the room.

“Then several cadets, some time after,
saw Conrad sneak into the corridor, go
into Mulhern’s room, remain a quarter
of an hour or so, and sneak out again.”

“Well, what then?”

“Just this. Mulhern had received a
beautiful birthday gift from his folks,
and some money, and when he went with
some of the men to show them his pres-
ents he discovered that his pocket-book
was missing.”
sa And poor Conrad is accused of taking
i ”

SOB,"

“It is false!” said Byrd Shannon em-
phatically.

“How do you know?”

“Do they accuse Conrad because he sim-
vy Sour to Mulhern’s room?”

“ Oo. ”

“What else have they to accuse him on
then?”

“Oh! ITknow that you admire Conrad
greatly.”

“As you do Mulhern.”

“Granted.”

“Well I admire Conrad as I do any
noble hearted, plucky fellow, and this
charge against him is infamous.”

“Prove his innocence, then, Shannon.”

“What proof have they of his guilt?”

“Just this, that he was seen to take
the pocket-book from his trunk, and ad-
oe that he had it when Mulhern faced
him.”

“T do not believe it.”

“Well he did, but he said that he was
not aWare how it got there, and just took
hold of Mulhern with those iron hands
of his and forced him to beg his pardon,
I heard.”

“Good! I glory in his pluck.”

“But it did him no good, for the com-
mandant arrived with the adjutant, saw
that Conrad had the book, and more, his
key fitted the trunk of Mulhern.”

“Ts this true?”

“T cannot tell a lie, Shannon, for my
name is George.” :

All laughed at this excepting Byrd
Shannon. That handsome young cadet
had a troubled look upon his face.

He was arich, dashing young fellow,
liked by all and a favorite with the
officers, although there was about as
much deviltry in his make-up as it was
possible for one of his size to contain.

He delighted in a joke and having been
hazed most severely by Mulhern had
never forgotten it, but was paying him
back whenever he got the chance by play-
ing some practical joke upon him.

At last Mulhern and others began to
dread young Shannon’s very appearance,
for they never knew what to expect at
his hands.

For some minutes or more he satin
ieee and then broke out suddenly
w :

 

NEWS.

“T say, Caruth, where is Conrad now?”
“At the commandant’s quarters, being

oo for the theft of Mulhern’s pocket-
ook.”

With a bound Byrd Shannon was upon
his feet while he said almost savagely:

“T’ll do it!”

“Do what?” said several voices.

“Go to headquarters and appear as a
witness in this case against Carey Con-
rad,” was the determined response of the
young cadet.

(T0 BE CONTINUED.)

NED MELTON'S RESOLVE;

By EDWARD S. ELLIS,

Author of ““Ransomed,” ‘‘Enola,” “Boy Pioneer Series,”
“Wyoming Series,’ Deerfoot Series,” “Loy Cabin
Series,” “Among the, Esyuimaux,” “Ned Melton;
or. Lhe Mystery of the Black Diamond,” ete.

imitate ae.
(“NED MELTON’s RESOLVE” was commenced in No
95, Back nunibers can be obtained ofall NewsAgents]

CHAPTER XVI.
“?HIS MUST BE LOOKED INTO.”

o>,
on -ETECTIVE BLOWITZ recalled the
fs) experience of tbe Frenchman who
¢ found it pleasant enough to hunt
the tiger, but altogether a differ-
ent matter when the tiger took it into his
head to hunt him. Secure in his hiding
place, he had stood for a number of min-
utes watching the outlaws, without it
once occurring to him that some of them
might turn the tables upon him.

He was on the point of withdrawing
further into the wood, when he heard a
rustling among the bushes within a few
feet of him. It could not have been made
by the wind, inasmuch as there was no
wind blowing.

Like a flash, the hand of the officer
went to his hip, where his revolver
rested. He had not eluded the villains
thus far to surrender now, when danger
impended again. Aware that he must
have been in plain sight of any one be-
hind him, because of the glow of the fire-
light beyond, he was unable to detect the
outlines of his enemy who for that rea-
son possessed an immeasurable advantage
over him, But, at this critical juncture,
came a growl, which clearly was not
made by aman; some wild animal must
have been attracted by the sight of the
camp fire and was prowling around in
quest of his supper.

Immediately after the cavernous sound
fell upon his ear, Blowitz observed the
dark outlines of an enormous bear, lum-
epg through the wood and almost upon’

im. ;

“If you'll let me alone, I’ll agree to do
the same with you,” was the conclusion
of the detective, vastly relieved to dis-
cover that he was threatened by such a
stupid creature, instead of a desperate
enemy of his own species.

The brute could not have been much a
hungered, or he would have assailed the
man, without any preliminary introduc-
tion. At that season of the year the
bruin of the Arkansas wilderness has
little trouble in obtaining food, and is
not apt to disturb the hunter unless the
latter opens hostilities. Blowitz moved
nimbly around, so as to flank the beast,
and, a minute later, succeeded in placing
him between himself and the camp fire.
By this strategy, he brought him into

lainer view and was enabled to watch
1is movements without danger.

Having executed this flank movement,
he received no further attention from the
bear, whose chief interest lay in the
direction of the camp fire. He swung
awkwardly toward it, halting when some
rods away, evidently afraid to approach
so large a body of men, whom he must
have learned to hold in dread, as do all
creatures that ever serve as game for the
lords of creation.

The detective’s series of adventures had
led him so far into the pine woods, and
had involved him in so many turnings,
that he had wholly lost his bearings, and
knew not the course to take in order to
reach the railway again. His wish was
to get there as soon as he could and to
start southward over the ties. In fact,
that was all he could do so far as he saw.
By traveling long and far enough, he
must reach some station where he could
board the next train bound to Texas, It
might be distant one mile or twenty of
them, but he was prepared to face the
task whatever it proved, for as has been
shown, he was inclined to take matters
pe eee no matter how discour-
aging they might appear.

he chances were that by following the
course which appeared to lead to the rail-
way tracks, he would go wrong; but, in-
asmuch as he never could accomplish any-

flected; “I can stay here till a train

 

anh

thing by standing still and possibly
might go right, he fixed in his mind what
appeared to be the right point of the com-
pass, and moved forward, with the same
caution he had used from the first.

At the end of half an hour, when he
found himself still in the depths of the
wilderness, he paused with a sigh.

“I’m wrong; more than likely Iam
further from the railway than when I left
the camp fire, but confound it! what is 4
fellow to do?” ‘

Striking a match and looking at his

‘| watch, he saw that it was between two

and three o’clock in the morning. It was
a long time yet before any train was
likely to pass, but he might well-shrin

from pushing further into the woods,
with the certainty that he would never
be able to extricate himself without help.

“There’s one thing I can do,” he re-

es
by in one direction or the other. The
rumble will tell me the location of the
tracks, and then I can make my way tO
them, but if that first train happens to be
about ten o’clock to-morrow morniDf;
and is the one I want to catch, another
dismal delay is before me.”

He was asking himself whether, after
all, it was not wise to do this. The night
was crisp and cool, and, though he woul
not have found it very uncomfortable
to sit on the ground, with his back
against a tree, the waiting would be 0
the most monotonous nature. At such
times, too, nothing is so trying as idle
waiting. There is a relief in motion, eve?
though we know it can accomplish n°
good.

One thing was proven; he had been
following the wrong direction and mus
therefore change it. The right or the «
might be the proper one, and that coul
be determined only by trial. Accordingly,
after considering the matter for some
minutes, he turned sharply to the right,
and resumed his tedious work of trave*
ing through the thick growth of pines,
where he was forced to depend upon the
sense of feeling alone.

But, to his astonishment, he had gone
only a few paces when he made the gratl-
fying discovery that he had struck @
forest path of some kind. Had his o
course been at right ‘angles, he migh
have crossed it without a thought of ae
fact, but it was nearly parallel and the
first knowledge came, when he noticeé
that the ground under his feet was come
paratively free of leaves, and the none
ous pine cones upon which he had Sea
continually treading, while no lim ‘1
brushed his face, proving that the tral
was quite broad. Ld

“This must be looked into,” he de “Ab
halting again and producing the lit "5
rubber safe, in which he carried
matches, i

Striking one of these, he held thet we
twist. of flame above his head, and se a
that he wis standing in the middle?
well marked foot path, which woun a
either direction among the trees, disap
pearing, before reaching the margin i
the area of light thrown out by
lucifer.

He lit several, one after the other, he
made his examination as complete 4 if
could. The question he asked him oP
was whether the horsemen who he ue
the railway train, had used this aye
for approach or withdrawal. StooPly¢

and

i siif.s i‘ und a
down and scrutinizing the gro ving

saw no signs of man or animal h
passed that way lately. The infer
was fair that they had not used the P
nor were likely to do so. fter
“TI am quite sure,” he mused, a pis
flinging aside the last match, “that ied
trail leads to the railway, but I’m ble one
if I know which course to take. a
than likely, in accordance with the ie
such times, whichever one I follow ake
prove the wrong one, and, when I aceper
to the truth, I’ll be several miles de
1d be

ence —
ath,

in these confounded woods.”
This was another problem that cout nere
solved only by experiment, since ould
was no means at command that © ess
give any guidance. Making & grin
therefore, he turned to the left, liste a]
and useing his eyes as hest he cound
whenever a faint ray of moonlight 107
its way into the trail, over which he
plodding his way.
As nearly as he could tell, he had Boe
about a half a mile, when he Ona ie
aused. Although nothing like W pre’
oped rather than expected to se path
sented itself, he was aware that the Vid
had broadened greatly. He, suspoich
that he had arrived at a clearipgs t
robably marked the terminus of the
tf such were the fact, it would show |
he had followed the wrong course = 1’
“There's no doubt of it, but unles tb
mistaken,” he added peering i? jinds
gloom, “yonder is a house of some oa
most likely a settler’s cabin.” eerind
While Detective Blowitz stood P rings
into the gloom at one side of the cles wi
a light twinkled from one of it wes
dows of the cabin, showing that op!
not only occupied but that the

 

' Bop

at -.
jl 48

t
‘on, 8
a, ose

Ye cre

&

BeYrrRme FeEwvow

opsince a curtain was stretched across,

q #
a the

+S pds

GooDp

NEWS.

1595

 

re astir, despite the lateness of the

CHAPTER XVII.
“YE’RE OFF THAR, STRANGER |”

Xx T OW the officer had no intention of
} )} entering the lions’ den, after his
repeated escapes therefrom. The
fact of this log structure being
® hear the scene of the railway robbery,
Md with the inmates awake at this late
four, was presumptive evidence that
“me of the outlaws were there, or that
deir friends were present, despite the
t that the trail showed no signs of
t¢men having passed that way lately
ft their steeds.
‘| Put there was one piece of information
He officer was exceedingly anxious to
_ Ptain: that was the right course to the
Way track. Whoever was in the build-
8 could enlighten him on that point, if
® chose; the question was whether it
“8 safe to apply to the individual or in-
Viduals for the information.
\elore doing so, he made a reconnois-
"ace, Not forgetting that, no matter
*W poor a family may be, it is likely to
Done or more dogs, Blowitz held his
{®apon ready for use, as he walked
‘(708s the clearing toward the log struc-
; rhe ch came into plainer view the
I er he advanced.
Bt Was of the ordinary kind seen in the
’ ely settled regions of the southwest,
‘|,28 an almost square building of rough
}2>) Gove-tailed at the corners, with the
siruices filled with clay, and showing
mele door and window in front.
},2€ Only sign of life to be observed was
\, tight shining through the window,

 

In
h Ope that more might be accom-
et from the rear, he passed thither,
ay studying all the points pre-

d, and especially on the lookout for

Ng could be seen of the interior.

en
4 J

| ues, which he held in as much dread

ugh he were a tramp.

Great y to his relief, however, he com-
Bai the circuit, without running
Tas ti any of the brutes. He noticed
} gi here was no rear door, but observed
th oe upper window, which being
; nildi ed in darkness proved that the
| Noth? contained a second story.

Mtew Ng else had been discovered, and,
Some hesitation, he stepped nigher
Artaj front window and listened. ‘The
Keep 2 fitted so closely that he could not
Ring ftound the side, but, after a few
~The » he heard some one walk across
om, S00r,

)) lud
4 ‘hadow

‘The step was so heavy that he
it was that of a man, had not
Be oy _Just then been thrown against
aw, ttain which revealed the outlines
Thi Oman.
ia’ discovery led Detective Blowitz to
0 apply for admission without
2} .;%Y. He was not sure of entering
curiny ding, but he was confident of
tani, he knowledge that was so im-
im.
lileq 8S his hand over the door, he
Metin, find the latch string which is
just ® hospitably left hanging out,
> Such late applicants as he. So
p ae smartly on the rough _plank-
™mon. . 728 instantly answered by the
A"Cy ns;
7 me in!”

a 78:
ay tpeved, and peering sharply within,
a din,. orm of*'a tall, gaunt woman,
kin fin the middle of the room, and
dl or onderingly at him, as he pushed
1 as Mward and paused on the thres-
if in doubt whether to enter or

* welcome; come in,” she re-
icing his hesitation.
Ce was so hearty that Blowitz
ql, taki. misgivings for the moment,
+ the ;28 @ couple cf steps, sat down
i Yalis €nch near the door, depositing
With: at his feet, and removing his
«hoe pps Much defevence as if, in the
Tago @ titled lady.
age nt wish to intrude,” he remarked
es »)3 “are you alone?”
Whe € answered, keeping her
Pte he had first seen her, “but
on, Pet the door in the face of any
Nun Matter who he is; who air ye?”
ay. <tunate traveler that has lost
have been wandering about
~00ds for the last hour or two,
ing d the railway, but I seem to
®'re further off all the time.”
ahi ood long way from the rail-
ayy tKed the woman with a grin.
Ony 8k how far?”
Ang oY five miles,” was the astonish-
travels this path along which I have
Whie Ng cross the tracks?”
e Visine’ did you come?”
hes the pointed with his hand to

erin Aon @ direction. The woman
Te, twill fi ve be ;
e wi * mga the an walking right away

”

“If you’d kept on long enough, ye'd
have fetched up in the Injin nation.”

“Or possibly tbe Rocky Mountains or
Pacific Ocean; but I understand you that
this path leads to the railway, when fol-
lowed in the right direction?’

“Tt crosses it and goes over into the
Crow Barrens, on tother side,”

“T’m much obliged for the information ;
now can you tell me how far, after reach-
ing the railway, I shall be from the
nearest station, where I can board a
train?”

This question was _not answered as
readily as the other. The woman bent
her head a moment and looked down at
the floor, as if in Beep thought. Then she
walked slowly to the other side of the
room and sat down ‘on a dilapidated
chair.

“T can’t answer ye that.”

“Have you never traveled on the cars?”

“Never; my old man tried to get me
on a good many times, but I won’t trust
’em; I'm satisfied to ride on hoss or mule
back, or to hoof it when I want to do any
traveling.”

The caller smiled at the earnestness of
the woman, even though disappointed in
obtaining the information he wanted.
ow is it your husband is not with
you ”

“I’m expecting him back soon; he’s
i gone a couple of days with Jim and

ic oa.

“They are your sons, I suppose?”

“Yes, and two likely ei they be too,”
replied the woman, proudly.

“TIT don’t doubt it, and I don’t doubt,
too, that you deserve a good husband
and sons and daughters.”

“Never had a daughter,” was the sen-
tentious reply, “but the boys are all
right; I ’spose the old man is, too,
though he mought be better, without
hurting him.”

“May I ask whether you expect them
to-night?”

“Can't say; they went back in the hills
on a hunt day afore yesterday and said
they mought be gone till the last part of
the week.”

“Are you not up late?” asked the detec-
tive, who although prepossessed by the
simple hospitality of the woman, was not

uite satisfied with the appearance of

1ings.

The question seemed to strike her as
very funny, for she shook with laughter.

“VYe’re off thar, stranger; I aint’ u
late but am up airly; I went to be
about sundown last night, got all the
sleep I wanted, and am jes’ makin’ ready
to begin my day’s work, so as to have
things fixed for the old man and boys
when they do come.” eae

This was a new way of putting it, and
Detective Blowitz was compelled to smile
in turn. Glancing at his watch, he ob-
served that it was past four o’clock, no
earlier than many persons are accus-
tomed to rise, even in the thickly settled
East. Necesssity is an unrelenting
master, and this poor woman, compelle
to minister to the wants of the three
grown up members of her family, doubt-
less found little time for rest or idleness.
She followed the old adage of retiring
and rising: early, and doing with her
might all that her hands found to do.

CHAPTER XVIII.
“you AIN’T AFRAID?”
ETECTIVE BLOWITZ, during this

brief conversation with the wo-
d man, who had received him so
32> hospitably, was conscious of an
uncomfortable misgiving that everthing
was not what it seemed. This feeling
was caused rather by what he heard than
by what he saw.

The interior and the woman herself
were not displeasing. She was strong,
homely of feature, gaunt and muscular,
and evidently one who regarded her
whole duty in life as that of laboring for
others. The room was furnished plainly,
but with a certain neatness and thrift
that was noticeable from the first. A
bright fire was burning on the hearth,
and the table set at one side of the room
showed that she was preparing her morn-
ing meal. He noticed. that there were
four plates set, indicating that she was
looking for the return of her husband and
sons. The candle added its light to that
of the fire on the eves and pea ares

verything in the large room vis10!e.

: A piety ladder connected with the
upper story, which was reached through
an opening, barely large enough to admit
the passage of a full grown man. Two
chairs, a bench and several smaller
articles made up the furniture below
stairs. While a shake-down might be
used at times on the lower floor to accom-
modate visitors, it was apparent that the
sleeping of the family was done above.

It was the remark of the woman that
her husband and sons had been absent
on a hunt that might last several days,
which caused him mental disquiet. e

ss

likely to be members of that party that
only a short time before had held up the
railway train. Doubtless they would
form valuable members of it, if their in-
clinations led them in that direction.

As for the woman herself, she seemed
honest Her looks and manner indicated
it. She showed a simplicity and kind-
ness that he could not associate with
crime. So far as she was concerned, he
was quite sure nothing was to be feared.

He had learned that which he sought:
several miles along the forest trail would
take him to the railway, from which he
had wandered, and once there, he would
be able to extricate himself from his un-
pleasant situation without further trouble.

The most obvious course for him now
that he knew all that was to be learned,
was to leave. It would be much more
pleasant to rest awhile, eating breakfast
some hours later, and then following the
path to his destination.

But prudence whispered that this meant
danger. Those desperadoes were prob-
ably somewhere in the neighborhood.
Although they had not ridden along the
path in the woods, they might yet do so,
and _~ at the cabin for their morning
meal. ven if they did not come, the
presence of the three men living there
was likely to complicate matters to a
perilous extent.

Blowitz was turning these questions
over in his mind, in doubt whether to
ask the privilege of going to the upper
story and lying down, before taking his
breakfast, or whether to leave without
further parley, when the woman arose
from the chair and gave her attention to
oon food that was preparing over the

aze.

The gentleman did not forget that while
his hostess might be open to suspicion,
she had equally good cause to regard him
with the same feeling, for the appearance
of a well-dressed stranger, carrying a
valise, and a number of miles from the
railway was enough to rouse curiosity on
the part of any one.

“T 'spose,” said she, with a smile, “that
you ain’t used to gettin’ up so airly.”

“No; this is the best time for me tostay
in bed.” :

“Tf you like, you can go un stairs and
lay down for a nap: I'll call you when
sunup comes, and you can git breakfast
and start off whenever you’ve a mind.”

“You have treated me very kindly and
I* thank you; but I’m anxious to reach
the nearest railway station, so as to
hurry on my way; if I stay here too long,
I will miss the cars. That wil] cause a
long delay, for the passenger trains are
not numerous over this road,”

“You ain’t afeared?”

The woman, who was moving about the
room, stopped short in front of the detec-
tive and shot out this question like a
bullet. Her small black eyes twinkled,
and an indescribable expression passed
over her features. Blowitz did not know
what it all meant. But he laughed quiet
heartily, as he asked in turn:

“What would I be afraid of? You don’t
look dangerous.”

“But when my old man and boys come
home, why I was thinking you mought
be afeared of them.”

“Do they treat strangers
you have been kind to them?

“It ain’t that; I didn’t say they did,
but I asked you if you wasn’t afeard of
them.” _

“No you told me they mi
back for several days to come.” _
“And I said they might come this morn-
ing, but you needn’t be afeard; go up
stairs jen: sleep as long as you want to,
and when you have done, you can have
breakfast and go on your way.” :
Under an impulse which the man did
not himself understand, he rose quickly
grip-sack in hand, and walked to the foot
of the ladder. He climbed three rounds
and then stopped, surprised at his own
imprudence. How could he know that
he was not walking straight into a trap
from which there was no withdrawal?
Hle saw the woman watching him nar-
rowly, and he would have given much
could he have guessed the thoughts pass-
ing through her mind at that moment.
“What a fool I am,” he concluded, des-
cending the rounds as hastily as he had
climbed them. i
“What’s the matter?” she asked; “you
act as though you was afeard.” ;
“IT told you that I am afraid of losing
time. I think I'll bid you per: for I
am a long way from where I want to go.
“Where's that?” 3
“Texas.”
“Did you fall off the kars?”
Blowitz laughed outright. ;
“Hardly as bad as that, but the train
was robbed and I slipped off and hid in
the woods. While I was doing that, the
cars started, and I was left behind.
She showed astonishment at this state-
ment, raising coe hands and heaving a
reat sigh of relief. ae
. “That's what comes of folks riding on

i badly when

ght not be

,

Detective Blowitz stepped to the door,
and placed his hand on the latch, when a
sharp call from the outside said:

“Helloa, in there!” :

Instead of opening the door, he moved to
the window and drew the corner of the
curtain aside, so as to permit him to peep
out. In the dim moonlight he discerned
the figures of a dozen horsemen, drawn
up in an irregular circle on the small
clearing in front of the log cabin. They
were not fifty feet from the front door.

He knew on the instant who they were;
the train robbers were on their return
from the scene of their misdoings, and
had halted at the cabin to obtain food. A
pretty situation in which to be caught!

“Don’t let them know Iam here,” whis-
pered Blowitz, withdrawing from the
window, as she hastened tu the door. She
made no answer, but raising the latch,
presented herself to the view of the free
riders, who saw her tall figure outlined
against the yellow light in the room.

“What do you want?” she asked.

“Can you fix us up a breakfast?”

“Tell them no,” whispered Blowitz,
but the woman either did not hear, or
hearing, did not heed his wishes.

“I reckon I can do something for you,”
was the reply that almost caused Detec-
tive Blowitz’s hair to stand on end.

(TO BE CONTINUED.)
a

AN ACCIDENTAL SHOT.

— >

BY MAX ADELER,.

ee

AST summer Butterwick’s brother
spent a few weeks with bim. He
owned a “pistol cane” which he
G-” carried about with him loaded;

but when he went away he accidentally

left it behind, and without explaining to

Butterwick that it was different from or-

dinary canes.

So, one afternoon, a few days later,
Butterwick went out to Keyser’s farm to
look at some stock and he picked up the
cane to take along with him. When he
= to Keyser’s the latter went to the

arn-yard to show him an extraordinary
kind of a new pig that he had developed
by cross-breeding.

“Now that pig,” said Keyser,” just lays
right over all the other pigs in the At-
lantic slope. Take him any way you
please, he’s the most gorgeous pig any-
wheres around. Fat. Why he’s all fat.
There’s no lean in him. He ain’t any-
thing but a solid mass of lard. Put that
pig near a fire and in twenty minutes his
naked skeleton ’d be standing there in a
puddle of grease. That’s a positive fact.

ow you just feel his shoulders.”

Then Butterwick lifted up his cane and
gave the pig a poke. He poked it two or
three times and he had just remarked:

“That certainly is a bully pig,” when
he gave it’ another poke, and then some-
how the pistol in the cane went off and
the pig rolled over and expired.

“What in the mischief d’ you do that

for?” exclaimed Keyser amazed and in- ©

dignant.
This thun-

uo

“Do it for? I didn’t do it!

dering cane must ’ve been made out of an

old gun barrel, with the load left in. I

never had the least idea, I pledge you my

word, that there was anything the matter

with it.”

“That’s pretty thin,” said Keyser; “you

had a grudge agin that pig, because you

couldn’t seare up a pig like him, and you

killed him on purpose.”

“That's perfectly ridiculous.”

“Oh, maybe it is; you’]] just tork over

two hundred dollars for that piece of pork

if you please.”

“T’l] see you in Dutch Guiana first.”
* * 7

* *

Butterwick whipped; but if Keyser did
give in first Butterwick went home witha
bleeding nose, and the next day he was
arrested for killing the pig. The case is
coming up in afew days; and Butter-
wick’s brother is on here, ready to testif
about that cane. Butterwick himself,
walks now with a hickory stick.

————_+- # »—_____
A DOG WITH A MEMORY.

feline. remarkable feat of
memory was told to me by the owner of
an Irish water spaniel. His master was
out walking with him at the beginning
of a very severe winter. He went ona
frozen mill dam, where the water was of
course very deep, and_ accidentally
dropped his snuff box through a little
round hole in the ice. The dog was
dreadfully distressed at not being able to
get it, but was obliged to go home with
its owner, who thought no more about
the matter. Three months afterward,
when the frost had gone, he and_ the dog
passed by the same place. The dog
paused opposite the spot where the box
ad disappeared, seemed to think In-
tently for a minute, then plunged In,
dived to the bottom, and returned with

The

 
 
  

 

them plaguey kyars ;, you'll never catch

 

 

kn ave known it; thatis always

asked himself whether they were not

me on ’em, no, never.

the snuff box in his mouth,

  
1596

GooDp

NEWS.

 

CRUELTY IN THE GERMAN

   
  
   
  
   
  
   
    
 
  

ARMY.

TRHE Vorwarts, the Berlin organ of
the Socialists, publishes what pur-
ports to be a confidential circular
issued by Prince George, of Saxony,

Commander of the 12th Army Corps, to the

colonels of regiments under his orders.

The document bears internal evidence of

being genuine (says the Berlin corres-

Times), and is accepted as

"

pondent of the
such by the entire press.
The circular, which

 

is dated from the
beadquarters of the 12th Army Corps at
Dresden on June 8, 1891, calls the atten-

over his face and his uniform.

the “horse” in the
ministered to him fifty blows with a belt.

admitted into hospital suffering from in-

bladder.

Lance-corporal Hoffmann I
flogged Bombardier Dombart with his
sword-belt, and on several occasions
caused one hundred and fifty blows to be

 

THE “HORSE” PUNISHMENT.

tion of. colonels to several abominable
cases of stupid cruelty practised by non-
commissioned officers on their men. These
acts, as Prince George remarks, were
committed with cold and deliberate
callousness. There were cases in which
soldiers had been subjected daily, and
for weeks or months in succession, to
blows with canes or belts, which had
often amounted to as many as fifty ina
day. Sergeant Zwahr ordered recruits to
perform the whole of the manual rifle
exercise again and again during the time
allotted them for breakfast until they
fainted from fatigue and hunger, and be-
came utterly incapacitated for their regu-
lation parades and drills. On a certain
occasion, as he lay in bed, he commanded
a recruit to raise over his head and lower

inflicted upon him with the upper leather
of a riding-boot. For asmall dereliction
of duty Bombardier Dombart was made
to present arms one thousand eight
hundred and eighty-nine times to Poff-
a until he fainted from exhaus-

ion.

Sergeant Zehme caused some men under
his orders to get up in the middle of a
January night in 1890, and clothed simply
in nightshirts and helmets, to perform
drills in the open air during half an hour
at the double. As a refinement of cruelty
this man ordered his soldiers to light
cigars while they were at the double dur-
ing the time in which hecould count
fifty, and the exercise continued until the
cigars were smoked out. It is needless
to point out that the cruelty of obliging

 

acan full of boiling coffee five hundred
times, till the wretched man’s muscles
giving way, the hot coffee streamed all

Artillery Sergeant Weyse caused a
bombardier named Lorenz to be laid over
gymnasium, and ad-
Lorenz, refusing to submit to further
punishment, was held down and flogged
again, and kicked so that he had to be
juries which resulted in a disease of the

repeatedly

men practically unclothed to smoke while
breathless from running in winter weather
amounts to real torture. This same Ser-
geant Zehme, being one evening at supper,
forced some recruits to bend the knee
one thousand eight hundred times before
him, until, as Prince George says, “the
floor of the barrack-room was black with
their perspiration,” and several of them
fainted. Sergeant Zehme is further said
by his commander to have systematically
cuffed and kicked his men, to have arbi-
trarily stopped their pay, and to have
levied blackmail from them.

Sergeant Pflug forced his recruits to
chew their dirty socks in his presence till
they turned sick. His other amenities
consisted in knocking their heads against

 

THE CHAIN PUNISHMENT.

walls, smearing his muddy boots over
their faces, and teaching them the parade
march by striking them violently over the
knee-caps with chains until thay yelled
with pain.

The non-commissioned officers whose
names have been mentioned were all tried
by court-martial, degraded to the ranks,
and sentenced to terms of imprisonment
varying from two to five years. The
prince, however, in concluding his kindly
and able-worded circular, appeals to his
colonels for the honor of the army to
purge regiments “from such inhuman in-
structors.” Remarking that Socialism is
rampant in Germany, he says that the
cruelties which he has denounced are cal-
culated “to shake all loyalty tothe throne
and the fatherland.”

 

 

 

MY PRAIRIE BANDITS.

A TRUE STORY.

—~_eo-—_—

OWARD the close of a lonely and
most wearisome day's ride over the
bare and sparsely settled praries of
Colorado in the month of October,

1876, Icame a little after dark in sight
of a log cabin standing by the road.

I had started out on horseback from my
uncle's ranch that morning, intending to
visit the ranch of a friend, distant some
thirty miles, for the purpose of buying
some cattle, and carried with me a con-
siderable sum of money.

I had intended to reach me destination
by night-fall and return the next day,
but had been unable to do so, and as
darkness overshado.wed the prairie I felt
' a desire to reach at least a copse in which
I might lie down and rest till morning
before resuming my journey, as I did not
care to run the risk of losing ay. way by
riding onward in the dark. The night-
hawks were skimming over and around
me, attracted by the beetles, and the dis-
tant howling of wolves gave me some
hope that I should arrive at the skirts of
some woodland. I did so after a while,
and at almost the same instant a fire-light
attracting my eye, I moved toward it,
full of confidence that it might come
from the camp of some wandering In-
dians. I was mistaken, however, for I
discovered from its glare that it was trom
the hearth of the log cabin before men-
tioned, and that the tall figure of an old
woman passed and repassed between it
and me, as if busily engaged in some
household. arrangement. ;

It was the first human habitation I had
met with during my day’s ride, and as I

referred a bed of blankets to one of

eaves, and fearing I should find no other

opportunity for procuring refreshments,
I rode up to the cabin, and drawing rein
in front of the door shouted out:

“Halloo, house!”

the fire within appeared in the opening.

her person, and she was engaged in

tobacco that I ever smelled in my life,

a couple of inches from her mouth,
“Can I have a night’s lodging and food
“Sartin, sartin!” she replied, civilly,

but when they do come, I’s right glad
down off’n yer hoss, stranger, an’ come
garrulous welcome, being only too glad
alighted, and going in to a warm fire,
about the place, was discharging the
me a liberal repast of corn-bread, bacon
petite.

gold one, to see what time it was.

cups, and then giving me divers nods and

mative, as I was rather tired by my ride-

her pipe-stem to a bed that stood ina

 

In response to my summons the door
opened a few moments later, and the old

awhile to give me an opportunity of un-
dressing.

Before I had been long in bed, ane
while I was congratulating myself on my
good fortune, the latch of the door was
noiselessly drawn, and the old woman re-
entered, accompanied by a dark-lookin
man of gigantic stature and form, wit
stiff black hair, eyebrows, and beard.
He was apparently about twenty-eight
years of age, was dressed in a hunting-
shirt which partly conealed a pair of
dirty buckskin overalls, and he wore
mocassins of the same material. I thought
at the time that I had never seen any-
thing half so ferocious.

_As soon as this man entered the room
his mother, for so the old woman proved
to be, pointing to the bed on which I lay,
motioned him to make no noise, on which,
with inaudible steps, he walked to the
chimney, put up his gun on a pair of
deer’s antlers that served as a rack for
that and other arms, and sat down softly
before the fire then throwing a bright
blaze about the room.

Not liking the looks of the new-comer,
and not caring to be teased by conversa-
tion, I drew my head under tbe _ bed-
clothes, so that I could see what was
passing without leaving my own face
visible. The two soon entered into con-
versation, but in so low a tone that I
could not distinguish what was said. My
powers of attention were wrought up to
the most. painful pitch of intensity. I
had no doubt but that I had fallen in
among thieves; that the old woman’s
cupidity had been aroused by the sight of
my gold watch, and that the two were at
present engaged in laying plans to do
away with me. I had not informed By
hostess of the sum of money that I carrie

with me, and she was ignorant of its
existence. I carried it sewed up ina
money-belt that I wore around my waist,
next to my body, so that it was concealed
from sight; but I feared that if it was
discovered it would prove an added incen-
tive to the twain in the carrying out of
their supposed intentions. In case my

 

woman whom I had seen by the light of

Her attire consisted of a dirty-colored
calico gown, thrown negligently about
smoking from a short-stemmed corn-cob
pipe some of the most execrably vile

She scanned me from head to foot for a
minute or so, and then removing her pipe

eld
it in her hand while she asked:

“Wot’s yer pledger, stranger?”

for myself and horse if I pay for it?” I
asked her.
“and right glad ter hev ye do so. Strangers
hain’t often seen about this yere ranch,
ter hev ’em stay an’ tork a bit: it sorter
chirks a body up, ve know. Climb right
in. I'll take keer of yer brute.”

I scarcely waited to hear the end of her
to accept it and know that I was not tres-
passing upon her hospitality. I gladly
enjoyed the luxury of rest. while my
hostess, who was the only person I saw
duties of hostler and cook.

In a very short time she placed before
and venison, of.which I ate heartily, my
long ride having given mea sharp ap-

During the course of my meal I had oc-
casion to consult my watch, a handsome

When I had finished my supper the old
woman cleared away the tin plates and
winks, remarked that she “expected” I
“chose bed,” to which I sean in the affir,

r
and then as the cabin contained only the
one-room, the old woman, pointing with
corner with the words: “Thar ’tis over
yon,” immediately went into the yard

myself to depend upon for protection,

fears became realized, I had no one but

) thousand, Austria-Hunga

French: one thonsand eig

hundred newspapers in Ita

from the ken of all human kind. $0

my revolver, held it ready for use in

such an emergency arose.
At length, the man,

to which | heard her reply: ai
“No, I hardly think he’s asleep yet,
and they again conversed in a low Vole)
as before. ]
Aiter a short interval, while the mal

fire, I heard him say:

woman?”

“Stop,” said she, “I'll go and see.’
And moving near the bed, under ©
pretext of taking something from a S™®
table, she approached so near as tO S&®
my face. My eyes were indeed closes
but, as may be imagined, 1 was very ™
from being asleep. id:
On her return to the fire-place she 88!
“Yes, he’s asleep now.”

tion of my throat. ek mindy
Just as I had resolved within my ™
that now or never was thie time to <a
and was on the point of drawing MY a
ver from beneath the bed-covels seden
shooting him on the spot, 1 was sur taki
to see him reach up over me al n tb
down a venison ham, which bud eh F
wall near the head of the bed, wal “iol
back to the fire, and begin to a 1
pieces for his supper; and I, Wit igh
more dead than alive, and whose a ah
fancy had heightened the terrore ‘fic
that I saw, had the unspeakable ar cht
tion to find that these kind-hearte
dren of the forest had been ta id
and that the hungry hunter, W forbo
eaten nothing since morning, had aot
making a noise lest they should est. fh
the slumbers of their way-worn 2U&™*

   
  

slumber, rejoicing in the kindness of, C
host and hostess, and mentally pee
ing myself in no measured tertie  h
having doubted their honesty. ., over me
The next day I happened to cine ot
markable benevolence in the feat a dae
the hunter, which by the tales excan
ceitful glare of the flre-light eer abodeted
me; and when I left their humb of tht
I pressed into the reluctant pet modepas
old woman a much greater sum) he igh
than she had bargained for t picb S2p*s
previous, and the voice with W 7
uttered her profuse thanks 0D aan
ting that she should accept it, 5&
have lost much of its former ,
Likewise, the odor from her P Y
she smoked incessantly, did Oy $
to taint the atmosphere to such ea
tent as it had when she first 4 ad
the door-way in answer to my 4°
mons, Jighy ta

Mounting my steed, which the of
hunter had alieady saddled fo r, 1b
brought around to the front 400% sy 1
the worthy couple adieu, aM@ op
sound of their “God speed y , 10
ourney, sir!” ringing in MY "*¢ jen)
away in the direction of my with”
rench, which I safely reache fin
further adventure.

iam

R
NEWSPAPERS OF THE W9

sb
The number of newspapers poole BEN Top
all countries is estimated at nt ene .
thousand, of which number ab0P/ on a
four thousand appear in Eur¢ Pergive tbo,
heads the list in Europe wit? poyy thy
sand, then comes France wit with 14
sand one hundred, Englav with a
Tealy 3 igh

red | pe

y

ofl

thousand five hundrea, 1f@ with
thousand four hundred, Spart eight
hundred and fifty, Russia wit nn d
dred, Switzerland with fot es with
fifty, Belgium and Hollan e pu
hundred each, and the rest ae and
in Portugal, the Scandinay
Baikan countries. The UM
have eighteen thousand five
thirty-six newspapers, Cana '
hundred and twenty-nine, 9, huligl
alse seven hundred. Of thr paD a aly,
journals published in Asia. ed 10 ash
as two hundred. Two hune?l ihe std
appear in Africa, and three

wich Islands. In the princip®

there are published seventer
newspapers _ in English; SV Ger™
five hundred newspapers iD

thousand eight hundred new®
ht hvr
ne thou
liane

}

papers in Spanish; and 0

ot | ily, y
cq tell di r

You often hear men say,

 

kind of a man I am,” but

they BE" hi to

 

for in such an isolated spot I was fat
turned over in bed, and silently cocking)
looking toward
the bed, made some remark to his mother ;

sat with his feet stretched out toward they,

“Don’t ye think he’s asleep now, old)!

a

pi

hilfent)
Iking JOWg

ack,
~© Way in

bi

i

a” the
LD: Says fel,®
-e
nn
t
ine 80",
Were

e
Has

 

LOS)

TAHE 1
>? great

er the 5

Y ancest;

wany catt

turn the
Mently jc
never

On this the mountaineer, rising pee "1 Pat ani
his stool, reached up to the rack. al att 4 Abani qul
ing down an old rusty cutlass, poe oddken ae
eage upon his thumb, and as if satis a nov
as to its keenness, walked with the a im foe

‘|noiseless step towaid my be *airecNot b yea:
stretched out his other hand in the e de

» and t
ce in le
[Nt on th

4@,0r unal

die |

arch hig

With a fearful burden. of anxiety | ws Perhaps
moved from my breast, | silently ows 1 add See
the hammer of my revolver age oacel le Gl to
turning over in bed fell into 4 P 1 stif

feet
eh t well |

inst hig vere! \

p
cki

n
nti; Z hor

1g

re
that

Situate;
emcees |

 

 

  

a GOOD NEWS. 1597
So I a
ockiv ; ; ; ;
corn ous instrument of torture, which roughly |The prospect before me was not, to say| myself simply so far as being solitary;
S$] A rasped, will almost cut a horse’s tongue|the least, very delightful: two days/| indeed, I may add, I should be very sorry
toward t in two—and was by means of it able to| travel over the rolling prairies, with the | to resemble him in any other particular.
nother wutltg aes keep the brute’s head in the air, and|extreme probability of not seeing a| He was a Mexican, a villainous-lookin
thereby prevent him from bucking. human being during that time. But I “epg mounted on a curiously ated
: yet,” i HE horses generally used on the| He worked over him all that afternoon| knew there was no way to avoid it, and|horse—what the Mexicans calla pinto—
P soice Mm? reat Western prairies are Com-/and much of the next day, driving him | epxerience had taught me to accept the | and when I first came in sight of him he

 
   
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
   
  
 
   
    
   
 
  
  
  
   
  
   
   
 
  
   

mouly called bronchos, which term
is derived, without doubt, from the
Mnish adjective bronco, signifying
"ose or stubborn.
ow, old They are direct descendants of the mus-
igs, or wild horses, large droves of which
Estill to be seen in some sections; and
he*Y never seem to get over a strong in-
j1# desire to be at liberty and ae
ave

;
ye mad
ard the

| .

iaer t
a sma ce
1s to see Mmelled over the prairies, as

Josed, HY ancestors for many gen rations.
iy fat lany cattlemen have hundreds of them,
i turn them logse in winter, when they
pe said:MUently join bands of wild horses who
me never felt the strong hand of the
froml’-boy, and become before they are re-
ured quite as wild as their
Mpanions, and have to be
satisfies ken in over again.
the same ~W-boys who have handled
ye audfm for years will tell you they
he direePNot be depended upon in the
St, and that they appear to
min@Plce in leaving their riders
o actgOut on the prairies, to walk
revolme, or unable to do that, may-
to die there; in fact, they
m to be constantly on the
Hf oe for an opportunity to
on to¥mpe.
ak soft! peculiarity they have of
‘ice SOMMBS'ng has been so often re-

ea talk:

my
ne t

who !@ed to as hardly to require
romanll Ntion,
rors of & fice it to say that whena

gratifice Ncho bucks, he does it ap-

red ChUPNtly with his whole heart,

  
 
  
   
 

   
   
  
    
   
  
   
  
    
 
     
  
  
 
  
  

 

xing OMG ‘Tom a strong desire to rid
“who ba pelt of whatever may be on
ad forb0 ack, s
jd distulh’® Way in which he does it
nest) f arch his back like a cat,
pxiety (4 4g perhaps three feet into the
ly jowetf't will seem much higher if
jgain, 46, 2Ppen to be on him—and
a peacell & down stiff-legged, with his
ess of ME NCet well together, and his
reproae d etween his fore-legs. _
terms f id Will repeat this operation a
rf times in an incredibly
iscove? “h. SPace of time, though the
fealeshres are, if you are not a
xe and Cf tor horseman, that you will
‘ad esc s Ss the last ninety-nine
nble at i the prairie!
al fia. ° end of the performance
f of > Perhaps, freed himself of
th fbyettle and gone—no one
which & hi Where! very possibly to
p my tine Untamed comrades.
~ gee Yer had much ambition as
re ebreaker ; in common
pipes by ‘eee parlance, 1 had not lost
not |pPog oe ing horses (i. e. I, was
navi 4 1 Unting for any), and I al-
appeate ghteg'< used those that were
foud 0 me that looked in the

    
 
    
     
 

Ud n

y Ls dhe ever find one too com-

S00 bt 2, roken to suit me.

id with yates? if I may be allowed the
ye OF oft ros being too completely

y eats: ndlihe myself. Whenever a

11) fri 0 va, began to buck with me,

rea with Nit’ felt as if I preferred

33 and the more speedily
he ily I was permitted ‘to
D. mays €more grateful I was.
woORL™’ fe. ‘ felt that I preferred to
ablis et fame one ride him who was
p forty ‘ountry. with “the ways of
i ee pa one Goths
e tO dy r, that I was oblige
fis i a all nore appearance did
it r me,
th Miawetked that he had a
WevitD athe, » Vicious eye—he looked,
: bh vf Noth very “ornery”—and
D eight phthe 48 Informed that he had
ae redid hoprevious year, with the
h mi th forne?,.£ Was filled with
d © pli itp rcbodings,
ele ae re-
, ' uced a cow-boy to
nandrey htegei first; but he soon
ae embe Was on a large cactus, if
ll a, ond my new purchase was
any HUM dehy, 80ed by another cow-boy aud
aD ye abe, ack to camp,
oon jorge for pumber one expressed himself
es ne sate ; ly; said he’d break the plug
e 1 jane ed? Ming 8 Neck—there was a question
en cur, nq. Which neck was most in dan-
te ove the waded that he guessed he was
mar ttorg hh, (girthed) too tight.”
= to exercise his own judg-
~ Premises and that, if he felt
8 thr to carry out the latter part
[tion : » I would try to bear it with
r

—

 

W.
ag
’ ho

 
    
    
     
  
       
 
   
      
       
 
 
  
  

iat nie j though being greatly in need

rr ot 8 thy tract he could instead make him

1 tell 3 Goh Oulg cable within thirty-six hours,

per Be to sa th my gratitude, and what,

ey wht, ths? Seemed to be a greater in-
ext ¢jc,8um of five dollars.

* Used a he mounted he stayed on,

Old Spanish bit—a barbar-

 

 

 

very hard and pushing him with bit,
spur, and “quiet,” a small leather riding-
whip which all cow-boys have—whenever
he showed the least inclination to buck.
When he brought him in that night, I
quite pitied the poor brute—the broncho I
mean—for his sides were literally covered
with foam and blood, and blood was issu-
Hh from his mouth and nostrils.
could not help rejoicing, however, at
the change which had taken place in his
eyes; they had lost their wild and vicious
look, and become really quite lamb-like
and reassuring—an expression not unlike
that common to mules, and which, I have
been informed, is assumed by bronchos

with a view to deceive the unwary and
improve their opportunities for escape. .
set out- next morning with fear and
trembling, on a journey, which I expected
would take me at least three days, the
distance being, as_neaf® as I could tell,
about one hundred and twenty-five miles,
and my destination, a “cattle camp” was
quite near the central part of Wyoming.
That night I passed at a cattle ranch,
thirty-five miles distant, my. broncho
having traveled very quietly during the
day; indeed, he seemed so completely
broken both’ body and spirit that I had
some difficulty in inducing him to make
the distance. He appeared brighter the
next morning, however, having feasted
during the night on a remarkably fine
plot of “gramma” ' seen which was
lentiful in tne vicinity.
s The sun was just appearing above the
horizon when I was again on my journey.

 

I DISCOVERED IN THE DISTANCE A LARGE CANVAS-TOPPED WAGON.

 

inevitable in plain life with considerable
composure.
Many dangers beset a traveler on such
a journey; but these are in consideration
as nothing compared with its terrible
monotony. With a single companion,
even if it be a rough cow-boy, it is bear-
able; but alone, it is one of the most dis-
ares experiences in frontier life.
have no hesitation in saying that I
have frequently waited several days, or
gone many miles out of my way, for the
companionship on a journey of some of the
roughest specimens of humanity imagin-

able.
With what delight a traveler hails any

 

trifling incident that breaks the mon-
otony of such a ride. —

Mayhap a jack-rabbit comes suddenly
into view, soon disappearing in his bur-
row behind a sage-bush. Several ante-
lopes, first seen on your right, seem to
take it into their stupid heads that you
are trving, in some way, to cut them off,
and dash madly across your path and dis-
appear to the left. A coyote appears in
the distance, and as you approach, skulks
away glancing over his shoulder now and
then to see if you are within gun-shot.
These area few of the sights which be-

uile the traveler—the most usual ones,
T inky say—passing before him like a pic-
ture, and, owing to the undulations of,
the prairie, soon vanishing.

I witnessed none of these sights on my
second day’s journey. I had & much more
exciting experience, I met 4 man! asoli-
tary horseman like myself, I mean like

 

 

was only a few hundred yards distant.

As he came up he saluted me very
politely, “Come se va, senor?” (How goes
it, sir?) and we stopped and chatted for a
few minutes, as is the custom when
travelers meet on the prairies; but I
watched him closely, and took pains to
throw open my coat, and let him see a
Colt’s revolver in my belt, toying at the
same time with the handle of it. I made
the interview as short as possible, taking
care not to turn my back to him mean-
while; and I bade him good day without
regret and watched him ;disappear with-
out a sigh.

A Mexican on the prairies is, in. my
opinion, more to be dreaded
than an Indian. An Indian is
an open enemy. You can warn
him to keep his distance, and
if he does not heed the warning,

ou can at once “cut loose” on

im; but a Mexican will ap-

roach you under the guise of

riendship, and, if he thinks he

can escape detection, shoot you
the minute your back is turned.
Or*perhaps he will politely ask a
light for his cigarrito (“Tiene
lumbre, senor?”), and as you
hand it to him, run a knife to
the hilt in your side.

If there is a more treacherous,
murderously inclined creature in
this wide world than the average
Mexican, or “greaser”, that one
meets in some parts of the West
and Spanish America, the writer
knows not where he will be
found. He will kill a stranger
with as little compunction ap-
parently as he woe: a chicken,
if he thinks he can make a few
dollars by it and escape detec-
tion. At least, J am quite sure he
is never deterred from doing so
by _ scruples of conscience;
the only any that worries him
is the fear of being found out.

A man of prominence is killed
on the piains ; the news goes like
wild-fire over the country, and
there is much talk about “ West-
ern lawlessness ;” but few realize
the number of men who are mur-
dered in out-of-the-way -places
whose fate is never known, and
whose bones are left to bleach
in the sun.

Nothing else occurred during
the day worthy of mention; and
at night I reached a Jaguna, or
small prairie lake, on the banks
of which I made my camp.

I first unsaddled my horse,
bathed his back, and picking out
what seemed to be the best graz-
ing-ground in the vicinity,
staked him out with greatest
care. I then built a smal! fire of
sage-brush and “buffalo-chips,”
as much for sociability as any-
thing, for a camp does not seem
a@camp without a fire, and
warmed oversome meat I had
procured at my last stopving-

lace, and made some tea in a

ittle iron-bottomed cup, my only

cooking utensil. I had nothing
else for supper but some dry
bread.

What if the meat had been
kept a little too long? if the tea
would have been better if the
water of the laguna had not
been so strongly impregnated
with alkali? if the bread was so
hard that I was obliged to soak
it? I was, to use a common
Western eee ees “as hungry
as a she-wolf,” and it was some
time before I was through, to
use another Western expression,
“packing chuck” (i. e., eating).

I then renewed my fire—though
such fuel as I had will not
7 blaze, it merely smoulders—and
opening out my two blankets, stretched
myself out on them. By this time the
sun had disappeared behind the horizon.
“And o’er the lake, like benediction holy,

The shadows of the evening, cool and still,

Spread dusky, brooding gleams, their quiet
blending

With those vague thoughts that haunt us when
alone.”

If it is dismal to be alone on the
prairies during the day, what, reader, do
you imagine it is to be alone on them at
night? It is an experience that few would
care to gothrough more than once; but
one that most travelers on the prairies
are obliged to go through very frequently.

I slept but little that night, visiting
my horse at short intervals to see if he
was still ae fastened, and keeping
the fire as bright as possible, for the
night air was very chilly,

The possibility of the Mexican turning

 
. £698

Goonp

NEWS.

 

—

 

 

 

back to follow me often occurred to me,
too, and this thought was hardly ealcu-
lated to induce the soundest slumber.

Towards. morning, however, tired
nature asserted her supremacy, and I
slept soundly, not waking until the sun
was several hours high.

Hastily springing up, I noticed, with
much satisfaction, that my horse was
still securely fastened, and apparently
having at the time a morning doze, hav-
mg eaten every blade of grass within
reach of his lariat.

I soon saddled him, being very careful
not to “cinch” him too tightly, and
“broke camp,” eating, my breakfast—what
remained of the bread and meat—in the
saddle.

I had ridden about two hou:s when, at
my right, within a few hundred yards, I
noticed an antelope, quite evidently a
doe. Instead of taking flight, she actu-
ally advanced toward me, trotting along
for a few feet, and then stopping to gaze
at me, apparently in greatest astonish-
ment. I expected to see her turn at any
moment, and vanish like a flash; but her
curiosity was evidently not yet satisfied,
and she continued to advance to within,
perhaps, one hundred and fifty yards of
me, when she again stopped.

It was a most tempting shot, and with-
out thinking of the possible consequences,
I bastily dismounted, uncoiled my
horses’ lariat, which was fastened on the
front of the saddle, took a couple of turns
with it around my left wrist, and moved
off from my broncho, perhaps ten feet.
The antelope did not move; and takin
ane my revolver, I took careful aim anc

red.

The next moment Iwas sprawling on
the prairie, having been landed there,
after two or three somersaults, with a
lacerated wrist—while my broncho was
“making tracks” over the prairie at a
rapid pace.

I thought no more of the antelope; and
picking myself up as quickly as possible,
started in pursuit. :

I ran at the top of my speed as he had
disappeared over one of the undulations
of the prairie, and soon brought him in
sight again. He was running less rapidly,
and soon to my delight, stopped to graze.
I “slowed down,” and soon approached
to within a few hundred feet of him.

No sooner had I done so than he kicked
up his heels and started off again, stop-
ping to graze perhaps a quarter of a mile
distant.

I again approached him, very cau-
tiously, hut with exactly the same result.

For fully five miles I followed that
broncho, never getting any nearer to him
than perhaps one hundred feet; and I had
given up all hopes of ever capturing him,
when I noticed a change in his behavior.

He stopped grazing, threw his head
away up in the air, and gazed intently
toward the west. I looked in that direc-
tion and discovered, perhaps two miles
distant, a herd of about a dozen wild
horses, My broncho Seene made up
his mind what they were at the same
time, and neighing loudly, started to-
ward them at the top of his speed.

The herd caught sight of me at the same
moment and darted away like the wind,
soon disappearing from view, my broncho
in hot pursuit.

The wild horses ran, I remember, in
sinlge file, and with their long manes
and tails flying in the wind, presented a
beautiful sight, though one which I was
hardly, at the time, in a mood to appre-
ciate.

Whether my broncho ever succeeded in
overtaking his comrades, Inever knew; I
know merely that I never laid eyes on
him, or any of my outfit, again.

The first thing I did when he dashed
away, and I made up my mind that I
should never see him again, was to take
an inventory of my possessions.

I had in my belt the Colt’s revolver,
fully loaded; half a dozen extra car-
tridges; a sheath knife, a piece of bread
(which I had put in my pocket at the
conclusion of my morning meal), a pipe,
some tobacco, and last, but by no means
least, about a dozen matches.

I had not a drop of water, however, for
my water-canteen was attached to my
saddle; and even then, I felt very thirst
after my long chase. Gladly would
have bartered for it my knife, pipe,
tobacco, and bread; for I knew that with
alittle water and a revolver, I could, if
need be, prabably subsist for many days,
even if succeeded in killing nothing
more tempting than a prairie-dog or one
of the little owls which infest the prairie-
dog “villages.”

After taking account of stock, I set out
in the direction I supposed the trail to
be, walking at quite a moderate gait, for
I wished to husband my strength as
much as possible—well knowing, if I did
not do so, that the unusual exercise of
walking, as I had almost lived in the
saddle for se¥Yeral months, would soon
tire me out.

at a sameness in that walk!
Stretched around me on every side, as

 

far as the eye could reach, were the roll-
ing prairies, looking like great grey bil-
lows, with not a living thing in sight,
and nothing larger than a sage-bush to
break the monotony of the landscape.

It seemed as if I was alone’ with
Nature; and I must confess that I longed
for other company.

How anxiously I climbed each little
hillock in hopes that I might catch a
glimpse of my trail, or of some human be-
ing on the other side, and at each suc-
ceeding disappointment my heart sank
still lower.

I was very tired, and my mouth was
parched and dry; but I still plodded_ on,
knowing it was my only hope. Night
came on, but I did not. stop. What was
the use? What sort of camp could I
make?

The night was far advanced; it was, I
should say, not far from midnight, when
suddenly—I could hardly’ believe my eyes
at first—I saw in front of me a little pool
of water, shining like molten silver in
the moonlight—indeed it shone, in my
eyes, more like brightest diamonds.

It was what is called a “buffalo wal
low”—a depression in the prairie which
retains a small quantity of rain-water,
and in which a buffalo delights to roll—
hence the name.

I hastened to it,‘and throwing myself
on my face, had soon satisfied my thirst.

What if the water was brackish—al-
most the color of coffee? it was as nectar
to my parched lips and throat, and my
heart went up in thanksgiving to the
Giver of all good.

I ate about half of my bread, and after
bathing my feet, which were quite
swollen, threw myself on the ground and
was soon asleep.

I slept until sunrise, and awoke quite
chilled, my clothes being saturated with
the heavy dew which had fallen.

I knew that I could not remain long at
the wallow without food, and concluded
that I had better resume my journey as
soon as possible. Before leaving, how-
ever, I ripped out all four pockets of the
canvas coat I wore, and filled them with
water.

Together they securely held about three

uarts of the precious liquid, and I knew
that this would be sufficient to last for
several days.

I walked at first with much difficulty,
not only from my swollen feet, but from
severe pains in my limbs, the result of
sleeping on the bare ground; but as
the sun rose higher I “limbered up,” so
to speak, and walked much easier.

About noon I stopped to rest, and took
a small drink of water, and finished my
bread—resolving to keep a very sharp
look-out for game in the afternoon.

I coneluded that I had probably crossed
the trail in the night without noticing
it, and that I had better keep as near as
eo a southernly course, for I knew

was much more liable to meet some
one in that direction.

Late in the afternoon, just as the sun
was setting, I spied a cotton-tail rabbit
crouched behind a sage-bush within
twenty feet of me.

I easily killed it with my revolver, and,
with great rejoicing, hung it on my back
and kept on my way. At night I made a
fire of “buffalo chips,” and roasted the
rabbit in the embers. It was not very
pi for I had no salt to put on it;

ut I did not complain—indeed, I was
hardly in a complaining mood.

I kept the fire up as well as possible
Susieg the night, warming myself fre-
guest y before it; and the next morning
elt really quite strong and well.

It was nearly noon, two days from the
time my broncho had disappeared, when,
glancing to the west, I discovered, about
three miles distant, a large canvas-
topped wagon, or “prairie schooner,”
drawn by four mules, moving slowly over
the prairies.. How well I can realize the
feelings of a shipwrecked mariner when
ante catches a glimpse of a distant
sa

My heart thumped against my ribs most
painfully as I hastened toward it, now
running, now walking rapidly, and oc-
casionally ee oe my revolver in the
air. Now and then the wagon disap-
peared in a hollow, to reappear again in
a few moments, and I came within ver-
haps half a mile of it, when it suddenly
stopped—the occupants of it had evi-
dently noticed me, forI soon saw two
men jump to the ground, each with a
rifle in his hand, and stand as if waiting
for me to comeup. I put away my re-
volver, and waved my _ handkerchief,
which seemed to reassure them, for they
put down their rifles and stood leaning
on them as I came up.

They were honést cattle-men, and lis-
tened to my story with much interest,
ae offering to take me to the ranch
for which they were bound, and furnish
me with a horse. I learned from them

that I was then no more than fifteen
miles from where I shot the antelope;
from which I inferred that I had wandered
about in a very circuitous manner,

 

BY WARREN WALTERS,

——+———

LL the sports is goin’ to the country
for their health, an’ I’m goin’ too,
and don’t you forgit it, cully!”

This announcement was greeted

by a shout of derisive laughter from a

squad of boot-blacks, newsboys, and

street arabs. There wasn’t one of them
believed a word of it.

“What are ye givin’ us. Welcher? I
s’pose the next thing you’ll want us to
swaller ’]l be that yer got a match-team
with a gold harness, an’ a driver in top-
boots, an’ a rug ‘round his shoulders.”

“Betcher life I’m _ goin’!” remarked
Welcher as he swung his blacking-kit
over his shoulder and sauntered leisurely

He never once turned his head to
answer the taunts and scoffing speeches
of his comrades.

Welcher’ loitered about the railroad
depot until he espied a good chance, then
boarded a freight train, where he re-
mained undiscovered until he found him-
self deep in the country. A clean little
town attracted his attention, and there
he resolved to “hang out awhile.” A
day’s sojourn there satisfied him, and he
penetrated still further into the country,
for he wanted to “get off hearin’ the
whistlin’ of the steam-cars—some place

 

where the country was the genuine
thing.” . :
Gleetown was twenty miles distant

from a railroad, was a quiet, sleepy little
hamlet, and Welcher pronounced it a
“dandy of a place.”

Inside of twenty-four hours he found
himself at home, knew all the residents
by name, and was ready to pilot any
stranger to his destination. He was, be-
sides, an object of attention and envy to
the homespun youth who listened to his
yarns; in daytime, when seated on a
cracker-box in the combined grocery-store
and post-office, with a cigarette between
his lips, he reeled off wonderful tales of
city life to their parents at night. He
had_ provided himself with several
bundles of cigarettes, calculating that
they were somewhat of a novelty in the
rural districts. He had also a small sum
of money; and while these lasted he pro-
posed to enjoy his “summer resort” to
the fullest. It was worth more than the
cost of a bundle of those pernicious affairs
to see Welcher flourish his little paper
cigar for the benefit of some lumbering
farmer, who proposed to “loaf a while
down at the store.”

Welcher was twelve years old. He had
on a long coat, the skirts of which were
nearly to the ground, and the waist
buttons not much above the knee. It was
an English cutaway, the tails of ‘which
were so very contracted that, Welcher
being stunted in stature, it made hima
curious object indeed. He would not
have been a genuine. city boot-black if
his trousers had not been rolled up about
his ankles. It was not at all cold, but he
wore a dirty, red worsted comforter about
his neck. On his head was a stove-pipe
hat, the cast-off of some fashionable ex-
quisite. Welcher wore it saucily canted
over his left ear.

Such a spectacle as this, you may be
well assured, was an object of much won-
der and speculation among the honest
folk of Gleetown.

It so happened that Percy Morton, a
lad of overwhelming vanity, who devoted
almost his whole thought to dress, came
to Gleetown to spend several weeks with
his cousin, Harry Clair, two or three
days after Welcher’s arrival.

ne of Welcher’s favorite stands in the
city was a corner not far away from, Percy
Morton’s house, and Percy’s father was
one of Welcher’s regular customers.
Welcher thought more of Harry Clair
than any other boy in Gleetown; and
Harry, a stout-hearted, manly lad two
years younger than the boot-black, had
een very kind to the city gamin.

In fact, it was in Mr. Clair’s barn that
Welcher spent his night, and from
Harry's hands he received the most of his
meals. Alice Clair was twelve and the
sweetest little lass in all the country
around. In Welcher’s vernacular:

- “She was a daisy! None of them ar’
chromers in the winders wuz a patchin’
to her! Somehow when I seed her I
couldn’t help thinkin’ of heaven’s angels.
Her hair wuz jist fluffy gold, an’ her
eyes put me in mind of them purrty bi
johnny-jump-ups what’s in buckets!
never seed nothin’ down to the Grand
Central that came near her; and as fer
that ar’ ten-thousand dollar gal what
rode around with the circus on Jumbo’s

back, she wuz nothin’ but a sugar
monkey side of Harry Clair’s sister.”
As have before mentioned, Welcher

ae made himself known among the
lads of Gleetown, and so when, the morn-
ing after Percy Morton’s arrival, Wel-
cher saw a crowd of boys gathered about
Grove’s corner, he straightway walked
thither, To his astonishment he recog-

 

 

     

nized Percy, who was spreading himse™ =
for the benefit of his country cousins. J « ‘
Welcher was heartily glad to see SON pak
one from the city, sia while he did no ant
admire this particular lad at all,hecew
not but feel happy over meeting 4°) for
resident of the city. Never doubting that far
Percy was equally pleased, We chet ask
promptly addressed the young dandy: ve
“Halloo, Percy! I didn’t expect to Sy” “
nobody from town down here. 1s ee ard
the mayor an’ perlice ar’ all gittin’ 21008 “
bully since I left!” ‘< cite fav.
To Welcher’s intense oleae his city “
friend haughtily drew himself up, sta “7
contemptuously at him, turned on Vy a ds
heel, and with a disdainful sniff deserv@]_ ran
the crowd. > walked pow
It was thecut dircet. As Percy Weg age
away linked arms with Harry, Welem@y me
heard him say: y — leeg.
“He is a dirty little thief!" | 1.) ae tean
Welcher dashed after the indian - “T
lad, caught him by the collar, a d ae can’t
and there thrashed the young Pr ei & too]
fore cousin Harry could recover from ©) “DH
astonishment. Well cent’
“You lively June-bug!” panted Hint the |
cher, “ye dassen’t come down here aon an ef
me a thief! I’m dirty, maybe, an ‘2 nf ©6Whe
dress ’cordin’ to the fashion, but I ‘4 an’ b
no thief! I has my little rackers id We
town, but I ain’t crooked! Ef Ido) mind
yer gov’nor’s boots, I hain’t that kiné gy that
a galoot. Yer gov’nor speaks tome "Sag to.
I’m allers ’spectful to him; an oa Ee yalle;
you speak to me down town, C@bveg a) pi
tipped my hat. Whats’ good noug én in’ a
the city ’s good ’nough for the age m4 smoke
Yer can’t come no gum games OP" 7” But
Mr. Percy Morton !" pistl the in
With this Welcher strode off W al Of un!

the “Torpedo and the Whale” W
his might. The Gleetown le
stood the whole matter; and whi

ith,
del
boys Ort way.

Made

nm § moreo:
cher’s audacity in wht pee such a” mel whene
maculate young dandy as oe It th ~ month
little short of high treason, they tifiab _ very 2
Welcher’s indignation was J mo} but ray
But what lowered Percy’s stand ate bade |
than anything else was his cowal er 00d a:
duct. Although he was much Lot Hleetoy
heavier than Welcher, Percy ha facty ¥ Walk j,
tempted to defend himself—1 ‘| woulda
started to run. 4 got: brand-
“Why,” said they, “be het mig Which
more pluck than asick cat! } utes | f0cred
have licked that feller in two MINT hel made }
wonder if Percy’s pa won’t oe tow2 4 Walnut;
a was Welcher Ia hike out 0 | cher to
a hurry.” ov Mean
Several of the men suggested ti ae Glee
to the victorious boot-black that liste Juniata
at the grocery store. W elcher a Spanned
to this advice very complacen a hundred
ao ond carefully ee ting a fresh am.
calmly answered: i anny o Th
“Not any of that in mine! Perey, é hard om
ton thinks hisself a spoon JD ow mt thick in
ice cream down here, but I kD me hy the “sp
nor a dozen of boys littler than in ™ Iwo da:
kin itp the boots off him the melt
rounds !” 0 an
After this astonishing declarer Velcher
treat was not again spoken Of. fter, the sprir
popularity did not decrease °C epatt habit 0
event, and his only regre “Ha Koing?”
broke up the intimacy betwee? — What it a
himself. Nor was this regret weal 4n even
so much by the loss of man VP com Versa] cor
was the deprivation of Harry 1imps elche
jopaleep and the much-prized & t two
Alice. pat Neral j
There was something almost P% Retnee
in the adoration the berg" "He til the
freckle-faced Welcher felt 10° cpip. pcdbout +
sister. It was not love, but tion Of © heard
was something like the deve mage Moving,
day to Robinson Crusoe; the vere others, Ste
waif to a superior being; the ner ‘ he iver }
a pebble toward a star. Welc to PY ; point he
have been glad, like Friday, © street
neck under the heel of her 5 Some terrj
ever he saw her, there arose in ied nit th Oh, We
heart a burning desire to be * << fee Ure ice anc
ing Alice a service. In short. no ow wh
was as different from love, as ere gre in th
use the word, as a religious dill tarted. Ss
different from a base-ball He: er'’s o at Pere
Welcher’s money and ae with wore an
ettes were nearing an eD rerals 28 | 88 too 1;
latter he had been very li pil)! 9 See!
doubt, had there been 0 Poor fg over the
would have been so with t © nd tom th thers gs;
had determined in his own mites wer! winegh the
to the city when the cigare ag in th men
hausted. Next to the thrashiD& ‘ig the the hug
out to Percy he cherishe¢ © heavy gs
which transpired an evening “Band toss
he arrived. e calculated uP alse Was a t
ing his city friends by get Crys) to see
two, the latter being much MO” — ang tal reay
able than an ordinary fight. peoP _ then
Joshuway (so the goo@ io 4 dg | e Ulsion |
nounced it) Jordan, who ory oe, id Vicinity
to tobacco, entered the groc and Der M4 + Wat
ing to make some purchaser, wh The to be
ally his eye fell upon Welcne ou the, expe
the center of an attentive the Moll its We were
teners, giving his version Ov au! yO) Thy, thro
of A. T. Stewart’s body. JOS tying © thund
closer while the grocer WS”. ff@ “8 Was «tf,
rer tl st
purchases. When the boy rit it ye Tuctur
astboard a cigarette and jicited "h &r and st
faxnier was amazed. He 80 er 88 ho

inspection. In selecting the™

 
   

GooDpD

 

NEWS.

   

1599

 

cher purchased cigarrettes provided with
a glass tip, as being somewhat more

axe “nobby” than any others. The glass tip
te seemed to strike Joshuway with an un-
oe ' usual degree of wonder, and when Wel-

-. cher presented him with one as a reward
for his unbounded admiration, the old
farmer in turn astonished the giver by
asking:

“Where are you stayin’, young man?”

“Oh, I knocks around fer a bed where-
ever I can.”

“See here,
favor?”

“Of course I will.”

“You come out home with me an’ stay
a day ortwo. I'll save this cigarette to
*stonish the ole lady with! She is a

then. Will you do me a

 

  
      
   
 
 
  
 
 
  

walke powerful smoker. I’m feared Ican’t man-
Velch age it right, an’ if you’ll go long with
me to engineer it, I’ll1 be powerful ob-
leeged. It’s only six miles out, an’ my

dignanl team ’s at the door, ef you’ll go long!”
ign “T’d like it the worst kind, boss, but I

. can’t afford it; my ‘collat’ is gittin’ down
too low.”

ror “Don't I tell ’ee it sha’n’t cost you a
a Well cent? Youcome along and we'll ’sprise
> callin) the ole lady. It sha’n’t cost you a cent,
rz don} nef you'll stay a week, all well an’ good.

Whenever you git tired I’ll harness up
an’ bring ye into town.”

Welcher had very serious doubts in his
mind if his city comrades would believe
_ that he had been driven to and from
_ town, “lived like a fightin’ cock on real
_ yaller cream and yaller butter, chickens
an’ pies an’ apples an’ cake, without do-
in’ a stroke of work, jist because he
Smoked baccy with a glass stopper.”

But it was the truth. He did accept
the invitation, and he enjoyed three days
of unlimited feeding and frolicking. He
_ Made himself so entertaining tbat Josh-
_ Uway did not want him to go at all; and,
_ Moreover, invited Welcher to come back
Whenever he wanted to and spend a
month. In fact, Welcher made himself
@ very agreeable to both the good people;
ys) but rather than wear his welcome out he

Dade them adieu, the farmer being as
ood as his word in driving him back to
leetown, although Welcher said he could
Walk it easily. Beside all this Welcher
Would take back to the city with hima
rand-new shirt and a pair of stockings
Which the motherly old Mrs. Joshuway
focred upon him while the farmer himself
Made him take a little bag of apples,
Walnuts, and chestnuts all of which Wel-
cher took the greatest care of as the
Means of establishing his story.

Gleetown was on the banks of the
Juniata River which at that point was
_ SPanned by a high bridge. About three
, euared feet below the bridge was a great

n.

The winter having been an unusually
: hard one, the ice on the Juniata was very
thick and at the time of Welcher's visit
, me “spring break” had not yet occurred.

yO

days of very hard rain followed by
4 te melting influences of a warm sun be-

i Wo to tell upon the ice-bound river.
ey) 6} elcher heard a great deal of talk about
a ae Spring freshet and he too fell into the
pati abit of asking the question, “Is the ice
oF Koing?” He did not clearl: understand

What it all meant but knew that it was

48 event, because it was the topic of uni-
 Yersal conversation.
t elcher had made up his mind to re-
‘urn two or three days previously but the
feneral interest in the “going off” of the
i caused him to defer his departure
“ntil the Juniata should be free.

_ shout three o'clock Saturday afternoon
heard the cry given that the ice was
‘ hans: Welcher, with a number of
th ers, started to view the spectacle from

€ river bridge. Before he reached that
nf th nt he saw Harry Clair coming down

“A en. Street bareheaded, laboring under

me terrible excitement.

, Welcher! Alice and Percy are on
ce and can’t reach the land. I don’t
ene what they were doing, but they
€in the middle of the river when it

- mcd. She started to run to shore, but
3 OF Percy got so seared that he couldn’t

   
  
  
  
 

  
  
 
   
 
  
 
   
    
  
 
 
 
    
 

 
 

    
  
   
   
   
  

: | wove, and she stayed to help him until it
Certl oF lee a ate. i - are on a eee of
nite os e! There t ! ill

ort PB over the dani” ey come! They wi

 
  

Oth

  
  
 
  
  
 

1€ 44 t ers saw it, and adeep groan ran
a wel hrough the crowd. The bridge was lined
ev “ Ing Beart. women, and children, watch-
eee the» e huge cakes of ice grinding against
aoe ing 7 &@Vy stone piers, crashing and pitch-

  

IDB 4 _ 7, °Nd tossing in the wildest confusion.
— a terrific sight, anda grand one

‘ ? See the immense bunches of rock
al rear up like some white giant,
fenvnl en plunge down again, causing a
P yon among all the ice blocks in
cinity. Those standing upon the

  
 
   

, more” a Py

 
 
    
 
 
  
   
  
  
  

cery watching the scene below, ap-
B08. 6, > 0 be themselves in motion.

Jcb the, experienced the same sensation as
ve ‘e Y were upon a steamboat ploughing
0 ay through an ice floe.

   

Wy

mar’ thunder and roar from the moving
a stres terrible, and they could feel

Shive, wcture upon which they stood
Tt wind strain with the impact.

48 hot long before those oti the

  
  
 
 
   
  

 

 

bridge distinguished the two figures—the
one abject and cowardly, the other forget-
ful of herself, and striving to instill some
courage into the soul of her cousin.

A hundred throats yelled:

“My God! they will go over the dam!”

Boats could be of no service, and if any-
thing could be done it must be done at
once, or they would be hurried to death
over the great dam.

The women began to scream, while
most of the men, panic-stricken, did not
know what to do.

“Ts there no help? What can be done?”
they shouted.

Over and above the roar of the grind-
ing and crashing could be heard the
screams and cries of the spectators.

Many a mother went down on her
knees, while brave though inefficient men
grew sick with deadly fear.

Welcher had not waited to hear the
conclusion of Harry’s story. He compre-
hended the danger, and knew that Alice
Clair was in peril. He sprang away,
dashed into the BPqvery store, and before
any one could say nay he picked up a reel
on which a quantity of rope was wound,
and ran toward the bridge. The store-
keeper shouted:

“Stop thief!”

But Welcher paid no heed.

When he reached the bridge he saw
that there was but a moment to spare.
They would pass between the piers, and
the last chance of their rescue would be
past. .

“Here!” he commanded; “help cut this
rope. Run it out alongthe floor!”

There was plenty to help, although very
few knew what Welcher meant to do.
When the rope was cut in three lengths,
each about a hundred feet long, he made
loops on two of themgand was about to
make the third when the cry came:

“Here they come! You will be too late!
They will go over the dam !”

“Tie those two fast to the timber!” he
shouted, while he wrapped the one with-
out a loop to a stout post; then kicking
off his boots, Welcher descended it with
the agility of a monkey, just in time to
alight on the cake of ice whereon Alice
and Percy were kneeling.

The friction of his rapid descent made
the rope feel like a red-hot iron, and
drops of blood trickled between his fin-
gers. He was able to stay the onward
movement of the ice-block slightly, and
grasping one of the ropes, he rapidly
looped it about the body of Alice, and
then shouted:

“Hoist away!”

Hundreds of eyes were looking over the
bridge rail watching the daring deed,
and a hundred prayers were uttered for
his success, Fifty hands reached out to
grasp the line which drew the now sense-
less girl upward,

She was lifted out of danger.

Welcher’s strength was fast failing,
but he managed to wrap the second rope
about the body of the trembling boy. s
he, tuo, was drawn up, Welcher could
not resist saying, although the voice

vas faint, it rang with triumph: :

“T’m a dirty thief, am I?”

By this time the block of crystal was
well under the bridge. Welcher made an
attempt to grasp his rope, the end of
which was trailing from him, but the ice
parted under his feet, and he went down
into the angry, black water.

Another second and the ice closed over
him like the lid of acoffin. A cry of
horror ¢ame from the spectators as they
rushed to the other side of the bridge to
see if perchance they might catch another
glimpse of the brave boy, but Welcher
was no more seen.

In that surging, pulverizing mass,
with its sharp, glassy corners, it is not
probable that Welcher’s body remained
intact when it reached the great sea.

He had given his life cheerfully
for the object of this devotion; nor
had it been without some compensa-
tion, for it was the end he desired—to
die for Alice Clair. Besides, he had
thrown back the hated word “thief” into
the atterer’s lips.

Ragged, dirty and rough, there was in
that young spirit the soul of a paladin—
a soul ready to go to the death for one so
far above him that he hardly dare speak
her name.

—_—_ _~+ 0» — ——-

“MINERALS” is the name of a new
monthly published by Wm. M. Gold-
thwaite, whose success with the Geo-
graphical Magazine is self-evident. As
its name implies, it is devoted to min-
erals. It will interest people who are
fond of minerals and other people fond of
them who, perhaps, know nothing about
them at present. It isa delightful study,
that of mineralogy. Probably few people
know that the United States is one of the
foremost producers, already, of precious
metals and of gems, and that the wes-
tern wilderness holds many grand sur-
prises in store for us. This periodical is
oné that is commended to the scientist,
to the collector, to the lapidary, to the
jeweler, tothe chemist, and to the lover

 

of beauty and the general reader. The
price of it is so low that anybody can
take it. Over thirty pages of reading
matter every month. To introduce it the
publishers will send it one year for fifty
cents. Wm. M, Goldthwaite, 132 Nassau
street, N. Y.

Our Mail Bag.

pocasscns on subjects of general interest only are
dealt with in the ‘Mail Bag.” Medical or Jeral
questions not answered. Goop NEws goes to press
two weeks in advance of date of publication, and there-
fore answers cannot appear until two or three weeks
after we receive them. Communications intended for
this column should be addressed Goop NEws “Mail
ag,” P.O. Box 2734, New York City.]

—-

 

 

J. W. S. (Philadelphia, Pa.)—Circumstances may
prevent the insertion.

0. A.F.(Glenwood, Minn.)—Write to the American
News Company, Chambers street, New York City.

Hf. P. S. (anknown)—In No. 9 Goop NEWS ap-;

eared an article headed ‘1900 Not a Leap Year.”
gead it.

P. & N. (Vicksburg, Miss.)—The characters in the
poem you write about are fictitious so far as the
general public is concerned.

Dv. F.(Washington, D. C.)—1. Otis, Lonnsberry, Or-
ton, Ellis, Morris, Graydon, Alger and Stratemeyer.
2. It is the popular opinion of the people.

F, F. U. (Eldred, Pa.)—1. There was no exchange
notice in your letter when received by us. 2. What
particular branch of science do you desire informa-
tion about?

Grit (Cincinnati, Ohio)—The reprint stories you
mention will not appear in GOOD NEWS, but new
Stories by a few of the authors may be published in
a short time.

Rob Roy (Fond du Lac, Wis.)—1. No premium on
coin mentioned in your letter. 2. The publication

you inquire about died at the time you name. 3. We
thank you for kind favors.
E. M. M. (Kingston, Mass.)—1. Yes. 2. Brace-

bridge Hemyng is the author of the series you in-
quire about. 3. The voice can be strained by over-
exertion. 4. Opposite to that whence the wind pro-
ceeds is the lee side.

7. H. (Eagle Pass, Tex.) —-It would take too much
space to describe in detall the manufacture of the
negatives, and then you would not be in a position
to make them to advantage. It is much cheaper to
to the plates from a regular photographic supply
store.

J. S. &. (Chicago. Ii.)—1. Would not advise you
to join the navy if you are looking for excitement.
It 1s not at all likely that we will ever again havea
war. National misunderstandipgs are now settled
by arbitration. 2. Write to Morris Dock Steam &
Power Company, New York. 3. We thark you for
kind opinion.

Soap Bubbles (Buffalo, N, Y.)—Your first ques-
tion was answered in a general way some time ago,
and you, no doubt, have seen it. 2. Bunions may
be cured, it is said, by applying iodine freely twice
a day with a feather. 3. Rubthe lips with cold
cream or glycerine once a week in winter and avoid
viting or moistening them if you desire to keep
them from chapping.

P. J.D, (Auburn, N. Y.)—1. Point the camera in
the direction of the object to be photographed. 2.
Yes, the closet or room where you operate must be
perfectly light tight. Not a ray of white light
must enter, A ruby or orange colored light must
only be used. 3. Load the box or plate holders in
the dark room. 4. The druggist will answer this
question much better than we can. 5. Over fifty
thousand. 6. The leaves must be dry.

C. E. P. (Charlottesville, Va.)—The life of a light-
house keeper is about the most lonesome life you
could have selected. Just imagine being shut up
in a tower about a mile or more from land, with
only one or perhaps two persons to converse
with for weeks at a time. In No. 76 Goop
NEWS you will find an illustrated sketch entitled
“Light-House Keepers.” It would also be well for
you to read “Life on a Lightship in No. 80 Goop
NEWS.

A. B. C. (New York)—All schools teach com posi-
tion. It is not necessary to havea teacher to in.
struct you in composition. What you need is prac-
tice. Read an article in the daily newspaper and
then try to write what you have read. You need
not wrice it word for word, but write it 50 as it will
make sensible reading, then branch out and write
up some event that you have witnessed, describe a
section of the city you are familiar with, the char-
acter, nationality, and class of people who live
there, the principal buildings and who occupy
them.

F. G. K. (Mountainville, N. J.)\—1. We have a
story by the author you inquire about scheduled to
commence in a short time. 2. Your handwriting is
fair, although not masculine. 3. If you have a bank
account and desire to get rid of it start an amateur
paper. There is hardly room for one more. It
would be better to buy out a paper that is estab-
lished than to starta new one. You could hardly
introduce a department that has not been worked
by these enterprising young journalists. For a
plekaure it is interesting and instructive to publish
an ae paper, but for profit very few suc-
ceed.

Subseriber (Plymouth, Ind.)—1. Sending an ob-
scene letter through the United States mail isa
States prison offense. The only advice we can offer
at the present time is for the person who wrote the
letter to send an apology, and request that the let-
ter be destroyed. As the author of the letter can
be very easily traced, it would be well to have the
matter attended to atonce, 2. Ignorance of the law
excuses no One. We do not pretend to furnish legal
advice, but as this is a flagrant case of libel, we
strain a point to give our opinion. 3. The fault of
not receiving the paper on time is not ours, Ask
the newsdealer who supplies you.

M. E. (Baltimore, Md.)—1. Rulers in foreign coun-
tries at present are not having avery easy time.
The principal rulers are: Queen Victoria, Great
Britain and Ireland; William IT., Emperor of Ger-
many and King of Prussia; Marie Francois Sadi
Carnot, President of France; Humbert, King of
Italy; Alphonse XIII. (a minor), King of Spain ;
Kuang Hsu, Emperor of China; Mutsu Hito, Em-
yeror of Japan ; Abdul Hamid IT., Sultan of Turkey;
Dr. E. Wetti, President of Switzerland ; Alexander
III., Emperor of Russia; Admiral Moutt, Presi-
dent of Chili; Christian IX., King of Denmark:
Nasir-ed-Din, Shah of Persia; Alex. I. (a minor),
King of Servia. 2. A simple recipe for ginger beer
is three gallons of cold spring water, one tablespoon
of cream of tartar, three tablespoons of ginger, one

uart of yeast. Mix together ina tub and stand for
five hours. It may then be bottled, and will be fit
for tise in one day. 8. Four feet nine inelies and
weight 70 pounds is the avetage for a boy 13 years
old. 4, Ask your tewsdealer to order the book for
you ftom Athetican News Conipany.

Lsevera communications left over to bs answered next

 

Ticklets.
BY Chthies «hee

——_o—__—

All Right Now.
Mother (reprovingly)—“Your teacher says
you have sixteen demerit marks,”
Little Boy—“I guess teacher hasn’t looked in
her book lately. I rubbed ’em out.”

Sounds So.
Mr. Suburb—“I wish you would send mea
pair of Cochin-China fowls.”
Dealer—“Yes, sir. I’ll send them to-morrow
morning, sir.’
Little Miss Suburb—“Papa, are they the kind
that lay the China eggs?’

Not Guilty.

Careful. Mother—“Hark! Huh! If a young
Iman wants to talk to my daughter, he can just
talk out loud. I hear whispering in “the
parlor.”

Sinall Boy—“They isn’t whisperin’, mamma.
They is only kissing.”

An Untruthful Boy’s Work.

Pretty Teacher (severely)—“Did your mother
write this excuse ?”’

Bad Boy—“Yes'm.”

Pretty Teacher—“Humph!
much like one of your scraw]ls.”

Bad Boy—“Mamma wrote it; but, please
ma’m, she had sister Jennie in one arm crying
with a bumped head, and brother Willie in the
other with a cut finger, and alot of sewing on
her lap, and she was rocking the cradle with
her knees, and she had to write with her toes.”

Pretty Teacher (in the evening)—“I ain very
sorry, Mr. Poorchapp, but I have changed my
mind. I shall never marry.”

A Map of Chicago.

Chicago Lady—“Were you ever in Chicago ?”

Little Miss Gotham—*‘No, ma’am, but I’ve
seen a map of itin my g’ography.”

Chicago Lady--“‘Ah, yes, of course.
large map ?”’

Little Miss Gotham—‘No, ma’am, jes’ a little
round dot.”

It looks very

Was ita

No Heirlooms.

Mrs. Maiflour (after proudly showing her
family treasures to new neighbor's little daugh-
ter)—*Have you any such heirlooms at home,
my little dear?”

Little Dear (with dignity)—“No'm. T guess
our folks was always rich ’nough to trow away
their old things an’ buy new ones.”

Many Can Play.
Teacher—“What is the meaning of the sen-
tence: ‘There is always room at the top?”
Bright Boy—“I guess they is talkin’ ’bout a
whip-top.”
Not So Anxious.

Smart Boy—“Please, ma’am, it was two
minutes after nine when you got here. Wen
we're late you always keeps us after school.”

Teacher—*Very well. You can all stay and
keep me after school, if you wish.”

[Smart boy subsides.]

The Mother’s Fault.

Small Boy (complainingly)—“Why isn’t thur
any griddle-cakes this morning ?”

Mother (reprovingly)—*Because you neglect-
ed to go to the store yesterday and get we some
eggs, as I told you.”

Small Boy (with an injured air)—“You didn’t
tell me they was for griddle cakes.”

Still Young.

Teacher—“I am surprised that you are not
further advanced. You are extremely back-
ward for your age.”

_ Little Girl—“Yes’m. Mamma wants to marry

again.”
A Futile Threat.
Teacher—“Tommy Dodd, if you don’t stop
throwing spitballs I’ll keep you in till dark.”
Tommy—‘That’s all right. Pop wants me to
help carry in coal after school.”

Desirable Accuracy.
School Girl—‘‘How many teeth has a hen?”
Mother—“A hen hasn't any teeth. Why ?”
School Girl—*I am writing a composition on
‘The Care of Poultry.’ ”

A Busy Household.

Sociable Minister—“Do you read your Bible
every day, my little dear?”

Little Dear—‘‘No, indeed, I don’t have time.
I’m too busy helping mamma stone raisins and
things, so as to always have something nice for
dinner every time you come.”

Accustomed to Luxuries. ‘
Mr. Nicefello (exhibiting penknife) — “This
handle is pure silver. What do you think of
that?”
Little Girl—“Huh! That's nothing. Sister's
teeth is on a plate of pure gold.”

The Worm Turns.

Newspaper Bore (cheerily)—‘‘How de do?
How de do? How you getting along?”

cditor (wearily)—“Not very well. Too many
interruptions.”

Not the Coffee.

Customer—“‘This coffee tastes like an old to-
bacco pipe.” :

Waiter—“I'll bring you a basin of water so
you can wash y’r mustache.”

The Waiter’s Impudence.

Mr. Wayback (at hotel)—‘What’s that, lem-
onade ?” :

Waiter—“That’s a finger-bow], sah.”

“What's it fer?”

oe wash y’r fingers after eatin’, you know,
sah.’

“Consarn y’r impudence, I don’t eat with my
fingers if I do come from the country. I eat
with my knife same as other folks.”

Short Enough. p

Stranger—“I see it is proposed to shorten
New York into “Nort.” -

Gotham Host—“Oh, iio teed. N’Yo'k 18 short
enough as it is,’

   

  
 

1600

Puzzle Corner.

{Original contributions solicited. Please do not
send Da Sete containing Obsolete words. — Address,
“Puzzle Editor” Goop NEws, P.O. Box 2734, New York
Jity.]

 

—— +

No. 1—WorpD SQUARE.
1. A ray of light.
2. Rest.
3. A large division of land.
4, Food taken at one time,

No. 2—CROSS-WORD ENIGMA.
My first is in Pope, but not in king.
My second is in leave, but not in bring.
My third isin pint, but not in butt,
My fourth is in sever, but not in cut.
My tifth isin revolver, but not in shoot.
My sixth isin run, but notin scoot.
My seventh is in school, but not in jail.
My eighth is in pouch, but not in mail.
My ninth is in slate, but not in book,
My tenth is in sight, but not in look,
My eleventh is in mocassins, but not in shoes,
Here find a writer for your great Goop NEws.
8. LICK.
No. 3—CRYPTOGRAMS,
352211323245231541114115434445231 14522354 5354143154
444,
244523243431 22353514341453444523155215435512154445 ;
24452444123545232135435535513422113414353214,
ae
aa

No, 4- DIAMOND.
1. A vowel,
2. Todo evil.
3. A drinking frolic.
4. A pnevinatical instrument.
5. A river of North Carolina,
6. A printer’s measure (plural).
7. A consonant. NERO.

No. 5—DOUBLE ACROSTIC.
1, A county in Nebraska,
2. A county in Virginia.
3. A county in Mississippi.
4, Besides,
6. A county in Michigan.
6. A connty in New Jersey.
7. A county in Massachusetts.
8 A county in Georgia.
Primals and tinuls name two States.
J. L. KESLER.
No. 6—GoopD ADVICE.
Ame—rica--canb—oyss—houl — dreadt—hego
—odne —wsiti—stheb - estbh—oyspa--perpublis—
hed. ite— ostso—nly fivece—utsac—opy anidi—spu
blish—edev—ery w—ee—k. Ss. R. B.

No. 7—GREFK CROSS.

Upper Square—1. To crack.
drug. 4. An excuse,

Lett Square—1l. To hinder. 2, Aninstrument.
8. Soft mud. 4. An excuse.

Central Square—i1. An excuse. 2. To lie at
ease, 3, Pronunciation of a word meaning:
“Flushed with success.” 4, High.

2. Void. 3. A

Right Sqnare—I, High. 2. ‘To lend. 8. An
appendage of an animal, 4, Single.
Lower Square—l. High. 2. Tojump. 38 A

narrow piece of woven fabric. 4. To unfold.
No. 8—ENIGMA,
I'm the head of a wood,
And the tail of a fruit;
Tam found in a soldier—
Notina recruit.
The sun never sees me,
But not so the moon,
Tam notin the sky,
But (mm ina balloon,
I floatin the ovean—
I sink in the sea;
I’m found in your coffee,
But notin your tea,
The soldier and sailor,
Policeman as well,
Cannot do without me—

What am I, pray tell? LILIAN,

 

Popular Authors.

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Where He Got His Money, by Oliver
PONG os oth ecde ckve rt tah Gi tss 3 Numbers lic,
The < “< on the Island, by Oliver ic

 

  

BGM ik ht rei St aes od ec boot Bet 5c.
Nothing But a Boy, by Oliver Optic.15 — “ 75e.
A Sailor in Spite of Himself,by Harry

Castlomenici f (003. f6pzier sm 6 ? 30c.
Guy Harris, the Runaway, by Harry

Castiemon.,.. .............6.40..:.15 4 75¢.
White-Horse Fred, by Harry Castle-

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SITREET & SMITH, 31 Rose Street, New York.

 

 

 

CGooDp

WRECKED CROSSING THE LINE,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No. 9—DELETIONS.

(Drop a letter from-the word chosen,
leaving another word.)
At first Tam found with the wealthy
and rich,
And my usage may make you all
wiser;

NEw S.

 

 

 

 

 

 

If of me you are careless you may
come to the ditch,
And I’m the idol of every old
miser,
Now operate on me, and I shall be

sti
More powerful than I was be-
fore;
And if hints you want more for my
answer, [ will
Say I’m alike to the rich and the

 

eb

 

 

 

 

THERE are no known owners for
78,000 acres of land in St. Clair
County, Alabama.

THOUGH Time is called a great
healer, he finally buries every oue
of his patients.

No MAN can expect to live with
the virtuous and mingle with the
vicious and keep pure.

THE devil is never more pleased
than when two good brethien get
arguing a point in religion.

IT is sometimes the case that @
man gets credit for charity he is
really giving for self protection.

THERE is only one fool greater
than he who offers gratuitous ad-
vice; he who accepts and acts
upon it.

THE average cost per pupil in the

 

 

 

poor,
G. J ONES.
ee
Auswers {0 Puzzles in No, 99 Good News,
No, 1—
United States of America.
No. 2—-
Cc
T ABA
TAPER
CAPE LAN
BELOW
RAW
N
No, 3—
Christopher Columbus.
No. 4—

The curfew tolls the knell of parting day,
The lowing herd winds slowly o’er the lea,
The farmer homeward plods his weary way,
And leaves the earth to darkness aud to me,
(GREY,)
No, 5--

No. 6—
1, Groom—room.
2. Hash—ash.
8. Share—hare.
No. 7—
W. B. Lawson.

—_—-———

PUZZLE SOLVERS.
Isidore Gompertz, Wilbur Johnson, J. Brick-

Short Stops.

o--——-

 

KRvUPP GUN Co. employs 16,000.

CALIFORNIA has Chinese miners,

ENVELOPES were first used in 1839,

THE first air pump was made in 1650,
CHICACO has a Woman’s baking company,
EVERY-DAY facts will be of use in the future.

WOMEN are architects and builders in Zulu
lan‘.

THE KHEDIVE OF EGYPT neither smokes nor
drinks.

KEROSENE was first used forlighting purposes
in 1826.

THE most heavily-taxed country in Europe is
France.

THE population of the earth doubies itself in
200 year's,

THE first telescope was probably used in Eng-
land in 1608.

THERE are 2,600 women school teachers of
Philadelphia,

THE first copper cent was colned in New
Haven in 1687,

History is the preserver of good deeds and
the avenger ot bud.

WHATEVER comes to us through good friends
is a blessing,

SINGULAR, isn’t it, that notes fall due and
dew falls on the oats.

 

etton, Arthur F. Probst.

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4

ye

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THE NATIONAL MFG,
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334 Dearb
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TELEGRAPHY.

Learners’ manual of complete instructions, with de-
scription of instruments. How to put up Telegraph
Lines, Electric Bells, Batteries, etc. By mall free.

J. H. BUNNELL & CO., 76 Cortlandt St., New York.

  
 
   

   
    
   
   
 
   
 
 
  
 
 
 
 

 
 

 

TRAIT: FREE OF

9 time

For 30 Days. Wishing to {introduce our CRAYON PORTRAITS and at the SUP ygert

extend our business and make new customers, we bave decided to make this Ser youre
Send us a Cabinet Picture, aan: Tintype,Ambroty pe or Dagueroty PAY N

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mailto THE CRESCENT CRAYON CO.
8100 to anyone sending us

  

 

 

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f not interfering with the likeness. Refer to any bank in C loners will forf' F
Opposite New German Theatre, cumicago, re ole

photo and nos receiving crayon

Boston public schools during the
past twelve months has been$24.53.
_ THE gain in school enrollment in New Mexico
in 1890 is 283 per cent, while the gain in popula
tion is Ouly 28 per cent.

AMONG the sufferers from the spread of influ:
enza is the Czarina, who is obliged to remain at
the Castle of Gatchina,

You can reasonably expect just so much of
men. When you expect more than that you are
in a fair way to be disappointed.

THE Manchester Academy of Fine Arts has
been reconstituted, and is now registered under
the Friendly Societies Act of 1875.

THROUGHOUT France gardening is practically
taught in the primary and elementary schools.
There are about 28,000 of these schools.

Soaks—“Why do they say when a man is @
little intoxicated that he has an edge ont”

McSwizzle—*Why, because he cuts up 80-

AUSTRALIA has strung no fewer than 105,868
miles of telegraph wires across its surface, au
transmitted in one year 12,000,000 messages.

THE Grand Duke Sergius, who is Governor
General of Moscow, has made himself 80 U2
popular that he is, it is said, to be removed.

IN many villages of the Tyrol the authorities
have prohibited the use of ted parasols, Wlle
have been found to irritate the grazing cattle.

NEVER complain about your lot in life ay
gives people the right to suspect that you wi?
too much away from home and neglect Y°
fences. ' }

THERE is none made s0 great but he may hove
need the help and service and stand 1n fea! :
the power and unkindness even of the meane

mortals,

ee OO
eo

$5 to SIS Pease
’ LIGHTNING PLATER
| eee jewel es 7

   
     
 

Siars, H. E. DET
Col

ENNYROYAL PILLS

Stanton’s-American). Surest, Cheapest
rogeiats,or nail 1.00. Gotha Giant GlObUeN,
Strongest Invigorant known. Cure Nervous Debility Phi fs.
Particulars (sealed) 2c, SPECIFIC MEDICINE CO-y
jnal
Remedy Free. INSTANT RELIEF. Fi
curein lUdays. Never returns; DOP tried
no salve; nosuppository. A victim rod &
: in vain every rem dy has discover. 4.
simple cure, which he will mail free to hisfello

ferers. Address J. H. REEVES, Box 8290, New York CHY a
CUT THIS OU and send with Fer name a

 

ou, fre
office address and we will 8¢ Mell for
to examine and wear, a SOLID GOLD finished watch that you i
Ten Dollars. If it suits, you send us Four Dollars and expres
if not, return it tome. Mention whether Ladies’ or Gents’ 8#

W. S. SIMPSON. 37 College Place. “"*

ws
Be sure ana use **/Mirse Winsleired
Soothing Syrup” for ys apottle 7
ot a

while Teething. 25 cen

 

at 1
100 Fereigs Stamps. Borneo, Mexico. Wes <3
die

 

 

8, etc. 5c, A. B. Ashfield, 846 E. 163d Shy"

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AR 450 Samples, Verses, &. Pull Ages Cee a a3 /%g &

C DS eee retain nares Cee
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LBDZ Sample Cards 2c, World Card Go. 31 5re8

you exhibit it to your friends as 4.

TLL,

picture FBEK as per thisofler, T

 

 

 

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